I love MATH!

I am reminded that I love math this week. There is only one right answer, and there's a formula to use to find it. It's not subjective to the perspective of the person grading the math test. 2+2 = 4 and when x = 1, 4x + 8= 12...and then there are all the other geometry theorems and calculus logrithims (sp?) to give us even more challenges...yet, there is only one right answer.

You ever forewarn someone of something and ask them to pay careful attention to something, and then when the very thing you warn them, they disregard...and then it somehow negatively impacts you, how do you feel? Mad, angry, confused, frustrated.

Frustration that it could've been avoided.

Business minus Follow-Up = Failing Customer Service
Business plus Follow-Up = Happy Clients and Referrals

Again, I love math.

I have been a loner much of my life. I don't really like people interfering with 'my' success. When I was a realtor, I went crazy since my commission check was dependent on the pest control, the roofing co., a lender, an escrow officer, and the seller's. All these people made up a team for the escrow to close and everyone to get paid. If someone didn't do their job, my car payment was late! I hated that part, my success of closings dependent on others. My paycheck dependent on others.

Frustrated those years of commission-only real estate work.
Frustrated because I truly cannot control others.

I can control how I let my emotions affect me. And if you know me, I am a very emotional person. Although, I'm not usually one to get mad. Call me names, don't like me, my kids...whatever, it's your loss. But, become the roadblock of me reaching a goal???? My blood pressure goes up just thinking about it.

I see an opportunity to do subtraction here. Or better yet, extraction. I need to extract that controlling perfectionism that drives my mind to exhaustion.

My husband. My wonderful husband, told me of the story of FedEx (check for validity). The story goes something about the guy who started it. He turned in a paper in his class on a great business idea...The idea was of FedEx, the ability to OVERNIGHT. The teacher said it would never work. The guy ditches school and opens up FedEx! FedEx is a verb in our language....just like Google. We tell people, 'I'll fedex it to you'....not 'I will overnight ship it to you'.

People can help you. And sometimes people can get in the way.

Me? I'm a 'rules follower'. I love rules. That's why I love math. Interesting enough, I love to write to. But I have learned that I don't like rules for my writing....only for math. Yet, I am met with a rule to 'follow the rules of formatting'....so I will.

What's more important, it comes down to me following my self-prescribed rule:

Always do your best, knowing that I nearly can do anything.

Because, with God, all things are possible.

So with that...I will put my nose back into the books...and add up the hours I will sit and type, and retype, and create, and recreate.

Hey, we only get one shot at this life...and when I am 80ish....I want to look back at my marriage, my boys, my career, and ministry and be able to say with satisfaction:

 

I truly did my very best!!!

Do you plan?

I think I might be a compulsive planner.

Sucks the fun out of life sometimes for me...but I hate procrastinating and having last minute emergencies of unpreparedness.

So in looking ahead....my goal is to graduate from Summit by June 2013. This is when my Master's Thesis is due. This is a 100+ pg. research paper on 'a ministry need in my community'.

Trust me, God has given me some serious downloads on what it is. Why do I have to plan??? I will have to work on this paper, while I am taking classes. I'm in my 3rd class, so in March, I will have 3 down and 7 to go (with 15 mos. to handle them in).

I have to plan.

And soon I will have to start protecting my time. Come summer, I have to really scale back on 'activity'.

See, God, my husband, my kids, my home, school, and ministry are the big rocks in my jar. All the extra stuff I do are the little rocks and sand that fill the jar.

Now, I don't think I will isolate myself to my home for 1 full year...however, I will have to say 'no' to commitments and tasks that do not keep my ship on this course.

I am already mentally preparing myself for what this is going to look like. And what I will have to say is..."I am so sorry, I'm in the midst of a huge assignment for school, and I really have no time to have a life right now...but can I take a raincheck for July 2013?"

I will have to say no at times.

....just because my time will be so limited and so devoted to my family and school.

