Quality Time Out/Atlanta Life Coach, Atlanta Speaker, DISC Personality Behavior Consultant

Sometimes a little clarity would be nice

donnanall — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 21:04:02 +0000

Do you feel like you go through periods of life with blinders on? You are just trying to figure out how to be happy, how to be a good person, and how to contribute something meaningful? Every now and then you get a little clarity. Isn’t that nice? A friend of mine recently explained it this way. He said it is a lot like when you are at the eye doctor and she asks, “Can you see better now (then click) or now?”. Sometimes we get a bit of clarity about what we should do or the direction that we should take and it is a great day. Today, I had my own moment of clarity around the value that I bring to the people that I try to help. I believe that one thing that I remind people of is what makes them special. I call it their “secret sauce”. I think you discover this when you look back to the you you were as a child. In childhood, the treasure was known to us and now as adults we wonder around in the dark to find it. It is nice when you get a little clarity. Happy New Year! Happy New You!

Life Interrupted

donnanall — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 18:02:01 +0000

Life can be so demanding! Have you ever paid close attention to the number of requests for your time there are in a single day? Especially those driven by technology such as emails, text messages, campaign messages, survey requests, pop up ads, automated help menus, junk mail, and the list goes on! Our days are filled with time demands and a large number of these demands are neither urgent or important. We mistake these messages for urgent communication because they come to us aided by the speed of technology. Technology is supposed to make our lives easier and our work faster, but instead it often becomes permission to distract us from the very things that are important. Many people have awakened to the productivity drain of these demands and taken steps to eliminate them.

Here are my favorite “time management” tips for handling email and junk mail.

“Touch it once” (junk mail is immediately filed in the recycling bin). If you are going to use the piece within the time offered, file it accordingly.
Emails also follow this rule, “Touch it once”. Take action on email as soon as you receive it. Don’t let messages sit in your inbox. Organize them into folders by moving the message to your “to do” list or reference file. Move meetings to your calendar and delete the junk emails immediately.

Perhaps the most important time management tip that I would like to add is the “Be here now” rule. Whenever you are “face to face” with another person, do not allow technology to interrupt. Life can be so demanding, but we do have the power to silence the technology and honor our important human relationships. It’s hard to do, but well worth the effort. Don’t you think?

Do Something!

donnanall — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 19:23:33 +0000

I have discovered that taking action is so important in moving me forward with anything. Even if the action I take is real small, it is still significant. For example, making a call to inquire about the schedule of classes is one step toward earning your degree. Be all about taking action. Each and every week do one thing that brings you closer to the story that’s more to your liking. One will always be more than zero. It is true that even one small action step will add to your forward movement. You will definitely learn more by taking action than you would just thinking about it.

What is calling to you? What is one small step forward that you can take right away? Take action-stop talking about it and do something. Do one small thing each day and see where you are at the end of one week. These small steps really do help you make big strides toward your dream.

Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned.” ~ Peter Marshall

Success: Doing the best you can with what you have where you are

donnanall — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:42:48 +0000

By: Donna Nall
Have you ever heard the expression-we are living in a rat race? This conjures up the picture of a pointless, endless struggle that we cannot possibly win, such as a caged rat running on a wheel. But wait, we are not animals. We are part of the human race. Now, there is that word race again. I prefer to refer to life as a journey, not a race. Today when you look around, you see people that appear to be running a race in which they are far behind.

Life is sometimes referred to as a game. Isn’t that interesting? Are there rules to this game? How do you win? If life is a game is the goal to compete or just complete? Is it to win, place or show?
A picture can paint a thousand words, but I so enjoy allowing the words we use to paint a thousand pictures!

One thing seems to be fairly consistent. Most people are striving for a personally defined measure of success. Success in life usually means that you are happy with where you are and what you have accomplished. At the very least, it is having your needs met and from there to experiencing love and significance. No matter what the definition of success is for you, the point I want to make is that we all start at different places. Success also means different things to people at different life stages.
4 Simple Success Tips to remember:
• Success is not about comparing our lives to others. (Mindset)
• Be grateful for what you have already. (“Heartset”)
• Get clear on what we truly want. (Vision)
• Start wherever you are with whatever you have. (Action)
There is one thing for sure in this life we sometimes call a race. We all have a different starting point and our finish line goals may vary. To be sure, we have different gifts, talents, skills, and interests that we can employ. Just remember to embrace what you have been given, know what you want, use what you have and move toward where you hope to be. All the best!

