Motivation Monday: Every Day Find a Simple Way to Spoil Yourself

It's August 1! Where is the time going? I've already seen countdowns to Christmas and Halloween appear on Facebook and such. Apparently people are REALLLLY excited about those things. I mean, I love Christmas but...it's a bit too early. I'm still soaking in the Pensacola heat over here. And by "soaking in," I should clarify that I am literally soaking wet from the humidity and my personal glistening.

August is an exciting month for our little family. We find out where we go next on our Air Force adventure, and that move may just come way sooner than we even realize. 

Anyways, back to the topic. Motivation Monday. (Links to my past posts in the series.) Today's motivation is as follows:

"Every day find a simple way to spoil yourself."

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This design is inspired by a chalkboard series I designed last month for a church camp; I've been itching to design some other things in the style. Tadaa! Here's the result.

I've been thinking a lot about how I can find joy in my life every day. And I've realized that more often than not, that joy comes in very small, even minuscule things. Recently, I've realized that I love burning candles in my home. I love the ambiance a candle provides; I love the flickering of the tiny flames; and I love my environment smelling awesome!

Now get this—until recently I NEVER bought candles. If you know me, you may know that I kinda hate spending money. I'm a total saver, and when it comes to buying things...well, there has to be a REALLY good deal for me to justify my purchase. Candles just seemed like a frivolous item. (And candles aren't even that expensive!!!) If I DID happen to have a candle, I never burned it. I think I'd get in the mindset of needing a reason to burn the candle, but then I'd never use it, which in turn would make me think I shouldn't ever buy another one. (Anyone else get caught in that cycle??)

Throughout the last few months I've been burning a candle as much as I can. One of my favorite things to do is light a candle in my room while I get Emerson ready for bed. Then, by the time he's asleep and I'm getting ready for bed and settling into my room, there's a great smell and relaxing environment waiting for me. 

A few weeks ago, I was having a really bad day and my upset self went off shopping. I bought myself a new shirt, some Twizzlers, and a candle because I wanted to cheer myself up. I've LOVED that new candle and realized I don't need an excuse (like a bad day) to treat myself with something I really enjoy. 

With that said, I want to emphasize that there are a million ways to "spoil" yourself that don't require much, if any, money. Whether it's actually giving yourself some quiet time to read a book, attending your favorite fitness class, taking a long shower, watching your favorite show, enjoying a special meal, writing in a journal...the list could go on and on!

So, I challenge you. Get out there and spoil yourself! Find something simple you love and see how you can regularly add it to your life. 

Motivation Monday: Live in the Now

Living in the now. It's a concept that seems simple but is a lot harder than one might think.

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As of this morning, Jake officially passed his final flight in his training program for the Air Force. He has a few more weeks of academics, but we will find out his next assignment in less than five weeks, followed by his graduation, and a whirlwind of things that ultimately lead to us moving to wherever the Air Force sends us next.

The point of all that is that here in Pensacola, we are only a few months (weeks maybe?) away from an upcoming PCS (military lingo for "permanent change of station"). This beach town has been the Ortiz home for more than a year now, but in many ways we seem to just starting to settle in. (Story of military life, right?)

Typically at this point prior to big change, I tend to set cruise control on my life and ride out the remaining time until I move/graduate/get married/switch jobs, etc.

A few weeks ago the studio owner where I teach asked if I wanted to put together a barre fitness class. The first thing I thought was, well, I'm moving soon. But I decided to say, why not? Barre has been on my radar as the next class I want to teach, but I've put it off. So she and I proceeded forward in planning and putting a class in the schedule. I officially taught the first class last week and now will be doing two classes a week through... whenever.

Now taking on something new this close to a move is not something I would typically think about doing. But it's been a great exercise for me. Even if I teach this new format less than two months before moving, I have a new skill and class plan to take with me.

As an opposing example, when I was in 10th grade my family was planning a move across the country. My dad moved first while we kids stayed behind with my mom while we sold the house. Well, a couple months turned into eight, nine, ten months. (I'll be honest, I don't remember the exact timeline or plan.) But this is around the same time the olympics were taking place in the state. Because we thought we'd be gone long before that event, I turned down many free tickets and opportunities to attend.

Seasoned military families are probably much more skilled at "living in the now," so I know I've got a lot to learn. There seems to be a fine line in wasting resources and embracing opportunities as they come. But right now I'm focusing on the now, not getting too far ahead of myself, and continuing to live day by day in the best way I can.

Motivation Monday: Think Simple

I know myself. I know that I too often get caught up in the long-term, big picture aspects of anything and everything. What happens when I do this?

Not much.

At all. 

So this week's Motivation Monday thought is..."Think Simple."

