Remembering 2012 and seriously getting excited about 2013

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

I am excited. Personally 2012 was a spectacular year. So many wonderful things happened during the year and I give infinite thanks.

Highlights of my year included celebrating another birth year, getting engaged (see photo below), home ownership, watching my sister graduate, fantastic vacations, teaching the Personal and Professional Development course at the Comprehensive Learning Centre to fabulous students, Presidency of the Optimist Club of Anguilla which was a great learning and growing experience and so much more.

When I asked Nash what the highlights of his year were his answer made me smile. He said they were the simple moments like 'seeing me smile, talking to his brother, waking up each day... this is why I love this man.

Photo credit - Signature7602 Studios

 

But I digress ... if you know me at all, you will know that I also get excited about something, anything big or small at least twice a day. You might hear me say

‘I am so excited to eat lunch’ or I am excited for a friend starting something new in his or her life or I am excited just because my love dropped by the office. I don’t ever want to lose my child like enthusiasm for what most would consider the mundane things in life.

So yes, even though 2012 was so spectacular, I don’t mind saying goodbye to it because I am excited about what lies ahead in 2013. If it is God’s will, I will celebrate my 30^th in 2013 (woo hoo – can we say 30 and fabulousJ. I will also marry the love of my life -I am so excited! Can anyone tell how many times I said excited or some version of this word in this blog?

How about you? What makes you excited? It is the season to be jolly so don’t be a scrooge. Get excited! Get happy. I certainly am. Say Yes to getting excited today.

Let me take this opportunity to say a very WARM THANK YOU to those who have subscribed to or read my blog. I hope this blog has inspired you in some way or at the very least made you chuckle :).  To my readers in North, South and Central America, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and of course Anguilla please do continue to read  and share in 2013 and look out for a new blog coming soon!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year or Season Greetings from 'Say Yes to Today!'

A 'Hair' Story

For some persons changing their hairstyle (haircut, extensions etc) is a weekly or monthly occurrence. For others, like me, getting a haircut is an event! I wore braids once in my life for about a week and I have never worn weave or a wig. I pondered on this for a while. Why is it that some persons can so freely and readily 'update' their ‘hair look’, while others are content to wear their hair the same for years with minor modifications?

I realised part of the reason we stay with the ‘same look’ is because it is something that works for us. We feel good, we feel confident with that look. Why rock the boat right? Why seek change when things are already good? The grass isn’t always greener on the other side right?

While I am using my hair as an example, this is applicable for general life as well. You may get stuck in a job not because it is your passion, but because it is paying the bills and perhaps if you are lucky you like the other people in the office including your boss. You may not be passionate about the job but perhaps you are afraid to see what else is out there...it can be scary trying something new right?

What about some of the relationships you find yourself in? Your heart may not swell with love for the person and an inner voice may be quietly be telling you that this isn’t your soul mate but you are comfortable with him or her and for the most part you get along well. Why shake things up right?

How about your exercise routine? Well, you always walk the same route or you have gone to the same gym for the past 10 years. It’s working for you right? Whoever said that change was a good thing must have been out of their mind? You are happy and healthy right where you are, right?

Wrong! My point is all of us have some area or areas in our life where we have probably gotten too comfortable. Comfortable isn’t bad but why not spice it up...Add some excitement to the mix. Sometimes we need to step outside of our comfort zone and see what else is out there. Stepping out doesn’t have to be drastic and you can take baby steps. My haircut for example is shorter but let’s gets real, it isn’t like I leaped way out of my comfort zone and got a pixie cut or something.

However, I made a decision to try something new since my last major haircut was almost five years ago and gasp I really do like my new haircut.

Sometimes, we just have to listen to that voice within us and sometimes the voices of others around us and try something or somebody new. You just might like it! I certainly do! SAY YES to today - and -explore other options and step out of your comfort zone, whatever that may be!

Drop me a comment and let me know something you did out of your comfort zone.

Have a great week everyone.

