The Definition of Insanity

Written by guest blogger
Stephanie Baker

Insanity: Doing the same thing and expecting a different result.

I remember hearing this quote in church during a sermon. I was insane, because I kept doing the same thing over and over again and expected different results. Another quote I remember is the following: If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten.

This upcoming month, I decided to make some significant changes. For example, I’m going to start the Eat Clean lifestyle. Now, I am not saying is an easy lifestyle, because it’s not, especially when you have those cravings. So, what I decided was to give into those cravings but in moderation. If I want a piece of chocolate, I will eat a small piece of chocolate. Now, those salty cravings, I will have to get a little more creative. However, I know I cannot eat potato chips because that will be a disaster to the results I want to achieve this month. A question I have to keep in my mind: How bad do I want it? I must admit that I want it pretty badly. I want a nice, toned body. Sometimes sacrifices are necessary to get what we want. Don’t you agree?

Also, during this month, I want to continue to build muscle. However, I have not been committed to the schedule I created. This time around, I’ve asked for help to keep me totally accountable to get my butt into the gym to start a heavy/light alternating strength training program. This entails lifting heavy weights for the upper body one day, then lifting lighter weights for the lower body one day. Then switching it up: lighter weights for the upper body, then heavier weights for the lower body. I was told that since I was a runner, that I will not build muscle. This was all I needed for the motivation to prove that person wrong.

Change is an inevitable thing. I choose to embrace it. I choose to make the changes necessary to get those desired results. I know that if I want those results, I need to change some things in my lifestyle. I do not want to be insane anymore.

This pertains to anything in life, not just living a healthier lifestyle. Remembering the aspect of insanity can pertain to choosing a new career, starting a business, writing a book for the first time, etc. What changes do you need to make to achieve what you want? Are you willing to go network in order to build new connections to help you get your business plan off of that piece of paper? Are you willing to turn that television off in order to write your outline for your book? Are you willing to get off of that couch and go for a 15-minute walk? Stop the INSANITY! What’s not working for you? What do you keep doing, but expecting different results? Someone said: Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything. Do not let this be you! Don’t be afraid of change! Embrace it because there are different, achievable results that are awaiting you! You might as well go for it, even if it means changing the game plan a bit. 

Are you doing too much?

Written by guest blogger

Tricia Lynn Logan

I am stuck in a lot of ways today.  I have a post that is due Thursday. It is funny when you are the owner of 5 active blogs, I should be brewing content out like a coffeemaker, but I am not.  I should be proud of this achievement, but I am not in a way.   The question I have to ask myself often is, am I spread myself too thin?  In fact, everyone who thinks they have too much on their plate, should be asking this question as well.  

Here is why I am making this statement.

It has been said that we are a generation of people who multitask.  On second thought, a society, because personally I am in between a baby boomer and a Gen X.  The lines are blurred when you are born in 1964 (July), and you have one group that says you are a baby boomer, but yet, you are a Generation X.  Anyway, the trend of multitasking is not going away soon, and it is growing by leaps and bounds.  But, what happens when you have too many things to do?  There are many ways to find out, and I will put two questions to the test…

Take me for example, in addition to writing blogs and other content work, I was until two weeks ago, a rep for two different direct selling companies, and owning a custom scrapbook and greeting card company.  I decided to drop one of the companies for lack of sales and promotion on my part. I am also into affiliate marketing, which is a challenge in itself.  I wonder if having all of this to do in my businesses, while not holding an outside job to help with finances, is helping or hurting.  There needs to be some organization on my part, if I am going to continue to make this work.

So, if you are in business, take a look at it, as well as other things in your life.  First thing you ask, “Is this the right fit for me and what I am trying to in my life to help me and other people in my life?”  The answer should be yes, and you answer should be clear and on how it is helping in your life.  If not, then why are you in business in the first place?  Money should not be the sole purpose for being in the business you are currently in, only part.  There is nothing with being in it for money, but for me, it tends to get stale after a while.  It not hold depth, and you will always find that you want more out of the business.  When I became a rep in the current company, I went into it thinking that I was going to make tons of money.  Here is a fact finding tool that was spoken to me by the owner of the company.  She said one year at the consultant’s convention not to expect to make tons of money in this business, and I did not understand at it at first.  I finally got it 3 years ago.  She also said to put family and God first.  I also make scrapbooks, greeting cards, which I want to help someone make memories and to cheer, celebrate, and encourage people.  Writing does the same thing. It is all about investing in me, my family, and sharing the skills I have to give for the betterment of this country and the world.

