Weekend Recap

Okay, since I posted some goals for myself this weekend it’s only fair that I do a quick review:

• Finish Kim’s bedroom decal – Yep!
• Finish Adam’s South America collage poster – No, but got an extension on this project so I just need to finish it before Thanksgiving. This is a VERY large project in terms of file size and it literally takes me 50-10 minutes to open it/save it/etc. I’m really jealous of Andy’s new computer…maybe I need a new one for the workshop too!
• Finish sending Thank Yous for Dad’s funeral (Yes, I’m terrible. It’s been a month. But in my defense I had to wait to get new toner for my printer and I’ve been out of commission with a cold the last few days.) - Yes, and then we got more stuff that came in so I’ve got more to do!
• Go to the gym/Zumba - No, I was still not feeling up to the gym.
• Take the dogs to the vet – Yep, and boy was that expensive! Two pugs with ear infections, both needed updated immunizations and one needs to have his teeth cleaned/pulled, again. (Poor Max!)
• Get a new Autumn candle (I hear Yankee has a wonderful pumpkin scent) – Yep! Got two – Autum Wreath & Pumpkin Spice
• Buy some new Pumpkin soaps & lotions from Bath & Body Works  (I’m slightly obsessed with pumpkins and Fall right now) – Nope, did not feel like dealing with mall traffic.
• Make at least one Haunted House crafts that I read on one of my Google Reader blogs (can’t remember which one now!) – Well, I started and I ran out of paint, go figure!
• Visit my family assuming I’m over my cold - Still not over the cold, but enough to get out and see my family.

What did you get to cross off your list this weekend?

September Recap

Time to review how I managed my goals for this month.

Fun
Two words – Florida, Baby! – Mission accomplished! Had a wonderful trip
Read a book for Book Club (this month: “The Big Love” Sarah Dunn) Yep! Good book, enjoyed my first Book Club meeting
Read another book just because – I read “Darkly Dreaming Dexter” by Jeff Lindsay, which is the basis for my favorite Showtime series “Dexter“. And I also Read Tucker Max’s “I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell” on the flight to and from Florida.

Fitness
Attend an average of two fitnesses classes per week (Zumba, zumba, ZUMBA!) – I should have marked it on the calendar but I think I was pretty close
Weigh in at T minus 5 lbs. by the end of the month - Sort of; I was going to have T = the weight prior to Florida so in that respect no, but if T = the weight I most likely was on Sept 1 then point for me! (And since I am the master of this blog, we’re going with option #2!)
Although it wasn’t on my original list I did happen to go on a fun girls’ trip and meet Kenny Chesney this month, so that’s pretty freaking cool, no?

Food/Diet
No fast food (this begins after we returned from Florida, of course…) – Point! Not that I didn’t eat some fried food, but no fast food that I can recall (after Florida).
Try, and post, one new recipe – Not really. I slopped together some meals but didn’t follow a recipe and didn’t post.

Misc.
Select one product to profile/review – Well, I was going to review ActivTrax but I don’t think I deserve a point for this one.

Craft
Select one craft project and finally DO IT, rather than just think about doing it – Sort of…I finally made the laundry room decal I wanted:

 

 And I made a little thing for one of my favorite poems (although it’s not quite done yet, need to add the title I think at the top):

 

So, all in all I think I did okay. What about you? Did you manage to squeeze in everything you wanted to this month?

September Goals

Okay, so I’m totally stealing this post format from NewlyWoodwards, but I like Kim’s “thematic” way of organizing her goals so I thought I’d take a shot at it. And I know it’s mid-month, but you gotta start somewhere!

Fun
Two words – Florida, Baby!
Read a book for Book Club (this month: “The Big Love” Sarah Dunn)
Read another book just because

Fitness
Attend an average of two fitnesses classes per week (Zumba, zumba, ZUMBA!)
Weigh in at T minus 5 lbs. by the end of the month 

Food/Diet
No fast food (this begins after we returned from Florida, of course…)
Try, and post, one new recipe

Misc.
Select one product to profile/review

Craft
Select one craft project and finally DO IT, rather than just think about doing it

 

Well, that all sounds good for now. Baby steps. What are your September goals?

Thursday Thirteen: I’m Going Back to School

* * * RETRO POST * * *

9/13/07

Yup. Gonna get my MBA. Why you ask? Well, let’s see…

1.  My work will pay for most of it (Unfortunately I ended up paying most of it back when I quit!) and my 5th grade teacher once said “Never pass up anything free,” then she quickly followed up with “unless it’s drugs or alcohol.” I only partly listened; who doesn’t enjoy free drinks???
2. I’m kind of a geek and I actually like going to school, for the most part.
3. Andy is going too – Yay! A study-buddy!
4. My co-workers are doing it – Don’t wanna be left out or left behind.
5.  Show me the money – One myth is you will triple your salary with an MBA. Doubtful, but whatever it takes to pull me through it.
6. School supplies – I LOVE to go school supply shopping!!!
7.  Gimme more – Apparently a full-time career, part-time business, three dogs and one boyfriend (now husband!) isn’t enough to keep me busy.
8.  2.5 years – could be all it takes if we work hard. (We’re such over-achievers, it only took us 20 months!)
9. Europe, Hong Kong, more…I always wanted to study abroad. I may get a second chance. (And so I did!)
10. Knowledge – The more you know, well, the more you know and the better you’ll be?
11. Networking – It’s not just what you know, it’s WHO you know. (We’ve met a lot of great people and made some great new friends in the program!)
12. Fabulous martinis! Everyone hits the bar after class. Just one more reason to down a delicious drink.
13. Better sooner than later or never – it would be nice to have an MBA before I have a family. (And so I do!)

