Do You Listen to Your Core Desires

Monday morning – the moment many dread as they head to their job wishing for a longer weekend.  I am blessed to be able to work from home and make my own hours.  I have been working with a coach and an amazing group of women doing “31days & 31 ways to Jumpstart Your Abundance”.  My second go around and new things are coming to light.

We have been talking a lot about core values and our core desires.  Maybe it is the MS and memory issues or maybe it is the inner gremlins who take joy in squashing my hopes and dreams but this is a struggle for me.  Whatever the reason, I’m sure I’m not alone.

Let’s take a minute to focus on our life  – our definition of success, and how we can find purpose, fulfilment, and joy by letting the things which truly matter guide us.  I know a heavy topic for a Monday morning but give it a try!

How many of you struggle with the noise, and “norms” of society which make it difficult to stay connected to your core desires.

I have been trying to focus on my core desires in my work and my life.  These are the things which help me to focus on how I will prioritize and spend my days, how I define success, and how I will show up in my life.  Here is what I came up with:

Financial independence

I never thought much about being financially independent.  It was always about paying the bills and having “things”.  As I have gotten older, health challenges have come to light, I want to feel stable, secure, self-sufficient, and be independent financially.  It goes beyond wanting a  roof over my head (hubby takes care of all the household stuff) and food on the table.  I want to feel happy and at peace by making mindful, intentional, and responsible decisions when it comes to finances, and by showing up wholeheartedly for my business too.   It means paying off credit card debt.  This is such a huge change for me from just “winging it”.

Emotional & physical well-being

Living with a chronic health condition has taught me to pay more attention to my health and well-being.  I can’t change the struggles my health issues sometimes cause, but I can control how I get through them.  Feeling emotionally and physically healthy is something I have been prioritizing in my life this year.  I try to honor the needs of my health in my business, and how I support my health in the lifestyle choices too.

Living & telling my truth

I struggle so much with accepting who I am, yet, I am willing to share my strength, hopes and experiences with everyone.  I continue to work on accepting who I am – the good, the bad and the ugly.  I am learning to embrace my  strengths and weaknesses. In my business, I want to inspire others never letting pride or fear hold me back from showing up, supporting and encouraging others.

Meaningful work

I crave meaningful and joyful work. I long to make a difference and am always searching for my true purpose.  It isn’t about the money I make, it is about what the money can do to make a difference.  I love when customers feel comfortable enough to share their story, their fears, their joys, and their desires with me.  My heart swells with joy, when I see someone smile who is struggling.  I want to honor this desire by never losing sight of what matters most to me in my work, and never letting money be bigger than the “why” behind what I do.

To be of service

Whether it’s in my business, in my relationship, friendships, and with my family, or how I contribute to the world, I always want to be the positive in the lives of those around me.  Yes, I want to live a joyful and fulfilling life, BUT I don’t want to always be looking at my own needs.

Connection

I long to feel connected to what matters most to me, to the people in my life who I love and adore, to my business and the work I do.  I try to stay aligned with my core values, desires, and intentions, by carving out time for my favorite people, by interacting in and engaging with the world around me, and by getting outside of my comfort zone. YIKES! A tough one but so important in staying connected with the world to find ways I can play a small but positive part in it.

What are you core desires in your work and your life?  What are they and are you honoring them in your work and daily life?  Share with us….

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

 

Do You Have A Routine When You Work?

 Does your Monday look like this?

 Or is this how you look this morning?

I have to be honest, despite working from home, my Monday mornings can go either way.

When I take time to plan out my week and schedule all of the things I have to do – I am ready to conquer the world.  When I wait till the morning to get things scheduled for the day, I am a hot mess who is unable to stick to a routine.  I squirrel towards the next shining object and then get frustrated when nothing seems to be getting done.

Here are 5 simple steps to help you get a little bit more motivated while working from home:

1. Set Working Hours

Decide on what your working hours will be, and stick to them!  This one is really tough for me.  Hubby is off on Monday and Tuesdays PLUS he works the 4 – 12midnight shift.  It means he is home during the day and has his own plan for the day.  I set my alarm for the same time Monday to Friday and stick to a morning routine as if I was going to work (out of the house).  I have found when I stick to a schedule of early office hours, a break to do things with hubby and then back in the office in the afternoon – life is so much better.  I love starting my work day at the same time every day!

2. Use A Planner

Plan out your week using a planner – either on your phone or a hard copy. I need paper when it comes to this.  Hubby bought me a Passion Planner and I absolutely LOVE it.  Lots of room for notes, scheduling appointments daily and setting goals.  I have daily to-do lists so you have a clear sense of what needs doing and get started on tasks immediately.  Having a planner and planning out my time has been a giant stress reliever.  It also helps to give your work days and week structure, while working from home!

