What Maternity Leave??

Landry Edward Mask
06-01-10

My life just got busier!!!


With the birth of my new kid and first boy, as a work at home mom, I was super excited that I could have all the maternity leave I wanted...unfortuntely as an entrepreneur, that means 3 weeks. I'm trying to get back to work because unlike those that work at companies, I don't get a leave or any pay when I don't work.

But, that's ok. It is still on my terms, but I realize that if I don't work, there is no income. My biggest fear is that all the hard networking I did this spring will go to waste. I don't want to loose the momentum. The hard part is an unpredictable newborn!  How do I find the time and the energy?  I'm a breast feeding mom, so that zaps a lot of my energy.  I still have two other kids under 5 to take care of, too. But, I will try to stay postive and not stress myself out and get plenty of sleep.  (I'm very lucky, all my kids are good sleepers, including Landry! Thanks goodness for black out curtains!)

I am a big fan of the schedule! I did routines for my other two children and it works wonders. I'm getting Landry on a schedule but, it takes time.

For the summer, I will try my best to keep up with blogs, tweets, and my tele-gatherings/coaching for EPMA. This fall, I'm sure I'll be fully ready to go with my girls finally in school full time and the new baby in a routine.

So, this summer, as most of them seem to be this way, we'll be light on "stuff" but the fall is always in full swing.  As for having a newborn and a business.  Postivie attitude will get me through!

Cheers,
Lorin

Use Microsoft Outlook Calendar as a Great Motivator!

I use my outlook calendar as a to-do list and more. I first started to use my outlook calendar to help me remember when I had appointments such as client coaching, networking events and my kid’s school events. I then started to pay attentions to the reminder feature. I noticed that it would ding and pop up at the time I set the reminder!

I thought to myself – what if I started to use it as a way to keep track of daily, weekly or monthly tasks? I started to put EVERYTHING in there!

• Daily: Facebook updates for EPMA and Daily Affirmations, work on book, clean up email for ½ hour, organize office for ½ hour every day

• Weekly: VIP Coaching clients, water plants, do laundry, write & post blogs, run Spybot on computer, back up computer and more!

• Monthly: Group coaching events, bills, invoicing

How has this helped me?

1. Accountability – I cannot “dismiss” until I cross it off my list! I can “snooze” but I cannot cross it off! The dings and reminders help hold me accountable for getting it done.

2. Brain De-Stressor – Knowing I don’t have to remember every little detail in my life really takes a load off. I am quick to add things to the calendar and then I feel good “forgetting” about it until I get my reminder. I can also print up the calendar in many different formats for a visual reference and for adding things to the family calendar in our kitchen.

3. Motivator – I so want to get things done. Looking at a long list keeps me moving.

4. Accomplishment – nothing gets my juices flowing as much as clicking that dismiss button! I am careful to allow myself some leeway

It takes time to put things in there and it has taken a bit of time to learn a new thing AND I still forget things from time to time. However, I’m glad I tried and now it has become habit! Give a try and if you find success or want to know more -- Give me a shout!

5 Simple Ways to Discover Your Life Purpose

If you are not finding success it is because you are not serving your life purpose. For some, it can be an easy process; for others it will take some time. If you're get stuck its only because of your belief system. If you think you can’t do this…then you can’t. If you think you can, you will.

1. Remember the great moments of your life – Look at your whole life even when you were a kid. What got you super excited to your core? What made you laugh the loudest? What gave you tears of joy? What gave you the greatest satisfaction?

2. Who do you admire – looking a people in our lives and in public life can really be a great way to discover life purpose. If you ever find yourself saying…”They have such cool lives!”, then take a microscope to it and see how you can learn from them.

3. Repetition of thought – what ideas play over and over and over in your head? Those tapes that you hear are telling you something. Listen.

4. What brings you joy on a daily basis – What you like talking about, thinking about, reading about, learning about…You get the idea. Topics that you gravitate to on a regular basis.

5. Make a list – sometimes it’s a simple as just making a list. When I changed careers, I literally sat down to a yellow tablet and wrote down my perfect job description. Not the industry and certainly not the title – just what I would do on a regular basis. Shortly thereafter, I saw a Time magazine article about coaching and look at me now. Living what I love.

If you still have trouble - you may need some help overcoming road blocks that you are creating.  A good coach is a great place to start.  Many times it's not figuring out your purpose but in acting on it!

7 Practical Tips for Creating a Positive Mental Attitude

7 Practical Tips for Creating a Positive Mental Attitude -- following are things that I do on a regular basis to keep me positive and motivated!  Being stuck in negativty really keeps me from attaining the things I want in life.


1. Vitamin D – I used to suffer from seasonal disorder. That is, in Winter I would get very down and sometimes depressed from the lack of sun. After reading a lot about Vitamin D and listening to one of our members who is a professional therapist, Alison Buchalter Segal, Ph.D., it seemed a good idea to give a daily dose of Vitamin D a try. This winter I never had a cold or caught my daughter’s illnesses nor did I suffer the “winter blues.” Now, I am NOT a medical professional, nor am I a therapist but, I would recommend consulting one to discuss the idea of Vitamin D. I personally believed it helped and, in addition to fish oil, is one of the few medications/vitamins that I take.

2. Daily meditation – Taking a moment to yourself everyday to clear your head is the best way to get rid of negative thoughts. Even if you have to lock yourself in the bathroom for 5 minutes. Pray, meditate, dream – whatever you prefer. After 21 days, keep this up and you will see dramatic results.

3. Positive people – I say this all the time. Toxic people breed toxic thoughts and positive people breed positive thoughts. You want to be positive???? Surround yourself with people who are happy and have a good outlook on life.

4. Laugh everyday – Laughing, like exercise, increases blood flow, raises endorphins and even burns calories! I have a some great ideas about finding daily laughs: There are blogs dedicated to making you laugh. Many comics will send you a daily joke via email. My favorite is www.youtube.com for finding something that will make my stomach hurt. It’s amazing how much better I feel when I have a real good laugh. Studies show that laughing helps those with depression, so grab a laugh everyday!

5. Gratitude – Nothing makes me feel more lucky to be alive than to visit the things that I’m grateful for in my life. Like the daily meditations, think of 5 things everyday that you are grateful for and you will feel more at peace.

6. Celebrate wins – All too often I find myself focusing on the struggles and challenges in my life. Let’s flip flop that one! Now, I try more often to celebrate my wins, tiny ones and big ones! When you have a win, take a moment to find your best supporter and share that win. No matter how small or how big – they will truly feel happy and excited for you!!

7. Pity party – allow yourself to have “pity parties.” Once again, call your best supporter, a person who will listen without judgment, and share with them, your bad mood. There is a strict rule, though!!!! Before you start complaining – tell them that you’d like to vent, feel validated and but then you MUST visit 1-6. You are not allowed to live in “pity-me-land!”

If you have some great tips for getting positive share them with us!