Like most women I look forward to a fresh hairdo! Yet I must say...lately, I haven't found a salon that has given me that "DIVA" feeling. And to be quite honest, it annoys me! Now, to be fair...I can admit that I am VERY sensitive about my hair. I experienced unexplained hairline loss and have been quite traumatized by the ordeal. So when I go to a hair salon, I am anticipating indulging in a fulfilling experience that will soothe my anxiety. Is that too much to ask?
Yet, it seems that there is always SOMETHING lacking in each new salon I try! I have yet to find a salon that has ALL the things I am looking for. For example...a welcoming greeting, the offering of a beverage and light snack, excellent customer services, healthy hair practices, knowledge of new products and trends, versatile styling techniques, cleanliness, beautiful decor, appointment reminders, online booking, social media/website utilization.
It is so disheartening! And...is it just me? Or do other women feel that we (particularly women of color) are being taken advantage of? Overbooking, leaving us under the dryer long than necessary to kill time, over-pricing for mediocore services, and EXTENSIVE WAITING!!! Yet, we continue to go back for more!! Where is the incentive for many of these hair salons to upgrade their business practices?
Now that I have relocated, I dread the experience of trying to find a new hair salon! So I have already decided to supplement my hair salon visits with more at-home care treatments. So I will be watching YouTube tutorials to brush up on my skills! Hmmm...and it will likely help out my budget too.
Yet still, as woman living "The Neo-Soul Lifestyle" can't do EVERYTHING herself! I can't go cold turkey on salon visits! So I would love for you all to share information about the hair salons you love in your city! Let's support those that are doing their best! And we'll have great resource list for those of us who travel quite a bit!
Let's groove while on this hair journey!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
A Global Citizen
Let me start by saying, it feels so good to blog again! Quite a bit has happened in my life, and to sum it up nicely...I've moved to Toronto for a 1 year assignment! I'm looking forward to sharing the experience with you.
At first, I didn't allow myself to get too excited. For a little while I thought, "It's Canada, you've been there before (although its been years, the last time I visited you didn't need a passport) how different could it be from the U.S.?
Then I quickly realized that I need to FULLY experience this opportunity and be open to the possibilites of meeting new people with different values, new cuisines, and music. It is indeed a different country...it is not like moving to a different county.
So there it is...I have become a global citizen. Did I ever think think I would be presented with this type of opportunity?! Actually, yes I did! It's funny...when I created my Twitter profile (@NeoLifeCEO) I wrote "Motown Roots, Global Living"...I am so thankful to be living the manifestation of those words.
If you have any places, people, and/or "beware" tips that you'd like to share with me....I'd love to hear them!
At first, I didn't allow myself to get too excited. For a little while I thought, "It's Canada, you've been there before (although its been years, the last time I visited you didn't need a passport) how different could it be from the U.S.?
Then I quickly realized that I need to FULLY experience this opportunity and be open to the possibilites of meeting new people with different values, new cuisines, and music. It is indeed a different country...it is not like moving to a different county.
So there it is...I have become a global citizen. Did I ever think think I would be presented with this type of opportunity?! Actually, yes I did! It's funny...when I created my Twitter profile (@NeoLifeCEO) I wrote "Motown Roots, Global Living"...I am so thankful to be living the manifestation of those words.
If you have any places, people, and/or "beware" tips that you'd like to share with me....I'd love to hear them!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Five Steps to Creating Your Budget and Sticking With It
You know what you earn, what you spend and what your financial priorities are -- now put them together to create a budget and I'll explain how.
Finally! NOW we'll do a budget. Budgeting isn't hard, but I wanted to establish a foundation for why you're doing a budget and how to do it. Wax on, wax off Daniel-san.
Remember, we defined a budget as "the amount of money that is available for, required for, or assigned to a particular purpose." A budget is how you plan to use the money you have earned and/or that is available to you to live your life. Without a plan, you will either wind up in debt or spend that money on things that really don't make your life easier or more enjoyable.
