Takeaway

CEO.  What's the first thought that pops into your head when you see that three letter title?  Stuffy?  Successful?  Suit and tie?  Driven?  Arrogant?  Aloof?   Failure?

How about dynamic, energetic, focused, passionate and REAL?  A few of the words that came to mind when I had the pleasure of listening to Beachbody CEO Carl Daikeler speak recently.  Sadly, it wasn't LIVE but a video of a speech he gave at a Leadership Retreat.  I listened to it twice.  Okay, three times...who's keeping track, anyway?!

So many things stood out to me.  First of all, 170,000 units of Shakeology are sold daily.  What?  Yeah--incredible.  If you're not on board yet, we can change that!!  And secondly, there are 133,000 Coaches---including yours truly.  The Coach who recruited the Coach who recruited me is #2.  Yeah...you read that correctly (even if it did sound sort of "my cousin's cousin's neighbor's father-in-law's barber).  How cool is that?  

Beyond that, what stood out to me was Carl's demeanor.  His ease and confidence--his "come up and chat with me" persona.  I felt like I could truly pull up a chair and chat with him for hours.  He spoke with such warmth, humility and honesty about, of all things, failure.

You may be wondering why a successful CEO would talk about failure.  I was.  And then I listened more closely to the lesson he was sharing.  We don't hit home runs every time.  We don't close every sale or win every case.  We just don't.  But what we should do, what we must do, is learn from those failures.  Learn from the mistakes and grow.  As people, parents, business owners, leaders...growth is mandatory to succeed.  And much of the best growth comes from failing.  What did he learn from an 0-17 basketball season?  That he tried his best, hustled and worked hard and had a father who recognized and applauded that.  What have you tried to do lately and failed?  And what did  you learn?  What's that expression about seeing the stars when it's darkest?

Another key distinction Carl made was between being a success versus having or experiencing success.  Never quite thought about it in those terms before, but I like that nuance.  To me, it is like running.  I have run, but I don't call myself a runner.  I took Carl's sentiment to mean that it's not as much about being a success as it is having success and understanding all that it took to do that. Being sounds stagnant to me; or complacent.  I like to think we're all enjoying success---wherever we are on the road.  After all, only we can define what success means to us.  Right?

As I was listening to Carl speak about doing things that aren't necessarily easy, I began thinking about my career in radio.  And how often I'd struggle because we were up against a giant in the market.  Then I realized that by facing these challenges, I was honing my skills as a sales person.  I wasn't at "the giant" station, sitting by the phone waiting for customers to call in.  Nope.  I was out there turning over rocks, chasing down leads, cold calling until my fingers hurt from punching keys on a phone.  I was explaining value to my customers, I was delivering more than they expected.  The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it, right?

And finally, Carl spoke about one of my favorite brands; Life is Good.  You know the one, don't you?  In any event, Carl said this.  "Life may not always be good, but we can create and choose good." (I may be paraphrasing a tiny bit there; I listened while I drove, so my notes may not be perfect!!)  And I actually agreed OUT LOUD with that statement.  There are times when life sure doesn't seem good.  There are days, even weeks, where it's raining bad news and nothing's going right and you sort of feel like either fighting the whole world or crawling under your bed and hoping it passes quickly.

In those moments, when it's not easy to choose or create good, in THOSE moments we need to do just that.  Those are the moments where we're truly tested.  That's the time you need to give yourself a little grace, tell a friend what's bugging you, let it go and move along.  Again, not easy...but so, so, so important.

Glad I had the opportunity to listen to Carl.  And now I've gotta go out there and work.  I mean fail.  Oh, I guess I mean both!

 

 

Chase Away the Dreary

So today was a perfectly miserable day in terms of weather...rainy, cold, grey.  But it did give me a wonderful excuse to do the things I'd been putting off to enjoy the nice weather.  Do you do that, too?  Soak up every single second outside when the weather cooperates and then, on that not-so-nice day, you look around and realize you can't remember the last time you fed cleaned your pet dust bunnies?  I'm not alone in this?  Okay, good.  Because I feel an impending avalanche of projects nipping at my heels...here's to a lot of snow days this winter!

