Life and Business Coach Margaret Pundmann

This week I hope that you have joyous celebrations with your family and friends. Keep your focus tuned into the blessings in your life. Treasure each family member and celebrate what they bring to the table of your life. Try to find a few quiet moments before and after the fun to consider the questions above. We will use your answers to these questions as a basis for planning 2010.

Regardless if 2009 was your best year yet or if it left a lot to be desired keep your eyes on the bountiful blessings in your life. Next week we will focus on creating your vision for 2010! Blessings to you for a warm and joyous Holiday!

Wow you have arrived! It is time for you to celebrate your success...don't minimize what you've accomplished. Celebrate what you achieved and take a few minutes on the 31st to celebrate where you've travelled over the last 8 weeks and over the last year!!!

!!!Your Challenge is Over!!!

P.S. Encourage your friends, family, and colleagues by sharing this newsletter with them and invite them to subscribe! Direct them to www.MargaretPundmann.com where they can sign up. Margaret Pundmann is a life and business coach, speaker, and author of numerous articles on living your most powerful life. Stay tuned, Margaret's first book for emerging women will be available for pre-order in the coming weeks.

To ensure you receive our newsletter each week, add Margaret@MargaretPundmann.com to your address book or your approved list of senders.

Please feel free to forward the "Powerful Living, Powerful You" newsletter to friends and colleagues, but please forward in its entirety. The "Powerful Living, Powerful You" newsletter is written and distributed by Emerge Enterprise. Copyright © 2008 Margaret Pundmann. All rights reserved. www.MargaretPundmann.com.

12.24.2009

Find the Perfect Gift...Fast

POWERFUL LIVING, POWERFUL YOU

This Week's Topic: Find the Perfect Gift ... Fast!

"Thunder rumbles in the mountain passes And lightning rattles the eaves of our houses. Flood waters await us in our avenues. Snow falls upon snow, falls upon snow to avalanche Over unprotected villages. The sky slips low and grey and threatening. We question ourselves. What have we done to so affront nature? We worry God. Are you there? Are you there really? Does the covenant you made with us still hold? Into this climate of fear and apprehension, Christmas enters, Streaming lights of joy, ringing bells of hope And singing carols of forgiveness high up in the bright air. The world is encouraged to come away from rancor, Come the way of friendship. It is the Glad Season. Thunder ebbs to silence and lightning sleeps quietly in the corner. Flood waters recede into memory. Snow becomes a yielding cushion to aid us As we make our way to higher ground. Hope is born again in the faces of children It rides on the shoulders of our aged as they walk into their sunsets. Hope spreads around the earth. Brightening all things, Even hate which crouches breeding in dark corridors. In our joy, we think we hear a whisper. At first it is too soft. Then only half heard. We listen carefully as it gathers strength. We hear a sweetness. The word is Peace. It is loud now. It is louder. Louder than the explosion of bombs. We tremble at the sound. We are thrilled by its presence. It is what we have hungered for. Not just the absence of war. But, true Peace. A harmony of spirit, a comfort of courtesies. Security for our beloveds and their beloveds. We clap hands and welcome the Peace of Christmas. We beckon this good season to wait a while with us. We, Baptist and Buddhist, Methodist and Muslim, say come. Peace. Come and fill us and our world with your majesty. We, the Jew and the Jainist, the Catholic and the Confucian, Implore you, to stay a while with us. So we may learn by your shimmering light How to look beyond complexion and see community. It is Christmas time, a halting of hate time. On this platform of peace, we can create a language To translate ourselves to ourselves and to each other. At this Holy Instant, we celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ Into the great religions of the world. We jubilate the precious advent of trust. We shout with glorious tongues at the coming of hope. All the earth's tribes loosen their voices To celebrate the promise of Peace. We, Angels and Mortal's, Believers and Non-Believers, Look heavenward and speak the word aloud. Peace. We look at our world and speak the word aloud. Peace. We look at each other, then into ourselves And we say without shyness or apology or hesitation. Peace, My Brother. Peace, My Sister. Peace, My Soul."

Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem By Dr. Maya Angelou

This Week's Topic: Find the Perfect Gift...Fast

It is Christmas Eve morning and many of us are scurrying around town trying to find the perfect gift for a loved one. In three minutes I'm going to give you a better, faster more relaxed, less stressful, more personal way to select gifts for your loved ones.

Author Gary Chapman has written a book entitled The Five Love Languages. In this book he suggests that we each have a primary love language and when people express love to us in this manner we receive it the most poignantly. So this year tailor your gifts to the person.

Write down the names of the loved ones you are struggling to find a gift for.

Step 1:

Step 2:

Use this quiz, developed by Gary Chapman, to discover the love language of each person on your list. If you don't know the answer ask them...it won't take them more than thirty seconds to answer the question.

5 Love Languages Quiz

Select which one of these five sentences best describes _____________ (fill in name of gift recipient.)

I feel especially loved when people express how grateful they are for me, and for the simple, everyday things I do.
I feel especially loved when a person gives me undivided attention and spend time alone with me.
I feel especially loved by someone who brings me gifts and other tangible expressions of love.

I feel especially loved when someone pitches in to help me, perhaps by running errands or taking on my household chores.

I feel especially loved when a person expresses feelings for me through physical contact.

If you selected:

1. Words of Affirmation

Actions don't always speak louder than words. If this is your love language, unsolicited compliments mean the world to you. Hearing the words, "I love you," are important-hearing the reasons behind that love sends your spirits skyward. Insults can leave you shattered and are not easily forgotten.

2. Quality Time

In the vernacular of Quality Time, nothing says, "I love you," like full, undivided attention. Being there for this type of person is critical, but really being there-with the TV off, fork and knife down, and all chores and tasks on standby-makes your significant other feel truly special and loved. Distractions, postponed dates, or the failure to listen can be especially hurtful.

3. Receiving Gifts

Don't mistake this love language for materialism; the receiver of gifts thrives on the love, thoughtfulness, and effort behind the gift. If you speak this language, the perfect gift or gesture shows that you are known, you are cared for, and you are prized above whatever was sacrificed to bring the gift to you. A missed birthday, anniversary, or a hasty, thoughtless gift would be disastrous-so would the absence of everyday gestures.

