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The Psychology of Making Lists

Intentergy 19 Comments

The Psychology of Making Lists

the-psychology-of-making-lists

Last week my sons tortured my daughter telling her that she was on the naughty list. Hubby and I kept reminding her that their lists didn’t matter and encouraged her to not worry about it. (We also told the boys to stop being pain-in-the-rears.)

This week as I sat under the hair dryer of my magician beautician Abby, I showed her my To-Do list. Abby commiserated with me on the need to make lists and just how quickly those lists grow.

More importantly we discussed how making lists boosts our self-esteem and motivates us to do more.

Are you a list maker?

Well, if you are, excellent! The next few pieces of information will support your productive habit. If you aren’t a list maker, maybe you will find some solutions to your chaotic craziness in the advice provided about the psychology of making lists.

In the Pyschology Today article, “How Making Lists Can Quell Anxiety and Breed Creativity: Six benefits of a small solace-producing obsession,” Dr. Carrie Barron explains some very powerful benefits of list making. Continue reading “The Psychology of Making Lists” →

Worry = More Work Than It’s Worth – Wise Words Wednesday

Intentergy 6 Comments

Worry = More Work Than It’s Worth – Wise Words Wednesday

worry-double-the-suffering

Without fail I have found worry wrecking my mental health lately.

There is just too much to do, too many mistakes made, saying the wrong thing at the wrong time, buying a gift and finding that the recipient already has that item, or taking the wrong exit on a busy highway because my mind is on all the other decisions I need to make, ugh, it’s TOO MUCH!

Holidays = gift buying + party going + relative-induced guilt x all the other normal STUFF

Worry = more work than it’s worth

Don’t we already have enough to do?

Worrying just slows us down. Worry steers us in the wrong direction or keeps us from moving forward. Worry really is more work than it’s worth.

“Worrying means you suffer twice.”

Here are some ideas to help you bypass worry:

png 1   Make lists. Check off your successes.
png 1   Set goals. Do your victory dance when you’ve earned it.
png 1    Forgive yourself. Give thanks for the grace.
png 1    Forgive others. Revel in the release.
png 1    What ever you do, try not to worry.

We are only human.
We cannot do it all.
It is physically impossible to do it all correctly or in a way that makes everyone happy. Don’t let worry wear you out!

“Worrying means you suffer twice.” Continue reading “Worry = More Work Than It’s Worth – Wise Words Wednesday” →

Examine the Test at Hand

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Examine the Test at Hand

not-your-final

Last week I supervised my first final exam at State Tech. It was an experience.

The final was scheduled from 8:00-10:00 a.m. in the Community Center.

I approached the Center at 7:45 a.m. (after making new copies of my final – Stupid typos!) There was a line of students in the lobby. My “teacher” status granted me immediate admittance in to the testing room (an auditorium also used for proms and wedding receptions). Tables, chairs, and five other instructors stood ready for the onslaught of eager exam-takers.

The other instructors had nice name tents marking the tables their students were to use. I did not. (Note to self: make name tents for spring final.)

After carefully selecting the last 4 available tables, I spread out my gear and waited for my students.

Upon receiving their finals, neither the huge group or the unfamiliar surroundings seemed to bother my super students. They just wanted to take their darn test.

  • Cut to the end of the final…

Continue reading “Examine the Test at Hand” →

Something’s happening…

Intentergy 11 Comments

Something’s happening...

mrrl-org

Something’s happening tomorrow night at the Missouri River Regional Library in Jefferson City, Mo.

That something is a presentation on blogging.

Guess who gets to give the presentation!

ME!

I am so excited! I have been invited to speak on blogging and how it impacts my life. I am so excited! (Did I already say that?)

The presentation is from 7:00-8:30 p.m. and is geared to sharing the process and impacts of being a blogger.

Not a blogger? No worries. I have designed the steps of the presentation to be beneficial for anyone who has considered blogging, is considering a new undertaking, or just needs to refresh their approach to daily activities.

If you have ever considered blogging  or are hoping to start something new, like a career, education, or hobby, please join us for “Blogging from the Blogger’s Perspective.”

By: Melanie A. Peters

P.S. It’s free.

Graceful Mistakes – Wise Words Wednesday

Intentergy 5 Comments

Graceful Mistakes – Wise Words Wednesday

graceful-mistakes

There is no better time than the holidays to forgive and forget mistakes. Let bygones be bygones. Let peace within yourself ring and forgiveness shine for all to see.

Not one of us is perfect. That is the fun of being human. Embrace your imperfections.

Not one of us says the right thing all the time. That makes conversation exciting. Pray for the right words. Slow down and give yourself time to find the most helpful thing to say.

Not one of us freely prances through life without a flub up. That gives us room for grace. It’s not the fall that is graceful; it is how you get back up.

I encourage you to find the grace within yourself to forgive past shortcomings and move on from your mistakes. Grow from the things you have learned.

