The Grass Is Greener Where You Water It

Greetings all!

How often do we hear or say ourselves “The grass is always greener on the other side”? 

Fun fact: This phrase is often attributed to the Roman poet Ovid, who wrote, "The harvest is always richer in another man's field". What is not so much fun is that we are not on that other side, so why focus on the HAVE-NOT?

Recently I received an email from Reid Tracy, the CEO of Hay House, and I definitely love this outlook better!

Reid says, “I’ve always loved the quote “The grass is greener where you water it.”

Image: https://deepai.org/

Funny enough, I heard it from a professional football player who was being asked whether he was going to be switching teams, and whether he felt that the grass was greener on the other side of the fence.

I really love the idea that you don’t have to go anywhere to make things better; you just have to put effort into making things better where you are.

It’s so easy to look at a situation from the outside and think, “that person has it better,” and the only solution is to move in the same direction and try to achieve or get what they have. But the truth is, their success is likely a result of their actions, not simply because they are in a different place.

I know I’ve done that before while working here at Hay House. For example, I’ve attributed the success of other companies to better circumstances, not because they worked hard to nourish it.

And of course, I have also done this on a personal level (as I think many of us have). I’ve found myself feeling envious of someone else’s situation, not realizing they probably put in a lot of effort to get to where they are. Again, they took the time to water the grass.

So this week, I challenge you to think of some things in your life that you want to improve, and take at least one small step towards achieving your goals. Of course, it may take more than a week to see the result you want (this week, you're just "watering" it), but hopefully you will see some progress.”

What did you think? Drop me a line! And in the meantime, have a great week and remember to water your grass!

Little Pockets of Time in the Kitchen

Greetings all! 

This weekend, a friend of mine and I were chatting about what we do to keep our homes tidy. I shared the “lazy” cleaning strategy that I read about a while back and since then implemented quite successfully. This is where “done” is better than “perfect” - and by the way, this works in so many areas of our life!

I then dug out an email from Chef Joel from Homemade, in which he shared his “5-minute rule” to save time in the kitchen: 

"This might seem basic, and maybe it’s obvious to you, but you can save a ton of time in the kitchen by cleaning as you go. I really think this is something everyone knows… but that very few home cooks actually do. You get swept up in the whisking over here, then the pouring over there, then, “Oh no, the butter’s browning!” at the stove. Before you know it, you have a trail on your countertops that looks like a tornado came through. 

Image: https://deepai.org/

Here’s my timesaving trick: Find the pockets in the recipe to clean.

Before you start cooking, do a quick scan through the recipe steps for anything that takes longer than 5 minutes to cook (hence the “5-Minute Rule”).

When something takes less than 5 minutes to cook (like frying an egg, sautéing some onions, or boiling small potatoes, etc.), I want my full attention on what's happening in the pan.

When something takes more than 5 minutes to cook, instead of picking up your phone or standing around and waiting, start cleaning. This means putting jars of spices back where they belong, wrapping up pieces of meat that you aren't using, and maybe even doing a quick load of dishes.

We know this is super obvious, but it is the #1 reason why people are slowed down in the kitchen. Find those little pockets of time and make them count.” 

What did you think? Drop me a line and tell me what your timesaver tips are!

Tranquility by Tuesday [book by Laura Vanderkam]

Greetings all!

I recently reread “Tranquility by Tuesday” by Laura Vanderkam and loved it even more the second time around.

 

Here are her 9 rules (or you can call them experiences or guidelines) to become “master craftsmen of our schedules”: 

1. Give yourself a bedtime. Go to sleep at about the same time every night unless you have a good reason not to. 

My takeaway: LOVE this! Sleep is so important. I would just add - try to get enough sleep.

2. Plan on Fridays. Think through your weeks, holistically, before you’re in them. 

My takeaway: Laura chooses Friday to allow to plan for Saturday-Sunday the following week. You can choose whatever day works for you. For me, this rule works well as part of my weekly Brain Dump [read my post HERE]. 

3. Move by 3 pm. Do some form of physical activity for 10 minutes in the first half of every day. 

My takeaway: Yes! 10 minutes is realistic and you can even break it down further into smaller increments. More is better but 10 minutes is a start! After 3 pm, I really do not want to think about exercise. If I am being honest, I do not want to think about exercise before 3 pm either. Regardless, my body definitely has more energy in the first half of the day! 

