Tip Tuesday ~ Seeing Success

At the beginning of a project you need to know what success will look like. Envisioning the end results will guide you towards success.

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Things to Remember to tell the Boys

Things to Remember to tell the Boys...

Dish soap cleans everything. Even better than vinegar and water.

Parchment paper is a gift from the baking gods.

Living a simple life uncluttered by stuff will make you happier and wealthier. 

And good music never goes out of style. Long live the beat of the Bee Gees!

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Tip Tuesday ~ Water

Often we think we are hungry when we are in fact thirsty, and we think we are tired when we are dehydrated. Grab a glass of water and drink up.

Water is one thing in life where more is (in most cases) better than less.
 

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Tip Tuesday ~ Google fu

That is right Google fu and you hopefully heard it here first. Google fu is a neologism that you will start hearing as word spreads around the world.

Google fu is a term referring to any search on the internet using the Google search engine. It requires patience, energy, and time to complete as you search for the answer. If your Google fu is strong enough you will be successful in your search.

Or it is defined as having the ability to use Google with zen like prowess.

I’ve heard it both ways.

Practical usage: want to know what these flowers are? Use your Google fu to find that answer.

You are welcome!

Tip Tuesday ~ Banish your Clutter

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying ~ with over three million copies sold of Marie Kondo’s book there are bound to be just as many posts reviewing this book and her take on cleaning the clutter, forever. First published in Japan in 2010, the United Kingdom in 2014, and shortly after that becoming a household topic you might be thinking why am I just now reading and writing about this book.

I would like to say it is because of the Alaska factor that we are just too far removed from the rest of the world and that life moves slower here but that is not the case anymore for us. The World Wide Web has insured that we too are connected. In truth when I first heard about this book and started to read the reviews I thought to myself, what could I possibly learn, I am after all the Queen of Organization. What new bits of wisdom could I obtain? Then I remembered when you are on a high horse it could be a long fall back to earth.

So, I finally picked up the book and gave it a read.

Her methodology is good. The tidying process and flow with which she leads her clients and the readers through is excellent, and if you truly want to remove the clutter, and the excess stuff from your home and life, this is a worthy approach. You just need to be dedicated to the process. You need to buy into the new American Dream that less truly is more. Which I have been saying for years now, even before it was in vogue, my close friends can vouch for this, less is more!

My takeaway from reading The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying:

Be thankful to your belongings ~ by saying to your handbag at the end of the day before you put it away in its place ‘thank you for carrying my belongings today, you did a good job’. And by telling your shoes ‘thank you for taking me to all the places that I needed to be today, and doing it in style.’ What you are really doing is affirming to yourself that you have spent your money wisely on useful items and that you are taking care of your possessions. This can lead to a better understanding of how important it is to take care of the things in your life. You, after all, had to work hard to obtain the money to purchase these items. Plus they will last longer, and your money is well spent.

The tonnage of belongings you own does not make you a rich person, it is the quality and care you give your belongings that add extra value to your life.

Less quantity more quality.

Get everything you possibly can off the floor ~ putting items that you own in cupboards, in drawers or on shelves not only gives them a home of their own but also keeps the floors clear for easy cleaning. I personally also try to keep the large pieces of furniture to a minimum. You need a few to give your home that grounded feeling but too many can give your home a weighed down sinking feeling.

Clean floors equal a happier home.

Discard anything that doesn’t spark joy ~ this school of thought has a lot of muscle behind it but I must add in that the wrench set we own in the toolbox doesn’t spark joy in the true sense of her meaning but they are useful and have a place in our home, so they stayed. Nevertheless, do we need four 9/16th wrenchs? I think not, so only one good clean set will do nicely.

More Feng shui ~ lastly, she only touches briefly on Feng shui but I can see why as this topic is covered in many other places. I however would encourage you to learn more about the use of light, air, and the balance of energy in your home. The art of Feng shui should be the next step you take in enhancing the love for your home, once you have freed yourself from all the excess.

On an aside you might also be asking what a photo of a raft of sea otters has to do with tidying? Nothing, they are just so darn cute I could not resist posting their photo today.

That being said does anyone want a clean copy of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying? I just so happen to have one. It has given me joy and now needs to share the joy with someone else. Let me know.

