Dominique R. Bounds

December 12, 2018 by Dominique R. Bounds Leave a Comment

2019 Book List

Today I am sharing my book list for 2019! Previous years I have done well with keeping up with my book reading through a mixture of audiobooks and physical books. This will be one of the first years that I pair my books for years up with my goals as well as some additional fiction books for fun for a total of about 41 books. I will be attempting to read about 3 books a month. Feel free to locate me on the Good Read App, and hopefully, I remember to rate them after I am complete. I would love to know what you are reading as well.

In case you missed my 2019 Powersheet Goals post, you will find it here!

Master Budget Planning & Consistently Follow the Plan
1) Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence – Vicki Robin
2) The Millionaire Next Door – Thomas J Stanley & William D. Danko
3) Complete Guide to Money – Dave Ramsey
4) Total Money Makeover – Dave Ramsey
5) Love Your Life, Not Theirs – Rachel Cruze

Correctly and Positively Train & Love The Pupster
6) Training Revolution: The Complete Guide to Raising the Perfect Pet with Love – Zak George

Develop and Maintain a Lasting and Realistic Relationship with Christ
7) Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God – Timothy Keller
8) What’s Best Next: How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Done – Matt Perman
9) How to Pray – C.S. Lewis
10) E.M. Bounds on Prayer
11) The Set- Apart Woman: God’s Invitation to Sacred Living – Leslie Ludy
12) Writing in the Margin: Connecting with Good on the Pages of Your Bible – Lisa Nichols Hickman

Radically Change My View and Care of Myself as a Whole
13) Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives – Richard A. Swenson, MD
14) Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity – Saundra Dalton- Smith, MD
15) Sugar Crush: How to Reduce Inflammation, Reserve Nerve Damage, and Reclaim Good Health – Richard Jacoby & Racquel Baldelomar

Treat My Business and a Business
16) Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine: Mike Michalowicz
17) Building a StoryBrand: Clarifying Your Message So Customers Will Listen – Donald Miller
18) Business Boutique: A Woman’s Guide for Making Money Doing What She Loves – Christy Wright
19) How to Style Your Brand: Everything You Need to Know to Create a Distinctive Brand Identity – Fiona Humberstone
20) Brand Brilliance: Elevate Your Brand, Enchant Your Audience – Fiona Humberstone

Minimalist Lifestyle
21) The Curated Closet: A Simple System for Discovering Your Personal Style and Building Your Dream Wardrobe – Anuschka Rees
22) Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less – Greg McKeown
23) A Simplified Life: Tactical Tools for Intentional Living – Emily Ley
24) Simply Clean: The Proven Method for Keeping Your Home Organized, Clean, and Beautiful in Just 10 Minutes a Day – Becky Rapinchuk

Complete the GRE & Be Accepted to the Master of Arts in School Counseling program
Magoosh GRE
Manhattan Prep – GRE

Solidify Friendships and Familial Relationships
25) Never Unfriended: The Secret to Finding and Keeping Lasting Friendships – Lisa-Jo Baker
26) Family Worship – Donald S. Whitney
27) Known: Finding Deep Friendships in a Shallow World – Dick & Ruth Foth

Mystery Goal
Still not sure I am willing to share this goal and the books for it would give it away.

Develop and Maintain a Hair Regimen
28) Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones – James Clear

Books for Fun – Novels & Series
29) The Miracle Morning: The Not-So Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life Before 8am – Hal Elrod
30) The Lifegiving Home: Creating a Place of Belonging and Becoming – Sally Clarkson
31) The Night Circus – Erin Morgenstern
32-36) Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children Series – Ransom Riggs (Reread the first couple and finish the series) (4 books total)
37- 41) A Court of Thorns & Roses Series – Sarah J. Maas (4 books total)

2019 Powersheet Goals

Master Budget Planning & Consistently Follow the Plan
As I get older it becomes more important that I master and finances especially because at some point in time I wish to have a family. It is important that I continue to build my emergency fund, pay down my debt, and save towards my retirement. Therefore, I will make a master budget plan for the year, and follow it throughout the year making small adjustments as required.

Why: To learn to better manage my finances in order to have the life I desire.

