Debbie Lanier's Life and Times: Volume 35- TIME

I could talk about how much my mom loved the 4th but I kind of covered that in the hash installment. This is about how she was so punctual to everything even with two boys and how that carries me to this day. 

My mom would often leave up to an hour early to account for any type of instances or delays. You would have thought we were going to the airport to catch a flight. I started working 29 years ago at Hardee's in Blacksburg.  I didn't have a car yet and Mom would get me there 30 minutes before my shift started. She did that for every job she drove me to. 

Punctuality is a learned behavior and a valuable skill. I'm glad Debbie stressed the importance of it and kept me from being late rarely if ever. 

Happy 4th, Independence Day, Treason Day, Divorce from Britain, 15 days after Juneteenth, etcq

STARS: How I Improved and Maintained My Home the past Decade and A Half

I had an uphill battle in the early 2010s. My stepdad had spent nearly 20 years cutting corners and rigging stuff around my home instead of actually fixing stuff or planning to fix anything major or long term. 

I got both a credit account with Home Depot and a homeowners warranty. I then made a list of things to complete prioritizing need and in some cases cost. I used any extra money I made from overtime and side hustles towards home improvements and maintenance. I also sought out the best professionals I could find. I only dealt with folks that were licensed, certified and knew what they were doing. 

Going into this year, I've spent around 7,000 spaced out to fix and maintain various things in my house such as plumbing, driveway, pressure washing, furnace, washer/dryer, hot water heater, floors and maintaining stuff before it falls apart. Home ownership isn't cheap but it's well worth it as I ascend into the next round of repairs and maintenance.

STARS: How I've Used The Summer Weather To Get In Better Shape

Summertime isn't just for vacation and relaxing, it's also for conditioning your body for the Fall and simply getting into shape. 

I take advantage of the smaller crowds at the gyms due to summer vacation by getting in more cardio as I'm more apt to sweat. I also get in more outdoor activities especially in the mornings and evenings. The evenings are longer which allows more flexibility. 

I used to capitalize on the longer evenings by running as late as 7pm. Nowadays I take walks around that timeframe. 

I also do more yard, garden type work and even swimming. All of these activities work different muscles in a way more recreational than normal gym activities. 

I've lost up to 50 pounds in the summer months and have lowered blood pressure by 40 points, cholesterol and sugar by the same amount. I've also increased stamina by 60%.

STARS: Improving My Skin Health and Texture

I am a heterosexual man that gets body waxes. Big shout out to my esthetican Carla Hearn for not only opening my eyes to this importance but also to regular skin care. 

Two years ago when I begin seeing Carla she noticed a lot of discomfort, red skin and ingrown hairs. This came from over 20 years of shaving and clipping my body hairs which I didn't know can damage skin look and quality.  I then followed her recommendations and advice. 

I invested in tools to help with exfoliation. I bought and use Dove exfoliating body wash (in the light blue top), exfoliating gloves and sponges. These are all inexpensive and the rewards are endless. I apply body wash to the sponges and gloves and scrub my areas before I shower 3-4 times per week. This removes any excess skin, prevents ingrown hairs from growing and fosters heavy skin and regrowth. 

I've been doing this for nearly a year and now I see how much better looking and feeling my skin is. Additionally my sessions with Carla are much smoother and pain free. Waxing can be a painful process but thanks to the tips Carla offered, it has been very healthy and smooth!

STARS: Building My Credit To A Stellar Level

I used to have horrible credit. I was in my early 20s with credit card debt and a repossessed car. I had to hit the reset button on most everything. 

I knew I had to grind and pound pavement the hard way. 

For 10 years, I saved as much money as I could from my checks, some weeks it was 20%, others up to 50%. 

I paid down and ahead as much debt as I could, including my next car. I paid that off in 5 years on an 8 year plan. 

I got a couple of credit cards to build more credit, a safety net, kept one paid off and never closed any I opened. 

I had other assets such as land and stocks to get me back into position. 

My credit score went from a 500 to a 740 over the course of a decade. I did it the simple way, worked hard, worked overtime, had side income and made it happen.

STARS: How I learned how to drive safely and effectively

I am a safe, brave driver that can navigate any road carefully. I've been at this for over 30 years now. 

I am all over the place.  I started in my main yard and road at a young age. I wanted to be ready for my driver's test. 

I drove on my back road 2-3 times per week and then eventually went to Hickory Grove and Sharon where the traffic was lighter. I practiced 3 point turns and parallel parking in my grandma's yard. I was only unprepared for checking mirrors which was a quick solve. I received my driver's license the second time I drove. 

It's hard to believe I've been a licensed driver for 28 years with minimal tickets, warnings and accidents.  I simply use safe driving methods and practice those every time I'm behind the wheel. 

STARS: How I readjusted my career path and the long term plans I have in place

I reflect from my week off from work and I see how what I've did and accomplished the past two decades in the workplace is astonishing and inspiring.  I still have more goals; however I'm a long way from where I came from. 21 years ago, I was working as a temp associate for Vocational Rehabilitation and was about to be hired by The Robert Allen Group in Gaffney, SC. 

My initial goal was to return to school for my MBA or even my M.Ed and buy myself a car since I was between cars. I also wanted to learn to save and live within my means. I didn't make much money for two years and my mom helped with many gaps. I kept my living expenses low without any frills. I had my bare bone basics and that was it and continue to build brick by brick. 

I always expected my time with The Robert Allen Group to be a segway to another opportunity where I could grow and advance my career. It was a job that allowed me to improve my credit score by 300 points and live a better life financially. However with 2 recessions and me earning my MBA 5 years in, I knew I deserved more. The motivation came further once my hours and pay were cut. Fortunately I was making more than I was when I started in 2003. 

2015 (12 years later), I got my chance as I was hired on by Amazon. I knew advancement and financial satisfaction was more of a reality. 9 years and 4 stations later, I've advanced into lower-middle management with stocks and assets, 3 paid off cars, 2 cars bought brand new, most of my debt paid for, in line for my 4th promotion in 5 years, and living in a manner that was a far cry two decades ago. 

I simply didn't give up, plugged into the proper folks that would help me grow and develop and I continued improving myself professionally, socially, spiritually and physically. The skills, experience and mentorship have been second to none from Robert Allen to Amazon. I feel I haven't been promoted and blessed until I was ready and that's what has manifested for me. 

I'm unsure of where the remainder of my work career will take me but I have developed the tools, maturity and experience to help with challenges and adversity.