But it's only for 1 year - 1 year of strict adherence to time-management. But it will be worth it. When I graduate, Jacob will be 3 1/2 and Daniel will soon be going into first grade (crazy I know)...and I will get to work a little bit that following year.

Hopefully do some church, on-staff counseling and stuff...and then once Jacob is in Kindergarten - I'm going to officially, hopefully work as much as I can...without taking from my fam...again.

My goal:

To drop my kids off at school, go to work @ 9 a.m....get off at 1 p.m. (in time to run an errand, kid-free), and then pick up my boys from school on time, come home, eat a snack, do homework, and cook my family dinner....handle bathtime and bedtime.

It's sounds so ideal to me...will it happen exactly like that? I don't know, but it'd be great if it did.

I really love working in an actual workplace.

I'm now in self-training mode of learning to love to be a 'worker of my home' (Titus 2:3-5). God has plainly shown me through various things and people, here is where I need to be.

It's all about: what's the priority? And right now, for me, my kids and husband (after God) are to be number 1...and I need to make sure that it stays that way, even when school gets demanding.

So in a few months...I may seem a bit MIA. I will still blog (as I am a writer and it's my outlet)...but my fb-time is going to go on the chopping block. A lot of my emailing/texting/talking/catching up...is going to have to be very limited.

Hopefully I'll be in such great shape too by that time, I'll only have to work out 3-4X/week, instead of 5-6. My time will be less flexible then...so I better get all the flexin' in now!

See the beauty of planning?

It's like customizing your future...setting plans in motion...however, I am always putting my plans at the feet of Jesus so that He can make them what He wants. That's actually how I ended up at Summit...by putting my life and time on the altar. It's so good to do from time to time to really see how much of life you are making for yourself, versus letting God make the life He intended for YOU!

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Side note: I think I share this stuff for accountability purposes and because I love sharing my life w/ you. So we shall see in a couple years if all this micro-planning actually works!!! I hope it does...sounds pretty ideal for me!

Gnight!

Find YOUR OWN Zone!

Have you ever gone to the gym, jumped on the treadmill, and you're pushing yourself, your in 'your zone', right? And then...let's say someone gets on the treadmill next to you...and they're walking...or they start off sprinting and take their intensity down a few notches.

What happens to you? Do you feel less ambitious on your treadmill?

Do you stay where you were, intensify the incline, increase the speed,

or do you start to slow down?

What about in the workplace? Let's say you're the most recently hired person, you show up to work on time, you're working when no one else is looking, you're sweeping/cleaning when all your other work is done - you take initiative and work hard all the time!

A few weeks go by & you notice that other employees are coming in a few minutes late, taking longer breaks than permitted, texting/talkin' on their phones when they're not suppose to.

What happens to your ambitious & superior work ethics?

Do you continue to shine in the work place & with your boss?

Or do you take your initiative down a notch?

Do you begin to run late from time to time?

Do you take/make phone calls when no is looking?

When I used to go to the gym, if someone got next to me (in good shape) strolled on the treadmill, I would go to the top corner onto a stairclimber to push myself ALONE! Now if someone who had obvious weight to lose got next to me, w/ their treadmill up high on the incline & they were sweating bullets, I was like "THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!"  And stayed side by side & let their energy & determination motivate me.

I love being around intense people.

It encourages my instensity!

Are you there? Do you find YOUR OWN zone? Or, do you let those around you dictate your dedication? Do you set your own goals? Or do those around you define your destiny?

This week, I want you to identify your goals. Whether they are weight loss, financial, spiritual, marital, parental, or personal - figure out what it is you want to achieve by the end of the year.

Then I want you to identify the things & people who discourage you from reaching those goals. And while I'm not saying dump your friends, pay attention to how much time you spend with people to encourage you, challenge you, and inspire you...and then pay attention to who is draining your ambition, distracting you from YOUR ZONE! And then be protective of your time & energy.

