Losing Your Job In The New Year

Are you a person who has experienced a career death at the end of the year? If so, don't be discouraged. Change can be a good thing. This year is going to be nothing short of great things.

As I've learned, many people avoid people who are negative. Many people ALSO avoid people who are experiencing major life changes. It just seems the majority of people can't handle anything that is NOT set in stone. But that doesn't mean you have to view the ending of a career as a bad thing.

Embrace the freedom and the opportunity for something different. Only talk to those closest to you in your circle. (Don't let the outside world in until you are confident and have a plan.) What is it you'd like to do next in your life? If you don't have any ideas, allow yourself a chance to breathe; take 1-2 weeks and meditate. Explore what is important to you. Ask questions. Reach out to professionals and ask the questions that you need to have answered- this will help you continue moving forward and narrowing your options for the right choices for you.

Are you ready to job hunt? Good websites to look for jobs:
indeed.com
simplyhired.com
glassdoor.com

Take it day by day. Think outside the box. Be positive. Because there is so much more to life than the job you just lost. This is a fresh start and a chance for you to feel alive, free, and happy again.

Stop Moving

 courtesy of photo: http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-images-extremely-busy-woman-image1417594

This is one example of a busy professional at work.

Have you stopped to think about how busy you are outside of work? Many people have multiple jobs, kids, family members, sports, extra curricular activities, etc. People wear so many hats today.

Do we ever stop to breathe?

I have had almost a full week off for vacation this holiday. Want to know how my vacation has been? VACATION IS WONDERFUL! I can't tell you the last time I have been this slow, this relaxed, and this flexible with my own time. (I'm guessing I had this much vacation/free time 13 years ago.)

Suddenly, I'm starting to declutter my life. I'm starting to question how busy I really want to be. I can hear my own thoughts again. I can suddenly remember what I really enjoy doing. I'm remembering the core of who I am, and I'm deciding what I will and will not do moving forward.

Now here's the catch. I suddenly feel lost without goals to meet, places to be, agendas to follow, etc. What am I supposed to do with no schedule? 

That's the beauty. Maybe this is a sign it is time to stop being busy for everyone else and start being busy for myself. I admit it. I no longer have the ability or the desire to give to everyone else, to stop and help everyone, and to do everything for everyone else... but myself.

Do you ever take time for yourself?

Or do you make sure you are on the go 24/7?

I spoke with someone else earlier this week about this exact topic. There are always bills to pay and responsibilities we must meet. So people take on more jobs, more of everything, to try and fulfill these obligations. Instead of making progress, we wear ourselves down. We end of hurting ourselves more than making a positive difference. We both discovered (through our experiences over several years) it is better to be good at one thing than it is to be a master of many things.

For example: instead of having three jobs, keep one.

By having one job, you can focus and be good at this one job! You can spend more time with family. You can have downtime and personal time. There will be struggles, but live on what you earn. Make a budget. Make this schedule work for you. And if you don't like the one job, then maybe it's time to think about other options.

This is a quote she told me: instead of laying all your eggs in multiple baskets, lay your eggs in one basket so opportunities and success will multiply from this one passion.

My challenge to you (if you are one of these individuals): stop moving. stop being on the go. stop being insanely busy both inside and outside of work. Instead: be sane, be happy, and enjoy life.

If many people stopped being so crazy busy, I think we would all be surprised what the positive effects would be. We would be less stressed, healthier, probably more successful, and we would enjoy everything around us a little more.

Thanking Others

There is someone in my life who helps with technical issues. He doesn't ask for payment. He doesn't ask for anything in return. (Believe me, I've tried. I offered to bake goodies... which I don't bake often- but I'm good at it... and the answer was no.) I can't help but think about all the nice things he does just because.

If you have someone who always watches out for you, takes care of you, helps you, etc. don't forget to take time to tell them "thank you". Remind them how important they are to you. Tell them how much you appreciate them.

I think it's important to give thanks and honor those around us. People don't have to be nice. People choose to be nice. This is something I think too many people take for granted. So when someone is kind to you, don't forget to let them know how appreciative you are. And if you feel like being nice, pass the gesture on to the next person you meet. (paying it forward)

Together, we can make a positive difference in each others' lives as well as in our community.

Show appreciation and give thanks. 

Make Time For Yourself

After working two plus jobs for the last thirteen years, I have finally come to the realization that it is NOT worth working a bunch of hours to be exhausted and have no time to enjoy life.

If I can pass on a valuable lesson, it is this.

MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF EVERY DAY!

It doesn't have to be much time: 5 minutes- 30 minutes. Do what you love! Experience what you enjoy! Read a book, take a bubble bath, go for a run, etc.

Everyone around you will appreciate and respect you a little more if you care for yourself first, and you will find more happiness in the people and things around you at the end of each day.

Christmas In the Office

It's the best time of year. Think about it. It's a time for giving, spending time with family and friends, baking, eating enjoyable food, drinking and being merry, and most importantly, TIME OFF FROM WORK!

I love it. We are guaranteed to get Christmas Day off. Some people get Christmas Eve off too. (and to those who must work I apologize.) But we get time off to spend with our family... or however else we like.

Work hard while you are in the office. Do you best even though this time of year can be difficult because many people have already left for an extended holiday and won't be back until January 2015.

In the meantime, do you have a Christmas tree with lights and ornaments up? Stockings hung with stocking- stuffers inside? Presents under the tree? Have you donated to help others in need this holiday, or this year? Baked food? Plan on going to church? Fit in exercise? And then time to relax? If so, you are all ready.

Have a Merry Christmas and an enjoyable time away from the office this holiday.

The working person

This work schedule looks about right for the most of us, right? We all look forward to the weekends... and then we dread when Monday rolls around.

I'm here to tell you I'm just like every other average person struggling to find a place in the world. Working, paying bills, making it through another day, always trying to lose a few extra pounds, stressing, providing for family, improving my skills, and hoping to find a little enjoyment in each and every day. 

Don't know about you, but I also hope to inspire people. I whole-heartedly believe we can find a way to live the life we dream. Our lives might not involve loads of money, but it doesn't mean we can't find beauty and enjoy each day, use our natural talents, and love our family, animals, and environment.

Life is what we make it. So what do you choose to begin focusing on?