4. Acts of Service

Can vacuuming the floors really be an expression of love? Absolutely! Anything you do to ease the burden of responsibilities weighing on an "Acts of Service" person will speak volumes. The words he or she most want to hear: "Let me do that for you." Laziness, broken commitments, and making more work for them tell speakers of this language their feelings don't matter.

5. Physical Touch

This language isn't all about the bedroom. A person whose primary language is Physical Touch is, not surprisingly, very touchy. Hugs, pats on the back, holding hands, and thoughtful touches on the arm, shoulder, or face-they can all be ways to show excitement, concern, care, and love. Physical presence and accessibility are crucial, while neglect or abuse can be unforgivable and destructive.

Step 3:

Use the results of this quiz to give the perfect, heartfelt gift to your loved one. Here are some examples of gifts for different Love Languages.

1. Words of Affirmation

"10 Reasons I adore you List"
A heart-felt letter expressing your love for them
An album celebrating their top five 2009 successes with key phrases of what they did and how

2. Quality Time

Think about giving a certificate for a movie night, breakfast and coffee, lunch date, dinner out ... all of which are to be done together!

3. Receiving Gifts

Something small and meaningful that they wouldn't have expected you to select - the key is that the gift isn't random...it needs to be thoughtful, not expensive or large.
If they like golf a golf ball personalizer
If their hands are always cold, gloves
If they love wine, a bottle of wine each month or just once
If they love flowers, fresh flowers several times over the next year or on a special day
Here are some nice inexpensive ideas from Restoration Hardware

4. Acts of Service

Gift certificate for a car wash

An I owe You for:

Babysitting
Planting Spring flowers
House Cleaning
Laundry
Taking down Christmas decorations
Doing the dishes

5. Physical Touch

A massage

A beauty treatment

The gift of you holding their hand

An I owe You for a movie night, at home, holding hands

May you and your loved ones treasure the time you have together and find the true joy of the season within each of you.

One week to go! Now is the time to persevere...hang tight ... stick to your plan! Become who you knew you could always be.

My gift to you...one thirty minute coaching session before the end of the year! Call or email to schedule your free session.

To ensure you receive our newsletter each week, add Margaret@MargaretPundmann.com to your address book or your approved list of senders.

12.06.2009

6 Tips to Maximize Your Holiday Season

POWERFUL LIVING, POWERFUL YOU

This Week's Topic: 6 Tips to Maximize Your Holiday Season

Links

Welcome to our new subscribers! You inspire me to keep writing. Please keep forwarding the newsletter along. Thank you for sharing this column with your friends around the world.

Article in College Connection Magzine a publication of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Navigating change: a roadmap to independence"

Wow, we've passed the half way point ... we are five weeks into the challenge. If you haven't yet begun...that is okay...start today and do a mini-challenge...it isn't too late! Select something that has been pestering you and go for it over the next month ... a cluttered life, too much talking, being late...YOU name it and YOU can conquer it in the next three weeks!

For those of you well on your way...here are some reflections questions to help guide you through the next week:

Why is this goal so very important? ('WIIIFM' - remind yourself what is in it for me - in the long run!)
What are your successes?
What is working?
What isn't working?
What adjustments do you need to make?
How are you and your buddy best supporting each other?
What is your celebration at the end? For extra motivation start planning it today!

Use your answers to these questions and your reflection time to help propel you to the next level! You can do it!!!

This Week's Topic: 6 Tips to Maximize Your Holiday Season

Dear Friend,

"Peace on earth will come to stay, when we live Christmas every day." ~Helen Steiner Rice

With the holiday season in full swing this week enjoy six tips to reduce your stress and maximize your holiday season. 1) Focus on What is Important and Drop the Rest! Coaching Q: What is really important to you between now and the New Year? Come up with five things that are truly important and focus your time and energy on those.

2) Experience the Joy, Fully Coaching Q: Stroll down memory lane, when you look back over past holiday seasons, what memories bring you the most joy? Is it the decorating, baking, time with family, parties, music, worship services or something else? Ensure that you weave these activities into your plan for the holiday season.

3) Don't Stress over Gifts to Give The gift of love is the real joy of Christmas. The best gifts are authentic and pure and ask for nothing in return except a thank you. We lead our families by example. When we give joyously and ask nothing in return we, of course, get the largest gift. Coaching Q: What would this person really enjoy that I have the time, money or resources to give them? Is it dinner out and a movie together, a lovely trinket, a practical tool for work, or perhaps something to wear? Keep it simple, don't over complicate the give giving process and neglect the reason for the season.

4) Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance Begin doing things to prepare for your holiday events. Prevent procrastination and make a plan for these days and weeks. Use a schedule or your work calendar to plan out both your personal and professional responsibilities. Don't forget to plan in the fun stuff too! Refer back to the items you listed in questions number one and two to ensure they are part of your plan. Coaching Q: What must I do in the next several weeks? What do I want to make sure I do during the holiday season? Each day review your plan and ensure you are moving your goals forward.

5) Don't Blow Your Budget It is easy in the excitement of the season to forget to stick to your own financial plan. It doesn't matter if your bank account has lots of "0's" or very few - we all need a budget for the season. Coaching Q: What is my budget this season? (Be sure to include gifts, decorations, food, parties, tithing, etc.) Create a budget that reflects your current situation. Find the balance between being miserly and finding yourself with a huge debt in January.

6) Continue Traditions and Create New Ones As we hear in Fiddler on the Roof, "Traditions, traditions. Without our traditions our lives would be as shaky as, as... as a fiddler on the roof!" Traditions hold families, groups and societies together; they bind us together. They reflect our morals, values and customs.

Coaching Q: What are my traditions and how do they serve me and my family? What new traditions might we want to include this year?

During this season remember to continue that which serves you and your family in a meaningful way and drop what no longer works. If the jell-o mold isn't getting eaten at the dinner table, then perhaps this year it is okay to pass on preparing it!

Make It Happen

Use these six tips to shape your holiday season and create what you want. Stay focused on the real reason for the season.

Blessings to you and your loved ones, you have my greatest gratitude for continuing on this journey each week.

To ensure you receive our newsletter each week, add Margaret@MargaretPundmann.com to your address book or your approved list of senders.

