Tap, tap…is this thing on?

Wow..it’s been a hell of a ride these last few months. One minute i was celebrating a birthday & getting ready for the holidays-next thing i know, it’s spring!

What the? How did that happen?

Well, i know for a fact that i got a little lazy. I had a really great ending to the year, and lost my focus.

 I did follow my own advice and stop watching T.V. so much and cut out the nonsense magazines and timewasters i was used to. All good there.

But i got caught up in having too much fun while researching my business and my move down south. I got cable internet (a great move and sooooo worth it) but i suddenly found my self overwhelmed. I had the world at my fingertips 24/7/365. My laptop went with me everywhere. And i suddenly was not focused on anything specific. I stopped doing my daily yoga, found myself stressed and putting off my writing day after day after day.

Not good. Not good at all.

So now i am back with a vengence! I have re-evaluated my list for the next 6months and will focus my  butt off! I have daily lists to keep me moving forward. Otherwise, i will let another season sneak up on me and that cannot happen!

Time waits for noone, and it won’t wait for you either. I now see that the one major truth to getting things done, is to find what can be A: done TODAY & B: is moving your goals forward. And if it can be done today…do it. No excuses. No B.S. Just pick one, for goodness sake. And keep moving forward. If you can do that, your major goals won’t be far behind. I have done it before, and now must do it again.

*”Tommorrow becomes never. No matter how small the task, take the first step now!”

Time to put up and shut up. Batten down the hatches and get busy!

 Now to go out there and kick some ass!

*Timothy Ferriss-best selling Author of “The 4-Hour Workweek” I highly recommend it!

Having a nice, lazy kinda day. Decided to take a day off (was not feeling well this am) & decided to get up anyway. It’s MY day, why not take advantage of it?

Did the  laundry, and it proceeded to rain on my way home. Yeech. I put my clothes away and headed back out to my local wi fi hot spot and lo and behold..the sun came back out!

Alright!

Well, another year gone by, and i feel pretty good. I have made so many changes and improvements! And i feel even better knowing that the best is yet to come. I just have to continue to keep my eyes open and keep moving forward.

I knocked out quite a few goals this year.

New Cell phone
Practiced Yoga again
Laptop-my first!
Helped renovate my apartment
New Resume
New Job
Started writing my Poetry book
Mp3 player
Microwave
Dvd player
And best of all-Started my own blog! Yeah!

Considering that i did not have any of this at this time last year, makes it even sweeter.
I would like to thank everyone who helped me thoughout the year. Thank you Auntie-who kept me sane.
Thank you to all my friends and co-workers who gave me the positive feedback.
And Thank all of you for your positive energy and kind words as well.
This  coming year will be a fantastic one!
Time for a NEW set of goals..

Save $1900. to move south
Learn to swim
Skydive
Start my T-shirt company
Publish my poetry book
Save $3000. for Emergency fund
Get lasik
Go rock climbing at Red Rocks, Nevada
Go rock climbing at Hueco Tanks, Hueco Tx

Well, time to get off my butt and go party!
Have a great day everyone!
Time for me to go get hammered!

Happy Holidays everyone! I hope you all had a happy and healthy one! I made it thru mine ok. Spent some quality time alone, but did call some good friends, my Aunt, and my girlfriend. They were all happy to hear from me cause they worry..lol.

I made some kick-ass progress lately and i’m so psyched!

I recently got my 1st check from job #2 and promply went and finally got my laptop! YEAH!. Even got a wi-fi card FREE! And i was finally able to load my mp3 player. No more 5lb cd player..HA HA. I feel like i’m part of society again..now if i can just upgrade from my ol’ 19″ b&w tv…hmmmm

Anyway, had a lesson learned moment today. Went back to my favorite library and got the “gotta put a few dollars on your acct, you can’t rent these” speech. Sheesh. I am beginning to think they have a quota..

Well this time, i held on to my items, smiled politely and went upstairs to my secret “no questions asked” desk . This clerk promptly checked out my stuff with no problem.

Was almost a deja-vu moment, then the lesson kicked in. I was ready!

So- the question is- are you learning from your daily travels? Are you actually taking notes and making neccessary changes?

Life throws us lessons over and over again till we get it right. It can be frustrating till you let this fact sink in. How many times can you butt your head against the wall, you know?

When life throws a wall in front of you and you success, go over it! Around it! Get some spiritual dynamite and blow that sucka up! LoL. Just don’t let anything or anyone stop you. From finding financing for your start up or even just renting stuff, or finding work.

The answers are out there waiting for you. Act on the lessons given to you.

When you take positive action-you’ll always be rewarded.

 Now go out there and kick some a$$!

Ahhh, the holiday season is upon us yet again.

The time of year to once again stop, reflect and give thanks for what we have and what the year has brought us.

After my mom passed away years ago, i did not really celebrate thanksgiving (or any other holidays, for that matter) anymore. I felt alone and heavy with a sense of loss.

But upon reflection, and thru other trials and tribulations i have survived and feel better about this time of year.

In the cycle of life, there will always be loss.

