"Never measure your success by other people's accomplishments."
Quote by ZETAZEN - 2003
Sunday, January 1, 2012 at 7:56PM 1. Pay off some credit card debt
2. Save at least $3000
3. Go on vacation
4. Stop eating bread
5. Stop eating sweets
6. Drink more water
7. Take vitamins daily
8. Ride my bike more often
9. Meditate
10. Keep my blogs updated
11. No Facebook for one month
12. Read everyday for 30 minutes on various/new tops
Simple enough. But I shall see. I just have to keep it mind.
Be Free...
Saturday, July 23, 2011 at 6:24PM So what are SMART goals?
Well this week, I was at the FEW conference. FEW stands for FEDERALLY EMPLOYED WOMEN. I also presented at this conference. My coworker and I did a presentation on Finding and Applying for positions within the Federal Government. Our first presentation we had over 250 people. That was Monday morning - July 18th...we did the presentation again Tuesday afternoon to a huge crowd of 13 women. But no matter the size of the group, each received valuable information and they enjoyed it. Goal achieved!
So back to SMART goals....not only did I present at the conference, but I also attended. I took the following courses, Addicted to You, Emotional Intelligence, Making of a Winner, Mentoring, and Making Technology Work for You. Three of the five classes focused on SMART goals. I had first learned about this method when I was working with HUD on their performance standards. But the concept of SMART really didn't hit me until I came to the conference. (that was like many years late - better late than never, ha!) But SMART is a way to structure your goals.
S - Specific
M - Measurable
A - Attainable
R - Realistic
T - Timely
If you use this format you will achieve your goals. Your goal must be specific, not broad, if it is too broad, you will begin to feel overwhelmed at the task of achieving it. Make sure the goal is measurable. Set milestones, so you know you're moving in the right direction and you're making progress. Ensure the goal is attainable. You don't want to set the goal so high, it's unreachable. The goal must be realistic. It's not that you can't dream about being the president...of China...but you and I both know, that's not realistic. Last but not least, make sure your goal has a deadline. When do you want to have this goal achieved? All goals need a target date for completion.
I wholeheartedly believe this method will set you up to achieving your dreams one step at a time. This method, I know will keep me accountable...to myself...
What goals do you have? What things do you want to achieve and accomplish? Are your goals scattered everywhere with no direction?
This method should help. Now is the time for you to get your goals together. Do not waste another minute. Life is about growing and if you aren't growing, you're dying. It's time to live.
Be Free....
Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 9:24PM I joined Weight Watchers. I had been a member of WW years ago...I mean years!!!!! I did it online with the points system. I did lose weight, but I didn't have that extra support system of attending meetings. This time I really mean business. I spent the extra money to attend the meetings every Thursday. I think the extra support is necessary on this journey.
I was going to join at work. My job also sponsers WW, but it was more expensive and I couldn't attend the meetings because they are on Mondays and I don't go into the office on Mondays. But I wasn't going to allow this to deter me from my goals.
I want to be happy in the vessel God has given me. I need to do a better job of taking care of what God has given me. I am doing myself such a disservice by not taking care of myself, especially when I don't have any ailments. I am so fortunate.
Tomorrow it's back in the gym. My arms were hurting really bad the last couple of days. I lifted those weights from the machine, but I think for now on I think I'm going to do free weights. I never liked the free weights before but now I'm feeling them. Positive mind over negative thoughts....I've got to keep exercise linked to having fun.
I attend my first meeting tomorrow. I'm excited. Yay me!!!!!
Be Free...
Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at 7:06AM I have a lot of things on my mind this morning.
I'm excited about my birthday trip. I'm excited about turning 40 next week. I'm excited about being off from work for a week. (Who wouldn't be excited about that? lol) Plus, I've decided to host another trip for 2012. That takes planning.
In addition, Amazon Studios announces their 50 semi-finalists today, next Monday they announce the six finalists and then 10 days after that, they announce the two winners for the December contest. I have mixed emotions. I feel like I need validation with my writing skills in this competition. I've never allowed anyone to read what I've written regarding my screenplays, except for my mother. So, tossing my hat in this ring, is a major deal for me and I'd like to see what evolves from this for myself. I also want to have a table reading for one of my screenplays. That should be interesting. I just need to gather the "actors", get a camera and set it up.
