Jeff Goins’ “Slow Down” Challenge – Day 3

August 14, 2013 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 1 Comment

I had to chuckle when today’s email for Jeff Goins’ “Slow Down” Challenge entitled “The Myth of Multitasking.”

This was the Challenge:

Challenge: Focus

What if today you stopped trying to fit more things into smaller blocks of time and instead took your time trying to do fewer things? How much better could you do your work and how much more present to it would you be?

That’s what we’re going to do today: we’re going to try to focus. Here’s your assignment:

Pick one task you need to accomplish today; write it down.
Also, list the distractions that stand in your way.
Share your list with one person who can hold you accountable.
As you work, glance at your list and remind yourself what really matters.
Try turning off your phone or other pieces of technology. Leave it in the other room and see how much better your work is when you can focus.

I chuckled because today was an editorial deadline day – two days ago. I’d circled on my August calendar the deadlines from the July issue – and I was two days behind. Here I was thinking Thursday the 15th was my due date when my actual due date was Monday the 12th.

Oops!

Gah!

Talk about needing to focus!

Thankfully, much of my work was done and only needed fine-tuning, yet I had not even begun one of the biggest writing assignments that was due.

After I got over the initial shock, I set a tight deadline to get it everything completed.

The only way to get it done was to focus.

Jeff’s exercise pretty much fit the way I had to conduct my day if I intended to complete my tasks.

I put my shoulder to the editorial wheel and dug in.

Thankfully, despite a few interruptions here and here, I was able to get it all in.

Whew!

I’d like to think that the principle of focusing – and accompanying success – can be applied to any aspect of our lives.

Want to complete something and do it well?

Focus.

Want a new relationship – or spice up the one you have?

Focus.

Hmmmm . . . .

Join in the Fray: In what areas of your life do you need to focus?

I’m blogging every day this week in Jeff Goins’ “Slow Down” Challenge. Thanks for reading, and feel free to comment!

Jeff Goins’ “Slow Down” Challenge – Day 2

August 13, 2013 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 2 Comments

So yesterday I mentioned blogger and author Jeff Goins over at Goins Writer issued a “Slow Down” Challenge.

This is Day 2 of the Challenge. Today’s challenge from Jeff:

Challenge: Savor

Take your time with food today. If you’re the one who cooks in your home, spend more than the minimum amount of time preparing the meal. Slowly cut and cook each ingredient, imagining what they will taste like when blended.

When you eat, chew slowly. Make each bite intentional and deliberate, counting to at least 20 before swallowing. As you do, remember to appreciate and enjoy all the flavors in the food. And above all, remember to smile between bites.

Why This Worked Especially Well For Me

Many of you know that I’ve been doing a “Vegetarian ‘Till 6:00,” which is an adaptation of Mark Bittman’s Vegan Before 6:00. I’d already been trying to make sure I slowed down to eat, taking tiny bites so I could enjoy the flavors of the increased number of fruits and vegetables I’ve been eating.

Yesterday I enjoyed a “Meatless Monday,” and today was no different when I went home for lunch. I didn’t have anything fancy; just a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (I’ve gotten in the habit of eating one almost every day; usually for breakfast).

I deeply inhaled the smell of the peanuts and marvelled at how sweet the jelly smelled. I cut my sandwich on the diagonal, the way I always do. I enjoyed the sensation of the peanut butter sticking to the roof of my mouth – just like I used to do when I was a kid.

I’m reading Six Days by Harlen Coben, and when I “read for lunch” I normally multitask and read while I eat. Today, however, I didn’t pick up my book until after I’d finished eating – and even then, I sat still and just enjoyed the silence for five minutes before starting to read.

Several people came across my consciousness as I sat there in the silence; some experiencing different forms of bereavement, others who anticipated new ventures; my two brothers who have birthdays this month.

I said a prayer for each of them, and asked God to meet them at the point of their need. I experienced a quiet, peaceful lunch and was ready to go back and face the remainder of my work day.

Even now, I sit in quiet contemplation as I type this. I’m savoring a piece of colby-jack cheese that I placed on a saucer of a set of dishes that my Mother gave me when I moved here.

I’ll admit it: The dishes are not even remotely my taste. Yet they make me smile every time I use them, if for no other reason than the fact that they are so like my Mother and so unlike me – and I’m good with that.

I smile, and think about my wonderful, dear Mother.

I savor not only the cheese, but the moment.

Join in the Fray: What moments are you “savoring?”

I’m blogging every day this week in Jeff Goins’ “Slow Down” Challenge. Thanks for reading, and feel free to comment!

New Month – New Goals!

July 31, 2013 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 4 Comments

Why? Because August is coming in with a bang.

A New Month = New Goals and new activities the entire month.

