Creativity & self-care

Self-care has many forms. It is unique to each individual’s need/definition. It is equally important to us all though. Whenever I set a new goal or maintain an ongoing goal I always prioritize self-care and how my self-care needs play a role in goal-setting (and maintaining).

One form of self-care that I truly enjoy and that makes me feel recharged is creating. Whether it’s writing, cooking, knitting, sketching, or learning about a new craft! I just feel energized during the entire creative process. Creativity is mybstress-reducer.

There have been times in my life that creativity was ignored though. I got too busy with work and responsibilities or just wasn’t feeling completely healthy and put a hold on being creative. And I noticed as soon as focused on even a minor creative outlet I felt better, I felt more like myself, I calmed racing thoughts, and reduced stress. Creativity is self-care for me. Even if I am not so good at a creative outlet, sketching for one (of many) examples, I still enjoy the process.

How do you reduce stress? Does creativity play a role in your self-care routine? What is your favorite creative outlet?

Thank you so much for reading, following, and connecting! Please take care of yourself!

This is my current creative outlet…I recently re-discovered the love for my vintage typewriter and I have been typing quotes, mantras, zodiac sign traits…and adding a wax seal to my creations. I have had requests about how to purchase them…so I created an option via paypal! Click here for more info!

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How do you show up?

Sometimes the most difficult step toward a goal is the first one. One important reminder is to show up…just as you are. You don’t have to wait for stars to align, timing to be perfect, or for your goal to be perfectly planned out. And you certainly don’t need to let someone else set the standard or give you permission before you start. Show up…as you are & take the first few steps in your action plan.

Allow yourself to evolve at your pace. Adapt when you acknowledge self-growth. Your routine may change, your growth may be quick or slow, your starting steps may be catalysts for new goals…show up today, as you are & embrace your discovery.

Please, show up for your goals, yourself, career choice, relationships, education, self-care, health, happiness, journey, self-growth…during your self-discovery one main focus is to show up as you are & welcome the discovery & growth you are so very capable of!

What are you currently focused on & showing up for?

Please follow me for future posts or connect on Instagram (successencourager) for daily inspirational tips!

Identifying your unique happiness

Your happiness is unique to you and so are the goals that encourage that happiness. Setting unique goals that put you closer to your positive future self without knowing every single outcome takes bravery. Be brave. Trust yourself. Make a commitment to your personal process and dedicate time to your goals and self-discovery.
Once committed, you will discover you are so much stronger than the limits you put upon yourself.
Identifying why a goal is important to you, the happiness it will bring, and the first few steps needed to get started will lead to your self-defined future. Identification of your happiness is a form of self-care and helps you create a goal-setting action plan unique to you.
Pause – Take a moment and think about actions in life that bring you the most joy.

Are your actions incorporated into your daily or weekly routine? What is keeping you from dedicating more time to those actions? How can you dedicate more time?

Set goals that challenge you and encourage you to define and identify your happiness.

Both professional and personal goals require commitment and dedicated time. Take a few moments to write out your typical daily and weekly schedule. Seeing your schedule in print will help you identify timeframes that work best for your unique situation and help you focus on your discovery.

What main goal focus will encourage more happiness and growth? I’d love to hear what you are focused on and how you stay focused. Connect via Instagram (successencourager), email me or comment below.

Thank you so much for reading and following!

2019 Happiness defined

Goals – Know what to pack

My current journey includes focusing on specific goals that are unique to me and self-discovery. Recently, I was reading an article about travel tips. When I read ‘know what pack‘ I thought about that concept and goal-setting; it was a light bulb moment.

I love to travel – especially road trips! Sometimes a long drive is just what I need to recharge & focus.

The Travel Tip article included several essential tips; pack only what you need, dress in layers since weather changes as you travel, pack comfortable attire, take your journal, charger, camera (phone), etc. This advice works well when setting a new goal!

I know it may sound odd, but sometimes relating one focus to another concept offers clarity. Goal-setting requires packing only what you need and being comfortable with the reality of the goal & the steps required.

If you are unsure what to pack (focus on) imagine what is already in your suitcase –

  • What do you spend the most time currently doing?
  • What makes you the happiest & fulfilled?
  • Are the things that make you happy actually in your suitcase or sitting off to the side?
  • Reflect for a while & then pack & unpack accordingly – give your main goal a definition & label it…write out what you want to focus more time on.

Dress in layers so you add & remove as needed. Layering out a plan supports action so you can dedicate time to the goal focus that means the most to you. Start out with a layered action plan made of 3 to 5 steps.

Step one should include a real reason why you want to focus on the chosen goal. Add a few simple steps to get started & adjust as needed. Add more steps at your own pace.

Resources include such things as a journal, charger, camera, etc. These suggested items can literally be part of your process or you can discover other tools & resources needed for your specific trip. I personally keep a journal and/or planner with me at all times to record ideas, quotes, progress, etc. I also read a lot about my current goal focus, recently I have been reading a lot of self-discovery books and a few fiction ones too.

Your journey will include detours, rest stops, and maintenance along the way. Staying focused on your path will help you adapt to the direction that best guides you.

When you pack what you need & remember your ‘why’ you can truly enjoy the ride & incorporate realistic steps for your goal into your unique routine.

What is your current goal focus? What should you pack in your suitcase? What resources are on your list? Comment or email me at successencourager@gmail.com.

Find me on Instagram (successencourager) for daily encouragement quotes!

Thanks for reading and following; keep goaling!

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What is your motivation?

