Fall Season of Change - The Gift of Time
Falling Down on the Job and Picking Myself Back Up--The Rest of the Story!
In celebration of my one-year anniversary of falling down on the job, I couldn't think of a better time to re-visit, re-work and re-organize my life! Thank you Sally, for the inspiration to do so.
After a very long year of arranging physical therapy and physician appointments three days a week, I have just been released from the orthopaedic doctor with no more surgeries necessary! WooHoo! That, in and of itself, is reason to celebrate this fall! Following an intense year of an incredibly crazy business and health (or should I say, "accidental") issues, pulling through would not have been possible without the amazing, positive support from family and friends. This year, I've learned how to type one-handed, dress one-armed put a banana clip in my hair with one hand and delegate!
I've now finally graduated from supervised therapy to independent workouts--a huge time-saver for me since I was spending at least 2-1/2 hours three days each week in commute time and therapy visits. WAIT! What will I do with nearly 8 hours a week that have fallen BACK into my schedule?
Well, I read Sally's post and what occurred to me is this--I have a gift that I've been frantically in search of these past 2-3 years: I have found time! With a wonderfully busy schedule, social media and networking events, my calendar has managed to stay as full as I could possibly manage!
Fall is the perfect time to have this new-found time, giving me the ability to implement some tasks that I've been meaning to do. I will block my schedule accordingly; I've already been blocking those 2.5 hours on Mon/Wed/Fri, why not begin to utilizing those hours by dividing them between family, friends, volunteering, and business?
- Schedule additional time for phoning friends each week.
- Plan an evening a week that is to be spent with my husband (a 'date night')--he deserves it after taking care of me for the last year!
- Be available for more volunteer hours as those are far more rewarding than just about anything you can do.
- Give back to those associates who took over for me and gave so much during a trying time.
Cutting back on social media tasks to utilize only the ones that are working for me, instead of trying to participate in every one and mastering none of them, is a definite must! With the increasing number of 'must-do' ideas for our business, we tend to fall into the mindset that we must do everything and be everything to everyone. We cannot possibly continue at this pace; becoming masters at only a few social media avenues (those that work for us) is the best way to measure the effectiveness of those avenues and fall back into a sane lifestyle.
So, as you can see, this fall is quite an exciting one! A time to make more 'time' for my husband, show my friends who helped me through a challenging year how much I appreciate them and give back to the community and my peers who also gave so much of themselves to me during the last year.
This fall is a season of change - I am committed to using the gift of time that I've been given--on others.
Debe- what a beautiful post and an inspiration to me and many others. Like you the challenges have been huge this year yet I have perservered with the help of family and friends and now is the time to payback all the love and support i have received not only this year but the last few. Thanks for the heartlifting inspiration to do so. You are the best!!
Gordon: Thank you! Yes, it's been a different year but, there's a silver lining in every cloud! I have discovered inner strength that I had never been tested enough to determine if I had it! :-)
Aaron: Thank you! If you didn't read that post, I didn't 'advertise' it! I didn't want anyone to think I was weak or in too much pain to do my job--which I wasn't but, I was afraid clients and peers would 'think' that! It all worked out and I definitely have some major giving back to do. As for the SM thingy--I'd love to chat with you one day to discuss. Jane and I have had this discussion before and I feel like there has just GOT to be a better way--if not, I'm GOING to find it!!
Sis: Isn't that called retirement?! I don't have THAT much time! LOL And, YES, I'm FREE and LOVING it!
Carla: Thanks!
Gordon: Yes, those sunken rooms are definitely a liability. And, I'm wondering if you're saying I'm OLD?!! LOL Seriously, I'm a klutz anyway but, there was absolutely NO warning! Most of the time, there's furniture in a sunken room that gives you the perspective that the room is lower. This one--NO warning! My clients definitely decided against it!
Pat: LOL If you ever need to know how--here you go! Twist your hair with your good hand while holding your clip with your 'bad' one. Then press the top of your head where the 'twist' is, against the wall. Grab the clip with the good hand and apply! VOILA! I made friends with the walls during the recovery process! I had to hold the bottom of blouses with the wall, then button; use the wall to stretch my arm... Lots of tricks you can do with walls!! HA!
