Making the Most of Your Holidays!

Hello Brilliant Babes!

I know I have quite a few followers who work in the retail industry and I know this info will enhance your Holiday Season.  However, even if you work in a more sane environment, what I'm sharing with you will help you as well.

After working in retail for most of my life, I can tell you that it is easy if you're not careful, to wake up on January second or third to find that the Holidays are over and you missed it.  Few things in life are as frustrating as feeling as though you've been working like a dog and have nothing to talk about or show for it after its all over.  

There have been days when I have left my house in the morning in the dark and come home at night in the dark.  Then it's a quick shower and I would collapse into bed with the alarm set to do it all over tomorrow.  

So how can we be sure we enjoy our holidays?  What do we do to be sure we don't miss the whole thing?   What can we do to fit it all in and really enjoy the Season?

TIME TO START PLANNING, my Darling.

Think about the upcoming week.  Of course your schedule is written in your 365 Planner.  You need to choose a few things that you want to do this week besides work and sleep.  

Things like:

-Go to a specific store to shop.

-Meet your best friend for a drink.

-Meet someone important to you for dinner. 

-Sit in front of a fireplace and enjoy your Christmas tree.

-Wrap presents.

-Bake cookies.

This list could go on and on, right?  It's a little overwhelming just thinking about getting these things done.  But trust me!  You can do it, and here's how!

Open your book, make sure your daily schedule is written in and get your phone.  You're going to do this really quickly.  Call the friend you want to meet for a drink and schedule it.  Don't go home from work first.  Try to meet him or her right after work.  Get the date on the books.

What else do you want to do?  Call your friend and schedule it.  Want to go shopping?  Choose the day.  Day off?  After work?  Schedule it.  Look at next week, too.  Get things scheduled.  Consider meeting a friend you want to see for breakfast before work rather than dinner.

You will be able to fit in the things that are most important to you.  Just schedule everything.  Try to limit how late you stay out.  Remember that getting enough sleep is super important this time of year.

How about wrapping those presents.  There's a project most people don't look forward to, but I do, and you can be happy about it too.  Here's how:

1.  Get your supplies all together.  Scissors, tape, boxes, wrapping paper, bows, labels, etc.  Make sure you have enough so you don't have to stop until you want to stop.  

2.  Put on your favorite music or TV show.

3.  Get your beverage of choice.

4.  Start wrapping.  

Since you have all of your supplies organized and available, you can keep going and going and not feel the inconvenience of having to stop because you've run out of things.

The bottom line is, you can fit everything into these busy days that you need to fit in.  But keep in mind that now may not be the time for spontaneity.  Now is the time for careful planning and you can have one of your best, most productive and enjoyable Holiday seasons yet!

Feel free to get in touch with me if you have questions or would like to discuss any of this!

With Love and a Brilliant Holiday,

Donna

Clarity is Power!

I didn't come up with that saying but I really love it.  I find it empowering and enlightening.

I will tell you with all of the passion I have in my body:  you need to understand this, internalize it, and live it.

Let's start off by thinking about a vacation.  Let's pretend we are taking a weekend trip to Paris!  Sound good?  "Paris is always a good idea." Said the incomparable Audrey Hepburn.

We get our airline tickets and off we go!  We land at Charles De Gualle Airport.  And we realize that we are in the middle of nowhere, France.

After we spend a great deal of time trying to arrange transportation into Paris, we find that the Westin is booked.  We try to find a hotel nearby and after a couple hours of trying to find a place to stay, we get there, check in, and pass out.  Day 1. Shot.  

The next morning, we find a little cafe and have breakfast.  Then we head off to the Eiffel Tower.  It's Saturday.  We have to stand in line for endless hours and finally go up into the tower.  Beautiful.   But all we can think about is food!  We are starving, having missed lunch while standing in line!

We get a taxi and try to find a restaurant. Because we did no planning, we don't know where to tell the driver to take us, so back to the hotel we go!  Baguette and cheese for dinner!  Yum, but what about the great restaurants in Paris?  Where are they?  We certainly don't know.  So off to bed and back to the airport in the morning.  

Wow!  A whirlwind trip to Paris and we didn't see much, eat much, do much!  

If we had done the necessary planning, we could have seen the Louvre, walked along the Seine, who knows what else!!!

Clarity is power my friend.  When you get clear on what you want you you can accomplish it so much more effectively. Why go to Paris without a plan?  Why start a project without a plan?  

Remember, a goal without a plan is just a weak wish.

If you have something you want to accomplish and you just randomly run around starting and stopping at various times and points, you will accomplish nothing.

So what must we do about this?  We must

get clear.  Know exactly what you want to do before starting.

What is it that you want to do?

What is the final outcome that you want?

What do you need to learn before you start?

What are the steps that will get you to that final outcome?

What amount of time will it take?

Write down your goal!

Write the steps into your 365 Planner!

Get clear on what you need to do before you start.

Don't waste time running around in circles because you didn't do the necessary planning!  Make that goal - or that trip to Paris count!

CLARITY IS POWER!

So what does it feel like???

Wow.  Amazing.  More exciting every day!  THAT is what it feels like to see my book in print!  To hold it in my hands and turn the pages and realize that I did this!!!!!   I almost feel like I gave birth!  

Ok no more bragging!  I just wanted to share that with you because I want you to know how excited I am about this project and how AMAZOIS it feels to have set a goal, done some research, set a deadline and made it happen!

It makes me ask, "What's next for this girl?"  The momentum is quite the energy revver!  I think I made up a word, but who cares!!  I wrote a book!!

What does this have to do with you, you ask?  WELL my GORGEOUS creature, here is the simple truth:

If I can do this, YOU can do it.  There is no magic here.  I just took my own advice and did it.

Honestly, this has been a dream of mine for years!  Many years!  I've written two unpublished books in the past.  I hated them when they were done.  Then false start after false start after false start, I tried to start a work of fiction.  Only to get bored with my story after several weeks and pitch the idea.

Then after some inspiration from Cara Alwill Leyba, I found my subject.  Once that happened everything fell into place.

Now, I'm asking you to let me inspire you!  So tell me this:  What is your lifelong dream?  Do you want to write?  Teach?  Learn?  What would you do if you weren't doing what you're doing now?  Do you have your dream job?  What do you love?  People?  Animals?  Children?

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU KNEW YOU COULD NOT FAIL??

Make a list.....

There's MUCH more to come....

Super cute...and Brilliant!!

Hello my friends!  I am super excited to share with you that both Volume 1 and Volume 2 of the 365 Brilliant Days Planner are available on Amazon.com!!

Volume 1 will cover January thru June 2015
Volume 2 will cover July thru December 2015

So who needs this planner?  YOU do!  If you are:
Entrepreneurial at all
If you love to stay organized
If you want to get organized
If you have goals you want to meet
If you need to set some goals
If you want to learn to set goals, or
If you want to become organized for the first time!
If you could use some daily inspiration to keep you moving!
.....this planner is for you.