11.29.2009

4 Habits of Happy Famillies

POWERFUL LIVING, POWERFUL YOU

This Week's Topic: 4 Habits of Happy Families

Links

Welcome to our new subscribers! You inspire me to keep writing. Please keep forwarding the newsletter along. Thank you for sharing this column with your friends around the world.

Article in College Connection Magzine a publication of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Navigating change: a roadmap to independence"

We are four weeks into the challenge. We are 50% there!!! If you haven't yet begun...that is okay...start today...it isn't too late! Select something that has been pestering you and go for it over the next month ... a cluttered closet, a foul mouth, a soda habit...YOU name it and YOU can conquer it in the next four weeks!

For those of you well on your way...here are some reflections questions to help guide you through the next week:

Why is this goal so very important? ('WIIIFM' - remind yourself what is in it for me - in the long run!)
What are your successes?
What is working?
What isn't working?
What adjustments do you need to make?
How are you and your buddy best supporting each other?
What is your celebration at the end? For extra motivation start planning it today!

Use your answers to these questions and your reflection time to help propel you to the next level! You can do it!!!

This Week's Topic: 4 Habits of Happy Families

A friend recently reminded me, her father on his death bed, wasn't detailing professional successes, of which there were many. Rather, he was looking around at his family - at each of his children - appreciating the moments they shared together and the joy they brought him. As we are in the middle of the holiday season filled with family time, this week I want to focus on your family and review recent research that suggests that happy families share four common characteristics. Give Thanks - Be Grateful Ideas to Achieve:

"Happy families are all alike;

every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." ~Leo Tolstoy

Select five things to give thanks for each day and write it in a journal or have your children write it in a visible place in your home.
Pick one family member each month and have each family member write a letter of gratitude to this person. To celebrate, around the dinner table read the letters aloud.
Once a week at the dinner table have each person give thanks aloud for five things that have occurred that week.

Have Satisfaction in your Choices Barry Schwartz, professor of psychology at Swarthmore College and author of the book "The Paradox of Choice," says, "explicit lessons are the least important ones. The most important thing you can do is to model the behavior for your child." Ideas to Achieve:

Repeat three times, "You get what you get and you don't get upset"
Lead by example, when we question our choices rather than stand firm in them we lead a ripple effect through our communities, workplaces, and homes.
When you make a choice that just isn't right, focus on your lesson. Life isn't about the end point, but rather the journey. Choices define the journey.

Lose yourself in the moment - Focus on the Moments of Joy Research indicates that happy people focus on the moments of joy in their life. Ideas to Achieve:

Take time to remember the good things in life - open the history books of life and share.
Document the joy in your life through the photo albums, stories, and even the internet.
As you drive around your town remind your children, that is where you had your first...step, piano lesson, ice cream cone, etc. These anecdotal stories help cement joyous moments.

Spread Out the Joy Research illustrates that when you compare a group of people who spend a day doing things to please themselves vs. a group of people who help others ... the group who helps others feels happier and more joyous at the end of the day! Ideas to Achieve:

Put this research into action in your own home, community or office ... challenge people to give their time and resources to others...let them reap the joyous benefits.
Remember more isn't always better ... for your children space out the giving and receiving of presents and space out their activities.

This week select one of the four ways above to add joy to the life of your family.

God bless you and your family. I hope you are able to return to the basics and have a happy, healthy and joyous holiday season.

To ensure you receive our newsletter each week, add Margaret@MargaretPundmann.com to your address book or your approved list of senders.

11.24.2009

Happy Thanksgiving...Let Us Give Thanks

POWERFUL LIVING, POWERFUL YOU

This Week's Topic: Happy Thanksgiving...Let Us Give Thanks

Links

Welcome to our new subscribers! You inspire me to keep writing. Please keep forwarding the newsletter along. Thank you for sharing this column with your friends around the world.

Article in College Connection Magzine a publication of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Navigating change: a roadmap to independence"

We are three weeks into the challenge. Did you have a false start? That is okay...start again. Or perhaps you haven't started at all...no problem...it isn't too late! Pick something that has been pestering you and go for it over the next five weeks ... a cluttered closet, a foul mouth, a soda habit...you name it and YOU can conquer it in the next five weeks!

For those of you well on your way...here are some reflections questions to help guide you through the next week:

Why is this goal so very important? ('WIIIFM' - remind yourselfwhat is in it for me - in the long run!)
What are your successes?
What is working?
What isn't working?
What adjustments do you need to make?
How are you and your buddy best supporting each other?
What is your celebration at the end? For extra motivation start planning it today!

Use your answers to these questions and your reflection time to help propel you to the next level! You can do it!!!

This Week's Topic: Happy Thanksgiving ... Let Us Give Thanks

Dear Friend,

"Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action." ~W. J. Cameron

In the United States, each year we gather 'round with our family and friends and celebrate Thanksgiving. I've always loved this holiday because it is purely American and cuts across cultural and religious divide.

Once Halloween has passed, there is eager anticipation for the Holidays. We work hard to complete projects at work, we clean our homes, we cook food to be shared, we decorate our homes, many of us travel, and we prepare our homes and our hearts for this joyous holiday. In all of this preparation we often get overwhelmed and become irritated with all around us. We are ready for it to be over before we've even eaten the turkey and before the tryptophan results in a nap. The question I want us to consider this week is, How can we each make the most of this holiday and ensure that we turn Thanksgiving into Giving-Thanks? Let's make this year about giving thanks for the blessings around us rather than perfecting what is already pretty good. Close your eyes and imagine that Thanksgiving has passed. The dishes are done, the house is empty, you are back at your desk working away, but you can't remember what was said at the table because you were so worried about...the food, the decorations, a looming project at work, the mess. This year you have a chance to prevent being derailed by the minutia. This year stay on track. Set your attitude on gratitude and your thoughts on thanksgiving and turning it into action!

What is important about this holiday is spending time with those we love and giving thanks to them and for them. So as the chaos sets in - avoid the temptation of getting bogged down in what must be done and let go - what is done is done and what isn't done just doesn't really matter. Allow yourself permission to return to exactly what is important about this holiday. Remember that having meaningful connections and coming together as friends, families, and communities is what Thanksgiving is really about. Enjoy this time!

