Judy Davis's Blog, page 6

4 Simple Strategies For An A-Typical Holiday Season by Judy Davis, The Direction Diva

One of the greatest challenges I face as a military spouse is being separated from family and friends during the holiday season. It was tough during those first years and deployment but now that we are empty nesters – with children too many miles away – it’s even worse. You see my definition of a real holiday season is to host and attend many different types of parties where we come together with those we love and celebrate the good (and hug out the bad) times we’ve had throughout the year. It’s a time to reminisce and re-connect, and most of all create new memories.

Whether it was days of prep for the ultimate Thanksgiving feast or hours of planning, baking and decorating so that anyone who walked through the door felt welcome, my goal was to make sure that every guest felt like they had come home. I loved the hustle and bustle of juggling a full social calendar, dressing up for my husbands corporate events and watching my loved ones open their gifts knowing that I got it just right. But when you live far away and your family is spread out across the country the vision and the reality are very different. Since we became a military family – 8 years ago – I’ve had to change my thoughts and re-define what a real holiday means for me. And honestly I haven’t been able to figure that out yet.

If I’m completely honest, my attitude over the last few weeks is to skip it all together. The kids won’t be able to get here this year, and we made the conscious decision to not take any more leave – so here we will stay. I tell myself it’s a good thing because the other soldiers with little ones will be able to create memories like the one’s I cherish, but there is a part of me that just longs to be surrounded by family and friends who know me well. Don’t get me wrong my military peeps rock and I have some incredible battle buddies, but for my entire life the holidays were filled with LOTs of family, love and laughter.

So I let myself have my moment, and woke up today bound and determined to figure out some strategies that will help me get through the season without bumming myself out (or killing my husband

Life Unplugged: The Reality of 10 Days Away From Social Media by Judy Davis

For a while now, social media has been a huge part of my business and personal life. I use it to keep in touch with friends and family as well as to promote my business and the products/services offered. Heck I blog about it regularly and even speak of the benefits that social media brings to a military spouse and online small biz owner. I even focus on the importance of personal interaction and the need to step away from technology and social media to find joy and connection in your day to day life.

But the reality is I had personally never taken a break from technology. In fact prior to 10 days ago, my latest gadget, the Samsung Galaxy Note 5* was never far from sight since I integrated it into my life a few years ago. And my notification bar was ALWAYS filled with alerts from email, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and every other application I could find. To say that my life had been taken over by technology was an understatement.

So, I decided to do a 10 day challenge and live unplugged from all things social to share my experience with you. I actually took myself off the grid for 10 days during a time when I would normally use my tech ALOT – at a business event and on vacation with the intention to prove that it wasn’t that hard. And I was wrong.

Was it hard? YES – more so than I ever imagined – and the adjustment didn’t happen overnight. But before I tell you about the experience I challenge you to live unplugged for 10 day and come back to tell me how it went. For me, the experience was downright miserable until it wasn’t – but that progress happened in phases and here are some highlights about what I learned….

Phase 1: The Detox

My husband had been focused on the fact that I ALWAYS had my phone on me, and if I’m honest, I did experience some anxiety when I ran to the store for milk and forgot my phone. I had even started to charge my phone bedside “just in case” but hey it’s just a phone, and I needed to be connected – I have an online business and kids that live away from home. At least that’s what I told myself. In fact in this case it’s so much easier to talk the talk than actually walk the walk.

Reality Check #1: Never did it occur to me that living life unplugged would be so difficult. For the first 24 hours I kept reaching for my phone. I can’t tell you how many times I glanced to the notifications bar fighting the urge to swipe and just take a peek. Honestly my inability to ignore the alerts got so bad that I physically had to go into the settings and turn off notifications from every single app and email address, literally making my device a flip-phone in disguise.  It was only then that I was able to fully disconnect.

But the challenge had only just begun.

