ME FIRST: Everybody Needs A Plan!

I know there is something that you  always dreamed of doing, some place that your are dying  to go, there is some idea or thought that has been tugging at you for a while now and you just don't know what to do with it. So, you need a plan, a vision...!

Right now I have the NYC itch. Every one to two years I get the itch to go to the city, and it will not go away until my feet land on Manhattan's crowded sidewalks. The thing is I just left New York a month and a half ago, but the big apple itch is driving me crazy, so I am thinking about going to hang out in the city for a couple of days Solo....no one appreciates the city like I do.

Since I have never been to the city alone I would think that I need some sort of plan, you know, so I will know where I am staying, what subway stops are near. Will I have friends in town? It doesn't have to be a schedule with the times blocked out  ( I think that would be a little to much) but something to at least guide me.

So that's my point, something to guide you...you have that dream, that thing, that idea, that itch, that thought but do you have a plan that will take you from start to finish? If you don't please sit down and jot down the path that its going to take to get where you want to be. This will give you an idea of what you are going to have to do, sacrifice, or manage to get that idea off your chest. For example it would be ideal for me to pick a date for my NYC trip, and start looking for plane ticket ( as we know the earlier the cheaper), figuring out where I would want to stay and a budget. Those are the key things that are going to make the trip happen. So if you want to loose the weight, grow your hair out, travel across country, or whatever it is you need a plan.  Here are five steps to help you with your plan:

1.Figure out your purpose: Where are are going, What are you doing, What goal are you trying to achieve.
It would be ideal to write your purpose in goal format with a deadline
2. What is it going to take?  You should be writing down all the tasks that you can think of to get you to your goal.
3. What do I have to give? Write down all the things that you would have to sacrifice in order to reach your goal. A very useful piece of information I would think.
4. What will I have to spend? Creating a budget for your endeavor will help you identify if reaching the goal is monetarily possible by the deadline or in general.

I haven't written my plan for a weekend in the city just yet, I'm still thinking about it. If I decided to get lost in  the big apple, I'm sure my plan will be up for you to see.

Hint: Don't just do one plan, do several for the big projects and small tasks. I promise it will help! Go for it.

Shameka

Note from Shameka: I'm Back

So I took a little break! Being a full time student and career women sucked up my time the last couple of months. Have no fear, summer is here and I am ready to devote some TLC to SheMogul, creating pieces that you will enjoy reading.

I guess I should explain my plan for the summer so you will know what to expect from SheMogul. Inspired by Demtria Lucus and her blog A Belle in Brooklyn where she muses on dating, how to-and how not to, I have decided to do a summer series. Lucus's first book hits stores this month. You can read more about Demtria here at BlackEnterprise.com. Demetria inspired me because she created what she wanted to see. She did not just wait for it to happen. She wanted a platform for black women to discuss  their relationship situations, issues, and problems with out judgement, so she created it. All I can say is Bravo! Many of us aspire to create the lives that we want to live but never seem to be able to get a running start.

Well SheMogul is my running start! I plan to spend the next seven weeks pouring my heart into it, trying to discover the secret to being dope, fly, bad, a boss, a leader in my own right. An ICON!  I want it all ladies, and I plan to have. For me wanting it all does not mean to have billions in the bank ( although that would be nice ;) ). I mean discovering how to be that fierce business woman, soft-loving girlfriend or wife, nurturing mother, and giving sister and daughter.  I strive to be well rounded. I am excited to announce the SheMogal summer series Me First! Me First is all about discovering and rediscovering who you are, and what you want.  It is a must if you are trying to go to the next level. I really can't wait. First on the agenda, book review: Black Women Redefined : Dispelling Myths and discovering Fulfillment in the age of Michelle Obama. I have gotten through the first 30 pages of the book and I must say that it is amazing.  If you don't have it, definitely pick it up.

More to come..... Keep reading!

Shameka

Project Go Green 2011

           

 

 Okay ladies, I thought that a great topic for this month would be to go green. Whether we realize it or not, we all have a responsibility to this planet. I know I'm guilty of taking the longest showers, tossing gum papers on the ground. I can be the worst sometimes. Now I just want to become more conscious of what role I play in helping out our environment. It is important to do our best to keep our world in the best shape possible for our children and our children's children as well.