I want to work on doing something different with my website. I've had this website for two years now, so it's time to do something new. Wish I could hire someone to do it for me. There is a lot of work involved in redesigning a website. I want to showcase my poetry again. I showcased it on my last website before I redesigned it into this website. I know my poetry is good. lol It's a subjective medium.
I have reading and writing projects on my list of things to do, plus keep up with my blog. I'm getting good solid unique hits to it everyday and I want to keep the pace up. I feel like I don't have enough time to get it all done. But I'll have to manage my time five minutes at a time.
I need a nice template to track my goals. I have a lot of them this year; personal & professional, with some overlapping. This morning, I'm going to find one, fill it out, print it and keep track of everything I want to accomplish for MMXI.
Overall, yada yada yada...blah blah blah! lol :-) It's good to have goals. This time next year, I'll have accomplishments!
Be Free....
Sunday, December 26, 2010 at 7:33AM Now that Christmas is over, and the new year approaches once again, what life story are you creating for yourself? I am not speaking of new year's resolutions. For the new year resolution never gets resolved.
I like to think of them as goals. 6 month goals, 1 year goals, 3 year goals, 5 year goals. How do you know you're on the right path, if you don't make a one for you to follow?
This is your life story. What are you doing to create a memorable one? Are you wondering by in life thinking of ways to get on the path, or are you writing that path down and following through? I know it's not easy, but it can be done. You can create the life story that your grandchildren and great grands can pass on to future generations.
Hard work, determination, dedication, honesty, love, respect, support...all of those qualities and characteristics are apart of your foundation building into your maximum life creation.
Just a short 12 months ago that I was thinking about my life story and what I wanted it to be, what I wanted it to say...and the things, I've worked hard for, I was determined to have, the dedication I put forth into having it. The honesty I shared with myself about where I was in my life, the love I gave to me, the respect I knew I deserved, the support that was never wavering....I have accomplished what I set out to do with this journey called life.
Now, I'm putting forth that same energy into making sure I transition from one career to the next. I'm ready to make the move. I'm ready to follow through. I've done a lot of foundation building, now it's time to build the house.
I'm turning 40 in less than a month. I'm happy where I am in my life. I'm committed to making the next 40+ years an even greater experience than the first 40.
Maximum life creation will make an interesting life story.
Be Free...
Thursday, December 9, 2010 at 7:46AM With A list actors….and B list actors….no name actors…independently financed films and yet Hollywood pretends they are starving for new material, but will not consider a spec script if it’s not high concept.
HIGH CONCEPT. Let me ponder on that for a minute. In fairness, not all spec scripts make it to the silver screen. HOWEVER, there is just no way in the world that some of the stuff Hollywood has produced is always high concept. That’s about writer name recognition…maybe not to me or to you, but within the industry.
In my rhetorical voice, are you serious?
Here’s a prime example, Skyline was the worse movie I have seen this year and although the premise was supposedly high concept, the final execution and what I saw on screen left a bad taste in my mouth! Even my husband looked at me like I was crazy for recommending we go and see it. We left the theater like – HUH.
But this industry is no joke! I rarely encounter Black female screenwriters, if at all. This has become very apparent to me within the Amazon Studios community. (Nothing to do with the Amazon Studios community – it was it is) But if Hollywood ever needed a new and fresh perspective on life…well I pretty much have one – I’m not an older white male, so that qualifies me as unique in this industry. I look at myself and I know I’m a good writer. But it’s not until other people have told you the same can you feel comfort in your craft. I have been told that I’m a good writer (and NOT just by my mother!) and that whatever “it” is, I have “it” and I should continue on my path. My path is a long journey. It will probably be longer than the average older while male…because the typical industry writer is an older white male.
