MYCHAIRSPINS
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact

Final Post - Challenge Complete!

4/10/2019

Comments

 
Blog Challenge "100 posts in 100 days" Post #100

It's finally here! I made it! Hooray! I can't believe I actually completed this challenge. I feel a great sense of accomplishment and pride! I really can keep a New Year's Resolution!! Now I'm taking a much needed BREAK!! Thanks for reading, I won't hold it against you for not commenting! hahaha

Comments

One really bad day

4/9/2019

Comments

 
Blog Challenge "100 posts in 100 days" Post #99

I try my best to choose to have good days and even when that becomes difficult I can usually still find the silver lining. Today was not one of those days. Today I failed, I was failed, and I'm feeling the effects of failure really bad.

I woke up late and ended up taking my first meeting from home, I didn't have time to get to the office before it started so I had to wait for a break in my schedule before I could drive into the office. The meeting stalled on agenda item #1 and we never got through the things that really needed attention but since we ran out of time it would have to wait until next time. 

I chair our local market engagement team and we have a cookout planned for tomorrow, I borrowed my dads truck to pick up our Sam's Club order but when I got there the order wasn't ready so I had to take meeting #2 for the day from the parking lot. 

I got a call from my brother just before they finished loading everything into the truck telling me to come pick him up, he had just gotten out of the hospital. At this point, you can probably piece together that my day was really going off the rails fast. I was stressed, anxious, frustrated and the rest of my family is all out of town. 

With the truck full of hamburger meet, hotdogs, and all of the other items needed for a cookout, I arrive to pick my brother up. After calling him a handful of times and driving around looking for him I pull over and wait for him to call me back. I get him picked up and that's when shit hit the fan.

I could defend myself with all the ways in which my brother has let me down, left me stranded, guilt tripped me, and found any possible reason to blame me for outcomes to situations I have no connection to. All of those are true and I'm sure that they fueled the fire within me but today, I was wrong. I am ashamed of myself and the way that I acted and how I treated the only sibling I have left. I let anger and resentment, hurt and misunderstanding dictate my words and actions and I have been beating myself ever since and for good reason. I said some really awful things that I can't take back and for that I am truly sorry.

I have to figure out how to better navigate the choppy waters of a disconnected family. Since my sister and my mom passed, life has just gotten hard. I can't keep all the plates in the air anymore and the emotional toll it is taking shows, especially on days like today. I can't be everything to everyone nor do I want to, but I don't know how to change it so that things don't automatically default to me. I should have already addressed the things that have been simmering inside of me for so long now but I didn't. I was scared to confront my brother, I was afraid I would make things worse when really all I wanted was for it to be like it used to be but that's just it, things aren't like they used to be. 

I'm working on making my peace with this really bad day that I let take over my mind and body and do my very best to not let it happen again but I'm only human, there are no guarantees. 
Comments

Words of Wisdom

4/8/2019

Comments

 
Blog Challenge "100 posts in 100 days" Post #98

I can't take credit for any of these, but today I thought I would share some of my favorite and valuable pieces of advice!

- If this is the worst thing you'll ever have to go through then you've already made it through the hardest part, everything is going to be ok.

- Don't say things to or about yourself that you would not allow someone else to say to you.

- You have to live your life according to you, at the end of the day if you can look yourself in the mirror and honestly say you gave it your best, that's all you can do.

- What feels like the end of the world today probably won't even make the top ten list 5 years from now.

- Keep it simple stupid

- Learn to treat others the way they want to be treated, not the way you want to be treated.

- Be polite

- Form your own opinions, do the research on your own, don't rely on someone else's interpretation when it comes to politics.

- Don't say yes to something if you aren't prepared to do it with joy in your heart.

- Marry someone who will dance with you in the living room.

- Remember how adults made you feel when you were a kid and try to do better by your own kids.

- There are usually always more than one way to get things done.

- Keep a list of things that make you feel good in your wallet for a rainy day.

