What are Your Core Values? Everyone should know what they are!

Core Values are the infrastructure to who we are as humans—the brick and mortar of our characters and personality.  Think of your core values as the framing on a house, the framing holds the house up and keeps it solid and together.  We all have many values we hold highly but some are so important they guide and dictate the very steps we take every day. Core Values motivate our conscious and unconscious actions.  Identifying your core values can help clarify your dreams, fears, goals , and what you value most in life.  In order to strengthen resiliency in life one must know what his or her core values are.

Core values are not:

-Competencies

-Strategies

-Norms

-Operating Practices

Core values should be in practice every day.  Core values connect you with the outer-world; help you pick and choose relationships to invest your time and emotions in.  Core values help you manage your finances, relationships,  and daily life. Think of core values as the tracks on a railway that keep your life in line with your beliefs.  Core values require no justification, as they are ‘part of who you are’.

If you are curious as to what your core values are you can download the list of core values here.  After you have the list, circle 12 values you hold most dear.  Now cross out 3 of them, after you do that, cross out another 3.  Are you mad at me yet?  You need to cross out another 3.  The resulting 3 core values you have remaining are probably your core values you hold most dear.  Take a look closely at the remaining 3 values.  Do they align with your family life, your interpersonal life with a partner, your professional life and conduct?  Record your core values in your TN and write something about each one and how you have seen common threads in your life where your core values played out.  Be proud of the effort you have taken to identify them and know that they are your ‘silent partners’ in life, guiding you as you move through each moment of your day.

Are They going to add the Word Syndrome after Your Name?

Excess stress, burnout, overworking, suffering for others at work is NOT heroic, it is self-destructive.

Martyring yourself can be tied in to that feeling that you never do enough, give enough, try enough or are enough so you must do more.

You may be trying to save your corner of the world, take responsibility for others failings, feel no one can do ‘it’ as well as you.  Your self-worth is tied to your accomplishments, few people know who you really are or what you really want.

Few, if any, ever know when you are truly hurt or profoundly upset.  Do not re-create your own personal tragedy every day.  Do not see this self-martyring as a badge of honor but as abusive and damaging.  You do not want a syndrome named after you.  Once you let go of this drive to over-do, you will accomplish much more meaningful things in your life.

Spend some time writing in your TN about whether you are wearing your stress, etc. as a badge of honor, or your self esteem is tied in to over-doing it to give meaning to your life.  Contemplate what the drive is behind over-doing it and if, everything that you are doing is truly feeding your heart and soul.  Start keeping things on your to-do list that are purpose, heart driven and give you soul satisfaction instead.

Review of the FabDori from BlissBagBoutique

I recently created a new resource list and included BlissBagBoutique in the list because she-Julia Schnee – makes these amazing TN accessories pouch with exacting construction.  Pictured is a green one with yellow trim.  These fit a standard Dori. Well, Julia, appreciative of the shout out, sent me one of her lovely FabDoris.  I have three leather Dori’s currently and was excited to get it and see how a cloth Dori measures up.

I have to say I am very impressed.  Aside from the meticulous and beautiful construction, the FabDori is light as a feather.  My leather Dori’s do get heavy when crammed full.  The one she sent me had two strands and I easily put four inserts in it with no over-hang and it is still light.  The pen loop is stretchy elastic and fit my fat Cocoiro Letter Pen.  This is the Dori I will carry in my purse every day because it is so light, so adorable and colorful and so sturdy.  I am keeping my grocery list, household lists and an insert for my family stuff.  Another thing that I REALLY love is that somehow, Julia has gotten the elastic around the Dori SUPER sturdy and secure, way more secure than my three others…haven’t quite figured that one out but I LOVE it and if I over-filled it, everything will still stay super secure.  If you are on the fence about a cloth Dori, teeter over to BlissBagBoutique on Etsy.  The standard is a mere $24, a steal for the beautiful handcrafting and fun design.  The Bliss Brand Julia is creating is really lovely and I hope you will check out all of her products.  She also has a bag in her shop called the “Sew Together Bag” that has three interior zip pockets which would be ideal for planner supplies.  There is only one left in the shop right now!  Below is her intro from her shop: 

“Welcome to Bliss! I make colorful bags, pouches and wallets. I love to find the most colorful and modern cotton fabrics to create a piece of art that anyone would love to carry with them everyday. My bags and accessories will get you noticed and make you smile every time you carry them!  Follow me on instagram (jschnee23) for sneak peeks at new fabrics and bags I am working on!”

What do You say to Yourself You would Never let Anyone else to Say to You?

I often encounter people in the course of my work who tell me “I am my own worst enemy”. It is so easy for us to believe the worst about ourselves, to put ourselves down, to litter our days’ thoughts with negative self talk.  Somewhere in our past we’ve been delivered the message that to say positive, uplifting things about ourselves is to be stuck up, arrogant, self involved, and egotistical.