What I Relearned Today ~ Tip Tuesday

Photo from the interwebs

Mankind has progressed a long way in the last two centuries. We are more enlightened, more educated, and we have the good fortune to live in an age where we are more technologically advanced. Yet perhaps our future generations will think of us as back-woods-people, same as we currently do when we think about people who lived in the year 1837. None the less there have been some discoveries, inventions or manmade creations that we should not embrace.

Cutting to the chase I am specifically talking about our food and the unnatural modifications that we ingest more times a day than we know about, and the addition of some form of sugar to EVERYTHING!

What I relearned today is that there are some foods on the grocery store shelves and in refrigerators that we should avoid if we want to live a healthier life. Three of them, according to *Dr. Amy Lee, on the top of the list of must read the label before you purchase are yogurt, wheat bread, and cereal bars. More importantly what you need to avoid is the sugar content that these seemingly healthy, good for you foods are hiding in their ingredients list or are plainly stated as one of the main ingredients.

All yogurt and bread labels should be read closely, and as for the yogurt, according to Dr. Amy Lee, more than 13 grams of sugar per a 6 ounce serving size is too much sugar. As for the cereal bars, according to me, do not purchase them to eat for breakfast or for what you think is a healthy snack, because they are not healthy. They should only be eaten in the same manner you or your family eat candy bars, as in NEVER! Okay well once in a blue moon would not do you any harm, but these foods should be eaten in strict moderation.

There are a few yogurts and kefirs on the shelves that have a lower sugar content that can be found in the health food aisle of the grocery stores, but the best choice is to make it yourself.

What I relearned today is that sugar in large quantiles is not good for your long-term health and that modified sugars are hiding in prepackaged foods. We must be diligent and read the packaging labels on the food we purchase.

Here is a list of some of the names for sugar to be on the lookout for: corn sweetener, corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, fruit juice concentrates, glucose, high-fructose corn syrup, invert sugar, lactose, maltose, malt syrup, raw sugar, sucrose, sugar syrup, cane crystals, cane sugar, crystalline fructose, evaporated cane juice, corn syrup solids, oligofructose, tagatose.

I found this web site that you also might find useful. Sugar-and Sweetener-Guide.

Enjoy your day sweetened with love and not sugar!

*Note - I am not promoting what they are selling from the Nucific web site but good advice about health is good advice.

Tip Tuesday ~ Give Every Dollar a Job

Good advice from You Need a Budget.  I am not one for apps to help me plan or stay organized, but if you are you might want to check this one out.

At any rate they have some sound advice on their home page YNAB.

Spend every dollar wisely and with purpose.

Tip Tuesday ~ Judge No More

We are constantly being criticized and at times judged by others.

You drive too fast.

You drive too slowly.

Your hair's too short.

Your hair's too long.

You don't see the world the way I do.

Criticize. Judge. Criticize. Judge. Criticize.

From our outward appearance to our inward beliefs we are constantly judging and being judged by others.

There is something to be said for being surrounded by like minded individuals and feeling comfortable to be yourself without the fear of being judged. Likewise there is something to be said for spending time in the world surrounded by those who will judge you. Don’t kid yourself, they will judge you.

Both situations build character as the saying goes.

We cannot control or stop what others say about us, think about us or whether they approve or disapprove of any of our driving skills, but we can control our own reactions to their conclusions.

It is this control of self that still catches me off guard when my own knee-jerk reaction tries to take over and I can feel the words frothing in my mouth to criticize them in return.

Stop. Stop. Stop.

Stop is the next word we should hear in our ears, mind, and heart.

Stop criticizing. Stop judging.

It is a very important step in showing the world the kinder person that you truly are on the inside.

Tip Tuesday ~ Charity

Charity is befitting of a kind and generous soul, just remember not to give away too much of your time, energy or money to the wrong cause, or the wrong people, or the right people too many times.

All young sons and daughters need to remember this bit of advice early and always! And you can never overdue it on sharing the love with those you love. Which I have heard the best way to share your love is by sharing your time! 

Tip Tuesday ~ Etiquette Part Two

Everyday Etiquette from Emily Post (this other blog is now MIA)

Etiquette is a code of behavior based on honesty, respect, and consideration.