I just want to write good solid interesting scripts and have my films produce so that my community can be proud and they can say “Wow, did you know the screenwriter is a black female?” My screenplays, treatments, and ideas I have written and etched out aren’t from an African American perspective. That is the key to understanding my high concept thoughts.
So in the end, I’m really ticked off that even the worse of the worse scripts get green lit.
Scripts that have gone direct to DVD get green lighted……
At this point, I would settle for direct to DVD. Lol
um…direct to streaming?
Bueller? Bueller? Bueller? (lol)
Be Free…
Thursday, April 15, 2010 at 6:36AM I have two projects in the works I'm trying to complete.
It's SOMEWHAT of a MENTAL struggle trying to get them done around family, work, and my fitness schedule.
By the time I want to get to it I'm mentally drained. I figure if I want to get these things done, I need to just make the time. However and whenever I can do it.
Anyway, so I was doing some research last night and I discovered that my computer has speech recognition software on it...this was after I was thinking of buying the Dragon Naturally Speaking software. My other laptop has DNS installed. Come to find out the Vista operating system already has that installed. LOL So last night I was "typing" up a storm by speaking. I need to figure out how I can get it to work for my blog, email, Twitter, or anything else I do on my computer. I need to get better with the commands. lol The use of the dictation software will help me tremendously with one of my projects. So far, I found the software to be pretty accurate when dictating. I'm pretty happy about that.
In addition, I find it pretty wild that a couple of guys I use to date and one that says he likes me are trying to get with me. lol SAY WHAT?! Um...how bout...I'm really not interested. I haven't even designed my man yet. HAHAHAHAHA.....
Remember to think positive thoughts.
Love to love....
Be Free....
Friday, March 19, 2010 at 7:07AM Here's something I made up...
"When you're on your grind, you have no time to socialize."
How cute is that? lol :-)
I'm really on my grind right now. I am remaining focused on completing a few goals I wrote around the end of last year.
I realized the more I socialized the more I don't get anything done. [second person] You're too busy talking about what you're gonna do instead of doing it.
I had mentioned this once before, how I felt being on social networking sites really didn't lend to networking but more social. Don't get me wrong there is a benefit to them...depending on what you're using it for, you have instant contact to the masses...easier and cheaper....but if I spend a lot of time on it, what do I get done, what do I have to offer, that makes having those instant contacts to the masses worthwhile?
Just something to think about. [second person] Just something to remember when you realize a year or two has moved passed you and you don't know what you've accomplished.
Happy Friday! Today is going to be a beautiful and wonderful day! :-)
Be Free....
*The REAL TALK BLOG has an RSS feed to my NetworkedBlogs and my ZETAZEN Author's Page on Amazon.com - The Real Talk Blog is also linked to Twitter through my Twitterfeed.
Friday, March 12, 2010 at 5:58AM I can't believe I've allowed this many days to go by and not write in my trusted and most liked blog! What have I been thinking? Exactly!
WHAT HAVE I BEEN THINKING?????
Well lets see here....since February 22, 2010, I've been thinking about a lot of things.
1. Toyota. I own a 07 Camry Hybrid. I LOVE THAT CAR! But I'm DISLIKING TOYOTA for the cover up a massive problem. So I thought about trading my car in....but my heart couldn't do it...so I purchased a second car instead. Now with the man in CA and his Prius (did I spell that right? lol) going crazy, my mom thinks I should just let my Hybrid go. But I love her!!!!!
The things you love are the hardest to let go....
2. Which brings me to my next point....I'm still working on the residual feelings I'm having over my departure in my last quasi relationship. I guess I'm going through the stages of grief. First I was sad...now I'm angry. I can't think of the other stages at the moment...but I'll figure that out and post a follow up. lol What am I angry about? Well now I feel taken advantage of. I'm working through it. I'm better than I was six weeks ago...but nevertheless it still wears on me a bit.
and so....now I've adopted the motto.... ON 2 DA NEXT 1.....
3. Last week there was a VERY bad car accident in front of my house....matter fact a week ago today....I wonder how she's doing. It was a very young girl...driving a Honda Civic and a white van crashed into the side of her (I have pics and video - I will upload later - well I will try) and the MD State Trooper medi vac had to air lift her...it was so interesting to watch, but I just felt so bad for that young woman. I really hope she's okay!
