This week I was talking with a friend about Pickleball (what else?!) and she said she would like to try it, but she thought she was just too old to learn how. (She’s 62.)

Several weeks ago, I was talking with another friend about her career ambitions. She said there were several promotion opportunities at her company, but she was afraid to apply because she thought she was probably just too old. (She’s mid-50s.)

What do you think?

Do you think that we can be “too old” to chase our dreams?

Do you think there is some magic time in our life where it’s just too late?

I must admit I’m a bit biased on this subject (as you might imagine!)

I changed careers when I was almost 40, and again when I was almost 60…and who knows what’s next…life (Lord willing) is long!

Additionally, my Dad is 84 and still speaking as a destination speaker (which he started doing in his 70’s) for top cruise lines. (This summer I get to go with him as his “plus one” as we explore the Mediterranean on the Celebrity Apex!)

He says his only concern is that “They will find out how old I am and not book me anymore!” Haha. I’m sure they know how old he is, and they also know he is one of their most highly-rated presenters.

So to my way of thinking, it’s not really about your age.

Age truly is just between your ears.

It’s about your desire.

If you desire to learn how to play Pickleball (and who wouldn’t?) go for it! Don’t overdo it, but why not try it?

If you want to do something different with your work, why not go for it? Legally, companies are obligated to consider you for the position no matter your age…

Trying new things no matter your age is a sure way to stay young at heart anyway.

The worst that could happen (usually) is just a “rejection”* or you will discover you don’t really like it after all.

Honestly, as we get older, I think it’s more important than ever to ignore the fear and do whatever you want to do anyway.

God has given you the gifts, talents and desires you have in your heart and it’s your joy to use them and explore them.

And the world will be better for it.

Love you and cheering you on!

Christy

P.S. What would you love to do? What’s holding you back? I’d love to cheer you on if you’ll leave me a reply and let me know! xoxoxo

P.P.S. *A great way to think about “rejection” is this…“Rejection is God’s protection.”

The post Are You Too Old? appeared first on Christy Largent.

Wow! What a lot of “things” are going on in this world right now. If you watch the news at all, it’s not good news for anyone.

Often, when I’m surrounded by negativity, I lament, then I think, “But what can I do?”

And it hit me, that the best thing we can do when everything seems so dark, is to be a light right where you are.

Jesus was giving the Sermon on the Mount and telling people how to live, and following that, he said this:

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)

What does that mean? “Let your light shine before others...”

Maybe it means something like this:

— Taking flowers to your Jewish neighbor and telling her you are praying for Israel

— Responding with encouragement rather than an eye roll when your pickleball partner hits a shot out…again!

— Asking your teenager for forgiveness after snapping at him on the way to school *Ask me how I know about this!

— Making dinner for the millionth time, even though you don’t want to

— Running errands for your friend undergoing chemotherapy

— Getting together with other friends to pray for our families and this crazy world

— Taking time to have a nice conversation with the check-out clerk at Trader Joes

— Going the speed limit and letting that person merge into your lane right in front of you

You see, these aren’t big things. In fact, some of them are pretty small. But to me, when we live like this, we are being a light right where we are.

We aren’t waiting for some grand gesture.

We aren’t headed to our local campus to get in a kerfuffle with the protestors. (Although some of you may feel called to participate.)

But we are, in the nitty-gritty of life, loving our neighbor well.

And I think that’s being a light.

And that light brings hope to a dark and pain-filled world.

I hope this sparked something positive in you. And that you will be encouraged to let your light shine, no matter where you are.

Love you and cheering you on,

Christy

P.S. If you’re looking for a fun Mother’s Day gift, why not give your favorite pickleball-loving mom, my ​Pickleball Devotional​ or ​World of Pickleball​ Word Search? You can click ​here​ and ​here​ to find out more. xoxoxo

The post What You CAN Do appeared first on Christy Largent.

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Gratitude. The foundation for a Positive Life, and the foundation of our Positivity Principles. Gratitude. Easy to think about, but sometimes difficult to live.

In this podcast, Christy gives 3 simple ways to incorporate more gratitude into your life.

Key Idea:

• Gratitude is simple, but takes practice to become a habit.

Resources:

• Christy’s Website

Free Download:

• “31 Ways to be More Positive”. Text “31Positive” to 44222

Book:

• Atomic Habits by James Clear

Speaking Inquiries:

• Do you need an entertaining and encouraging speaker for your event? Text 530-949-3646 and leave a call back number or email christy@christylargent.com

Enter to Win:

• Rate & Review this episode for a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card.

The post 5 Minute Motivation – Gratitude appeared first on Christy Largent.

Key Ideas:

You get to create the environment you want to create. Positivity can be learned with work and effort.

Resources: 

• Christy’s website

Books:

• 31 Positive Communication Skills for Women, Christy Largent

Mindset:

• The New Psychology of Success, Carol Dweck, Ph.D.

Free Download:

• “31 Ways to be More Positive”. Text 31Positive to 44222

Speaking Inquiries:

• Do you need an entertaining and encouraging speaker for your event? Text 530-949-3646 and leave a call back number or email christy@christylargent.com

Enter to Win:

• Rate & Review this episode for a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card.

The post 048 Welcome Back Podcast appeared first on Christy Largent.

Family, friends, food and faith.

Today as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, I hope you will be spending time with your favorite family and friends.  I hope your tummy will be full of the yummiest food of the season.

But most of all, I pray you will find faith in the perfect God-man, Jesus Christ.  And that in the midst of your gift giving, laughter and fun, that your heart will be drawn to the only one born to bring lasting and eternal peace.

Peace between our frail, flawed humanity and a perfect God. Peace made possible by the baby born in the stable. Peace paid for by His perfect life given as a sacrifice. For you. For me. Peace.

Merry Christmas!

The post Merry Christmas! appeared first on Christy Largent.

Several weeks ago I created my first ever community survey. I wanted to know more about you so that I can make sure what I’m creating is meeting your most important needs.

You responded and I got some surprising results.  Here they are – along with why the information matters and what I’m going to do differently.

Results

• You are a dominantly female audience (97%),  and in your middle years, 45-64 years old (72%).  I knew this intuitively, but it was fun to see the numbers. (You look like me!)

• You value education and have either a Bachelor or Graduate degree (66%) or at least some college 25%. Clearly, you are a lifelong learner.
• Your total household income is more than $75,000 (65%), and  you can be found in a huge variety of job positions, so much so, there’s no 1 thing that jumps out. I love that you bring an incredibly diverse scope of background and skills.

• Social Media Use was my biggest surprise.
  • Facebook was #1 (93% ranked it #1)
  • YouTube (79% ranked #2 or #3) virtually tied with
  • Pinterest (75% ranked #2 or #3).

• You don’t listen to my podcast. (72%) (Many of you said you wanted to listen, but were too busy to fit them in.)
• You want to learn from me…
  •  #1 Communication Skills and
  • #2 Self Development strategies.

• Your Biggest Challenges…
  • Finding time to do what needs to get done (61%) and
  • Desire to improve professional growth (45%), then
  • Life/Work balance (35%).

Your dreams…travel, being fit, creating a business and spending time with your family all rose to the top. We women really do want to do it all!

My top 5 Action Items based on the survey…

1. January 5th I’ll be offering a free webinar to help you dig deep to Discover your Calling and Develop your Plan for the new year.  More info. on that will be coming shortly. (It will have a wonderful name I’m sure, I just haven’t come up with it yet…title ideas welcomed.)

2.  I’ll continue finding excellent outside resources to recommend. The first is available now, 5 Days to Your Best Year Ever, by Michael Hyatt, and then in January there’s a free Peak Performance Summit you can register for here now. More on both of these as we go.

3. I’ll be creating YouTube tutorials focused on communication skills and strategies to help you communicate most effectively (get what you want!)

4. My podcast is going to reformatted into a short 5-10 minute production that you can fit into your busy schedules.

5. Finally, I’m going to send the survey at a different time of year. (Feb or March will be good.)  Late fall is such a busy time of year, I know many of you wanted to take the survey, but just couldn’t squeeze it in. So, next time I’ll find a less “intense” time of year to send so I can get even more feedback.

Thank you so much! I just love connecting with you and I’m excited about the year to come. What are you excited about this for this coming year? I’d love to hear what’s top of your mind! You can comment here or better yet…(see, I’m learning…) “like,” then post on my Facebook Page here.   Love ya!

Christy

The post Community Survey 2015 Results appeared first on Christy Largent.

I’m so excited I have so much on my plate.  I mean, I’m really thankful for the work and the opportunities ahead in this last quarter of the year.

But, And, it’s so easy to spin ’round and ’round trying to figure out what’s next.

I know you super organized, focused and driven people don’t even get what I’m saying.  So just skip this post and go get yourself a nice Pumpkin Spice Latte.  But for the rest of us, here’s what helped me today.

As I thought about how to focus in, I combined a strategy I just learned from my friend and fellow professional speaker, Pegine, with one of my favorite action steps taken from Gary Keller’s awesome book, The One Thing, and came up with 3 quick steps to help get me back on track.

1.  Ask Yourself…“What is the one thing I can work on for a concentrated amount of time today that will really move my business forward?”  (Gary Keller’s idea.) This is such a great question because it really helps center your thinking on things that matter.  There is so much busywork that can jump up and grab our time – but when you ask this question, the busywork fades and the best emerges.
2. List the top 3-4 things that come to mind.  I’m sure you have a lot of GOOD things you could do today.  But without a doubt, there are most likely 3-4 things that could be classified as GREAT.  Put a big circle around the one that stands out above the rest. Create a sentence of intention around this one thing.
3. Write it down 10 times.  Yup.  Just like back when you got in trouble (I mean, some other kid got in trouble) and had to write something 100 times.  (Pegine’s idea.)  Just 10 times. It’s amazing how powerful it is to set your intention and then write that intention down multiple times.  I’ve found as I write, I usually fine tune the goal/intention as well.

