Hosting Sergiy Is Becoming A Reality – More News From Christine And How We Can Help
As you know, my friend Christine “The Menu Mom” is hosting an orphan Ukrainian boy this summer. I asked her to share a little bit more about this endeavor with us. Here are the questions I asked her, followed of course by Christine’s replies.
Can you tell us a little more about how you found Sergiy and what made you invite him to spend the summer with you and your family?
Sure! When we learned about New Horizons for Children’s Summer Hosting Program, we printed off around 10 kids to think about and pray for. Sergiy is the one who stuck out to both my husband and I. We then decided the timing wasn’t right for our family. However, just a few days before hosting commitment closed, he still wasn’t chosen. At that point we just knew that we had to jump in with faith and host him! We felt if we didn’t we would regret it for a long time.
I’ve heard a lot about the “New Horizons For Children” program. Can you tell us a little more about it?
Sure. New Horizons for Children (www.newhorizonsforchildren.org) is a Christian International Hosting Program for Orphaned Children. Two times a year (Christmas and Summer) they bring orphaned children from Latvia and the Ukraine to visit the U.S.
The goals of the program are:
- To share the love of Christ with the children
- To care for the children while the orphanages close for the summer
- To help them learn some English (they often learn in 5 weeks what they learn in 5 years in their homeland)
- To gift them with the love of a family – something many have never felt before
- To build their self-worth
- To advocate for the possibility of adoption
Any fun plans for the summer? I’m sure there’s a lot you look forward to.
Yes, we plan to swim lots, teach Sergiy how to ride a bike (that was one of his wishes), just relax, take a few day trips in the area, and also take a trip to the Wisconsin Dells.
Hosting a teenager from another country for the summer will certainly have its challenges. Do you have some tips on how to prepare and put a support system in place?
Teenagers do not scare us tooooo much…(I know, I should be careful what I say!) My husband has been working with teens for 10 years, so we have an idea of what to expect. We have also been told that the orphaned kids from Ukraine are much smaller and “younger” than the U.S. kids. So most likely he will have a similar mentality to our almost 12 year old. I’m not sure anything can totally prepare us for this, but we are excited for the adventure! As far as a support system, we have family and friends that are very supportive, and NHFC also has support in place.
I’m sure Sergiy will have a wonderful time this summer, but this is also an awesome opportunity for your kids. What do you want them to get out of this?
I am hoping they will learn to give. They have to give up a few things to make this happen. When we first talked to them about it, they were all for it, but as they are beginning to have to live out the things they have to give up, it has been a bit harder. I am hoping this will be a summer they will never forget! I am guessing they will learn some Ukrainian, they will learn patience as they try to communicate, they will learn to share all they have – their things and their parents, and they will learn to love.
What else can we here at HBHW do to help you bring this boy to the US for the summer?
Well, I am sure most of your readers have heard by now that we have a donation site available here: https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/eJ3d9 We also have a great “Fire Sale” going on through May 22nd here: www.hillbillyhousewife.com/sergiy . It is hard to guess exactly how much we will need for the summer – we never know what type of medical things will come up etc. If we end up raising extra, we will either put the extra money towards adoption (if we end up going down that road) or we will donate it to New Horizons for Children to help other families experience the joy of hosting. We would also love for your readers to share about Sergiy with their friends. We of course could use prayer support. And, we invite everyone to follow our journey at www.themenumom.com I have started an orphan hosting category to make the posts about this experience easy to find.
How To Eat Healthier On A Tight Budget
This is a guest post by my friend Tracy Roberts of MomsInABlog.com. Tracy and I have been on a journey of eating healthier and moving more. One obstacle to eating healthier has always been the belief that healthy food is expensive food. We know there are ways to eat healthier on a tight budget, because we are doing it! Here are the tips Tracy has discovered in planning her own healthier lifestyle:
Many of us are trying to live healthier by moving more and eating better. One commonly held misconception about eating healthy is that it’s too hard to do on a tight budget. The truth is, it’s possible to purchase foods that are good for you and good for your budget, too. Yes, it is possible to eat healthier on a tight budget.
