Week 1, 31DBBB Challenge, My Recap

www.bigfoto.com
"If you put yourself in a position where you have to stretch outside your comfort zone, then you are forced to expand your consciousness."

Are you proud of your accomplishments?  I am very proud of completing Week 1 of the 31DBBB (31 Days to Build a Better Blog) challenge from ProBlogger.  I have joined with BlogFrog and the wonderful SITS (Secret to Success is The Support) community to learn all about building a better blog.

Two weeks ago, I have never heard of SITS or BlogFrog.  I received a link from a successful lady blogger, to a ProBlogger's article entitled "8 Habits of Highly Successful Bloggers".  As a new blogger I decided to subscribe to these articles.  

A few days later came the 31DBBB challenge with SITS and BlogFrog.  I was nervous and hesitated, yet a voice inside of me kept encouraging to join.  I reviewed the their websites, and after more hesitation I finally gave in and joined.  I figured, if this wasn't right for me, then I wouldn't go further.

I am so happy that I made this choice to join.  As for the challenge, it has taught me that there is a lot more to blogging than just writing words.  Here's a short summary of what I learned after completing Week 1.

1.  Write from the reader's point of view, instead of your own.

2.  Comment on other people's blogs often to build a good relationship.

3.  Content is important; it keeps readers interested.

4.  Become more familiar with using social media to promote a blog.

5.  Write link and interlink posts.

6. Read related material, ask questions, participate and support each other.  Learn all you can from 31DBBB and other bloggers in the community.  It will help improve and build a better blog.

The opportunity to grow increased with each new lesson.  It's very inspiring to be a part of the group support and camaraderie with wonderful lady bloggers!  It adds very much to my own personal growth and self journey.  I took a chance to step out of my comfort zone to participate.  There are times when it doesn't feel right to leave my safe circle, but in this case I am very pleased and proud to be part of 31DBBB.  I want to personally thank SITS, BlogFrog and ProBlogger for putting on this event.

If you have an opportunity to participate in an event that will enhance your own personal development, by all means go for it!  It'll change your life for the better.

Related post:  Change For The Better

Finish The Race

www.bigfoto.com

"It's not important that you come in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place in the race, it's important that you finish the race."

Are you surviving the stress of looking for a job in a recession?  The other night I watched the second half of an interesting show on PBS Frontline.  The show was about a salon in New York and how the recession is affecting each person, from the salon owner to all of her clients.  It was a thoughtful and serious reflection of each person's view and their strategies on how they are coping in these hard times.

I do all the similar traditional job hunting strategies as some of these individuals on the program were doing.  After sharing thoughts about the show with my "Sam" (Significant amazing man), we've come to the conclusion that to run this job race today, you have to look at other alternatives to the traditional job hunt.  It's necessary in order to succeed in getting hired by a company. 

Social networking is a huge tool that facilitates the job hunt today.  Yet you need to become pretty savvy to use it.  Most younger generations are comfortable with social networks.  Yet people who are more mature in age are slower to embrace and utilize this medium to its advantage.

This is where I need to kick in my dose of optimism, faith, and hard work.  Yes, I am a bit slow using Facebook and Twitter, but I am using it more and more, especially since I started the 31DBBB (31 Days to Build a Better Blog) by ProBlogger challenge.  And I realize, that it's not so scary to understand once I began to get the hang of it.  The sites usually have a Help area for FAQ, but you may also search a topic from the Internet.  You'll find lots of great articles from pretty smart people who are experts in social networking.  There's no excuse not to back away from social media.

On Good Morning America the other day, a woman used Twitter to connect to a representative at a company she wanted to work for, and was later finally offered a position through her connection.  It took persistence on her part, but it paid off in the end by her becoming hired with the company.

I now get tweets, on my Twitter account, from job boards that I choose to follow.  My career counselor also "retweets" job openings to me from job boards he follows.  These are postings in real time, which means you can get a jump on applying for a position ahead of others.  I also set up email alerts, and stay in touch with former colleagues whenever possible.

I hope this encourages you to try this method out.  Overcome your mental obstacles and tell yourself, "This will only benefit myself, and also give me the confidence I need to succeed."  Of course, continue with your traditional job searches but add a new twist to it.  You might find it more enjoyable, and you get to learn a new skill on top of it.  

How are you staying in the game to find a job?  Feel free to leave a comment, I'd love to hear your strategies.  Stay strong!

Related article:  Quitting is Not An Option

Ten Positive Affirmations

“You, as much as anyone in the universe, deserve your love and respect.” – Buddha

Earlier this month I posted my “10 Sunny Ways” list.  In these hard times, it’s more important as ever to be as supportive of each other.  It’s been extremely difficult out there, with unemployment benefits not being extended, and people struggling to find work to make ends meet.  

Remember that a lot of what the media says is out of our control.  There’s never more a critical time than keeping your courage and faith strong.  To help cope with the stress, find people or friends that can be supportive and use your pals as an opportunity to talk about another subject, other than the current news.  Don’t launch into discussions about how much more difficult it’s going to be and that this recession will never end.  Instead, direct your discussions to produce an action that results in something positive for you. The benefit?  You’re no longer as depressed, and you accomplished moving away from feelings of despair to feelings of achievement.

