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Tick Tock

June 29, 2010 By Robyn 2 Comments

As I’ve mentioned a couple times, a goal of mine has been to develop my time management skills! I get sidetracked really easily. Surprising I know… I attribute it to being an entrepreneur. You must act on creative thoughts when they arrive in your mind – as I described in my First 4 hours post.

At the beginning of this year I created a  time management tool all on my own! I know better than to recreate the wheel – however this one has worked for me. I believe that if you do something for 21 days, it becomes a habit.

I setup 4 appointments in my Outlook calendar to reoccur on week days. This is what it looks like:

Then I’m greeted with my personal reminder 4 times a day!

For the past 6 months I have been utilizing these reminders. I had to change the wording about 3 months ago – so I no longer just hit dismiss. I make a point to READ it and let it resonate most of the time - so I can evaluate my daily progress, instead of just ignoring.

What do YOU use to manage your time?

Live Inspired,

Filed Under: Learning is Living! Tagged With: entrepreneur, Microsoft, Outlook, reminder, time managment

Eat Pray Love

May 18, 2010 By Robyn 6 Comments

I love being inspired!

This morning, I learned something really cool from a comment my friend Tiffany made on a blog that I follow. The post and comment were about the book, Eat, Pray, Love.

Tiffany shared that it is going to debut as a movie this summer! I started to read this book about a year and a half ago and honestly put it to the side before finishing (I recently heard that the first 23 pages determine whether you’re going to read the whole book or not!).

This new movie features one of my favorite actresses – Julia Roberts (love Pretty Woman and many others). The storyline looks awesome and makes me want to read the rest of the book before the movie opens!

I watched this trailer on Elizabeth Gilbert’s website and got shivers. It looks like it’s going to be an amazing movie!

For someone addicted to personal growth and committed to investing in myself for the rest of my life – this may be the ultimate movie!!

A NEW movie trailer with more scenes, was just released on Facebook – I posted it on my Business Fan Page HERE!

I would absolutely pick up my entire life and live out of a suitcase for an entire year – exploring the world that is in our backyard. Would you?

Live Inspired,

Filed Under: Learning is Living! Tagged With: book, Eat, Elizabeth Gilbert, Julia Roberts, Love, movie, Pray, Pretty Woman

Fast Track

January 19, 2010 By Robyn 2 Comments

SOOO…my “office cleaning” was delayed…

My hubby had picked up a flier for a free workshop. We thought it was Wednesday night – but it got moved to Monday evening – because the speaker, Darren Weeks, was asked to be an Olympic Torch carrier (in St. Albert, AB).

Cleaning my home office OR attending a personal development event with my husband – TOUGH DECISION!

On Monday night – John & I attended a free presentation about saving, investing, and making money called Fast Track to Cash Flow. Their website has tons of information. The no hassle presentation was based around Robert Kiyosaki theories – the author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad and more of our favorite books. My sister Rayel and her husband Craig, had attended the same session before and recommended.

We learned lots and it got us thinking outside the box.

I encourage you to invest in yourself – by attending events (free events like this one are really fabulous!) in your area that you can expand your knowledge.

We came home with more reading…remember I encourage, 10 pages a day!

Other books that we love and have benefited from – we’ve listed on my Resources page.

Happy Learning,
Robyn

Filed Under: Learning is Living! Tagged With: Darren Weeks, Fast Track to Cash Flow, investing, making money, Office Cleaning, Olympic Torch, personal growth, Poor Dad, Rich Dad, Robert Kiyosaki, saving

Desk Disaster

January 11, 2010 By Robyn 4 Comments

Oh wow – after a completely wild and insane week back to reality, I enjoyed a relaxing weekend at home. I tried to do as little as possible! He he…I enjoyed resting and spending time with my husband.

I spent a couple hours working in my home office last night – on a few tasks that had been hanging over my head. Although – I was a bit ticked at myself for not making more effort to clean my office over the weekend. However, if it was supposed to happen – it would have – no regrets.

Then this morning, I walked into my office at the Lethbridge College – where I am finishing up a 7 month contract. The sight was a reminder of just how crazy last week was and how I literally stopped and left to escape the chaos!

Lucky me… I learned a couple moments later that TODAY is “National Clean Off Your Desk Day“. Oh wow – all these new national days I’m learning about (Hope you took in Friday’s – that I talked about HERE). I truly need to acknowledge this annual event and get motivated.

I’m going to let you see a behind my success picture (oh I entertain myself!) - beware it’s scary and proves that I’m far from perfect!!

One of the skills that I’ve been constantly attempting to improve (note how I didn’t say it was a ”weakness” – no such thing – just a skill that isn’t a strengh, I’m just developing) - is exactly this – keeping my work space clutter free and clean.

If you’re a Type A personality – close your eyes – this next picture may make your stomach flip ;)

I will report back tomorrow of how I made out on my Action Step 1: Clean the top of my Lethbridge College desk by the end of the day!

The real challenge will be to attack my Action Step 2: Clean the top of my amazing home office tonight – desk and floor! It’s real scary.

Happy Cleaning – gotta love Monday’s,
Robyn

Filed Under: Learning is Living! Tagged With: cleaning, Clutter, desk, national clean off your desk day, office

10 pages a day

November 14, 2009 By Robyn 4 Comments

I recently had a friend call and tell me that her business wasn’t moving forward. She didn’t know why, blah blah blah… I was still listening actively – however I had enough “negative” energy within the first statement. I was biting my tongue.

