I know that many of you are heading into the craziness that is tax season, budgeting or regular crazy of accounting.

For me, I'm recuperating from elective surgery that has put me out more than I expected. Not that the doctor lied to me but that I lied to myself and thought I would breeze through recovery.

So, I'm working, my real job, short hours from home, squeezing in ASWA, light duty as Granma and spending a lot of time off my bottom. That means more time in my head; arrgh, more time thinking.

Why didn't I get that project done before my surgery?

What do I really want to do with this situation?

When am I going to find time to do x?

Where is such and such that I think I need desperately now?

How am I going to get everything done when I can only sit for a short period of time?

Take a deep breath and slow down. I need to view this time as a gift, to set priorities that work towards my life's purpose. This is all part of being mindful

For everyone else, take a deep breath and slow down. Set your priorities and work your plan. This is all part of being in accounting.

As I start the year 2012, I think about the year that has ended and the things I want to improve on moving into a brand new, fresh year. Isn't that how we get to our New Year's Resolutions? We decide what we want to change and then we say I'm going to do X, Y and Z.

I eat too much and I don't exercise enough. I can spend too much and bring too much into my home without scaling back on what I already have. I leave things to the last minute and then have to play the catch up game. I tend to work on what is in front of me at the risk of those longer-term projects. So… I'm going to watch what I eat, exercise 5 times a week, make a budget and stick to it, stop leaving things to the last minute and prioritize my work. Whew!! I might be able to do that for one week.

I could do what successful businesses do. After a comprehensive analysis they would develop a business plan and plot the steps needed to reach the desired outcomes. The development plan would include the steps and tasks needed to reach to goals and overcome the threats and obstacles. That plan would be implemented by various people/departments in the company. Many New Year's Resolutions are personal plans that act the same way. Unfortunately, not many of us make it even into February with our resolutions. We make them too complicated or cumbersome for one person to accomplish.

The one thing I want to do, which a business would do, is to look at what I've done right in the past year. I've made small strides in my personal eating and exercise plan. I have curtailed many of my purchases by asking myself, "Is this a need or a want?" (I still get wants but far fewer.) I have made certain areas of my life the "No Last Minute Zone" with success. I have made some drastic needed changes in my personal and professional life that have been met with recognition and reward.

Now, fueled with the successes I have accomplished, I can look at those things I want to change and see where there is a common thread. My successes come from times when I am mindful of what I do and the choices I make. This can now be my theme for 2012. I will aim to be more mindful in my daily life.

So what is your one theme for the year? Start thinking about your successes last year and the things you want to change or improve in this year. Make a list and study it until you unearth your one thing that will have the most impact in your 2012. Maybe for you it is to be more aggressive, or less. Maybe it's to slow down or speed up, speak up or keep quiet. Try something on for a couple of weeks. You can always adjust your plan just as any good business plan allows. Treat this as part of our Discover U year.

I hope that all of you are enjoying the Holidays this year. This is a time for family, friends, socializing, eating, shopping, decorating, wrapping, writing cards, watching Christmas movies and parties and did I mention eating? It is all fun but without a solid plan you can find yourself in stress-ville. Don’t let the Holidays take over but seek the balance that allows you to enjoy the season. Some of the tips we learned at the last meeting were to shop early, too late for that. So instead shop and wrap all in one weekend but make the weekend fun by sharing it with a loved one, divide and conquer, AND getting to the mall early when you can get rock star parking. Or, how about delegating some of those tasks to family members? Gift cards! Maybe you just don't have to do ALL of “those things”, prioritize and do what makes you happiest.

Did I mention the eating? I love to cook, bake and make candies. This year I have dress in mind to wear on New Year's Eve and so I have been exercising and watching my calories. I have a plan and I'm working my plan. I go to the gym, watch what I eat and make a plan before I step into a party. All those yummy appetizers add up. And I tell myself that once I'm where I want to be I can eat more but right now keep that little dress in mind. A picture of the dress is printed out and on my monitor at work and in my wallet but most importantly in the front of my mind. I bought a skirt for Christmas parties and it is a size smaller than the last time. That makes me happy.