A budget is not a list of things you aren't allowed to spend your money on. Its point is to help you set priorities. So a budget helps you figure out what to spend money on. A budget need not be complicated. Heck, it doesn't even need to be called a budget! Call it your spending plan, your spending allowances, your fiscal plan, whatever makes you feel more comfortable starting it and sticking with it.
Five Steps to Create a Budget
1. On a piece of paper (preferably use a spreadsheet program or an online service such as Mint.com), write down your NET income per month. What's Net income? Your gross, or total, income minus taxes.
2. List your savings goals -- how much money do you need to save each month to save 10% for tithing, or to build a $1,000 emergency fund or to save three months of living expenses? List each thing you plan to save for and how much each month you need to put away.
3. Add up your monthly savings goals and subtract the total from your net income.
4. Now, list all your fixed expenses -- these include rent, mortgage, utilities, debt repayment (remember, if you have debt, especially high interest debt, your number one financial priority is to pay it off), loans, car insurance, public transportation, etc. Add up your fixed expenses and subtract that total from the amount you got in Step 3 (DON'T start again with your net income).
5. If there is a positive number left after Step 5, CONGRATULATIONS! This is your spending money for whatever you need and want. If there is a negative number after Step 5, then you've got some problems (and a clearer picture of why you might be going into debt or running short each month).
If you have a negative number after Step 5:
Look at your biggest expenditures and see what can be cut. Perhaps your savings goals or your debt repayment plans are too aggressive for your current situation. Maybe you're paying a lot more in rent than you can afford. Maybe your cell phone bill can be reduced. Look to cut fixed expenses first, because that's where you'll save the most money. If you can't, then you need more income. If, for some reason, that's not possible, then you may have to eliminate your savings goals until you pay off debt (not to keep paying for a lifestyle that's above your means).
If you must cut your savings goals until you can pay down debt, still contribute to your 401k if your employer is offering a match. Also, try to save $1,000 in a mini-emergency fund to protect you in the event of unforeseen expenses.
If you have a positive number after Step 5:
This is where you lay out your spending priorities and use your spending record (see! yet another reason you kept it!) to determine just how much you spend on those things. Start subtracting those monthly expenses from the remaining amount. When you hit zero, that's it, no more money.
Are you already rubbing your temples and saying "Debt Hater, I ain't doing all of that!" Well, tsk tsk. I think this is much easier than trying to keep your head above water while you go broke! But, still, there is a quick and dirty way to do this too, but you still have to do some math. I happen to like Ramit Sethi's Conscious Spending Plan allotments in his best-selling book "I Will Teach You To Be Rich." Basically, you take your net income and divvy it up this way:
Fixed expenses (including debt repayment): 50% - 60% of net income(60% if you own a home)
Investments (401k, 501c3, IRA): 10%
Savings (vacations, gifts, holidays, home downpayment, wedding, unexpected expenses): 5% - 10%
Spending Money (whatever you want!): 20% to 35%
Take your net income and see what these percentages add up to. If it turns out that your fixed expenses are 70% of your income and your spending money is 30%, then you see where you have a problem! You've left nothing for savings and investments. Start chopping down your fixed expenses and cool down the spending until you get your proportions on track.
Me personally, if you're in debt or have expensive purchases (like a car or home) you want to make, you should bump savings to 15% and lower spending money to 15%. Remember, it's about priorities AND time.
Any questions? Please leave them in the comments, I'd be happy to answer any that I can.
Debt Hater is a personal finance blogger who paid off nearly $16,000 in credit card debt (not including a car loan!) in four years, just like she planned. You can visit her blog at www.debthatersblog.com.
Finally! NOW we'll do a budget. Budgeting isn't hard, but I wanted to establish a foundation for why you're doing a budget and how to do it. Wax on, wax off Daniel-san.
Remember, we defined a budget as "the amount of money that is available for, required for, or assigned to a particular purpose." A budget is how you plan to use the money you have earned and/or that is available to you to live your life. Without a plan, you will either wind up in debt or spend that money on things that really don't make your life easier or more enjoyable.
