Just because you are busy getting things done doesn’t necessarily mean that you are being productive! You may be doing tasks efficiently yet they could be low priority tasks to avoid doing the really important things that could move you forward toward your dreams and goals.

Managing your time effectively to ensure you do priority tasks first is very important. However, often priority tasks may be things you don’t want to do, they may be tedious or boring or overwhelming, so, distractions in the form of trivial tasks become very attractive!

If your days are filled with distractions, it might be time to learn how to focus on those necessary jobs! It is best to start small and often to initiate a change.

This weeks challenge: Spend an hour each day this week to focus on doing something you’ve been avoiding, something you need to do rather than working on something you want to do.

• Choose what task you are going to do. E.g. Get all your papers organised for tax return, or research a new phone company etc
• Choose the best time of day you could do it with least interruptions. E.g. From 1.30pm to 2.30pm when bubby is usually asleep.
• Determine what tactic you’re going to use to keep your mind on the job. E.g. Reward yourself with buying yourself something special when you’ve finished, or pretend it’s something you absolutely love doing!
• Determine the outcome of what you want to achieve each day before you start. E.g. Day 1: Locate all necessary papers, or ring 2 phone companies and take notes. Day 2: Sort all papers into categories, or ring 3rd phone company and draw up comparison grid…….
• When you are doing the task, ensure you do that task only, don’t be distracted by answering the phone or replying to emails or get distracted by something that you found while doing your task. Every time you get tempted to drift toward doing something else, bring yourself back to focus.
• Have fun with it, don’t blow it up to be an almighty difficult task to do, change your mindset from a negative to a positive, and if you do catch yourself being tempted to lose focus, just tell yourself “I’m focused on the job at hand” instead of beating yourself up!

If you’re easily distracted and wonder why you keep avoiding the things that could move you forward toward your dreams and goals, have a FREE Consultation with ‘mother coach’ Kerry Townsend and gain insight into what’s happening in your specific situation.

Until next week, Be True, Be You, Be Happy!
Kerry
www.motherstoolkit.com.au

Nobody likes being browbeaten. What would happen if a person continually picked on another? The person being picked on would gradually cower into the background and confidence and self worth would be depleted to a point when they may feel too scared to do anything. So often, this is what people are doing to themselves without even realising it! This is what you are doing to yourself when you choose to punish yourself with negative self talk. Negativity such as fear, blame, doubt, excuses, punishment, procrastination, will have a harmful impact. What you focus on, grows. If you are often having negative thoughts it’s likely that you are limiting yourself and stopping yourself from achieving your goals and dreams.

Happiness will come from happy thoughts, which may be much easier said than done, especially during challenging times. However, when you catch yourself being negative, consciously choose optimism and turn your attitude around. Compliment yourself, recognise progress, have loving and good thoughts for yourself and others. Have an attitude of gratitude and talking kindly about others opposed to gossiping is much more fulfilling. You will change your life for the better when you change your thinking for the better. Take charge of your thoughts, overcome negative thinking and reach for the stars!

As a mother, being positive not only benefits you but also those around you – especially your children. Don’t underestimate the influence you have on your family and friends. It’s not much fun being around a negative Nelly!

This week’s challenge:  Consciously be aware of your thoughts, conversation, self-talk and attitude this week. Is it mostly positive or negative? If you catch yourself out being negative, do something physical to help you be aware of how often you are being pessimistic. Eg: do a squat (lower yourself down to a sitting position and get up again), or swap your watch to your other arm, etc, each time you catch yourself out. If you choose a squat, or run on the spot, or push up etc you will certainly know the next day how negative you’ve been! It also makes others around you be aware of their negative mindset – because they’re bound to ask you what you’re doing! Get your family involved, but make sure you’re the role model by leading a good example!

If you find yourself focusing on the negative, and need some help to turn things around, a quick and easy way to get back on track is by being personally guided through a step by step process by doing a Mothers Toolkit Coaching program. You will gain insight into your current challenges during your initial consultation, and get a simple, achievable plan to gain relief from your situation through the program!