4. Three times a week is a habit. Things don’t have to happen daily to become part of your identity, and “often” can be more doable than “always.” 

My takeaway: LOVE this! If you aim for daily and only do 1-2 times a week, you might feel that you are failing and just give up. But, as Laura says, “Getting to three requires tweaks, not a total lifestyle overhaul.” 

How about this for inspiration - Picture yourself on the other side! 

5. Create a back-up slot. Make a resilient schedule where your priorities still happen, even when life doesn’t go as planned. 

My takeaway: This one makes sense but might be challenging depending on your circumstances. Examples include keeping your Friday open and booking your last morning appointment at 11 am and your first afternoon appointment at 1:30 pm. That way, anything that comes up last minute does not derail your schedule. 

6. One big adventure, one little adventure. Each week, do at least two things that will be worth remembering. 

My takeaway: This rule was fascinating to me! Laura talks about time perception and building anticipating, changing “the entire experience of time, creating memories and an on-going sense of hope.” 

Adventure = an activity out of the ordinary but also a state of mind. It could be anything from visiting a new gelato place to taking an online class. 

Big = a few hours/half a weekend day 

Small = an hour 

7. Take one night for you. Commit to an activity you love that is separate from work and household responsibilities. 

My takeaway: LOVE this! Taking time “just for me” is not selfish! But you have to spend time intentionally on something that you find meaningful. And no, scrolling Instagram is NOT it! 

Laura points out, “Your email will still be there afterwards.” 

8. Batch the little things. Keep most of your schedule clear from unimportant tasks. 

My takeaway: You probably heard the 2-minute rule - if the task takes less than 2 minutes, do it now. But realistically, how many tasks take only 2 minutes? That is why batching the little things is such an underappreciated but fantastic idea: tackle non-urgent but important little tasks during a specific scheduled time slot. Once that is on your calendar, you can focus on truly important things. 

9. Effortful before effortless. Do active leisure activities before passive ones whenever time opens up. 

My takeaway: YES! YES! YES! If you want to read more or move more but find yourself going down the rabbit hole of social media or mindlessly flipping through TV channels, this rule is for you! 

You have to plan and prepare for your effortful activities though. For example, if you want to read more, have books ready. A great side note from Laura for readers is to “fully embrace who you are as a reader” – it is OK to skip the books you do not enjoy! 

Here is my rule: I set a 10-minute YouTube timer in my phone settings. And let me tell you, at that point I am only too happy to be cut off from the viral “Dame Un Grr” videos!

Some additional thoughts from me: 

These 9 rules create a shift from “what’s happening” to “what’s important” – in fact, many of these rules might result in a mindset shift, as well as schedule changes. Small changes (remember my TINY HABITS post?) can have a big impact! 

“Many wonderful things absolutely won’t happen without planning” – you have to be intentional about how you spend your time. 

Some ideas were really thought-provoking and applicable not to just time management. For example, exploring your strong reaction or resistance to something might be interesting in its own right. There might be avoidance (due to perfectionism or imposter syndrome) or guilt from ”I do not deserve to have fun” narrative. 

Time passes no matter what. If you do not plan, you will end up doing what is in front of you (e.g., laundry, bills, Instagram, TV, etc.) instead of what you want to do (e.g., visit a new museum or take a hike with a friend). 

Focus on progress, not perfection. All-or-nothing mentality is your enemy.

What will happen if you didn’t do it (a chore) or maybe did it later? Hah! This idea might be revolutionary for some of us! 

Each experience has 3 parts: anticipation, the actual event, and reflection/recollection. “Plans have benefits even when plans don’t happen”: did you know that anticipation accounts for the majority of any happiness associated with an event?

I leave you with this: Ask yourself - what could go right?! This is one of my favorite ideas in general. We often focus on negative ‘what could go wrongs’ but why not think about all the wonderful ‘what could go rights?’ 

What did you think? Drop me a line! 

Source / image: https://lauravanderkam.com/2022/08/tranquility-by-tuesday-the-9-rules/

10 Ways to Reframe Difficult Work Questions

Greetings all!

I recently came across a fantastic post on LinkedIn on communicating with clarity and authority. Read on how changing the wording can build trust, as well as improve how others perceive you!