I’m off to Periscope on this very topic, so if you haven’t tried Periscope yet, be sure to hop over to my Periscope page today, or click over to Katch to see a replay of all my Scopes. (Including Graham’s piano concert last night!)  Once I figure out the technical, I’ll get the scopes posted here on my website as well.  It’s baby steps, right?

Did this exercise help you?  What was your 1-thing today? Give me a quick tweet or you can comment below and let me know! I’d love to cheer you on!

Love ya,

Christy

The post 3 Tips to Go From Overwhelmed to Intention appeared first on Christy Largent.

How did all that happen in just a few hours?  It was a virtual meeting of my Mastermind group.  We 5 women gathered together around our computers.  We’re from 4 different states, yet all united with a specific focus to help each other.  And because we all were focused on helping each other, we obviously were given help ourselves.

Have you ever wanted to be in a Mastermind?  What is a Mastermind?  Basically, it’s a small group of people who commit to helping do all the things I mentioned above.  You usually commit to a specific focus, agree on a specific time frame and then meet together.  Sometimes one person starts it, and charges the others to be a part.  Sometimes the only fee is participation and your time.

I’ve been in 2 other masterminds, and each brought it’s own positives and negatives.  1 was super helpful, the other, not so much.  Typical, right?

I guess the overarching thing is that it’s a tool you can use for growth.  I love taking every opportunity for growth, don’t you?

That’s why I’m so excited to share with you a FREE event happening this week, “Masterminded” by my mentor and friend, Michael Hyatt.  You’ve heard me talk about him so many times over the past few years, and the key thing about him is he ALWAYS over-delivers.

I’m sure this FREE event will be no exception.  The Influence and Impact Summit is going to be a stellar coming together of some of the best and brightest influencers of our day.

People like Dave Ramsey, John Maxwell, Lysa TerKeurst, Jen Hatmaker, Andy Andrews, Glennon Doyle Melton, Jon Acuff, Bob Goff and many more will be gathered together between October 6-13, 2015.  You can watch or listen on your own time as Michael will email you a link to access 3 presentations at a time.  It’s all virtual, so super easy to squeeze in.

You can have access to this for FREE!  Did I mention it was for FREE?  So exciting!  You just need to register here at the Influence and Impact Summit page to get in on the summit.

I’m not an affiliate or anything, I just love all things Michael Hyatt.  And I love the magic that can happen when you are around people intent on giving their best.  Just like in my Mastermind this morning, I know you will find the speakers (and too many to name here, seriously!) will hit on just the thing you need to hear.  Right now.

So don’t miss out!  I want this for you – click here  – to register now for the big event!  I’ll see you there!

Love ya,

Christy

The post Are You Accelerating Your Excellence? appeared first on Christy Largent.

My first exposure to a world without freedom was in 1977 Eastern Europe. Bound by the chains of communism, the people had suffered for years at the hands of despots and tyrants.  A Pensione manager whispering from her heart into my mother’s ear,  “We love you Americans but we are so afraid to say so – we’ve had war for so many years…” is a sentence that has stuck in my mind for 28 years.  Border guards meticulously searching our train with mirrors probing underneath and German Shepherds examining within was an experience I’ve not forgotten.

Never should we take the precious freedoms we daily enjoy for granted.  Freedom was not cheap. Freedom was a dream purchased with the blood of our forbearers.  For over 200 years, our freedoms have been maintained with even more blood of our American heroes.

So today, as we celebrate with parades, BBQ and fireworks.  Let’s remember and be thankful.

God Bless America, and may we continue to be the shining example of freedom to bear testimony to the world.

The post 4th of July Thankfulness appeared first on Christy Largent.

When I say, “I’m responsible for getting the kids to school,” it sure doesn’t sound like much, but I have a feeling you can relate to the way that 1 responsibility can so wreck you that by 7:45am you feel like you are already DONE! (Or am I the only one?)

I’ve been trying a variety of things to create a good morning routine.  I’ve really loved the The Miracle Morning that Hal Elrod put together.  Remember when I talked about it here?

But I still felt like something was missing. And now that school will be out in only 3 more days, I know it’s more important than ever for me to settle in and pick something that will work consistently.

Enter my amazing friend, Crystal Paine.   You know I talk all about Crystal and her MoneySavingMom.com blog all the time.  I just admire her so much.  She’s so disciplined and organized and strategic.  (Don’t we just love our opposites!)

I’m so excited to let you know that she has a terrific course called Makeover Your Mornings that’s been incredibly successful in 2015 and now in 2016.

I went through the whole course and it was so simple and fun.  Using videos that include glimpses inside her real life, I was so engaged, I watched all 14 episodes in just one sitting!  And I have a sneaking suspicion you’re going to love it too.

Crystal has created the Make Over Your Mornings course to help you revolutionize your productivity, streamline your days, eliminate decision fatigue, cultivate your soul, and MORE!

Some of the topics covered in this program include:

• Discovering why a well-planned morning revolutionizes your whole day
• Establishing bedtime routines
• Designing a morning routine centered on your biggest priorities
• Goal-setting
• Setting up a task management system
• Prioritizing exercise and healthy breakfasts
• Creating internal and external motivators
• Establishing accountability
• Battling lies
• Building stamina when things get tough

But what I especially love is that all this goodness is packed into a simple, three-fold approach:  a chapter to read, a video to watch, and a project to complete – all of which will take no more than 15 minutes of your time.  We all have time for that! 

I think this tiny investment — just 15 minutes of your day – anytime of day by the way — can yield potentially amazing results for you and your family.  

But Crystal’s not the Money Saving Mom for nothing!  And this course is unbelieveably priced!

I know! Crazy, right?  I mean seriously, if you get even 1 good tip it’s totally worth it!  So head on over to MakeOverYourMornings.com and get in on the rock-bottom price for this fabulous course!

So as we head into the middle of another month, I know your best first step is to take a breath and discover Crystal’s Makeover Your Mornings program.

Who know what might happen?  It might, just might, be the first step towards making over your life!

P.S. I’m so happy to be an affiliate of Crystal’s on this program.  I believe in the program and am so thankful to be able to share it with you.

The post Makeover Your Morning and You Just Might Makeover Your Life appeared first on Christy Largent.

Today I want to share a few words of encouragement.  Sunday’s holiday used to be one of the saddest days of my year.  I know the pain of dashed hopes and deferred dreams.  And I’ve found some ways to navigate that I think might be helpful to you too.  Listen in for more!

Key Ideas:

1.  Remember – “Not now” doesn’t mean “Never”

2.  Managing Expectations

3.  When the difficulties come, hang on.

4.  Look for the sunshine

Encouraging Word of the Day:  Psalm 37:4  “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you all the desires of your heart.”

The post #047: Encouragement for Mother’s Day (Podcast) appeared first on Christy Largent.

So here are the 5 big takeaways…

1. Discover your Assets
2. Broaden your perspective
3. Find ways to connect
4. Surround yourself with people who care
5. Pay attention to your heart

Encouraging Word for the Week:  Proverbs 19:20-21 “Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.  Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”

The post #046: 5 Key Life Skills to Enjoy Life More (Podcast) appeared first on Christy Largent.

This week I’m in Orlando, Florida at the Launch Conference, put on by Ken Davis and his Dynamic Communicators event team.  I’m learning so much, and more importantly, I’m being pushed into action while making connections with top thinkers and doers.

I love this stuff.  That’s because I love learning.  And let’s face it, taking online classes and going to conferences is a heck of a lot cheaper than going back to college!

And the other thing is that I’m putting into practice what I’m learning.  This blog, my podcast, my soon to be published book are all evidence of this training getting put into practice.

So I wanted to ask you…how are you investing in yourself this year?  Have you taken time to read an inspiring book?  Have you started learning a new skill with an online class?

Let’s break it down to the super simple.  Have you Googled or YouTubed how to do something new this year?

You might be living in fear like I was.  Afraid to try something that might be uncomfortable or has the possibility of being imperfect (Gasp!)

But seriously,

The #1 Benefit to learning something new is…

You’ll feel really, really, really good!

My brother has always been the smart one in our family.  He was the math wiz at an early age.  For me however, anything to do with math and I’d run.  Add computer to that, and yikes!  That was a recipe for nightmares in my book.

I developed an aversion to anything that might even get close to doing math on the computer.  And of course, every year tax season was a huge burden as I had to manually deal with all my receipts etc.

This year I was challenged to get a Quick Books program.  I bit the bullet and got the program.  I went to a training and then got some personalized tutoring on how to use it.  I entered my entire year’s worth of data into the program.  And guess what?

It was so incredible!!  I did it!  I printed out my very first profit and loss statement!  And even more amazing…I FELT WONDERFUL!!!  I was so darned strong, happy and empowered when I finished I literally felt like Wonder Woman!  If any bullets had been flying by, I’m sure I could have deflected them with my magical quickbooks bracelets of gold.  Simply amazing!

Seriously.  You HAVE to try this!  I think part of why it felt so amazing was that I didn’t think I could do it, and so when I did it, it was a double happiness hit. Ahhhhh!

I want this for you!  (I know I’m using a lot of exclamation marks today…but I’m sure it’s the only way I can convey to you the enormous mounds of emotion that this achievement raised for me!!)

Do you want to learn how to use a new program?  Are you eager to try a new cooking technique, but been worried it would turn out poorly?  Maybe it’s dance lessons that are calling out to be taken, but you don’t want to feel silly by being the youngest in the class.

Or even more seriously, do you need/want/fear a conversation with your husband about something important and deeply felt by you, but you’re not sure how to say it so you say nothing?  Speaking the truth in love is a skill you can learn…I know how scary it feels, yet how exhilarating it is after the conversation actually happens.

All this I want for you so much.  I want you to experience the rush of adrenalin that comes from actually doing that thing you’ve been fearing.  For me, all it took was that silly computer program. What is it for you? I’d love to hear.

The post The #1 Benefit of Learning Something New This Month appeared first on Christy Largent.

I’m going to focus on 3 main elements of giving effective feedback over the next 3 weeks.

When giving feedback, it’s important to…

• Be Specific
• Be Honest
• Be Clear

Today is all about how to avoid judgement or assumption, and instead, be specific.

