May 30, 2008 - Posted by Anne- 0 Comments
You know you’re pretty talented, right? Got lots of skills, experience, and abilities. Don’t know about you, but I seem to spend all of my time working to strengthen my weak points and let me tell you, I’ve got more than a few. Today’s task is to rethink that strengths vs. weakness thing. Today, instead of focusing on all the things you don’t do well and struggling to make them better, we are going to focus on all of our strengths–and make them even stronger. Think you’re tough enough to take the challenge? I know you are. Now, while our focus isn’t going to be on our weaknesses, since you do know what they are, we’re going to search for some people who have strengths in the areas in which we are weak–basically, we’re going to take everything that we do well and team up with some folks who have talents in the areas that we are lacking. Make sense? Sure does to me.
Remember, you are the Best and I’m expecting great things from you. And today will be the perfect day to make a list of all your strengths and work on them. Then, make a brief list of what you consider to be your weak areas–no more than 3 and think about friends, co-workers, neighbors, and so on who are strong in those areas. Don’t have someone in a weak area–keep that area in mind and be on the lookout for someone to fill that spot and make you even better, without the struggle on your part. You know I’ll be back to check on you, so don’t waste a minute. Get busy! Make me proud!!!
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May 28, 2008 - Posted by Anne- 0 Comments
Ever find yourself trying to answer emails as quickly as possible so that you can get on to the next one? Seems I had a day where I focused on responding so quickly that I failed to communicate very clearly. Here’s my story–one day I received an email–one of many. The first question the writer asked was whether I could help her. She then went on to describe what she needed. I scanned her email. Decided the quickest way to respond was to simply answer her question. There was no product left that I could offer her and here’s my big mistake. I responded to her simply, “No.”
Shortly after that I received another email. Now, remember, going back to her original email, she had begun by asking for my help. This email asked timidly, “Is there someone else who could help me?” Well, I was shocked by her response. She told me later that she thought I had gone postal. I must admit to responding back as quickly as I could that I certainly hadn’t meant that I wasn’t willing to assist her–only that there was nothing left of what she had asked for. Once I sent it, I took a deep breath. Then, I shut off my phone, got up from my desk and took a break. Seems I had been pushed to the limit and needed to take a break. I then called her when I returned to my desk and apologized personally.
Today’s challenge is to take on as much as you possibly can–you know you do–each and every day. You know you live for a challenge! So do I! But remember that you can be too brisk on a phone call because you’re in a hurry and emails can be easily misunderstood. I still regret making that person feel bad because of my abrupt response. Think you can learn where to draw the line on time-saving and cost-costing? Too much of a good thing can be bad. And if an email seems to be getting out of hand–take a minute to pick up the phone and talk to the person. Learned a valuable lesson that day that I don’t ever intend to repeat. Take the time that you need to do the task the right way. If you need help–get it! If you need a break–take it! And if you think you can work without taking a break–you’re wrong. Take a break every so often! You are the Best! And today will be filled with the ability to prioritize, to respond efficiently, but to always remember to make everyone feel important and deserving of your time–though you’ve got plenty of other things to complete. And communicate clearly. They don’t need to know you are hard-pressed. Pretend you’re reading the email and make sure you’re understood. You can do it! Make me proud!
May 27, 2008 - Posted by Anne- 0 Comments
“Dressing a baby is like putting an octopus into a string bag, making sure none of the arms hang out.” ~Unknown
Just recently had the opportunity to put a jacket on a little baby, as his Mom gathered the troops to go out into cool weather Must admit with a house filled with teenagers, it’s been quite some time since I’ve dressed an infant. I used to be pretty good at it and I suppose it’s like riding a bicycle–it would come back to me with practice, but I was surprised how difficult the task was. I forgot how helpless those little ones are. I had to double-check to make sure that both hands were all the way through the sleeves. He seemed happy, but you never know, so I checked. Must admit that I did feel just a bit like I was trying to dress an octopus and I had to smile.
Today’s task is realize that it’s okay to be uncomfortable doing a task, but to be willing to take it on even though you might look like you don’t know what you’re doing. That the best way to learn–or relearn. Think you’re tough enough to try something new–or relearn something old? I know you are–and so am I! You are the Best and I’m expecting great things from you. And today will be filled with lots of choices and a chance to align your priorities. What’s really important? As always, the choice is yours. Make me proud!
May 23, 2008 - Posted by Anne- 0 Comments
“Life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds you that you have one.” ~Stella Adler
You have probably already noticed that my life is perfect, but even I, on occasion, have a day that slightly less than perfect. Ever have a rough day? One that just knocks you off your feet? One that makes you feel less than happy? I do try to limit mine, but there are some things beyond our control, right? Ever feel like your spirit is ready to break–just snap right in two? You might think that–for just a moment–then realize that there is no one or no thing that can be allowed to break your indomitable spirit. You are amazing! You are strong! You have courage! You can face the toughest of odds without batting an eyelash–without blinking your eyes!