Action Steps:
– Develop a Master Budget for Year
– Use My Finances Planner to Plan Each Month
– Locate and Use an app for on the go management

Correctly and Positively Train & Love The Pupster
There continues to be some training and things I want the Pupster to learn. As I decided to get a dog it is my responsibility to make sure he is a loving, protective, and well-trained member of the dog society.

Why: To ensure he is well-trained and loving.

Action Steps:
– Research additional training techniques and commands for him to learn.
– Enroll the Pupster in a class (agility, nosework, etc)

Develop and Maintain a Lasting and Realistic Relationship with Christ
During the year 2018, I feel as though my relationship with Christ has taken a backburner to my life. I need to remember that Christ is the reason for my life, and I need to continue to place him first in everything I do.

Why: To develop a deep and lasting relationship with Christ

Action Steps:
– Complete ValMariePaper’s Fresh Start Journal
– Read the bible in one year
– Maintain an active prayer life

Radically Change My View and Care of Myself as a Whole
My view of my body and overly care of myself has been pretty jaded as of late. While I don’t want to engage in the self-care world, I do think that the way I view myself should change.

Why: Because I want to love myself and view myself in a more loving way.

Action Steps:
– Make a plan of exercise and nutrition
– Practice intentional eating
– ???????

Treat My Business and a Business
I have had a pretty relaxed attitude about running A Curly Transition and while I have numerous ideas, I am not going to get anyway continuing this way. As a result, I need to have more discipline and be strategetic regarding the business aspects in order to grow.

Why: I have dreams and goals for the business and the things I wish for it. Additionally, I would love to make some additional income.

Action Steps:
– Invest in more courses & tools
– Follow my schedule religiously
– Get and use a business planner

Minimalistic Lifestyle
Considering I am living in a much smaller apartment at this time, living a minimalistic lifestyle has become more important than before.

Why: To learn to live with less stuff and be happier with less.

Action Steps:
– Create a capsule wardrobe
– Listen to podcast and read books about the lifestyle
– Minimalist Finances, apartment, and other minimalist things

Complete the GRE & Be Accepted to the Master of Arts in School Counseling program
Sadly taking the GRE is a prerequisite for being accepted in graduate school. Gaining a masters is required for entrance in the Ph.D. program.

Why: It is a step towards my final goal of earning a Ph.D

Action Steps:
– Schedule the test
– Study and take the GRE by May 2019
– Apply for the program

Solidify Friendships and Familial Relationships
While I do have some close friendships my familial relationships are not amazing. Mostly I haven’t cared much about the nature of my familial relationships, I have decided to attempt to make them stronger. Also, I have decided to be more intentional about friendships as much as I am able.

Why: The relationships you make in the world help to define you.

Action Steps:
– Make standing lunch/dinner dates with friends or set phone conversations.
– Attempt to have intentional conversation with the various members of my family

Mystery Goal
This goal is more personal based and I have yet to decide if I want to share it.

Develop and Maintain a Hair Regimen
I have had hair goals since I was a young child, and as I near a major hair goal it is time that I strength my routine.

Why: Hair Goals, Duh.

Action Steps:
– Develop a wash, condition, and henna routine
– Keep low manipulation routine
– Continue to use hair oil and cream
– Continue to take hair vitamins.

Within the upcoming week and month be on the luck out for the following posts:
2019 Book List
2019 Word of the Year
2019 Budgeting & Finance Plan

December 6, 2018 by Dominique R. Bounds 3 Comments

Recognizing the Signs, Avoiding and Recovering from Burnout

While there is not a general accepted definition for job burnout based on the DSM – 5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition), it is well accepted that burnout is a real thing. The term was originally defined by Herbert Freudenberger when he observed his high-achieving patients who had lost their passion, optimism, and sense of purpose. Burnout is normally a hazard for high achieving individuals that they just don’t see coming.

So What Exactly is Burnout?

Working long hours with extremely heavy work loads all while reaching for perfection can be a recipe for burnout. So what exactly is burnout? Burnout is a reaction to prolonged and chronic stress that causes physical and emotional exhaustion. Often it comes along with a sense of lessened accomplishment, cynicism, detachment, and feeling ineffective. Burnout often starts as exhaustion that never seems to go away, and can lead to an inability to function effectively on a professional level. A study conducted in 2009 showed that 50% of employees reported some loss of productivity due to stress and that statistic rose to 60% in younger workers.

