Sunday Seven

If last week was back to school, this week was back to basics. I wanted to share seven basic things I do every day to help my life. These things are not in order of priority.

1. Food journal. I'm super close to being done with the weight loss part of my health journey. Before I get to maintenance, I keep an electronic food journal. I used paper journals before and they work as well. The point is, if I journal, I reach my goal. 

2. Declutter. I learned that I can do different things such as engage in decluttering projects. While the kids were at home and I was working from home, all I could handle were the basics. Last week I was able to declutter and donate a few things as a result. Intentional chores work because they really fix my clutter problem. No more shuffling things around the house.

3. Day dates. My husband and I discovered day dates a few years ago and we love them. Going out on dates during the day has been a gift. I want to say we didn't go out by ourselves very much until recently. We missed that intentional time together. 

4. Planning. Each day, I spend a lot of thought on how I am going to plan my schedule so my days are productive. Productive means I take care of myself and my family. I sometimes spend days thinking about how a certain activity will affect the quality of our lives. We only have 24 hours. Planning helps me live with wisdom. 

5. Preparing. I want to say that each day I prepare for the next. I make sure we have food, clothes, and other things ready to go. If there is a celebration, I try my best to remember ahead of time. Peace is the result of preparation. I decided not to sacrifice peace on the altar of procrastination.

6. Doctor. I believe in making and keeping doctor's appointments. Your health is a gift and we need to take care of it. A few of my annual visits got delayed but this week I went back to the dentist. I go back for my physical in a few weeks and so will the kids. Making and keeping a doctor's appointment when you are healthy is so important. I encourage you to do the same thing as soon as you can. 

7. Discovery. We're still very new to our town. We haven't been here a year yet. We are still on discovery mode. We're taking the time to go to new places and see new things. The weather is starting to cool down (for Texas) so being outside is about to get easier. Even with event cancelations, we can still enjoy nature. Discovering the natural beauty of a place is priceless.

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When Spiritual Discipline is Tough

Let's put on our humanity for a second and agree that sticking with Spiritual Discipline can be tough. What I call Spiritual Discipline, you may call quiet time. You also may call it devotional. Whatever the label, making it a habit is challenging.  

What is the secret of the super saints? You and I know there are those among us who never fail at their Spiritual Discipline habit. Or so we think.

Everyone gets discouraged: Moses got mad. Elijah hid. Esther hesitated in doing what God called her to do. Peter and the disciples fell asleep at the top of the mountain. Ops!

We also have examples of people who did great. They remind us of what is possible. Daniel prayed three times a day. Jesus prayed early in the morning. John Wesley's mom kept the prayer habit going while mothering and homeschooling 17 children.

So what is the secret of sticking with Godly habits day in and day out? I'd say try a couple of things but do not fail to start with this:

1. Ask God to help you. I'm not sure if a lot of us who are trying to connect with God, ask Him for help. God will speak to you and He will give you the strategy you need to make this work. 

2. Start small. Everyone has a spiritual superhero. The one I admire prays for 4 hours a day. I can't begin to tell you that I would love to do that but right now, I'm working full-time, I have a business of my own and I have a husband and kids. These are not excuses, these are facts of life. Starting small means starting where I am. Praying before everyone wakes up. Once the kids are grown, I bet I'll be able to carve more and more time to pray. Will I start at 4 hours? I'm sure it would be wonderful. Starting small is also a wonderful thing to do. God does look at the heart, not at the number of hours we are trying to pile up in prayer. 

3. Ask a friend you admire how they make it work. I often ask like-minded people about their devotional life. I ask my mentors questions. They tell me how they made time for God when their kids were little. I learn a lot from my friends, family, and mentors. I'm here to tell you that there are people out there who are seeking God and pressing on to know Him. Ask them questions. 

4. Got interruption from kids? Ask them to join you! I never forgot about the story of John Wesley's mom. She trained her kids to know that when she had her apron on top of her head, they were to give her some space because she was praying. She was also hands-on with their Christian education. If you find that your kids are interrupting you, ask them to join you. The word of God is for everyone. The spirit receives it with joy. There is nothing wrong with exposing kids to what you read in the Bible as well as letting them hear your prayers. Thank God I heard the prayers of my mother. I'm seeing the answers right now. How would I know unless she involved me in her devotional life? 

