Lessons in Success: #9 Starting New Habits
It's a big step to create new behavior, and the way we achieve is by breaking our efforts down into microsteps. Positive habits can be broken down into micro-steps.
Positive habits mean something that makes a proactive, effective change in your behavior in the field you're wanting to change. Assess the different areas of your life and figure out what new habits you want to take on: then break it down. It's tough to institute a new habit of running five miles. It's easier to break it down into baby steps: take a walk down to the end of the driveway every day for a week. Then to the end of the street every day for a week. Then go for a half-mile, a mile, two miles, five miles --- each of these incrementally increasing so that you get into a routine.
Once your routine is set, your habit is established: and this reflects on all aspects of your life, from your food, health, relationships, work, money, career, and physical environment. A new habit is easy, easy, easy to start. It's maintaining the habit which takes practice.
First: institute baby steps for your habit.
Second: continue to support your habit (what supplies do you need? which behaviors will support your habit? which activities will need to be added?).
Third: make a routine out of your actions.
Followthrough: do whatever it takes to make that habit a real habit. Start it out right and continue it!
Fourth: give yourself positive feedback. Give yourself a reward for every time you do something towards your new habit. It takes about six weeks to start up a new habit, and then you'll want to maintain that habit on an ongoing basis.
What habits do you want to start up this month?
Visionboard #10: Trust the Universe
Mon, 02/06/2012 - 2:26am | by monicadearOne of my favorite meditations is the idea that each of us are simply manifestations of the Universe, and so every experience that we go through, no matter how difficult and terrifying, is still a way for us to learn, expand, grow, and increase our self-knowledge.
This visionboard item is one of my ways to remind myself to place my trust that everything is part of a greater plan, or at least, I can put everything into place and know that there is unity and harmony within all the different chaotic strings and threads of experience and activity.
7 Tips to Prevent Bullying
Mon, 02/06/2012 - 1:30am | by monicadearIf you're a mom, mentor, or involved in the classroom, you know the importance of maintaining a decent, respectful, positive, safe, and supportive environment for all students. Bullying can happen to children, teens, and young adults who do not get along well with others, who are "less popular", or who have few to no friends in the school. Also at risk for being bullied are youths with depression or anxiety, and those who have low self esteem. Those especially at risk are LGBT and questioning youth: in one study by Laura Sessions Stepp, "four out of five gay and lesbian students say they don't know one supportive adult at school."
Don't Just Settle - Make it Meaningful, Happy, and Deeply Satisfying
Wed, 01/18/2012 - 2:18pm | by monicadearI am always a proponent of upgrading your lifestyle in as many ways as possible. I believe that for the sake of mental health, sanity, and security, we each deserve to follow our intuition, treat ourselves well, and look after our own best interests. If we focus on continuous improvement and do this naturally every day, with the mindset of being grateful and expressing deep respect for the gift of life, we can incrementally change our living situation.
7 Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for the Woman Business Owner in your Life
Sun, 01/15/2012 - 2:48pm | by monicadear
1) Pay for her website domain and hosting
Most small business owners don't think of this precious detail, and if your special lady is in business, this is one of a myriad of other details. Do her a favor and prepay for the next 2-3 years of domain and hosting. You'll get a chance to reassess her existing website details (username and password) and inventory the current situation.
2) Get her Quickbooks Online
Evaluating your Savings Needs
Thu, 01/12/2012 - 7:17pm | by monicadearWith the low interest rates available and the challenge of many women to manage their family finances, their business finances, and the changing needs of family - from children going to college to elderly parents needing care, we're finding a great need for education and self-awareness about personal finance options.
A great place to get started learning about finances is Investopedia. You can also learn about personal journeys through blogs like I Will Teach You to Be Rich, Millionaire Mommy Next Door, or Get Rich Slowly.
The beginning of the year is a great time to get organized and review (or start) your savings plan.
Four Totally "Out-of-the-Box" Predictions
Tue, 01/03/2012 - 4:44pm | by monicadearI pride myself on being fairly well-educated and tolerant of diversity.
Here are four completely out-of-the-ordinary ideas I've recently been exposed to. I've had a hard time wrapping my head around each of these, but I think that each is a very early indication of different trends in our modern world, and in terms of a business approach, it would be wise to consider ways to integrate these ideas into your existing business model or your marketable job skills: natural remedies, open source mentality, overall collaboration, and green extreme.
Beyond Natural Remedies

Wedding Day Planning: Four Steps to Make it Fabulous
Thu, 12/29/2011 - 8:00pm | by monicadearThe wedding service and vows, your attire, the location of the service and reception, and decorations: if your big day is coming up, start planning for these four items at the very beginning. This will help reduce the stress because, like most brides, you're probably planning a wedding on top of dealing with a full-time job, interacting with family and in-laws, organizing travel arrangements, anticipating special needs for seniors or children, finding ethical rings, deciding on vendors, and fitting everything into your budget.














