self-care – Success Strategies

Tips To Plan A Day trip

Sometimes you just need to getaway! To rejuvenate, chill, relax and spend some me time.

Here’s Samantha’s tips to plan that perfect Day Trip. Don’t delay. Do it soon. Life’s too short to live stressed out.

How to Plan a Day Trip

6+ Tips To Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile for a Midlife Career Change…

Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.
John F. Kennedy

Thinking of a change in your career? LinkedIn is rated as the world’s largest professional network. You can use it to connect and strengthen professional relationships, find jobs, and more.

Chances are you already have a profile but when was the last time you looked at it? Hmmm…

Here are 6 tips to optimize your profile for leaders and professionals who wish to make a change so you can become more visible to Executives, headhunters and Recruiters.

1.Relevant Headline and Summary: Craft a headline that reflects your desire to transition into a new field and a summary that emphasizes your transferable skills and passion for the new industry.

2.Professional Photo: Update your profile picture to present a polished and adaptable appearance that aligns with your desired career change.

3. Keyword Optimization: Use keywords associated with the new field you’re targeting, showcasing your intention to pivot and ensuring your profile appears in relevant searches.

4. Experience Section: Highlight experiences, projects, or accomplishments that align with the skills required in your target industry, even if they were gained from previous roles.

5. Recommendations: Obtain recommendations from colleagues or supervisors who can speak to your adaptability, quick learning, and positive attitude.

6. Content Sharing: Share insightful content related to your intended field, showcasing your genuine interest and commitment to learning about the industry.

7. Networking: Connect with professionals in your desired field to expand your network and gain insights into the industry’s nuances and trends.

8. Training and Certifications: Highlight any relevant courses, workshops, or certifications you’ve completed to bolster your qualifications for the new career path.

9. Volunteer Work and Side Projects: Include any volunteer experiences or side projects that demonstrate your dedication to learning and contributing to the new field.

10. Custom URL: Personalize your LinkedIn profile URL and showcase your enthusiasm for the career change.

Remember, authenticity and consistency are key to building a compelling LinkedIn profile that accurately represents your goals and aspirations. Get going and update your profile now. Need help? Lets connect

Which tip stood out to you? Do share, we would love to hear.

Cheers!

Don’t forget to Share this with a friend.

A Cup of Coffee

Success Strategies

coffe If we were having coffee right now I’d tell you how much I still love my delicious black tea. It seems I am never able to quiet my desire for that soothing hot taste. The drive and energy it gives reinvigorates my day. Sometimes I sneak away for fear of those questioning eyes saying…”what’s up with her and her constant commute to the coffee machine”? Forget them I say! I work more assiduously when I’m fully dosed up!

If we were having coffee right now, I’d tell you that I’ve started this …well not really started but revamped my blog. That said, WordPress has this amazing Blogging University which is available for those who are interested in pushing their personal writing careers up a notch. So I decided to enroll and have been doing so for the past six months. The thought came to me after I published my book on

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New Year’s Wish…

Wishing you joy that springs from deep within Wishing you brave heart that’s infinite
Wishing you love beyond measure
Wishing you smiles that’s hard to dissolve
Wishing you peace even when things go wrong
Wishing you God’s divine direction in all you do

May God grant your heart’s desire, throughout the new year and beyond.

Cheers!

The Poet’s Plight…

I buried myself in my work
To forget my woes
Now I must fight to get back to me

7 Ways To Make Change Stick…

The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude.
Oprah Winfrey

Change is hard. Changing a habit especially one that has been a habit for a lifetime is no small feat. Recently, the question was asked “how does one make change stick?” Great question especially with the holidays on the horizon when many are swamped with resolutions. Here are 7 easy to do strategies to help you progress.

Focus on your Why
Set Deadlines and Stick to it
Make Changes manageable
Celebrate Small Wins
Take small steps. Increase as you Progress
Get an Accountability Partner
Track your Progress

What has worked for you? Do share, we would love to hear.

Cheers!

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5 Once In A Lifetime Family Vacays To Plan In 2022…

Basking in the sun, sand and beach on an island in the sea. Hmm oh what fun it is to be. So sure I’m not alone in dreaming of those great vacation escapes! But while I am dreaming others are planning and experiencing the magic that it brings. From rejuvenation, peace of mind, laughter and squeals with kids, my oldest plans and puts it into action, then sends a link so the dream becomes real. She did it with my most memorable getaway for a weekend in Paris. A place I had dreamed of for years. A workaholic, she knew her mom would continue to procrastinate to find the right time for herself. So off she went and booked it for a birthday getaway. Yep, that dream became real.

So it was with anticipation that I gasped at Travel & Leisure’s article 7 Family Vacations that everyone should do at least once. I quickly indulged and was happy to note what my family and I (led by my oldest), have done. From the list, here are a few.

Cruise Away

The last time our family did this, it was January 2020 just before the pandemic. We set sail on a short weekend trip to the Bahamas for a kiddo’s birthday to swim with the dolphins. It was divine. The more lengthy trip to Greece took a combination of cruise and flights to the Turkish, Istanbul land. A must do at least once in a lifetime.

