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3 Secrets to Managing Your Expectations

What if I told you that you could cut back on frustration, disappointment, and preserve your relationships, all in 3 simple steps?

OK, that may have sounded a bit like an infomercial!  JUST 3 SIMPLE STEPS for $19.99!! Order now while supplies last!! (Best if read in your best late-night infomercial voice.)

But seriously…who wants to feel these negative emotions and threaten our most precious relationships?

The key is to managing your expectations.

Think about all the life events in which we either don’t know what to expect or we have a very clear expectation, but for one reason or another, that expectation is dismantled when #LIFEHAPPENS.

What sort of expectations do you have around the circumstances of your life?  There’s no one way to handle a newly emptied nest, a divorce, a scary diagnosis, a rebellious child, a new job, losing a job, a difficult relationship, or any other life-transition, but you can sure hedge your bets for a smoother experience if you learn to manage your expectations.

These 3 steps will help…

I’d love to hear from you.  In the comments below, tell me which of these steps is the most difficult for you.  The 2nd and 3rd have been my main stumbling blocks, but you know what? Just reminding ourselves of steps like these are how we get back on track.

As always, I appreciate you spending time with me here today.

Here’s to successfully managing our expectations in an effort to live our best lives!

Jill xx

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What This World Needs: More Human Connection

“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin or his background or his religion.  People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love.  For love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” Nelson Mandela

What can I do??

Not sure what to do with all the awful events that are happening around the world?

I’ve heard people say that in the grand scheme they don’t think they can really make a difference.  This is only true if you think making a change, in even one single person’s life, doesn’t mean anything.  You may never know the larger ripple effect that could take place, but that’s not yours to worry about.

Most of us can look back and see how someone did something kind or supportive, even a small gesture, that made a big impact in our lives. On the other hand, you may look back and remember a time where you were lonely and confused, and could have used a kind word or support, but it never came.

All of us, including the white supremacist I mention in today’s video are craving connection.  That human connection can come from a place of love and goodness, or from the opposite.  Not acting at all, is a decision, too.

In today’s video I’m sharing 8 ideas that each of us can immediately become official agents-of-change.

Thank you for being a loving force in this world.

With love,

Jill xx

P.S. Please share.  In times of turmoil people can become overwhelmed and allow fear to take over, causing inaction.  By you sharing this post, you provide some simple solutions that may help get them out of that place of inaction.

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How To Get Into The Flow State

“Most enjoyable activities are not natural; they demand an effort that initially one is reluctant to make. But once the interaction starts to provide feedback to the person’s skills, it usually begins to be intrinsically rewarding.” — Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

You’ve probably heard about being in the state of FLOW, in the ZONE or in the GROOVE, but have you experienced it?

Flow is the state when you’re so completely absorbed, focused, and energized by an activity that you lose track of time.  Achieving a state of flow has shown to increase overall happiness and you get stuff that’s important to you done!   

Who can attain the state of flow?

Anyone… Artists, bakers, knitters, car mechanics, writers, athletes, gardeners, woodworkers, programmers, potters, calligraphers, entrepreneurs, dancers, singers — the list goes on and on.

Flow will, however, not automatically happen.  There are certain mindset and environmental conditions that must be met in order to achieve this optimal state.

In today’s video I go over these four conditions, and as a bonus, I’m share some thoughts from my flowy husband on how he has achieved flow during very mundane activity.

Let’s get you flowing!

  1. Pick an activity/project you love and that’s important to you.
  2. Make sure the activity is not too easy, and not too challenging.
  3. Set a clear intention/goal for your time doing the activity.  Something with immediate feedback is important.
  4. Make sure your environment is conducive to getting into the flow: remove physical and emotional distractions, play some music (or if it helps, make sure it’s completely quiet).

Here’s what Maya Angelou shares with us about her writing efforts: “I keep a dictionary, a Bible, a deck of cards and a bottle of sherry in the (hotel) room. I try to get there around 7, and I work until 2 in the afternoon.”  She’s doing something she loves (writing), she has a clear intention each day when she walks in the room, and she’s set up her environment to help her to be completely focused.  

How will try to achieve flow today?

I’d love to hear from you.  Tell me your plan.  I’d also be interested if you have achieved flow, how does it work for you?  What activity are you doing?  What advice would you give from your successes/failures?  Share in the comments below.

As always, thanks for spending some of your precious time with me, here, today.

Jill xx

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4 Simple Decluttering Strategies That Will Rock Your World

You’re not gonna want to miss this one, friends!  I’m sharing four decluttering strategies today that will rock your world.

You may have heard how outer-order brings about inner-calm, right?  Well…it’s true!  And the beauty of it is, it’s not that difficult.

Your environment often dictates how productive, efficient, comfortable, and happy you are.  The key is to declutter your space.

The idea of decluttering may bring to mind huge, overwhelming projects, like cleaning out the basement that has 87 years of collective family memories stored.  While decluttering the basement is a worthy goal, this isn’t what we’re going to focus on today. We’re going to look at decluttering strategies that won’t take more than 60 minutes max.  In fact, you’ll be able to achieve de-clutterment (I think I just made that word up!) in less time that it takes you to move one single item from one room to the next.

I’m a firm believer in baby steps, so let’s get started…

In today’s video, I share four simple decluttering strategies that will have you feeling that amazing inner-calm feeling in no time at all.

Well…I suggested four strategies…which will you implement today?  You know, at the very least, it’s only going to take a minute or two. Share with me your victorious decluttering wins in the comments below.

Much love,

Jill (The 5-Minute Taskmaster) xx

P.S.  Good tips like this should never be hoarded!  Please share my blog with your friends, family, and co-workers…you know they’ll thank you for it.  : )

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