Yet another challenge

It’s actually amazing to realize that today marks my 50th day of writing! About 20% of my yearly writing goal will be crossed in about 2 more post and I just can not believe that I made it this far. So for me that’s time for celebration and celebration for me means either a scoop (or two!) of my favorite ice cream OR going traveling somewhere. 

As at the moment I am unable to do either one, I’m settling for a mini celebration here at the office by splurging in juice instead of water. Would’ve loved to see the faces of those reading that last sentence!

All joking aside though, getting this far has taught me a few things:

1. If I set my mind to accomplish something, it works. This is a lesson I had to learn again, because, as last year was a year with a lot of personal challenges I started doubting my ability to accomplish set goals. So, this is a marvelous rediscovery!
2. My mind is a sponge. Looking back at the variety of topics, it’s funny to reflect that I used to think that my mind could not retain anything! [this was mainly in school when one had to learn specific things like when was Napoleon born type questions [August 15, 1769] which I found (and still find) useless information.
3. It doesn’t matter the topic. I can talk about anything. Because DuckDuckGo is my friend.

The last point got me thinking. (when am I ever NOT thinking is a good question, for maybe another post in the future). What if I pushed myself even further? 

What if instead of just writing randomly, I create categories for every 10 days (two week time span) and elaborate on that specific category/topic? And then, instead of just randomly talking about something, I give my personal opinion on that specific thing every day? 

I have absolutely no clue, why I’m making my own life difficult. But that’s exactly what I’m gonna do. First Category of next week is going to be travel. So the next two weeks every weekday a travel blog will appear on the site.

I’m quite excited! I just jumped of the cliff just like the person in the cartoon. Will you follow with your own challenge? Yet another challenge! Let’s go people! 

Picture from icon0

Being Perfect aka perfectionism

Am I a perfectionist? I would like to think that I am not (you should see my stack of laundry!), but when I read this article here, I started to wonder – what is being a perfectionist look like?

Above example is over the top, one would think. But when I look at how I perform at work, that is actually one of my pit falls as I want whatever it is that I deliver to be as efficient as possible. Because let’s face it: if my clients can gain time by making sure what we deliver is .. oops.. well yeah, perfect, then hey! Why not? Right? WRONG. Because it’s a trap or continuous loop that is difficult to break if you are not aware of it. 

Then what about the self worth part that the article talks about? Or what about the procrastination one? I fall into that trap the most I have to be honest although they are linked to one another. I procrastinate as sometimes I don’t think I can do the job (to change the diaper of my eldest the first time, took a LONG while before I tried that task it’s a wonder he did not develop instant diaper rash!) so that translate into self worth. Thank God it isn’t a major problem because once I make up my mind to go no matter what, off I go (Mi Tambe Por was a sample of that).

Are you also suffering from being perfect aka perfectionism syndrome? How are you handling it or not? Tell us below!

Social media diversion

Do you realize we’re in week 3 already of 2020? What are the things you’ve accomplished already that were on your to-do-list for this year?

One of the things for this year is to be less inclined to waste time on Social Media. I was doing pretty good at one point in time, till recently when I ‘rediscovered’ Facebook. Mind you, Jamie Masters [from Eventual Millionaire] once told a class to ditch the social media apps from your phone if you want to be more productive. And yup, it sure works like a charm… till I kind of went ‘back’ to FB on Chrome. Sigh. I should probably delete Chrome, Safari and Duckduckgo too right?

Social media takes up much of our time. Time away from things in real life which are more important than the likes that we seem to crave. I say we here although I do know that there are exceptions to this rule. 

Unfortunately a majority of us are stuck – stuck without even realizing that we’re stuck. Let me ask you this: when was the last time you left your house without your phone? Better yet, when was the last time you went a whole day without taking your phone to the bathroom? Ha, yes, I know we are all guilty at one point or the other.

So, the key thing I’m learning in 2020 is balance – yes, also with social media. Did I play an hour with my kids? Then I’m allowing myself some time on my phone while they play by themselves. I’m aware that this too can lead to a different kind of trap: doing things as a responsibility, just to be rewarded by playing on the phone. 

So tell us, what’s your take on Social Media? Do you ban it in your house or do you allow social media diversion? Let us know of any tips or tricks that might assist others in banning fake life for real shall we? Let’s GO!

Honesty and Integrity

A few days ago, I read this refreshing article of Sheedia Jansen (business coach) where she pours her heart out indicating that when one is struggling business wise, it should also be possible to indicate this openly. Being transparent about the state of affairs not only for others but to remain true to who you are.

Even though for some that may be a bold move, I think it’s a great one. When you are at ease with who you are, then you come to a point where sharing comes naturally. And more often than not we tend to look at the ‘celebrities’ who have it all together… in front of the cameras. We don’t take into account that they too, started somewhere. 

I’m leaving you today with two quotes about both subjects:
“No legacy is so rich as honesty” – William Shakespeare
“Honor your commitments with integrity” – Les Brown

Let’s make our week an honest one shall we?

Pinching Pennies

During the years I was working for someone else, at one point in time I was making ‘bucket loads’ of money. Funnily enough, that was also the times that I remember as being the more broke than ever and having to pinch pennies just to get through the month.

In my case, at one point in time I trimmed down on anything that could be seen as ‘having fun’. This cartoon actually depicts it quite nicely:

Now do you think that this method helped? Reading this article shed some light on my personal situation: if you make $50k a year, there is no way you can save more than $50k in said year. Now to add insult to the injury, one has to eat too, so there is no way that you can save all that you made. 

Now, if $50k a year sounds grand, imagine making more than that, and still feeling as if you’re not making enough to live by. It literally took me a year of not making anywhere near that money, to realize that it is a tool (you use it to buy electricity or food) and that the power is not in that money but in your thought process related to money.

I’m happy to say that I’m still around, and as I’ve indicated previously, I am going to make a ton of money this year because of a couple of reasons.

1. I want to be a blessing for/to others,
2. I will no longer have to live to work but instead I will work to live – creating balance,
3. No more pinching pennies out of necessity.

About a year ago, the above sounded outrageous to me. Work to live? No more frugality? What? Me? Well … yeah!

Who is with me? Are you ready to make this your best financial penny-pinching-less year yet? What are strategies we can employ to stop that habit and become financially healthy instead? Leave your comments below!

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