Phase 2: Life Without Tech

Once I had 36 hours “tech-free” under my belt I slowly began to see how integrated technology had become in my life. Everything from driving directions to hotel confirmation codes was tied to my device. Heck I remember a time when I could remember the phone numbers of most everyone I knew, and now choosing a perfect glass of wine became a discussion rather than a quick glance at my Vivino app to compare vintages. But it didn’t stop there.

Both at V-WISE and on vacation there were challenges that I hadn’t expected.

Typically when attending events I’m all about the hashtags, pictures and sharing awesome stuff with those who may not be with me. I find myself listening for the perfect sound bite that will resonate, stopping a great conversation to “capture” the selfie moment or worrying if I look fat in a picture as I take the time to craft a message and share it on twitter & Facebook. Here’s what I realized:

Reality Check #2: Those who follow me don’t need to be part of every event or experience the moment that it is happening. In fact by disconnecting myself from social media, I was better able to focus and get more from the experiences than I would have had I been worrying about sharing the advice/moment. Without the distraction of processing the information  on the spot, the events more valuable to me personally. And in the case of V-WISE now that I have a better understanding of the material, I can use that knowledge to better serve my peeps long-term.

Reality Check #3: Without the constant stream of pictures, tags and instagram posts I wasn’t self-conscious about my life or what people might be thinking about how we spent our time. In fact I felt great about myself, my businesses and my relationships in a way that I hadn’t for a long time – without judgment. I was living in the moment without any distractions to make me feel bad about myself. I laughed, cried, was goofy and I cut loose without a care in the world – and let me tell you it was refreshing. Without the burden of social media I was free to be me, and enjoy my life rather than be worried about writing a witty hashtag or being stressed about what someone else may think. This experience taught me that

Social Media fails when we spend more time thinking abt a perfect caption than living the moment
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Reality Check #4: One of the beliefs I had was that in order for my business to grow I had to be engaged ALL of the time. Truth – I need to get over myself – no one needs that much of Judy, not even me ! Interestingly enough when looking at the effect of my time off, while my engagement on Facebook was down (only slightly) my blog numbers didn’t dip at all. Proof positive that no one REALLY cares or notices how many likes or retweets I get except me, and if I’m sharing good stuff the right peeps will follow and engage when it works for them!

And isn’t that what I want anyway – real, transparent interactions that lead to long-term followers/customers/clients?

Sure I need to be Judy like – which means you will still get Direction Moments and glimpses into my hectic and awesomely crazy life, but I’m beginning to understand that I also need to stop my love affair with social media. I need to end the inconsequential posts and countless hours trying to figure out if I have enough “stuff” on my feeds. I need to quit trying to understand the latest trick for how to gain likes and create a post that can “go viral”. All that kind of thinking does is make me crazy, stress me out and make me obsess about the numbers. Which is the opposite of a good thing.

Reality Check #5: Technology is convenient. I remember the days of trying to coordinate a meetup while at an event or on vacation without instant messenger, texting and Facebook groups. Hours were spent waiting and looking for each other. And let me tell you I did miss out on a few networking opportunities at the V-Wise event because I wasn’t on social media. The reality is that most people use social media as a primary way to communicate with one another and when you aren’t plugged in you do miss some things.

Phase 3: Reflections

There were times throughout these 10 days where I was shocked, disappointed and enlightened by the experience and I will say it has changed the way I will use social media and technology in my life from now on. No I won’t say that I’m sworn off of it, because the reality is that most people use social media as a primary way to communicate with one another and when you aren’t plugged in you do miss some things.

I missed

A friends miracle baby being born.
The initial news of the Paris attacks.
Multiple meetups and information about where various groups were getting together to network and hangout.
3 opportunities for paid blog posts
2 last minute radio interviews
Passing of the torch by founder Tara Crooks of Army Wife Network
Multiple photo opportunities with long time friends and online business connections I FINALLY met in real life.

and that’s all I can remember off the top of my head…

But what I missed was irrelevant compared to what I gained in my life unplugged experience. I had forgotten what unfolds when you don’t have your head buried in your phone.

I laughed more than I have in years,

I connected with old friends, creating new memories and rekindled our friendships.