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How am I going to implement this? For one, I'm going to try to not think about things too much. When I have something on my to-do list, I'm going to remember that "hey, this isn't really that hard and doesn't take all that much time. Just do it."

I started trying to think this way yesterday, which happened to be Father's Day. Because I was trying to give Jake a bit of a break from some of his daily responsibilities at home, I had to actively pause before I asked him to do something. For example, I'd be feeding Emerson and need a burp cloth or his pacifier. Typically, I'll ask Jake to bring them to me. Instead I'd stop and realize that I could just as easily get those items myself. (Although, yes having a second set of hands can be very helpful.) 

I've mentioned recently that I kinda stink at making dinner or keeping up with housework. I definitely don't get the housewife of the year award, I'll tell you that. Part of my problem is that I think I need to have a meal plan, or that if I vacuum one section of my house I need to vacuum the whole thing. So instead of focusing on doing everything, I'm going to remember to think simple and be content with maybe just sweeping the entryway, putting away a handful of things that are out of place, or even heating up and preparing leftovers for dinner. 

Simple and done is way better than complicated and never finished. 

When it comes to my business, I'm focusing on the small chunks of time I have here and there. When I have time to finish up the invoice for one client, I'm going to do it. I don't need to find a bigger chunk to get all back end tasks done at once. Small steps of progress are still progress. And that's what I'm trying to focus on. 

What is one way you can try to "think simple" in your life?

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Motivation Monday: How Many Daydreams Will You Make Come True?

I'll be honest; I did not know what I'd use for today's Motivation Monday until last night during my son's bedtime routine.  I had brainstormed ideas, pulled a few quotes and had even considered using a side project I'm working on for a church girl's camp (maybe next week!).

But after bath time and reading time, we have a last feeding time, during which I sing a few bedtime songs. I'm not much of a singer and am possibly worse at remembering lyrics, so I stick to the same few songs every night. One of those songs is from my youth attending girl's camp. The song is called "Misty's Song" and the lyrics are as follows.

Tell me the reason I was born to roam,

Tell me the reason I am so far from home,

Tell me the reason only birds can fly,

Tell me the reason I was born just to die.

How many mountains will I have to climb,

How many memories will I leave behind,

How many daydreams will I make come true,

How many heartbreaks until I find you?

There is a valley called Peace of Mind,

There is a river running right by it's side,

There is a moment of Glory so new,

There is Eternity to spend loving you.

Last night as I sang the second verse, I was moved by the idea of daydreams. I thought about many of the things I have once hoped for, aspired for, and most importantly, worked for to make happen. I thought about my hopes now for the future and reveled in my personal knowledge that, yes, dreams can come true!

I love that the lyric emphasizes that I, myself, am who makes things happen. I can't sit around and simply wait for my dreams to magically show up. I can put in the effort, make a plan, set things in motion, and focus on the progress I make day by day. That's how reaching dreams actually work.

So today I ask you to think about the daydreams you've seen come true in your life. How did you make those come true? Do you have new ones or ones you still hope to see unfold? How can you make them happen?

How many daydreams will YOU make come true?

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Motivation Monday: Do What Makes You Happy

Welcome back to my resurrected Motivation Monday series!

I've kinda been on a "happy" kick, huh? (In case you missed my last posts, check out "A happy HAPPY life" and "Happy does not equal perfect.") I suppose I'm trying to capitalize on my current situation and adopt life practices that help me maintain that outlook and continue to feel this way, regardless of circumstance.

Thinking about the topic actually brings back a lot of thoughts from the book, "The Happiness Project." It's been YEARS since I read it, but I'm definitely going to pick up a copy and re-familiarize myself with it. Oh, plus I want to check out the author Gretchen Rubin's newer books "Happier at Home" and "Better Than Before."

In case you aren't familiar with the bestseller, "The Happiness Project" follows the author's journey through self evaluation and noticing some simple ways to capitalize on her happiness. (Yes, that is my own personal, very brief, and very generalized summary.)

I commented on some of my take away from the book in my post "Little Ways To Live a More Simple Life." 

Today's Motivation Monday quote, "Do What Makes You Happy," is a reminder to ME to continue to seek out those little things that make me happy. Most recently, I mentioned my goal to add more writing and designing into my everyday life. Those are both aspects of my career that I don't get to do on a day-to-day basis anymore, and I've missed them.

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That said, I also what to add the reminder that the things YOU do to be happy might not be what anyone else would choose to do. And what someone else does might not make you happy. Incorporating this reminder requires you to know and accept yourself for who you are. (Which I think is a beautiful process!)

So take a minute to think about what makes you happy. What's one thing you could do to be a little happier today?

Motivation Monday: Passion is Energy

Today's Motivation Monday comes to you from the one, the only, Oprah Winfrey.

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"Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you."