Of course there is a balance when it comes to being self-centered.  I would like to take back that phrase and remove the negativity associated with it.  When we hear ‘self-centered’ we think of someone vain or arrogant, who thinks they are better than everyone else.  I would like to use the phrase to mean that someone is balanced in his or her life, knows their place in the world, what their passionate work should be and is able to stay in the here-and-now to live life to the fullest.

I think the actual dynamic that is taking place when we put ourselves down is threefold.  First, we can make a negative statement with the hope ‘it won’t get worse than this’, second, if we say it out loud, someone will disagree, say something positive about us to contradict the negative thing we said, and third, we can stay comfortable in self-doubt and keep ourselves from stepping out of our comfort zone.  What are some negative self-talk statements you make?  Take some time to write them in your TN and then contradict them with positive statements.  Work on switching the negatives to the positives!  It will take time and consistency for it to become a habit but it can.

The Next Giveaway is coming soon!!!!

Yep, our next giveaway is only a week away.  I told you it would be a very unusual Traveler Notebook cover…one that no shrinking violet wants to carry.  I previously showed you ONE side of it…the pattern but I didn’t tell you that the cover will be reversible.  The other side of the cover will be sea foam aqua with a little pearlized sheen to it.  All you will need to do to reverse it is take the strands and elastics off and restring them.  Additionally at both ends of the strand there will be a small vintage bone button to accent where the strands attach.  It will be a real beauty.  The cover will be double elastic with a charm attached to one of the elastics.  All you need to do to enter the giveaway is follow my blog AND my Instagram – yes it is that easy.  I hope you all are as excited for this giveaway as I am!!!

84 More Resources…blogs, pinterest, stickers, supplies plus 5

I’ve compiled a new list of resources for you all….I’m all about connecting everyone with just what they need…or want…or don’t know they want but discover they do :-D….it’s ok if you call me an enabler…

We will start with blogs about planning…top of the list of course is Morgan Le Faes Trinkets and here are a few more: Burgess Taylor, JenniferLynnFaber – brand new, exciting things coming here,   Baum Kuchen, Pen Paper Ink Letter, My Life All in One Place, Pen Addict, Zencraft, A Bowl full of Lemons, Goulet Pens, The Well Appointed Desk, Hollis Finds, KenRen Stationary, Amy Tangerine, Seaweed Kisses, and JetPens.

I find endless inspiration with Pinterest boards (and often new products I haven’t heard of…) here are some stand-out boards I like: Waters March, MCD4JC, Crasmussen7, MoniqueVMB, Gtote.  There are hundreds more…just do a search.

On to pens and pencils (I’m so addicted).  I have to put JetPens first…it will always make every list I create because it is the ultimate supplier to me.  Here are some more that you may not have seen…. The Online Pen Company, Moleskine – especially if you like square pens and pencils…lol, Cult Pens – shipping is spendy if you are not in Britain or Europe but they have things I can’t find anywhere else…., Poppin – not really name brands, but everything is based on color coordinating…cute, lots of office supplies also…also color coordinated, Pencils – this is a Japanese store, I haven’t bought anything from them, however, I have always loved the Japanese aesthetic when it comes to office supplies.  If I see something on there I like, I can often search for it on Amazon and find a seller to get it from. Andreys Pencils – some great finds, Dollar General – I put them on here because if you are trying to get your kids interested in writing or journaling you could set them up in front of this site and let them pick their own supplies for cheap…to get them started…. Pendemonium, Dalys Pen Shop, Von Graf – this has been called by many, the perfect pencil, I have lusted over this pencil set for 25 years…someday….someday I’ll own it.

Stickers are something every planner fan needs…yes – needs….lol.  Here we go:  yep this is just a general search on ebay for planner stickers (no, I’m not getting lazy in my resources but there are great finds on here), Mochithings, Redbubble, ACherryonTop, MissWenduhh, and StickersGalore.

Paper is everywhere…easy to find, but here are some good suppliers I like..ACherryonTop – made the list twice…, AllScrapbookingSteals, BluemoonScrapbooking – I love this store, Createforless – good buys…for less…

Next some resources for general office supplies…. Fallindesign, Modcloth, Squareknott, Thinkgeek, Gadgetsandgear, SeeJaneWork – I’ve been a huge fan for years, WorldMarket, AtaGlance – they must have a new design team…some very trendy, cute products these days and great prices, Twohandspaperie.

