Early Accountability

EAP 97: Holiday Hacks - Handling Sadness and a Lack of Holiday Cheer

On this episode of the Early Accountability Podcast, Kimi discusses one final “holiday hack”: how to handle the holidays when they are not a happy time for you. Kimi became keenly aware of the difficult emotions that some people face during this time of year when she was working with sexual abuse survivors who explained that often times going home to visit family means having to face their abusers. If you have experienced a trauma like sexual abuse, lost a loved one, gone through the ending of a relationship or life situation, had unmet expectations, or had financial struggles that have made the holidays an unhappy time, there are ways that you can try to work through these difficulties and enjoy the holidays more than you thought possible. 1. Be ok with your process – Don’t expect more of yourself than is feasible right now. Accept how you are feeling and where you are in your process, recognizing that everyone’s process looks different. 2. Seek professional help – Whether you currently see a therapist for your struggles or not, the holidays may be a great time to consider talking with someone, especially if you recognize that you might be triggered during this time of year. If you are not comfortable with a one-on-one setting, look for support groups in your community or church that could meet your needs. 3. Take care of yourself – As simple as it sounds, getting enough sleep, eating healthy, setting up an exercise routine, and being aware of the things that might trip you up can make all the difference in how you handle the holidays. 4. Resist the urge to overcommit – Be realistic with your time and capacity in order to keep your mental clarity. Don’t make promises that you can’t keep and avoid becoming involved in a lot of things just to avoid your feelings. 5. Try something different – If your family traditions are not beneficial for you right now, start a new tradition or go on a new adventure. People may be disappointed at first, but they will understand that you are doing what is best for you. If you are going to be spending time with someone who is struggling this holiday season, focus on respecting their space while supporting them. Ask them how they are really doing and let them know you are there for them without being pushy. In short: be the friend they need right now. Topics Covered in this Episode: • Handling the holidays when they are not a happy time • Being sensitive of others who may be struggling • Doing what is best for you • Facing loss during the holidays Connect with Kimi: http://www.kimiwalker.com/ https://web.facebook.com/kimiwalker https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimiwalker

EAP 96: Holiday Hacks - 'Don't Go Broke' Guide to Gift Buying

As the end of the year and the biggest spending season of the year approaches, Kimi provides Early Accountability podcast listeners with four tips for financial wellness. From managing spending to cultivating financial security to pay off debts to focusing on savings, there are many aspects to financial wellbeing that we often don’t want to think about, but could be very helpful for us to keep in mind: 1. Create a budget – Have a number in mind for how much you will spend on all of your gifts total, and stick to that number. 2. Make a list and check it twice – Write down every person that you want to buy a gift for and what you want to get for them, then review your list and ask yourself these questions: “Do they really need this?”, “Do these gifts have purpose?”, and “Am I just buying this because of the deal?” 3. Be intentional – Avoid “shiny object syndrome” by sticking to your list and budget, not being swayed by the flashy “deals” that are put in front of you. Have enough resolve and focus to pass by this year’s “hot toy” and buy the thing that you know that person would like most. 4. Prioritize experiences over tangible gifts – The spirit of the season is to spend time with those you love and express your appreciation for them. People will remember the time you spent with them and the experiences you shared much longer than they will remember what you ate or what you gave them, so extend this concept to your gift-giving as well. Look into purchasing loved ones memberships to museums, tickets to a show, opportunities for learning, or a meal out with you, or even make them something sentimental like a photo album that would be more significant than anything you could find at the store. Topics Covered in this Episode: • Financial wellness • Cultivating financial security and freedom • Managing spending and savings • Financial aspects of your entire wellbeing

