Monday, March 21, 2011

WRESTLING WITH DELEGATION

I’m recently dealing with a very difficult season. The landscape of my current “to do” list is like Mt. Everest in front of me. I have way more to do than time to do it. Can anybody else identify with that? I know some of you, or maybe most of you can.

I’ve been working with a wellness coach for several months and in one of our recent sessions I had a complete meltdown. When she asked me, “okay, tell me what’s really going on with you?”, I had to admit that it had less to do with my plateau in weight loss, or my shifting hormones, or not getting enough exercise. It had to do with another key area of wellness – STRESS.

We all have to deal with stress at some level. And some seasons seem to be worse than others with a million different factors playing into the equation. But the point is, you can implement some strategies that can help you alleviate or manage the stress in your life.

My coach and I hit on one such strategy that is a huge weakness for me. Since misery loves company, and because I know women well, I’m going to assume that you all are in this pit with me. It’s the dirty D word – DELEGATION.

I don’t like it, I don’t do it, I’m unskilled at it. I asked my husband for help. After all, he really knows me best after 35 years of marriage. I said, “tell me why I’m no good at delegating?” He laughed. This was an honest question and a cry for help, so I persisted. I said, “no, really….”, to which he responded gently, “do you think it has anything to do with control?” BINGO!

So, I began to set out with some thinking that I’ve learned in my months of being coached. Janis, my coach, is great at provoking me to put together a plan that will set me up for successful changes. www.inspiredtraining.com I’d like to share it with you in hopes that it will be useful to you.

THE ROAD TO DELEGATION

Identify your inner challenges - these probably come from personality/temperament/life experience.

1) Fear of losing control

2) Commitment to perfection vs. excellence

3) Habitual Martyr syndrome – woe is me, I have so much to do

4) Pride in two forms

a. Wanting all the credit

b. Always thinking your way is best/right

5) Being intoxicated on busy-ness – Some people are afraid to slow down – really. We say we want it but when we do slow down – we don’t even know what we consider “fun” anymore.

Identify your excuses – they are multiple and messy

1) I can do it better myself

2) I may have to redo the work

3) It takes too long to explain it – I might as well do it

4) I will feel guilty asking someone else to do my work

Identify the benefits to you and others – they are many and wonderful (say this out loud J)

1) More overall efficiency for you

2) Reduced stress/anxiety – ask yourself if you’re afraid of “free time” or margin in your life?

3) Satisfaction of giving another person the joy of accomplishment/learning something new/growing in their role

4) Freeing up brain space to be creative, solve problems, identify new processes

Identify your strategies for success – this provides direction (you’ll never get anywhere you’re not headed)

1) Get advice from someone you’ve observed to be a good delegator

2) Determine to ask for help – force yourself

3) Identify a few people around you that have the potential to grow in their work/skills

4) Identify a few people that have time/resources that would be helpful to you

5) Fight with all your might against perfectionism.

6) Rehearse humbling thoughts/prayers that remind you that your way is just that – your way. Someone elses “way” has value too.

Practice makes perfect!!!! Just do it!!! Small choices in the direction of delegating can become a whole new work style and lifestyle for you. Someone around you - maybe many people are going to be happy about that.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

What To Do With Fish

I know that fish is a really good choice for a meal. Have you ever noticed, however, that it's all about what you put ON the fish that influences how good it tastes. I was playing around in the kitchen last week, wanting to use what I had on hand for the meal and this is what I created.

Fun Fish in One Dish
2 Mahi Mahi Fish Fillets (frozen or fresh)
2 c. Mashed Potatoes (real or instant)
1 pkg frozen broccolli florets
Salt n pepper
Old Bay spice
Nature Seasoning
BBQ potato chip crumbs from the bottom of the bag











My mashed potatoes were from leftovers I froze but you could make them
fresh or instant. I spread those on the bottom of the baking dish. Then I laid
the two fish fillets (Sams Frozen), still partially frozen on top of the potatoes.
I filled the outside of the dish with frozen broccolli. I put some thin butter
shavings on top of the fish followed by salt, pepper, Nature's Seasoning and
Old Bay Seasoning. At this point you could also squeeze fresh lemon or lime.
I sprinkled a little grated cheese on top of the broccolli ( you could use any kind)
and popped it in the oven on 375 for 40 minutes. Keep in mind that the fish
was still a little frozen. About 10 minutes before it was done, I sprinkled the
BBQ Potato Chip crumbs from the bottom of the bag on top of the fish.









The two of us could not finish it all but the leftovers were tasty as well.

Enjoy!!

Monday, March 14, 2011

Bite Size Brain Snack

If you have a positive attitude and constantly strive to give your best effort, eventually you will overcome your immediate problems and find you are ready for greater challenges. - Pat Riley

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Hymn Hum

Hymn Hum

I've mentioned before how the old hymns
minister to me on such a deep level.
The theology around the lyrics is just
necessary in a culture of scratch and sniff
everything that forces us to skip along the
surfaces of the important things in life.
But occasionally my heart is captivated
by a contemporary song who's lyrics also
take me deep into who God is and why
He loves me.
Sharing two such songs today. One,
an
old hymn a friend mentioned the
other day that I hadn't thought about
in years - the other, a current Christian
radio favorite.

How Deep The Father's Love For Us
(thanks, Kaye)
How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocing voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
_______________________________________________________________
Starry Night (Chris August)

From the Birds that Sing, In the Tallest Trees.
To the Human Life, of you and me.
From the Desert Sands, to the place we stand.
He is God of All, He is Everything.

I'm giving my life to the only One who makes
the Moon reflect the sun.
Every Starry Night, that was His design.
I'm giving my life to the only Son, who
was and is and yet to come
Let the praises ring, 'cause He is everything
'Cause He is everything

From the Autumn Leaves, that will ride the breeze
To the Faith it takes, to pray and sing
From the Painted sky, to my plank filled eye
He is God of all, He is everything

I'm giving my life to the only One who
makes the Moon reflect the sun.
Every Starry Night, that was His design.
I'm giving my life to the only Son, who
was and is and yet to come
Let the praises ring, 'cause He is everything.

Hallelujah (Hallelujah)
Hallelujah
I believe
Ohhh
Hallelujah (Hallelujah)
Hallelujah
I believe

I'm giving my life to the only One
who makes the Moon reflect the sun
On that Starry Night, He changed my life.
I'm giving it all to the only Son who
gave me hope when I had none.
So let the praises ring,
Ohhhh Let the Praises Ring

I'm giving my life to the only One
who makes the Moon reflect the sun.
Every Starry Night, that was His design.
I'm giving my life to the only Son,
who was and is and yet to come
Let the Angels sing, that he is Heavenly

So let the Praises ring
'Cause He is everything