Encouraging Word of the Day:  Ephesians 4:25  “So let us put away the lies, and speak the truth to one another, because we are all part of one another.”

The post #509: 5 Minute Connection – Be Specific (Podcast) appeared first on Christy Largent.

Key Ideas:

Part 1 – Interview Highlights

• A funny Alec Baldwin story and her podcast “You’ve Got This”
• Finding your direction
• The role mentors can play in your life
• The true cost of clutter

Part 2 – Decluttering Our Lives

• Making hard choices
• Being realistic
• Staying focused
• Perspective Reset – Tim Challies article

Website Links

www.kathilipp.com

www.clutterfreebook.com

canva.com

Kathi’s Recommended Reading

Clutter Free, Quick and Easy Steps to Amplifying Your Space, by Kathi Lipp.

Communicating for a Change: Seven Keys to Irresistible Communication (North Point Resources), by Andy Stanley and Lane Jones.

The Power of a Positive No: Save The Deal Save The Relationship and Still Say No, by William Ury.

StrengthsFinder 2.0, by Tom Rath.

Connect with Kathi

On Facebook

On Twitter

Encouraging Word of the Week:  Ecclesiastes 5:10  “Whoever loves money will never have enough money. Whoever loves luxury will not be content with abundance. This also is pointless.”         – I know this is not very encouraging, but seriously, doesn’t it just fit perfectly with our discussion today!  It’s about relationships, not about stuff!

Question:  Are you a cluttery person?  How do you manage to keep it down?  I’d love your ideas too!  Just leave a comment below, or on FB or Twitter.

The post #044: Kathi Lipp – A Clutter Free Life (Podcast) appeared first on Christy Largent.

Unsolicited advice will destroy relationships, create conflict, drive division, and push people further and further away from you.  If you want healthy relationships where your friends and family ASK for your advice, then you’d better say far, far away from giving the unsolicited kind.

Today I’m sharing with you a humorous story on this very subject.  I think you’ll love it!…so you have to listen to the podcast.  But if you can’t spare 5 minutes, here’s my advice for keeping yourself from giving Unsolicited Advice:

When you want to start talking, instead, start asking questions.  

I hope you enjoy this today.  I’d encourage you to listen.  It’s short and who knows..it might even change your life!  And if you know someone who loves to give unsolicited advice, please feel free to share this with them too.

Encouraging Word for the Weekend:  Romans 12:18 “If possible, live in peace with everyone. Do that as much as you can.”

The post #506: 5 Minute Fridays – Be Mysterious Part 1 (Podcast) appeared first on Christy Largent.

Or at least it was a blast the last time I took the class.  This morning, not so much.  You see, I’m out of practice.  I’ve been doing other things in the morning.  Specifically sleeping.  So I’m just a tad bit out of spinning shape.

If you’ve ever been a spinner, you know what I’m talking about.  After you’ve been spinning a month or so you kind of find your groove.  You figure out how to push yourself without throwing up.  You know what I’m talking about.

But this morning everything was different.  I was sooooo slow!  My mind said, “Legs, push!”, and the legs surged forward with all the strength of a noodle.  And while I was struggling for breath and willing myself forward, I realized there were a few universal ideas I was being reminded of as I reacclimatized myself into spinning shape.  I thought I’d share them with you.

1.  Your ride is different than the teacher’s and everyone else’s ride.  That’s right.  You have your own rhythm, your own style and your own timing.  Just like in life.  Your  journey is uniquely your own.  It may or may not mirror the journey of your boss or your best friend.  What matters is that you figure out what your ride is and ride it with all your heart.  It will be the best possible ride.  Uniquely yours.

2.  The unknown will bring blessings all it’s own.  This morning Silas played music I had never heard before.  I’m a musical person and I like to think I am sort of connected to what’s happening in today’s music scene.  But this morning I only recognized 1 song.  Out of the 12 or so songs he played, only 1!  I couldn’t believe it!  But you know what, I loved it!  I embraced the newness of that music and reveled in the energy it helped pump through my increasingly tired legs.  The blessing of the unknown kept me engaged to the very end of every song rather than anticipating the ending as I normally would have done.

Often when we are faced with the unknown, our tendency is to avoid, right?  New co-worker.  Walk down the other hall so you won’t have to engage with her.  Or that difficult decision you’re waiting to hear back on.  You avoid checking your emails or voicemails because you don’t want to have to hear potential bad news.  Or how about what I’m struggling with right now…fear of the unknown.  I don’t know how to do some of the technical details required to get my book published, so instead of powering through, I’m avoiding through other activities.  (Like this post if the truth be told!)  Let’s embrace our unknown together.

3.  When you’ve done the hard thing, you will feel amazing!  Yes.  As the hour moved to a close, I was so happy!  Spent. Yes.  Exhausted. Yup. Empowered. Absolutely!  In fact, as I was getting off the bike and grabbing the cleaning papers to wipe it down, I actually thought to myself, “Now, THIS is a way to get my week of to a great start!  I’ll bet I get a ton accomplished today.”

I didn’t think that because I was a seriously good rider.  No way!  I thought that because I did something uncomfortable – several somethings actually…but the end result was what I really wanted.  A stronger heart, firmer legs (maybe someday) and most of all, completion of a desired task.

How about you?  What can you jump into today to give yourself a spin?  How can you challenge yourself to ride your own ride, embrace the unknown and revel in the feeling of accomplishment that will ensue?  I’d love to hear your stories!

The post 3 Lessons from Getting Spun this Morning appeared first on Christy Largent.

You won’t find sugar coating and happy endings here.  What you will find is HOPE in all capital letters.  Because Michele is not a christian in name only.  She lives a gut wrenching faith through the depths of trial and despair.

Since Michele couldn’t be on the show due to the fact she’s in the middle of healing from her most recent cancer surgery, I decided to review the book and go over my biggest take-aways.  If you read my blog post yesterday, I covered these briefly there, but today I take it deeper.

And I have a special ending where you will hear from Michele herself doing what she does best.  Telling a story.

Key Ideas:

Part 1 – Undone: A Story of Making Peace With an Unexpected Life Highlights

• With God’s help, You can do what you never imagined you could do.
• There is good to come out of bad.  There really is a silver lining.
• Don’t wait for everything to be perfect to start! Make the most of what IS.

Part 2 – My Decision before I become Undone!

• Making hard choices
• Being realistic
• Staying focused

Website Links

Michele Cushat

Recommended Reading

Undone: A Story of Making Peace With an Unexpected Life, by Michele Cushat

Connect with Michele

On Facebook

On Twitter

On Instagram

Encouraging Word of the Week:  Jeremiah 29:11  “I know the plans I have for you says the Lord.  Plans to prosper you and not to harm you.  Plans to give you a future and a hope.”

The post #043: Michele Cushatt – Undone Book Review (Podcast) appeared first on Christy Largent.

When I started Undone: A Story of Making Peace With an Unexpected Life, I had a tiny idea of what to expect.  After all, my friend, Michele Cushatt, speaker, blogger, co-host of the top rated podcast This is Your Life with Michael Hyatt, MC for Women of Faith, had been diagnosed with cancer last year.  Or should I say re-diagnosed.  So I knew she had some challenging times in her past and present, I just didn’t know how earth shattering those challenges really were.

Most of us would be buried under the weight of those burdens.  Broken marriage. Single parenting.  Blended family.  Cancer.  Rebellious kids.  Foster parenting. Cancer again.  And again.  Oh my!

But the reason I want you to read this book is not because of how horrible it all is, but how incredibly wonderful it all is.  That’s right.  Wonderful.  Because Michele shares the entire story with an underlying peace and calm that’s completely inspiring.  Her faith is deep and her writing is lyrical, so you are carried along.  Even in the midst of becoming Undone, this really is, as her tag line reads, A Story of Making Peace With an Unexpected Life.

She weaves so many ideas throughout this wrenchingly honest and brave memoir, it’s hard to pick just a few.  But of course I did (since I love 3-point take-aways), and following are 3 things I want you to remember the next time YOU are coming Undone.

1.  With God’s help, You can do what you never imagined you could do.  When Michele was struggling with chronic pain, a body that wouldn’t heal, and a root canal in an already raw mouth, she realized she was booked to speak at a huge women’s conference.  This was an opportunity she had worked for and was really looking forward to.  But seriously. Picture yourself in that situation.  As my mother would say, “She was just beside herself.”

But God.  Michele’s prayer, “God.  I have nothing.  Nothing.  You’re going to have to show up in a big way.  The Advil too.  I don’t know how I’m going to do this.”  

Here’s what happened,

“For two days, women who heard my story lined up at my book table, one by one sharing their own stories of heartache;  of broken marriages, wayward children, and the difficult wrestlings of this life of faith.  Again and again, I abandoned a chair to grasp hands with a stranger, close my eyes and pray.  Together we poured out our hearts to a God we desperately needed but didn’t always understand.  Real, broken, in-progress women trying so very hard to live.”

Yup.  What you never thought you could do.

2.  There is good to come out of bad.  There really is a silver lining.  Story after story Michele weaves a beautiful tapestry out of all the yuck she has waded through.

• A failed marriage brought a brand new ministry to single moms.  And more.
• A tough new marriage and blended family brought a new appreciation for  imperfection and second chances.  And more.
• Cancer.  And more cancer.  I can’t even start on that list — too many good things to write down in this post!  Can you even believe that!!  It’s true!

And my biggest take-away of all…

3.  Don’t wait for everything to be perfect to start! Make the most of what IS.  Michele had some of the most magical opportunities presented to her in the midst of her cancer and other challenges.  Many of us might have passed on the opportunities because of all the other stuff going on.  But not Michele.  We can learn from her choices.

When prospects of a quickly approaching empty nest were put to bed on the heels of “one phone call that came with three children,” Michele and her husband moved forward into their new life.  It wasn’t pretty, but they didn’t shun the opportunity because it wasn’t what they had imagined.  Instead they embraced it.   And when you read the book, you’ll understand all the beauty that came (and is coming) from that choice.