I made eye contact, met new people, and had meaningful and deep conversations about so many different things.

I was in the moment with my husband; focused on us and our experience rather than feeling the constant pull that I “should” be working or posting about what we were doing.

I was able to be still and relaxed in a way that doesn’t happen when you are plugged in.

The result of these 10 days was that I was fully present in every thing I did; at an event that taught me how to grow my businesses and on a vacation that recharged my battery in so many ways. Living life unplugged was challenging but it showed me where I need to make some big changes in my life and in my business so I can really thrive and be happy.

I didn’t realize that I had lost so much by allowing a tiny device to have so much control over my daily life and my actions, but now that I do, I can make the adjustment.

What about you? 

Will you take the 10 day life unplugged challenge? 

Let me know what your reality checks and aha moments are!

 

 

~Judy Davis, the Direction Diva is a motivational speaker, author and lifestyle blogger as well as a military life and teen suicide prevention expert. Co-founder of LivingThruCrisis.com, Judy’s books Right Side Up  and Warning Signs: Is Your Teen at Risk are go to resources for families and her websites are filled with tips, inspiration and resources for those looking for direction. Connect with Judy at TheDirectionDiva.com

*As a member of the #VZWBuzz team I receive various devices and accessories and provide Verizon Wireless tips for military spouses. No additional compensation was given and all opinions stated are my own. As always whenever I talk about products you will get the real scoop not something someone asks me to write

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8 Fab and Favorite Direction Moment Memes by Judy Davis, The Direction Diva

 

I love inspirational quotes, I also love things that motivate me to move forward. But most of all I love direction moments! What is a direction moment you ask?

A direction moment is a moment in time

that changes the course of your life forever

#DirectionMoments allow us to redirect our thoughts, mindsets & actions so we can move forward
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Direction Moments are opportunities for us to make choices and take action. They empower us to break through our fears and challenge us to step up our game. Direction Moments are what dreams and success are built on. But most importantly, they allow us to redirect our thoughts, our mindsets and our actions in a way that moves us forward.

Direction moments are unique and often spark a simple mindset shift that changes our lives… and that is why I share them regularly on my facebook page and instagram!

Here are some of my favorites!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feel free to share your

favorite Direction Moment in the comments!

 

 

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2 Simple Tips Every Entrepreneur NEEDS Right Now! by Judy Davis

I know that for my family, living in the realm of Judy can’t be easy. I am the ever ready bunny and I am an entrepreneur.

‘Nuff said right??

I work hard to “balance the crazy” and I survive with a to do list a mile long. Truth be told I’m horrible at slowing down enough to appreciate the little things in my life and I tend to dive into my work with laser focus and let everything else slide – even my personal life.

          What about you? What happens to your business and your life when things get busy?

(tell me in the comments or pop me a tweet at @JDavis55)

 

One of the key things I do that helps me find that sweet spot we are all looking for is to TURN IT OFF! That’s right, close up shop on a regular basis and make time for you, your family and your life.

I have a question for you…

When thinking about your business when do you turn it off?

Will it be when you hit $1M in sales, when you have a staff, when your book becomes a best seller? Will it be when you have enough money to send your child to college or take that great family vacation? When will you be satisfied?

A few months ago my husband posed this same question to me in a heated argument that transpired when we were going over our fall schedules. And I didn’t have a clue….

For me there is always an internal struggle going on. Inside my brain it’s a tug of war between a mindset of grow, grow, faster, faster, more, more and my need to support and keep my family strong. I wish I could say differently, but often my business (the beast as my husband refers to it) wins and completely consumes my life and while I know I should turn it off more often than I do, I just can’t.

I want a business that is thriving AND I want a healthy strong family life.

YES I want it ALL!

But to have it all you pay a price, and sometimes it’s much bigger than you bargained for. Being an entrepreneur for most of my life, I have learned there is always going to be a next project and a next business, and the sooner I began to turn it off, the happier my family (and I) became.

So what can you do to turn it off?

Here are 2 simple tips every entrepreneur needs right now!

