Stay Connected

My Ipad stopped charging recently.  I immediately googled to troubleshoot the problem. The first step was to make sure that all the cords were functioning properly. Then, I was to clean the lightening port. When that did not work, I was to perform a hard reset. I thought it was interesting that this problem occurred in the New Year – a time for a hard reset.  I have to let go of last year and move forward with the New Year. What a great time to set our priorities.

There are eight dimensions of life and you can use this time to list your priorities for the year. Although all dimensions are important, it is a good idea to choose your top three and list what you want to accomplish. By setting your priorities, it makes it easier to say no when it does not your top concern for the year. There is no right or wrong answers to what you will choose as your priority. Just because you are a Mom, does not mean your family has to be a priority. Maybe your family is on autopilot, running smoothly and now you have to focus on another dimension. Also, realize that your priorities change with time.  What was your priority last year might not be your priority this year.

Below are the eight dimensions and some things to consider:

1. Work – where are you in your career? Are you happy? Is this the time to consider a promotion? Do you want a raise? Do you have goals at work? Have you been thinking of changing jobs? Have you been at home and considering entering the workforce?
2. Money – Consider working towards paying off your credit card bills. Have you started a college savings account for your children? Do you have a retirement savings account? Are you living within your means?
3. Living environment – Is it time to get rid of clutter? Do you want to buy a house? Are you ready to down-size, up-size or right-size? Do you have to refinance a high interest mortgage?
4. Personal growth – Do you want to learn something new – a new language, a musical instrument? Do you want to go back to school? Is it time to finally finish college? Do you want to learn a new skill? Do you want to expand on your hidden talents?
5. Health and wellness – Do you have an exercise routine? Do you want to incorporate more fruits and vegetables to your diet? Do you want to find quiet time daily? Do you want to meditate? Do you want to start cooking at home?
6. Community – Are there volunteer opportunities in your neighborhood? Is there a book club you want to start or you want to join? Is there a club you want to join? Do you want to start a community garden? Do you want to run for office?
7. Family –  Reach out to one relative weekly. Write a letter expressing your love and gratitude to a family member. Make family events a priority.
8. Spirituality – How do you engage with God? Do you want to know more about God? Do you need to go to church or the mosque or the synagogue more often? Do you need to read the Bible or the Quran? Use this opportunity to learn about other faiths.

Get a journal or a notebook and write your top three priorities for the year – then snap a picture of it on your phone.  It will keep you focused for the year.

FYI – January 6^th  – 12^th is Folic Acid Awareness Week. Folic acid is a B-vitamin that is necessary for proper cell growth. If taken before or during early pregnancy, folic acid can prevent up to 70% of some serious birth defect of the brain and spine, call neural tube defects. For more on folic acid, click on the blog, Prenatal Care Starts Before You Are Pregnant.