Margaret: Thanks! I'm FREE! WooHoo! I do have about 75% of my range back and plan to improve during the next year doing my 'own thing!' I'm 'almost' back to normal now--life is GOOD!
Marilyn: Thank you so much! Banana clip application is above in my response to Pat! And, yes, I'm blogging FAR more with two hands now! LOVE it!
Stapleton: Ahh, that's so nice! Thank you so much!
Faye: Thanks--I'm pretty thrilled too!
Erica: I like that too! I planned to make a couple of calls today to reach out to a couple who may be struggling a bit but, put it on my calendar for tomorrow--today, it was volunteering! LOVED it too!
Martha: Thank you so much! I am certain that you'll enjoy the gift-giving of gratitude to pay back your friends also. Funny but, this entire year, I've tried to think of ideas to really make those who gave so much to me just feel fabulous, especially during the toughest of times. I have come up with some great ideas and will have a great time implementing the plans! I'm truly blessed and I don't want to take that for granted.
Excellent post Debe, glad to hear you are recovering and are now independent!! All the best!
Hi Debe, I felt moved by your story and your account of the way this Fall season will be a motivator as well as a new inspiration to take custody again with out the encumbrance of the health issues you have had to deal with and re-allocate to new priorities. All the best as your year begins its transformation.
Hey Roomie! Glad you got released to spend that time elsewhere! I know you'll spend it wisely. Happy Fall to you!
Debe- Inspiring...and beautiful......that's all..... (I am working on why say 10 words when 2 will do :)
Debe - what a delightful and inspirational post on your personal situation, but thought-provoking for those who have other issues interfering with their alloted time to get things done, both personal and business. So glad to hear you are on the mend.
And CONGRATULATIONS on winning the contest. You had some stiff competition. Great job.
Jeff
Al & Peggy: Thank you! I'm loving my new found freedom!
William: Thank you so much! I loved the challenge set forth by Sally as I truly needed to write these goals down--in order to ascertain they are achieved!! Yes, it will be much easier to accomplish without the encumbrances involved in treatments/therapy three times a week! I appreciate you being a judge in the contest--I know it wasn't an easy task!
Hey Roomie! Yes, I'm a free woman now! Don't quite know how to act--my car seems to want to head to the therapist's office every M-W-F still! I hope you're having a great beginning to Fall as well!
Kathy: I saw your comment come across my email the other day and loved it! I had no idea you were a judge and I want to thank you for your work doing that job--it's a tough job and you had some amazing entries to select from. Needless to say, I learned so many ideas from the other entries--they're ALL winners!
Jeff: Well, thank you so much! I AM on the mend and am loving life now--not having to be at the therapist's office three days a week feels like the summertime for school children! Thanks again and you're right, there were some awesome posts in this contest! I learned something from each one of them.
Congratulations FIRST Place Winner in the Season of Change contest! It is well deserved! :O)
Debe - I can just hear your contagious enthusiasm in your post. How wonderful to "gain" so many hours. Enjoy the time.
Debe, What a great perspective on a very challenging time. Congratulations on a great post and a First Place!
Debe Congratulations on the win - there was no doubt in my mind you would. That is a dynamic post - well done
Awesome post. Real Estate can be all consuming and how we manage our time is one of the hardest parts to master. It sound like you know how to plan and manage your time well. Taking one or two social medial tools and using them well is a fantastic plan. I have yet to find an interest in twitter, but can't get enough of facebook. Maybe it's time that I just work on mastering facebook and stop worrying about twitter. We'll see.
Hi Debe~ Now I feel embarrassed that I didn't realize just how much you were going through. I feel so bad. How in the world could I have missed all of this going on in your life? I guess I should be paying more attention! You are so inspiring with the best attitude ever!
Debe, Congratulations being the winner of the Fall post. You are a great writer and so personable through your post at the same time!
Deb, Congratulations on you win and making it thru the past year. Great post, you covered everything, pics, movies and you have a "plan"!
Thank you everyone for the congrats and the kind words! My efforts to focus on those tasks mentioned in the post led me to working at a volunteer event for a full day right after this post was featured and I didn't get back to say THANK YOU so much! I am committed to achieving this goal!
Have a wonderful week everyone...
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