There's No Rest for Those Who dream of Success

via lushlity.tumblr

I always say that I am going to slow down in life, but there's no rest for those who dream of success. I'm going to keep hustling until I get to where I want to be!

Here are a few things that I was able to accomplish this week:

>> Cruise dining seating set up (table for two is a  must)
>> Hotel purchased
>> Taxes submitted & paid!
>> Designed Opt-in for Blog Email List
>> Emailed companies RE: collaboration opportunities
>> Finished eBook on Money Saving Tips
>> Lined up 20+ Reviewers for new eBook
>> Added my new eBook to both websites
>> Cleaned couch cover, shower curtain + liner
>> Hubby installed hood vent above stove
>> Hubby installed 5 new window trim
>> Hubby caulked cabinets
>> Cleaned yards
>> Sold a couple of items on Swap & Shop (working on my decluttering goals!)
>> Merged cell phones to save money
>> Ordered 2 extra iPhone cables, computer speakers, and vitamins
>> Joined more business Facebook Groups (Entrepreneur, Author Groups, etc.)
>> Joined all of the free Kindle Book sites (let's just say I have a TON of new books to read!) If you haven't already, sign up here to get access to my free kindle book list!
>> Started a new Book Club online (see below) & created graphics for blog and social media
>> Submitted & set up my book promotion starting next week + created graphics for marketing (My VA Business book will be discounted, so be sure to look out for it starting Monday!)
>> Mended several pieces of clothing
>> Added new book link to email signature
>> Cleaned garage (threw out quite a bit!)
>> Daily running + healthy diet
>> 2 outside tanning sessions (read a book that I've had forever!)

Goals in the next 4 weeks:
>> Move remaining house items from Albany
>> Finish cleaning out Garage & have a sale
>> Finish painting exterior house
>> Successful Book Promotion
>> Weight Loss
>> Schedule hair appointment
>> Finish a couple of product reviews

For me, life's all about what you make of it. It's not up to anyone else to make your life better; you get to choose how your life plays out every day. I choose to work hard and become the person that I dream of being and believe me, it's not easy! It means working 10-14 hour days on my business and my books, social media marketing, personal house updates, exercising, etc. If I've learned anything in the past year, it's that I write my own story and I can sit around and choose to focus on the negative or the things that I don't have in life or I can choose the positive things and look forward to all of the wonderful things that God has planned for my life!

Speaking of being positive and inspired, if you love to read, come join my new book club on Facebook where I post quality free & bargain books during the week. "The Book Clique"- I sort through free & bargain kindle books to find the quality ones to save you on time! I post lots of great books on self-help, spirituality, business, etc.

God's Plan For My Life//

Hello there- I have somewhat of a confession to make...

I haven't been completely honest and up front on the blog- recently I put in my notice as Legal Assistant/Office Manager at the Law Firm after almost three years of working there. Yesterday was my last day after I worked my one month notice.

This past year, I began noticing that I just wasn't myself and that I had lost the passion that I had for my job in the beginning and I knew that it had come time for me to make a change.

God actually gave me a vision  (you can read about it here) about 8 months ago that I would be leaving this job- so knowing that really helped me feel at peace when I was making the decision.

Here are a couple of interesting quotes from that vision that I wrote about in my blog post:

I almost feel like he (God) knew this would hurt me, but he knew in the long run that it was the best thing for me, but he was still sad to see me hurting//

I know ultimately that anything in my future that God has planned for me will be the best for me- I trust him fully and completely with my life// I know that he loves me with an everlasting love and I love him more than anything// 

I have always put my trust in God and not once has he ever failed me- not once. People keep asking what my plans are, what am I going to do for a job and I want to tell them- it's not about my plans, it's about God's plans for my life. I want to go in the direction that he leads me. I don't know what is best for me, but he does and I trust him with my life.

Now that I have all of that behind me, I really want to slow down and focus on the things that I am passionate about- social media/email marketing, writing/blogging, design, photography, etc. I am very thankful for the things that I learned in my job in the time that I was there- such as email/social media marketing and CRM databases. I also learned how to use a Mac and I was able to have some creative freedom in graphic design to create flyers for non-profit events and seminars. I met so many great people and some life-long friends along the way. Instead of feeling as though I have failed, I feel that I have grown throughout this journey -I've learned so much more about myself and what I want and do not want out of life. I've gained more confidence and I have learned how to stand up for myself and ask for the things that I want. That is definitely a success, in my book.

So, starting today- I begin my new chapter and I will be keeping you all updated to my progress and how things are going! Stay tuned for what Day 1 brings!!

Spiritual Growth + Grateful//

Sitting here, taking a break from doing laundry + cleaning house before we get ready to leave for our 8 day Cruise early tomorrow morning. I am feeling so grateful today, because this week has been a really good one for me. So many great things happened and I just have this feeling that some wonderful breakthroughs are about to happen in my life!!

A few things that happened to me this week + some reasons that I am grateful:

>> I met a great friend this week- sometimes you just meet that person and hit it off instantly & have that spiritual connection + same morals & level of faith- that rarely happens to me, but it did this week! I love when I can talk to someone about God & be on the same level- that's an amazing thing!

>> I made up with my sister & we talked things out, I have forgiven her for things that were done and we have met up a few times for coffee and things have been going really well. I'm excited to grow our relationship better and stronger.

>> Among all of the reasons that I am grateful, this one seems the most trite. But, it did make me really happy so I am adding it to the list. I finally fit back into a pair of my old skinny jeans! I haven't fit into these jeans for several years, so that's a pretty great way to start off my vacation!

>> Had some spiritual eye-opening things happen to me this week- Revelations really. I'm excited to keep praying and see what God has in store for my life//

>> I stood up for myself against a bully at work & didn't run away or cry like I used to- I was cornered (once again) privately (they were actually waiting on me to walk into this room so that they could attack me) and this person verbally attacked me about several things and I stood my ground, I was firm but nice at the same time and walked away. I refuse to continue to allow another person to run over me or try to bully me- I'm tired of it. I'm the nicest person until someone continues to pick at me and push me and push me. God doesn't expect for me to be a punching bag for anyone- I don't believe in retaliation, but I believe in standing up for yourself. I was so proud of myself, I can tell that I have become a much stronger Christian. "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." Matthew 10:16

>> I have more confidence in myself  lately and I have noticed that I care less of what others think of me or if they choose to like me or not. I'm a strong Christian and I am fully dedicated to living a life devoted to God and that means that I won't be accepted by this world- I don't want to be part of things that are not of God. I want to find more like-minded Christians that truly believe in God and live dedicated to him and don't put limits on what he can do. My faith in God is huge- in my eyes he can do anything that I believe and pray for. God is so amazing- He is the most wonderful presence in my life- I refuse to live without him- I couldn't and wouldn't want to face this world on my own//

I am excited for things that God is bringing into my life- I feel the seasons changing- just a small shift, but I have been feeling it lately. This vacation has come at the perfect time in my life- I need a break to get away and just pray and talk to God. I am so excited to just relax and not worry about things. I will be back in about 10 or so days from now to blog all about my trip!! See you then!

What are some blessings that have happened to you lately?