Yes...her accident made me realize that I have STILL have the ability to be on to the next one....I'm pushing towards my the pictures I see in my mind a reality...and to do that....I've had to....
4. QUIT FACEBOOK! Well, not quit it quit it...but just not be on there. Once again like Twitter, I just saw myself wasting so much of time on these social networking sites and I wasn't getting anywhere with my writing career. It is so easy for me to get side tracked...but my dreams can't afford the opportunity cost of me being on FB. (yeah there are some other reasons...of which I don't feel like explaining right now...but.....) It's all about allocating my time wisely. I'm getting engaged to the dream reality game - the DRG....that's my focus...making it happen at all cost and seeing the things I've written from my mind either flourish in an e-book (cuz y'all know traditional publishing is a loss cause) or up on the silver screen...or even straight to DVD! lol I don't care...I just wanna see my writings live on with the masses knowing about it! HOT DOG!
So yeah....that's where I am these days....making my way....it's my PERCEPTION...I'm still working on that goal....
Be free....
*The REAL TALK BLOG has an RSS feed to my NetworkedBlogs and my ZETAZEN Author's Page on Amazon.com - The Real Talk Blog is also linked to Twitter through my Twitterfeed.
Michelle S Carey (pka Michelle R Sweeny) & ZETAZEN
The stages of Grief....
Even though this is about death and dying....I look at breakups as a death of sorts...the relationship is no longer there....so......you suffer just like when someone passes on...the relationship has passed on....
Not sure if I'll go through the Bargaining stage....then again....maybe I'm already there....I thought I'd feel better when I got my second car...not just for purpose of having one because Toyota's cars having issues, but because I purchased a Mercedes-Benz....maybe I did it to boost my ego...thinking it would make me a better person. Aaaaahhhhh......Clarity.
I'm such a complicated person.
Friday, February 19, 2010 at 7:37AM I'm really coming into my own with my patience. It has now been mastered and I feel a calmness that has come over my soul. I no longer feel like I have to rush everything or that everything must be rushed in order for it to be achieved. It's a good feeling. I think being snowed in with the children has taught me how to just wait it out; that in due time everything will work itself out. That makes me feel good.
Here is something I wrote as my Facebook status:
I feel it growing beneath my feet...Roots of Patience...Time is no longer my construct...I am pure untamed energy. Flowing freely. Fluid...as water adapts, so do I.
The Roots of Patience have grounded me. Here is another thought I had about importance and mirror effect of water in our lives:
H2O has the ability to transform into all three states of matter ...solid, liquid, gas - adapting - given the situation. Most of the human body is made up of water...so with that we should be able to adapt to any situation. lol Home life, Work life, Community Life...family relationships, romantic relationships, friendships....see the threes - solid, liquid, gas/home, work, community/family, spouse, friends....three states of matter or three things that matter!!! lol
Now that patience has been resolved and I'm no longer trippin' on the instant...I now have to work on perception. Things aren't always what they seem nor is my constant thinking of them is what the reality is. Wikipedia has some interesting insight to perception. Read up on it.
What I am receiving, thinking, and trying to understand may not always be the reality given the limited facts I have gathered through sight. This is where assumptions are based, founded and grown.
I really have to learn now to let things go and not try to infer or spin what my perception is. This habitual function will only keep me rooted in pain, hurt, misery and distrust of everyone around me. Learning to accept it and not worry about it is hard. Especially when it comes to relationships....when you want someone to love you and care about you and your perception of the situation is skewed because of what you think you see or what you think you know....and what may not be the case is detrimental to my over spiritual path.
Perception....the new goal to accomplish.
Transforming my thoughts for my new life....
Be Free
*The REAL TALK BLOG has an RSS feed to my Facebook Notes page, NetworkedBlogs and my ZETAZEN Author's Page on Amazon.com - The Real Talk Blog is also linked to Twitter through my Twitterfeed.