There Are Stars Under Those Clouds

Professional Speaker-Personal Development-Positive Attitude

We are facing a very scary time right now. Too many people are dealing with job loss, illness, and above all, fear. And the worst? The absolute worst is losing a belief in yourself and doubting your own self-confidence.

So, what are we to do? How do we face this monster and fight it with all we have?

Two words – HELP OTHERS.

I know we can’t visit anyone right now because of social distancing, but what about standing outside the window of a family member’s house or the nearby nursing home. You can wave to the people trapped inside, hold up colorful signs or even bring your pet to show them. Even if it brings one smile or one laugh, it’s worth the trip.

What about calling someone on the phone so they can actually hear your voice? Maybe set up a Zoom call so you can see them? I haven’t figured out how to do this myself, but you know what? I have found others who are more tech savvy than me and asked them to organize it. They send a link, I click it, and I get to see my friends and family. I’ve even heard about people dating through Zoom and other like services – what a hoot!

This is your time to get creative. This is your time to fight fear with everything you have inside of you. We will have a new normal but we WILL come out of this victorious. Just remember that people coming together can, and will, solve any problem life throws our way.

Those dark clouds you see now WILL clear, and behind them you will find an abundance of stars and glory beyond your wildest imagination. The beauty will take your breath away.

 

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Spread Hope

Professional Speaker-Personal Development-Positive Attitude

Every day, all day, we hear about the spread of the corona virus. Well, starting right now, I’m going to flip the switch and start a campaign to spread hope instead. Yes, that’s right. I’ve just launched a new series that I call Spread Hope and I’m labeling that term #spreadhope.

What exactly does that mean? Well, every day I’m posting an inspirational tip that will help you through the day, sometimes through the next minute. How do I know these techniques work? Because they helped me during one of the darkest times of my life. It was 2008 and that recession was much like the challenge we are facing today. At that time, I was a real estate investor with a lot of property in Florida. When the market imploded, I lost everything – my business, my savings, my relationship and even my home. I was devastated and depressed and felt worthless. Some days, I didn’t know how I was going to get out of bed.

Every day I heard of businesses closing with thousands of people being laid off. I then had to find the strength to go out and find a job; find a way to rebuild my life. Well, the techniques that helped me recreate myself are the same ones I share with you every day on my LinkedIn site https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancydepcik/  (scroll down to activity) and my Facebook page: http://bit.ly/2IZ9ZCO. It may be an idea, a video, a quote – anything, something, to help you manage the fear and stress you are feeling right now.

I also encourage you to share your own ideas. Tell us what helps to bring a smile to your face. How can we help each other. We are all in this together.

 

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How to Handle Stress During Challenging Times

Professional Speaker-Personal Development-Positive Attitude

Our world has certainly changed in the last seven days. I have never seen anything like this. It’s scary and overwhelming and confusing. Suddenly, and I do mean suddenly, our kids are home from school, our offices have closed their doors and we have watched our entire city shut down. And for many, you don’t even know when you will get your next paycheck.

How do we deal with it all? How do we survive all the stress?

My goal, in my speeches and in my life, is to help people gain a positive attitude – to see the silver lining. It’s really hard to do this when we are surrounded by such depressing news 24 hours a day. So, let me give you a few tips on how to get through the day with some sort of sanity and to experience some stress-free moments:

First, pick one time throughout the day to watch/listen to the news, then TURN IT OFF. The constant reporting of disease and death is enough to drive anyone crazy. Yes, we want to stay on top of what’s happening around the world, and in our own back yard, but once a day is enough. This will be difficult, so force yourself to shut off that TV, unplug that computer and find an inspirational book to read or music to listen to.

That takes me to number two – find your favorite music, whatever it may be. Make a playlist, then listen to it whenever you are feeling down. One of my favorites is: This is My Fight Song. Every day I sing these words at the top of my lungs: “This is my fight song, take back my life song.” Yes, I will take back my life and return to some sort of normalcy – soon.

Third, visualize a healthy you. Take all your five senses and See yourself as a healthy person; Hear your strong voice; Smell the flowers; Taste the food at your favorite restaurant; Feel vibrant and healthy. What you focus on, grows. So focus on a healthy you.

It’s up to you to take control of your life during these crazy times. My advice is to take small steps leading to a healthier, stress-free you. Let’s all come together to take care of ourselves and help each other. In the process you will find a courage inside yourself that you didn’t even know existed.

 

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My, How Times Have Changed

Professional Speaker-Personal Development-Positive Attitude

Trailblazer. Don’t you just love that word?

This past Sunday was International Women’s Day and I’ve been reading a lot about the many achievements of women. I know it sometimes feels like we are standing still, but I guarantee you – we are not.

Here’s a short story of how far we’ve come.

In 1979, only 41 years ago, I needed my husband’s signature to buy a car. Yep, your read that right! I was 30 years old, a college graduate, full time teacher getting my own paycheck, and was told that I could not buy a car without my husband’s signature. When I responded that I was divorced and had no husband, their answer came quickly: then we need your father’s signature.

Today that would never happen. As women, we are independent, strong, powerful, financially savvy, and the list goes on. There are so many women who have come before me who have paved the way and help me live the life I have imagined for myself. At the top of my list is my mother. Although, growing up, I thought her stubbornness and feistiness were obstacles, I have now come to thank her for passing those same traits onto me. Because of her, I have learned to stand up for myself, take care of myself and be proud of myself. My only hope is that I can make a difference in some small way for the women who are yet to follow.

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The Impact of One Email

Professional Speaker-Personal Development-Positive Attitude

It may have taken him five minutes, maybe less, to send that email, but in that time he was able to make me feel like I could conquer the world. And I have no idea who he is.

You see, last Saturday I gave a presentation at the Toastmasters Conference in Darien, Illinois. My topic was TEDx presentations; how to find them, prepare for them and deliver them. During my talk I mentioned how my personal TEDx speech, the one I gave a few years ago, had technical difficulties. Both the lighting and sound were pretty bad. I expressed my disappointment and said that I haven’t shared that video because it lacked good quality.

Then, out of nowhere, someone I have never met emailed me saying:

“Just wanted to let you know I enjoyed it [my TEDx speech] and the sound didn’t phase me one bit. Your message was too powerful for me to be pulled away by a small echo here and there. When the speech was over, your story is what I remembered, the sound blips are nothing. Your brother would be proud of you with that speech. Well done!!!”

“Your brother would be proud of you”… Those words hit me like a ton of bricks. I’ve been missing the point all along. I was so focused on the technical difficulties that I diminished the power of my message. So, it is with great pride that I invite you to watch and enjoy my TEDx speech: Nancy’s TEDx talk.

And a huge thanks to Matthew for taking the time to reach out to me. Your kind words have truly made a difference.

 

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