Make Today Matter Mini Makeover Catalog

Mini #57
Includes Reality Routine worksheet
Please note this Mini will not be available until November 7, 2008.

Recently I have had quite a few conversations with women about their Master Task Lists. I found that many women assumed I followed my Master Task List to a tee.  In one conversation I began explaining that the Weekly list is what is most important to me and receives 90 percent of my energy. The 2x a month tasks, monthly tasks, and quarterly tasks are all those I hope to get to (and often do) but they are not my focus. By focusing on a solid weekly routine the longer term tasks tend to be much more easy to manage because my life is managed. I may not get everything done, but I get what is most important done.

Then there are the times when life goes haywire. The unexpected trip, or unexpected guests. The overtime at work or the problem with a close family member.  The unexpected illness or the emotional rollercoaster. During these times a solid weekly routine is one tool that can help us keep our sanity and stay above the chaos.

This Mini takes you step by step through building your weekly “Reality Routine.” This is not a routine based on everything you WANT to do, but based on the “anchors” that help you stay sane, maintain balance, and feel good about home and self. By the end of this Mini you will have created a solid routine and run it through the reality test.

Mini #53
Please note this Mini will not be available until November 7

“Gratitude turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” Melody Beattie

Developing a thankful attitude, goes a long way toward developing a more resilient, confident, and appreciative self, while also dramatically influencing life joy, contenment and inner peace. In this Mini we work thorugh practices for keeping a Gratitude Journal to increase your attitude of gratitude.

This Mini includes printable Gratitude journal pages, exercises, and prompts to help you discover the magic of this timeless tool.

Mini #52

Study after study has shown how recordig our goals, dreams, aspirations and affirmations improves our ability to manifest our goals in our lives.  In this Mini we explore how to build a “Treasure Book” filled with pages and words that inspire and affirm our personal and professional goals.

You’ll learn book-building basics
How this technique helps you
How to use your Treasure Book to maximize life results
Complete four exercises to beginning building a book of your own

Faith Matters - Mini #46

In this Faith Matters Study we explore 15 Proverbs. Each Proverb exploration includes a call to action to put the Scripture into practice in your own life. There are two implementation ideas for each Proverb for a total of 30 ideas to implement over the course of the month. The study is designed as a printable journal to record your experience of practicing the Proverbs.

Mini #45

It was fun to develop this Mini because it emphasizes the part of the Make Today Matter Life System that is most important to me. When I created MTM, it was very important to me that it contained a contingency plan for when “life happens.” I wanted women to know that when life happens and you cannot login as often as you would like or the Toolbox Steps seem a million miles away—it’s okay. You are not behind. You are right where you should be and MTM is ready for you—no matter where you are.

This Mini is designed for two audiences in particular:
1.    Women who completed the Toolbox but worked quickly or did not fully implement each Step.
2.    Women who have been away from the program because life happened and are looking for some guidance to get “back in the groove.”

During the first seven days we review and focus on the 5 essential practices to build a solid daily foundation. During the second week we walk through how to make the most of your Make Today Matter Membership and use the site to match your goals and priority areas.

Mini-Makeover #43
Includes a printable “Soul Food Set” of images to use on your cards
Includes three printable card “blanks” (Brook’s art with lines for your favorite quotes)

In the MTM Toolbox you learn about Soul Food Cards. This Mini takes us on an adventure for the soul as we learn different ways to use affirmations to realize our full potential, create contentment, and make every day matter. During this Mini we will:

• Build our Soul Food decks through three different exercises
• Learn techniques for reaping the benefits of Soul Food and affirmations
• Save our first Soul Food Card Swap (Optional) (In this swap be all make two cards and then send them in by mail. In return your receive two other member cards)

Mini Makeover #40

Nine out of ten American’s drink some sort of caffeinated beverage each day, making it the United States’ number one “drug.” Recent research showed a direct correlation between rising caffeine consumption and the need for both prescribed and over-the-counter sleep aids

Just because the majority of us use caffeine doesn’t change its effect on the brain, central nervous system, and our energy level. In a nutshell, caffeine is manipulating the same channels in the brain as amphetamines and cocaine-but on a much milder basis. Understanding caffeine’s influence on stress, sleep, anxiety, mood, and energy is important. Especially since sleep and stress are directly correlated with many long-term health ailments and emotional health. If you consume caffeine and also suffer from anxiety or stress, depression or mood swings, or fatigue you might be surprised at caffeine’s influence.

