How to Empower Yourself Emotionally

Did you that people use emotional intelligent to achieve their goals and to build businesses.  When I went into management many years ago, I learned that my emotional intelligence would be just as important as my technical savvy.   Since I was expected to lead the organization’s visions whether I agreed with them or not, I would need to empower myself. 
My job was to get my employees on board and implement the organization’s plan.  I knew that I would need to be physically and emotionally healthy to carry out these tasks.  At the time I didn’t have a game plan, but I knew that self-improvement and self-development would become a priority.  How to empower yourself was a question that I needed answers to.   Today, I’m going to share tips on how to empower yourself emotionally.  

becoming empowered

 

First, emotional Intelligence is about self-control.  It’s about having absolute control over your emotions and your life.  It’s portraying  confidence and a high level of self-esteem even when you don’t feel it.  I always think of the saying, “Never let them see you sweat” when I think of emotional intelligence.  I read every book that I could find on emotional intelligence and went to work on myself.  Becoming empowered was the name of the game.

Since management was the last rung on the ladder of my career goals, I was determined to be successful.  My job was to manage a team of IT Specialists and help oversee a million dollar computer system.

I empowered myself by incorporating the following tips into my life.  This included on the job and in my personal life:

Learning to Say No – There’s power in that 2 letter word. It’s one of the most powerful words in the English language and has served me well over the course of the years. At one point I didn’t know how to say no. I was the go to person for everybody in the family. It started wearing on my health, so I had to make a major change in my life by deciding what was my problem and what was theirs. I learned to leave them with their problems.  As a result, they had to grow up and take responsibility for their life.  That freedom empowered me.

Learning to Relax – I started focusing on hobbies that I enjoyed, but neglected. I started scrap booking, crocheting and making other crafts. It’s important to found things you enjoy and just unwind.  It empowers you.

Let Go Of GuiltOnce I learned to say no I also learned to let go of guilt. I would feel guilty if I didn’t do what was being asked of me. Now I say what I mean and mean what I say.  Let the door hit you if you don’t like it. It is so freeing and empowering.

Focus on Solutions – I always told my employees to bring a solution when they bring me a problem. Being a part of a solution is empowering.  It’s simple, write down the problem and than write down a solution.  Make changes to your solution when or if it is needed.

Stay Positive – A positive attitude will take you a long way, and you will feel better about yourself.  Who wants to follow someone with a bad attitude?  People want to connect with positive energy.  They find it empowering!

Exercise RegularlyGet some form of exercise everyday.  I had to change my attitude toward exercising.  I hate it and would find any exercise to avoid it.  Previously I thought if I couldn’t get at least 30 minutes in it was unproductive.  So not true, 10, 15, 20 minutes is better than nothing.  I still haven’t mastered this one I’m a work in progress, but I do understand the importance and benefits so I’m striving to get better each day.

The biggest lesson that I learned on my emotional intelligence journey is that our emotions drive our actions. Your emotions can lead to your success or your failure.  Become steadfast, and don’t move unless you choose to be moved.  This determination has required me to remain emotionless at times.

I have learned that people look for reactions, and when you don’t give them one they have to rethink their game plan.  The greatest satisfaction is walking away and seeing them with a puzzled look on their face because you didn’t give them what they wanted.  That is empowerment.

Unfortunately, the business world still needs to deal with women’s issues. There are still men who think that women are too emotional and shouldn’t be in leadership positions.  On the other side of the spectrum, there are other women who try to press your buttons because they don’t want to see you successful either.  Becoming empowered and emotional intelligence will help you be successful in all areas of your life.

 



You may also like Finding Your Self-Esteem After Divorce and How I Deal With Toxic People.

10 Reasons I’m Thankful

Thanksgiving, how to be grateful

 
The holiday season is approaching. It’s the time of year when families gather and thanks are given. I always start Thanksgiving morning with the preparation of the turkey, breakfast and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade as I’m preparing the other dishes. For some reason that parade puts me in a festive mood.   