But I digress....the real reason for this post is to share a recipe I found yesterday as I sat at the island, listening to the splatter splat of raindrops on the deck.  Sounded like the perfect time to whip up something to chase away the dreariness.  Not to mention that a friend and I have a little pumpkin challenge going between ourselves; the idea is to come up with at least one new pumpkin recipe each week and share with the other.  She is to pumpkin what Bubba Gump is to shrimp--only she's much prettier!! 

Crockpot Pumpkin Spice Lattes

8 T of pumpkin puree

8 T of vanilla

2 t of cinnamon

8 cinnamon sticks

4 cups of strongly brewed coffee

6 cups of milk

8 T of sugar*

Whipping cream [optional]

Combine the milk and coffee, and pour into the crockpot. Whip together the other ingredients [minus the cinnamon sticks and whipping cream] and pour into the crockpot. Mix together well.

Cover the crockpot, and cook on high for 2 hours.

Serve in mugs. Generously put whipping cream on top of the lattes, and add a cinnamon stick for extra flavor.

Enjoy all you pumpkin lovers!

*I skipped the sugar, opting, instead, to add a scant amount to my own once I ladled it out into a mug that fit oh-so-perfectly in my hands.  I also skipped the whipped cream; I know, I know!!  Sigh. 

It's a Juggle Out There

It's been about four or five months since I created this blog.  And the past few weeks or so, I've been really living up to its title.  It's a juggle out there---for sure!

Let's see.  We're adjusting to a new school schedule for Abby, incorporating a dance class to Saturday mornings and an activity night to Tuesdays.  We've created our Fall Funfest List to suggest and keep track of fun fall activities---our Summer Bucket List was such a hit, we have decided to create one for every season.  We've got birthday parties to attend, apple orchards to visit and let's not forget pulling the fall decor out of the garage and strategically placing (read: set out with minimal effort and not too much care about what goes where considering it'll all be rearranged by my 4yo interior decorator within minutes anyway) around the house.  There are mums to buy, ghosty jars* to make and the last pieces of summer to tuck away (Please no judging me if I put Abby in her adorable bathing suit just one more time before it's put away forever!).  I've got sorting out to do, closets to swap out and cleaning to do (well, maybe not so much.  I've convinced myself that my dust bunnies like it here).

Certainly my list is not comprehensive and it's no longer than any of yours.  Nope.  I'm pretty sure that our days are completely boring to many of you.  And then again, there may be someone reading this who doesn't do all of this in a decade!  I'm not here to compete (heaven knows I don't have time for that!), but to offer a glimpse at the juggle.

Point is, that's only part of the equation.  There's work, too.  Six weeks from today I will be waking up on "the other side" of the Heart Walk.  It's kind of hard to believe...and I'm firmly in the zone of "the walk either needs to be TODAY or 6 months from now."  I feel as if I have, simultaneously, too much time and not nearly enough time in which to accomplish all that needs to be done regarding the Walk.  

Our $1.6M fundraising event will be here and gone in 6 weeks.  Not unlike a wedding, there's tons of prep work mixed with a healthy dose of "hurry up and wait" followed by the rush of event day, a heaping portion of "did I see everyone I needed to see?" culminating in a tear down that happens quickly and somewhat sadly.

Heart Walk season---or as I like to call it, The Sorry Season (because I seem to say that a lot; "Sorry, I got stuck at work late."  "Sorry, I have to be in early; can you get Ab to my Mom's?"  "Sorry, I thought we had x,y or z on hand for dinner."  "Sorry I fell asleep with Abby at 8:30!"  You get the idea!)---brings a hectic pace to an already busy time of year.  There's no slowing down until, really, after the Walk---well after.   

This isn't my first go 'round with this, so I should be used to it.  And I am, I guess.  On one hand, it never gets easier to push through these demanding weeks, the deadlines, the pressures and the meetings (oh the meetings!!).  

