My Alexander Terrible Horrible Bad Day…

So it was one of those Alexander Terrible Horrible bad day.

1.Disagreement with boss

2.Bigger boss got mad at other boss because of a crazy issue

3.Both upset so everything went wrong after that

4. Rushed out later to return my iPhone

5. Reached post office and iPhone wouldn’t delete my info, smh

6.Tried for over 45 mins (I never give up)! Oh silly me.

7.Rushed into post office continuing manual deletes

8.Did most of it after standing there for another 15 minutes (empty post office but don’t want it to close on me). Delete. Delete. Delete. Slowly but surely …delete.

9. Finally decided to approach the clerk who looked at the box because I asked. He replied “Sorry this is USPS. You need UPS”.

10.Heart failed! Shocked! But laughed out loud! Omgeee! What a crasses!! (Island peeps will understand)

11. My 5 min FB live for book promo done without a caption (important for me).

12. My Heart sank

13. Had to take it down even though it started getting attention

14.Went up to Walmart to pick up a quick item to exchange for another. They said they couldn’t do it at that location. Smh

16.Went home after a long day.

17. Still have iPhone. Gonna try to return another time.

18.Then first thing the next morning I heard of a family returning from Georgia. Parents, teenage twins and another child….drove into a truck. All died.

Then there’s Hurricanes and other natural disasters that create havoc for those in their path.

So today I thank God for my Alexander Terrible Horrible bad day.

May this encourage you that there’s always someone worse than whatever you’re going through.

Cheers!

The Hikes of Success

Hiking is like life. The Journey requires you to put one foot in front of the other …again and again. And if you allow yourself to be present throughout the entirety of the trek, you will witness beauty every step of the way, not only at the summit. ~Unknown

Dr. Shelly's avatarSuccess Strategies

Traveling in the slow lane, I  get angry. I get upset. Forgetting that I’m traveling in the slow lane. My progress is slowed. My destination eludes me and seem to get further away. My anger grows. My frustration… like a fuse lights up, ready to explode!

But that’s how it is with life. Missed steps, missed deadlines, procrastination. Failed  business, exams, twisted careers, and more cause us to feel like we  are driving in the slow lane. Our goals, dreams, aspirations seems unreachable. We get angry, frustrated, feel punished. But that’s because we have gone off course. We fail to plan. We fail to focus. We fail to keep our eyes on the goal. Milestones recede…ebbs away in the distance. One by one. We procrastinate saying I’ll get it done tomorrow…, but tomorrow never comes.

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But all is not lost. Achieving our goal is like a Hike. If carefully planned our long…

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If You Do Not Travel…

If you do not travel,

You start dying slowly

If you do not travel,

If you do not read,

If you do not listen to the sounds of life,

If you do not appreciate yourself.

You start dying slowly

When you kill your self-esteem;

When you do not let others help you.

You start dying slowly

If you become a slave of your habits,

Walking everyday on the same paths…

If you do not change your routine,

If you do not wear different colours

Or you do not speak to those you don’t know.

You start dying slowly

If you avoid to feel passion

And their turbulent emotions;

Those which make your eyes glisten

And your heart beat fast.

You start dying slowly

If you do not change your life when you are not satisfied with your job, or with your love,

If you do not risk what is safe for the uncertain,

If you do not go after a dream,

If you do not allow yourself,

At least once in your lifetime,

To run away from sensible advice.

~Martha Medeiros

Hope this speaks to you as it did to me. Hope it inspires you to step out and do something different today. Something that you have been delaying. Something that you have been putting off. It’s time,

Thanks Miss World Runner-Up Yendi Phillips for sharing. I couldn’t resist.

Cheers!

The Writing Process…

Writing is usually done in a private space… as in a cave all by ourselves. We tell no one unless we choose to share with those close. Oft it can even be top secret or shouted from the mountain top as happens when some celebrities write. It’s entirely up to you.

It’s Your Prerogative

Writers commit a month, a year, 2, 3 or more to their Writing process. It’s your prerogative. It all depends on you. No need to attend a retreat, until or unless you’re ready and you can always remain silent in the background listening to others speak. At a writers Retreat, some talk. Some don’t.

