::5 Ways to overcome a Challenge:: #WednesdayWisdom

I recently became aware that my coping skills are great, except when I'm under true pressure and stress, go figure! Challenges come in many forms; you can be overworked, having too much on your plate, dealing with difficult people, and really just about anything in life can become a challenge.  If you read about my mental breakdown in 2012 here, then you know how well I handled stress then. I've thankfully grown so much since then; mentally, physically, emotionally. And, I am now able to walk myself back into a good place.

Creating these strengths within myself has been vital to my overall success. 

Some of the best ways that I have learned to deal with it are as follows:

1) Talk it out- Like a really raw and serious talk with someone who will be REAL and RAW. For me, that person is my Husband. He tells me the things, I don't want to hear. And, we all need that one person. Who isn't going to tell you that, it's all going to be OK. Because sometimes, it's not going to be okay, and that is also OK. If that makes sense. (Bear with me here.) But, you want to have that one person who you can truly express your frustration too and will help you talk it out so that you can think of a solution. Sometimes, that person is a therapist. And, that is OK too.

I have had the ability to get therapy and it was truly freeing and very helpful! 

2) Have a moment (melt-down if you will)- the release is needed. A good friend told me a long time ago, "Connie, I'm going to let you have your pity party, but then I'm going to need you to put your big girl panties back on and get over it."  It's been the best most memorable pep-talk of my life. One, it came from a very loving place. She meant well and I knew it. She was allowing me to "have my moment" but then giving me the motivation to realize, I could get past it. Sometimes, it's ok to have that moment but don't give up. Keep pushing forward and you will see that it's so worth it.

Also, a rule of thumb. I have my meltdowns, alone, in a quiet place where I can truly reflect. 

3) Don't be a Victim- Accept that you too have faults and are allowing these things get to you. There is nothing worse than denial. And, don't get me wrong. I have been there. I pretend that everyone else has issues and I'm the victim they prey on. Nope. A lot of times I am my own issue. Whatever it is, I have been there. We all have faults. Instead of focusing on a "woe me mentality" push forward and think about the solutions and positive. It's often hard to see these when we are in the middle of something bad but trust me, steps 1 and 2 are a huge help.

Don't be a victim, be victorious! 

4) Care but not too much- I hate this advice. Because I am a person or was one, who cared so much all the time about what people thought about me or if I was playing nice. Well. (and, it's easier said than done.) Try not to care so much. Care enough that you know hard times can come, bad things happen and you will make it through. But, don't dwell on the feeling so much that it consumes you. As an overthinker, thoughts, and what-ifs slowly eat at my soul. I know I'm weird. But, it's true. Over time I have learned not to allow this to hinder my existence or to slow my progress. You should never allow emotions of what others could think of you, overwhelm you this much. Don't get me wrong, it happens, but push past it anyway!

Push through the emotion... 

5) Move forward As that famed Ice Queen (and my 6-year-old daughter) would say, LET IT GO... LET IT GO..- The hardest part of getting pas hard times, for me, is letting it go. Not everything has a solution or endpoint. Not everything will. Knowing that sometimes words are left unspoken, through are held back and people change, is the key to moving forward. Being able to let things go and again not allowing them to dwell or sit in your mind or heart is very important. Very important. Let it go, more so for you than for the situation or person.

And, remember that you can and WILL overcome these challenges. You can do this Momma!

Remeber that troubles are temporary.... live in peace with yourself and who you are... 

::10 Positive things to do BEFORE 2016::

The new year will be upon us soon, in 30 days to be exact. I love happy, positive posts that will help us grow. 2015 has been a great one. I will have a reflection post soon. But, for now I wanted to kick off our "new year resolution" making, early. Only because being prepared and envisioning what I want in 2016 is highly important to me. I have been doing this for a couple of years now and things have just slowly become better and gone in a more desired direction. Now, I have said this before, my challenges and my vision boards don't go without troubles or difficulties. They just help me get through the tough moments easier. 

Let's begin. How can you make 2016 a better and bigger year?

::Envision your 2016::

Think about what it is you want, envision your happy place. Never a prefect world but always happy with your choices and the path you are walking. What you want for your family, your career, your education, your friendships, your business endeavors and partnerships. Anything goes. Sometimes the bigger the dream the better making those dreams come true though might take small steps and setting a series of smaller goals. These goals can be monthly goals. Just know that the process takes times. Be patient.

::Write it down::

Now that you have it all set-up in your mind and you have envisioned what 2016 will look like, write it down! One of my biggest mistakes is thinking, and thinking and not making notes or writing it down. Write your vision out as bullet points if you want just quick notes, or into your planner as monthly or weekly goals so that it's already planned. Writing down what you want is very important. It creates a visual, it's another reason why I believe in vision boards. This year I even created a digital vision board on Pinterest. Anything to help me SEE everything that I want, helps.

