Dump Thursday

Recently we started integrating “Dump Thursday” into our weekly schedule. I’m not referring to a weekly trip to the place where trash is taken, or a comical term for a bodily function. Instead, dumping things that no longer serve you.

There’s so much stuff. Everywhere.

It seems almost like bragging rights to have a lot of stuff. If that stuff isn’t serving you well or making you happier, then why have it? Collecting “things” seems like a commodity, but what void is it filling besides negative space in your home or work?

Take the time as frequently as you need to dump. Purge the things that no longer serve you. Does it make you happy? Does it bring you joy? Does it help you? The less stuff you have that doesn’t serve you, the more space you have to be surrounded by the things that actually do make you happier!

Here are 3 reasons of why less is more:

-More time. By decreasing and simplifying the choices you make every day, the more time you have to enjoy the things that fulfill you. Imagine getting dressed every day and choosing only from clothes that you love and fit you perfectly. Imagine knowing right where your keys are as you walk out the door.

-More money. Throwing things out might not necessarily make you money, but it will save you money. The less you have, the less you’ll lose or break things. You’ll have fewer items, but higher quality and you’ll know exactly where they are.

-More joy. If your belongings are serving you well, making you happier and making your life easier, then the extra stuff was just space fillers. See, use and enjoy everything that you own and love. When it has finished serving its purpose, it’s ok to let it go.

Be intentional about the things taking up space in your life. Be it collections, clothes or even people! Respect yourself, your own time and your own space to know what is serving you well and bringing you joy.

Don't Miss the Boat

We are all guilty of it. You start working towards a goal, whether it is to run a 10K or join the circus and in kicks that moment of self-doubt. I get it. You are putting yourself out into the unknown, which can be scary. We all put off doing things we know we should do because of uncharted territory, what other people may think or feelings of unworthiness. Following your dreams can bring up many feelings, such as:

People won’t get it.

I don’t know enough.

What if people think it’s stupid?

Will anyone care?

My family won’t like it.

Does any of this sound like you? Don’t worry. This is your mind’s way of trying to keep you safe. If people laughed at you when you were younger, your brain is trying to prevent it from happening again. But now you are all grown up.

The first step is to understand why you are stuck. What are you putting off that would make the biggest difference in your life? Here’s a hint. It is usually that thing you keep saying you will do, or what you won’t stick with even if you know it is for your own good. Now it is up to you to push past it.

Make that conscious decision just to do it already. Henry Ford once said, “If I asked people what they wanted, they would have said a faster horse.” You can worry about what others think or get things done before that ship has sailed.

Where are you going to take action today?

Just a Spoonful of Sugar

Several weeks ago I shared with you about a journey that began my relationship between us – Worx, you and me.

And it has been one amazing trip; every stumble that incurred, every stumble overrode, every cupcake and every 5k.

“I give it a year,” -Laura.

“I’ll take it!”-Momina

However, somewhere between that blog post and this one it happened: The performance review. The days leading up to it I somehow had convinced myself of every worse case scenario.

·      Your work is consistently overdue
·      Your work is inefficient
·      Your work is unsatisfactory
·      Your work is just not worxing

And, Lord, please no, do not let Donald Trump pop out from the minimalistic office space with comb-over  flying and finger pointing, “You’re fired!”

(Okay, that was never a fear of mine, but if you’re going to get fired, you might as well do it right.)

I took a notebook in the meeting but should I have taken a Kleenex box instead?

And call me a girl but I did cry, yet for different reasons.

I’m an addict of The Office and there are two kinds of employees in that show when it came to their performance reviews: Those trying to get promotions. And those trying to avoid the review altogether.

I didn’t want to avoid the review.

I didn’t want a promotion.

I wanted confirmation to my mental diatribe.

But ultimately I didn’t know what I needed.

Laura did. (Huh. Guess that’s why she’s my boss. My leader.)

You see, there’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance.

And, what I was lacking was confidence in my work.

·      My work was not overdue.
·      My work was not inefficient
·      My work was not unsatisfactory

It wasn’t about my worxing capabilities. It was about my confidence capabilities. And with a spoonful of sugar the medicine, the performance review, went down quite well. Quite well, indeed. And that began my confidence boost.

We all suffer from self-doubt and self- consciousness at some time in our lives:

It’s what we do with those insecurities that matter most.

• Step One: Own It – You have a skill set, so use it no matter what others may say about it. Even when you have doubts: Do it. Even when times are tough: Keep tackling it. Others may even see things in you that you cannot see for yourself.

• Step Two: Speak It – I went in my meeting and spoke the mental battle aloud. Confront what’s troubling you, and you are one step closer to defeating your doubts.

• Step Three: Critique It – Sometimes those concerns may be real; there’s always room for improvement. Medicine isn’t intended to change you; it’s intended to nourish and heal you.

• Step Four: Celebrate It – Whether it’s a high-five, a five-star review, a five-year anniversary or five consecutive days of being on time, accept the compliments. Accept client testimonies on your behalf and allow them to replace your self-doubt.

No matter your body type, the time of day or what your doctor says – a spoonful of sugar always helps the medicine go down. Some of us may just need a pinch, others a sip. Some need an entire cup, but no matter what just a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down.

Maybe I’m one of those that needed a cup, but I’m building my Vitamin C (confidence) deficiency back up.

And it’s feeling mighty supercalifragilisticexpialidcious!