October One Word Challenge - GRIND

As we enter the 3rd Quarter of 2019 - the start of a busy season, it's important that I recognize the effort needed to continue to grow.

This isn't a 1:1 ratio of work=result, it's work + work + work + work = results. Patience and perseverance is needed, and that my friends is challenging. 

Tis the season to GRIND.

I looked up the dictionary meaning of grind to find this:

grind

/ɡrīnd/

Learn to pronounce

verb

1. 1.

   reduce (something) to small particles or powder by crushing it.

   "grind some black pepper over the salad"

   Similar:

   crush

   pound

   pulverize

   mill

   powder

   granulate

   grate

   mince

   shred

   crumble

   pestle

   mash

   smash

   press

   fragment

   kibble

   triturate

   comminute

   levigate

   bray
2. 2.

   rub or cause to rub together gratingly.

   "tectonic plates that inexorably grind against each other"

   Similar:

   rub

   grate

   scrape

   rasp

   gnash

   grit

Not really the word useage I had imagined. But I can see how "reduce" can translate into what I'm focused on this month. I'm reducing, working backwards from my big goals, to determine and execute the small tasks (particles) that make up the whole. RESULT > individual tasks + learning + time. I'm keeping my eye on the small particles that I know with faithful execution will lend themselves to my desired result. 



When working on a project or goal, it's easy to get lost. Can you see the forest for the trees? Each part of the project is important. Each "tree" has a purpose. You may have to plant 100 trees before you can stand back and actually SEE the forest! 

Yo - planting trees is exhausting. If we quit after one or two, we may never realize our goal. Grinding it out, even when the results aren't obvious is our best chance at success.

Plant, evaluate, plant, consider, plant, work hard, plant, look around and see what you've created (and it is GOOD), plant ...   You get what I'm saying.

Here are some trees I'm planting - my grove is small, but if I keep planting, soon, it'll be a national forest!

• My proposals may not be accepted in full, or at all. And that's ok. I'll keep writing them, adjusting them, and eventually working to complete them.
  
• My event support may not look the way I thought it might, but there are always opportunities to learn, network, grow, and have fun.
  
• My classes may not always be full, but I can come prepared and with energy to give the best to those that do attend.
  
• Not everyone I speak to sees the value in the nutritional program I use and support - but I never know when I'm going to make a huge positive impact on someone's life, and so I'm going to keep sharing.
  
• I'm focusing on relationships and being connected and present. Ever think about someone and say, "I really should call/text so-and-so." and then do nothing? I'm working on sending the text, making the call, reaching out. Send the card. Make the donation in someone's name. Give the hug. Tell them you love them. These are the best of my "trees"!
  
• My home isn't fancy, but I can do my best to keep it well maintained, warm and welcoming to friends and family.
  
• My body doesn't look like a Sports Illustrated Swim Suit Model, but I work at feeding it the best nutrition I can and moving daily (I'll be posting about my 90 days til New Year Challenge and for my own accountability, my successes and challenges.)! 

Summer is over, and while I'm looking forward to some fun adventures this fall, I'm ready to keep on the GRIND and see how the work translates into results!
            

What do you do to stay focused on the task(s) at hand? How do you manage the GRIND daily?

I'd love to hear about your One Word for October, or who your annual Word continues to inspire you, or the challenges you're facing. Let's support each other and help us to be accountable!

Ciao for now!
~Jen <3

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

September One Word Challenge: Designate

Happy September, Y'all!

Ok, so summer's nearly over (is over for all practical purposes) and what's so happy about that?  Some great things are on tap for the fall, that's what!

This new professional experiment I'm working on has been going for about 8 months now. I'm learning a ton about myself, how I contribute, opportunities that lie ahead, how self improvement and training never go away, how difficult time management can be if you lose your focus, and how amazing it is to have choices.

Having choices is what has lead me to this month's word: DESIGNATE.

