Accountability

It doesn't matter who you are, what you do or how good you are at doing it. We all have those days where we would rather hide in bed with a tub of ice cream and Netflix rather than face the ever growing to do list.

That's ok. We all do it. And do you know what, I actively encourage my clients to partake in a "F*ck It" Day. A day every now and then that revolves around them and that makes them happy. No work, no tasks, no people. Just them, in their PJs, doing nothing.

As business owners or just people in general we have this weird obsession with keeping busy. We have to be going something or we're seen as lazy. If you were to ask people how many days i worked a week they'd probably tell you about 2. It's probably true too. I'd much rather go out and spend the day with my friends and family. That doesn't mean i'm work shy. I usually do most of my work in the evenings and middle of the night. Chances are I probably work more than the average person when you break down the hours, I just do my work when no one is looking.

The problem with "keeping busy" is we usually try to look busy but we aren't getting stuff done. So last year I started having weekly or monthly catch ups with people. These online get togethers helped boost my productivity, and i've been told the productivity of those involved. There is nothing quite as terrifying as when your peers ask you how projectX is getting on when you've been "busy" on social media all week.

I started to realise that, although i'm good at what I do, I can sometimes wander off and get distracted from my goals. Again, perfectly normal but not always useful when you're planning world domination. So plans were made, research was undertaken and I finally found a formula to help both myself and other people stay on track and productive. It's as simple as being accountable to someone.

Why not find an accountability buddy or *cough* hit me up at Hello@MissMakeItHappen.co.uk for information on my OMG! Accountability course. Yeah yeah, I know. #BuyMyStuff. My blog, my rules ;)

Until Next Time,
Keep smiling, It's going to be ok.
Miss Make It Happen

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Dreams and Tomorrows

We've all been guilty of putting things off and using the phrase "i'll do it tomorrow..." but just like "i'll start the diet on Monday..." - Tomorrow never comes.

When I was 13 years old my Nannie was diagnosed with cancer. It was a massive blow for the family as the original diagnosis was sore throat and an ear ache. Within a year we'd gone from smiles to funerals. She was such a beautiful kind soul and was taken way in her early 50s.

My Grandad, who has always been my hero, gave up work to care for my Nannie. He was such a hard working man and even at my young age I could tell how much he loved my Nannie. Fast forward 12 years and i'm sitting on the sofa with Gramps telling him i'm going to start my own business. Everyone else told me I was mad, asked if I was scared or were not sure if i was serious. My Gramps on the other hand told me that I had a big decision to make - Would I be the boss who was a friend or not... Because once I made up my mind this would be the basis of my career. The way I treated others would lay out my future. The guy was a genius. During the same conversation he told me that he was proud of me. I had to try not to cry. He then explained that when he was younger he always dreamed of opening his own construction company but for reasons I won't say here, he never "got round to it". I could tell that he was so happy that i'd decided to follow the dream he never did. At the end of the conversation he offered me access to what would be my inheritance. I took £300 and headed off in to the hard world of self employment.

Sadly my Grandad passed away in 2012, at the age of 70, never realising his full potential or achieving his dreams. I vowed that I would never do the same. For myself and for him.

My Nannie was taken away young - A massive reminder that our tomorrows are not guaranteed.
My Grandad lived with regret at not following his dream - A huge reminder that we are here only once and we should make the mistakes, take the risks and do the things we want to do. I was lucky to have an amazing relationship with my Nannie and Gramps and i'll always use them to guide me through life.

Please don't make the same mistakes. Do what you want to do - FOR YOU!
You'll be much happier on your death bed laughing about the time you had to live on baked beans for a month because you took a risk rather than playing it safe. You're also not guaranteed a tomorrow so start living for today. I don't want to depress you all just before xmas but I do want to make you think before you plan your 2016.

Make it count.
Much Love
Dee xx

Twitterz - The Facebook

It Feels Like I've Known You Forever...

Two things happened to me yesterday that really stood out.

