Tag: Life lessons

Making A List

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I am not a big list maker. Usually I have a handful of things I need to do everyday, which I can prioritise and organise in my head. However, when I have many things on my to-do-list and limited time—I create a list. The more things I need to do, the quicker I start my list.

When writing my list, I always add more things than I originally thought. Partly, I think that this is because I get on a role and partly it is because I want a few small things on my list I can tick off quickly.

I find this empowering. If I have 3-5 things I can complete in  the first two days—I am more likely to focus on achieving my goal.  Rather than only thinking about it with no follow through plans.

Adding some things I have already completed before writing my list, helps too as it shows my progress. Where possible I break  big jobs down into smaller tasks. This allows them to be marked off quickly and helps my moving forward momentum.

If you are always forgetting things or need help prioritising, make lists of the tasks required—daily, weekly or monthly—whatever works for you.

Silence

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How would you cope if you were unable to access social media on a daily basis. Your choice was taken away. It is an interesting experience, which forces you to re think your priorities.

For the last two years, my husband and I have spent a week living in regional China—a place where everyone lives under the same rules. Everything is controlled by the government. This means Facebook is blocked and Google appears more limited than usual. Suddenly I felt isolated even though I knew ahead of time that this was the situation. I wasn’t blogging at the time so do not know about access to WordPress.

My adjustment was quick and as I had no choice I decided to immerse myself in the quiet. No knowledge of the outside world for at least a week, maybe two. As we were travelling alone in parts of the world that few white people go, most Chinese speak limited if any English, and we were unable to understand Chinese TV our communication was limited. We only had each other. I loved the silence and started to realise the time media and social media wastes.

When we arrived at our international hotel in Ghangzhou, by accident my husband discovered that we had access to Facebook again. I was so excited that this become my status update. On Facebook in China, I can’t believe it. We suddenly were connected to our world again. It did feel like we were breaking rules and definitely changed our holiday. We could find out what was happening at home and could communicate with other people again. This was fun but I am glad we got to experience the forced silence—it taught me a lot.

Beating My Fear

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When was the last time you took a risk (big or small), and pushed your own boundaries — socially, professionally, or otherwise? Were you satisfied with the outcome?

Technology scares me. I don’t understand it and it scares me. I had wanted to start a blog for several years and had done my research. I knew WordPress was the platform to use and in the long run I wanted a self-hosted blog. I didn’t know how to do it, but Google would show the way. Happy with this knowledge I woke up last Mother’s Day and decided today was the day—viola Inspiring Max was born.

I can still remember the feeling of posting my first blog post. It was awesome. I had taken my fear, turned it on its head and created something I was proud of.

Through my blogging journey I have developed my online voice and become more confident. When I tell people about my blog they look surprised, often stating that they would love to have one but don’t understand how they work or they think blogging is too difficult.

For all of my professional life, my private life has been hidden. Now with blogging, I am finding the balance. Although now to most people I blog anonymously, next year when my book is published—my identity will be revealed. I have adjusted to this by putting a little more of me into my blog. It doesn’t scare me now. I have grown with it. I followed Walt Disney advice when starting my blog and it has changed my life.

Walt Disney

Feel the fear and do it anyway—you never know where your journey will take you.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/envelope-pushers/

Circle of Life

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If your life were a movie, what would its soundtrack be like? What songs, instrumental pieces, and other sound effects would be featured on the official soundtrack album?

I love Disney. I find their songs very empowering. Circle of Life from the Lion King reminds me that life is a journey that never ends—there is always something else to be done.  Everyone and everything on the planet plays a part—no one is an island.

“From the day we arrive on the planet

And blinking, step into the sun

There’s more to see than can ever be seen

More to do than can ever be done

There’s far too much to take in here

More to find than can ever be found

But the sun rolling high

Through the sapphire sky

Keeps great and small on the endless round

It’s the Circle of Life

And it moves us all

Through despair and hope

Through faith and love

Till we find our place

On the path unwinding

In the Circle

The Circle of Life”

The circle of my life has been an interesting one. It has taught me many things. The older I get, the more I realise the rewards I received from the various difficult mazes I have been through.

