Home Away From Home Office

I always knew I would be more productive if I had my own office space. I did not, however, realize how much I was not focused in my home office. I am like in super-speed mode at my desk, whipping through lists and files. Making calls, answering emails, sending quotes, suddenly looking at the clock and saying, "Wow, I forgot to eat lunch!" For the record, that has NEVER happened to me before.
Now that I am settled a bit in my new space, I will be hanging up some photos and other decorations. I will definitely be hanging up the photo of me on the ropes course in California. My kids will be up there too. I have scheduled time to make a vision board, which will hang right in front of my desk. My husband made and hung shelves for me so I have a place for all my business books. I think he secretly hopes to get the shelves in the dining room back, but whatever.
But for right now, the calm, striped white walls (thanks, Kitt!) have been my home away from home office. And it feels pretty good.

New Year New Fear

As the second week of January begins, I find myself in a familiar place. Not a place I enjoy being in, but familiar nonetheless. After a full week of goal setting, planning, budgeting, and the like, I now see the enormous to do list that sits in front of me. Slightly overwhelming. Good thing I don't have to get it all done today.

Most people say that when a person doesn't meet their goals it is because the person is afraid of failure. I submit that the opposite is the case. Because it can take us in completely new and uncharted territory, success can be scary. Every day is new and different and unpredictable. As my friend, Tom Haupt (http://www.tomhaupt.com/)of Klemmer & Associates says, "It makes you feel like you are going to throw up." That, Tom says, is when you know you are out of your comfort zone. That is where success sits and waits.

But why should we be scared? Because sticking our necks out means we have to perform. Anyone can talk a good game, but when the rubber hits the road, we need to perform. Mary Welchell of The Christian Working Woman (http://www.christianworkingwoman.org) once said on her radio broadcast, "Everyone can sound impressive, but after about fifteen minutes you better know something." For some, that can be too much and they drop out of the game. For others it is a chance of a lifetime.

Don't believe me? Do you remember what happened to Drew Bledsoe? New England Patriot Quarterback? That's right! Choke! And who was there on the sidelines waiting, just waiting, for his moment? Tom Brady.

That reminds me. Right now there is some young gun sitting out there waiting for me to go home early or take a random day off so he or she can get off the bench and take away what I have worked hard for. Don't even think about it, kid. I do just fine in the throw-up zone, thank you very much. Game on.