* * *

Signed, sealed and delivered,

Laura Meckley, MBA

Play to Your Strengths

In my last post I talked about my new job and how it was a huge change from my previous job. I wanted to talk a little more about WHY I’m taking the risk to make a career change. Many people who don’t know me well or might not know about my side business and passion for designing, creating, and “making things” are usually surprised when they hear I’m going from a banker to basically a graphic designer; some possibly question my logic. Let me explain.

One of my favorite lessons from my Professor in my management class in the MBA program is that people should play to their strengths. The idea is that you will be more productive and happier if you are in a position where you are BOTH talented and passionate. You might find success doing something that you are talented at but not passionate, or you could be doing something you are passionate about, but not particularly talented. The real magic happens when you achieve the combination of both.

Growing up we are told “practice makes perfect” and that if you are not good at something you should work harder and you will do better next time. My Professor said, “Sure, I might go from terrible to bad but I’ll never go from terrible to excellent; You have more growth potential when focusing on improving an area of which you already have strength.”

That point stuck with me this past year. While I enjoy most aspects of my banking job and I feel I do fairly well, supported by my reivews, there were parts where I was not passionate, or quite honestly, not particularly talented. (Public speaking for instance.) I tried hard and I did see improvements in those areas but I still don’t really enjoy it or feel that I’m spectacular. My new job will allow me to explore a position where I am both naturally talented and very passionate. Check back with me in a few years and let’s see where I’m at in life and how that rates on the happy-meter.

In support of playing to your strengths…

Think about Michael Jordan. He is undoubtedly the most talented basketball player, ever. He has a natural talent for the sport but that doesn’t mean he didn’t have to work very hard at it to attain the incredible level he did. Now remember when he decided to take up baseball? There’s no question in my mind that he put just as much heart and soul into working out and practicing but he just didn’t have the same natural talent with baseball as he did basketball; therefore, he was not as successful.

One of my favorite quotes of all time was from MJ. He said, “I have missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot… and missed. And I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why… I succeed.”

Important Note: If you are talented and passionate about something that doesn’t mean success will come easy.

So, having said all that, are you playing to your strengths? If not, why not? Tell me about what you do and what you dream of doing.

Want to learn more about this topic? Check out:

Marcus Buckingham - Consultant & Author

First Break All the Rules – Book by M. Buckingham

Now Discover Your Strengths - Book by M. Buckingham

Strengthsfinder 2.0 – Book & online evaluation to help you discover, explain, and utilize your strengths

Playing to Your Strengths - Article from Businessweek

Play to Your Strengths - Article from Bizsuccess

Time for a Change

Today is my last day as a commercial banker. Although some of my co-workers like to poke fun and point out that I quit once before and came back, I think this is truly my final term. No more number crunching, analyzing business trends, comparing ratios, and talking about how companies plan to come out of this economic crisis.

Not that I particularly disliked my job, we all have bad days but for the most part I do enjoy banking and did look forward to becoming a commercial lender, despite the fact that banking is NOT so much fun right now. However, a unique opportunity presented itself and I’m a firm believer in making change and taking calculated risks if you want to learn, grow, and take charge of your life.  Even though the job market is scary right now, sometimes you’ve got to take a chance.

Monday I will start my career in marketing for one of the world’s largest office furniture manufacturers. I will be doing the graphics and layout for their catalogs. TOTALLY different from banking, no? Given my undying internal need to “make stuff” and be creative, this should prove to be a fantastic change. 

I’m going from left brain activities to right brain activities. BTW, I found this really interesting little “test” on right vs. left brain here. Apparently most people who take it are left brainers but if you concentrate you can turn the tables and see things from a right brain perspective. I was able to see it both ways. Seems appropriate since I’m interested in right and left brain activities. I feel that I have been successful in both areas depending on the project or task at hand. I don’t think that I’m any more one way or the other, though it varies. Do any of you feel that way? A little bit of column A, a little bit of column B?

Now that I have the opportunity to be more creative during my day job I wonder if I’ll still like to do my creative projects at night, or if I’ll come home and crave number crunching?! Probably both. I’m kinda weird like that…I’ve decided I have some sort of chronic “life-experience ADD”. I want to do everything, be everything, know everything, see everything. I thought I’d get that sorted out as I got older and went through all this higher education but all I’ve done is expose myself to more ideas, topics, and interests in the world. If someone would pay me to be a student of life I’d be set.