Also, each day includes an area for journaling.  Most of us have tried journaling.  Most of us go buy a pretty blank book, write in it for a few weeks - or a few days - and the book ends up on a shelf or in a drawer, along with the other pretty books we started writing in.  Here's the difference with "365" - your journal and your planner are in the same book.  Every day.  On the same page as your appointments.  And also on the same page are the following;  your to do list, your people to contact, your errands to run.  All in the same place.  Every day.  That alone is empowering.  This is a book you'll never want to let out of your sight.  This book IS you!  And you will never feel more accomplished than you will once you dive into this!!

I don't want to leave out this important section... "Today I am Celebrating..."  What???  That's right my loves.  Every day,  and I mean EVERY DAY I want you to choose something to celebrate!  Some days it will be a big accomplishment!  Some days it will be that you got home in one piece!  Some days it will be that you didn't harm your boss!  There is always something to celebrate with a glass of champagne, or sparkling water!  You will have many things to toast to once you begin living what you've planned for yourself rather than just letting life happen randomly to you.

I worked very hard to make this available going into DECEMBER, because I truly believe that it is the perfect gift for yourself, or for any female friend you have!  Personally, I will be giving both Volume 1 and Volume 2, wrapped in a cute ribbon with a girly pen tied to it, to several of my friends. So, why not give someone you care about the gift of confidence and empowerment!  Everyone uses some type of planner.  This one just comes with the added benefit of personal growth!  Plus it's super cute!!

Any woman from ages 16 to 70 will love this, I promise!

Also, I want to share with you that I will be offering a Goal Setting Workshop where you will learn to set goals in all areas of your life track them in your "365."  I will offer live, in person workshops for those who are nearby as well as "phone-shops" for everyone else!   More info on this coming soon!

In the meantime, I hope I've given you some good ideas to consider.  Please let me know what you think.

With Passion and Brilliant Love,

Donna!

So very thankful...

Gosh, where do I start?  

This Thanksgiving and every day, I am grateful for so many things and people.  

I have had amazing support from my friends and family in the writing and publishing of my book.  People have been asking me every day when it would be ready, as well as cheering me along the way.  

My goal has been to get it ready before Thanksgiving.  Since it's a planner, I wanted people to have the opportunity to get it for themselves before New Years and purchase it as a Holiday gift if they want!  And thanks to all the support I've received, been able to accomplish that goal.

Also, I am thankful for my family.  My wonderful, supportive husband Robert is the best thing that ever happened to me and I am thankful for him every day.

My grand babes make me feel thankful every day as well.  They teach me things all the time.

There are so many people I am thankful for that if I listed names, this blog would go on forever....BUT...I am going to try!

Robert, Bonnie, Brandon, Zoe, Ava, Bobbi, Shaylin, Madison, Brandon, Mom Addie, Dad Hank, Step-mom Diane, Brother Ed, Joshua, Jordan, Rachael, Brother Dick, Angie, Richard, Kayla, and the whole crew.  And that's just the Fam!!

Cara Alwill Leyba, Connie, all the chickadees at work.  And the chickaboys, too.

I'm so grateful for all that I have and all the opportunities that I am presented with every day.  I'm humbled and honored.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!  Enjoy every minute!

Love,

Donna

IT. HaPpEnEd!!!!

After all the stress and figuring out how it all works, my first book, "365 Brilliant Days, Vol. 1" is available for purchase on Amazon.com!!!

I am so excited I don't know what to do with myself - other than get going on Volume 2!!!

So for those of you who have been waiting:

The first proof I received of the book was so thick and heavy, you would have thought I had written Gone with the Wind!  I had to find a way to make it more user friendly and light weight!!!  I decided the best way to accomplish this was to divide the book into two volumes:

Volume 1 covers January 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015.  

Volume 2 covers July 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015.  

Each volume is $24.69.

(Vol. 2 coming soon)

I am so excited about this project because I know it will empower you to set and meet goals in all the important areas of your life as well as move you forward, towards being the person you truly want to become.

I hope you all will take a leap of faith and order the book for yourself.  I know it will organize you immediately.  It won't always be easy, but you will be so proud of what you can accomplish when you are empowered to make thing happen!

As my beautiful friend Cara Alwill Leyba says, "Decide who you want to be and go be her!"

Well here is a perfect opportunity to get yourself where you want to be and be the person you choose to be!!

Please check it out on Amazon.com!!

Side note:  what a great holiday gift this book will be for someone who needs a little bit of empowerment!!!  This book is appropriate for any woman from age 16 to 70!

I can't wait to hear how you like it!!!

With Passion and Brilliant Love,

Donna

How it feels...

Today, I am sharing an amazing feeling with you.  Have you ever wanted to do something so badly that you just had to find a way to make it happen?  I'm sure you have felt that way at one time or another.  Maybe you did it, or maybe you just pushed the feeling aside because it seemed like it would take too much time or too much brain power at an already maxed out time in your life.

If that's the case for you, I totally get it.  I've been wanting to write the "Great American Novel" for years.  When I was younger, I put together two different books that were never published.  They just didn't feel right to me.  Then for the past three years or so I started writing my GAN over and over.  At least four false starts!  Whew!  Talk about discouraging!  Talk about questioning myself and my thoughts and my abilities!!

Then one day I ran into Cara Alwill Leyba who created The Champagne Diet.  ALL of my friends know how amazing she is and how influential she has been in my personal growth!  I signed up for one of her group coaching workshops about a year ago thinking I would get myself moving towards my goal!  And boy did she ever help me with that!!  

One of the biggest things I learned at that time, a year ago, was that I hadn't considered all of my options.  I never got clear on what I wanted to write about.  It's all well and good to want to write something, but if you're not clear on what it should be, then you can't visualize the outcome!  

IMPORTANT LESSON:  If you can't envision the outcome, you just might not get an outcome!!  Well, at least it worked that way for me.

So a short time after Cara's workshop ended I was going over my notes, and something happened.  I had an epiphany.  A lightbulb over my head.  A champagne pop in my ear.  A kick in the Dolce & Gabanna pants. 

I'm making light of it, but it stopped me in my tracks and brought me back to something I had heard a million times, but had originally read it in a book at least 25 years ago.  In  a book written by someone involved with Avon.  Remember those Avon ladies?  I wish I could get my hands on that book again.  The quote was this:  "Do what you love and the money will follow."  Brilliant.  About 5 zillion people have said that over the years and I'm just listening now!

Well here is what happened to me that day.  I sat down with a glass of champagne - Cara's idea, but I'm all over it - and I asked myself this question:

What do I love to do?  Not what WOULD I love to do, but what do I enjoy most out of the things I do during my day/week/month.  What excites me?  What do I have fun with?

I know I've always been a task oriented person.  I enjoy structure, routine - designed by me, of course darling.  

Yes, I love my husband, my family, my job, my dog, blah, blah, blah.  But what do I get excited about doing - every time I do it?

Well, I love using my planner /datebook /Daytimer /Franklin /Filofax /DayRunner.  Yes, I've had them all.  Wh wh what?  Excited about a planner?  Yes, I have always loved my physical planner.  I've tried to keep it all virtual, on my iPad/iPhone over and over, but I always ALWAYS go back to a physical planner.  