A budget is not a list of things you aren't allowed to spend your money on. Its point is to help you set priorities. So a budget helps you figure out what to spend money on. A budget need not be complicated. Heck, it doesn't even need to be called a budget! Call it your spending plan, your spending allowances, your fiscal plan, whatever makes you feel more comfortable starting it and sticking with it.
Five Steps to Create a Budget
1. On a piece of paper (preferably use a spreadsheet program or an online service such as Mint.com), write down your NET income per month. What's Net income? Your gross, or total, income minus taxes.
2. List your savings goals -- how much money do you need to save each month to save 10% for tithing, or to build a $1,000 emergency fund or to save three months of living expenses? List each thing you plan to save for and how much each month you need to put away.
3. Add up your monthly savings goals and subtract the total from your net income.
4. Now, list all your fixed expenses -- these include rent, mortgage, utilities, debt repayment (remember, if you have debt, especially high interest debt, your number one financial priority is to pay it off), loans, car insurance, public transportation, etc. Add up your fixed expenses and subtract that total from the amount you got in Step 3 (DON'T start again with your net income).
5. If there is a positive number left after Step 5, CONGRATULATIONS! This is your spending money for whatever you need and want. If there is a negative number after Step 5, then you've got some problems (and a clearer picture of why you might be going into debt or running short each month).
If you have a negative number after Step 5:
Look at your biggest expenditures and see what can be cut. Perhaps your savings goals or your debt repayment plans are too aggressive for your current situation. Maybe you're paying a lot more in rent than you can afford. Maybe your cell phone bill can be reduced. Look to cut fixed expenses first, because that's where you'll save the most money. If you can't, then you need more income. If, for some reason, that's not possible, then you may have to eliminate your savings goals until you pay off debt (not to keep paying for a lifestyle that's above your means).
If you must cut your savings goals until you can pay down debt, still contribute to your 401k if your employer is offering a match. Also, try to save $1,000 in a mini-emergency fund to protect you in the event of unforeseen expenses.
If you have a positive number after Step 5:
This is where you lay out your spending priorities and use your spending record (see! yet another reason you kept it!) to determine just how much you spend on those things. Start subtracting those monthly expenses from the remaining amount. When you hit zero, that's it, no more money.
Are you already rubbing your temples and saying "Debt Hater, I ain't doing all of that!" Well, tsk tsk. I think this is much easier than trying to keep your head above water while you go broke! But, still, there is a quick and dirty way to do this too, but you still have to do some math. I happen to like Ramit Sethi's Conscious Spending Plan allotments in his best-selling book "I Will Teach You To Be Rich." Basically, you take your net income and divvy it up this way:
Fixed expenses (including debt repayment): 50% - 60% of net income(60% if you own a home)
Investments (401k, 501c3, IRA): 10%
Savings (vacations, gifts, holidays, home downpayment, wedding, unexpected expenses): 5% - 10%
Spending Money (whatever you want!): 20% to 35%
Take your net income and see what these percentages add up to. If it turns out that your fixed expenses are 70% of your income and your spending money is 30%, then you see where you have a problem! You've left nothing for savings and investments. Start chopping down your fixed expenses and cool down the spending until you get your proportions on track.
Me personally, if you're in debt or have expensive purchases (like a car or home) you want to make, you should bump savings to 15% and lower spending money to 15%. Remember, it's about priorities AND time.
Any questions? Please leave them in the comments, I'd be happy to answer any that I can.
Debt Hater is a personal finance blogger who paid off nearly $16,000 in credit card debt (not including a car loan!) in four years, just like she planned. You can visit her blog at www.debthatersblog.com.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Do We Budget Now? Set Some Goals First
Budgets are hard to follow.
Or so says popular belief, but I disagree.
Budgets are not hard to follow if you have a good reason for following them. I know how much I struggled to stay on budget when I was doing it just for the sake of doing it. I was much better when I had a goal.
