Taking care of yourself so you can help others is much easier said than done. Today’s woman has a to-do list a mile long.  We all are juggling work, family and friendships.  Whether you work inside or outside of the home, you are still very busy.

Just waking up and feeling refreshed can be a challenge.  We have problems sleeping because our to-do list keeps running through our head.  Deep breathing and being grateful are two of the ways I try to calm my mind at night.

My personal challenge is that I work for myself.  I am a Motivational Speaker and published author.  Making and keeping a schedule is all up to me.  I need to create demand for my services.  Writing and marketing my services to make speeches takes time and patience.

Social media networking on Facebook, LinkedIn and my website all take time and patience!  Nothing happens overnight.  And remembering who and where I am promoting my business takes a large chunk of my time on a day to day basis. That’s where another to-do list helps.  I told you I love them!

Until recently I was the caregiver for my elderly mother. My mother, Dixie, had a wonderful life.  She was 86 when she passed away three months ago.  For the first time in over thirty years, I have more time on my hands than I used to have.  I am happy and sad all at the same time.  I am happy to have more say over my time and sad that my feisty Mom is gone.

I love making a list of to-do things and checking them off as I go.  I have found that making an everyday to-do list of basic things and another to-do list of specific things helps keep me somewhat organized.  I know that I need to have a plan to follow.

I wake-up, feed the cat and make my morning cup of coffee.  I’m pretty hyper so one cup of coffee is good for me.  I then switch to water for the day.  Logan, the cat, and I pull out the yoga mat and do a series of yoga poses that I have written down so I know the proper order to do my yoga. I then check out my inbox for any new additions to my overall to-do list.  I write any articles that are due and see who I am target marketing today.

I eat a little about an hour or two after I have awakened.  I am trying to do the intermittent fasting that is popular today.  Basically I try to fast for 12–16 hours.  That means that since I usually eat my last meal at 6 or 7 o’clock, I don’t want to eat the next day until about 10 or 11 o’clock.  It seems to be working a little since I have lost about three pounds.

I check my overall calendar to see if I have any upcoming events to attend.  I am involved with a couple of charities that I feel strongly about.  CAN, Compassion Advocacy Network–We help the forgotten elderly who need love and food.  NAMIC–National Association of Multi-Ethnicity in Communications–Networking with diverse cultures in my Virginia Beach area that are in the Communications industry. YCAT–Youth Community Action Team.  Anti-drug messages are our focus for the state of Virgina.

Just having a reason to give back to my community and my fellow man helps me feel fulfilled.  Also helping my husband and our household run smoothly takes time.  Needless to say, my plate is full. So I definitely need to take care of myself so I can help others!