I’m taking Rosetta Thurman’s Powerful Goal Setting class.
I’m starting a new eating plan ~~in earnest~~ – at least 1 green smoothie a day; meals that are 80% vegan/vegetarian and 20% “regular.”
I’m attending a festival every weekend!

There’s no time like the present to enjoy life.

Woot Woot!

Join in the Fray: What are your goals for August?

I blogged every day in the month of July in Blogher’s NaBloPoMo Challenge. Thanks for reading – Whew!

Tell Me Something Sweet . . . .

July 30, 2013 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 2 Comments

Gah! Today was National Cheesecake Day.

Did anybody miss the memo besides me?

Join in the Fray: Did you get some cheesecake today???

I’m blogging every day in the month of July in Blogher’s NaBloPoMo Challenge. Thanks for reading, and feel free to comment!

What Kind Of Friend Are You?

July 29, 2013 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

I subscribe to a Goins Writer, a blog written and hosted by Jeff Goins.

This inspirational blog targets writers, and I’m happy to report that I’ve learned a great deal in the 1.5 years I’ve subscribed.

If you’re a writer, I highly recommend that you subscribe to Jeff’s blog – he’s friendly, approachable and shares worthwhile content and resources that will enrich your life.

Today Jeff posted a guest blog written by Jer Monson of Next Twelve.

I was so profoundly moved by Monson’s guest post on Jeff’s blog that I just had to share it with you.

The post is entitled:

“Friends Let Friends Dream Big Dreams”

To read the post, click here.

After you read the post, ask yourself the question: What kind of friend am I?

Join in the Fray: So, what kind of friend are you?

I’m blogging every day in the month of July in Blogher’s NaBloPoMo Challenge. Thanks for reading, and feel free to comment!

Why It’s Important To Make The Most Of EVERY Day

July 28, 2013 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90:12 NIV

If you’re a fan of the radio show Kidd Kraddick in the Morning, by now you’ve probably heard he passed away suddenly at a golf tournament in New Orleans yesterday.

To say I’m stunned is an understatement – I’m heartbroken.

I started listening to Kidd’s show at a very tender time in my life; about a year after my husband’s death. I was at a very low point for a number of reasons. I came across Kidd’s show when I was radio surfing one morning after a sleepless night. I laughed until I cried – good tears, not sorrowful ones. I’ve been hooked ever since.

Kidd’s sudden and untimely death is a sobering reminder of why it’s so important to make the most of EVERY day. No, every day is not going to be filled with sunshine and we don’t sleep on the proverbial bed of roses.

Yet, each day we’re presented with 24 glorious hours.

This is a time that we can maximize; use to our advantage. We can elect to be positive instead of negative; see and walk through the open doors instead of whining and complaining as we stand motionless in front of the ones we view as shut.

We can allow ourselves to become paralyzed with fear or drown in a sea of excuses. We can fritter our time away with laziness, engulfing ourselves in pointless, time-wasting pursuits that add little or no value to our lives (Candy Crush Saga, anyone? IJS).

It’s important to make the most of EVERY day because we don’t know how many we have.

I’m sure no one would have made Kidd Kraddick, his family or we his fans believe that his total number of days would fall less than a month shy of his 54th birthday, which would have been August 22. Yet, he’s gone – and his days are up.

Thankfully, Kidd elected to make good use of his time, energy and resources, and leaves behind a legacy that now speaks for him.

I’m more determined than ever to make the most of my days. How about you?

Join in the Fray: What are you doing to make the most of each day?

I’m blogging every day in the month of July in Blogher’s NaBloPoMo Challenge. Thanks for reading, and feel free to comment!

Good Times

July 27, 2013 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 4 Comments

Today was a fun-filled day – I almost forgot to post. I only have 4 more days left in the July Blogher NaBloPoMo Challenge, and I’d hate to stumble now!

I drove my Mother, her sisters and one of my cousins to The Berry see my new digs. We’d only gone about 25 miles (with 20 more to go) when my Aunt Doe (my Mother’s baby sister) asked,

“Are we there yet?”

FDLOL!

I was delighted by their oohs and aahs, and was happy to receive thumbs up all around. I gave them a mini-tour of the city, and they marveled at how much it had grown since their teenage years.

We enjoyed a late lunch after the tour and headed back home.

Life’s simple pleasures are indeed the best – and who better to enjoy them with than the ones you love?

Join in the Fray: What simple pleasures do you enjoy?

I’m blogging every day in the month of July in Blogher’s NaBloPoMo Challenge. Thanks for reading, and feel free to comment!

You Know You’ve Had A Good Time When . . . .

July 26, 2013 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 1 Comment

You know you’ve had a good time when afterward, you need to r.e.c.u.p.e.r.a.t.e!