- Energy follows attention.​

Comments

We clean up nice!

4/7/2019

Comments

 
Blog Challenge "100 posts in 100 days" Post #97

We had a great time in Houston, got a chance to dress up!
Picture
Picture
Comments

Misread Body Language

4/6/2019

Comments

 
Blog Challenge "100 posts in 100 days" Post #96

Ever wondered why others perceive you differently than you intended? Here are a few reasons!
- They automatically look for the negative
- They won't consider the context
- They will take meaning from one gesture
- They won't know your baseline
- They evaluate you through their biases

So how do we get our body language to match our words?
- Speak & gesture at the same time
- Use confident gestures (palm down)
- Sit tall
- Claim your space

Comments

Influence

4/5/2019

Comments

 
Blog Challenge "100 posts in 100 days" Post #95

We would all love to think we have control over our lives but we can't possibly have absolute control over anything. What we do have though, is our influence. Just by being ourselves, saying what we say, doing what we do, we are influencing those personally and physically close to us. The choice we have is whether we choose to use our influence in a positive way or in a negative way. 

You never know who's watching, or who's listening to us, our influence can spread like wildfire. Nothing can encourage us like someone else's good example. Want to create value in your life and for others? Become a good influence. 

The more good influences we surround ourselves with, the happier we will be. 

For more check out this article, The Power of Influence by Alex Lickerman M.D.
Comments

Six Keys To First Impressions

4/4/2019

Comments

 
Blog Challenge "100 posts in 100 days" Post #94

Couldn't we all use a little work on making better first impressions? Here are 6 things to keep in mind:
1. Adjust your attitude (a pep talk might be called for)
2. Check your posture (sit up straight)
3. Smile (sincerely)
4. Make eye contact (connection is a deal maker or deal breaker)
5. Raise eyebrows (show interest)
6. Lean In (but not uncomfortably close)

Comments

On Self Promotion

4/3/2019

Comments

 
Blog Challenge "100 posts in 100 days" Post #93

​Again with my development plan because when I'm in a slump there's nothing better than focusing on what I can and should plan on accomplishing in the future to get me back in the swing of things! LOL

So I was taking a course online and came across some really great points and thought I would share so here it goes.

Self promotion is not about "bragging" it's about "briefing." Ask yourself what difference do you want to make in the world? Who do you want to help? How do you want to help them through your work?

Self promotion is about helping senior leaders or your managers know what you can do or how you can help them so they can help you achieve your purpose and mission. 

Shift from putting the attention on "you" to bringing attention to the contribution you can make to others. 

Comments

Unsolved Mysteries

4/2/2019

Comments

 
Blog Challenge "100 posts in 100 days" Post #92

Where did my optimism go? I think I must have stuck it in my jeans pocket and then when I washed the jeans, the dryer must have melted it because it's no where to be found. I am trying to apply the things I'm learning but about the time I feel like maybe I am making progress, something else just falls apart. Ugh, I could really use a little help here, a little motivation, a little reassurance that I'm amazing and brilliant and fun and that people totally want to be friends with me! I'll settle for cuddling with the cutest little old Maltese in the whole wide world I guess. 
Picture
Comments

A Case Of The Monday's

4/1/2019

Comments

 
Blog Challenge "100 posts in 100 days" Post #91


We've all had them, I just don't normally have them on the same day I took off work. LOL 

I'm struggling lately to find myself and my place in the world. I know that sounds whimsical and I'm probably exaggerating a bit but damn man. I just want someone to see me, hear me, care about what I think and what I want, what I'm thinking about, things I care about. I want to talk about dreams and hopes and fears and plans and I don't. Instead, I sit and fester and wish things to be different, rather than actually doing something about it. Here's the deal though, I've put forth a good deal of effort and applied myself to improving things but I can't seem to find the right approach. Instead, I'm left feeling even worse than I felt before having attempted to achieve any type of progress. I would rather just hang on to what I have and wait around until someone other than me has a light bulb moment and throws their idea out into the universe to see what boomerangs back at them. 

