Time Management & A Pew

It's time to figure out some sort of time management for my life!  Since becoming an insurance agent, our schedules and my emotions have been on one crazy roller coaster ride! 
 I have decided now that corn planting is upon us, 
and the winter slowness of farming has come to a halt, 

I better get my act together!

0ur 6 row planter is small, but it gets the job done! 

You might remember this post about my 2014 word.  

That little gal, sits in the corner of my credenza 
in my office, where I can see her daily. 

 I have to admit, sometimes she has been intimidating!  

You know, that wild red hair, a flag that says BE BRAVE, 

when all I want to do is crawl under my desk!  

My grandaughter changed her dress 
the other day when she was in the office,

 so "BRAVE GIRL" has two occupations.  

Entertain small children and motivate grown woman!  

 I actually put her in the desk drawer the other day, 

it was one of those days!

But she's back out now!

I can put the doll in the drawer and try to hide.  But it won't last forever, eventually facing the decisions to be 

made and heading down a path of unknown!

 So I need to get organized, say no to somethings, set schedules, expect less perfection of myself, don't worry about what others think so much, help as many people as I can,
and become who God intended me to be.
Even if it isn't what I think is right for my life! 

First and foremost, my family deserves 

the best momma and wife I can be!

Which means that replenishing my soul is 

essential in daily and weekly living.  

Quality time and conversation with them is a must. 

Nourishing the talents I have been given, 
and caring for others is important.  

Gathering information and reaching others 
will enhance not only my life but theirs I hope.

More to be done as well but I won't 
go into full detail here!

But let me ask you, are you in the midst 
of re-organizing or changing some things in your life?  
Where do you gain perspective or information to aide you? 

One of my main sources is my spouse of course.  
My friends and even my Pastor aide 
me in my journey of decisions. 
 And on occasion a stranger or
 acquaintance will help me see the light!
I continue to try to make God the first to turn to in 
both joys and struggles.  
Prayer and in the word aides me, 
I need to work on that, to place it first and do it more.   

We are coming upon Holy week.  
Although it will be a week full of evening busyness most nights, I plan to remind myself that there was a 
much larger sacrifice given for me many years ago.  

I will find myself in the small blonde pew several times this week, I plan to forget the list of to do's and how hard it may be to get my 6 year old up the next morning.  
Small sacrifice, huge benefits, 
and remembering the meaning of the season.

Holy week only comes around once a year but the reminders of the events are relevant on a 
daily basis for my living all year long.

May grace be upon your life and may you find your way to a pew this Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, 
Good Friday, and Easter Sunday.  
(And many more times throughout the year!)

Thanks for stopping by!
Julie

8 Weeks & My 2014 Word!

The year is winding down and I'm sure I should review 2013, but I have a hard time thinking back past December. So since the new year is almost upon us, I find myself looking to it instead.

I realized recently that as of January 1,  I am heading into the downhill run of the probation period of my career change. Eight weeks to be exact to reach what's been set forth.

Yep! Can you believe I have only eight weeks to "fill my contract" or I get to look for different work?  I know, that sounds harsh and possibly a little negative, but it is what it is.  Honestly I am not out to be the largest producer, I'd just like to stay ahead of the game to keep the worry at bay, and take care of people.   Those of you that know me personally know that serving others is part of my character, not the almighty dollar!

I'm at a good point right now, breaking even so to speak.  But things slowed down over the holidays, which is expected, but a new year means "let's get serious and get down to business"!  At times I find myself excited and ready to hit the ground running, other times I find myself deep in the worry of darkness that keeps me from even putting 

my tennis shoes on for a walk!  

God has provided some wonderful opportunities for me in the past four months tho, some real "hello remember I'm here to take care of you moments" and "where is your faith in me moments".  I'm not sure where this path will go, but I do know that I am feeling more "comfortable" with this new gig more often than not.  I just wish it was easier to get in front of people, to get them to allow me to share my knowledge, practice my trade, and possibly help them out.  Just by spending an hour with me, it helps me immensely, even if they choose not to write insurance with me.

So comes the second part of this post.......

