It is so easy to lose our direction, fall into doing things by rote, or based on others goals and needs. Here are some quick and easy tools to keep you living your life the way you want.
1. Take 10
Know what you want. Make a list of the 10 things you want to do over the course of your life, year, week, even day. Get in the habit of dialoguing about what you want, in the now and in the future. You can't guard your time if you don't know what you want.
2. Be real
Learn to be honest with others. Say no, make them aware honestly of what you want, like or need. For instance, don't let someone know you for 5 years before they find out you really don't like that ethnic restaurant you always go to together.
3. Assert yourself
Stand up. Sometimes even when people know what you want, they still push their agenda. Know what you want and don't be afraid to say so.
4. Check in
Check in with yourself regularly. "Is this what I want to be doing, the direction I want to be going?" Be mindful and aware that you are going in the direction of your wishes and goals.
5. Slow down
Make sure you stop now and then. With down time, you are really able to look at your life and what you want and make sure you are getting there.
Have a great week.
Maria
Friday, March 27, 2009
Simplicpity Quote of the Week
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How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.
-Annie Dillard
Think carefully how you spend your days, becuase they do indeed add up to become your life.
Use your time wisely and make it matter.
Maria
How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.
-Annie Dillard
Think carefully how you spend your days, becuase they do indeed add up to become your life.
Use your time wisely and make it matter.
Maria
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Simplicity Values - Get rid of unwanted gifts without the guilt
5 Ways to get rid of unwanted gifts without the guilt
Gifts are great. Well, usually. We have all been the recipient of those odd, useless, aggravating, even thoughtless gifts from people we love. The problem? For some reason, it seems just too hard to let them go. Here are some easy tricks to get you more closet space and save yourself the guilt.
1. Practice makes perfect. The more you make a practice of letting go of unwanted gifts, the easier it will get. Always remember that.
2. Return. There is nothing wrong with returns. Do it quickly. Most stores have limits on returns. Turn off your guilt and do it.
3. Re-gift. Re-gifting is a great, environmentally friendly tool. Here are some handy rules.
a. Re-gift as soon as possible. (Do you want to re-gift that item 2 years later and when your giftee opens it up finds it all crusty and old?)
b. Re-gift outside of circles. Make sure there is enough separation from the original gift giver and your recipient.
c. Label the gift with who it was from and when you got it. Your memory is never as good as you think it is.
4. Sell it. Hey, most of us have gotten pretty good at using eBay. Nothing wrong with using them to sell unwanted gifts. That helps everyone out.
5. Donate. Donate it to your favorite charity. Why not do something nice for someone else?
Try these tools and watch your closet space expand and your shoulders feel a little less weighted down.
Need some help figuring things out? Click here to contact me for a session.
Gifts are great. Well, usually. We have all been the recipient of those odd, useless, aggravating, even thoughtless gifts from people we love. The problem? For some reason, it seems just too hard to let them go. Here are some easy tricks to get you more closet space and save yourself the guilt.
1. Practice makes perfect. The more you make a practice of letting go of unwanted gifts, the easier it will get. Always remember that.
2. Return. There is nothing wrong with returns. Do it quickly. Most stores have limits on returns. Turn off your guilt and do it.
3. Re-gift. Re-gifting is a great, environmentally friendly tool. Here are some handy rules.
a. Re-gift as soon as possible. (Do you want to re-gift that item 2 years later and when your giftee opens it up finds it all crusty and old?)
b. Re-gift outside of circles. Make sure there is enough separation from the original gift giver and your recipient.
c. Label the gift with who it was from and when you got it. Your memory is never as good as you think it is.
4. Sell it. Hey, most of us have gotten pretty good at using eBay. Nothing wrong with using them to sell unwanted gifts. That helps everyone out.
5. Donate. Donate it to your favorite charity. Why not do something nice for someone else?
Try these tools and watch your closet space expand and your shoulders feel a little less weighted down.
Need some help figuring things out? Click here to contact me for a session.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Simplicity Values - Cards Sent Simply
Sending cards to loved ones to acknowledge their accomplishments and painful experiences is a time honored tradition that makes us all feel stronger and more connected with each other. Sending cards and notes is a simple, kind and inexpensive way to send our support and love to the people in our lives. Here are some simple tools to help you get there.
Do you fall into the trap of thinking, “a card is not enough?”