Can you tell I loved this book!   If you’ve ever felt just a tad bit “Undone” then get this book.  If you have a friend who is the midst of “Undone”, then get this book and give it to her.  Your friend will thank you.  Michele will thank you.  I’ll thank you.

Because really, isn’t that what it’s all about as we struggle through this life?  Encouraging each other.  Loving each other.  All because HE first loved us.  Making the most of every day because the days are short.

Love ya!

Christy

Question:  What are some of the ways you are able to survive when you’re coming undone?  Please leave your answers below, or in the comments on FB or Twitter.

Note: Quotes are from Michele Cushatt’s book, Undone: A Story of Making Peace With an Unexpected Life. All rights reserved.

The post 3 Things to Remember When You Are Coming Undone appeared first on Christy Largent.

Key Ideas: 

Part 1 – Interview highlights

• The benefits of an unexpected journey
• Finding Mentors
• Her favorite productivity secret Hint:  It’s painless!
• Friendships – finding honest ones
• How to be totally awesome!

• Part 2 – Set Yourself Up for Success

• Sleep Enough
• Plan, then Schedule
• Clear out the clutter
• Get busy and enjoy it all

Website Links

www.karikampakis.com  All the good stuff from Kari

www.handsfreemama.com  LOVE this blog!

www.jeanniecunnion.com  Another keeper! Wonderful.  And her book is stunning too.

www.thehouseofhendrix.com  So awesome.

I love all of these connections.  Kari’s leading you in the right direction with these amazing women!

Kari’s Recommended Reading

10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know, by Kari! This is sooooo good!

The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?, by Rick Warren

Mere Christianity, by C.S. Lewis

Connect with Kari

On Facebook

On Twitter

Encouraging Word of the Week:  Ecclesiastes 3:1-8  “A Time for Everything”
“There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:
A time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
A time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
A time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
A time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
A time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
A time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.”

The post #041: Kari Kampakis and Success Tips (Podcast) appeared first on Christy Largent.

That night at the dinner table as I was telling the story, I made sure to give full expression in the retelling.  Wanting my kids to have the full picture of what happened.

As I gave my response, my daughter brought me up short. “Oh, and did you give her that ugly face too?”

“What ugly face?”

“That ugly face you just did when you told the story.”

I was silent as the truth sunk in.  No wonder my colleague responded like she did.  My face and body had said such a different story than what I really meant to say.  It’s not her fault that we all believe more of what we see than what we hear.

Shamefacedly, I admitted the truth.  Yes, I probably had made that ugly face that morning during the conversation. Yikes!

When you think about effective communication, you might sometimes forget how important your facial expressions are.  Obviously, when you’re online, texting or tweeting, it’s not an issue.  But on the phone or especially in person, you want to make sure your face is giving the same message as your words.

Here are 3 ideas that might help you (and me) match our faces to our words.

Smile.  Obviously you can’t smile all the time, but whenever you are listening, it’s helpful for you to have a pleasant expression on your face.  For most of us, a slight, mouth closed smile gives that pleasant look that encourages conversation.  Also, it’s impossible to smile and frown at the same time.

Clear your forehead.  By this I mean, if you have 2 those vertical lines between your eyebrows, or lots and lots of forehead creases, take a moment when you are in the conversation, or even before, to consciously smooth your forehead.  For me, this means I smile (automatically decreases the center lines) and take a deep breath as I run my left hand across my forehead.

Use your eyes.  The eyes are such a great communication tool!  Have you noticed that when you’re really engaged in a conversation, you’re giving good eye contact.  Not staring, but just following the conversation with your eyes.  You look at the other person for a few seconds and then look briefly away.  And when you smile, your smile reaches your eyes.  I know because an engaged smile includes eyes crinkled at the corners.

So I’m hoping that we’ll remember these simple behaviors.  That way, we can be sure our face matches our message.

Question:  What kind of expressions do you find “pop out” when you least expect it?  What are your compensation strategies?  Please leave me a comment below.

The post 3 Ideas to Avoid Making The Ugly Face appeared first on Christy Largent.

Next week I’m going to clean out Amelia’s closet and room.  The poor thing is living with piles upon piles. I was inspired by Kathy Lipp’s new book, Clutter Free: Quick and Easy Steps to Simplifying Your Space.  I plan on writing a blog post about the book later this month, so I’ll let you know how the room project goes!

What I read this week:

Of all of these, I actually only recommend two.

Anne Lamott’s Small Victories: Spotting Improbable Moments of Grace. This collection of essays on faith, family and community are so beautifully written it often makes you cry. I do so love her writing. Despite our faith differences, I’m always pulled towards contemplation when I read her words. Beautiful.

I love a good mystery, so Margaret Maron’s Designated Daughters (A Deborah Knott Mystery) did not disappoint.  Entertaining and fast moving, I enjoyed this quick read.

The other books were either trite (Danielle Steel, what did I expect?!…can you say, Escape!), boring, The Book of Jonah, or too difficult to wade through.  I wanted to love Dallas Willards’ award winning last book, but it was so dense I couldn’t stick with it.  I hope I have better luck next week!  Here’s what that stack looks like.  By the way, can you tell I’m a huge advocate of our public library!

What I’m planning on reading next week:

Wellness Journey:  Well, I’ve successfully completed week 1!  I’m so happy!  Here’s how it’s going so far…

• So far the food has been pretty tasty and easy to prepare.  I like most of it.
• My favorite thing is that the week’s eating is all planned out and even prepackaged so it’s easy for me to get the food out the night before and have it ready to go in the morning.
• I’m drinking a lot and even writing down what I eat.   That’s a huge win for me because I generally tend to fight that kind of restriction.  But I keep telling myself this is just for 4 months (my goal!) and is a means to an end.
• No exercise but I did go to the chiropractor and also get a massage.  I liked that because it’s a way of taking care of myself.  On Thursday I stepped into a hole in the road while crossing the street to my kids’ piano lesson.  I really shocked my body…thus the trip to the chiro.  But I’m strong and I’m on the mend.  Next week I’ll add in some yoga and walking.  That should feel great!

I just don’t like cooking.  There, I said it.  The incredible amount of time (even with use of the crock pot) just drives me crazy!  Thanks to Sara Fragoso and Everyday Paleo, I now know how to cook, but I just don’t like it.  I guess I would like it more if that’s all I had to do…but with a messy home and kids to play with and books to read, for heaven’s sake!, I just don’t enjoy all the time I spend in the kitchen.  So, that’s just a little aside that’s neither here nor there, but I thought some of you might be freed to say the same thing by hearing me say it.  And some of you might have suggestions for how I could simplify so that I like it more.

Professionally:  This week was neat because I finally got my first podcast of the year posted, and have set up a new schedule…so that it will be released on Wednesdays from now on.  The frustrating thing is that for some reason my podcasts since December 1st are not showing up in iTunes…so I spent a ton of time trying to figure that out…and it’s still not fixed! Argh.

I also had a productive work session with my tech helper and the support team from Infusionsoft, the program I purchased for all my emailings and so forth.  It’s another steep learning curve, but I’m so excited to have it because it will allow me to offer all sorts of exciting products and programs directly to you in a professional and automized way.

Next week I have a few big things on my calendar.

• Saturday I’m speaking for a local non-profit, Homes of Hope for Vida, which is an organization that helps victims of domestic abuse with long term housing.  I’ll be working on that program this week.
• I’m also planning on finishing up all the edits of my book and starting on the recording.  My plan is to launch on Tuesday February 3rd, so stay tuned!
• I’m also working on learning more of that infusionsoft support program I mentioned earlier.  As I said, that’s a steep learning curve, so I’m trying to do a little bit every day.
• Add in a new podcast and 2 blog posts, a day trip to San Francisco to take my son to a Dr.’s appointment, filming for my TV-Show all morning Thursday and a field trip with my daughter’s class on Friday, and it’s going to be a very full week!  I hope yours will be fabulous too!

Question:  What are you working on?  What are you looking forward to?  I’d love to hear from you.  Just leave your comments below.

The post Weekend Update appeared first on Christy Largent.

Key Ideas: 

Part 1 – Interview highlights

• The magic bullet of Sleep
• Why you should just say NO!
• Power in Planning
• Focusing on Wellness not Weight
• Learning lessons from failures

Part 2 – My Wellness Journey

Website Links

Connie Clay Website

Dr. Daniel Amen and Amen Clinics

Recommended Resources

Connie’s Book – Quit Skinny!: 7 Simple, Sane Steps to Wellness

The Amen Solution: The Brain Healthy Way to Get Thinner, Smarter, Happier, by Dr. Daniel Amen

Master Your Metabolism: The 3 Diet Secrets to Naturally Balancing Your Hormones for a Hot and Healthy Body!, by Jillian Michaels

Jillian Michaels: Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism, Jillian Michaels DVD

And I’m adding this since we talked about saying “No” and it’s not easy! The Best Yes: Making Wise Decisions in the Midst of Endless Demands, by Lysa TerKeurst

And I’m also adding these – since these are helping me get to the emotional part of why I eat what I eat.
Made to Crave: Satisfying Your Deepest Desire with God, Not Food, by Lysa TerKeurst

The Tapping Solution for Weight Loss & Body Confidence: A Woman’s Guide to Stressing Less, Weighing Less, and Loving More, by Jessica Ortner

Encouraging Word of the Week:  Psalm 107:9  “For He has satisfied the thirsty soul, And the hungry soul He has filled with what is good.”

The post #038: Quit Skinny with Connie Clay and My Wellness Journey (Podcast) appeared first on Christy Largent.

Sometimes getting started is the hardest work of all.

Do you know what I mean?  Doing the work is the fun part – getting started is the challenge.  I’m a great one for planning out and creating a big vision broken down into smaller, actionable steps.  But then I have to stop and go get the kids from school or start dinner, or clean up after the dog.

And once I’m stopped, it’s often difficult to get back into the swing of work again.  So, as a practical matter, I’ve decided to use my early morning hours as a kind of “bonus” time for the next year month, and see how it works out.  I’ll let you know!

