Smart Women Smart Changes

Something New

2008-09-17T08:10:00.005-05:00

Day 17--- Have you put off learning something new because you felt like you just didn't have the time? Well today I am giving you that nudge to go ahead and take steps towards it. What is that SOMETHING for you....

Taking a hip hop class
Learning to play tennis
Learn to speak another language
Swimming Lessons
Cooking

Whatever it may be, TODAY is the day to take steps towards it! Tomorrow will only turn into more TOMORROWS so don't put this off another moment! Pick up the phone and find out where classes are in your area. Often times you can visit for free the first time. If it's a college class, ask to sit in on one of the classes.

What's important now is that you DECIDE!!! So right now as soon as you finish reading this, take a few minutes and do ONE thing towards your SOMETHING NEW! Smooches & Best To You!!

Contribution Goals

2008-09-15T08:22:00.003-05:00

Day 15.... We have so much happening in the world around us. I think it would be a good idea to take some time to think of some contribution goals...ways that we can give back to our community/world. I'm sure we have all thought...."I wanna be more involved" or "How can I get involved" Use today to really think of way you can finally get to work on contributing to something greater than you.

Here's some ideas...

Mentoring
Reading in schools
Helping Red Cross
Plugging in at your local church
Volunteer at the library
Reading at nursing home
Adult literacy

The list is endless.... Make sure you are honest with yourself and the agency you choose about the time you can truly commit. You may even decide to get your family involved.

Spend 5 minutes brainstorming on the MANY ways you could get involved (remember everything goes on the list while brainstorming).
After you have your list go back and pick 3 that you really speak to you.
Finally prioritize those 3

Whichever goal is number 1 on your list, get started on it immediately.

Make a phone call
Visit their website
Find out the next orientation date

The key is to do something towards getting involved immediately. Don't put it off! All The Best!

Day 11---FIND 22 Minutes!

2008-09-11T06:00:00.000-05:00

Take 22 minutes to view this video. Tony Robbins is someone I truly admire. I have him on my ipod & I love to catch interviews with him. I've never forked over the big money to see him live but I know it's in my future! Enjoy & Have a SMASHIN' DAY!

It's Here Again... Persevere Ladies!!!

2008-09-10T08:57:00.007-05:00

Day 10--- Accountability Day is here again! I wanna hear how everyone is progressing! Email me, call me, write a comment, Twitter Me!

Did you....

Make you Master List?
Put things back?
Do you vision board?
Catch up on Correspondence?

***Scroll down to re-visit previous assignments***

QUOTE: The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will!

I'm waiting by the phone.... and computer? Remember I'm your biggest Cheerleader! Smooches!

Vision Boards

2008-09-09T06:59:00.005-05:00

Day 9--- Have you ever created a vision board? I think this is a great tool to help manifest our goals. Think about the things you decided to accomplish during this 6 month process and create a vision board that coincides with those accomplishments. Here's what you'll need...

POSTER BOARD or BULLETIN BOARD
Gather some MAGAZINES (around the house, half-price books, public library store, etc)
GLUE or DOUBLE-SIDED TAPE (thumbtacks for Bulletin Board)

SCISSORS

Go thru the magazines and cut out anything that is in line with your goals or whatever speaks to you that you would like to see in your life. Keep in mind it doesn't have to be all material things. You can cut out words as well. For example:

FITNESS PICS

BOOKS (if you wanted to read more)
DESIGN IDEAS (if you want to remodel)

FIND THE WORD "FRIENDSHIP" (if you are looking for new/deeper ones)

Get the idea? Why not invite some Friends over and do it together with dessert! This is a fun activity. After your vision board is complete, put it in a place where you will see it DAILY!!! This is key. Please feel free to send me pics! Now go VISUALIZE! Smooches!

Purge... TOSS TOSS TOSS!!!!

2008-09-08T06:00:00.001-05:00

Day 8 Let's spend today Tossin out things we no longer use. Feel free to pick a certain area (office, bathroom, kitchen, etc...) I recommend setting aside a block of TWO HOURS for this assignment. The total time passed will be 2 1/2 hours.... one hour then 15 minute break REPEAT! Got it? Some ideas......

