2021 Wrap-Up
Here is to a much better 2022.
Recent Posts
Knock, knock. Who’s there?
Today’s post is a bit of an intense exercise. You may want a pen and paper to jot down your thoughts. And maybe some time to sit with the questions and come up with some answers. Some of you may even want to spread this {read more}
Reflections on failure
This isn’t your typical blog
Before reading, please know this isn’t a pleasant, up beat or even peppy post. Instead this post is raw and reflects feelings of failure and my previous mismeasurement of success. It may trigger some, and be misunderstood by others. I first thought of naming it real life, but I’m sure eventually I’ll overcome this moment in time and ‘real life’ will be different yet again. Please do not think for a second that I am ungrateful for all the experiences, which have been amazing and aplenty. Instead please know that these are simply feelings and reflections that go on inside of most people no matter the perception of ‘success’ from the outside.
Through writing this, I found a great blog on the types of failure that helped gain perspective.
Looking back
Seven years ago today, the trajectory of my life went in a new direction. After experiencing a job loss and going through the processing of grief, confusion, loss of purpose and especially loss of confidence; I had finally started a new position. Little did I know at the time my previous sense of accomplishment and confidence would never return.
We are called a narcissistic generation. We are told that technology and social media are giving us an inflated sense of self. But most of us don’t walk around feeling like we are all that great. In fact, there is one underlying emotion that overwhelmingly shapes our self-image and influences our behavior, and that is insecurity.
https://www.psychalive.org/how-to-overcome-insecurity/
Goal posts
You see, up to this point in my life, I always had a goal post and would do everything to get there as fast as possible. Never did I intend to compete with anyone else, either before me or my peers, I just simply went through life on my own schedule. I’d learn of something new I wanted to do or try, and I’d set out to get it done. Character flaws and all, I’d plow through, ignoring any intuition and certainly never slowing down.
Overachiever
At one point in my college years, I had 3 jobs, 21 credits with a 4.0, a volunteer position and a relationship. I didn’t sleep much in those days. I also lived in a city but refused to take the subway or a cab because I was doing everything to save as much money as possible. My hyper focus on getting to the end goal distracted me from any potential emotion, positive or negative. Things would happen, arguments would come up, and I’d let them come and go, never believing that stopping to ‘feel’ something would be worthwhile.
Most people would call me an overachiever to my face, some would be outright mean, and I just continued on. Other’s thought I was a great responsible person. No one warned me of burnout, or the self-destructive side of my choices and actions.
Hindsight
Admitting this is difficult. I look back and see how hurtful I was to those in my life. I look back and clearly see how much this way of life most likely was hurting my soul, but hindsight is 20/20 and there is no going back and changing it now. At the time I had no understanding of nurturing, caring or empathy. One person even named me ‘data’ from Startrek. Sometimes I wish someone had taken me aside and gave me a real talking to. I probably wouldn’t have listened or even understood what they were trying to tell me. I also see friends who did far greater than anything I could ever do in my life, those of my friends who have become MD’s, or are apart of non profit organizations, and those that are now missionaries. They truly gave their lives to something greater than themselves.
Real Life
This reason I write this today isn’t to out myself, or even to apologize. I’ve done that 1:1, don’t worry and if I haven’t and you have something I should be apologizing for please let me know. Instead it is to bring up the concept of real life, real raw emotion. Whilst I am aware that some people may have a more balanced mindset, and can go with the flow without worry or fear. It is certainly not something I experienced or have been able to maintain for long periods of time. Everyday I work on this. Everyday I try to do better than the last. It’s just that now, instead of trying to reach some financial goal, or learn more information, or apply for an award; I try to focus on my feeling state.
Now what?
Instead of being scrooge and counting my money or making a new retirement budget… I’ve started to spend more time experiencing things and building relationships with others. Noticing the beauty in the world, reading pretty things, feeling appreciation for those in my life. Or enjoying the taste of a dish, watching Bianca sleep or just having a brief conversation with a neighbor. Or for example, taking the courage to start this blog.