How?
Like many things that make life easier, eating healthier on a budget is all about planning. You have to plan ahead to get the best food you can for the money you have available.
Walking into the grocery store unprepared is one of the biggest downfalls for both your budget and your healthy eating habits. With that in mind, let’s talk about planning your healthy meals, and sticking to your budget.
Plan meals around sales.
Find the sales ads for the grocery stores in your area and plan your meals for the coming week around what’s on sale. You know what you want to eat to stay healthy, so look at the sales on those items. If you see a nutritious food item on sale that you haven’t tried yet, now’s the time.
Make a grocery list.
After you’ve planned your meals, write down everything you need for each meal. Check your pantry, freezer, and refrigerator to see if you already have some of the items. Be sure to include EVERYTHING you need for each meal. You’ll want to check your supply for basics such as flour, spices, oil, and other staples you may need. And don’t forget the beverages for your meal.
Clip coupons.
When you plan your meals around sale items, there may be coupons involved. Be sure to clip those and attach them to your grocery list. Avoid coupons for items you don’t need for the week’s menu so you are not tempted to “save” money on items you may never use.
Never go grocery shopping hungry.
Everything looks yummy when your tummy is empty. A bag of chips will certainly satisfy you immediately. That head of cabbage is just not the same. But, if you are full, you can imagine that cabbage in a nice salad when dinnertime rolls around. Eat before your trip to the store. If you can’t go to the store right after you’ve eaten, take along a light healthy snack like a little bag of almonds to help you resist temptation while in the store.
Shop the perimeter of the store first.
In most grocery stores, the layout is the same; items around the outside walls, the perimeter, are the healthiest choices. These areas will have the fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy items. The center items are usually the prepackaged, processed, or convenience foods. These foods are not only more expensive, but they normally aren’t the healthiest choices. There are exceptions, but this is usually the case with most foods.
Buy in season.
Look for produce that is in season as these will often be cheaper than non-seasonal choices. Another seasonal item is turkey. Stock up and plan turkey meals when the prices are cheapest; around Thanksgiving time.
Buy bulk when possible.
Choose foods that are in larger quantities as the price is typically lower. For instance, rather than buying individual pieces of fruit, buy a larger bag. You’ll find the price per pound is cheaper. The same goes with meat, chicken, and fish. Stock up and save in the long run.
Buy store or generic brands.
Years ago, it was believed that brand name food would be better food. Those days are gone. Nowadays, there usually isn’t much difference in the taste or quality, but you can definitely see a difference in the price. Always compare prices before you buy.
Eating healthy on a budget is all about a system.
As you can see, a systematic approach to grocery shopping can help you save money while eating better at the same time. Choose healthy foods first from the grocery store sales, plan your menu around those sales, make your list, then head to the store… on a full stomach, of course. Once you get to the store, stick to your list and the savings will add up. Your budget will thank you, and so will your healthier lifestyle!
What’s stopping YOU from becoming A Healthier You? Is it the thought of going on a diet? Or is it the notion of taking an hour out of your day to exercise?
Perhaps, like me, you just get to the end of the day and think; “Why did I eat that bag of chips?” Or; “Why didn’t I go out for a little walk today?” It’s those little choices that make all the difference – the difference between being healthy and being unhealthy.
Don’t let another day go by ignoring your own needs! Join our community of folks just like you who want to finally, once and for all, live the kind of life we were meant to live… a HEALTHY life! Learn to eat healthier and get up and move so you can enjoy every minute of every day. Click on and sign up and become a member of A Healthier You today!
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
A Healthier You – Sharing The Journey With My Friend Tracy Roberts
If you have been following along in my newsletter, you know I’ve got a confession to make. I have not been treating myself very well. Over the winter, I fell back on some of my unhealthy habits – eating bad and not moving. Through the months, I tried to go on diets and I tried to follow exercise programs. Nothing worked. I couldn’t stick with the programs. Basically, life got in the way.
