Glasses Of Life

It all starts because we have a vision impairment.

We get asked if we have really have vision impairments or if the glasses on our faces are a fashion statement or accessory.

No, they are a necessity.

And when we wear them:

• We have to wipe the fog off when it’s warm or wet

• We get lost behind a veil of smudge. Don’t let any sales rep tell you differently- they are not smudge proof.

• Once we wear them, we have to stay committed to them all day since they ruin our makeup.

• We suffer injury on the bridge of our nose

• We can’t lie in bed on our sides to read

• We have a constant, pinching pain behind our ears

• We feel them slide down when we bend over

• We feel them slide up when you lean back

• We learn the hard way they are not foot or butt resistant

• We are expected to let everyone try them on

• We give ourselves whiplash as soon as children are placed in our arms so they can’t grab them

• We lose them and then sometimes we have to replace them even when they aren’t lost at this little inconvenient thing called an annual check-up.

But when we wear them all these things matter not, because we can read, walk without tripping; we can stop (we may choose not to) at red lights and we can experience life with our vital fifth sense.

And so goes the same with the glasses of life.

When we wear the metaphoric glasses of life, we are enabled to see things clearly. It may be through listening to a friend, slowing down, speeding up, traveling abroad, staying at home, thinking outside the box.

The pain that comes along with it, like the smudges, are worth it when what we envision from afar is suddenly close. When what was near or far sighted suddenly becomes a tangible success.

It’s just a matter of if you’re willing to wear the glasses. You see, when a vision impaired individual slips on their glasses, they do so knowing they are being compared to the trendsetters.

When the envisioned impaired decide to challenge themselves and wear the glasses of life, they might be compared to the trendsetters of life.

Speed up, slow down, travel abroad, stay at home, think outside the box: Others may be doing the same, and you may be called a copycat. It doesn’t matter because we can all look at the same thing, but what we see won’t be the same thing.

So, no matter what people think of you or say, never let the smudge keep you from wearing your glasses. Never let a vision impairment keep you from seeing. From living.

Tales of a Workin' Mama

Deadlines are looming, the phone is ringing, your child is being needy and clients need your attention. I don’t know about you, but for me this sounds like a typical day at the office. My job allows me the flexibility to bring my daughter with me to work several days a week. Because she is under the age of three, this can be a blessing and a curse. I constantly juggle chunks of productivity and being fully present in the moments shared with my little one.

Last night I had the opportunity to discuss the balance of working and being a mom with a few of my peers at the AAF-GF Roundtable for Workin Mamas. We covered a number of topics, including mom guilt, leaving work at work, balancing work and home life, maintaining a professional appearance, and being present at the moment. Before we left, we all made a promise to ourselves to put some of the solutions we came up with as a group into action.

Mom Guilt. How do you handle it? There is no right or wrong way. While we may not be there for every milestone (ex. Getting braces put on) the relationship we have built with our children remains just as strong. Since many of us have been working since before our children were born, they don’t know any different. Some of us bring our children to work, into our world. Instead of completely separating work and life, they are blended together.

While including children in your work means you can spend more time together, there is a time when we need to leave work at work. One of the mothers shared that she takes everything in her head and writes it down on a sheet of paper. This includes all of the to dos, work or not. Everyday, she tries to do three tasks off her list. After a while, she could get more accomplished and had the satisfaction of crossing items off. Shutting off mobile devices helps us realize that the world will go on if that email isn’t answered until tomorrow. This conversation led into balancing your personal life with a career. Learning to say no is a big step. It is OK to step away from what you have been doing if it no longer serves you. Prioritizing what really matters, like family, will help tremendously in future decision-making. If it doesn’t matter to you, then don’t do it.

Maintaining a professional appearance could mean something different for everyone. Some women work in an environment where there are rules. Others work in a more casual atmosphere, where individuals can dress for the style of the business. The key to all of this is to be authentic and dress for whatever suits you.

Perhaps the most important topic of the evening was practicing mindfulness and being purposeful with what you are doing. Most take a week-by-week approach, allowing time for themselves to recharge, time to plan ahead, and a conscious effort to put the phone away and live in the moment. When we are working, we are working. When we are home, we are home.

Your Simple Life Manifesto – Part Three

In like a lion, and out like a lamb. That seems to be how March works for us. The weight of an endless winter combined with work, family and everyday life can have a huge impact mentally and physically. Not to worry, I have some good news! The final part of this three-part series will focus on ways to simplify your personal heath and well-being.

Simplify your health. There are a number of ways to maintain your health easily.

Eat healthfully. It isn’t news that diet is important to your overall health. A lot of fruits and veggies, and less of the bad stuff like processed foods, refined sugar and flour will do wonders for the way you feel. A healthy diet is not a quick fix for dropping a few pounds; it needs to be part of your lifestyle.

Get moving. Feeling the winter blahs? Get back in touch with nature! Bundle up and head outside, even if it is for a short walk. I promise, you will feel much more energized and ready to take on the world.

Treat yourself. Everyone needs a little TLC now and then. Why not schedule a massage or a manicure? Getting pampered is a great chance to relax and rejuvenate.

Free your mind. You can do this anywhere and anytime. Meditation allows you to focus on what really matters while taking a moment to relax. How do you meditate? Relax your mind and let your thoughts come and go. There isn’t a wrong way to do it.

