How To Be Awesome At Everything

How To Be Awesome At Maximizing Your Party Budget!

Celebrations, especially kids celebrations, are so much fun… and they can also be so expensive.

In this episode, Lindsay is sharing all the things she's learned about how to choose where to spend the money for the greatest impact.

She's sharing the process she goes through in planning and how she decides what to do herself, what to hire someone else do, what to buy and what to rent.

It's amazing how much you can stretch your dollars if you plan ahead of time and do it strategically.

We're talking about how to get creative with a part of your party when it's just getting too expensive.

Today we are talking about party budgets and throwing really special events that don't cost nearly as much as they look like they do!

First, we brain dump and get allll our inspiration and ideas together and approximately how much each will cost. Then we eliminate what we don't need or could do ourselves and focus what's most important to you and what will be the most special to your little birthday boy or girl.

Lindsay says…

Full disclosure! I spend my money on kids parties and organic food!

For me, at this stage in my life, I prefer to send money on moments and experiences with our family and friends… then on more stuff. I don't need more stuff, my kids don't need more stuff… so I go really light on gifts and spend more on parties and activities at the parties that the kids can help me play and set-up and look forward to doing with their friends, and laugh about it later.

Like on this last party I did- there was not a single food vendor - I made a big table of food- like a massive cheese board and ordered local pizza, made hot dogs and popcorn myself so there wasn't much spent on food, but everyone had plenty of yummy food to eat- but you wouldn't notice that there wasn't an elaborate food plan.

Here are some tips Lindsay talks about:

-Braindump! Write it alllll down.. start HUGE like your Kim K. Then eliminate and you're left with is most important to you.

-Make your guest list - number of people directly affects the budget you need

-Pull out the things that you have that you could use, before you buy more.

-Set a range of a budget

-Space out your spending - buy parts of it 2 months ahead of time so it's not all at once

-Make what you can from your list

-Buy the things you will use over and over again

-Rent the things you won't

-Have a signature drink- makes it easy

-Decide what's worth it to you

Like an invitation with a costume

-If things get too pricey- ditch it and come up with a new plan

Like wrapping the walls of your house with wrapping paper

Here are a few Orange County vendors that Lindsay mentions:

Caricatures

[email protected]

Enchanted Characters

[email protected]

Create A Party table rentals in Brea

[email protected]

Ball Pit

[email protected]

Photo Booth

[email protected]

Photographer - Greg Loza

[email protected]

HAPPY PARTY PLANNING!!

We all have so many awesome ideas. But most of them, we never do anything about! This comes down to two things… remembering them and taking action on them.

So today, we're talking allllll about your great ideas. Those little ideas that solve a problem in your life or make things easier, or those bigger ideas that create something new or start a business or in some way change the course of your life. Maybe it's an idea for a small change that can help something you've been struggling with or some cool adventure you'd just love to do at some point.

We're talking how to get them all in one place and then… decide which you really want to do and how to actually executing on them.

Today, we're talking about taking your ideas and making them happen!

Here are some of the tips Lindsay talks about:

-Keep an ideas book with you allll the time!

-Brain dumb in there- allll ideas go in!

-If it's something you know you want to do… take one small step immediately.

-Say your ideas out loud! Run them by friends/family!

-Lindsay likes paper rather than notes on phone - but whatever works for you!!

Here are some links to idea books to get you going!!

https://amzn.to/3wHEJyK

Now go write down your ideas then make them happen!

Let's talk about taking your kids out to dinner!

In this episode Lindsay is giving you lots of ideas of how to make it not only bearable to take your kids out to eat with you, but actually super enjoyable.

We're talking about what to do ahead of time and what to bring, what to plan for and how to not lose it if shit hits the fan!

It's so important to take your kids out to dinner… so they get used to it and they are good at doing it. And it's great family time that you should not miss because you think it might be too hard to take your kids out with you.

We're talking about a dining out experience where you enjoy it and your kids do too.