How’s that working out?
All that said, as life has started to pick back up and travel has started again; I have failed yet again. I cannot explain the loathing I have for myself at the moment. Instead of being able to be mindful and intentional, I slipped into some old version of myself who let her insecurities take over and words spew out. Defensive, stupid words that had no basis except to build a wall around my silly little ego. Fear sucks. It can consume our minds and reveal the worst in us. It makes us forget the lessons we’ve already learned and takes away our peace. Fear gets us into some awful situations, but doesn’t a provide a way out.
I enjoyed this blog on responding in different ways to failure.
Second guessing everything
So where does this leave me. I’ve started to second guess decisions, thoughts, things I already thought I solved for. My entire world feels like glass… or maybe a house of cards for those that watch the tele. My mind feels like its trapped in a puzzle that doesn’t end. I desperately want to be able to sit down and come up with a 2022 goals list. Hoping it would soothe me. But I’m so hyper aware that no achievement, no hobby could overcome this empty feeling inside. Again, I am incredibly grateful for all of the experiences and people in my life. In this moment, however, I don’t feel like I deserved any of it and wished I had shown up very differently on many occasions.
Until next time…
Sit down and have a serious conversation with your biggest critic… that might mean picking up the mirror.
Gift giving: the origin, ideas and inspiration
Today is meant to provide some inspiration on what gifts to give. As well as provide a way to give a ‘hint’ to those in your life buying gifts! Personally, I’m not a gift person – I like giving them, but it feels so strange to receive them. No idea why this is, but it is. Therefore, in the below you will see some non-traditional gifts suggestions. Also, some white elephant gift ideas and a ‘this or that’ section. Including things like concert tickets, a night out and even flight tickets.
Goal Check-in
Look at us, nearing the end of the year. How fast or slow did this year go for you? I can hardly believe it is coming to and end. It has been awhile since I’ve done a goal check-in. Since we’ve still got 8 weeks {read more}
Gift giving time! And why you should buy your gifts THIS WEEK!
Happy Monday. Because it is two months before Christmas on the day this goes up, I figured it would be a great time to talks about: GIFTS! By the way, I realize not all of my readers celebrate this specific holiday; but also realize that the end of the calendar year and start of the new is a time for celebration for many!
So! Whether you are gift giving because its been two years since you’ve seen anyone. Or maybe you have a few birthdays (mine is near Christmas) or maybe you love gifting for the new year?! Either way, it is time to start purchasing or creating now!
Holiday Delays
As many of you know, my day job resides itself in the supply chain. At this time, we continue to wade through the effects of the pandemic and the supply chain is taking heat for being too slow. From a consumer perspective, it may seem strange or unclear as to why shipments are experiencing delays.
So today, let’s talk supply chain and do a basic 101 lesson! Keep in mind, the sooner you order the better, and don’t expect to get things as fast as you previously would, pre-pandemic.
From my perspective, there are two major things causing these delays:
- Heightened demand. Yes, even with inflation, unemployment and other factors, people continue to purchase and in massive amounts. In the beginning of the pandemic a few industry took a hit (such as apparel), however as we slowly but surely come out of this strange time, people are buying more.
- Resource constraints. The second item is broader: all resource constraints. Resources being: raw materials, employees, transportation carriers, containers and physical spaces in warehouses.
Supply Chain
If you’ve ever taken a supply chain course or even something like economics, you most likely already have some of an understanding of supply and demand. When supply is high and demand is low, prices typically are reduced. When demand is high and supply is low, prices are increased.
So what happens when demand for each step of the supply chain is high, and supply is low? Increases in prices go from beginning to end: by manufacturers, brands and of course, eventually, the end consumer.