Last night’s soiree was off the chain! I had a blast at the Meet & Greet two weeks ago, so the actual event was the Meet & Greet on steroids.

Glitz and glamour everywhere – the women were gorgeous and the men even more so. (Tee hee hee!)

I can’t scoop my magazine and provide a lot of pictures, so I’ll be sure to follow-up with links next Friday when the issue hits the stands.

I’m HAPPY to report that I saw FOUR Swirl Couples last night.

Side Note: The event had over 450 people so that’s a relatively small ratio, but still. That’s far better than saying I saw ZERO Swirl Couples, right? Right.

I’m even HAPPIER to report that two of the couples were BW/WM Swirls – one older couple, and one younger. The other two were BM/WW couples.

Any who, I now need to recover from all that fun.

WHY am I still awake????

Join in the Fray: What good times have you had this month?

I’m blogging every day in the month of July in Blogher’s NaBloPoMo Challenge. Thanks for reading, and feel free to comment!

Keep Calm And Try On . . . .

July 23, 2013 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 8 Comments

. . . .clothes, that is!

I’m attending a swanky event Thursday night so I’m making like Cinderella and trying on different outfits and jewelry.

Technically I’ll be working behind the scenes covering this event, but hey! Girls just wanna look nice while they work.

Let’s see:

Outfit: Check!

Shoes: Check!

Jewelry: Check!

Makeup: Check!

Mani & pedi: Check!

Sense of anticipation: Check!

Readiness to get my Swirl on: CHECK!

Join in the Fray: What rituals do you follow in preparation for a social event?

I’m blogging every day in the month of July in Blogher’s NaBloPoMo Challenge. Thanks for reading, and feel free to comment!

Try A Little Aggressiveness

July 22, 2013 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 10 Comments

Came home after work today and was more than a bit annoyed to see that someone had taken the liberty of parking in my numbered space . . . again.

I’m one of the most laid back people I know. Still, I’m what my Grandmother described as “A real go-getter.”

My Mother says that I’m “a Matthews through and through.”

I’ve said it before: My Dad’s side is “loud and liberal” and my Mother’s side is “quiet and conservative.”

I believe I’m a good mixture of both. I’d further say that:

Live and Let Live + As Long As You Don’t Start Nothing Won’t Be Nothing = Me.

With that being said, after seeing that same car parked in my numbered spot again today – which made me have to park all the way on the end of the row instead of right in front of my nice new place . . . .

. . . .and the last time it happened (2 days ago) I had to walk to my unit with packages while it was raining . . . .

Let’s just say I’m not here for that.

Quick as a wink, I pulled a Post-It note from the dispenser on my desk and jotted this little note:

(the Unit number is edited, of course)

I was about to go affix it to the driver’s side window when I paused and asked myself:

Was I being too aggressive?
Was it going too far to put a Post-It on his window?
Should I be concerned about coming across as a “pain-in-the-neck” neighbor (even though he was being a “pain-in-the-neck” for me?
Should I forget this was now the 4th or 5th time this has happened (and I haven’t even been here three weeks yet)?
Should I just overlook the fact that we live in a very small “neighborhood” so everyone knows my car by now?
Should I disregard the fact that we all received the same parking rules (park in your numbered space + you have 1 extra space)
Should I just ignore the fact that this person knows he is parking in my space?
Should I be concerned about being viewed as a typical “Angry Black Woman” (even though 1-that’s what I was at the moment, and 2-I was pretty sure the guy in my parking space had no clue what that was)?

Side note: Seems to me that every week I’m encountering instances where Reading (or Counting) is Fundamental – and people are totally ignoring that fact.

That settled it – the answer to all of the questions above was a simple, “No.”

I went out the door and very politely placed the note on the window.

I’m not sure if he had an errand to run, or if he saw me (his blinds were open), but within 15 minutes, the vehicle was parked in the proper space.

When I left a couple of hours later to make a Starbucks run, this was affixed to my window:

Sometimes you just have to try a little aggressiveness.

Join in the Fray: When have you had to try a little aggressiveness?

I’m blogging every day in the month of July in Blogher’s NaBloPoMo Challenge. Thanks for reading, and feel free to comment!

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Jeff Goins’ “Slow Down” Challenge – Day 3

Challenge: Focus

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Jeff Goins’ “Slow Down” Challenge – Day 2

Challenge: Savor

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New Month – New Goals!

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Tell Me Something Sweet . . . .

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Why It’s Important To Make The Most Of EVERY Day

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Good Times

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You Know You’ve Had A Good Time When . . . .

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Try A Little Aggressiveness

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Challenge: Focus

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Challenge: Savor

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“Friends Let Friends Dream Big Dreams”

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