5. Set an alarm. If you have a problem remembering to set aside time for God, set an alarm as a reminder. When that alarm sounds, grab your Bible, get on your knees, get in the presence of God. Soon, this will become a habit and you will not need the alarm. 

6. Start with 5 minutes and increase the amount of time slowly. If spending time in Spiritual Discipline is a foreign concept to you, start with praying and reading your Bible for 5 minutes then increase the amount of time slowly. The goal is to slowly "taste and see that the Lord is good." 

7. Join a group - When I want encouragement, I join a group. When I joined a Bible study group, I was encouraged to study the Bible on my own. I was also surrounded by people who like me, wanted to spend time with God on a regular basis. The group can't do Spiritual Discipline for you but they can encourage you to do it. 

8. Read a book - There are wonderful books about studying the Bible, prayer, and fasting out there. I often read books related to each discipline. Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster covers them all and he will stretch your thinking too. If you want other book recommendations, send me a message and I will give you some solid books to read. The books I read are recommended by my mentors. These books really helped me pursue God with more passion and joy. These books are simply a tool. The Bible is my main book. God is the One I seek to know, worship, and serve with joy. 

9. Teach what you learn - The best way to master a subject is to teach what you learn. If you have kids, teach them. If you have friends, tell them about what you are learning. If you are a Sunday School teacher, teach your students. I know you have a lesson plan. You can enhance that lesson with the things you are learning from God as you practice Spiritual Discipline. Our faith in Jesus is active. Jesus always taught many things. We need to teach others too. It doesn't take a degree or an actual classroom. We are called to spread the good news of Jesus by simply teaching what we learn. Teaching can be as simple as a conversation with a friend who is feeling stuck in her devotional life. "Have you thought about reading the Bible?" is something I often ask. Then I tell her the why (if you want to know God, you need to read His Book) and how (I recommend a 15-minute Bible reading plan). I'm encouraging you to teach what you learn my friend. 

10. Don't let yourself get lazy - As a Bible lover and teacher, I hear people sometimes say they get lazy with their Spiritual Discipline. Getting lazy is the same thing as knowing you have to sweep a room and you don't quite do it well. There's dirt in the corners. The broom did not cover every square inch available. Just a lazy type of job! Getting lazy is different than getting discouraged. The lazy person will crack their Bible open. They'll check the reading on her to-do list. They will go to Bible Study and complain that the reading is boring. The solution is not to let yourself get stuck in that place. When you feel yourself getting there, ask God to help you. Tell Him how your heart feels. You basically say, "restore unto me, the joy of thy salvation." God will answer your prayer and give you Divine direction. Reading the Bible is not supposed to feel like an amusement park ride daily. It is also not meant to be boring. As you ask God for direction, He promises to lead you and guide you in the way you should go. God will challenge your mind and your understanding of His word. He will take you deeper than before. It is up to you not to let yourself get lazy and continue in the most rewarding journey you can have on this side of life. 

I sincerely hope these tips can help you be encouraged in your Spiritual Discipline. Let me know if you try any of these and what you discover. One thing I know for sure, God is a rewarder of those who seek Him. He will be found by you my friend. 

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What I learned this Summer

Another season has come and gone. Here are a few lessons.

1. Love is sacrificial 

My husband and I agreed this was the absolute top lesson this summer. We may use the word love a lot. Only when we are tested through it we learn that sacrifice is part of it. I’m glad we had a chance to learn such Godly lesson. We’re better for it. 

2. Having a de-stress routine is a necessity 

I have been managing stress naturally for years but it wasn’t until the summer that I realized I needed a routine. I know I need to rest more, I just didn’t have the need to be strict with it until the summer. I have several de-stress things I do and they are simple such as taking a hot bath, doing my own mani/pedi or cutting the day short by going to sleep. I learned that adding such strategies to my week was very wise and I was able to benefit from it. 

3. Setting a summer goal is smart 

Before the summer started, my friends were asking about running with me. I decided to listen to them but to include the goal of running during the week twice a week. That simple act helped me achieve my weight loss goal for the summer. I think gained other things through setting that simple goal. The main lesson was that setting a goal is just smart. No matter how hard they seem, we always benefit from having focus.  

