Too Much Digital Noise? Take this Quiz

Too Much Digital Noise? Take this Quiz

Digital Devices have transformed our lives, and I love them. Yet, often we allow ourselves to be controlled by them, and not the other way around.

Digital noise is a real thing. It’s all those distractions coming from our phones and computers that prevent us from focusing on the important things in life, like our loved ones, our businesses, or our health.

Answer these questions to determine if digital noise is affecting your life.

  1. Do you feel like you must be online all day every day?
  • Yes, otherwise I might miss out on news, events, or speaking to prospects.
  • Not sure; I don’t really think about being online. It’s just a part of my life.
  • No, I can unplug on the weekends and/or after business hours easily.
  1. Does your online work on your computer or phone take away from your physical activity?
  • I’m the definition of a couch potato with a sedentary lifestyle.
  • Sometimes, it all depends on my deadlines.
  • I still fit in time for exercise and meal planning.
  1. Do you use your phone while watching TV, eating dinner, or spending time with your family?
  • Yes, my clients need me.
  • Sometimes; I’ll turn it off during dinner but then I need to be online.
  • My family is more important than business.
  1. How long do you spend on social media each day?
  • I have it turned on all the time.
  • Too much; I really need to cut back but don’t know how.
  • As little as possible. I outsource my posts, so I only go on to answer questions or to post in my private groups.
  1. How many times a day are you interrupted by notifications from email, social media, or other platforms?
  • Too much; it’s really a nuisance.
  • I haven’t noticed.
  • Very little. I never sign up for those push notifications.
  1. Do you take your phone on vacation?
  • Yes, my clients might need me.
  • Sometimes but I only use it at night when the kids are in bed.
  • No, I prefer to stay focused on my family.
  1. Do you answer every phone call, no matter what time of day or night?
  • Yes, it might be a future customer or client.
  • Sometimes, it depends on the caller ID.
  • I have client boundaries and office hours for a reason.
  1. Do you miss important conversations or fun activities with family or friends due to phone calls?
  • Yes, but my family knows I’m running a business and I have to be on call.
  • Sometimes I have to excuse myself to take a call.
  • My clients know I stay unplugged after hours.
  1. Does your work impede your sleep habits?
  • I have clients from around the world and figuring out time zones is a pain.
  • Sometimes I work late, depending on deadlines.
  • No, I have an evening routine that I live by, including no phones in the bedroom.
  1. Do you actually accomplish work on your phone or are there too many distractions from various sources?
  • Yes, my phone is a necessary part of my business and I can’t live without it.
  • Sometimes; I use it mostly for phone calls and recording live videos.
  • No, I can’t do real work on my phone. I need my laptop.

Now you do the assessment. Do you notice any patterns?

Take a look at the following points to see where you need to make adjustments:

Adults need between 7-9 hours of sleep daily in order to be productive. Televisions, cell phones, email, and social media right before bed can cause sleep patterns to be interrupted.

As a result, we can be sluggish and tired when we wake up.

Daily exercise and healthy eating are also vital parts of living longer but our phones and sedentary lifestyles in front of the computer are hampering that healthy living.

Learning to set boundaries and office hours as well as taking breaks during the day gives you small bits of time for stretching or walking to get your blood flowing.

Lastly, all humans need attention but will feel slighted if you have to work during their special time. Directing your undivided attention to your most favorite people will help them to feel special and will strengthen that relationship.

And if you have children, remember that you are their first teacher and they will follow your example. So, if you constantly have your head in your phone, expect them to do the same thing years down the road.

Take the quiz and decide where you might need adjustments.

When we are conscious of these things, we will be able to improve our lives – and our performance.

2022 Here We come!! Let’s make it great!

Blessings,

P.S. Start your 2022 on the right foot with this offer: 2022 Blueprint for Business Success

A Little-Talked-About Christmas Blessing

A Little-Talked-About Christmas Blessing

This little-talked-about blessing is a lesson we can learn from Mary.

In Luke 1:26-38, the angel Gabriel came to Mary and told her of God’s plan for her to give birth to Jesus. of course, she’s shocked, but young Mary receives God’s plan. She says, “Behold the bondslave of the Lord. Be it done to me according to your Word.” (Luke 1:38 NASB)

Next she ran to her Aunt Elizabeth and shared her encounter. John leapt in Elizabeth’s womb, and she started to prophesy. Her final word was, “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.” (1:45)

Think about this a minute.

In both verses we see that Mary believed and received what God had spoken.

Elizabeth didn’t say she was blessed just because of the word spoken. She was blessed because she believed it!

The Bible is full of Words which the Lord has spoken to us, and sometimes special words seem to leap off of the page – as if they were there just for us!  But it’s up to us to say, “Be it done to me according to God’s Word.” Or not.

All of those beautiful promises and directions can be like seeds which fall upon the rocks. They won’t produce.

When we, like Mary, receive and believe what God speaks to us, we are blessed. The seed of His Word falls on the good soil of our hearts and what He has spoken begins to produce in our lives.

It’s an amazing thing to see God’s word being performed like that.

Just thinking about this makes me want to dig in deeper than ever. I want this Christmas and 2021 to be my most believing days ever.

Don’t you?

It’s a good time for us to gather the words which have especially spoken to us and write them in a journal. Then read and meditate on them. Pray them. Think about them. And believe them.

When we do things God’s way, many blessings – and surprises – will follow.

And now may it be done to you according to God’s Word.

Keep on Soaring!

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Remember: You Are One-of-a-Kind

Remember: You Are One-of-a-Kind

It’s the start of a new week. Do you have a “Start Your Week Off Right” routine?

I can’t say that I always have.

I like to begin each day with coffee and the Bible. But I haven’t  always taken the time to think about my focus for a week. Another week dedicated to my God, my family, and my special assignment from my Creator.

That’s what life is, you know. Your life is your special assignment from God. Nobody looks just like you. Or thinks just like you. Or has gifts and desires just like you.

You are different. You are one of a kind. A masterpiece. Even when you are in a crowd of people, there’s no one quite like you.

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