Bullshit

No the title was not to get you to read the post.  This week I have been faced with miscommunication, no communication, egos, insecurities, and lack of professionalism, all which makes me scratch my head.  Fifty percent of me calls it unnecessary bullshit and the other fifty percent of me realizes that when you are a leader/adult you deal with  these challenges.  What is present for me is admitting that the challenges are never to big for me to handle.

This post is not me venting or standing on my soap-box or soliciting a crowd of yea-sayers. I am sure at some point in time we have struggled with these obstacles.

Here are some notes around my thinking about leaders leading and not feeding into the bullshit!

1. Separate the facts from the fiction.  

2. Acknowledge their point of view.  John Maxwell says, "people don't care how much know, until they know how much you care".

3. Come with a solution orientated mindset

If you do these three things you begin to influence them! 

4. John Rohn, said it best, "The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not a bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly" 

To all my leaders out there, remember that the stuff that seems like bullshit is actual an opportunity for us to learn, grow and become better leaders. 

Have an extraordinary weekend.  Remember to live, love & share. 

See you again on Tuesday!

Lo --

  

Airbnb 101

Two  weekend ago I stayed in an Airbnb.  I was a little skeptical and realized that I have been watching way to much Criminal Minds and scary movies.  My travel took me to the rural Deerfield, MA, to see my former student graduate from boarding school.

I had learned about Airbnb a while ago from my friend Chant'a, she is a fan and must not watch scary movies like me...lol.  Airbnb was not my first choice at ALL.  Since I waited till the last minute and I was not staying at a motel for $100 a night I started to do a little more research and investigation on other lodging alternatives.  Since I believe in sharing here are a few tips for navigating your Airbnb travels:

#1 - Look at more then one possibility for stay and from their begin to narrow down your choice based off of location, reviews, and budget

#2 - Read old and new reviews.

#3- Once you think you found where you want to stay reach out to the host and ask a few questions like: do they have pets, AC, transportation options, what is the bathroom situation like? Do they live their? will you have access to the kitchen?  When you arrive will they be their or will you have to put in a code to access the home?

#4- What I found most comforting is when my host was friendly and helpful.  This is a great sign

#5- When you arrive check out the bathroom, bed, and kitchen and flush toilets.  What was helpful was helpful is that the host showed me around when I arrived.

#6- Familiarize yourself with light switches, access in and out the home,

#7-  Remember it is someone's home so clean up after yourself :).

#8- At the end of your travel pay it forward and leave a honest review for the other travelers and host. In your review mention specific points such as pre-booking arrangements, host, how clean the home was, restaurants near by, or any additional information that will help the next traveler.

So you are probably wondering if I would stay in another Airbnb? The answer is, yes, I would!  In fact, I dream of other places I want to visit and scroll my options on the Airbnb app.

Share with me your Airbnb tips and experiences.  Also don't forget to share with me your future travel plans.  I love to hear about people's travel adventures .

Till next time, remember to live, love & share.

Lo

Half Time....and living

Hey Good People!

It has been a while since I last wrote a post.  A sistah has been trying to live the heck out of life.  Many of you probably already know that I turned 35 years old this year, ran a half marathon and  planned a wedding in 6 months (who said I don't like a good challenge?). What many of you might not have know is that I also enrolled in a class which I finally completed in May!

This post is not to brag about my life but I want to challenge you to think about the fact that we are half way through the year. What else would you like to accomplish?  For me it's not just crossing off things on my bucket list but really being intentional about the life I create for myself.  Yes, I have been really blessed but along with those blessing have been many challenges and much sacrifice. I realized this past year that I am my best version of myself when I am true to myself, working towards my goals, and stretched outside my comfort zone.  We are more stronger then we think!  

The #1 reason why people give up so fast is because they look at how far they still have to go, instead of how far they have come.  So, my recap at the beginning of this blog is necessary, it reminds me of how much I have accomplished and reminds me how strong I am.  I also shared the the happy moments but their have been some hard lessons also!  Most of all I am so looking forward to continuing this year with accomplishing more extraordinary things accompanied with some hard lessons, it is those lessons that make us resilient. Bring it!  

Take the time to be reflective today.  Make note of how much you have accomplished in these last 6 months.  Then take stock of how and with whom you want to spend the last 6 months.  Don't worry if you are not their yet.  What matters is your intentional living, your plan and purpose.  

Share with us what the next half of year will look like for you!  I look forward to reading.  Remember to live, love & share. 

See you again on Thursday.  I will be sharing my tips for booking on Airbnb.  

Love, 

Lo --