1. "Get to the point" -> "Can you help me understand the key takeaway?"

Shows respect while seeking clarity

2. "How did it take so long?" -> “Let's identify what slowed us down"
Shifts blame to problem-solving

3. "You've explained nothing" -> "Could we review the project scope together?"
Creates partnership mindset

4. "You're wasting my time" -> "Let's prioritise our efforts effectively"
Maintains professional boundaries

5. "Email is fine" -> "For non-urgent matters, email works best"
Sets clear communication preferences

6. "Did you even read my email?" -> "I may have miscommunicated my point"
Takes ownership of clarity

7. "Use your brain!" -> “Let's think this through strategically"
Invites collaborative problem-solving

8. "Leave me alone!" -> "I need focused time right now"
Protects boundaries respectfully

9. "Didn't ask for your opinion" -> "I'll reach out when I need input"
Maintains professional respect

10. "Don't pay me enough" -> "That's outside my current scope"
Keeps discussion solution-focused 

What did you think? Drop me a line!

Source: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mr-harvey-lee_using-savage-replies-only-holds-you-back-activity-7328758560765472768-WtcL?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAKuuaUBaUCHc_BBVkZWcXOIuFKbvDuMu-Q

HEFE and FORD Methods to Start a Conversation

Greetings all!

The holiday season is upon us! And this means holiday gatherings – and small talk! – with family, friends, colleagues, and strangers. 

My favorite conversation starters are food, books, and travel. And, of course, it is always nice to give compliments! Just be kind, sincere, and genuinely curious!

If you ever struggle with initiating a conversation, especially with strangers, here are 2 low-stakes methods to help you ease into small talk!

Image from https://www.flickr.com/photos/deeplifequotes/7075486993/in/photostream/

HEFE:

H – Hobbies

E – Entertainment

F – Food

E – Environment (your immediate surroundings, not climate change as it might be too heavy of a topic for a holiday party!) 

FORD:

F – Family

O – Occupation

R – Recreation

D – Dreams

What did you think? Drop me a line! 

Source: https://lifehacker.com/health/use-the-hefe-method-to-get-better-at-small-talk

Financial Advice from Dave Ramsey

“What to do isn’t the problem; doing it is. Most of us know what to do, but we just don’t do it. If I can control the guy in the mirror, I can be skinny and rich.” ~ Dave Ramsey

Greetings all!
 
Would you like some financial advice from a well-known money expert? I enjoyed these suggestions from Dave Ramsey:
 
1. Eliminate debt before you invest: Ramsey does exclude mortgage, which makes sense since most people cannot afford to buy a home with cash.
 
2. Harness the power of the snowball effect: Eliminate your debt in order of smallest to largest so you can build momentum, close smaller outstanding debts, and boost your confidence. Side note: I think this also works as a productivity hack!

 
3. Build an emergency fund before you build wealth: Financial experts recommend having at least 3-6 months of your living expenses as a cushion. Totally agree with this advice! 
 
4. Give 15% of every paycheck to your future self by using a tax-advantaged account (e.g., 401k with employer match or IRA/ROTH in the United States). I love the idea of having my future self thank my present self. Also, I like the advice I read elsewhere: if you get a bonus or a salary increase, invest or save it if you can. Since you were used to your previous level of earnings, can you allocate the extra to your future self? Wouldn't it be nice if our future selves visited us in the present to disperse life wisdom?

Image from https://i.imgur.com/JHJSu0e.jpg

5. Keeping up with the Joneses is an unwinnable game – to paraphrase, do not buy things you do not need with money you do not have to impress people you do not like.
 
6. Utilize money-saving technology, such as budgeting and coupon/cashback apps, automatic savings (e.g., weekly transfers from your checking to your savings account), or lowering your thermostats. 
 
7. Go low tech: I always balance my bank account and try to cancel and/or completely avoid unnecessary subscriptions and gadgets. 
 
8. Have a plan when shopping: The article talked about grocery-shopping but I think this is good advice for any kind of shopping. Be very careful with your impulses - shopping or otherwise - when you are excited, bored, sad, angry, and/or intoxicated! I did some research and did you know that:

• 84% of all shoppers have made impulse purchases.
• The average shopper will make an average of 3 unplanned purchases in 4 out of every 10 store visits they make.
• Almost 50% of all impulse purchases are regretted. I was actually surprised that this number is not higher.