I've been feeling the urge to reignite my passion, which is probably why I went searching for some great passion quotes. I have to thank Dave Kerpen, CEO of Likeable Media, for leading me to this Oprah quote via his article "15 Inspiring Quotes on Passion (Get Back to What You Love)" on Inc.com.

Even as I sit and just start write this post, I already feel the power and excitement Oprah speaks of. It's been a while since I've shared a formal post and, man, I have missed it. When I quit my full time job over a year ago, I started blogging more regularly again as a way to stay motivated, focused, and productive.

The past year has been a crazy one. I quit working full time, started teaching more and more Zumba/UJam classes, started pursuing more clients, moved several times, and met, dated, and married my husband Jake.

That whole getting married thing definitely required that I put some things on the back burner. I had to settle into my routine and focus on all the tasks I currently had. Eventually various tasks dropped off my permanent to-do list, but I've had a hard time reigniting the passion to continue doing more and aspiring for dreams bigger and better than I currently have.

I guess, in short, I've become stagnant. That is no good. I need to continue pushing myself. Doing so is actually pretty easy once I get going. For now, however, I need to go out of my way to surround myself by the ideas, environment, and motivation that gets my juices flowing. I need to focus on the things I love and the things that inspire me. I need to let go of the habits and circumstances that deflate that passion.

Question: What tips do you have for cultivating passion?

Side note: After watching this past season of "Last Comic Standing," I can't think of Oprah without thinking of this comedy bit. 

Motivation Monday: Track Your Progress

First off, for those of you who do not know me in person or stay up-to-date on social media, I have an announcement.

I'm engaged!

Yes, that tidbit of information deserves a post of its own, and in all honesty I haven't posted about anything else because I felt as though a future marriage announcement deserved a presence on my blog first. I've been meaning to write a post on the subject, but time keeps flying by, and—hey—I've been busy. But don't worry; if you want all the details, I'll share those here soon.

Now on to Motivation Monday.

In January I implemented "simplicity" as the theme for the month. I can't believe January is over, but I've been thinking A LOT about what I want to focus on for February. I kinda categorize January as "Before He Proposed" and "After He Proposed," and I feel that the short phrase I've selected will help me tackle all of my goals/focus from both before and after.

"The most important key in finding success is tracking your progress."

I've kept it simple (inspired by January's theme) to allow it to apply to a variety of topics. I've found that I feel more on top of things anytime I'm really good at tracking things. Throughout February I'm going to focus on tracking the following:

• Calories Burned 
• I want to make use of my Polar FT4 heart rate monitor and keep track of the calories I burn in all of my classes as well as my additional exercise endeavors.
• Calories Eaten
• After I have the calories burned accounted for, I want to make sure my body gets back the calories it needs. I rarely eat enough on a day to day basis, so I want to focus on feeding my body properly to give it the nutrients and energy needed to operate in the best way possible every day.
• Fruits and Veggies 
• Also connected to the various two points, I want to increase the presence of fruits and veggies in my diet. Yes, I eat these pretty regularly, but I was inspired to track it via the Gym Pact app I've mentioned before. The company added a new pact for eating a certain number of fruits and veggies each week. I'm trying it this week...I set my pact for 7 this week since I wasn't sure how it worked. I got credit for 5 today (which I learned is the max). I think next week I'll do 25 or 30.  (Side note: The company also added a pact to track your calories eaten through MyFitnessPal. I've done that before and may do it too since I'm trying to get enough calories anyways. We'll see.
• Following Budgets
• I've been focusing on organizing my finances for a while, so I want to focus on incorporating and following the budgets I've set. I want to challenge myself to only spend a certain amount of money each month on food, entertainment, etc. I'll be doing the same thing as my fiance and I plan our wedding. I want to operate having a clear outlook and what I have available and making the most of what's available.
• Scripture/Gospel Study
• How about I put together a little schedule that actually gives me some direction in my study? Yea, that's a good idea.
• Cleaning Schedule
• Yea, because otherwise I put off EVERYTHING.
• Wedding Planning Calendar
• My fiance and I are both very organized about this and currently have several shared Google Docs and Calendars outline what needs to be done and when and by whom. We are definitely going to have to be moving forward on lots of things this month. Tracking is key.

Those are just a few aspects of my life that are on my mind that will help me feel oh so much better about my outlook on everything on my plate. 

If you want to track your progress on something/anything, let me know so we can support each other!

Motivation Monday: Rejoice in the Way Things Are. The World Belongs To You.

Be content with what you have. Rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you. —Lao Tzu

Hello folks! This Motivation Monday ties in with a lot of things on my mind lately, so I go into a lot of that here. I'm loving my focus on simplicity this month. While I have a loooong ways to go in regards to implementing the principle in my life, the constant reminder (I have the phrase printed on the white board above my kitchen sink) is helping me approach my daily tasks in a more straightforward manner that results in more productivity and a less occupied mind. 