I’m behind on my podcasts and obviously on my blog posts as well…to be honest, I’ve been a bit distracted as I’m beginning a new nutrition plan. (Notice how I didn’t say “diet”.) After doing all my work on goals and plans for 2015, the one thing staring me in the face was that big-old-fat goal of losing weight!

I know for some of you, you have NO IDEA what I’m talking about.  You never saw a cookie you couldn’t resist.  But many of you will be tracking along with me here. Right?

For some reason, this weight albatross has been hanging around for far too long and I’ve decided to get some help cutting it off…No, not a surgeon!  But I’m working with both a physical coach and a mental coach to get me realigned with where I really want to be.

Last Friday when I walked up the steps to my first appointment with the health coach, my heart was beating a tattoo, my hands were shaking and I had that familiar tight feeling in my chest. (No, not from taking the stairs either!)

As we got into the meeting and she began taking my measurements, she just chuckled.  “You don’t like this much, do you Christy?”  I grinned ruefully as she added, “It’s written all over your face.”

All I could think about was what if this doesn’t work.  What if I fail again?  And what on earth makes me think I can be successful this time when I’ve failed so many, many times before?  And how embarrassing this whole thing is anyway.

But right in the middle of our conversation I realized this is nothing but that ravaging beast FEAR rearing it’s nasty head once again.  Fear of failure. Fear of not being enough. Fear of…well, you fill in the blank.

Because this time my fear was wrapped around the ridiculous obstacle of weight loss.  But what is yours wrapped around? And how can you be brave and fearless in overcoming it today?

My personal prescription for bravery today includes writing this blog post.  Being honest with you about what’s going on with me feels quite scary and dare I say it…vulnerable?

Because, after all, I’m a speaker and trainer on communication skills – not lifestyle blogging or health and wellness, right?

But one thing I know for sure, is that for me, it’s darn near impossible to keep limping along in failure in this one area, while expecting to be able to give you my A-Game in my professional endeavors. Because after 15 years of this gig – I know you can spot a phony a million miles away.

So I won’t be a phony.  I’ll be authentic with all my foibles.  I’ll lay them out on the table, and then after that’s finished, we’ll get to talk about personality styles, and getting along with difficult people, and how to create fantastic customer relationships, and all the other topics I love to help you with.

I have all kinds of exciting things ahead for us this year.  This month I’ll finally release my 31 Positive Communication Skills for Women Devotional.  Next up I’ve got an awesome free webinar I’ll be offering on the topic of Getting Along With Difficult People.  We’ll follow that up in late February with my first ever online bootcamp — Powerful Communication Skills for Women.  More on all of this later…it’s so exciting!

In the meantime, I’d like to re-vamp my blog schedule a bit.  This is what you can expect.

• Monday:  Communication Skills — Strategies you can use
• Wednesday:  Encouraging Words for Working Moms Podcast
• Friday:  Personality Styles — Bring out the best and dealing with the worst
• Weekend: Update on my weight loss getting fit, healthy and strong journey along with periodic updates on what I’m doing and the books I’m reading.  I really enjoy those posts from some of my favorite bloggers, so I thought since I’m such a reading freak,  I’d share my reading adventures with you.

Well, if you’ve read this far…thank you!  I love you too!  Be sure you’re subscribed to my site to get all the updates, new stuff and freebies I’ll be bringing out this year.

Question:  I’d love to know what your challenges are this year.  Are you already off to the races or are you still circling the bay trying to get up the nerve to get started?  What are you working on this year? What’s holding you back?  I’d love to hear from you!  Just leave your comments below – on the blog or FB – either are great!

The post How’s Your Year Going So Far? My Honest Confession… appeared first on Christy Largent.

Timeless truths I embraced this year…

1.  You can do more than you realize.  When I review what I did during the past year, and all the new stuff I learned, I’m really encouraged.  Just because I’m not in school doesn’t mean I can’t still be learning and growing and this year proved it for me, and it is true for you too.

2.  Get help.  There are so many people who can help you – figure out what you need and then ask for help.  The right person will appear. The book by Amanda Palmer called, The Art of Asking: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Let People Help is a great resource if you are ready to get inspired to ask in your own life.

Areas to get help:

• Personally – therapist for help with the inside
• Physically – trainer at the gym
• Professionally – help with technical aspects.  Mentor. Professional development via webinars and conferences.  What conferences will you go to next year?  What seminars will you attend.  Who do you want more of?  You are the combination of the 5 people you hang around the most.  Who are you inviting into your life?

3.  It’s never too late to go for your dreams.  Figuring out what you really want to do is actually fun.  Take the time to make yourself a rough sketch and then start.  Don’t wait for perfection.  Lots of people talk about being imperfect and how to manage your perfectionism…get whatever help you need to get started and then start.  Once you start, then the pieces will sort themselves out.  Michael Hyatt’s Best Year Ever will help you get started with your dreams and then help you get started!

Next year – here are the 2 things I’m going to remind myself of daily so I stay focused:

1.  Take care of myself first.  The biggest “fail” of the year was with my weight and health.  Wait, let me rephrase that.  The area where I had the least amount of progress — and maybe even experienced regress was in the area of my weight and health.

I did train for and complete a 1/2 marathon, but at a heavy weight and kind of with the least effort possible principle.  2015 is going to be different.  I’m putting this effort front and center.  I know all the other stuff will fall into place as I figure out this piece of my life.

2.  Do more of what I love.  When I was doing my goal setting I discovered that of all the things I enjoyed this past year, the best part was still what drove me to work in the first place.  Speaking and teaching still top the charts and make me happiest.  So,  I’m going to make sure and do more of that this next year.  All the other stuff will still be there – but as supporting rolls to help create more opportunity to do more of what I love.

More speaking.  More stories.  More entertaining.  More laughter.  More connecting.

2015 Word of the Year:    Routine 

I have 1 outstanding, terrific and fabulous routine.  Every night I wash my face utilizing a system.  I also floss and brush my teeth.  My morning average is about 95%, but the evening is 99.9999999999%.  And this is since 1984.  30 Years! Seriously, I cannot remember a single night I have gone to bed without washing my face and brushing my teeth.  Flossing is about 98.999999%.  My night-time rituals I don’t even think about.  They are so routine as to be a ritual.  No thinking —  I just do them.  30 years!

Here’s the deal.  If I can do it in one area of my life (my face) then I can do it in others.  So my word for the year is Routine.  I’ll learn to love it.  Learn to embrace it.  Learn to flourish in the midst of it.  That will be growth!

“Routine enables creativity to flourish.”

Encouraging Word for the Year:  Proverbs 16:9 (NIRV)  “In their hearts human beings plan their lives.  But the Lord decides where their steps will take them.”

Question:  What about you?  What did you learn this year?  What are you going to focus on next year?  I’d love to hear your thoughts.  Please leave your comments below.

The post #037: Timeless Truths of 2014 and Focus for 2015 (Podcast) appeared first on Christy Largent.

Key Ideas: 

Part 1 – Interview highlights

• How to get started writing
• Ideas for finding connect in the midst of a dry spell
• How conferences and the global church can heal relationships
• The power of seasonal sabbath
• Using time blocks to create focus
• Making time for what energizes not depletes

Part 2 – Seasons, Community and Getting Energized

• Seasons of Life
• Building Community
• Energy to get Energized

Website Links

Denise Hughes website

Deeper Waters Community

Deeper Waters Retreat, June 26-28, 2015

Team 365

Denise’s Recommended Reading

The Daily Bible – In Chronological Order

Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith in Community, by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, by Susan Cain

My Utmost for His Highest: Quality Paperback Edition, by Oswald Chambers

The Pursuit of God, by A. W. Tozer

In This House, We Will Giggle: Making Virtues, Love, and Laughter a Daily Part of Your Family Life, by Courtney DeFeo

Favorite Quote:  “If you cannot express yourself on any subject, struggle until you can.  If you do not, someone will be the poorer all the days of his life.” Oswald Chambers

Encouraging Word of the Week:  Psalm 133:1  “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”

The post #036: Denise J. Hughes and Community (Podcast) appeared first on Christy Largent.

How did I do?  From the list of goals above, here’s what happened:  I re-started my speaking business, completed my website, had regular blog posts (what you are reading now), my podcast is being downloaded all over the world, I ran the San Jose 1/2 marathon (instead of a Tough Mudder) and as we close out December, my book is ready to be published next week.  Not everything, but a huge percentage of my original list.

What’s interesting is that the list of completed goals is more complete this year than it has ever been in all my years of goal setting.  What happened that made such a difference?  Why was I able to accomplish so much this year when for so many years my goals were thwarted?

In thinking it through, I realized I did 2 things differently last December.  2 things you might want to do this December if you are looking for growth in your own life.  Here they are.

1.  I realigned with my passion and got extremely clear on what I wanted.  As you probably know, last year I pulled back from my Arbonne business and re-entered my speaking business.  My heart is here.  My passion is here.  And what a difference it has made.  When I look at my to-do list each morning, I actually enjoy most of what I have to do.  I look forward to each day’s individual activities, and am quite enthusiastic about all the possibilities.

Here’s my question for you – are you doing what you love?  Are you even clear on what you love?  If not, I recommend you dig deep and really figure out what you were put here on earth to do.  I have a program I did last year I’d be happy to send you if want help in figuring out your passion and purpose.  It has helped a lot of people and I think it would help you too.  Being aligned is critical because once you are, you can move easily into figuring out what you want.

2.  I took Michael Hyatt’s 5 Days to Your Best Year Ever course.  I know, you’ve probably taken a goal setting course or two in your lifetime.  I had too.  And frankly, when I saw the opportunity to add one more thing to my list I was a bit hesitant.  But then I watched his free videos and found real value.  So I went ahead and signed up for it.  It was clear, practical and action oriented.  I think my results speak volumes about the value of the course.

You might think – “Yes, but you could have done all you did without taking Michael’s course.”  And maybe you’re right.  But, the fact remains I did take his course and it really was my best year ever.