EAP 95: Holiday Hacks - How to Stay Holistically Healthy

EAP 95: Holiday Hacks - How to Stay Holistically Healthy by Kimi Walker

EAP 94: Holiday Hacks - How to Handle Difficult Relatives & Co-Workers

The topic of this episode of the Early Accountability Podcast is how to deal with difficult family members and friends during your interactions around the holidays. We all have that person who pushes our buttons that we dread seeing at family gatherings or parties, but Kimi has some ideas about how to make the interaction a little less stressful: 1. Remember that you have control over where you allow someone to take you – You can choose not to get worked up or ask that leading question that you know will lead to a place you don’t want to go. You are in charge of your mental state, attitude, and actions, not the other person. 2. Have realistic expectations – It is unlikely that your cousin has changed drastically since last year, so they will probably still get on your nerves. Recognize that and be prepared to be offended or bothered by what they say or do. 3. Avoid potentially upsetting conversation topics – You know what topics are going to fire that person up, so if they start to steer the conversation in that direction, try a conversation diverter to swiftly move away to something less divisive. 4. Watch your alcohol consumption – While you can’t control how much other people drink, you can control how much you do, and it is likely that if you use good discernment and balance, things won’t get blown out of proportion. 5. Be grateful – Realize that other people would love to have family members or friends to disagree with. Just be grateful for the fact that you have people you care about – and fight with. You could take this gratefulness a step further by volunteering or donating to worthy causes this season. Topics Covered in this Episode: • Dealing with difficult people • Handling conversations • Relationships with family members • Knowing where to draw boundaries

EAP 93: Learning to Let Go - Embracing Endings and Beginnings

Welcome to Part 2 of the Early Accountability podcast discussion of knowing how to end a chapter. With just two months left in this year – and this decade! – it can be tempting to skip ahead and start planning how to begin the new year, but an effective beginning comes only after an effective ending. You can’t commit to new endeavors and goals if you haven’t wrapped up the old ones, and perhaps it would be helpful for us to look at this process through the lens of an author. 1. “Break chapters when your story requires a shift. Changes of place, changes of time and changes of point of view are all excellent places for chapter breaks. Sometimes, our stories necessitate them.” (The Writer’s Digest) – Most people recognize when it is time for a change in their lives: a change of pace, a change of scenery, a change of location, etc. Take a look at what you need to do in your life to close the current chapter and make that change to a new start. 2. “Offer Wisdom: wisdom is a crucial ingredient in all great books; wisdom can be a fantastic way to end a chapter.” (The John Fox) – Often, looking back at the lessons you have learned during this chapter can give you the perspective that you need to understand that you are ready to move on. 3. “Use your chapter endings to look back and to look forward. No, not every problem is resolved, but there will be some closure. Not every chapter will have the same degree of closure as surrounding chapters.” (The Editor’s Blog) – Especially with relationships, it can be difficult to accept that there might not always be closure and you will have to move forward anyway. The Sankofa bird demonstrates the importance of looking back at the knowledge previously learned while still moving forward and applying those lessons to new experiences. 4. “Create an Arrival: Chapters don't have to end at the conclusion of a scene. They can end at the beginning of the next scene. It’s paradoxical, but your endings should be beginnings.” (The John Fox) – Endings are really new beginnings if you embrace the gaps and overlaps in between. A great example of this is graduations being called “commencements”, indicating that the completion of that degree is really the beginning of your next chapter. Topics Covered in this Episode: • Ending a chapter • The art of detachment • Wrapping up and letting go • Being confident in your endings Links: https://thejohnfox.com/2018/07/12-ways-to-end-a-chapter https://www.writersdigest.com/writing-articles/by-writing-goal/complete-first-draft/3-ways-to-know-when-to-end-your-chapters https://theeditorsblog.net/2012/04/11/dual-duties-of-chapter-endings

EAP 92: Learning to Let Go - How to End a Chapter

EAP 92: Learning to Let Go - How to End a Chapter by Kimi Walker

EAP 91: Want Results? Stop Making These 3 Excuses

With the holidays approaching, many people feel like they can’t set or accomplish new goals because there is too much going on. These feelings usually manifest as excuses, such as these common ones: 1. “I would _____ if I only had more time.” – Everyone is given the same 24 hours every day, so chances are if you feel like you don’t have enough time to get everything done that you are overcommitted or you aren’t managing your time well. There is always something that needs to get done, so be intentional about prioritizing activities based on their urgency and importance. 2. “I have so much going on with _____.” – During the first few weeks and months of a new job or after the birth of a child, it is normal to feel overwhelmed and struggle somewhat to keep up with other aspects of life or commitments. There should come a time, however, when you have established a “new normal” that is pretty stable and you can find a rhythm for productivity, learning how to live this multi-dimensional life by creating more space for yourself in the mornings or at night. 3. “Next year, I will ______.” – You have more than enough time left in 2019 to start something new this year. Don’t discount November and December just because you might have obligations or commitments related to the holidays. This is especially a good time to launch a new business because people are looking to spend money on gifts. Topics Covered in this Episode: • Excuses to avoid • Taking responsibility • Being effective and efficient with your time • Living a multi-dimensional life