Set strict (well ok for the most part strict) hours of operation for your business and let your family know what they are. Encourage them to leave you to your work when you are “open” and hold you accountable when it’s past closing time. (All about that Win – Win!)
Get 2 phone lines: One for business and one for personal. Best thing I ever did for helping find that sweet spot of balancing my business life and my personal life was getting that new personal cell phone line!

BONUS TIP: Let the business phone be the ONLY one with your social media platforms, and switch it to silent except during your hours of operation or a special occasion. (I know I lost some of you with the bonus but try it and see that the world doesn’t end if you miss a post!!)

These 2 simple strategies have taught me that when I’m present in the moment, when my phone is not open and out dinging and buzzing, I am less stressed and I enjoy my family more – and they enjoy me more.

And isn’t that what it’s all about?

 

~Judy Davis, the Direction Diva is a motivational speaker, author and lifestyle blogger as well as a military life and teen suicide prevention expert. Co-founder of LivingThruCrisis.com, Judy’s books Right Side Up  and Warning Signs: Is Your Teen at Risk are go to resources for families and her websites are filled with tips, inspiration and resources for those looking for direction. Connect with Judy at TheDirectionDiva.com

 

 

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The Brilliance That is Terri Barnes plus Special Offer!

One of the things I love most about what I do is the people that I have the opportunity to meet. And one of my favorites is Terri Barnes.

I met Terri for the first time when we were introduced by Karen our publisher (Elva Resa Publishing ROCKS btw…) at an event we were all at in DC. I remember how nervous I was to meet such an incredible writer, a true celebrity in our community, and someone I admired since becoming a military spouse. Funny thing, she is the real deal and  humble, real and genuine doesn’t even begin to describe her generous spirit.

I don’t know if you’ve had a chance to read her award winning book Spouse Calls, but I’m thrilled to let you know that it is now available as an e-book! AND if you get it today Oct 12, 2015 it’s on sale for only $1.99 so go HERE and grab it – you can thank me later!

In the mean time, I want you to know a bit more about this amazing person I’m honored to call a friend. She has given so much to our community and I’m thrilled to give you a peak into her life with an excerpt written by the Elva Resa team that I have been given permission to share:

Military Life Writer Terri Barnes: Finding Community in Transition

Terri Barnes sits in one of her new favorite writing spots, the screened-in back porch of her house in Summerville, South Carolina. After thirty years of marriage, this is the first home Terri and her husband, Mark, have owned, and it’s their first home in a location not dictated by the path of military life.

The award-winning writer and editor has spent the past eight years—during which she moved four times—chronicling military life on the home front during two wars. She wrote through the lens of her own experience in her weekly Stars and Stripes column, Spouse Calls, posting her last entry in June.

“I haven’t settled on just one ideal place to write in this house yet,” she says, “but I do love this porch. I’ve been trying out different locations, inside, outside, the neighborhood coffee shop. It’s indicative of my life right now—a bit unsettled, in a good way, with so many new possibilities.”

Much of Terri’s life is new and different at the moment. Over the spring and summer, she and Mark and their family celebrated several milestones. Their youngest son, Wesley, graduated from high school. Their daughter, Jessie, graduated from college and began a new job in California. Their oldest son, Will, got married in Texas, adding daughter-in-law, Morgan, to the family. Mark and Terri left their last duty station in Illinois to move to their home in South Carolina, and Mark retired from the Air Force after thirty years of service.

Terri has savored the beautiful details of each family event, keenly aware of the significance for each person in her family.

Amidst all the significant personal milestones, Terri has scarcely had time to reflect on her professional transition as a writer and to celebrate recent accolades, including distinguished awards for her column and books.

@SpouseCalls reconized by National Society of Newspaper Columnists Get it here: http://htl.li/TdjhL
Click To Tweet

Her book Spouse Calls: Messages From a Military Life, featuring several selections from her award-winning column, was awarded Gold/First Place in the Midwest Book Awards and Terri contributed to and edited Stories Around the Table: Laughter, Wisdom, and Strength in Military Life.