This week give thanks, above and around. Below are some ways to give and show thanks. Let's give thanks for Our electricity; Our heat in the Winter; Our running water; Our firefighter; Our postal worker; Our abundance of food and water; Our home; Our freedom to worship. Before you leave your office for the Holidays Write a note to three people you work with and say, "thank you;" Write a note to three clients and thank them for their business this year; Call three people and simply tell them what they mean to you. Before Your Thanksgiving Meal Visit a local shelter or charity and cook for and serve others;

Cook Thanksgiving dinner for a family around you who is in need;

Invite those who are alone to break bread at your table with your family; Donate warm clothes and nourishing food to your local church or temple. At Your Thanksgiving Meal Have everyone at the table say what they are thankful for; Have everyone focus on each person for a minute or two and say what this person means to them, and what they are thankful for about this person.

God Bless You and Your Family. I hope you have a tremendous time Giving-Thanks during the Thanksgiving Holiday.

To ensure you receive our newsletter each week, add Margaret@MargaretPundmann.com to your address book or your approved list of senders.

11.16.2009

5 Strategies to Stand Up For Yourself

POWERFUL LIVING, POWERFUL YOU

This Week's Topic: 5 Strategies to Stand Up For Yourself!

Links

In the News & Upcoming Events

Welcome to our new subscribers! You inspire me to keep writing. Please keep forwarding the newsletter along. Thank you for sharing this column with your friends around the world.

Article in College Connection Magzine a publication of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Navigating change: a roadmap to independence"

Ignite Your Fire - 8 Week Challenge

How is your eight week challenge going?

You are two weeks in ... six weeks to go!

Questions to Take Your Success to the Next Level

What are your successes?
What is working?
What isn't working?
What adjustments do you need to make?
How are you and your buddy best supporting each other?

Take time to answer these questions to take your success forward another week and to the next level!

This Week's Topic: 5 Strategies to Stand Up For Yourself

Dear Friend,

"The soul that is within me no man can degrade." ~Fredrick Douglas~

Do you have a hard time standing up for yourself? Do you continue to say 'yes' when you really want to say 'no'? Do you tolerate condescending comments or forceful people because you fear conflict? Do you take things personally? Then keep reading...this week is for you!

This week, we are focusing on an area where many of us struggle - at work, at home, with family, with friends, with colleagues - standing up for ourselves!

Standing up for yourself isn't about being right, it isn't about soothing your ego, and it isn't about dominating. What is standing up for yourself about? According to Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, standing up for yourself is righting a "grave injustice." If your first inclination is, grave injustice, this isn't what is happening to me, read on. I want to expand on this - a grave injustice occurs when your voice is quashed, when your being is minimized, or your existence marginalized. Your being and your voice is a true gift from God. A gem for this world, and no one ... yes, no one has the right to minimize you.

When we fail to stand up for ourselves, we teach our bosses, husbands, wives, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, colleagues and friends we don't deserve to be heard. And, what they learn is one of two things: they can continue to press down upon us or worse yet, that they, too, don't deserve a voice.

Let's look at 5 strategies to help you reconnect with your voice and stand up for yourself:

1) Strengthen Your Backbone The foundation or sturdiest part of anything is the backbone. How is your backbone? In order to know your backbone, you must know yourself. And to know yourself, is to accept yourself and value yourself. 2) Learn to Say No! Often saying 'no' to others is saying 'yes' to yourself. We need to reframe what no means to us. As children we are taught that no is a bad word, as adults we must learn that often saying no means holding firm to that which we most believe. 3) Draw Boundaries We each need personal boundaries around important activities in our life. Think about what is important to you that has slipped from your life. What are you not able to do for yourself because of others demands? Where necessary, draw boundaries around your activities and your time. 4) Stop Saying "I'm Sorry" Often we can fall into the trap of saying, "I'm sorry" to keep the peace and defer conflict. If you are in the wrong, of course apologize, however, if you aren't in the wrong hold off the apology. Saying nothing and allowing things to just be can help others realize the impact of their words and actions. 5) Hold Up a Mirror When someone continues to push down on you and minimize you and it becomes apparent your silence has no impact,you must speak up! As you speak up, state the facts and remove the emotion. As you begin to speak up, feel the power of your own voice. Hold up a mirror to those around you; let them clearly see the impact of their words and actions. If you aren't able to get through bring in a mediator.

Make It Happen

This week pay careful attention to how you treat those around you and how you are treated. Be watchful if you begin to minimize people in your life, change course immediately. On the corollary, observe how you are treated. Do you run from confrontation? Employ the 5 Strategies above to Stand Up for Yourself! Be proud and be strong! Own your power!

To ensure you receive our newsletter each week, add Margaret@MargaretPundmann.com to your address book or your approved list of senders.

Blessings to you,

Margaret.

11.13.2009

11 Time Management Tips!

POWERFUL LIVING, POWERFUL YOU

This Week's Topic: 11 Time Management Tips

Links

Welcome to our new subscribers! You inspire me to keep writing. Please keep forwarding the newsletter along. Thank you for sharing this column with your friends around the world.

Article in College Connection Magzine a publication of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Navigating change: a roadmap to independence"

How is your eight week challenge going?

What is working...what isn't? Make readjustments today!

If you haven't started...Here is how you join in the challenge: Step 1: Decide what you are going to change, reshape, get rid of, or add to your life (This must be a specific, measurable goal. For example, increase sales by 20% vs. increase sales or increase GPA from 2.9 to 3.5 vs. increase GPA.) Step 2: Pick a coach who wants to support you. This can be a friend, family member or co-worker. Or if you would like, I would be honored to be your coach and partner - just email me at mp@margaretpundmann.com. Step 3: Pick a celebration of any type to reward yourself at the end. Step 4: Chunk it down. Break your goal into 8 pieces - for the 8 weeks of the challenge. Each Sunday/Monday you will put together a plan for that week. If you can't make the plan yourself - get a 'SME' - subject matter expert - who can advise you and help you develop a plan. Step 5: Go for it! Believe in yourself! Step 6: Share your journey with friends, family and your coach!

This Week's Topic: 11 Time Management Tips

Time is a finite resource. Each day we have a limited number of hours and once they pass they are gone - regardless of how we used them. How we use our time and how we allocate our energy is a choice. Some days we get it right and other days we find that the day has passed, but we didn't accomplish all that we set out to do. This week I want to focus on eleven tips to help "get it right!"

