I Just Need Possible


I just heard some fascinating news on the radio – YES, I still listen to the radio!

The announcer said that today, half way through January, 75% of New Year’s resolutions will be abandoned.  What?  75%?  It’s only two weeks into the New Year and the New You.  What would make someone give up so quickly?

Then, as I was pointing my finger towards others, I noticed that four of my fingers were pointing back at me.  How many times have I made the same resolutions year after year after year?  I began to wonder why they seemed so hard to keep, and I came up with these five ideas:

1.        Sometimes we get so excited and so ambitious and we make a LIST of resolutions.  No wonder we become overwhelmed and discouraged.  Try focusing on just ONE change.  I know a year seems like a long time to work on only one thing, but just think how amazing it would be if you actually got that one thing accomplished, finished, done with, and never again to be seen on another New Year’s resolution list – ever again.

2.       Be kind to yourself.  If you falter today, start again tomorrow.  Don’t beat yourself up or throw in the towel.  This change will take time, and as my mother always said: “You have more time than money.â€

3.       Celebrate your success along the way.  That doesn’t mean a hot fudge sundae if your goal is to lose weight, but maybe it could be something like taking time for a bubble bath or sharing a glass of wine with a friend.

4.        Remember that you have a choice.  My weakness is chocolate so I’m always struggling with losing those extra pounds.  When I reach for that chocolate, I tell myself that I have a choice – I can eat that chocolate now or I can have a healthier body.  Which is more important?  If I’m honest, the chocolate does win out more often than I’d like to admit, but I’m working on that.  Knowing that I have a choice helps me to put things in perspective.

5.       Make your resolution a year long process, not just a one night statement.  Work at it every day until it becomes a habit.  I once heard someone say (and I paraphrase): I don’t need easy, I just need possible.  Make your resolution a promise to yourself that is possible.

Well, let me know how it goes.  Right now I’m going to make myself part of the 25% that have not given up on their resolutions.  I’m working on making mine possible.

Categories: Personal Development Positive Attitude Professional Development Professional Speaker
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Team Nancy


I’m competing in a series of speech contests, and I just completed the third round of competition, winning first place. Now I have to compete in and win at three more levels to earn the title of International Speech Champion.

It’s a lot of hard work, very stressful and many times my stomach is tied up in knots.

So why am I doing this??? Good question!

I guess I don’t really know for sure, but there’s something that keeps driving me; keeps pushing me forward. It’s like I’m entering a new zone in my life. The Caution Sign and the Yield Sign have been left behind, and it’s now full speed ahead. I keep my eye on the prize and I’m not looking back.

Of course, all the attention and kudos I’m getting from my peers doesn’t hurt. When I walked into my professional speakers meeting the other day, my friend Paul had printed #TeamNancy on the back of each agenda, Jeanine left me a super touching voicemail about all the progress I have made, and Garrett sent an email with so much encouragement that it brought tears to my eyes.

So maybe that’s my answer. Getting the support of the people who share my vision is priceless. There is no judgment, no “you should have’sâ€, and no discouragement. Only pure joy over my victory.

As I said in an earlier post, success isn’t about money or winning trips. It’s discovering your own definition of what brings you fulfillment and what makes you truly happy in the process, then going after it with a vengeance, never giving in to what others may think or say.

So to all my friends, my husband (who is my best friend of all), and my family, I have to say thank you for allowing me this dream, for encouraging me, and for making me a winner whether I come home with a trophy or not.

Categories: Personal Development Positive Thinking Professional Development
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Your Turn – How Do YOU Define Success?


How do you spell success?

MONEY

FAME

POWER

I was recently forced to face my own definition of success. You see, just a couple of days ago, I won a speech contest held by Toastmasters.  If you are not familiar with this group, it’s a non-profit organization that helps individuals develop their public speaking and leadership skills.

They hold numerous contests throughout the year, and the one I entered was the International Speech Contest. I have to admit that it was fun because I get to compete against my peers, who are pretty awesome speakers.  But it is also nerve wracking and takes a lot of preparation, so I was honored to take first place in the Area Contest.  When it all was over, there were lots of pictures taken, and many congratulatory hugs.  I was bursting with pride, and when I walked into my club meeting later that evening, I was met with applause and kudos from my peers.

But the next morning, as I was still basking in the glory of my win, I told several people about my success.

“Congratulations! What did you win?â€

I quickly responded, “Well, now I advance to the next level and I compete with different speakers.â€

“Yeah, but what did you win?â€

My response wasn’t so quick this time, “Well, I get satisfaction knowing that I did my best and that the audience and judges identified with my speech.â€

“I mean, how much money did you win?â€

NOW I GET IT!!! It finally hit me that my win was not considered a success unless there was a dollar sign attached to it.

Now I didn’t feel so successful anymore.

It took me some time to think through my reaction to this exchange of words, and a heart-to-heart conversation with a good friend of mine, and I finally came to the conclusion that this time, for me, money was not the end goal. My success came from knowing that I found something I love to do, that I followed my passion, and that I’m determined to be the best I can be.  And that day, competing in that contest, I was able to share my passion with the audience and the judges.  I was able to bring some joy into their lives as well as my own.

So today, I am reminded of the words of Maya Angelou: “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”

That spells success for me.

Categories: Personal Development Positive Mindset Positive Thinking Professional Development
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