 

Image from https://www.invespcro.com/blog/impulse-buying/

9. Continue educating yourself financially, put into practice what you already know, and work with a financial professional.
 

Reflecting on the quote in the beginning of this post - “What to do isn’t the problem; doing it is” - I thought it applies to so many areas of our lives. But for now, how about just balancing your checking account?

Sources:

• https://money.yahoo.com/10-genius-things-dave-ramsey-120115148.html
• https://www.invespcro.com/blog/impulse-buying/

What did you think? Drop me a line!

How to Spot a Scam

Greetings all!

Scammers are becoming more and more creative. Make sure you stay vigilant and know how to spot a scam and how to protect yourself!  

Popular scams are: 

• Imposters, mobile ransomware
• Online romance, job offers
• Grandparent
• Pay yourself
• Lottery winnings and bogus prizes
• Investment opportunity
• Tech support
• Home closing
• Online shopping
• Utility shutoff

How to protect yourself:

• Scammers often target the elderly and vulnerable.
• Phishing is when scammers send emails that appear to be from reputable companies. Do not open links in emails or texts unless you’re sure of the sender. Hover over email or web addresses to check the actual source.
• Never provide your usernames or passwords outside of the normal secure sites and apps you use.
• Look for spelling errors, “off” colors, altered language.
• Use strong passwords. 
• Guard your personal information:  Fraudsters can spoof a phone number to make it look like the call or text is coming from a reputable company.  DO NOT offer information to someone who calls you directly.
• Do not act immediately: Scammers may pressure you to pay them quickly and can have a demanding tone. Always verify who they are and think about what they are asking for.
• Use caution when sending money: Scammers could tell you to pay in ways where you may not be able to get your money back, like money transfers, gift cards or using Zelle®. Always verify who the recipient is before sending money. Never send your financial or personal info by email.
• The way you pay matters: Different payment methods offer different protections. Some debit and credit cards might offer fraud monitoring for unusual purchases.

What did you think? Drop me a line!

Sources:  

• https://www.chase.com/personal/security-tips
• https://tkmagazine.com/blog/2020/4/30/funny-memes-or-phishing-identity-theft-and-exploitation

Brain Dump

Greetings all! 

Do you ever feel like that? I recently came across this magnet in a store and thought how appropriate it is for our times – too much to do, too much information! So how can we close these brain tabs?

I recently tried a “brain dump” technique – and I LOVE it! It helps declutter your thoughts and quiet your mind. You can do it daily in the morning or at night, or once a week.  

Even though the name “brain dump” is strange, it actually is a perfect description – you dump everything out of your brain onto paper. Based on the studies I have read – and my personal preference! - pen and paper might work better than the electronic devices but whatever method you choose, I urge you to give it a try.

It is similar to a to-do list but the main difference for me is that first I free write anything and everything on my mind. Basically I just dump it all on paper – and organize later. Someone compared it to a temporary shelf for your thoughts and I like this analogy.

Sometimes, the anxiety that we have about a certain task is because we are afraid of forgetting to do it but once it is written out, you no longer have to spend the mental energy and space on it – it is right there in front of you! Granted, we might procrastinate because we really do not want to deal with something but the thought is still there and nagging us – in our conscious or unconscious mind – so write it down and it might help you address it sooner! 

Brain dump can be thoughts, questions, emotions, to-do tasks, random stuff – again, anything and everything that is currently occupying precious space in your mind can be dumped onto paper. You do not need to have a fancy notebook or a journal or a special pen – although I have been curious about bullet-journaling so this is a non-urgent task on my brain dump page - “research bullet-journaling!” 

I like doing big brain dump weekly – that gives me an overall view of the near future – and then update it as things come up. I use a regular sheet of printer paper – one for personal life and one for work.  Then, especially for work projects, I organize each entry in sections on another piece of paper or in a notebook. 

What I like about this approach is that I see everything at a glance – it does not have to be pretty or neat or orderly, it doesn’t even have to be in complete sentences - it just have to be out there on a piece of paper.  

If I am thinking of a big task, I might just write out “plan vacation” on my main brain dump page and then have another page with more detailed tasks (e.g., flights, hotels, attractions, etc.). 

