Coastal Collective Co.

Make It Happen: Getting Back to Basics

Personal DevelopmentAnneke McConnell

Hello friends! Be sure to follow along on Instagram and Pinterest for all the behind the scenes, not to mention my new FAVE app Periscope!!

 

To some people, it may be a bit cliche, but the basics of life are where it's at. They are the things that boost our productivity ten fold when we adhere to them.  These are those lovely things such as getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising our bodies, and enjoying times of rest and relaxation.  But why oh why is it SO hard sometimes to stick to these basics?!

 

 

You  honestly don't need someone to tell you you need to eat well, sleep and be merry. I know that.  Hopefully, however, these tips that I have to share with you will help you get past the "Why is it so hard?' part of making these basic (life-changing, productivity boosting) habits more of a consistent reality. You ready?

 

Tips To Getting Back To Basics and MAKING THINGS HAPPEN in your life.

 

1. PLAN AHEAD.

That's right - I said it. When you plan ahead and plan these activities into your day WITHOUT COMPROMISE, they are a million times more likely to occur. (in my own estimation and experience). Don't just say you'll eat well, do well for a week and than fall of the wagon. WHAT will you eat and when, and when will you shop?  Don't just say you'll work out 5 days a week. WHEN will you workout and what will you do? What's your back up plan when something goes wrong in your schedule?  Schedule these things into your day with a little bit of grace and a back up plan when things don't go how you anticipated!

 

2. HONOR YOUR SCHEDULE.

Playing off of tip #1, if you don't honor your schedule, you won't honor these basic activities that will make a huge difference in accomplishing your end goals.  It also doesn't do you good if you don't allow "space" in your day for mishaps, rest, and life! Don't over schedule yourself. #preachingtothechoir  So, if you've decided that it is important enough to you to schedule, honor it without compromise.

 

3. THINK PAST THE ACTIVITY.

Sometimes in order to achieve one goal, you need to focus on another area of your life.  For example, I realized after months of struggling to wake up earlier, I was focusing on changing the wrong habit.  What I needed to change was my evening routine. I needed to change everything I did in the evenings to compound into going to bed earlier, and therefore waking up earlier.  What is it in your life that is affecting you from reaching other goals?  Take literally at least 5 minutes to think about your goals and brainstorm on paper.  What stands out to you?

 

As a weekly series, I'm keeping this quick and light. I'd love to have you tackle one thing at a time and join me on Periscope for #MakeItHappenMondays where we share what we do and our goal for the week! It's a great place to find others who can help you with your goals as well. :-)

What "basics" do you struggle with, if any? (for my overachievers) ;-)  What tips do you have to share with others on getting a grip on the "basics" of life for success?

 

Share your thoughts below or on social media. Have an awesome day friends!

xo,

Anneke

Follow along on instagram at:

@coastalcollectiveco

@coastalcollectivestyle

@coastalinteriors

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Fashion Friday: Mad for Plaid

Fashion Blog PostsAnneke McConnell

Hello friends! Be sure to follow along on Instagram and Pinterest for all the behind the scenes, not to mention my new FAVE app Periscope!!

Hello there beautiful friends! I don't know about you, but I can seem to get enough plaid this time of year. From the classic collared button down shirt, to rainboots, bags, scarves, and more, plaid screams cozy, fall, and fashionable.

Today I've rounded up some of my favorite finds for you to pick from if you are on the hunt for the perfect plaid top.  As much as I'd love to personally own a kajillion plaid tops, I suggest finding maybe two that you love, are great quality, and fit well for your height and (ahem) chest. ;-)

Pair it with distressed denim, heels or tennis, a puffer vest or faux fur vest, dainty necklace or statement necklace and you are good to go! Mix and match is where it's at!

 


xo,

Anneke

Follow along on instagram at:

@coastalcollectiveco

@coastalcollectivestyle

@coastalinteriors

Follow along on Facebook

 

 

Want to start your own blog? Check out my FREE tips at www.CreativeBloggingResourceGuide.com

Coastal Interiors: Living Room Design

Home Blog PostsAnneke McConnell

Hello friends! Be sure to follow along on Instagram and Pinterest for all the behind the scenes, not to mention my new FAVE app Periscope!!

Fall is officially my favorite time of the year. As a Pacific Northwesterner, born and raised, the air turns crisp, the rainy season has not quite arrived, and the occasional evening of an outdoor fire with smore's always makes the kid's happy! 

I lean toward simple decor and don't change things too much from a seasonal standpoint, but when you do, simple changes in pillow covers, table linens, curtains, and foliage seem to do the trick.  Not to mention pulling out the pumpkin spice candles! I can never get enough of those!

This living room design is a great place to start. Just add pillows, blankets, and other decor with a seasonal color scheme that you LOVE!

lamp /  wine rack / drapes / foliage / sofa / rug /

 

xo,

Anneke

Follow along on instagram at:

@coastalcollectiveco

@coastalcollectivestyle

@coastalinteriors

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Want to start your own blog? Check out my FREE tips at www.CreativeBloggingResourceGuide.com

 

Make It Happen: Getting Over Fear

Anneke McConnell

Hello friends! Be sure to follow along on Instagram and Pinterest for all the behind the scenes, not to mention my new FAVE app Periscope!!

 

So FEAR! We all experience it on all different levels about various things all the ways from creepy critters to mental roadblocks. The focus of this blog post is to address the latter and help you overcome fear and move forward.  Here are some suggestions to help you transition from operating out of fear to operating with hope. Let me be clear though! I do not think you can meet goals just because you are hopeful, but rather when you change your mindset. Ok? Let's dive in!

 

 

1. Recognize that fear is wasting your time:  

I absolutely have been convicted about this since the launch of Periscope! Ha!  All the thoughts >>>> I don't want to look stupid. I don't know how to use it. What is nobody shows up.  It's no different than any other situation we may find ourselves in.  When you pace and delay action and fret, you are wasting your life. This is why I personally am encouraged by a verse in the Bible: Matthew 6: 25-34. Read up on it! Don't worry, but rather pray, have faith and courage, and do it!

 

2. Take time to make a plan:  

Fear of the unknown can be an absolute killer to dreams if you let it.  You certainly can't know how everything is going to pan out before you begin!  You can, however, do the research and learn a little bit about that goal of yours before you dive in. Want to lose weight but are afraid of failure? Research and make a plan. Do you want to start a blog but afraid of what people will think or don't know where to begin?  Research, learn, and go for it! Make a plan and reevaluate after a set amount of time.  What is your goal?  Don't go about it blindly - make a plan!

 

3. You are Unique and Have Something To Offer.  

Ok, so you actually know A TON about something and have a goal surrounding it, but you are still feeling fear about your goal. Maybe you are worried about others will think of you if you put yourself out there? Maybe you feeling like you should just let those "more experienced" people do it all. NO! There is room in this world for YOU and who you are and what you have to share is valuable! Don't downplay who God made you to be! Don't let fear win.

 

4. Recognize the benefits that are greater than your fear.

If your child needed your kidney to survive, you can bet that you would overcome your fear of the process to help him or her. Now that's extreme, but you can apply the same thinking to any situation.  When you are feeling fear about a goal, take time to write out the benefits of moving past your fears and accomplishing what it is you are going for!  The process is rarely easy, but as I like to say, "If accomplishments were easy, they wouldn't be rewarding!" 

 

 

So what fear are your facing today? What steps are you going to take TODAY and THIS WEEK to move forward?

xo,

Anneke

Follow along on instagram at:

@coastalcollectiveco

@coastalinteriors

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Want to start your own blog? Check out my FREE tips at www.CreativeBloggingResourceGuide.com