All Inclusive Resort Getaway

Being of the island of wood and water… yep Jamaica, this is a staple. But as I reflect, the Jewel runs-away with the mouth-dripping cocktail welcome. You are sure to never want to leave the staples of all you can eat island food with munches of worldwide delectable while basking in the sun, sand and sea in between. Not to mention the rooms, jacuzzi, and spa to massage away those tired work stressed muscles

The Slopes Is A Must Do

Breckenridge in Colorado never disappoints. My youngest asked after one Christmas family gathering to go on a road trip. She was too young to know that it takes planning. So I charged her to research where she wanted to go. She did and months later decided on a Colorado gem. This small town rates high during the holidays with its hidden Christmas town after gondola rides atop the mountains to slide down the slopes from skiing, snowboarding, or just angel-playing in the snow. A certain kids dream come through.

Road-Trip

Road-tripping causes you to trip when kids spill juices, food and candy wraps all over. Organized with trash bags does help but tell it to the little ones (ha ha). Our last road-trip took us to the Tennessee experience. We went through great landmarks with stops along the highways to rest, refuel and driver exchange. The tiredness you feel is nothing when compared to the lifetime memories.

Some Place New

So as the pandemic wears on, we dream of someplace new where we can just chill. For me as a writer, it will be a solo retreat to encounter that writing escape.

What About You?

What’s your dream for a place that you must visit at least once in a lifetime? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

Avoid The Grinch Syndrome This Christmas…

Avoid The Grinch Syndrome

The president for one of the biggest and most successful companies called a zoom meeting and fired 900 staff all at once- just before Christmas. When the media asked why (he was so mean at Christmas) he said they all work 2-hour days and report 8. Hmmm… Yea, the boss may have a case but it’s in the how he did it and when he did it. No matter the logic, he will still be seen as a Grinch.

So who is a Grinch? A person who spoils the fun of others. A spoilsport. A drag. A party pooper. That’s the Miriam Dictionary’s meaning. So here are 7 Suggestions on what you can do to avoid being a Grinch this holiday season

Do something kind for someone you don’t know
Watch your favorite holiday movie
Get festive. Decorate your home
Give a Gift to someone in need
Get social. Hang out with friends and family
Give of your time
Volunteer for a good cause

Personally, I love the holidays and wouldn’t mind celebrating all year round. But yes there are always those who are sad and down at this time. Reach out and lend a hand. Give a word of encouragement. Try any of the 7 ways shared and give love this Christmas.

How do you combat the Grinch Sydrome during the holidays? Do share, we would love to hear.

Cheers!

The Biggest Enemies of Willpower…

The biggest enemies of willpower: temptation, self-criticism, and stress. These three skills —self-awareness, self-care, and remembering what matter most— are the foundation for self-control.
-Kelly McGonigal

Traveling? Top 11 Things To Do Before You Board That Flight…

We love to travel! The warmth of new places brings smiles and memories that last. But getting to the pleasures of our vacation destination often comes with a nightmare. Travel and Leisure shared their top 25 Things to do before getting on a plane. Here are my top 11 Favs, which by the way makes business travel a breeze.

Pre-Travel Stress Reducers

Get the airlines credit card which offers perks like priority access and other rewards
Download your airlines app. No check-in and free onboard entertainment
Signup for TSA Pre-Check. Forego It’s a smart strategy for a smoother walk through and some airlines refund you the application fee
Check your bags size and dimensions. Airlines are reducing the space. Rid yourself of the headache and follow the rules before you leave home
Compile your gadgets. Being organized makes your life easier
Lounge around the departure lounges instead of sitting at the gate. Life’s simple
Wear comfortable clothing. But I dare say remember airline rules. For example Sometimes short shorts makes the morning news when tempers flare
Disinfect. Need I say more?
Reserve airport parking before you leave. Works like magic and you will walk away looking at cars circling the garage or squeals at missed flights
Grab and Go is a great idea for starving passengers. Get the app and order ahead
That wretched life-saving Mask. Don’t forget it.

BONUS

Read. Bring a book

So these are my top favs. What’s yours? Do share. We would love to hear!

Cheers!

The Sea. The Beach. The Waves. Quiet Reflections…

The sea. The beach. The waves. It’s my safe place. I never want to leave. I sit coiled at the edge of the lazy beach chair, gazing in melancholy at the morning’s sunrise. All is still as time stops. As the sun began its heated quest, I sat pensively not wanting to leave.

Still fast asleep there’s no one in sight. Just me, as the waves batter the shore. My heart tugs as I long to rid life’s woeful work-related stress. I just want to stay to listen to nature’s quest. In quietness is where the heaven’s awake and gives me the strength to reach forward to start a new day, a new chapter, a time of serenity. I pray that I’ll listen as the spirit quietly leads, guides and directs my path.

In stillness is where I find my strength. Strengthen me lord, strengthen me. Speak and make me listen.

Blessing overflow.