I love journaling, planning, making lists, scheduling, getting my next planner ready.  To me, there is something cleansing and refreshing about the new, clean, unwritten-on planner.  It's a fresh start!  It's a do-over when you need one!  Its New Years Eve goal setting all over again!  It's a way to be sure you don't forget something and look stupid!  The biggest fear in my life!  

Yes, my friends, I was the geek in high school who carried a daytimer!  Yes, I'm proud to say that was me.  

When I was a kid, when mom and dad would say to my two younger brothers and myself, "Go pick out a toy."  I wouldn't go anywhere near the toys!  For this girl, it was paper and pens and sharpies and notebooks!  Toys? Boring!  Give this 8 year old girl something she could write on!!

I even have friends who I've tried to stay in touch with who feel the same way.  We are barely in each other's lives anymore, but when I start a new planner, I think of them and I'd bet money they think of me, too.  Am I right Deb Garber?  Elena Chandler? 

Are you seeing where I'm going with this?  When I write about it or talk about it, I get really excited!  Why was I wasting all that time on trying to write fiction??  I am so passionate and excited about creating this little piece of perfection called 365 Brilliant Days!

It is the PERFECT planner for someone who wants to pull it all together, get in control, get clarity, and MAKE THINGS HAPPEN in her life!  And it's your journal! Your task lists!  Your shopping lists!  All in one place!!

Woo hoo!!  There are not enough exclamation marks in the world to describe how excited I am about this project!!!

So.  Back to that amazing feeling I wanted to share with you a hundred sentences ago....

Yesterday, I submitted my final copy to the publisher for their FINAL review.  Now, they are sending me a proof for MY final review.  And it will be available to purchase on Amazon within the next few days!  AAAAaaaaaa!!!  Can you BELIEVE it????

I actually accomplished a goal that I've had for many, many years.  It took me a while to get clear on what I wanted this to look like.  I am so excited about this planner because I can't wait to start using it myself!!!  It is absolutely perfect!!!  You are going to love it!!

In the end, I have to give tons of credit to Cara.  Remember I said I did her workshop about a year ago.  Well, I signed up for that same course again - this time with an idea in mind!  I was excited about all the encouragement I got from the workshop but what really struck me was that I was getting more and more passionate as the workshop progressed!

I would highly recommend that everyone get involved with Cara and get into one on her workshops.  If you have an idea or even if you don't yet.  You'll get one!!

There is no better feeling than knowing I accomplished this goal and created something that is going to be of value to so many women everywhere!!

Well, actually,....it's gonna feel even better when I finally get that book into my little hands!!!  And into your little hands!!

So here's to Cara!  And here's to you!  Get your idea together.  Life is short.  Do it now!  Join me for a celebratory glass or two of champagne??

With passion and brilliant love, 

Donna

How to be Productive When You Have the Flu.

Nice!  I have been looking forward to this super-valuable-when-you-work-in-retail three day weekend for weeks!  The plan was to clean up the house, rest, color my hair, rest, watch movies, do some writing, rest, rest and put up the Christmas decorations, then rest.

Things didn't go exactly as planned.  As soon as I walked in the door, on my last day of work, I felt myself get hit in the head with a splitting headache.  And it all went down hill from there.  Weak, achy, snotty, sneezy, hot, cold, ears hurting, coughing.  Ugh.  How am I going to get anything done like this?

Here's how!!!  I just told everyone they would have to fend for themselves for the weekend.  I'm very lucky, because everyone is ok with that!  I planted myself in front of my computer, in my warmest pajamas, which, 2 days later I am still wearing.  I know....gross.  But I'm sick.  Give me a break.  

And I started to work on the 365 Brilliant Days Planner.  And I worked, and worked, and wrote and wrote.  I had a mild, NyQuil induced coma, and then worked some more.

There was about an hour when I felt like I had a bit of energy so I quickly put up the Christmas Tree for the girls to decorate.  It's pretty awesome, even with no decorations, because it has pine cones and random other leaves on it.  Anyway, BIG mistake.  As soon as it was up, I had to lay down for an hour or so.  Sent my poor husband to the store for miscellaneous bottles of cold and flu medication.  And apples.  Gotta have those.  

So.  If you've made it this far in my little pity party, you may be asking where, exactly is the productivity in all of this?  

Well here it comes:  Drum roll, please............365 Brilliant Days is done!  And has been sent off for final editing!!  If all goes well, it will be available to purchase on Amazon in about a week!  Maybe sooner!!

I am sick as a dog, and super excited all at the same time.  So I'm giddy and achy.  Cheering and whining.  Dancing - in my head - and snotty-nosed.  High fiveing and passing out.  It's an interesting dichotomy of feelings.  But the bottom line is, I'm proud as shit!!  

It's amazing what you can accomplish when you are laser focused.  And once you begin using  your own 365 planner, you will be able to laser focus yourself on what you want to accomplish, as well.  Hopefully, without the mini- coma!

I am so proud of this planner because I know it's going to empower you to get done what is most important to you!!!

Stay tuned for the launch!  It's coming soon!!

Passionately and slightly NyQuil buzzed,

Donna

Oh!!!!!

P.S.  What an amazing Holiday gift this planner is going to be!!  How awesome you will be, giving the gift of time, organization, and clarity!!!  You rock star, you!

And now.....ZZZZZZzzzzzzz.............. back to my coma.

A Little Monday Funday! HELP!!!

Before I move on to the SUPER-FUN goal setting for YOU.....  Let me share something with you.

The following is my second first draft of the wording on the back of my book:

"365 Brilliant Days."

I would love for you to read it an comment on what you think of it.  And please be honest.  I am looking for some constructive feedback on what this should look like.  I hope everyone will leave a comment for me!

Subtitle:  Creating a brilliant life.  One day at a time.

Here's the wording:

Allow me to introduce you to your most passionate, organized self!

If you are ready to claim your power and celebrate your brilliance, you are in the right place!  Within the pages of the newly designed 365 Brilliant Days planner, I will give you everything you need to create and manage all of the fabulous areas of your life.  From Personal to Business to Family to Dreams and Goals, you now have the PERFECT place to express yourself, journal, record, and beautifully create you newly fabulous and BRILLIANT life!

Go get yourself a pretty pen!  This book has been designed just for you!  Congratulations on making a BEAUTIFUL DECISION!

With Passion and Brilliant Love,

Donna

That PESKY Goal setting....ugh...Finance.

First let me say I am no financial genius.  Just ask my husband...no don't.

I'm not going to preach or suggest that I know any more than you do about finance.  What I will tell you is that setting financial goals is very important.  Duh.  You know that.

Finance is a very personal issue.  We tend to get in a bit of debt when we're young, don't we?  For whatever reason, some crazy-ass bank sent me a credit card when I was only 18.  It was pretty much down hill from there for me.  For a while anyway.  Now, I am an honest person so I'll admit that I carry a bit of credit card debt.  It's so easy to get what you want that way!!  I am working on it!

It's super important that you pay attention to this and not let it get too far away from you.  Here's why: 

 Imagine that you have one card that is maxed out.  Then you need something else so you open an instant account at a department store.  Next thing you know, that one is maxed out.  Then another.  Then another.  The next thing you know, you can only afford to pay the minimum payments on all of those maxed out cards.  The interest rate will really hurt.  You'll pay and pay and pay and those bills will seem to never go away.  If this is you, then you have dug yourself under.  And it is going to take some hard work to get out.