I will be honest, I am not the goals super woman. I can mercurial (look that up, it's a good word) about my finances -- intensely interested one week, then not at all the next. So, it takes me a while to set real goals that motivate me to save or stick to my budget.
Last week, I asked you to think about your priorities and come up with a financial mission statement. Your financial mission statement should help you make decisions about your money -- everything you do should be in step with your mission.
So, before you start with the budget, what would you like to accomplish?
If you're a debt hater like me and reading these posts, you probably want to pay off your consumer debt! Good! Of course! But, uh, how exactly do you do that? If you knew, you probably wouldn't be reading this.
You need to figure out EXACTLY how much you owe, to whom and what the interest rates are and add it all up. Now, how soon do you want to pay it off? Tomorrow? Yeah, nice try. Start with a debt repayment calculator (there are many online, just Google it).
A good calculator will take into account how much you owe and the interest rates, then show you how long it will take to pay off if you only pay the minimums. You should be able to change the variables. Say, you want to pay it off in six months, the calculator should tell you how much money you'd have to pay monthly to accomplish that. Or if you knew you could afford to pay a certain dollar amount monthly, the calculator will tell you how long it will take to erase the debt paying that amount.
An example: Let's say you have $10,000 in credit card debt at 12%. You are 28 and want to pay it off before you turn 30. You punch your numbers into the calculator and, just like that, you have a goal! If you pay $470 a month on your consumer debt, you'll pay it off in less than two years!
What makes a good financial goal?
A good goal, any goal, should be S.M.A.R.T.:
Specific: I want to completely pay off my consumer debt before my 30th birthday in 2012.
Measurable: I know I'll be done when I pay all $10,000.
Achievable: I can afford to pay off my debt if I manage my money properly.
Realistic: I have steady income and enough money available for bills, savings and spending money.
Timely: I can definitely do it in two years if I always pay $470 a month or more.
The same thing works for saving to buy something. What do you want and why? When do you want to buy it? How much money will you have to put aside each week or month to make that happen? Do you actually have that money available each week or month? What changes could you make to have that money available?
When you know what you're trying to accomplish, you plan your budget around it (which is why I still haven't gotten to the nuts and bolts of a budget). It'll keep you honest and make it easier to track your progress -- as you get closer to your goals, you're more motivated to stick with it (trust me! Watching my debt fall and my savings rise, as slowly as it happened, helped me suck it up when I just wanted to blow a wad a cash. I had a REASON to be good!).
Now, once you sit down and create a budget, you may realize that some of your goals are not realistic. That's ok! When you know what you're working with, you can fix them so that they are.
Each little bit, builds on the last. Next, week, I promise, we'll build your budget -- the budget that's going to lead you through 2010 and into 2011 with a clear financial picture and plan!
DH
Debt Hater is a personal finance blogger who paid off nearly $16,000 in credit card debt (not including a car loan!) in four years, just like she planned. You can visit her blog at www.debthatersblog.com.
Or so says popular belief, but I disagree.
Budgets are not hard to follow if you have a good reason for following them. I know how much I struggled to stay on budget when I was doing it just for the sake of doing it. I was much better when I had a goal.
I will be honest, I am not the goals super woman. I can mercurial (look that up, it's a good word) about my finances -- intensely interested one week, then not at all the next. So, it takes me a while to set real goals that motivate me to save or stick to my budget.
Last week, I asked you to think about your priorities and come up with a financial mission statement. Your financial mission statement should help you make decisions about your money -- everything you do should be in step with your mission.
So, before you start with the budget, what would you like to accomplish?
If you're a debt hater like me and reading these posts, you probably want to pay off your consumer debt! Good! Of course! But, uh, how exactly do you do that? If you knew, you probably wouldn't be reading this.
You need to figure out EXACTLY how much you owe, to whom and what the interest rates are and add it all up. Now, how soon do you want to pay it off? Tomorrow? Yeah, nice try. Start with a debt repayment calculator (there are many online, just Google it).
