Inspiration Archives - Page 8 of 11

Lifestyle | Why Vision Boards Are Important

February 25, 2015 by Whitney 7 Comments

The wait is FINALLY over – today is the day I reveal my 2015 vision board! In the past I’ve shared some vision board tips, as well as my 2014 board. Last year’s board was extremely helpful in keeping me on track and on task. Thankfully, I was able to accomplish a huge amount of what I’d planned. I even accomplished some goals that I didn’t even include on my board. Literally watching my vision board “come to life” fueled the fire and I was determined to take my time in creating a very specific vision board for 2015.

2015 Vision Board

I’ve been asked several times why vision boards are important. We’ve all heard that seeing is believing, right? As a visual learner (my) vision boards serve as a daily and tangible check list. Seeing what I want to achieve through images and phrases has become vital for my success. I can talk about what I want to do and the plans I have all day, but without a physical reminder I’d be all over the place.

Vision boards are daily reminders to help keep you on track and on task.

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As I mentioned earlier, vision boards keep you on track and on task. These boards bring clarity to your vision. Writing your goals with pen and paper is a great start, but creating vision boards allow you to go deeper. Seeing your favorite quotes and powerful images on a regular basis get and keep you excited for what’s to come!

2014 Vision Board

Vision boards are also important because they reinforce your purpose. If you keep your board in a place where you look every day, you’ll have no problems remembering what you’re working towards. I still hang mine on the wall over my desk. I go in my office everyday so I’m forced to see it. This definitely helps reinforce and reaffirm my purpose daily.

Reinforce and reaffirm your purpose on a daily basis by creating a vision board.

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So tell me, what’s on your vision board for 2015? Why do you think vision boards are important? Let me know!

This year is moving right along and I hope you’ve all taken some time to think about your goals for the upcoming months. I’m very excited about my year and I hope my excitement has rubbed off on you. Stay focused, stay positive and remember that it’s never too late to start a vision board. Start today if you have to you! Until next time, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

#WNJInspired | The Year to be Fearless

January 12, 2015 by Whitney 28 Comments

Happy New Year, friends! It seems like forever since I’ve written to you. I hope you had a wonderful and joyous holiday season. I was able to spend a lot of time with my family and friends. We relaxed, ate, cooked, laughed, played games for hours on end and just had an all-out GREAT holiday.

I made some time sit and think about how I was going to make 2015 the best year yet. While I still have somethings to put in place, the year has stared on a pretty good note. I’ve adopted a 2015 motto which is, Be Fearless. In all aspects of my life, I plan to take a fearless approach. Going for what I want has never really been an issue, but the way I execute needs some work. Being fearless is empowering and a bit scary, but it’s necessary. Be it my health, business decisions, relationships, personal style decisions, it’s time for me to spread my wings a bit further! I believe that we all have something special inside of us, but it’s up to us to be fearless enough to show that something special to the world.

In keeping with my Be Fearless attitude, I’ve stepped outside of my comfort zone and tried different physical activities while on winter break. Thanks to my good friend Kamille, I’ve found some new and fun ways to get my body in shape and let’s just say, it’s already starting to pay off!

Remember my bucket list? Well, I can officially cross off taking a pole dancing class! The pole dancing classes at Xpose Fitness are extremely liberating and my ENTIRE body was stretched and worked out; I love that! My adventurous friend also introduced me to a trampoline workout class at Sky Zone. While I enjoyed the class, it’s not something I can see myself doing on a regular basis. Jumping, running, stretching and doing crunches on a trampoline is a lot harder than it seems. It was a definite challenge, but I did it!

Pole Dancing Workout at Xpose Fitness

Couples Work Out Session at Sky Zone

So tell me, how do you plan to Be Fearless in 2015? Have you recently stepped outside of your comfort zone? Let me know!

Again, happy new year to you! I’m thrilled for what’s to come for WNJ and I hope you all are too. More 2015 blog plans and goals to come later this week. Until then, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

P.S. I’ll be back to my Personal Style Linkup in February!