Update: February is Gone. Five ways to get back on track with your SMART goals

Hi everyone. I certainly missed talking to you. I hope you are doing fabulously.

So I know this is a very loaded title since it automatically assumes that you are off track with your smart goals. If you clicked on this link, there is an 80 percent chance that you are. Don’t despair. We still have 10 more months in the year. That means 83 percent of the year is still before us. Whew, what a relief. That means you can still Ace those SMART goals but it also means you will have to work harder and smarter.

1)    Take a minute to review and become reacquainted with those goals that you set at the start of the year.

One goal I shared with you was that I was going to blog at least once a week. I was doing pretty well but I dropped the warm potato last week and failed to post a blog. I would say that’s a ‘Thumbs down Shellecia.’ Seriously though, it is ok to make a mistake or skip a workout or to have some cookies….that’s fine.  We just need to ensure it is a rare occurrence and don’t allow it to develop into a habit.

2)    Review the reasons why your SMART goals may be off track. Were they Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-based? Is it your fault that you are off track or were there other reasons beyond your control? Chances are most of the reasons for stumbling are your own, so take responsibility right now.

I am taking full responsibility for the many mornings this year that I failed to get out of bed to exercise because it was ‘so dark’ or my favourite excuse for 2012 ‘those look like rain clouds.’ I am operating somewhere around 60% and I pledge to do better in March. However, there were mornings when it was raining or I was off island and I couldn’t go running even if I wanted to. What I could have done however were some indoor exercises so really everything comes back to us right? Take full responsibility – claim your own victories and your own defeats.

3)    Set new timeframes to measure your progress if you feel you cannot achieve the timeframes you had set. If you are willing to put in the time and effort please do stick with original timeframes. Ensure you measure your progress at these times. 

4)    Share your goals with others. Secrets are the enemy to achieving your goals. Tell your friends and family what you want to achieve and many of them will be your biggest supporters and encouragers.

Persons ask me all the time, how is the exercising going and I can only give half positive answers. This is definitely motivation to do better. I know if I do better, others around me or observing me will automatically do better as well. It is a great cycle of encouragement.  

5)    Finally, Just Do It. Taking action will always be the best step we can take if we are serious about achieving our SMART goals.

Goals are amazing as they give us a sense of purpose and ignite our passions. I hope you are still positive about achieving your goals. I certainly am. The naysayers and discouragers are probably knocking hard on your front door by now but put in your earphones. Side note: I have some cute earphones with the Jamaican colours.

Follow these five tips and you will successfully achieve your SMART Goals for 2012.

We will talk again in a few days. Post a comment below and share your SMART goals for 2012.

Been there, Done that, Moved On....

There is none perfect, no not one. Living a healthy, happy life isn’t about being perfect.

It’s about recognising and accepting the fact that life isn’t perfect but deciding to have faith and be happy and optimistic anyway. It’s about the daily choice of choosing to see the glass as half full rather than half empty. It’s about appreciating what you do have instead of envying others. It’s about working hard or smart for what you want rather than sitting idly and complaining.

So

Crappy job – been there

Unhealthy relationship/friendship – been there

Broke – been there

Yeah I have been there, done that and moved on. Sometimes we come back there. Sometimes it’s our fault, sometimes it’s just life and circumstances. However, please note, we should never settle there – keep it moving, and move on! (Does this make sense? I hope so.)

Have you ever observed ants – you can place obstacles in their way, divert their path, destroy their nests....and they simply move on, rebuild, start over. Don’t dwell on the past...you can’t change it.  You do however have a tremendous amount of power and control to 'press on to the greater achievements of the future.'

So the guy or girl who broke your heart – guess what? Living well is the sweetest revenge.

The crappy job – opportunities are everywhere you just need to open your eyes and see what’s available.

Broke – Change your mindset, give of your time and talents and you will be amazed at what will come back to you.

When you ‘settle’ emotionally, mentally, physically, spiritually, financially – you limit your happiness and that’s just not good sense.

Starting today, let one of your mantras be ‘Been there, done that, moved on!’