In this Mini you’ll learn how caffeine affect mind and body, how to tell if you are addicted, what the “safe levels” of caffeine are, when to avoid caffeine to maximize energy and emotional health and how to create a realistic plan to curb or cut caffeine from your life.

Mini Makeover #29
9 pages with self-reflection activities

  “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.” Eleanor Roosevelt

When we are worn-out, often we have become our own worst enemy, treating ourselves with negative words, thoughts and actions. I find it fascinating we won’t treat another human being as we often treat ourselves.

Self-Coaching is the process of emulating the practices of close and supportive friends in our own lives. No one will ever spend as much time in our minds as we will. No one will ever spend as much time with us as we will. Therefore the first key to developing a positive-esteem is learning how to encourage verse criticize our selves day-in and day-out. However, most of us who need to work on attitude or self-esteem (often intertwined) are far from our own close friend, instead we belittle our accomplishments, criticizing our thinking, and overemphasizing our shortcomings. We focus on what we left behind instead of what lies ahead and on what we didn’t do instead of what we did. In this Mini you’ll learn how to offer support and self-coaching strategies to strengthen self-esteem.

* Adapted from the former online class Self-Esteem Toolbox 

Mini #027
15 pages
includes 2 printable verse cards by Brook Noel

Letting Go of Harmful Emotions: An exploration on releasing worry, anxiety, fear and sadness

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life …” (Matthew 6:25 NKJV)

This study offers a guided exploration through releasing worry, anxiety, fear and sadness by turning them over to God and finding strength in our faith. Verses and stories drawn from the Bible share knowledge and comfort on how to “Let go and Let God.” This study includes 15 daily doses of study.

About Faith Matters: Each study includes….

• Look-Ups (a.ka. Write it Down): Each study contains scripture references around the monthly theme. Look these up in the Bible you are most comfortable with and write them in the provided space.
  Reflection Questions: Work through these thoughtfully. Space is provided in the study guide or you can use the private online journal.
• Activities: Follow the instructions for the outlined Activities. You may wish to keep a special journal for these Activities.
• Key Verses: Build a deck of cards to celebrate key verses that speak to you. Each week add one verse to your deck. You can write it on a colored index card, design it on a computer, or decorate a card by hand.
• Discussion Topics: Discussion topics are highlighted throughout the study . Login to the study area and you will see a thread started for each of these.
• One or two key verse cards created by Brook Noel
• Access to the general Faith Matters area where you can share favorite scripture, your own key verse cards, prayers and more.

Any relationship can be challenging to maintain in today’s busy life. Ask a woman how many close friends she has and most women can easily count them on one hand. Why? A close relationship requires a resource in tight supply for many-time. The purpose of the Faith Matters Mini is to provide a way to study what the Bible says on a specific topic and provide a simple way to stay present with our faith.

A few important notes about Faith Matters Minis:
1. Everyone is welcome, regardless of religious affiliation or current beliefs. If you have never picked up a Bible, aren’t sure what you believe, or even if you are angry at God, you are welcome here.

2. These are explorations not “rules” At no point will I say (or can anyone else say) “You should …”

3. Respect for everyone is mandatory, this is not an area to debate God’s Word, but to live it.

4. Scripture references are taken from both the Old and New Testaments

5. All topics explored are POSITIVE. I have talked with many women who have left their spiritual practice because it was driven by guilt, negativity, and punishment. The Bible is so filled with positive inspiration and examples and these are my focus.

Mini #26

When we can’t access our inner resources, we come to the flawed conclusion that happiness and fulfillment come only from external events. ~Sarah Ban Breathnach, Simple Abundance

Have you ever built a snowman? You start with that little ball of packed snow and roll it around … and then all of a sudden it starts growing … and growing … and growing … faster and faster? This is what happens in our minds when we aren’t aware and/or present in the moment. What starts out as a little doubt or anxiety can roll into sadness and then depression. What starts out as a little frustration can roll into resentment and then anger.

Most of us have multiple thoughts in our minds. When we focus on the external they quickly gain momentum. When we aren’t living in the moment we rarely have positive thoughts that spiral with the same momentum. Instead, our positive experiences become a little sun that melts a bit of snow, but then the automatic negative thought process begins again, building and building and building. Often, the “source” of the snowball is one little external event—it doesn’t take much to start the process. In this Mini we explore how the mind works, how our thoughts work against us without awareness, and how stay centered in healthy thinking. Includes printable wallet card with “Staying Centered” tips.

