MoxieLife

Big Changes Coming

I have been blogging since January 15, 2006. Wow. Soak that in for a little bit. That is a long time. It started out as just a way to share my life with whoever might be interested or no one. It didn't matter. I just wanted to write my story. 

Then I started writing over at MoxieWorks to share inspiration, practical tools and ideas for small businesses. It has been an amazing journey of people sharing and using tools that I have created over the years.

A big change is in the works though. Instead of blogging at two locations I will be blogging at my new domain JacquelineWolven.com. It isn't set up yet, so don't bother going over there. I just purchased the domain name and will be blending my life with my work. (Note - the posts are in. It is a HOT MESS, but it will get there. Blended Blog Here)

I realized that while the compartments were nice - being able to put a work/life hat on, it wasn't helping me build just a life. I work, play, and live all as one person and now I want to share all of that together.

I will be moving all (fingers crossed) the posts from both blogs into one blog and then going from there. I am excited, nervous and ready for this step all at the same time. It has been a long time coming!

Photo: A Pumpkin and a Princess - These are so cute and are a DIY project. Might just HAVE to make some!

Another Blog Epiphany

In the last week I have been feeling less than focused. I realized that I am very effected by the lack of sunshine. It can be cold, but it needs to be sunny or I tend to feel unsettled, unfocused. It seems like such a small thing, the sunshine, but it is a huge impact on my mood and, sadly, my productivity.

I am embarrassed to say, but with all my gung ho spirit on my word of the year - focus - it has been hard staying focused. I realized that the number of distractions is formidable. My own push and pull, media, email, other people, family - nothing and everything. If I get off track on keeping up with my To Do list, I am lost. I get unfocused so easily... mostly by nothing except myself.

So, how do I get back on track?

Today I set three simple goals for myself. Clean off the little nagging paperwork on my desk, empty one more area in my house and do some yoga - nothing huge, just three things.

Tonight I am going to sit and write all of the things I think I need to do - a big massive list to get it all out of my head. I will do it after dinner, in my office, focusing just on that.

Tomorrow I will do the very same thing. Over and over. Sometimes getting out of a funk is all about recommitting. I feel like the drug addict that says, over and over that they are going to be clean. Each day they start new. Instead, I am saying I am recommitting myself to focusing on moving towards my goals.

OMG - huge duh moment! I haven't DONE goals for this year. I have these 12 intentions that I am working on in the One Little Word project, but they aren't goals. THAT is what I need to do too. I need to sit and see what I want to work on. The big and the little for this year. No wonder I am floating around here not exactly putting my feet firmly in place. I need to clear some space away to focus on what I want to be doing - otherwise I am like the ball in a pinball machine pinging and ponging towards anything that bats me around.

I would call this a blog epiphany... thanks for joining me as I wend my way!

Goodbye Unscripted Television

I never meant to get into The Voice, but the down on my luck and looking for a chance stories get to me. Every single time. I was bopping along watching the singers get booted off one after another when I found myself rooting for one of them. He even made it to the final 3. Then, as usual it happened. The one I didn't want to win, ever, won. It always happens that way for me. I never pick the winner. In fact, I like the underdog.

I get involved in their life. I feel for them. I want them to win and have that big chance.

Living vicariously like that does nothing for me and makes me feel terrible, when inevitably, they don't win.

So, I swore off unscripted TV. No Biggest Loser, no The Voice, no American Idol, no Kitchen Nightmares, no Shark Tank - goodness there are a lot of unscripted shows.

Because, really, do I need to spend time watching that crap?

No.

I also am giving up award shows. Yes, I love them, but self congratulatory events with so so host bits aren't really something that I need to spend time watching either. Yes, it kills me that two of my favorites are hosting the Golden Globes tonight, Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, but a deal is a deal.

I'll watch award shows when they are giving them for folks I know, doing things that make a real difference. That is worth watching.

A movie, TV show, play isn't any better if it wins or doesn't win. If I like it, I like it.

So, that cuts down on a LOT of TV. Really, if you made a list of all the shows that are unscripted/reality and awards we would be left with very few other shows. I don't watch most of them so I just gave myself hours of my life back.

Now I have to decide what I am going to do with it.

One Little Word Mantra Necklace

My beautiful Soul Mantra necklace came in from Liz Lamoreux's Etsy shop. I have, for years, made commitments to myself that, like most people, I have not kept. My thought, when I chose this simple piece, was that I could wear it everyday for a year reminding myself of my intention. Sometimes making something concrete helps galvanize it into your mind. Whether that happens or not, it is a beautiful thing to behold and wear.

Here thoughts on why she creates these are quite lovely and inspiring: "In the creative community I am a part of, many people choose a word for a year that becomes their theme. They use this word as a guide as they reflect on where they stand on their paths and where they want and hope to go. If you are drawn to this practice, I would be honored to create a custom one word necklace for you."

What word would you wear to guide you through your day, year, life?