A good calculator will take into account how much you owe and the interest rates, then show you how long it will take to pay off if you only pay the minimums. You should be able to change the variables. Say, you want to pay it off in six months, the calculator should tell you how much money you'd have to pay monthly to accomplish that. Or if you knew you could afford to pay a certain dollar amount monthly, the calculator will tell you how long it will take to erase the debt paying that amount.
An example: Let's say you have $10,000 in credit card debt at 12%. You are 28 and want to pay it off before you turn 30. You punch your numbers into the calculator and, just like that, you have a goal! If you pay $470 a month on your consumer debt, you'll pay it off in less than two years!
What makes a good financial goal?
A good goal, any goal, should be S.M.A.R.T.:
Specific: I want to completely pay off my consumer debt before my 30th birthday in 2012.
Measurable: I know I'll be done when I pay all $10,000.
Achievable: I can afford to pay off my debt if I manage my money properly.
Realistic: I have steady income and enough money available for bills, savings and spending money.
Timely: I can definitely do it in two years if I always pay $470 a month or more.
The same thing works for saving to buy something. What do you want and why? When do you want to buy it? How much money will you have to put aside each week or month to make that happen? Do you actually have that money available each week or month? What changes could you make to have that money available?
When you know what you're trying to accomplish, you plan your budget around it (which is why I still haven't gotten to the nuts and bolts of a budget). It'll keep you honest and make it easier to track your progress -- as you get closer to your goals, you're more motivated to stick with it (trust me! Watching my debt fall and my savings rise, as slowly as it happened, helped me suck it up when I just wanted to blow a wad a cash. I had a REASON to be good!).
Now, once you sit down and create a budget, you may realize that some of your goals are not realistic. That's ok! When you know what you're working with, you can fix them so that they are.
Each little bit, builds on the last. Next, week, I promise, we'll build your budget -- the budget that's going to lead you through 2010 and into 2011 with a clear financial picture and plan!
DH
Debt Hater is a personal finance blogger who paid off nearly $16,000 in credit card debt (not including a car loan!) in four years, just like she planned. You can visit her blog at www.debthatersblog.com.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Habits....Let's Try This Again!
The power of social media....one of my Twitter friends called me out my abrupt end of updates on the 30-day challenge, AFTER DAY 2! Good grief! Yes, I've been busy but I need to stick to a plan. So here I go again....send positive vibes y'all!
This time, I will include the tasks for seven (7) days and will post comments on my progress....
Day 1 Habit - Make A To Do List
What you write down gets done. Start with a blank piece of paper and write your to do's for the next seven days. Be sure the list is inclusive (work, family, home, and YOU)!
Day 2 Habit - Pick The Three Most Important Items On Your List
Choose and mark the most important three tasks on your to do list today. Be sure to puth them in rank order of importance. Now go cross those three things off your list! No procrastinating....GO!
Day 3 Habit - Cross Something Off Your List
Let's lighten the load. Cross off any non-critical item from your to do list. Be ruthless! If you aren't, those items will just take up mind-space with a nagging "hey, what about me?" and distract you from what REALLY needs to get done.
Day 4 Habit - Set Deadlines For Your To Do List
Prevent to do list procrastination! Assign deadlines to the things on your list. Set times by which you must make phone calls, arrive places, or submit things. For more general to do's, make a note as to whether or not the task must be done the same day.
Day 5 Habit - Pick A Problem Room & Identify The Pinch Point
The pinch point is the one thing that prevents everything from running smoothly when it's not in order. So, if the laundry room is your problem area, look for the source of the problem (one big pile, no detergent, etc) and tend to that first. Once you eliminate the pinch point, you'll be amazed how quickly everything falls into place.
Day 6 Habit - Fix The Pinch Point
See it. Fix it! If the pinch point in your laundry room is clothing buildup because you're out of detergent, then keep your soap out where you can see it. Visual reminders help keep your necessary tasks top of mind, so they'll be fixed faster.