He has created a new and improved free video series that gives great value now, and also gives you a taste of the updated program.  He is also running a special this year if you sign up before December 18th.  I want you to take advantage of this program.  (Notice, these are affiliate links,  yes, I get a thank you payment from Michael if you sign up through my link.)  At the very least, watch these 3 free videos and let me know what you think.  Just click on any of these highlighted words, and you’ll go straight to the videos.

What have you got to lose?  Just think, 2015 really could be Your Best Year Ever!

And as a bonus…I’m so excited about what this could do in your life, I’m creating a Private Facebook group for everyone who purchases this program through my link.  We will get to encourage each other on throughout this next year as we go for our even bigger, hairy, audacious goals together!!  After all, I’ve still got 40 lbs to lose in 2015!  Just send me an email and let me know you purchased through my link and I’ll add you to the group.

Question:  What has held you back from accomplishing your goals in the past?  What are you going to do differently this year to make sure you set and meet your goals?  I’d love to hear your ideas!  Just leave a comment below.

The post I Hit My Goals and You Can Too! appeared first on Christy Largent.

Key Ideas: 

Part 1 – Interview highlights

• The #1 lesson for a Mompreneur
• The positive effects of schedule and routine
• Why she uses a family calendar and how you can too
• How to use the “Sunday Summit” to streamline and supercharge your week
• Where to find a safe place for support

Part 2 – Set Yourself Up for a Successful Month

• Sleep Enough
• Plan, then Schedule
• Clear out the clutter
• Get busy and enjoy it all

Because I’m brave enough to show the real way I sometimes (frequently) live!  Oh, it’s painful to be honest!

Website Links

www.theresaceniccola.com

www.icmnetwork.com

www.typeaparent.com

Theresa’s Recommended Reading

The Daily Bible – In Chronological Order

The Best Yes: Making Wise Decisions in the Midst of Endless Demands, by Lysa TerKeurst

Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World, by Michael Hyatt

Connect with Theresa

Email:  theresa@theresaceniccola.com

On Facebook

On Twitter

Encouraging Word of the Week:  Ecclesiastes 3:1-8  “A Time for Everything”
“There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:
A time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
A time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
A time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
A time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
A time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
A time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.”

The post #033: Theresa Ceniccola – International Christian Mompreneur Network (Podcast) appeared first on Christy Largent.

Key Ideas:

Part 1 – Interview highlights

• The Power of small decisions
• What to say when someone you love is making bad decisions
• To keep secrets….or not?
• How to move forward after a bad mistake

Part 2 – Moving through Messiness

• Honesty
• Forgiveness – Colossians 3:12-14
• Face down Fear

Website Links

www.JacqueWatkins.com

The Mud Stories Podcast

Jacque’s Resource Recommendations

www.momastery.com (Glennon Melton)

Jacque’s Recommended Reading

The Daily Bible – In Chronological Order

The Best Yes: Making Wise Decisions in the Midst of Endless Demands, by Lysa TerKeurst

One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are, by Ann Voskamp

One Thousand Gifts Devotional: Reflections on Finding Everyday Graces, by Ann Voskamp

StrengthsFinder 2.0, by Tom Rath

Encouraging Word of the Week:  Colossians 3:12-14  “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

The post #032: Jacque Watkins – It’s a Messy Life (Podcast) appeared first on Christy Largent.

So as I celebrated my birthday just this past Monday, I thought it would be appropriate to do an analysis of what went as planned and what didn’t and what was per expectations and what was way over expectations.  Well, I guess you get the idea.

Following are the top 5 lessons I learned in this past year.  Maybe these will help you too as you navigate this life of constant change.

Lesson #1:  Everything will take much longer than you anticipate.

Lesson #2:  The learning curve will be steeper than you imagined.

Lesson #3:  You can’t do everything at once.

Lesson #4:  You will get discouraged.

Lesson #5:  You will succeed if you stay consistent with effort over time.

Favorite Books of the Year:

Fiction:
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie: A Flavia de Luce Mystery, by Alan C. Bradley

Letters from Skye: A Novel, by Jessica Brockmole

Still Life (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache Mysteries, No. 1), by Louise Penny

Nutrition/Health/Faith:
Grain Brain: The Surprising Truth about Wheat, Carbs, and Sugar–Your Brain’s Silent Killers, by Dr. David Perlmutter

The Tapping Solution for Weight Loss & Body Confidence: A Woman’s Guide to Stressing Less, Weighing Less, and Loving More, by Jessica Ortner

The Tapping Solution: A Revolutionary System for Stress-Free Living, by Nick Ortner

What Happens When Women Pray, by Evelyn Christenson

Business:
The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months, by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington

Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World, by Michael Hyatt

The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition, by Strunk and White

Encouraging Word of the Week:
Proverbs 16:9 “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps.”
Proverbs 19:21 “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

The post #028: Christy Largent – 5 Big Lessons from a Year of Change (Podcast) appeared first on Christy Largent.

Have you heard any of these phrases lately?  Negative, energy sucking, relationship tearing, and motivation zapping phrases seem to be all the vogue.  And it’s kind of hard not to be negative when you read the paper, listen to the radio and watch the news.  Holy cow!  Have things in this world ever been worse?

I’m going to suggest 3 simple ideas to keep you from letting that negativity bug get you down.  They are simple.  But they work.  Let’s take a closer look.

1.  Commit to yourself not to be one of the negative ones in your environment.  This is easier said than done, but “NO NEGATIVE” should be your internal command.  When you’re tempted to chime in to a negative discussion or make a negative comment, remind yourself of your commitment.  You can either say nothing or better yet, reframe it so you have something positive to say.

2.  Determine you will look for the good in every situation.  It’s amazing how this small choice can change your outcomes.  I think my Dad is a great example of someone who finds the good in every situation.  In 2003 he was diagnosed with stage 2 colon cancer.  Surgery removed all the cancer, but his physicians recommended chemotherapy.  As he was sitting in his home office on the morning of his first treatment, my Mother asked if she could do anything to help him get ready.  With a bright voice and shiny eyes, my Dad replied, “I don’t think so.  I’ve got the new Clive Cussler book I’ve been wanting to read and the brand new Straight Ahead Big Band CD I’ve been wanting to listen to.  You know, I’ve never done anything like this before.  I think this could be kind of fun!”

Yes, that’s right, FUN.  Wow!  What an attitude.  Before you say, how ridiculous to be so positive and light hearted about something so serious, stop a minute and think.  No matter the outcome, wouldn’t it make your time pass more enjoyably if you had a positive outlook rather than a negative one?  And study after study shows the importance of a positive outlook on outcomes.  Interestingly enough, today my Dad is a fit, healthy 75.  Better than before and cancer free.  I’m thankful.

I know many people do have negative outcomes even with a positive outlook.  I have a friend who just lost her father to cancer, and I don’t know of anyone who had a more positive spirit and deeply felt faith.  Bad things happen. But the idea here is to look for the good no matter how bad the situation.  It will benefit you and others.  And who knows, it might even positively affect your outcome.

3.  Get back on the positive wagon.  We all succumb to negativity at one time or another.  So the real success comes in recommitting yourself to a positive outlook so you can have a life of joy.  If there’s a deeper problem and you find yourself living in negativity, I’d encourage you to get to a health care provider ASAP so you can get some help climbing out of the pit.  Go for a walk, listen to some favorite music, jump on the trampoline with your kids.  Do what you can to jump back on that wagon.  Life is too short to spend it bound in negativity.

This is Day 13 of 31 Days of Powerful Communication Skills for Women. You can read all of my #31Days posts here. And check out The Nester’s #Write31Days blog for other great 31 day series.

I hope these will help you when you find yourself tempted to get negative.  Question:  How do you overcome negativity? I’d love to hear your comments – just leave them below.

The post Day 13 – How to Squash the Negativity Bug (#31days) appeared first on Christy Largent.

Did you know that in the world of communication and relationships there is also a plague?  It is a plague that goes largely unnamed and unchecked – a plague that affects virtually every one of us.  Despite it’s alarming range, there are not many of us yet immune to it and its devastating effects.  Most of us have even been guilty, at some point, of not only being a carrier of this disease – but of actively passing it on to someone else!  What is it you ask?  The problem is the plague of giving unsolicited advice.

Are you a carrier?  Have you been infected?  Or have you been inoculated just enough to make you immune to it from others, but still wickedly powerful in your ability to spread its devastation?  Not sure?  Then read on…

Definition:  Unsolicited Advice is when you offer your opinions, suggestions or ideas to someone about something they are doing or planning, before they ask for your input.  I know most of us have excellent motives when we offer up these little truffles and tidbits of testimony.  But if you are brutally honest with yourself, you’ll recognize how frequently your unrequested suggestions are rebuffed or brushed away, not to mention met with defensiveness and ultimately rejection.  So, what’s the cure?

Ask:  What gives me the right?  This cure was found in the extremely helpful book by Doris Wild Helmering, Being Ok Just Isn’t Enough: The Power of Self-Discovery .  Ms. Helmering suggests that this is the first question you should ask before you open your mouth.

Ask yourself…What give me the right to tell my friend where to park as we’re circling the mall looking for a parking spot?  What gives me the right to tell my co-worker how to “more effectively” do the project he’s working on? Or how about this…What gives me the right to tell my husband how to trim the bushes?

Ooooh!  Got your attention on that last one didn’t I?  You probably responded – “But I have the right because it’s my yard too!”  And you would be correct.  You do have the right.  In my part 2 of this post, I’ll elaborate on how to process this – when you do have the right to give unsolicited advice.  The question becomes…should you?  I propose that when you don’t have the right, that is, it’s none of your business, you keep your mouth shut and your opinions to yourself.  But when you do have the right.  I also propose you ask yourself a few questions before you open your mouth and spout your opinion or suggestion.  Check out the next post for what those questions are…

This is Day 11 of 31 Days of Powerful Communication Skills for Women. You can read all of my #31Days posts here. And check out The Nester’s #Write31Days blog for other great 31 day series.

Question:  Do you give unsolicited advice?

The post Day 11 – A Widespread Plague (#31days) appeared first on Christy Largent.