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#WNJInspired | 7 Vision Board Ideas to Make Your Vision Board Come to Life

December 16, 2014 by Whitney 12 Comments

I just started reading Sun Stand Still and the book talks about having audacious faith. The book couldn’t have been more on time because for the past few months, I’ve been praying and trying to figure out how in the world I’m going to achieve some (very) bold goals next year. I’m a firm believer in faith, but audacious faith is a whole other level. So while reading the book, I started my 2015 vision board. My goal is to make my vision board come to life and having audacious faith is the only way I’ll be able to do so. That said, let’s check out 7 Ways to Make Your Vision Board Come to Life!

1. BEGIN. So many people have asked “how to start a vision board”. It’s simple; just begin. Commit to making one and go for it!

2. Be Specific. In order to make your vision board really come to life, be specific with the words, phrases and pictures you decided to add. On my 2014 board I had a phrase that read, “work out at least 30 minutes 3 time a week”. That is very specific and although I didn’t live up to that as much as I would have liked, the specific phrase and goal was clear.

3. Keep Track of Your Progress. What I did this year was thumbtack my vision board ideas to a cork board. Every time I achieved a goal, I took whatever picture or word down that symbolized that goal and put it in a jar. At the end of this year, whatever is left on my board, I will re-evaluate and see if that goal fits into my 2015 plans. If so, I’ll figure out how to tweak it. In doing so, I hope it won’t be left hanging at the end of next year.

7 Ways to Make Your Vision Board Come to Life #wnjinspired

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4. Create a Board with Friends & Family. When creating a vision board, it’s fun to invite a few family members or friends to join you. You can share and verbalize your goals with the people you trust. In a way, sharing your goals out loud helps hold you accountable. When you tell someone your plans, they know and can remind you of your goals throughout the year.

5. Refer Back. Throughout the year, refer back to your board. What goals have you already achieved? What goals do you want to tweak or even add to your board? It’s OK to change your goals; just be sure they’re specific, sensible, and well thought out.

In order for your vision board to come to life, you have to SEE it on a daily basis.

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6. Make it Visible. Hang your vision board on a wall you walk by or look at everyday. In order for your vision board to come to life, you have to SEE it on a daily basis. Seeing the board will serve as daily motivation, as well as a daily reminder to get things done! I actually took a picture of my 2014 vision board and for a few weeks out of the year, that picture was my lock screen on my phone. It was constant reminder of my purpose and it really helped keep me on track.

7. Be Encouraged. Some days, weeks, or even months it may seem like your vision board just isn’t working. Don’t get discouraged. Achieving goals takes time, effort and persistence. Don’t give up; keep going and remember that tomorrow is another day to get it right! 😉

So tell me, have you started working on your 2015 vision board yet? If so, what are some of your goals for the new year? Let me know!

For more vision board ideas or ways to stay inspired, check out my tips on how to stay motivated. Until tomorrow, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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LifeStyle Feature | Marie Young of GoodLooknOut

October 22, 2014 by Whitney 18 Comments

I’m really excited about today’s post because it’s another installment of my LifeStyle Features here on WNJ! I met this blogger at an event in D.C. 2 (or so) years ago. I remember thinking to myself, “she’s the cutest pregnant woman…ever!” I soon realized that her warm personality and sweet spirit matched her outer beauty.

Marie, creator of GoodLooknOut, is your “your (online) big sis who’s always lookin’ out”! GoodLooknOut is a site that keeps you up to date with the latest trends, introduces you to the hottest bloggers, and points you in the right direction for great meals, entertainment and so much more. Trust me when I say, it’s a site that you’ll want to bookmark, for sure. Enjoy Marie’s interview and don’t forget to stop by GoodLooknOut to experience all its greatness for yourself!

ABOUT YOU + YOUR STYLE

Where are you from and what’s your occupation?

I’m from Pasadena, California but I currently reside in Sacramento, California. I am a woman of many hats, however currently, I’m a self employed Digital Strategist for a few folks.

How do you define your personal style?

My personal style is eclectic + minimalist. I like balance in my wardrobe, so I may wear all black one day with a signature accessory piece to set my whole outfit off.

Name 5 must have wardrobe staples every woman should own?

– Black Strappy heels

– Daisy Dukes

– Black pants

– The cutest white tee

– Gold sandals

ABOUT GoodLooknOut

How long have you been a blogger?