“I’m honored to have these accounts of military life recognized,” says Terri. “Of course, it’s gratifying to me as a writer, and it also confirms that the stories of military life have significance outside our military community.”

@ElvaResa Author Terri Barnes of @SpouseCalls says ‘Making It Personal Resonates With Readers’…
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Connecting Military and Civilian Communities

Terri especially feels a pull to connect military families with their civilian communities.

She says, “In military life we can and should be proud of our distinctives, but we shouldn’t hold ourselves at arm’s length from the rest of the nation. Our stories can emphasize what we have in common, as well as our individuality.”

Her own family’s transition out of active duty life comes at a time when military forces are being reduced and many families are moving from military to civilian life.

“Connecting military families with their civilian communities is a topic that has engaged me more and more in recent years,” she says. “And now I have an important perspective to add to that discussion.”

[Tweet “Our communities need each other. Sharing stories is one effective way to bring communities together. via @SpouseCalls” ]

Writing the Next Chapter

So far, Terri has found her own family’s transition from military to civilian life both satisfying and challenging.

“The best part right up front is being in a home that is our own,” she says. “We love our town and our neighborhood. We have been so ready to settle in and to connect with a community,” she says. “We can hear the church bells chime the hour from our house. It’s a small but meaningful detail to us.”

As she explores new avenues of writing, Terri is trying out new places to write. “I want to create just the right space where I hope to write for years to come,” she says. “In military life there is a built-in sense of urgency. You move, you get settled quickly and hit the ground running. I have to keep reminding myself that we’re here to stay, and I have time to discover the best place to write.

“For now, I write wherever I find a quiet and comfortable place. Sometimes that’s on the porch, sometimes in the study. Yesterday I took my laptop to the coffee shop in town. There’s that connection to our community that I enjoy.”

One of the challenges of life after the military echoes a challenge within military life—separation from family.

“We have some family nearby, but more family that is far away,” says Terri. These factors complicated the couple’s choice of where to retire. Terri says they chose Summerville because, “Here we have friends and a support network. We don’t know where our kids will ultimately settle, but this is a place where our family can all gather together whenever possible. Also, it’s near the ocean; my husband grew up on the beach and always wanted to come back.”

As Terri begins to reflect on what comes next, she says, “For me and for my husband, the things we love and the things we feel called to do have not changed, but the ways we’ll carry out our calling and purpose are changing.” For now, she is using a lesson she learned in her mobile life to appreciate each moment, even in transition: “I try to enjoy the place and time where I am, not spend my time waiting for things to be just the way I want them to be. We’ve always tried to live our best lives wherever we are, not wishing for the last assignment or the next one. Now we’re in a place where we will stay for a long time, and I want to be content even while I’m waiting to see how the next chapter takes shape. There are things to enjoy in the moment, and I don’t want to overlook those joys while I’m waiting for things to settle into a pattern.”

As church bells chime the hour, she adds, “Sitting here on the screen porch is pretty nice.”

 

***

Connect with Terri:

Facebook: /BarnesTerriL

Twitter: @SpouseCalls

Terri’s Books:

Spouse Calls: Messages From a Military Life

Stories Around the Table: Laughter, Wisdom, and Strength in Military Life

Available in paperback from MilitaryFamilyBooks.com and major booksellers.

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Tech Moment: 5 “Note”worthy Features About the Galaxy Note5

The other day as I was flipping through my social media feeds I was struck with the number of people who were in the market for a new cell phone. There were lively debates on the merits of the IPhone vs Android and which one actually was better for a particular age demographic and the discussion was fascinating. I personally am of the Android & PC camp but was interested in the features of both operating systems – boy oh boy have we come a long way in the last few years. And then as if by Devine intervention my doorbell rang and my favorite FedEx dude was there in all his glory bearing gifts from Verizon & the VZWBuzz Team*.