Definition of designate

transitive verb

1: to indicate and set apart for a specific purpose, office, or dutydesignate a group to prepare a plan

I LOVE the purpose and intention behind this word. Sure, we all make choices every day, but do we make those choices with intent and purpose? Do we make those choices because it's what we've always done? Can we separate our emotional connection from those choices?

This is where I am in my journey. It's time to look at "what I've always done" and designate where my energy, time and attention are going. Making decisions on how to spend my time has come to asking: What are the benefits of activity? Is this a revenue generating activity? and Why do I love this activity?

No - everything doesn't have to be a revenue generating activity - but that's a very important question to ask when you are self employed. ;)

If it's not generating revenue, is it:

• building my network
• sharpening my skills
• bringing me joy
• part of my self care
• helping others

If the answer isn't one of the above - should I continue to invest my time and effort into it?

The short answer to that long question is NO. Bonus points if any activity covers more than one of those areas!

I'm working to apply these things to my daily activities, not just large events and activities outside of my home. Less time scrolling and more time reading about things that will help move me forward in life, business, and strong sense of self.  I'm even utilizing time while walking my dogs to listen to audio books and podcasts that get me thinking and inspire me to be the  most awesome version of myself (I'd love your recommendations for both - books and podcasts as I'm just starting my library!). 

More time doing things with family and friends - experiences that I'll look back on and feel that joy again!

I'm at the stage in life where DESIGNATING - choosing with purpose - is the key to living my best, authentic life. I'm getting away from the 'should' and piles of expectations, and focusing on who I am and how I want to grow. 

How do you live your best life? Do you leave choices to chance or do you have a system to DESIGNATE your next move?

I'd love to hear about your system for choosing (eeny-meenie-miney-mo?), your favorite pod casts, and the activities that are bringing you the most joy!

Ciao for now, friends!
<3 Jen

August One Word Challenge: Appreciate

It's time to reflect and APPRECIATE all the things in my life that brought me to this moment. In fact - I've been appreciating so much, that I've not sat down to put it in words. Daily meditations, IG and FB posts, chats while we walk the pups at home, conversations with friends and family... I've been living in gratitude the best I can.

So, I want to share a little about how it's impacted me this month and why I'm working gratitude into my daily habits.

Admittedly, August has been bananas. 2 good sized events on the heels of my largest event of the year (in mid-July) along with the regular family craziness and a "do nothing" weekend that packed a whole lot in, despite not having anything but a Cubs game planned.  I am recharged, excited and ready to jump into the fall like a new student ready to learn! (Does anyone else love the end of summer because it helps them get back to a routine, like we are still in school?)

Without making things to complicated, getting into all the things that you COULD do or pretending like telling you what you SHOULD do is productive (I hate the word "should" - it's just someone else's expectation weighing in on our lives), here is a very short list of ways that I am able to connect with gratitude and show appreciation in my daily life.

Daily:

Get centered: I read a daily reminder book "for women who do too much." These are reminders that remind me that a) I'm normal, b) I am enough, c) that I can't take care of anyone else if I'm not at my best (physically, emotionally), d) sometime recognizing patterns can help change our lives. I appreciate who I am, just as I am, right now.

Get moving: I walk the pups, every day, twice a day (when I'm in town!). When I'm away, movement is part of how I stay grounded - long walks, physical work, squeezing in push-ups when I can. Workouts happen early mornings after I lead group fitness classes most days. Physical activity reminds me of lots of ways to show how much I appreciate my life: I'm able to move. My body feels strong and healthy. I can take deep breaths. I'm keeping my pups healthy by getting them moving. My hubster and I can chat after a long day and reconnect or decompress while walking the neighborhood. I can take in new sites and meet now people (and dogs, aka "DILP"s ... Dogs I'd Like to Pet). 

Sleep: I'm grateful that I'm able to sleep. I'm a great sleeper! I am my best with 8 hours, but if I only get 6, I am grateful that my schedule allows for a nap! So many things in my physical body have improved with better sleep, and I could go on for days about how my emotional being is better when I'm rested.