Today’s challenge is to take whatever steps are necessary to renew and strengthen your spirit. Art, whatever its form, is readily available, in books, in paintings, in music, in plays. So, when you feel your strength being threatened, take just a minute for yourself and refresh your soul, renew your spirit! If there’s time, visit an art museum or attend some type of production. If not, enjoy artwork hanging on the walls of your home–pieces you may have walked past and forgotten their beauty in the rushed pace your life has taken on. Look for the beauty in nature–in children–in photography–whatever will fit your taste and your abilities and your resources. As always, we’re in this together. I wouldn’t expect you to do anything that I wasn’t willing to do myself. You are the Best and good things are coming your way! And today will be filled with plenty of opportunity to gather new energy, to garner more strenth and courage than you ever thought possible. Get ready–we’ve got lots to get done today–and I know that you can do it–and so can I!
May 22, 2008 - Posted by Anne- 0 Comments
“Why is it that we got a man to the moon before we put wheels on a piece of luggage?” ~Unknown
Why is it the little solutions are sometimes much harder to find than the more complex ones? How simple is it to put wheels on a piece of luggage compared to the incredible work it took to get a man to the moon? Seems to me that something as simple as wheels on a piece of luggage affects lots more folks. So maybe the inventor didn’t get to be a parade marshall, but seems much more important to me. Is necessity really the mother of invention? Some things just make you go, “Hmmm”.
“When vultures fly, are they allowed carrion luggage?” ~Unknown
Got someone in your family that would come up with this type of statement–to make you laugh, along with a groan? I will admit that I am that person in my family. Used to be the sole inventor of these silly plays-on-words, but I’m now finding that one of my daughters can do it far better than I and even my sister seems to have taken my witty place at every family gathering these days. Kinda nice having someone trying to make me laugh and smile for a change. Must admit that an audience of my special aunts usually egged me on with their appreciation of my dumb and silly wit. Encouragement–it’s such a good thing. Why do you do the things that you do? Some things just make you go, “Hmmm”.
“Did you ever notice that the first piece of luggage on the carousel never belongs to anyone?” ~Erma Bombeck
Who does that first piece of luggage belong to? I swear it’s the same piece of luggage I saw years ago on another flight I took. Do you think they keep putting it out in the hopes that someone will finally take it home? I’m thinking if someone were to take a minute to open it up to see what was inside, we might find all the mis-matched socks that we’ve all been searching for all these years. Some things just make you go, “Hmmm”.
So, today’s challenge is to look around you for a solution to one of the things that make you go “Hmmm”. But don’t work too hard. Usually the things that make you go “Hmmm” cannot be explained. And if you’ve got someone who tries to be witty in your family or among your friends, please be kind to us. We really do know that some things are just plain dumb, but it wouldn’t hurt to humor us. After all, you are the Best and opportunities to be witty are coming your way. And if you just happen to run into me at the airport and we are anywhere near the luggage carousel, let’s take a minute to see what’s inside that unclaimed piece of luggage. I will, if you will. Laugh–and groan! Make me proud!
May 21, 2008 - Posted by Anne- 0 Comments
“Anyone can do any amount of work provided it is not the work that he is supposed to be doing at the moment.” ~Unknown
Ever notice that when it’s time to leave for work, you suddenly feel inspiration and energy to clean every closet and drawer in your house? Ever notice when it’s time to go home, finishing just one more task seems suddenly seems very important? If you’re hair is straight, you dream and work to make it curly. If it’s naturally curly, you spend lots of time making it straight. The grass always seems to look better when it’s on your neighbor’s lawn, doesn’t it?
Today’s task is to put on some blinders. Focus on the task at hand. If it’s time to go to work, get out the door, on time, and do your very best. When you’re at home, don’t waste lots of time. Get everything done that you need to get done when you have time to be at home. I like how your hair looks, curly or straight and if you are folically challenged, remember, if we like you, it doesn’t have anything to do with your hair. And if it does, we perhaps have some issues to discuss another time. And if you look just a bit closer at your neighbor’s lawn, you will find a few patches of brown grass and even a dandelion or two.
Work to make your lawn the very best that it can be. Think you’re tough enough to take today’s challenge? Think those blinders will fit over my rose-colored glasses? I’ll make it happen. You are the Best! And today will be filled with energy and inspiration to get things done, in whatever part of your life you are at this very moment. Gotta fly–I hear those dishes calling me. And I will be giving out extra credit today, if you finish all your own tasks, and help someone else to complete some of theirs. Make me proud!