Also, brain dump helps me separate things that are more urgent or important from tasks that can be accomplished later. And of course, regardless of how we keep ourselves organized, it is extremely satisfying to cross things off the list! 

Sources:

• https://diaryofajournalplanner.com/brain-dump/
• https://www.businessinsider.com/i-tried-brain-dump-technique-to-reduce-distractions-build-focus-2022-1?amp
• https://www.businessinsider.com/night-routine-steps-to-be-more-productive-in-the-morning-2020-2#brain-dump-2 

What did you think? Drop me a line! 

Kakeibo: The Art of Mindful Budgeting and Spending

Greetings all!

I recently learned about Kakeibo, a Japanese pen-and-paper “household financial ledger.” It was created in 1904 by Hani Motoko, Japan's first female journalist, for an article in a women's magazine. The idea is that when you know where your money goes, you can hopefully improve your spending habits. I couldn’t agree more!

Kakeibo definitely sparked joy for me because:  

• It has a minimalist approach with 4 questions and 4 spending categories.
• It is incremental and customizable.
• It emphasizes mindfulness and intention, both of which I try to incorporate more into my life.
• It combines making lists with reflecting and journaling. My personal preference has always been making lists on paper rather than using computer/phone. I also feel a pen-and-paper approach helps me slow down.
• I liked the name – Ka-kei-bo!
• Finally, Kakeibo aligns with this quote I like - “If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it.” 

quote attributed to Peter Drucker - image from 

https://www.growthink.com/content/two-most-important-quotes-business 

So why might Kakeibo work for you?

• Saving money is always good and particularly relevant in these days of rising prices. So Kakeibo is very practical!
• You have to use pen and paper, no phone apps or computers. This makes the exercise a bit more tangible and reflective but if you prefer, you can probably go the electronic route.
• Not only you will have a clearer picture of what you buy, you might also discover why and when you buy.
• You might also learn to separate better between ‘needs’ and ‘wants’.

OK, here are my thoughts on how to use Kakeibo. First, it is important to start with your current financial situation and your financial goals because ideally your spending should align with your goals.

If you are struggling to make your ends meet and/or are not in a positive to save a lot, you might still find Kakeibo valuable because it might help you to see more clearly where your money is spent. Are you buying a $5 coffee every morning? When you tally it up, a $5 coffee 5 days a week adds up to $1,300 a year! Are you eating out a lot? If you forego one $25 meal a week, again you save $1,300 a year!

If you are in a position to save money, do you have clear financial goals? These can be big or small: Is there something for your home you really need or want? A vacation you are dreaming about? Do you want to retire early? Do you want to switch careers and a new class/certificate will help you in your new job?

However, before you think about saving money, I would prioritize setting some funds aside for an emergency cushion, which some financial advisors say should be at least 3 months of your living expenses, with others recommending 1-2 years. And, of course, you can combine savings and emergency funds, as long as these funds are easy to access.

Then you work on these 4 questions: 

image from https://www.credit.com/personal-finance/kakeibo/

1. How much money do you have available?

+ Start with money coming in

- Subtract your fixed expenses that have to be paid (e.g., housing, insurance, car, etc.).

= Available funds

 

2. How much would you like to save?

+ Available funds

- Put aside funds for savings

= Funds available for spending

 

3. How much are you actually spending?

a. Needs/Survival – non-fixed expenses that you cannot live without: groceries, soap, clothing and medicine. I actually allocate some of the grocery budget into my fixed expenses category.

b. Wants/Optional – variable expenses that you can live without: extra clothes, dining out, gym membership, cable TV, etc.

c. Culture: Concerts, theatre, museums (and cable TV can also be in this category!)

d. Extra / Unexpected: Car/home repairs, unexpected medical bills, Christmas gifts.

As you record each expense, reflect on why you bought this and how you felt. The explore-your-feeling part is an interesting exercise to do both before and after the purchase. Why are you shopping? Do you go shopping because you are sad or bored or stressed? Did you buy an item because it was on sale and you cannot resist a good deal? Are you an impulse shopper? Do you have space for it? Can you afford it? Will you use it? How did you feel after you bought it? And of course, my favorite question, “Does it spark joy?” 