::Positive thoughts::

Set your mind in the right direction and the rest will follow. Trust. One of my biggest challenges year to year is my weight. Some months out of the year, I can't. I won't. My mind can't focus on being strict and disciplined, it wants to just be. I think months like these are necessary, it helps prepare our minds for what we really want. Once your mind is set on something it's hard to not go through with it, at least for me. I can be very stubborn. Mindset is everything!


::Positive Words::

Words, my friend Jotina has an excellent book about our language and how we should change this. I myself have done several #30daychallenege's now. And, 2016 will not be an exception, already planning it, so be ready January 1. The 30 day challenge is mainly on my Instagram. And, trust me, it has truly changed me. I used to work in a negative environment with co-workers whose words were always unhappy and complaint, once I changed my language to myself, that situation turned itself around. Our minds and our language are key to progressing. I have lived it.

::Start your weight loss plan now::

I started boot-camp about a month ago in November, knowing myself and that I love to eat. That and that the holidays were coming up and that I suck at self-control. I got a good deal on Texas Fit Chicks through Groupon and went with it. This week I started on my second month and have signed up for 3 new months. Oh this will be hell. But, it's okay because I am already loving the changes in my body and the 7 pound weight-loss in November. I have pictures on Instagram. Not like transformation stuff, but motivational ones that keep me going and reminded. If you start now, you won't have to think about it come January 1, you will already have a plan and your habits set. Just sayin'. As they say, the early bird gets the worm...and the abs! Ha.

:: Take a Break::

We all know that those who hustle succeed, but every once in a while a break is  much needed. You don't want to burn yourself out and lose sight of what you are really after. Taking a break and reorganizing your thoughts and plan is needed. I try to do this often, sometimes it's easier said than done. I am a person who constantly needs to be in motion, only because my anxiety and depression will kick in if I don't. And, that's even harder to shake. But, I do believe in resting and making sure that I remain focused so I take breaks, when needed. A break for everyone is different. For me, even not doing laundry, staying off social media after 5 p.m. or skipping a blog are all good breaks. I mentally shut down and enjoy things like; napping, T.V. and annoying my Husband and kids to do things!

::Take up a Hobby::

Helps fuel creativity and new ideas. I love making things, writing and exercising. All, I feel, are good hobbies to have. I have started doing some photography and learning more about taking quality pictures. I love making wreaths and headbands. Of course writing is my obvious passion. Exercising I feel is a good hobby, keeps you busy and in shape. I am not as good at that but I try. Always doing the things I really like, because they keep me motivated and inspire me so much. Plus they make me happy and keep me in a good mood which is valuable to good family life.

:: Eat Well::

Hardest thing ever for this Mexican Momma who loves ALL foods. But, I do notice that when I eat well I feel better. About myself, about my energy and overall mood. Good healthy food is so important in your 30's and beyond, I am sure. I ate so much crap food for so long that now, I would rather eat clean healthy homemade food. It's good every once in a while to have a good cheat meal, but for the long haul I prefer healthy eats. I get a lot my food prep ideas from Pinterest . Your body and mind will love you!


::Sleep::

This doesn't apply to me. Ha. I should sleep more. I can't sometimes. I have a problem shutting down and refuse to take medicine. Even after a long day waking up before 6 a.m. and exercising every night, I still can't seem to shut down. Insomnia is a real issue I have had for years, since High School. But, now well into my 30's, I know how important it is and when I can, I do sleep well. It's vital to my health. I can function just fine even on a couple of hours of sleep, my body is kind of used to it.

::Go Out::

Being social and meeting up with friends or meeting new people are vital, you never know who you will meet and how they will impact your life. Friends are a good reminder of how awesome your life's journey has been. Going out with your Hubby or significant other, is just as important to relax and have fun. I have the most fun on date-nights now with my Husband because they are so long overdue at times. They help remind me of how life brought us together and we always sit and think about the kids which is an amazing reminder of how much God has blessed us over the years.  This all helps re-inspire you on so many levels. So have a taco, drink a margarita, enjoy life and the rest will follow.

::Wordless Wednesday:: #MommaChallenge

My wordless Wednesday's are rarely wordless. I just have to have words! HA.HA. 

Last year I started a self-challenge, and then I had people following and asking me about it. I turned into not only a self-challenge but also a way of being accountable. I started a 30 days of Affirmations challenges after a talk with a life coach and a wonderful series of conferences in 2014.  You can see those posts ::HERE::

The challenge made a HUGE difference in all areas of my life. As a Wife, as a Momma, and as a Momma with a career. 

