Designate What You Value Most

We're really moving through September - how does it go so fast?!  This month I've chosen "designate" for my One Word Challenge. I've been working to apply that to all aspects of my life. Designating time, resources, attention and love to the people and things that make me happy, to the activities that help me better myself, to the projects that help others, and to the exercises that are good for my body, mind, and business.

The Hubster and I just got back from a 9 day Alaskan adventure to celebrate our 20 year anniversary (speaking of where did the time go...) where we stayed with my SIL Lana. We explored all over and despite less than ideal weather conditions, we managed to see beautiful places, get to know family, meet a new pup, hike, eat, play games, sleep in, cheer for our favorite teams (Go Big Red Football & Volleyball!), bake and eat some more, fly the drone, see Denali, go for walks in the rain, hike through water and up a mountain in the fog/sleet, small town shopping, and a whole lot of "WOW, look at those mountains!" Check out a link to our video HERE. Designating time for self care, relaxation and time with family really has made a huge difference. #ahhhhIneededthat

Designating time with those we love is an integral part of being our best selves. It was an awesome way to recharge and reset with goals and dreams top of mind. I'm so grateful for the opportunity for the whole week, and I can't believe it's taken us so long to get up there and see the family we have up there and the beautiful area they call home.  I hope we'll be back VERY SOON!

I've also designated some time to read a book by one of our hosts, Maggie Holeman. She's a wonderfully independent woman who retired and opened up a B&B in Hope, Alaska. She's a close friend of my SIL and the four us us got to enjoy lunch, exploring, dinner and a fire, and a cozy evening at her wonderful cabin, aka Black Bear B&B. 

Her book Woman in the Locker Room  is her story from child hood memories (not all good) to the challenges she faced as a woman in the armed service, and Alaska Fire & Police forces. I really enjoyed hearing stories from both Lana and Maggie from their police and fire fighting days, it's truly incredible that these strong women gave so much of themselves to serve and protect others.  I think it's important that I designate some time to get to know more about strong women and all they can and have accomplished. Here's to reading more about Maggie's adventure - and hopefully another visit where we can chat around the fire.

I'm also reading into a personal improvement exercise - "Becoming Self-Aware". Designating time to recognize my strengths and weaknesses, learning from my past (reflecting), trying new things and opportunities (say YES!), and evaluating each experience as I go.   Getting deliberate with my activities (keeping a list and schedule, and reviewing it regularly!) will help build this habit and help me be consistent.

As the busy fall months turn into the busy holiday season, I'm going to be focused on the ways that I can be my best self - even if that means finding the areas of my shortcomings and devoting time to finding someone to help me, taking time to learn and get better, or changing my focus so that those areas are not part of my plan moving forward.

There's always work to be done, and I'm ready to get down to it!

How do you designate what you value most? What steps do you take daily/weekly/monthly to get better? What are you reading? I really want to know! Share with me in the comments or hit me up on social media.




Ciao for now!
~ jen <3