And on the other hand, it's easy to keep focused on the reason WHY we do all of this; it's not the event itself (although it is spectacular to see 10,000+ descend on the North Shore in support of a cause so meaningful) and it's not just the funds we raise.  It's what we do with those funds; or, more to the point, it's WHO we help with those funds.

I know, I know, that my friend's son would not be here today without the American Heart Association.  I know that another friend's little boy would have an entirely different story to tell without us.  And that is why I push.  That is why I drive harder and work longer; because I want those happy endings.  I want to celebrate those victories and I want to be part of changing people's lives.

That desire overflows naturally to another outlet; being a Beachbody Coach.  Changing people's lives?  You bet--every single day.  Over a year ago I had my "enough's enough" moment and took a leap of faith.  That leap was beyond worth it.  With the love, support and encouragement of my Coach and fellow Challengers, I was able to focus on myself and make some big changes.  The changes were physical as well as mental, and I began to learn how I could funnel this passion into another income for our family. 

Last year at this time, I was well into my 90 Day transformation while up to my neck in Heart Walk work.  It was a tricky balance---or so I thought.  Last year had nothing on this year.  The balance is all the more precarious this time around, the focus needing to be that much sharper.  This year, I'm challenging myself and Coaching others.  I'm growing my team and helping others become successful Coaches.  I'm managing more companies for the Walk, bearing the weight of lofty goals and even higher expectations.  I think about all that I have on my plate this year that I didn't have last year.

In addition to extra responsibilities, I have additional skills this time around.  Last year?  No blog.  This year?  Blog.  And a better understanding of Blogger, timing, topics and audience.  Last year?  No Coaches.  This year?  I've got eight, and I'm on a course to achieve a ranking I once thought out of reach.  And I've also got a growing confidence to help my Coaches, a knowledge base that's deeper than before and resources a plenty to help them when I can't.

And speaking of resources; here's a task I can't delegate out, no matter how deep my reserves go.  In the midst of all of this, Mark and I will celebrate our 10th anniversary.  That's pretty significant.  And not in a "gotta get/give the perfect gift" kind of way, but more in a "take stock because this man has stood by your side, loving you unconditionally, as your husband, for the past 10 years" kind of way.  I'm not sure there is a gift that's appropriate to express my gratitude and love.  Abby said I have to get him red velvet gobs--apparently that's the traditional 10th anniversary gift.  Who knows?  All I do know is that our anniversary falls 2 weeks before the Walk, meaning I may or may not be the best version of myself by then. And frankly, him still loving and helping me then is gift enough**.

Yes, it's a juggle.  It's a juggle every single day.  And, like most jugglers, from time to time something hits the ground (occasionally some stuff hits the ceiling, too, but let's not go there!).  Last year, I may have caved when that happened.  I may have decided that, since the routine wasn't perfect, there wasn't much sense carrying on.  Not the case this year.  Remember the part about being stronger and smarter?  Yeah, me too.  So when I'm on my umpteenth 'sorry' of the week (and it's only 10:34am on Tuesday!), I take a breath, remind myself of the WHY and forge ahead.  When my new recipe doesn't work out like I planned or my best laid plans are somehow totally tossed aside, I regroup, chalk it up to part of the game and move on.  I don't always get it right; I drop stuff. I miss things. I am harder on myself than necessary.  But I keep trying.  I keep learning and work towards each day being a better--not perfect--me! 

It's a juggle out there....family, and work and wellness.  From its start, this blog has been intended to share pieces of each ring in this three ring circus I call my life.  And at times like these, when they all collide into one big crazy party, I choose (most times!), as I hope you would too, to join in, throw my hands up and sing, dance, laugh and play.  Because I know that as soon as today's juggle ends, the next one starts.

"Most of us have trouble juggling. 
The woman who says she doesn't is someone whom I admire but have never met." 
~Barbara Walters

 
 *More on those cute crafts to come!
**I do, however, respectfully reserve the right to accept any other gift Mark should happen to see fit to bestow upon his lovely bride!

Pitt!

