Graceful banner
 
Greetings and Happy Autumn!
Welcome to the first issue of Gracefull...Words of Wisdom for Phenomenal and Grace-filled Women!
 
I have been planning this quarterly newsletter for some time and this year I set goals and did some serious planning to make it a reality. Now it's in your lil warm hands--ok, here in your computer or on the table. Wherever you got it from today, welcome! I am delighted you're here. Please tell me what you think. Whether you love it, hate it or you're somewhere in the middle, tell me.
 
I have three goals: (1) to keep in touch; (2) spend a moment of quality time with you; (3) encourage you to spread your wings and soar! If Gracefull blesses you, please share it. If you want to be removed from my mailing list, tell me quickly so I won't end up in the SPAM or TRASH files. If you'd like additional information about this ministry or you want to invite me for an event, call me at 731-267-6872 or visit www.touchedbygraceministry.com 
Volume 1
Issue 1
 _______________
In This Issue
Things To Do
Added Value
A Word to the Wise
 
 
 

Graceful Banner

 
Things to Do
 
 
 
I read in a time management book long ago that making a list helps you do more. It didn't seem to make sense, but I assure you, making a to-do list will double your productivity and efficiency. Try it and see (I like to put everything that I have to do on mine so I can cross routine items off and feel especially productive!). Here's your to-do list for this quarter:
 
- Sign up Monday of next week for those piano lessons you were supposed to start three years ago.
 
- Clean out one bathroom or kitchen drawer this week
I'm figuring if you do one, it'll look so good, you'll do them all.
- Buy a jewelry organizer
(plastic silverware and ice trays have been working nicely for me since 1999) and while you're watching television this week, sort your earrings, necklaces and bracelets so you can find and protect them.
- Call your insurance agent and get renter's insurance if you live somewhere that doesn't belong to you and/or get additional coverage for things that are genuinely valuable-I've got a bunch of stuff that I love but it isn't valuable to anybody but me.
- Be good to you
This friendly reminder will show up every quarter just so you don't forget! Whatever that looks like today, do it. If it's taking a mental health day, stay home and watch television or read a book. Do that thing you wouldn't mind being caught dead doing!
Join Our Mailing List  
.

Added Value...

Kimberly Dawn Russaw, a doctoral student at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, was helping out at my office one summer to finance her education. She was way over qualified for the work--an undergraduate from the prestigious Spelman College, an MBA from Clark Atlanta University and years of corporate experience were not pre-requisite qualifications--and she was spectacular in every way. One day she was talking to her parents--both are already Drs. Russaw-and I ranted and raved to her mother about how wonderful Kimberly was. Her mom's simple reply was "I'm glad she could add value!" We have laughed about her comment ever since but adding value is really important--as women we do it and don't even realize how bland and uneventful things and stuff would be if we weren't there to add our energy and personal touches. Today, as you look at places where you can/are already "adding value" here's my two cents worth:

 

1.) When you assess what you know, make sure you count everything. If you're applying for a job that's different from what you ordinarily do, don't just look at whether you know how to do this new job. Look at the skill sets needed and see what you may have done that's similar. If you're used to organizing and running stuff at home or in your church and community, those skills will be important if/whether you're going to be office manager or start your own business. Yes, it's different but coordinating is coordinating. If you can assist your pastor, you can probably assist/be the president and CEO! Don't discount all your cumulative knowledge--make an asset inventory and put "I AM ALL THAT!" at the top of the list! Once you know that, the rest is easy.

2.) Do the numbers and know your worth. If you believe you are underpaid-do the research and see if there is any validity to your hunch. See what the average is for someone with your experience and qualifications, shore up your weak spots and see if you have a case for a raise or additional responsibilities/salary. One of the most painful times for me came when I was working in banking as a teller. I wanted to be cross-trained to do new accounts and loans so I asked the personnel director again for her assistance. She went on and on about how wonderful I was as a vault teller and how much my customers loved me--(of course everything she said was true!). She said she didn't want to lose me in that spot. I told her to cross-train me or let me go. She then said she could get my work done for less-I encouraged her to do so. I enrolled in graduate school and never looked back. If had listened to her, I would probably still be in that same place. I guess I should have been clear--I wanted to own the bank, not just run the drive-thru! If you're clear about who (and whose) you are, what you want, and where you want to go-you can get there from here!

3.) Know your place. The quote "Well behaved women never make history," is probably true so let it be your inspiration to speak up and stand up for what's important to you. Whether it's health care, welfare reform, equal rights, good public education--whatever it is, be informed so you can have your say and defend your position. Dr. Julianne Malveaux, current president of Bennett College for Women, said at a women's conference 11 years ago "every issue is a woman's issue"--unemployment, jobs, child care-you name it and it affects us. And don't even fix your mouth to say you don't pay attention to sports-who do you think will finance that new sports arena for your city? You can rest assured it won't be the coach who gets more in his clothing allowance than many of us make all year. Yes, his clothes fit him well and he's just as cute as he can be, but must you be the one to finance his GQ look? I don't think so! Be informed so you can speak and speak loudly if you need to.

 
A Word to the Wise... 
Quotes to Live By  

From American Management Association: "Be accessible but not always available." My spin: know there's a difference.
 

From businessman and entrepreneur Ned Rawls:

"Good sense is like money-you can spend it anywhere." My spin: do your own thinking so you don't have anybody to blame but yourself. Don't ignore what you know is right especially/even if doing wrong is easy and feels good.

From media mogul Ted Turner: "You're not losing; you're learning how to win!"  

My spin: In every failure is a lesson-take a minute, assess and ask "What is the lesson I need to learn today?" This way the hole you fell in on your way up won't trip you on your way down.

From author and philanthropist wannabe Cynthia Ann Bond Hopson: "It's not what you say, it's what you do all day that counts." My double spin: People are much more interested in what you do than what you say-make sure you're not sending conflicting messages about what you think and believe-and as movie character Forrest Gump says: "And that's all I've got to say about that!"

Until Next Time... Keep SHINING!  
sunshine