Let’s explore this further:
Supply Chain Steps (Basic)
- Step 1: Raw Materials & Component procurement: The manufacturer must purchase the raw materials to then process into their own product. In the example of apparel, this often includes: yard, fabric, dye, buttons and zippers. These raw materials and components are then sent to a centralized manufacturing center to be made into a product.
- Step 2: Manufacturing of product: In factories all over the world, raw materials create a finished product. If clothing is being made, knitting and sewing are involved. A car, on the other hand, is welded, fabricated and computer systems installed.
- Step 3: Transport & distribution of finished goods. Some manufacturing plants are close by the region they distribute to. In modern times, this is considerably less likely. More likely, manufacturing occurs outside of the selling region; and transport occurs in the air or over the ocean. Perhaps you’ve heard of merchant marines? Once through the port system and customs, distribution of product through warehouses and on trucks. Arriving either directly at your door or at a retailer shelf.
- Step 4: Consumer purchase. Here is the fun part! This is where you as the shopper makes a purchase. In most cases here within the United States a shopper purchases items which are already in local inventory – either already in the Amazon warehouse, or on a store shelf. In instances where the retailer is online only, that product is sitting in a warehouse *usually* within the United States.
- Step 5: Final mile delivery to shoppers home or brick and mortar store. This last step of the supply chain to get things to you, is also experiencing issues. You may remember the troubles the postal service had last year. In addition, common parcel carriers (also known as small package), such as UPS and Fedex are having trouble moving product. This is mostly due to the amount of volume moving through their networks. This goes back to the resource constraints of space and people.
Callouts
Lean & Just in Time
Over the course of time the concept of lean manufacturing becomes popular. This concept is to help eliminate any type of waste in the supply chain, including time. Thus, “just-in-time” manufacturing gained momentum. JIT means less products are stored or waiting to be assembled, and instead things arrived ‘just in time’. *This is one main ‘blame’ for what is currently happening: because it created limited ‘safety stock’ in raw materials, combined with heightened demand, product just can’t be made fast enough.
Resources
While all resources are experiencing some sort of constraint at this time, keep in mind that each step of the supply chain requires people! Although the industry has come a long way with automation, machines and robots; the fact is people make things flow. This of course is good from an employment perspective; however when the pandemic hit, people had to safely space apart, someone had to take care of the children and as you can imagine people were getting sick. Even if all shifts were open for business, there simply weren’t enough people to keep things running smoothly. And still aren’t. Driver shortages are rampant, port congestion is a problem. And still, others are fighting for the right to more fair and better working conditions.
Buying local
This brings us to one way to counteract some of the issue. Buy local. Buy small. If you go back to the steps above you can recognize that buying from smaller sellers or buying local sellers reduces much of the problems found in the supply chain. If you buy on Etsy, you will of course need to allow for a longer transit time for the final mile.
The lesson here
Hopefully you have learned something new about how product gets from one side of the world to the other, or at the very least a bit more about what I do during the day :). If you are a student reading this, please feel free to reach out for more detailed information about supply chain. I’ve worked end to end – mostly on the technology side of things and secondly on the strategy side. I have lots of fun experiences I can share too!
For those of you who are simply shoppers and gift givers, the lesson is to BUY THIS WEEK. Have as much as possible done before November 1st rolls around.
See you soon for a post about the history of gift giving and some gift ideas!
How to: manage Invisalign on a daily basis
Hello everyone! Happy October. Back when I launched my blog, I mentioned that I originally wanted to do YouTube. Over the years, I bought a vlogging camera and filmed at least 40 videos, editing about 10. The video in today’s post is one of the {read more}
Difficult Person Test
This is a new one and I am excited to share it with you! In a recent HBR (Harvard Business Review) article, titled, “Have you taken the difficult person test?“, a ‘darker’ personality test for the taking. The article indicates that taking any personality quiz {read more}
Plan October with me!
Welcome everyone! As we are about to end the month of September 2021, it comes with the realization that this year has flow by. I’m wondering what has been your experience?