An older shot of Abby (and Tallulah, of course) cheering on those Pitt Panthers

You know you're in for a good day when your 4 year old wakes up on FRIDAY morning and says, "Mama?  Is it Friday?"  Thinking that there are no words sweeter, you exhale, smile and respond with an enthusiastic, "Yes!  Sure is."  Only to hear back, "So tomorrow is the Pitt football game!!!"  That last part was squealed at such a high pitch that there were 3 dogs on our deck within seconds.  

This kid has wanted to go to a football game for weeks.  She has carried the magnetic schedule around, waved pom poms in our faces and given us her best lower-lip-quivering "Pllllllleeeeeaaaassssse?" more than once.

So today, after dance class, we're heading off to Heinz Field to watch the Pitt Panthers take on New Mexico (??).  The weather is nothing short of perfect for football; crisp air, blue skies punctuated only by a puffy white cloud here and there.  Yep, this day is going to be pretty special.

As if that wasn't enough, Abby has just learned that we'll be taking the T* to the game...her 4 year old mind barely able to process all of the excitement.  I'm surprised she even slept last night, to be honest.  She did wake up just after 6am, her hair messy from sleep and her eyes still heavy, and bound into our room announcing that it's football day.  So there's that!

Thankfully, we've got a workout and a delicious breakfast to fuel us, because this child is not going to slow down all day.  And you know what, I'm totally okay with that.  Her enthusiasm is so pure, so genuine and so contagious...and who doesn't need more of that in their day.

Now, where did those pom poms go? 

Let's Go Pitt! 



*light rail service that goes under the river

Editor's note:  I'm a life-long Penn State fan (went to Elon), married to a Pitt fan.  It may or may not pain me to cheer for Pitt.  But for my husband and daughter, whom I love with all my heart, I suppose I can suck it up!  : )

Buffalo Chicken Salad

Sometimes when I'm busying myself on Sunday prepping for the week, it feels like a lot of work.  And then on a day like today, I'm sooo glad I made the time to do it. 

This morning Abby and I headed out to her dance class and then to run some errands.  Being a good little Mommy, I packed a snack for Abby but forgot one for me.  Come on, I said good little Mommy, not perfect, not great.  I'll try again next time....

Anyway, our last stop of the whirlwind tour (during which I repeatedly told Abby, "We are on a mission here!") was the grocery store.  DEADLY!  Everything looked and smelled amazing.  I was tempted to grab something quick and easy, and then I realized I had quick and easy and healthy at home.  We bought only what we went in to buy, completed our mission and set out for home.

When we walked in, I sent Abby to take off her shoes and wash her hands while I got lunch ready.  Before her little hands were cleaned and dried, this was on the table!

Healthy Buffalo Chicken Salad 
1/2 cup non-fat plain Greek Yogurt 
1/2 cup Franks Red Hot Wings Buffalo sauce*
1 teaspoon salt 
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper 
4 cups of cubed cooked chicken (about 1 rotisserie chicken) 
2 celery stalks, chopped 
1/2 cup cilantro, minced 
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
*I put in a little less, opting to add more if I wanted/needed to

Abby declared it too spicy, so she opted for a plain chicken breast, grapes and yogurt.  But I enjoyed the spicy, tangy yumminess of this salad on a couple of low sodium triscuit crackers.  Lemon water and some grapes along side it and I had a far better choice than any of the "quick and easy" I could have grabbed at the store.  And it was ready because I made time on Sunday to make it.  What a save--I'm telling you, this prep business really works.  Maybe I am great after all?  Nah....

Mom Crumbs

I know I'm not the only one--in fact, I'm certain I'm in excellent company.  We should form a club or something.  I'll bring the wine.  The group--"Moms Who Feel Like They Give Their Kids Mom Crumbs Once in a While But the Guilt Makes You Think You Do it All the Time" (no catchy acronym for that one!) would likely be filled as quickly as a toddler takes a playroom from tidy to chaos and everyone there would wear the same look of shame--if they weren't too tired to muster that look.

