Category: Blog Spot

Happy Monday!

Shfew! Where did the time go! I blinked on Friday afternoon and it was 630a this morning! #ButHowwwwwww???

Today’s motivation comes from what this week represents for me…A Fresh Start!

I have been preparing the kiddos or their return to school on Wednesday. This preparation is physical (ensuring they are back on their eating and sleeping schedule), mental (making sure they are in a good and positive headspace to be back in the classroom), emotional (finding ways to work through the nerves of new teachers and possibly new friends), and spiritual (for us, this is reminding them of their faith and beliefs).

In all of this, I realized this is where they start anew. They left 4th and 7th grade behind (boy oh boy was 4th grade a doozy). But now, no matter where they landed last year, they get to walk into that school on Wednesday with a new sense of purpose and belonging, and with yesterday’s trials BEHIND them. I will encourage them to take full advantage of this fresh start, so that they can continue to thrive, and truly make the best of their 5th and 8th grade years!

This applies to us too. How fitting for a Monday. We left Friday behind us, and Monday is the perfect time for us to create a fresh start to the week!

Let’s not let yesterday dictate today! #WeGotThis #TodayIsANewDay #ItIsOurFreshStart #FreshStartNowLoading

Have a phenomenal week!

Last year, we had so much fun at Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells! We vowed to make it a yearly occurrence, especially since it is only 3 hours away. When I tell you we had a blast…WE…HAD…A…BLAST!!

We kicked off the trip with an escape room. #MissionCompleted

We then had cabana time, one day outside, and the next day inside. Last time, it was too cold or rainy to go outside, so it was quite the treat to spend a full day in the outdoor park. I got on a ride or two. You know…I don’t do water. It was the kids’ joy, though, that made me forget my fear…for 30 seconds! But I ain’t gone lie, that lazy river was EVERYTHANG! Day 1…complete!

Day 2 was setup for cabana time indoors. The kids got me to forget about my fear of water again, and I got on several rides. I remembered my fear when I had to sit on the back for a two-person ride with Thing 2. #NeverAgain They make the heavier person sit in the back. And if the weight were a bit more distributed, I may have stood a chance. Instead, I almost took my kid out trying not to fall under. #DONE Where’s my drank?

But after all of those shenanigans, we had a family dinner at a spot that we enjoyed last year. It was nice to eat, unwind, and just enjoy our vacation. We even got a nice picture out the deal!

Day 3 was our final day. We spent it eating breakfast at another spot we enjoyed last year. We took more pictures, just cuz, and we had to go out the way we came in…with an escape room. Another great trip for the books! See ya next year, Wisconsin!

Coming off of a team outing last Thursday, then a full Flex Friday, I was sure I would be ready to take on the week. NOPE! The week was ready to take me on, though. I had a full day yesterday. But, I cannot let my team go without. I am here, and so they deserve some motivation for the week. A day later ain’t bad…

Good Morning, Cookies!

Yesterday got away from me! I guess that is a sign it was a productive one!

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s motivation is one that I had forgotten about…

It is AMAZING how much our perspective changes once we shift our focus.  I’d like to think that I am an optimistic person, but life be lifin’!  I find myself waiting on the other shoe to drop, because well…it always drops!

What I have learned, with the support of my village, is that if I focus on that other shoe, I will miss what is happening right here and now.  If I focus on that other shoe, I don’t give the good times the attention they deserve.  If I focus on the other shoe, I miss out on the better parts of life!  Because…life do be lifin’!

So, I will shift.  I will keep my eyes on the things that matter so that I can capture those memories.  When the bad comes, I will learn and grow from the experience.  And I will remind myself that as long as I am breathing, I get a do over!

Have a fabulous day, through every lens!

–Thin Mint

I tell ya…I come across some gems! Because we have the technology that learns what you like to see in your feeds, I find myself being inundated with motivational quotes. #Okay #I’llTakeIt #LearnMeTechnology

Today’s post to my team was a gem that I think I will revisit often! Here goes…

Good Afternoon, Cookies!

Happy Monday!

I hope you had an amazing weekend!

Today’s quote speaks to my SOUL!

The more I sat with this quote, the more appreciation I had for the change in concept.  I have said and preached the fake it till you make it idea, and didn’t think twice about the messaging.  It was one of those sayings that I heard often, and didn’t question.  It was also one that I could tell myself over and over, but I always struggled with the fake part.  If I feel a certain way, my face and body will say it all. #IAmNotAGoodFaker  #ATALL This new idea of facing it instead, gave me permission to stop grinning and bearing it.