Key Ideas:

Part 1:  Interview

• The importance of being proactive with your activities (and what happens when you aren’t!)
• What happens when you switch careers mid-life
• Why difficulties are not the end of the story
• “We learn the most when we feel weakest and most afraid”

Part 2: What I learned when I felt my weakest and most afraid

1. Look at myself first
2. I can let go of the outcome and trust God
3. Just do the next right thing

Website links:  (This week we discussed)

 https://loriandsteven.wordpress.com/

www.sacredspace.ie

www.momastery.com

Lori and Steven’s Recommended Reading and Resources:

15 Ways to Make Love Impossible, by Lori and Steven McClure

Noisetrade – Free Download of their book here

The Ragamuffin Gospel: Good News for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Burnt Out, by Brennan Manning.

A Grief Observed, by C.S. Lewis.

Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life, by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend.

Encouraging Word of the Week:  2 Corinthians 12:9 (New Living Translation)   “Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.  So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”

Question:  What was the most encouraging part of this interview?  Are you going through any rough times that would make these ideas helpful?  I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions.  And I’d love to pray for you too. Please leave your comments below.

The post #026: Lori and Steven McClure and Learning through Weakness (Podcast) appeared first on Christy Largent.

Key Ideas:

Part 1:  Interview

• Best practices for how to start (and run) a business with a friend
• The importance of transparency and forgiveness
• How to tap into the power of mentorship
• Strategies for handling conflicts when they arise

Part 2:  Forgiveness

• Is a choice
• Requires action (and it’s HARD!)
• Must be practiced
• Will reach it’s conclusion

Website Links:

www.strongbodywholeheart.com

www.facebook.com/strongbodywholeheart

www.twitter.com/sbwheart

http://instagram.com/sbsheart_kelly,     http://instagram.com/sbwheart_maggie

Recommended Reading:
Forgiveness: Finding Peace Through Letting Go, by Adam Hamilton

Courage: Igniting Self-Confidence, by Debbie Ford

The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are, by Brene Brown

Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead, by Brene Brown

Encouraging Word of the Week: Matthew 6:9-13 – The Lord’s Prayer     “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.  Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us today our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

Question:  Have you ever thought of starting a business with a friend?  Did you do it?  Why or Why not?  What about the transparency section of this show?  Is that something you struggle with or is it more natural for you?  Finally, how have you experienced forgiveness in your life?  I’d love to read your thoughts and answers below!

The post #022: Strong Body Whole Heart – Kelly & Maggie and Forgiveness (Podcast) appeared first on Christy Largent.

Key Ideas:

Part 1:  Interview

• The power of friendship
• The true nature of God – Redeemer!
• The importance of routine
• Protecting your time

Part 2:  4 Keys to Growing Friendships

1. Be Friendly
2. Be Authentic
3. Be Giving
4. Be there

Website links:

www.kaybruner.com  This is Kay’s home base and where you can find everything from her blog to her book to her favorite things.  Tons of great information and encouragement here.

Kay’s Recommended Reading:
As Soon As I Fell: A Memoir by Kay Bruner.  I had to put this at the top of the list.  Please get this to support Kay!  Fabulous!

Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life, by Henry Cloud and John Townsend.  A classic on how to set boundaries for yourself.  I need to get this one out and re-read it.  I love this book!

The Search For Significance: Seeing Your True Worth Through God’s Eyes, by  Robert McGee.  A classic.  Once again, so thankful to be reminded to get this back out and re-read it.  I first read it in college – ‘ya think I might have a different perspective now?

Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith, by Anne Lamott.  I was a bit skeptical of this author…until I read her!  I would love to meet her in person.  What an honest voice.  If you have never read her personal works – by all means start here!

Abba’s Child: The Cry of the Heart for Intimate Belonging, by Brennan Manning.  New to me.  After reading about this book, I will be adding it to my “must read” list.

The Inner Voice of Love: A Journey Through Anguish to Freedom, by Henri Nouwen.  Wow!  This book looks like one we all could benefit from.  Another that’s on its way to my house.

Encouraging Word of the Week:  Colossians 3:12-14   “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Question:  What was your favorite part of this interview?  Did her story resonate with you like it did with me?  Which part gave you chills?  And do you live like you are “Loved, Safe and Chosen?”   I’d love to hear your thoughts.

The post #021: Kay Bruner – Authenticity and Friendship (Podcast) appeared first on Christy Largent.

Key Ideas:

1. What do you LOVE to do?
2. What do other people tell you you are very good at doing? (You get a ton of positive feedback when you do this thing).
3. What business opportunities could you find around this thing you love. (Get creative here and solicit ideas from others).
4. Figure out some baby steps for getting started.
5. Start doing more of what you love – for free.  Do it anywhere and everywhere you can no matter how much money you are making.  Proof of concept will come as more people realize you do this and they will ask you for it more and more.  Once you are really, really good at what you are doing, the money will follow.

Resource:

www.liveyourlegend.net – Scott Dinsmore. Scott has build his life work around helping others discover and live the the work they were born to do.  His website has tons of free resources and ideas to help you find your “what”.  I think you’ll love his passion and heart for helping.

Encouraging Words of the week:

Galatians 6:9 “And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work heartily, as unto the Lord and not for men.”

The post #020: Finding Your Labor of Love (Podcast) appeared first on Christy Largent.

Two weekends ago, I had 1.89 miles down on a treadmill run of 7 miles. (If you’ve ever experienced Dallas in August, then you understand why I was inside on a treadmill). All I wanted to do was quit. My breathing was ragged, my knees ached and my lower back felt as tight as the sheets on a marine’s bed.

My head filled with all the reasons I could stop. All the reasons to procrastinate put off this long run to another day. Too boring, too tired, not well fueled, too old… But I just couldn’t stop. I did walk. But I didn’t stop.

Have you ever felt like quitting? I did a podcast on the power of quitting when it’s the right time to quit, when you need to change direction and when you know beyond a shadow of doubt that the current path you are on is not serving you well.

But have you ever wanted to quit a big goal that’s meaningful and important to you? You want to quit because it’s really, really hard and you’re tired and you Just. Want. To. Stop.

That’s what I felt that Saturday. And here’s what helped me keep putting one foot in front of the other to the very end of that long run. Maybe it will help you too.

4 Reasons Why won’t I quit and why you shouldn’t either:

1.  Remember your why. Back in the day with Arbonne, the most powerful part of any discussion with a business partner was always “their why”. You see, I understood how easy it was to quit when things got difficult. But if I could help her dig deep and really clarify her WHY then that big, heart connected vision would see her through many a rough evening.

And the same was true with my goal. It’s easy to set the goal, but what kept me focused and moving was the bigger reason WHY I set that goal. My why: I committed to finding a way to increase my fitness. This 1/2 marathon weekly training plan is the discipline that will keep me connected to the final victory – of finishing the journey well.

2.  Tap into the bigger reason. Yes, I want to finish what I started and hopefully even shed a few pounds, but the bigger reason is I want to set an example for my kids – especially my daughter. The kids heard and saw me get into gear for running this race. As I’ve shared before (especially on my podcast), the past few years I set a number of goals and was not able to achieve them. This year I’m breaking that cycle, and the 1/2 is the physical component of what I think of as my transformation. Finishing what I started with this training program and running on October 5th will be a big piece of my transformation puzzle.

3.  Recognize there are high and low points along the way. When I wanted to quit at the almost 2 mile point, I felt horrible! But about 2 tenths of a mile later I felt a bit better, by 3 miles I was gaining strength and had about a mile of sweetness before I felt horrible all over again. It was a cycle that repeated until I finished. Because I stuck with it, I was able to experience all of it. Quitting would have short-circuited the process and I would have robbed myself of the additional good as well as the character-building bad.

4.  It feels so good when you finish. I didn’t stop. I kept trudging forward, using speed intervals to break up the monotony, and before I knew it I had finished my 7 miles. And it felt GREAT!

Now, if I can just remember that feeling as I set out tomorrow to complete my 9 miles.

Question: How about you? Is it easy for you to quit or are you someone who sticks with projects and goals no matter what? Do you think it’s important to stick with it even when it’s difficult? When is the right time to quit? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Please leave a comment below.

The post 4 Reasons Why I Didn’t Quit and Why You Won’t Either appeared first on Christy Largent.

Key Ideas:

Part 1:

• A simple overview of the Paleo Lifestyle
• Thoughts on the power of meditation
• Learning when to shut it down
• The importance of play in a productive life

Part 2:

• How do you make decisions?
• Ways to discover what’s essential in your life
• Expectations and decision making

Website links:

www.everydaypaleo.com  – This is Sarah’s home base.  You can find TONS of great recipes here along with practical suggestions for feeding yourself and your family in a nourishing way.  She is VERY real and down to earth!

www.eplifefit.com – This is Sarah and Jason Seib’s nutrition and fitness online site.  They dispense tons of great advice and even have a membership site you can join.

Sarah’s Resources:

Everyday Paleo, by Sarah Fragoso – Her first (and I think, best) book on how to do this thing called Paleo.

Everyday Paleo Family Cookbook: Real Food for Real Life, by Sarah Fragoso – Filled with over 80 easy and yummy recipes.

Everyday Paleo Around the World: Italian Cuisine: Authentic Recipes Made Gluten-Free, by Sarah Fragoso – This is Sarah’s first of her series of foods from around the world.  All I can say is “I never knew cooking with mushrooms and wine would make me feel like a real cook.”  Thank you Sarah!

Everyday Paleo: Thai Cuisine: Authentic Recipes Made Gluten-free, by Sarah Fragoso – And she’s done it again.  This is the second installment of her Around the World series and she took the whole family to Thailand for “research” and we are really the ones who benefit.  Interesting and yummy both.

Paleo Pals: Jimmy and the Carrot Rocket Ship, by Sarah Fragoso – This is a children’s book that actually inspires kids to eat whole, nutritious foods.  My children love this book and the recipes included have all been fully approved.  I like how she inspires the kids to get in the kitchen with me to prepare meals.  This is a huge part of Sarah’s philosophy, and this book entertains as it inspires.  You and your kids both will love it!