Here are some of the ideas Lindsay talks about:

-Choose the right place - especially to start

-Talk to them about it ahead of time

-Don't take tired kids out - plan ahead if you can

-Bring things to keep them busy!

-Bring snacks!

-Then bring tech to keep them busy!

-Order pretty quickly - just in case - let's not push it

-Respect other people dining

-Talk to them, engage, be creative- no need to live on the defensive

-Stay calm if shit hits the fan

-KEEP DOING IT!!

To see the blog that goes with this podcast, click here:

https://howtobeawesomeateverything.com/blogs/how-to-be-awesome-podcast/the-most-awesome-restaurant-activities-for-kids

Bad days.

We all have them… today we are talking about how to get through them… in them in the best way possible.

We're talking about how important our thoughts are and even more importantly, the words that come out of our mouth. How often are you labeling a day as bad, when it really was one bad thing, that in the big picture isn't that big of a deal?

In this episode, we're talking about strategies that you can use on bad days, and how to flip it, when it's not actually a bad day.

It's all about your perspective.

We can't control what happens to us, but we can control how we interpret it and how we label it.

So if we are very intentional about protecting our happy headspace and how we interpret and label things, we will shake off so many more bad days, and have so many more awesome days.

Here are a few key points from this podcast:

-Lindsay says…

"Here's the deal… I've done a lot of reading over the years to train myself to be in control of how I feel.

There's always problems. I take it all on as my fault. There are hard parts of everyday, but I'm making other parts of my life hard on purpose, in the best way, so that I'm tough and durable and can handle those hard things as they come. I'm able to shake off more bad days because I'm mentally and physically tough. It doesn't always work the way I'd like, but a lot of times it does. Because I train and I'm ready for it, just like a race."

-There is a concept in psychology called "learned hopelessness."

This concept is used to explain certain aspects of depression and anxiety and I think often times what can lead us to saying we're having a bad day.

Basically if you're taught at a young age that you are helpless in the face of struggles or the world's forces, you will continue to view things that happen to you with a perception of lack of control, and then actually become helpless, no matter the context or if things change or if you really do have control.

-Shitty things happen to us, but we have to think, has someone else gotten through this and come out ok… then we can too.

-We have to realize that we are in control of so much more than we think. And it's important to take on accountability and blame because it's so freeing, you control almost everything!

-Take care of your body!! Nutrition, exercise and sleep!! You are so much more durable when bad things happen if you are giving your body what it needs.

-Stress affects every part of our body- so we have to fight to keep it as low as possible.

Stress affects your hormones, your muscles, your breathing and your blood pressure.

-Pay attention to your stress so you can fix it and sleep well at night.

-Sometimes you just need to sleep it off!! Don't try to solve your problems in a day- especially when you're emotional/exhausted from it. You are a better problem solver and better able to cope with stress when you're well-rested. Plus, things won't seem like such a big deal as time goes on.

-Get in your 10s on the regular- so you are operating HAPPY.

-Don't judge yourself for days when you weren't your best.

-I don't have a lot of bad days because I don't acknowledge bad days.

I believe in FEELING ALL THE FEELINGS! I'm not talking about suppressing- totally the opposite!!

I'm talking about having perspective about it.

-If the people I love are healthy and I didn't get a call that one of them is sick or injured, it's a good day.

-Having an issue in my business or losing a big opportunity SUCKS and it stings, but it doesn't ruin my day. It's a bummer… but I'm not VERBALIZING it and labeling it.

-We can't always control what happens to us, but we can control how we interpret it and how we label it.

So if we are very intentional about protecting our happy headspace and how we interpret and label things, we will shake off so many more bad days, and have so many more awesome days.

Thanks for listening!! Have an AWESOME DAY!!

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Let's talk about something fun… vacation!! And vacation planning!

Planning a vacation can be like a full-time job in a way, a fun job, but still a job. The goal of this podcast episode is to make it easy and FUN to plan activities while on vacation.

