August 26, 2008 - Posted by Anne- 0 Comments
“Change–it’s a good thing. You go first!” ~Unknown
Ever feel afraid? Afraid to try something new? I know I do. Seems we’re all creatures of habit. The known. It’s just more comfortable for us. Think back to grade school. The seat you chose that first day (unless the teacher assigned seats) was the seat that you would gravitate to each and every day. I know I did. We drive to work each day the same way. Probably even park in the very same parking spot. You might even have a morning routine that you follow religiously each and every day. You might even put the same sock on first every day. Think about it! Are you stuck in a rut? I know, most days, I am.
Today’s task is to do something different. Shake up your morning. Change–it’s a good thing. You go first! Okay! Okay! I’ll go, too. Today, you drive to work a different way or shake up the morning routine or something different and creative that you choose for yourself. And I will be giving you extra credit today, if you get someone else to see the light that change can be a good thing–a refreshing breath of air in an otherwise stifling atmosphere. Think you’re tough enough to take the challenge? I know you are. How little or how big the change is up to you, but if you go big–you are indeed my hero! You are the Best and good things are coming your way! And today is going to be a fresh opportunity to raise your sights and rise above the crowd! Lead the way–or follow me! Make me proud!
August 21, 2008 - Posted by Anne- 0 Comments
Ever find yourself blaming your problems on everyone but you? Must admit I’ve done that, on at least one occasion–okay, maybe more than one. Today’s challenge is to decide that, “The buck stops here!” I am responsible for my past and my future. If you have a past that you can truly be proud of and you wouldn’t have done anything even a little differently, you are indeed my hero! If you have a slightly checkered past and you wish you had done even one thing differently, you are very brave to admit that and I’m proud of you. Don’t blame Mom. Don’t blame the other guy. Don’t blame the economy.
Make a choice today to be responsible–for today–for tomorrow–and for all of your tomorrows. Your future is your responsibility–and mine–and it is up to us to do whatever is necessary to have that future that you have dreamed of– that future that you deserve. Think you’re tough enough to take the challenge? I know you are–and so am I! You are the Best and good things are coming your way. And today will be a day filled with hope! Wherever you’re going, I hope to see you there! Make me proud.
August 19, 2008 - Posted by Anne- 0 Comments
“The truly happy person is one who never finds the end of the rainbow.” ~Mary Kay Ash
Think of yourself as happy? You know I do–most days, but how do we keep ourselves happy. One great way to inspire yourself continually is to always have something to look forward to. Look forward to driving home that new car? Buying something new that you’ve saved for months to purchase? Look forward to achieving a weight-loss goal–to finally putting an end to a bad habit–to working out and really getting in great shape? We all do, but somehow once we’ve achieved these goals, the excitement wears off–at least it does for me. If you can hold onto the excitement of that new-car feeling, that achievement, holding that new purchase in your hands, you are indeed my hero. But I will be giving extra credit today if you look beyond that goal to your next achievement, finding something new and exciting to look forward to tomorrow and the day beyond.
Today’s challenge is to always have something to look forward to–to never finding the end of the rainbow. Think you’re tough enough to preserve the enthusiasm and excitement, to work to achieving the next goal, to always having something on the horizon that spurs you on to the next color in the rainbow? I know you are–and so am I! Look to the rainbow. Follow your dream. Never lose the thrill of facing each new day! The best is yet to come. You are the Best and good things are coming your way. Today will be filled with new and exciting adventure. Make me proud!
August 8, 2008 - Posted by Anne- 0 Comments
You know that we’re here living life with the express purpose of learning lessons, right? I know I am. And though I already know that I don’t get to move on until I learn the lesson, I still keep hoping that I can weasel out of some of the tough stuff. How ’bout you? Have you figured out how to sneak past it? If you have, I wouldn’t be too upset if you told me how you do it. On second thought, I already know I might as well face the tough stuff head on and get over it. Seems it goes down to even some simple tasks–like working with people. Had someone just fill me with trepidation about calling a contact for some specific details. He told me her name, but wouldn’t even consider giving me her number and when we got down to the wire on a deadline, I called back and cautiously asked for her number, knowing that I had been told she wouldn’t be even civil and definitely wouldn’t give me the information that I needed today. I’d just have to be braver than I’ve ever been, apparently, to face this tough character. So, I steeled myself as I dialed the number…
Want to know what happened when I called her? She was the most delightful lady. Not only did she give me the information that I needed in a speedy fashion, but she thanked me for all of my help on another issue. Don’t even remember talking with her before, but apparently I had. Seems the time I’d spent prior to my issue had provided some firm groundwork for her attitude with me at a later time. How fun is that? Take the time today to treat each and every contact you have as if you will see them tomorrow. It just might make a difference. And please learn from my mistake. Don’t let someone else’s perspective distort your own. Find out for yourself! You are the Best and good things are coming your way. And today will be the perfect opportunity to focus, gain some insight of your own, and lead the way! Make me proud!
