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Personal Development

I wouldn’t be where I am today without taking action

By Sarah Leave a Comment

From the archives. I wrote this back in 2014. Other than the fact that I’m back in the corporate world, not a lot has changed. 

I often second-guess myself. Am I good enough? Should I even bother writing? Will new clients want to hire me? (I know, I’m not supposed to admit this in public, but I’m pretty sure more people think like me than not. And I’m hoping my breaking the rules will help at least one of you.)

The Type-A planner in me gets caught waiting for things to be perfect before I start. I’ve been known to not attempt something if I didn’t think I could be successful at it. (I am the epitome of an Enneagram Type 1.)

Sometimes, this caution is a good thing. But all too often, it’s simply fear holding me back.

I’m pretty sure I’m not alone here.

Take the first step | strategysarah.comIt’s been over a year since I quite the corporate world and started my journey as a mom who works from home part-time. What that has looked like has changed several times over the year – in terms of who I work for, what type of work I’m doing and what my childcare arrangements do or don’t look like.

I have stepped, and stepped back, and mis-stepped, and successfully stepped several times in that year.

I’m also changing my view of failure.

Because what I thought I wanted a year ago is not the same as what I want now. And you know what?

I wouldn’t have figured it out if I hadn’t stepped out and tried something. 

 

Logan Wolfram recently did a great interview on the Declare podcast where she shares about the crazy, seemingly unrelated steps she took – one at a time – that ultimately led her to running the Allume Conference (you really should listen to it, it’s a good one).

I’ve found the same principle to be true over and over again in my own life, but somehow I still manage to forget.

When I was in high school, I quit calculus after one semester to take on an internship at the local newspaper. For some reason, even though it was at the semester change, I needed the teacher to sign a release slip allowing me to drop the class.

I’ll always remember standing outside that upstairs classroom, as he told me, “You’re making the worst mistake of you’re life.” He went on with something to the effect that if I didn’t pass AP Calculus as a senior in high school, I would never be able to make up for that and have time to take all the math classes I needed in college in order to become somebody.

Ironically, taking that newspaper internship set into motion a whole host of steps that have led me to where I am today. I discovered a love for copy-editing, training people and managing projects. I had my first piece published in the local newspaper. I had my first experiences with office dynamics and office politics and organizational management.

I went on to become an Organizational Communications major, joined the college newspaper staff, and ultimately become editor of the George Fox University Crescent newspaper. I learned my first layout software on an old colorful Mac computer. I also learned I should have stuck with the layouts and technical side of things, as writing wasn’t my strength.

The Org Com major led me to a job doing business process and marketing and sales operations. And to business school.

Here I am today writing, editing, training people and managing projects.

I never did finish calculus – I got away with taking pre-calc for my required math credits in college – and I wouldn’t say that my life has been ruined in any way. In fact, I’m guessing my life could have looked fairly different if I hadn’t made that one decision.

Whether the step seems big or small, you don’t know where that single first step will lead.

Even if you think you do.

Take it anyway.

Is there something you need to step out and try today? Share in the comments – I’d love to encourage you! 

That time I bought a math workbook. For fun.

By Sarah Leave a Comment

We’ve established the fact that I’m a bit of a nerd, right?

My mom is a teacher, so I spent a lot of time in teacher supply stores growing up. Teacher supply stores = utopia for an academically minded youngster. They also equal the opposite of hours spent in Jo-Ann Fabrics, which is pure torture for an incredibly non-crafty youngster. (Both of those youngsters were me, in case you weren’t clear.)

One year in early elementary school, I used my allowance to buy a long division math workbook. Then I completed it, which meant that I taught myself long division before we learned it in school. I was incredibly proud of this accomplishment.

I still am.

My husband makes fun of me for this story (in love, of course). He never bought a math workbook. School and academics were not his cup of tea. At all.

At the same time, he was the child who poured over tool and auto parts catalogs – and had them memorized. He drew out house plans – to scale – for fun and planned out spaces and rooms.

To this day, I have a love of spreadsheets and books and academic learning. Charles has a love of all things mechanical, building and creating.

Our personalities shape our interests and desires.

What did you learn as a child? What did you naturally gravitate towards? What does that tell you about you? Can you see connections to how you live your life now, and what gives you the most satisfaction? Does it show you an area that you’ve lost and might benefit from a new or renewed attention to?

Not sure how to define your personality? One of my favorite FREE personality online tests is this one from 16 personalities. Take the test and let us know in the comments or on Facebook what your personality is. (I’m the Logistician.)

Groundhog Day, The Definition of Insanity, and Fear

By Sarah Leave a Comment

Phil: What would you do if you were stuck in one place and every day was exactly the same, and nothing that you did mattered?
Ralph: That about sums it up for me.
(From the movie Groundhog Day)

My dad’s favorite movie is Groundhog Day. While I don’t appreciate the movie nearly to the level he does, I love watching my dad watch it. This also means that it’s a movie I’ve seen many many times. And with a movie that repeats as much as this one does, that feels like about 1000 times more than it actually is. Happy Groundhog Day, Dad!

Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is the definition of insanity.

Clearly, Phil Connors has moments of insanity as he is stuck, repeating Groundhog Day, over and over and over. Through the process, Phil moves from curiosity, frustration, despair, to finally making forward progress and positive life change.