So how can you avoid this nightmare?  Set yourself a few fabulous, exciting, sparkly goals, my diva!

Goal one:  If you do have a balance on a card, get that bitch paid off!  You are going to have to find something to do with yourself other than shopping.  How about cleaning your place?  Reading?  Babysitting?  How about spending a few months with family.  Or maybe with a friend who wants to eliminate some debt herself!  A buddy system!  How about learning something?  There are a million things you can learn just by getting on the Internet.  There are a million movies you can watch on Netflix!  Get a good book.  Start a journal to write down how all of this feels!

I know, I know.  None of these ideas are as much fun as spending the day at Nordstrom Rack or Neimans Last Call.  But once you set the goal of getting out of debt, you absolutely MUST find something to do other than spending.  Believe me, it's worth it.

This short term pain for long term gain will be the best thing you ever did for yourself.   For several reasons:

1.  You can say you did it!  And take pride in that!
2.  You'll have the freedom of using your money to enjoy a great quality of life, rather than making painful payments to some nasty bank!
3.  You will have learned your lesson!
4.  You won't have the worry of what will happen if you have an emergency and no money to take care of it.
5.  The biggest thing you'll get out of this process is this:  You will learn to be alone.  You'll learn to find ways to amuse yourself.  You'll learn what you love and what you don't.  You will be empowered by knowing that you accomplished this on your own.

So about those goals...

1.  Savings account.  Get 6 months salary in the bank as your emergency fund.
2.  What do you want/need?  Do you want to buy a house? A sexy condo?  Save up a down payment!
3.  Do you want to take a fabulous vacation?  Bora Bora?  Maui?  Paris?  Go get the brochures!  Put them by your bed or in your kitchen, or somewhere you'll see them every day.  Keep them nearby so when you are tempted to throw your hard earned money away on some red soled shoes, or a sparkly ring, you can remind yourself of what you're giving up by making that purchase.

It's truly all about priorities.  What is really important to you?  If you're smart - and sister, we both know you are - what you want, need and dream about is the S-word.  SECURITY.   Yes, you may find Mr. Right, and he may have just inherited billions of dollars, and he may want to worship the ground you walk on....but really, how often does that happen?  Christian "50 Shades" Grey is FICTION.

We all need to be able to provide for ourselves.  Even if you do find Mr. Superwealth,  you need to know that you can do it yourself.  There is nothing better for our self-esteem than knowing that WE call the shots, and WE get to choose.  If something changes in your life and you have to make it on your own, you can do it!

YOU have the power to get in control of everything financial in your life.  Once that happens, you get to make smart, healthy choices.  Not desperate ones.  Not needy ones.

Get a grip on your life and your finances and BECOME THE POWERFUL, IN-CONTROL, CONFIDENT, BRILLIANT WOMAN YOU WERE BORN TO BE.

YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

And more.....

That PESKY Goal setting! Let's talk CAREER!

So.  What do you do for a living?  Is is your dream job or is it just a paycheck?

We have all had those times during our lives where our jobs were just to pay the rent.  Believe me, I've had a bunch of them!  There's nothing wrong with that, either.  Even if you do have a great job that you love, I always say this:  Some days it's a dream job, some days it's a paycheck.  

Any job you have, whether it's your dream job or not, can't be all sunshine, rainbows and butterflies every day.  Think about that.  

If your job is too easy, you probably should be working towards some kind of promotion, or maybe you aren't making as much money as you'd like because you're doing a job that's easy to do.  Also, remember that your job is, and should feel like work.  If a job is fun every day, we wouldn't get paid to do it!  They wouldn't call it work, they'd call it fun!

But let's get back to the point.  Do you LOVE your job?  Are you doing the type of work you always dreamed of doing?  If not, don't be discouraged.  You're just going through one of those 'just a paycheck' times.

Let me ask you a question.  What do you love to do so much that you would do it for free?  I'm sure you've heard that question before.  I just want you to know that it is an extremely important question and if you not love what you do, you need to give this some serious thought.  

One of the goals we all need to have set for ourselves is a career goal.  Even if you do have your dream job, what is your next step?  Is it to get promoted?  Is it to break out on your own and do that job for yourself, independently?  Scary?  Not everyone is comfortable being self-employed and that is just fine.  If you know that about yourself, then think about what your next step in your chosen field should be.  Is it more education?  More self-confidence?  A promotion within your company?  A move to a bigger company?  You must always know your next step.  

Once you know the next step up in your company, you must ask yourself what you need to do to get there.  So many people just keep swimming along, hoping that their boss will recognize them and come to them to offer a promotion.  It happens occasionally, but honestly, the bad news is unless you put yourself out there and let the right people know that you want more, most likely you'll just stay where you are.  Trust me on this.  Been there, done that, got disappointed, will not wear the T- shirt.

Set a goal for yourself to get all of the information you can find about the position you'd like to have next.  See if there are specific things you need to learn, and go get that information, too!  Once you are armed with the information on what you want and need, you can get yourself working towards that job.  You can talk to your supervisor about it.  Every employer wants self motivated, forward thinking people.  Be that person.  Know what is next for you and GO AFTER IT!

Now let's say you are wanting to build your own brand or business.  Who do you have mentoring you?  Who do you know, or know of, who has already made the move you're thinking about?  Have you reached out to that person?  Don't think of yourself as a competitor of theirs.  Think of yourself as someone with a common goal!  And just like the individual I was addressing before you, have you spent time researching what would be required for you to step on out??  This information is vital if you are going to be in a business similar to your current employer.  Set a goal for yourself to learn the parts of the business you don't already know.  This way you will be prepared to discuss your goals with your boss.

Now what if neither of these people are you?  Maybe you have a dream!  Maybe you have a business idea that you've always wanted to explore.  Do the research, but give yourself a deadline!  There are people out there who have million dollar ideas, but can't seem to get started.  The more you learn, the easier it will be for you to make it happen.  

Don't have that brilliant idea yet but want one?  Keep searching your heart.  When trying to come up with YOUR business idea, don't start out looking for big money.  Look for something that you are passionate about.  Look for something that will make you bounce out of bed in the morning.  Look for something you really, really love...and probably would do for free.  Once you figure that out, then you need to put your thinking cap on and find a way to make money doing it.  

I'm sure you've heard people say, "Do what you love and the money will follow."  I love that quote, but...and a BIG OL' BUT...I want it mapped out.  I want to know HOW the money will follow.  And WHEN it will follow.  That's part of the research.  You need all the facts before you walk away from your current job. (Unless you are independently wealthy, or 100% debt free!). You'll need your job to keep the bills paid and provide you with an income while you get your plans into place, and your company up and running.

So I say again, set some goals for yourself.  A deadline to get your research done.  How about a deadline to actually get the research started?  Learn how the money will be made, calculate how long it will take you to replace your current income.  

You should examine your goals often.  At least weekly to be sure you are on track.  If you're not on track, you need to ask yourself what it is that's holding you back.  You may need to revisit your goal and make some changes.  Also ok!  Your goals are not cast in concrete!  You can change them as you need to change them.  Just don't let yourself off the hook too easily.  

