Note From the Author

(1 Minute Read)

This past week brought many challenges for me- as I am sure it did for many of you. I had bills due that frankly I didn’t know how they were gonna get paid. I had to find creative ways to ask my creditors for a payment plan or an extension. I had to ask a dear friend I was helping to leave my home (without hurting her feelings) because our arrangement was not working out. I had to fulfill my “Aya” (Grandma) duties to the 10th power. I attended classes and workshops. I caught some kind of 2 day virus that had me down for the count, AND I had to launch this newsletter on schedule. All of this lead to a very stressed out Mechel. The effects of all of that stress caused my body’s natural defenses to break down- hence I am sick while creating this newsletter. Launching this newsletter and the “Live Out Loud” movement brings me great joy in knowing that my life’s passion to help others will connect and strengthen women everywhere to hopefully speak their truth unapologetically and lift their sisters up.

Today’s “Live Out Loud” newsletter will cover

• Success without Boundaries- Tales of Remote Workers new challenges along with advantages (5 minute read)

• 5 Daily Success Rituals that helped me to Win and can help you too (2 minute read)

Success Without Boundaries: Tales of Remote Workers

At first glimpse, working from home seems like it could be quite glamorous. I mean, who wouldn’t want to answer email at 6:00 a.m. while still in your pajamas? Back in the 1980’s there was this cartoon called “The Jetsons.” It was a futuristic show that depicted a time in the future where there would be flying cars, remote meetings, and robots in the home. Well, surprise, surprise!! That time is now. The COVID-19 pandemic forced a lot of us to work from home- as offices closed its doors to the public. We have since transitioned into a NEW norm, But, as with all new things, there are benefits and downsides.

I was all to happy to work from home. One thing that immediately came to mind was NO MORE TRAFFIC!! I worked at a corporate job in Alpharetta while my home was in Atlanta. I saw an immediate 3 hours of travel time shaved off of my day that could be allocated to something else I deemed to be important. I saw more benefits too like:

• Less money on gas (it took 2 fill ups per week at $70’ish dollars totalling a whopping $150)

• Less money on clothes and cleaning bills

• Less money eating out everyday for breakfast and lunch and sometimes dinner (saving me about $100)

But alas, with benefits, there are almost always drawbacks as well.

• longer hours at work still less hours for family

• No real sick days- because I could take a quick nap and jump right back into work

• Non-work distractions- Children, significant others, dogs interrupting meetings

According to Forbes Magazine, 48% of remote work are struggling to disconnect from work and that their personal lives seems to bleed into their workday. Now, even though they didn’t include me in that study, I would definitely have to agree that I found it extremely hard to disconnect from work. When I worked outside the home, I did about 8 hours daily, when I worked from home, I easily cleared 12 hours a day. I did that for three years. I was burned out and had to stop to that behavior immediately. What I really needed was a success map (of sorts) to put me on track to making real change - one step and one win at a time. I embarked on a journey that would change my life forever.

5 Daily Success Rituals

that helped me to take my life back and win! I read several articles, listened to several motivational speakers and coaches, and even read several books on achieving a happy balance between work and personal life. With all of that wealth of wisdom and information I took in, I was able to pick and choose a formula that worked perfectly for me. I call it the PTE Roadmap to WLI Synergy.

1. Pause and evaluate

Taking time out to understand how the various parts of your life are impacting one another is a necessary step in developing a new work-life integration that serves your needs. Pause and consider your current work-life situation; ask yourself how you feel. Some questions you might reflect on include:

• Am I spending enough quality time doing what I really want?

• Am I committing enough time and energy to people or things that are meaningful to me?

• Do I still feel aligned to my professional or personal goals? Why or why not?

• Where do I feel the most stuck? What is it about this situation that makes me feel that way?

** As you think through these complex personal questions, journaling your thoughts and feelings can be a good way to identify the areas you feel need the biggest adjustments.

2. Time management

Now that you know what your priorities are—whether that's spending more time at work to aim for a promotion or cutting back on after-hours emails by establishing boundaries—it's important to figure out how to better manage your time.

Review how you currently spend your time and look for ways to adjust your schedule where possible. You can "chunk" your time as a way to focus on one area at a time, or use a matrix system to establish your priorities when new tasks pop up unexpectedly. Learn more about how to manage your time to boost your productivity and well-being.

3. Establish boundaries

Establishing boundaries is a crucial part of time management. And, communicating those boundaries will be equally important. If you can no longer respond to emails promptly after hours because you're with your family, your team will need to know. If

Work boundaries fall into one of three categories—physical, emotional, or time. Start by setting small boundaries and expand from there. Learn more about How to set better boundaries for your home/work life.

P.S.- Do you have a story about you, your business, a task, or a project that you were successful at that you want to share with the community? Drop us a line at: [email protected] and a LOL team member will follow-up with you.

P.P.S.- Sneak Peak for next week’s newsletter. We will be discussing the beauty of “Saying NO.”