Gosh we are up to day 10 already!!
Today's mantra: Focus on results and you'll never change. Focus on change and you'll get results.
How often do you start a project/activity and begin by thinking about the outcome? Come on, we all do it. But how often has the outcome been the one we were thinking about when we started? I bet you it never is. It might be close, but there will be a difference.
So I think this mantra is really saying that if we jump ahead of ourselves we will actually never change - if we always focus on the finish, we will not experience the journey and get the "real" results.
When you start an exercise program, you are usually motivated by results but you also have an idea of the result you want. How often do you get those results? You don't, because you are focused on the outcome. You are focused on the short term. To get real results you have to change a behaviour. You have to make changes to your lifestyle and then you will get "real" results!!
It is the same in work. You want a particular career but in order to get it, you have to make changes!! You will never get to where you desire unless you make the changes to get there.
I feel a bit like this discussion is going around in circles. It could be because I'm tired - so I'm going to leave this post right here!
But I will say that I wore my half marathon finishers medal all day today and I did the rounds of the office sharing my achievement!!
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Double Post Monday #blogjune #8 and #9
I'm doing a double post today as the mantra's for yesterday and today both will relate to this post.
Yesterday's mantra: Don't talk yourself out of it, talk yourself into it.
Today's mantra: Take pride in how far you've come; have faith in how far you can go.
Most of this post will relate to yesterday's events because both mantra's are relating so well to what I did yesterday.
Yesterday started at 4am when I got up and started getting ready to head down to South West Rocks for the Macleay River Marathon where I was taking part in the half marathon (21.1km for those not in the know).
It was pretty cold when I arrived there and it took me a while to locate some people I know that were doing the half, 10k and 5k runs.
The full marathon got on it's way at 7am and my race was to begin at 7.30am. A friend and I did a bit of a warm up (really so I could get rid of my jacket) and then it was on.
I should back up a bit. This was the first time I actually ate more than a banana before a race. You see the half I did back in March (my first) I really felt the lack of energy around the 17k mark and I had only had a banana to eat. Yesterday I had half a bread roll with peanut butter and honey - so I was feeling fuelled.
I promised myself to take it slow on the way out (this race was an out and back - the Port Macquarie half back in March was a 3 lap course - good for spectators but not so good psychologically for the runner) and then put a bit more effort in on the way home.
The start sees a bit of a an uphill followed by a long down hill (and in your head you are thinking, I have to run back up that to finish). Then a flat and a beautiful scenic run along a foot path that goes through some bush and past houses and the beach. I really enjoyed it and it was out of the sun so not too hot.
You then head up another hill, down and then out along the main street into South West Rocks, past the shopping centre and out into the "farm" bit. Not many spectators but one or two people that gave everyone a "pat on the back" as you passed them.
I was feeling really good on the way out. However, the turnaround seemed to take for ever. I had looked at the map and did a street view of the route the night before, but I think the turn around was a bit further out than marked on the map. There were 4 drink stations out and the same 4 back - I took a drink at every second one - actually there must have been more than 4. Anyway, I had about 3 drinks as well as what I was carrying myself - I don't like to drink too much because I get stitch.
So I was a bit put out by how far the turn around point was - bit stupid but I think once you head back you think you are on the home stretch even if you have another 10.55k to go. The other thing that can play on your mind is the fact you have run over a few hills and you know you have to run over them on the way back!
Heading back was where I noted that the hill repeats I had been doing with the running girls leading up to this event really paid off. It was here that I over took the odd runner or two and I almost felt like turning to them and saying "you should've done more hill repeats!!" But instead I said "going great!"
Around the 16-17k mark I hit the point where I think I should stop and walk (which to me makes it a bit harder to keep going which is why I don't stop for drinks too often - but perhaps I need to practice the stop to walk and start again). And here is where mantra one kicks in: Don't talk yourself out of it, talk yourself into it. So I do just that. I look at my Garmin GPS Running Watch and see that really there is just over 4k to go and think about how far 4k is using visuals from my runs around home - well you know that is only from the soccer field to the surf club etc. Then I look at my other wrist that has Miss A's loom band bracelet she made for me the day before for me to wear during the race so I could think of her cheering me on from home - and it gave me a boost. I can do this. 4k is nothing!!
So I continue - by this time my legs become separated from me and just go on auto pilot - it's really your head that plays games with you. I knew the end would be tough with the uphill finish but I also knew that I had done harder hills many times over in my training. Piece of piss as we boot camp girls say!