A less occupied mind. 

Granted, that phrasing is not the most eloquent description. I guess the concept is allowing yourself to focus solely on the present moment without being distracted by dozens of other concerns. In short, striving for simplicity in thoughts.

Instead of creating clutter via your thoughts, take care of things when they pop up. Instead of thinking day after day that I need to clear off the papers on my fridge, I can take 30 seconds to clear it off right now. By doing so, I've eliminated both physical and mental clutter and am able to focus on the present matter.

In Relief Society (an organization in the LDS church specifically for women) a couple weeks ago, one of the girls mentioned a study focused on mental wellbeing. The article "Living the moment really does make people happier" outlines the study and provides some links to further information if you want to check it out. 

The study found that people spend 46.7 percent of their time thinking about something OTHER than what they are currently doing. That's almost HALF of their time. Isn't that kinda crazy? 

What are you doing right now? Are you thinking about anything else? Are you focused on something else? 

Here's a excerpt from the article:

"The team concluded that reminiscing, thinking ahead or daydreaming tends to make people more miserable, even when they are thinking about something pleasant." (emphasis added).

When I first heard about the study, I instantly though back to one particular day during my study abroad experience in London. This random day stands out to me as perhaps the most enjoyable of all the days in my several months there. And I think the reason is directly related to the focus on what was at hand. I headed out for a day by myself in the city. I wasn't thinking about communicating with my classmates or worried about a particular deadline. I was simply able to be. And enjoy. I came home that day happy, energized, and content with everything I experienced. Here's a portion of the journal entry I wrote:

"While I have always loved big cities and the busy rush that accompanies them, my first couple of weeks in London had led me to question my fix with city life. I was enjoying my experience but starting to wonder what the big deal was, why so much fuss and excitement about such cities existed. I suppose these feelings were likely motivated by the sudden changes in my life. One day I was in Provo, Utah, spending time with family and friends, and one relatively short plane ride later, I was sharing a flat in a foreign country with 50 other people I barely knew. I usually adapt to changes pretty easily, but this time I had a bit of a challenge leaving behind pretty much everything I was used to. 

Today allowed me to refocus and to appreciate everything I was experiencing. I finally took the opportunity to do something I've been meaning to do for several days now—I ventured into the city by myself. The experience surpassed almost everything that I've done so far, even though my adventure around London was actually pretty typical of a day out here."

To tie everything together, my intent is to continue focusing on simplicity. To simply embrace the current moment and acknowledge it for all the great things it holds. To truly live in the moment and focus on the happiness life offers.  

Be content with what you have. Rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you. —Lao Tzu

Motivation Monday: Simplicity

Saturday I spent most of my day packing up Christmas decor, which then led to some deep cleaning and organizing. I've been doing this a lot lately, and I decided an appropriate theme for me this January is "simplicity."

Why do I like this theme? 

I think I'm in constant pursuit to improve my life and become a better person. When I think about simplicity, I think about a life that is free from distractions, a life in which I can focus on what matters to me, where I'm only surrounded by things (physical, mentally, emotionally) that contribute to me being the best me, where I feel on top of my responsibilities, where I just DO things rather than dwelling on any possible hurdle.

That, to me, is simplicity. Let's keep things simple. 

Here are some of the things I've done so far:

* Majorly cleaned out my clothing closet

* Sold/given away things I've had sitting around waiting to be sold

* Organized my storage closet

* Organized and consolidated my kitchen

* Started organizing my finances and bank accounts so they aren't so darn complicated 

* Went down to only teaching 9 classes a week (compared to 13+)

Here are some things I want to do:

* Establish a simple financial plan with money automatically going where it needs to go, so I can simply follow the plan and not have to move money manually so often.

* Implement a consistent billing process for my clients

* Simply put things back where they belong when I am done using/wearing them

* Strive to keep surfaces clear in my home

* Dedicate specific time each week to gradually learn choreography (rather than stressing and adding new stuff all at once)

* Continue ridding my life of junk (includes next going through my bookshelves, bathroom cabinets, and various other storage)

* Focus on doing rather than planning or perfection. I tend to focus on the later and then may not do anything at all. (e.g. reading a column of scripture rather than fretting about a long study, clearing off one section of a cabinet rather than trying to find time for a big cleaning extravaganza, texting someone a quick hello rather than trying to schedule a lunch date, etc. etc.)

And so much more. 

So there you have it. My motivational focus for this lovely January of what I believe is going to be an excellent year. Here's to 2014. (P.S. I have an odd prejudice against odd numbers...I love even numbers. 4 is my favorite. 14 is my second favorite. I'm excited about 2014.)