Until next week, Be True, Be You, Be Happy!
Kerry
http://www.motherstoolkit.com.au/

Oh My Giddy Aunt

Interview with Nikki from Oh My Giddy Aunt:

How long have you been in business? Oh My Giddy Aunt! is my second business -  I started it in 2003. Prior to being a Chief Giddy Aunt I was a Fairy Queen – starting one of Qld’s first fairy shops in 1993.  I sold Fairies on the Downs to a new Fairy Queen in 1998… and (several Fairy Queens later) it is still going strong!

How are you different from other similar businesses? Keepsakes are precious. They don’t have to be expensive but they do have to be personal, meaningful and tell a story.  Being a giddy aunt is the perfect culmination of my years of experience in theatre, writing, storytelling, business, retail , communication, marketing and jewellery design.  All of these elements combine to make finding the right keepsake with Oh My Giddy Aunt something you won’t find anywhere else.

What product or services do you offer? I’m delighted that we are still proudly custom making much of our range in Australia.  Master Jewellers can create a unique heirloom piece that will be treasured always … or if you just need a little something special to give to someone in a hurry we have an extensive range of “ready to send next day” giddy goodies too. 

100 years ago people didn’t say “wow” – they said “oh my giddy aunt!”…. and that’s just the response our range evokes.  Of course some of our Giddy Goodies also make people cry – but in a good way!

Who is your typical customer?  Someone who shares the belief that gifts should be treasured, kept always, be personal and have meaning or story.  Giddy Aunts are always popular for special occasions or milestone moments.  Mums, Grandmas, and of course Giddy Aunts and Uncles, Dads and Granddads who want to give a gift that will really be special and remembered always.

What do you feel is your most favourite product and why?  Too many favourites to choose from – but usually it is whichever Giddy Goodie was the latest to come off the drawing board and into real-life! Our original design BeBe Blocks were one of the first “dreams to come true”  – set with birthstones and engraved with initials or numbers they can tell so many stories. We make them for Christenings, we’ve made them for 80th birthdays, and we make them for Mums to wear with a BeBe for each child. As we custom make them in Australia we can make them in sterling silver, 9ct or 18ct yellow, rose or white gold and they can be worn just as they are on a ribbon, or we can join 30 of them together to create a spectacular bracelet or a necklace!

How can your products help mum’s? Oh My Giddy Aunt has been online for over 8 years with a constantly growing range that Mums can see whenever it suits them! (We have a lot of Midnight Shoppers!) We also have tools on the site like the Wish List so people can save favourites and go back to them whenever they have time.

Personalised products MUST come with personalised service and we are always very happy to make suggestions or answer as many questions as people might have.  It might not be midnight when we answer the emails but it will usually be next day!

What is your top tip when it comes to Keepsakes and Personalised Jewellery? Keep it personal and keep it timeless.  The Giddy Aunts have lived through enough jewellery “fads” to know that those pieces end up in bottom drawers as soon as the fad has passed.  If you want something to truly be treasured always it needs to be timeless – and the best quality possible.  As Chief Giddy Aunt’s Giddy Aunt used to say – “You can’t afford to buy cheap”

What is the discount or special offer you give to mums in our Mother’s Shopping Toolkit? Free engraving (single name or date on each order)

Is there anything else you want mums to know about your products/services/business?
Having had both a “Brick & Mortar” and an online shop, online is definitely a lot more work but Oh My Giddy Aunt is where it is today thanks to our fabulous repeat customers and the word of mouth (or word of email) recommendations our customers make to their family and friends.  Precious Keepsakes and the stories that go with them are this little Giddy Aunt’s passion and we’re committed to providing the best customer service possible to ensure Oh My Giddy Aunt! keepsakes are treasured always.

But you deserve better than that – it’s time to get in the habit of making decisions so you can move forward and enjoy the life you deserve instead of being held back by confusion!

It’s better to do something than do nothing at all. Use the formula below to clear the confusion and make a decision, and view every choice as being the right choice regardless of the consequences. Choose to believe whatever road you take is the direction you need to go in order to learn something new, whether it is good, bad or otherwise.