As I opened what I now call the “Sexy Beast” I’m blown away by the galaxy Note 5 (this one is in white), but it doesn’t stop there. It’s sleek and the screen is big (easy for me to read even when I forget my “old lady readers”) and in very short order I have decided to make this my primary phone. Now for those who know me this is no small decision, and I actually feel bad that my beloved Droid Turbo will become my secondary line. But this note ROCKS, the only drawback is that I can’t get it in a case fast enough. It’s a little slippery to hold onto but a quick fix!

I know I’ll have more to share in the weeks to come but here are the 5 most “NOTE” worthy features:

The Stylus Rocks.  Not only does the new stylus feel great in your hand the thing I love most is that I can pop it out and jot a note onto my screen without even turning it on or opening an app! And if that wasn’t enough, I am now able to sign PDF files in real-time which is awesome when I’m traveling and need to sign a contract on the go.
Image Stabilization. The camera is perfect for those of us with shaky, impatient hands! It has a digital image stabilizer that corrects my movements in videos/pics and I love it for capturing the moments to share on all of my social media platforms.
Live Streaming Capability.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been told that video is where I need to be, and now I have no excuses. With this phone I can live stream straight to you tube and the quality is incredible.
Split Screen.  For those of us who are queens at multitasking and need to get it done quickly the split screen capability of the note 5 is AMAZING!
Easy Mode. If all the bells and whistles feel overwhelming I have great news, you can actually set the phone up on ” Easy Mode” by a simple tap on the settings, go to the personal section & pick Easy Mode. Not only will you get things back to the basics, but the size of the text is larger too! Perfect for the person who is just transitioning to their first smart phone!

As I said the more I play with this phone, the more excited I am about the new and advanced features. OH an did I mention it has built-in wireless charging capabilities??  SWEET right!?

I’d love to hear about your tips/tricks for maximizing the Galaxy Note5!

~Judy Davis, the Direction Diva is a motivational speaker, author and lifestyle blogger as well as a military life and teen suicide prevention expert. Co-founder of LivingThruCrisis.com, Judy’s books Right Side Up  and Warning Signs: Is Your Teen at Risk are go to resources for families and her websites are filled with tips, inspiration and resources for those looking for direction. Connect with Judy at TheDirectionDiva.com

*As a member of the #VZWBuzz team I receive various devices and accessories and provide Verizon Wireless tips for military spouses. No additional compensation was given and all opinions stated are my own. As always whenever I talk about products you will get the real scoop not something someone asks me to write

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Finding Joy In Unexpected Challenges Guest Post by Hope N Griffin

As you know I LOVE sharing and talking about the awesome stuff going on in other people’s lives! Fellow military spouse and author Hope Griffin is doing some great stuff and I’m excited that she took time out of her busy schedule to write a piece for the Direction Diva tribe about the inspiration for her upcoming book Finding Joy! Be sure to get the book, check out her blog and connect on social media – you’ll thank me later!! 

Life never turns out as we expect. Growing up, no matter how many tv shows I watched or novels I read where the plot pivoted on an unexpected challenge, I somehow missed this. Frodo only finds an adventure when danger is presented. Disney and Shakespeare survive on plot lines of falling in love with the wrong person. Harry Potter would be nothing without the trials of Voldermort.

I had the perfect plan for my life. The idea was to go to seminary, start a family, write, and work full time in ministry. I wanted to change the world, and I wanted to start by emulating Amy Carmichael in India rescuing children from temple prostitution.

It didn’t work out quite as I expected.

First plot twist was our daughter’s cancer. At 6 months old she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Retinoblastoma. We were introduced into a new life, a new fear, and a network of loving nurses and doctors at St. Jude Children’s Hospital. You can read more of our cancer story here.

The second plot twist, and the succession of those that followed, began the day my husband came home and told me he was enlisting. I had plans. My plans involved traveling the world on mission trips, telling the world the good news of Jesus. My husband had a calling, to serve his country. So I begrudgingly packed my bags and followed with baby three on the way. We’ve been at Ft. Bliss in El Paso, TX ever since. You can read more of our journey at Ft. Bliss here. 

