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)

A New Year - Are You Ready for Change?

 Reflecting on the year we have journeyed through has been one of challenges and change.

Change occurs, even when we do all we can to ensure that we continue our path in comfort and routine.  Sometimes, the pathway is rocky with pebbles we slip on or stones on which we stub our toe; there may be a large rock that requires help to push out of the way.

As we journey together on life's path, let's help one another by sweeping off, picking up, and removing the stones that people slip on or stub their toes on.  We must learn to ask for help when the large rocks cannot be removed by our strength alone.

What are a few practical ideas we can undertake to prepare for the new year?

• Declutter your office.  Don't be afraid to work through the paperwork and items in your office and make some tough decisions about what is really needed or what should be relocated to another area of your house.
• Plan and set up your daily/weekly/monthly planner. (I use a color-coded system to assist with key deadlines that must be met).
• digitalize documents that you wish to keep but do not require a paper copy and add them to a specifically named folder.
• Declutter your digital devices. Do you really need 10 photos of one moment, or would 1-2 copies be enough?

Change and challenge will occur in the new year coming.  Let's pray and seek the Lord's direction and help.  Let us be prepared to step out into a "new thing"!

Right Now!

Right now - where are you in your dreams, life, job, and plans?

Content? Perhaps you're between jobs, looking for a change, wanting to embrace a dream or use your talents to create your own business?

There is only one (1) of you. Whatever your past, you are one of a kind. Unique! How can you embrace your experiences, talents and skills to make a difference in your life and your community?

In the book of Esther, we read about a young woman whose life was interrupted by a king. Did she have control of her life? Probably not, as far as being gathered with other young women, placed at the Palace, given beauty treatments, etc. Sounds glamorous, doesn't it? However, Esther was not able to go before the King unless summoned. Her life was dictated by another. 

Yet, when Esther had to face hard decisions, she fasts and prays, asking others of her faith in the city come alongside her and do the same.

Her uncle tells Esther, "The fact is, even if you remain silent now, someone else will help and rescue the Jews, but you and your relatives will die. And who knows, you may have gained your royal position for a time like this.”

Esther 4:14 GW

https://bible.com/bible/70/est.4.14.GW

Esther made a choice to live her life to make a difference. That she was an orphan, brought up by her uncle, taken by the King, made a queen didn't stop her from living out her faith and relying on her God.

There is much in our world we have little control over. That should never stop us from living to make a difference. Being different will cause some to come alongside you, and others to walk away.

But you - you have a choice to live to be different, make a difference. 

How will you impact and improve your sphere of influence today?

Embracing Change?

Over the past few months, significant changes have occurred in our family life. Changes in employment, our youngest graduating from High School, and myself, taking up a new Not-For-Profit executive position.

Change can bring the feeling of being uncomfortable and challenging, and certainly cause you to either embrace it or hide away.

Undergoing change in your life is not comfortable. Often friendships formed in the workplace, and other organizations change, even end. Relationships change. Finances change. Family life changes.

Recently, I have been reflecting on how to embrace the changes positively. Is this easy? No. But to live life to be effective means being willing to change, even when your mind is screaming NO!

To begin this process, I have begun:

• Getting up earlier in the morning and having breakfast (or a cuppa) with my husband.
• General House tidy-up (making the bed, cleaning bench tops, washing, dishes, general household duties).
• Set time aside for reflecting on God’s Word.
• Deal with urgent emails, accounts, and the import “To Be Done” items on my list.
• Set time aside later in the day to read, rest, pray, and visit.

It is so easy to fall into procrastination or become overwhelmed.

Iveth Luna (song “In You” sings, I can do all things...even when the darkness comes, even when the mountains tower...in You (the Lord).

That is how I get through each day - with the Lord. If the past few months have taught me anything, it is I cannot get through the changes without the Lord

As organized as one tries to be, unless the Lord directs our path, the journey will be rough. The path may have stones that irritate you because they get in your shoe, or there may be a block on the path, your health may be under attack, or your family life has changed. Whatever the situation, the constant presence, and love of the Lord is comforting and reassuring

What changes can you make today to start each day more positively?

Planning, Listing, Learning!

Those who know me, they will understand that I am usually organized. I have lists everywhere, a planner colored for the month ahead, a diary (digital and/or paper) reflecting what's coming up, where I need to be, what needs to be purchased and bills to be paid.

It's Important to Plan

With the busyness of life in our modern society, it is important to plan - at least have some idea of what's coming up, what bills need to be paid, and what appointments must be attended.

It's easy to say, "well, I get to that when I feel like it," and for some, I guess that works. 

However, having a plan of action helps to lower stress levels, and ensure we get to those important appointments and events on the right day and at the right time. Can you imagine missing your child's special day at a school event or forgetting an important medical appointment?

Planning can be simple, or, depending on your work, voluntary positions, and demands on your time, more complex.  By planning at least, the basics, you can find ways to free up portions of your time so that you can invest in family, learning, relaxing, spiritual growth, and assisting in the community.

Lists

Over the years, lists...yes boring lists...have been my go-to, the lists ticked off have provided reassurance and have sometimes been used to prove that certain jobs have been completed. More than once, producing my list has proven that time-sensitive deadlines were met.  

Just having a tick-and-flick list can ensure you accomplish what's necessary to be completed on a certain day or meet a deadline. Ticked-off lists help to visually show there has been movement on the given task and give a sense of accomplishment.  You can use a list to break down a large job into smaller blocks of work, so you are not overwhelmed.

Learning

Never stop learning! If you stop learning, you are not breathing! Learning is life-long.  Perhaps taking on a new role is daunting but gather around yourself trusted people to affirm and encourage you as you step out.

A positive environment where you are encouraged to experience innovative ideas and challenges can bring a spark that fans into a flame of creativity.  Imagine what your creativity can bring to a not-for-profit group or your workplace? You may just have the idea they need to progress into a new and exciting pathway of growth!

Planning, having a list, continuing to learn - living life to make a difference!

Canva 2022