Life Updates of a Larger Magnitude

This blog used to be called the steamvent, because it was where all the rage and angst went. (When you're normally upbeat and positive on the outside, those yucky feelings have to go *somewhere*) I just reread the titles of my last few posts and it seems like that still is mostly true. So let's take a stroll down a happier thought! It's January 23rd and 3 weeks ago I implemented a daily work schedule. From 7am to 9am I do the same 3 things, and then from 9 to 12 I focus on one major business area. And the funniest thing about it is that by being scheduled, I feel more free. Lots of people talk about this. Time-blocking is a Keller Williams staple (that far too few agents implement). The Get Stuff Done guy has a whole book about it. And there have been countless blogs and articles written. So yea, accept it. It's a thing. Yesterday I was at a baby shower and one of the women, a widow who has given herself to service in the Catholic Church (she helps at a ...

I've gone back to my Miracle Morning ways.  It's a great way to start the day if you can motivate yourself to do it.  Last night I was feeling pretty crappy, but I'm resolved to not burn myself out more by working all the time.  That means I need to be more efficient with my days, so today I'm going to be ruthless about getting stuff off my to do list, including my Miracle Morning.  I've been hard on myself lately about not being in shape, but after hearing my grumbling, this picture was taken during my morning workout and...  I am totally in shape.  Go me. :) Now I just need to be super efficient with my next 8 hours.  Ready.... go!

My brain is kind of mush.  I mean, mush, but also pushing to the breaking point of filling it with ambitious things.  Mush like there's too much electricity in a small space and it has short-circuited.  Anywho. Life is really busy  right now.  The business, obviously.  And 3 kids (who, unfortunately, I feel lots of mom guilt like I don't spend enough time with them.) Then the internal pressure to feel like I'm not working so hard that I'm missing out on having a social life or being involved, so I fit social things in, but it all just feels kind of crazy and out of control.  And at heart, I'm a very creative person and I don't feel like I have the time* to indulge my creativity, which leaves me feeling... melancholy.  I used to peruse DIY blogs (like my faves YHL, Ana-White, and Ikeahackers) and get excited for fun house projects.  Now I spend my free time reading business books (when I'm being good) or fluffy Young Adult books (when I'm in...

I got roped into leading a girl scout troop for Eve, and let me just tell you... it is too fucking complicated.  Holy shit the forms and the trainings and all the freaking bureaucracy.  Just shoot me now.

Oh, I'm going there... I'm really excited to see all the passionate Hillary supporters channel their energy into local community efforts and work toward mitigating injustice on a personal level. I'm interested to understand more why half the voting populace thinks that one man is a hate filled bully, and the other half thinks that an entire party is an angrier bully. And just a reminder, if you call yourself Catholic, heed the leader you place above U.S. politics. He's still my favorite elected official ever. http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/695276/Pope-Francis-defends-Muslims-blasts-Islam-not-terrorism

I've gotta spend a few brain bytes on this election that I'm watching.  What a contentious primary season it's been!  I thought for sure, after all that craziness, one candidate would clearly win.  I have friends on both sides of the road, and I can tell you - ALL the Clinton supporters have been vocal and passionate.  The vocal Trump supporters tend to be people that I'm not as close to, and I suspected (and the votes are confirming) that a lot of Republicans are not in love with their candidate - or maybe they have a grudging respect - but they still feel strongly that he's a better fit.  Strongly enough to make sure they quietly get out to the polls and register their voices. But what I really want to talk about, as the vocal and passionate supporters are espousing their despair and rage and disgust, is my theory on how we got to this place.  I think I first became aware of the brewing backlash during the transgender bathroom debate.  There...

I've been hammering it hard at work this week, mainly building out training manuals and putting systems in place for my new hires.  I didn't realize how many things fill up my days until I tried to teach someone else to do them.  Yikes. It's Friday today and about half the time my brain shuts down on Fridays.  I go into work and I try and I try, but... I'm definitely not my most productive self. I've ventured into the wholesaling arena and I'm struggling with it emotionally and psychologically.  Starting in July, I spooled up a marketing machine and hired a guy to answer the phone and go make offers for me.  It's nice because I basically get to run my numbers on a property, guess at the repairs, and then tell the guy to confirm my repair estimates and offer lower than I want to pay for it.  If they say yes, great! My main source of leads this year has been Auction.com, and they only seem to work out for me about 70% of the time, so I need better buys....