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Month: February 2023

The Value of a Positive Attitude

Posted on by M Miller

The Experience

     This weekend my family and I went out to a restaurant to spend some quality time together. It was a spur of the moment decision. Something we wound not normally do at that specific time of day because it was a very busy time for families dining. We decided to go with it anyway. After waiting quite a while to be seated, we then had to wait quite a while for the waiter to come to our table to take our order.  I couldn’t help but feel that maybe this was not quite a good decision to come to this restaurant.  The waiting was a bit much.

  When the waitress finally came to our table, she greeted us in the most friendly way and apologized for the wait due to the restaurant being busy.  The rest of the dining experience was still quite slow but the food and the particular waitress made all the difference.  Before leaving the restaurant, I had to let the waitress know that her kindness was very much appreciated.

Reflecting on the Experience

     On the way home, I was talking to my husband about our restaurant experience.  Usually when the restaurants are crowded and the waiters are busy, the energy and attitude is passed on to the customers.  We would then feel rushed and underserved and the whole dining experience would not be a good one, even if the food was good.  The negative energy from the environment would spoil the overall experience.

     Many times we carry our attitude with us and it can and will affect the outcome of whatever we are trying to do.  In the example I used above about the restaurant, this one worker was able to keep her energy positive in spite of the extremely busy work environment she was in. She did not let that affect her work attitude or performance and in the end she was generously tipped (lol) and represented the company in a very positive way. This showed that being positive has many advantages. It was a win-win.

The Advantages of a Positive Attitude

      The personal advantage of a positive attitude is that by being able to control your attitude when things around you may not be the best, you are able to maintain control over yourself rather than the situation controlling you.  That is amazing and not very easy to do!

     Professionally if you work with someone who has a positive attitude, it is easier to go the extra mile and lend that support because their very energy is the fuel that pushes their staff to aim higher to do their best.

     The opposite is also true, if you are around a very negative attitude, whether it be a company or direct report, that negative energy will stifle your creativity and your ability to want to do or be your best. Eventually you will soon find yourself looking for the exit door.

A Positive Attitude in Business

     For those of us who are Entrepreneurs, we must focus on the positive.  It is what will continue to allow us to thrive and grow.  We can not afford to be negative because our brand depends on it.  Everything we see becomes a useful example.  Even a family outing to a restaurant becomes an example that can be applied to your business.  

     This week as you go about your daily activities, I challenge you to look at your attitude in the situations you encounter.  Ask yourself if it is in need of adjusting, am I being positive or am I giving off a very negative vibe.  If the answer is not a good one, don’t be hard on yourself. Just look for ways you can adjust your attitude no matter how slight, it can and will make a difference not just to you but to those around you. So until next time my readers continue to ……Live your dreams out loud 

Are You Managing Your Time

Posted on by M Miller

     Every now and then it is a good idea to do a time check, to see how well you are managing your time or is your time managing you (lol).  In the past few months we have set personal goals and business goals. As we roll out our plans, the need to manage our time becomes very important.

Why Time management is Important

     Time management is important because it keeps us on top of our game.  When you are at your best you function better and you are more productive.  We all know those people who wait until the last minute to do everything.  It is almost hit or miss that they get things done and if it is done it is not their best work

     Whether you are trying to meet your personal goals or manage your business the need to manage your time is priceless.  There are some useful tools that I have that help me and that is trying to stay organized.  This can be done by using planners or to do lists. These tools are useful use to assist in planning out your daily and weekly activities. 

     It is also a good idea to make balance a way of life.  This basically means do not overschedule your activities.  Saying no can and is a good thing when it comes to keeping balance in your schedule.  When you lose control of your time, you have failed to effectively manage your time.

     I would also like to add that for those of us that are parents this is especially important. When you are signing up your children for activities remember that practice and or games are then added to your schedule.  See if you are able to share some tasks or in some cases delegate certain tasks where and when you can.

Self Care

     Although some would disagree, I believe that making sure you have time for self care is very important and that needs to be part of your time management schedule.  If you can not think of the last time that you scheduled something for just yourself that was just about you, then you are not managing your time properly.  (ouch)

Redeeming the Time

     While we can not make up for lost time because once it is gone it is gone.  We can learn better ways to correct those habits.  We all have 24 hours in a day. How we navigate that time is up to us.  Start with your morning routine and find ways to ease into your day that sets you up for success,  

Small Changes Can Make a Difference

     There are ways you can manage your time more effectively that will spill over into other areas of your day.  One example would be to wake up a little earlier and allow yourself some time before heading out the door.  I tend to function better in the morning because it is quieter and I can have my morning cup of coffee, pray and organize my daily activities before everyone is awake and the day takes off.

    Another way you can better manage your time is to prioritize what you are putting on your schedule, is it necessary, can it be put off or delegated to someone else.  The more you look at your schedule you will know where you are spending your time and how you can better serve yourself and your business by adjusting when and how much time should be allotted for what you need to do.

Balance

      I will end by saying that finding a healthy balance between what needs to get done and what can be done is tricky.  If there is no balance you will find that your life is out of control and that leads to stress. Effectively managing “Your” time is a win not only personally but professionally as well.  Until next week my readers continue…..Living your Dreams out Loud

All About Love

Posted on by M Miller
LOVE

     Well my readers, It is that time of year …..It is all about love.  The week ahead is set aside to celebrate and honor love and those we are connected to that we love.  

