Meeting Minutes Can Save Your Projects And Your Time

Mar 9, 2018

Posted by | 302 Comments

Just recently, I was working with an acquaintance on a small project. We didn’t document our first initial conversation about a potential project. The project moved forward only to find out that our understanding of the roles and responsibilities differed.  Even though two of the three people involved had the same understanding, person number three didn’t remember it quite the same way. It caused delays, confusion and ultimately the project was postponed. Now, if we had meeting minutes from our initial phone conversation, we would have a basis to refer back to as proof.

As a new entrepreneur, our plates are always full. When you start a new venture, you more than likely will do everything yourself: marketing, sales, IT, accounting, customer service, and there’s no administrative assistant that you can call on.

With an already full day, who has time to add another task to that ongoing list? I sure don’t. But as challenging as it is, to do everything on my own, the one task I try to make a habit of is taking meeting minutes. It’s a simple task that can be easily forgotten especially when you are working for yourself.

Our brains are full of to-do’s as entrepreneurs and as humans we forget.

Writing down key points from a meeting, specifically, meetings that happen over the phone can save you time, in some cases money and a whole lotta hassle in the future.  It can clarify any discrepancy’s when speaking again with a potential, partner, vendor or client.

If each person walks away with two different understandings of the original conversation and there’s no documentation, it can hurt the potential of a project. It can be something as simple as spending too much time rehashing specifics that were already discussed. Which happened in my case.

Meeting minutes don’t have to be extremely formal it can be simple or as complex as you need it to be. You can find a ton of free simple templates online to get you started.

Like this one, (download for free)

You can create your own template. It should include at the very least,

  • The date of the call
  • Who attended the call
  • The purpose of the meeting
  • The key things to remember during the meeting (actions, next steps, to-dos)
  • The outcome

Send a copy of the meeting minutes to everyone at least 24-48 hours after the call. This gives them a chance to challenge or confirm what was said during your call.

After that, you’re off to the races! You now have your expectations, who said what and what actions to take until you meet (or speak) again.

Cheers!

Photo via

 

 

Read More

Five Things I’ve Learned About Worrying And Why It Really Doesn’t Help

Feb 22, 2018

Posted by | Leave a Comment

Photo: www.nappy.co

Over the years I’ve been told that I worry too much. Especially, when I was younger. As I get older, I’m much better at taming that worrying beast. I think worrying is natural, especially being a mother. When you’re responsible for someone’s life, it’s more than likely you’ll worry about them. Your mind is constantly trying to confirm if you’re actions as a parent is right or wrong.  Life naturally causes us to worry about bills, our families, being successful and just about anything you can think of.

It requires a different way of thinking to change how you deal with worry and worrisome situations.  It takes time and maturity for the most part. As you grow and gain different life experiences, you realize worrying really doesn’t help you. There’s no benefit to it. You get better at learning not to sweat the small stuff, deal with the big stuff and you gradually figure out what is truly important. Some people do breathing exercises, others are great with self-talk.

Here’s what I’ve learned about myself when I worry,

  1. It causes stress and stress can affect my health. Without my health, I’m no good to myself or anyone else.
  1. At no time has worrying helped my situation. Not one time!
  1. The faster I am able to calm my emotions, I can use my brain power to figure out a solution. I actually spend less time worrying.
  1. Pray about it. If you believe in a higher power like I do, just leave it with him, her or the universe (or whatever). An answer will come. It may not be the way you expect but a solution will appear none-the-less.
  1. Worrying clouds my judgment. So keeping calm helps me think clearly.

The reality is, some people worry more than others. Like I said, I am naturally a worry wart but it’s getting better. For the most part, it’s easier said than done to tell yourself, “Stop, think logically and do not let this stressful situation get to you.”  Changing our mindset sometimes requires a bit of advice or guidance on how to do it. Through my life experiences, I’ve been able to deal with worrying a lot less. I’ve also learned a few tips and tricks from the book  “How To Stop Worrying And Start Living.” 

There are too many tips to list but here are my top three,

1.  One grain of sand at a time, one task at a time. I know we’re told that multi-tasking is a great skill to have but you simply can’t do two things at once. Well, at least not effectively.

