Let me start with this: I know this is a hot take. I know not everyone is going to agree with me. But someone has to say it and it might as well be someone who has spent time navigating corporate life, observing everything from {read more}
Welcome back to my blog everyone, and happy autumn season here in the northern hemisphere. As baseball season is transitioning from its regular season into playoffs; I thought this was the perfect time to highlight how great of a sport it is! And of course, {read more}
A thought popped into my head the other morning. Typical for me to be thinking the most random things, coupled with the strange dreams with some nightmares sprinkled in, this isn’t a surprise. I suppose this came from my own desire to continue with my education, but also through many discussions with a person I’ve been mentoring.
There are many life lessons that are no longer, or never were taught in schools. You’ve probably seen the internet jokes about knowing mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell; but not knowing how to pay down debt. So often I hear younger people say they wish someone taught them… xyz. The xyz being anything from how to apply for a credit card, how to pay off debt, how to open a bank account. Or even, how to choose a career. Another topic I find coming up with others is how to make better decisions, how to stay motivated; and finding purpose instead of just chasing a paycheck. And yet another is learning how to communicate effectively; not always in a professional setting, but with a partner or good friend.
This particular blog was born from the realization that, I too needed to learn all these things. Mostly through trial and error. In addition, as my readers well know, I read to learn. Every once in awhile, and more in the past year than ever before I read fiction. However, most of the books in my personal collection are non-fiction. Some scientific, others self-help. And still others are memoirs of people I’ve looked up to (such as Michelle Obama’s Becoming).
So where am I going with all this? The thought that went through my head was to compile a list of the best books by category. Books, which if read and studied could teach someone the basics of managing life. If you have any to add to the list, please do comment down below! Here we go:
The white coat investor by Doctor James Dahle
Yes this is meant for doctors, however it is comprehensive, easy to digest and a quick read to set anyone up for success! It just so happens I came across this when helping an MD friend of mine get their own finances in order. I found it to be extremely useful for my own good as well.
Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss
Tools of Titans is a compellation of short stories on a variety of topics, almost al can be applied to career specifically. This book contains practice advise and fun real-life examples of how to apply the teachings.
How to talk so kids will listen, and listen so kids will talk by Faber and Mazlish
Perhaps you think I put this title in the wrong section. Funny enough, this is purposeful! Over a decade ago, I was working for an executive whose wife also just so happened to work for our company. She and I were working together on a big strategic project with one of our sister companies (owned by the same private equity). In preparation for presenting to the executive staff, her husband included; she asked me to read this book. You see, not only does communicating more effectively with children work with children, it also works with anyone! After all, we are all humans and inside we each have that inner child who wants to be seen and heard. I recommend this book for any parent, partner or employee to better understand the simple psychology behind communication.
Just tell me I can’t by Jamie Moyer
Throughout my blog, I’ve mentioned this book. It is about my favorite sport, and when I first read it, it opened up my eyes to many aspects of sports I didn’t know about. Previously I thought the experts in a sport didn’t experience anxiety. After all, they are in the majors for a reason. Through reading this, I found comfort in knowing the emotions I feel are normal, and the book provides practical tips for managing those emotions for success. Bonus if you love baseball.
The Kindness Challenge by Shaunti Feldhahn
The subtitle of this book is: 30 days to improve any relationship. If I could summarize this book in a single concept it is, learning how to extend grace. The book reviews different types of kindness, why kindness is important, and challenges the reader to 30 days of practicing the concepts within. This book changed my way of being back in 2019 and helped me put things in perspective with a specific relationship in my life.
How to be an adult in relationships by David Richo
This book is an amazing reminder of what it means to show up for yourself, and be present in a relationship with another person. In this book, Richo focuses on relationships with significant others, however also discusses other types of relationships. It is practical, broken down into the 5 ‘As’: Acceptance, Attention, Affection, Appreciation and Allowing. Mindfulness is the main concept contained, which is based on spiritual concepts; and this book speaks directly to Buddhism throughout.