I believe in positive affirmations.  They have a powerful effect on your consciousness if you say them over and over till it sinks in.  The following are a few of my own affirmations:
1.  I am grateful to wake up to another beautiful sunrise and enjoy another day.
2.  I love being alive and healthy.
3.  I conquer all fears by positive support, confidence and determination.
4.  Forgiveness is a form of healing.  I forgive myself and others for situations that cause stress.  I release the pain and can now move forward.
5.  I give all my problems to heaven.
6.  I laugh when I can, it releases pressure.
7.  I have the right career and it fulfills my life purpose.
8.  I am prosperous and abundant.
9.  I have lots of creativity.
10.  I love myself, my life, and I love others for who they are (despite differences).

There are some beautiful affirmations all over the Internet, but you can also create your own as well.  Try them, it will help you feel empowered and in control.

Motivate Yourself

"Unless you choose to take action on what you want, nothing is ever going to come out of it.” – Esther & Jerry Hicks




Last week I had a nice reunion lunch with some of my former laid off co-workers.  It was good to see how everyone was doing and good to chat on updates.  I thoroughly enjoyed visiting and staying in touch with friends, which is a great way to network.
One comment I hear a lot from others at lunch (and anyone else that’s unemployed), is that after a while they start to become bored at home.  The chores are done and all caught up.  Then what? 
For myself, I haven’t yet felt bored.  I’ve been keeping busy by my volunteer activities at the hospital, and I also have a couple of projects that I’m working on, one of which is this blog.  I never thought I would be blogging, but I thought, why not?  Creating my own personal website was fun, and I’m learning something new that I never tried before.
I’m a self-motivator. I would have suggested to my friends who are bored, that they take up a hobby or a new project, but that would have been too easy.  Sometimes I get the feeling that taking responsibility to create your own passion is suppose to be someone else’s duty.  It is so much easier to lament about what’s wrong with the economy, what’s wrong with our job market, or what’s wrong with our government.

If you are bored, it’s your inner voice telling you it wants some action.  Listen to your inner voice and step out of your comfort zone and try something new.  Maybe you want to try a new recipe, or sign up for a different exercise class at the gym.   Define what it is you want (that’s within your reasonable capability), then go for it.  Mistakes?  If you make one, then it’s a lesson learned for next time.
You don’t have to be bored, that’s a choice you make.  Be in charge of your life and follow your inner guidance.  Do something that allows you to grow personally, positively, and productively.  You’ll come away with a happier outlook with your life and your soul will thank you for it.

Smile, It Helps You Feel Better

Every moment you get is a gift. Spend it on things that matter. Don’t spend it by dwelling on unhappy things.

As soon as my emotions get battered or bruised by a certain family member, it drains all the energy from me.  Nothing feels worse than someone who knows how to make me feel so guilty for something I did or didn’t do.  I have a tendency of feeling so bad that I make myself miserable for the rest of the day.

When that happens to you, do you let an incident control your mind-set for the rest of the day?   Or do you share your problem with a friend to get a different point of view?   Thankfully, I have a close person to talk to.  My significant other has sense of humor that helps to alleviate my heaviness.  As I continue to dwell  in my unhappy mood, he’ll make a corny joke to see if he can get a reaction.  Or, sometimes he’ll make an off-the-wall comment about a commercial or a scene he just saw on TV.  If he catches me rolling my eyes, it usually follows with a smile or chuckle from me.  Then he’ll remark “Ah it’s nice to see you smiling again.  I like to see you smile.”

Again, I am reminded of how blessed I am to have a best friend and to be here today.  Being able to smile again takes heart and spirit to forgive myself, my family, and the situation.  It’s not healthy to hang on to depressed feelings and wishing you can hurt someone as much as it hurts you.  One thing I learned from reading other self-motivational or self-inspirational material, is that we are all loving beings.  Despite all the hurt, the strong emotions, and the disagreements, in the end we must let it go by smiling, forgiving, helping each other, and loving each other.  And I am prompted to never forget my “Ten Sunny Ways” list.

Speaking of smiling, I just read “Stuck in the Hurry-Up Mode?” by Loretta Laroche, a consultant who encourages humor to deal with stress.  The basic message of this article is to slow down and live, but she has such a comical way of promoting her message that I couldn’t stop laughing. Take a moment and enjoy both reading and watching her short video.  It’ll put a smile on your face too!

Ten Sunny Ways

“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” ~Winston Churchill

The following list is very popular on different internet websites.  I regret I don't remember exactly where I found the list a few years ago, but I do want to acknowledge whoever is the originator. He/she deserves credit for creating this list, because it applies to any type of day you and I may have. I had these posted to my wall in my cubicle, and also next to my bedroom mirror. On a day when I’m dealing with stress, I focused, took deep breaths, and remembered my list.  It allowed me to get back on the right track.

It’s good to share it again and remind ourselves what a good day is all about:

10 Sunny Ways to Make Your Day a Good One!

1. A good day is when I wake up remembering that a good day happens by CHOICE not chance!
2. A good day is when I live the day in the present, being grateful for the little things in life.
3. A good day is a day that I look back on and smile, because I allowed myself to be open to something new without realizing it at the time.
4. A good day is when I can feel anger, pain, sadness, etc. but not let it take over.
5. A good day is when I relax and go with the flow.
6. A good day is drama free. (My choice, again.)
7. A good day is when I'm aware that I'm a kind and compassionate person and treat myself that way.
8. A good day is when I don't use excuses to paralyze my thoughts and dreams or allow fear to keep me from stepping out and doing something I believe in.
9. A good day is connecting with people who are on the same self exploration journey as I am.
10. A good day is the realization that EVERY DAY IS A GOOD DAY no matter what happens!