August 7, 2008 - Posted by Anne- 0 Comments
Okay, today’s task is not for the faint of heart, so if you’re feeling a bit weak this morning, run–run now, while you still can! Hey–you’re still here. I knew I could count on you! So, what’s she up to today, you ask? Today’s challenge is to maintain your course, maintain your positive attitude, and maintain your high energy even when you have a tough day–even when your life is not perfect–even when you might like to lay down on the floor and kick your feet and have a temper tantrum–oops! Did I say that out loud? Think you’re tough enough to maintain it all when the chips are down? Let’s practice.
As you know, my life is perfect, but let’s imagine that I could have a rough day. What might help me to prepare to face a tough one? A little extra sleep is a good thing. Tried it last night–it works. First of all, things always look better in the morning and I do feel better. Keep eating right. It helps. Don’t let yourself drift off track. Day by day–you’ll notice a difference–and so will everyone else! Don’t forget to exercise. It helps your body to feel better, but it helps your spirit, as well. Don’t like to exercise–choose something you like to do, riding a bike, swimming, playing a sport. When it’s something you enjoy, it doesn’t feel like work.
And if you already do everything right, you are indeed my hero and if you get a friend to join in on the effort, I will be giving both of you extra credit. And preparation–take the time to look ahead and get ready for tomorrow. And I know I’m asking a lot and expecting even more, but you also need to schedule just a few minutes for you. Close your eyes and rest, read a book, or listen to some music. You are the Best and good things are coming your way! And today will be filled with plenty of opportunity to prove how tough you really are. Maintain. As always, I’d never expect you to do something that I myself wasn’t willing to do. Make me proud!
August 4, 2008 - Posted by Anne- 0 Comments
Sending my youngest child off on a week of daring adventure with the Girl Scouts. I’m telling you, those girl scouts are tough cookies. This trip will include caving, mountaineering, and whitewater rafting. Can you tell I wasn’t a girlscout? I’m shaking just reading the release forms. Been involved in a bit of preparation this week to make sure that my child has the world’s best equipment to keep her safe and ready.
Went shopping for hiking boots and they had to be good–the prerequesite for the trip being the ability to walk up the stairs to a 45-story building. Now you know why I’m not going with her. I’ll admit it was close to the store’s closing time and the saleman was only in high school, but I expected a bit more enthusiasm and excitement at another potential sale. He left to find the requested size of hiking boot, but returned with nothing–apparently he only had that style in sizes 1 and 12–one way too small–the other too large. Since I had headed off to find some raingear (you know I live to multi-task and I won’t let a thunderstorm slow me down), I was disappointed to find no trace of him when I returned and no shoes being tried on. Off I went to find him again (with tracking skills like I needed there, perhaps I could have been a girlscout after all). I asked for the right size of a different style boot. He returned this time, boots in hand, but we hadn’t judged the size right and these were too small. I looked up to ask for the next size up, but once again, he was gone. I’m off again to find some help. This time it was the manager who helped. We bought the shoes, but I’m thinking that I not only had to beg for service, but I had to beg for the opportunity to give my money to his store. Something wrong with that, don’t ya think? And we were out of the store before it closed at 9, too.
Today’s task is to be a great salesman. I don’t care if your job isn’t classified as such. Everyone has to sell in their job, whether you’re selling your great idea to your boss or selling him on the idea that you deserve a raise. Bring the enthusiasm, bring the excitement, don’t waste an opportunity to make a sale. The opportunity was within hand’s reach of that young salesman at the store. I know you’re going to knock their socks off this week, so if you have the opportunity, could you swing by my local sporting goods store and sell some footwear? After all, they’ve got their shoes off already, right? Heck, maybe you’ll see me there, too. I’ll probably have some free time on my hands with Valerie off riding the whitewater. Remember, I’m expecting great things from you–after all, you are the Best! I knew I could sell you on that! Make me proud!
