Sometimes life can feel so overwhelming, that to even considering helping someone else can put our brain into overload. When we ourselves are struggling it's difficult to see beyond the troubles and worries we have. But this may be the time when it is most important to step outside our situations and do for others. Here are a few simple things you can do that will not only make an impact on someones life, but may also change yours as well.
Last but certainly not least! 5. Smile at someone! This seems easy to do, but can be so easily forgotten. I've caught myself in a mirror plenty of times while walking around a store with a nondescript face, and thought geez, smile Michelle! One thing that triggers a smile for me always is a little kid or baby. I once read how important it is to smile at a child because you as a stranger represent that outside world and the good and bad they see in it. I want them to see the good. Smiling also makes you more attractive and can be contagious, your simple smile can make the difference in someones life, its FREE and so easy to do! So, spread the joy and smile more! Share your stories in the comments below of how you try to make a difference in the lives of those around you or how someone did that for you! “Kindness can transform someone's dark moment with a blaze of light. You'll never know how much your caring matters. Make a difference for another today.” - Amy Leigh Mercree
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Have you ever heard someone say, "I can't afford to give", have you said it yourself? This has become a huge pet peeve of mine, and I'll tell you why. I think a lot of people have a misconception when it comes to giving, they think that they have to give huge amounts of money for it to matter or make a difference. They also forget that giving their time is equally as important as giving a monetary donation. We all find time and money for the things that we value and feel are important, whether its that fancy morning coffee, celebrity gossip magazine, local craft beer or new dress, each of those buying decisions could change the life of a local child, family or senior. Setting up a regular giving cycle, whether it be weekly or monthly can be very helpful. It can be difficult to write a check for $500 dollars, but to put aside $1.37 a day, now that seems manageable. Setting up an automatic withdrawal from your bank account is my favorite way of giving, because I can set it and forget it. "No one has ever become poor by giving." -Anne Frank But let's look at another aspect of giving. When people say "I Can't Afford to Give" they are setting themselves up for failure in that moment. This is how I visualize it, Imagine your hands held together flat across your chest, when you don't give of yourself and your finances, it's like having a closed heart and when your heart is closed to giving and not sending things out, it is also closed to allowing things to come in. When you open your heart and give of yourself you are also open to receive. Now I'm not suggesting that you give so that you can receive, but it is a perk of doing so. "When you open your heart and give of yourself you are also open to receive." My mother in law is so funny, she was telling me a little while back that she just can't give her money away without it coming right back, sometimes literally. She wrote a $20 check to send off to a favorite charity and that same day found a $20 bill on the ground. Having an open heart and giving of yourself will change your life and lives of countless others. Find that "thing" that is important to you, that "thing" that you love and want to see grow, an organization that has touched your life or the life of someone close to you and get involved! Make a commitment to make a difference at whatever level you can, but dig deep and really think about the money you spend each day and how it could have a much bigger impact than just satisfying your caffeine addiction, your need for celebrity gossip or your sweet tooth. Make a difference!
Do you ever get frustrated with yourself? Bummed that you aren't where you want to be, in your career, relationship, life? It can be difficult to be patient when we want something so bad. In my role as the Director of Marketing & Fundraising of a small nonprofit I was working very hard my first year getting the organizations name out there, speaking to as many groups as I possibly could and at the end of that year we had raised more money than the year prior, But not nearly as much as I was hoping. It was disheartening, but I had to shake it off, and remind myself that you don't plant a tree today and harvest peaches tomorrow. Its the nurturing love and care for the seeds we plant, that will allow us to reap the rewards in our future. A strong desire and a focus on the little steps we can take each day, will lead us to results we want. But don't forget to have a game plan, knowing where you want to go is the first step in getting there, and making sure you stay on track will help you achieve your goals sooner than later. Will you succeed every time, will every seed you plant grow into the champion blue ribbon winning giant pumpkin? No. Failure is part of the equation. It's those missteps that are sometimes necessary for us to learn the lessons we need to learn, to find that something more that will lead us to success. "Whatever a man is sowing, this he will also reap." Galatians 6:7 Did you know Dr. Seuss' first book was rejected by 27 publishers? He went on to sell 600 million books worldwide, How about Abraham Lincoln, one of our most well know presidents, he entered the Black Hawk War of 1832 as a Captain and left as a Private, only to later rise to the highest office in our country. Plant seeds everyday and you will reap what you sow. Lets make it an incredible harvest! How many times have you switched jobs in your life? On average, someone will switch jobs ten or more times in their lifetime! Isn't that incredible!!! Are you one of these job jumpers, if so you have probably wanted to transition between career fields, but may have thought you couldn't because of a lack of experience? I was having this conversation today with a German women who volunteers at the nonprofit I work at, she was explaining how difficult it can be to get a job in Germany if you haven't apprenticed in that particular field. She is an awesome volunteer, friendly, conscientious, smart & would be an asset to any business, yet she might not even get a second look. Well, I've been there, my entire life I wanted to be a chef & when it was time to go off to college that is what I did! I loved working as a Pastry Chef in the hospitality world for 15 years, but there came a time after moving to a small rural town in New Mexico that I wasn't happy with my limited options in that field, and decided to change careers. The job I wanted was in the healthcare field doing marketing, education and patient evaluations for a new inpatient rehab unit. After helping my husband recover from a stroke, I felt like this job was meant for me. But why in the world would anyone even consider a Pastry Chef for that job? One look at my resume & it would have gone straight in the trash; I had no experience in healthcare! However, . . . . I knew I was capable of learning the skills I needed and my excitement, enthusiasm & willingness to learn were valuable. I also knew many of my leadership and business skills were transferable, so how could I convey all of that? I needed to stand out from the crowd; I needed to grab their attention long enough for them to possibly consider me. Along with a modified resume to highlight my skills rather than jobs, I made a short and quirky PowerPoint illustrating why a Pastry Chef was the perfect candidate for their job. I got the it!!! It was the uniqueness of my presentation, desire for the job and & willingness to learn that sealed the deal. What are you willing to do to get that job Now! How will you stand out from the crowd? "Freedom lies in being bold." - Robert Frost Years ago I wanted a job with a food styling company in CA but I was in RI, I couldn't get out there to interview so I made video introduction, an old school VHS video, to send along with my resume. Now, I didn't get the job, but about 12 years later I was at a conference in Las Vegas and one of the presenters was the owner of that company I had sent the video to. I chatted with her after her presentation and she remembered the video and me! Be bold, be different, and go out on a limb for what you want. Be confident in yourself & your abilities. Businesses would much rather have a positive, hardworking ray of sunshine willing to learn, than someone with all the skills and a rotten disposition. Get out there & get that job, new career or promotion of your dreams, you deserve it! |
AuthorMichelle loves helping people to be their best each an everyday, lets Thrive! Archives
November 2017
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