Day 7 Habit - Set Up A Mail Center
Mail's here! To keep things organized, set up a mail center in the foyer or hallway right by your mailbox. First, get rid of all that junk mail by setting a stylish recycling bin beside your mail center. In the hallway or by your mailbox, try a wooden mail depot with different compartments for each family member, plus a separate compartment for magazines and catalogs.
This time, I will include the tasks for seven (7) days and will post comments on my progress....
Day 1 Habit - Make A To Do List
What you write down gets done. Start with a blank piece of paper and write your to do's for the next seven days. Be sure the list is inclusive (work, family, home, and YOU)!
Day 2 Habit - Pick The Three Most Important Items On Your List
Choose and mark the most important three tasks on your to do list today. Be sure to puth them in rank order of importance. Now go cross those three things off your list! No procrastinating....GO!
Day 3 Habit - Cross Something Off Your List
Let's lighten the load. Cross off any non-critical item from your to do list. Be ruthless! If you aren't, those items will just take up mind-space with a nagging "hey, what about me?" and distract you from what REALLY needs to get done.
Day 4 Habit - Set Deadlines For Your To Do List
Prevent to do list procrastination! Assign deadlines to the things on your list. Set times by which you must make phone calls, arrive places, or submit things. For more general to do's, make a note as to whether or not the task must be done the same day.
Day 5 Habit - Pick A Problem Room & Identify The Pinch Point
The pinch point is the one thing that prevents everything from running smoothly when it's not in order. So, if the laundry room is your problem area, look for the source of the problem (one big pile, no detergent, etc) and tend to that first. Once you eliminate the pinch point, you'll be amazed how quickly everything falls into place.
Day 6 Habit - Fix The Pinch Point
See it. Fix it! If the pinch point in your laundry room is clothing buildup because you're out of detergent, then keep your soap out where you can see it. Visual reminders help keep your necessary tasks top of mind, so they'll be fixed faster.
Day 7 Habit - Set Up A Mail Center
Mail's here! To keep things organized, set up a mail center in the foyer or hallway right by your mailbox. First, get rid of all that junk mail by setting a stylish recycling bin beside your mail center. In the hallway or by your mailbox, try a wooden mail depot with different compartments for each family member, plus a separate compartment for magazines and catalogs.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Day 2: Change & The Power of Habits
Day 1 Recap:
I did it! I created a week of To Do's. I decided to use my Google calendar, because it has a task element as well. The tough part was trying to remember all of the things I needed to do.....thus the reason for WRITING a list huh?! Then as the To Do's began to roll through my mind, I couldn't get them to stop and had to remind myself....what needs to get done THIS WEEK. But, nevertheless....I DID IT! Whew!
Habit Former - Day 2: Pick The Three Most Important Items On Your List
Description: Choose and mark the most important three tasks on your to do list today. Be sure to put them in rank order of importance. Now go do what you need to do to cross those three things off your list! No procrastinating...GO!
I did it! I created a week of To Do's. I decided to use my Google calendar, because it has a task element as well. The tough part was trying to remember all of the things I needed to do.....thus the reason for WRITING a list huh?! Then as the To Do's began to roll through my mind, I couldn't get them to stop and had to remind myself....what needs to get done THIS WEEK. But, nevertheless....I DID IT! Whew!
Habit Former - Day 2: Pick The Three Most Important Items On Your List
Description: Choose and mark the most important three tasks on your to do list today. Be sure to put them in rank order of importance. Now go do what you need to do to cross those three things off your list! No procrastinating...GO!
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Change and The Power of Habits
I tend to think BIG, and give little thought to the details of life. Yet I know that taking care of the small things will allow the BIG things to manifest and flourish. Now keep in mind, I said "I know"....not that "I do" take care of the details.
As I think about this.....I wonder how much time and money have I lost due to my resistance to the little mundane (yet necessary) things in life. How much stress have I caused myself and others by forgetting? Being late? How many opportunities have I missed?