What Steps Can You Take to Avoid Burnout?

Luckily there are multiple steps you can take to avoid burnout and get back up to speed. The following are small steps you can start to incorporate in your life that helps to reduce stress:

Exercise
Exercise is one of the more popular ways to reduce stress, and it doesn’t have to be high intensity. Exercise can help to reduce mental fatigue and stress while improving concentration and cognitive functioning. Just exercising for five minutes can start to eliminate anxiety.

Downsize Your Work Load
If possible, speak with your supervisor about possibly reducing your workload. If that is not a possibility removing or delegating unimportant tasks from your schedule should help. At the start of the day, write down to the top five important task and complete them. During this frees up time throughout the day for a task that requires less brain power and possibly time.

Take a Mental Break
Disconnect from the world for a moment each day can assist with clearing your mind and inducing relaxation. Use this time to complete some self-care techniques such as journaling, reading, etc.

How to Recover From Burnout?

Unfortunately, once you are actively in burnout, it is harder to recover. Also, this can be a moment to rediscover yourself and new activities you may like and enjoy.

Take a Vacation
Countless studies have shown that taking vacation alleviates job stress. Taking a vacation immediately diminishes the levels of stress and eliminates burnout as you are taking much needed time to completely shut down and recover.

Return to Work and Take It Slow
When you return to work, take it slow. Handle those items that are most important and take important breaks. If need be, handle some small and easy task to free up some mental space.

Recovering from burnout is a slow process, and you want to make sure you don’t fall deeper into burnout. Knowing the signs makes it easier to avoid in the future. Making sure you have a healthy work-life balance can help to prevent burn in the future. Personally, I discovered that organizing my day the night before helps me to feel less overwhelmed. If you want more information please see my previous blog previous about Organizing and Planning My Day to Day. Have you experienced burnout before? Let me know in the comments what you did to recover?

For more information about recovering, please visit the links below:
The Muse – How to Recover From Burnout?
Psychology Today – Overcoming Burnout

December 4, 2018 by Dominique R. Bounds Leave a Comment

How to Earn Cash While You Shop

How to Earn Cash While Shopping -Shopping is one of the great American recreations. So earning money while you shop can only be a plus right? If you use these apps responsibly you can get back some of that hard earned money.

Shopping is one of the great American recreations. So earning money while you shop can only be a plus right? If you use these apps responsibly you can get back some of that hard earned money. Here is a breakdown of the top cash back apps I use quite frequently. Please note that some of the links contain referral information.

IBotta

Ibotta is a free app that pays you for making everyday purchases. Earn cash back on groceries, apparel, cosmetics, and more. There are three ways to earn cashback: receipts, loyalty cards, and mobile in-app purchases. In order to get started with Ibotta you need a PayPal or Venmo in order to cash out your cashback.

I love Ibotta as it holds my coupons for me, and I attached my Kroger loyalty card which allows me additional purchases. When I sit down to make my grocery list, I go through Ibotta and add the items that I am looking to purchase. Once I purchase the items, I upload my receipts and earn my cashback. It is super easy, and one of my favorite features is that I can get cash back for generic, any brand items. Signup today and get $10. f you decide to sign up, please use my referral code: 9s4uka
For more information about Ibotta, here is an article on Balance that goes into more details: Beginner’s Guide to Ibotta – Earn Cash for Shopping

Shopkick

Shopkick is an amazing app that allows you to earn reward points for free gift cards. Kicks can be earned by walking in the store, online, or scanning select items with your Shopkick app. I completely forgot about this app for the longest and recently rediscovered it. I can take a long time to accumulate points, and you need several hundred points to get a gift card. Also, you can only earn gift cards and no cash.

Checkout 51

Checkout 51 is a new cash program that is very similar to Ibotta. It basically works in the same way. Download the app, browse and select the offers, upload the receipts, and receive the cash. Every Thursday new deals and cashback is released. Also, like Ibotta you can stack the savings with coupons and other discounts. For more information with using Checkout51, please check out the following article: Beginner’s Guide to Checkout 51

Ebates

Ebates is one of the more popular shopping portals with cash back offers on various partners. They several different promotions including in-store cash back, online cash back, double cash back, travel and vacations, BOGOs, and gift cards. You can use Ebates through the website, browser extension, or phone app. Linking your debit and credit cards to your Ebates accounts allows you to earn instore cashback. Every 3 months, your reward check (Big Fat Checks) are mailed or sent to your Paypal account.

