Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Monday, December 30, 2013
What to Do with 2013 Leftovers?
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Moving into the New Year is an
exciting time for many. It represents a new beginning, time to set and
accomplish new goals, and a time to start over. Some may want better financial
and career opportunities and others are on a mission to start or enhance
businesses. We become more motivated to improve our health
and incorporating fitness routines into our lifestyles is a major focus.
Considering some of the same
goals myself, I pondered how I would move into the New Year with some of my 2013
goals still lingering. What was good? What was bad? What do I need to take into
2014 and what do I need to leave behind. Realistically, how can we truly
transition into the future with unwanted leftovers attached to our past? Similar to food stored in the refrigerator,
some leftovers taste better when the seasoning has settled, which enhances the
flavor. Old, stale and molded leftovers that have remained in the refrigerator
far too long need to be removed and dumped in the garbage. The key is doing what should to be done to
move forward.
While there may not be a magical
prescription that works for everyone, we must be willing and open to take steps
to eliminate the things we no longer want to remain in our lives. Personally, I
have found success in creating a Do and Don’t list entitled, Self-Preservation (or
you can replace with your own title). It begins with taking a blank canvas, which
can be a piece of paper or your preferred technical device, creating two
columns and incorporating your title at the top of each column. In the Do column, write down all the things
you want to accomplish in 2014, which can include good things from 2013 that
remain a work-in-progress. On the Don’t column, place all the things you do not
want to take into 2014, to include hardships, depression, debt, poor health, relationships,
or anything that is holding you back. Once you have completed the lists,
eliminate the Don’t by focusing only what you have placed on the Do list for
the next twelve months. Let’s call this the, Do You Resolution.
For this process to be
successful, you have to be realistic about what you really need and don’t need.
After all, we are striving to accomplish goals that assist us in moving to a
better place in our lives in both the natural and spiritual. Remember, when
leftovers are good and tasty, eat them. When leftovers are old and stale, throw
them away. Happy New Year, Happy New
You!
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Be A Blessing!
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A friend told me an inspiring story the other day. While
driving through a heavy Atlanta rainfall, he noticed a couple standing at a bus
stop with two small children. The woman was under an umbrella, the children
were hovered closely to her on each side and the man was standing next to them without
cover. This picture touched him in a way
that he detoured from his original destination, drove around the corner and
returned to the bus stop. He did not want to frighten them, and he also wanted
to exercise caution. He was prompted to ask if they had a car. The father
responded “no.” My friend asked if he may have his phone number because there
may be a possibility he could help them obtain a vehicle.
A few days later, he called the father and was moved by the
family’s financial situation. They agreed to meet for lunch. During the lunch,
he offered to give the man the car he had been driving the evening they met. He
not only blessed them with a 2007 vehicle, the insurance was already prepaid
for one year. He transferred the title and added the couple to the policy,
which allowed them to have paid insurance for the first year. What a Blessing?
My friend was in a financial position to bless this family
in a tremendous way, but being a blessing extends from the heart. His heart was in the right place. There are
many times we can be a blessing to others even in a very small way. I received a blessing just a day ago in the
amount of $5.35. I pulled up to the drive-thru window at a restaurant to pay
for my order and the cashier informed me that a lady in the car ahead of me had
paid my bill. I had no idea who this
lady was, but the gesture put a smile on my face and made my day.
During this season of giving, many stories of generosity
will occur. As we go about these last few days of shopping, let’s remember the
homeless, senior citizens, children and those around us who are lonely, ill or
missing a loved one. Be a Blessing!
Monday, December 2, 2013
Monday, November 18, 2013
Monday, November 4, 2013
Coming Out the Closet!
Follow @SheilaAgnew
I was inspired listening to Judy Goss, founder and CEO of Over 40 Females on a recent TeleSeminar where she chronicled her journey of going from "Foreclosure to Finding Success." Judy literally went from having a budding career as an editor and national TV correspondent for a major magazine to the brink of losing her home after she was laid off and her husband's business went bankrupt.
Judy referred to this discussion as "Coming out of the Closet." Giving thought to her conversation, I considered how many of us (okay, most) need to come out the closet on things we have been holding onto for days, months and even years. These situations, whether big or small are blocking us from moving forward and elevating our positions. Often our closet situations can be painful and we believe we can cover the pain with a bandage. This is only a temporary relief. When you remove the bandage, the scar remains. In Judy's case, she had one short-term disaster public relations job and a unfulfilling part-time position before she pulled the bandages off and founded Over 40 Females (over40females.com).
We have all gone through painful situations whether financial, loss of a loved one, relationships, careers, business or health. I remember a few years ago walking in downtown Chicago with my cell phone glued to my ear, trying unsuccessfully to get the cell phone provider to restore service when I could not pay the bill on time. The tears that had rolled down my cheeks froze and I felt as if I was the only person walking down the street. I had lost a two-year contract that was my bread and butter after the new president of the organization became increasingly insecure with my presence. With no significant clients to replace the income loss, I had to humble myself (or get over myself)and take a few temporary jobs. One day while on an assignment, a co-worker questioned why I was there. She said, "You remind me of someone that should own the company." Honestly, that was the last day I took an assignment. Someone else saw more in me than I was seeing in myself.
Through faith and prayers, I was able to get over the pain of losing this important contract. I returned to school and obtained my MBA degree, received a more fruitful and rewarding contract, got married to a really great man, and recently released my second book, Dear_____Are You Missing Your Calling?
From this experience, I learned in spite of popular belief, you can go without your cell phone for two weeks, removing the bandages helps the scar to heal faster and we should celebrate our "Coming out of the Closet" experiences.
Freedom is Good!
Sheila is Chapter Director for Over 40 Females Atlanta, Author, Peer Coach and Entrepreneur http://www.sheilaagnew.com
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