For a little over three years and it’s been a very interesting ride too!

What inspired you to start GLO and what is your vision for GLO?

I was unemployed, bored and pregnant! I read a lot of blogs and decided, hey, I can do this. Never thought I’d go psycho crazy and fall in love with it! My vision for GLO is to create an online destination, for women to share, learn and most importantly be inspired into growth. You know, look out for one another!

What is the definition of a GLO girl?

GLO Girl is witty, caring with a intense desire to help a fellow sista out. Pretty simple!

What’s the best and toughest thing about being a blogger?

The best thing about blogging are the relationships you form with other bloggers from all over the world. I’ve made friends with people, I’d never come to know in my usual day-to-day routine. I can go to any city and always find something fun to get into because of the relationships I’ve formed with bloggers from all over.

The toughest thing about blogging is being able to stomach trolls and negative comments. As bloggers, you put yourself out there for the world to see and, unfortunately, not everyone will like what you put out there. Some bloggers don’t even dare to read the comments after pressing the publish button and I know exactly why. Getting over the hump of not caring what others say or think is easier said than done.

ABOUT YOUR LIFESTYLE

What makes you happy & what inspires you?

Growth inspires me and makes me happy! I love the feeling of mastering something or being able to take a lesson from an experience. The relationship I’ve formed with myself and my higher power really keeps me going too. I love the fact that through faith, I’ve been able to always see the glass half full and “go with it”, so to speak. I’m also inspired by people who speak life into themselves and into others. You know those people you meet who make you want to do better, challenge you and have the unique ability to make you feel uncomfortable. These are the people my mind has always been attracted to. I find them and then I do what I can to keep them around.

As a wife, mother, and entrepreneur, how do you find balance in your everyday life?

I actually try my hardest to follow this zen checklist I created a few weeks back. It took me until 29 years of age (omg did I just reveal that) to realize that life without a sense of balance is no life at all. I’ve tried hard to take hold of my life with proper time management, scheduling time to do absolutely nothing and ensuring that I’m spending time cultivating my creative needs. Don’t get me wrong, there are still those times where I absolutely FAIL and nothing gets done AT ALL!

What are 3 things you do daily to maintain a healthy lifestyle?

(1) I go to boot camp three times a week, (2) try to eat as many small meals as possible throughout the day and (3) drink an insane amount of water, sans any soda whatsoever. This is the only way, I feel, you will make it in this process, junk food infested world.

Any advice for someone who’s trying to find their passion and purpose in life?

Stay focused, stay committed and stay in your creative space as much as humanly possible. Things don’t always come together until that moment you’ve worked so hard that even you think you’re about to go insane. Then, BAM things will slowly start piecing themselves together!

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Blogging + YouTube | What Should I Do?

October 7, 2014 by Whitney 12 Comments

I’ve been back and forth with my decision to head (back) to YouTube. I mean I was never really a huge YouTuber, but I did have a few thrifting videos here and there. Lately, I’ve been really feeling inspired to get back to it. Acting on it, well, that’s another thing.

I mentioned in this post that my YouTube days would return in late summer. As you can see that didn’t happen, lol. Yes, I’m still dragging my feet. But I have a good reason, lol. I’m thinking about making my channel a true extension of my blog. What would that entail? Without going into all the details, below are a few ideas I’ve been tossing around.

1. Making “Inspirational Tuesday’s” a weekly or bi-weekly YouTube segment

2. Introducing Style Bloggers and Entrepreneurs via-YouTube

3. Doing (my own) product reviews & monthly favorites

4. Exploring and filming my experiencing at shops, restaurants, etc. (local & non-local)

As I continue to blog, I don’t want to get stale. I think trying different approaches and new things is always a good idea. I also think listening to what your readers want is another important factor. That said, you know I have a question (or 2) coming! 😉

What do you think about YouTube in general? Did any of my ideas stick out to you? Do you have any suggestion of what you’d like to see me cover on YouTube? Let me know!

