So, here’s the deal: I’m basically the leaking champion, gotta change my Depends at least 3 times a day. My bladder is a drama queen. I rock two Depends incontinence underwear simultaneously just to keep up with my bladder’s antics. Tried meds, even had Botox parties in my bladder—didn’t last longer than a Snapchat streak!
Next they’re talking Axonics Therapy, where they zap your nerves with a mini-implant. Sounds like a sci-fi plot twist, right? But it’s gonna cost me $3,000. I’m over here counting pennies, wondering if this fancy Axonics Therapy will actually work or leave me broke and still running to the bathroom!
I have multiple sclerosis. Diagnosed August 2021. Symptoms have been present for 20+ years. An invisible illness. I do not use a wheelchair or cane, therefore my illness is invisible… Unless you notice my struggle with balance. But even then one may simply assume I’m tipsy.
I suffer from urinary incontinence. The loss of bladder control. The severity ranges from occasionally leaking urine when I cough or sneeze to having an urge to urinate that’s so sudden and strong that I cannot get to a toilet in time.
My neurologist asked about the latest statistics on my bladder issues in my last appointment. Saying out loud that I leak 3-5 times a day felt like a punch. My doctor called it a “quality of life” issue. I’m so used to leaking that it has become a part of my identity. This isn’t normal. I don’t want it to be my normal. I have got to find $3,000.
Keep moving forward is the theme from the animated movie Meet The Robinsons. Have you seen it? It’s the story of an orphan, Lewis, finding his family.
There’s a scene in the movie when Lewis, a 12 year old aspiring inventor gathered his family at the dinner table to demonstrate his latest invention. A peanut butter and jelly dispenser gun. Everyone is standing around the table waiting to experience a peanut butter and jelly presentation that would end with tasty treats. Lewis tinkers with his invention for a bit. Turns his gadget on. It starts jerking and you know something is off. Then the entire family is splashed with peanut butter and jelly.
Lewis starts apologizing profusely. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. He was heartbroken. Lowering his head in disappointment.
The uncle gasps and then yells excitedly, “you failed” with a huge grin on his face. It was exceptional says his brother. “It was outstanding” says his cousin.
From failure, you learn. From success? Not so much.
Keep moving forward.
Life has been life-ing. For everyone lately. Global warming. Political polarization. Mental health issues. Healthcare access. Police brutality. Income inequalities. Inflation.
I remember walking to the McDonald’s with my next door neighbor as a teenager. Her parents had a huge vase of coins. We all were able to grab the $3.23 for our combos.
Now, a Big Mac Meal from McDonald’s is creeping too close to ten dollars. Inflation is everywhere.
This list goes. . .
Keep moving forward.
DDC
Lesson: Keep moving forward.
Question: What’s your go-to method for bouncing back from a bad day?
I absolutely love a reset. Yearly reset. Monthly reset. Weekly reset. Daily reset. A reset is a chance to start over. A reset is the opportunity of a new beginning.
“In the canvas of life, a new beginning is the brushstroke that paints the beauty of possibility. It’s not just a chance to start over; it’s an opportunity to craft a masterpiece, a chance to get it right, and an embrace of the endless potential that unfolds with every fresh start.”
I love to watch YouTube videos of people conducting their own resets. My favorite YouTuber MuchelleB is famous (to me) for the reset. She walks us through her resets with her Australian accent and I am always engrossed. So intrigued that I have rewatched her videos from 3-4 years ago with patience. It’s amusing to watch her older resets as she is using platforms that I am unfamiliar with. Have you ever heard of Things 3?
Every new year I make a list of lofty goals in several areas of my life that I dream to achieve during the year. I would spend weeks creating elaborate vision boards of my dreams for a successful year. Then I would not refer to that vision board until the next year to create the new vision.
This year is different. Totally different. In my Tamar Braxton voice. This year I am reviewing my annual goals on a weekly basis. Making plans for that week to progress towards the vision.
“A goal without a plan is just a wish, a dream waiting for the blueprint of action to bring it to life.”
How did I plan to achieve the beautiful elaborate vision board without a plan? Hence, the weekly reset. On a weekly basis I review the goals for the year and plan what needs to happen that week in order to achieve the bigger picture. This year I am using the tools I have learned from watching countless YouTube videos on how to achieve the desires of my heart.
DDC
Lesson: A reset is a weekly must.
Question: How do you prepare for a new week? A new month? A new year?