            The 40^th Annual Earth Day will be held on April 22, 2011. My goal is to share this information with my fellow readers in hopes that we all will become more environmentally friendly by Earth Day and for the rest of our lives.

This is a great site about going green in all areas of your life.

12 Important Pro*Earth Techniques:

1.    When washing your clothes use cold and warm water instead of hot because 90% of energy is used in heating of the water.(Just make sure to get a washing detergent which works in cold water)

2.    Eliminate your junk mail. You will help out the environment by eliminating unnecessary paper flow.

3.    Switch to Compact Fluorescent Bulb (CFL's) because they use 75% less energy than incandescent and they last 10 xs longer.

4.    Run full dishwasher loads, it saves 20 gallons of water per load.

5.    Turn the water off while you are brushing your teeth, you will save water.

6.    Do not overload your dryer, and clean the lint filter after every load.

7.    Use the microwave rather than your oven to reheat meals; it uses less time and energy.

8.    Download software from internet instead of buying the package, it saves on resources.

9.    Bring reusable bags to the grocery store, this also saves on resources.

10. Whenever possible, walk to the places you need to go.

11. Use your cruise control when driving long distances.

12. Buy hand soap in bulk and continue to refill one soap dispenser.

There are many ways to go green; these are just twelve I picked. You're looking for more ways to help out? You should check out this site or this site. My goal is to start doing the best I can to conserve energy and resources for our planet. It starts with one right? Will you join? I see it as being more conscious and changing our perspective. Our resources are a blessing; let us make sure that the ones after us have the opportunity to use them as well. Earth Day is almost here!!!

~Shantell~

I have the right to shine

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate but that we are powerful beyond measure.

 

Marianne Williamson

 

This is one of my favorite quotes. I read it every time I am in a situation where I feel qausi confident. I have half the mind to paint the words on my bedroom walls in hot pink. Wouldn't it be an instant pick me up in the morning. This quote helps me remember that I have the right to shine, and you do to.

 

Shameka

Relaunching SheMogul

Hey Ladies,

I know that I have not been posting lately. Don't worry, SheMogul isnt going anywhere. I will be relaunching the blog, and I will also have tons of great content for you to read. April 1st will be the day! Look out for SheMogul goodies.

Thanks for reading,

Shameka

It's never to late!!!

I stood at the barre watching myself in the mirror imagining that I could perform an effortless pirouette. I could feel the blood rushing through my veins. I was super excited to be a part of the beginners ballet class. I had been juggling the idea around in my head for years, then I was plagued by fear of being the only adult in a beginners ballet class. I could see the little girls in their tutu's laughing at me. Finally being able to afford the classes was definitely as issue.
Now it has all come together and every Thursday night I put on my pink ballet shoes and I stand in first position waiting on my instructor to show me how to do a correct Tendu. The amazing part about the whole experience is that the women in my class are all different shapes, sizes, and come from different back grounds. I thought I would stick out like a sore thumb but instead I blend right in with the women who are pursuing their interests.

I can't explain to you how good it feels to follow a dream. It makes life worth living! Now my question for you is what is your dream and why are you not following it? Is it because you have a full time job? Kids? Not enough money? What????? What is it that is holding you back? First you must figure that out before you can go on!

Shameka

Fairly Legal!!!!!

I recently had an unexpected surgery. My gallbladder had to be removed, it was rotten. Well that is what Dr. West told me. So I have spent the last fourteen days hold up either in the hospital or on my mom's couch afraid to move because my stomach muscles were beyond sore. So what else is a girl to do besides watch the tube all day.
 I got to catch up on all the shows that I have been missing due to work or school, and I found a new show to add to my weekly line up. My Thursday nights belong to Fairly Legal. It airs at 10 p.m. eastern time on USA.



The one hour drama aired on January 20 2011 on the USA network with 3.9 million viewers. The show is centered around Kate Reed ( Sarah Shahi) a lawyer turned mediator who is dealing with her recent fathers death. Her geeky assistant Leonardo Prince (Baron Vaughn) is often covering for her when her young step mother Lauren Reed ( they hate each other) is looking for her. Kate is often called to mediate called suddenly to mediate or finds herself in situations where she is acting as a mediator.

I fell in love with the first show after watching the first episode. Add it to your Thursday night line up and tell me what you think.