"Time = life; therefore, waste your time and waste of your life, or master your time and master your life." ~Alan Lakein

When we properly manage our time we actually achieve more while we have more free time. In so doing we have better control of our lives, meet deadlines and lead a more balanced, less stressful life. Use these 11 tips to help you master your time and therefore master your life.

The Pareto Principle - the 80/20 Rule The 80/20 rule states that 80% of the effects come from just 20% of the causes. As it relates to time management, 80% of your measurable results and progress come from just 20% of the items on your daily to do list. Spend time where you get results! The problem is that we are all so busy fighting fires that we never get around to the most important few activities that lead to the greatest results.
Take Time to Plan and Organize Set aside time each week and each month to get organized. Each year reevaluate your systems and see if they still support the most effective and efficient results. For example, are your files set up properly at work, do you have a place for your car keys at home ... critically reexamine your life and see what needs to be updated.
Set and Review Goals Goals help us find direction and maintain focus. Set specific goals. Use the SMART method, developed by world renowned management consultant, Peter Drucker to 'stress' test your goals. Specific Measurable Achievable Realistic Tough
Consider Your Biological Prime Time Is it morning, afternoon evening when you are at your peak? As you schedule activities do the most important, most challenging tasks when you are at your best.
Create a To-Do List Schedule daily tasks on your calendar so that you plan both the activity and the timing appropriately given your daily schedule. Allow time for interruptions in your schedule.
Prioritize As you schedule your daily tasks consider what is the most important and when are you at your best.
Think Effectiveness and Efficiency Effectiveness = identifying the right thing to do Efficiency = doing it right
Practice Intelligent Neglect Learn what can wait. Identify those tasks that will not have long term consequences if you don't complete them.
Use the Swiss Cheese Method The Swiss cheese method, developed by famous time management specialist Alan Lakein, is based upon the premise that you can begin important tasks even if you have only five minutes. When you are avoiding something, try to break the task into smaller pieces, set a time to complete each piece, and work on putting together all the pieces to complete the task.
Review Your Progress - Use the "5 minute Rule" At the beginning of each day take 5 minutes to ease into your day. Take time to plan your day and create a priortized to-do list. At the end of each day recap and review your day this will help you to make necessary adjustments to your schedule immediately.
Be Flexible

Plan for interruptions and distractions. Time management experts often suggest planning for just 50 percent or less of our time. With only 50 percent of your time planned, we have time to handle interruptions and the unplanned "emergency." When you expect to be interrupted, schedule routine tasks. Save (or make) larger blocks of time for your priorities. Remember life is about juggling so everying won't always work out perfectly, but as my favorite saying goes..."proper preparation prevents poor performance!"

Make It Happen

This week pick one of the 11 Time Management Tips and weave it into your life!

To ensure you receive our newsletter each week, add Margaret@MargaretPundmann.com to your address book or your approved list of senders.

11.02.2009

Ignite Your Fire - 8 Week Challenge

POWERFUL LIVING, POWERFUL YOU

This Week's Topic: Ignite Your Fire - 8 Week Challenge

Links

Welcome to our new subscribers! You inspire me to keep writing. Please keep forwarding the newsletter along. Thank you for sharing this column with your friends around the world.

Article in College Connection Magzine a publication of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Navigating change: a roadmap to independence"

This Week's Topic: Ignite Your Fire - 8 Week Challenge

We are just about eight weeks away from the end of the 2009. Between now and the end of the year we have a season filled with joy and celebration. This week, as your coach, I am issuing you a challenge! The challenge is this take the next 8 weeks to knock out one thing that is bugging you, nagging at you or just plain driving you crazy! Use the Ignite Your Fire - 8 Week Challenge to finish 2009 with a bang ... and kick start 2010!

"You are not who you used to be, and you are not yet who you will become" ~Unknown

The question is...are you up for the challenge? I know, you have it in you, but are you willing to step out of your comfort zone and commit to taking specific actions in your life? The only rule of this game is you need to be able to produce - specific measurable results. In other words tonight or tomorrow morning you need to decide exactly what it is you want to commit to ... what are you willing to change in your life in order to achieve your goal?

Here are three questions to help you decide what to work during the Ignite Your Fire - 8 Week Challenge: 1) What one thing if you could wave a magic wand and eliminate would make you feel better? 2) When you think of your life, what stands out as your "sore thumb"? 3) What in your life, if others knew, would you be embarrassed of?

If you are struggling here are some suggestions ... take on what feels right for you: · Eliminate Gossiping · Get on an Exercise Program · Minimize - Television, Video Games, Internet, Texting, etc · Stop Wasting Resources - Time, Energy, Gas, Plastic, etc · Clean Your Clutter · Remove the Garbage from your Diet · Drink Less Alcohol · Smile More · Organize Your - Home, Desk, Car, etc · Give More

Here is how you play... Step 1: Decide what you are going to change, reshape, get rid of, or add to your life (This must be a specific, measurable goal. For example, increase sales by 20% vs. increase sales or increase GPA from 2.9 to 3.5 vs. increase GPA.) Step 2: Pick a coach who wants to support you. This can be a friend, family member or co-worker. Or if you would like, I would be honored to be your coach and partner - just email me at mp@margaretpundmann.com. Step 3: Pick a celebration of any type to reward yourself at the end. Step 4: Chunk it down. Break your goal into 8 pieces - for the 8 weeks of the challenge. Each Sunday/Monday you will put together a plan for that week. If you can't make the plan yourself - get a 'SME' - subject matter expert - who can advise you and help you develop a plan. Step 5: Go for it! Believe in yourself! Step 6: Share your journey with friends, family and your coach!

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10.25.2009

Do You Live from Abundance?

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This Week's Topic: Do You live from Abundance?

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Article College Connection Magzine a publication of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Navigating change: a roadmap to independence"

This Week's Topic: Do You Live from Abundance?

A dear friend of mine and his wife lost their newborn son earlier this week. In telling friends and family who were not with them, they wrote the following of their son, "He was an amazing miracle; a true gift from God." And to their friends and family they wrote, "Thank you so much for keeping us in your hearts over the past week. It has been challenging, rewarding, heartbreaking, and joyful...all at once."