2.  Let’s be content to live the only time we can possibly live: for now until bedtime.

3.  Discover the worst that could possibly happen, accept it and then use your time to improve upon the worst.

Worrying sucks just like any negative emotion we feel but if we can tackle it on head-on, I truly believe we’ll live a much longer, healthier life.

 

 

 

 

 

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. Clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money.

Read More

My Top 5 Treat Yourself It’s Valentine’s Day Gift List

Feb 14, 2018

Posted by | Leave a Comment

 

 

 

 

Happy Valentine’s Day ladies!

Whether you’re kicking it solo today like your’s truly or you have a wonderful significant other to spend some time with, let’s celebrate with a little self-love and treat ourselves today. I don’t mean go break your bank account, or anything like that. But you work hard, so let’s take something off of your never ending wish list, shall we?

A little retail therapy never hurt anyone, especially today.

So, I give you “My Top 5 Treat Yourself, It’s Valentine’s Day” wish list…

1. Bond Aviator Frames

First up, the Bond Aviator frames by luxury eyewear brand Bôhten. Their eyewear collection has a classic yet modern-funky feel to it. Toronto entrepreneur Nana Boateng uses reclaimed wood from Ghana to create each piece.  Everyone looks cool in aviator frames but with pink lenses, com’n! I love them. The brand is launching their Bohten5 collection this summer.  The Bond frame is one of the first pieces that combine both wood and acetate materials.

Price: Not currently listed on their website.  A current pair can start anywhere from $150.00 or more.

2. VitaJuwel “Cupid’s Kiss” Water Bottle

The VitaJuwel water bottle (available at Ka-space concept store) is the mother of all water bottles. It’s not only pretty to look at but the Vitajuwel system infuses your water with carefully selected gem stones. The balance of the two, helps to release the stones energies and healing powers.  Different, right?  Each bottle has an exchangeable bottom piece (a gem pod) that holds the gem stones in place. You can exchange the gem pods to infuse your water with different gem stones. The Cupid’s Kiss bottle (shown) has a rose quartz gem pod that is said to release emotional wounds and trauma and to bring peace and calm.

Price: $160.00

3. Wear Your Words Bangle

Love & Light Jewels uses a number of gemstones and crystals throughout most of their jewelry collection. It’s hard to choose just one item to love but their Wear Your Words Bangle caught my attention. The simple, adjustable bangle is a stylish way to carry around the “If you can dream it, you can do it” mantra.

Price: $20.00

4. Green House Juices

Green house has a number of cold-pressed juices, handmade nut milks, tonics, boosters and cleanses if you’re looking for a healthy way to get in your daily nutrients.  On my list for two reasons;  I love beets and their Deep Root Juice is mixed with beets, apples, carrots, celery and lemon and they deliver right to your door with their customizable monthly subscription service.

Price: $10.50 bottle, subscriptions vary.

5. Eye Shimmer: Pure Gold

I have a thing for natural colours and earth tones, especially with makeup. Many of my friends often tell me to add some colour to my already limited makeup collection. So, I bought a bold red lipstick. I know, different (insert rolled eyes here). Stone Line Cosmetic’s Gold Eye Shimmer caught my eye. No pun intended. Their cruelty-free brand is hypo-allergenic, fragrance and paraffin free. The line was designed with women in mind, who tend to break out when wearing makeup for long periods of time.

Price: $17.70

And there you have it. Five affordable to semi-affordable ways to treat yourself this Valentine’s Day. What’s on your wish list today? Any plans to treat yourself?

 

Here’s a few of my favourite things from last year! 

Read More

Recipe: Gluten-Free Cacao Cranberry Loaf

Jan 17, 2018

Posted by | Leave a Comment

I’m not a lover of cooking. I mean, I don’t like long prep times to prepare meals. If I can spend less than 20 minutes in the kitchen to make a meal, I’m all for it. Anything beyond that, I get a bit antsy. Okay, I’m exaggerating a little (not really) Christmas breakfast took me at least one hour to prepare. Not including the slow baked ham.  So the holidays are an exception.

It’s a new year and with a new year comes new goals. My number one goal is to keep to a solid healthy eating routine. I don’t mean simply minimizing the amount of bad food that I eat but really making an effort to cut them out of my diet permanently. My number one priority is to eliminate all gluten.

