Taking The Next Step

Step 2: Tackle challenges and acknowledge successes.

As my last post showcased, I am very happy and proud of my achievements, no matter how small. I want to continue in this fashion and post what I am (or should be) proud of. Yes, I am also fishing for compliments. I recognize, of course, that with each new success, there are dozens more challenges I need to confront. Hopefully, posts about my successes in overcoming each challenge will be numerous :) 

Step 3: Ask for help and help others.

There's no shame in asking for help, as my friends and family can attest to every time I am running late or when the house is a mess when they come visit. In that same vein, I think it's nice not to judge others when they're running late or the house/party/dinner or whatever wasn't perfect. It would be better to jump in and lend a hand, so everyone can have a good time, right? That way, you will always be a good guest as well as a good hostess. I should add this to my list of challenges...

Step 4: Learn something new every day.

This should be everyone's goal. One time long ago, I envisioned being a world traveler, seeing new sights and meeting new people every day. That may not be my life right now, but fundamentally, I am experiencing something new every day as a mother. Life is never boring when you have kids. To keep growing and becoming a good person, no matter what successes I have in my life, I will always strive for more and hope to learn something or do something new every day.

Step 1

As my definitions of dazed and dazzling explain, I want to go from being a mentally slow, confused, almost inactive person to being a brilliant, amazing, impressive and active person. We all have areas of our life that we want to change or be better at, right? In addition to my personal blog and online articles, I wanted a place where I could just list my goals and accomplishments in an ordered fashion. My first goal is to be proactive about acknowledging my small successes, so my posts will chronicle any and all steps in the right direction. Please feel free to apply these steps to your life if you relate to them.

Step 1:
Identify problem areas and state goals

Problem 1: I don't look or feel beautiful. 
Goals: Makeover my outward appearance, dress more fashionably, wear makeup and style hair when I go out in public, exercise and eat better, have better posture. Praise myself and learn how to accept a compliment.

Problem 2: My house is always a cluttered mess.
Goals: Get organized: create a home for each wanted item, purge unnecessary items, donate as much as possible, get rid of everything else. Have one beautiful thing in each room for the eye to focus on. Get the family involved in daily/weekly/monthly chores so the mess doesn't ever get overwhelming.

Problem 3: My family needs to spend more quality time together.
Goals: Spend more time talking, playing, interacting and less time in front of the TV or watching movies; designate dinner time as TV-free time. Plan for and go on an outing at least once every two weeks. Take care of errands during the week, so weekends can be work and stress-free.

Problem 4: We need more income flowing in, not flowing out.
Goals: Find ways to work from home, contact lawyers and friends for possible paying temp work, keep writing/blogging/utilizing the internet. Keep our spending in check, look for deals for neccessaries, extreme-coupon/contact manufacturers for coupons and samples.