"It is not only my right and my privilege to walk in the abundance God has for me, it is my responsibility ... just as it is my responsibility to live the rest of my truth." ~Jan Denise

These are words in the middle of pain and sorrow, but they are filled with joy and love. Why, you might ask? I'll tell you. From my perspective, there are two reasons:

1) They believe in that which is greater than themselves.

2) They live from abundance.

This week what I really what you to consider is, "Do you live from abundance or scarcity?"

In those few words above my dear friends were focused on the joy of their son. The precious time they had with him. The blessing that he was to them. I suspect we all could benefit from a shift in focus this week - from scarcity to abundance.

As you focus on your abundance - notice that the competiton ends, the superiority fades, and the need to be more, better, different is replaced with acceptance. Acceptance, first of yourself and acceptance for others follows.

This week focus on your abundance - focus on your full, over-flowing glass of love and abundance. When negative thoughts creep in...drift past them and shift focus to your bounty of blessings! Maybe you'll even want to write them down ... writing them down will help to reinforce your view point.

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10.12.2009

What is Love?

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This Week's Topic: What is Love?

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Article College Connection Magzine a publication of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Navigating change: a roadmap to independence"

This Week's Topic: What is Love?

Dear Friend,

In these last few days before our marriage I been considering what love really is. I believe, whatever your faith, these verses from first Corinthians are profound and rather fitting descriptors of love. The last line .. "love never fails" pretty much sums it up. Love is always present, love is always available, and love does not waiver.

Make It Happen

This week consider the love in your life. Is it patient? Is it kind? Does it protect? Does it trust? Does your love hope? Does your love persevere? Does your love fail? We know the Lord's love never fails ... this week let us all be a mirror of his love for us to the world around us.

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Blessings to you,

Margaret.

9.27.2009

5 Strategies to Make a Decision

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This Week's Topic: 5 Strategies to Make a Decision

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Article College Connection Magzine a publication of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Navigating change: a roadmap to independence"

This Week's Topic: 5 Strategies to Make a Decision

Have you ever needed to make a difficult decision, and you are not sure what to do? Well, I sure have! Here are five strategies to help you make your next decision:

"It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped." ~Anthony Robbins

1. Be Timely.

Give yourself a deadline. Be it ten minutes or ten days you must have an end point when your decision is made. Set your deadline before you even begin to weigh your options. 2. Brainstorm.

What are all of the possible solutions? Write them down. Something may sound improbable when said, but when you read the option it may be the best. As you brainstorm don't eliminate anything. Lay out the various options on a piece of paper. 3. Eliminate what doesn't work.

Consider the options thoroughly. Refer to your notes, notice your feelings and your thoughts around each solution and then pare down to two or three options. Continue to review each option until you've arrived at your decision. Then proceed to strategy #4.

4. Does it Feel Right?

Take time for a "gut check." If it doesn't feel right return to strategy #3. 5. Look forward not backward.

Now that you have made the decision look forward not back. We can always second guess our selection, but once you've made it go with it. Be strong and confident in your decision making process.

This week when you are faced with a difficult decision use these five strategies to arrive at a decision.

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8.31.2009

What Beauty Are You Missing?

Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx. 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule. 4 minutes later: the violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk. 6 minutes: A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again. 10 minutes: A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly. 45 minutes: The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32. 1 hour: He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition. No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100. This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities. The questions raised: in a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context? One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made.... How many other things are we missing?

8.23.2009

Let Us Unite!

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This Week's Topic: Let Us Unite!

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Welcome to our new subscribers! You inspire me to keep writing. Please keep forwarding the newsletter along. Thank you for sharing this column with your friends around the world.

Article College Connection Magzine a publication of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Navigating change: a roadmap to independence"

College Life Prep Workshop

So you are "in" college, but now what is next? How are you going to get ready for college. In this workshop, we will discuss what you can do now, to prepare for life at college. You will leave this workshop with specific strategies to prepare for college life: academically, logistically, and emotionally.

Proud to be Me! - Young Adult Series This program is designed specifically for young adults to: · Learn to understand themselves better · Get along better with friends and others · Recognize and develop their strengths

Our young adults face many difficult decisions and must deal with all types of people in life. Proud to be Me! will help teens better understand themselves and others and why they get along with some people and feel uncomfortable with others. Rather than deepening separations among young people, this program will help young adults build bridges of mutual understanding and respect. Proud to Be Me! provides participants with tools to use in everyday life; helping to make positive choices and decisions in difficult situations.

Your Best Year Yet, Part I and Part II

Dates and times for these workshops are forthcoming. If you are interested in more information visit our website, email margaret@margaretpundmann.com or call 314.266.1532.

This Week's Topic: Let Us Unite!

Are you a force that pulls people together or one that divides? Perhaps you are like most people and you both unite and divide. Let's use this week to consciously focus on growing our ability to unite people. Be it at work, at home with your family, in your volunteer work, with your friends - we can always grow in our strengths. Take time this week to consider ways that you can continue to unite.

Ways we unite: · Being inclusive · Affirming · Encouraging · Celebrating · Championing · Finding joy for others success · Respecting differences · Honoring the uniqueness of each individual · Learning about others · Praying for others

"I offer you peace. I offer you love. I offer you friendship. I see your beauty. I hear your need. I feel your feelings. My wisdom flows from the Highest Source. I salute that Source in you. Let us work together for unity and love." ~Mahatma Gandhi

Because we aren't perfect, from time to time our thoughts, words and actions can lead us to divide. Below are suggestions of what might be divisive activites.

Ways we divide: · Comparing · Exaggerating differences · Exclusion · Competing · Having negative thoughts about others · Gossiping · Being fearful

Make it Happen

Which side are you on? Are you a force of unification? Declare today what you stand for! Take time this week to practice your strength in uniting people - regardless of your "work" (home, volunteer or office) your ability to unite will come in handy!

