Welcome to Your Comfort For Life

Wellness Strategist & LifeStyle Mentor – let’s plan your next steps!

Crazy Busy Is The New Normal

woman-working-at-home-with-kids

In the last few years, I have been noticing that most people have gone from busy to CRAZY BUSY. We are scheduled tightly from morning to night with an abundance of important activities. The busiest people seem to be parents, especially working moms. When working with families, I find that crazy busy is the new normal….that people are struggling to keep up….which is stressful. It also makes it tough to eat right, exercise and get enough sleep.

What to do? Well, I will admit to feeling overwhelmed on a regular basis – especially since my health has been a bit compromised since a car accident last year….here are some strategies that have calmed me and may work for you too! One thing my husband does is if he sees me doing something that may not be a top priority, he gently asks if that is really the most important thing on my list. At first it used to irk me but after a while, even when he is not around I can hear Kris’ voice in my head as I ask myself if I am working on the most urgent or have I become distracted…..follow the steps below to strategize and then stick to the plan;-)

First – Write it Down on a Calendar! Put the non-negotiables on your calendar and TIME BLOCK! This means mark out the required amount of time on the calendar. Helps us to be realistic about what we really can get done each day. For me this includes the times I want to work since I am self-employed. Next, add in the appointments/commitments for yourself and the family.  Some families create a family calendar so everybody knows where the others will be and/or if they are available. This can be done on a big calendar on a wall or on something like Google Calendar on everyone’s phone. I put my exercise on my calendar. To stay healthy or in my case keep working towards feeling better, exercise has become a non-negotiable. I also mark out times for meal prep, meals, quiet time and walking the dog!

Second – Prioritize – List what is most urgent each day – read Stephen Covey’s Book on 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. I know I am due a reread!! He has a great system on how to label each task so you know what order they need to be completed. I make myself do the projects that are the most difficult first – otherwise I will procrastinate. Many times I build a reward into getting certain things done I don’t enjoy…or maybe you need to reward yourself when you get to the gym 3 times a week. I reward myself with a manicure every other week – keeps me on track….and I don’t have to fuss with my nails – one less thing for me to do and it makes me happy. The reward has to be something you want in order for it to work!

Which brings us to – Third – what can you delegate or get help with? It was hard for my husband to understand that I would rather take another appointment than clean our house. Cleaning the house also exhausted me and generally I was doing it at warp speed before a meeting in our home that I needed to be energized and prepared for. After a few of those meetings where I was fatigued instead of jazzed for my team, I learned that it makes great sense to have help cleaning my home! I also have had help cooking meals, walking the dog, and shopping for about everything we purchase. I am a small business owner so I always look for another small business to shop or have services from. I employ small business people who are affordable and offer awesome customer service. Nothing like having items delivered to your door. Many people think these services will cost more from the local business person than the “Big Box” stores but in most cases, you will save money….and more important to most of us, SAVE TIME! Plus the bonus of supporting people in your network and neighborhood.

Buy From Mom & Pop Biz

I found this picture on Facebook and post it whenever I can to help remind everyone to shop with their family member, friend, neighbor before going to the mall. Now one more step before running out to “the store” – CALL ME! I have people that Kris and I Know, Like and TRUST who will serve you! Reliable, personable and affordable professionals who will help you shop, cook amazing meals plus can help/have expertise with dietary concerns, clean your home, do your hair/nails, massage therapists to relieve stress, plan special events, take pictures, help you with scrapbooks, fix your computer, teach you how to use your phone, coach you how to effectively exercise for lasting results, share how to sleep better; it is quite an extensive directory of services and products to help you fight the fact that crazy busy is the new normal. Please leverage our resources to simplify your life!

Call Elizabeth & Kris Gronert at (847) 502-8394, email at Liz@elizabethanthonygronert.com or message on Facebook. Let us share how to have more Comfort For Life!

Shop with Friends and Family Before heading to the mall!

So what do I mean “Shop with Friends and Family before heading to the mall?” Take a look around you and notice who you know that has their own business. They may be able to help you clean your home, style your hair, massage away your aches and pains; shop for jewelry, clothing, undergarments, chocolate, coffee, skin care, vitamins, home cleaning products….there are hundreds of small businesses and direct sellers in your life – you just need to pay attention and take a look at what they have to offer you and your family. I have noticed that many people feel that these small businesses will cost more than if they just “run out to the mall” and shop with the big box stores. I encourage you to step back from this belief….because in many cases, your friend or family member who has a small business probably offers you better quality, pricing, SERVICE than the store down the street. Take the time to seek real people out, learn what they have to offer. Once you have shopped with them, in the long run – I bet they will save you time, money and give higher value with excellent customer service. Then feel good about your actions – you will be supporting someone who has made the small business choice so they can take care of their family and friends.

Buy From Mom & Pop Biz

This photo I found on Facebook says it all…..WHEN YOU PATRONIZE A SMALL BUSINESS, YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Many times a BIG difference. I have been a small business owner for 35 years….21 years of that I was a single mom who for 10 of those years cared for my mother at home. Trust me when I say to you that the people who visited my salon, attended my nail school, hired me as an industry trainer, and then shopped with me as a direct sales person made it possible for my family to avoid going on welfare. To provide for my family…to be able to pay for the necessities of life like food, gas, rent, health and dental insurance that we needed since there were no monthly support checks coming from anyone. We survived and many times I was able to do a bit better than just get by…..thanks to the people who made a point of shopping with me before they headed to the mall. HUGE THANK YOU!! I have enormous gratitude for the amazing people who have supported my family over the last 35 years.

Now a bit of advice and coaching for those of you reading this who have a small business….please walk your talk. We ask our friends and family to do business with us….you need to be sure that you are doing business with small business! Shop with friends and family applies to you too! Be aware of what you post and say on Facebook. I see many business people endorse a big box brand hair or skin care product when a quick peek at their friend list will reveal that one or many of their friends who are working hard to sell that same type of product!

I am not saying don’t shop at Costco or Nordstrom’s…just be sure to buy the things you can from those who are in need of your support. Most of my wardrobe has been purchased from a small business person and I can give you their name and contact info when you compliment me.  I strive to connect people. So if you need a service or product, let’s talk and I will give you names of people you can trust. People who are professionals and will take care of you like gold….because to us small business folk – you are worth your weight in gold!

Thanks for visiting my website – if you liked this article, please share with others. Let’s get the word out how to help each other! You can contact Elizabeth and Kris Gronert at (847) 502-8394 or email at Liz@elizabethanthonygronert.com