Authenticity

I remember the first time I really thought about or became familiar with the truth of "being authentic".  It was in a college class at Evergreen State College when I was finishing up by BA degree.  I had to do some reflective writing and think about my authentic self.  As we grow, marry, have children, get a job, work hard, we often forget how to be authentic because we are trying to move up the ladder, don't want to make anyone angry, and in spite of might be the best for you...the decisions are made with less authenticity than the should be.

Recently, I have had to make some difficult decisions.  Reflecting, being clear with the facts, and knowing my value system brought me the the authentic and correct decision however difficult it has been.  I can rest knowing that things will work out and that the best is ahead.

It is difficult to be authentic sometimes.  We want people around us happy, we want peace in our lives, we want everything to move smoothly...What I have learned in being authentic is that is exactly what happens in the process of being true to yourself.

Next time you waiver on what is right for you and authentically coming from your heart, make the decision and let your heart be filled with peace.

Rest

Leadership, especially as a woman, takes much from us.  As woman, we have many other responsibilities to attend to in the course of a day or a week.  So...when we have time to rest, we usually don't and when we should rest, we don't.  Why do we do that to ourselves?  Though some have mastered "rest", I believe women in leadership need to learn to think differently about rest.    I believe all women in some way or another are in leadership.  The list of responsibilities might be different, but most are active in leadership one way or another.  I have been taking note of some things while I have been on vacation and thought that sharing my process might help you all to think differently.    I will admit that having three weeks is a luxury many do not get to enjoy...but any time to rest becomes important and the process is still the same, perhaps just shortened.  So...enjoy and remember that you are important to the world, women.  Learn how to rest and if you need to learn how like I have, I hope that my notes will inspire you to learn how to take restful time for yourself!


I have spent the last three weeks on Maui. I decided to keep track of "how" I was resting so that I might be able to get the most out of the days away from work.  Seems I get a bit better each vacation, but this time, I noticed some things important to the "resting" process.   The first four days of my time here was great however, work consumed me. I had some last minute things occur which threw me off and generally in my preparation to "leave", I am getting myself ready mentally as well.  Some events created thoughts, need for change, and some action two days prior to my leaving.  I left home with all of those details in my head, questions unanswered, and it filled my head.  I knew that in order for me to fully rest, I had to  "let go".  To do that, I had to tie up some details that were pending and I had to begin the process of reducing the details so that I was not dwelling on them.  I made a couple of calls, delegated, and made the decision to wait until vacation was over do handle the rest.  I knew I would be better equipped to handle things after I was rested.


After the first few days...I felt myself give way to the fresh air, the blue sky and of course for me the sunshine!  We have had such a long winter and so many grey skies in Washington, I was ready to feel the sun on my face.  As I rested in the sun and tried to dose off, I felt myself leaning toward the "work" again...those details that make my business successful...the details that keep my mind occupied!  It was time to work on the letting go again...so I began to read.  I read a couple of books that were romance novels, and I read a book about changing habits.  I read a book about Oprah and decided that I really have a lot of the same leadership qualities, which made me feel good about myself, and I read many magazines about nothing...By the sixth day, I began to enjoy.  I felt myself resting! 

As I have enjoyed these days on Maui, I have determined it is about balance.  Balancing time and energy with health and well being. Balancing time and making the most of each day.  I have enjoyed quiet mornings, walks on the beach, time with my husband, time with my daughter and grandchildren.  Some of the favorite time I have had, has been time with myself.  Although I love my family, time spent with myself allows me time to listen to my heart and to hear God speak to me.  It allows me to focus on the most important things, and leaves me feeling refreshed along with a new perspective  I have a very creative mind.  Although I feel blessed with my creativity, on the flip side my mind rarely shuts down.  Ideas are rolling all the time!  A new vision for future ideas, a different or better was of doing business, a project, a change that will increase productivity.  It is constant.  This kind of creativity takes energy so for me quiet time is critical for me to stay balanced.  I know I am a workaholic, but I also know and am aware of this and am diligent to watch for the tendencies to arise.  I have learned resting is IMPORTANT!


Remember to take time to rest.  Whether you are on vacation...or daily at home, the need for your body to rejuvenate is critical to your health and your success.  I have come to value it, need it more and more, and wish I had really "rested" more when I was younger.  It is never too late to change habits, to make yourself a priority, and to give yourself what you need.