"Build for your team a feeling of oneness, of dependence on one another and of strength to be derived by unity" ~Vince Lombardi

8.03.2009

Article in St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Article in the College Connection Magazine part of the St Louis Post-Dispatch

Navigating change: a roadmap to independence

Anne T. Makeever

COLLEGE CONNECTION MAGAZINE

07/30/2009

Before helicopter parents grew their rotor blades and began to manage the college admissions process when their kids were in utero, there were generations of college-bound students and their parents who grabbed one last hug from one another at the airport, bus stop or train station, then waved either longingly or with a certain amount of relief as the train, bus or plane pulled away. The new freshman returned home for winter break, if a return ticket was affordable, and maybe even spent a summer or two in her old room between freshman year and commencement — or maybe didn’t. Because long-distance phone calls were expensive, and the time it took to write a letter, find a stamp and walk to the mailbox sometimes hard to come by, communication was dear and often infrequent. Those images seem charming now, even quaint, given our culture’s unlimited talk-and-texting cell-phone plans and the omnipresent nature of e-mail. More “Donna Reed” than “NYC Prep.”

It would be easy to write off the differences between one generation of freshman and their parents and another in a simple, two-word bit of truth: Change happens. Except the tools that underscore the differences have the potential to affect one of the essential elements of the college experience, which is, in a single word, independence. Going off to college, and all that the process entails, is, when given a chance to work as it should, what helps parents and their children move from caregiver and care receiver, to a more equal relationship. Margaret Pundman, a St. Louis-based author, speaker and life coach, put it this way: “College helps parents and their kids begin to communicate with each other as peers, as adults.” Do frequent cell phone calls and multiple e-mails per day get in the way of this miraculous transition? “They can,” said Pundman, who has worked with college-bound students and their parents to help prepare them navigate the changes. “But they don’t have to.” In other words, it’s not an either-or equation. It’s all about context. If your new freshman is calling you hourly, sending e-mail updates so often they begin to pile up in your inbox like spam, assess the situation before assuming the transition isn’t taking. Are the phone calls happening during the walk from the dorm to Freshman Comp and accompanied by the background sounds of new friends? Is your student talking excitedly about new experiences, animatedly about the bad food, in great anticipation of a party next weekend? Then things are fine. You’re being included in your student’s new life and should be pleased you matter so much. But if your student is sending e-mails at all times of day when alone in his dorm, or calling because he’s lonely and bored most minutes of the day, then there’s a problem. He’s not participating in his new life. “Students can get in their own way by not stepping up to meet the challenges at hand,” Pundman said. That’s true for all of us, but perhaps more so for freshmen, who are negotiating a lot, all at once. The temptation to resist, to pull in and retreat, can at times be irresistible. So what do you do if you see retreat? Step back; see if your student will then step up. Perhaps you’re not available for every call and some e-mails go unanswered. And when you do talk, be careful not to feed into your student’s insecurities by revealing some of your own. Your freshman doesn’t need to hear about the recent round of difficulties occurring in the family business, about martial discord, problems with siblings or the family poodle’s decline. Resist the temptation to pull your student back into your life when she should be establishing her own. Keep it light. And if you’re the student? If you find the solitude of your empty dorm room easier to manage than campus life? Pundman has a quick solution. “Everybody needs a best friend ... so get one.” It might be the guy who arrived at the same time you did for math class – late. Or your dorm mate. Or the girl you recognize from a dorm meeting who’s eating her salad alone in the dining hall. Find somebody. You don’t have to be BFF or soul mates. But you can share the experience of college acclimation and double your social contacts at the same time. And this new person can introduce you to more new people and so it goes. For lots of families, the first few months go well. “Problems can show up when the student returns home on break,” Pundman warned. Winter break, especially, because it’s lengthy, can create family friction where there wasn’t any. Without thinking, parents may assume the old rules about curfew, noise levels, the number of friends in the basement Man Cave will be the same ones that held through high school. But the returning college freshman may balk, to put it mildly, at such infringements on hard-earned personal freedom. On campus, this freshman has been deciding when to wake, what to eat, where to go, who to see, when to collapse, all on his own. Pundman proposed this strategy: “Talk about it all before the student comes home.” Negotiate curfew, sleeping arrangements, family privacy, meals, chores – all of it – and you’ll go a long way toward eliminating friction. And students, said Pundman, need to remember they can’t have it both ways. “You can’t be a child and an adult. Don’t ask for curfew to be abolished and then expect your laundry to be done for you.” The first head cold or onset of flu symptoms can also be roadblocks to independence. “Mom, I’m sick,” filters through the cell phone and the first thought may be: “How soon can I get there?” Again, Pundman’s advice is to step back and assess. Cold or mono? Sprain or compound fracture? Then point the kid in the direction of the campus clinic with a few bits of advice on how to talk to a doctor. “The best thing any parent can do for a child is to teach that a child how to be her own best advocate,” Pundman said. And that pretty much sums it up. When college arrives, it’s time to let go, judiciously, with a well-timed bit of advice here and there to avert disaster. Pundman’s last bit of advice for students was this: “Build relationships with your parents, reach out to them.” Get to know who they are as Jack and Jo Anne rather than as Mom and Dad.

How Are You Influencing?

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This Week's Topic: How Are You Influencing?

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If the newsletter is inspiring to you, pass it along to friends, family, and colleagues who could use some inspiration and invite them to subscribe!

To ensure you receive our newsletter each week, add Margaret@MargaretPundmann.com to your address book or your approved list of senders.

Welcome to our new subscribers! You inspire me to keep writing. Please keep forwarding the newsletter along. Thank you for sharing this column with your friends around the world.

Article College Connection Magzine a publication of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Navigating change: a roadmap to independence"

College Life Prep Workshop

Your Best Year Yet, Part I and Part II

Dates and times for these workshops are forthcoming. If you are interested in more information visit our website, email margaret@margaretpundmann.com or call 314.266.1532.

This Week's Topic: How Are You Influencing?

"You don't have to be a "person of influence" to be influential. In fact, the most influential people in my life are probably not even aware of the things they've taught me" ~Scott Adams

"We all take different paths in life, but no matter where we go, we take a little of each other everywhere." ~Unknown

Last week I asked you to consider the question, "Who Are You Influencing?" What did you come up with? How did it go? My list included family - parents, siblings, fiancée - friends, colleagues, and even perhaps you dear reader. I was amazed how large, really, our sphere of influence can be. I'm touched that my influence has grown and yet humbled. Just think about all of your family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors - create a list person by person, if you haven't yet had the time to do so.