But if you open your eyes and your heart, you will find plenty to give thanks for. I do.

I give thanks for being alive.

I give thanks for being healthy.

I give thanks for my family-who love me no matter what.

I give thanks for my friends who are always there for me.

I give thanks for having a job (actually 2 of them..lol).

I give thanks for having food and a roof over my head.

I give thanks for the goals i have set and accomplished.

I give thanks for all of you, who have looked at this blog and for all your positive energy!

This year, stop and give thanks for what you have.

You have more than you think.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

Enjoy!

Woke up @ 4:30am feeling dreary tired and cold. Not really feeling well, so i decided to take a day off from work. I went back to sleep and woke up at 3:15pm!

Guess i needed the rest.

I’m not a fan of cold weather & am planning to move to a warmer climate soon. I think i am one of those who get the “winter blues”.

I did some needed work around the house and ended up going thru my poetry book. I found one that seemed to be fitting for today…

WINTER  (tm©right Jan 2003 InspiredMinds/C.S.B)

Winters disdain for warmth reflects the hibernation of joy within me.

The shadows & darkness reflect the den of misery inside.

I sleep and escape only to wake and whisper to the coming day-

                                                   no joy…

                                                           no joy.

We all get down sometimes. I feel it is best to embrace it because there is a lesson in it. Then, let it go.

Put it on paper and then throw it away. Or call and tell a close friend. Maybe even just scream into a pillow.

The important thing is to just get it out.

I’m sure you’ll feel better.

Just remember your not alone.

Despite the wet cold weather today, my day went pretty smoothly.

I credit this to my new habit set, and it seems to be working.

1: I watched only 1 t.v. show and 1 movie last night(The Amazing race-and-Ravenous). I usually watch alot more.

2: I kept the phone conversation with my girlfriend to a min, so i got some decent sleep and was able to get up early to get to work without stress.

3: Got up early enough to get my breakfast casually without rushing.

4: Well rested and fed, i breezed thru my day unstressed and un-interrupted. Finishing 85% of what i needed done, i was able to leave on time and proud of the work i accomplished.

5: Went to the library on time to make my appointment,and was able to make an appointment for tomm-thus saving me stress of worrying if i would get a computer.

Except for the weather(which is out of my hands anyway), it was a great day.

By having a plan and sticking to it, i felt that i maximized my time and really got stuff done.

Premium planning+positive action=primo results!

Now get out there and kick some a$$!

Multiple Streams of Income.

Ask yourself, “Am i prepared in case i somehow lose my j.o.b.*? What about my spouse? “.

Life can get crazy when it comes to this issue.

Having lived thru my fare share of “oh sh*t-what now?” moments, i can speak to the need for some type of backup plan. A “plan B”, if you will.

Not too long ago, a local beef plant sold some “tainted” meat and had to conduct a recall. This hit the company hard, and corporate decided to close its doors.

Interviewing a woman as other employess came and went to say their goodbyes, she told of how she was worried about her health care. And that she now had to find a new job and start all over.

OUCH.

Many of us, myself included get stuck in our jobs. We get bogged down in the day to day hustle and get into our “comfort zone”.

But how comfortable is it, if you can lose your job at a moments notice-even if it is something out of your hands or had no control over?

Stories like these are popping up all over America. It is especially prudent nowadays to have a backup plan. Something. Anything.

It could be just having some savings in case of emergency. Or just keeping abreast of your job market for openings and opportunities.

I just recently got a 2nd job to help finance my current goals.  Here are some of the things i did to make it happen in a timely manner.

1: Always have your resume updated, and printed. You never know when a golden oppurtunity make arise. 10 copies is a good start.

2: Have your resume backed up on a disk, and stored in a safe place.

3: Have your interview clothes clean and pressed. It would be bad to get a quick interview,only to have to run to the cleaners and have them delay you.

4: Stay on top of your desired field. An ear to the ground type of thing. If they post for your dream job, will you be ready?

5: Have your interview skills up to par. Practice answering standard questions with a friend or relative.

6: Keep your resume language engaging. Be specific and honest. If you mangaged a staff of 100 employees, say so. Don’t just say you were a manager.

7: Have an Emergency Fund. This is priceless. Always have one. 1 month - 3 months savings for important expenses. Rent, housefood, carfare & utilities. 3 months is better. 6 months is best, but have something for that rainy day.

These are a good start. Keep these in minds as you search for your next job. Hopefully you are starting your own business, or creating some other income stream, but at least you won’t get caught in your bosses crosshairs unprepared.

Now get out there and kick some a$$!

*J.O.B. = Just over Broke.

Scene: Checking out book and video from local library.

Players: Inspired Mind & Ms. Library clerk.

Inspired Mind: Hi, how are you?

 Library clerk: Fine.(takes my materials, scans my card and makes a face)                        

LC: You have an outstanding balance.

I M:  Yes, i know. (smiling because i am well under my limit)

LC: Well, you have to put something on your balance. You’ve had this balance for sometime now.