Lindsay is LOTS of tips for how to get the inside scoop on what to expect and how to best prepare for each activity and how to fill your days based on your goal of the vacation.

Here are some of the tips Lindsay talks about!

-What's the main vacation goal? Relax, adventure, a bit of both?

-Have an idea of your budget

-Make a big brainstorm list of all the options

Activities at hotel (like kids club, pool cabanas, beach cabanas, etc) and outside of hotel (zip lining, whale watching, hiking tour, etc)

-Ask everyone going what sounds fun

-Show them YouTube videos of where you're going to get them excited and to help decide what looks like the most fun for them

-Look at reviews

-Call concierge for help

-Ask about private options vs. budget options

-Get a calendar out and plan out the days

-Know the cancellations

-Book dinners ahead of time

-Make sure to look up logistics like travel time between each place

-Call each place directly and ask what the experience will be like and what could be helpful to have with you.

-Ship a box ahead of time if it will help!

-Check or ask for last minute deals

-Search locations on social media to see what the experience looks like from peoples posts and if anyone posts tips! Same with YouTube… see what info is out there!

-Plan, plan, plan… then be so flexible for changes!

HAPPY VACATION PLANNING!!

Path 1- The first path is where you go for it!! You let your heart guide you. You're creative and curious and free. You enjoy the process not just the destination.

Path 2- The second path is filled with second-guessing, what-ifs, comparing yourself, setting up boundaries that don't exist and seeking approval from others. You have anxiety and nervousness and indecisiveness.

One way leads you to feeling thoroughly used up, knowing that you gave everything and held nothing back. Like at the end of a good run, you're tired, yet energized.

The other way leaves you with a feeling of stress, sort of held back and frustrated and unsatisfied.

There will be days where we stumble and lose our way.

Sometimes you will make little things a bit deal or forget what's really important to you. You will get distracted and go off in the wrong direction. But then you will remember to retrace your steps and take notice.

And you'll wake up again the next day and give everything you've got to whatever you're doing. Hold nothing back. End each day knowing you left it all out on the field.

Lindsay does lots of podcasts on constantly working to maintain a positive headspace and be mindful of the words that you say, and getting in your 10s each day...(those things that make you OH SO happy) because she really believes that the thoughts you think and the words you say create the environment that you live in. And the environment in your head of what you're becoming. So today, we're talking about living in your own bubble - in the best way - where you make sure to take the time to do those things that make you happy and make sure you are getting what you need so you aren't resentful when different situations come up in your life. She's talking about setting yourself up to be happy and have good days- rather than relying a ton on other people to get you there. And a part of this is being able to resist the urge to slip to the other side when negativity comes your way. We're having a very positive and empowering talk about so many things she's learned about making yourself happy. Here are some things that Lindsay talks about in this episode: -GET in your 10s each day! -Set-up your own special days -TELL your loved ones what you want/need -Manage your expectations of others -Make sure you are happy in what you are doing daily- so when life complications come up- you aren't resentful! -RESIST listening to negativity, repeating it or letting it sink in! Don't give it energy!! Energy flows where attention goes!! -Create your own struggles so the struggles that life throws your way doesn't knock you down -This doesn't mean you can't rely on others- but it's so empowering to really control your own happiness! CHEERS!! To AWESOME, HAPPY DAYS ahead!!

After 412 days of being closed, Disneyland is open again… and it's AWESOME! Beyond awesome! Lindsay went on opening day and it was the best time she's had at Disneyland. Capacity is so low and the Disney staff really nailed the reopening. She's sharing everything she learned from their trip plus info and tips from talking to people that work at Disney.

What to bring, what to plan for ahead of time, how to use the Disneyland app to really make your day go smoothly, what it's like with masks and why she thinks this is a once-in-a-lifetime Disney experience and you should go as soon as you can. We are talking about How To Be Awesome At Doing Disneyland Post-Covid today!!