Motivation Monday: This is a Glorious Time of the Year

Merry Christmas Eve, Eve. Today's Motivation Monday is inspired by these simple words from Thomas S. Monson.

"This is a glorious time of the time, simple in origin, deep in meaning, beautiful in tradition and custom, rich in memories, and charitable in spirit. It has an attraction to which our hearts are readily drawn. This joyful season brings to each of us a measure of happiness that corresponds to the degree in which we have turned our mind, feelings, and action to the spirit of Christmas."

Part of what I love about the Christmas season in the underlying feelings associated with everything. I don't feel that those things are something I can easily describe or pinpoint. Every small aspect plays a part: family, memories, traditions, selflessness, giving, holiday lights, beautiful snow, and of course remember Christ. 

I don't think anything highlights the great things about the season more than President Monson's quote. I love the words simple, deep, beautiful, rich, and charitable.

Motivation Monday: May Your Choices Reflect Your Hopes, Not Your Fears

I know it's been a little while since I posted...Today, however, I needed a little Motivation Monday and found snippets of inspiration in some quotes from Nelson Mandela.

In light of the South African leader's recent passing, I believe the timing is appropriate to reflect on some of his words for inspiration and motivation in my own life.

My approach for Motivation Monday today is a little different than usual. First, I'm not designing anything. And second, I'm using more than one quotation. My thoughts follow each one.

One:
"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear." 

I admit, this excerpt reminds me of one of my favorite quotes by Taylor Swift. No, Ms. Swift is not a person I believe one can even try to compare to Nelson Mandela. However, the idea of fearlessness is one I love. (See my thoughts on Taylor Swift's quote here in 2008 and here in 2012. Both are from my old blog.)

There are lots of things I'm afraid of in life. The unknown. Failing. Being alone. Not fulfilling my potential. Being insignificant. Every day, fears—whether we recognize them or not—creep into our lives. This does not mean that we can't accomplish the things we want to accomplish in life. This does not mean that we need to give up.

Fears exist for us to overcome. Fears exist to allow us to grow.

I can be courageous by moving forward despite my fears. I show bravery toward the unknown by taking whatever efforts I need to take in order to conquer my fear. Be fearless, Karianne. Embrace what you know. Focus on the positive and move forward with the opposite of fear: faith.

Two:
"There is no passion to be found playing small—in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living."

Those who have known me the past several years know that I'm always striving to break out of my comfort zone. To never settle. To push myself to my limits. I don't see the point in living what could be deemed a "small" life, as referenced here. There are some things I believe allow you to live happily. And sometimes those things require you to make focus on what YOU value. And sometimes you have to abandon the expectations and traditional routes others pursue. I don't want to live a life doing things I don't love or am not passionate about. I want to pursue my true interests and chase after my true dreams. I believe by doing so, by striving to live a "large life," other things, like money and life necessities, will follow. And that is one approach that I believe leads to living a happy life.

Three:
"May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears." 

Again, this excerpt reminds me of other inspirational sources. Those sources include the address "Lord, I Believe," by Jeffrey R. Holland at the April 2013 General Conference. Elder Holland is comparing faith and fear, but I believe the idea is similar: recognize your faith before you recognize your fears. Additional, Russell M. Nelson shares the following in his address "Face the Future With Faith." "We do not need to let our fears displace our faith. We can combat those fears by strengthening our faith."

I don't want to live a life led by fears. I don't want to live a passive life where I let things come as they may. I want to go after what I desire. I want to embrace the unknown. I want to work hard to have amazing things in my life. Those are things that are worth it. I want to live a courageous life. I don't want to be bound by fear. I want to release my hope and build my faith.

Motivation Monday: Gratitude Unlocks the Fullness of Life

Welcome back to Motivation Monday. (Yes, I know I've been slacking here.) As I mentioned on Friday, I really want to take advantage of cultivating gratitude in my life this month. Usually I don't like things like this that may seem cliche (I still won't be posting it every day or on my Facebook page), but I've been feeling peaks of gratitude in my life a lot over the past several months, and I want to let this all out!

Today's quote is from Melody Beattie and reads as follows:

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."

I really do feel very thankful for so many things in my life. And I love the outlook this quote provides on gratitude unlocking all the bounty I experience each and every day. I love the simple separation of past, present, and future, and how gratitude provides a vantage point to help us benefit from everything we have, are, and will have—emotionally, physically, spiritually, etc.

So this month I will strive to recognize my many blessings and how great of a life I have. I want to embrace that I have enough. I want to appreciate and accept where I am in life. I want to welcome order and clarity and embracing my current circumstances.

I want to enhance the gratitude in my life.