Firstly, I met up with an old friend who I haven't spoken to for over a year. We'd had a falling out some time back and we were meeting to build bridges. When I saw him, it felt like the past had never happened. We were meant to be friends and be involved in each others lives. Life is too short to hold grudges and keep people in the dog house. Turns out we'd been absent from each others lives during a massive turning point for both of us. If we had stayed friends would we have helped each other or been a hindrance, who knows? The important point is we were now talking again. Unfortunately, we only had about 90 minutes to catch up but in that time I couldn't help stare at my friend. His smile, his animated hand gestures, his passion for his work. He'd been through a lot and he was now happy. In fact, we were both happy. It didn't matter what happened in the past, My friend was happy and that's the important part. I'm happy for him. (Lots of 'Happy' in those last few sentences, did you pick up on that?)
If you are holding a grudge against an old friend, ask yourself this - If they died tomorrow, would you feel sad / miss them? If the answer is yes, pick up the phone and make amends. My friendship was salvaged because I received a text message that simply said 'I Miss You'. Do something today, before it's too late.

Secondly, I had a dinner booked. 2 of the people I knew and had previously met before, and the 3rd I had only ever spoken to on social media. We'd talked a lot and got to know each other but I was somewhat surprised how natural our friendship was after meeting for the first time. It was as if we'd known each other for years. Never underestimate the importance of building relationships over social media.Not everyone is a keyboard warrior / stalker / rapist. It really takes the awkwardness out of initial meetings!

Until Next Time,
Much Love

Miss Make It Happen

www.MissMakeItHappen.co.uk
www.twitter.com/MIH_Dee

Do you need to be liked?

It recently come to my attention that I no longer care if people like me. 

There was a time where I'd walk in to a room of people and I felt I needed every one to be my "friend". I was shy and charming in the hope that people would talk to me. I needed to feel accepted. A lot has changed in the last year and now, I couldn't give two hoots if 1 person likes me. 

So what's caused this dramatic change? Me, my self confidence and realising that other people don't define who I am or how I should behave. This change has improved my life to such an extent that I'm now a lot happier. 

No one should feel like they need to fit in. The world is made up of very different people, no two are the same so why should we hide our true identity? We should celebrate our differences.

Growing up I was a shining light. I was the girl with multi-coloured hair, had an opinion on everything and I pushed the limits of society. I had top grades, I was an ambassador of my school and I was part of every sport team going. I had enough friends to start an army and I was happy. Then work and ex boyfriends sucked the life out of me. I was turning in to a "yes girl" and a "wife". I needed to please people. I didn't want to upset anyone. I dressed how I was told, acted like a good little girl and had no opinions. My bosses controlled me, my partners controlled me and I let it happen. 

Fast forward to 2011 and I bought a book. "Get Off Your Arse". It ignited a spark inside me. Something that I hadn't felt in a long long time. The real me was poking her head out again. I loved this feeling, people around me didn't. I ended up turning my life upside down, giving it a good shake and disposing of all the pieces. This included a 6 year relationship. Over the next 2 years I started to find myself and rebuild things. Do you know what happened? After I'd got the negativity, nervous break down and self pity out the way, I blossomed. I lost 3 stone, dyed my hair bright pink / red, started a second company, whilst helping and inspiring others to do the same. 

As Brendan Johnson, of Authentic Spirit (www.authenticspirit.co.uk) said "My AWESOMNESS is not dependent on anyone else's approval or permission. You can catch him on twitter @Rev_BJohnson for more words of wisdom and beardy pictures. He's a legend. 

The moral of this story is - you can only do your best and be the best if you are true to who you are. You are unique so start acting like it. At any given time you are the perfect version of who you are meant to be at that time.... If you are true to yourself. 

Now I'm not telling you all to leave your partners, turn your worlds upside and start partying every weekend. All I'm saying is, you get one chance at this life, spend it being you. The YOU that YOU want to be. If you want to dye your hair green, do it. If you want to wear speedos on the beach, do it. If you want to laugh at inappropriate times, do it. Make yourself happy. The people who matter don't care, The people who care don't matter. 

When you start accepting who the real you is, so will everyone else. If they don't then they don't need to be in your life. BE BRAVE, BE YOU.

Until next time... Keep smiling, you're perfect. 

Miss Make It Happen

www.MissMakeItHappen.co.uk

@MIH_Dee