31 prayers for my future husband by Jennifer and Aaron Smith
So you are aware, this book contains Christian prayers and directly refers to Jesus throughout. Even if you are not a Jesus follower, the prayers and concepts contained in this book are heartfelt and important. If you are looking for your existing relationship to be more healthy; or looking for a relationship in general, I’d recommend this book. It is meant to be read one prayer a day for a month.
Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz, MD
This books provides, clear scientific examples of how changing your mindset can change your life. After I had surgery on my face, around this time last year, I needed something to re-gain perspective. Psyco-Cybernetics is written by a doctor, a plastic surgeon. It helped me drastically to think differently, but also provides actual exercises to apply the concepts for yourself.
Who is pushing your buttons by John Townsend
You may have heard of the author for his famous contribution to the book, “Boundaries”. In, “Who is pushing your buttons” Townsend reviews why our buttons get pushed, and how to develop improved communication, emotional regulation and perspective to overcome the affects. This is another Christian book, and approaches the topic with compassion, love and extension of grace. Self-accountability and boundaries are a central theme; therefore this isn’t for the faint of heart.
There are many more books I’d like to list here, but this one is a great start. Most likely, as I grow my blog and my YouTube channel I will do more book reviews. If there are any specific books you’d like me to read and review, please place them in the comments below!
For my readers in the United States, Happy Independence Day! For those elsewhere, Happy Monday! To all, welcome to today’s blog. More importantly, welcome to the official second half of 2022. We’ve made it this far. It’s time to assess where we are by doing {read more}
Look at us, nearing the end of the year. How fast or slow did this year go for you? I can hardly believe it is coming to and end. It has been awhile since I’ve done a goal check-in. Since we’ve still got 8 weeks {read more}
You asked for it! So here it is. Below is a typical ‘day in the life’ of me 🙂 Most days I try and mix things up, but the activities contained in my day are usually the same. The theme of the pandemic and being home all the time, and not really seeing many people is apparent in this post, simply because we are still living through it. One day Ill do a day in the life of, once things are back to normal!
This post brought back memories of my this or that post about a perfect day!
First, waking up, sometimes to an alarm, sometimes naturally. Typically, 6am-ish wakeup, dependent on how early my first meeting is. And immediately taking Bianca out for her morning walk. Sometimes she is grumpy in the morning, however with the temperatures cooling down she is a bit more chipper in the morning!
Next, we make coffee, meditate and enjoy the morning. I especially love mornings where it is still dark when I get up and I can sit outside and watch the sun come up. Sometimes I’ll take my journal outside and others I’ll sit with my hot coffee and enjoy fresh air.
After a nice slow morning, next it is time to get ready for the day. The means either a quick shower, or at the very least washing my face applying lotion and brushing my hair. Followed by makeup some days, others none.
As you may already know, I am an intermittent faster, so you’ll notice no mention of breakfast. Coffee only and it is basically black. Most days I log on 30 minutes before my first meeting to catch-up on emails and make sure I’m prepared for any meetings. Working from home because of the pandemic has been nice to be close to more coffee and the ability to take Bianca out whenever she wants.
I do try and take breaks while I can and do little stretches here and there. Around lunch time I’ll heat up something prepared (see my last meal prep post here). Now that we’ve been in work from home for so long, I typically actually take a full lunch. Either by taking a longer walk after eating or doing anything by going in the office in my house.
Once the day is wrapped up, I change back into workout clothes.
By this time, all I want to do is be outside and moving. This means walking around the neighborhood, or going to a local park. Sometimes meeting up with friends to walk and enjoy one another’s company. Either way, getting additional steps in, either full out exercise or chatty walking! Afterward I’ll pick up dinner or heat up whatever I meal prepped.
Then it’s time to do all the things I love to do … yoga, deep breathing (more on that one day later), more meditation, reading, watching shows or talking to friends.
Once it is time to wind down, I’ll take off my makeup, take a shower or tie up my hair, get Bianca outside for one last time and get in bed. I’ll admit, sometimes I stay up on my phone way too long, and other times I’ll go right on to sleep. Sometimes I’ll stay up reading and others I’ll barely lie down before I’m out!