EAP 90: Finish the Year Strong

This episode of the Early Accountability Podcast is focused on how to finish out 2019 strong and transition well into 2020. With the holidays coming up, the next few months can slip away without you having a chance to take stock of where you are and where you want to be, to take this opportunity to pause and take these 6 steps: 1. Get clear – Write down 3 goals or accomplishments you want to complete in the new year. Focus intently on the top 3 priorities so you won’t get distracted by having too many goals. 2. Make space for yourself – Spend some time removing clutter from your living and working spaces, providing you with true spaces of rest and productivity and opening up more mental space for future opportunities. Think about your holiday traditions and evaluate whether you need to continue doing those things or make some adjustments. 3. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want and need – Be honest with your loved ones if you need their assistance or resources for anything going on in your life. It can be a stressful season with the expectation of giving many gifts, so reach out if you’re going through some tough times. 4. Reconnect with others – Make time to spend quality time with your loved ones without distractions. Embrace that time and don’t give into the guilt of not being productive because your relationships are just as important as your work. 5. Take some things off your plate – Look at everything you have going on in your life right now and all of your commitments to determine if there is anything that you can let go of. Set yourself up in the new year to have plenty of space for your new goals and priorities by closing the chapters of your life that need to be closed. 6. Spend some time in reflection – Be aware of all the good that is around you and express that gratitude. Topics Covered in this Episode: • Transitioning well into the new year • Finishing this year strong • Gaining clarity • Evaluating your priorities • Reflection and gratitude

EAP 89: Moving in Silence

On this episode of the Early Accountability Podcast, Kimi gets a bit more personal on the topic of stepping out on faith, describing a journey she has been going through for the past several months. It became clear to Kimi earlier this year that she needed to adjust how she works and what that could practically look like. While there are plenty of times for community and collaboration in making big and small decisions, she felt that this journey was meant to be taken alone. By taking the time to process internally what she has been thinking and feeling about the future of her work, she has been able to get grounded, evaluate what has and hasn’t worked in the past, and grow personally. This process of self-discovery and self-affirmation has brought her to a great place where she feels confident with her decisions about the future rather than potentially being swayed by the opinions of others if she had shared her plans sooner. Seeking out counsel from trusted advisors before making a move certainly has its place, but sometimes it is best to come to your own conclusions and make a mental shift in silence before making your questions or plans public. When the time comes to talk about what you are doing, the people who care about you will support you. You know what you need right now, so trust yourself enough to take control of your own future and reach those goals. Topics Covered in this Episode: • Stepping out on faith • Navigating changes and transitions • Moving in silence • When to do things on your own • Mental shifts

EAP 88: Walking by Faith

The topic of this episode of the Early Accountability Podcast is stepping out on faith. Whether you are religious or not, you have likely encountered a time in your life when you could choose to stay where you are or step out in faith that something bigger is ahead. By choosing to get out of your comfort zone and entrust the results to a higher power, you have to potential to achieve great goals. Here are a few of Kimi’s tips for stepping out on faith: 1. Learn to face fear – While you might still have questions and insecurities about the end result, facing your fears will build character and open up your potential for achieving great things. 2. Acknowledge unsettling feelings – Starting something new or committing to stop a habit is uncomfortable, and admitting that to yourself will make it seem less scary or unnatural. 3. Trust that there is good out there – Perhaps you have asked yourself “Is this really all there is?” The answer is no, there are bigger and better things in store for those who step out on faith. 4. Remember that you deserve good – Sure, you believe that other people deserve for good things to happen to them, but what about you? It is ok to be discontent with your current circumstances and want better things to happen. Believe that you deserve good and affirm those beliefs often. 5. Know that there will be challenges – Nothing good comes easily, so expect challenges and don’t be discouraged. 6. Affirm that you are equipped to handle those challenges – Recognize that all of your previous challenges have prepared you for the ones ahead, so accept them when they come and be confident that you can overcome. Topics Covered in this Episode: • Stepping out on faith • Accepting challenges • Achieving your goals • Reaching for more • Trusting the process