When using Ebates online, search the website for cashback and click the link, or use the browser extension. The browser extension will show the percentage cashback once reaching the online store. If you are looking for in-store cash back, you have to search the app for in-store offers, and add the link to your debit card. It’s just that simple. If you decide to use Ebates considering using my referral code: DRBOUN2D

Dosh

Dosh is a cashback app that is similar to Ebates. It is accessed through a phone app only. Honestly, using dosh as a part of your everyday life is much easier than Ebates. Once you download the app and connect your card you are paid to shop like normal. Dosh will alert you when you have earned cash back. Earning cashback online is similar to that of Ebates. You have to go into the app, select the store, and follow the link to the online store. I have been using this app for a short period of time and have earned quite a decent about of money in the last few days.

I love using cashback and coupon apps to help me save money. What cashback apps do you and recommend? Please an answer in the comments.

December 3, 2018 by Dominique R. Bounds Leave a Comment

What is Ghosting?

Ghosting occurs when someone you care about disappears without a trace or contact without any explanation. A 2016 study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships showed that out of 1300 study participants, 25% ghosted people, and 20% of the respondents have been ghosted. Ghosting avoids perceived confrontation, difficult conversations, and dealing with another’s hurt feelings. More recently ghosting has been occurring in platonic and employee relationships as well.

Ghosting in Employee-Employer Relationships

Unemployment rates are low and it’s a buyer’s market right now. The average job seekers are confident in their ability to obtain multiple job offers, as a result, people are ghosting jobs just as jobs used to ghost employees. Individuals with multiple job offers are having a difficult time juggling them and instead of turning now a job gracefully they choose to ghost. Often new employee accepts the job offer, completes the on-boarding and background process only to not show up the first day. Of course, companies, hiring professionals, and recruiters have been ghosting prospective employees for years, but now the tables have turned.

Ghosting in Romantic and Platonic Relationships

Quite often the person who has been ghosted is left with some devastating emotional effects and a possible decrease in self-esteem (for those who are more fragile). On occasions, the person that has been ghosted will track down the person who ghosted them leading to an embarrassing confrontation for both parties. Despite the bad reputation that ghosting has there are some moments when it is acceptable to ghost someone. Abusive, manipulative, and violent relationships are an acceptable time to use ghosting. The person who is abusing you does not require closure or a reason to you leaving. The goal at this point is to get out of the relationships safely.

I have several friends who have been ghosted in romantic and platonic relationships and to hear them speak about it there pain and hurt is palpable. Ghosting causes feelings of disrespect and being used and disposable. Additionally, it could cause future issues with vulnerability and trust down the road. For those that have been ghosted, focus on your internal happiness and understand that person wasn’t worth your time. Sooner or later, someone better will come along. Have you been ghosted or ghosted someone? Let me know why in the comments.

November 21, 2018 by Dominique R. Bounds Leave a Comment

Conversations & Thoughts When Running Your First Half-Marathon

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Conversation & Thoughts When Running Your First Half-Marathon - In keeping with my Fantastic 40, I decided this year was a good time to complete my goal to run a half marathon. Another reason I decided to complete it was that I met my amazing (now former) coworker who runs marathons on a regular.

In keeping with my Fantastic 40, I decided this year was a good time to complete my goal to run a half marathon. Another reason I decided to complete it was that I met my amazing (now former) coworker who runs marathons on a regular. After talking with her and finally fessing up that I alway wanted to run a half and a full marathon, we decided that the Detroit Marathon would be amazing for me to run for the first time. My whole goal was to complete the race in under 3 hours.

My first month of training was EXTREMELY difficult, and I went through some mental and body issues , push through it. Previously, I would easily run up to five miles with no issues, but after a year of exercise restriction, I was starting completely over. I could barely run half a mile. A half a freaking mile! But finally, I just muscled through and managed to run 3 miles. After that, it was mostly (kinda, but not really) full sailing.