My mental health is being impacted by my job. I’m on edge daily. When I hear the ping of an instant message I immediately become afraid. Afraid wondering who it is from and afraid wondering if I have some how fallen short again. My anxiety is at an all time high lately and I’ve been needing my as needed Xanax prescription more than ever.
I dread meetings with my manager and his chief of staff.
The chief of staff put a meeting on my calendar at 3p on Monday and I was fearful that I was being fired. Turns out she wanted to discuss my questions about the medical insurance. That meeting could have been an email.
I realize I cannot continue my life in a constant state of fear. My resume has been updated. I will start applying for something else this weekend.
DDC
Lesson: I have to get out.
Question: Will someone else hire me in project management with three months of experience or am I stuck here?
Last week was mentally exhausting. I had dreams of burning bridges, sending honest email messages telling people exactly how I felt cursing them out with a professional twist, and throwing a couple laptops off the roof of a nearby 10 story building. I decided to focus on gratitude. It is always better to focus on the positives of life.
This week I am still choosing gratitude. Grateful for the challenges I am encountering because I know there will be a blessing on the other side.
DDC
Lesson: Joy will come in God’s timing.
Question: You have a choice. Change your situation or change the way you look at it. Which do you choose?
I asked ChatGPT for a cheat sheet on how to make life easier.
Here are the tips:
1. Prioritize and organize: Identify your most important tasks and create a schedule or to-do list to stay focused and productive.
I am creating daily time blocked agendas using the Notes app.
2. Delegate and ask for help: Don’t be afraid to delegate tasks or ask for assistance when needed. Sharing responsibilities can lighten your load.
I have enjoyed using Shipt to order groceries and get them delivered on a weekly basis.
3. Simplify and declutter: Streamline your physical and digital spaces by decluttering and organizing. This can reduce stress and make it easier to find what you need.
This month I plan to organize, declutter and significantly purge my clothes. My closet is currently jam packed with items I haven’t thought about or worn that need to be given to someone who can put use to them.
4. Practice self-care: Take care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Get enough sleep, eat nutritious food, exercise regularly, and make time for activities you enjoy.
Sleep is no stranger. We spend a lot of time together nightly and occasionally I will make the time for a midday nap to reset for the second half of the workday.
I met with my counselor Hope on Tuesday and will schedule biweekly calls with her.
I have become mindful of what I am eating with the goal of eating 80% paleo.
Starting Monday January 22nd I will begin a 60 day PiYo program. It’s a DVD I purchased 10+ years ago and will finally complete in 2024.
5. Set boundaries: Learn to say no to commitments that overwhelm you and establish healthy boundaries in your personal and professional life.
In an effort to save, I have decided to limit activities that cost money and begin saying, “no” to invitations from associates.
In addition, I am making a conscious effort to avoid energy sucking people, places, or things.
6. Automate and use technology: Explore tools and technology that can automate repetitive tasks or make your daily life more efficient.
I have set up a few expenses to auto debit to avoid late fees. I started using ChatGPT to create rough drafts of professional correspondence then editing them to sound like me.
7. Learn to manage stress: Incorporate stress-reducing activities into your routine, such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or engaging in hobbies that help you relax.
My Balance membership free trial is coming to an end soon and will cost $99 to renew for year two. I will research an alternative application that costs less annually or even utilize YouTube for meditation purposes.
One hobby I will be incorporating more of is creating vision boards on a monthly basis. Visioning brings me extreme joy.
Remember, making life easier is a continuous process, and it’s important to find what works best for you based on your individual needs and circumstances.
DDC
Lesson: I am working on making 2024 the best year yet.
Question: What new habits are you implementing to make 2024 your best year yet?
Be a YouTuber. Vlog my life. My development. Daily cleaning schedule. Do all the Routines I have been watching for the last few years
Future TED Talk Prompt in 20yr
How 2024 was the start to a new life for me. I became systematic implementing all the productivity content I have consumed. I created a successful YouTube career showing the new me. It went viral. I paid off my massive student loan debt by myself. Then bought a condo in Costa Rica. Became a dual citizen. How to not waste your life. Time management tools for the formally haphazard to systematic.
Obituary
DDC died in her sleep at the age of 85. In chapter 2 of her life she began to devote her time to living a healthy lifestyle and landed her dream career and thrived in those areas until her early retirement at 60 years old. While living she was able to become debt free and retired with millions in her financial portfolio. She is survived by her loving husband and successful well rounded son and extended family. She left her grandchildren generational wealth. Her family remembers her for good vibes, reliability, a go to in a clutch, and to always tell the hard truths. DDC was an active member in worship at Westside Baptist in Lewisville, Tx and Franklin Avenue Baptist in New Orleans, La. DDC started her first 75 Soft in 2023 then proceeded to live by the principles for the rest of her life. DDC wrote her memoirs discussing her life lessons and it was a New York Times best seller. Then gave a TED talk on the lessons which was the kick start of her world tour in motivational speaking.