After he kills himself in just about every reckless manner he can imagine, Phil decides to look past himself and starts finding ways to help others in the community. He transforms from utterly selfish into a person who puts others ahead of himself. And he learns some mad piano skills in the process.

What you can learn about fear and the definition of insanity from Bill Murray in Groundhog Day

How often are we stuck in our own personal Groundhog Day? I don’t know how many times I’ve found myself repeating the same mistakes, or getting frustrated over the same situations.

The truth is, I can’t always change the circumstance, and I definitely can’t change other people, but I can change myself.

I don’t know about you, but many of my repeated ruts can be traced to a root cause of fear. Fear of failure, fear of success, fear of people, you name it.

I’m (slowly!) learning to step through the fear, own what I can control and let go of the rest.

Like Phil Connor, I’m learning to stop focusing on the future and make the most of where I am today. And even when it feels like I’m not making forward progress, I can look back and see just how far I’ve come.

Phil: Do you know what today is?
Rita: No, what?
Phil: Today is tomorrow. It happened.

What’s your tomorrow?

Win by taking it one step at a time

By Sarah 2 Comments

You can’t run before you can walk. You can’t leap up a full flight of stairs, well, ever. But you certainly can’t take the stairs two or three at a time before you’ve mastered one.

Win by taking it one step at a time - with FREE Evernote template | strategysarah.comI know, this is shockingly new information.

I so want to skip ahead and be farther along than I am – in so many areas of life. But as I’ve learned as a (fledgling) runner, acknowledging my limits and taking one small step at a time is the best way to move forward. Can you relate?

Continuing to read running training plans for marathoners experts and business ideas for those with six figure businesses doesn’t help me at all. Realistically acknowledging where I’m at today and taking the first baby step is the best way to avoid spinning wheels and actually make forward progress.

After all, if your goal is to run to a destination, it doesn’t matter how fast you can run in circles.

Practically speaking though, this can get difficult. Let’s explore the top 3 ways to focus, stay on track and move forward – at your skill level.

1. Tune out information above your skill level.

This includes unsubscribing from emails, filing advanced documents away for later*, and not signing up for training programs that you’re not ready for (I promise, no matter how exclusive the offer, you’ll be able to find the info again later…when you can actually implement it.).

*Use a strategic, consistent file structure, and you’ll be able to find saved information again exactly when you need it.

2. Implement what you are learning.

It’s so tempting to think that because you’ve read up so much on a topic that you’re an expert (ask me how I know!). The reality is that while you can know the idea of something inside and out, you don’t know the realities until you’ve walked through it yourself. Very rarely does any process always function at the ideal. Something will go wrong, or take longer than you thought, or crash right when you need it.

Commit to learning one new thing at a time, including practicing and implementing each step. If that’s launching a podcast, actually launch a podcast. If that’s trying a new image format, create images. You get the picture.

3. Take a deep breath and give yourself grace.

There’s no one ever harder on me than myself. When you get overwhelmed and discouraged (and you will, it’s part of life), take a step back, breath, and acknowledge what you have already accomplished. Hot Tip: This is a great one to make a regular part of your routine. Add acknowledging your accomplishments to your daily, weekly and monthly routines. Here’s an Evernote template to get you started.


This post is part of 31 Timesaving Tools, Tips & Templates, read the rest of the series here.  

Some days you just want fluff (and that’s okay)

By Sarah Leave a Comment

When life gets crazy, take a breakIt’s been an eventful few weeks.

My four year old split his ear open and got 10 stitches in the ER.

I interviewed for and got a new job. Which means I also had to give notice at my current job.

It was our 8th anniversary.

I’m participating in #write31days.

We’re house hunting…and have all the major life and financial choices that go along with that.

My husband is having some unexplainable (so far) and slightly scary medical issues that are involving a whole lot of tests and (so far) no answers.

Then our offer on a house got accepted. While my husband was traveling on a business trip.

I’m starting the new job.

Oh, and I’m helping plan a women’s retreat that takes place this weekend.

It’s a lot.

I had a few days off between jobs, and naturally, had an incredibly long to-do list. Many of the things on my list were nice-to-dos, only a handful were must-do’s. Even so, I’ve found myself alternating between extreme productivity and crashing.

At first, I was tempted to call the crashing laziness, as I typically would. Then I realized – this is my one chance at a few days of downtime. I should be taking the time to rest and rejuvenate. And if that means an hour or two of hanging out with the Gilmore Girls, then I should go for it.

Downtime and room to breathe is okay, even necessary. This time is what allows us to get back up and keep on keepin’ on.

PS – In case you got the impression that I’ve got it all together, I don’t. Trust me, you only need one look at my house to see that. 🙂

Today’s Challenge: Find time to rest and relax. Thoroughly enjoy that time, however brief. Then pick one action item and just do it (<— see what I did there? hint on the new job).


This post is part of 31 Timesaving Tools, Tips & Templates, read the rest of the series here.  

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Welcome!

Sarah ParsonsHi, I'm Sarah and thanks for joining me! I believe that as working moms, we don't have to be exhausted trying to have it all. Sure, we juggle a lot. That just makes us expert project managers, problem solvers and simplifiers. And if you feel like you're not an expert at any of that, well, you're in the right place. It is possible to manage our time well and thrive - at work, home and play. Let's do this!

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The views expressed on this site are those of Sarah Parsons only, and do not represent those of any employer or client past or present with whom I have worked.

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