I know, I know. It’s been a while. I swear I’ve been training to become the next Super Woman…no wait, Wonder Woman. Life has been a whirlwind, and that’s an understatement. Between an October wedding with Seven + Charm and our annual enrollment season at job numero uno, I don’t even know what hit me! WHEW! All that to say, I’m sorry to my readers; I have not been neglecting you. I mean, I have, but not on purpose. I’ve just been tackling life’s curveballs, with the bases fully loaded--Go Astros!
   Today though, let’s talk about time since that has been my arch nemesis lately. I never thought I’d say it, but sometimes it really does seem as though there aren’t enough hours in a day. It seems so cliché, yet so true. How in the world have I planned and coordinated a wedding for a customer, dealt with municipal government woes at work, and begun planning my own big day, but I can’t even tell you how I did it? Sad. What I can tell you is that I have become the queen of prioritization. And I’ve learned to prioritize by being involved in a lot of things—relationships, sports teams, school, work, owning a business. The most important thing to know is that all of the stress, sleepless nights, long hours--they're all temporary. Your time is coming and you have to be the first one to believe it! Let me share with you a few things I do to get my life together (often):
1. Get all priorities straight—Sooooo… I don’t know about you, but I think everything is important. That may come across as a bit dramatic, but I’m sure what you don’t think as important is important to someone else! Listen. There will always be work to do—you’re not going to finish it all. Get over it. Sit down and take a minute to write down all the things you need to get done urgently, and then rank them by order of importance.
2. Limit the time spent on each task—I hate to break it to you Sista’. You aren’t perfect and neither are the rest of us. The law of diminishing returns shows that doing a certain task for short amount of time may be a great investment, but spending too much time on it can be in fact a waste of time.
3. Implement discipline—Stay focused. This is my most difficult task. I should probably be medicated. It takes a lot of concentration for me to stay focused for a long period of time. Work this task. Stay disciplined when working to produce something great. It will help in the long run.
4. Get help—Don’t try to be Super Woman, girl, boy, or man. Outsource what you can! Get a friend or another vendor to take on the tasks that you’re not as good at. Typically, what would take you hours, they can do in half the time.
5. Sprint when you can (because I always have to throw a track reference in there)—You may be the only one holding it down, and that’s okay, but sometimes you need to run. Run hard and run fast. If you’re a small business, generate as much income as you can in a short period of time. If you work a 9-5, work your hardest to get ahead. This will allow you time to relax, reflect, and possibly hire other employees. You got this!
   Like Katy Perry says, “heavy is the head that wears the crown, don’t let the greatness get you down”. Umm…amen. Sing it Katy.
 
Cheers! XoXo
AJ

   So, I'm going to be honest with y'all. I've been avoiding this moment. The moment where I actually sit down to write my first blog that could potentially lead to the book everyone continues to tell me I should write. Yeah...
Perplexed, I lay here thinking, "what the heck do I write about that people will actually want to read?" And then it clicked--talk about the thing you know best, DUH! Talk about yourself; your strengths and weaknesses, your goals and tribulations, things you've been through, breakthrough moments; talk about success and happiness and what that looks like.
   So, to begin, let's start with some background info. Obviously my name is Ashley. I live in Texas (hence the "y'all" earlier on). I wasn't born here, nor was I raised here, but I've actually learned to love good ol' Dallas; I like to say it's where I grew up. You know, experienced life and became a real woman. I, however, am not a Cowboys fan and never will be. FLY EAGLES FLY!
   I came to Dallas by way of California, and Arizona, and Nevada too, I guess. Born in San Diego, I most definitely have the west coast gene--love the beach... when the water is warm! We moved to Chandler, AZ when I was 8 years old which was a TOTAL culture shock! The only thing I remember is the smell of cows, living next to a cotton field, and being the only black kid in my class who "talked white". So exciting...
I grew up playing sports. Played soccer, volleyball, ran track, was a cheerleader, did gymnastics. Got to experience a little bit of everything. As I got into high school, I realized that track would take me places, so I focused on that as well as improving the love-hate relationship we had. I ultimately went to the University of Nevada (GO PACK!) on a full ride track scholarship. Thought I was the bees-knees until day one of practice when I nearly died...literally. Shortness of breath, dizziness. It had gotten real! Long story short, I broke a few records, sat at the top of a couple “All Time Best” lists, and cruised my way right through undergrad. I remember coming home after my freshman year and telling my parents I wanted to be an Interior Design major. They looked at me, with straight faces, and said, "no you do not." So, Pre-Med it was!
   Graduation came and went and real life was beginning to set in. I enrolled in graduate school at the University of Texas and started my journey. At first I kept thinking how dumb I was to move to a city where I knew NO ONE, but at the same time it was a fun challenge. I had my occasional break downs and got homesick a lot, but it was all worth it. I was becoming an adult; a real life adult, which was cute, I suppose. I know my parents thought it was cute because it kept me out of their pockets, until the struggle got real, which was probably fairly often now that I look back. I graduated with a masters degree in Healthcare Administration, not to be confused with Administrative Assistant (yes, someone has said that before) and have yet to do anything related to the $64,000 degree that I have.
   Right now, I'm a Human Resources Manager by day and an event planner by night/weekend. I love love love helping people, so I'd venture to say that's why I love both of my jobs. My HoneyBunz and I are in the midst of starting a consulting firm which will allow us to bring both of our expertises together in an effort to help even more people. Super excited about that!
   All that to say, I have so much going on, yet so much to look forward to! This journey that we, as women, are on, is not for the weak or the faint of heart. The future is extremely promising and bright. My hope is to encourage gals of every age, color, nationality, size, and sexual orientation. I want girls and women to know that YOU are capable of whatever you put your mind to; and while it sounds so cliché, it is so true. As women, we have an incredible power--femininity!
   Come along this journey with me. Read, share, and experience real life girl power...and a few laughs!

Cheers! XoXo
AJ