I was thrilled when she gave me permission to talk and asked, “What are you doing different Robyn?”

I asked her one question. “What is the last book you read?”

She hesitated and responded, “…really sat down and read – something in high school.”

The ONLY piece of advice I suggested was to – get to a book store or library and find a new read ASAP. Whether it be inspirational, self-help or business book, anything that is going to move you out of your comfort zone. Put down the Shopaholic and Twilight series (there is a time and place for those awesome books – but that’s aside from a fabulous motivational book).

I knew that my friend needed to fill up her cup and learn.

There are lots of different theories of “how much” reading will make a difference, the best recipe I’ve heard is 10 pages a day.

That’s IT! My personal coach taught me to read / invest in myself 90 minutes a day. I’m a slow reader – but when I suggest 10 pages – that can be done in no time at all!

Read when you wake up laying in bed, taking a bath, eating breakfast, instead of watching TV, over your lunch break, having coffee, waiting on someone while sitting in your car!? Be creative.

Nightstand

(My current reads – Peaks & Valleys, by Spencer Johnson and Flouish! by Meredith Liepelt. Listening to the The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss in my car!)

We make time for ANYTHING that we want to. Don’t tell me you’re too busy. If you are, then you’re telling me you’re too busy to become a more amazing person!

I don’t always make time to read – so I enjoy alternate personal development. I listen to audio books – attend seminars, workshops, conferences – any opportunity to be in the presence of empowering, positive, uplifting people!

Your workplace, local chamber, societies, or community organizations may even have speakers present. Plug into your network – there are many free and cheap opportunities to personally grow!

Remember – 10 pages a day. Try it for 21 days – 3 weeks! Bet it will become a habit – and you’ll do it at least a couple days a week!

Filed Under: Learning is Living! Tagged With: 10 pages a day, audio books, books, Business, Flourish, Meredith Liepelt, motivational, Peaks and Valleys, personal growth, reading, Rich Life Marketing, self help, speakers, Spencer Johnson

The Experience

November 9, 2009 By Robyn Leave a Comment

A few weeks ago – I was sitting in my office at the Lethbridge College on a Friday morning. A coworker emailed and asked if I was going to the presentation. I replied – “what presentation?’

“Oh the one in…(room)…it’s something motivating” I had NO idea about this opportunity. I looked at my clock, it was in 7 minutes! Since I’m flexible and up for a little break – I concluded I could finish a project later.

I went to the theater with completely no knowledge of who was speaking and what about.  I walked in and on the desks sat a workbook.

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I still hadn’t clued in by the authors name. I looked around and could see the speaker sitting down in the front row, waiting to be introduced.

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Then the speaker was introduced – Dr. Joseph Michelli, PhD, author of the book The Starbucks Experience.

Oh WOW – how cool! I read his book while on vacation last December.

Joseph’s speech was fabulous. HOW he gave his presentation resonated with me even more – as I was only 7 days away from launching my own speaking career! I was a sponge – observing how he interacted with the audience, varied his voice, asked questions, presented himself, etc.

Me&StarbucksMan

I was a real dork – the only one at our presentation – that wanted a photo with Dr. Michelli.

(Side note – Is it just me or do I look really gifted in this photo! he he…good shirt I suppose.)

When you least expect it – opportunities present themselves! It’s about the people and experiences in our life that shape us – not the material things! I didn’t have to attend this presentation, change my plan for the morning, however – I am blessed that I got to learn. When you stop learning, you stop living.

I suggest you keep your eyes and ears open to chances to personally grow. You never know what’s going on in your network or community.

One of my personal success principles, is taking advantage of personal growth opportunities.

Filed Under: Learning is Living! Tagged With: Joseph Michelli, Lethbridge College, motivational, PhD, presentation, speaker, The Starbucks Experience

Be flexible

October 20, 2009 By Robyn 1 Comment

I had the honor to speak to an intimate group of Agriculture divas in Calgary. The retreat was organized by my dear friend Courtney, a Territory Sales Manager for Bayer CropScience.

I spoke to the group in the Milestone’s restaurant for about an hour before they enjoyed lunch. It was a really unique venue to speak. I stood at the end of a long table, in a corner of the restaurant. I loved the challenge to interact with the delegates with eye contact and fluctuation of my voice, while many potential distractions existed around me.

Milestone's

I want to share a lesson I learned with you. Being a successful presenter, isn’t about having the perfect location to speak. It’s about sharing your message and connecting with your audience. People don’t care where they are – if you are dynamic and passionate about what you have to say – people will listen actively!

I am truly blessed for the opportunity to speak to this dynamic group of women – who are driven and focused. All agriculture experts, with unique backgrounds and demographics.

The story of how I booked this speaking engagement – the FIRST booking I ever confirmed – will move you! I’ll share one day soon. I completely stepped out of my comfort zone. You may be laughing and thinking how is that possible – as I always seem to be “comfortable”. However you’re sadly mistaken – I’m human and have many fears!

After my presentation and a wonderful lunch at Milestone’s (as you may recall – I wrote about the napkins at Miletone’s before!) we were taken to the spa – it was truly bliss. I was treated to a Body Wrap at the Eveline Charles at Southcentre Mall.

EvelineCharles

I was lucky to create new relationships with the delegates. Thanks Courtney for your belief and asking me to speak to your valued clients and partners.

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Filed Under: Learning is Living! Tagged With: Bayer CropScience, Calgary, Eveline Charles, Milestones, motivational speaker, Speaking