And the hill came and I overtook another person on the hill and powered away. And you know what, that hill wasn't really that bad. I would say the surf club hill that I do hill repeats on is way worse. While this hill does carry on for a while, it does flatten out a little so it's not effort all the way. That said, I knew the end was 1k away so effort kicked in. I could hear the run caller announcing other runners crossing the line and I wanted that strong finish.
So down the hill and across the finish line - I didn't throw my arms up (no finish line photographer you see) but I powered across that line so strong that I almost missed taking my finishers medal from the ladies waiting to hand them out. Yes I had done it - quick turn off the Garmin to note your time!! Garmin off and it tells me I've broken a record - YES!! I took 3 minutes off my first half marathon time!!! Second mantra breaks in: take pride in how far you've come; have faith in how far you can go.
I am always guilty of playing down my achievements as I do not want to come across as a show off. But I have to admit, while I didn't want to think about times leading into this run, I secretly was hoping I could break the 1hr 53min I did at Port. And I did - 1hr 50mins!!
The final stats: 78th out of 159 finishers, 22nd out of 65 female finishers and 8th out of 17 females in my age category 30-39.
My next run is the Urunga Little Athletics Fun Run on Sunday 22 June and will be a 10km. Then it will be my race of the year the Ipswich Park2Park half marathon on Sunday 27 July. This one is special for me because it is in my home town and I think it will be a very challenging run. It is basically up hill and down hill, up hill and down hill with maybe one flat bit with 4 laps.
As mentioned before the Port run was laps and the run yesterday was out and back. I really think that psychologically the Port run was harder because of the laps - it was great for spectators who could stay in one spot and see you a few times but for the runner, it was an endless race. Ipswich will be hard but good because I hope to have lots of family and friends there to cheer me on.
Have faith in how far you can go!
Yesterday's mantra: Don't talk yourself out of it, talk yourself into it.
Today's mantra: Take pride in how far you've come; have faith in how far you can go.
Most of this post will relate to yesterday's events because both mantra's are relating so well to what I did yesterday.
Yesterday started at 4am when I got up and started getting ready to head down to South West Rocks for the Macleay River Marathon where I was taking part in the half marathon (21.1km for those not in the know).
It was pretty cold when I arrived there and it took me a while to locate some people I know that were doing the half, 10k and 5k runs.
The full marathon got on it's way at 7am and my race was to begin at 7.30am. A friend and I did a bit of a warm up (really so I could get rid of my jacket) and then it was on.
I should back up a bit. This was the first time I actually ate more than a banana before a race. You see the half I did back in March (my first) I really felt the lack of energy around the 17k mark and I had only had a banana to eat. Yesterday I had half a bread roll with peanut butter and honey - so I was feeling fuelled.
I promised myself to take it slow on the way out (this race was an out and back - the Port Macquarie half back in March was a 3 lap course - good for spectators but not so good psychologically for the runner) and then put a bit more effort in on the way home.
The start sees a bit of a an uphill followed by a long down hill (and in your head you are thinking, I have to run back up that to finish). Then a flat and a beautiful scenic run along a foot path that goes through some bush and past houses and the beach. I really enjoyed it and it was out of the sun so not too hot.
You then head up another hill, down and then out along the main street into South West Rocks, past the shopping centre and out into the "farm" bit. Not many spectators but one or two people that gave everyone a "pat on the back" as you passed them.
I was feeling really good on the way out. However, the turnaround seemed to take for ever. I had looked at the map and did a street view of the route the night before, but I think the turn around was a bit further out than marked on the map. There were 4 drink stations out and the same 4 back - I took a drink at every second one - actually there must have been more than 4. Anyway, I had about 3 drinks as well as what I was carrying myself - I don't like to drink too much because I get stitch.
So I was a bit put out by how far the turn around point was - bit stupid but I think once you head back you think you are on the home stretch even if you have another 10.55k to go. The other thing that can play on your mind is the fact you have run over a few hills and you know you have to run over them on the way back!
Heading back was where I noted that the hill repeats I had been doing with the running girls leading up to this event really paid off. It was here that I over took the odd runner or two and I almost felt like turning to them and saying "you should've done more hill repeats!!" But instead I said "going great!"