Motivation Monday: You Are Stronger and More Capable Than You Realize

Happy Monday once again! I've kinda been a blogging slacker this past week, but wow, I've had a good run. After initially quitting my job, I knew I would need something to keep me accountable and motivated. For me, that has been my blog. I hope to continue keeping up as much speed as I've maintained the past couple months, but will probably allow more leniency as well. 

Today's Motivation Monday is another quote by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf from the Priesthood Session of the October 2013 General Conference. Apparently Uchtdorf just speaks to me. 

"You are stronger than you realize. You are more capable than you can imagine. You can do it now."

Uchtdorf states this phrase near the end of his address, and I love the example he shares to demonstrate his point. While skiing, Uchtdorf fell and—seriously—couldn't get up. That is, until he's grandson came over and simple said "You can do it now."

And he did. 

What does this say to me? Well usually the only person keeping me from succeeding at whatever is...me! Whether the task be physical, emotional, mental, or anything else, a main key in being about to accomplish it is your personal attitude and dedication. That said, sometimes we all just need a little reminder that, hey, we CAN do this. And sometimes all we need is someone else to believe in us too. 

Several weeks ago I was talking with my oldest sister about how I hadn't been feeling very productive. I lacked my usual drive. I lacked my go-getter and productivity seeking personality. I felt like I wasn't accomplishing any of the things I needed to be doing and was instead falling further behind and, as a result, feeling overwhelmed. Being the sister with a just-do-it attitude, she immediately grabbed a pen and paper and asked me, "Well, what do you need to get done tomorrow."

She wrote everything down and followed up with the next evening. Guess what. I accomplished everything I needed to. 

We've done this for a couple weeks now, and I've seen that little extra accountability building my personal attitude of oh yea, I can do this.

I like to remember those simple phrases from President Uchtdorf when I think about things I want to accomplish or do...or be. I am strong. I am capable. And I can do whatever I need to do. Really. 

And so can you. 

Motivation Monday: Doubt Your Doubts Before You Doubt Your Fear

Why are we so often more inclined to fear than we are to move forward with confidence in ourselves? How often do we NOT do something because we don't think we can, that we aren't worthy, that we are inadequate? I don't want to live a life dictated by my fears. I want to live confidently and make bold decisions. 

Oh wait, this is kinda reminding me of my posts about making extraordinary decisions, my personal mantra about being able to accomplish great things, and my thoughts on being you and stop defining who you aren't. 

Which is why I loved this quote from Dieter F. Uchtdorf's address in the Saturday morning session of the General Conference of the LDS Church.

"Doubt your doubts before you doubt you faith."

Simple. 

Why do we typically doubt our faith first? Why do we question our abilities? 

As I was writing this, I had something on the back of my mind that I was hesitant to accept. That situation may not have been straight up doubt, but I realized that I just needed to embrace the situation and doubt my doubt.

Are you doubting something? Now think...is that thing your doubt or your faith. If it's your faith (positive things about the great person you are and the great potential you hold), reevaluate the situation. Turn it around and choose to doubt your doubt instead. 

Motivation Monday: Make Extraordinary Decisions—Decisions You Are Proud to Make

"Don't just let life happen. Make extraordinary decisions. Decisions that lead to living a life you are proud to live." 

Decisions, decisions, decisions. They occupy almost every moment of our lives. They can be big and small. They can be simple and complicated. They can be quick and drawn out. No matter the type of decision, you will inevitably face it in your life.

I'm not always a great decision maker. Sometimes I'm afraid of making the wrong choice. Sometimes I don't want the pressure of knowing an outcome is directly related to a decision I make. Sometimes I really don't care. Sometimes I'm downright lazy.

There are, however, several big decisions I've made that I find myself feeling super proud about making.

A recent one is the decision to move into an apartment by myself.

The other day I was simply washing my dishes and mentally calendaring other household chores I needed to do.

Then I stopped.

And I thought "I am so proud that I decided to live by myself."

This might not seem like a big deal to some. But I love it. I've talked half heartedly about doing it for a while. I'm just the type of person who really enjoys having a whole place to myself and not walking over a roommate all the time. Nothing against the roommate (although I've had a couple, let's say, interesting ones), but there's something about it.

Right then,  I thought, "THAT's how I want to live my life."

I want to more actively DECIDE things in my life rather than waiting for things to happen or accepting the ways things fall. I want to take some risks that lead to more satisfaction in the outcome. I want to actively move forward on dreams and goals. I want every decision to contribute to my living a life I'm proud to live.

Motivation Monday: Do It Now—A Little Effort Now is Better Than Any Effort Later

The thing I personally love about these Motivation Monday quotes is that I keep thinking about them from week to week and see them playing a role in my life.

Today's Motivation Monday carries on from something I've been working on last week.

"Do it now—A little effort now is better than any effort later."