Last week I began a new journey so, I started that challenge again. As a way to remain focused and joyful! Then, this weekend, I went to a local conference. I will write about it more soon. During this conference we spoke abundantly about affirmations and it made me feel like I was on the right path once again. Today I share the challenge with you again. 

It's very simple {or so we think} for 30 days you write a love note to yourself, a happy, positive thought that will help you get through your day, through the next 2 hours or through the year.You post these notes in a place where you can read them everyday. If you post them on Instagram or Twitter make sure to tag us and hashtags us: @MommaofDos- Instagram & @MommaofdosTX- Twitter,  #MommaChallenge #MommaofDos #PressForwardGuerrera 

Last year I used sticky notes, this year I used a notebook cause it's easy to carry around.  

Hope you join us!!

::2015:: One Word + Goals

It's been days since 2015 began. It has had a gloomy start but nothing will hold us back. Starting the year off by giving myself a "break" from last year. A little break from writing to help me focus on life. I say that lightly. I really don't know how to take breaks. But, I have been, thinking. Reflecting on what's to come and oh yes, focusing. 

Focusing on a life once forgotten. And, the future of what will be. 

::Focus::

It's my word for this year. In an effort to focus I created a new blog. Yes, I know. Hectic. But, we will see how far it goes. It's a focused blog on Women's careers', their passions and community. Latina Momma in Houston.

I also started a Vision Board on Pinterest to help me organize my thoughts. I am de-cluttering my home along the way and creating a better space for my writing and imagination to be more inspired and in tune with what really matters.

Focus, such a simple word. 

¹fo·cus

: a subject that is being discussed or studied : the subject on which people's attention is focused

: a main purpose or interest

: a point at which rays of light, heat, or sound meet or from which they move apart or appear to move apart;especially : the point at which an image is formed by a mirror, a lens, etc.

::Goals::

2015 for me will be one of focus, on not just my blogging topics but my career as well. As many of you may know, this is not what I do full-time and honestly, I like that I have  a full-time job outside of Blogging. Helps me keep a good balance. I discovered long ago that staying at home was not going to be an option for me, personally just can't do it. I prefer the chaos of work/life balance, the nonexistent down time and the network I have created through my jobs. 

Focus this year will be on:

- Obtaining a better full-time job, currently the situation is toxic. Not fun. And very much un-motivating. It just never seems to be enough. I have fallen into this place of complacency that isn't healthy. I am afraid to fall into a normal everyday routine, not because I want to but because I have to. It basically sucks the life and passion right out of me. Finding the best place for me has been a journey worth traveling. I have so far learned what I am truly worth, and I can't accept anything less. I have also discovered that I don't want the kind of job that everyone else has because I know that something better is our there. I truly crave a different kind of life. 

-Attending local and very specific events for my blog. Only taking those jobs I really want and find purpose in. Writing only about the things that motivate me and push my blog to a higher place not just what everyone else is doing because it's good for the business. I don't want to be a part of just anything. My blogging will probably be less and more purposeful and informative {due to prior conversations with other blogging and like-minded Momma's } as well as a journal type style about our everyday life. 

-Working with truly like minded people. That's all. 

-Writing at least twice a week on both blogs, January will be tricky but I think I can do it. 

-Finding a school for my children. My kids will start school this fall. Pre-K and Kinder. We will see how this goes. Lots of research in the works. 

-Attend Mixers and Networking events at least twice a month for personal, de-stressing purposes as well as to grow my network. {This is usually easier said than done.}

-De-clutter my home, very much needed. 

-De-clutter my brain and re-gain focus. Which will help in relieving my everyday life from thoughts and ideas that are not serving much purpose. 

I often find myself sighing at work, feeding off of the negative and frustrated air around me. I don't want that. It's not a good way to feel on a daily basis. I am usually a happy, positive person who wants to love their 8 to 5 job and feel good energy around them. These days , not so much. 

2015 must be one of change towards a more focused life.

Last year I craved peace. I now have peace. I have peace in so many areas of my life that once lingered. Those places that are so difficult you feel like you are the only one dealing with them. Thoughts of what others may think, no longer. I am at peace with myself and the universe around me. Discovered that when people are not at peace with themselves they like to make others think they are the problem. Truth is all they need is peace in order to find peace around them.

In all, I have some work to do and slowly by surely it will get done and 2015 will be amazing. We had a minor set back this week, but nothing our little family can't handle.

What about you, what is your focus this year? Do you have a word that you have chosen to make your focus for this new year?