Around the 16-17k mark I hit the point where I think I should stop and walk (which to me makes it a bit harder to keep going which is why I don't stop for drinks too often - but perhaps I need to practice the stop to walk and start again). And here is where mantra one kicks in: Don't talk yourself out of it, talk yourself into it. So I do just that. I look at my Garmin GPS Running Watch and see that really there is just over 4k to go and think about how far 4k is using visuals from my runs around home - well you know that is only from the soccer field to the surf club etc. Then I look at my other wrist that has Miss A's loom band bracelet she made for me the day before for me to wear during the race so I could think of her cheering me on from home - and it gave me a boost. I can do this. 4k is nothing!!
So I continue - by this time my legs become separated from me and just go on auto pilot - it's really your head that plays games with you. I knew the end would be tough with the uphill finish but I also knew that I had done harder hills many times over in my training. Piece of piss as we boot camp girls say!
And the hill came and I overtook another person on the hill and powered away. And you know what, that hill wasn't really that bad. I would say the surf club hill that I do hill repeats on is way worse. While this hill does carry on for a while, it does flatten out a little so it's not effort all the way. That said, I knew the end was 1k away so effort kicked in. I could hear the run caller announcing other runners crossing the line and I wanted that strong finish.
So down the hill and across the finish line - I didn't throw my arms up (no finish line photographer you see) but I powered across that line so strong that I almost missed taking my finishers medal from the ladies waiting to hand them out. Yes I had done it - quick turn off the Garmin to note your time!! Garmin off and it tells me I've broken a record - YES!! I took 3 minutes off my first half marathon time!!! Second mantra breaks in: take pride in how far you've come; have faith in how far you can go.
I am always guilty of playing down my achievements as I do not want to come across as a show off. But I have to admit, while I didn't want to think about times leading into this run, I secretly was hoping I could break the 1hr 53min I did at Port. And I did - 1hr 50mins!!
The final stats: 78th out of 159 finishers, 22nd out of 65 female finishers and 8th out of 17 females in my age category 30-39.
My next run is the Urunga Little Athletics Fun Run on Sunday 22 June and will be a 10km. Then it will be my race of the year the Ipswich Park2Park half marathon on Sunday 27 July. This one is special for me because it is in my home town and I think it will be a very challenging run. It is basically up hill and down hill, up hill and down hill with maybe one flat bit with 4 laps.
As mentioned before the Port run was laps and the run yesterday was out and back. I really think that psychologically the Port run was harder because of the laps - it was great for spectators who could stay in one spot and see you a few times but for the runner, it was an endless race. Ipswich will be hard but good because I hope to have lots of family and friends there to cheer me on.
Have faith in how far you can go!
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Do the best with what you have and you'll soon be doing it better #blogjune #7
I'm following up my late post that I was supposed to do yesterday which I did this morning with this post that is on time today!!
Today's mantra: Do the best with what you have and you'll soon be doing it better.
I'm not sure where to take this one. I think going from working in a big metropolitan library to working in a small regional library, I have automatically did the best with what I have - not sure if I'm doing it better though!!
I have to say that one thing I do feel I'm doing better, and it probably comes from working in a small town, is customer service. I have always felt the need to greet customers by name and you will note that I often mention this in my posts. I feel it gives that extra service and it is amazing that by addressing someone by name often results in a smile!
As for providing a service, in the beginning when I first started working here, the overall library service budget was tight. We did the best with what we had. We still do to an extent because my libraries don't have an events or activities budget so we can get very creative when coming up with children's activities. It helps that we sell honey for a local provider and they in turn donate us a bit of money for each pot we sell. I'm sure some fellow professionals are a bit shocked that we do this, but we are a small town! I often joke that all we need is a couple of bread making machines going in the workroom and a cow out in the park, and we can then provide bread, milk and honey and our library users will not have to go anywhere else but the library!!
Now to exercise - do the best with what you have and you'll soon be doing it better! Well I often laugh (well quietly to myself) at people who are unfit but won't exercise till they get fit. You have legs and arms - use them - do the best with what you have!! And you will get better!!
I was absolutely hopeless at running - I hated it! I thought I was dying when I ran. I would gulp for air and just couldn't run very far at all. I thought, what's the point! But little by little, I ran and I ran with others (do the best with what you have - you have friends - you have people that run - use them!) and then I was doing it better!!
Tomorrow I'm off to the Macleay River Marathon to complete my second half marathon of the year. I'm travelling down on my own because it will be an early start - leaving home at around 5.30am. The race starts at 7.30am but I have to pick up my number etc.
