When I was working at a regular 9 to 5 job, it seemed as though time was in slow motion.  I remember dragging myself into work on Mondays, and thinking to myself...'it's only Monday..ugh.!"  The days dragged, and it seemed as though Friday was never going to arrive.  Friday would come and go.  The weekend would fly by in an instant, and there was Monday once again staring me in the eye.

Since leaving my job, it seems time is at warp speed.  I still technically have the same amount of hours in a day, and yet 24 hours is simply not enough time to get everything done.  I have been tweaking my routine, but to be honest I still have not quite figured out what works best for me. 
 
What does work for me is that I exercise in the morning.  It gets my body moving and my brain functioning.  I step away from my computer to take lunch, and I take the dogs for a short walk both mid-morning and mid-afternoon.  The walk is as much for me as it is for them although it is sometimes difficult to turn off my brain during those walks.

What I haven't figured out is what is the best approach for all of that time in-between the exercise and eating.  I make a daily to-do list and utilize google calendar to keep me on track.  However, I am finding that because my learning curve is so steep at the the moment, activities are taking longer than anticipated.  I suppose learning how long it takes to accomplish a task or goal is part of the process. 

Maybe it's not time that is at issue here as much as it is my patience with myself.  I suppose as I learn more and as more time goes by, time will once again slow down to a regular rate.   I sure hope so.

I'd Like to Buy a Vowel, Please

Okay.  Two days  have passed, and I have not posted.  Yes, I thought about posting, but then time just escaped me.  I have been very busy trying to work on this business of mine.  I am grateful for the time I have to focus entirely on this new adventure, but yes, in the back of my mind I am thinking..."what in the world was I thinking?  This is hard!"  Regardless, I have learned a great deal in just one week.

Each day, I take 45 minutes to an hour to read.  This week I am reading Now Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham & Donald Clifton.  One of the exercises in the book is to take a Strength Builder test on Gallup's website which I did yesterday.  The test took about 30 minutes.  The test consisted of two sentences, and I indicated which sentence more closely described me or my way thinking.

My results were the following, and please note that all but one characteristic started with a vowel which was the reason for the title of this blog:

I = Individualization

C = Connectedness

A = Achiever

E = Empathy

I= Ideation

As I read over the definitions of each one, I kept saying to myself...wow...that is exactly how I think.  

Now to be fair, the test was based on my perception of myself, and I could not help but think the results may be different if someone close to me took a test about me.  So, I asked some of my closest friends and family to share what they thought are my three best qualities or strengths.  To my amazement, the words they used to describe me fell into each of the Strength Builder category results above.  So, maybe the test is accurate.

Now that I know my strengths, I am about to find out how to utilize them in my business.  I also look forward to learning more.

If you have take then Gallop Strength Builder test or if you have read Now Discover Your Strengths, please feel free to leave a comment below.  I would like to hear your thoughts about the test or book and what you have learned.  

Have a great weekend.

Image courtesy of imgfave.com

Insanity

More than a handful of years ago, I was probably in the best shape of my life.  I worked out five to six days per week at the gym.  I used various exercise video series when I could not get to the gym, and I attended a few yoga classes from time to time.  Then, I had a significant life change, and I fell off the fitness bandwagon. 

With the onset of my new business venture, I decided it was time to get back into shape.  I figure if my body is in shape, then it will surely help my mind, as well.

So yesterday I started the Insanity exercise Series.  I completed the Fit Test, and yes my results were rather dismal.  However, I am hopeful in two weeks when I complete the Fit Test again that the results will be a bit better.  Overall, I felt pretty good yesterday.

This morning I woke up a little sore.  I did the first video in the series, and quite frankly it kicked my behind.  Nevertheless, I felt pretty good about myself because I did it.  By mid-afternoon, I REALLY felt it.  My muscles started getting tight and sore, and with each hour, my body is letting me know that it has been a very long time since I exercised. 

I vaguely recall when I was fit that I had oodles of energy, but today I must admit I feel tired.  I am hoping this will change as my body adjusts to the new exercise routine. 

Until next time...

A Not-So-Blue Monday

I woke up this morning ready.  My list of things-to-do ready...check.  Schedule laid out...check.  I am ready. 

For the most part, my day has been steady and productive.  I may tweak my schedule and add a few more things to do, but overall, I think I am doing okay for a Monday.  

I allowed myself to take the weekend off.  However, I must admit that I did not sleep all that well because I worried that I would fail if I took some time to just 'be' with this new direction.  Nevertheless, I am glad I took this past weekend to relax and enjoy because I am going to be very busy from this point forward. 

During lunch, I logged into Facebook, and I saw the typical Monday memes that indicate the weekend was too short and Monday means back to the grind.  For the first time in a very long time, I can honestly say I am glad it's Monday, and I am so thrilled to be doing something I believe in and enjoy. 

Happy Monday!



 

Ok...Now What?

It's day #2, and I am still in a bit of shock.  I woke up this morning, and I am fairly certain I looked a lot like the image above.  

I spoke to a few people who are self-employed, and the vast majority of them suggested that I give myself a few days to acclimate to my new role as self-employed.  Initially, I was hesitant because the only way I am going to be successful is if I work at it.  However, I have to say that giving myself permission to just 'be' with this new life was probably the best gift I could have given myself.  

In just two days, I have learned a great deal about myself.  Yesterday, I learned that a routine is very important particularly for someone like me.  Today I learned how beneficial it is to schedule fitness into my day.  

I worked out for the first time in well over a month.  It made all the difference in the world with regards to my mindset and energy level. 

I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings...

Day One as CEO

DAY ONE

Today is my first day as the head of my own company, and I think I am in shock that I actually did it. Even though I have dreamed of having my own business for years, this change from employee to self-employed is significant. I am quickly realizing that my entire mindset must change.   I have second-guessed my decision about a million times today, and I have taken a lot of deep breaths as means to calm my nerves.

Lesson #1:  Change can be stressful.  Be kind to yourself. 

I woke up early this morning without an alarm clock which is really quite amazing given that I am not much of a morning person.  I took a shower and drank a cup of coffee.  I tried to watch the news, but then I turned it off after about five minutes.  I turned on my computer, and stared at it for a minute.  Then, I got up from the computer to make the bed, clean the house and eventually get an oil change.   

Lesson #1:  Establish a routine and set daily goals.

The oil change turned out to an all-day affair.  Generally speaking, I have had no issues with my vehicle.  However, today I was told that I needed new tires.  Gulp.  My first day without a regular paycheck, and now I need new tires. 

Lesson #2:  Expect the unexpected.

As I left the repair shop, my tire sensor went off, so I turned around.  The repair shop mechanic took a closer look at my tires and air pressure.  Again, I was given the all-clear to go, and just before reaching my next destination, the tire sensor went off again.  So, back to the repair shop I went, and this time they discovered the issue was a result of a software malfunction.  The mechanic pulled out his laptop, connected it to my vehicle and within a few keystrokes, my vehicle was good to go.

Lesson #3:  Have patience.

I finally made it home to write this post.  As soon as I am finished here, I will be setting my goals for tomorrow, and yes, I will establish my new routine.  

If you are an entrepreneur or solopreneur or simply self-employed, I would love to hear from you.  I would appreciate hearing about your routines, rituals or any helpful advice for that matter.  

Until next time....