Are any of you seeking new jobs/careers right now? By choice or other?Have you always known what you wanted to be when you grew up? Are you doing it yet? I can’t be the only one…

30 Day Shred Challenge?

Now that I have a brief break from school I am starting to think about what I will do with my “free time” when we’re totally done with grad school. Andy hopes to get back on his health/weight loss kick (he has lost about 16 lbs in 2009!) and we’ve been making better food choices, which I have enjoyed. Considering I’m a little up in the lb department, ahem, okay, truth be told I’m nearly to my lifetime max (eeek!) I should probably work a little harder at joining him this time.

I was poking around the Internet and found a couple interesting and inspiring blogs such as Ash is Fit & Oh She Glows. They got me thinking about jumping on the 30 Day Shred bandwagon for several reasons:

• The treadmill isn’t all that enticing
• I don’t care to join the gym (again)
• The weather isn’t consistently nice yet to go outside (and honestly, I don’t go out all that much when it is…working on it)
• The DVD is only 20 minute per session and there are 3 levels
• Comments and reviews have been very favorable
• Some of the results have been amazing

I won’t list the cons of this program. But, I will say right now that I know for a fact this DVD will kick my lazy butt from Day 1 and likely up until Day 30. If I make it that long. May is a busy month, at least on the weekends. But I’m still thinking about TRYING.

I certainly don’t expect to “lose 20 pounds in 30 days” as some reports claim. Honestly, I’m just looking  to DO SOMETHING physical on a regular basis. I’m a total cybergeek hermit. I’m not lying. Ask Andy. I’ve never been much for exercising. No, I take that back. When I was a 10 year old tomboy I did work out often, using weights even. I was convinced I was going to make the wrestling team when I got to junior high. Yeah, don’t ask. I was obsessed with WWE wrestling (back when it was WWF Wrestling, and “real.”) Like I said, don’t ask. That was :::gulp::: literally twenty years ago. Wow that sounds bad…

But I digress…Come on lurkers, SPEAK UP! What do you think? Have you tried the 30 Day Shred? Want to join me? What got you motivated, and more importantly, KEPT you motivated to be active?

SOMEBODY help me stop being so lazy!!!! (Yeah, I know, that’s MY job. I’ve got to really want it.)

Goodbye 2008!

It’s been a truly wonderful and busy year. I’ll take a moment to reflect on some of the things we’ve accomplished this past year:

Personal

• Andy learned to play the guitar
• Planned one heckuva wedding (if I do say so myself), which included completing a bunch of fun wedding projects, and most importantly marrying my perfect match and the absolute love of my life
• Was featured on Tip Junkie for the jewel case calendars I made for my wedding girls. (I also created a little 2009 calendar freebiefor all you crafty DIYers who wanted to make your own.)
• Managed to successfully complete NINE (Andy) and TEN (Laura) whopping MBA classes out of the 15 required for our degree!!
• Andy (re)discovered his talent and love of cooking
• Bought a new Yukon which, was unfortunately only because I crashed my beloved Jeep
• Sent out a BUNCH of Christmas cards! (Primarily b/c they doubled as wedding thank  you cards)

Professional

• Served as Treasurer for Quad City Business Referral Alliance, one of my networking groups
• Added custom wedding invitations and vinyl decals to my list products offered by my small business elle Z designs
• Got a nice plug from one of my woodworker customers on his blog
• Got promoted at work

House & Home

• Gave the dogs a haircut…and decided Petco does a better job
• Finally found the best way to trim the dogs’ nails
• Refinanced my house to save a little when the rates dropped
• Then we bought and furnished a new house just months later
• Thankfully sold my other house shortly after; two mortgages is NOT a good deal…I’m speaking from experience.
• Andy somehow, someway managed to move a shed all by himself
• I actually sort of got into decorating for the holidays

I’ll have to ask Andy if he has anything to add that I may have missed. I think the biggest accomplishment would be the MBA classes. Andy and I have really worked this program at an aggressive pace. We’ve sacrificed time with our friends, our family, together, as well as our own personal free time in hopes that this will help solidify a foundation for a better future for ourselves and our future family. It’s been tough at times, but not THAT bad. So if you’re even considering it in the least bit, start now! (Kudos to Kim for taking the plunge!) Even if you just take one class at a time, who cares when you finish? You’re never too old, too young, and you’ll probably never have the time, so just do it anyway; The time is now. Carpe diem!

Looking ahead to next year, let’s start by saying I haven’t been a big fan of the title “New Year’s Resolutions” for some time. Don’t get me wrong, I love the idea of them, but it seems I’ve had the same resolutions for the past 10+ years – eat better, exercise more, do more, be more, etc. Blah, blah, blah. That being said I am a huge fan of goals, which is basically the same thing but without the self-imposed calendar year deadlines attached to them. Goals can start and end any time of the year and I like that idea better. So, in lieu of resolutions for 2009 I’ve started a page for my 2009 goals. I will add to the list and cross off items as the year progresses.

What have you accomplished in 2008? What do you hope to achieve in 2009? If you don’t want to list them here, please link to your own site!

Happy New Year to all!