This conversation is a basic overview of my thoughts and conversations during my first half-marathon with my friend, Courtney. Hopefully it is insightful and possibly slightly entertaining. I know the whole thing was mind blowing for me.

Starting Line

Me: Lord Jesus! There are a ton of people out here. So many more than running a 5K. I will be trampled. Tell me I am not doing this. I am actually doing this. Is it too late to back out now?

Courtney: Yes. Yes, it is. You will be fine.

Me: Oh shit I said that out loud. Lmao!

Miles 0 -1

Me: Okay. This isn’t bad. My legs are really cold. But this isn’t that bad. Okay I just started though. I hope my legs don’t cramp up.

Courtney: Why do you think we are going to slow? Stop pace pushing. We aren’t even at mile one yet. Calm down.

Miles 1 – 2

Me: Still not bad. My legs are still freezing. People are already ditching clothes. Wait? Is she is wearing shorts right now? Is she freaking insane? It is freezing out here. My legs are going numb. Wait that’s probably a good thing. I won’t feel my calves lock up.

Courtney: Yea I don’t know how people are running half naked and numb legs might be a good thing. The dude running in the trash bag has a good idea though because he will keep his warmth in.

Miles 3 – 4

Courtney: Okay so we are coming up on the bridge. I am going to ditch my sweater now. Are you ready for this incline?

Me: Ugh! No. LMAO! Okay let’s go. The Canadian Border Patrol is pretty nice other than the screaming, “Where’s your bib?” Oh look, she tried to run across the border without her bib. Lord this bridge is killing me. I should have ran more hills.

Courtney: At the rest station off the bridge we will stop to eat and drink. Okay. This view is pretty good.

Me: It’s amazing. This really isn’t bad. I am still pretty pumped and excited I did this. Also, I am very shocked that I haven’t stopped to walk yet. (Sidenote – We were freaking crawling because I have no pace control and it was my first half so this probably why I hadn’t stopped to walk).

Miles 4 – 6

Me: Okay. I really have to go to the bathroom. Badly. I’m sorry. I gotta stop.

Courtney: What is up with your bladder? There are some portables. Just don’t stop moving or you will cramp up.

Me: Okay. (Wait in line for 15 minutes and have a random conversation with a lady in line). Okay I am done. Lets go.

Courtney: I just saw a penguin run pass.

Me: Ahh man. (Right before the tunnel)….Look there are some bananas.

Courtney: There are always bananas. Lol.

Miles 6 – 8

Me: This tunnel is so warm. OMG! Look the penguin.

Courtney: Yup that’s the penguin. How many kilometers is a mile? I have the hardest time with that.

Me: Yea. Idk. I do as well. I struggle with knowing if it’s less or more miles. I think more right?

Courtney: Can’t be. A 5K is 3.1 miles. So less.

Me: Crap! It is. Lol. We are too smart for this.

Courtney: Don’t worry our brain power is on reserve for more running. LMAO.

Miles 8 – 10

Me: Where the hell are we? Is this Corktown? What backroad did we take to get to Corktown? Seriously?!

Courtney: I don’t know know. Once we passed underneath Cobo I lost track.

Miles 10 – 12

Me: Look. Everyone is slowing down. My feet are killing me and I want to stop. But I am afraid that if I stop I won’t have the energy to start up again.

Courtney: You are doing great. We are nearly done. Just push through it.

Miles 12-13.1

Me: Dude. We have been running behind that speedwalker for the longest time. He is freaking moving. Someone behind us is running with their dad and he looks to be about 80 years old. He’s a boss.

Courtney: That’s awesome. He’s (speedwalker) making good time. I wonder if he’s going to do the whole marathon.

Me: He’s moving over to the marathon lane. Lord. He’s moving man.

Courtney: He’s making great time. People speed walk these things all the time. We are almost done. Let’s speed it up and bring it in faster.

Me: Okay.

Finish

Me: I am sitting down now.

Courtney: No. Walk it off. You will stiffen. Lets go get our banana and medal.

Running my first half marathon was AMAZING! I am ready and willing to run another half in the near future. I feel so accomplished and fulfilled. What about you? What goals have you completed lately? Anything coming up soon? Let me know in the comments.