At different times I have tried to re-invent myself into a person that is all about the details. You know the type....the person that has a list for EVERYTHING, doesn't take a step without a detailed plan, ALWAYS on time & prepared w/extra to share....essentially the "Type A" personality.
I would have a little success, but it was not sustainable as a part of my lifestyle. For me, trying to create this "Type A" persona was too much of a change....it simply is not who I am. For a while, I allowed myself to believe that I was destined to be a person that would need to be comfortable with a quiet simmer of chaos in life while doing the BIG things.
Now I realize that the simmer of the little things left undone, can come to a intensifying boil. So, I am choosing to live differently. There are so many wonderful things on the horizon and I will not allow the little things to diminish or detroy them. I am inspired by the Autumn season....it is the season of change and transformation. This is the time to do things in a new way. I am also motivated by my aspiration to want to close 2010 on a strong & positive flow to create momentum for 2011.
So I am filled with inspiration and motivation, and then thought...."Yikes! Now I have to create a detailed plan TO DO IT!" I knew I would need a jumpstart to get me on the right track. So I purchased these cards called Habit Formers (http://www.organize.com/habit-former-trade-buttoned-up-reg.html). The purpose of these cards are to provide you with a specific tasks to do each day for thirty (30) days. Then at the end of the thirty you should be off to a good start of a more organized life!
So, I'm going to do it! Join me if you like!
Habit Former - Day 1: Make A To Do List For The Week
Description: What you write down gets done. Start with a blank piece of paper and write your to do's for the next seven (7) days. Be sure the list is inclusive (work,family/home...and don't forget you personally!)
Whew, I already have some anxiety just thinking of everything that I need to do. Sigh, but I guess the key here is not to get overwhelmed by EVERYTHING that needs to be done. I simply need to determine what needs to be done this week. Ok, I CAN DO THIS! Send positive vibes my way!
As I think about this.....I wonder how much time and money have I lost due to my resistance to the little mundane (yet necessary) things in life. How much stress have I caused myself and others by forgetting? Being late? How many opportunities have I missed?
At different times I have tried to re-invent myself into a person that is all about the details. You know the type....the person that has a list for EVERYTHING, doesn't take a step without a detailed plan, ALWAYS on time & prepared w/extra to share....essentially the "Type A" personality.
I would have a little success, but it was not sustainable as a part of my lifestyle. For me, trying to create this "Type A" persona was too much of a change....it simply is not who I am. For a while, I allowed myself to believe that I was destined to be a person that would need to be comfortable with a quiet simmer of chaos in life while doing the BIG things.
Now I realize that the simmer of the little things left undone, can come to a intensifying boil. So, I am choosing to live differently. There are so many wonderful things on the horizon and I will not allow the little things to diminish or detroy them. I am inspired by the Autumn season....it is the season of change and transformation. This is the time to do things in a new way. I am also motivated by my aspiration to want to close 2010 on a strong & positive flow to create momentum for 2011.
So I am filled with inspiration and motivation, and then thought...."Yikes! Now I have to create a detailed plan TO DO IT!" I knew I would need a jumpstart to get me on the right track. So I purchased these cards called Habit Formers (http://www.organize.com/habit-former-trade-buttoned-up-reg.html). The purpose of these cards are to provide you with a specific tasks to do each day for thirty (30) days. Then at the end of the thirty you should be off to a good start of a more organized life!
So, I'm going to do it! Join me if you like!
Habit Former - Day 1: Make A To Do List For The Week
Description: What you write down gets done. Start with a blank piece of paper and write your to do's for the next seven (7) days. Be sure the list is inclusive (work,family/home...and don't forget you personally!)
Whew, I already have some anxiety just thinking of everything that I need to do. Sigh, but I guess the key here is not to get overwhelmed by EVERYTHING that needs to be done. I simply need to determine what needs to be done this week. Ok, I CAN DO THIS! Send positive vibes my way!
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