This quote also touches on failing, but not in a negative way.  Like we discuss in our team meetings, it isn’t about the failure, it’s about the recovery.  You have room to fail, recover, fail again, and recover stronger!  #FailFast  #FailOften  #FailSoYouCanSucceed  #YouGotThis!

I feel challenged…to change my way of thinking!  I feel motivated…to position myself to take on whatever is in front of me, and be real about it!  Then, I get to fail, dust myself off, and try again until I succeed!  And YOU get to do the same!  Can you imagine what we can take on if we do this as a team? 

I hope you’re ready!  We’ve got some facing it to do!

Have a FANTASTIC week!

–Thin Mint

I was inspired after a lonnnnnng weekend! Watching my kids be kids is THE BEST show ever! I truly learned some things about myself that I will need to grow from. #IAmStillAWorkInProgress But for now, here’s my team post…

Good Morning, Cookies!

Happy Tuesday!

I hope you had a fantastic long weekend, had a chance to refill your cups, and are feeling good on this bright and sunny Tuesday! I also hope you and the father’s in your lives had an AMAZING Father’s Day!

Welp, over this way, we spent two days at our local Prairie Fest. I hate to admit it, but this is the first time we have gone in the nine years we have lived here. It was always on the list, but Father’s Day weekend is a tough one for planning a carnival visit.

Anywho, this motivational post was inspired while I was there…

In the attached video, you will see one of the rides from Prairie Fest, Freak Out. You might also spy my two kiddos on said ride. This ride was one of many that provided a 45 second thrill rush. Many kids flocked to these rides one after the other, my kids included, and some even followed up with a second round of the same ride. The laughter, joy, screams, and excitement fueled the desire for more. It led me to my next thought…

Just like many of those kids…BE…FEARLESS!

When you are faced with a change, challenge, or opportunity, flock to it. Do it a second time if you have to, and do it without fear. A lot of times we get caught up in the What Ifs? that we miss our chance to learn and / or shine. Other times we doubt our abilities or suffer from imposter syndrome. Whatever it is you say to yourself to talk yourself out of something, I challenge you to do the thing anyway!

Now, candidly, I did not get on any ride. My body cannot do anything that spins in any way. I tried it in Minnesota and I was almost done by 10a! #NeverAgain So, certainly don’t do anything that will negatively impact your life. But if you have more to gain…DO IT!

Let’s have a fearless week, shall we?

–Thin Mint

We all have things we want to get done, and today’s message to my team was about just that…

Good Morning, Cookies!

Happy Monday!

Ain’t that the truth!

We all tend to treat Mondays as the kickoff to the week.  Technically, from a work perspective, it is!  We spend time seeing what is in store for the week ahead, and wrap our brains around what all we need to accomplish for the week.  #WePlot  #WePlan  #WeExecute

As project leaders, we have several missions going at the same time.  With each, the goals for the week can look very different.  We have to be strategic in how we set our week up for success, and ensure we (and the teams we support) remain on track to complete the mission(s).

And I must say, you Cookies do a mighty fine job here! I know it is not easy!  Know that I see you, the effort, the hard work, the determination, the fire, and the drive to successfully deliver all of your missions!  #MissionAccomplished

So, Monday is FOR US!

#LetsDoThis

–Thin Mint

I was feeling very dreamy today. Guess that explains my post to my team… Enjoy!

Good Morning, Cookies!

Happy Monday!

Today’s Monday motivation is all about choices…

This is goooooood!

I used to be a morning person.  Like…pop up before my alarm with a smile on my face, a glide in my stride and a dip in my hip!  My partner used to be irritated by that because he needed a long minute to wrap his brain around morning.

That was all, of course, before kids!

These days, I may or may not wake up before my alarm.  Even if I do, I am laying in the bed until the very last minute I need to rise and shine.  My body wants to stay with my dreams, tucked away under the covers, where I have nothing to lose.

I recognize that if I want to achieve anything on my Vision Board, I have to WAKE UP!

Sure, there is no way I can lose sleeping with my dreams, but there is also nothing to gain.  And I will be doing myself a disservice by not exploring my aspirations.  I am a firm believer in purpose and the why in why am I here on this earth.  If I don’t wake up and find out, I may just let my blessings pass me by!

This week, I challenge you to WAKE UP!  Whatever it is that you dream about, have a passion for, or is on your Vision Board…chase it! Chase it until you cannot imagine life before you caught it.  Chase it like it is the last dream!

You are all destined to do more great things!

Have a fabulous week!