I have had the oppurtunity to see most official versions of The Lion King— animated, stage show as well as the Disney Theme park version. I enjoyed them all and they left me warm on the inside, reminding me of the importance of family.

Like in The Lion King, everyone has a support team surrounding them to help in times of need. Thanks to everyone who has been on my support team over the years and helped make my life what it is today.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/cue-the-violins/

Now Not Then

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Is there a period in your own personal life that you think of as the good old days? Tell us a story about those innocent and/or exciting times (or lack thereof).

Now are the exciting times of my life. While I remember some fun things I did, they were usually surrounding by many other things I don’t wish to remember. My other problem was I  couldn’t afford to do things my friends were doing such as traveling—the down side of buying a house when I was young.

During my younger years, I learnt many things from my mistakes as well as those of others. My life was full of difficult times, but I have always developed through them and they have made me the positive person I am today. I use these experiences in both my personal and professional life and they form the basis of my life’s patchwork quilt.

You cannot change what has happened in your life. You can however, change its impact on your future.

The next 6 months are going to be exciting. Next week we are going to Canada for a 6 week holiday—my first since I was 16. Then, on my return I will begin the journey of self-publishing my book—Inspiring Hope.

I am happy my current days are the preferred days of my life. Afterall, they are the ones I can control. Focusing on the past keeps you looking back—not moving forward which is the way I choose to go.

Dream, believe, achieve—this phase is paying dividends in my life and I plan to keep these exciting times gathering momentum daily.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/salad-days/

Life With Purpose

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Present-day you meets 10-years-ago you for coffee. Share with your younger self the most challenging thing, the most rewarding thing, and the most fun thing they have to look forward to.

“Well hello,” I said to my younger self. Thanks for taking the time to meet me. You think you are busy now. When you move to Sydney next year, your life is going a lot busier—with purpose. As a mother, your time will rarely be your own, as the kids sport goes to the next level. It is fun and makes you proud—but it controls your life.

The next 10 years are both difficult and rewarding. The difficulties are both personal and professional and are not things you have any choice about. Your role of getting yourself and others through these times, makes you a stronger, more confident person. It also makes you a better teacher and mentor than you ever thought possible.

When things get tough, remember the tough get going. Stop and think about the goal to the challenge you are currently facing. Break it down into simple steps and follow the advice in this quote. It is powerful.

St Francis of Assisi quote

You join Toastmasters for your own personal growth. Initially, although you can speak in public you waffle on, which minimises the impact of your message. Learning to hone your skills improves your life in many ways. There will be times when you consider giving up, as you are too busy—don’t. Remember to make time for things that develop your confidence. As the difficult stage of your life comes to an end, you will suddenly notice how easier things are for you as your confidence shows.

Somewhere in the next 10 years you decide to write a book based on your knowledge of what, why and how eating disorder recovery is possible. Written for those living with the disorder, their family and friends as well as professionals. You start this journey in 2009 and plan to publish it next year. Feedback to your original daft is that it is a thorough book and what the market place needs. Writing has turned into a love as you discover your voice that others can connect with—on this blog and through the pages of your book.

After you turn 50 and the children have become happy, healthy and independent—you begin to travel as a couple. Your holidays both at home and internationally are no longer be dictated by sporting commitments. This is a great experience and adds to the patchwork quilt of your life. Believe in yourself and enjoy your journey.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/good-tidings/

World Kindness Day

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Our ten-minute free-write is back for another round! Tap away on whatever comes to mind, no filters attached.

November 13 is World Kindness Day. This day focuses on acts of kindness in the community and helps breakdown barriers such as religion, sex, race, age and demographics. To join people together, making the world and our community more connected and a happier place.

Random acts of kindness, part of World Kindness Day are encouraged everyday, not just November 13. Some people are easier to be kind to than other. However, it is often those that are the hardest to be kind to—that need our kindness the most. Where possible choose to be kind to these people. A simple smile or hello can start to break down barriers and help develop opportunities for further act of kindness.

When working on being kind to others, I believe it is important to remember to be kind to ourself. Many people would never criticise or treat others the way they treat themselves. Make World Kindness Day a starting point to prioritising kindness—for others and ourselves.

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” Aesop

Hands on a globe

Photo Credit: Google Images

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/ready-set-done-6/

Taking Control

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Today you can write about anything, in whatever genre or form, but your post must include a speeding car, a phone call, and a crisp, bright morning.