Don’t be shy. Comment below and let me know what you think. You can also contact me here with any ideas, suggestions and thoughts. Your feedback is appreciated and I truly appreciate how much love and support you all show me. It’s a blessing. Hope to hear form you all soon. Until then, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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5 Reasons Why I Love Audiobooks

September 30, 2014 by Whitney 11 Comments

I’ve always enjoyed reading books, but the older I get the more I realize I don’t make the time to actually sit down and read anymore. I have great intentions when it comes to reading books, really. But there’s something stopping me from sitting still long enough to indulge in a good read. If it’s not a blog post, a daily devotional or the Bible (app on my phone/iPad), it’s hard to make time to sit down and read. Thankfully I’ve been introduced to the world of audiobooks. Here are 5 Reasons Why I Love Audiobooks.

1. Great for Multitasking | Sure, it would be ideal to just sit and read a book for about 30 minutes to an hour a day. While I’m sure I can make the time to do so, I prefer listening to a book being read to me. I find that soothing. If I’m folding clothes or preparing dinner and I don’t want to watch TV or listen to music, listening to an audiobook is a GREAT go-to for multitaskers like me.

2. Perfect Driving Companion | As a die-hard music lover, I thought it’d be difficult to stop listening to music on the way to work in the mornings. But I was wrong. Listening to audiobooks is a great morning boost; especially if you purchase uplifting or motivational reads. I purchased Oprah’s This I Know for Sure audiobook from Walmart a few weeks ago. It’s been a great pick me up on the way to work.

5 Reasons You Should Give Audiobooks a Try #wnjreads

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3. It Saves Space | Let’s be honest – books tend to take up space and if you’re anything like me, you find it hard to get rid of things so easily. We had a bookshelf in our living room that was filled to capacity with old books from grade school to college. They sat there, collecting dust and taking up space. Investing in audiobooks eliminates finding a place to store yet another book on your bookshelf.

4. Perfect for Traveling | I used to pack at least 3-4 books with me before going on vacation. Thanks to my new found love for audiobooks, I don’t have to worry about carrying heavy books in my carry-on. If I want to catch up on a good book, I go to my audiobooks.com app and press play. If I’m going on a road trip, I pop in the audiobook CD and voilà!

5. Good for Note Taking | I’m a habitual note taker and when reading a (good) book, I jot down points, phrases, and other nuggets all the time. Listening to audiobooks makes it easier to record notes because, for one, you can pause the book and make the notes right in the “notes app” on your phone. Sometimes I have my journal nearby as I’m listening to a particular book and I find it so easy to walk over, jot down a note, and get back to what I was doing. I can easily refer back to the notes whenever I want.

So what do you think about audiobooks? Are you a fan? Have you downloaded an app or purchased any good audiobooks lately? Let me know!

As always, thanks for reading! I hope this post gave you a new perspective on reading. As I said before, if you have any recommendations, please let me know. Until tomorrow, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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OPRAH’S LIFE YOU WANT WEEKEND IN D.C., PART III – Final Moments & My Takeaways

September 26, 2014 by Whitney 4 Comments

Happy Friday! Today is the last recap of my experience at Oprah’s Life You Want Weekend in D.C. Day two, also my favorite day, was filled with a lot. Not only did we hear the trailblazers speak, but we were also schooled by Oprah. She had us complete three workbook activities; my favorite was entitled See Your Life Today. We were told to make a pie chart and divide it into slices based on the areas we chose from a group of words. We then had to draw a face, good, so-so and bad, into the slices based on how we felt about that area of our life.

This exercise helped put my daily life into perspective. From the looks of it, my spouse, family and spirituality are extremely important and I give those ares a good amount of attention. However, (enjoying) my hobbies and living a healthy lifestyle are areas I need to give more attention to. What I took from this worksheet was that while I have somethings to work on, I have time to do it and I will do better.

Towards the end of the day, I was able to meet the Paralympic athlete and Dancing With the Stars contestant, Amy Purdy. She presented the Toyota “Standing O’vation” Award to Jas Boothe, Founder and President of Final Salute, Inc. According to their website, Final Salute Inc. is a non-profit organization which believes in paying homeless female Veterans with the proper respects due to them for the service they have provided to our country. Final Salute also works with the Veteran in establishing a plan towards independence. I was honored to meet such an outstanding woman. Her passion for helping the Veterans in this program is immensely inspiring.

