Charge those Electronic Gadgets

Today, I have to admit that this is surely an electronic world. As if we didn't already know that, huh! I have a cell phone and computer to manage daily, and that's no easy task. But what happens when you need to use the gadget and it won't power up? Well, it is not only useless, but it becomes stressful; not being productive because a gadget doesn't work.

I had to learn this the hard way, so now I am making it a habit to charge my electronics each night to prepare for the next day. I guess I have been a bit lazy in doing this, especially since the cell phone gives me plenty of warning when I need to charge it. Laptops do the same. So, I guess I really have no excuse. The few minutes it takes to charge up those electronic gadgets, saves hours of frustration and non-productivity.

I hope you all have had a great day and wish you a great week. Thanks for blogging with me. Feel free to leave your comments and share your stories. Until next time, take care of yourself, and yourself will take care of you.

Passion or Obsession?

Do you feel driven towards some specific things you do in life? Do you feel like you want to do these things all the time, and that's what keeps you going? If you answered yes to these questions, then now you must ask yourself another highly important question: Is it passion or obsession?

The answer to this question may seem obvious to some, but not so obvious to others. The Webster Dictionary definition for the two words are as follows:

1. passion-strong amorous feeling or desire; love; ardor. a strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm, or desire for anything:ex, a passion for music.
2. obsession-the domination of one's thoughts or feelings by a persistentidea, image, desire, etc.; an addiction, a habit of activity; often injurous

You may look at the two definitions and think to yourself, what's the difference? Well, let's go a step further. We looked at the definition. Now, let's look at some synonyms for each word.

1. passion-craving, drive, enthusiasm, fascination, infatuation, obsession, devotion
2. obsession-enthusiasm, delusion, attraction, fixation, complex, compulsion,preoccupation,phobia

While we can notice some similarities, we can also see the difference. Passion and obsession are two words that represent a feeling or movement; both closely relative to the other. The difference is: passion yields productivity where as obsession yields destruction. The dictionary described obsession as something that often causes injury.

When you are passionate about something, you are calm, cool and collected. You are in control of your desires, though they be strong. When you are obsessed with something, that something is in control of you. You are fixated on it and it becomes your life. You don't have control over your thoughts or actions. So your end results and what comes forth is vanity and destruction.

Passion is the depth of life. We all were created with special gifts and talents. To find them is to find your purpose in life. Obsession for over achieving something, whether it be your passion or not, only brings destruction. Today, I urge you to find your passion and take hold of it, but don't become obsessed with it. Passion helps you enjoy life, while obsession makes life seem worthless, apathetic and even unbearable.

Look carefully at this rose. How beautiful are its petals; beautiful and flourishing, such a delight. But just beneath such beauty lies thorns; right where we must hold such a beautiful flower. We could prune the thorns and hold on to the beautiful flower with such pleasure or we could become so obsessed with reaching the petals that we totally ignore the thorns, holding onto them, while painfully climbing toward our goal of reaching those petals. Which would you prefer?

I personally would prefer to prune the thorns, so that I could comfortably hold the stem that leads to my passion: the petals.

Become passionate and start enjoying life today! Thanks always for blogging with me. I welcome your comments and feedback. Until later, take care of yourself and yourself will take care of you.

My New Schedule Is Going to Take Some Getting Used To, But I Have to Start Now.

Kids just returned back to school: home-school that is, and boy is it taking its toll. It is back to planning and scurrying to fix lunches, prepare uniforms,correct school and homework, and then not to mention, there's those field trips and extra curricular activities to throw in there. Then I have to pay bills, run my business and finish the housework.

Well enough said. I have another long day ahead of me and I'm just taking it one day at a time. That's all we can do, isn't it? The next time you go down your list of things to do, and you start stressing, just think about the fact that there are only 24 hours in the day, and you can only do so much during that time. I mean you have to sleep, eat, exercise, shower, groom and then add all the other things to do; in one day.

Don't try to be superwoman, (man). Think about what you need to do and plan for it. Really, most of us put things on our lists of things to do that we really don't need to. Or some of us don't even have a list/goals. Big time waster and productivity stopper. If you are not checking off prioritized things to do, then you are not getting anywhere. You are not living. You are just alive.

For instance, think about the time that you waste throughout the day; checking email when you should be working on that important project. Watching your favorite TV show all day, when you should be studying for a test, completing a work-related task, or filling out forms that require a deadline. How about talking on the telephone or just browsing the Internet when you have other important tasks to do?

The following is a list of solutions that can help you overcome these time wasters:

• Checking Email- As a busy mother and business woman, I need to keep up with email. Simple solution. I carry my Motorola Cliq with me, in case I have priority messages. I can check my email several times per day without having to go to my computer. I can preview emails and even answer them from my phone. This way I can check email without the temptation of browsing the Internet and wasting time. Then I check my emails online once per day and delete the old messages. I then file the ones that I want to save into a folder called "Saved Emails". If I want to review an email later, I file it into a folder called "For Review". I also schedule time to review these items and decide whether to save or delete.
• Phone calls. Caller ID. I know this sounds selfish, but screening calls is a plus when you are pressed for time. Some people are not as time- concious as you are, or are trying to be. They will talk for hours if you let them. Now if you have customers or colleagues, then you want to pick up the phone for them, but still keep it short and precise, (to the point). If your best friend wants to call and have a gossip session, turn your voicemail on, and call her back later.
• Watching TV/Browsing the Internet. I run a home-based business, and it is real easy to become too comfortable at home. I homeschool my children and its the same thing. We have so many distractions and temptations that are grabbing for our attention. So what to do when you work/school from home? Turn the TV off. Put away your remotes and focus on your to-do lists. Work before play always bring prosperity.

Start now. Do these things to increase productivity. You have to start now and be persistent and consistent. Thanks for blogging with me. It's time for me to log off. Have to get some sleep.