Cancer and military life were not on my bucket list. Both plot twists disorientated me and left me feeling lost. But I wasn’t. There was a purpose and plan for my life as well and those plot twists were just part of the journey in finding them.

Long distance marriage (whether brought on by the military, health challenges, careers, etc.) are challenging but they are not hopeless. My desire in writing Finding Joy: The Year Apart That Made Me A Better Wife is to walk alongside other spouses who feel alone and whisper into their darkness that they are not. Purpose and passion is attainable. Using the stories of those who have gone before us in Scripture and in History my goal is to bring encouragement and hope to everyone who picks up this book.

I would love to hear your stories, to know where you are in your journey and what plot twists have been added along the way.

Hope’s new book FINDING JOY is now available on Kindle and you can pre-order your copy for the Oct release HERE

 

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Bio 

As Fort Bliss Military Spouse of the Year 2015, Hope N. Griffin writes about her experience as a military spouse. Hope has an MABS from Dallas Theological Seminary. She writes for various online magazines and blogs, both fiction and nonfiction. Currently, Hope serves as the Director of Family Ministries at First Presbyterian in El Paso, TX. Her free time is spent loving on her children, volunteering, and drinking coffee on the back porch with her soldier.

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4 Simple Tips to Tackle a Business Crunch by Judy Davis

In the military world, the fall weather brings with it conference season. For me that means a whole lot of travel and hotel stays in big cities and small. I figured out that this month that I am actually home only 14 days out of 30. On the plus side, I do get to share both the LivingThruCrisis message and some tips and strategies for navigating military life with some amazing Army, Navy & Airforce spouses via The Direction Diva. Whether it’s a talk on balancing business and personal life, suicide prevention or how to stay happily married as a military spouse I too need to find that balance in order to stay “on” as they say.

In the hustle and bustle of trying to prepare, pack, travel and speak I find myself 3 weeks into a 9 week marathon feeling like I’ve been hit by a mack truck. Now it doesn’t help that the lady on flight #2 last week was spewing nasty germs in every direction, but the crap shoot of who will you sit next too is part of the joy of commercial travel right? But for these few months I know as a business owner and family gal that finding that healthy balance is going to be a challenge.

So what do you do when your already busy life, becomes crazy busy? You make sure to take care of yourself and make room for some down time. Here are 4 tips for managing a short term business crunch:

4 tips for managing a short term business crunch

Give it a boost. Travel, speaking and networking events mean lots of handshakes, close quarters and germs. Arm yourself with some Vitamins (I use Emergen-C, Zinc, B complex, Omega3’s and a good multi-vitamin), some hand sanitizer and some sanitizing wipes. Stay hydrated, and eat lots of veggies do whatever you can to give your body a boost. OH and wash your hands A LOT.
Stay at the ready. When I have multiple trips or meetings over a short period of time I save time and brain power by reducing the time I need to pack and unpack. I have a travel set of essentials and a meeting bag that I take inventory of and refill the minute I get home. No more last minute runs to get notepads, refill business cards or travel size shampoos, and I don’t have to think about it in the days or hours before I leave.
Utilize your travel time wisely. For years I didn’t want to be rude to the little lady next to me nor did I want to miss an opportunity to network. But save that for the times when your schedule isn’t so crazy. I’ve found that if I pop a pair of headphones in when I take my seat I’m setting a boundary that helps prevent me from wasting time. Maybe I rest or write; perhaps I use the time for catching up on emails, planning and or finalizing a presentation, it doesn’t matter. It’s precious time that I can’t afford to get stolen.And there’s time for a quick chat once you touch down and are waiting to deplane!
Book & Schedule effectively. I am all about being thrifty, but when you are traveling and running around you really need to become as efficient as possible keeping your overall wellbeing in mind. When booking a flight, sure you can save some money taking ared eye, but is it really worth the price when you are worthless the next day?One of the greatest things I did for myself last month was I splurged and got a manicure at Dallas Fort Worth Airport. Was it crazy expensive YES, but I had a 3 hr layover, needed to relax and I had another trip a few days later. So I made a conscious choice to pay a bit more for the impact it would have on my schedule and mindset. Not only did I free myself up, but I escaped the craziness that is DFW.