3. Create A Workspace

Okay, so I don’t work from bed but I will admit to being in my sweats. I get shower and have my coffee just like I would if I had an office job.  I take the “commute” down to my office.  It is important to create a space in your home  – your own personal “workspace”. Even if it is your living room table or a desk in your bedroom! Set aside space solely for work and nothing else!  Set it up like you would a cubby or office with motivational quotes and make it pretty.

4. Leave The House

It’s unhealthy to stay at home all day and not get some fresh air. So get up every couple of hours to take a work break – make yourself some tea and scroll through Instagram. Take your lunch break out of the house too. Even if you make food at home, pack it up and eat it outside to take a step away from your desk for a change of scenery.  This is one I am working on.  I would have to say my work break is having lunch with hubby every day.

5. Socialize

Do you feel isolated working from home?  With no kids to taxi around, I have found “girl time” is more important than ever.  After-work drinks aren’t as easy when there’s no one to go with from work!  So organize some social meetups post work with friends. Whether they work from home or not, socializing after work is a must. Cocktails? Yes please, always!

Do you work from home? What are your top tips for creating a work-from-home routine and staying motivated?  Share your best tips with us…

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

 

How To Make it a GREAT Monday

WOOHOO!  Yes, I am one of those crazies that like Mondays.  Could be that it is the start of days devoted to my business.  Could be that Monday and Tuesday are hubby’s days off.  But I have to admit that I genuinely love Mondays.

I set my alarm to get up early. I’m full of motivation and anticipation for the week ahead.  I have my next 4 days planned out in detail – where I’m going, who I will meet, what work I will get done and even time some white space on the calendar for those unexpected curve balls called life.

Yup, it is all about the Law of Attraction.  The reality is that your negative (dreading) thoughts are killing your productivity before you even start your day.  I know that Mondays are not everyones weekend.  I love Monday even when I was working CRAZY hours.  I kept a positive attitude.  Have you ever had a bad Monday and then it goes downhill the rest of the week?  Yup, you set the tone for the week.  So, are you looking to make a change?

To be honest, when I decided to make the most of Monday, I actually took control of my life’s direction.  Now, before you start the negatives of why you CAN’T do these things, give them a chance.  Remember baby steps are what help change the chaotic into the manageable:

#1 REST
Allow yourself to really slow down and unwind.  Maybe it is a glass of wine or reading a book or a bubble bath or a massage or watching endless episodes on Netflix?  Why not, right?  I know, you have a MILLION reasons but a little self indulgence lets you take some well earned rest.  Your weekends (days off) should be different then your work week.  It allows you time to forget the stresses and strains of being a busy woman on the go.  You get to recharge so that you are ready to start all over again on Monday morning.

#2 LIVE POSITIVELY
You need to practice this one daily.  I know those inner gremlins are screaming at you.  I know you have bad days.  I have them too.  The first thing I do is remind myself that my life is not this one day.  STOP and be grateful for the things in your life.  It will help you  to appreciate how good life really is. Your thoughts, your words, your status’, your tweets, your Facebook posts should ALL be positive. You wont be perfect but if you do your best; it will have a huge impact on the way you live your life.

#3 RISE EARLY
I have talked about this before…Getting up early is the most motivating and self satisfying thing that I do.  When I wake up before 6am; I know it is going to be a really great day. Devotions done by 6:30AM. Coffee and a shower and I am at my desk by 7:30am.   Why so early? So I can be done in my office by 10 to enjoy time with hubby.  Days like these, I am unstoppable. My mood is upbeat and I feel energized because I have been productive.

#4 MAKE LISTS
This is more a part of my life since the MS but I have to admit, I LOVE seeing things checked off.  I make lists to ensure I don’t miss a thing and everything gets done.  It is also a great way to set-up my planner so I don’t over schedule or over commit myself.

#5 TAKE REGULAR BREAKS
Yes, this actually is the key to being productive on any day.  By taking a regular break, I get fresh eyes and enthusiasm.  Planning all my tasks out in small increments helps too.  It ensures that I am not working non stop (or running around) for long hours.  This is how I avoid the afternoon sugar and feeling lethargic so my productivity suffers.   Take a tea break.  Go for a short walk.  Take a power nap.  Read a little in your favorite book.  You will see a huge difference in the rest of your day.

So, what are you going to do to make a difference in your Monday that will ripple into making a difference in your week?  Share your ideas with us.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!