When I finally shared this struggle with my friend Tracy Roberts of MomsInABlog.com, she couldn’t believe it. This is EXACTLY what was happening to her! And she was letting it happen, just like me.
That’s where this story starts. But, I’m going to let Tracy tell you about it herself. So, let me stop right here and introduce my friend, Tracy Roberts, and our personal journey to A Healthier You.
Thank you, Susanne, for inviting me to share my story. Well, it’s really OUR story, and the story of so many busy women (and men!) out there.
You said it; “Life got in the way.”
I was on a good diet and exercise program. But, cooking those “diet” recipes and finding an hour a day, even a half hour a day, to exercise was getting old fast.
I was hungry. I wasn’t losing weight. I was avoiding my exercise program. Nothing was working. And, I wasn’t having any fun!
Another month would go by; then another, and another. No results. I was so frustrated and sad. Was I going to be like this for the rest of my life? And what’s going to happen as I get older?
I felt alone. In my imagination, everyone else was successfully dieting and exercising. Everyone else found a diet program they loved and went to the gym for an hour every day. They had magical powers to find the time to fit all this in with a busy family. Why couldn’t I?
That’s the frame of mind I was in when my friend Susanne came to me and told me that SHE was frustrated, and sad, and had tried everything, too! We couldn’t believe how we both were suffering from all the ups and downs of dieting and exercising, yet never talked about it before.
What happened next isn’t too surprising – it happens to a lot of people. We looked at each other and both said;
“Why are you treating yourself like that!”
Yes, we could accept our own unhealthy habits, but we couldn’t abide by our friend treating herself badly. We personally allowed ourselves to eat bad food and sit on our behinds all day, but when it came to watching our friend do it, THAT was unthinkable!
And THAT is exactly when the idea for A Healthier You was born. I learned some very valuable lessons that day with Susanne:
- I learned that I was not alone in this struggle.
- I learned that I was not treating myself with the same respect I treat my friend.
- I learned that I was more likely to take care of my health if someone was watching me.
Then I sent out the word to my other friends. I asked them; “How would you feel if your friend was making choices that would guarantee she would have serious health problems?” Everyone responded the same way; “I would be very upset.”
So I asked; “Why is it okay for you to make unhealthy choices when it’s not okay for your friends to do the same thing?”
Ouch.
Yes, that hurt. We all have friends who don’t take care of their health the way they should. And now I realize that I’m one of those friends.
That’s the story of how my membership site A Healthier You came about. I realized I was not going to get healthier alone. I needed to share my struggle with Susanne before I saw that I am worth the effort, just like Susanne, and just like all my friends. And YOU are worth the effort, too!
This journey is NOT about dieting and exercising. Those two words have never done much to get me motivated – other than motivated to complain! Instead, what we need to do is EAT HEALTHY and MOVE!
If you’re thinking this is exactly what you need, please come and join us and start enjoying A Healthier You.
I know there are so many people living busy lives, just like me, who are having trouble finding the time to make healthy choices. But, more importantly, there are far too many of us who have trouble BELIEVING we owe ourselves the healthiest body, mind, and soul that we are meant to have!
When you join A Healthier You, I promise to make the commitment right along with you. I am researching the very best information to get all of us through a healthier day. I’ll share helpful tips for choosing healthier foods, including some fun recipes, along with tips for finding ways to squeeze ‘moving’ into your day. And not the kind of moving we do getting kids up for school, driving them around, running errands, or even working. We need the kind of moving that lifts the spirit while stretching our limbs so we feel better, more alive, more flexible, and more fun!
In your monthly membership, you will have no obligation, other than to yourself. Please click on the link here – A Healthier You – to read more about me, my story, and my commitment to you… and to me!