Graceful intentergy is the best kind of positivity. Graceful intentergy is the most rewarding energy. The grace and light that radiates from forgiving yourself will not only brighten your day but will shine as an example for all those you encounter of how to love themselves gracefully.

By: Melanie A. Peters

P.S. Remember that whole love yourself thing.

Taste Your Words – Wise Words Wednesday

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Taste Your Words – Wise Words Wednesday

taste-your-words

Chewing food with our mouths open is considered rude and disgusting. Saying words before we think about them can also be quite unsightly.

As we come together for the holidays and forge our way through holiday crowds, we need to make sure our words are as sweet and digestible as possible.

Taste your words before you spit them out.

Consider the weight and brevity of what you say. If you know that you are someone who struggles with thinking before you speak, make dedication to improving on it your Christmas gift to yourself and the ones you love.

Apologies and guilt leave a terrible taste in our mouths. Considering what you say before it is spoken will help prevent those icky instances from occurring. Taste your words before you spit them out.

Give your words intentions of kindness and consideration. Put energy into speaking simple and loving statements. Make your words matter in a positive way. “Be sure to taste your words before you spit them out.”

By: Melanie A. Peters

P.S. Please do not chew with your mouth open. It really is yucky.

Greatest Prison = What Others Think

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Greatest Prison = What Others Think: Wise Words Wednesday

greatest-fear-what-people-think

As I have begun my holiday shopping, my concern for the reactions of others has grown to its typical holiday height. Way too big!

Gifts are to be given out of love, not out of fear for what the recipient will say when they receive it. Similarly, our actions should be done out of love, not because of what others will think.

Who cares what others are thinking? Most of the time our fears are nowhere near what is on the minds of those we worry about anyway.

Don’t imprison yourself with fear.

Don’t hold back in your giving because of your insecurities.

Now I can’t guarantee that all gift recipients will receive with joy, or whatever reaction you are expecting, but I can guarantee that giving with an open heart will open your life to tremendous charity and gratitude.

Set yourself free from concerns about the opinions of others. Release yourself from worries about the words and thoughts of others. Liberate your love by giving without reservations and acting without self-doubt.

Who cares what others think? Love enough to share with them anyway.

By: Melanie A. Peters

P.S. Giving gifts is a great way to show you care. Giving without reservations is a great way to show you love.

Fragile Schedules – What happens when your calendar is gone?

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via Daily Prompt: Fragile Schedules – What happens when your calendar is gone?

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My cell phone has been doing some funky stuff lately. It keeps beeping when I get an email (even though I have turned off the notifications twice.) I am not receiving texts messages until two days after they were sent. Others are not receiving my texts until much later or not at all.

BUT The worst possible thing happened last Saturday to my phone…

my calendar was gone!!?!?!?!?!

The last two years of dates and appointments…gone. My appointments for this year…gone. Everything I had already scheduled for 2017…GONE.

I never realized how heavily I relied on my little digital calendar.

Losing that computerized calendar shattered my fragile sense of control.

My mental and physical planning are centered around the memos and reminders saved in that stupid calendar and now I wasn’t sure how I was going to be an effective planner.

I am a planner. I need to plan things. I love to plan. How was I going to plan without my calendar???? Continue reading “Fragile Schedules – What happens when your calendar is gone?” →

An Elephant on Your Fence and other Elephantine Problems

Intentergy 2 Comments

An Elephant on Your Fence and other Elephantine Problems

Q: What time is it when an elephant sits on your fence?

elephant-on-a-fence

Photo credit: data.amirite.net

A: Time to get a new fence

This is a popular joke at my house that actually teaches a terrific lesson.

The biggest problems can sometimes have the simplest solutions.

Yes, those solutions may take a lot of time and effort, but they are simple none-the-less.

If you are facing a big problem, try to look at the big picture and find what it will take to alleviate the issue. What do you have to do to get rid of the problem?

There is not a problem we can’t solve one way or another. Okay, I know you are thinking, “What about world hunger, or war, or racism?”

Well, this brings me to my second elephantine problem. Continue reading “An Elephant on Your Fence and other Elephantine Problems” →

Dilemma – What Should I Wear?

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via Daily Prompt: Dilemma

Dilemma – What Should I Wear?

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Last Saturday I stared at the rack of clothes in my closet saying, “What Should I Wear?” After a long day of cooking, cleaning, and birthday partying for my daughter, I had to get everyone ready for an annual family gathering. I didn’t want to get dressed. The kids were ready. The husband was putting on the clothes I had already picked out for him, but what was I going to wear?

My 3 year-old came into my room and wanted to know if I was ready to go yet. I asked him to pick out a shirt for me. He smiled really big and chose a teal sleeveless top. Well, it was  a bit chilly last Saturday so I grabbed one of my favorite cardigans to put on top and headed out the door. I looked alright and my kiddo felt important because he helped make a decision.

How often do you stand in your room and wonder, “What should I wear?”  Continue reading “Dilemma – What Should I Wear?” →