...realized I need to do a lot more listening and a lot less talking.

Ugh. My iPhone comes with an audio recorder. I've found it's easier to record meetings than try to take notes or remember all the key points. That way - I can go back later and prepare reports based on the full recording. Today I was preparing a memo and ended up learning is that recording yourself is the best damn tool for improving yourself as a communicator.

It's actually painful to listen to how much I talk and how I talk. However, rather than be annoyed by it, I've decided to record myself more often. I've found it helps me be more self aware. Hopefully, one day I'll listen to a recording of myself that doesn't make me cringe...

fell in love with Portland again.

I always forget how much I love fall. When summer starts to end I get all sad, but then remember why autumn is pretty damn great too. Especially in Portland. All the different trees with all the different changing colors of leaves makes my commute a lot more enjoyable.

Who couldn't love Portland really? Even the rain can be charming. Portland is a hip, pretty city. The only thing it's missing is something really fun to do for Halloween.

Check out Travel Portland's video about the city. It's pretty cute: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PC5PDlKKIo

Bon Jovi Widget

...was wondering how it's possible to do it all.

Wow... to do list. Ever-growing.

I'm a list maker. I have lists for everything. It's the only way I can keep all my commitments and responsibilities straight. But, as I look over the list I wonder if there is anyone that can do it all. I know this is the age-old issue for women - how can you be a great Mom, rise to the top of your profession, take care of your house, have a social life, stay fit and stay up on everything current?

I don't know how to do it all, but today I decided to try. Try to be the best I can at each of it. I'm writing this at the end of the day and I definitely wasn't perfect, but having a goal to kick-ass at everything gave me drive and I feel like I accomplished a lot though I crossed very few things off my to-do lists.

My most important accomplishments today:

• Getting Meagan to school close to on-time;
• Picking her up from art class close to on-time;
• Having a dance party with her at home;
• Playing around with her on the computer;
• Reading with her;
• Laughing with her;
• Getting new business leads at work;
• Making it to the gym;
  
• Finding time to talk to some of my favorite people in the world; AND
  
• UPDATING MY BLOG!
  

Sure, my list of urgent past-due items is long, but who can say my day wasn't successful when I can list all that off? Why is it I still feel I haven't done enough? Maybe if I find a way to sleep less I can do more.

Off to check more items off my list...

...remembered I should practice what I preach.

I really wanted my blog to be daily - or, at least, a lot more frequent than it has been. But, life tends to get in the way – work, daughter, friends, family, exercise... and maybe, some TV...

Anyway, I also started thinking that Twitter (I'm @Allison1j) was my new blog. Then I realized sometimes I want to say more than 140 characters worth of chatter.

In my line of work I tell people they have to update their blogs somewhat frequently or it's pointless to have one.

I'm re-inspired by my friend's plan to document every day of the first year of living with her boyfriend. She's hilarious so I can't wait to turn in to her little daily "reality show" type musings.

Here is the link if you want to check it out: http://365dayslivingwithboyfriend.blogspot.com/

Maybe I'll just post frequent links to her site with my own opinions(-: .. boy, she is brave to talk publicly about her relationships...