Tag Archives: #mentalhealth

How to get Sh@# Done!

Leave a comment

How to get Sh*@ Done!

 

How to get Sh@# Done!
Now that I have your attention!
How can we get sh*@ done that we need and/or want to get done?
  • *Write it down
    Write down 2 things that you want to get done, then write down 2 things that are stopping you from getting “things” done (fulfilling your dreams, your goals, small tasks for the day, homework, running errands, exercising, meeting deadlines, writing assignments, paperwork, reports, tasks, eating healthy, etc.).
    Is it your thoughts/emotions (fear, self-doubt, feelings of inadequacy, loneliness, discouragement, self-defeating thoughts-“I could never do that?” “I’m too old” “I’m too young” “I’m not smart enough”)? Is it money/lack of money? Is it nobody to help you/no team/no support? or something else?
  • *Practice the 80/20 Rule
    While reading today at lunch, I was reminded of the 80/20 rule -that says focus on the most important tasks (the 80%) on your to-do list; and to complete the 2 most important tasks per day first, and then continue completing the remaining items on your to-do list. If you don’t complete your to-do list, it’s okay, it can roll over to tomorrow’s to-do list.
  • *Find motivation outside of yourself/Replenish your energy
    Sometimes I am overwhelmed, unmotivated and depleted of energy to complete anything on my to-do list, or to even write the to-do list. So what can we do?
    Well, you find the motivation. If you can’t find it internally then seek it externally. I listen to motivational CD’s, sermons, motivational speakers, mentors, coaches, read inspirational books/inspirational quotes, listen to uplifting music and/or find an accountability partner or support group to remind me of my WHY (why you’re doing this and to keep me on track with my to-do list and my goals).
  • *Be mindful when you are most productive.
    Take time to notice what you are doing (smiling, listening to a speaker), where you are (church, school, home, outside, indoors, around friends, alone, library), which days (Sundays are my most inspirational/stress free days), what time of day (morning, afternoon, evening) and when you feel the most motivated. Optimize this time/space to get a jump start on your goals/to-do list. For example, if I’m most motivated on Sunday mornings then I need to write at this time, in my favorite chair (indoors or outdoors) and wherever I feel most creative at that moment. Don’t place your most important tasks last-at the bottom of your to-do list and NEVER place your most important tasks at the end of the week or when you are the busiest (on a Friday or Saturday when most of us are trying to squeeze in family time, errands, events, etc-that’s a setup/surefire way not to get sh@# done.). So track the day of the week, time of day and most comfortable place that is most appropriate to get things done.
 P.S. I typed this blog after working two jobs, feeling exhausted and many reminders from my accountability partner to “get it done”. So why didn’t I just go to bed, which was my initial thought and to “do it later”? Because I knew that this blog would help someone be more productive TODAY.
 Please click the links below for more tips on how to get “things” done. As always, somebody’s purpose is attached to yours. The world needs your gift, purpose and calling. Let’s get it done! Til next time Dr. Truth… 🙂
—
—
—
 —
—
—
—

Dr. Ngonzi Truth Crushshon, Psy.D. is a license-eligible clinical psychologist, professor, and best-selling author. She has written for the Huffington Post and various local magazines on mental health and self-care. www.faithhopelovecommunity.com

Work-Life Balance vs. Work-Life Harmony

Leave a comment

Work-life balance is “a situation in which one divides or balances one’s time between work and activities outside of work” (Dictionary.com).


The work-life balance is often seen as a zero-sum game, where work and life are completely separate domains that are competing for time and energy. Alternatively, the concept of “work-life harmony” visualizes work and life roles as being interconnected and dependent on each other, rather than separate and in competition.

Most articles on work-life balance never ask the purpose of what we are striving to balance for- what’s the goal? They also rarely articulate what the “good life” looks like.There is an Aristotelian concept called “eudaemonia”. It is not just a happy or balanced life but a good life, one lived for worthy purposes and, uplifting to others. Some questions to consider: Is your job/career/work fulfilling? What is your purpose on earth? Are you working/doing what you were created or “meant” to do?

20180808_094337_0002

On a personal note, my struggle with work-life harmony over the years has included various work schedules to create balance in my life including:

  • the traditional 40 hour work week,

  • telework/working from home,

  • field work (visiting client’s homes/hospitals),

  • PRN/on-call/casual employee work (setting my own work schedule 6 weeks in advance, as needed, or whenever crises with clients arise), and

  • Flexible or “flex” scheduled work (4 day work week).


