tell your chaos story...
Thanks for this inspiring message Tracy!
It took me all weekend to get over the fact that I made a typo in the mass mailing I sent out on Friday announcing my new photography business.
Now that I'm over it, I went for a ride in our convertible today (top down, of course) in the hopes of raising my spirits back to where they were right before I sent the email – it sure worked!
I recommend everyone get (or borrow) a convertible once in a while!
Hope you are well… looking forward to your next nugget of wisdom.
Irene
I was recently out of the office at a conference for 10 business days, when I returned I had 557 e-mails! I don’t know 557 people!
I made sure to File this email in Developmet
- Julie
Tracy, I make this huge list of to-do's and then get half of them done and am down on myself because I don't get all of them finished in the time frame I set. What really counts in the end? That is the question I have to ask myself.
So I will be a little kinder to myself and be happy with ones I can cross off my list and keep the others for another time.
Have a great day.
- Alice
Tracy, the main thing I learned from raising 2 kids (eight years apart) was
"Don't sweat the small stuff". If the house is clean (kind-of) but looks a
little "lived in" or cluttered, that's OK. Things don't have to be exactly
where you would want them to be and the world will not come to a stand-still if
you make a side trip and don't make it to your appointment 15 minutes early (as
you usually do). Life is tooooo short to worry about the prim and proper stuff.
Unfortunately, I didn't learn this early enough to really enjoy the "spur of the moment" stuff until I had trained them to stifle that feeling. Wisdom to pass onto those who are much younger and possibly more flexible.
- Joanie
Thank you for these reminders, Tracy. I am grateful for my “Go-to” crew, which always grows when I am willing to ask for help!
Hi Tracy,
Great email. You know what I thought of when you said that she dropped it all? It reminded me of a time in my life when I was so overwhelmed and so busy that I didn't have time to care about any of the things I was working on. My mindset was that I had to get this thing done and move on to the next. I didn't have time to care about it, make sure I was doing my best or visit with others. So I definitely see how that might happen to someone. They are doing (holding) so many things that they've lost the passion for anything and just want to drop it all.
I think if I would have stayed in that place of being so busy I could have easily become depressed because I didn’t have time to enjoy anything. Since then life has settled down and I’ve eliminated some of those things that were making me so overwhelmed. I enjoy my work, and enjoy time with my family. Everyone needs down time to refresh, rejuvenate and realize what really matters.
I remember hearing this message from your presentation and relating to it!
Thanks for all that you do to help others realize the same!
- Becky
"Everyone has days that start out with a 'thud,' and from there, they can easily say, "Well, my day is shot!" or something similar. Helping raise 2 grandchildren while being a business owner, traveling from coast to coast, many of my days start out not exactly as I'd like! I always find, however, if I stop to cound my blessings, be thankful for the rest of the day, and make every decision for the day with care and thoughtfulness, it only gets better! Often, I find there is a beautiful reward at the end of the day! This can either be from a new opportunity, an unexpected visit, new client, or just having a great night with my grandsons! Life is full of surprises if we don't let the hick-ups stop us in our tracks. Always thrive for excellence. May be an old cliche' but it still applies. Never let the way a day may start, or a glitch in the day may halt you, keep steady in your course and always learn from whatever gets in your way as a deterant to prevent it from happening again! Tracy's advice to 'own your own attitude" is so true! You are the only person who can control your day and, for that matter, your life!"
"I used to have a one-hour commute of only 18 miles. At times it really got to me, but I was usually able to use the inbound time to get organized and mentally review the day ahead. By the time I got to work, I generally had a few new assignments for my secretary, and had added to my own to-do list as well. Going home, it was helpful to review and reflect on the day's events and brainstorm for the future. After a long, hectic day I typically enjoyed the solitude and chance to wrap up thoughts and ideas and wind down.
Of course, there were also times I just put the listened to a recorded book or my favorite band! "
"Sometimes your tips come at the perfect time. Just went to the state fair and of course there were many lines there, and I made a decision to make the most of the lines and do the small talk thing. I met people who were at the fair for the 23rd year in a row, got great tips of the best food stands, met proud grandparents, dog lovers, overwhelmed parents, adorable children and you're right--my time in lines became more precious and lines become less burdensome--an amazing combination. Great tip!"
"Hi Tracy, I received your kind note the other day – I’m pleased
that you had as much fun with us as we had with you at the CUPA-HR seminar
in Syracuse.
Since then, I have read your book and have found myself
sharing the concepts with several of my clients here at the University.
I have been working with them on finding ways to deal with the changes
they’ve been experiencing for the past four years under new leadership
(to say nothing of the strain of the current economic times!), and your
material adds another tool to my toolbox."
"Started reading the book! I love it, Tracy. It's upbeat and full of
great advice. And, the cool thing is that I can hear your voice
as I read! Thanks for my copy!"
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