IM:  I’m under the limit. I come here everyday. (she knows this) What can i give you? .50 cents?

LC: 2 or 3 dollars..

IM: What?!

LC: Sir, if there is a problem, you can go talk to my supervisor (giving me that “i know she will back me up” look)

IM: Well, i don’t have that…

LC: (pulls my materials across desk so i can’t take them back) Well, sorry-you can’t rent these today.

IM: No?

LC: NO.

I walk away at this point, wanting to knock her teeth out..then i calm down, make my internet appointment and leave.

The next day…

I pick up the video and book off the shelf and walk over to another clerk i know-sitting right next to the same clerk from yest.

She smiles, scans my card, checks my stuff out-never even mentioning my balance-and wishes me a goodnight. I take my stuff and not so silently give yesterdays clerk the finger as i walk past <smile>.

THE LESSON: NEVER take NO for an answer.

Not until you have exhausted every option, and tried your best to obtain the materials or knowledge you need.

It is usually the ones with the least real power who seem to block our paths from time to time. Is it a power trip?  Are they on the rag* that day?

Or perhaps they are just not in the know of what could or should be done.

Don’t let that stop you. Go for yours. Exhaust all avenues, and walk away with you head held high knowing you did your best.

Now go out there and kick some a$$!

*Feel free to comment. It’s just an expression after all.  :) 

It’s always a good idea to keep your mind & eyes open. With life going by so fast, we sometimes don’t see what is right in front of us.

Literally.

We overlook our family, friends and golden opportunities. We get caught up in the moment. But, instead of it being a moment of intention, purpose and focus, it is usually more like a moment of hectic chaos and worry.

We truly need to slow down sometimes & look around. Smell the flowers. Hug our children or even just re-affirm our faith or goals.

Try and take a moment today & notice things and people. Even if it’s just on a lunch break, or the commute home. Let your mind think of the good things in your life. And how you can make them better. Think of your family and how you enrich their lives by being true to your own.

And last but not least. Really keep your eyes open. I’ve literally found hundreds of dollars in my daily travels. Yes-hundreds. Just by keeping a keen eye on what was in front of me.

Something to think about. We sometimes really do have what we need-right in front of us.

That’s what my friends would always ask when i proposed a new project, business idea or just wanted to travel. It became a constant, nagging question. And i soon began to ask myself that same question time and again. Watching my friends & co-workers go on to their own success stories. I gave out plenty of advice, but had yet to heed it fo my own benefit.

 You see, i suffered  from analysis-paralysis. Or more commonly referred to as procrastination. I would try to think of every angle and shortcut to accomplish what i wanted. And more times than not, i would start with a great florish and then sputter and stall. Then of course, i would shelve the project, promising myself to come back to it. Since i am no longer a child with “all the time in the world”, this is a serious no-no. Especially in this day and age with everything and everyone zooming in fast forward. If you don’t act quickly and decisively with focus and deterimination, someone else will. And that will leave you sitting on the curb wondering “what happened?”.

Determinating what goals to pursue is one thing. Follow thru is  the next critical step,but so many of us stall out or don’t start at all. So you’ll  have to do some serious soul-searching and dig to find the root cause of what keeps you from reaching your full potential.

This was a hard step for me, because it forced me to really look at myself and my daily habits.  I  had to deterime how these habits impacted how i spent my time.

What i found kinda shocked me.

I found that my time was pretty well spent when it came to everyone else. But the 1 person “at the scene of the crime”, who got in my way the most?

Yep. Me.

Or more specifically, how i was spending my down time.

I was able to pinpoint specific behaviors that were detrimental to me and my goals.

                           1:watching way too much “junk” t.v.

                           2: staying up late on work nights

                           3: eating too much junk food

                           4: not exercising

Just the t.v. watching alone was killin’ me! After a long day of work, i was watching like 6 hours of t.v.! Not even counting the endless videos i rented from the library. And the mindless (bad)news, Maury/Springer/TMZ chatter. That’s 6 hours that could have been better spent on any number of things. Starting my poetry book. Drawing. Constructive reading. Dusting off 1 of my screenplays and actually doing some writing. Cooking a real meal. Actually relaxing and getting proper rest. All viable options i was blind to.

Armed with this information, i was able to plot positive change.

I recently read an excellent book by Timothy Ferriss called “The 4-Hour workweek”. In it, he recommends going an a “low infomation diet”. Little or no t.v., magazines, newspapers, etc. Stuff that just wastes time and don’t fill your mind with positivity.

Just what i needed!

So, i actually cut my viewing time, especially the local news/tabloid stuff.

WOW-what a difference.

With this change alone, i freed up enough time to persue this very goal-my very own blog.

Positive manifestation in action! And it feels soooo good because i planned it, took action, and made it happen. And i am getting positive feedback.

So ask yourself. Seriously. What’s stopping you? Opportunities for positive change are all around you. But you must keep an open mind. And be willing to make the neccessary changes.

” I can’t change the direction of the wind, but i can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” - Jimmy Dean

Nuff said.

Now go out there and kick some a$$!