The Best Yes: Making Wise Decisions in the Midst of Endless Demands, by Lysa TerKeurst – Saying yes, (or no) means making a decision.  Lysa unpacks some great suggestions for how to make decisions so that your yes’s are emphatic and your no’s are freeing. You’ll love this book.

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less, by Greg McKeown – An excellent resource for figuring out what is really essential in your life.  So that you make better decisions and live more of the life you really want.

Sarah’s Recommendations:

8 Minute Meditation: Quiet Your Mind. Change Your Life.  A primer on meditation

www.headspace.com – an easy, free App to download

Encouraging Word of the Week: Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God.”

Question:  What kind of food creates your best health?  Are you a junk foodie or a Paleo promoter?  Can you be both? (I am..hee-hee, don’t tell).  Also, how are you at making decisions?  Do you feel confident in your choices?  What keeps you from making a decision?  Is it fear, like it is for me?  I’d love to hear your thoughts.

The post #019: Sarah Fragoso – Founder of Everyday Paleo, Family and Decision Making (Podcast) appeared first on Christy Largent.

But a networking event is a perfect opportunity to meet people in a relaxed and fun environment. So whether you’re headed to back-to-school night or a Chamber of Commerce Mixer, these ideas will help you feel more comfortable, have more fun and might even afford you an opportunity you never expected. Let’s take a deep breath and here we go:

1.  Smile.  This is the most obvious, yet I am continually surprised at how few people actually do it.  Not only will it put others at ease when they look at you, but an open smile is a great way break the ice when you don’t know anyone.

2.  Pretend you are the host.  This mindset will help you be friendly to everyone.  Think what you would do if all these people were in your house. You would do your best to make sure each person had a good time – and that they were introduced to each other, right? Do the same at the event and your comfort level will rise dramatically.

3.  As you approach people, stick out your hand, smile again and say, “Hi, I’m (insert your first name here).”  That’s it.  Super easy.  And most of the time, the person you approach will respond with their name.  If they are in a group, even better. You can meet all of them.

4.  Ask questions and listen!  I can’t stress how important this is.  Most people are too busy thinking of how to impress the person they are talking with to bother really listening.  Listen for connections.  Connections between yourself, people you know and the person speaking.  Listen for ways you can connect people together.

5.  Have your business cards handy.  I usually put mine in a pocket so I’m not digging through my purse when it’s time to exchange cards.  If you want the card of the person you’re talking with, ask.  “Do you have a card?” Most people will be happy to give you their card, and then you can give them yours in exchange.  Then for an extra bonus, tweet them after the party with a mention of how nice it was to meet them at the event.  I find my tweets get a lot more response than emails these days.

Most of all…have fun.  Meeting new people can be a real blessing to your life. When you remember that everyone in the room feels pretty much as awkward as you do, just by adjusting your mindset to be one of service (how can I connect others?) you’ll set yourself up for a positive and successful networking experience. I’ll be trying these tips myself as I head to the the Podcast Movement Conference in Dallas this week. I’ll let you know how they work.

Question: How do you overcome nerves when you are in a new environment? What are your best strategies? I’d love to hear your tips and suggestions!

The post 5 Steps to Avoid Awkward appeared first on Christy Largent.

Key Ideas:

• Burned Out or Stressed Out?  How to recognize the difference (from your symptoms) and how to solve the real problem.
• Discover what can you control vs. what you can’t control and make a plan to take control
• The way SMART Goals can impact your balance
• How to take care of yourself first (including my powerful 3 ways to say “No” nicely)

Resources:

www.goredforwomen.org

Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life by Dr. Henry Cloud and John Townsend

Changes That Heal, by Dr. Henry Cloud

Finding Your Element: How to Discover Your Talents and Passions and Transform Your Life, by Sir Ken Robinson

Encouraging Word of the Week:  Proverbs 3:5-6  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.”

Questions:  What do you think of this proposal?  Do you tend to be more balanced or strategically imbalanced?  How are you at saying no and setting boundaries?  I’d love to hear your comments below.  And here are some inspirational photos of strategic imbalance in action!  Taken at the Sundial Bridge performance of BANDALOOP this past June.

The post #16: My Work-Life Imbalance Proposition (Podcast) appeared first on Christy Largent.

Key Ideas:

1. List all the things, projects, programs, trainings at work you have led OR had an integral part in accomplishing.  Include things that are volunteer as part of your work…chamber of commerce, rotary, soroptimists, community work
2. List and write down all the favorite things you do as a hobby.  For example:  cross-stitch, cross fit, restoring cars, music, travel, reading, VBS curriculum, VP of your kids swim team boosters.  I want you to think of all the ways you bring value to those activities.  What are the ACTIVITIES you are doing around these things. Think ACTION words…
3. Note all the things you like to think about and talk about.  What do you do extra reading or watching on?  Is there something you want to know more about?  Take a class or do an online training.
4. Highlight areas of crossover.
5. Offer.   Get the word out there that you are available.  Are there things you are doing with your kids swim team that you could do at work?  Just because you don’t have the job title doesn’t mean you can’t do cross over there.  Is there a project at work you would really like to work on but you’re not on that team?  Is there a way you could volunteer doing it? Tell you boss or supervisor what you would like to start doing.  Is there something that needs to be done but nobody has ever mentioned it?Look for opportunity to cross train.  If you company offers this, great!  If not, then look for natural openings and offer to learn someone else’s responsibilities.

Recognize your value and look for opportunities to add that value.  You are an expert in something.  You add value to your organization in ways that ONLY you can add value.  So today is the day to assesses and implement. 

Encouraging Word of the Week:  Eph 2:10  “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do, that we should walk in, DO, them...” NIV

Question:  What are you an expert in?  Where can you add value to the world around you?   I can’t wait to read your comments below.

The post #015: You Are The Expert (Podcast) appeared first on Christy Largent.

But today, because my son was adopted into an American home, he is free to spend the day lying on his bed reading to his heart’s content.  He is free to enjoy angry birds and the power rangers in equal measure.  He’s free to dream and then live out those dreams unencumbered.

Today is a sad day for the thousands of children who have been pouring illegally into the United States over the past few weeks.  No matter how they got here, my guess is that they were longing for freedom and opportunity.  Today they are housed in large cages waiting for our government to figure out what to do with them.

My heart breaks for those children.  I wish I could do something, anything, to get them out of the kennel for people and into homes where honest, hard working, god-fearing people would love them.  Although I’ve contacted my congressmen and both senators, I’ve heard nothing in response.

So today we Americans celebrate our freedom with bike rides and pool parties and picnics and book reading.  We’ll wrap it all up with baseball and fireworks.  It’s so easy to take it for granted isn’t it.

But I don’t and I hope you won’t.  I hope you will take the time to be thankful for what you have and the people you have in your life.  If you are American, you have blessings and abundance that the majority of the world can only dream of.  Let’s show our patriotism by being thankful and grateful and generous.  God Bless America.

The post Happy July 4th America! appeared first on Christy Largent.

I hemmed and hawed and finally blurted out “because I don’t want to buy shorts in this big size, it’s not who I really am.” She quickly replied, “Then you need to get on it and quit talking about it. Here’s your challenge Mama.  This month, no sugar, few carbs and move every day.” Ouch. Did I mention Amelia is 10 years old?

My first diet was when I was 10 years old. I wanted to be just like this girl named Jill. She was tall and skinny. She had long brown stringy hair. I was short and round with lush and lovely long brown hair. I didn’t see my beautiful hair, just that I wasn’t thin enough.  And so it began. That was 1973.

Today is May 2, 2014 (40 years!!!) and I’m still caught in the “not enough” web. Interestingly enough, I’m currently reading a book by Brene Brown called Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead I’m only about 1/3 of the way through but I believe this will be a life changing book for me.  Shame, perfectionism, fear, vulnerability. All these topics are covered in a fresh way. How can I have been so ashamed of who God made me for all these years? How has that shame etched it’s way down into my soul so that I fear it colors every thought? What if I can dare greatly and banish the shame? At least for today.

Amelia hit a nerve. A raw nerve. It’s raw from worry and thought and effort and guilt and sadness and frustration and fear. Most of all fear. For now that I’ve hit 50, my body is so different than it ever was before. Before, I could just hold on by the skin of my teeth and have some semblance of normalcy. Now, my body is horrific to my eyes. Can I be that honest here? Do any of you relate?

For the past 4 weeks I have been taking a learn to podcast class called Podcasting A-Z with Cliff Ravenscraft.  www.podcastanaserman.com  Podcasting is intimate and personal. I’ve come to know my fellow class members as friends and comrades. Pretty much none of us have ever done anything like podcasting before. We’re all new. We’re all learning. Which means most of us are showing our “weaknesses” to each other. And it’s ok. We are each other’s biggest cheerleaders. We are Daring Greatly together.

What I have noticed is that the more “real” we are with each other, the more progress we are making. Can I be “real” here on this blog? In my podcast? I believe I have to be. I am able to help you with your communication skills, with understanding the various Personalities in your life. With improving your life. And at the same time, I want to be transparent with you. To share with you my struggles and victories.

Why? Because I know many of you are struggling with the same “not enough” problem that I am. And maybe as I learn how to grow through it I will inspire you to do the same.

So back to this morning. On the way home from dropping the kids I turned on Dr. Kevin Leman’s “Have a New Child By Friday” podcast. I kid you not, the first words out of his mouth were “You have to flaunt your imperfections...if you want to loose a few pounds, post your weight at your office…Be sure to print your name…and then post that weight for the whole office to see. Then the following Monday, weigh yourself and post the new weight.” Hmmm…..”Flaunt Your Imperfections.”

So, in the spirit of the day, week and month. Here goes. Every Friday morning I will write a little post with an update on my challenge. My passion to get fit and healthy will be detailed here.  In the spirit of transparency…187. Three little numbers. I’ll plan on encouraging you weekly with my progress. Please encourage me with yours.

Question: Are you Daring Greatly? Please share. I dare you.

The post She Gave Me A Challenge… appeared first on Christy Largent.