I'm not aiming for any PB as it is a different track to the half marathon I did in Port Macquarie. There are going to be some sneaky hills and a killer one at the end. However, 2 weekends ago I did the Bellingen Show Fun Run - 10km from Glennifer into Bellingen. It was roughly 5km of up hill. It was tough. But I survived and I did it. Yes I had to walk some of the hill but I've also been doing lots of hill repeats with my running group, so I'm ready!!
Just a word of warning - I plan on having some bubbles post race tomorrow, so there may or may not be a post tomorrow evening - and if there is, it could be a very interesting one!!
Today's mantra: Do the best with what you have and you'll soon be doing it better.
I'm not sure where to take this one. I think going from working in a big metropolitan library to working in a small regional library, I have automatically did the best with what I have - not sure if I'm doing it better though!!
I have to say that one thing I do feel I'm doing better, and it probably comes from working in a small town, is customer service. I have always felt the need to greet customers by name and you will note that I often mention this in my posts. I feel it gives that extra service and it is amazing that by addressing someone by name often results in a smile!
As for providing a service, in the beginning when I first started working here, the overall library service budget was tight. We did the best with what we had. We still do to an extent because my libraries don't have an events or activities budget so we can get very creative when coming up with children's activities. It helps that we sell honey for a local provider and they in turn donate us a bit of money for each pot we sell. I'm sure some fellow professionals are a bit shocked that we do this, but we are a small town! I often joke that all we need is a couple of bread making machines going in the workroom and a cow out in the park, and we can then provide bread, milk and honey and our library users will not have to go anywhere else but the library!!
Now to exercise - do the best with what you have and you'll soon be doing it better! Well I often laugh (well quietly to myself) at people who are unfit but won't exercise till they get fit. You have legs and arms - use them - do the best with what you have!! And you will get better!!
I was absolutely hopeless at running - I hated it! I thought I was dying when I ran. I would gulp for air and just couldn't run very far at all. I thought, what's the point! But little by little, I ran and I ran with others (do the best with what you have - you have friends - you have people that run - use them!) and then I was doing it better!!
Tomorrow I'm off to the Macleay River Marathon to complete my second half marathon of the year. I'm travelling down on my own because it will be an early start - leaving home at around 5.30am. The race starts at 7.30am but I have to pick up my number etc.
I'm not aiming for any PB as it is a different track to the half marathon I did in Port Macquarie. There are going to be some sneaky hills and a killer one at the end. However, 2 weekends ago I did the Bellingen Show Fun Run - 10km from Glennifer into Bellingen. It was roughly 5km of up hill. It was tough. But I survived and I did it. Yes I had to walk some of the hill but I've also been doing lots of hill repeats with my running group, so I'm ready!!
Just a word of warning - I plan on having some bubbles post race tomorrow, so there may or may not be a post tomorrow evening - and if there is, it could be a very interesting one!!
Friday, June 6, 2014
You miss 100% of the shots you don't take #blogjune #6
Sorry, I'm a bit late with post 6. I was pretty tired by the time I got home from work yesterday and spent quality time with the family so blogging was put aside.
Yesterday's mantra: You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.
Well this could all be about regrets or the road not taken. Or it could be about not taking risks.
I try not to reflect too much on regrets or other possibly paths my life could've taken because I believe that the decisions I made at the time were good ones.
I have a beautiful family and I enjoy my job most of the time and I live in a wonderful part of the world. So really, there is nothing to regret! Do you feel the same way?
However, it would be interesting if one was to write a biography that was more like a "choose your own adventure." I loved those books and I did read one to Miss A one day but then we had to choose every possible way to learn of all the different outcomes. I wonder what different outcomes my life would have if at every cross road I got to see where each would take me!
I don't think it is something we should ponder too much.
Now if the mantra is about taking risks, it's really saying that every risk you don't take, then you've missed out on something.
As I've mentioned in previous posts, I'm probably not much of a risk taker because I really do enjoy my comfort zone. I sometimes feel that opportunities to take risks are not presented to me that often, but perhaps because I love my comfort zone so much, I'm not seeing them on purpose.
What are your thoughts on risk taking?
I often find the process of blog posting a bit of a risk, depending on what I want to say. Really I do put myself out there and expose bits of me that perhaps I shouldn't expose or feel that others may think less of me or change their views of me. But other times I like that I can put things out there that I probably wouldn't talk to others about but would make interesting conversations.