Set some career goals.  You need to be moving forward in one way or another.  Don't settle for the status quo.  But we know you would NEVER settle for less than your potential!  You're planning and setting goals for your own 365 Brilliant Days!!

Love and blinding brilliance,

Donna

That PESKY Goal Setting! Let's talk RELATIONSHIPS!

I know that setting goals can difficult.  I left you with a few areas to think carefully about.  It can be overwhelming to examine these areas all at one.  So give yourself a break!  Maybe you need to spend a week on each area.  Maybe you need to spend an hour.  Honestly, even if you think you need only a few minutes in each area, I challenge you to spend a good hour or so on each one.

The more time you spend thinking about the categories and questions I've suggested, the more ideas you'll have about what you want your life to look like, and what you need to change to get there.

So let's visit those areas once again, one at a time this time, and see what we can accomplish together.

We will start with....

RELATIONSHIPS:  I asked you to pretend you're in a perfect world.  YOUR perfect world.  That can be really difficult because most people feel as though they have no control over the people in their lives.  But not you, my fabulous one.  YOU know that you can manage outside influences, right?

What about my husband, wife, parents, siblings?  Yes, you are stuck with them - to a point.  I'm going to introduce you to a word that you've heard and used before, but I'm going to yell it at you because it's so important.  Ready?

BOUNDARIES!!!

We all have people in our lives that are simply going to be there no matter what we do.  This sister, that cousin, this aunt, that in-law.  Do you have people in your life who are making you unhappy every time you speak with them or see them?  Of course.  We all do.  The way powerful, accomplished, successful individuals deal with this type of person, is to limit the energy they give them.  They set boundaries, and so can you.  You can limit the time you spend with people.  You can limit phone calls to just a few minutes.

REMEMBER:  YOU are creating your best life!  YOU are creating your dream life!  YOUR TIME IS LIMITED.  Believe me, we ALL have that "special" relative that we don't talk about.  We deal with him or her at holidays and weddings.  But honestly, YOU get to choose who you spend your time and energy with.  Now that you're setting goals for yourself, you MUST to choose who you spend time with.

I know a true story about the wonderful Mary Kay Ash.  You remember her, right?  She was the founder and creator of Mary Kay Cosmetics.  She was very active in her business up until the very end.  She was a strong woman, born years ahead of her time.  She spoke to her Consultants all the time.  Before the company became too large to manage this, she would call every Consultant on her Birthday!  How many times has your boss done that???  As you can imagine, some of the women she called would get so excited to hear from her that they'd try to keep her on the phone for ages!!  What did this amazing, powerful, successful woman do to manage that?  She had a doorbell installed in her office.  If a call was going on too long, she would press the doorbell and the person on the phone would hear the sound.  Mary Kay would apologize and tell the consultant how sorry she was that she need to go.  BRILLIANT, right???   WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT!!???  Now THAT is how you handle a phone call!

You are allowed to be busy!  There is nothing wrong with telling someone who calls you that you need to call them back!  You are responsible for how you spend your time and if you are going to accomplish your goals, you need to learn how to manage it.

We all have wonderful friends we want to hear from, and that is great.  Just make sure you're not spending so much time chatting about your new Louboutin's that you forget what you had on your schedule for that day.

Do you have friends who just show up at your door?  Talk about an interruption!  Get a grip on that, girl.  You have priorities and things to do.  If she can join you in painting the living room, or join you for your grocery shopping trip or join you for whatever YOU chose to do at that time, then great!  Hand her a paint brush.  If not, then you need to schedule a date!  Meet for coffee at 10:00am.  Meet for lunch or breakfast.  Scheduling a shopping trip would be fun!  Key word:  SCHEDULING.  That 365 Brilliant Days Planner is going to come in very handy now, isn't it?

I know this is a long rant about managing the people you allow into your perfect world.  The bottom line is that you must choose who you spend your time with.  Do you have ENERGY VAMPIRES in your world?  You know, the friend who keeps telling you all about her horrible life and wants to drag you right down with her?  We'll get into the ENERGY VAMPIRES at another time.  For now, you just need to recognize that it's happening.

Here is an easy step you can take toward managing your time:   Let the call go to voicemail!  God created Caller ID for YOU!   USE IT!

So who should you spend your time with?  I always think it's a good idea to be around people who know more than I do.  I want to be around people who are honest and people I can learn from.  I want to be around people who are ALSO setting goals and managing who they allow into their lives.
Spend time with people who are going to lift you up and share that celebratory glass of champagne!  Allow people into your life who are growing and bettering themselves.  Positive, uplifting, cheerleaders!  That's who I want, baby.  That's who I AM for my friends and those are the relationships I want to nurture.

Whether you're "stuck with" someone or not, anyone in your life who defeats you, makes you feel inferior, makes you feel tired, is not supportive of what you are doing, makes fun of you and your goals, or makes you question your decisions, cannot celebrate a win with you, destroys your confidence....NEEDS TO GO.  Or at least be well-managed.  And YOU, sweet one, are going to be the MASTER of this!

Now, I hear the wheels turning in your head.  You're thinking:  Picking and choosing the people in my life??  Managing my time with various people??  Doesn't that make me a bad person??
I have a nice, friendly, uplifting, cheerful, honest, two word answer for you:  HELL NO!   Recognizing how people effect your life and your happiness makes you is a SMART person.  Doing something about it makes you BRILLIANT!

Feel free to contact me if you have more questions about this topic.  But now that you've read this sweet little love letter from me, take that hour I challenged you to take.  Think about the people whom you've allowed into your life.  Think about the time and energy you're giving to all of the people in your life.  And the most important question to answer is this:  Are you giving all of that energy to positive, encouraging people?  Are you limiting the influence that the negative people in your life have on you?

Please think about all of this.  Make some notes.

Chat with you later, beautiful...

A Brilliant Sunday!! Let's get going!!

It's the perfect lazy Sunday.  It's a chilly day for Texas, 73 degrees, partly cloudy...the perfect day for a cute pair of sweats - mine are cashmere, thank you Neiman Marcus Last Call!  A pair of fuzzy slippers, a pot of tea and a good movie.  Also, 2 lazy dogs asleep on the sofa beside me, snoring gently.  So cute!

I didn't always have the luxury of a lazy Sunday like this.  In the past, I would be running around like a crazy person trying to fit everything I could into my only day off this week.   But no more of that!  How? Why? Can I have some of that, you ask?  But of course my darlings!  I'm happy to share my little secret with you.

First let me quote one of my greatest mentors, Tony Robbins.  "CLARITY IS POWER!"  
For those of you who know him, you also know that he doesn't just say that.  He shouts it from the rooftops!!!  Why?  Because it's true.

Once I figured that out, life became a lot more simple.  It will get that way for you, too, if you want it.  Now don't get me wrong, you will need to be diligent with what you get clear about, but trust me when I say it will be 100% worth it,  and the happiest life you have ever allowed yourself to have.  You will get there in just a few steps if you will trust me and start the planning process with me by your side!

So who is with me??  Who is ready to start??