In general, I’m conscious of what I eat. I very rarely eat white flour, drink pop, or fried foods. I drink lots of water, not always a full 8 glasses but I get up there. I do occasionally have a sugar and bread binge but eventually I get back on track. Since being gluten-free is my priority and snacking tends be a  weakness, I’ve decided the best way to control my gluten intake (especially when I crave sweets) is to make my snacks from scratch. I’m not sure how long the Betty Crocker effect will last. Remember, I’m not one for slaving away in the kitchen for too long.  But at least, I can feed my occasional craving in a fairly healthy way.

Enter in my gluten-free-cacao-cranberry loaf….

A personal recipe inspired by whatever I had sitting in my kitchen cupboard (mostly). It was only my third time making the loaf but it’s been a life saver for breakfast or as a quick snack. And the best part is it only takes 20 minutes to prepare. Like I said, 20 minutes or less and I’m a happy camper!

Bon Appétit!

________________________________________________________________

PREP TIME: 20 minutes or less

COOKING TIME: 30 – 40 minutes

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup of gluten-free flour
1 cup of brown rice flour
1/4 cup of flax meal
1 tablespoon of baking soda
1/2 cup of organic cane sugar (1 cup if you want a sweeter taste)
1/4 cup of organic cacao bits
1/4 cup of cranberries (fresh, frozen)
2 1/2 cups of Almond milk (3 cups if you want to make the batter a bit thinner)
1 tablespoon of coconut oil
1/2 tbsp of nutritional yeast

INSTRUCTIONS
Mix the brown rice flour and gluten-free flour in a large mixing bowl with a fork. Then mix in the baking soda, nutritional yeast, flax meal, again continue to use the fork. Then mix in the cane sugar.

Once all of the dry ingredients are mixed together, add the milk, cocoa bits and cranberries and then mix everything together one last time. Let it sit for a few minutes and dust a bread pan or cake pan with a bit of flour and pour in the mixture. Put in the oven.

Let bake for 30 minutes or until brown at 275 – 300 degrees. To ensure the middle is cooked insert a butter knife or toothpick in the centre of the cake. If it comes out clean with nothing sticking, the cake is done.

 

Read More

All Things Natural At The Textur’d Hair And Beauty Show

Oct 1, 2017

Posted by | Leave a Comment

I’ve worn my hair naturally mostly under protective hairstyles for a few years now. It just made things easier. But easier isn’t always better if you let a busy schedule and a non-existent hair care routine get in the way. If your natural hair isn’t getting TLC on a regular basis it will take a toll on the health of your hair.  Let’s just say, my hair is in need of TLC, a good hair care routine and a few good products to match. Coincidently, timing couldn’t be better. The  Textur’d Natural Hair & Beauty Show was happening right in my neck of the woods and I was able to catch day 2 of the event.

With over forty (mostly female) vendor’s, I looked forward to chatting it up with hair and beauty brands from Toronto and the United States. It was hard just to choose just one item from the variety of organic, vegan and naturally handmade products available. Almost all of the brands had a solution to maintain, repair and encourage healthy hair growth.

Not just a vendor showcase, several workshop facilitators shared their unique knowledge on everything to do with natural hair, body and skin care. Nutritional Consultant, Trisha Smith, discussed natural remedies and the connection between digestive disorders and the various effects on the hair.  Certified Shea Butter Technician, Kedar Waterman, discussed the many healing properties of premium grade Shea Butter and it’s benefits.

I ATE whole wheat roti, coconut curry chickpeas and quinoa salad courtesy of Chic Peas Veg, a plant based catering company.  I CHATTED with Ndija Anderson-Yantha,  a natural hair advocate and author of “What are you going to do with that hair?” A non-fiction book encouraging young girls to celebrate and love their natural hair. And I BOUGHT, (with so many wonderful products to choose from) En’tyce Your Beauty’s Herbal Temple Root Gro to help with thinning edges. And Muthaland Secrets’  Three Leaves Special Body Bar to help tone and purify your skin. It was a great afternoon fill with positivity and love for all things natural!

My haircare brands wish-list to definitely try,

What do you use in your natural hair?

 

 

 

Read More
Like IAmWhatsHot on Facebook!
Check out our YouTube Videos!
Follow IAmWhatsHot on Instagram!
Follow IAmWhatsHot on Twitter!