Later that day my  home will be filled with children, laughter, conversations of days gone by and the Sports channel will be envied by every other station on TV. An abundance of food and drink will be consumed, which will be followed by a much needed nap. Slice of pumpkin or sweet potato pie filled with scoops of homemade vanilla ice cream will push the turkey and stuffing down and a wish for another nap will follow.  

Last, the arguments over who ate the last homemade roll or who drank the last of the sweet tea will surface, and that argument will be followed by who will be cleaning up the kitchen and putting away the leftovers. I love the holiday season.

It’s a tradition in my family for everyone to give thanks to someone or something during the blessing of our meal each Thanksgiving. Here’s the top 10 reasons that I’m thankful in no particular order:

  1. I’m thankful for my health and being able to live another year.
  2. I’m thankful for my daughter, grandson and granddaughter.  They have made me the proudest mother and grandmother in the world.
  3. I’m thankful for a roof over my head and food in my mouth.  
  4. I’m thankful for a family who loves me unconditionally.   
  5. I’m thankful for the fresh air that I take in everyday and the beauty that surrounds me.
  6. I’m thankful for friends who put up with me even when I’m on their last nerve.
  7. I’m thankful for parents who gave disciplined me, gave me an education and prepared me to survive in this world.  
  8. I’m thankful for the struggles that I have endured in my life.  They have made me a better and a stronger person.  
  9. I’m thankful for great neighbors who look out for me and my home.  
  10. I’m thankful for still having all my siblings and grateful that the circle remains unbroken.    

I would like to thank each of my readers for the follow as well as your comments and I wish each of you a very Happy, Blessed and Safe Thanksgiving. What will you being thankful for this holiday?  


You may also like:  11 Tips to Reduce Holiday Stress

 

Inspirational Quote – Changing Gears

inspirational quote

Inspirational Quote – Still People

11 Tips to Reduce Holiday Stress

 

holiday stress, Thanksgiving


Gobble Gobble!  The holidays are around the corner and holiday stress levels will start to rise. Thank goodness we no longer head out to the woods to catch our turkeys, pound corn or cook on open fires.  We already have enough things to stress over like what will be on the menu, who’s coming to dinner, what size turkey to buy, who should sit where and the list goes on. 


The holidays can  be a joyous time, but they can be overwhelming at times too.  To avoid unnecessary stress, I use the following tips to reduce holiday stress in my home: [Read more…]

Printables: Thanksgiving Scrapbook Layouts

printable Thanksgiving Scrapbook layouts, Thanksgiving scrapbook ideas

Thanksgiving is the time of year to be grateful for all that we have.  Also, it’s a day to capture another blessed day with family and friends, great food and another year of blessings.  Charge camera batteries or purchase them the night before.  Nobody wants to run out of batteries or have their camera die on such a festive day, right. Besides, if you don’t have pictures you can’t scrapbook.

Thanksgiving scrapbook pages can be added to a photo album or you can create one page and cherish it too.  It doesn’t matter because what it’s truly important is the memories.  Take pictures of the children creating Thanksgiving crafts or devouring Thanksgiving snacks to tide them over until dinner.  Capture memories of the turkey or kitchen disasters.  You will want to look back on the day and savor every moment.

Furthermore, include the good and bad of the day.  Scrapbooking is all about the memories.  All of them.  Thanksgiving scrapbook layouts are your answer to preserving the memories.  You can also turn the pages into Thanksgiving scrapbook layout craft projects for the kids.  Take pictures of them and than print each child’s favorite picture.  Afterwards, print the Family Fun scrapbook page above and let them add the picture.  It will be a great take home gift for the kids or mom and dad.

Thanksgiving Scrapbook ideas, printable scrapbook pages, printable Thanksgiving Scrapbook pages

As you know the hostess will be busy preparing dishes and being gracious to guests.  Take pictures of the turkey on the platter when she’s ready to serve.  The host cooks all day, but never has a picture of the beautiful dishes he or she has prepared before everyone devours them.

Our Thanksgiving scrapbook layouts will help you eliminate that tragedy.  I’m sure the host will be most grateful that you took the time and energy to help preserve the day.  You can download the free Thanksgiving scrapbook layout printables here.  Enjoy.