4. When I’m in despair, I need to look up 

Last summer was hard so this year, I thought a lot about the past year. We had no jobs and then Harvey hit. I learned then that when I'm in despair, I need to look up to where my help comes from. My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. 

5. Helping other people reach their goal is the best

I didn’t realize that when I invited my friends to join me during my runs would be so fulfilling. We started together in the beginning of the summer. Some people had not been running on a regular basis, others took some time off. I’ve been able to watch their consistency and dedication. I am seeing many reaching goals they didn’t think they could reach. That feels lovely. Here is the other side of the coin: it takes unselfishness to do that. It takes a total abandonment of one’s ego because it’s not about me, it’s about others. I love helping people reach their goals. I hope to continue to help others. 

6. Making a summer to-do list was a good idea 

I made an “18 for summer 18 list” and it was a good idea. I reached most of the goals I set there. I made sure they were not long-term, difficult goals because the summer was quite intense. It was lovely to do things such as sit down with a friend and swim.

What did you learn last summer?

More in this series:
• What I learned this Spring

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18 for Summer '18

Summer is in full speed, which means I can still reach my 18 for summer 18 goals. I listen to a podcast that encourages people to do 18 for 2018, and I thought that would be overwhelming for me because I already have goals for the year. I thought that thinking of 18 simple things to do during the summer would be a good thing. Here is my list.

1. Beach - we haven’t been just yet
2. Getaway with my husband - I need to define what getaway means. I guess that’s another not yet
3. Self- appointment - I’ve made the appointment with a Christian counselor and I’m looking forward to it.
4. Kids (homemade) camp - that’s a yes, we’re doing this every day.
5. Swimming pool - that’s a triple yes
6. Learn a new skill - I’m learning to podcast this summer
7. Lunch with friends - That has been a yes
8. Dinner with friends - yes
9. Read One book - I am working on two books right now.
10. Rest on purpose - I’ll give myself a yes for this one
11. Run - you know that’s a yes!
12. Long bike ride - not yet.
13. Create comfortable spaces - I’ll give myself a yes for this one. Again, I’m redefining and simplifying and it is working for me.
14. Make flower arrangements - yes, I’ve been doing that pretty often.
15. Weekly manicure - yes
16. Bubble bath - yes
17. Summer trip to a new place - not yet
18. Lose 8 lbs - in progress! That's the ultimate gift I'm giving myself this summer: I am getting closer to my January health goal.

What’s in your 18 for summer 18 list?

P.S.: Some summers, all you can do is survive. I’ve been there. I also know for a fact that we have these great lists for our kids and we don’t have the same eagerness to think about ourselves and our well-being every season. I encourage you to do at least 3 things for yourself this summer. It is worth it!

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My 10-point: Give Up

Stuff you should give up:

Envy and jealousy • no amount of negative feeling will propel you to have what you secretly desire.

Mindless browsing • love your brain, give it a better purpose than that.

Regrets • try to spend a whole day without giving regrets so much power.

Perfection • imperfect is the new black. And you know Black is beautiful.

Toxic friendship • you and I have 229 days left in 2018. Can you imagine engaging only in true friendships?

Defeat mindset • focus on what you do have.

Hopelessness • your energy will literally return when you insert hope in your life.

Comparison • you don't even have the same body type as the person you admire. Be content.

Wasted tears • I believe we should cry. It is healthy. Crying about the wrong stuff is not good.

What worked for others • Customize your next achievement. Do what works for you.

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Sunday Seven: Weekend Organization Guide

Sunday Seven is back!
Here are some things on my to do list that make my week flow much better.

1. Batch cooking

2. Laundry

3. Outfits for the week

4. Lunch Boxes

5. Hair and Nails
6. Running
7. Rest

What's in your list?

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10 Job Interview Tips

1 • don't let a "No" take away your confidence 

2 • when you step in to have your interview, give it your all 

3 • listen attentively for things said but specially for things not said

4 • don't turn off your senses: use them as soon as you walk in the door

5 • rehearse your elevator pitch. Most people open up by asking you to say something about yourself. Be sure to know what you will say before you get there and say it with confidence. 