However, even with variations in work schedules, I still find myself struggling with work-life balancing decisions. I have made some accommodations intertwining my work-life into my calendar/to-do list and try my best to inform my place of work of the next personal goal that I am striving toward (many companies applaud personal growth and want to know your personal goals, especially the goals that will help you better perform at work).


So how do we achieve this coveted work-life harmony, more often? At some point we have to choose between the demands of work and our personal lives but how do we align these various personal/professional roles (spouse/partner, parent/grandparent, family member, friend, employee,etc.) with fulfillment of our purpose? What usually drives my work-life decisions are my values, priorities and deadlines (work projects or important family events). What does my mind, body, spirit/soul need at this time and in this season? What will bring the most value for myself or the other person-(whether personally or professionally)? Can I rearrange my work hours? Do I have the time off or can someone switch work shifts? Can I work overtime? Can I recoup these hours/income? Am I making time for my personal and professional goals? Do I feel off balance? Does this align with fulfillment of my purpose in life/what I was created or “meant” to do?


ACTION STEPS:

  • This week check-in with yourself and ask what do I need more of/less of? More work or more personal/life/family/friends/non-working time? Be sure to spend quality time with yourself and others and to be present (not on your cellphone,distracted). Give them/yourself 100% attention.


  • Visualize what the “good life” looks like for you. Create a visionboard of what the “good life” looks like for you. What does it look like, smell like, taste like, feel like, sound like?

Article Links

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesleadershipforum/2017/11/29/the-crucial-thing-missing-from-the-work-life-balance-debate/#2aefb25dcc4f


https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.entrepreneur.com/amphtml/311414


http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/work-life-balance


https://www.ted.com/topics/work-life+balance


http://mykindofmonday.com/work-life-balance-tips-and-techniques/



Dr. Ngonzi Truth Crushshon, Psy.D. is a license-eligible clinical psychologist, professor, and best-selling author. She has written for the Huffington Post and various local magazines on mental health and self-care. www.faithhopelovecommunity.com

Dr_Truth_and_Associates LOGO

Make Time For Your Dreams

Leave a comment

HTTP_%2F%2FWWW.FAITHHOPELOVECOMMUNITY.COM%2F-DREAMS

2 Mindful Ways to Make Time for your Dreams

(in 10 minutes or less)

There is never enough time, if you are awaiting time to avail itself. You must make time for your dreams. But How? When? Most of us don’t have the luxury of not working. Many work 1 or 2 jobs, pick up/drop off children to school/sports practices/after school programs/summer camps or simply are trying to squeeze extra hours out of an already jammed pack day. Before work is rushed and after work is stressful fighting traffic/cooking dinner. Work-life balance can be difficult and weekends are for errands. Hopefully, after reading this article you can find your rhythm and make the time to do something you love-work on your dreams.

So where do we find the time?  In the words of Les Brown, “How BAD do you want it? You gotta be HUNGRY!!!” If you’re not hungry, then this post isn’t for you. Otherwise, SCHEDULE the time for your hopes, goals and DREAMS!

1. Plan your day the night before. More importantly, write down your schedule hour by hour each day. Most calendar/planners cost too much (unless you go to the dollar store) and don’t have the type of format that is needed. I love Mead planners hourly/daily/weekly/monthly calendars which cost $10-$30 (but I’ve used dollar store calendars/planners as well, they all work the same). However, you can also jot down your schedule on a napkin, a sticky note, the notepad on your cellphone or a scratch sheet of paper-(I’ve done all of the above, ask my friends, they hate all my calendars (I have 3 calendars right now) and think that I’m a dinosaur because I write on scraps of paper-which I never seem to lose).

 

I’m not telling you something I’ve heard, these are tools that I and other successful people utilize on a daily basis to plan their days, and ultimately their lives. These are successful habits of professionals, business gurus and millionaires. And me, with my 3 jobs and a possible. LBVS -laughing but very serious. These schedules/calendars also helped me stay on track throughout the doctorate program while working 2 jobs.