 

 

 

Inspirational Quote – Helen Keller

Mrs. Cavanaugh’s Chocolates – BOGO

Buy 1 lb Get 1 lb FREE of Mrs. Cavanaugh’s Chocolates.  This is a great Holiday Gift for the chocolate lover on your list.  Visit Mrs. Cavanaugh’s Chocolate at http://www.mrscavanaghs.com  Use promo code: usfamily2014.    

Turn It Up Tuesday – Week 60

Can you believe it’s the 60th week of Turn It Up Tuesdays??!! Welcome to Mother 2 Mother! We’re so happy to have you here this week – and thanks for the amazing posts last week! There were so many great posts to choose from! And we had a record-breaking week – thanks!!!
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Turn It Up Tuesdays is all about being happy, excited, energetic…and having fun! Link up your favorite posts (old or new) and meet some awesome bloggers in return! Link up your funny stories, DIY posts, recipes, mommy moments — anything at all, as long as it is family-friendly. We want to laugh, be entertained, be inspired, and have a good time!
Thanks so much to everyone that joins us each week and makes this blog hop the best that it could be!

SPONSOR OF THE MONTH

Silvie from My Silly Little Gang

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Through Silvie’s posts, she shares the details of raising my silly little gang of boys and the different things she encounters in her life as a mommy. Including crafts, recipes, and reviews, she enjoys blogging and all the work it entails. It definitely keeps her on her toes, but it’s rewarding for her when she receives a comment from a reader letting her know they enjoy her post. Her goal is to grow her blog into all it can be. As a mommy blogger, she has had the opportunity to work with several brands to review their products or places.
Stop by and check out her blog…it’s definitely a great read!
Are you interested in having your blog or website featured in this spot? Then, sponsor Turn It Up Tuesday for a month! Click here! It’s only $5 for an entire month!
We’re accepting sponsors for 2015!

Welcome the lovely ladies of Turn It Up Tuesday!

TUT Hosts 11.1.14 (1)

(from the top – left to right)
Natasha from Epic Mommy Adventures | Stacey from This Momma’s Ramblings | Jessica from The Wondering Brain | Cathy from A Peek Into My Paradise | April from 100lb Countdown | Meghan from Life with Peanut | Kae from Where’s My Pacifier? | Kelly from Making-More | Melissa from The Coupon Chronicles | Yolanda from That’s Mashed Up | Laura from Another Cent Saved | Cindy from Mom Maven | Kimberly from Keystrokes by Kimberly| Rhonda from Mother 2 Mother | Tiffany from MrsTeeLoveLifeLaughter | Mari from Living in Mommywood | Silvie from My Silly Little Gang | Jillian from Baby Doodah | Chelsea from Mommie and Wee | Tenns from New Mama Diaries

And welcome our awesome guest hosts for November!

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(from the top – left to right)
Angie from God’s Growing Garden | Damjana from AppleGreen Cottage | Keri from Living In This Season | Stasia from Our Life on a Budget | Kimberly from Life is a Lullaby | Rebeka from Homemade Momy | Serena from Simple Holistic Girl | Amy from Home Remedies | Stacy from Little to No Progress Here | Tanya from City Mom Loves | Tina from The Happy Creations

Interested in being a guest host for the month or becoming a permanent co-host?

Complete the form here! Monthly co-hosts will be chosen on a first come first-serve basis.  We’re now accepting guest hosts for December, January, and February.

Here are the Featured posts from last week!