Meeting Amy was also a joy. Not only was I a fan of her dancing on DWTS last season, but I admire her strength in overcoming such a traumatic experience in her life. Her positive energy and bright smile is contagious and I really enjoyed our brief chat.

So tell me, which part of my Life You Want Weekend did you enjoy reading the most – Part I, Part II, or Part III? If you loved them all, that’s cool too. Let me know! 🙂

All in all, the Life You Want Weekend was truly a blessing. A lot was reconfirmed for me during those two days and I’m forever grateful for receiving such inspiration. I left the conference completely full and ready to continue living my life on purpose. I hope you’ve been inspired in some way after reading my 3-part recap. I pray you have a wonderful weekend. Until Monday, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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Oprah’s Life You Want Weekend in D.C., Part II – Trailblazers in Full Effect

September 24, 2014 by Whitney 6 Comments

Day 2 of The Life You Want Weekend in D.C. was my favorite. Not only did we complete workbook activities taught by Oprah (more of that in Part III), but we also had the opportunity to be inspired by the stories of 4 amazing trailblazers. The trailblazers included Elizabeth Gilbert, Iyanla Vanzant, Pastor Rob Bell, and Mark Nepo. Each speaker brought something different to the table and of course, I gained much insight from them all.

Mark Nepo

His calming nature captivated the audience as he began to speak about being a cancer survivor. That experience “rearranged his core“. He went onto explain that being present and holding nothing back is imperative to living the life you want. Another great point he shared was that in life, you take turns being the teacher and the student. We don’t know everything, but we do know somethings. It’s OK to sit back and be a student in life from time to time. And understanding that “no one can make it alone” ties into this as well. In life, we all need one another. There’s just no getting around it.

Elizabeth Gilbert

Elizabeth’s speech stuck with me the most. Walking out to the song “Brave” by Sara Bareilles let me know that we were in for a powerful message! Elizabeth’s strength and fearlessness is admirable. She made it clear that “if you want to change your life, don’ expect it to be easy and painless”. Going through different seasons in life is natural, but it can be difficult. The hard lessons, the lost friends, the scrutiny for certain decisions we make – it’s tough. But we can and will get through it. The life we want for ourselves is on the other side of all that we’re scared to go through, but after hearing Elizabeth speak I realize even more that it’s worth it!

Rob Bell

Rob Bell burst onto the stage full of energy! The takeaway from his portion can be summed up with his quote I shared on Instagram – “The life you want begins with embracing the life you have.” I couldn’t agree more. We can’t go through life expecting and wanting a better life if we don’t appreciate the life we’re already living. Being grateful and living in the now will prepare us for something even greater. Bell also pointed out that “we rush through the things that transform, shape and change us.” This hit home for me. It was a reminder to be constantly aware of how certain situations and moments change my life in a positive way.

Iyanla Vanzant

I was really looking forward to hearing this phenomenal woman all last week. I’ve been reading her books for years, thanks to my Mom, and being able to hear her speak was quite a treat! Iyanla pointed out a few things that made me go, “hmmm” and “ah, yes.” One of them being “when building a new life, be careful about who you hold onto and who you expose your self to.” That right there spoke volumes. As I continue to grow I’ve noticed that I’ve been very careful about those things. Another nugget she shared was that “in relationships, you have to have a vision.” I agree with this 100%. I believe that life is all about relationships, but more importantly it’s about the purpose of each relationship. We should ask ourselves from time to time, why are we building a relationship with a certain person? What do we plan on learning/or gaining from that relationship? Going back to the first lesson, be careful who you hold onto. Building a relationship with everyone you meet isn’t necessary. Lastly, Iyanla stressed the importance of learning to forgive yourself. We (may) struggle with this, but its important to do this in order to live the life we really want.

So tell me, which trailblazer do you think you would have enjoyed? Any takeaways from what the points I’ve shared? Let me know!

Be sure to come back Friday for my final recap of the event of my Life You Want Weekend in D.C. experience. I’ll be wrapping up my thoughts and sharing a few other things with you as well. Until then, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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