–Thin Mint

Since yesterday was a holiday and a day off, I took the time to refill my cup. I hope you got a chance to do the same. For today, instead of a Motivational Monday, I just changed it to Motivational Tuesday. I had a message for today, so why not? Here is what I sent my team today. Enjoy!

Good Morning, Cookies!

Happy Tuesday!

I hope you both had a wonderful holiday weekend!

I have to start today’s motivation with a story…

Thing 2 kept stealing my calligraphy pens.  Of course, I cannot have anything to myself!  Since I could tell this was going to continue to be a thing, I decided to make her a deal…I would buy her, her own set of pens IF she earned them.  And in true Thing 2 fashion, she did just that!

So, off we went to Michael’s one day.  I didn’t even make it two yards in, and they had an aisle of office decor.  At that moment…what calligraphy pens?  I scanned the entire aisle, inspired by the wall art and desk accessories.  Then, I saw some wall art that I knew was coming home with me…

YASSSSS!  It took me a lonnnnnng time to realize how much what I choose to do today has a direct impact on what I am able to do tomorrow.  It’s a balancing act, though, right?  You live like today is your last, and at the same time you have to plan for the future.   #SayWhatNow  It takes time to master, but when you find that balance, you realize you CAN do both!

So, today and every day, I charge you with living each day to the fullest, while putting plans in place that set you up for the future you want…the one you dream of.  The wall art above, as I am sure you both have seen, sits behind my desk.  Every time I am on a call, I am reminded of my future big picture…my dream.  Let it remind you too!

Oh…and Thing 2 did walk away with those pens.  There was NO WAY we were going into that store, and not leaving with them.  After all, she earned it!

Have a wonderful short week!

–Thin Mint

I missed posting a Motivational Monday last week because Thing 2 was sick. I took a Ferris Bueller day to be with her. So grateful I did that because then Thing 1’s school called because she wasn’t feeling well. #OfCourse #NowIt’sAParty #FerrisBuellerDayForTheWin #LoveEm&HealEm

It has been an interesting week, but through it all, the kids never stopped. Things 1 and 2 were still eating up all the food, Thing 2 still tried to get out of taking her meds, and Thing 1 is acting like it never happened. #They’veMovedOn How appropriate for today’s message to my team…

Good Morning, Cookies!

Happy Monday!

As I reflect on the end of the school year…Yes, I reflect too! I may not be in school, but some days I sure feel like I am!…I am reminded of just how quickly time passes. I blinked, and I have two kiddos heading into their last years at their respective schools. Sniff Sniff!

It has been quite the journey. Both kids are learning how to manage and communicate their emotions. Some days, this causes me to fantasize about a one bedroom condo in a gated community. #SoSerious Days like today, though, I am reminded of how life works. There are events that will happen in our lives that seem unsurmountable. And in these moments, we may want to pick flight in our fight or flight response. It’s ok. We’re human!

I encourage you to fight!

Stay in it! There is a reason for all things, even if we cannot see it yet. The future is OURS, and we will never get to appreciate the journey if we give up now.

Be inspired! Not knowing what it’s all for can be just the right recipe to keep moving forward. Draw from the excitement of the unknown, and let that fuel you to never stop!

You aren’t finished! There was a video on AFV of a little girl (maybe 6) running a race for track. When she reached the finish line (and won the race), she kept going. The video ended before I could see when she finally stopped, but the point is, she kept running. Keep running…the race ain’t over and you aren’t finished!

Have a fabulous future!

–Thin Mint

I am always quick to save little nuggets of inspiration as I come across them. Today is no exception. I came across this picture on Facebook and it was the inspiration for today’s post to my team…

Good Morning, Cookies!

Happy Monday

Today’s Motivational Monday is about the light!

A good friend of mine taught me to always find the sunshine. That is super easy to do when the sun is shining bright, and there is no question about its presence. It gets a little harder on day’s like today, when it’s rainy and dark.

Days like today…along with the attached motivational pic…cause me to reflect on what I am doing with the light when it’s here, AND how I am finding the light when it’s not easy to see.

I charge myself, AND YOU, with the following:

• Take the sunshine as a sign of clarity, and let it motivate you to choose only to engage in those things that spark joy, and give you a sense of peace.
• While the light is shining bright, go out there in it, be grateful for it, and take advantage of it while it’s here.
• When we can’t see the light…keep looking! If you still can’t see it, BE IT! Sometimes we have to light our own path, and who knows, maybe we are even lighting someone else’s.
• And even on the darkest days, trust that the light is coming back! It always does!

Journey wisely…find the light!

Have a wonderful day!

–Thin Mint