It's simple. But to make it even more simple...now is always better than later.

Throughout this last week, my sister has been awesome at helping me prioritize what I need to get done and keeping me accountable for actually doing it.

As I stated time and time before, I'm someone who likes to THINK about thing a lot before I actually DO those things. In some cases (like big decisions) this is a good thing. But in other cases (like putting bananas in the freezer or putting shoes away in the closet), this process is not a good thing.

Why keep your mind cluttered up with countless items on a to-do list when you can actually...just...do them! Wow, totally new information huh?

I did pretty well this last week. But I know this is something I need to keep working on. I'm hoping to make this habit a permanent part of my life. If I think about something...I just want to do whatever I can for it right then and there. I'll share more on this later.

So when something pops into your mind...DO IT NOW!

Just take out the trash.

Just call that friend.

Just start reading that book.

Any effort counts. If you don't do it now, how likely are you to actually do it later? I know my percentage goes WAAAAY down.

Try it. See how you do.

Motivation Monday: I Can Do Hard Things, I Can Accomplish Great Things, I Can Be the Person I Want To Be

Last week I read this article called "11 Things Powerful Women Say to Themselves." The article illustrates this by using photos of sticky notes with phrases written on them. Among those included were "I will wake up motivated," "I will go to the gym," "I will talk to that cute coffee shop guy," and "I will dominate any task at work."

Most of these sayings resonate with me as I try every day to overcome my insecurities and weaknesses and live up to the potential I know I have. But the last phrase the article shared—"I will end the day knowing that I am a fierce awesome lady"—brought to mind my personal mantra that I came up with back in 2010.

That phrase is as follows: I am a beautiful daughter of God. I can do hard things. I can accomplish great things. I can be the person I want to be.

I actually designed a very basic little printout of this mantra and have it hanging on my door. I don't always refer to it as often as I should, but when I first came up with it, I would repeat it every morning. If I have a hard trial or just a hard day, this phrase pops into my head.

Reading the article I mentioned above reminded me of the power of a personal mantra, and I've decided to refer to it more often in my life.

Developing a personal mantra is listed as the first tip in "How to Get Motivated—8 Tips to Break Your Motivational Funk." I also loved this little post "The Power of a Personal Mantra," which shares suggestions for mantras and LifeSupplemented.org's similar posts will advice for coming up with your own mantra.

So today, I invite you to come up with your own mantra. Or share what you already have! Remember you are awesome. And have a good week.

Motivation Monday: You Will Achieve Grand Dreams a Day at a Time

Sometimes it's easy to be overwhelmed. Sometimes the pure magnitude of things I need to do seem so daunting that I'll just lay in bed pressing snooze as I think about everything I'm putting off and my deadlines inching closer. And closer. And closer.

Granted, I think everyone experiences some level of this at some time. But I know the importance goals play in helping me prioritize and enabling me to jump out of bed excited about the prospects of the day and all that I can—and will—accomplish.

Today's Motivation Monday quote is by the same person as last week's. (Did I mention that I'm in awe of this Og Mandino.) And it reminds me of an earlier post about goals.

Anyways:

"You will achieve grand dreams a day at a time. So set goals for each day. Not long & difficult projects, but chores that will take you step by step toward your rainbow. Write them down, if you must, but limit your list so that you won't have to drag today's undone matters into tomorrow. Remember that you cannot build your pyramid in 24 hours. Be patient. Never allow your day to become so cluttered that you neglect your most important goal to do the best you can. Enjoy this day and rest satisfied with what you have accomplished."
—Og Mandino

I stuck with the same design idea as last week, but I mixed in some different colors and a second font. 

This quote is long. And there are multiple parts that are so great alone. I probably could have split this into six or seven different Motivation Mondays, but you get the treat and power of having this presented all as one. But I'll split my thoughts for ya too.

1. Grand dreams come one day at a time. 
Don't be overwhelmed or discouraged from dreaming grand dreams. They are possible. And they are worth the wait and the work. What you do each and every day will get you there, so remember those goals every day. Go get 'em.

2. Set small step-by-step goals to help you accomplish big projects.
It's ok to break things up into little tasks. Baby steps. It's all about baby steps. There is no need to try to everything all at once. Take something you can do and do that. Now! Then you can focus on something else. You can do it.

3. Limit your list of goals for each day. But write them down.
I love me a good to-do list. But I also love the reminder to not overwhelm myself. Don't take it too easy, sure, but only give myself approachable challenges that I can actually accomplish that day. Award yourself with a sense of accomplishment.

4. Nothing amazing happens in 24 hours. Be patient.
Ah, yes, the patience advice. Keep trekking along. Keep the faith. Focus on the little goals and accomplishments you reach every day, week, and month.

