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 --

Knock, knock... Who's there?

What in 2015 did you let pass you by?  Was there an opportunity that you forgo because you thought you were not ready or worthy?  Please do not believe the hype and think that you have to have it all put together in order to begin, because you DON'T.  It might not seem like it at the time but everything that you have been  through has been leading you to this very point in which you need to be.  Recognize your greatness and walk into what has your name on it!  I found this car commercial which is so true about life.

As seasons shift change is on its way. With change comes opportunity.  It is up to you to seize it! This New Year is an opportunity to grab everything that is yours.  Now GO get it!

See you again next week!

Lo--

Got a plan!?

What have you conquered since the beginning of the year?  What is left?  With only a couple of weeks left it is super important to write down your accomplishments from 2015 and more importantly to write down your goals for 2016.  

This year has been a season of really building a relationship with my Creator.  By doing so I have learned so much about myself in the process.  I have had to really lean and press on God for many if not all things.  Most of all my relationship with God has allowed me to RELAX (working on it everyday).  I have gained perspective of my journey  and I am willing to fail why trying along the way.  

My challenge to you before we welcome and ring in the New Year is to get silent, reflect, and write down both your accomplishments and goals.  It is just as important to write down what you have accomplished as much as it is to set goals for where you want to arrive.  We all work differently on what works best for us individually but here is what I like to do:

1. Unplug for a couple of days from the phone, internet, TV and social media

2. Write down 5 things I want to realistically accomplish if I could not fail trying

3. Then, I journal about my plan either from my 5 things or things I have been constantly working on

4. After, I write down important factors such as: Who I will need to accomplish my goal? How much money I might need to save? Should I seek an accountability partner during my journey? What are the resources I will need to get this done before the new year? What are my check in points (put dates around your goals)

5. Many of the things we psych ourselves to begin and never finish, fails because we don't have a solid plan.  Plan out your journey.  Njeru always says,"when you want to travel somewhere for the first time you never just get in the car and begin driving.  No!  You map out your journey.  You bring things along with you, you might even detour but you plan out your journey before hand so you can finally arrive at your destination."

6. Learn from your past!  Don't do the same thing that did not give you, your desired outcome.  

Come on PEOPLE!  We can do it!  Share with me how you are planning for the new year in the comment section of the blog.  I look forward to reading. 

Remember to live, love & share!

Lo

 

On Assignment

In the car on my way home I always pray and thank God for another day!  After praying I got caught reminiscing about my humble beginnings teaching.  It is so interesting how instrumental and significant God plays a role in each of our lives.  I was thinking how I first started teaching it was almost like an accident but not really when I think back about it.  I started teaching at a "rough" school in Newark for two years.  God was testing me to see how strong and tough I was (grit).  Too only, realize that I would stay in Newark for another five years teaching at another school.  I would not have been able to withstand five years at my last teaching position without the hurdles of my first two years.  Hindsight is 20/20.  At my last school I learned that I am more then a conquer.  I am strong.  I needed those seven years in Newark to only prepare me for where I am now. I question and wonder what God is up to now.  I feel like  I know am on assignment.  In fact we are all on assignment.  We are forever evolving and advancing.  I am so looking forward to see what God has in store for me in 2016!  Stay tuned (wink).  

Have an extraordinary weekend.  I look forward to seeing you again on Tuesday!

xo, 

Lo--

Mind Over Matter

In October, I entered a weight lose challenge at work.  I initially entered the challenge to lose this extra love weight that I gained.  When I first started the challenge I was coming in last each week during the weigh-ins.  It did not bother me, because I figured that I did not have as much to lose  and I would be fine (setting. Don't do it.  Be the best version of yourself always).  A co-worker pulled me aside before the 3rd weigh in and asked me what I was doing to stay in this challenge, to be a contender? Her pep talks, 5 am wake your ass up text messages, and daily water check-in's really helped and motivated me (everyone needs a cheerleader in their life.  Who is your cheerleader?).  I slowly began to shed pounds and feel healthier.  I even ran two 5k's and planning to run a half marathon next year (I put it out there so now I got to do it!).  

This post is not to brag or catch you up on what I have been up to.  I want to ignite you to challenge your mind.  YOU are stronger then you know!  You can do anything you put your mind and heart to.  Something that started out as a workout challenge has become a lifestyle for me.  It is no longer about loosing weight has it is more about being healthy.  Working out helps clear my mind (working out it about ME.  I love me). There are also times that I don't want to work out and I make sure not to beat myself up about it but regroup and set new goals (forgiving myself and moving on.  Not letting it mean more then what it really is).  

When I am running in a race, I am not running against the nine-thousand other runners but I am running against myself (I got this).  I am setting goals and speaking life/truth to myself (I am more then a conquer).  During my race I am encouraging myself and not settling for mediocrity.  Isn't that what life is all about!?  We are all running our own race and there are obstacles we will have to overcome, and we  have people that we will need to lean on.  We will also have to have faith and set goals.  Keep going!  Don't give up and remember beloved, that you can do anything you put your mind to!  Be strong! Be encouraged!

I look forward to seeing you again on Thursday!

Remember to live, love & share. 

Lo --