Planner supplies abound, I’ve previously listed many.  This is always my favorite part of a resource list…I’ve tried to curate some new shop finds, hopefully you’ll like some of these:  TheJournalShop, MyMaido, Pikwachan – LOVE, ShiningStarBoutique, ArasPaperCreations, Shabbychickcrafts, TheHouseofFourShop, MailboxHappiness, Bypaperflower, Italiacraft – If you are an Erin Condren fan, they have the Cadillac of covers for it….17 internal pockets, shop located in Italy, shipping is a little steep, Plannercrush, Jessescraftroom, Stickewicketdesigns, Blissbagboutique – nice planner pouches and developing quite a brand, Pocketfulofsparkles, Peoniespaperie – I love the baby heart clips, SunshineNellie – she makes cute journaling band bags for supplies – unique, AlexiaClaire, Sweetmilkshoppe, SuckUK – CUTE tiny sticky notes, HandWorkDIY, AtelierDays, WigglyPickle, LaurieClaire, KandeezKupcakez, PoeticSoupDesigns, AllenTape, MakeAJournal, Glitteryjem, Paperpluscloth,  ZigZakka, CuteTape, ParksidePaper – some cute stickies…  This product will turn any piece of paper in to a sticky note…I always have a tube with me.

These resources really have nothing to do with planners but…I just had to share.  Unique candy from PapaBubble – ALL handmade and delicious.  If you want a candy that people will talk about and want, this is is.  Delicious and adorable. Want signs you love what you do?  Read this article.  SteamCream has reached cult status…seriously good stuff for your skin. Magicpug has these adorable magic potion printable labels for Halloween (I know, totally random…lol),  This adorable and inspirational paperweight.

A Hint for the Next Giveaway….

This is the leather for the cover I am giving away.  Now for those of you who prefer your covers very stiff, this probably isn’t something you will like as the leather is supple and soft – still it is 1.8mm thick so it isn’t glove leather…I told you it wouldn’t be for the faint of heart…. 🙂  The cover will be a regular size, quad strand, double strap…..

What do You say to Yourself You would Never let Anyone else to Say to You? (Negative Self Talk)

I often encounter people in the course of my work who tell me “I am my own worst enemy” and I believe it. It is so easy for us to believe the worst about ourselves, to put ourselves down, to litter our days’ thoughts with negative self talk.  Somewhere in our past we’ve been delivered the message that to say positive, uplifting things about ourselves is to be stuck up, arrogant, self involved, and egotistical.

Of course there is a balance when it comes to being self-centered.  I would like to take back that phrase and remove the negativity associated with it.  When we hear ‘self-centered’ we think of someone vain or arrogant, who thinks they are better than everyone else.  I would like to use the phrase to mean that someone is balanced in his or her life, knows their place in the world, what their passionate work should be and is able to stay in the here-and-now to live life to the fullest.

I think the actual dynamic that is taking place when we put ourselves down is threefold.  First, we can make a negative statement with the hope ‘it won’t get worse than this’, second, if we say it out loud, someone will disagree, say something positive about us to contradict the negative thing we said, and third, we can stay comfortable in self-doubt and keep ourselves from stepping out of our comfort zone.

Take some quiet time and, in your notebook, list some negative things you say about yourself that would hurt you deeply if someone else you love said to you.  Now go back and think on these things, think on why it would hurt if someone who loves you said these things to you.  Now remember, your first duty in life is to love and cherish yourself as the sacred, miracle you are.  Why would you allow yourself to hurt your psyche by saying these things to yourself?  Go back to your notebook, re-write those negative statements in to positive ones and re-read them every day remembering you wouldn’t let anyone else say those things to you so you won’t anymore either.

Our Next Giveaway!

I am very excited about our next giveaway.  We are getting close to another folllower milestone and I am close to a milestone in my career.  The blog is growing by leaps and bounds and I am getting read to launch a class on Self-Care that I have been developing for quite a while.  In honor of those two things the giveaway has to be good!  Up for grabs for one lucky follower is a faux-dori, regular with extra room, four strands, double strap, in genuine leather.  This isn’t just any faux-dori, this one isn’t for the faint of heart because the leather has a beautiful pattern on it that will bring attention to it….I’m not going to say more – yet….how do you get in on the drawing?  Simply be a follower of my blog AND my Instagram – yep that easy!  Links to my Instagram on the right.  Thank you to all of my followers for being a part of my blog.  The deadline for entry is April 20th.  The Dori shown is not the prize, it just illustrates a typical regular faux-dori with extra room.

The Reset Girl has an AMAZING Challenge

If you ‘travel’ in the planner world you know who The Reset Girl is.  If you don’t know who she is check out her YouTube channel called “The Reset Girl” or her Instagram account called @TheResetGirl or her shop…you guessed it… theresetgirlshop.com.  She started a challenge for the month of April called #Listersgottalist and it has grown HUGE. Everyone doing the challenge is having so much fun.  It is not too late to get in on it.  I’ve posted here my first two lists.  Day one was “Why I love being a Planner Girl” and day two “My Favorite Songs of All Time”.  If you want the challenge sheet and more info on it head on over to the website for it – here.  By the time the challenge is over I will have an insert that will go to my collection of writings, journals, etc that I will leave for my kids and grandkids when I am gone, helping them to know who I was just a little more..priceless information.  Thank you Cori AKA The Reset Girl for the challenge.  You are inspiration to many…..