This book is all about all the successes and bumps along the way of shifting an organization and its people’s way of thinking about their employees and in doing business. Ricardo’s story is brutally honest and reads like a conversation with the man.  He challenges his own thinking throughout the book as well as ours.  If you are thinking about new possibilities in how an organization can take big leaps and challenge their values, ethics and assumptions then this needs to be on your list.  I guarantee you will think differently about the assumptions you hold, how you can hold others capable and accountable and eliminate the “clutter” on the many levels, which exist today in most companies.  I challenge you to read it and do just one thing differently in the way you work each day. 

Our coaching tip this month has to do with the quote and More Results with Less Clutter Strategy # 5 “Sourcing a Championship Support Team”.  Why spend time with people who don’t support you?  Better yet,   think about all the possibilities and experiences we have had when we have spent time with those who encourage and understand our goals and priorities. Time goes quickly; tasks seem effortless; there is little struggle if any; we get more than we had anticipated; everything is just that much lighter.  Who’s on your support team?  Who do you enjoy spending time with?  What kinds of people do you need to search out?  What are their qualities, values and characteristics?  Spending time with these kinds of folks makes “networking” effortless and so much more enjoyable.  Once again we are back to the circle of giving.  Are you on someone else’s team and supporting them in who they are and what they want to achieve?  If not, join someone’s team soon.  You’ll reap the benefits tenfold.

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I’ve hit a few milestones this past month. I finished an eight week Bootcamp that consisted of exercising outdoors twice/week for eight weeks with Sarah our Bootcamp instructor. We met at a different place each time and used what we could in nature to exercise.  Each class was 1.5 hours long and as Sarah says it is “The toughest workout you will ever love” and that is true. I like how I feel and that my clothes fit more comfortably. There were all kinds of women in this group with a variety of fitness levels. You did not need to be a fitness geek to participate.  What you did need is the commitment to work hard while you were there and encourage your Bootcamp buddies to do the same.  I have now signed up for a once/week hiking group for the summer and plan to sign up again for Bootcamp in the Fall or Winter.  I am sure there are lots of “Bootcamp” types of groups out there in case you feel inspired.

David and I celebrated our 12^th anniversary on the 3^rd. This is a milestone for me particularly as I married in my late thirties and frankly never expected to “date” anyone that long! For this reason my nickname for David is “boyfriend”.  It’s nice to have had one for so long and one who never minds the new adventures, particularly in Real Estate, that I seem to endeavor in.  Thanks David for being my best date ever.

Milestone #3 is both a confession and a celebration. The de-clutter queen, aka me, had a PILE of clutter in her Inbox.  I detest Inboxes. Well, I got ruthless and deleted 1000 emails in about 30 minutes, which left only 300 remaining.  Yes, you read it right, 1000 emails deleted forever. You know how we never reference 90% of what we keep?  Well, it was true to form for me. I asked myself “Is there somewhere I can get this info if I ever needed it?”  If the answer was "yes" my finger was on the delete button.  I am now thrilled and I don’t get mentally dragged down every single time I open my email program.  It took way less time than I had imagined.  Funny how that is.

Milestone #4 is that I started my first month of transferring the amount of my previous car payment plus an additional $150.00 to a T-bill account, which is an interest bearing account.  It will remain there untill the house building is complete and then I’ll be looking at a longer term solution when I have some mental space to investigate further. Too much to decide right now with the house so I have decided to just get started and deal with the details of where the money goes to in September or October.  Now for the next chapter of “this New House”.

Cumberland Chronicles - A few pics to show you this month. There is one of the two decks which David and I spent staining on our Anniversary. That’s me sitting in the lawn chair after another hard days work, enjoying the scenery. Our siding is going to be sage and the trim black, thus the black stain on the decks. Those decks are huge! The lower deck is about 40 feet long and the upper about 18 feet. They are going to be beautiful when done. There’s also a picture of our dog, Misty, on the upper deck by the French Doors (recently installed and beautiful) looking down at David taking the picture. As you can also see, the house has been papered and is ready for the siding. In this one too you can see how high up that deck is. The electrical is finished, the heat pump folks are finishing today, the insulation completes tomorrow and the drywall starts this week. Yahoo! There is also a picture looking out of one of the living room windows. Such beautiful trees. I will take more next time from my office and the upper deck so you can see just how beautiful it looks. Very peaceful. I had a painter highly recommended although her schedule didn’t allow her to paint. Awaiting another quote this week from another recommendation. The drywaller will be about three weeks so timing is very important for the rest of the work-painting, flooring, cabinetry, finishing to be done in order to move in August 23^rd. That’s the date that I have held in my mind since day one of this project and it just may work! We need warm weather and NO rain when the taping is done in order for a good finish. Keep your fingers crossed please.

I’ve also started some packing, which feels good.  Will get to more of that this month and I think we’ll designate a room for the boxes to help reduce the clutter of moving. The adventure continues - stay tuned.

-Linda