When you have a busy work load, it’s important to make every moment count, and these simple strategies can not only save a lot of time but they provide a little stress relief as well.

What are you simple crunch busting tips?

 

~Judy Davis, the Direction Diva is a motivational speaker, author and lifestyle blogger as well as a military life and teen suicide prevention expert. Co-founder of LivingThruCrisis.com, Judy’s books Right Side Up  and Warning Signs: Is Your Teen at Risk are go to resources for families and her websites are filled with tips, inspiration and resources for those looking for direction. Connect with Judy at TheDirectionDiva.com

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Make The Connection – #ThePowerof1

 

Did you know that 1 person can make a difference in a Veteran’s community of support. Here at The Direction Diva and LivingThruCrisis we proudly stand by our Veterans and Service members, especially during #SuicidePreventionMonth. Join us in supporting them by participating in #ThePowerOf1 movement:

www.VeteransCrisisLine.net/ThePowerOf1

Throughout the month of September we focus on suicide and the resources and programs available to military families.  Make the connection is one that we need to shout about over and over again!

What Is Make the Connection?

It’s not uncommon to read or hear about Veterans from all service eras who have had a difficult time adjusting to life after military service. Although these stories are concerning, we also know Veterans all over the country are living happier, healthier lives with the help of resources that health care organizations, community-based groups, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provide.

Make the Connection, an initiative created by VA, features inspiring stories of Veteran and family member resilience in dealing with and overcoming mental health challenges. You can play a vital role by connecting the Veterans in your community with the resources available to them by sharing Make the Connection.

The Make the Connection website (MakeTheConnection.net), is a one-stop resource where Veterans and their families and friends can privately explore topics including health, wellness, and common challenges.

MakeTheConnection.net features hundreds of videos of Veterans talking openly about their personal experiences with mental health treatment, recovery, and paths to leading healthier, happier lives. These real stories encourage other Veterans to seek help and take the first step toward recovery.

The success of this effort relies on the support of those dedicated to serving our nation’s Veterans. Visit MakeTheConnection.net today to discover more about how this resource can positively impact the lives of the Veterans you know.

You can also visit the YouTube channel, “like” the Facebook page, and share content with the Veterans in your life.

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The Best of The Direction Diva on Stress Relief

 

Balancing life as a military spouse and entrepreneur is a challenge. Add in a month of speaking events around the country and it gets even more stressful. But as with any problem there is always a work around that will alleviate stress and get the job done.

Which leads to my solution for bringing you great content at a time when my schedule is absolutely insane! Over the next 4 weeks I will be doing a series called “The Best of” covering specific topics from my most popular posts.

The first in our September blog series:

The Best of The Direction Diva on Stress Relief

 

Best Tips to Combat Stress

 

 

Get some tips and strategies for #StressRelief from @JDavis55
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11 Tips to Keep Your Life Stress and Worry Free!

 

 

If you liked these, you are sure to enjoy:

Am I Cut Out To Be A Military Spouse? Sometimes I’m not so sure…


Letting Go is Key to Reducing Stress!


Stress or Anxiety: Frankly My Dear It’s Different


Flushing The Stress: T.I.Ps to kick stress to the curb!

 Did you know that Judy has an entire book with tips, tools and inspiring strategies for handling stress? While it’s written with the military community in mind there is lots of information we all can use to navigate the change, chaos and stress of our lives. Get it on MilitaryFamilyBooks.com or via Amazon today!

~Judy Davis, the Direction Diva is a motivational speaker, author and lifestyle blogger as well as a military life and teen suicide prevention expert. Co-founder of LivingThruCrisis.com, Judy’s books Right Side Up  and Warning Signs: Is Your Teen at Risk are go to resources for families and her websites are filled with tips, inspiration and resources for those looking for direction. Connect with Judy at TheDirectionDiva.com

The post The Best of The Direction Diva on Stress Relief appeared first on Judy Davis The Direction Diva.