4. How can you improve?

Are you on track with your savings goals? If yes, write it down and strive to do the same or better in the following month. If not, try – without judgment - to identify the reasons and how you can do better in the future. Reflecting on this question can also help you see if you are “all work, no play” – are there areas when you actually can spend more? Are there small things that you can look forward to?

Give this century-old budgeting method a try – it just might help you save money for things that really matter to you!

SOURCES:

• https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2020/01/08/how-this-japanese-method-of-saving-money-changed-my-lifeand-made-me-richer.html
• https://www.credit.com/personal-finance/kakeibo/
• https://www.nextavenue.org/kakeibo-the-japanese-art-of-budgeting/
• https://www.moneycrashers.com/kakeibo-japanese-budgeting-method-save-money/
• https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/budgeting/kakeibo/
• https://www.growthink.com/content/two-most-important-quotes-business

What did you think? Drop me a line!

CALM: February-2022 Calendar

Greetings all! 

Here is the February-2022 calendar from CALM. I think the main theme is (re)connection - with yourself and others (from https://www.calm.com/blog/february-2022-calm-calendar).

My favorite ideas are from February 13, 18, 20, 22, 23 and 27! What are yours?

Image from 

https://pixabay.com/illustrations/personal-growth-becoming-changing-2268884/

February 1 - Date yourself! Schedule some me time in your day. Fill it with something that nourishes you. Whatever makes you smile!

February 2- Make time for connection. Check in on loved ones or open up to someone about what's on your mind.

February 3 - Try a loving kindness meditation today.

February 4 - Schedule at least 15 minutes of pure enjoyment into your busy day.

February 5 - Look in the mirror today and find something you love about yourself. Say it loud and take a selfie!

February 6 - Meditate twice today.

February 7 - Make time for silence today. Think of it as a gift to your mind.

February 8 - Ask yourself, "What can I do less of today?”

February 9 - Reach out to someone that means a lot to you. Connecting with loved ones is good for your health.

February 10 - Choose a self-care practice and make time for it.

February 11 - Charge your mental and physical batteries by getting enough sleep and going to bed early or on time tonight.

February 12 - Write yourself a self-love note.

February 13 - Text a friend who may need some love today.

February 14 - Write yourself a Valentine.

February 15 - Play music that you love today when you wake, as you walk, or while you're eating a meal.

February 16 - What needs tending in your life? Invest 15 minutes of your time and attention to something that you've been neglecting.

February 17 – Make your lunch with extra care today.

February 18 - Rewrite a story that you've been telling about yourself that is no longer serving you.

February 19 - Find a way to spend some time outside today. Just 30 minutes in nature can improve your mood and sense of wellbeing.

February 20 - Make space in your day for some YOU time.

February 21 - Ask a loved one to give you 3 reasons why they care for you. Listen and fully receive their love.

February 22 - Inhale and think of something you're grateful for. Exhale gratitude. Repeat at least 5 times.

February 23 - Spend time looking up at the sky and notice how it makes you feel.

February 24 - Practice patience and allow things to unfold in their own time.

February 25 - List your best qualities. If you find this difficult, ask a friend!

February 26 - Massage your face and give extra love and attention to the places you hold tension.

February 27 - Be kind to someone that you find challenging in your life.

February 28 - Find a poem that you love and read it.

Hope you have a great week! Stay well!

CALM: November-2021 Calendar

Greetings all!

Here is the November-2021 calendar from CALM: and it’s all about gratitude and paying attention and not taking things for granted (from https://blog.calm.com/blog/november-2021-calm-calendar).

So many wonderful suggestions! My favorite ideas were from November 8, 27, and 30! 

Image from 

https://pixabay.com/illustrations/grateful-gratitude-thanks-2940466/

November 1 - Think of one thing that you are grateful for right now. Give yourself time to soak in the feeling of gratitude and notice how you experience it in your body.

November 2- Think of the person who makes you laugh the most in your life. Send them a text expressing your gratitude.

November 3 - Name a part of your body that you are grateful for and why. Optional: draw a little heart there (a temporary tattoo of sorts).

November 4 - Think of someone who has been kind to you. Take a moment to pause and feel your gratitude for 30 seconds.

November 5 - Mindfully eat your lunch today and practice gratitude for the food you have to eat. Listen to Calm s Gratitude Before Meal session.

