Old Saying, New Meaning

Apr 2, 2011 by Holly Ralston-Oyler

Being a Southern Belle is truly a gift. To put it in simple terms, it means one should NEVER, EVER glisten (otherwise known as perspire). You could rob the Krispy Kreme* truck, get caught and go to jail and, still be held in higher esteem than if you were caught  glistening. The benefit of this unwritten rule is not ever having to think about exercising.

Over the  past 64 years I have heard enough “southern sayings” to fill ten books. The funny thing is, that the same saying,  takes on a new meaning, depending where you are in your life-stage when you hear it. One of the oldest I  remember is;

“She/he’s like the wind – here, there and everywhere”. I originally put a personality slant on that one. Then came the person who moved a lot. From there it was onto the person that changed jobs a lot. During my retail store days it took on a whole new meaning. Every store/business/professional office  has a top-ten list of chronic returners or problem customers/client/patients. No matter what city you live in, the same ten people will be on each stores list and, more likely than not in the same order. Merchant Association meetings spend 30-minutes or more going over these lists and sharing them during their meetings.

Being an only child with Realtor/Broker parents meant growing up in a 24/7 business household. When I started “playing” on the typewriter, my father taught me to touch type. He would tell a client that his daughter would come into the office and type their land contract for them. I would show up in my Mary Jane shoes, frilly dress and hair bows. I’m sure they were thinking “is this legal”.  Don’t laugh, $10.00 a contract was huge money back in 1956!

Now that I’m retired and out of the public sector, the saying has taken on yet another meaning. Being unfocused, scattered brain and unorganized. Learning how to focus, make accountable, measurable and attainable goals for one month at a time has helped tremendously.  Belonging to a Membership Site Community where you receive unconditional support, respect and help from everyone,  is truly priceless. I find myself working as much for the group as I do for myself.

Fortunately, doing the work is not a problem for me. I love doing it. In fact, I love it so much,  one of my mentors would say “I noodle it to death”. It is getting it from my head/hand to fruition that is the issue. In fact, of all the articles I have written over the years, the one that has received the most comments and laughs is, “Getting Ready, To Be Ready, To Get Ready”. That silly title pretty much explains my love affair with planners of all shapes and sizes.  Mourning doens’t begin to describe how I felt  when the Franklin Covey store in the mall closed a few years ago. But I didn’t panic, the Cincinnati, Ohio store is only 110 miles away (and, to answer your question,  yes I have).

March, 2011 marks the first time ever,  I actually met all my goals and even did an extra credit one, that I set for myself. A huge thing  for me to accomplish. What made the difference? The 30 Day Productivity Challenge group I joined in January. I’ve learned to Time Box, share the ups and downs, not make excuses and best of all, ask for help when needed. But most of all I’ve learned how to be realistic about what actually needs to be done, put a date to it that makes me accountable and the goal measurable. I can’t explain the feeling other than to say it was right up there with winning another tiara (and yes, you can sleep in a tiara).

Now it is on to the April goals and another great month featuring new successes, wonderful friends, business partners, supporters and mentors, all wrapped up in one 30 Day Productivity Challenge group.

Why don’t you join us?

*A Registered Trademark