P.S. - 9 more days of this blog challenge! Woot Woot!
Comments

Failure To Communicate

3/31/2019

Comments

 
Blog Challenge "100 posts in 100 days" Post #90

Why is it so hard to communicate clearly? Sometimes I think maybe I'm speaking a different language because I'm sure not successfully getting my point across. Why do we get defensive, deflect, reroute, when someone says something we don't like? 

I hate that I run out of patience and end up apologizing for something that wasn't even the topic of conversation and the actual topic of conversation goes unresolved because the rabbit hole ate it for lunch. 

I honestly don't know what it is about me that brings out the debater in others and usually, I love a good debate but once in a while I just want to believe that there is one person on the planet who gets me. 

Comments

Houston, We Have a Problem

3/30/2019

Comments

 
Blog Challenge "100 posts in 100 days" Post #89

Just kidding Houston, no problem! Other than the fact that I'm in your city and ready to have some fun! 

​

Comments

Interesting info on "EQ"

3/29/2019

Comments

 
Blog Challenge "100 posts in 100 days" Post #88


I just came across the quadrant breakdown for EQ and thought it was pretty insightful, check it out!

EI Quadrant Descriptors
Self-Awareness.
Description. The core of Emotional Intelligence is self-awareness. Self-awareness is comprised of three competencies; emotional self-awareness, where you are able to read and understand your emotions as well as recognise their impact on work performance and relationships; accurate self-assessment, where you are able to give a realistic evaluation of your strengths and limitations; and self-confidence, where you have a positive and strong sense of one’s self-worth. The starting point and key in these areas is the ability to be critically self-reflective.
Self-Management
Description. Self-management is comprised of five competencies; Self-control, which is keeping disruptive emotions and impulses under control; transparency, which is maintaining standards of honesty and integrity, managing yourself and responsibilities; and adaptability, which is the flexibility in adapting to changing situations and overcoming obstacles; achievement orientation, which is the guiding drive to meet an internal standard of excellence; and initiative, which is the readiness to seize opportunities and act.
Social Awareness
Description. Social Awareness is comprised of three competencies; empathy, which is understanding others and taking an active interest in their concerns; organisational awareness, which is the ability to read the currents of organisational life, build decision networks and navigate politics; and service orientation, which is recognising and meeting customers needs.The adaptable, success-oriented type.
Relationship Management
Description. The Social cluster of Relationship Management is comprised of seven competencies; visionary leadership, which is inspiring and guiding groups and individuals; developing others, which is the propensity to strengthen and support the abilities of others through feedback and guidance; influence, which is the ability to exercise a wide range of persuasive strategies with integrity, and also includes listening and sending clear, convincing and well-tuned messages; change catalyst, which is the proficiency in initiating new ideas and leading people in a new direction; conflict management, which is resolving disagreements and collaboratively developing resolutions; building bonds, which is building and maintaining relationships with others; and teamwork and collaboration, which is the promotion of cooperation and building of teams.

Comments

Quotes from my two favorite Presidents

3/28/2019

Comments

 
Blog Challenge "100 posts in 100 days" Post #87


“Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.” - JFK
“Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.” - JFK
“The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.” - JFK
"Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." - JFK






“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.”  - FDR
“There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still.” - FDR
“Repetition does not transform a lie into a truth.”  - FDR
“Great power involves great responsibility” - FDR
“You are only an extra in everyone else's play.”  - FDR
Comments

In All Seriousness..

3/27/2019

Comments

 
Blog Challenge "100 posts in 100 days" Post #86


The outburst I had at JoAnn’s Fabrics is not reflective of who I am.
Comments

On Feedback..

3/26/2019

Comments

 
Blog Challenge "100 posts in 100 days" Post #85

I was able to formulate a SMART goal based on feedback I received from my stakeholders, thought today I would share my half-baked ideas.. 
Want to give people an opportunity to share things with me and to be heard and validated. Providing context, not just assuming that everyone is at the same place as me. Bring everyone to the same understanding.