1. Identify the Decision to be made (what goal or end result do you want to achieve?)
2. List your options (Identify all the possible options and get more information on each option)
3. Study your options (what are the advantages and disadvantages of each option -consider both extremes and then ask yourself “and then what?” If the worst extreme happens, then what?
4. Make your Decision (Choose the best solution accepting the risk of a possible unfavourable outcome).
5. Carry out your decision with confidence (knowing this is the right decision at the right time).
6. Focus on your desired outcome (eliminate doubt).

Once a decision is made, for your own sanity, you will have to follow through. You must be willing to back yourself and have confidence for a positive outcome, rather than tormenting yourself by swaying back and forth on whether you made the right decision or not. No matter what decision you make, there will always be prices to pay and benefits to reap from every decision. I love the following quote “Expect the best. Prepare for the worst. Capitalize on what comes.” Zig Ziglar

This week’s challenge: Have you been sitting on the fence avoiding making a decision on anything? If you tend to struggle when it comes to making decisions and you want to put an end to your confusion, then use the provided formula to help you make a decision and move on!

If you still have trouble following through, then have a FREE Coaching Session with Kerry Townsend of Mothers Toolkit and gain insight into what’s holding you back and why.

`FREE Your Time` 1 on 1 Online Coaching Program with specialist ‘Mother Coach’ Kerry Townsend can also help you with tailored solutions to suit your specific needs and lifestyle, and formulate a simple, achievable plan to conquer your confusion and time management challenges.

Until next week, Be True, Be You, Be Happy!
Kerry
http://www.motherstoolkit.com.au/

If you don’t have family and friends to call on, consider what resources are available to you, contact your local council and ask about relevant community services.  Or create a support network yourself. This can take courage to initiate but there are already associations such as Playgroup Australia who can help you in doing this.

Being isolated and the associated feelings can be detrimental; if you can join or start a likeminded group of mothers you can help each other move through your challenges.  Parenting is a demanding and exhausting job and smart mums just like you reach out and ask for help every day, which shows strength and courage by putting your family needs in front of your ego. Asking for support is a positive action, which will produce positive results for you and your family. 

Having a support group of other mums that you can get together with on a regular basis to swap stories and discuss what’s happening will help so you don’t feel like you’re alone. You can go one step further and organise within the group to help each other out by having a cooking pool once a month where you all get together and cook dishes in bulk that you can share and freeze to have extra meals available. As well as working out a baby sitting pool whereby you each get a night out with your partner once a month. And you plan one day a month at each Mums house for a housework spree? The benefits will be endless, for you, the other mums, and your families!

This week’s challenge: Make the effort this week to meet up with a group of mums, to chat, share some stories and lighten the load! If you’re not currently part of a mums group, playgroup, school or church group, then make the effort this week to actively find one – create a support network!

Always remember, you are never alone – there is always help available. Have a FREE Consultation with Kerry Townsend and gain insight on your current situation and what you can do to avoid feeling isolated.

‘Mums Rescue Package’ 1 on 1 Coaching program with Kerry Townsend can also help you by providing you with a personalised step by step process to overcome your burning issue and give you daily motivation and support along the way.

Until next week, Be True, Be You, Be Happy!
Kerry
http://www.motherstoolkit.com.au/

What is your business?
We offer Stylish Invitations, Photobooks and Canvas Prints for all Life’s Memorable Events. From birth announcements to birthday invitations, photobooks of a once in a lifetime holiday, or a canvas print of a moment in time; Unique stationery, photobooks and canvas prints transform everyday moments into cherished memories. Our designs at Sunrise Creations are sure to dazzle your guests and loved ones!

How long have you been in business?
I have been in business for 4 years

How are you different from other similar businesses?
As we have worked with thousands and thousands of photos, we know photos. As a result we are able to add the personality and the style of our customers into the designs – particularly for the photobooks. We also have a real passion for helping people improve the photos they take. It is great to see the photos improve over the years.

What product or services do you offer?
We offer custom designed photobooks, ancestry albums, personalised sporting cards (eg. footy cards), birth announcements, invitations and canvas prints.

Who is your typical client?
Mums, newly engaged couples and people who love their memories.