Say it OUT LOUD:  I appreciate "x". I'm thankful for "y". I'm so lucky to know "z".   No one must hear it but you. Maybe you write it down, maybe you repeat it to yourself throughout the day, but start by saying it out loud. It makes it real to you, and that will help truly recognize and appreciate these things.

• I appreciate: my husband. His belief in my ability to succeed has given me opportunities to create the life I want, the life we'll live together. We're building together and I'm so excited for all our future adventures!
• I appreciate: my family. No matter how weird I am, how busy I get, how hard on myself I can be, I know I have support and love.
• I appreciate: my friends. Calls, messages, or texts to check in. Sharing a meal, dessert, their spare room couch, friendly advice, a long hike, or a word of confidence when I’m just not sure. You don’t have to have many to appreciate a great friend.
• I appreciate: the leadership in the companies I'm working with. Folks who really have my best interest in mind, and who are helping me make an impact in one way or another.
• I appreciate: the lessons I learned the hard way. While I could be embarrassed of my failures in life, I am looking at them as opportunities to charge course. Things I learned in school, from my parents and family, from old friends, new friends, "frien-emies" who never really had my back at all, and strangers on the street. Showing love and acceptance, seeing things from another perspective, and recognizing that my experiences aren't my truth - they're just my story... and I have the power to change my story.
• I appreciate: the goals and dreams I have. They give me room to reach, something to strive for, and the fuel for the fire to be my best. Who do I want to be, what will my life look like in 10 years, what will my impact be?  Whatever the answers are - and they may change - I'm thankful that I know I can achieve them all, if it's what I want and I put in the work.

I also do things like hug my dogs, look through pictures from trips I've taken, sit in the sun, listen to books that help me learn something, or just sit back do nothing. A deep breath and an easy mantra of "I appreciate" is a wonderful way to shift my mindset and change my energy.

I've been thinking about September and all the amazing things that are coming this fall... trips, events, family, friends, new chapters for me as a wife, parent, friend, mentor, and mentee. I am thankful and appreciate how everyone in my life plays a very special role in my development and success.

I haven't yet decided on my September "One Word" - but I know I'll continue to APPRECIATE and live in gratitude, daily.

Thankful for you taking the time to read this,

<3 Jen

PS - I'd love to hear about how you live in gratitude, the struggles you're facing, and/or resources that you love to help you find appreciation in your daily life!

July One Word Challenge: FOCUS

I don't know where this summer has gone - and I up and missed the June One Word Challenge and we're more than a week into July! Heavens!

Honestly, it felt like I was stuck in June forever, and yet it flew by. Does that make sense? No, I don't suppose. May ended with and June started with travel, and you know how wonky time gets when you are away from home. Whatever happened, it's time to shake it off. It's time to get down to business (anytime I say that, I think of my daughter singing the song from Mulan). It's time to FOCUS.

How easy it is to let life slip us by. Without FOCUS, without a target and a renewed sense of belief in your ability to hit that mark, the whole thing blurs and fades. Each of us have goals, targets. How can we do more to live our life in a way that keeps those goals in focus?

First - I'm recommitting to my routine. My morning routine hasn't been as regular as I'd like. On days when I'm not up leading a class I've been slacking and sleeping in. Sure, some days my body tells me that i need it, but most days I just want to stay in bed comfy, warm and snuggled. (The pups make sure that even when I'm the only person in bed, I'm snuggled in tight!)

I enjoyed 5:30am class this morning,a 3000 meter row and a TRX workout afterward, home for about 90 minutes of work, tea and my morning shake, and then out for a 3-mile walk with the pups.  This is a very sustainable schedule for me, but the toughest part is GETTING OUT OF BED when I don't have class.  Time to toughen up. Routines have been proven to help calm the mind and even enhance creativity. While moving through your routine, your mind has more time to notice those inspirational bits that are everywhere.