The Goal:
Improve interactions and build better relationships with the WICT Board
Deliver verbal presentations to WICT board for monthly membership updates that are clear and concise and supported with the necessary context.

Measurement:
Listen for verbal cues of understanding, board members describe the updates as clear and concise, send feedback surveys twice a year, track the number of audience requests to clarify or rephrase something, track the number of questions/comments that suggest misunderstanding.

Activities:
Course on giving and receiving feedback
Personal Brand training - Scheduled for March 14, 2019
Participate in mentoring program(s)
Course on Interpersonal Communication
Sit in on peers leadership meetings
Review tracked data

Discuss:
  • Developing membership committee. Was able to streamline that with our women's employee resource group.
  • Was able to meet with all of our regions engagement team and the meeting went really well. I'm usually one of the first ones to speak up and this time I hung back and focused on really listening and to my surprise, I was pulled into the conversation and it seemed like I was received much better. Simon Sinek​
​
Comments

Getting Things Done

3/25/2019

Comments

 
Blog Challenge "100 posts in 100 days" Post #84

Today I thought I would share my notes on "Getting Things Done" the book and philosophy of David Allen!
  1. Capture - Collect what has your attention
  2. Clarify - Process what it means
  3. Organize - Put it where it belongs
  4. Reflect - Review frequently
  5. Engage - Do what needs to be done
Capture
  • Look at workspace, what doesn't belong here?
  • Need physical in tray
  • Open loop
  • Mind sweep - anything you have your attention on
Placeholder/trusted place for these things to go - any place other than in your head. Your head is for having ideas, not holding them.
  • Pen and paper - anything to record an idea - need to have it with you all the time.
Clarify
  • Decision making you need to apply
  • What do these things really mean and what are you going to do about them?
  • Is it actionable? Yes or No (maybe is a No)
    • No - 3 options: Trash, Incubate, Reference
    • Yes - Ask two questions:
      • What's the very next action that I need to do to move this forward?
      • What's the project - if there is more than one action to be done.
    • Do, Delegate, Defer
      • Less than 2 minutes? Do it right then!
      • Can it be delegated? If so, do that or add it to the agenda to cover with person delegating to.
      • Defer
Organizing
  • More than two minute things
    • Calendar
    • Next Actions Lists (by context)
      • At Home
      • Phone
      • Waiting
      • Projects
Reflecting
  • Weekly review of projects list
  • Look forward and backward on calendar
  • Schedule time at the end of the week
  • Prep at the end of the week the same way you do before you go on vacation.
Engage
  • Where are you putting your focus and attention
  • Actively deciding what you are doing





Comments

My New Headshot

3/24/2019

Comments

 
Blog Challenge "100 posts in 100 days" Post #83

My awesome friend Kaley took this fantastic headshot for me, I love it!!

​
Picture
Comments

Love This App!

3/23/2019

Comments

 
Blog Challenge "100 posts in 100 days" Post #82

 Feedly is on of my favorite apps! I've used it for years and it dawned on me that I never talk about it and I should!

So with Feedly you can pull all of your favorite news sources, blogs, etc. into one place and organize it however you prefer! The free version is plenty to get you started and the paid version is even better and super cheap, check it out here!
Comments

Most Recent Cricut Creations

3/22/2019

Comments

 
Blog Challenge "100 posts in 100 days" Post #81

​

Comments
<<Previous

    RSS Feed






    Categories

    All
    100Posts100Days
    1inamillion
    Career
    Funny
    Grief
    Lessons Learned
    Passions
    Personal
    Relationships
    Self Development
    Venting


    Archives

    August 2022
    October 2021
    September 2021
    July 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    May 2020
    April 2020
    January 2020
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    October 2018
    September 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    May 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013

Photos used under Creative Commons from KathrynW1, johntrainor, wht_wolf9653, CharlesLam, MAD Hippies Life