A “New” New Year’s Resolution

New Year’s Resolutions are often about committing to an exercise program, losing those extra 20 lbs, or quitting a habit like smoking. While all of these are terrific for your health and are usually begun with great promise and enthusiasm, funny thing is that often your New Year’s resolutions from one year to the next are probably the same.

How about making this year the year of a different kind of resolution? Changing your attitude about something or someone (including yourself) can be a refreshing start to the New Year. So often our attitudes remain unchanged and unchallenged; we never question whether they still serve us well or if they restrict us, holding us back.

Look back and remember how many times your own or other people’s opinions prevented you from doing or trying something? “I always wanted to go skydiving but my friends will think I’m crazy.” “I would like to take an art class but I can’t draw.” “I would like to learn to play the piano but I was never very good at it when I was a kid.” “I would like to travel but I don’ t have a companion.” “I would like to dance but don’t have a partner.”

It’s time to stop the negative talk! By changing your attitude, you can try things you thought you were “unable” to do and have experiences that will open your mind to incredible possibilities. Here are some Sanity Savers to help you get started.

1. No Challenge. No Change - If you don’t give yourself a challenge there can be no change and without change there is no growth. Ask yourself, “How can I be continually challenged?”

2. Meet People Who are Different from You - Step out and don’t limit yourself to your usual group (age, culture, race). Find those with similar interests but who are from different backgrounds. Meet and be with people who are both younger and older than you. Learn from their experiences.

3. You Are Never Too Old or Too Young to Change Your Self Image - Daily events fluctuate and influence your ability to stay focused, adaptable, happy and positive. The stronger and more resilient your sense of self, the better equipped you are to deal with all of what life presents.

4. Be Aware of Your Patterns - When you don’t notice your patterns, you often get in your own way. How can you possibly move forward in life if you are bound by behavior or images that elude you?

5. Be Conscious and Present - By being fully aware, you can accept, reject or change that which you don’t want into something that can be helpful and productive.

6. Be Eager for Personal Growth - Seek knowledge, adventure and friendship. Do not confine yourself to a familiar road, traveling along paths others have gone or mapped out for you. Leave the familiar path from time to time. Be adventurous. Find your element; never stop searching. Continue your quest in life. It is all about growth!

7. Be Resilient - Even if you have experienced a serious set back or loss, it is part of your life’s story. You can integrate all of it. Just as a forest is replanted after extensive logging, resilient people figure out ways to adapt to what has been taken from them by time and/or circumstance.

8. Find Your True Self Worth - All of us have value; no matter how great or small your public recognition and reputation. True self worth comes from your personal inner resources and appreciation of your own self.

9. Maintain a Good Self Image - Combine flattery and critical self-analysis. Don’ t waste time or energy putting yourself down. Focus on, emphasize, and live in way that is consistent with your core values.

Attitude adjustment CAN enhance our lives immeasurably!

Dr. Dale, licensed psychologist, guest expert on the TODAY Show and author of Sanity Savers: Tips for Women to Live a Balanced Life, joins us with her ongoing SANITY SAVERS^TM column. For more Sanity Savers go to www.drdaleatkins.com.

Dealing with the “B” Word … Budget

As the New Year rolls around, I look at my finances and struggle with the “B” word. No, not the one that rhymes with “witch”, but a word that many times is very difficult to say. “Budget.” Read more

How Can I Save More and Spend Less?

Over-Spending is Like Over-Eating
It’s not about the things you buy or the food you eat. Your excessive behavior is all about not getting your needs met. And, only you know what those needs are. Read more

Jump Start Your Career: Reenter the Job Market with Confidence

Have you been out of the job arena for some time? 2, 12 or even 20 years?  Well, then you know that a lot has changed since your last pay check.  With technology going at the speed of light and everybody out there looking a lot younger than you, how can you even compete?

Roll Up Your Sleeves
It’s time to get a great resume together and focus on your strengths.  What have you been doing since your last job?  Probably a whole lot of multi-tasking and organizing, taking care of  kids and loved ones, volunteering at fundraisers, recording minutes at board meetings, or running community get-togethers.

Guess what? That is a whole lot of noteworthy experience that could be spruced up and put on a resume. Seek out women’s organizations that offer workshops on how to reenter the workforce and put together a dynamic resume. You can also contact a professional resume writer or go online and get some great tips on how to tweak your experience so it looks good in print. Once you have a polished product that presents you as “marketable” in the work world, hit the pavement and let potential employers know you are ready.

Take a Confidence “Cocktail”
You’re out there to succeed and there’s no room anymore in your life for negative self talk such as, “I’m too old, “Who will hire me?” or “I’m not good enough.”

Instead, fill your thoughts with positive energy. Every morning, say an affirmation as you wake that is to the point and empowering.  “I deserve a great job,” “I’m on the road to self sufficiency,” “I am an asset to any employer.”  Repeat it throughout the day and believe it!