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Tiffany chose When Cellphone Numbers Collide from Maple Brown Sugar. “I wanted to yell out AMEN as I read this! I have had my number for 5 years and I am STILL receiving texts and calls for the previous user. It’s funny getting a peek at someone’s else life through texts and random photos. Well kinda…LOL”
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Keri chose 20 Busy Bag Ideas for Busy Little People | Part 1 from The Way He Plays. “I have been looking for creative busy bags and these are so great and useful!”
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Cathy chose Pumpkin Orange Chocolate Wrapped Cake from All That’s Jas. “Such a BEAUTIFUL cake! An elegant dessert worthy of the center of any Thanksgiving feast! Her post makes it looks so easy to make I just might attempt to make it for my families Thanksgiving!”
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Angie chose Clothespin Manger Nativity Scene Christmas Craft from Christianity Cove. “The first of Advent is on Nov 30th & nativity scenes have always been precious to me – I have a small collection & I’ll have to add this one to my collection.”
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Serena chose 18 Reasons Why The 80’s Were Awesome #StumbleIntoTheWeekend from Barbie Bieber and Beyond. “It was great to reminisce about the 80’s and brought back so many happy & fun memories. It also put me in awe of the many advancements that have been made since then like with video gaming systems, fashion, and music.”
Stacey also chose this post. “Oh man the 80’s! The birth of MTV, big hair bands, and men in makeup and spandex! Oh the music! I have raised my kids on it…a new generation! The Sweet Valley High books were amazing, I remember having a shelf full! LOL! The TV and heaven forbid if there was something political or world newsworthy…there went 3, if not all of those channels! LOL! Thank you so much for the trip down memory lane!”
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Damjana chose Cornucopia Snack from Three Kids and a Fish. “Why this one? This treat has what it takes to make a perfect recipe for me: so colorful and inventively looking, yet so simple to make! And, I have a soft spot for the mix of sweet&salty taste…I just HAVE to try it out.”
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Kimberly chose Healthy Apple Almond Butter Muffins from Luv a Bargain. “I chose this recipe as it has healthy substitutes for baking – making muffins a little bit healthier. And it looks yummy!”
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Yolanda chose I wish I would have known how hard it would be to parent someone else’s child from Ripped Jeans & Bifocals. “As an African American woman who has worked with children at various stages in the system, I found this story of domestic transracial adoption beautiful. How I wish the world was full of more people with hearts as big and loving as this mother. It’s well written, and very touching.”
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Mari chose French Toast Breakfast Muffins Recipe from Sweep Tight. “I love all things French Toast.Yummy!!!”
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Meghan chose 2 Ingredient Edible DIY Kids Paint Recipe from Domestic Mommyhood. “I’ve been collecting lists of things to do with Savanna at home now that she is truly at an age to grasp learning. I love this idea of edible paint. I can let her do her own thing or we can learn the alphabet and numbers without me having to worry about her accidentally putting this in her mouth…and such a simple recipe!”
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Jillian chose 25 Indoor Activities from Life’s Little Projects. “It’s starting to get chilly where I live and with it dark when I get out of work, it’s tough to keep my child entertained indoors. This list has some great ideas on keeping him occupied and having fun!”
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Rhonda chose Holiday Craft | How to Make a Sock Snowman from About A Mom. “The holidays are around the corner, so I’m looking for crafts to do with my grandchildren. This sock snowman is adorable and made from items that I have an abundance of. I could find a place around my house for these little fellows. Adorable.”
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Kelly chose Scottish Tea Cookies with Apple Butter + Musselman’s Apple Butter Giveaway from Platter Talk. “Our family loves apple butter. I’m sure this would be delicious.”
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Jessica chose Financially Fit & Physically Fit You from Women with Intention. “I love the idea of combining both being financially and physically fit together. As I was going through the post, both aspects are the same in nature. It’s basically doing a “2 for 1″ when accomplishing the goals. Thanks for sharing!”
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Tina chose Homemade Chocolate Covered Pumpkin Pie Spice Apples from A Cultivated Nest. “Looks stunning, easy to make, yummy and it can be customised for any season , like Christmas. I’m definitely going to play with this recipe!!Thanks for sharing.”
Chelsea also chose this post. “I don’t even like chocolate, but these apple treats look delish!! I love that the pumpkin spice was included, so it’s a little different than the average ‘covered apple’!! Yummm!”
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Amy chose A Little Thanksgiving Home Tour from Little Brags. “Christine did a fantastic job decorating her porch and home for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. Her spaces are warm and welcoming, just what you want when having guests over! I love that she made some of the decorative items herself, including the creative little side table. I wish I was on her holiday guest list!”
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The post with the most clicks is Death by Chocolate Slow Cooker Dump Cake from Homemaking Hacks with Dawn Lopez.
Stop by and show some love to our featured bloggers this week! I’m sure they’d all appreciate it!
If you were featured above, feel free to share the badge below with pride on your blog or website!
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And the Best of the Best is…

