What’s impossible for one person does not meat it is impossible for you. We are know our capabilities and limitations, or so we think we do. The biggest limitation usually to overcome is yourself. The world is full of people who have overcome great odds. If they could do it, so can you.
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One valuable lesson I learned while in the military was, never ask anything of your soldiers you are not willing to do for yourself. Are your actions in alignment with what you are saying? People are not dumb and can pick up on plain “lip-service”. Work to ensure the advice you are willing to dish out to other is the same advice you are willing to take also.
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Surround yourself with people who keep you motivated and focused. We all have times when we just don’t feel like we can keep going. Having a strong “why” is important and so is having a strong support system in place as well. No man is an island so don’t think you have to go this journey alone.
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Plants have to be moved into larger containers as they grow because the roots of the plant become cramped and form a tightly packed mass that inhibits growth. Like plants, as we start to grow, we eventually need to be re-potted. Learn to embrace change. It’s a sign of growth.
Everyone has a story to share. I did not learn this valuable lesson until I joined Toastmasters. It takes courage to share but you never know who might need to hear your story or who you might inspire along the way. In the great words of Les Brown, “You have greatness in you.”
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Let the magnetism of your dream pull forward. I hear so often people say I “have” to do or I “should” be doing but if you allow your dream to pull you, you will find yourself doing things you want to do. The healthy habits you consistently do each day is what will bring you the happiness and the success you are looking for.
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We all need time to shut off the chaos of everyday life. I gain clarity and insight during my daily walks. Take time out to discover what works best for you. It doesn’t matter what you do, just choose to make it a priority for yourself at some point during your day.
You deserve it!
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Always strive to be on top of whatever it is you are representing. Make your presentation as important as your service or your product. You may not realize it, but someone is always watching.
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We did not change as we grew older; we just became more clearly ourselves. – Lynn Hall
I just came back from an eleven day trip that took me to Dallas, Los Angeles and San Francisco. I spent some much needed time with family in San Francisco. I had a chance to step back from my work and see where I was headed. I was getting frustrated not at my clients but with myself.
Each week I try to share a lesson learned. This week I learned the power of clarity. When I stated my business a few years ago, I really had no clue in the direction I wanted to take. I had this great notion that I wanted to be of service and basically that’s all I really understood. I started managing social media sites for clients that needed help building their audience. I did not have any set price or service plan in mind. I worked hard on building a relationship with my clients and I can honestly say that it worked for me in the beginning.
I would say it took about a year for a frustration to set in. I felt like the clients were taking advantage of my kindness, but I would never address this concern. It wasn’t until recently that I realized, it wasn’t my clients that were taking advantage of me, it was that I didn’t value myself to raise the standard.
Lessons Learned:
People are not mind readers. They will not give you more of anything unless you ask. In the same token, it’s their right whether they choose to continue to work with you or not once you. It’s nothing personal, it’s just business.
Sometimes people will respect you more for being honest in what you won’t do instead of saying yes and botching it up. If you know in your heart you don’t want to take on a particular project just say so. Don’t be surprised when you get frustrated or angry, you had the right to say no in the beginning.
It’s ok to change your mind. It truly means you are growing. There is nothing that says you can’t change your mind. Figure out what works and make the change. Don’t beat yourself up!
Quote source: http://www.quotegarden.com/change.html
Nobody can give you wiser advice than yourself. ~Cicero
I wrote this post with this very thought in my mind:
If I had a chance to sit and talk with the young Tonia, what I would I tell her?
Never give up on your dreams. What I didn’t realize growing up was that everyone has their own purpose in life. We have our own unique gifts and talents, passions and visions. Not everyone’s picture of success is going to be the same. I had a dream of being a teacher when I was younger. I thought the only way to fulfill that dream was to go to school, get a degree and then work for a school. What I know now is that there are all sorts of “teachers” in the world. You are only limited by your imagination.
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. I give this friendly advice to my youngest daughter all of the time. I realized that by making mistakes we learn and grow. Some mistakes are going to be a little more costly than others but for the most part, you can always get back up and keep moving. I have made some doozeys in my life but looking back now, I know they have helped to shape and mold me into the person I am today. I reflect on the past but I try not to stay there long. I look for the lesson and let it go.
Not everyone will agree with your decisions, and that’s ok. This was one of the hardest lessons I had to learn. I was truly a people pleaser for the longest time. I was afraid of hurting someone else’s feeling but I was hurting mine in the long run. I was getting angry at folks but I didn’t realize I was more upset with myself. I didn’t quite honestly like myself. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I started paying attention to the way I talked to myself. If I said out loud some of the thought s I expressed in my head to someone else, I definitely wouldn’t have any friends at all. My self-talk was so downgrading. Once I became aware of the self-sabotage, I made a conscious effort to change. It wasn’t easy but it has been life changing. I know now, people will come and go, some will like what you do and some won’t but as long as you are true to you, everything will work out just fine.
The last thing I would tell her is this… Just do you, Boo!
Quote Resource: http://www.quotegarden.com/advice.html
Sweet N Social 