It was one of those days. Everything that could go wrong—was going wrong. I found my mind wandering off, thinking of ways I could make my day stop. At present I was not in control. Then it happened.

The passing policeman turned on his flashing lights—indicating for me to pull over. Oh no! He had noticed my speeding car. Just what I needed.  After being given my ticket—I decide to change my day.

Instead of driving off, I made a plan. Continuing to think ahead was not helping. I needed to centre myself. Meditation was my answer. Clear my mind, breathe deeply and stop the chaos in my head. I needed to be in control rather than my world controlling me—and giving me speeding tickets.

I changed my day around. Fortunately, my girlfriend answered my phone call and was available for an urgent coffee. Having a chat relieved my stress and energised me. That half an hour solidified my day’s plan—making the remainder of my day busy, but taking time out worked. I prioritised my day and as a result, I was reaping the rewards.

At the end of the day, I had achieved everything I needed and more. Because I took the time to focus on controlling my mind. So for now—tomorrow is another day. Hopefully, it will start with a crisp, bright morning as I would love a walk on the beach.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/trio-4/

Writing Lessons

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Yesterday I attended the NSW Emerging Writers Festival. The first session of the day comprised of 5 Australian authors giving their writing tips—Tom Doig, Delia Falconer, Benjamin Law, Laura Jean McKay and Walter Mason.

This was favourite part of the day. It lead me to think about what I have learnt on my writing journey—from book to blogging.

1. Begin by writing. Don’t worry about order—get your ideas down. Form and order come in the editing process. The more you write, the quicker and more naturally, form and order come.

2. Use every spare moment to write. Half of my book was written in 10-30 minute sessions on my daily train commute. I continue this habit with my blogging.

3. Believe in yourself. Self doubt can and will question your ability. I heard it and kept going anyway. I let my audience decide if my writing was good enough. So far, feedback has been positive.

4. Find ways to talk about your work. Initially, I didn’t know how to bring my work up in conversation. So I focused on it. The more I talked about it, the easier it got. Yesterday, I joined a panel at the writers festival to discuss my work and my ideas. It was fun. Afterwards I was surprised and  excited by how natural it felt.

5. Prioritise your time. There will always be a reason not to write—too busy, too tired, somebody else needs something. Find a way to incorporate everything you want to do in a day. This is where writing in short sessions helps.

The secret is—find what works for you and keep doing it. If you really want to do something—you will find away.

 

The Climb

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The Prompt – Run (or walk) to the nearest music playing device (radio, iPod, record player, 8-track) and turn it on.  Select a lyric from the first, random song you hear.  Use that lyric in a piece of writing of your choosing (fiction, non-fiction, poem, letter, etc.).  The Twist – work the name of the artist into your writing as well.

In 2009, I was promoted from Clinical Nurse Specialist to  Nurse Unit Manager. I was excited. However, I was unsure how I would go. I knew I was a good CNS but management—that was uncharted waters for me. I decided I would give it my best shot and see what happened. Miley Cyrus’s The Climb became my theme song and motivation.

“I can almost see it,

that dream I’m dreaming, but

there’s a voice inside my head saying you’ll never reach it.”

I needed to kill off my self-doubt. Playing this song on repeat helped. I wasn’t going to give up without a fight, so I decided the answer was to think positively and start at the beginning—building a strong foundation. Every spare moment—I played The Climb—to calm my mind and ensure my success—it worked. I won the battle and I am now a confident Manager. This role gives me more opportunities to share my knowledge and experience with whoever needs it.

“There’s always gonna be another mountain

I’m always gonna want to make it move

Always gonna be an uphill battle

Sometime’s I’m gonna have to lose

Ain’t about how fast I get there

Ain’t about what’s waitin’ on the other side

It’s The Climb”

Over the last 5 years, there has been lots of new mountains to climb—some easy, some very difficult—but I keep dreaming and climbing. After all who knows what tomorrow brings? I don’t. But—I’m not afraid. If I need a little motivation, I get out my mobile phone and listen to The Climb. I listen as many times as it takes to move my current mountain and ensure my dream becomes a reality.

What song motivates you?