alone time... make some...

I've recently re-discovered what happens when you don't take time out of your day to focus on yourself. It seems to be one of those things that happens during busy, chaotic times in our lives. A lesson that moving forward I'm committed to being more aware of. 

When you don't take time to take care of yourself... you can't be your best self. It's been a gradual build up over the past month or two where I've been throwing myself into work, saying "yes" to everything, really focusing on others, and feeling responsible for the happiness of everyone around me. But where does that leave me? I'm tired, over caffeinated, under trained for my upcoming marathon, behind on Christmas shopping, and I haven't had a hair cut since January. #rallyhair

I am a leader in all aspects of my life. I just need a little reboot to start leading myself again. I don't believe in the phrase, "there isn't enough time in the day." Make time. I'm learning that it's OK to tell my husband I need a couple of hours on my Sunday to be alone and do whatever it is I want to do. I'm learning that it's OK to not work every single day (what kind of example am I setting for my team by working all the time?) And I'm learning to set more powerful goals that will get me to be living the life I know I'm capable of having.

No harm has been done. Just another great lesson in balance for me...

Where are you making time for yourself TODAY?

dream on...

"Do those stars on your feet mean you're a dancer?" An older gentleman in the waiting room of a doctor’s office asked me as he pointed to the star tattoos on my foot.

"No. They mean I'm a dreamer." I respond.

"Ahhhh... a dreamer you say? Stay that way,” he said and went back to reading his magazine.

A dreamer I am… and shall remain. I love when the Universe sends me little reminders like this!

We're always dreaming, are we not? When you’re in the office at your desk you may drift away to a tropical island where you are sailing along the coast on a beautiful boat with your most cherished friends and family. When you watch the Academy Awards, you sit and take notes for what your acceptance speech will sound like when you win actor of the year. Dreams are only unreachable if you say they are. What stops us from achieving our wildest dreams? Excuses do. Maybe its money, social class, or where we live we’ve all made excuses for not living a BIG life. Stop making them! Believe in yourself and your goals and take steps towards achieving them.

What I love most about goal setting is that I get to write my dreams down on paper for the world to see and hold me accountable for taking steps towards. If I want to lose weight, I need to make healthy food choices. If I want to earn more money, I may need to invest in self development. If I want to be a writer, I better keep blogging for practice!

When you share your goals and achieve them, others they can be inspired by you. As a result, they set goals, knock ‘em out and inspire others. Pretty soon it’s catching on, spreading like wildfire. This is how we change the world. And we do it one goal at a time.

So don’t be afraid to dream, and dream BIG… be inspired and inspire those around you. I read a quote recently that reignited a fire in me to move my dreams to reality…enjoy!

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world. 

Harriet Tubman

Dream on, friends. 


*** I originally wrote this entry as a guest blogger for Jacki Carr (www.jackicarr.com)