January Monthly Poll

Well, here it is! We've completed our first month of Monthly Holidays! The theme of January appears to be that of reinvention, a new start and/or being yourself. I'm not sure that any months have National Month themes so closely linked. 

Anyway as promised, here's the link to the Monthly Poll. The poll will run until the end of February, with the results being revealed shortly after.  

Check back tomorrow to learn about what February has in store!

*POLL CLOSED* Results can be found by clicking here. 

National Reach Your Potential Month/National Mentoring Month

Going with the theme of many of the January Monthly celebrations, National Reach Your Potential Month and National Mentoring Month are the focus of this post. 

So, how does one reach their potential? What is potential, anyway? Well, I’ll tell you! Potential can mean many things, but for the purposes of this theme, it is the “inherent ability or capacity for growth, development, or coming into being,” or “having possibility, capability, or power.” In other words, potential is the very thing you can be. It is something to strive towards. Perhaps the most challenging part of reaching your potential is realizing what that potential actually is! This is particularly the case, as we don’t often like to think about where we’d like to be in any constructive or realistic way. The key to maximizing on hitting your potential is to thing positively of not only yourself, but also the possibilities for yourself. Once you can identify what you are capable of (and I’m willing to bet, its far greater than you actually realize!), it’s necessary to set goals and shoot for whatever it is you’re setting out to achieve. Interestingly, this falls into the meaning behind each of the themes from this month. 

Now that you’ve identified what your potential is, it’s time to get started, right?! But, maybe you’ve realized you’re not exactly skilled in a particular aspect. Maybe you want to be an architect, but physics isn’t really your thing (see what I did there? Another form of potential is used in physics! Lame, I know…) or, you want to be a writer, but editing isn’t your strong suit, or maybe you’re an excellent cook, but you don’t have the basic business skills you require to start up that café you’ve always wanted. Well, there are ways to get around that. One of them is to hire or find someone else to handle those aspects for you. But, a better, more potential seeking way is to gain the knowledge from someone else. Enter the Mentor. A mentor, or mentorship is “a personal developmental relationship in which a more experienced or more knowledgeable person helps to guide a less experienced or less knowledgeable person.” Mentors are great actors for reaching potential. Having an individual you can trust and learn from strengthens not only your skillset, but also your character as a person. The best mentorships involve environments where the mentor and protégé/apprentice/mentee are learning from each other. Life long learning is a key to reaching potential, and building lasting relationships.

(Image found at: http://smartfulcoaching.com/inspiration/your-best-self/attachment/reaching-full-potential-speedometer-tracking-goal/) 

National It's Okay To Be Different Month

So, you know that song that states, “One of these things is not like the other”? Well, that’s what today’s post is all about – being different. January is National It’s Okay To Be Different Month. 

You know, it’s always struck me as odd that society makes such a big deal over those who are different, when really I can’t name any two people that are exactly the same. Why does society strive to push us towards conformity, when it’s unrealistic to think that everybody can be the same? I mean, sure, many of us share similar interests. But, that doesn’t mean we are the same. Okay, so maybe my feelings on this matter are the result of being that “different” kid. In fact, pretty well my entire life, I have been the kid who was unlike the rest. For starters I was from the only family whose parents were divorced growing up, and actually had parents tell my mother they couldn’t hang out with me for that reason. I had my own style, I was taller than everyone, I had red hair, I dyed it, I had my nose pierce when I was in grade 5, the list goes on. I was different. But, you know what, I actually value that about myself. Sure, it may feel good to be accepted, and to sometimes “fit in” with what’s “normal,” but really, it feels even better to be able to walk with my head held high, knowing that who I am is perfectly fine. So, this month (although I realize by the time this is posted it’s almost over), embrace what makes you different, because there is nothing wrong with it. It is, indeed, okay to be different. And, I’d even go so far as to say, there’s nothing better than being different!

Speaking of being different…apparently there are several different Sesame Street "One of these things" videos. Check them out...

And, so, so many more!

National Get Organized Month

Following in the theme of self-fulfillment, January is also home to National Get Organized Month. Many see January as a fresh start, and an opportunity to either try new things, or accomplish what was not achieved in years prior. It’s also a time that many use to organize thoughts and set goals to work towards both on the short-term and long-term. So, it seems fitting that this would be National Get Organized Month! There are several ideas and ‘tips’ that are thrown around when someone is looking at trying to become more organized. Some of the most popular suggestions are:

• Writing out what you wish to accomplish/how or where you want to be more organized.

• Doing a task immediately, instead of pushing it off to a later time (also helpful for those of us who intend on doing it later put can’t remember when that ‘later’ time comes!).

• Make a calendar, notebook, or some other form of tracking instrument your bestfriend!

• Colour coding

• ‘Make’ a place for everything, and return it as soon as you’ve finished using it (dishes, laundry, stapler, car keys, etc.)

• And, so, so many more!

• I tried to seek out a good site to refer you to, as a means of providing tips to become organized, but it appears that there are many out there, each with their strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, instead of doing so, I suggest doing a quick Google search to find one that you feel comfortable with.

Becoming organized can be a challenging task, but one that is usually met with some level of gratification. In most cases, it is easier said than done. However, it is said that it takes two weeks for something to become a habit. And, should you slip up a time or two (which is likely AND normal), just jump back on board as soon as possible! Best of luck to those of you on the path to organization!

National Hobby Month/International Creativity Month

January is home to several interesting Monthly celebrations, which seems fitting, since January is generally associated with fresh starts and learning new skills in the wake of New Years Resolutions. Two Monthly celebrations taking place in January are National Hobby Month and International Creativity Month.  National Hobby Month is a celebration of all things hobby – both new and on going! A hobby is “a regular activity done for pleasure.” Examples of hobbies include: stamp collections, reading, sports, music, crafting, photography, cooking, gardening, and so many more. With so much choice, it can either be extremely difficult or easy to find a hobby you might enjoy. But, being as the entire month is dedicated to hobbies, it gives you ample time to figure it out! Some of my hobbies include travelling, writing, card making and most recently photography and filming. For those of you unsure how to even get started or what to choose, here’s a link to a website that claims to be the “Ultimate Directory for Finding and Learning New Hobbies.” Happy Hobby-ing!
 Since many hobbies include some sort of creative flair, it makes sense that January would also be International Creativity Month. The purpose of this celebration is “to remind individuals and organizations around the globe to capitalize on the power of creativity.” It also serves as “an opportunity to take a fresh approach to problem-solving and renew confidence in our creative capabilities.” Randall Munson, a motivational speaker from the United States, created International Creativity Month. His hope in doing so was, and most likely continues to be, was to inspire others to find their creativity and use it in an ever-changing, technology-filled world. So, let’s take one for Mr. Munson, and get our creativity levels flowing! You could maybe even challenge yourself to doing something creative that you wouldn’t normally do or consider! And, who knows…maybe it might turn into a new hobby!

National Thank You Month

Well, this may not come as a surprise since January is home to International Thank You Day, but January is also known as National Thank You Month! 

I think it’s important to take sometime to reflect on all that we have and to actually be thankful for it. Sometimes we forget just how lucky we are. Even when times are tough and we don’t think that we are, we are lucky. So thank you to each of you reading this blog, and a special big thank you to those of you who have followed the blog from the start. 

What or who are you thankful for? Let us know in the comments section below!
 Until next time, folks!