Are you resting your body?  Are you giving yourself what you need?  I do admit that on Maui is is easier than at home, and I have enjoyed a good long rest.  I need it!  I give away much of myself throughout the year, and if I did not give myself this time, I would not be as effective.

Give yourself a break today.  I appreciate your work as women, your attention to detail, your love for your families and your work, whatever it is.  Give yourself a break this weekend, and take time for YOU.

Aloha
Lynnette

Turning "58"

Today I celebrated my 58th birthday.  I feel so young, I have work that keeps me satisfied, I am married to my best friend, have a precious family and so many great friends.  I have so much to be thankful for.  I am grateful for my life and yet...this year, I reflected on my precious mother who at 58 died of cancer.   I was 39...the year she died and had for six years watched her live with the disease with faith and optimism. When I was 39, I didn't know what it felt like to be 58.  When I was 39, I lost a mother too young!

I began my day with my sacred prayer time.   During that time I thanked God for my beautiful mother.  I reflected on all the years I have lived without her in my life...and what that has meant to all of those family she left behind.  I felt grateful for how she shaped me to be the woman I am today.

I will forever miss my mother...today I missed her differently.  Mothers like mine are far and few between.  I am grateful today for her life, for my life, and for days like this that allow me to remember her and what she will always mean to me.

Happy Birthday to me...I still feel like I am twenty three!

The Payoff

This has been a day to celebrate.  One year ago...a new building to grow a private school was a thought, a dream, and a possibility.  My husband and I have had our eye on what is known in our community as " The Lodge", located on the same property as our preschool in Tumwater, WA.  We drove by the building for years and always thought it would be such a great addition to our business.  We never gave up on the idea or the dream.  Then last year, we saw that it was available for sale.  Could it be the opportunity we had been waiting for?  We decided to put earnest money on it, and began due diligence in finding out if it was a possibility.  I credit Dan for all of the hard work in this part of the journey!

Perseverance has been the name of the game in my life and the purchase of this building was no different than any other "big" thing that we have done in our life together.  We have never been afraid of a calculated risk, and because we believe in what we do, this seemed fitting!  As a leader, I learned alot!  First, if you can dream it, if you believe in it, if you want it, then do something about it!  Doing nothing  won't get you anywhere.  The acquisition of this property has allowed us to grow in numbers and expand our programming.  We can now offer more options to the children of our community and give parents another choice.  In today's world, choices are important to meet every need.  From July 15 until the day we opened on September 6th, deadlines were met, and amazingly everything happened "just" in time to meet those deadlines. The key here...it happened!

In addition to the re-model of the building, there were property line issues so we had to lease the property from the bank prior to the actual loan going through.  We thought that the loan would take a month or two at the most.  You can guess due to today's date...that the challenge included the long wait.  There were many things out of our control which had to take place prior to loan to actually take place. There have been rough moments, however Dan and I learned how to run our business with no cash reserves, get help when it was needed and we practiced  patience! As Dan and I went through each step, we kept reminding ourselves that the payoff would come!

Today was the PAYOFF.    The papers were filed, the money was paid, and we are officially the proud owners of another piece of commercial property.  I find it satisfying that through it all,  perseverance,  learning how to be patient, the giving up control made us stronger as a couple, and certainly as a business.

As I have reflected I have come to realize several things.  Success comes to those who wait.  Success come from working hard, believing it will happen, and persevering even when it is tough.  Today we were successful. Today we got the payoff.

We are grateful and we are proud!

Perseverance

per·se·ver·ance

noun \ˌpər-sə-ˈvir-ən(t)s\

Definition of PERSEVERANCE

: continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition : the action or condition or an instance of persevering : steadfastness 

The lesson I have learned the most over my years of leadership has been that of perseverance.  In my office is a small wooden sign that says "Never Never Never give up"!    Note in the definition that perseverance is to do or achieve something despite the difficulties, failure, or opposition.   I have worked through many difficult times with the simple belief  that good is on the other side.  The key is the action of doing something even if it seems futile.  Moving toward the goal is the thing to note.   You cannot persevere if you stop or give up.   One of the most difficult things for me to work through is discouragement.  I blame myself for the failure or I blame myself for the mistake.  I have learned that to move out of discouragement means that I have to shift my focus and move to being encouraged about something else.  At times, I have even looked at the discouragement, and found a way to be encouraged that I won't make that same mistake again.  I then am encouraged which propels me forward again.   A simple shift from  negative thinking to positive thoughts will  change your day and it can ultimately change your destiny.  I have survived as a woman in business for the past twenty five years by making those shifts sometimes in the toughest days, sometimes an hour at a time.