Has this been a celebration type year? I know a few people who were able to have their weddings after a delay because of the pandemic! Or, perhaps you’ve made some major changes? Similar to those who created history during the ‘great resignation’? And, on the other hand, I’m sure there are those of us who experienced loss this year. Either in our communities, or perhaps in our own families.
Story time
One of the ways I’ve learned over the years to cope, with memories or with anxiety over the future is to plan. Having always been a driven person, wanting to experience more, achieve more and learn more; planning has been an important part of my life as far back as I can remember. For me, it has allowed me to be more mindful in each moment. Prepared going into a situation, and able to compartmentalize any past I’d like to forget.
Through mindfulness during planning, I also try and sit with any emotions that pop-up. You know, those pesky anxieties or blah feelings when you put something you DON’T want to do on the calendar?! I find it to be important to recognize those emotions and tamper them down, or put them in check. This helps when I finally get to the task or appointment I’m not looking forward to, to just remember it will be over soon. Or to reprioritize and put something better in its place.
Lastly, in relationship building, I find planning to be extremely important. To be able to look ahead, sometimes farther than others and be intentional about the time spent with friends makes a huge difference. It helps to know your schedule and a birds-eye view of the calendar to know when and how much energy you might have to pour into fellowship.
After all, life is about more than just achievement. It’s really about building connections. With all that in mind, let’s plan October together!
Planning
Step 1: Calendar & Appointments
Starting with the literal calendar, I take a look at the month, which dates land on weekends and any special occasions (such as Halloween). I pencil in all appointments I know about and take note of any which need still be put on the calendar. Of course, if you are the planner for your family unit, be sure to include all of their appointments and moments in there too!
Once you have this completed, you’ll have a high-level view of the month!
Step 2: Travel & Travel Prep
After putting any major milestones, appointments or special occasions on the calendar, it is time to mark down any travel. If you are like me, and have a job where travel isn’t always planned in advance OR you are having to wait for additional restrictions to be lifted; instead be sure to mark down any place you think you might need to go.
Also, at this time, mark down any personal travel. The reason I do this, is because it typically requires more focus and attention. Generally, more thought when you are going out of town – either to be sure you pack appropriately for different weather, or to prepare for a specific meeting. The energy need required to travel is higher in my opinion than simply going out to dinner.
Step 3: Prioritize
At this point, I take a step back and determine how full things look, as well as if timing could be improved. For example, sometimes I’ll have two appointments in the same day, and perhaps the first one is going to be draining. I’ll go ahead and try and move the second one just so I can be sure my focus is in the right area. Remember my favorite post about our pilot lights?
Over the years, I’ve met people who are uncomfortable doing this, however I have found it to be key to making things smoother and feeling better about the use of my time! Always keep in mind, that this is literally your life. The time you spend doing things, and the areas which you give your attention to, are all up to you!
Step 4: Goal Setting & Habit Trackers
At this point, I am sure to do weekly goal setting and make up my habit tracker for the month. Sometimes, these are simple like “walk 1 mile a day”. Or “less screen time.” Other times, it is more serious especially when it comes to health, nutrition and mindfulness. I find having a habit tracker helps me immensely, even if I take a day off, it motivates me to get back on track!
Step 5: Intentions and Purpose
If you’ve been reading this blog from the beginning, you already know my passion for intention setting and being purposeful. At this point in your planning process, you should have your month mostly organized! Therefore, it is time to name intentions for each week and add the purpose behind each day. This helps so much whenever I get side-tracked or lose my focus. I can go back to my calendar and clearly see what I intended for in the week, and what the main purpose of the day’s activities were.
Thank you!
If you decide to follow this method, or have anything you’d change or add, I’d love to hear from you! Connect in the comments below 🙂
Day in the life of
You asked for it! So here it is. Below is a typical ‘day in the life’ of me 🙂 Most days I try and mix things up, but the activities contained in my day are usually the same. The theme of the pandemic and being {read more}