Are You Grateful for Your Team?

Recently, my husband and I went to view the overflow at Tinaroo Dam in Far North Queensland. Although we live in this beautiful part of Australia, we forget to take time to enjoy the natural and man-made resources around us.

Tinaroo Dam is a valuable resource to this area - it ensures that the drier areas around Mareeba have water (through a channel system), local towns have water, and it provides opportunities for recreational activities and recreational activities sustaining local wildlife and farming land.

As I was reflecting, I realized that often we often forget to express appreciation to our Team.  The "Team" may be where we work, or a local N-F-P group we are part of, it might be our family or close friends who get together to support us.

Life happens and becomes busy.  We are often so busy doing life, that we forget to stop and live life!

So, today, how can you affirm your Team? How can you express your gratitude? Let's go out for a coffee together, or even a quick thank you to each of them. Stop and express your appreciation and show it in action.  Often, we say words, but don't follow them up with actions.

How can you affirm your Team?

• express your appreciation for them as a person, not just for the role they undertake
• ask them how they are and about their family
• when speaking with team members make eye contact and face them so that they see you are genuinely interested in them. 
• Help them feel accepted and that they aren't questioning their value within the team
• Affirm their abilities and talents.

You will find ways to affirm your team if you take the time to reflect and express to them, they are valuable and appreciated.

Tinaroo Dam, February 2023

Decluttering - more than just cleaning out a space

When some people hear the word 'Declutter', they inwardly groan, roll their eyes, or make excuses.

For years, I held onto 'stuff'. There was no real reason except, that in the back of my mind, I reasoned it might be needed one day and we had worked hard to obtain it.

Then in 2020, the world turned upside down. We began going through the stored boxes in the shed. Opening some of the boxes revealed items that had been packed from moving back in 2007! 

During the Christmas holidays at the end of 2020, I began the process of 'decluttering' the house.

Beginning wasn't easy. I read articles, watched shows, and started small.

After winter and then after again Christmas, I always felt overwhelmed by so much stuff around the house. Everyday cleaning seemed to be moving items around but never decreasing the volume of things.

We had talked about installing furniture to display our treasured pieces. So beginning with the bookcase, then progressing to wardrobes, kitchen cupboards, excess and old clothing, toys, DVD's, and items, we slowly began decluttering. 

Now in 2023, the house is easy to clean and maintain. I have time to appreciate my home. 

With the children now grown and living their own adventures, the house is much quieter. Having our space decluttered and simple allows us to enjoy time with friends, and not be overwhelmed, or stressed by piles of items. 

One of our pastors shared a quote in our weekly newsletter some time ago and this challenged me to think about what items I was holding onto and why. The quote: "Hold loosely to the things of this life, so that if God requires them of you, it will be easy to let them go."

Decluttering, I found, wasn't just throwing everything out. Going through the process, helped me appreciate what I have, what we need, enjoy and use. Giving items away to others, charity, etc meant what we no longer needed was repurposed by others. 

Instead of hours and hours of cleaning each week, the house can be tidy in a short time.  

Yes, there's still the 'deeper' cleans to be undertaken, such as windows, walls, etc. But the general, day-to-day cleaning takes a short amount if time, allowing me to undertake other roles and projects.

If you are considering decluttering, be mindful about why you want 

to do this. Consider seriously what you need, what can be repurposed, donated or sold.

Be realistic and most of all, be kind to yourself in the process. 

If You Fail to Plan, You Plan to Fail!

 You've read the saying, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail!

Being organized and ensuring you have your day planned out, helps in planning to succeed, instead of planning to fail. Over many years, I have watched many people both succeed and fail.  Some tell me, "I just go with the flow!", or "I can't plan past the new couple of days, it's just too far." 

Others tell me how they have planned out their goals and what actions will need to be undertaken up to a year or more ahead so that they have the best possible chance of success.  The difference between these two types?  

Simply, it's having an action plan in place and ensuring that they consistently work towards the goal they have set rather than "let's hope for the best".

This quote, I think sums up 2023 for me and part of what I want to achieve: 

"To be successful at anything, you must simply be what most people aren't: Consistent." (Anon)

How can you begin to plan for success instead of failure?

• Set aside time each week to dream, research, and plan the activities you want to achieve.
• Determine what activities are urgent, short-term planning, and long-term planning.
• Begin collating what you need for short-term and long-term plans. E.g. you decide to apply for a housing loan. In undertaking this process, documents will need to be gathered and certified, book an appointment with an authorized broker or local bank.
• Action urgent jobs promptly; don't leave until the last minute.   Ensure the work undertaken is your best.
• Have a notebook or daily planner sheet that you can tick off jobs as they are completed.
• Don't be overwhelmed; break the jobs down into manageable tasks. I have found this helps manage stress and anxiety levels, especially when undertaking a role or request that I have never done before.
• Review, review, and review documents and information before sending.  This saves time and embarrassment.  
• Have regular times that you are at your desk, so people know when they can contact you.
• Plan time to rest and have a break.
• Take care of yourself.

(Canva)