November 6 - What teacher are you thankful for? Tap into gratitude and take a moment to think about what you've learned from them.

November 7 - What song makes you happy? Take a few minutes to lie down, close your eyes, and listen deeply. Or, dance!

November 8 - For every letter of the alphabet, write down something that you are grateful for.

November 9 - Take a photo of something that inspires gratitude in you.

November 10 - Think of a place in the world that you love. Close your eyes and imagine yourself there.

November 11 - Practice maintaining eye contact when you say thank you. Do the same when someone thanks you.

November 12 - Buy or make a small gift for someone you appreciate.

November 13 - Take a gratitude walk. Open your senses to your surroundings and silently say thank you to everything that you are grateful for.

November 14 - Talk about gratitude at the dinner table tonight.

November 15 - Relate to your hands and feet with gratitude. How do they support you? How do they bring possibility into your life?

November 16 - Practice gratitude for the people who have come before you. Think of the people who have helped make this moment possible for you.

November 17 – Write a thank you note to yourself for all of the ways that you have loved and taken care of yourself over the years.

November 18 - Get crafty & make something to remind you to practice gratitude. Maybe a gratitude jar, a note on your bathroom mirror, or a gratitude chalkboard in the kitchen.

November 19 - Ask 3 different people what they are grateful for and why.

November 20 - Relate to water with gratitude today. Savor the warmth of water while bathing, your access to clean drinking water, or the soothing quality of the ocean.

November 21 - Thank your body for sleeping last night (even if it wasn't for as long as you wished).

November 22 - Is there something in your life that you might be taking for granted? Take a moment to reflect on this.

November 23 - Do something you LOVE doing today. Be sure to give yourself time to FEEL the experience.

November 24 - Write a letter to someone who has made a difference in your life. Thank them and tell them why you are grateful.

November 25 - Think of a time when you felt seen and heard. Remember what you most appreciated about that moment.

November 26 - Type "gratitude" into the search bar in the Calm app and choose a session to try today.

November 27 - Look for the goodness in someone who you find challenging to be around.

November 28 - What color do you love? Keep an eye out for that color in the world today, and take a moment to soak it in each time you see it.

November 29 - Choose one of your senses (sight, touch, smell, taste, or sound) and move through your day with awareness of and gratitude for that sense.

November 30 - Inhale and think of something you're grateful for. Exhale gratitude. Repeat at least 5 times.

Hope you have a great week! Stay well and find gratitude!

The Weirdest Things Travelers Asked the TSA

Greetings all! 

Are you planning a trip? Before you leave, make sure to check what you can bring onboard!  

Source: https://www.smartertravel.com/weirdest-things-travelers-asked-the-tsa-this-year/

What did you think? Drop me a line!

7 Money Personality Types

Greetings all!

I recently came across an interesting article about money personality types. Japanese author Ken Honda has been researching money and happiness for over 10 years and thinks there are seven money personality types. Each type has its own emotional response to money, e.g., how you spend when you are worried, financially distressed, or bored, or seeking the approval and admirations of others, etc.

Image from https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/28/7-money-personality-types-and-the-pitfalls-of-each.html

7 Money Personality Types Ken Honda, author of “Happy Money” 

Ken does say that most of us fall into a combination of several types, and I agree. What I liked about this article is that it breaks down the signs of each personality type, identifies the pitfalls, and provides money advice. And if you flip the pitfalls, they become very sound money advice for majority of us, regardless of the type! Here are some examples:

• Find a balance between spending and saving; do not skip on hobbies or activities that spark joy (The Compulsive Saver)
• Create a budget; learn to spend less than you earn (The Compulsive Spender)
• Do not neglect important relationships over growing your wealth; help others (The Compulsive Moneymaker)
• Be responsible with your finances (The Indifferent-to-Money)
• Don’t lose sight of your financial goals (The Saver-Splurger)
• Set aside monthly savings; be strict with financial risks you take (The Gambler)
• Work on understanding your financial worries; seek positivity around money conversations (The Worrier)

SOURCE:

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/28/7-money-personality-types-and-the-pitfalls-of-each.html

What did you think? Drop me a line!

FOBO – What It Is and How to Fight It

Greetings all!

I love this quote by Voltaire “The best is the enemy of the good.” I think it applies to so many things in life, including decisions we make and how we make them.