Now, I'm not complaining...and I'm not judging.  Nope.  I'm welcoming.  I'm understanding.  I'm identifying and I'm forgiving.  So these Mom Crumbs I'm referring to (capitalizing that as if it gives it more power or cache), it's my way of defining what I feel like I give my daughter.  In reality, I'm sure that I don't---and that even if I do, her sweet, kind, forgiving 4 year old soul smiles, touches my cheek, tells me she loves me and all is right in the world---that none of us do.  At least not intentionally or without some degree (umpteenth, perhaps?) of guilt.  And certainly, we don't do it as often as our poor psyches would like to make us think we do!

Our day starts, like many of yours I bet, with some snuggle time (how much depends on the day and just how sleepy she is!) and then it's a race to get her ready to leave on time.  Teeth brushed, face washed, hair done, dressed, vitamins then get everyone and everything loaded into the car and we're off.  I try not to lose my cool when she decides to pull out the ponytail I carefully corralled into her blonde hair so that she can, instead, wear a headband (that doesn't match, of course!) she found on the floor of the car.  But, I fail.  And she gets Mom Crumbs.  The bitten off, "In your carseat now, please" or the exasperated sigh and eye roll.

The 10 minute drive to meet my Mom for the drop off affords us some fun time to make up songs, talk about what's coming up in our day.  Kisses, clicks of the seatbelt and she's off.  We pull out of the parking lot, headed in opposite directions and I watch their car in my rear view mirror with a pang of "did I do enough this morning to help her feel loved and safe and confident and happy or did she get Mom Crumbs?"

At the end of the day it's the same gig--by the time I pick her up, I've been at work for at least 8 hours and in traffic for another hour.  I want to get in, get her, and get home where another race of dinner, playtime, bath time and bedtime awaits.  Of course, by the time I'm snuggling her into bed, my eyes are slits and my head is full of the TO DO list that has grown exponentially since I got home.  I try to turn my brain off and be in the moment---but I fail sometimes.  And she gets Mom Crumbs.

And then I think about how I'm teaching her independence in the "just a minute" moments and the "as soon as I'm done" replies.  I think that she's learning to be patient and to understand that Mommy does more than be consumed with her every single need.  Right?  She is learning that---isn't she?  Or is it more Mom Crumbs?

I know that my daughter deserves the best of me, not whatever's left--the crumbs.  Frankly, some days it feels like that's all I've got are crumbs.  I work really, really hard to give her the best of me.  And I work harder still to give myself a little slack so that I don't impose some ridiculous notion of "perfect" on myself.  A notion I'll never quite reach--and frankly, I don't know that I want to reach.

Some of my favorite moments with my girl are the ones where I pull her to my lap, hug her tight and tell her that I'm sorry I wasn't 100% focused right then.  Or I'm sorry I asked you to wait while I finished a conference call.  In those moments, I teach her that saying I'm sorry is important, and meaning it is more so.  I show her that she DOES matter and that I do care about her.  And you know what she does?  She shrugs, kisses me and says, "That's okay Mama.  Let's go play right now."  And we do. 

I don't always make the best choices, I suppose.  I work two jobs.  And sometimes work gets a little bigger than it should.  And while I want my daughter to see that I have value beyond being her Mom, I want her to know there's nothing I value MORE than being her Mom.

I'm not unique; I know that.  And I'm sure there people who handle much, much more in a day than I do.  I get that...it's not a competition. It's a club, remember?  And I'm bringing the wine!

This evening, as we got ready for bed, we talked about tomorrow's first day of school and reflected on all of the fun things we did over the summer.  We even started drafting our Fall Fun List.  As I listened to her rattle off our summer adventures, I felt my shoulders relax and a smile spread across my face.  There were far fewer servings of Mom Crumbs than I had created in my mind.  

When I walk into her room to check on her before going to sleep myself, I'll sit on the edge of the bed, listen to her breathe and know that she loves and is loved.  She is healthy.  She is happy and she is a forgiving little girl who loves her Mommy...crumbs and all!