|
Dear Melissa,
The Art of No! This has been a
tough lesson for me and betting it is for many of
you. I just found my schedule completely overloaded
and out of balance, too many trips for seminars and
workshops while still prioritizing clients, taking
care of the house (cleaning is minor but gardening
is a 4-6 hour a week job, and I don’t want to give
it up, I enjoy it.), looking after a sick kitty
(unknown tummy trouble), contending with plumbers
and a main line leak (that meant scarring my
gorgeous lawn right across the center, breaching
the new sprinkler system in three places, and
cutting a phone line!), and working on new logos,
websites and too much more. ENOUGH, I am staying put
(cancelled a workshop I was scheduled to attend) and
focusing on what is already on the burners . . . not
allowing myself to add anything new until a few of
these are finished cooking!
Viva Las Vegas! Just back from my
first trip to the capitol of neon lights since I was
a preteen. It was sensory overload on every front.
Constant visual onslaught, music or slot machines
ringing incessantly, every taste a person could
imagine, and aromas from the thick cigarette smoke
(this must be the last bastion in the US!) to
perfumed lobbies and more, I was done in.
I could have done it without a conference to attend,
but to be overloaded mentally, physically and every
other way was exhausting. I’ll go back when I have
far less to do and can enjoy it more.
Business of Design! Just returned
from a conference with a host of other design
professionals from around the country. Learned just
a couple of interesting tidbits, reinforced what I
already knew, and made some truly wonderful
connections. So often being a business owner can
feel isolating and this was a great way to reach out
and touch, share practice information and swap stories.
Live well and beautifully,
MG
Fresh Inspirations: Having it All - Yes, You Can! |
 |
|
I know most of us are taught that we can’t have it
all, we are told life isn’t fair and it is about
sacrifice and giving up to keep going. Not true –
we can have it all, once we establish what our own
personal “all” is. Most of us don’t really enjoy
being pulled in multiple directions at once and
multitasking ourselves into the ground, instead if
we follow a simple rule of thumb about focus and
choose only three major life priorities, at any
given time, and let the rest go, it gets much easier.
In determining our priorities some of us may have
some automatics in this like our families. This
means that we create a life that allows time with
our families and makes them significant as a
priority. By the same token, you may say your
career or one aspect of your career is also your
priority and you may include a fun pursuit like
sports or gardening as another priority.
The beauty in this approach is that we can change
our priorities at any point in time because they are
ours. We are not living our lives according to
society or to someone else. This isn’t about what
our spouse thinks, our parents want, our children
demand, it is about who we want to be and what we
want to accomplish. Breaking it down into bite-size
pieces is critical for success. When we tackle it
all, all at once, we get overwhelmed and burned out
quickly.
Three main priorities is a simple fix for overloaded
schedules and lives. In conjunction with this,
consider adding a second layer of priorities on a
more personal level, such as your health and
fitness. Make it specific and doable. For example,
committing to 30 minutes of exercise a day, the type
and time is of your choice but you are honoring
yourself, your health and this will facilitate your
other priorities because you will feel better and
have more energy. Perhaps another second tier
priority that would support you would be some form
of education once a week or month, whether it is a
class you attend for fun, a seminar or workshop, or
a daily teleclass to expand your skills and grow
your mind. You will find that focusing more
exclusively on fewer priorities you will achieve
more in less time and feel better getting there.
And remember, just because you are asked to
participate or attend doesn’t mean you have to
unless it is inline with one of your priorities. So
maybe the fund raiser will boost your visibility in
your business and that is a priority, but perhaps
the weekly networking event isn’t as effective for
you and you could take back that time for better
use. Also know that what works for someone else may
not work as well for you, so tune in to your success
opportunities. Where there is passion, there is reward!
- - - - -
Want to See More Articles Like This
One?
See
Melissa's Design and Decorating Tips and Tricks
Blog!
Want to Use This Article in Your E-zine or
Website?
Simply include the text here, with a
link to
www.melissagalt.com.
Online
entrepreneur Melissa Galt, "The Lifestyle Diva,"
publishes “Design Destinations” a monthly ezine
with 1500+ subscribers. If you're ready to
jump-start your life, create comfortable and
personal home interiors, define your personal image
and style, plan exciting travel and adventure,
develop the career of your dreams, and pursue your
past times and passionate pursuits, learn how now at
www.melissagalt.com
|
|
_ _ _ _ _
Be sure to check your email for our weekly
postcards on travel, movies, book reviews and more
ways live well and beautifully by design!
|
|
|
Sign up now for your FREE monthly
guide and receive 2 special design
reports!

|
| Client Quotables |
 |
|
“Melissa was extremely knowledgeable and informative
– an enjoyable hour packed with innovative ideas!”
- Chrissy Eneix, CTI

|
| Life Philosophies |
 |
|
"Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to
die having left undone."
- Pablo Picasso, Artist
"You are what you repeatedly do. Excellence is not
an event – it is a habit."
- Aristotle, Philosopher
"The only opinion about your dream that really
counts is yours. The negative comments of others
merely reflect their limitations – not yours."
- Cynthia Kersey
Author of Unstoppable

|
|