Is It Time to Be “Intentional?”

Do you know that 90% of Americans go to work when they are ill, even though they shouldn’t? Why is that? I have done my share to infect others, how about you?

But last week, it all caught up with me! Your past always does at some point in your life! I realized I had a choice, either accept I was ill and take care of myself; or continue to ignore the facts, and end up in worse shape! Funny part of all this is my husband, Carmen, also got the same stuff;  and so there was a total shutdown of life as we thought it was supposed to be!

What had happened? We had this all set to go! Plans were in place, goals were set, appointments and schedules were confirmed; how could we just make the choice to rest and reschedule and give into being ill, instead of keeping commitments to others and to ourselves?

For type A personalities it is a huge decision to admit you are not well enough to do what you have planned, and then not want to pick up something to put in place of the missing action!  I was proud of the fact that I am extremely healthy and have not had to face being ill many times in my life; but at this point I knew I was done and down. I had to do what was best for me, or face the possibility that none of what I was concerned about would even matter.

It has taken longer than I ever thought for us to recover, however, this has been one of the best listening and learning experiences of my life!  I had no choice but to experience and listen to what my physical, emotional, and spiritual self was telling me. Many of my friends, business associates, team members, and mentors encouraged me to make this a time of learning as well as healing. They could see things I didn’t want to face, and were urging me to do what I needed to do for me!

I am thankful now for their WOW ( words of wisdom) for I found there are 3 areas I need to have a clear understanding and plan before I kick into high gear again!   These are: (1)  Priorities- are they the right ones, and in the right order?  (2) Time Management-how wise am I managing it? (3)  Am I really clutter-free and enjoying my life- do my systems and processes allow me to do this?

Not a pretty site as I lay there doing my best to keep warm and the fever at bay! How was I able to get this transparent with myself and be able to share it with others?  I went back to one of my favorite pastimes- reading! My first choice is the scriptures and since we had already chosen a “Verse of the Year” I spent time thinking on these words:

“Those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don’t get tired., they walk and don’t lag behind.” The Message-Isaiah 40:31.

I felt better already, knowing I was starting with the right priority for me!

I picked up two books that I had been wanting to get into, and took my time reading and listening to their words and thoughts. Just released by one of our speakers, Barbara Hemphill, entitled “Less Clutter More Life” www.lesscluttermorelife.com was what I needed to hear, and the ways to accomplish what I really wanted. Thanks, Barbara for that gift, it really helped me!

Then another book by one of my favorite people, Linda Apple, called “Writing Life” www.lindaapple.com/ showed me I had “let go” of some of my writing and blogging skills and that to be really be who I am, and do what I do, I needed to recapture them! Linda shares that our “stories matter” and she is a master teacher and motivational speaker sharing how to use your gifts and make them come alive on paper! Thanks, Linda for showing me the way back to enjoy reading and sharing “my story” with others once again!

We are now ready to launch into the New Year officially.  It will be a different beginning than we had originally planned! Our vision is still the same, but how we carry it out will be changing! We had chosen “Intentional” as our “Word of the Year” and how to make it key to the success and growth of our business and personal lives.  The speakers we represent here at “Simply” Sue Speaks! Global Booking Agency know how to bring the #WOWfactor experience to each of your events, and help you be the best you can be!  They also know how to help their “agent” make needed changes too!

I would never wish for you the illness we experienced to be the “wake up call” to motivate you to take a long hard look at your life; but take it from us that “the best is yet to come” for you when you are living with an intentional plan, purpose, and passion for it!  Isn’t it time?

Have a great “Intentional” week,

“Simply” Sue Falcone
Owner: “Simply” Sue Speaks! Global Booking Agency