Step 1.  Decide what is important to you.  Run and get yourself a pretty notebook and pen.
Step 2.  I want you to draw a grid on your paper with four areas in it.  At the top of each area, write one of the following words:
     "RELATIONSHIPS" this section will include family, romantic, friends, anything that has to do with interpersonal skills.
     "CAREER". in this section well cover your work life.
     "FINANCE". Here we will cover your financial goals.
     "YOU". Write your name here.  This will be all about YOU!  Your health, your education, your well being.

It is important to take your time now.  Don't rush through this exercise.  This is where YOU learn all about YOU!  And it is super important.

Step 3.  Go through each section and make notes.  Quick notes, not paragraphs, but be thorough.  I want you to start each section by asking yourself this, "In a perfect world, where there are no limits, what do I want?  What would make this area of my life perfect?  Go wild!  Be creative!!  Don't hold back!!!

Let's examine the categories:

     RELATIONSHIPS.   In a perfect world, what would my relationships look like?  Who do I want in my life, who do I need to excuse from my life, and who am I sort of stuck with? Which relationships do I need to nurture?  Who do I love and want more of?  Am I being a good friend, relative, partner in return to the people who have been good to me?  Which of my relationships do I need to make a priority?  Wow!  All of that in a block on a grid?  Yep!  Give yourself some time.  At least a good 20 to 30 minutes to think this through.

     CAREER.  In a perfect world, what would my career look like?  What would be the perfect job for me, if I had no limits?  Am I doing what I love?  Am I passionate about it, or is it just a paycheck?   What SHOULD I be doing for a living? Do I already have that job?  (If so, lucky you!)  Do I feel as though I deserve a promotion?  Does my boss agree?  What do I need to work on in order to move forward?  Do I even need to move forward, or is this enough?

     FINANCE.  Everyone's favorite subject.  In a perfect world, what would my financial situation look like?  What does it look like now?  Be realistic.  Do I carry a lot of credit card debt?  Am I current on my bills?  Do I need to get caught up on my bills?  What would my life look like if I were not in the financial situation I am in now?

     YOU.  Me?  Wow!  A section all about me?  Of course!  How is my health?  Am I caught up on all of my maintenance Drs. appointments?  If not, what do I need to schedule.  Am I spending time on myself? Am I spending time doing some sort of workout?  Do I need to work on my Mental Health a bit?  Do I need to read more?  Do I need to spend more time alone?  How do I present myself?  Do I look like I just rolled out of bed most days?  Do I look like a million bucks???  Am I taking good care of myself, my appearance, my health?

So!  Now that you've read all of this.  Let's get to it!!  Start writing down your thoughts.  They don't all have to be perfect!  Do NOT lie!  Tell the truth.  No one will ever see what you're writing except for you.  Now is the time to do a good analysis on these areas and determine what you need to continue doing and what you need to start doing, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, what you need to STOP doing!

Remember when you're going through this exercise, to be NURTURING!  Be kind to yourself.  Be understanding, but also be honest.  Commit to yourself that bettering yourself requires brutal honesty and some time - and YOU are perfectly able to change anything you want to change.  Remember that nothing will change overnight, but more importantly, nothing will change at all until you accept the fact that it's up to YOU to change it.

I'm going to show you exactly how to do that in a very organized and honest way.

Ready.......??

Day 6.... Think, plan and celebrate!

Before we get started today, I want to let you know that we will get into much greater detail on goal setting a little further on down the road.  These first days of blogging are just to get you thinking about YOU!

Who are you vs. who you want to be.
What you have vs. what you want.
How you live vs. how you want to live.
What relationships you are in vs. what relationships you want to be in.

You get it.  Maybe you have exactly everything you want and live exactly how you want to live.  If that is the case then I want to meet you!  Just about everyone has some place in their life that could use a little work or a little TLC.  Well cheers to you!!  You are in the right place to get it all figured out.

Because this process of creating your best life shouldn't be excessively painful, I decided to write about the fun part early on in the game.  My friend and Coach, Cara Alwill Leyba has written three books that will change your life.  RUN....do not walk...to Amazon and get the following books:

Sparkle
The Champagne Diet
Fearless and Fabulous

Anyone wanting a better life needs to own these and live by her principles.

One of the many outstanding ideas that I learned from Beautiful Cara is the importance of celebrating something every single day. You may be thinking, "Really Donna?  My kid is throwing up, my dog pooped on the floor, I'm broke, my car is making a new noise that no one can hear but me, my boss is hideous and I feel fat.  What am I going to celebrate?"

Well let me tell you, my little skeptic... There is something for you to celebrate every day of your life.  So break open the bubbly, or your beverage of choice and check these ideas out:

1.  Celebrate the fact that you got through a day with a sick kid!  THAT is an accomplishment!
2.  Celebrate the fact that you remembered to wear your sunscreen!
3.  Celebrate the fact that you didn't run your boss over in the parking lot!
4.  Celebrate the fact that you have a car and a job and a dog in your life!

        And the biggest reason of all....

5.  Celebrate the fact that you have reached a place in your life where you can recognize that a few things need to change.
6.  Celebrate the fact that you now realize that YOU are in control of what is happening in your world.

How freeing is it to know that while everything in your life may not be perfect at the moment, you can change it and mold it and turn it into exactly what you want it to be.  You have everything you need right now to turn it all around for yourself.

So YES YES YES!!  Break out that beautiful glass of whatever you want and really feel good about what is about to happen!!!

.......what are you waiting for?

Brilliant Day 5... Thinking about what you really want!

....So you think you can't fit it all into your life?  If you're careful you can, I promise you.  There are a few steps you must follow in order to fit all of the important things into your life and your schedule.

The first thing you need to do is set clear goals.  I learned a lot about goal setting from the legendary Anthony Robbins.  He says that in order to reach your goals, you have to get clear about what you actually want.  Makes sense, right?  If you're not clear about what you need to accomplish, you won't accomplish anything.

In order to set good, attainable goals for yourself, first you need to have a few categories from which to choose.  I'm going to give you a few categories and once you get going, you'll want to add one or two of your own.

1.  Physical
2.  Financial
3.  Home
4.  Relationships
5.  Work

These are in no order, whatsoever.  So choose the one you that sounds most important to you.

If you choose Physical:  First, you should take stock of where you are.  Are you over weight?  Are you a great weight but need to be more toned?  Are you toned and fit, but want to make sure your heart is healthy?  In this area you might want to get in really great shape - who doesn't.  Should you join a gym?  Will you go?  You'll have to fit it into you schedule.    Maybe you just need to go for a quick run each morning or evening.  That will take care of cardio as well as firm things up a bit!

Here's a goal I would set:  I want my heart to be healthier, so I need to get more physical.  I want to run on my elliptical machine that I desperately needed to purchase a year ago.  Since I bought it, I've been using it as a clothes rack.  My goal is to get on that thing three times per week.  Part of that goal is to get a TV set up in front of it, so I don't just walk away when I get tired or bored.  I have a goal of bringing a TV in front of it by the end of the week, so I can start using the elliptical next Monday.  After I have the area set up, I will go to my 365 Brilliant Days Planner and choose the three days and times I will put myself on that hideous machine.  I will put a good movie in and watch 30 minutes of it at a time so I can look forward to continuing the move the next time I work out.  If it's too boring and I hate it, I'll schedule to go out running instead.  There.  Goal set and recorded in my planner.

