TCOY Lessons From My Favorite Bloggers (Jun10)

While reviewing shareworthy posts to mention on this month's TCOY Lessons, it became apparent that The Simple Dollar blog, a regular contributor to the monthly TCOY Lessons, had so many shareworthy items this month that it was time to give it a TCOY Spotlight of its own!


Please enjoy the TCOY Lessons this month from the bloggers featured below and don't forget to check out the TCOY Spotlight on The Simple Dollar for more good stuff posted this month.

Self Improvement from The Rat Race Trap:
In the Waves of Activity and Renewal, Stephen reminds us that "We are burning up our mental and emotional reserves without giving them a chance to renew". He outlined work pulses and renewal breaks that seem like an ideal way to fill your day if your time can be spent your way.
Work in 40 to 90 minute pulses
You need to work long enough to really get absorbed and into the flow, but not too long.

Renew in 10 to 60 minute breaks
The length of the break depends on the length and intensity of the pulse. There are no rules here. Find a rhythm that works for you. The key is to ride your waves and then take time to renew.

Renewal breaks must be real
Switching from an intensely creative effort to processing a batch of email may seem like a break, but it is pseudo-renewal. It may be better than nothing, but you need real renewal.
Life Clutter:
First up is a post from Kathy, a friend of mine from the Flyladies & More forum, who is a cleaning lady by profession and knows a thing or two about clutter. In her blog, "Things your cleaning lady never told you, she shares her insight about how a lack of "me" time is one of the causes of mental clutter in her post titled "Clutter of the Mind".

Unclutterer offered 2 useful strategies for helping to get past whatever it is that is holding you back from decluttering.

In "Will someone be able to use this before I do?", we are reminded that clutter serves no useful purpose being hidden/stored away. If you have infrequently items hanging around your place (or ones that were previously used but no longer, like clothing that isn't your size and hasn't been for a long while), consider passing them on to someone who will use them now and possibly even more frequently than you ever did. Odds are good that such items will find a much happier new home and you will find some new space, which is useful indeed!

And, in Reader uncluttering strategy: Buy back your stuff, Erin says (and I wholeheartedly agree):
I think this idea would work amazingly well for some situations — helping kids to minimize their toy collections, reducing the number of clothes in a closet, and deciding which sentimental items to keep and which to toss are a few situations that instantly come to my mind. If you have to “buy” your things again, you will certainly be more selective with what you choose to keep.
Until next time...Take Care Of You!

Photo Credit: Iron Design

Copyright © 2010 by tcoyou.com | all rights reserved

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TCOY Spotlight ~ The Simple Dollar

In the TCOY Lessons From My Favorite Bloggers series that I post every month, there is always at least one contribution from Trent who writes The Simple Dollar blog. A blog that offers "financial talk for the rest of us". And he most certainly means it! I have learned so much from reading his blog for a few years now, both in true knowledge and just in a general heightening in my awareness. He makes the frugal seem fun and worthwhile while reminding us to not let it overwhelm us. To utilize money to enhance our lives takes balance and he gets that.

I've thought about casting the TCOY Spotlight on him for quite awhile but could never narrow it down just a few items to share. Thereby, allowing you to visit his site and find your own posts that speak to you. This month, when posts of his completely overwhelmed the TCOY Lessons roundup, I realized that it's time. So, in an unusual fashion for the TCOY Spotlight, I won't be sharing a sampling of posts from a few months but a variety of posts from a single month. As you will see, his writing speaks to many areas of your life where you might focus on Taking Care of Yourself.

Finances:
The Big Choice
What To Do When You Can't Possibly Prepare Enough

Self Improvement:
A fourteen part series started this month discussing the time management classic "Getting Things Done" by David Allen. Trent provided a general overview and is breaking down each chapter into well-thought out posts. Post #3, "Getting Things Done: The Five Phases of Project Planning", was my favorite and what I had planned to add to this month's TCOY Lessons post. All posted so far have been worth a read!

Awareness:
Make Each Day Your Masterpiece

House & Family:
Delayed Gratification and Children

By the way, when you reply to one of Trent's terrific posts below over at The Simple Dollar, please be sure to tell him that Suzanne over at TCOYou.com says "hello".

Until next time...Take Care Of You!

Photo Credit: Heart Spotlight

Copyright © 2010 by tcoyou.com | all rights reserved

What are your thoughts on this topic? Leave a comment and let us know!

__________________________________________________________________

You should follow me on twitter. Thank you for adding your Twitter identity to the guestbook on the right!Enjoy what you read at Taking Care Of You? It's easy to receive free updates by email or RSS.Click SHARE to help spread the word about TCOYou.com. Please and thank you!

Let's Clear Out Some Seasonal Clutter

Summer is here! This is my favorite time of year and I am already spending more time out-of-doors than in. How about you? As for us, we took a family trip to the big theme park, been camping a few times and a visit to the pool is how we end many of our days.

My husband has been inspired by my decluttering inspiration and has now joined on. We are now a decluttering duo! I dare say that he has made a much bigger dent in our clutter than myself but, hey, we're a team so it's all good.

With all of the outdoor activities happening now, we've set our sights on seasonal clutter. The trailer has had the food pantry gone through, the kids' outgrown items removed and all the miscellaneous take-along stuff has been pared down as well. In the house, our clothing has been swapped out for the colder weather clothes that did occupy our closet.

While doing the swap, we've taken a close look at our summer things. Do we love this? Do we use it? If not, we don't hang it or fold it, then stash it away. Out it goes to someone for whom this will not be clutter. Same goes for the winter items before being stowed away. If we didn't use it or want it this season, no use keeping it around for another one!

Ready to do some summertime decluttering? Rock on! Check out this month's Focus Challenge on the 365 Days of Decluttering Challenge blog.

Until next time...Take Care Of You!

Copyright © 2010 by tcoyou.com | all rights reserved

What are your thoughts on this topic? Leave a comment and let us know!
__________________________________________________________________
You should follow me on twitter. Thank you for adding your Twitter identity to the guestbook on the right!Enjoy what you read at Taking Care Of You? It's easy to receive free updates by email or RSS.Click SHARE to help spread the word about TCOYou.com. Please and thank you!

Quote to Reflect Upon (Jun10)


Be yourself. Above all, let who you are, what you are, what you believe, shine through every sentence you write, every piece you finish.
- John Jakes


This one is dedicated to my virtual friend, Lisis Blackston. Lisis is a retired blogger who has wisely acknowledged that blogging is not for her and is continuing her Quest for Balance in a new way. Thankfully, we are not completely without her. She can be found on Facebook sharing tidbits of thought now and then.

Until next time...Take Care Of You!

Photo Credit: Light Reflection

Copyright © 2010 by tcoyou.com | all rights reserved

What are your thoughts on this topic? Leave a comment and let us know!

__________________________________________________________________

You should follow me on twitter. Thank you for adding your Twitter identity to the guestbook on the right!Enjoy what you read at Taking Care Of You? It's easy to receive free updates by email or RSS.Click SHARE to help spread the word about TCOYou.com. Please and thank you!

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