Noticing

December 2023

It feels like I say this every year…time seems to accelerate. A few days feel interminably long but the year goes by so very fast. I cannot believe I'm already typing the December post of Noticing to you. This last post of 2023 might be a tad longer, so get comfy.

I want to acknowledge each of you reading this post. I'm so grateful for your support. So while we all look at our inboxes overflowing and are hitting unsubscribe as quickly as we can, it means everything to feel your support in keeping my posts coming.

I know a few people in my life thought I was plain crazy to start up a second business when I'm already busier than most people. But coaching, teaching, writing and lecturing fills my soul’s longing. I think if nothing else, COVID had us examining what/who was important and if not now, then when. I have zero regrets.

Next week I get to go away to Chrysalis for a few precious days with three other, hand picked women in my business to do our version of business planning. But it's so much more than that. We've all laughed, cried, pushed each other out of our comfort zones, encouraged one another to take leaps of faith or supported wanting to lay off full throttle to concentrate on health, family, relationships. My 60’s made me bolder in what I wanted out of life. I was feeling discontented in the relationships I had at work. All the conversations were so fleeting and superficial. The worst kind. I gave myself a dose of my own advice and I did something about it. I reached out to these women a few years ago. I knew of them but I did not yet know them and I was pretty sure they had not a clue who the heck I was. I knew each of them ran their businesses very differently than I did. I like different. I think there is something to learn with different. Who wants to sit in a room with a cacophony of sameness? We hold space for one another & we all respect one another immensely so we listen differently. I love this tradition I started.

My goal last & this year was to;

1) never be the smartest person in a room

2) never be in a room for over an hour where I'm not contributing the best of myself

3) always leave a space better than when I entered it.

It was also my goal to start my coaching business and take on six private clients, teach a few classes on Listening, Business Planning and Boundaries, do some scary public speaking and connect with people so I understand what the need is out there.

Happy to say that was all completed.

Word of the Year(s)

The word I chose for 2023 has been GRACE. And it still resonates with me, so I might keep it into 2024. I spoke about “grace” at a 200+ agent event at Suncadia this fall. I broke the word down into the following words to reflect on. Gratitude - Resilience - Aspiration - Courage - Empathy. I continue to try to move through life with grace.

In this issue I want to share a few things with you that caught my eye. I encourage you to live your lives to the fullest. To uncover the life you want that might have gotten buried. To not look left and right but straight ahead. It matters so little what others are doing and only what you want to accomplish deserves your attention. Break it down into manageable bits and stop trying to boil the ocean. And if you need help, get it. All the best athletes in the world and CEOs of great companies get a helping hand on mindset and strategy. You should too.

If you want to make 2024 your pivot year, I'm here to help. My client list extends beyond the real estate industry to doctors, artists, small business owners.

Your support is so appreciated.

My Fav Lifestyle Guru…

Camille, at CamilleStyles.com is one of *t h e b e s t* LifeStyle Gurus that I follow. Her approach is casual yet thoughtful with great attention to detail but never fussy. Here is her guide to Hosting 101.

Gift Giving 101:

6 Common Gift Giving Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

This time of year we all can get flummoxed on gift giving. This might help!

Gift Giving: Organized & Systemized

In my Business Planning Class I talk about systemizing ALL aspects of your life that you can. I share that when Kelley was in Pre-School all the protocol was new to me. I learned quickly that if you throw a birthday party EVERYONE should be invited. I am practical, if nothing else. I went to Target and bought 24 puzzles and 24 books. Wrapped them all in one day. Twelve with yellow ribbon and twelve with blue. Birthday invites no longer meant yet another trip to the store and where the heck is the wrapping paper. In fact, I still abide by a signature wrapping paper, Kraft gift bags and lots of pretty ribbon. K.I.S.S.

Want more on organizing and stocking a gift closet? Go here!

Who to Tip

And who are we supposed to tip again this time of year? Apparently, these 8 people!

Great Questions…

In honor of my love of and hobby of collecting great questions, here is a wonderful list of questions you might want to have handy for your holiday meal.

In closing…

And finally I wanted to share the complete quote from Maya Angelou. We are all familiar with the last lines, but here is what she said in its entirety. Enjoy.

“I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life. I’ve learned that making a “living” is not the same thing as making a “life.” I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one. I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn. I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

― Maya Angelou

December and the holidays means something different for each of us. I hope yours means being with people you love, taking the time to tell those you love what they mean to you. I hope if gift giving is a thing for you, that you consider supporting artists and small businesses. I hope it means lots of great meals and even better conversations. I hope you find pockets of solitude to reflect on what is important to you beneath all the expectations that are put upon you.

And most of all, I hope for peace.

Sincerely,

Coach Diane