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:
- Be clear about what you will or will not do.
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. It’s nothing personal, it’s just business.
- It’s ok to say no.
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. You have the right to say no in the beginning.
- You can change your mind.
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 change what’s not. Don’t beat yourself up!
Not everyone will like the change, but the empowerment you will gain is priceless.
Quote source: http://www.quotegarden.com/change.htm
Most of the time they are on the pond or on the lake. On a few occasions these birds are close to the walking trail or crossing it. As I come up on them, my heart starts racing and fear of them attacking me comes to mind.
My names are not meant to be harmful to these birds in any way. My names are meant as a visual reference for the fears generated in my mind. Instead of the sign saying “Caution Feeding Wildlife Can Be Harmful” I see “Caution Feeding Your Fears Can Be Harmful. For instance, in the picture above, I would name these birds confusion, worry, criticism and doubt. By giving the geese these names, I started learning to recognize the emotions that fear generates inside. By feeling and accepting the racing heart beat and the nervousness that arises, I recognize these are feelings of fear. It’s not that the fear will disappear, it is the fact that I have to feel the fear, breathe and keep on moving.
Now that it is starting to get colder here, it is getting harder to get my body moving. I’ve pushed my morning walks back from the 7 am to 10 am already. With the thought of the cold air and having to bundle up, leave more time for the “I’m not going to the park today” attitude to creep in. By 10 am, I have had my coffee and I get the feeling I can make it through the day without walking. Its not until the thoughts of self-doubt raise up that I know I should have chosen otherwise.
Its the bridge. I call it the “don’t take it with you” bridge. There are eight observation areas built in along the bridge so you can stop and stand and not be in any one’s way.
She was at the ice cream parlor eating an ice cream cone. As she sat there, a man not smelling so pleasant walked by and she looked up. He was wearing a sign on his chest that stated he was homeless. She said the “homeless” sign really drew her attention. She said the man sat down a little ways from her. She started looking in her purse and in her car for some money but couldn’t find any spare change. She said as she was looking, something inside her said “don’t give that man any money, that man made a choice”
Some of our signs may say victim, lonely or helpless and we don’t even realize it. It’s not how the world sees you, but how you see yourself that matters. For the longest time I wore an “unworthy” sign on my chest. I got tired of wearing that sign. Now my signs read successful, powerful, wise and worthy. My question for you is: What is your sign?
I love watching them interact with each other. It’s like they are so carefree. I never really paid much attention to nature the way I have this year. I must admit that I have learned so much by just watching the birds play and the flowers bloom. There seems to be a natural rhythm that flows all around us. Just when you see one group of flowers die off, another new batch of them bloom up.
this week. It explores SyncroDestiny, the phenomenon of coincidences. The book was available to purchase at Oprah’s The Life You Want Tour.
It was one of the best things I have ever done for myself. It was a five hour drive to Detroit. I left at 4 am to make it in line to register.
e. I was about an hour into the walk when I looked up and saw the dark clouds rolling in. I heard the thunder in the distance, so I knew I was going to get caught. There was no choice but to keep on walking especially if I wanted to get back to my car. This is when you know you just have to brace yourself.
as so drenched and surprising feeling accomplished. I had weathered the storm.
Sweet N Social 