Whether you have read about Why Not Wednesday and the other goal-setting days of the week or aren’t sure what I’m talking about I encourage you to celebrate your accomplishments this weekend. Even if your accomplishments were focused on determining what goal or positive routine you want to start and you haven’t taken any steps yet. Acknowledging a goal or new habit is a huge accomplishment!

This weekend (or during a free moment next week) focus on the one thing you want to accomplish right now or new habit you want to incorporate and fill in the blanks:

  • My motivation is (fill in this blank) – so I can (fill in this blank)

Examples:

  • My motivation is better health so I can be more active with my friends and family.
  • My motivation is to write daily so I can publish my novel finally.
  • My motivation is to be a certified nutritionist so I can work for myself and share my passion for health with others.
  • My motivation is to save more money each month so I can travel to a national park next year.

When you change the word ‘goal’ to motivation it helps you see it more clearly and by answering ‘so I can…’ it forces you to focus on your ‘why’ and outcome. For me personally, motivation gets me more excited and determined than the word ‘goal’.

Once you have your goal/motivation set and focus on your why you can develop your action plan (to do list) easier.

Using the last example above you could start your action plan with:

  • Research transportation methods and costs to the state you want to visit
  • Tally up all costs related to trip then figure out how much you need to save each week.
  • Start putting together trip agenda
  • Discover the best time of year to travel there
  • Open up a new savings account to better track savings.

What is your current motivation?

 

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Photo by Martin Shreder via Unsplash.com

 

Enthusiasm at work. Why?

What’s the point? I’ve heard this question in small groups and at a recent conference I attended. Let me boldly tell you the short answer to this – YOU, you are the point.

Of course, an employer benefits from your professionalism, enthusiasm and productivity, but your own well-being benefits much more. In a fast paced deadline driven world it’s time to view a job well done as a benefit to one’s self. Your performance is an opportunity for you to express yourself while sharing your original skills that got you the job in the first place. Be enthusiastic not just about the duties you perform, but about your own performance and amazing offerings! Once this is realized and accepted your entire work environment will change and your well-being will improve!

How so? There have been numerous studies relating mental and physical illnesses to stress. Taking care of yourself is no longer a luxury or an option, it’s a requirement. And one very important way of doing that is self-care and decreasing stress. Options include meditation and exercise, but there are also many other ways to reduce stress including positive attitude and affirmations. Bringing that positivity to your job empowers your entire being. Go ahead let your inner brightness shine blindingly. Be awesome, it benefits you no matter where you choose to shine (current position, promotion, at home, new position, volunteering, or while meeting with your trivia buddies).

Think of the last time you were stressed at work. Was it a stressful, day, week…full month? Next, break it down. Was it stressful because of another person’s view of the situation, was it work overload, maybe major changes occurring? Or possibly being too focused on the negative aspect of ‘what’s the point‘? Ask yourself how could the situation have been different if you had focused on personal care & reflection with a more positive outlook?

Aligning your goals both personally and professionally encourages you to be more confident at work, acknowledge the skills you possess and were hired to share while keeping a positive attitude that flows through your work hours and at home. I know my day flows much better when I start my mornings with meditation, self-reflection and visualization. When a stressful situation occurs at work I can focus on the actions needed to fix it while staying positive.

With a self-care routine you can…

  • Let go of the negative thoughts that creep in during a stressful day
  • Reconnect with your inner awesomeness; your personality shines through even if your position or company changes
  • Not dwell on being a good employee, but instead concentrate on bringing your unique skills to a job that craves your originality – achievement will undoubtedly come

You are not just an employee; you’re an entire being that spends a certain amount of hours providing your experiences to a work team. No matter what your title is, you contribute to a team by being yourself, sharing your skills and recognizing your offerings.

Your offerings consist of several attributes…

  • Personality
  • Experience
  • Training and/or education (institutionally or self-paced)
  • Demeanor
  • Professionalism and so on – share and embrace each one!

By carrying your offerings into your work environment you become more connected with yourself and deal with change in a more positive way by not letting it change the core of who you are. This allows you to confidently share ideas, maintain a positive reaction to negative situations and view your position as one with many opportunities that you can control, create and accept.

What offerings do you share with your team that brings joy to you professionally and personally? Do you have a morning routine that makes your day less stressful?

Thank you so much for reading. You’re awesome.

Check out more about me & the professional services I offer on my ABOUT ME page!

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving has always meant extra time with family, enjoying food that I grew up with and trying new recipes. Its been a day that included laughter, putting differences aside, sharing conversations with family and new stories with invited guests and somehow all of this is done despite everyone being tired from the food preparation!

The years have passed, some traditions have continued some have faded. Family time is as important as ever.

I’m sick today. I didn’t get to make desserts…I love baking…love it. I didnt get to see my family today. I look forward to my side of the family all being in one room sharing stories and laughter and mom’s deviled eggs! I look forward to my mother in law’s ham and pineapple gravy and both of my brother in law’s side dishes. I enjoy hearing my nieces and nephews share parts of
there lives. I wanted to see my newest  nephew’s first taste of mashed potatoes. I looked forward to catching up with everyone…

Despite all that wanting I did not feel better, BUT my family has kept me included. Texts, photos, leftovers of my favorites from my in laws…and lots of virtual hugs and good wishes from friends and family. I might be coughing up a lung… but I am Thankful for my family and friends caring so much…all year long.

No matter where you are, how you feel, who you are with or without, or even if Thanksgiving isn’t a celebrated holiday in neck of the woods…I hop
e you have joy, peace, inspiration, love and laughter in abundance tonight and always! I am thankful for you reading this!