Have some you time. This may be uncomfortable for some, but spending time alone gives clarity on what is important to you. This quiet time gives you time to think and discover who you are.

Spend time with loved ones. More time with people you enjoy (and less with those you don’t). Find time to reconnect and do things with them.

Streamline your interactions. There are some basic ways to simplify your relationships that will save you headaches in the long run:

• Learn how to say no. You can’t please everyone, and if you try, you will please everyone but yourself.

• Don’t cross oceans for those who wouldn’t jump puddles for you. Stop giving to those that fail time and time again to do the same.

• Follow your gut. If something seems a little shady, it probably is. Don’t be influenced by these types of people.

The journey to a simple life is personal, and there is no wrong way to get there. What works for you today may need to be adjusted down the road. Some final thoughts: Don’t worry about something if you cannot change the outcome. If you can, do it! “Be yourself,” sounds cliché but it exists for a reason. It is much easier just to be who you are. The right people will love you for being authentically you.

Experiences are a More Valuable Currency than Money

With the holiday season in full swing everyone seems to have that extra holiday cheer, right? Everyone is out shopping for stuff. Giving gifts, especially personal ones is great, but eventually most gifts end up unused, used up and thrown away or forgotten. Guess what can’t be taken away, thrown away or taken advantage of? Experiences.

Only you are responsible for how you feel. You can keep that holiday cheer all year long. Do you have a hard time looking on the bright side of things? If so, it’s okay, just know you are capable of transforming that mindset. You are in control of how you feel and what you do.

Little by little, practice enjoying the little (and big) things in life. The most simple, to just smile more. Smiles are contagious; it’s hard to make eye contact with someone who is smiling and not smile back, right? Each time you smile you throw a little feel-good party in your brain. Just the act of smiling activates neural messaging that benefits your health and *happiness.

Make yourself filthy rich with memories. There is limitless storage in your brain that you can reference at any time. Your house only has so much room to store that stuff.

Despite how others around you are feeling or acting, be in control of your feelings. Absorb the compliments and precious memories. Deflect the insults or rude comments. It’s not worth hearing and remembering. Remember, “It’s theirs, not yours.”

What steps are you taking to be filthy rich with happiness?

*Learn more about how smiles and happiness literally affects your brain and body here:
 http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/cutting-edge-leadership/201206/there-s-magic-in-your-smile

Beat the Burnout - Finding a Better Work-Life Balance

There is no one size fits all approach to how we handle our lives. People spend more time at work than home, and while the time between the two doesn’t have to be equal, how it is spent matters. Here are five ways to focus on adding joy to your life:

1) Put downtime on the calendar.

When you plan out your week, make sure to schedule time for family, friends, and activities that you enjoy. Not only will this help you recharge, it will give you something to look forward to. A personal favorite is getting up a few hours before I need to leave for work. This gives me time to go for a run, enjoy a quiet breakfast, and relax before I begin my day.

2) Drop energy-zapping activities like a hot potato.

There is one person in your office that gossips or is constantly venting. Spending time with this person adds no value. Make a conscious effort to avoid other activities that contribute nothing to productivity. This includes checking your bank account, personal social media sites, or personal calls while at work.

3) Rethink your errands.

Instead of going to the post office to buy stamps or to the bank to conduct a transaction, consider online resources. Trade chores. Perhaps you could cook and freeze meals in exchange for your friend wrapping your holiday gifts.

4) Get off your rear.

Nothing works better for making me alert first thing in the morning than exercise. While it may be hard to make time for this, getting up a little earlier to work out will energize you and improve your ability to focus throughout the day.

5) Start small.

Small changes can make a world of difference. Start small by adding activities into your schedule that are important to you. You could spend just ten minutes a day doing something you enjoy to notice a difference in how you feel.

Better Health Equals a Better You

It isn’t news that better health can increase productivity. We have all been there. You look up at the clock, it is 3:00pm, and you forgot to eat lunch. You head to a vending machine or through the drive thru and grab a quick bite. The rest of the day you feel sluggish and have a hard time concentrating.

When you take care of your body, it is easier to focus on the tasks that lie before you, and to avoid temptations related to distractions. With increased motivation and a clear mind, you will be able to work more efficiently. There are several things you can do to make yourself feel better:

Get some sleep. Sleep helps your brain function better and allows you to make better decisions. You will be able to focus and be more productive.

Relax. Relaxation reduces stress, can boost your energy level, and can help you to focus. If something is frustrating at work, take a break and come back later with a fresh perspective.

Get moving. In combination with enough sleep, exercise can give you a boost of energy. Get your blood flowing first thing in the morning, and you will feel awake, energized and ready to take on the day.

You are what you eat. Your body needs the right fuel to function properly. Sometimes we fall off the wagon, eat junk for a while, and feel really tired and out of it. Add in more of the good stuff, including fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins to your diet. Good fuel makes you feel better, leading to better motivation and productivity.

Take care of your emotional health. To give your productivity an extra boost, give yourself a little extra TLC. Here are a few things you can do:

• Take a short break to read or eat something healthy

• Take a short walk to clear your mind

• Work on something else for a while

• Organize your work space

If you feel fatigued, don’t try to do a marathon. Take a break and engage in an activity that takes care of your health. Once you take care of your needs, you can go back to your tasks with more energy.