Here we are at the end of March already! Let’s see how we respond to seven questions for week thirteen of 2018, challenging us with this month’s lifeskill, Career/Money Management. These questions are offered by Bob Tiede at At Leading With Questions, from wisdom leaders around the nation and world.*
*Source: Marc Chernoff’s list of questions,
Thought Provoking Questions to Ask Yourself in 2018.
Question 1: Who is your mentor and what have you learned from them?
As a lifeskills/wellness coach, my mentor was Michael Arloski (www.realbalance.com). I don’t believe I could have reached the skill level and experience without his guidance and excellent training through the years.
Question 2: What’s something most people don’t know about you?
Possibly, most people don’t know I was a commissioned fiber artist for many years in California and Texas. Having a right-brain, left-brain bent, I also maintained my family’s financial records via Quicken since the late 1970s. I found it creative and very helpful to have all the numbers in front of me to measure our financial situation at any point in time. I kept all tax and non-tax related receipts every year, from dining out to groceries. We could easily see how to shift any discretionary funds to other areas. At year-end, when taxes came around, we were ready to get it done.
Question 3: What did life teach you yesterday?
Yesterday, I again learned to not avoid or procrastinate a financial issue that needed attention and a decision made. There is definitely more stress from avoidance than from taking needed action. I just had to get over the frustration of not wanting to do the needed work to take action. Again, I am grateful for another faith opportunity going after the facts, even if I didn’t feel like it at the time.
Question 4: What is the best advice you have ever received?
To know the difference between forgiveness and trusting. I know it is possible to forgive and still not trust. Trust is earned through humility, patience, and understanding of both persons. Forgiveness is a gift that releases yourself from the bitter hook. It gives freedom for both to gain wisdom and compassion from the experience. That is, if we are willing.
Question 5: Which one of your responsibilities do you wish you could get rid of?
Choosing which responsibility to drop all depends on what I may want to do in place of that responsibility. Even when I am frustrated with a particular obligation, I may realize it is necessary for the greater good. I am then willing to continue that responsibility, even if I wish I could get rid of it. One thing I would like to never have to do is housecleaning. Yep, this lifeskills coach does not like it! When I have to vacuum and mop, I have to shift my attitude big-time with music or sharing it with my hubby, hopefully. He has been great the last several years on doing his part inside, and outside for sure. I better not complain, should I?
Question 6: Other than money, what else have you gained from your current job?
Since I am now retired, I simply went from a job-paying mode to a sharing venue. I decided at retirement to speak, write, and weave what my job taught me through the years. Included in those years were life, wellness, and creative arts lessons on a very personal level. I wanted to help others reach their highest potential in life, wellness, and the creative arts. I continue today working at what I love for anyone willing to reach out for it.
Question 7: What do you like most about your job? What do you dislike most about your job?
Again, as a retired lady, my answer to question six pretty much reflects the answer to question seven. Back when I was a program manager for the University of California, Davis, Craft Center, I loved just about every part of the job. I worked with professional artist/instructors and student workers. It was a blast! With the funding and invaluable assistance of an architect, I helped design a whole new arts/crafts facility on campus. I felt it was my way of passing on a legacy, since I later left the job for greener pastures.
I think the only thing I can remember not liking was when budget justification time came around. I had to convince higher authority of the center’s value to both students and staff on campus. Possibly, one more thing that was not fun, ever, was firing someone. Fortunately, I only had to do that a couple times through my tenure.