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Show some love to our Best of the Best bloggers this week!!!!
As the Best of the Best, you win free ad space on Epic Mommy Adventures for 30 days! Please showcase the badge below with pride on your blog!
Please send an e-mail to Natasha at 1EpicMommy@gmail.com and she will provide you with all the details!
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So now that you’ve met our sponsor of the month, our hosts and co-hosts, the Featured and the Best of the Best, and the winners of our anniversary giveaway…

let’s get started!

*Show some love to your hosts and co-hosts simply by following them on social media and leaving a comment so they can follow you back. *Link up as many posts as you’d like! The more, the merrier! *Check out some of the other posts and make some new friends! *Grab the button below and showcase on your sidebar! Invite your fellow bloggers to join the fun! 

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Link up your posts, make some friends, and earn the chance to be featured or become the Best of the Best on Turn It Up Tuesday! We will feature the favorite posts each week!

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Interested in reading all of the Featured Posts on Turn It Up Tuesdays – past or present? Or do want to know if your post was featured before we go live next week? Follow Natasha Peter’s board Featured on Turn It Up Tuesdays! on Pinterest.

Dealing With Toxic People In Your Life

Today, I’m sharing empowerment tips on dealing with toxic people.  For the past few months, I’ve felt a little down.  I’ve felt heavy, fatigued and at times ready to just throw my hands up in dismay.  Why, a toxic relationship.  I have learned over the course of the years to pay attention to my body and how I’m feeling. Once I get in touch with how I’m feeling, I step away and assess why.    
I ask myself, what’s new in my life? How do I feel after an encounter with a family member or friend? Is there something going on at work that’s bothering me? I ask these questions so I can pinpoint what’s happening.  At times I feel this way because of a stressful situation at work, but the majority of time it’s a toxic person who’s spawning poison my way. Toxic people will affect your health and pull you down.

self-confidence, how to deal with toxic people, toxic relationships

 

Over the years, I have learned that I stayed in relationships or friendships way too long.  I never liked giving up on people or things without giving 100% of myself.  But, I’ve learned that the other party must be willing to give 100% of themselves too. If not the relationship is one sided and I must walk away. Walking away has gotten easier for me.  I realized that no relationship is worth suffering over or not getting my needs meet.

I come from a toxic family.  My mother is as toxic as you can get. So, I am quite familiar with toxic people. Toxic people usually come from a dysfunctional background.  They’re usually harboring deep envy, anger or jealousy.  If they don’t get their emotions in check, they manifest in a harmful way.     

 

Dealing with toxic people

 

  • Dishonesty – Dishonest people are people who hid the truth or don’t tell the truth.  In my opinion, one is as bad as the other. When you’re not honest about who you are, what you’re doing or what’s happening in your life you’re depriving the other people of the ability to make judgments that are beneficial to them.
  • Ignoring You – When a person doesn’t return your calls, respond to your text messages or make time for you it can affect your self-esteem.  My motto is if I’m not a priority, you wont’ be one either.  Nobody is so busy that they can’t find the time to respond in some way.
  • Blaming Other People -Toxic people always blame others for their issues and problem.  They create drama, but try to turn things around and they become the victim.  They project themselves on you.  What is true about them, they say about you.
  • Sabotage – They underhandedly and sometimes overtly try to sabotage your happiness and goals. Deep down they really don’t want you to be happy or succeed.  And, they always find something wrong with what you’re trying to achieve.
  • Toxic People Will Pull You Down – They can and will eventually affect your health and your emotional well being. Their behavior causes drama and/or conflict and whatever the situation is the outcome will be negative.

Finally, I learned to run in the opposite direction from toxic people or limit their presence in my life. I see absolutely no benefit to having them around. They’re like quick sand, they will pull you down little by little and eventually you find yourself up to your neck in crap.  Who needs it. Learn to recognize and deal with toxic people before they grab hold of you and pull you down.

You may also like:  Toxic People Quotes