What do you feel is your most valuable product and why?
Without any doubt it is the photobooks. To have one beautiful album that summarises your year, holidays or your family is fabulous to look through. You can include stories (that would otherwise be forgotten) and kids artwork. They are a beautiful memory piece – and the kids love looking at them too.

How can your product or service help mum’s?
Our product will make you feel good and smile. It is a great reminder of all the wonderful and beautiful things that have happened in your life.

What are your top tips when it comes to photos?
When taking photos really watch the background and what is in it. Whether you are taking a photo of your kids or a family photograph this still applies. The plainer the background the more focus there is on the subjects. Often this might be just moving yourself slightly (ie. The person taking the photograph).
- To avoid double chins (or to make your face look thinner) – is to lean into the camera, not so much that it doesn’t look natural. For example if you are sitting on a chair and someone wants to take a photo of you, sit up and lean into the table rather than leaning back on the chair. You will be amazed at the difference!!
- Please please please organise your photos (and this does not mean in month order!!). Also, get up close and personal with the delete key – with digital cameras we tend to take a number of photos of the one situation… keep only the good one or two, not the 20 or so that you took.

What is the special offer you give to mums in our Mother’s Shopping Toolkit?
When you sign up for Mother’s Toolkit eNewsletter you will receive a document in your inbox which has all the codes for great discounts or special offers for nearly 30 businesses. Sunrise Creations offer you Free delivery on all designer baby stationery and invitations, canvas prints and photobooks ordered through our web boutique. You will also receive FREE customisation changes to your cards and canvas prints. Valued up to $60 (Not valid with any other offer).

Can you absorb the fact that you’ve done something good? Do you ever compliment yourself for giving something a go, even if it didn’t turn out the way you planned? Do you accept that day after day you achieve things that are of value to your family?

It’s Mother’s Day this Sunday and hopefully you’ll get special treatment from your family and be put up on a pedestal for a day. Hopefully your family will show you appreciation of your value and achievements. But unless this happens every day, or unless you have copious amounts of compliments coming your way on a regular basis, then, if it’s difficult for you to recognise your value, it might be time you started patting yourself on your own back!

Your attitude determines your path in life. The happiness in your life depends on the quality of your thoughts. Ignoring your achievements is ignoring your self-worth, which leaves considerable room to put yourself down. Self-criticism can eat away at your confidence and make you feel unimportant. Just as self-acknowledgement can boost your confidence and make you feel special. When you recognise your value you are affirming that you are worthy and deserving and your life will reflect that. Having a positive attitude ensures that you are upbeat, energised, and willing to tackle any situation.

You are important. So nurture yourself with positive reinforcement, even when things don’t go to plan. Complimenting yourself and recognising your value allows you to nurture optimism and a positive attitude! So, think great things, give yourself a pat on the back on a regular basis and your inner butterfly will flourish!

This week’s challenge: It’s pat yourself on the back week! Recognise your achievements and your value by writing a list of your achievements that you’re proud of – aim for at least 50! Read them every day – soak in your triumphs! Acknowledge the effort and determination it took to make those things happen!

How do you go acknowledging your achievements? Do you feel your inner butterfly has clipped wings? For tips, tools, techniques and activities to help your inner butterfly flourish check out my book (in both paperback and eBook) ‘Mother’s Essential Personal Toolkit’ to get your spark back and set your inner butterfly soaring!

Have a FREE Coaching Session with Kerry Townsend and gain insight on what’s holding you back.

Until next week, Be True, Be You, Be Happy!
Kerry
www.motherstoolkit.com.au

I like to encourage mums to free your time so you have more time to connect with your family. However, as a mother it’s easy to be busy, after all, everyone’s needs must be met, with each need requiring endless number of tasks – that mum usually ends up doing!

The problem with being busy is that it can sometimes be a convenient distraction.  The whirlwind of busyness allows you to avoid getting too close to your spouse and/or other family members. Getting close requires connecting with people, and connecting with people can leave you vulnerable and open to being hurt.

Being busy can also be convenient because it’s a way you stay in control, when you fill your schedule with activities, it may be a way you feel more ‘comfortable’ when you know what you are doing or know what to expect. It may also be a way to occupy yourself from doing something which you don’t particularly want to be doing. You may consider kid’s games boring or monotonous, or spending time with the kids sometimes may feel unrewarding.