6 • Be sure to have a few questions to ask. Even if you use the standard questions over and over, never leave with unanswered questions. 

7 • Don't spend a lot of money on clothes each time you interview. Wear the same quality outfit each time. Stick with what works. Trust me, even if you're a model, people are not hiring you for your clothes: they're hiring you for your expertise. I also think it's not wise to spend $1,000 in clothes before you get a job, but that is my personal opinion.

8 • If you feel better about taking notes during your interview so you can remember what to ask, do it. Note taking shows you care. 

9 • Do your homework on the company interviewing you. If they ask for feedback, offer it graciously. Just be sure you read and do your research on what's publicly available. It will show that you care and you show initiative and motivation. 

10 • Do such a great job interviewing that when you shake hands, there are no regrets. Do such a good job that you can sleep soundly because you did the best you could. 

There's a place out there for you. Don't let the normal process of interviewing (or trying to get an interview) take away your confidence in the professional you are. 

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10 things to do when life is difficult

Here are a few things I do when life gets discouraging:

• Refuse to let negativity have the greater space in my ear channel. Yep, I limit my news intake. I know things are bad but trust me, if you come from where I come from you know things have always been bad and I hate it but they might get worse. I limit my news intake because the mouth speaks out of the intake of my heart. I get particular to increase the intake of good news so that I can speak good things for others to hear. This is coming from a journalist friends. 

• I listen to feel good music. My latest jam is Mali Music's "Fight for You." Look up the lyrics. So good. 

• I go outside. I might walk, swim, run or just take a breather. The other day I thought my outside light was on and I realized it was the sunset. That gorgeous shade of orange reminded me that the God who created the universe is in control, no matter what circumstances may indicate.

• I dance. It doesn't look pretty and no one will ever pay to see me do such thing but dancing is fun, freeing and my personal offer of gratitude to God for my life.

• I keep my nose in the Bible. Reading the One Year Bible has helped me with that discipline. I go back to my notes if I need an extra dose of encouragement.

• I pray. I might do it in the kitchen, bathroom, living room. I don't much care who's around (I'm the person who will offer to pray with a stranger in the park if I feel I need to bless them), I do care to grab a hold of God. Life is tough, no need to wait for Sunday when we have a very present help in times of trouble through Jesus. Direct access to the Father rocks.

• I get enough sleep and I drink plenty water. I've learned that in seasons of stress, rest and water are my friends. When I get enough sleep, I feel rested in my body and mind. I'm able to make better decisions. Being stress and dehydrated at the same time is a curse, no one wants that.

• I let my friends help me. I've learned to welcome my friends words of encouragement and prayers as a gift from God.

• I help other people. There is power in leaving self-pity behind and helping a fellow human being. I don't do it so I can forget about my circumstances. I do it because my God is a giver and He is generous and I want to be just like Him. I also know that it is more blessed to give than to receive.

• I develop a list of non-food related treats. Giving myself a mani/pedi is an item. Giving myself the gift of 1-hour of non-interrupted writing is another. I guess we could call this self-care.

When the going gets tough, it is crucial to know who my anchor is. My anchor is Jesus and His amazing sacrifice on the cross. Because of Him, I can go through any season with assurance that He will encourage me with His perfect love. What are some things you do when your life gets discouraging?

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5 Time Saving Habits

You and I, Oprah and the Facebook guy all have 24 hours in our day. The difference between us is not the number of assistants we have (ha!) but how we personally use those 24 hours. I want to encourage you with 5 time saving habits I use in order to be more productive.

1 • Choose 2 Social Media Platforms - Instead of wasting time checking 10 social media accounts, log off 8 and stick with 2. Which ones? The ones that give you the best results. I learned this the hard way. I was super sad one day because no one was responding to my latest video on a certain platform and I remember that my friends were all on Facebook. Once I switched to doing videos there, I was able to get much better results. By choosing to stick with two, I immediately save time and my social media efforts have given me better results.

2 • Reset your Goals - September is the new January. It is time to plan how you will accomplish your goals. There are a lot of projects that can be accomplished by December 31 if you start now. The key is not to get depressed about your previous lack of action but to remember the possibilities you have to make progress towards your goals. Resetting your goals give you margin. Margin is basically boundaries. When you respect your boundaries you save lot of time.