What to do about the shopping? This year I'm getting experiences for the adults, another idea from the last meeting. It is so hard to buy for adult children and returning is a drag. This year I bought them things to experience. I have three very different daughters, fiancés and a grandson. Monterey Bay Aquarium yearly pass for one, beauty treatments for another, and movies passes with PF Chang's (they have a gluten free menu) for the third, go-cart tour in San Francisco for the sports car buff (LOL) and more movies tickets for the other fiancé. The grandbaby, of course gets presents of clothes mostly. He's only 9 months so he won't care this year; in fact he already has the soft soled shoes and sleepers. He'll also get one toy which may stay at Grandma's house. I get each of the big “kids” a small toy from Santa, done. Well the purchasing of all is not done but I have the plan in mind.

The decorating is happening this weekend, finish the shopping next week and food gets purchased the week before the event so I have plenty of time for friends and family. My best advice is: have a plan and work your plan, but don't work too hard, remember to enjoy this magical time of year.

I went to a session at the National Conference that I want to share with you. The title of the session was "How Successful Women Create Brands That Make Them Unforgettable" by David Pinkley. It is appropriate for all of us as we forge ahead in our "Brand You" year.

What is a personal "Brand"? A Brand is a way of talking about yourself that allows others to understand what you do and remember you. A Brand is not what you do but how you do it differently. You are not looking for a tag line like Nike’s "Just Do It," but rather the way you do a job that makes you unique.

For job seekers remember, your resume is being read by someone who knows what tasks the job requires and the interview is being conducted by someone who knows what is involved in doing the job. What will set you apart is HOW you do it, not what you do. Be able to talk about how you do it better.

Here are some examples he gave:

Emily, an Internal Auditor, is looking to move to a different company. As an internal auditor she may be viewed as an intruder by fellow workers, but Emily always gets her information and is well respected by her coworkers. When David was talking to her about how she did her job and how she got coworkers to reveal department information, she said, "I don't ask for information, I ask them to show me what they do." People love to show others what they do and what they are working on.

Megan is a Controller who also seeks information from co-workers. Her strength is that she listens and is not afraid of the pregnant pause. And, people just keep talking to fill the silence.

Nicole is a successful CFO who has had many jobs because of her ability to reorganize departments. She is sought after because she can come in to a company, take what they have and with a minimal addition she successfully creates productive departments. Nicole realized she was an interior decorator of departments; she just adds a few new things and rearranges what is there.

I have the ability to talk to non accountant types and have them comprehend accounting. This helps me get other departments to appreciate what I need and why I ask for certain things. All organizations have to deal with the outside world but in the case of the nonprofit we would not exist without funding from external sources. We are governed by a board of directors, most of which are not from finance. Being able to communicate this way has been useful in dealing with all these aspects of my world.

The last point David made was, "In one word: What do you do better than your peers?" So I asked myself, "Communicate?" No, that is the hardest part of any job. Bridge?... Explain?... Maybe. I think I will still be hashing out how to phrase my brand. I hope November's speaker who is a life coach for both personal and professional goals will help me. I hope to see you at the November meeting.

Why is it that our lives are so filled and when we try to add more on it tips out of balance? I have just had a wonderful week with my sister, Kathy, visiting. We took in the Monterey Bay Aquarium with my daughter and grandson. We hiked in some local parks. We went to Fleet Week and walked about 46 blocks by the end of the day, but came home with two funny San Francisco Trolley Car experiences. I took her to IKEA and REI for her first time. Eating, shopping, walking and walking, as Kathy says, “Our dogs are barking.” Today, her last day we are taking it easy, but as the end of all vacations for me I suddenly realize my life has been marching away.

Europeans manage to take month long vacations and come back to a relatively calm life. We Americans can't even take a week off without feeling like we are letting everything go. And I suppose it is because we are letting everything go. Do I not plan enough? Or do I plan too much? Am I doing too much? Or am I not doing enough? The ying and yang of life.

My oldest daughter is currently staying with me in preparation for ankle surgery. She feels bad that she can't contribute more so I have asked her to be my temporary life coach. Her mission is to help me clutter clear (my house is going from being a two member house to a one member house), life balance (Greek-ness, which I can't remember why I said that to her) and life energy. When she was an air crewman in the Navy she deployed several times a year, leaving behind a house, bills, family and friends. She learned to prioritize and come back to things later. Isn't that what we all need? We can't do everything all the time.