Here’s a quick glimpse at what you’ll be getting in Month One when you sign up:
- Introduction to Creating A Healthier You Guide
- Positive Affirmation – Neutralize Bad Habits with Good Food, Exercise & Healthy Living
- Motivational Wallpaper – A gorgeous graphic
- Healthy Recipes – Eating Better: Choosing the Right Foods to Become Healthier
- Self Reflection Worksheet
- Overcoming Obstacles Worksheet
- Weekly Weight Loss Goal Tracker
- Weight Loss Diary
- Overcoming Food Addiction Worksheet
- Access to our PRIVATE Facebook Group where you’ll find support & accountability without judgment
Then, as a member, you will receive a weekly email which will include items such as:
- Affirmations- to help you keep a positive attitude
- Motivational Wallpaper – to keep your motivation high
- Healthy Recipes – to tempt your taste buds and keep you satisfied
- Weekly Guide to Creating A Healthier You – to guide you along your journey
- Worksheets/Checklists – to track your goals & progress
- … Other Goodies – you KNOW there will be extra goodies!
Can you afford to continue making unhealthy lifestyle choices? I know I can’t! The damage we continue to do to our body, and soul, is heartbreaking.
The good news is, it’s never too late to start eating better and moving more. Click on, sign up, and make the commitment today for A Healthier You!
- Do it for yourself.
- Do it for your family.
- Do it for a friend!
p.s. Not sure about making the commitment yet? As an EXTRA INCENTIVE, from now through March 31st, sign up for ONLY $15 for the first month, and $10 per month thereafter for as long as you are a member. Don’t let another month go by while you struggle to stay healthy. It’s so much easier with the support of a community. Click on and join A Healthier You today!
p.p.s. Still not sure yet about making this commitment? Your membership in A Healthier You is 100% satisfaction guaranteed. Click to read more about my guarantee: Creating A Healthier You. I’ve got you covered so you are perfectly safe to try it out! Go ahead, click on, and join us now!
Perhaps, like me, you just get to the end of the day and think; “Why did I eat that bag of chips?” Or; “Why didn’t I go out for a little walk today?” It’s those little choices that make all the difference – the difference between being healthy and being unhealthy.
Don’t let another day go by ignoring your own needs! Join our community of folks just like you who want to finally, once and for all, live the kind of life we were meant to live… a HEALTHY life! Learn to eat healthier and get up and move so you can enjoy every minute of every day. Click on and sign up and become a member of A Healthier You today!
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
The Housekeeper's Symphony
I came across this in a very old coobook and just had to share!
“To do the best that I can, from morn till night.
And pray for added strength with coming light;
To make the family income reach alway,
With some left over for a rainy day;
To do distasteful things with happy face,
To try and keep the odds and ends in place.
To smile instead of frown at Fate,
Which placed me in a family always late
For meals; to do the sewing, mending and
The thousand small things always near at hand,
And do them always with a cheerful heart,
Because in life they seem to be my part;
To know the place of everything and keep
It there, to think, to plan, to cook, to sweep,
To brew, to bake, to answer questions,
To be the mainspring of the family clock.
(Or that effect) and see that no tick, tock
Is out of time or tune, or soon or late,
This is the only symphony which I
Can ever hope to operate.”
MARION WILEY.
Getting Motivated To Clean House – A Homemaker's Story
Jill and Tawra from Living ON A Dime just sent me a great story to share with you. It's called “When Queens Ride By” and was written in 1926.
The story is about the big difference an organized and clean home can make in our life. It's so easy to let decluttering, straightening up and cleaning go undone when there are so many other “more important” things to do. Read this beautiful story and find out why that may not be a good idea.
Jill wrote a very inspiring introduction to the story that shows how the lessons learned still hold true today. I hope you enjoy reading this story as much as I have.
You are welcome to share this free ebook with family and friends. Email it to anyone who could use a little inspiration during tough times.