     The word love is used in so many ways to describe things and people we equate with love.  We sometimes overuse the word. 

Love Defined

     While there are many definitions of love. They all tend to be quite narrow or pull from one particular origin.  The best definition of love I have ever heard is from the bible.  It is quoted in many places and portions of it are used in many dictionaries.  The definition that I am referencing can be found in 1 Corinthians 13, it reads, “ Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude.  It is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.”

     This definition seems to sum up what love is and what love isn’t.  It serves as a reference check for ways to keep ourselves from offending and taking for granted those we love.  In many ways this can be how relationships start but when the offenses start happening love can fade or become non-existent.

Ways to Rekindle Love

     There are ways that you can rekindle the love in your relationship.  First try to be mindful of the other person’s feelings.  Try putting yourself in their place and try to imagine how you would feel. Then try and remember some of the things that were special in the early days of coming together and try to duplicate some of those things.  Remember you can never go back but you can go forward creating new and special memories.

Loving Yourself

     In all this talk about love, we sometimes neglect the first person that we should love and that is ourselves.  We need to focus on always trying to be the best version of ourselves in good times and in bad.  You may say that is not easy, you don’t know what I have been through in the name of love and yes you are right I don’t,   but I can tell you we all have a story some that are worse than others.  

Challenge

     I want to challenge you this Valentine’s Day to love yourself a little more.  If you are in a relationship make sure you show some extra love don;t take for granted that person.  If you are single, show yourself that extra love. Reaffirm that you are happy with who you are until that special person comes into your life.  Buy yourself something special  candy, roses and even take yourself to dinner.  This may sound strange but if you are not comfortable with your own company, how can you expect someone else to be,

 Love Memories

     I would also like to say that there are many of us, myself included, that have lost family members and loved ones and are not able to spend time with them.  If you have photos or special items take them out, laugh at the memories and may that bring you joy.

Love is Action

     Love is a noun, it is an action word.  Live each and every day full of Love and it will pour out wherever you go.  If you meet people who are negative and mean spirited, that energy pours out as well and it can leave you feeling drained and negative. It is important to walk in love.  Live a life that brings you joy and keeps you happy, when you do this you are truly,  Living your Dreams Out Loud…….Until next week my readers may you have a very special Valentine’s Day

Why the Need to Celebrate Black History Month

Posted on by M Miller

We Celebrate Because

     So the month of February is designated in the U. S. as Black History Month. It is a time to focus on the history, accomplishments and contributions of African Americans.  There are events that are planned out to facilitate the celebration for all ages.  Schools have set aside curriculum specific to this topic during this time and even stores have started marketing more in this area to attract specific traffic for certain items during this month.

     I am an African American woman and so personally I find this a uniquely special month because there is so much attention given to the rich and diverse group of people known as African Americans. 

Lack of Information 

     At one time there was very little taught on African American history.  We learned mostly about Harriet Tubman, Muhammad Ali and Martin Luther King Jr. As time went on I learned that there was so much more to our history .  Sadly I learned that as I got older and educated myself more.

How did this Celebration Begin

     This brings me to my next point, which is why the need for black history month.  An African American Historian and Journalist by the name of Carter G. Woodson, along with the support of others, decided that there was so much that was not being taught about the history of African Americans specific to their contributions in America that there had to be a way to address this.

     This celebration was begun by Carter G. Woodson as a weekly celebration.  He did these celebrations in the month of February because it was around the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas.  These celebrations eventually expanded to where it is now the whole month of February

Why is History Important

     Our history is important because it gives us purpose.  It gives us a sense of identity and it also can give us pride. I will use the study of genetics as an example to further illustrate this.  When  women are pregnant they sometimes give us a test . They ask us many questions.  The questions are about the mom (you) and the dad’s family history.  If there are any known issues, abnormalities etc.

They ask these questions because based on family history they are able to determine many things.  The less you know about your family or the dad’s family (of the baby) the less accurate the results can be.  This is what our lack of history can do to us as a people. It can affect/effect the outcome of our lives.

     There may be many great gifts that have been passed down to you but you will never know.  Every now and then you begin to wonder where did I get this specfic talent from. Mom and Dad didn’t have it but maybe if you knew that your great great great grandfather was ______.  That would provide the explanation.

My Personal Reflections

     In my opinion. I believe that knowing more about your history, good and bad, allows you to be more aware.  It allows you to better understand and gauge your strengths and weaknesses and places you in a position to be more successful.  You are not haunted by what ifs. You are better equipped, knowing that you have come from some very strong and resourceful people.

     I am very proud to be an African American woman that comes from a not perfect people but had the privilege to grow up with parents who did their best with what they were given by working hard and instilling the value of education.  They also taught me to be proud of who I am and grateful for what I have. 

I  enjoy celebrating all occasions but Black History Month gives me an opportunity to celebrate myself, my community and all that comes with the black experience just a little bit more and so my readers each and every one of you, I invite you to celebrate with us this Black History Month and continue………..Living your Dreams Out Loud