Long Time No Type

Hello out there in internet land! Larisa is back! And boy, have I got some catching up to do.

I have a new job that starts on Monday. I will be working in bookkeeping, taxes, and payroll for several companies. I am very excited about this new opportunity and I feel like it is where I am meant to be. Also on a "self-plugging" note, if you or anyone you know needs someone to help with bookkeeping, taxes, or payroll, please let me know.

I have been reading "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" and working through my own personal mission statement. It has been a great read and very helpful in preparing for my new job. I think in this point in my life it is very important to examine what I want to be. I want to be a person of principle and value so no matter what path God takes me down, I will succeed for me and my family. Below is the beginning of my personal mission statement. It is a clarification of values I want to adhere to and make decisions from. It has taken a lot of a soul searching and researching to make this list. I am proud to let others see what I am working towards.

• Honesty - I will not tell lies. I will only promise what I can keep. I will not make excuses. I will trust others because I would want them to trust me.
• Integrity - I will be loyal to those who are absent. I will not gossip. I will know what is expected of me. I will fulfill the expectations placed before me. I will make commitments to myself and others that I can keep. I will follow my values even when no one is there to see me.
• Hard Work - I will give attention to quality over quantity. I will keep the best interest of the customer first. I will provide excellent service. I will finish one project completely before starting another. I will let my work speak for itself. I will get projects done in a timely fashion.
• Gratitude - I will be thankful. I will tell people how much I appreciate them, sincerely. I will not take people or things for granted.
• Discipline - I will be focused on my goals and creating a plan to reach them. I will change from the inside-out. I will not try to change others, I can only change myself and my response. I will take criticism and discipline to better myself and I will not take it personally to affect my work.
• Respect - I will respect others and myself. I will act respectably.
• Teamwork - I will not take credit for work that is not mine. I will uplift my teammates. I will help others to lighten the load on everyone. I will involve people in decision-making when they will be affected by the outcome of the decision. I will listen to others to help the team. I will be effective
• Resourcefulness - I will research my decisions and seek advice with others. I will be creative in my solutions to problems to come up with the best solution. I will ask questions. I will take every opportunity to learn the most that I can. I will use my imagination and creativity to be inspired and inspire others.
• Initiative - I will have a positive attitude. I will seek out opportunities from obstacles. I will be prepared. I will take time to plan. I will see all my challenges as an opportunity to succeed. I can change my world.
• Responsibility - I will admit my mistakes. I am able to choose my response to my environment. I will do every job that needs to be done, even those that no one else wants to do.
• Proactivity - I will take it upon myself to be better. I will make things happen. I will give my best even when I don't want to. I will not be afraid to make mistakes.
• Understanding - I will forgive myself so I can forgive others. I will listen to other people because they may have a better way. I will not try to please everyone. I will not be anxious about things I cannot change, they will change whether I worry about them or not. I will be slow to anger but quick to patience.
• Professionalism - I will dress in a professional manner. I will return all correspondence promptly and correctly. I will show the correct business etiquette in every situation. I will show up when I have promised. I will be confident in my skills and represent myself properly. I will be polite and kind.

I have been so inspired by reading this book and I hope anyone who hasn't read it will read it soon.

Inspired and WORKING!
Larisa