Blog Challenge "100 posts in 100 days" Post #11
In the past, I've had a bad habit of starting conversations without what I call a "warm-up." While this applies more to a corporate setting, I think it probably also applies to personal emails, instant messages, texts. Usually, if you are starting a conversation via text, IM, email its because you want or need something. I used to come right out and ask for what I needed or wanted. I've learned that by doing that, I've missed out on opportunities to build better relationships. Engaging in better communication is low hanging fruit to be honest because you're going to reach out to the said person regardless of whether you include a "warm-up" or ask them questions or offer them something in return so why not just capitalize on the chance to get to know them a little better? Here's a "real world" example for you! (Old me) "Hey do you by chance have the link to that report you referenced on our call this morning?" (New me) "Hey, it was great to sync up on today's call, it sounds like you are killing it in the new role, do you love it so far? When you get a minute, could you shoot me over the link to the report you referenced? If I don't talk to you before Friday, have an awesome weekend!" So it took me about 1 minute longer to transform my generic, impersonal message into something real and specific, not to mention thoughtful. Sure, there are many ways you could achieve this same outcome this just happened to be the first one I came across in my inbox. I didn't realize what a difference the extra minute of effort would make, but I can assure you, it is well worth it! We are hard-wired for connection, so my advice is to keep your eye out for the chance to connect with others! Blog Challenge "100 posts in 100 days" Post #10
I met this handsome man a little over a year ago and we have been inseparable ever since! My soulmate, my little Maltese named Zeus!
Blog Challenge "100 posts in 100 days" Post #9
We Facebook Lived our wedding for those who are not on Facebook, or anyone who didn't get a chance to see it but want to, here you go! Just a little back story, my ring was Andrew's grandmothers. His grandfather was a pilot who survived Pearl Harbor. Since Pearl Harbor remembrance day is December 7th, we thought it would also make the perfect date for our wedding. So we were married on Dec 7, 2018! Blog Challenge "100 posts in 100 days" Post #8 It seems like only yesterday he was almost two months old, dressed in this cute little Santa suit. But now he is 13 and going to dances! He is growing up too fast!!
I miss these days... Blog Challenge "100 posts in 100 days" Post #7
So I made this awesome vinyl cut out of Andrew and I with my Cricut Explorer Air 2 (more to come on that later). Pretty impressed with my mad skills! Blog Challenge "100 posts in 100 days" Post #6 I love Brene Brown! Thought I would share this TED Talk with all of you! Blog Challenge "100 posts in 100 days" Post #5
I am a pool player, through and through. There’s nothing like healthy competition in an already tough field. I am a tournament player, and there was a time when I was ranked 55 on the WPBA, but that was a long time ago. I haven't played much in the last year because life happens and other things sometimes take priority, but today I managed to find my way back home. I played in a tournament at the only place close to home that I consider a pool hall, Magoos. I had some great games, but I didn’t play well. It’s like with anything else. If you don’t practice, it sure makes it hard to execute well. I am still delighted I went. Hopefully, this is just the start of getting back into what I believe is the greatest game in the world. Blog Challenge "100 posts in 100 days" Post #4
On more than five occasions in the last six months, I've heard that I am fiercely passionate and its true. If I've made up my mind to do something, then I'm going to see it through to the best of my ability. Now pair that with my need to find the most efficient way of doing things, and it can be either a recipe for success or disaster. When the outcome is a disaster or near disaster, I can tell you this. It's not usually the idea's fault. I am an over-analyzer and by the time I've decided on an approach, its because I've already exhausted many alternative options. Everything usually goes great right up to the point that others become involved. I am fierce, and I can be intimidating or unapproachable, mainly when observed as being confident and decisive. Sometimes I can even come off as judgemental or critical which is not at all my intent or the way I want to be perceived. I am great working independently but honestly, some of my proudest achievements have come from working on something within a team. I like collaborating. I want a challenge. It's not that my idea has to be the best one or the right one, it's just that I am action oriented, so I'm ready to move forward even when no one else speaks up. One of my resolutions for this year is to take the advice of one of my mentors who said "Carrie, you have to wait for people to catch up. You are familiar with your ideas because you've reviewed them over and over, but others are hearing your idea for the first time." She was right, so now my objective is to give others a chance to comprehend and think it over, and I'm pretty sure that they will come to the same conclusion I did and if they don't, it's because something better is going to come out of it. Blog Challenge "100 posts in 100 days" Post #3 Great relationships take work and the best time to do that work is not when you're already struggling. When things are going well, you are both more likely to be open-minded and willing to see things from a different point of view. Andrew and I started seeing a counselor when we started talking about getting married. We wanted a strong foundation to build our marriage on and take our relationship from good to great. We had homework after each session, and each assignment had something in common, they were all based on the work of John Gottman. One of the many theories that John Gottman developed is "The Sound Relationship House." When we started with the love maps, my first thought was "if we are getting married, shouldn't we already know each other?" I mean if I have to ask basic questions to get fundamental facts about my partner then doesn't that mean I haven't been paying attention?
I learned a valuable lesson. Love maps are constantly changing which means that even if you've asked a question before, don't assume that the answer hasn't changed because more often than not, it has changed. Here is the love map exercise for those who are interested. If you notice, these questions could also work for friendships (at least a good portion of them). I thought the whole exercise was silly at first, but after doing it I felt more connected, understood, and better equipped to support Andrew when a stressful situation arises. Love Map Exercise:
Blog Challenge "100 posts in 100 days" Post #2
How many times do we say or at least think, "I'm too busy" or "I don't have time for that"? I know I am guilty of it, but why? Do we not have the time, or is it just a go-to excuse? We all get the same amount of time, the same number of hours and minutes in a day that everyone else gets. If we are honest with ourselves, we should entertain the idea that we are constantly making choices, and if there is something that we want to do, we give 100% effort to try and figure out a way to make it happen. I'm working on doing a better job of giving my undivided attention when someone I care about bids for it. I hate when I feel like I am rushed to say something or show someone something because they have already made it clear they have somewhere else to be or something else to be doing. No one likes to feel second to something or someone else. And really, how hard is it to give someone your attention as if they are the only thing that matters for that 2-minute block of time? I don't know about you, but I am usually playing through my to-do list in my head and even out loud sometimes. But when someone wants to show you or tell you something, the last thing they want to hear is what from their to-do list you are keeping them from doing. That is just a great way of bursting their bubble or stealing the wind out of their sails. So my advice, let's all try and be present when we agree to a bid for attention. If you can't do something with joy in your heart, then you shouldn't do it at all! Blog Challenge "100 posts in 100 days" Post #1
So I never make New Year's resolutions. Like, never! But since I haven't posted anything to my blog in forever, I've decided that for the first time, I'm starting the year with a resolution! The goal is 100 posts in 100 days! So get ready, this blog is about to be on fire!! I started a list of possible topics, and then I scrapped that idea and instead I'm going to wing it! Are you scared yet? Don't worry; it's fine. I probably won't say things that I'll regret or talk about stuff I shouldn't talk about on the internet. Yeah, right. I'm not sure how reachable this goal of mine is being that I'm making my first post at 11 pm!! I must make rapid improvements if I'm going to do this for 99 more days!! Wish me luck! Leave a comment, suggest a topic, say hello, express your support, blah blah blah! |
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