Nice Girls Rule 60-Day Challenge: Day 18 & 19

For the next two months, every time I post a Blog/Twitter/Facebook message it will be about one simple way to increase your nice girl power. These will be simple ways to make your corner of the world a better place and to celebrate who you are, a woman who has committed herself to giving nice a good name. Here's today's challenge!

Nice Girls Challenge Day 18 & 19: Take Criticism Well and Be Productive with Your Response

Thoughts of the day:

Today's challenge is two fold, and may take more than a couple of days to implement. In my world, reviews are a part of life. My husband and I just had a conversation about how I don't handle criticism very well- some nice girls handle it much better than I! But, the truth is that constructive criticism is essential to becoming a better writer, worker, friend, and overall person.

First challenge: look for the constructive in the criticism - no matter the source there can always be found a little nugget of self-actualization that you can take away to learn and grow from. Focus on that nugget.

Second challenge: Be productive with criticism. Sometimes honesty can be hurtful, because it strikes a raw nerve within ourselves. But if we are truly honest, we should be able to admit that humility also means that we are teachable- and if you spend your life being open to learning new things and stretching yourself to be better, you will succeed at whatever you are brave enough to try.

Nice Girls Rule 60-Day Challenge: Day 17

For the next two months, every time I post a Blog/Twitter/Facebook message it will be about one simple way to increase your nice girl power. These will be simple ways to make your corner of the world a better place and to celebrate who you are, a woman who has committed herself to giving nice a good name. Here's today's challenge!

Nice Girls Challenge Day 17: Do Your Job Well

Thought of the day: This may seem like an obvious one, but lately I have been dealing with some people who could stand to learn a thing or two about today's challenge (myself included).

No matter if you are working your dream job or dreaming about it at your current job, nice girls need to commit to doing their jobs well-- no matter if they love it or not. When I used to answer phones, I made sure I never let the phone ring more than once, took extremely detailed messages, made sure the message was delivered at the earliest possible time, and then made sure the question was answered in a timely fashion.

Is answering phones hard to do? Uh, no.

Is taking messages a complicated process? Nope.

Is it a humbling profession? Uh, yes.

Even though I knew I was capable of more, I gave all I could, so that some day my efforts would pay off. And they did!

If you are at a job that doesn't challenge you, then challenge yourself. Even if you are gifted in other areas, take whatever corner of the world you find yourself in and make it a better position than when you started there. Whether a CEO or a janitor, take pride in your work.

Nice Girls Rule 60-Day Challenge: Day 16

For the next two months, every time I post a Blog/Twitter/Facebook message it will be about one simple way to increase your nice girl power. These will be simple ways to make your corner of the world a better place and to celebrate who you are, a woman who has committed herself to giving nice a good name. Here's today's challenge!

Nice Girls Challenge Day 16: Get a worthy role model

Thought of the day: Far too many nice girls pine for lifestyle's of the rich and famous. With role models in the media like Kim Kardashian- who has sold her identity like a bumper sticker for another fragrance deal or vows to never pose nude again before taking off her clothes yet again for another photo shoot (o.k., so I did see that episode. I'm guilty too of being sucked into reality TV- I call it "research") it can be hard to decipher between worthy role models in reality and fiction in our own lives.

Today's challenge is to look for some worthy role models- and since reality TV isn't offering us any healthy alternatives, why not look to some of literature's most famous "nice girls"? Read my top 10 list on Vampires and Tofu and Divine Caroline!

Nice Girls Rule 60-Day Challenge: Day 15

For the next two months, every time I post a Blog/Twitter/Facebook message it will be about one simple way to increase your nice girl power. These will be simple ways to make your corner of the world a better place and to celebrate who you are, a woman who has committed herself to giving nice a good name. Here's today's challenge!

Nice Girls Challenge Day 15: Clean out your complaint cache

Thought of the day: O.k., so I am writing this one, because I need to hear it. I have been finding myself complaining a lot lately and it is beginning to bug the nice girl inside of me that keeps reminding me that I am practicing big "B" behavior.

So here it goes. What do we really have to complain about?

It is an overdrawn comparison between our lives and third world countries, or the homeless, or the sick and dying- but sometimes we have to make such drastic side-by-side parallels in order to truly see how blessed we are.