I admit my shifts have come with mistakes, but failing is movement and each time I have failed I have found how to be better and do things better.  Failure is a "good" thing because it means I moved.  Failing is part of that journey and I have stories to share about my failures.  I can look back and remember the small movement forward and that is a good thing.

Success does not come overnight by any stretch.  Success comes from those who believe in getting to the goal at hand, in continuing to make new goals, and seeking to understand how to move forward.  There is no magic formula, there is the belief that it is possible.  There is the knowing that when the going gets tough, the tough get tougher.

I know we all go through times when we are wondering why we should continue? Is what you do worth it? I believe that  IF you are committed to your path and you KNOW  that you are where you should be doing what you think is the right thing for yourself, then persevering will bring you closer to your ultimate success.

January is a great time to stop and re-assess.  I always begin this process by looking at my goals from the year before and first celebrating what I have accomplished.  The first thing I do after I celebrate those goals accomplished is to analyze goals that were not accomplished.  I start by putting them on a separate piece of paper and then re-evaluate if they are a worthy goal.  If they are, then I begin my new goals for the year with those.  Having a goal means you are moving to attain that goal.  Again, movement is the key word here.   Once I establish my new goals, I type them out on a piece of paper and put them where I can read them daily.  This helps to insure that I stay on track to achieve them.   

Another tip I have found important in my life is to stay motivated.  As a leader of others, I find that it is up to me to do that.  Part of my leadership responsibilities include keeping many others motivated, so if I am not, how can I help others?   Staying motivated helps me to persevere.   There are times where I have to take some time just for me.  I recently took five days and went to Seattle.  I got a hotel, and I enjoyed the city.  I left all of my work behind and just allowed myself time to rest, to read, and to let go of all the clutter in my mind.    It was good for me and it re-energized me.  Do that for yourself and be the better for it.

I challenge you to persevere.  I challenge you to self motivate.  I challenge you to "do" something which propels you forward.  Remember in your quest for success, never, never, never give up.  Hoping you have a wonderful day full of movement forward in your quest for success!

Being a woman in leadership: Luke 1:37

Being a woman in leadership: Luke 1:37: This morning I was up unusually early. Whenever this happens, I know that God wants me to have extra special time with Him. So...I got up ...

Luke 1:37

This morning I was up unusually early.  Whenever this happens, I know that God wants me to have extra special time with Him.  So...I got up and being Christmas Eve, I decided to re-read the story of Jesus birth.  I have read this story since I could read, and yet today this verse in Luke jumped off of the page.  "For nothing is impossible with God".  The reference of course was Mary's fear at being a virgin with child.  Can you imagine her fears and doubts? 

For many loved ones I know, including myself,  2011 has been a difficult year.  In our family alone we have experienced more than enough.  We have experienced tragic death, cancer, suicide attempts, and unemployment.  We have had to cope with emotions that we never dreamed of.  Today, I thought about the verse in Luke...NOTHING is impossible with God and I gave immediate thanks for the hope that God can bring. 

As humans we can become easily discouraged, feel hopeless, and become disgruntled about life and what it brings.  We forget to be thankful for what we have and we forget any good that may have come our way.  The negative part of life just takes over.  We find ourselves in a funk.  When this happens, it is difficult to pull out.  Negativity has great power over the good in life.  However, taking time to remember just this one verse can change our attitude in the seconds it takes to read it.  We can bring light into darkness, we can be encouraged rather than discouraged.  If nothing is impossible for God, then we can bring our fears, our doubts, and our frustrations to God and HE can handle them for us.  I for one could not handle life without this truth.

How many times have I read the story of Jesus birth?  Why today did these words jump off the page?  Perhaps I need to be reminded that the hope we have in God is ever present.  I am so very grateful.  This morning I am thanking God for the good and the bad.  I am giving over to Him those things that are impossible for me.  I am making a choice to be free so that I can live in joy. 

As a woman in leadership, I am making a choice.  We all have that opportunity.   Has life been hard?  Has work been difficult?  Is life throwing you curve balls?  What choice will you make?

I choose to be grateful.  I choose to live with joy in my life.  I choose to remember in every situation that Nothing is impossible with God.  May your Christmas be blessed, may your families know His love and may your day be full of joy!