There are countless articles, books, websites and blogs that touch on the area of personal development, self improvement or whatever you want to call it.

It’s encouraging that there are so many people wanting to make positive changes in their lives and share it with the masses.

However, there are also a lot of platitudes out there and I’m guilty of writing a few of them here as well. But there are some things we aren’t told either because people want to be nice, they are trying to remain positive or maybe just don’t get it. So here are a few things that you may be unaware of or maybe just need a bit of a reminder.
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Thank you everyone for sharing all of your fond family memories. Every one of them made me smile.

There were 21 of you who shared your memories and the winner of Jamie Martin’s book Steady Days is:

Maureen who shared:

“I’d have to say each summer just my sister and I would fly to California and spend 2 weeks with my grandparents. Those were such wonderful times and I felt so safe and loved. Thanks, Maureen”

Congratulations Maureen. I’ve sent you an email for how to claim your copy.

If you’re not Maureen and would still like a copy of Steady Days: A Journey Toward Intentional, Professional Motherhood you can pick it up from Amazon by following the link.

At just 9.85 this book is great value.

Thanks again everyone!

Editor’s note: This is a guest post from Henri of Wake Up Cloud.

We all have our fears. The problem with how we look at fears today is that it keeps us from taking action and creating the life we really want. Fear isn’t dangerous, unless you make it so. The fear of fear is scarier than the actual fear.

This applies to almost everything we procrastinate on or put off. One good example of this is starting something, such as writing for bloggers. I had the same problem when I was a poker player. Starting to play (or work) was the hardest, but once I got started it was easy.
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This post was first published on January 21, 2009.

It’s 7:36 am and I’m already 10 minutes late. Now where did I leave my keys? Where is my wallet? I’m supposed to mail that letter but where the heck are my stamps? I’m starting to get a headache and I’ve not had time for breakfast. Sound familiar? That used to be a fairly typical morning for me about 7 years ago, madly running around trying to get out the door. And then one day it just seemed to hit me right out of the blue: I had too much stuff!

My stuff was everywhere. Closets, drawers, dressers, shelves, tables, bins, boxes you name it, I likely had stuff in it. Stuff that I didn’t really need  but of course I might need it “one day”.

Whether you’re mornings go something like mine did or you hear yourself saying “Don’t touch anything I know exactly where everything is!” the clutter in your life may be costing you more than you realize. Here are some things to think about as you consider your current clutter state.

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Jamie at Steady Mom launched her new book, Steady Days, last week and asked me if I would review it and host a giveaway. I said “Of course!”.

It’s no secret that I’m always looking for new inspiration to be able to do my job as a parent better. Although it’s title is Steady Days: A Journey Toward Intentional, Professional Motherhood it really is for any parent (not just mom) who wants to take a deliberate and professional approach to the important job of raising our children.

When I first became a mom I thought : “yeah sure I can do this”. Now as my kids are getting older, their needs are changing and having never done this before I feel I’m floundering a bit. Quite often, like Jamie, I find myself thinking … if I could just see how others do it. And that is exactly what this book is.

Jamie gives us an inside look at what it’s really like raising kids. With three little people of her own she has a lot of advice to share.
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The golden handcuffs. For those of you who might not know – golden handcuffs are what we use to describe an incentive offered by an employer to an employee to entice them to stay. In most cases it’s a relatively high salary but there is also the annual bonus, stock options, retirement fund contributions and health insurance.

When you first accept the position everything is great. You’re excited, anxious to get started and you’re full of enthusiasm. Slowly over time that enthusiasm wanes. Maybe the job description that was presented to you in the interview isn’t exactly the same as what you’re facing everyday. You’re unhappy, demoralized and maybe even a bit angry. Angry at your boss for misleading you. Angry at yourself for being suckered in.
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You think I’m perfect don’t you? Come on sure you do.

It’s difficult sometimes to get your point across without sounding preachy or like a know-it-all. By sharing my thoughts publicly as I do here and at Zen Family Habits I run the risk of misleading people. What do I mean by this?

Well, what I write about is just one aspect of my life, just one, tiny, narrow part of who I am. And even the “best practices” I do write about I don’t always follow myself.
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Last week Jade Craven wrote a post at Problogger called 30 Bloggers to Watch In 2010. While there were great people on that list all of whom are certainly worth watching this year, I wondered where are the noobs, the up-and-comers, the small stars ready to make it big time this year? So I thought I’d write a post to shine a spotlight on and honor a few smaller, perhaps less well known bloggers.

Granted there are some bloggers on my list that have been around a while they are worth a mention none the less

These fabulous bloggers write on topics ranging from personal development to intentional parenting, from photography to cooking.

The only problem with lists is you have to cut them off at some point which is why number 30 is left for you to fill in.

So without further ado, I present to you 30 bloggers to watch in 2010 – who didn’t make the problogger 30 blogs to watch in 2010 list.
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A while ago I wrote about how I was feeling as though I was stuck in a rut and in fact asked all of you for help on getting out of it. Your suggestions were all amazing. You had everything from mini adventures and “me time” to striking up a conversation with a complete stranger and getting away for some peace at a lake house. Sounds lovely doesn’t it?

What I have found to work for me is a change of scenery. Big changes or little ones it doesn’t matter but a change none the less.

When it comes to being stuck on what to write, for example, I try taking it outside,  into the living room or sit at the dining room table. It’s amazing how such a tiny change in location can unlock a whole bunch of great ideas and renew your energy level.
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I saw a message on twitter recently about a guy who is campaigning to have a ”Beer with Branson“. While some people may roll their eyes and think “ya, as if”, I think it’s great, admirable really.

“Bugsy” is obviously a big fan of Sir Richard Branson and has a dream to sit and chat and pick his brain for a while. You never know unless you try, right?

I have a few big dreams of my own. Until now I haven’t been particularly vocal about them. I suppose I had always worried about what people would think or what they would say. Then I come back to the saying that’s had the biggest impact on my life:

“You’d worry less about what people thought of you if you knew how little they did.”

So here are my big dreams. I’m just going to put them out there, continue to focus on the good and taking advantage of any opportunity that presents itself.
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