Your Personal Image

It's no secret that in twenty-first-century America, casual has trumped more formal ways of dressing. But even in this more laid back world, "casual" should never be sloppy. The clothes we wear and the way we groom ourselves represent how we choose to present ourselves to others and reflect the importance we assign to the occasion.

Each of us is responsible for the image we project. Taking that responsibility seriously is a clear signal of your respect for others. If you choose to go on a date without cleaning up first, you are responsible when your date decides they don't want to see you again.

Manners

We use daily manners constantly without even thinking. From greeting and introducing others to making requests and expressing thanks, these simple exchanges are the foundation of all interactions. Since our choices impact others, it is important to make our choices thoughtfully, so as to communicate a considerate awareness of oneself and others.

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What does your personal image tell the world? Mine is telling the world that I am in need of a hair cut. Happy tip Tuesday!

Tip Tuesday ~ Everyday Etiquette

Everyday Etiquette from Emily Post ~ Etiquette advice for your everyday life. (this blog is now MIA)

Etiquette is a code of behavior based on honesty, respect, and consideration.

Guidelines for Living

Amidst today's fast-paced world of technological innovation and casual lifestyles, manners naturally adapt to new situations. Social and cultural traditions fuse and transform in new ways, and the roles and expectations of adults and children evolve to meet those trends. Despite continuous changes, however, social civility remains rooted in the guiding principles of respect, consideration, and honesty.

The Principles of Etiquette

Respect

Respecting other people means recognizing their value as human beings, regardless of their background, race, or creed. It's demonstrated in all your day-to-day relations - refraining from demeaning others for their ideas and opinions, refusing to laugh at racist or sexist jokes, putting prejudices aside, and staying open-minded. We show respect not just by what we refrain from doing but also by intentional acts, such as being on time, dressing appropriately, or giving our full attention to the person or people we're with.

Self-respect is just as important as respect for others. A person who respects herself isn't boastful or pushy but is secure in a way that inspires confidence in others. She values herself regardless of her physical attributes or individual talents, understanding that integrity and character are what really matter.

Consideration

The key to consideration is thoughtful behavior. Being thoughtful means thinking about what you can do for those around you and how your actions will affect them. Consideration leads us to help a friend or stranger in need, to bestow a token of appreciation, or to offer praise.

Honesty

Honesty ensures that we act sincerely and with integrity. It's the basis of tact: using empathy to find the positive truth and telling or acting on it, without causing embarrassment or pain.

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Are your etiquette skills what they should be? Happy tip Tuesday everyone and I for one will be perfecting my everyday etiquette skills.

Tip Tuesday ~ Good Habits

What makes you smile the most?

Tip Tuesday ~ Plan of Action

What is on your to do list? And what have you checked off today?

Tip Tuesday ~ Goal Setting (part two)

How is that new goal progressing?

Tip Tuesday ~ Goal Setting

What is your next goal?

Tip Tuesday ~ Affirmative Reminders

What is your favorite part of you?

Tip Tuesday ~ What Holds Us Back

What is holding you back?

Tip Tuesday

 Do not be afraid to say the words that you were meant to say.

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Tip Tuesday ~ Leadership

Leadership Resource 101

Last Installment...

Support may be as simple as words of encouragement or a specific tool needed to perform a task. By listening to team-members, a leader can often learn about the barriers preventing a goal from being achieved and, through facilitation, find a way to an appropriate solution.

The best tool that a good leader can have is the ability to communicate. Open communication among the group that you are part of and leading is a must for the groups on going success.

Remember to:

Foster a reputation for being helpful and resourceful

Be a self-starter

Mentor someone newer

 Get on the radar by networking

Lead collaboratively, not cutthroat

Gain you colleagues' trust

Encourage others through positivity

Leaders exude positivity, and it's this energy that helps fuel everyone to do their best. This goes back to being solution-oriented and resourceful. A can-do, pleasant attitude is much more respected than a negative one.

I hope you have enjoyed these tip Tuesday installments and have a better sense on the skills necessary to be a good leader. Also remember that all of these tips can be transferred to parenting, after-all a good parent is a good leader.

Tip Tuesday ~ Leadership

Encourage others through positivity. Leadership requires strong, positive energy—people gravitate toward positivity.


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