Here are some of the topics Lindsay covers:

-Booking reservations online- pick your day and put in your names!

-What it's like wearing masks - know you have to play by their rules.

-Pack LOTS of waters! (And snacks)

-Ordering food on the mobile app

-Parking and walking (trams closed)

-Bring a stroller!!

-Plan to stay alllllll day

-Ride lines and wait times

-Use the app to see ride wait times

-Measure your kids ahead of time so you know what rides they can go on

-Know your MUST ride rides ahead of time

-Bring SPF and hats!!

-Look at the food options ahead of time

-Aside from the short wait times, why it's extra magical right now!!

Here's the link to book:

https://disneyland.disney.go.com

HAPPY DISNEY DAY!!!

In this bonus podcast, Lindsay is sharing this travel guide for an awesome family vacation to Maui!

Where to stay, where to eat, what to book ahead of time, how to balance activities with downtime… all of it!

Here are some of the

--Where to eat

The most awesome restaurants! & making reservations

Mama's Fish House

Merriman's in Kapalua

Spago at Four Seasons

Ko Restaurant

Humble Market Kitchen

Sansei Sushi

Monkeypod Kitchen

Beach shack at the Marriott

In Lahaina- must go to Cheeseburgers in Paradise

Or in town - best ever yummy local fish stands!

While you're there- do the pearls and henna tattoos!

--Luaus!

--Where to stay

For kids! Grand Wailea!

For 5 star - Montage at Kapalua!

--Activities to plan

Pool cabanas

Trilogy boat ride

Kayak / snorkel

Zip Lining

Road to Hana

Waterfalls

Whale watching

--Sunscreen tips!

--Or split up your trip and stay somewhere else - Montage Kapalua is amazing!

--Rental car or no?

--Covid updates! Covid test prior, wristband to get in, quarantine questions and masks.

--Childcare or no?

--Time change & how to deal

--Flight with kids & how to deal

--What to send in a box ahead of time

That's it!! All the most awesome things to do in Maui!!

ALOHA!!

How To Be Awesome At Airplane Travel With Kids!

There is no need to dread flying with your kids!

We are going to get you super prepared for the expected and the unexpected… what to pack and how not to overpack… how to keep them busy and how to prep food so you aren't relying on any airport or airplane food.

1. MANY. TIPS. coming your way in this one from my many years of flying with kids and making all the mistakes then figuring it out!

We're talking about how to prep and plan and how to go into it, the day of.

Flying with kids can be fun and something you actually look forward to, not dread.

Today is all about how to fly with kids… and be awesome at it!

Here are some of the main points Lindsay covers:

-Prepping!

Talk to your kids about it

Plan a good time to fly - avoid multiple flights if you can

Pack really organized so you know where things are - don't overstuff it!

Pack just what you need for the flight in your carry on bags

Bring activities *NEW* toys & books & coloring etc

Bring snacks

Bring iPad with headphones

Bring treats & gum

Bring something to keep them cozy- blanket etc- if you think they could sleep!

Picture yourself boarding and flying and think of what you could want

Pack full meals for everyone (don't rely on food at the airport or on the airplane)

Make sure our passport isn't expired!

Car seats and strollers and slings

Pack a change of clothes just in case- or for when you arrive if room isn't ready.

Get plenty of sleep the night before.

Mentally prep yourself - be well rested and expect problems.

-Day of!

Check-in online!

Allow plenty of time - last thing you need is a rushed and stressed departure.

Put watches on older kids with tracking

Ask about upgrades!

Take advantage of early boarding

Have kids carry their own bags if they can

Understand that they are kids and it will be fine!

Give kids a camera!

Travel journal for older kids (to give a screen break)

Trade off if you have a partner (or plan to take it all on yourself)

This is a good time for bribery and treats!!

Traveling with kids can be FUN and you can actually enjoy the process, not just hurry to the destination! Happy flying!