Yesterday's mantra: You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.
Well this could all be about regrets or the road not taken. Or it could be about not taking risks.
I try not to reflect too much on regrets or other possibly paths my life could've taken because I believe that the decisions I made at the time were good ones.
I have a beautiful family and I enjoy my job most of the time and I live in a wonderful part of the world. So really, there is nothing to regret! Do you feel the same way?
However, it would be interesting if one was to write a biography that was more like a "choose your own adventure." I loved those books and I did read one to Miss A one day but then we had to choose every possible way to learn of all the different outcomes. I wonder what different outcomes my life would have if at every cross road I got to see where each would take me!
I don't think it is something we should ponder too much.
Now if the mantra is about taking risks, it's really saying that every risk you don't take, then you've missed out on something.
As I've mentioned in previous posts, I'm probably not much of a risk taker because I really do enjoy my comfort zone. I sometimes feel that opportunities to take risks are not presented to me that often, but perhaps because I love my comfort zone so much, I'm not seeing them on purpose.
What are your thoughts on risk taking?
I often find the process of blog posting a bit of a risk, depending on what I want to say. Really I do put myself out there and expose bits of me that perhaps I shouldn't expose or feel that others may think less of me or change their views of me. But other times I like that I can put things out there that I probably wouldn't talk to others about but would make interesting conversations.
Thursday, June 5, 2014
I won't quit until I'm the person I want to be #blogjune #5
I think I may be not quitting for a long time - today's mantra: I won't quit until I'm the person I want to be.
I'm not sure what person I want to be. Yes I want to be fit and healthy but I also want to be a great mum, wife and librarian - and maybe athlete!!
I have been discussing my difficulty in learning to love myself a bit over the last few days with various people. Most agree that they also are not at the point of loving themselves. Why are we so hard on ourselves?
It should be about being the best person you can be and work towards being all the things I mentioned before - because I don't think you ever reach the point of being who you want to be because we are all a work in progress. Perhaps in our final days we will accept that if we have tried to be the best we can be, then we were the person we wanted to be.
This discussion is probably more suited after having a few drinks - it's too deep for my mind at the moment and I'm sure I could take it to some interesting places after a couple of glasses of bubbles. Perhaps I will revisit this post after my half-marathon on Sunday when I am sitting back with some bubbles, listening to some good tunes, soaking up my achievements and spending time with my loving family. Perhaps then I will be the person I want to be!!!
Are you still not quitting? Or are you the person you want to be?
I'm not sure what person I want to be. Yes I want to be fit and healthy but I also want to be a great mum, wife and librarian - and maybe athlete!!
I have been discussing my difficulty in learning to love myself a bit over the last few days with various people. Most agree that they also are not at the point of loving themselves. Why are we so hard on ourselves?
It should be about being the best person you can be and work towards being all the things I mentioned before - because I don't think you ever reach the point of being who you want to be because we are all a work in progress. Perhaps in our final days we will accept that if we have tried to be the best we can be, then we were the person we wanted to be.
This discussion is probably more suited after having a few drinks - it's too deep for my mind at the moment and I'm sure I could take it to some interesting places after a couple of glasses of bubbles. Perhaps I will revisit this post after my half-marathon on Sunday when I am sitting back with some bubbles, listening to some good tunes, soaking up my achievements and spending time with my loving family. Perhaps then I will be the person I want to be!!!
Are you still not quitting? Or are you the person you want to be?
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
You'll never know your limits unless you push yourself to them #blogjune #4
Today's mantra: You'll never know your limits unless you push yourself to them
I'm all for comfort zones - I love mine - both in fitness and in work!!
I don't find it easy to step out of my comfort zone and I often find my body and mind seeking that comfort zone when I'm trying to push beyond it.
However, this year I completed my first half marathon back in March and I have planned another 3-4 this year. Each race/fun run, whether it be a half, 10km or 5km, I find myself pushing out of the comfort zone. I step into my competitive frame of mind and find myself overcoming that physical and mental point where I want to stop and walk and give up on pushing through the pain.
During my regular runs, I find it harder to push through my comfort zone then when I'm completing a fun run/race. Competitiveness is a wonderful thing when it comes to pushing the comfort zone - well for me it is!
