Measuring What Matters in Indianapolis: Your Gross National Happiness (GNH)

by Lisa Treadwell

Are you measuring what's really important to you? Are you measuring the intangibles that contribute to your happiness and business success?

There's actually a movement underway among governmental authorities in many countries of the world to measure their Gross National Happiness (GNH). And it's known as that: The GNH Movement.

While Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the measurement of productivity that we're all used to hearing about - whether we're an Indianapolis real estate agent or a Wall Street financier - GDP fails to recognize or provide a metric to illuminate a key component of business, financial and life success for us all; that simple little word known as happiness.

I understand that this sounds rather high-minded, Buddhist-centric, and not necessarily practical.

Featured Meridian-Kessler/Indianapolis House for Sale from The Indy Real Estate Experts

But what if you did measure your happiness and use it as a barometer of success in any walk of life? It's an intriguing theory and while I could attempt to explain it more here with my own writing, I'll let the video below - a 2010 presentation at a TED conference - hopefully inspire your further investigation.

Balance in a World of Chaos: Take a Nap: Part 2 of 5

"I eat really healthy, and if I'm tired, I take a nap."
~Casper Van Dien

Welcome to part 2 of my 5 part series on balance.  My second tip is really simple: Take a nap.

It sounds silly and childish, but the value of a good nap is completely underrated!  Once I embraced nap time, I discovered a new energy that lasts all week.  I come home after a long day and I still have enough energy to hang out with my family, cook dinner if I choose, and prepare for the next day.  Nap time is not just for kids.  

All be honest...I can sleep anywhere and if its not in my bed at night, its usually in my car in a parking lot someplace.  You read right...I nap in my car!  All the time!  

I started nap time when I had my son, Owen, who is 7 now.  When he was a baby, it was such a pain when I would head out to run errands and by the time I would get to the parking lot, my Owen would be sound asleep in his car seat.  I didn't have the heart to wake him, so I gently pulled him out of his seat, leaned my seat back all the way, laid baby Owen on my chest and we napped.  Once nap time was over, we would head in to finish our shopping.  It was both energizing and a wonderful time to cuddle with my baby. 

I continued the tradition with my daughter, Helen, and now that they are both getting older, I see no reason to stop now!  Rather than dragging through the day and being exhausted, I would much rather rest and rejuvenate throughout the day.  I feel much more focused and motivated after my nap!  

Some guidelines for adult napping:

• Nap when you feel like it.  
• Once you get into a napping routine, leave enough time after nap time to wake up and refresh before your next appointment
• Turn off your phone and any other distraction during nap time
• Nap early in your day so as not to interfere with night time sleep

Check in tomorrow for more tips on Balance.  I will show you how to stay focused and on task throughout your day.

Happy Napping!         

Helping Indianapolis Working Mom's to Find Balance

The other day I wrote a lengthy post about how to add at least 30 minutes to your day just by taking a few preparatory steps the night before.  So, I've got out everyone's clothes for tomorrow, ironed what needed ironed, the children are bathed, coffee is set for 5am and now I have 15 minutes to write this post, write two real estate offers for clients, and be in bed by 9pm. Whew! I better get going!

I don't think my life has ever been perfectly balanced, but I will say that it hasn't been as balanced as it is now for a long time.  Its hard work, this balance stuff! When us women decided to burn our bras, did we really mean we wanted to work outside the home, inside the home, and all around the community working ourselves into big, incompetent-feeling stress balls?  I don't think that's what the feminist movement was really all about at all.

Having a career in real estate, two kids, a significant other, friends, family, clients, a real estate team, extended family...that's a lot of roles.  If I don't focus on balance at all times, something will suffer.  I'll be honest, sometimes things do go unattended, but you know what?  My world hasn't caved in, my family loves me unconditionally, I continue to learn, grow, and make new friends...I'm okay if something slips through the cracks b/c that's real life.  Things slip through the cracks.

Which leads me to the first major step in establishing balance...

1. Realize things will slip through the cracks and be okay with it.

That's part one of my Five Part Series on Balance.  Stay tuned for more simple tips to establish balance in your life!

Video: Sell a House Now in Indianapolis

Sell a House in Indianapolis

See the Video Below, Live from My Driveway

In my video below, you will hear a little about the market here in Indianapolis.

I just looked at the stats this afternoon and we are going strong! It is such a great time for BOTH buyers and sellers!

Sellers, I can't keep properties on the market! Buyers are snatching them up! I have open spots for listings right now and I'm ready to get some more properties sold before the end of the year.

Visit Us at Indy Real Estate Experts

WHO DO YOU KNOW WHO IS LOOKING TO SELL THEIR PROPERTY???

Call, text or email me right away if you or someone you know is looking to sell their property before year's end b/c I AM YOUR GIRL!

Interest rates are at ASTONISHING LOWS and PROPERTY VALUES ARE UP!  There's never been a BETTER TIME IN REAL ESTATE!

Sell a home in Indianapolis. That's right. Come this way to this Indianapolis real estate agent and let's talk about selling a house.

Indianapolis/Fishers Real Estate Public Open House: Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012

Public Open House

Tasha Swetnam, Keller Williams Realty Tom Garrison Prime Lending

12670 Justice Crossing, Fishers, In 46037

Sunday, October 28, 2012

12n - 2pm

This charming Fishers home features 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and loads of character. Priced at just $122,000 this is a great opportunity for your first time buyers or as an investment property. Close to award winning schools and Hamilton Towne Center. You couldn’t ask for more!

Contact Tasha at 317-694-5829

Email Tasha

Fishers Public Open House on Sunday, October 28, 2012 12n to 2p

http://indyreexperts.com/

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Guide to Indianapolis Information & Support

Pink is popping up everywhere in Indiana reminding us that October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As many as one in eight American women and one in every 1,000 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives.

It seems as though we can all occasionally get stuck in our daily grind, whether we're an Indianapolis real estate agent or a Carmel dental hygienist, and we forget about the blessed fact of our health.

From Fishers to Brownsburg, I thought I'd share with you a few resources in the Indianapolis area - and nationwide - for anyone affected by breast cancer.

Indianapolis Breast Cancer Support & Care

Indianapolis Breast Cancer Support Groups

An Indiana University Webinar on Being a Patient/Partner Advocate

Indianapolis Breast Cancer Screening Centers

The Pink Ribbon Connection/Indianapolis

St. Vincent Hospital Breast Center

Events

Indianapolis Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk

National

Help Fund Mammograms for Those Who Can't Afford It

What is Breast Cancer?

If you or someone you know has been touched by breast cancer, I hope these resources will be of help to you.

Fishers Home for Sale: 12670 Justice Crossing

Geist Elementary Gator Gallop with State Farm

Indianapolis Houses for Sale

The 7th annual Geist Elementary Gator Gallop is on the way October 12, 2012 and is a very cool - and healthy - way for students to raise money for the school without resorting to the traditional means of selling cookies, gift wrap, magazines, and the like.

Each grade level will walk, skip, gallop and limbo their way through a course set-up outside for approximately 30 minutes.

Please consider sponsoring a student if you're approached to help. The goal is to obtain an average of $50 in pledges per student.

Chris Berger and the gang at State Farm Insurance will have the State Farm "Neighbear" on hand to pass out prizes and goodies to the kids. Thanks to State Farm for their support!

The PTO utilizes all money raised from fundraising events to help offset items otherwise cut from the budget due to current economic constraints.

Get More Details on the Event Here

Indianapolis Home for Sale

12670 Justice Crossing, Fishers, IN, 46037