_______________________________________________

Mini Number #15
10 pages
Includes:

• 5 activities
  
• Journaling space within printable or private online journal
  

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. Anonymous

While meeting the demands of day-to-day life, many people find the “little things” slip away. I recently read an essay about an elderly man reflecting on his life. If he could do it all over again, he wrote, I would focus more on the little things and less on the big things. In his old age, he realized the “big things” were comprised of all the “little things” he was too busy to be attentive to each day. In this Mini we explore five actions and activities we can take to guide reclaim daily joy.

This Mini Makeover is divided into five separate activities. On the main page for this Mini you will find journal space for each activity. I encourage you to record the steps you take. Going forward you will know which steps most dramatically create an attitude shift for you. You will also find a forum for discussing each of the activities.

1. Releasing Expectations
2. Schedule Living for Today
3. Signature Strengths
4. Going with the Flow
5. Staying in the Moment

Note:  Mini #15 focuses on activities enabling us to look within ourselves to recapture daily magic.  Mini #32 focuses on activities that allow us to connect with others as we recapture daily magic.  Both minis are independent of each other. It is not necessary to one before you take the other. However, if you enjoy this Mini-Makeover, you may want to consider adding the other to your mini collection. Combined you will have 10 activities to explore.

“Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.”-Eleanor Roosevelt

Mini Number #12

Remember those cartoons where a character has a small angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other? The character is trying to make a decision and both are whispering input into an ear. Have you ever noticed a little voice in your own head? Kind of like a built-in coach, except this voice rarely says anything positive. Instead she whispers phrases like: What were you thinking? You should have known better. Don’t even bother trying. I knew this wouldn’t work. You never see things through. This voice belongs to your default coach-the Internal Critic.

Everyone has a Critic-Coach. When you see someone with a great attitude, you can bet they have learned this Critic exists, and have also learned how to “duct tape” her quiet! In this Mini-Makeover you’ll learn where that voice comes from and how to go head-to-head with her and win.

_______________________________________________

Mini Number #11

(I recommend completing the Discovering Your Personal Values Mini first).

Knowing our core values is the first step in building a life of contentment and joy. But how do we use these values to shape our lives? In this Mini I’ll show you how to add these core values to your Personal Power Deck, journal or your Catch-All Notebook and how to consult them regularly to ensure you are living your life “on purpose” in alignment with these key values. This Mini includes templates for cards and journal pages.

_______________________________________________

Mini Number #008

In the midst of managing the home, preparing meals, working, appointments, obligations, and meeting commitments, decisions are often made quickly, with little time to think through repercussions. When life is overflowing, we often take the path of least resistance (or the first path that comes to mind) instead of making a decision based on the best long-term solution. Seemingly inconsequential decisions can create serious balance deficits that lead to feelings of anxiousness and stress.

Learning to be aware during the moment of decision is an important skill for regaining sanity and a more centered life. Every decision we make (or don’t make) leads us in a direction. It either leads us toward the life we desire or away from it. Our life is a reflection of the decisions we make.

_______________________________________________

Mini #006

This Mini focuses on restoring your emotional energy account and adding emotional energy cards to your Personal Power Deck. Includes card templates.

_______________________________________________

Mini Number: #005

Have you ever felt there must be “something more” but been unable to identify what it is? Have you ever felt your life is a series of to-dos but that you aren’t really living? These feelings are often caused by a disconnection between actions and values. This Mini-Makeover will help you rediscover your personal values–not the values others would like you to have. You’ll work through a values worksheet to deduce your core values.

These core values act as a filter. In times of indecision, we can compare options to our guiding values to make a decision. Values are the seams which shape the fabric of our lives. Without defined values, we have torn seams where the unwanted can sneak in, and our energy can sneak out. Values allow us to advance confidently in a meaningful direction. Without them we will be blown around by the emotions, people, and external events of the day. Recommended for ALL LIFE AREAS.

Related Minis: Creating Value Cards for Your Personal Power Deck #11, Creating a Personal Vision Statement #018 (It is recommend to complete this Mini before working on Mini #018.)

_______________________________________________