3 • Finish what you start - No one enjoys the sight of a home (or office) full of unfinished projects. Get in the habit of finishing what you started. The other day I tried my best to avoid a laundry room full of unfinished projects. I decided to finished what I started and things improved drastically there. This week I started to draft the first 3 chapters of a book I plan to pitch to an agent. As I finish this project I started I will be free to pursue other goals. Friend, I find that tricking myself to complete tasks is the way to go. I time myself and basically convince my mind that it won't take that long. Knowing what motivates you is the key to finishing what you started.

4 • Renegotiate your Fall Schedule - Every major (and minor) TV Network has a Fall schedule full of shows we cannot miss. By committing to old and new shows you might be locking between 6-15 productive hours to advertisers. I'm not saying you shouldn't watch TV, I am saying, look at your Fall schedule and notice who has most of your off-work hours. Renegotiate your volunteering commitments. If its not Focused Volunteering, forget it. Focusing Volunteering is the act of using your skill set and time limitations to make the greatest impact in your organization of choice. Look at your Fall schedule now and decide how you can best use your off-work time. Also, remember that you are the only person who can change your schedule because you set it in the first place.

5 • Rest, the secret weapon - Rest is the most underutilized productivity hack. If you get enough rest, you will be more productive. If you need research on the topic, the internet can help you. If you need a real person's account, I'm your girl. Getting enough rest at night helped me overcome one of the most stressful years of my life. Because I chose to rest, my brain was able to have much needed clarity. I also felt more empathy for difficult people in my life. It was during that year that I created my 45-minute organization strategy. This strategy has helped stay organized for the last 2 years. Rest is important and it is a mandate by the God who created us. It is not a sign of weakness but a tool in order to live a more fulfilling life.

• What are your time saving habits?

Related Posts:
• September is the New January

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5 Money Saving Habits

Most people would like to have more money. I find that if I can save more, I’ll automatically have more income. I have developed several habits that help me stretch my income without compromising the quality of my lifestyle. My objective is to be a good steward of the income God has entrusted to my family. Here are five habits that have helped me:

• Eating in - Buying food on the way home is so tempting. I have decided to count to cost so I can convince myself that eating in is efficient. How do I do that? I look at the price of different foods and I calculate how much it’d take me to make the same dish. I’m telling you: it is effective to learn how to cook the dishes we like. There’s also the internet for rare ingredients as well as local ethnic stores for spices. Eating at home has a positive effect on my health as well. How so? I know exactly which ingredients are in my dishes. I also enjoy sharing the joy of cooking with my husband who is excellent at it. I often tell him ‘I don’t know why we go out, you cook better than most restaurants we go to!’

• Car Cleaning - this one is also up for debate but it works for me. I went to the dollar store and bought a few car cleaning supplies. The first time I cleaned my car I timed myself. It doesn't take that long, and I successfully convinced myself of this money saving habit. I believe I’ve saved close to $400 dollars in the past 4 months by being the car wash. I also burned $1,632 calories by washing my car. It’s been hot outside so it does feel like cardio!

• Starting Cheap - when I shop for groceries or for a party, I start at the cheapest store, then I proceed to the most expensive grocery store. I often start at Aldi then I move on to a traditional grocery store. I save a lot at Aldi but there are a few items such as organic rice that I can’t find there. Recently, while planning my daughter’s birthday party, I started at a dollar store (King Dollar) then I went to a more expensive place like Party City. The savings were incredible! If you have a neck for DIY and Pinterest is your friend, start cheap when it comes to your shopping. It only means more money in your pocket!

• Recycling clothes - I know this is not for everyone but it has worked wonders for me. Take my latest jeans purchase for example. I went to a second-hand store and I saw some this cute pair of jeans. I bought them for $6. Apparently, they sell for an average of $200! I do not look for brand name stuff, I stick with quality, color and the way an outfit makes me look. I wouldn’t have spent $200 in jeans but knowing that I can find quality clothes for a good price is wonderful. The other day I went to a different second-hand store and my friend told me certain items were on sale for $1. I scored a cute jacket and I wore it to a speaking engagement. I also have friends who have clothe exchange parties and I try to be a part of it when I can. Again, this is not for everyone but honey, it works for this woman.

