Before computers, life was easier......

And less frustrating. I have redesigned my website with the aid of the talented web designer, Brian Anthony. Now the site is done and I need to link it to my domain name. The site is with one company and the domain name another and understanding how the two can talk to each other is like deciphering ancient languages before the discovery of the Rosetta Stone. Brian has been extremely patient with my many, many, many emails (some with screen shots) detailing the problems. While I don't literally have a headache, this process is a headache and making me grumpy. I am hoping that while I sleep tonight that G-d will command the computer geniuses to work their magic and make everything 100% perfect tomorrow morning. I just want my redesigned and awesome site to go live under the domain name. Not a lot to ask for!

The importance of downtime....

Having downtime is important. Why? Because it recharges our brains, increases our productivity and boost our creativity according to science. Down time can be as complex as a two week vacation to some exotic destination or as simple as an afternoon at a museum. I try to make a point of seeing museums exhibitions that interest me or museums that are to my liking. Ancient gold, modern jewelry and even mid century furniture inspire me and recharge my brain. So what is your next downtime.

Each and every week....

I finally got my new schedule on paper--now to use it.

That sinking feeling....,

I went to get a manicure today. I sat down in the adjustable chair to dry my nails in the dryer and it felt like the chair was getting lower to the ground. The chair wasn't moving, the sensation was coming from me. It was the first time all week I have really set down--I am getting on a plane tomorrow to visit my best friend, have a reception to attend tonight, a client yesterday and a Tuesday that was super busy. I can't even remember Monday any more. Throw in the kid, the dog and packing and a few hours relaxing on a plane will be bliss. I spent the time drying my nails thinking about what's left to do before my taxi arrives. I didn't freak out, I simply planned and even if I stay up late (for a early morning flight) I will go to bed with a sense of accomplishment from today and the week. The relaxation on the plane will be a just reward for my hard work this week.

New Year, New Me and New Name, for blog that is.....

New Year's is fast approaching; well we need to finish the winter holidays and my birthday first. Even before all of this can happen, I need to finish recovering from medically needed breast reduction surgery that was done to alleviate back and neck pain. With the aid of my mom and daughter, I am recovering well and on my way to a "new" me, that is a "pain-free" me.  Carpal Tunnel Release surgery on both wrists and now this qualify me to describe myself as new and not updated. In this vane, I am reinventing my blog to be more about my life— "a mouthful of busy" as I described it in my journal last night. In fact in that same entry,  I described myself as a solorprenuer, divorced single mom, home owner with a dog. Now you see the busy.

So as of January 1st, 2016 look for my blog under it's new name, A Mouthful of Busy.

Thanks and have a great holiday season,
Mali

Wise words.....

Business Norm......Ditch the standard

Today I decided to file away the business cards I had collected over the years through networking, doctor's visits and a love of beads, but when doing so I noticed several had to be trimmed (too tall) to fit in the protector page which assumes each card is a standard 2" X 3.5 " and I realized in the age of technology and flash graphics on websites, the business card is yet another way to standout especially when you do a size that is not the standard and so in my opinion business is going the way of standing out and not fitting into the standard.

(P.S. One of my favorite business cards came from a financial planner whose card was 2" X 1.25" and said on the front, "The lack of orders from you has made this economy size card necessary.")

“Effective time management not only helps to improve productivity but also helps you to achieve your goals. As an entrepreneur, one has a limited amount of time and needs to use it wisely.” —Dr. Subhash Chandra

Wednesday's words: Teamwork

"Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success." —Henry Ford

Ford Biography

Tuesday's Tip: Make a meeting

If you want to do go to gym, meet a friend for coffee or have dinner with your partner put it on your calendar like a meeting and then you are more likely to do it.

Tuesday's Tip: For the New Year...

Be sure to print a hard copy of your address book on your computer and your contact list on your phone, so that you can recover the information should you need to do it.

Wednesday's words: When it gets tough

"You don't develop courage by being happy in your relationships everyday. You develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity." —Epicurus

To-Do List on the run

I didn't have time to work out my to-do list last night, so I did it while waiting at the bank. The back of a deposit slip is "lined."

Hard work pays off, sort of...

The other week I went through a box of old (I mean old) paper and found a paper I wrote in high school that I worked very hard on and saw that the grade was a "C" and realized that for all these years I had only remembered the hard work and not the grade and realized that what mattered was my effort (and work ethic) and not the grade.

Wednesday's words...on to do lists

"You don't need a special device to make a to-do list. You don't even need a notebook. I feel somewhat ridiculous say this, but you'd be surprised how many people say they can't get organized until they take a workshop or hire an organizer or get the proper notebook. The back of an envelope will do. And the best thing about it? WHen you're done you can get rid of it."
—from My Foot is Too Big for the Glass Slipper by Gabrielle Reece

Gabrielle Reece Biography

One bite at at time

Since being diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, doing things such as writing, typing and my favorites cooking and knitting are hard, so to work on a marketing postcard I am doing one piece of it a day and by weeks end a draft copy will be done and I am following the advice I give my clients to break projects into multiple tasks and do one at a time.

Wednesday's Words: Avoid Disorder

"It is best to do things systematically, since we are only human, and disorder is our worst enemy."
—Hesiod

Tuesday's Tip: Set a timer

If you want to spend a limited amount of time on a task, say 1 hour on Facebook or 45 minutes finishing your presentation, then set a timer and when it goes off, stop and move on to the next task.

Desk organization

Before....

After.....

Enough said (Sylvie would be very proud, especially if I kept it this way.)

Tuesday's Tip on writing...

Back when I (and you) were in school we learned the outline method to mapping out a paper/essay, well use it for that memo, presentation or article (as I did for my upcoming newsletter article for March)