OFFICE-- files, pens that don't work, junk mail, etc....
BATHROOM--- old makeup, unused products, empty bottles, torn towels, etc...
KITCHEN--- plastic ware without matching lids, broken/chipped dishes, clear out fridge, etc...
LIVING ROOM--- old magazines, unused video games, movies, etc....
EMAILS--- unused contacts, spam, chain letter, bad jokes, etc...

*** Remember to be GREEN when possible... RECYCLE, RECYCLE, RECYLE!***

I'm a true believer that when you make room in your life and don't feel it with clutter, you create the opportunity for blessings! All of this is part of our Smart Woman Smart Changes 6 month renovation to help you to develop better life-long habits!

If you need information on how long you should keep anything please feel free to email me or post a comment and I will answer! I'm here for ya! Smooches

The Weekend...

2008-09-07T23:13:00.005-05:00

I hope everyone had a great weekend and had an opportunity to recharge your batteries and also to catch up on some of the assignments/suggestions from the first week that you found helpful!

My weekend was pretty full. I met up with my old running group to kickoff my training for the Dallas White Rock Marathon! It was sooo much fun catching up with them. Sore is just part of what I'm feeling... YIKES! I also celebrated My Love's birthday! We had a great time celebrating with friends at one of his favorite restaurants.... Houston's!

I spent Sunday RECHARGING... I was very tired so I slept late. I followed my Marathon Training which was to cross train on Sunday so I ran and rode the stationary bike. I also watched the VMA awards which was ooooook (my opinion). Well RiRi ROCKED!

I was looking over the beginning blogs and realized that I didn't specify that weekends would allow for recharging/catching up. I may still post suggestions that you may wanna take on over the weekend. I'm a believer that rest and recharging are important in getting stronger and maintaining focus!

Smooches & Best To You!

Put That Where It Goes!!!

2008-09-05T06:00:00.001-05:00

Day 5 Girlies! I figure since it's Friday that means a relaxing day for some. So I thought I would give you a "not so tough" assignment/suggestion.

Today is a day to put stuff back where it goes....

Do you have mail piled up on the counter
Laundry still in the dryer
Receipts in your purse to sort
Video games out of the cases

This is the day to put it where it belongs. Going forward learn to get in the habit of putting items back where they belong. Encourage/Ask your family members to do the same. If you are waaaaay behind on this and have disorganized spaces around you, today is the day to start getting it in order. The key is to START! Don't feel like you have to FINISH everything today but you do have to START! And from here on out make the commitment to put things back in place. It will make clean-up day(s) move alot faster.

Best To You!

Day 4

2008-09-04T06:00:00.000-05:00

ACCOUNTABILITY DAY!!! Today is the day that I would like for you to check in! I wanna hear from you and hold you accountable. It is important to me that we are not making EMPTY promises! Sooooo in an effort to keep you honest, I am asking that you share with me what you are working on.

When you decided to sign up what were you thinking about changing or taking to the next level...

fitness
a new business venture
better relationships
repair your credit
save to purchase a new home
organize your office
look for a new job
start a website
sign up for a photography class
try yoga

This is because I care about you and I wanna make sure that the program really works for you. Otherwise this becomes just another TO DO! Don't fool yourself by saying you will catch up on Days 2 and 3 over the weekend..... the time is NOW! Be accountable and let's make this happen TOGETHER!

Feel free to post what you have going on by clicking on COMMENTS or feel free to email me at sally@sallymcmullin.com. Best To You!

Address Book, Phone Calls & Correspondence...

2008-09-03T06:00:00.005-05:00

Welcome To Day 3... A SMART WOMAN is definitely one who has her contacts & correspondence in order. Use today as a day to START:

returning phone calls
updating your address book
getting Thank You notes in the mail (you know the saying.... better late than never)
answering those emails you've been avoiding
while you're at it drop a card in the mail to a friend

I have been in the process of updating my palm (I use the PALM CENTRO which I LOVE LOVE LOVE). It is definitely a process but rewarding once complete. I personally like to have as much information as possible about my contacts (i.e. birthdays, anniversaries, children's names, boyfriends'/husbands' name, etc...). I can't always rely on memory!