• Free Fun - for every kid activity out there is a free or cheaper option. When my son turned one, a friend of our family made balloon animals for a donation at his party. There are free summer camps for kids. I know that my readers who live in smaller towns are thinking “I wish this was available where I live!” You have to remember that you can make it happen. Getting together with two other friends and using your strengths is the same thing as offering summer camp. We just have to work together. The public library has wonderful, free of charge, educational programs. There are free splash pads out there as well as rivers and parks. I am thankful that a wonderful childhood doesn’t require a fat hedge fund. It requires love and a bit of creativity from all parties involved.

These are a few of my money saving habits. How are you saving money these days?

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7 things I'm loving this Summer

the divine activity

Here are some things I am loving this summer (and throughout the year)

Music • Blossom Dearie - I found her on Pandora and she graduated to her own station. I adore her rendition of “Someone to Watch over me” and “Manhattan.”

Book • Reset by David Murray - I blogged about it recently. You can read it here

Exercise • Swim - Bike - Run - not necessarily in this order. I’m also lifting weights in the gym. It’s been great to add variety to my workouts.

Kids’ activity • Journaling - They are finally old enough to do some serious journaling. I told them they’ll thank me for it in years to come.

Food • Watermelon - I think we consume one every two days. I might have to start planting the thing.

Beauty • Hair bun - my hair is finally long enough for it. This also means that it takes quite a bit of effort to detangle my hair. It’s all good.

Place • the Beach - our happy place foreal. It’s a 5-hour commitment to say the least. It gets pretty divine while we’re there as long as we properly apply sunscreen.

Podcast • How I built this - it’s one of my favorite podcasts out there. I love to hear how people come up with their ideas as well as how they overcome the many barriers to success.  

What are you loving this summer?

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10 Natural Stress Relievers

1. Exercise - this is a great way for your brain to produce feel-good neurotransmitters, called endorphins. Some call it "runner's high" but you feel as great at the end of a Zumba class. Doing what you love is the way to go about it. 

2. Rest - there are many benefits to resting. It gives you a much needed "reboot." It helps you get a better perspective on life's circumstances and it gives your mind a chance to start fresh. 

3. Deep breaths - without getting too weird, taking deep breaths helps you relax. It does something magnificent with your cardiovascular function. I remember taking deep breaths when I was nervous as a child. It has been a great practice. 

4. Bible reading and meditation - getting focused on the word of God is a natural stress reliever. I get to reestablish my foundation in God's promises. His word which does not return to Him void, which means, it works!  

5. Take it easy - life is not what it used to be, so respect this new season and don't put more on your bucket than you need to carry. Your stressful situation is only for a season. 

6. Meet a good friend for coffee - seeing a friendly face is naturally relaxing. I think that good friendships are naturally relaxing. Make a point to see a human being who loves you when you're under stress. 

7. Recognize - it's important to admit that you're stressed. Neglect just makes things worse. Once you recognize it, you can treat your symptoms accordingly. Recognition targets the problem so you can proceed to a solution.  

8. Counseling - professional counseling really help us get to the root of the matter and take steps towards solving our issues. I am a firm believer in professional, Christian counseling. I have benefited from sessions with a counselor during times of high stress in my life. 

9. Go on vacation (or staycation) - remember those commercials of people sunbathing on a sandy white beach? None of those folks look stressed. While most of us just can't take off to a beach, we can leave our usual places and go to a local park just to enjoy nature. Even if all you have is 15 minutes, it helps sooth your mind and body.  

10. Write on a journal - before running, journaling was the only thing I had to relieve stress. It's a great tool because you get to get your feelings out on paper. I remember feeling much better after writing a few pages. I was also able to process things better that way.

I want to encourage you to know yourself and get a couple of natural stress relief tools on your pocket. Life offers you stressful situations at times and it's great to know how to navigate through them. It is my personal conviction that one should not medicate stress with illegal drugs and bad habits but one should cut the problem by its root. We all go through stressful seasons but we were not created to dwell under stress. Seasons change and as we learn to navigate through stressful situations we will rise as better, more mature human beings. 

• What are your favorite natural solutions to cope with stress?