 

Here’s a sample of a daily schedule:

4am alarm goes off/wake up/ Affirmation alert on cellphone “l give thanks to God as the source of my supply” and “Nothing is too big or too good for you”

4:30am roll over for one more snooze, thank God for a new day, read my meditation

5am Get up/Bathroom/Shower/Get dressed

6am-6:15am Out the door/commute to work (enjoy the trip, view the scenery, listen to music, breathe deeply)

6:45am-7am arrive at work

12noon-12:30pm lunch

5pm off work/I’m OUT! (Leave work at WORK. jot down what you need to do tomorrow and don’t think about it again until the next day)

5:15pm commute home

6:15pm dinner

7pm-8pm relax/wind down/write in gratitude journal/ complete homework/ attend class

8pm-10pm work on my DREAM

10pm-11pm bedtime

 

*Disclaimer. Sometimes I don’t follow my schedule completely but it is still useful to have one as a guide. Be kind to yourself and give yourself a break, if you don’t follow the plan. I don’t always actively work on my dreams everyday but I’m often envisioning/thinking/talking about my dream, even if it’s in a passive manner. Keep your dream/s at the forefront of your mind. Remember your WHY. Why do you want this dream to become REAL? Who will it help? What will happen to you/others if you don’t fulfill your dream? Is this really your dream/passion (or is this someone else’s dream)?

 

2. Find an accountability partner/group. Select 1 person or accountability group whom you can share your hopes, goals and dreams and will remind you of what you said that you would do (in an encouraging way) on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. This accountability partner does not necessarily need to have the same goals as you or live in the same state as you, they can be a social media friend, an associate, family member, coworker, or mentor. The accountability partner will ask you about your 1 small goal for the week that leads to a larger goal (your dream).

 

For example, I will eat salads on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (smaller goal, couple weeks to accomplish) that leads to your larger goal of eating healthy/living a healthier lifestyle (larger goal, months/years to accomplish).

 

Another example, I will send one email/phone call this week (small goal) to meet/interview someone at the top of their game in the field that I wish to enter (entrepreneur, teacher, construction worker, military, business leader, politician, realtor, makeup artist/MUA, etc) in order to feel inspired to take my next big step towards my goal/dream to become___________& to open my own business by ____________(enter the date you will accomplish this larger goal).

 

As it pertains to my dream goals, I have different groups of accountability partners/accountability groups (and visionboards with dates attached to each goal), for each of my goals (ie, study group for psychologist exam, Black Girls Run, church/spiritual activities, etc).

 

I read an article with a study that found many women usually socialize with the same group of friends (let’s say you have 5 girlfriends) and try to do everything/all activities with these same 5 girlfriends (shopping, church/spiritual activities, entertainment, gym buddy, etc) While on the other hand, men socialize differently, they interact in various different friend groups (For example, men may have 2 gym friends, 3 church/spiritual friends, 4 coworkers and very few, if any, of these friends overlap or are within the same friend circle). (I can’t recall where I read this study, otherwise I’d reference it.)  So women I’m challenging you to step outside the box and find different groups of friends/accountability partners because maybe your accountability partner/group is outside of your current sister circle.

 

Here is an acronym for DREAMS

 

  • DEDICATE

Set aside an intentional space for you to dream (in your home/your comfy chair/your car/coffee shop/at the beach).

 

  • REAL TIME

Plan specific blocks of time (7am-7:30am)

and add it to your calendar and “To Do List”

 

  • ENERGY

“Your attention goes where your energy flows”. Start working through your blockages, fears and failures from the past concerning your dream so you can have more energy. Speak to and affirm yourself and your dreams. Believe and feel that you can and you will accomplish your dreams no matter what the “haters” or negative vibes are telling you. You must believe in your dream before anybody else will and long before your dream manifests.

 

Currently, your dream may be in the seed stage and will need your faith to water the dream so it can grow & produce. Get around gardeners and seek the SUNLIGHT-those who speak life to you and your dreams. Pray, meditate and confide in an accountability partner or accountability group to help keep you uplifted and on track to fulfill your dreams.

 

AND …Then

 

  • MANIFEST

You will manifest the vision that God placed inside of you. God will send the right people at the right time, in the right place, after you have put in the hardwork. Doors will start opening for you. You will walk in your purpose and your dreams will manifest exactly how and when they are supposed to. Nobody can stop you from fulfilling your dreams but yourself. Nobody can fulfill your dream better than you. You were born for such a time as this to manifest your dream/purpose/destiny.

The excitement kicks in …& now that you have manifested your dreams people will take you more

  • SERIOUSLY….

And there you have it ….a simple PLAN to make time for your Dreams 😉

#Dr.Truth #Pyschology #Counselling #BlackMentalhealth#mentalhealth #breakinggenerationalcurses #socialjustice

And below are some resource links for further reading , to stay encouraged and informed:

 

Dr. Ngonzi Truth Crushshon, Psy.D. is a license-eligible clinical psychologist, professor, and best-selling author. She has written for the Huffington Post and various local magazines on mental health and self-care.

 www.faithhopelovecommunity.com