When I Google life balance you read that when you decide what to work on and put effort to your goals, projects and tasks that really matter you are in better balance. I read that you need to build downtime into your schedule but also remember a little relaxation goes a long way...

Here I am in my second month as the President of our Silicon Valley Chapter and Director of Finance at Arts Council. I'm also a mother, sister, friend and a new grandma as well as all the other roles I play. I feel blessed that I have an active, engaged board. In life we have many duties and obligations that pull us in several directions.

As women, many of us are accustomed to this, but as Lynda and I were discussing it can sometimes feel like you're sitting on an old style record player and you need to hang on or you are a plate spinner trying to keep all your spinning plates from falling, all of which can be exhausting.

In times like this it is good to recognize those in our lives whom we can rely on to step in, offer help, or support. It is also helpful to recognize what is important. For me my girls and grandson always come first and thankfully they understand that I have a job that requires my time and energy. In fact, they are happy that I have a job I love and have been recognized for the hard work and years of dedication I have put in.

When I was thinking about becoming ASWA Chapter President my girls supported me yet cautioned me against taking on more than I could chew, but I knew that I wanted to commit to this chapter and help it grow. That means I'm dedicated to helping each of you grow and reach your personal potential. Becoming your best can mean improving your professional skills, but becoming the best YOU requires digging deep into who you are.

One of the things I like about ASWA is that we are aware that the soft skills in our careers and life can be as important as technical knowledge. Most of us can identify our strengths, but knowing your weaknesses can be even more instructive. Where I'm weak is where I need to ask for help and assistance. I have found I can even turn weakness into strength with the right mindset or learn from other's strengths.

Understanding myself has helped me in my interactions with coworkers, family, friends and adversaries. I have found that communication can be one of the toughest things I do. It was always the thing I was dinged on in my job reviews because my Monica (Toumani) said we all need to improve in that area.

It takes two to interact, but I only have control over myself. Yes I said two, so that means when you listen you must take an active role in communication. Moreover, I adjust my communication depending on the audience. Wouldn't it be great to have a better understanding of yourself? I can hardly wait to delve into myself at this month's meeting as we discover more about the Myers Briggs research. Be sure you check out http://similarminds.com/jung.html so you’re ready to get as much as you can out of the meeting. Oh, and by the way, I’m an ENTJ. What are you?

I am very excited about being the Silicon Valley Chapter President. I will do my best to serve this chapter in a meaningful way. A lot of changes are occurring for me as I enter this upcoming year as ASWA President. I am a new “Mama Sue” to a sweet baby boy, Lukas Alessio, compliments of my youngest daughter, LaLandé. That has been a big change and I am again awed by the love and connection I have to this new life.

I have also been promoted to Director of Finance at the Arts Council Silicon Valley. This has been very exciting but also has more responsibilities. I was even in the "People on the Move" in the Silicon Valley Business Journal. The Arts Council's Director of Communications has helped me with the content and wording of both the profile on the Arts Council website as well as my LinkedIn account. If you are not LinkedIn with me you should be.

I will be posting as much as I can to promote our ASWA Silicon Valley Chapter. It would also be a great way for me to get to know some of you and you me. As with many of you, LinkedIn is still a new experience for me and I'm trying to figure out the best way to use it.

This year I hope will be filled with self discovery and increased awareness as we embark on a year of learning about ourselves and how to promote ourselves, both personally and as an ASWA Chapter. This all started when I read the book Brag! The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing It by Peggy Klaus. In the book she talks about the fallacies we live by about bragging. Especially as women we are often taught that it is unladylike to toot your own horn. She has many examples of the right way to brag and thoughtful exercises to help you find your story. It is through an interesting story that talk about yourself goes from bragging to interest.

This year we have planned a lineup of membership meetings that will help us all to learn how to toot without blowing it. We have meetings planned about the Myers Briggs research into personality types, learning communication techniques to give and accept criticism and other needed interactions, life balance, using social media as well as some important accounting topics that will qualify for CPE credits. I hope you join me and the current board for an exciting line up of topics.