Relationships
• People share memories of their experiences with me.
• How I made a positive impact on their lives.
• How watching me prosper made them also want to prosper
• My grandchildren would say that I was their biggest supporter.
• My son will say I taught him money management skills and left him generational wealth
• My sister will say I was the sunshine in every room
• My husband will say I was the love of his life. He was thankful to have me. He does not know who he would be without me
• I joined my auntie Tracy, uncle Larue, and Daddy in Heaven when I died in my sleep
Work/Achievements
• In 2024, I completed a career pivot from recruiting to project management.
• It started rough but then I got my footing and thrived for years managing processes and being a leader without authority.
• I had a stable career while being a motivator for everyone around me.
• I did well in my career. My focus was more on connection with people than on business
Setting Goals for 2024
Step 1 – Dream Without Limits
Want to learn?
Project mgmt principles. 1 Spanish. 3
Emotional intelligence. 1
Want to see?
My son graduate college. 3
Want to have?
Condo in Costa Rica. 10
Paid off car. 3
Healthy body. 3
Financial independence. 3
A pet. 3
Want to be?
Project Mgr w/ six figures. 3
Fully funded 401k. 10
Want to try?
60 day PiYo program. 1
Studying for CAPM. 1
Try different trails in DFW and Gonzales/ BR. 1
Want to do?
Experience DFW like a tourist. 1 Run a marathon. 3
6 mini adventures. 1
Want to go?
Howard Homecoming. 1
Costa Rica. 3
Europe. 10
Africa. 10
Want to create?
Book of happiness lists. 3
Want to contribute?
Good vibes. 0
Choose a volunteer organization to be an active member of. 3
Help people find their joy. 1
Want to overcome?
Sensitive feelings. 3
Loneliness. 1
Step 2
10 Year
Millionaire retirement acct. 10
Condo in Costa Rica. 10
No student loan debt. 10
5 Year
Travel. 5
Learn Spanish. 5
3 Year
Visit Costa Rica. 3
Project Mgr w/ six figures. 3
Get married. 3
PMP. 3
No consumer debt. 3
Be a yogi. 3
1 Year
CAPM. 1
• Why? Healthy foundation in PM knowledge. Letters on my name.
• When? 2nd quarter.
• How? Take prep course in April. Study 2hr/ wk day in qtr 2. Schedule exam for July 1. Start with Google PM certification. Apply for Google scholarship through Black MBAs.
3 Mini Adventures in DFW. 1
• Why? Go out w/ a bang in DFW. Do the touristy stuff I have yet to do. Have no DFW regrets.
• When? Feb. Mar. Apr. The w/e of the 15th.
• How? Select 1 DFW Attractions per month. i.e. JFK Museum. Reunion Tower. Perot Museum. Six Flags. Fort Worth Stockyards.
YouTube posts weekly. 1
• Why? Posting my life will encourage me to be consistent with doing all the things. I struggle with remembering the details of life. Posting will be my virtual memories. The goals are accountability, forward movement, and memories.
• When? Will record weekly wrap ups on Sundays. Edit on Monday and Tuesday. Then post on Wednesdays.
• How? Take Ali Abdaal’s YouTube content creator course. Create a practical plan.
I went from a $4 billion company to a company who paid my first paycheck through Zelle. Real talk. I feel like Molly from HBO Insecure when she started at the Black law firm and was known for saying, “at my last firm…”
I loathe my boss. I really despise him. Just thinking about him angers me. If I were a cartoon character, I’d have red fire coming from my ears right now. My boss has a way of talking to me as if I was a complete idiot. I am already a sensitive person. Those two things don’t go together well. So I cry. I cry after our interactions every few days. I get anxiety when I receive communication from him. I finally found my entrance into the world of project management. But it came at the expense of my peace.
A few of my friends told me I should quit. Maybe I should. The truth is I have $31.72 in my checking account. As much as I would love to curse a couple people out and go out with a bang I cannot afford to quit right now.
DDC
Lesson: I do not have to like my job. But I damn sure better work like I appreciate what the job affords me. The utility company does not care about my likes.
Question: Anybody hiring for project coordinators?
DDCANDTHECITY 