Would you choose Financial as your goal?:  My goal would be to get debt free as soon as possible.  I cannot set an exact date until I sit down with all of my bills and create a budget.  I'll write down all of the bills and the balances on each one.  I'll choose which one to pay off first and focus on that one as much as possible until it's gone, while still paying on the others as well.  Once that one is gone, I'll focus on the next.  Then the next, then the next.  I'll write each payday into my planner and remind myself of which bill I'm continuing to focus on.  I may even add up the entire balance of all of my debt and write a new list each payday - if it's not too depressing!!!  But keeping track of it in my planner will help keep me focused on it so I don't forget and decide a new pair of Louboutin's would be more important!!!

Maybe you choose to set a goal for your Home:  Note your days off.  Make a list of everything in your wildest dreams that you'd like to re-do in your home.  Start plugging those things into you planner on your days off.  Not all at once.  Just one or two things on each day.  After a while, all of the things you wanted to do will be done.  You've scheduled them.  You're going to work on them.  They will get completed.

Relationships?:  Have you been neglecting people who are important to you?  I'm guilty of this.  Make a goal of contacting one person every other day.  Mom, Dad, best friend, new friend, old friend, relative.  Do not underestimate the value of your relationships.  This is an important goal for everyone to set.  Write who you want to call/email/write into your planner.  Don't think of it as heartless because its written on paper.  It is a reminder.

Remember our friend Albert Einstein:  Don't waste time trying to remember things you can write down and look up later!

Last goal to discuss for now:  WORK.  That four letter word.  Do you have your dream job?  Are you happy to go to work each day?  They say do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life again.  Are you doing what you love?  We'll talk more about this soon.  For now, make a few notes about what your dream job would look like.  What do you love to do so much that you'd do it for free??  I think we'd better come back to this one.  For now, schedule some time for yourself in your planner to sit down quietly and think about your job.   Think about what you love about it, what you hate about it.  What you'd rather be doing.  Pretend it's a perfect world and you can do anything you want.  Get the juices flowing.....

You don't need to know exactly every move you're going to make in every area.  You just need to get started.  Each month, in our 365 Planners we'll be re evaluating our goals to see where we need to modify them.  You will reach a goal and need to find something else!  I promise that will happen to you!

Your first goal is just to get started.  Get thinking.  Get writing.  Get going.  No commitments, just ideas about your perfect, dream life!!

Get a beautiful glass of Champagne (or your beverage of choice).

We're about to start celebrating every day!!!........

Where the heck is Day 4??!!

Where the heck is Day 4 you ask? 

I am writing this on Day 5!  AS PLANNED my lovelies! 

The beauty of organizing your life consistently is that you also have the luxury of planning a day off for yourself.  I've had today planned for quite a while actually.

I have it written into my 365 Brilliant Days planner and I've been looking forward to it!!  Counting down the days as a matter of fact.

My wonderful,  fabulous, smart, sexy husband has been out of town.  He was back in town for only a couple of days so we planned a romantic dinner - Chinese food to go - some snuggly alone time, and a movie at home date night!

It was so nice!!  We were able to spend a nice amount of uninterrupted time talking and catching up.  Reorganizing our schedules and planning our next date night for when he gets home in a week or so!  Then we..... dot dot dot..... and spent the rest of the evening watching a great movie that we both love! 

(....dot dot dot..... courtesy of the Mamma Mia movie)

The beauty of being as organized and thought-out as we are is that now we have something BRILLIANT in our schedules!  We don't feel as though we are passing notes and texts to each other.   We will look forward to our date, think of something fun to do, and if we start to feel a little lonely, we will think about our date and smile!

Please understand that I am not giving you all this detail to tell you how fabulous my life is.  Although it IS.  I am telling you this because I want you to understand that every part of your life can be organized.  Not just your work and your tasks, but your off duty life as well!  And all written down in the same place.  Allowing you to create joy and brilliance!  Allowing you to build the life of your dreams!!

With a little planning and carefully choosing to say yes or NO, you can probably fit it all in. 

And if you feel you can't......

Day 3. The Power of "NO"

.....Once the pity party was over and I figured out what I needed to fix, I felt 100 pounds of weight fly off of my shoulders.  I felt happy!  I felt like a light bulb went on over my head!  I felt free!  I felt opened up to new possibilities!  And it SCARED the shit out of me.

The BIG thing I needed to do was:  LEARN TO SAY NO.

Once I made the decision to learn to say no, I actually had to say the word to some people.  That was scary.  But I thought, start small.  The ladies who lived on my street used to meet up twice each week for book club.  Twice!  Why?  Don't normal book clubs meet up once each month?  Twice each week didn't even give me time to read the book!

"No" number one was to call the secretary of the "Bored Housewives Club" and tell her I couldn't come to the meetings any more.  PS and by the way.... I was the ONLY woman in my posh neighborhood in Connecticut that actually worked.  Everyone else played tennis at the Country Club full time.  I used to joke with them that none of them would be the next Anna Kournikova.  They were all over 40 and Anna was about 18.  Do the math.  Some of the ladies would even put their children in day care so they could play tennis all afternoon.  Me?  Resentful?  Sure made the phone call easier to make.  They were great ladies.  Fun and interesting.  Bye bye.  I'm sure they didn't miss me much after the fourth or fifth bottle of wine!

"No" number 2 was to my current husband.  That was a little harder.  I had to tell him that I was going to hire a cleaning lady.  I was saying no to cleaning a huge, dusty house by myself.  Strange, that man.  No matter how much money I made, it was all his!  How the HELL did I let that happen?  Shame on me.  He wasn't even all that cute!  And as you might imagine, he said, "Absolutely not.  I will not have some stranger in my house."  And as you might imagine, I decided to sneak a cleaning lady in once each week anyway.  It was BRILLIANT.  For a while at least.  Of course I got caught.  I panicked and introduced her as my friend, whom I was helping out!  He was a jerk, but he wasn't stupid.  Naturally, he knew I was lying and naturally, there was an argument.  I held my ground and told him I was going to continue having her come to clean.  If we wasn't ok with it, I'd continue having her come when he was at work.  Period.  Five days later it was all over.  I had my cleaning lady and he and I never talked about it again.  He's gone now.

"No" number 3 I felt a little guilty about.  For a minute.  Then I got over it.  I was asked to volunteer some time at our local grade school.  I do not have children, but that small detail didn't stop the PTA from asking me to volunteer a few mornings each week in the school library.  Of course, being the weenie that I used to be, I said yes.  Then about an hour later I hated myself for saying yes to her when I could barely find enough time in the day to get everything else done.  I called the school and backed out of the agreement.  No judging please.

Why am I telling you all of this?  One reason:  YOU must learn to say no.

How can you accomplish all of your goals and live your fabulous, brilliant life if you spend all of your time doing things for other people?  Let me explain!!!  We all have our favorite organizations, charities, etc. that we want to be part of.  I certainly do, and I find a way to help as much as I can.  Sometimes I help by sending a little money.  Sometimes I help by donating food.  Sometimes I help by showing up at an event an rolling up my sleeves.  I help based upon what I am able to fit into my life and my at that time.