I am a new mom and have discovered a little flaw in my personality (o.k., so maybe it is a gaping hole! ha), but I am constantly frustrated. If it isn't that the car won't start, its that the baby is crying and the dishwasher broke. Or that my bank account is looking lean, while I really want to order that adorable hand-knit scarf off Etsy. Let's do a quick break-down of my list of "frustrations".

In all reality- I am lucky I even have a car. I am blessed that I can afford to drive that car and pay for gas. I am lucky that I was able to have a son and that he is healthy and happy and the light of my life. And a dishwasher? I spent my entire college career in a house without one and it was awful. I am so blessed that I have a bank account that is never in the red, even if we get close. I honestly have nothing to complain about!

Cleaning out your complaint cache can reveal that the little things you fume about are really nothing but hot air.

Challenge: Make a little list of your current frustrations and spend some time thinking about how the simple fact that you have those problems makes you a very rich person.

Nice Girls Rule 60-Day Challenge: Day 14

For the next two months, every time I post a Blog/Twitter/Facebook message it will be about one simple way to increase your nice girl power. These will be simple ways to make your corner of the world a better place and to celebrate who you are, a woman who has committed herself to giving nice a good name. Here's today's challenge!

Nice Girls Challenge Day 14: Forgive debts

Thought of the day: Today's challenge isn't an easy one, but it is a lesson we all need to learn.

Over the weekend, Camille a long time friend of mine, told me this ridiculous story about an acquaintance of hers. Camille went to this girl's house for dinner and over casual conversation remembered that she owed her a few dollars. Camille said, "Oh, and I know I still owe you a few dollars. I will be sure to bring in $5 to work, to give you to you on Monday." Instead, of this acquaintance saying, "Great, thank you." She instead said, "Actually, I've done the math. And since I've known you, you owe me a total of $35.25."

Ladies! This is a rule that I have always lived by. If you loan anyone money- a nickel to a fortune- DO NOT EXPECT TO GET IT BACK. If someone, returns your money than that is an added bonus- but when it comes to friend's borrowing money, if you begin to stew over the sum you've lent, you are setting yourself up for a bestie break up.

Give with a joyful heart, and only give what you can afford to not get back.

Nice Girls Rule 60-Day Challenge: Day 13

For the next two months, every time I post a Blog/Twitter/Facebook message it will be about one simple way to increase your nice girl power. These will be simple ways to make your corner of the world a better place and to celebrate who you are, a woman who has committed herself to giving nice a good name. Here's today's challenge!

Nice Girls Challenge Day 13: It's Not All About You

Thought of the day: From the moment we are born we see the world through our eyes only. We learn the word "mine!" early on, and much to the chagrin of our parents stomp around yelling it while grabbing at anything within reach. Unfortunately, some of us have never outgrown this stage- and instead have built a life based upon it.

But nice girls discover, as we grow up, that not everything is all about us. There are way too many people in this world to go through life with believing we are entitled to whatever we want.

The beauty about being a nice girl in this world, is that we can be the positive change makers. Instead of taking today, give up something that you've labeled "mine". It can be as small as giving up your morning latte to buy one anonymously for the person behind you or as big as donating your monthly commission to a local charity.

Nice Girls Rule 60-Day Challenge: Day 12

For the next two months, every time I post a Blog/Twitter/Facebook message it will be about one simple way to increase your nice girl power. These will be simple ways to make your corner of the world a better place and to celebrate who you are, a woman who has committed herself to giving nice a good name. Here's today's challenge!

Nice Girls Challenge Day 12: No Man (0r Woman) is an Island

Thought of the day: No matter where you find yourself on the 'outgoing odometer', nice girls need to realize that you need people to get where you are going and to cheer you on in your experiences.

Some nice girls tend to be shy girls. And even though being "the quiet one" doesn't make you any less poised for success in your life, it can make the journey lonely. If you are shy, reach out to that girl in your office or mommy work-out group and ask for a coffee date or a happy hour drink. Much like guy-girl dating, you have to put yourself out there to create new and lasting friendships.

For the social nice girl, reach out to the girl that most people ignore. I bet you will find a kindred spirit there. Most shy girls are thoughtful and giving, they just don't know how to strike up casual conversations with strangers.

If you are neither here nor there on the shy scale, then don't be stingy with your association. As long as she doesn't proclaim to be a big B, then welcome any and all into your social circle. You never know where a life long friend may be hiding!