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay 
https://pixabay.com/photos/choice-select-decide-decision-vote-2692575/

Do you ever experience decision paralysis when faced with choices? You are not alone! We live in a digital age when it is easy to access information. Infinite choices, information overload, and the ability to compare ourselves to others are at our fingertips 24/7. Is it any wonder that we experience FOMO (the fear of missing out) and FOBO (the fear of better options)!?

Both terms were coined by Patrick McGinnis, a US venture capitalist, who thinks FOBO is worse for you. He said that a little bit of FOMO might be good as it might prompt us to try something different and open up our perspective but FOBO is more destructive. 

In his opinion, “Fear of a Better Option is the compulsion to keep your options open for as long as possible so that you can exhaust every possibility before choosing the “best” alternative” (LinkedIn). 

In an interview with Inverse, he also said “We are all fearful of living suboptimal lives… Unlike FOMO, where you run after everything, with FOBO, you actually never commit to anything, because you are hoping that the perfect option will come along to make your decision easy.”

We wonder - what if something better comes along? – and avoid committing to a decision, any decision. It could be deciding which phone to get or which job candidate to give an offer to.  

I was not even familiar with the term FOBO until recently when I came across it in an old magazine article. But I definitely experienced it - most recently last week when I could not immediately decide on a small purchase. There were so many choices and so many reviews. I was, of course, grateful to have choices but they were making me confused and indecisive as I kept searching for the “best” option.

In a wonderful book “The Paradox of Choice – Why More Is Less,” Barry Schwartz reflects that too many consumer choices actually increase anxiety. A lot of studies show that increased choices might result in choice paralysis and even decrease satisfaction. I (usually) have an easier time making a decision when presented with 2 choices vs 20 choices! In Schwartz’ book, he describes an experiment of presenting shoppers with 6 jars of jam (30% of people bought) vs 24 (only 3% did). By the way, if you have not read this book, I highly recommend it! 

Psychologically, decision-making is also interesting. If you decide based on maximum benefit later on, you are a maximiser and the research shows maximisers are more likely to be unhappy with their choices.

If, however, you choose based on the “good enough” criteria, you are a satisficer. The term "satisficer" was proposed by the U.S. Nobel Prize-winning economist Herbert A. Simon and is a combo of “satisfying” and “sufficing.”

How you can you combat FOBO and just decide already?

• Be grateful that you have options.
• Focus on one or two things that are important to you and let them dictate your choice.
• Read reviews.
• Set a deadline, especially for big purchases/decisions.
• Do not go back and price-compare.
• Limit your time on social media (this might warrant a separate post!).
• Follow the Golden Rule.
• Ask someone you trust who is more decisive than you.
• Take a nap and decide when your mind is fresh!

For my little purchase, I took the satisficer route and chose based on the price and the reviews: I narrowed my choices down to 2 and as they were really very similar, I just picked one.

SOURCES:

• https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/meet-fobo-evil-twin-fomo-can-ruin-your-life-patrick-mcginnis/

• https://amp.theguardian.com/global/2019/nov/24/fear-of-missing-out-fomo-making-decision-biology-fobo-christmas-turkey

• https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/oct/21/choice-stressing-us-out-dating-partners-monopolies

• https://www.inverse.com/innovation/how-to-overcome-fomo-fobo-decision-making/amp

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Paradox_of_Choice

• “Just Decide Already” by Ashley Mateo, Cosmopolitan, December 2018

 What did you think? Drop me a line!

Help Your Finances

Greetings all!

As we are trying to navigate these uncertain times, I think many of us are wondering if things are going to get worse and how to prepare for a possible downturn. 

One of the ways to start is to analyze your financial situation. What is your cash flow? How much are your monthly bills? How much do you have in savings? Can you spend less?

I recently read a good article “Steps to take to prepare for a recession.” The top recommendation from financial planners is to establish an emergency fund. Another one that I found relevant is to reflect on lifestyle and priorities. I noticed that in the last several months, I spent a lot of time thinking about priorities and about needs vs. wants. 

The disaster that affected our planet has put a lot of things into perspective. A lot of things seem unimportant right now. What remains important, however, is being prepared for unexpected. 

Source: https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2020/jun/prepare-for-a-recession-financial-planning.html

Stay safe and healthy!