A THOUGHT FOR FRIDAY: DECISIONS

love your decisions

I have two sides (at least) to me. In some ways I can make very quick decisions with little discussion. I decided to move to Chicago after thinking about it for approximately two days. QUICK! I decided to redo an old procedure at work after being in my position for less than a month. QUICK! And then there are times when I lag completely on whether or not to do something. I can stand in front of my nail polish selection for well over five minutes trying to determine what color goes best with the season, my outfit, or my mood before picking a color. I am currently weighing options for a new haircut for the fall. I am going apartment hunting and want to see apartments in three completely different neighborhoods.

Most recently, I have realized that I really want a dog. I am about to move into a new apartment by myself and it is just a constant longing in my heart. I have asked everyone’s opinion and there are people on both sides of the fence. “Don’t get a dog, you work full time.” “Get a dog! You are active and you would love your dog so much.” “Don’t get  a dog, they are so expensive.” “Get a dog, it is so rewarding and worth the cost.”

Yesterday I was having lunch with a few coworkers and we were talking about my dilemma - to get a friendly companion or not? I finally huffed “I think I just need to do what I think is right, I cannot worry about what other people think.” As I said this an executive I work with walked by. And he made my day. He jumped right into our conversation and said, “Lizzie don’t care what anyone else thinks. You know what you want to do, that’s all that matters. People are always going to have opinions.”

Now I’m not saying I’m going to go out and buy a puppy. But I agree with him. I am always going to ask for feedback from those that I trust, it’s just part of my decision making process. However at the end of the day I need to take others’ opinions for what they are – opinions, not facts. I enjoy getting feedback and discussing my life with those around me, but after I make a decision I need to be confident that it’s the right one. And so today, on this happy Friday morning I am really relating to the quote the more you love your decisions, the less you need others to love them.

What about you? Do you ever find yourself getting battled down by people’s opinions about your life? Do you ask for advice from your friends and family?

if you’re lucky enough to remember the decision is yours, you’re lucky enough

 

MICHAEL NORTON: HOW TO BUY HAPPINESS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsihkFWDt3Y

This is a fantastic lecture by Michael Norton. He describes how money can buy happiness, depending on how you spend it. This is something I deeply agree with; however, I have never been able to articulate it as well as Norton. Typically when I tell people, “no, no I really believe that money can buy you happiness!” they inch away and label me as an annoying, materialistic person.

So if you have a few minutes, watch the video. It’s an interesting view on happiness and money at the very least.

if you’re lucky enough to learn from new research, you’re lucky enough

A THOUGHT FOR FRIDAY: GIVING UP ON PERFECT

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I have a problem. Its name is PERFECT. Over the past few weeks I have been battling a pesky bug. I was feeling incredibly sick but I went to work every day. Why? Because I had NEVER called out sick and I couldn’t stand the idea of tarnishing my record. This past Sunday night I couldn’t sleep, I was coughing too hard and had the sweats. Monday morning when my alarm went off I looked in the mirror and finally gave it up. I called my boss and I crawled back into bed. The miraculous thing that happened was after resting all day Monday, I felt better.

I spent over two weeks feeling awful because I wouldn’t miss going to the gym, I wouldn’t miss work, and I wouldn’t change my plans and stay home. It’s too stressful trying to be “perfect” and in this case it did so much more harm than good. Maybe I could have fought my cold in less than a week if I had just slowed down and listened to my body.

I found a great quote that sums up how I am feeling today: “Striving for excellence motivates you, striving for perfection demoralizes you.” – Harriet Beryl Braiker.

I went back to work on Tuesday, to bed early every night and skipped waking up early for the gym. And now I feel so much healthier! I’m ready for the weekend (with my sister visiting – yay!) and I’m ready to get back to my normal schedule next week.

How do you deal with the pressure to be perfect? Do you find yourself struggling to decide how much is too much?

if you’re lucky enough to learn to let go of perfection, you’re lucky enough

STOP AND ENJOY THE ALLEYS

IMG_0429 IMG_0423It’s not always just about stopping to smell the roses. Sometimes I find myself in new neighborhoods in Chicago and I’ll stumble over something that is so fun to look at I get a little giddy. When I run into something like an awesome alley way and I have my camera on me, it makes my entire afternoon. (This particular alley way is in West Loop right near the Little Goat).

Does this ever happen to you? Do you remember to stop and smell or stop and enjoy your environment?

if you’re lucky enough to enjoy your unique surroundings, you’re lucky enough