Your coworkers will not pay your mortgage if you lose your job because of your lack of productivity. Your friends and family will not pay your doctor bills if you're treated for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes from eating what they do.

These are the very people who sometimes come & take the wind from beneath our wings. And while we have to share life with them, we need to stay committed to our plan/our goals.  You're in charge of your life, take back the reigns from those around you. Carpe Diem - Seize the day!

In fact, it will be your unwavering

commitment to your goals -

that inspire others to

set their's and achieve them too!

Over my bathroom door, I have a clingy wall decal that reads:

 "Be the change

you wish to see in this world."

- Ghandi

Challenged Myself!

I swear by to-do lists. There are certain things that must be done by a certain time.

 

For me, my early, early mornings are for devo time...followed by a workout, preferably to start no later than 5:45 a.m. Once my workout is complete by 6:45ish, I start on my blog, get to my emails, and work on my business. I aim to be done by 8:00/8:30 since this is the time that both boys are awake and their tummies are growling.

 

This allows me to make appointments at 9:30 a.m. & on.

 

The problem lies when I don't start my workout on time. Then I run late with the workout, run over into my computer time, which is something that I try to keep within boundaries for the sake of my kids. Kids easily becoming whiny when we're focused on this thing...and then we feel guilty over it all, right? So if I do it all when they are asleep or dad is here for them...life is good!

 

Here's my challenge...when things don't go as planned - total attitude meltdown!

 

I premise that all to share that this morning, I tried to start my workout at 6:45 a.m. today. NO BUENO!

My mind is racing over all the things I have on the agenda for the morning with emails & stuff I need to work on! To stay diligent and on time with my goals, I have these 2 hours only in the morning (when the kids are asleep) to do my work - otherwise, it never gets done & I end up not progressing!

 

When this is all on my mind, I cannot stay focused on the workout. As I'm trying to do power jumps this morning, I'm looking at the clock...you ever watch sand run out on the hour glass-- those last bits of sand put pressure on you...pressure you don't want to feel. This was my thinking: my time for all my a.m. stuff is running out.

 
The only downfall is that my husband is my workout partner. So of course I'm trying to hang in there & want to continue to work out with him for his sake...but this frustration over not getting done what I need to is nagging at me! So I just stop & go 'to work'! Now, I will fight to fit in my workout later. (Which will be some Turbo, since Chalene Johnson is my hero & will snap me back into the mood I want.)

 

WE NEED A RESOLUTION!!! 

• The alarms sounds at 5 a.m. - WE BOTH MUST GET UP!!!  No snoozing or dragging butt!
• We must start our workout by 5:30 a.m. - No running late!
• We must be done by 6:30 a.m. - No compromising!

 

See - 1 1/2 mos. ago, I set a goal. As a result, I came up with an action plan of 'pushing play on my business for 90 days'. In this short, but focused amount of time, I can lay a solid foundation for my business!

My obstacles were my lack of time management. So what did I do? I created a schedule to allow myself time to work my business WITHOUT taking from my family.

However, at the same time, I also set goal to complete the Insanity workout program! So, now I have 2 things I have to work on before 8 a.m.

 

All that to say, this morning did not go as planned, so I am challenged. My attitude is challenged! My mood is challenged! Perhaps writing about it will help me release the frustration. Now I have the challenge to work out sometime today. But I'll do a 30-45 min. Turbo as the kids play or something. It's easier to fit a workout in w/ them up & going, than time on the computer...that's for sure!

Thanks for listening. Do me a favor: Keep me accountable to waking up at 5 a.m. daily! Who commit to doing that for me?

Vicious Procastination

So the first half of 2011 is gone and are you where you said you would be? Have you got done what you set out to do?

Who of you said that you would lose weight at the first of the year?

Who of you said that come summer, you'd be in shape?

Who of you are tired of procastinating & just finally want to get w/ the program?