January Focus

Making something happen often means sharing it with others. My intention for the year is to find 3 things I want to focus on for that month and, here is the kicker, do them. My word for the year is focus and that means more than just a list of to do's. It is more about setting goals and intentions - keeping things in mind. With that I thought a month filled with 3 ideas/concepts that I want to attend to would make sense. 

The theme of the month is AutoFocus - the idea being to put systems in place that work easily in my life. Schedules, plans, to do lists, etc. These goals are more to see that I am focusing on that, but also looking at how all of that feels for me. 

So, for January, I will focus on:

1. Taking cues from my body - sometimes my body hums with extra energy and I need to manage that or others it is sluggish and I need to take care of it. Either way listening to my inner cues is an important thing for a woman who tends to live in her head.

2. Remembering that it is all practice. I got this from the podcast buddhist geeks last year and remembering that just showing up, good or bad, is sometimes all I can muster. That is ok.

3. Moving my body every single day. Sometimes my work is extremely grounded... in other words my ass is planted in a chair. My goal is to remember to move my body every day for at least 30 minutes.

Those are my goals. What are yours?

The Power of Focus

I'm not quite sure if telling your husband that your word for the year is FOCUS is so great when he starts telling you to focus every time you get sidetracked. On the one hand he is like a giant motivator and zen master all in one, but on the other hand it is a little disconcerting to be shaken into awareness when you are drifting into unfocused land.

Here's what happened. I had gotten an email that another marketing company from the area was conducting classes on social media in my town. I thought, hey, wait a minute! I teach social media classes in my town. They can't just move into my turf.

Then it hit me. Well, it hit my husband when I was telling him the story and he said... FOCUS (he tends to yell it with vigor and enthusiasm.)

The world is a big wide place. I am STILL teaching in my town starting in February, but even better I am fulfilling my future by speaking at a NATIONAL CONFERENCE! I got the letter of acceptance today.

So, focus. Focus on what I am doing, not on what other people are doing. There is room for everyone. I suspect there are going to be a LOT of times this happens to me. Maybe every single day.

 

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My One Word for 2013

Your Best Year Ever

I think it is time that all of us started rejoicing in the good that happens in our lives. The big good and the little good. What happens is that we have huge plans to keep journals, write in a gratitude journal, blog, etc. The truth? We get busy and the good stuff just blends in with the everyday stuff.

Let's make it easier.

When something good happens write it down quickly on a piece of paper - any paper and put it in a jar. Put the date if that matters to you. Don't get hung up on the right kind of paper or the right kind of good thing. Just include stuff that happens that makes you smile, even if just a little. At the end of the year you will have lots of little scraps of paper to read through to remember that the year wasn't so bad after all.

To make your own jar download a set of my lids and instruction cards (there is a set for you and one for a friend). Cut them out on the lines provided. Put them inside the bands of canning jars. I used a half gallon jar, but any jar would work.

Start celebrating the good.

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My One Word for 2013

Since 2008 our family has been choosing a theme and we may still, but I have also been choosing words for myself. Sometimes those words have great meaning all year or they fade out. This year the word FOCUS just kept sticking into my mind. I am easily distracted sometimes. By people, ideas, opportunities, moods, etc and this year, instead, I want to focus.

I want to focus writing.

I want to focus on design.

I want to focus on taking better photos.

I want to focus on meditation.

I want to focus on doing embroidery as my one craft.

I want to focus on health and fitness.

I want to focus on quality time with friends.

I want to focus on my relationship with my husband.

I want to focus on diving deeply into simple living.

I want to focus on doing good work.

It seems like a lot to focus on, but really they are all things I want to bring attention to in my life. Not to get all new agey, but I truly believe where we spend our time is where we see success. It is a pretty simple formula. 

I am considering doing the one little word project, or going it alone. Either way I am excited to bring focus into my life this year and see where it takes me.

Do you have a word for your coming year?

Photo taken at the AMAZING Therapon party organized by Evolved Mommy.

 

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My Latest Real Simple Magazine Tip

I was so excited to get the Tweet from Sarah asking if this was indeed my tip they had printed in the latest issue of Real Simple magazine. Well, there aren't many Jacqueline Wolven's, by golly! We actually have Christmas lights under our cabinets... and they are a pretty effect, especially when the dishes are done!

Ornament Swap Boosting Xmas Spirit

How fun is it to get a package delivered from an address you don't know? It is even MORE fun when you realize it is from one of the amazing tribe of women in the Arkansas Women Bloggers. Julie sent out a note saying that they were going to host an ornament swap and I jumped at the chance to do something, anything Christmas related that wasn't work or shopping!

I met  my Ornament maker at the 2nd Bloggers Conference because I make myself sit at tables with people I don't know. I figure it is the BEST way to get to know someone new... and it is. Kristina works at the Democrat Gazette and runs the Little Rock Mama's blog. How cool is that?

And how fun are these! That's right, these. She made four and because I am terribly slow this year to get my Xmas on they are the only ornaments on the tree (there will be more, I'm just slow)! Thank you Kristina!

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