Sharpen Up Your Skills
It’s a good idea to get up to speed on some skills that might be rusty.  But, don’t let your lack of being up-to-the-minute on every little delay your job hunt. While you’re out there looking, sign up for a brush-up computer course, take a workshop on improving your sales techniques or read up on the latest developments in your field.

Keep learning and stay current!

Recognize You Have What It Takes
If you’ve done your homework, know that you’ll find the right job.  It just takes a little perseverance and determination.  Don’t let rejections get you down.  Instead, realize that you were not hired because the position was not the exact fit for you.  Keep going.

Use each “near miss” as a learning experience. Listen carefully for subtle comments from interviewers or potential employers on how you can tweak your presentation, skills or resume. See these people as guides to point you in the right direction to find the perfect job that awaits you.  

If you believe you are employable so will others. Work on building your resume, skills AND confidence by pumping yourself up with positive thoughts.

Bloom’s Founder and Editor, Barbara Scala, is an attorney turned life coach helping women create a new life after divorce or other transitions. She is also the co-author of Sanity Savers: Tips for Women to Live a Balanced Life. Visit her website at www.bloomafterdivorce.com and email her at info@bloomafterdivorce.com.

So Much Information & So Little Time

“A weekday edition of The New York Times contains more information than the average person was likely to come across in a lifetime in 17th century England.”  Information Anxiety, Richard Saul Wurman, 1989.

 

Well, that says it all, right?   We are overloaded with information.  The key is to determine what is most important to you and your business and putting that key information to work for you.  In order to do that, you need to eliminate the information you don’t need or can’t put to use.

What I often find is that my clients have all kinds of information filling their desks and their email.  They have various magazines and professional journals piling up but little or no time assigned to read them or digest the pertinent information.  Or, their Inbox is filling up with non-business merchant information.

Here are some useful guidelines to get control of the information overload:

• Stop unnecessary or redundant magazine subscriptions.  For personal subscriptions, have them sent to your home and/or don’t bring them into the office.  
• Set up a personal email account for merchant information or newsletters so they can be read at your convenience and not distract you during “business hours”.
• Assign a time or situational time conducive to reading the material important to you - end of day, end of week, on the plane or train.   
• Retain the ideas by highlighting key points and sharing the ideas with someone else.  This is a key factor in order for you to actually incorporate the ideas into your business activities.
• Save it just as long as you need it … and then throw it away.
• Discard … old magazines, journals, or merchant emails if they are stacking up.  Remember more is always on the way! If you are reluctant to get rid of magazines, etc. and you think you may miss some important ground-shaking information, be assured that it will probably be covered by the other media and the ideas developed over time. 

Tackle that stack now and reap the benefits of the great ideas available to you and make a difference to your business!

Jill McKean, Organize It, is a professional organizer specializing in office organization for small businesses and self-employed professionals. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO). You can reach Jill at 203-431-6562 or info@organizeit-now.com or www.organizeit-now.com. 

Bloom Happenings: Tele-Chats with a “Bud”

We’ll explore some hot topics for women in transition everywhere in our new interactive, fun and informative tele-chats! Invite a friend and share in talking it up.

 

It’s Time to Bloom!
Thursday, January 11th
7:00 to 8:00pm

Is There Life After Divorce?
You Bet There Is!
Thursday, January 25th
7:00 to 8:00pm

Hosted by Barbara Scala, Bloom’s founder, editor and co-author of a new book, Sanity Savers:Tips for Women to Live a Balanced Life, we’ll talk about what’s on your mind from the comfort of your own home over a group telephone line.

This introductory offer entitles you to invite one “Bud” to the tele-chat, so you can both Bloom. 2 for the price of 1!

>>Register for one or both tele-chats in January. You will receive instructions and call in numbers.

Next month:
Feb 8th: Get Financially Fit
Feb 22nd: Will I Ever Find True Love?

Bloom Happenings: Divorce Renewal Retreat

Come for a weekend seaside retreat and renew and rejuvenate your body, mind and spirit as you journey to a life beyond divorce. Enjoy. . .

 

 

 

• Self Discovery Workshops with Barbara Scala, Certified Life and Divorce Coach
• Yoga with Joanne DeVito, Certified Kripalu Yoga Instructor
• Meditations
• Labyrinth Walks
• Private Coaching Session
• Spa Treatments (massage, reiki, reflexology)*

Private Rooms with Water Views and Spa Treatments Upon Request
(book early to ensure availability).

April 20 – 22, 2007**
Mercy Center
167 Neck Road, Madison, CT

The Mercy Center is conveniently located between New York and Boston on 40 acres of serene Connecticut shoreline.

Cost: $550/person. Double occupancy & all meals included. Add $100 for private room. *Spa treatments extra. Call 203.292.3790 to register and for more information.

**Possible March dates available. Please inquire.