This is pretty common and a tricky little thought. What it often leads to is DOING NOTHING! So, to do battle with that, tell yourself you are starting with a card. “I’ll send a card right away. I can always do more later.” Simple and it will pull you right out of the doing nothing trap.
Are you a train wreck?
Is your life full of chaos to the degree that these simple gestures get lost? You are not alone!! Try this. Work on breaking it down. “I will just send this one note, do this one thank you, stop at the store for this one card.” Break it down and start small. In time, build it as a discipline and it will feel like nothing at all.
Systems Failure
Where are the supplies? Where is Aunt Mabel’s address? Does someone have a stamp? With systems failure, the plan is simple. Have blank cards, address book and stamps all together. This will take you 15 minutes at most. Keep them together in your appointment book, at your desk, in your kitchen, in a zip lock bag in your car (that is a good one.) You can also purchase a cheap book of quotes for all occasions and keep it together with the other supplies. You won’t have to worry about finding the “right” card because you can add your own quotes.
Try these easy tools and enjoy how you feel when you keep card sending simple.
Here is a great book of quotes. You can support my website by ordering through my Amazon store! Click here to check it out!
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Do you fall into the trap of thinking, “a card is not enough?”
This is pretty common and a tricky little thought. What it often leads to is DOING NOTHING! So, to do battle with that, tell yourself you are starting with a card. “I’ll send a card right away. I can always do more later.” Simple and it will pull you right out of the doing nothing trap.
Are you a train wreck?
Is your life full of chaos to the degree that these simple gestures get lost? You are not alone!! Try this. Work on breaking it down. “I will just send this one note, do this one thank you, stop at the store for this one card.” Break it down and start small. In time, build it as a discipline and it will feel like nothing at all.
Systems Failure
Where are the supplies? Where is Aunt Mabel’s address? Does someone have a stamp? With systems failure, the plan is simple. Have blank cards, address book and stamps all together. This will take you 15 minutes at most. Keep them together in your appointment book, at your desk, in your kitchen, in a zip lock bag in your car (that is a good one.) You can also purchase a cheap book of quotes for all occasions and keep it together with the other supplies. You won’t have to worry about finding the “right” card because you can add your own quotes.
Try these easy tools and enjoy how you feel when you keep card sending simple.
Here is a great book of quotes. You can support my website by ordering through my Amazon store! Click here to check it out!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday, March 6, 2009
Simplicity Values - Saving money in the bathroom
Here are 5 quick ways to save time and money in the bathroom
1. Always be stocked up. Running to buy bathroom supplies at the last minute will always cost you,both time and money.
2. Buy in bulk, either at a bulk supply store or at your local store. I buy locally and I stock up on bathroom supplies whenever they are on sale.
3. Stop running the water while you brush! You will save money and water.
4. Use old tooth brushes for cleaning. Think of recycling, you are just reusing!
5. Turn the lights off! My dad used to look around the house and say, "Where are we, Fort Knox? Turn off some of these lights!" I still have no idea what he was talking about. Was Fort Knox lit up like a Christmas tree? I have no idea, but when I leave the bathroom I hear his voice booming and I have to giggle when I think of that comment, and, of course, I have to turn the lights off.
Have a good weekend and remember to make the moment happen!
Maria
Making changes:
Looking to make some changes in your life? Set up a session with me. We can explore the changes you want, set some goals and create a plan that will work for you. Whatever changes you seek, more organization, better communication, more time for yourself, etc. Together we can work on them to make the changes you want happen!
Contact me here.
Maria
1. Always be stocked up. Running to buy bathroom supplies at the last minute will always cost you,both time and money.
2. Buy in bulk, either at a bulk supply store or at your local store. I buy locally and I stock up on bathroom supplies whenever they are on sale.
3. Stop running the water while you brush! You will save money and water.
4. Use old tooth brushes for cleaning. Think of recycling, you are just reusing!
5. Turn the lights off! My dad used to look around the house and say, "Where are we, Fort Knox? Turn off some of these lights!" I still have no idea what he was talking about. Was Fort Knox lit up like a Christmas tree? I have no idea, but when I leave the bathroom I hear his voice booming and I have to giggle when I think of that comment, and, of course, I have to turn the lights off.
Have a good weekend and remember to make the moment happen!
Maria
Making changes:
Looking to make some changes in your life? Set up a session with me. We can explore the changes you want, set some goals and create a plan that will work for you. Whatever changes you seek, more organization, better communication, more time for yourself, etc. Together we can work on them to make the changes you want happen!
Contact me here.
Maria
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