Enjoy
Susanne – The Hillbilly Housewife
A Mothers Day Reminder – Sometimes A Little Push Is The Right Thing To Do
All Mothers know that it's hard to let go of the notion that our babies will always be our babies. Sometimes we watch them spread their wings and we say 'STOP!' Not yet!
But then there are other times when we know the right thing to do is to give our youngsters a little nudge, maybe even a push, to get them out into the world so that they can grow.
This Mother's Day, I just wanted to give all the Moms out there a little encouragement. It's hard to know when we're doing the right thing, sometimes until years later. Have faith in your abilities and your instincts. Motherhood is a tough assignment, but you have the strength and wisdom to make the right decisions.
Happy Mother's Day!
The Wilma Rudolph Story – Beating Unbeatable Odds
Wilma Rudolph was born prematurely, weighing only 4 1/2 pounds. She was born into a large family – a very large family – she was the 20th child of 22 children. Millions of people were poor in the 1940’s, but Wilma’s family was not only poor, they were African American, living in a segregated society.
Being born premature was just the beginning of Wilma’s medical troubles. Because of the racial segregation at the time, the family was not permitted to have the same medical treatment as white families. So, when Wilma suffered with one terrible illness after another, it was her family who tended to her. This was no small task for a poor family.
The moment came when the family received the dreaded diagnosis – polio. According to the doctor, Wilma Rudolph would never walk. However, the family never gave up hope. Instead, Wilma’s parents and siblings learned how to do the physical therapy needed to help her get strong. This family sacrificed everything they had to help Wilma walk again.
And so it was, by the age of 12, with hard work and dedication, Wilma Rudolph walked again – without braces or crutches. Then and there, she decided that if she could learn to walk, she could learn to run.
Four years later Wilma won a Bronze medal in the 1956 Olympic games.
Wilma Rudolph became an Olympic legend. In 1960, she became the first American woman to win 3 gold medals, and paved the way for women to compete in areas previously barred to them.
Why is this an inspirational story, aside from the obvious Olympic story? The real inspiration is the fact that Wilma and her family never gave up hope and fought with fierce determination against all odds; odds which included poverty and discrimination. Even when the world and all the rules were stacked against them, the fierce love of family along with the desire to “win” overcame every obstacle.
Healthy Crockpot Meals
My friend Angie from Sizzlin’ Circuits shared some of her favorite crockpot recipes with us here recently. Today I asked her to share her thoughts on crockpot cooking in general and why it works so well for her family. I also asked her to give us some tips on healthy crockpot meals and lat but not least a little more information on her new home workout program.
Here’s Angie:
Why Do I like crockpot recipes?
1) We’re a busy family, and to be able to put the ingredients into a crockpot and have the freedom to leave the house and go about our day while it’s cooking is ideal for us. Most recipes cook for 6-8 hours so kind of like, “set it and forget it.” It’s not like cooking in the oven or on the stove, where you need to be close by to keep on eye on it and be ready when the timer goes off. This is great because you don’t have to be standing in the kitchen all day over a hot stove.
2) Prep time is really quick. We usually just add the frozen whole chicken, roast, or fish and add in some veggies and spices.
3) It’s great to know that you don’t have to cook dinner at the end of a long day.
4) Clean up is quick too!
5) We love how the meats, such as chicken and roast soak in the flavor of the seasonings and the veggies… especially sweet potatoes, when they are blended together all day long.
6) The variety and possibilities are endless. You can almost throw in anything that you want.
How do we make sure they are healthy?
1) When cooking with chicken we only add water or chicken broth. We stay clear from the creamy soups the majority of the time. We find that the chicken absorbs the flavors from the spices and veggies better this way too.
2) Same with Roast… we only add water or beef broth.
3) We make lots of soups that do not need cream. For soups and chili’s we usually just add water or a tomato base.
4) Typical ingredients that we add to our crockpot recipes are chicken, fish, roast, sweet potatoes, carrots, kidney beans, corn, broccoli, lentils, and tomatoes.