Let me ask you this:  Who do you need to say no to?  Is it a girlfriend who is an energy drainer?  Is it a group you joined that is sucking the life out of you?

Especially while you are learning to manage your life and create your super organized, powerful self, you need to very closely manage with whom and with what you are filling your time.  There are 24 hours in a day.  You need to get a good night's sleep every night if possible.  There goes 8.  Do you work?  There goes another 8.  That leaves you 8 good hours to build, create, nurture, redecorate, declutter, achieve your goals and LIVE.  There is no honor in volunteering so much of your time that your own life suffers.  Make sure you are saying NO when you need to say no.  Make sure you are managing your time.  Even micro-managing your own time is good for you when you're working on your OWN BRILLIANT LIFE!

Once I said "NO" to 8 or 10 things that were sucking my time down the drain, I started to feel happier, more rested, more accomplished, less stressed.  I chose what I wanted to do every day.  I chose it, scheduled it and did it.  Life got better and better from that point on.

So give yourself a HUGE gift.  Time.  Time for you and for everything you want to accomplish.  Time to sit down quietly and set goals for yourself.  Time to spend with your family without being interrupted.  Time for a bubble bath and glass of champagne without being interrupted.  Time to finish that great book without being interrupted.  Time for YOU.

I promise you'll thank me when you master the power of "NO."

So now you're probably asking me, "OK smarty pants.  I have all this time now.  I admit I'm less stressed, but NOW what do I do?  There's only so much QVC I can watch."

That answer is coming.....      

Day 2. Donna's disorganized life

....In my last post, I said I would share with you what my life looked like before I decided that I'd had enough of the disorganization.  I was self-employed, which I am no longer.  Sidenote:  I REALLY miss working for myself.  It's not for everyone.  It's 24/7.  Well at least it was for me.  When - not if - WHEN I am able to become self-employed again, I know I will be so much more successful than I was last time.  Why?  The Big "O"!!!  Organization.

I needed to be organized, but I didn't know it yet.  I was just scrambling through each day, trying to stay in touch with my existing clients, manage my product, find new clients, manage my household, get my dog to the million Vet appointments she seemed to need, work out, maintain my nails, keep the fridge stocked with Champagne - thank you Cara Alwill-Leyba for showing me that Champagne is a big priority in my life!  ...keep food in the house, cook meals to keep my husband from starving, pick up the dry cleaning, vacuum up the dog hair...  AAAAAAaaaaaahhhhhh!!!

You got it.  I was all over the place!  And this went on for AGES!!!  I remember back then that there were days when I would go non-stop, 100 miles per hour, grab a burger at a drive-thru, go home, clean the house, make dinner, lay in bed and not remember a thing that I did.  I would actually lay there trying to remember what I'd accomplished on a given day and feel really badly when I realized that while I was moving as fast as I could, I accomplished absolutely nothing.  I'd look at my to do list and see that I didn't cross off a single thing.  This happened to me over and over.  I was busy being busy.  Sound familiar?

At one point, I was laying in bed thinking about my day, for the 10th or so day in a row and realized that I hadn't even looked at my list for days and days.  I had run errands, some for me, mostly for other people, and didn't do one single thing that would push me towards success in my business.  And worse than that, I didn't even feel good about what I had done and the tasks I had completed.  No sense of accomplishment whatsoever!

That was the night I cried.  I was physically and mentally exhausted and I had nothing to show for it. Now, believe me, I'm not the type to feel sorry for myself, and that's not where I'm going with this.  I was PISSED.   So pissed that all I could do was cry.  Really??  Exhaustion with NOTHING TO SHOW FOR IT???  I'm sorry, but that does not work for me.  

I needed to get a grip.  If I'm going to work my ass off, at least I want to be happy doing it, and see some results from it.  Exhaustion is just not enough for me.  So how did I handle this, you ask?  I had a four day weekend-long pity party for myself.  I earned it.  I cried, prayed, listened to gentle music, listened to Ozzy Osbourne.  Even my pity party was all over the place, but I felt good about this weekend.

For the first time in ages, I felt like I was attempting to take control of my life, my attitude, my tasks and obligations.  There was a light that started shining on me (not really, but I felt like there should be).  I felt GOOD.  I felt like I had taken a minute to get in control.  During the last few hours of my weekend-long pity party I started organizing my brain a little.  Then I started writing some things down.

And I realized there was something absolutely HUGE that I needed to do, and I had to do it RIGHT AWAY.....

The First Brilliant Day

Let's talk about being organized.  Wait, don't leave!  I'm not talking about organizing your sock drawer.  Nor am I talking about cleaning under your kitchen sink.

I'm talking about freeing up disc space in that beautiful mind of yours!  I'm talking about eliminating some of the brain clutter we all have by writing a few things down, which in turn will enable you to focus on what you really want to do.  Whether it's focusing on your children, your husband, your job or even a good book!  Have you ever started watching a movie and ½ hour into it you have no idea what is going on?  I get it.  I have felt that way too!  That beautiful brain disc space is FULL!

Sometimes we keep so many things juggling in our minds that we can't think clearly at all! 

Someone we all know once said, "Don't waste time trying to remember anything you can write down and look up later." That was Albert Einstein.  Pretty smart for a guy, right?

He also said, "You will eliminate 50% of your daily stress by creating a list of what you need to do the night before."  That works for me, how about you?  50% of my stress gone?  Sign me up!

Wouldn't it be nice to know that your mind is free to really enjoy that glass of champagne because everything you need to do is resting in its place and waiting quietly for you when you're ready for it?  Finally nothing nagging at you!  No scary feeling that you might be forgetting something.  How freeing would that be???

Wouldn't learning to compartmentalize your tasks, plans, and your feelings be a wonderful skill for you to master?  How free would you feel if you didn't have to keep juggling all of those balls up in the air any longer?  You will be in a place where you can decide what you're going to focus on, when you are ready to focus on it.  You will have the energy to deal with it, or him, or her, or them.   It makes me excited just to think about letting go of certain things.  Are you getting a little excited yet?

Now I don't mean at all, that your problems, concerns or priorities are going away.  Actually, quite the opposite.  I'm talking about putting you into a place where you are completely powerful and capable of handling all of the tasks, drama, jobs, and responsibilities, that come into your life.  Handling each one of them confidently, smoothly, happily and productively.  With a clear and focused mindset.  And not only that!  Because you will get to this place of empowerment where your "must-dos" are concerned, you will be able to manage your personal "want-to-dos" far more beautifully.  

You'll be able to plan your down time, schedule time for your interests, family, your hobbies, all of it.  Where is the joy in scheduling the fun things?  Well let me tell you, when you are freed up to truly focus on your leisure time, you will relax more, laugh more, love more and make better decisions and better memories.  You won't have your work life or obligation life weighing you down.  It will all be so well managed that you will feel like a new person with all of the worlds' troubles finally OFF your shoulders.  

Does this sound like something you could benefit from?  Let me tell you this:  I KNOW you will benefit from this.  So will the people around you.  

Let me tell you how.  I'll start by telling you where I was with my disorganized life.....