May 19, 2008 - Posted by Anne- 1 Comment
When Bonnie was quite little, well after her bedtime, I heard her crying. Now, this was not normal crying, this crying was so pathetic, it just broke my heart, it was so sad! Knowing that sleep does have its cycle of deep to light, and having been the mother who was halfway to her room when she cried out in a light sleep–the mother who would have woken her up by accident, if her bedroom had been any closer, because she rolled over, mumbled and went back to sleep before I got to her bedroom door. Whew! We live and we learn, right? Well, I quietly entered her bedroom with the sobbing, not turning on the light, in the hopes that I could get her gently back to sleep.
When I asked her what was wrong, she sobbed, “Binky stuck–binky stuck!” Well, this child never used a pacifer, so the binky had to be her version of blanket–which started out as a blankie and eventually turned to binky. Not sure how the binky was stuck, but well aware that her life was incomplete without the binky most hours of the day, I turned on the light on her nightstand. Well, it seems that I had put a new pillowcase on her pillow earlier that day–and it was made of flannel–just like her binky. When I turned on the light, she was tugging at the pillowcase, trying to hold it close to her, but it–of course–was stuck “on” the pillow. My solution? Bright mother that I was–pull the pillowcase off the pillow, hand it to the sobbing child, who immediately stopped crying and went to sleep. Ah, if only the solutions were so easy these days.
So, today’s task is to solve the problem first. Usually, making everyone happy is an option that’s not too far in the distance. Yet somehow, it often gets pushed off because the first question many people ask is, “Whose fault is this?” We can definitely do some research and place some blame, if that’s what you really need, but most days, solving the problem is much more important than placing some blame. Think you’re tough enough to find the solution before you look for someone to blame? I will, if you will. You are the Best and good things are coming your way. And today will be filled with plenty of options and some things to make you calm. Lead the way! Make me proud!
May 19, 2008 - Posted by Anne- 0 Comments
“Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way.” ~Edward De Bono
One of Bonnie’s favorite toys when she was a little kid, was a bright blue plastic pencil case about 8″ long which looked like a large pencil. It had a zipper around his middle where he opened to access the pencils stored inside. He might even have been animated with facial features. She picked him up one day and said, “I know what I’ll call you–you’re Pennsylvania.” I guess she was really thinking “Pencil-vania”. Well, new toys came and went, but Pennsylvania remained on the scene for a very long time. He was a very unusual choice for a favorite. I wouldn’t be surprised if I found him still tucked in a corner of one of her dresser drawers. Because everything is new and fresh to children, they look at things with a different perspective. I think sometimes the more we learn, the less we know. I know that’s definitely true in my case. Sort of makes sense, doesn’t it, that teenagers know everything and the older we get, the more we realize that we have only just begun to touch the tip of the iceberg as far as knowledge.
Today’s task is to choose something normal and ordinary and take a minute to look at it with a fresh pair of eyes. If you find yourself having difficulty, enlist the support of the nearest youngster in the vicinity. Get them to give you their take on it. You might be surprised what they could teach you. I learn something new each and every single day from the teenagers living in my house who give me a chance to see things with a new and fresh perspective–and the answer is still NO. When I asked my Mom how she keeps her youthful attitude on life, her response is to always surround yourself with young people. She is very wise. Think you’re tough enough to take today’s challenge? I know you are. You are the Best and good things are coming your way. And today will be filled with a fresh outlook and new vision. Make me proud!
May 17, 2008 - Posted by Anne- 0 Comments
If I could do it, you know you can! If you’ve got something you want to get published, simply email the following info to me at sultypep@yahoo.com
YOUR FIRST NAME
YOUR LAST NAME
YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
And I will get my publisher to send you information. You can do it!
May 13, 2008 - Posted by Anne- 1 Comment
“Four short words sum up what has lifted most successful individuals above the crowd; a little bit more. They did all that was expected of them and a little bit more.” ~A. Lou Vickery
Today’s challenge it to remember these 4 little words when you get tired, when you think you’ve finished a project, when you don’t feel like giving your best or even when you feel you’ve done everything that’s been expected of you. What words, you ask? Remember these–”a little bit more”. Pretty tiny words, right? But with a huge impact, if you incorporate them into your attitude, your outlook, and your life. Think you’re tough enough to do just a little bit more when you’re tired, when you want to give up or give in, when your project is almost completed, or when you don’t feel like giving your best? I will, if you will.
As always, I’m expecting great things from you and good things are coming your way. You are the Best! And today will be a day filled with a little bit more energy, a little bit more effort, and a little bit more of everything you need. Lead the way! Make me proud!!!
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