About Sizzlin’ Circuits
Our latest program is called Sizzlin’ Circuits. It’s designed for women and targets specific problem areas, such as the butt and thighs. It’s a home based workout that can be done in a small amount of space and only requires a stability ball and some dumbbells. The workouts are time efficient, burning loads of calories and boosting your metabolism all day long.
Sizzlin’ Circuits includes follow along workout videos (digital), a workout journal to record your progress, 3 motivational audios, a 7 day meal plan with behind the scenes videos of the meals that we eat (much like the crockpot videos in this post), our Fat Loss Quickie Mindset Bootcamp book, and the Fat Loss Quickie Support Community.
Fourth Of July Holiday Safety Tips
With Independence day weekend just around the corner, it’s important to keep a few simple things in mind to make sure you and your family stay safe.
Be Careful Around Fireworks
Quite a few serious holiday related accidents happen each year around fireworks. Your safest option is to enjoy the display from a distance. Most cities and townships put on a professional display. Find out where yours is, get there early and find a comfy spot. We like to bring out blankets, chairs along with some drinks and snacks and then just sit back and enjoy the show.
If you do want to shoot your own fireworks start by making sure it is allowed in your area. A quick call to the fire marshal will clear things up. He can also give you some additional tips for staying safe. After that, use common sense. Don’t drink and shoot fireworks and always keep kids at a safe distance. You should also have some water and/or fire extinguisher close buy just in case. It is also important to buy your fireworks at a reputable dealer and never try to make and shoot your own.
If your child will go to a fireworks display for the first time, try to explain what will be going on, especially the noise. Choose a spot that’s a little ways away from the display (to muffle the noise), but which will still give you a good view of the fireworks in the sky. For a few years my daughter was afraid of the loud noise. I started bringing her some ear plugs and she had a ball.
Water Safety Tips
Beaches, Lakes and Rivers are always a popular 4th of July destination as are pools and can get pretty crowded. This makes even more important to use caution. Keep a close eye on kids in and around the water. Put life jackets on kids in the water as well as on boats. Of course it goes without saying that being in, around or on the water while drinking is never a good idea.
Don’t rely on lifeguards to keep your kids safe. You always want to keep an eye on them yourself as well and be ready to jump in and get them.
Don’t Forget The Sun Screen
While we are on the topic of water… it’s easy to get sun burned around the water or even if you are just hanging out at a local park or in your own back yard. Apply sun screen and make sure you reapply throughout the day as water and sweat wear off the protection from the rays.
Just as important is staying well hydrated (bring plenty of water to drink) and to avoid over heating. Find some shade or head inside for a bit with the kids to allow everyone to cool down.
Simple Food Safety
Last but not least, let’s talk about food. After all, we tend to celebrate this holiday with lots of yummy dishes. Here are a few tips to keep the food from going bad.
Skip the Mayo or Serve it Right Away
Salads with mayonnaise based dressings (think pasta and potato salad) are always popular, but can go bad rather quickly. Your simplest option is to skip them. If you do want to serve something with mayonnaise, keep it cold (at home in the fridge, outside in a well iced cooler), then serve it right away. Toss any leftovers.
Careful With The Meat
Meat outside is also often a concern. Start by being very careful not to cross contaminate anything with raw meat. Use separate cutting boards, plates, containers, knives etc. and be diligent about cleaning everything that has come in contact with raw meat right away.
Cook the meat to at least 165 F before serving. Make sure it stays hot until your guests are ready to eat. Keeping hot foods at above 140F is usually a good idea. (Cold foods by the way should be kept below 40F). Cover finished items with aluminum foil to keep up the heat. Your best option is often to cook meats on the grill to order.
Above all, just toss anything that has been left out for a while. It’s not worth the risk of salmonella or food poisoning.
Stay safe and have a wonderful Fourth Of July!
Make The Most Of Each Day – Learn To Live A Proactive Life
I love it when I find smart people talking about the lessons they keep learning. Even the most “together” people have bad days. It’s what we learn from those days that is important.