Change your Environment

donnanall — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 14:48:00 +0000

It is very difficult for me to focus on one thing for a long time. Because I know this about myself, I have made adjustments to my work environment so I can get things done. If I need quiet, creative, undisturbed time to think or write-I pretty much have to leave my house. The library is a great place for me because there are so few distractions there. In my house there are always things to do, people to talk to, phones to answer, dogs to play with, etc.

Another benefit of leaving your typical work space is it can freshen up your mind. When you change your environment you can expand or fine tune your focus and gain a new perspective. Taking time out of your same-old environment to visualize, and question your direction is time well spent.

I have a coaching client that lives out of state. She goes to a beautiful Botanical Garden when we have our coaching sessions over the phone. I know that this environment adds depth and breadth for her.

What could a change of scenery do for you?

The Story of the Investment Lunch

admin — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 05:50:22 +0000

It was Monday and a long promised meeting with my nephew was finally on the calendar. I met him at a TGI Fridays for lunch. My only objective was to “catch up” and communicate in word and deed that spending time with him was the most important thing on my mind. I listened as he talked; I related, was curious and just enjoyed the time we spent together. I realized how important that this time was for both of us. It was sacred.

On my way home I reflected on what had just happened. It struck me that what made the time so special was my attitude. I was intentional, interested and had no agenda. From out of nowhere, the thought of an investment lunch popped into my mind. It fit the situation perfectly. I had invested in another person over lunch. I offered up a slice of my unencumbered time, a rare and wonderful gift. I vowed to make this a priority to seek out people that I could honor on the first workday of each week.

Monday is now a day that I reserve to invest in another person. It is my Investment Lunch day! It can be yours too.

Who can you invest in this week with a slice of your unencumbered time?

All You Need Is Available To You

admin — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 05:47:49 +0000

In my first entry, I wrote about how everything you need is available to you. Recently, I have had more examples of this truth than I can believe! It makes me wonder…is this really true for all? I believe that I may have some insight into this.

I think that many women don’t see what is before their eyes due to lack of clarity. If you don’t know what you are looking for, how will you know when you discover it? How will you claim it for yourself? Let me explain. Have you ever noticed that as soon as you are really focused on something such as buying a particular type of car or deciding on a baby’s name, that car or name is everywhere?
It is the same way with the availability of people and/or resources that we need in our world. If we become clear about what we need, we usually find it in our own backyard!

Awareness is also important. If you are constantly complaining about what isn’t “just so”, then you are not in a position to welcome miracles. Being grateful for what we have now is the first step in claiming all that is available (and being enjoyed) by us now.

So the question is…What do you want?
Take Action!
Blog now…

Please post 5 things you want and 1 thing you have to give.

Quality Time Out for Breakfast and Blogging

admin — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 21:58:19 +0000

Dear Friends,
Today I write my first blog. Why today? Why not today? I am still glowing after spending several hours with beautiful, ambitious, intelligent women over breakfast. Here is what I am taking away from our time together.

1. Start where you are. Don’t worry about all the steps that lay ahead. Start where you are.

2. Your dream may seem different in the light of a new day. Sometimes we change our plans and that can be a great thing.

3. Proclaim that you have something. This is about being honest with yourself. Others will take notice and be drawn to you.

4. Don’t make it complicated. Get out of your own way.

5. Be in practice. If you love to write, draw, teach, pray, meditate-just do it. Be in practice. Don’t wait to be perfect to try-just be in practice.

6. Treat each person on your path with the greatest appreciation. We are in relationship for a reason.

I am so grateful to have my community of women. With you, I am encouraged and challenged to be the best version of me.

I want to know what you think.

Do you have a community of women that you meet with regularly for inspiration and support?
What new insights have come to light for you?

Please share your thoughts with the rest of us, we are all seeking Quality.

Donna