Stop procastinating! Some of you procastinate by avoiding work, avoiding chores, avoiding anything that requires effort or takes any kind of self-discipline. This is then followed by feelings of being overwhelmed, discouragement, maybe even anxiety/depression. But you can stop this vicious cycle by taking action today!

Today, I want you to set 2-5 goals you want to achieve. Then brainstorm on how you can get there. Set some deadlines, and then start putting action toward those goals. You can do it! Make yourself do what is good for you so that you can have a life that is great!

Enlist me as your free coach! I will help you reach those goals you long for...especially when it comes to weight loss! I am diehard -  you will appreciate it when the inches come off, the lbs. are shed! Let's lose that weight once & for all! Email me at jennifermorin@beachbodycoach.com or friend me on FB.

My Goals & What It's Going to Take to Get There

My new set goal is to be a Coach that reaches as many people as possible to transform bodies & lives. When this happens, I will experience the greatest rewards.

But in order for me to reach my goal AND keep my priorities of God, Family, and Personal Fitness at the top - I MUST learn more about time-management.

Not sure if you need help here too, but....you will being getting some 2nd hand info from me over the next few weeks as I pursue my goal and keep my priorities...PRIORITY!

Part of this plan will affect you...How? My blogs will be a bit shorter, yet same quality. This will give me more time for more research and work...and will you give you more time as well.

I hope you and I will grow in more knowledge of how to manage our time together. When our time is managed well, our lives are managed well. Tired of chaos, never getting 'stuff' done???? Jump on board with me and let's get our schedules organized together!

My Thoughts on Thursday - "NO" buys you LIBERTY

I've met with a couple of very business-minded, financial planning individuals this week and we engaged in great challenging conversations. I thought for today I would throw out some of the things we discussed. Now, for the sake of my feelings, don't personally attack me, but just hear me out and then think about it for a day or two, and then email me your thoughts.

Now, in no particular order, here are taglines of conversation topics:
1. People are not planning for their retirement.
2. Healthcare WILL be the biggest expense when we retire (there will be no Medicare).
3. People are living longer. (Their meds are keeping them alive).
4. Most seniors are on blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetic meds. (These ailments are preventable.)
5. Young people do not realize they need to save a.s.a.p. for retirement.
6. Most people do not have money to save.
7. These people do not have a written out budget.
8. Most people spend their money unwisely & impulsively.
9. People want fancy things now and will live in debt to have them.
10. People do not have financial goals.
11. People do not have fitness/spiritual goals.
12. People glorify eating bad at buffets, drinking all night, hangovers.
13. When you talk about healthy eating/budgets/self-discipline, many react defensively.
14. 65% of Americans are obese/overweight - fact!
15. Healthy Eating and Exercise can change that fact.
16. All it takes is goals, self-discipline, and the right program.
17. It's necessary to tell yourself 'NO'.

This is just a brief list....and I'll expand on #17: It's necessary to tell yourself 'NO'....Think about it, our parents told us no, we tell our kids no, God tells us no...because if we/or our kids were allowed to do everything we/they wanted, where would that land us. Really, think about it.

Somewhere, when we grew into adults, we decided that doing whatever we wanted, buying whatever we wanted, and eating whatever we wanted was what being an adult was all about. "Now that I'm an adult, I can do things my way". And where has that got us? That's got our nation in debt, into foreclosures, 65% if us obese/overweight, arrested, divorced, etc. Isn't it time that we shift our own mental paradigm and began to say no to our appetites, spending urges, addictions and start making decision that move us closer to true freedom.

Are we really free when we need 3 meds to keep us alive? Are we really free when we have to work 2 jobs to just keep the lights on? There is freedom in the simple life. There is freedom in telling your impulses "no". Tomorrow, I'm going to give you our personal written budget catagories (minus the $ amounts). Use it as an example of how YOU, yes YOU can structure your finances in a way that's uses them wisely. This way you can afford freedom in your life!