5. Never allow clutter to distract you from your most important goal.
Distractions can be the worst. But having a goal can help you stay on track and better prioritize your time.

6. Do the best you can.
And accept your honest efforts as your best. Remember there are ups and downs, but always strive for your best.

7. Rest satisfied with what you have accomplished. 
Look back at No. 3. Make an honest effort and when you have reached your goals for the day, ACCEPT THAT. Maybe take a break. Oh, and have some fun! :)

Motivation Monday: You Have The Ability to Accomplish So Much By Making Slight Changes

Today's Motivation Monday quote is a long one. I actually stumbled upon it a few weeks ago when I was looking for an organization quote to match my goal for that week. (That post has proved to be a popular one thanks to Pinterest folk pinning my design.) This quote touches on organization, but also expands into time management, priorities, and success.

"Never again clutter your days or nights with so many menial and unimportant things that you have no time to accept a real challenge when it comes along. This applies to play as well as work. A day merely survived is no cause for celebration. You are not here to fritter away your precious hours when you have the ability to accomplish so much by making a slight change in your routine. No more busy work. No more hiding from success. Leave time, leave space, to grow. Now. Now! Not tomorrow."

—Og Mandino.

(The design was inspired this image.)

Before I share my thoughts about this quote, I have to tell you that this Og Mandino guy is quite impressive. I did not know who he was, but after reading several other quotes from him, I knew he was someone I had to learn more about. A post is in the works so stay tuned for that. 

Now my thoughts.

Part of what I loved about this quote is it reminded me of how overwhelmed I have often felt in life by things I simply do. not. care. about. Sure, I pride myself on being a good worker and being a dependable employee. But when my efforts there left me drained and without energy to dedicate to my personal passions and goals, I knew I had to make a change. (It just took me a while to do so—and to be clear, these feelings had nothing to do with the quality of the jobs I've held but with who I am and what I personally want from life.) While I did leave behind several quite attractive benefits (stability and set income to name a few), I also opened the door to opportunity for ME PERSONALLY to accept the challenges I actually want to overcome. Opportunities that allow me to grow and become the person I hope to one day be.

Apply this mentality to both play and work. Fill your life with things that are meaningful and beneficial, no matter what you are doing. My introvert self loves this because I choose my social activities very carefully. I'm not a person who enjoys just hanging out with random people all the time. I want to form meaningful relationships that matter to ME and hopefully matter to the other people. If I'm spending time with you, it means I WANT to spend time with you. (Usually...sometimes I'm a sucker for obligatory activities.)

And finally, remember that you CAN change. You CAN grow. You CAN become a better person (remember to focus on your own definition of what this is). How? By making slight changes.

Don't focus on the big picture. Focus on the small, daily tasks and decisions. Remember that your time matters. Remember that what you do now, today, determines who you are tomorrow and what you will accomplish.

How can I focus on these things this week? 

I'm going to focus on removing the clutter from my life and time. Look at what can suck your time without providing any productivity. (Think apps, television, games, etc.) I like watching a tv show while I make/eat lunch, but I think I can spend that time better. I want to outline how to best spend my time. If I have an hour to finish a project, I'll finish that project in an hour. If I have all day...I'll probably take all day.

Do you agree with what other's think about you?

I've been thinking more about my Motivation Monday quote this week: "Stop defining who you aren't. Start being who you are." And I had some new thoughts about recent events in my life.

A couple weeks ago I met with the supervisor over the fitness classes and talked about our strengths, weaknesses, goals, and general thoughts about how things are going. 

Guess what she listed as one of my strengths? 

My fun, bubbly personality that creates an enjoyable class and allows me to connect with the people.

To give this topic some context, I have to first tell you that maybe 3 years ago I had an ongoing debate with a friend about which was the most bubbly. I insisted she was. And we may have polled everyone we both knew. In the end, I solicited enough votes for HER bubbly personality, and the issue was settled.

Since then I've proceeded to insist that I am NOT a bubbly person. And I continue to embrace my natural (comfortable) introvert personality.

A couple weeks ago I found this little quote on Instagram. It screams "Karianne,"although I'd probably change it to the following:

"Strangers think I'm quiet. Acquaintances think I'm outgoing (bubbly). Friends understand I'm completely insane." 

(My reasoning for these changes is that people think I'm bubbly way before I'd consider them friends. And far more than the couple best friends I've had in my life know I'm kinda crazy. Yes, I'm a word person, and those words make a difference.)

The point is that if other people SEE this quality in me, why do I refuse to accept it? Why don't I embrace this quality (it's a good one) and work towards developing it more? Can I stop defining who I THINK I'm NOT? Or can I just start being ME? 

It's something to think about. Take a minute and think what others see in you that you might not *initially* agree with. And what qualities do you see in others?