Blog Binder

I think I have just as much a problem with binders as I do with challenges (I'll be posting my fitness binder soon).

So, staying in line with my love of binders, the blog planner was next. I found the printables for this little gem at IHeart Orgainzing's Etsy shop. I printed off the insides and then took them to Staples and had the front and back laminated, the tabs inserted and spiral bound. It cost me a grand total of $6. There are a few sections in there that aren't really applicable to me (brand & client wish list, website enhancements, and shop ideas and wishlist) but, I may find a use for them someday. I do love the majority of it, however. The calendar is my favorite.

I actually use it for more than just blog stuff. I just started using it so, I haven't had a chance to see if it needs tweaking just yet, but if you're looking for a great little planner, this one is compact, simple and pretty :) Head on over to Jen's shop and check it out!

via

*All these are separate sections if you order them. They're just shown all together here to show you all the sections

Oh and if you mozy on into Staples, here is a 50% off Martha Stewart coupon for you to print off and use as many times as you'd like! You'd probably have to do separate transactions, but who cares if you're 'that lady/guy holding up the line'. For 50% off Martha Stewart, it's totally worth it.

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{Book Review} Let Go of What Holds You Back

I've just finished this book up as a recommendation from my girl Danielle over at Butler, Party of 2. I'm no literary critic so, this definitely won't be anything like that. I just want to share the books I have enjoyed (and those I haven't) and what I've gleaned from them. 

So, here are some of my favorite lines from this book (sorry, there's a lot!):

• Momentum - a great word for a powerful life. I believe without a doubt that God's will for you is momentum. He wants you to let go of whatever holds you back. His best is for you and me to grow, increase, and be more than what we are today.
• Lord, give me the determination and tenacity of a weed.
• "Somebody is sitting in the shade today because someone long ago planted a tree" (Warren Buffett)
• You'll be judged by what you finish, not by what you start.
• Nearly all failures result from people quitting too soon.
• "And let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't get discouraged and give up" (Galatians 6:9)
• Impatience is costly. Your greatest mistakes will happen because of impatience. Most people fail simply because they're impatient and they cannot join the beginning with the end.
• When you're trying to be like someone else, the best you can ever be is number two
• "God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well" (Romans 12:6)
• You must be uncommon to be a champion. Your responsibility is not to remake yourself but to make the absolute best of what God made. 
• People say they want riches when what they need is fulfillment of a purpose
• When you discover your mission, you will feel its demand. It will fill you with enthusiasm and a burning desire to get to work on it.
• Your outlook determines your outcome
• Talk with people smarter than you. Listen to those more spiritual than you. Ask questions of those more successful than you. Lend a hand to those less fortunate than you. Don't stay where you are.
• Don't make such thorough plans for rainy days that you don't enjoy today's sunshine.
• Don't let the future be a time when you wish you'd done what you aren't doing now.
• Never let the fear of striking out get in your way.
• Do the thing you have to do when it ought to be done whether you like it or not.
• Write it on your heart: EVERY DAY IS THE BEST DAY OF THE YEAR.
• If you wait for perfect conditions you will never get anything done.
• "Keep on sowing your seed, for you never know which will grow-perhaps it all will" (Ecclesiastes 11:4,6)
• "Never complain about what you permit" (Mike Murdock) 
• What you commit yourself to be will change you from what you are into what you can be.
• What you see depends mainly on what you look for.
• "Any fact facing us is not as important as our attitude toward it, for that determines our success or failure" (Norman Vincent Peale)
• You'll often find that life responds to your outlook.
• "Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your power. Pray for power equal to your tasks" (Phillip Brooks)
• Even a coward can praise Christ, but it takes a person of courage to follow Him.
• Both enthusiasm and pessimism are contagious. How much of each do you spread?
• Ten years from today, what will you wish you had done right now?
• You can't pray and stay the same.
• If you can stand firm and and when to bend, you've got it made.
• Be passionate about your life, and act from your passion.
• God has put you in this world to pour your heart into something.
• You will only be remembered in life for your passions. Find something that consumes you.
• Learn to be comfortable being enthusiastic. 
• "Perhaps the greatest discovery of this century is that if you change your attitude, you can change your life" (William James)
• People judge you by your actions, not your intentions. You may have a heart of gold, but so does a hard-boiled egg.
• All significant battles are waged within one's self.
• When you compare yourself to others, you'll become either bitter or vain.
• Nothing great is created suddenly. Nothing can be done except little by little.
• Continually compare what you want with what you have and you'll be unhappy. Instead, compare what you deserve with what you have and you'll be happy.
• If something is beneficial for you, God will put it within your reach.
• Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don't forget to thank Him for his answers.
• The highest purpose of faith or prayer is not to change your circumstances but to change you.
• The more you do - the more you can do.

I really loved this book and it was such a shot of motivation. I highly recommend it - it's a quick read.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I did :)

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{Another} Fitness Challenge. Okay 2 Challenges.

I clearly have a problem. A 'challenge' problem.

I finished up my 21-Day Yoga Challenge and felt so good, both mentally and physically, that I've decided to up the ante. Yoga has given me an amazing mind-body connection. One that I think was really crucial in me being able to fully commit to a lifestyle of maintaining my health and fitness. Unfortunately, I don't think yoga (at least not the kind I've been doing) will give me the results I'm looking for. I'm sure it would over time, but who has time these days?

I've always been pretty focused on my health and planned everything out myself (I studied nutrition in college and it's always been a passion of mine), but since motherhood, I have really come to like having a plan set-up for me where all I have to do is the work. I want everything spelled out for me so that I don't have to think about it - just do it. I have enough to think about. Whether Charlie is flushing my favorite blanket down the toilet (true story), if Breaker is getting ready to fall out of his swing, or what delightful goody the Golden Boy has decided to bring home from one of his yard sale adventures.

So...

I'm getting ready to take on Jamie Eason's 12-Week LiveFit Challenge. It's definitely intense, but I'm totally excited for it. She gives you the entire 12-week plan, from the workouts to recipes, to motivation and video tutorials. One drawback, or advantage, depending on how you look at it; is that this challenge requires a gym. There's a lot of lifting and unless you've got a full-blown gym in your basement, you're gonna need a gym membership. My gym has a daycare so, this works out really well for me. I get some "me" time to workout and the boys get to play with some new friends. Win-win.

Here's where the 2nd challenge comes in...

In Jamie's program she recommends using certain supplements (she has her own line of them, so go figure). I've chosen to go with Advocare's 24-Day Trim Challenge instead. I've done extensive research and have used these products before (when I played basketball in college) with awesome results so, I'm choosing to go this route.

I'm going to spare you the token 'before' picture until I have an 'after' one. I don't want you thinking I still look like my 'before'! *gasp*

I'll be posting at the end of each week and updating you with my progress. I'd love to have you join me and share your progress as well!

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