Spend time doing what you want to do before, during and after the retreat.

Why Bother?

People approach me to share my knowledge and (writing) experience with them. That’s the whole point of doing a Retreat. Facilitators or Hosts often incur a loss or just barely meet the expense for meals and accommodation for a small group retreat when it’s done for aspiring local authors. Over the years, it becomes more profitable.

But it’s worth it because of the satisfaction it brings. Often though some aspiring authors who actually need the help tend to hesitate to go the extra mile to acquire the knowledge. For me, before I wrote my first book about my phenomenalogical study on leadership and success, I attended a writers event and it helped me a lot. I invested resources to attend and like a sponge was happy to hear from the facilitators on their experiences. Before that I attended many writing events held throughout the industry and on campus to boost my craft.

Personally, I tend… to attend both good and bad’ sessions. Essentially, I love to compare what’s happening in the marketplace. From the ‘bad’ I learn what NOT to do. From the good…well that’s self-explanatory. I want to do better than the best while helping others achieve their best potential, whatever that is.

All in all, Writers have to test what works. Each individual differs. What works for one person may not work for the other.

What works for you? Do share. We would love to hear!

Cheers!

Register now to attend Writers Retreat and boost your writing project

7 Top Favs To Change Non-Readers Into Book-Lovers…

When they born we read to them. They played outside. We avoided tech toys. But as they grew my daughters 2 sons were introduced to …yep … tech toys. Beyblade, Fortnite, YouTube games, and more. It’s now proving difficult to get them back-to-the-books.

I decided to search for help. Here’s what I found and particularly liked Grade Power Learning 13 Strategies for them to change to reading love! Here I share those I like:

Back-To-The-Books

  1. Pick the right books
  2. Read aloud
  3. Choose books that he/she is interested in
  4. Encourage all forms of reading
  5. Listen to audio books
  6. Let your reader choose
  7. Start a Series

Those were my top favs to transition non-readers into book-lovers. Any resonate? Are there more you can add? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

Read. Write. 27 Things I Like…

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As I look over the circus of things I like, I realize that though I enjoy them and they bring me satisfaction, I find myself not doing them as much and in some cases at all. For over two decades I have been caught up in work, work, work. So this prompt helped me pull away and ponder the things I once enjoyed, or get to enjoy on a rare occasion.

But even as I finalize the list I realize that life’s not promised, so I intend to start doing the things I like and stop leaving them for …one day soon.

Watch The Waves By The Sea

That said, the things I like are:

    1. People watch
    2. Explore the world
    3. Simple things
    4. Enjoy a good laugh
    5. Acting | Participating in drama presentations
    6. Wearing a smile
    7. See people mentored achieve their best potential
    8. Watch movies
    9. Write, ponder, reflect
    10. Decorate the house
    11. Go shopping
    12. Watch HGTV | Travel channel
    13. Learn new things
    14. Read
    15. Cook
    16. Enjoy the company of my two young adult kids
    17. Dream of Venice | Alaska
    18. People watch in downtown Disney, Washington DC Parks
    19. Watch the waves by the beach
    20. Nature – stare at birds, squirrels, and circus of trees
    21. Christmas Lights
    22. Look out at the horizon from a hill or mountain
    23. Capturing candid photos (new experience)
    24. Finding a new route after getting lost in a new place (yikes!)
    25. Quiet time
    26. Solving a mystery or a problem
    27. New baby hugs
    28. Listening to that Still Small Voice Of Faith

Any of the above resonate. Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

Register now to attend Writers Retreat and boost your writing project.

 

Why Writers Write…10 Reasons

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I write because there’s something in me that needs to come out.  I am at peace when I write. Writers write for many different reasons. Some personal, experiential, or environmental. Christine Caldalzo created a pictogram of 10 reasons writers write. Here I share 10:

10 Reasons Writers Write

  1. They love to write
  2. To express their thoughts
  3. To communicate
  4. To share experiences
  5. To tell about events
  6. To share their feelings
  7. To persuade
  8. To teach
  9. To Ask Questions
  10. They want something

Does any of the above resonate with your reason(s) to write? Any missing that you would like to add? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

 

Register Now to attend Writers Retreat

Stop. Sharpen The Saw….