Remember in order to keep from getting overwhelmed start by writing out a MASTER LIST of what needs to be done and then select 6 items and move to your calendar. As you go along in the day anything you may think of simply add it to the MASTER LIST. For example:

Master List:
Call Mastercard to set up automatic draft
RSVP for dinner with Shelley
Send email to friends asking for latest address information
Reply to e-vite

On Your Calendar:
10:00-11:00am Spend time returning calls
2:30-3:00pm Write Thank You notes for wedding gifts
8:00-8:15pm Call Susan to congratulate her on new job

What I'll be working on....

Thank You notes
2 letters that I MUST get out
Continuing my PALM update
My INBOX in email is a monster!

You get the idea! So let's make it happen and I will be checking in with some of you to see how things are going! Best To You!

My Personal Day 2

2008-09-02T23:02:00.003-05:00

Well today was jam packed. I could really use a Massage Therapist right about now! I spent MOST of the day spreading the word as well as trying to communicate with some of you guys out there. As far as my 3 things I wanted to tackle...

Dentist-- I was able to finally get a list together of the ones who will take insurance vs. me paying and THEN filing! Uuuhhh I don't think so!
Credit Report-- I was able to get my hands on one that I pulled a few weeks back so that's the one I will make sure is correct.
Touch Up Paint-- Aaaargh!!! Still not done... the guy that I called to get it from does not have access to it so I have to wait til tomorrow morning! Yeah Yeah I shoulda done this one earlier in the day.

Would love to hear about your day and your progress! Best To You!

Day 2

2008-09-02T06:00:00.009-05:00

Well here we are at day 2. Glad you came back! Now if this is your first day on the site please don't use the excuse that you can't get started because you didn't start on day one! The beauty is that you can still start today!

Today is the day for you to actually WRITE DOWN some of the areas that you want to take to next level and then we will start to tackle it bit by bit. Remember....BABY STEPS!

So here's my suggestions/assignments for you today.....

purchase a journal to keep everything in one place (if you already have one, great!) If you're more of a legal pad kinda girl that's fine too. However sticky notes are forbidden for this part!

set aside 60 minutes (one block of time, 2-30minute slots or 4-15 minutes slots) and dedicate it to focusing on this assignment. Use a timer & STOP when time is up!

think of THREE (3) things you have been putting off that you want to get done TODAY! Period! End of discussion! Not tomorrow but TODAY!

Finally, don't beat yourself up that you haven't done these things prior to today!

Now, in your journal think about the things/area(s) you have decided to focus on and write those down. Some examples:

I want to write my friends more

Take photography class

Try pilates

Teach a Cooking Class

Lose 5 lbs

Next create a Master TO DO List for that area! For example:

What you want to do: Photography Class

Master List: research best camera to buy, purchase camera, google photography classes in my area, sit in on a class, etc...

After you have completed the master list you need to prioritize how you will tackle this list. I suggest you only attempt to tackle 6 things per day max. Finally, place those action items ON YOUR CALENDAR IN A TIME SLOT! Otherwise they end up stuck on your TO DO list! For example:

September 2, 2008 @ 11:30--Grab Lunch & go to Best Buy to look at cameras.... Get the idea!?

As for the 3 things I mentioned....Tackle 3 things you have been putting off and DO IT TODAY! You know these 3 items off the top of your head because they have been bugging you for days (maybe weeks or months) put it on your calendar and get it done TODAY

Here's my 3:

Find a new dentist.... My Dentist vanished into the thin air and I haven't found one I love as much yet! I'm open to referrals (hee hee)
Get copy of my credit report
Get the touch-up paint for the dang nail holes that are driving me crazy!

Remember you can post your comments, questions and/or ideas! BEST TO YOU!

Day 1

2008-09-01T19:22:00.000-05:00

Well hopefully you have decided to sign up and join us on this journey! As you know I am so thrilled to be doing this! I would love to hear about some of the ways you want to reinvent or refine yourselves!. One thing you will hear me say alot is....BABY STEPS! I am a believer in that!

One of the reasons we can't get to the next level is because we stay stuck feeling OVERWHELMED so we never get started. Baby steps will help you to get started! And I'm here to help every step of the way!

Make your comments here and share with the rest of us! Your comments can be anonymous you DON'T have to join to leave a comment. If you have any questions please contact me! Best To You!