I’d say this is a mostly typical day for someone with a job like mine who is still work from home! I’d love to hear your thoughts and how this differs with your own day in the life of! Would love to hear from you in the comments down below!
WHAT DAY IS IT? Whoa! Today is NOT a Monday ;-p. Why are we posting on Sunday?! Two reasons:(1) This post is about meal prepping for the upcoming week and I want ya’ll to be able to participate (if you so choose).(2) I’d like to know {read more}
Squirrel A lesson in self-realization and the need to embrace perceived flaws. There is only one person in my life whom, I can heartily say, can be as easily distracted as me. The realization of my distracted tendency came only after I met this person. They {read more}
As we end January 2021, it seemed fitting to make a late 90’s “Friends” Reference…
But seriously, let’s check in! How are you doing? Many of us started the year off with so much hopeful anticipation, it is hard to believe we the first full month is almost behind us! The month has had it’s own ups and downs with the current situations in the world. We may address those one day, for now we will go back to thinking on an individual level – how did you do this month? Even if you didn’t write down goals, how are you feeling about your year?
Did you make progress in all of your focus areas? or decide to switch around any short term actions? What have you learned about your personal will-power, tenacity or inner motivations? Are there any items you took off your list completely? or any you realized are no longer something you truly wanted to work on?
After doing the mid-month check-in, I adjusted some of my goals and daily habits to better fit my schedule and the remainder of the month! Unplanned but positive activities came up and filled up time as well, so I wanted to be sure to make note of those. The important thing is to look back over the month. Recognize where any and all progress was made and make note of the things that made you smile!
If you are doing this check-in along with me, here are the steps I took to reflect:
Here are my original posts related to setting yearly goals and setting a purpose!
Starting off the month, I was not feeling overly strong in mindfulness and mid-month felt I needed a strong attitude adjustment. At that point, I shifted how I was approaching my morning quiet time, and gave myself more space between waking up and logging on for the day. This gave me just enough change to feel a difference and allow myself to approach my day versus letting the day carry me through.
Looking over the month, I did not workout or get outside as much as I really wanted, this had to due with weather, motivation and not feeling well for a short bit in there. I do however, buy a few things to do an at home workout and wrote up a workout I can follow with minimal equipment!
Another shift I made in this area was doing daily, shorter (15-30 minute) yoga practices instead of the hour long 2x per week. Purposefully doing a daily practice also helped with my first focus area of mindfulness!
Career & Hustle
To (most likely) no surprise to those that know me, I completed the Career and Hustle Focus Area and made time to mentor two people as they prep for their Year-End Reviews with their managers. (One of my favorite things is seeing others succeed and grow to their full potential.)
In addition, I wanted to put more focus on my hobbies to gain a strong work/life balance and enjoy life a bit more, it is easy for me to work ‘too’ much, which leads us to our last planned focus area…
On the sheet of paper above, you will see I wrote ‘complete, sorta’ next to the Hobbies Focus area… I didn’t take a class as planned and I didn’t do the new activity I had in mind, however I did work on my photography skills and also tried out a new kitchen gadget with a friend… hence the ‘SORTA’ part of the comment.
Next month I may expand my thoughts on this section, especially as it warms up more and more. There are a handful of things I enjoy doing but feel like chores right now that either require my intense focus or require more screen time (like sewing new pillow covers and taking a virtual class) – because they are not the most appealing I would rather wait until organic motivation comes over me to complete them!
This reflection brought me to think about what I did do – since I didn’t meet all of the goals I had outlined in my focus areas, I thought to myself, how did I spent that time instead and was it worthwhile? Thinking this through, I added a 5th section of ‘unplanned’ and happy I did them activities, which include:
In a way these add up to the other focus areas and certainly have been fun, made my life more enjoyable and are helping with overall productivity being that I spend so much time in my home-office.
How was January 2021 for you? Comment down below or send me a message! Can’t wait to hear!!
Intention setting provides a deliberate aim going into any day, meeting, phone call and especially workouts! As we go into a new week: the second full week of 2021, let’s keep the momentum of goal creation and dreaming big going! Throughout life you may have {read more}