We’re all trying to live a good, wholesome lifestyle; one that’s full of fun and time for our family and friends. When we get off track, have a bad day, we lose the time we spent spinning our wheels being angry, frustrated, late, or whatever happens to us during those bad times.
Learning how to be “proactive” rather than “reactive” during life’s stressful moments can make all the difference in the world to you, your family, your whole life.
Please take a moment to read this article written by Joy Chudacoff and learn how you can stop “reacting” to daily stresses and become “proactive” instead.
Smart Women Live A Proactive Life
Written by Joy Chudacoff
Yesterday, as I was on my way to pick up my kids from school, it occurred to me that I was feeling exhausted—I mean really tired. As I made a mental scan of my day, I realized that I had been in a “reactive” mode most of the day rather than a “proactive” mode. We do need to react to situations that occur in our lives as best we can at that moment, however, Smart Women know that living a “proactive” life where you plan, prepare, and practice conscious living is clearly more rewarding.
Living a “reactive” life can be exhausting and frustrating. There are a lot of quick stops and fast starts–most of them unplanned. The best way for me to describe my day was it felt like I was in a ship without a rudder. No direction, just floating out in a big sea of confusion. No real direction, just reacting to each wave. There was no planned course or clear navigation. I was just trying to keep this rudderless boat afloat and get back to shore.
In contrast, when you are living a “proactive” life, your days are on course with clear navigation, doing things that will lead you to your Big Ideas, Dreams, and Goals. Being “proactive” about your life is being conscious and thoughtful about how you spend your days. You are queen of your ship, with a well thought out map on where you’re going, what you’re going to do, and with whom you will do it.
As I reflected on yesterday, I felt a calling to share it with you. Many women are living a “reactive” life day after day, without a clear plan of action to take them where they want to go. Most of my days are quite “proactive”, with a plan in place to keep moving me toward my goals. As I reflect on my day yesterday, if I was living in this “reactive” mode most of the time, I would be a very unhappy, restless, tired and exhausted woman! How can you get more “proactive” and get out of “reactive” mode?
Here are a few tips and solutions:
1. Change “Yes” to “No” – Women are nurturers by nature. We like to be helpful and supportive. It’s a challenge for us to say “No.” The next time someone asks you to do something, I invite you to pause for a moment and ask yourself if this request is one that calls you to action. If someone’s in a real bind, that’s one thing. But if it’s to take on a role that really doesn’t serve you or there may be someone else better suited for the role, maybe you should consider a “No” response. In my Women’s Success Circles, I share with women that there are actually four answers to a Yes or No question!
2. Plan for Downtime – When you see that you have a busy day, plan for some breaks in-between meetings or events. Even 10 minutes can recharge your battery before moving on to the next big task. Make sure you take time to eat lunch in the middle of the day, take a few moments to breathe, get re-focused, and refreshed for the afternoon.
3. Get some support – Find ways to automate, delegate, or delete more of the “to do” items on your list. This is essential for women who are committed to living a life that is passionate and on-purpose with meaning. You can do it all, but you can’t do it all by yourself. It was a tough lesson for me to learn but one that I clearly embrace in my life today. I just brought another person onto my team, as there is no way that I could achieve my “Proactive” life without more help from others.
What I just shared with you is what I left out of my life yesterday. Making too many commitments to others, not giving myself enough downtime in between appointments, and not taking full advantage of the support I have in my life. The above solutions are simple to put into place and they will help you to navigate a clear, well thought out plan for your day and your life. Will there be unavoidable storms on the horizon? You bet. But as I share with the women in my Success Circles; if you can navigate a “proactive” life 85% of the time, you will be sailing into the high seas with plenty of blue sky filled with energy, passion, purpose, and meaning.
“How we spend our days, is of course, how we spend our lives.”
~Annie Dillard~
Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.
Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions(tm), a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur. She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs. If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, 2 FREE Reports and FREE MP3 now at CreatingTheSpark.com .