Posts Tagged ‘friends’

January marks our calendar as the first month of the year. A time for new promise – new hope … perhaps new beginnings.  A good friend of mine has a birthday a little more than a week after mine.  Since we became adults, it’s been a tradition of ours to go out and celebrate our born days over a tasty meal.

What makes this occasion a real treat is not the $40-50 plate; not the shared birthday; not the location; nor the fact that we can get away from the kids for an evening (though that helps).  Simply hanging out with friends and exchanging laughter is amusement enough.

I know that hanging out with friends over dinner is nothing new. Many people do it more regularly than me I’m sure.  Consider this blog nothing more than a reminder.  This year, make the time to enjoy a meal with your close ones.  Do you have parents that haven’t been out in a while? A couple that you know is going through something?  A sibling or neighbor that could use a good laugh?  Invite them out to dinner and let the good times roll.

This year, no matter the economy, no matter how busy you are, take the initiative to find some good eats with good friends.  Oh, and There’s Always Room for Dessert. LOL.

ACM

I spoke with a long time friend today – a very ambitious entrepreneur.  In fact, he’s so accomplished, in his 36 years of living, he’s yet to hold a full time job. In all of his adult life, he’s been about owning and building his own business. I on the other hand have held a few full time communications positions, have achieved success in my work and with my writing and continue to see areas of growth and opportunity – as does he.

We talked about our different paths and how much more in life we wanted to achieve.  Both of us complimented each other on our accomplishments and our drive to do more, but the interesting point of the conversation occured when we started to compare notes. We were talking about the thing that made us somewhat the same and we found out what it was – we isolated ourselves from mainstream mess.  Bot of us could not tell you who won artist of the year on the BET music awards, we don’t know what season or episode any of the popular reality TV series is in and we don’t listen to the radio – hardly ever. (Okay, I listen to christian or spiritual radio when taking my girls to school – but most of the time, I’m listening to a podcast on a particular work-related or goal-related topic, or I’m thinking about next steps in pursuit of my life goal.

Everyday should have some time carved out to fill up on something to help build you to the next level.  If you’re not careful, someone or something will take that time or you’ll give it up to add some nonsense or busy work to your life. Trust me, if you’re listening, watching, or working to or for someone else – its because they’ve taken the time to build themselves to the level whereby you are interested or locked into giving them your attention.

Is Atlanta Housewives really that interesting?  The next time you decide to give :30 minutes, an hour or a few minutes to that sitcom, reality show or song – explore whether or not you’re replacing that time with something that will one day help you get to the point where others are listening to what you have to say or watch what you’re doing.

Turn the TV off.  Think when you drive. Write up that goal and work towards it – even if its little by little.

Don’t miss the mess!

I’m on this thing now where I see life’s purpose is to manage distractions. No one gets to simply do what they want.  Life is going to find a way to blow you a kiss — or kick your butt.  And each time you respond either takes you closer or further away from your quest. It really is that simple. 

With this new knowledge, I have been really watching my TV time and even my time on Facebook. I admit it is taking some practice, but boy am I getting some things done. Take today at work for example – I’m focused, knocking out assignments.  I’m on a total roll and then I start getting email forwards, one was pretty funny. 

Then I get phone calls, personal and work-related all taking me off my planned course. In the middle of working, I start handling an impromptu assignment.  This is precisely why when it’s time to leave I have like 18 outlook windows open, six Word documents, two excel spreadsheets and several Web pages open. 

Well, today I kept shutting them down.  Asking my colleagues to set up meetings, asking my family to allow me to call them back and really getting things done. I think I’ve finally gotten control over my distractions.  Finally!!! It’s on now!  I’ll finish my media inquiries about  my book tonight, but first let me respond to these Mafia Wars grenade cocktails I just received.