If you have decide to let go of something, first decide how this will affect your life, such as your income or the people who it helped along the way.  Coming back to me letting go of the one direct selling company, which I joined in October 2013, I looked at how much more commission I was bringing in verses not bringing in.   I also looked at how having the business in the first place affected me.  For that, I had to go back to 2006, when I was with a similar company.   By the way, deciding to add something to your life needs to have the same consideration as deciding to take away something.

Once you have decided, please research your decision.  Research everything.  In my case, it had to do with what my current company’s policy was on adding a new direct selling company.  As long it was a sister company (there are 6 of them), it would not affect my status, but had I joined a company that was not in the family, I would not be able to make the current company’s management status.  I can make management status with my scrapbook company and my freelance writing, because they are not direct selling companies. 

Next, tell someone what you plan on doing, as it could affect how things run in their world.  If you have family, they are part of research as well.  See how well your spouse/partner and children react to the idea.  Have a family meeting on the subject, and bring your findings to the table.  If they are on board with it, it is a good fit, but if they have questions, provide the answers or say I do not know. Let give it a trial period.

Even though I do not have anyone to discuss all of my decisions with, I still gave it a trial period.  The company did not work.  I do have some personal (not business-related) projects I did discuss with my parents. They will be my next goals in the next 100 session, and I will mention them at that time.  I am preparing for them as we speak, and I am taking them through this same process.

To recap, you need to re-think about how much you are doing in your life.   There are a couple of questions you need to ask yourself in order to make things work.   Once you decide to add or subtract things from your life, you need to research everything about the task, and have a discussion with family members, if applicable.  Everything needs to be a good fit in your life, your family’s life and your spiritual life.  It is called balance.  Not everything will go smooth, but it be much, much easier to reach your goals and achieve your dreams. 

Doing Me While Doing for Her: The Guilt of a Single Parent Businesswoman.

Written by Guest Blogger 
Joi Donaldson/ Joi Unspeakable

"Why?"

Her eyes sent nails through my chest. I'm leaving home again, after being out nearly all day, to go to a networking event when my 5 year old daughter follows me to my room asking that question.

"Why do you have to go out again?"

My heart sinks deeper. It's a strange mix of guilt and indignation. That strong sense of "that's mommy's business" weighs heavy on me. Still, I want her to know why. I want her to know and understand why I do what I do. Why I own one business and am partner in two. Why I never want her to rest on a 9 to 5 existence. That it truly isn't just for me, but in some ways, it is. It hurts. I remember that feeling. I remember being that little girl asking her mom the same questions.

My mother was an entrepreneur, owning two businesses while also working a day job and caring for me. Unfortunately, my mother struggled with her own demons. Demons that often took her away from me both physically and mentally. She would go to business meetings in lavish family-owned restaurants, indulging in her favorite drinks with me in tow. I used to watch her, wanting to be that content, not realizing the hurt hidden beneath the successful surface. And now, as a divorced single mom, I struggle with not reliving those painful moments with my child.

My daughter is smart. Sometimes to her own detriment. Punishments are strategically doled out to a kid who has mastered the meltdown. She has discovered the easy ways out; a trait she could use to cure the world if done correctly and fairly. "Work smarter, not harder" I stress to her. I tell her to accept sacrifice. And, in the midst of blazing trails, I will sacrifice anything to have you safely by my side.

Mommy is a writer and author.

Photographer.

Videographer.

Creative consultant.

I want you to see all these colors painted out without it making you hate me in the process.

So how do I rectify this? How do I explain to you, my child, my comings and goings without sounding like a complete jerk?

Honesty.

This is the only way I know how to explain my current aspirations. Honestly, I want the world. I want everything God has for me. Every last morsel. And in wanting these things, I may not always be home. That doesn't mean I don't love you. That I don't care about your feelings. I do massively. Yet I know that to be the best for you, I must be the best for me. I promise to make your life worth it; to answer your questions and give you truth-even when it's hard to hear in the chaos of my explanations.

In a nutshell: mommy has businesses. I have businesses for myself and for you. I want you to see that and hopefully one day want your own. I have a lot to live up to due to my background and I want you to strive for even greater than my endeavors. Don't leave yourself behind, always remember where you come from, but also remain open to answer the "whys".

Joi speaks to a very good point. It's about having balance. Business and Balance is it really possible? Join us on 7/17/14 at 9p EST for a Twitter chat we are discussing Business and Balance. #dreamchaserschat