But you can't be in a competitive position all the time, so how can you push yourself out of that comfort zone when there is nothing to compete with?!?
I think I find I struggle with this more in my work situation than in fitness/running. It is easy to say, well I don't think I will take that risk because everyone is quite happy with the way things are running now, or there have been no call to change the way we do this or offer this service, so why do it?!?
Or I don't have the skills to do that task, so I'm not even going to try!!!
I do think that through accomplishing pushing the boundaries of my comfort zone in my physical fitness, it is having an impact on how I deal with my work comfort zone. Perhaps I'm ready to take more risks and even try a few things differently!
What strategies do you use to push yourself out of your comfort zone?
I'm all for comfort zones - I love mine - both in fitness and in work!!
I don't find it easy to step out of my comfort zone and I often find my body and mind seeking that comfort zone when I'm trying to push beyond it.
However, this year I completed my first half marathon back in March and I have planned another 3-4 this year. Each race/fun run, whether it be a half, 10km or 5km, I find myself pushing out of the comfort zone. I step into my competitive frame of mind and find myself overcoming that physical and mental point where I want to stop and walk and give up on pushing through the pain.
During my regular runs, I find it harder to push through my comfort zone then when I'm completing a fun run/race. Competitiveness is a wonderful thing when it comes to pushing the comfort zone - well for me it is!
But you can't be in a competitive position all the time, so how can you push yourself out of that comfort zone when there is nothing to compete with?!?
I think I find I struggle with this more in my work situation than in fitness/running. It is easy to say, well I don't think I will take that risk because everyone is quite happy with the way things are running now, or there have been no call to change the way we do this or offer this service, so why do it?!?
Or I don't have the skills to do that task, so I'm not even going to try!!!
I do think that through accomplishing pushing the boundaries of my comfort zone in my physical fitness, it is having an impact on how I deal with my work comfort zone. Perhaps I'm ready to take more risks and even try a few things differently!
What strategies do you use to push yourself out of your comfort zone?
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Small changes can make a big difference. #blogjune #3
Today's mantra: Small changes can make a big difference.
For me, small changes made a 15kg difference in 12 months. No dieting for me, just conscientious decisions. I don't believe in denying myself, however, I will limit myself, except when it comes to M&M's. Although, I have managed to restrain myself to smaller serving sizes and still maintain the same level of satisfaction.
While some may see my increase in exercise and obsession with running a big change, for me it was minimal. Really at the beginning I saw it as major change - getting up earlier, putting myself out of my comfort zone physically and mentally, and ensuring I don't cross that line that I have previously blogged about. But really it wasn't that hard and not such a big change after all. It is now part of my lifestyle!
At work, small changes can make a big difference too - it's all in the way you present your collection. Having books on display, changing things around in little ways - using a book spinner to display stock that doesn't usually move. People see a new piece of furniture and wonder why the books are there - are they new books or something special?!?
Making an effort to remember people's names - yes small changes can make a big difference. At first they were just coming into the library to get some books, but then the staff member addressed them by name and asked them something about what they had told them the last visit and a smile breaks out and it becomes more than a staff/client relationship - it becomes a caring one! Yes, small changes can make a big difference!
So what small change have you made that made a big difference? Or even better, what small changes you want to make will make a big difference??
For me, small changes made a 15kg difference in 12 months. No dieting for me, just conscientious decisions. I don't believe in denying myself, however, I will limit myself, except when it comes to M&M's. Although, I have managed to restrain myself to smaller serving sizes and still maintain the same level of satisfaction.
While some may see my increase in exercise and obsession with running a big change, for me it was minimal. Really at the beginning I saw it as major change - getting up earlier, putting myself out of my comfort zone physically and mentally, and ensuring I don't cross that line that I have previously blogged about. But really it wasn't that hard and not such a big change after all. It is now part of my lifestyle!
At work, small changes can make a big difference too - it's all in the way you present your collection. Having books on display, changing things around in little ways - using a book spinner to display stock that doesn't usually move. People see a new piece of furniture and wonder why the books are there - are they new books or something special?!?
Making an effort to remember people's names - yes small changes can make a big difference. At first they were just coming into the library to get some books, but then the staff member addressed them by name and asked them something about what they had told them the last visit and a smile breaks out and it becomes more than a staff/client relationship - it becomes a caring one! Yes, small changes can make a big difference!
So what small change have you made that made a big difference? Or even better, what small changes you want to make will make a big difference??
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