Second - my "To Do" list is built on weekly goals. Sunday evenings I set the week up. I check my calendar, acknowledge deadlines and benchmarks and resources I need. I'm outlining who I need to speak to or follow up with, who is waiting on me, and how these tasks will help me achieve my weekly goals. Some of my projects I "save up" and knock out all at once. You know the projects that require some uninterrupted focus, it's better to block out 3 hours than to grab 30 minutes here or there.

Third - Getting Outside for ME.  Y'all know that I spend a lot of time out with my pups and taking care of my yard, but I'd like to focus on things that recharge my batteries in a different way. I've been enjoying time on a local lake with my new kayak and that is just what I was looking for. Being active and outdoors is wonderful, but getting to hang with my kiddo or hubster (it's a 2-person kayak) has been a triple bonus! I'm getting some sun, fresh air, exercise, good conversation (when I have someone with me) or great thinking time (when I'm alone).  I always wondered how and why folks who surfed would bother going for just an hour here and there. Now I get it. Kayaking on a local mid-western lake isn't exactly surfing, but I see how the habit of making time for what lights you up, the benefits of activity, sun and water on your soul, and then popping right back into your day makes a lot of sense.


Those are my Big 3. My lists get bigger and bigger every week, and prioritizing what will get me to my goals has to be balanced with what makes me happy, contributes to my emotional health, and builds up and supports my family and friends. Isn't that the trick really? Finding the balance?

I found this reminder while walking around Ventura CA in June.  Life isn't all about the work and the goals and loving the life you live, laughing often and loving selflessly sounds like pretty great goals, too.

Of course I've got a ways to go to find balance in life and it's a constant trial and error system. But guess what? That's what life is!

What helps YOU focus? I'd love to hear your tips and tricks! drop me a comment or find me on social media! I'm heading out for a few laps around the lake!

Side note: What should I name my kayak? Every respectable boat needs a name!

Ciao for now!
<3 jen

May One Word Challenge: TEND

Happy MAY! HOLY GEEZ, how'd that happen?!

It's been a busy spring already, and things are just going to pick up from here. So it's with that in mind that I've chosen (with a little help from my friends) my May One Word: TEND.


TEND: 

1) To regularly or frequently behave in a particular way or have a certain characteristic.

synonyms: be inclined, be apt, be disposed, be prone, have/show a tendency, be likely, have a propensity
2) To care for or look after; give one's attention to.
synonyms: look after, take care of, care for, minister to, attend to, see to, wait on, cater to.

Not only do I love how this plays into my love of gardening and planting (especially in May!) but it is also very important in growing to accomplish my business and professional goals, but also for my family and relationships, and my personal development. 

With a LEAP to start, I began to ENGAGE in order to build some momentum. I had to MARCH ahead and find ways to BLOOM despite challenges.

Now, it's time to be disposed to the habits that will help me find success. To be prone to listen and learn. To look after the relationships I've built. To minister to those who need guidance and support. In all these ways, I can TEND. 

In what ways will you tend to your emotional and physical needs? I have made habits of daily meditation, regular exercise, long walks and talks, and now that the weather is nicer, long bike rides in fresh air. I've practiced saying "no" when something doesn't fit with my plan or schedule. I've practiced saying "yes" and "thank you" to help and compliments.  

I've also been tending to my mental needs - the need to learn and grow, listen to others' experiences, and hear things that I'm sure I intrinsically know, but haven't convinced myself of yet.

In a very literal sense, I am reminded to tend to my follow up lists. It's a daily task - return messages and emails, follow up if it's been a while, check in and communicate with those I'm working with.

This idea is important - for all of us - to "tend to what matters most"! Often we focus our time and attention on things we cannot control, things that do not serve our health and wellness, and things that do not benefit our lives moving forward. Why? Out of habit? Peer pressure? Expectations?  I don't know about you, but I'm too far in life (aka OLD) to let those things consume my energy anymore. It's time. Truly. 

I hope you'll join me - or at least follow along - as I TEND to the month of May and all the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.  I'd love to work together - let me know your One Word for May, and how it's shaping your daily life. 

Here's to what matters most!

Ciao for now!

<3Jen