Next I want you to consider the question, "How Are You Influencing?" In what ways do your thoughts, your words and your actions influence those on your list?

Consider your thoughts - do you think lovingly about your people? Do you pray for them and send them silent well wishes?

Now let's turn to your words - do you speak as kindly to your people as you would speak to the President? Do you use your words to glorify or to tear down those around you?

Lastly, let's look at your actions - in whole are they used to lead and guide those around you? Are your actions reflective of the person you aspire to be?

This week take time to review the list of people you influence and consider with each one how your your thoughts, your words and your actions influence them. See what you come up with - who you build up and who you could bolster even more. Remember the magnitude of your influence over others and take care to honor those on "your list!"

7.26.2009

Who Are You Influencing?

POWERFUL LIVING, POWERFUL YOU

This Week's Topic: Who Are You Influencing?

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If the newsletter is inspiring to you, pass it along to friends, family, and colleagues who could use some inspiration and invite them to subscribe!

To ensure you receive our newsletter each week, add Margaret@MargaretPundmann.com to your address book or your approved list of senders.

Welcome to our new subscribers! You inspire me to keep writing. Please keep forwarding the newsletter along. Thank you for sharing this column with your friends around the world.

Gracie Update Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your emails, stories and prayers!!!

Gracie continutes to heal and her bright, frisky spirit lives on! We are tremendously greatful to the team at the University of Missouri who tends to her care on a weekly basis. In the first picture she is sitting on the sofa with her big brother Winston. In the second photo she is on her back enjoying a little nap and scratch.

College Life Prep Workshop

Your Best Year Yet, Part I and Part II

Dates and times for these workshops are forthcoming. If you are interested in more information visit our website, email margaret@margaretpundmann.com or call 314.266.1532.

This Week's Topic: Who Are You Influencing?

"The Outward person of the messenger does not validate his message; rather the nature of his message validates the messenger."

~Dr. Alistair Begg

In a recent sermon on second Timothy chapter two our pastor ended with the question - Who Are You Influencing? I thought this was a very good question and upon further consideration (beyond my gut reaction of, oh, no one!) realize that each day we interact with many people, but who we influence and how we influence them with our thoughts, words, and actions is quite profound. Let's take the next two weeks and explore these questions.

I'd like you ask you to begin by considering: Who are you influencing? Your first thought may be similar to mine - uh, absolutely no one! But you and I both know that answer really isn't possible! So the question then becomes who?

As a point of departure consider the following areas of your life and people in your life: Home - spouse, boyfriend, children, siblings, parents, etc. Work - colleagues, boss, employees, clients, Social - friends, neighbors

Remember our influence can be seen in both small and large ways - take five minutes today and think about your upcoming week - you will you interact with? And who will you influence?

The request is simple this week - make a list of who you influence. As you go through your week take note of the people that you influence.

7.05.2009

Moderation Helps Us to Live a Fulfilling Life

"The man who makes everything that leads to happiness depends upon himself, and not upon other men, has adopted the very best plan for living happily. This is the man of moderation, the man of manly character and of wisdom." ~Plato

Let's face it we live in a culture obsessed with accumulating more things, more approval, more beauty, and more pleasure. We must rethink - do we really need more or do we simply need moderation? This week let's explore three ways moderation guides us to a fulfilling life:

Less is More The law of diminishing return states that beyond some threshold, each additional unit "in" does not yield more. Imagine one cook in the kitchen cooking for five hundred people, initially more cooks in the kitchen increases the effectiveness of getting these mouths fed, yet there is a point at which too many cooks in the kitchen yields negative results in other words less productivity. Our life works like this as well, too many clothes in a closet yields an inability to find what we need, too much time working leads to an inability to have a social life, and too much food in the stomach leads to an inability to move! More isn't always better.

Contentment When we stop searching for more, for better, for different, for larger, for newer, and appreciate exactly what we have now, we surrender to the perfection of the present moment. Moderation allows us to fully savor that which we already have.

Balance Balance in our lives is a place where all of the people, projects, and things presently in our life are manageable. Moderation brings us this stability. Balance is also about managing the extremes of our behavior. When we have too much or too little of any one activity we become out of balance. Take sun exposure, for example, too little and we have a vitamin D deficiency, too much and our skin is bright red, we are in pain, and risk developing cancer. Moderation tempers and anchors. Through moderation, we often find less is more, feel more content, and find greater balance - each of which leads to a fulfilling life. The ability to enjoy and appreciate what we have today leads to a full, rich life filled with gratitude and satisfaction. Therefore I suggest to you that moderation is one of the secrets to a fulfilling life.

This week, select one area of your life in which you desire greater moderation - an area where you know less is more, where you desire balance and believe that moderation can indeed bring you greater contentment. Take five minutes and select one area of your life where you would like to moderate. Grab a pen and write down five benefits you and those you love will see from adding a little moderation.

How to Make a Beautiful Life

Sometimes I run across things that are so well said that the best I can do is to simply pass them along. Enjoy this from an unknown author.

How to Make a Beautiful Life

Love yourself. Make peace with who you are and where you are at this moment in time. Listen to your heart. If you can't hear what it's saying in this noisy world, make time for yourself. Enjoy your own company. Let your mind wander among the stars. Try. Take chances. Make mistakes. Life can be messy and confusing at times, but it's also full of surprises. The next rock in your path might be a stepping-stone. Be happy. When you don't have what you want, want what you have. Make do. That's a well-kept secret of contentment. There aren't any shortcuts to tomorrow. You have to make your own way. To know where you're going is only part of it. You need to know where you've been, too. And if you ever get lost, don't worry. The people who love you will find you. Count on it. Life isn't days and years. It's what you do with time and with all the goodness and grace that's inside you. Make a beautiful life...The kind of life you deserve.

Make It Happen

This week I'd like to ask you to consider what you need to do to make a beautiful life. Consider one way that you can build a beautiful life. Once you come up with what sounds right for you...take action. Create space for yourself to build a beautiful life because you are a beautiful person who deserves nothing more than to live a beautiful life. Perhaps you already live a beautiful life ... excellent. This week, take a moment to celebrate the beautiful life that you've built! May you be blessed for you are a blessing!