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Stop. Sharpen the saw. Then move ahead. What does it mean too sharpen the saw? The concept arose from celebrated Author Steven Covey who wrote the best selling book Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. He shared this story to clarify his point:

Suppose you were to come upon someone in the woods working feverishly to saw down a tree.

“What are you doing?” you ask.

“Can’t you see?” comes the impatient reply. “I’m sawing down this tree.”

“You look exhausted!” you exclaim. “How long have you been at it?”

“Over five hours,” he returns, “and I’m beat! This is hard work.”

“Well, why don’t you take a break for a few minutes and sharpen that saw?” you inquire. “I’m sure it would go a lot faster.”

“I don’t have time to sharpen the saw,” the man says emphatically. “I’m too busy sawing!”

 

So the concept to sharpen the saw highlights the point that when you have been going, going, going, and going …and you can’t seem to see any results. Acknowledge that it’s time to stop. It’s time to refresh. It’s time for a break to get the rest you need to start thinking so you can be productive again.

So stop. Sharpen the saw. So you can move ahead.

Cheers!

Must. Go. Faster…

 

You’ve got to work hard for your success and you’ve got to have a steady presence. That’s the secret. ~Kid Rock

Must. Go. Faster. So said the Ad. But in this case they were talking about getting away from a tyrannosaurus chasing themin the movie Jurassic Park.

But I’m thinking if it from life as we strive towards our goals. Must. Go. Faster.

The Difference

But there’s a difference. Seeking goals is not about speed but steadiness…as in studying to getting an education. Just stick to it. Speed create mistakes as in microwave marriages these days. Jump in before knowing the person. What of education? Would you like a surgeon to operate on you knowing he got his degree in a month? One would question that.

And even a stellar athlete /Olympian. It takes years of practice to achieve the success that lasts.

So today be mindful of your goals. Speed is not the real deal …unless you’re running to save your life from creatures like a tyrannosaurus.

Thoughts? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

When It’s Time For Something New… You Will Feel It.

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When it’s time for something new, you will feel it. You will feel a desire to let go, to shed layers, to move, to re-create. You will know because there will be subtle shifts all around you. You will release the old because you are really clearing the path for what’s ahead. Trust the process. Know that life does not take from us anything unless there is something else imminently awaiting its replacement. ~Brianna Wiest

 

Give Up The Thing That Weighs You Down…

You wanna fly, you got to give up the thing that weighs you down. ~Toni Morrison

5 Things To Do When Rejection Shatters Your Dream Opportunity…

Years ago I stepped out of my comfort zone. Having not been in the job market for a long time I began my search for a new and meaningful opportunity. With great elation a dream company reached out to me. It was always a goal to work with them. It had great salary, great benefits, and most important – meaningful work. But I would have had to relocate. No problem for me as I didn’t have a chick nor child (as the saying goes…hint kid in college). I could hardly wait to get started.

A senior level position, I had to go through a 5-level-interview process with different senior level teams. Nailed the toughest two. Then the onto the third. Nailed it! Or so I thought. The interviewer thought otherwise. They replied thanking me for my time but they decided to move on. This after being interviewed for almost a month. I was confident that with my qualifications and experience I was sure to get the job. I didn’t. Though an interviewer myself, I was very disappointed. I questioned myself… what did I do wrong? How could I have done better?

Not Every Opportunity Is For You

Then came the reassurance from a quiet inner voice. Not every opportunity is for you. What seems ideal may not be for you. Keep looking. The right change is in store. Learn to wait. And while you’re waiting, keep strong.

Here I share things to do to bounce back after any kind of rejection, be it job, entrepreneurship or relationship.

5 Things To Do To Overcome Rejection

  1. Learn from the Experience
  2. Talk to a trusted mentor, coach, or friend. Share your disappointment.
  3. Don’t dwell on the situation. Affirm it. Accept it and move on.
  4. Acknowledge it as evidence that you’re trying. You are pushing your limit.
  5. Keep going

Have you had a disappointing experience during a job hunt, or a key contract for your entrepreneurship endeavor? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

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