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10 ways to find Time to do what you Love

 

Time: we all have it but somehow we are often looking for it. Because we are in the beginning of a new year, I hope to inspire you with 10 ways to find time to do what you love.

1 - prioritize - if you have many priorities, you have no priority at all. By definition, a priority is the right to precede others in order or rank. Decide what is your one priority and focus on that one thing. Running has been a priority for the past 13 years so I focus on that instead of focusing on other things I could be doing.

2 - set goals - the result you get from prioritizing your efforts towards doing what you love is your “goal.” Setting goals is a great way to find time to do what you love because goals are like maps: they give you direction and margin as you focus on your objective.

3 - do not procrastinate - one of my greatest discoveries many years ago when I came to America was the definition of the word “procrastination.” I learned that if I finish what I start I will most certainly win the battle against procrastination. Once you and I prioritize and set our goals, it’s important not to procrastinate but to do that which requires our immediate attention. The more you fight against procrastination, the better you become at finding time to do what you love.

4 - get organized - but do it the savvy way. I’m not talking about organizing your sock drawer but getting organized to do what you love. When it comes to running, I make sure all my clothes and shoes are ready to go. When it comes to writing, I make sure all my supplies are ready to go so I can simply write during the time I set apart for that pleasurable activity.

5 - ask for help - living in community is a beautiful thing because you find people who are willing to help you do what you love. Those great individuals can be great assets when you are finding time to do what you love. I often ask for help so I can have one hour to write or read uninterrupted. Recently I have asked friends to help me brainstorm a concept for a book idea. When it comes to running marathons, I have asked friends to help me for a few hours so I can train or compete. I have learned that asking for help elevates the human spirit and it connects us as community.  

6 - have all you need? - there is nothing worse than setting out to do an assignment and spending half of the time looking for your supplies. Be sure to have all you need in order to do what you love. Take inventory and have that list available so that your time is well spent.

7 - put it in your schedule - most things I write down in my schedule happen. I have the habit of putting the things I love in my schedule. This habit reinforces the fact that I have a goal. It also helps me make them a priority. I also go the extra step and keep that schedule visible so that I have that constant reminder of what I need to do.

8 - prayer - Telling God about your desire to do what you love is a great thing. After all, He did say we should pray about everything. I often go the extra step and ask God to help me make time to do what I love. Those few hours a week make the overall fabric of life richer and joyful.

9 - resting - a tired body is not capable of working to its fullest potential. You and I will do what we love more efficiently when we are rested. Rest is a discipline because you need it daily. I have been challenging myself to rest when I am not asleep. I take a body check and try to perceive any tension. I let go of the tension and proceed with a more restful mind and body. I throw a prayer in the process because God is the only One who can keep me in perfect peace as my mind is fixed on Him because I trust in Him. I know that the key to do what I love well is to rest well.

10 - recalibrate - we are not robots so we need to step back and recalibrate often. When it comes to finding time to do what I love, I recalibrate every weekend. I look at the week ahead and I plan the time I will spend doing what I love. I devise carefully about what strategy I will use in order to make my good habit happen. If your desire is to cook more often, the day before going to the grocery store is a good time to recalibrate. You may take inventory of your supplies. You may plan your menu. You may think about meal prepping. I ran my fourth marathon Sunday so I am deep in the process of recalibrating for the next marathon season. I am resting my body and my mind. I am rethinking everything from gear to training plan to nutrition. I am certain that I will have a better approach to long-distance running if I take the time to recalibrate.

Now is the time to do what you love. I hope you find these tips helpful. Let me know if they work for you and how so. Have a productive day my friend!

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Sunday Seven

I hate to break this down to you but Fall is 65 days away. Most kids will be back to school way before then. The summer is a sweet season but we have to live through 3 other seasons who will be here before we know it. Today I want to tell you about 7 ways to plan to succeed as we approach new seasons. 

1 • Schedule - I sat down last night and I worked on my schedule for the Fall. My family and I enjoy structure because it allows us to make the most of the time we have. It also facilitates organization and execution of everything we need to do. We're not as busy as most people I talk to but we do like to be faithful in the areas we're responsible for. 

