New Years Resolutions Pauline Phillips

I have always loved this bit of advice which actually comes from Dear Abby’s mother Pauline Phillips. She adapted this meditation from the original credo of Al-Anon. I read it when it appears in her column at the beginning of the year but then I tend to drift away from remembering what it said.

So I decided this year to put the “Just for Today” poem on my site. I am going to try read it at least once a week and really take the advice to heart. This year my resolutions are all about better mental health and I think the “Just for Today” poem is a good set of guidelines.

Just for Today: I will live through this day only. I will not brood about yesterday or obsess abut tomorrow. I will not set far-reaching goals or try to overcome all of my problems at once. I know I can do something for 24 hours that would overwhelm me if I had to keep it up for a lifetime.

Just for today: I will accept what is. I will face reality. I will correct those things that I can correct and accept those I cannot.

Just for today: I will improve my mind. I will read something that requires effort, though and concentration. I will not be a mental loafer.

I feel better already just writing it down. I hope you do too. I also very much like the site Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff The author of the site, Christine Carlson (wife of the late author Richard Carlson) posts a daily affirmation and these are also very helpful especially when you are having a rough day. I have read several of Richard Carlson’s books and find the advice to be easy to understand and easy to work into my daily life. If you need a quick relaxer see my post on Relax with the Count Ten This technique comes from the book “Don’t Sweat the Samll Stuff.”

Who would have thought the recession would drag on for so long. But here it is the holiday season and things are still a bit grim for us and the economy. So here is some advice from some successful women entrepreneurs:

1. Take on new projects- From coming up with new cost-cutting initiatives to volunteering to head up a project, one of the best things you can do to lift your spirits is to pitch in where help is needed. Taking action will give you a sense of control over your work life, while increasing your skill set will keep you motivated.

2. Don’t engage in pity parties – Coffee-break chatter about layoffs or pay cuts will only make you feel worse. Save your complaints for outside the office – with your non-office friends or spouse. Keep the conversation with office buddies neutral.

3. Create you own mini-goals – Come in early one day a week or set up a brainstorming session with your supervisor. Creating goals energizes you and gives you a sense of accomplishment, which will help you stay on track when work is slow.

4. Invest in yourself – attend a networking event or take a class. While these activities may not have an immediate payoff, expanding your business network and learning new skills will keep you inspired and might help you get hired when the economy gets better.

5. Find fun outside of work – Find one non-work-related activity that is exciting to you. Take a pottery class, a yoga class, volunteer somewhere – whatever sound fun. The important thing is that you get engrossed in this activity and forget about stress at work.