The problem is that the ‘busyness barrier’ might keep you comfortable or in control, it may stop you from feeling vulnerable, or inviting the unexpected, it may help you avoid some of those uninteresting games, BUT, you are robbing yourself of wonderful time that you could be spending with your family that could be so rewarding if you’d only let yourself go!

Allow yourself to be vulnerable. By breaking down the busyness barrier you open your life to endless possibilities of love, and you create connection rather than disconnection with the people that are the most important in the world to you. Quality time together to connect is sooooo important. It will foster a strong family bond which will allow your children to thrive!

This week’s challenge: Write a list of fun games and activities you like to do with your children, as a family. Include really effortless, easy to do activities as well simple and special outings. Then, do one different  thing from your list with your family every day this week! Allowing that time to get together, even if it’s only a 10 minute activity will be very beneficial for you all!

Are you always busy? Connecting with your family is so important for your well-being as well as the well-being of your family. Kerry Townsend’s ‘FREE Your Time’ eBook explains the 10 typical troubles that can rob your time which hinders spending quality time with your family and provides tips, tools and techniques to overcome those troubles.

Have a FREE Coaching Session with Kerry Townsend and gain insight on why being busy is convenient for you and what’s holding you back.

Until next week, Be True, Be You, Be Happy!
Kerry
http://www.motherstoolkit.com.au/

How long have you been in business?
We have been sending packages far and wide since 2005.

How are you different from other similar businesses?
Our huge range of brands and our customer service! We also import Old West Cowboy Boots from the US, people will not find them readily in Australia!

What product or services do you offer?
We offer children’s clothing from Premmie Sizes to Size 10. We also have toys, books, CDs/DVDs and allsorts of other natty things for Mums and Bubs.

Who is your typical customer?
Mums, Mums-to-Be and Grandparents

How can your product or service help mum’s?
Being online, we realise how easy and convenient it is for busy Mum’s & Dads to shop online! It’s much easier to save your feet, and shop from your seat!

What is the discount or special offer you give to mums in our Mother’s Shopping Toolkit?
Free Postage.

Is there anything else you want mums to know about your business?
We do look forward to packing orders for you!

If you’re not devoting sufficient time with your partner he may feel undervalued,  inadequate and unfulfilled.  Just as nurturing yourself is important, so too is nurturing your partner.   Remember, you were one half of a partnership before you were a mother.  When you communicate regularly, you reduce the possibility of tension, frustration and everyday misunderstandings. When you connect, you are strengthening your loving bonds so that you can work through any tough times together.  You are sending strong signals that you place an important value on your relationship.

Time together, communication and connecting with your partner strengthens every aspect of your relationship, and it creates the perfect environment for your love and intimacy to thrive. It’s also being a great example for your children to see, and learn how to behave in their future relationships. 

This week’s challenge: Devote at least 10 minutes each day this week toward spending with your partner to communicate and connect. No TV, no computer, no gadgets! Are you both willing? Has it been a while since you’ve been able to spend 10 minutes uninterrupted time together that doesn’t involve talking about your kids? If you’re not in the habit of regularly spending 1 on 1 time together it may be difficult at first. Be prepared there may be resistance on both sides, if this is the case, just persist! As with anything practice makes perfect (well, much better anyway)!

Do you have trouble prioritising your time to ensure you devote sufficient time with your partner? Do you both keep getting distracted with other things? Time together with your partner is important to connect for the benefit of the whole family. Kerry Townsend’s ‘Mother’s Essential Romance Toolkit’ eBook lists 30 no cost and easy activities you can do together and 30 indulgent activities you can do together when you do devote time to each other, as well as tips, tools and techniques to nurture love and intimacy within your relationship.

‘Reignite Your Romance’ 1 on 1 Coaching program with Kerry Townsend can also help you by providing you with a personalised step by step process to overcome your burning issue within your relationship and give you daily motivation and support along the way.

Until next week, Be True, Be You, Be Happy!
Kerry
www.motherstoolkit.com.au