2 • Menu - Most people plan their menu weekly or monthly. I'm challenging myself to plan long term. Other than the seasonal dishes, we eat the same foods over a over. Simplifying and sticking with one menu takes away the guess work and it simplifies the process. 

3 • Workouts - I have the tendency to workout around the same days every week. Planning workouts is another guarantee that they will happen. I put them down on my schedule and I have found success when I take them that seriously. I have also learned the value of having my clothes ready to go, especially in mornings I am really tired. Planning, preparing and expecting to succeed works. 

4 • Holidays - It's never too early to start planning the holidays. If we start now, we can avoid overspending. We can also be sure that what matters most happens and we are not pressured into overdoing anything. 

5 • Giving - I believe we can plan to be generous. You and I get requests for different donations throughout the year, correct? We also have certain charities and causes that are close to our heart and we can always plan ahead and make a gift or contribution. 

6 • Family Time - I'm not sure if I'm the only person who has all these amazing plans on how to spend time as a family just to forget it all when it's time to make a decision. Even if I write down a master list, I can be prepared to spend some significant family time this year. I can make it as simple or as fancy as I want. The important thing is to write it down.
7 • Goals - Remember the goals you and I set in January? Now it's a great time to reevaluate them and to find measurable ways to make them happen. It's wise to remember that those goals need to be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Recorded and Time based.

• Are you thinking about the Fall? What are some of the things you can plan in order to succeed? 

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When NOT to start your health change

You read it right: there are times when you should not start trying to eat better and exercise. Why? The probability that you will fail is very high. Here are a few examples of such times and seasons in life: 

New baby goodness in 2009

• Major Family Changes - having a baby changes everything. When they first come home the adaptation to a new bundle of joy as well as the recovery from giving birth takes up all of your time. Putting yourself on a strict diet or exercise regimen during that time will only make you miserable. Waiting until the fog lifts is wise. Try to start taking baby steps when things are more stable as far as your schedule. I heard friends of mine who adopted their kids say that they too go through a stressful period. Once things get settled get started on your health changes, one baby step at the time.  

Got Deadline?

• Extreme Stress - the deadline for that work project is near and you are nowhere close to the end. You are putting extra effort into something that is causing you extreme stress. Instead of adding more stress into your plate in the form of a new exercise program, wait until you finished your work project. The hope is the next time you are under a tremendous amount of stress, you will be able to lessen it by exercising. There is no point in being sore and stressed at the same time. Take small steps when your work flow is back to normal. The key here is to finish that big project and then start taking small steps towards your health change. 

Grief is strange

• Grief - grief is such a strange, strange land. It comes in different ways to different people. I learned that trying to start a new lifestyle change when I'm grieving is a recipe for failure. I have heard people say that they enjoy eating and grieving for a while but then they get back to better eating and exercise. Once that first shock wave passes, try to slowly start taking better care of your health. I understand not everyone enjoys eating while they grieve. If you are not given to eating while grieving, try to slowly get back to healthy eating after a while. Always seek your doctors for advice on how to better take care of your body. 

• Sickness - Being sick sucks. I don't know about you but I feel yucky and my mind immediately decides to jump into some kind of health change so that I can recover quickly. The issue for me is not the healthy eating but the strictness of the program I may be trying to follow. The extra stress will not help me recover from sickness. A couple of weeks before the Houston Marathon I got sick and I decided to take it easy for a couple of days. My doctor gave me some meds and told me not to run outside for a couple of days. I told myself not to try to be so strict with my eating and after I got better I was able to resume my health change. When you are sick, you need to focus on recovering, not breaking records. 

I heart to travel!

• Travel - I've learned that when I travel it is challenging to start (or maintain) my health change. It can be challenging to get out and exercise as usual because I may not be familiar with that certain location. I hate it but not every hotel has a treadmill and you may be so tired you can't fit one more thing in our schedule. Travel is the best season to try out new things such as new exciting foods. We tend to give ourselves more of a food allowance when we travel. Following a strict health change can be tricky when you travel. Make a deal with yourself to enjoy new foods while taking steps towards feeling great while you travel. A smart way to feel great is to make sure you drink plenty water daily. 

There's a time and a season for everything. If life isn't stable it might not be the time to start a major life change. Do remember that stability will come and you will be able to successfully start your journey to better health.

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