Saturday, June 29, 2013

SIMPLE SATURDAY





Enjoying a Saturday with my best friend and fiance. Checked out a new place in Phoenix that just opened because we got a flyer in the mail for a free coffee and pastry.  Unfortunately, the customer service didn't follow the excitement we had prior to the barista looking at us like we were robbing the place when we handed her our coupon advertisement. Brushed it off and enjoyed our cup of Joe as the kids sitting next to us started with conversations of asking "why" with every reply.  Kids are so fun to be around, they are blank slates curious about the world in every crack and corner....finding happiness in things that adults pass by.  Happy Saturday everyone!

1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace

xo
Mandy

Saturday, June 22, 2013

CREATE A SPACE

Photo of a wood box filled with cards from family & friends

A picture I found in an alley.  You can find unique antiques in places least expected

Flowers from a loved one

Photo of my art space to be creative 

In a previous blog I talked about the characteristics needed to be successful in a career. Those three essentials were AUTONOMY, PURPOSE, and MASTERY.  All of which are expressed through the idea of natural talent and dedicated perseverance.  Everyone has "gifts" (their natural ability, intelligence, or capability)  that are not mastered to their full potential without dedication.  Two things will happen when someone has a talent that they don't commit themselves to: 1. they get better with each day or 2. they get worse each day. I started to realize it's the environment I surround myself in that makes me more or less motivated to stay dedicated to individual aspirations. 
The Google company is an excellent example of a corporation that has evaluated the key to employee success; focus on employee morale and therefor it increases customer satisfaction.  Google encourages personal and professional growth by identifying what makes people happy.  The walls are lined with dry erase boards for ideas, scooters for the hallways, climbing walls, outdoor movie theaters, napping areas, full service free gourmet food, and much more! Google started from and idea that matured into the completion of a dream made reality.  Sometimes we think that our ideas are too big for us as an individual so it stops there. Setting small goals, baby steps, to reach the ultimate mission will create the pathway to a successful endeavor. The first step...creating your space.

1 Timothy 4:14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given to you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you 

xoxo,
Mandy  

Thursday, June 13, 2013

DRIFTING IN AND OUT

photo taken by me in San Francisco 2012.  Bring your life to clarity, not "drifting in and out"

I was talking to my mom on the phone the other day and was caught trying to convince myself why going back to school, after eight years of college, was a good idea. "You could have been a doctor by now." she said.  I continued to explain to her that I like to do a lot of different things and getting an education in many different subjects wasn't a bad decision.  After hanging up the phone, I sat on the bed reflecting and realized I really have become the "jack of all trades, master of none."  One of my degrees is in psychology so evidently I over analyzed the conversation with my mom.  I wondered why I can't stay focused enough on one thing to get over the point of it becoming monotonous and boring to finally reaping the benefits of dedication. This question led to a self-search, discovering what motivates people and why motivation can come and go without warning.

It didn't take long and I came across a blog by Joel Runyon, called "Get Disciplined, Not Motivated."  The statements made were impressionable and relatable.  The blog allowed understanding of how an autonomous (self-governing, free) decision, leads to behavior, and is followed by dedication.

MOTIVATION
Motivation is transient, it comes and goes.  It could last only to the end of the week, end of the day, or end of reading this blog.

Motivation is situational, based on emotion.  If you don't feel like doing it, you don't do it.

Motivation is everywhere, everywhere people are trying to stay motivated.  They read, hear, or watch something and it leaves them "motivated", but doesn't preface action.  I find myself telling people I am going to do something great!  I have a plan, I spent many hours on the plan, and.... it doesn't go any further than that.

People don't need motivation...they need self discipline. Discipline to make an educated ,well researched, decision, stick with it, and thrive!

DISCIPLINE
Discipline is constant, doing it often

Discipline is habitual, doesn't just happen.  It's intentional and repeated every...single....day

Discipline is rare, no one likes discipline, it isn't fun. But, it's the only way to see results.

Since the age of the online superhighway we see a limitless array of  motivational quotes with cool handwriting and beautiful pictures.  Like going to church, it does no good if we intently listen every Sunday, feel motivated to make a positive change, then speed out of the parking lot honking at others in anger. It doesn't make sense?  The time is NOW.  I think it's time to laugh a little more, take control of your life,  and focus on the things that matter. Get disciplined:)

Proverbs 13:4 The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied. 

With Love,
Mandy