I read somewhere that people sometimes choose a word each year to focus on, instead of resolutions or in addition to them.  The word BRAVE keeps coming to mind.  When I think of this word usually a couple things occur in my mind.

First..... this.....

http://movies.disney.com/brave

Probably because I have a five year old in the house!

Second.... this song...... you can pick which version you like....

From the bible.......

Deuteronomy 31:6

"Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them. For it is the Lord your God who goes with you.  He will not leave you or forsake you."

I think I found my word for 2014.

BRAVE

I feel being brave will aid me in many avenues of my life, not just my professional one.  The path that lies ahead will take bravery and courage.

What would your word be?  Ponder for a moment and see what comes to mind.  If you feel like sharing, please comment below or on our Facebook page.  I'd love to know!

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a blessed 2014!

Julie

\

PS.
I came home today to find this in my mailbox.
I have the BEST friends! :)

The Success of An Occupation

In any occupation there are certain things that must be done to be successful.  For example, in the occupation of a farmer the following may apply.

• Understanding the crops , when they are to be planted, germinate & need to be harvested.
• Continuing to educate oneself on the newest information while holding fast to the knowledge of the past.
• Ability to work long hours during certain  periods.
• Can't be afraid to get dirty and sweaty or get chilled to the bone while working in the snow or sleet.

These are just a few things that aide in creating a successful farmer.  I could go on but my destination isn't about farming today.  It's about my career choice.  My occupation.

Most of you know that my occupation changed recently and I am now an insurance agent.  The company I work for is a multi-line organization that has been around for many years.  Switching from being an office staff member to an insurance agent has encompassed many things.  I've learned SO much in a short period of time I feel like my brain may burst! :)

I wanted to talk about success in regards to my occupation.  I'm a person that success isn't based on the amount of money that I bring home in my paycheck.  Am I on 100% commission - Yes.  Is it scary when I think about it - Yes.  Do I need to support my family- Yes. Also, if I do not reach the expectation set forth by my company I will be unemployed. 

But I am honest when I say that my abilities play a prominent role in how I feel about the success in my career.

To be a success in my career takes the following:

• Honesty.
• Educating others.
• Customer service.
• Collecting accurate data.
• Continuing to have activity. (Example: 20 opening appts per month).
• Providing a solution to the problem that my client may have.
• Calling on new prospects and marketing.
• Time management and delegation to staff members.
• Asking for help and doing joint work with other agents.
• Taking time for myself and family.
• Learning that when someone says no, they aren't saying it forever, it's a deferred yes!
• Learning when someone says no, don't take it personally.
• Ask for referrals, referrals, referrals!
• God. Put my armor on from HIM daily.
• Place a reminder of God,  in my view.  (As of this week, there is a bright beautiful blue ESV bible next to my computer).

This isn't everything but I think it's a good base.  Mastering these things will create in me successful abilities that will then in turn create a successful career.

Some of these things are easy for me, others are extremely hard.  Hard to the point I wonder some days if I made an error in this career choice.  But then there are days when I have provided coverage for what is most important to a person, and I know this is where God wants me to be.  Days when I love talking about the products and what they can do for someone, and I hear them say "thank you for this eye opening experience."

I'm only a couple weeks in, and I will be honest.  It's hard and this transition for my family and myself has us struggling some days.  I'm fortunate because I do have a husband that is supportive and doesn't mind that he has taken over primary care for our daughter and the home.  Eventually we will not be in a transition, and a new routine will feel "normal." 

From time to time, I will probably write about insurance because I do like to educate about it.  I do like to talk about it, I mean I've spent 18 years in the industry, that's probably evidence enough. I hope you don't mind this being added to our little blog! 

I'd like to ask for participation here.  What is it that  you find helps you to be successful in your career?  What small (or large) bit of knowledge could you share with me to aide me for success?  Perhaps you just have a suggestion.  I'd like to learn - from you- the followers of In Between the Sunsets of Life.

So comment here or on our Facebook page or email me privately.  I encourage the interaction!

Thanks for stopping by!
Julie

Links you might be interested in:

Farm Bureau Financial Services

Life Happens

Short video