Some Aha Moments

Over the last couple weeks I watched a video series called "Calm, Productive Upbeat Days for Busy Moms" by Lisa Byrne.  It was a 3-Part video that I was able to watch on my own time and it was FREE.  Check it out HERE if you are interested.  Visit http://www.wellgroundedsite.com/  for more information on Lisa's resources.

Last week, I also took a class called "Habits of Mind" at our local AEA Agency for some relicensure credits.  The class was based on the book NAPOLEON HILL'S KEYS TO SUCCESS: THE 17 PRINCIPLES OF PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT by Napleon Hill.  In this class I had to create my own success model.  I decided to do my success model on having a more organized routine to my day.  I plan to kick that off once school starts in a few weeks.  I am really looking forward to being more structured in my day and getting some things accomplished instead of running around all day, starting lots of projects and not really completing any of them.

Some key AHA moments for me from these two opportunities were:

You would never consider taking away play and rest time from your children, so why would you take it away from yourself?  I am embarrassed to say I had NEVER thought of it that way.  Of course I know how important play time is for the kids and obviously rest time.  I wouldn't allow them to get 6 hours of sleep or spend their entire day working.  Why do I do that to myself?  Thanks Lisa!  I need to plan for free time in my day just like I plan out my other tasks.

A recent study found that people who multitask really do not accomplish as much as others who focus on one task at a time.  That was a slap across the face....I have ALWAYS been a multi-tasker.  What mom isn't?  But, after listening to the instructor explain the findings, I think my jaw dropped.  I do run around the house all day...starting dishes, then the dryer buzzes so I grab them quick, then on the way I see trash needs to be taken out so I take it out so I push it down farther, then the phone rings and as I am on the phone I walk around and pick up things off the floor, etc, etc.  You know what I mean!  So, if I focus on one task at a time, I am more likely to get those items completed and move on to the next one.  This may be an obvious thing to you, but coming from a multi-tasker this was a light-bulb moment for me. I am going to try to structure my tasks more and see if I feel like I have actually accomplished something at the end of the day.

An essential component to feeling that you belong in life, you need to have a WO'MANCE. A Wo'mance is a relationship with another woman in your life who is someone who guides, supports, loves, understands and believes in you.  This person can be a sister, mom, friend, aunt, cousin, daughter, etc.  But, it is someone who you can be completely "real" with.  Someone besides your spouse who is one of your biggest cheerleaders.  I am lucky to have one of these people in my life and without her I know my life would crumble.  We "talk" almost daily and support each other, laugh with each other, and guide each other through the tough moments in life.  Thanks, Mel for being in a Wo'mance with me and thanks to Lisa for giving me a reason to cherish that relationship even more!

Having a Positive Mental Attitude is a key to a happy life.  Ok, duh, I know that should be obvious.  But, I know you know someone who is always complaining, creating drama, finding the negative in every situation and just spending time with that person can bring you down.  I have cut a few of those people out of my life and others, I have learned to tune them out or not play into their downward spiral.  One day last week, after leaving class I saw this truck that had seen better days.  In the back end of the truck, piled high was what looked to me like "junk".  I know one person's junk is another's treasure, but this looked clearly like junk.  Then across the back of this truck was this statement..."Same Nightmare Different Day".  I thought to myself, yep I bet it is. If that is how you think about your day, then that is how your day/life is going to be carried out.  Yeah, I may think doing laundry, dishes, sweeping, etc can be a monotonous "nightmare" some days....but if that is the perspective I give it, then I am certainly going to feel like it is a nightmare.  If I look at it as providing clean, fresh smelling clothes for my family, so they can look and feel their best, then I am going to feel better about it.  Having a PMA every day about whatever it is you may be doing will help you create success.  If you feel positively about getting the dishes and laundry done, you are more likely to get them done.  If you are dreading doing the dishes and laundry, you are going to find ways to avoid them and feel grouchy about doing them.  So, turn on your favorite Pandora station and get those chores done! Also, in general, having a PMA on a daily basis about your life will cause others around you to be happy and positive as well.  You know the saying, "If Momma ain't happy, then nobody's happy."  I am the first to admit that when I am in a grouchy mood, it radiates throughout the house.  I really am going to be working on my PMA in the next few weeks.

None of these above items are new ideas or shocking to the average person. But, for me, it just took the right moment, the right person, and the right attitude for me to listen and take these ideas to heart.  They were AHA moments for me, and maybe they will be for you too. 

If you are interested in learning more about any of these topics you should definitely check out Lisa Byrne at http://www.wellgroundedsite.com/ or any of Napoleon Hill's books.  May you have a positively successful day!