TAKE A LOOK TUESDAY! Lights, Camera, Inspiration!
Submitted by Jessica
I’ve always thought of children’s creativity and imagination to be amazing and inspiring. This video captures that idea perfectly! These two performers are in FAO Shwarz, and after seeing it, I noticed all the rest of the videos of people dancing on the giant piano like this! Some of them are really neato!!
Have you ever been inside an FAO Shwarz?! That place is like a fantasy land for little kids, big kids, and adults who still feel like kids inside! No wonder these people perform like this, it must feel great to combine music, dance, and visual lights all at once in a place where you can go crazy with your imagination.
After I saw this, I watched another video from the same website about the man who actually invented the walking piano. He is such an interesting guy. His name is Remo Saraceni and he considers himself an inventor/designer! I love it. My favorite part is how he used to think there were “little men inside” the radio to make it play. Didn’t we all used to think like that at some point? Ok, maybe just me. The cool things he has created include interactive installations in children’s museums. He enjoys designing for children due to their “ability to see the future better than others.” So true!
The original walking piano was actually installed at a children’s hospital in Kansas City, prior to being featured in “Big” and the newer video above. The outdoor piano is so sensitive that it even plays with the rain fall, or when leaves drop on it from trees. Very cool.
We tend to agree with Saraceni, who thinks we can all benefit from playing more like children, and who warns us to “Never take yourself too seriously.”
Watch the video here:
The original walking piano from the " BIG " movie
Uploaded by BIG_WALKING_PIANO_FunClub. – See the latest featured music videos.
We might not have a giant piano to dance on, but we do like to shake-it shake-it to music on the trampoline! We’ll say it over and over until everyone gets it: it is so important to have an out-let available at anytime to process the creative blocks!
So get out there and let it all out! (Your creativity that is….)
MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY! Judgment No More
Submitted by Jessica
I went to a phenomenal yoga class last week. I usually go for those quick moving “flow” classes, as they call them. For me, it seems like the only time of the day that someone else is making decisions and all I have to do is listen and follow along (and breathe of course).
But this class was different.The teacher started off by asking us to examine our judgments; our judgments as we came into class and the judgments that boiled up as we went through the yoga asana practice. I thought “easy enough.” But the class was slower than usual and we held complex poses for longer periods of time. As my muscles burned so did my mind, “Ouch!” it would say “Or I don’t know if I can hold this” or “I wish I was in a different position right now.” I watched my judgments float by and realized that the experience wasn’t exclusive to me or this one and a half hour practice, but it’s going on every single day in different situations and moments.
At the very end of the class, she said something that has stuck with me all week…something to the effect of, “When we feel stuck. When we have big visions and dreams and feel as though we are at a standstill it is often our judgments, big and small, that stop us from moving forward and achieving what we are after. So watch your judgments and see if there are ways you can begin to move past them.”
What does judgment have to do with your business and branding? Well, we all have judgments, some louder than others, some spoken aloud and some buried deep inside, some about ourselves and some about others. When I do New Business Evaluations to find out what clients are looking to create with me, I often find that they start off by saying that they want only this “to start.” About 10 minutes later, they are sharing their ultimate vision, which is bold and beautiful! They often tell me, “Yes, I have big dreams! But I was holding back, because…” Usually this statement is followed by a judgment of either themselves or the situation…It will take too much time, I wont be able to afford it, I have no idea what I want yet and so on and so forth. And guess what, that wise yoga teacher was right, they get stuck. They bound themselves and live from a place of lack and limiting beliefs rather then their big beautiful dreams, which is who they really are. I challenge you to never stuff down the person inside of you who knows that you can truly accomplish anything you desire.
If you feel stuck in your business or any area of your life I challenge you not to fight it, but to try at least one of the following exercises:
1. Today (or this week) watch your judgments (without judgment). What comes up for you while you’re in traffic? Before you make a business call? When you go to pay bills? When someone you don’t particularly care for shows up at a social gathering? Allow the judgments to float up to the surface and simply acknowledge them.
2. See if there is any consistency between the judgments. Do you always feel dread when you go to make a business call. Are the same thoughts always coming up? “I am so tired of this,” “I work too hard,” “I never say the right thing.” Whatever the thoughts might be they are probably limiting you. But more importantly they don’t have to make you stuck! Use these as information rather than a reason to feel ho-hum.
3. Take the judgment and put it through the love pulverizer (oxymoron, I know). And then start to ask different questions. “How can I work smart or less with the same outcome?” “Who can I hire that will take some of this off of my plate?” “How can I make it so I can afford this?” “Does this person/thing add joy to my life?” “How can I make this more enjoyable?”
4. Stay away from judgmental people.Here’s a hint they complain often! (Wait…was that a judgment?…hmmm). You catch my drift, surround yourself with people who see the good in situations and have great inspiring energy!
5. Be at peace. Turning your judgments into positive affirmations takes time and repetitive practice. But I assure you that you will get UNSTUCK if you begin to use your judgments as guiding tools and restructure them into information to either make a change or leave the judgmental muck where it belongs (no where near you!)
Life is never a trick. Judgments come to you for reasons beyond your understanding at times. Remember the way you react/respond in any given situation is more often than not how you respond in all situations to varying degrees. You must check in and ask does this make me happy, does this advance me into a greater being on this earth and a better businessperson. Is this in line with what I want to create, not only for myself, but for others around me.
Happy Non-judging!
MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY! The Sweet Spot
Submitted by Jessica
What is in your heart? What is weighing you down? Where is your balance?
I just love it when I go to an event and get completely recharged. I don’t know if I have shared this before, but whenever I write articles for this newsletter I am really coaching myself too. What is personal is universal. We are all going through similar struggles and triumphs but the names of the characters change.
I was lucky enough to be surrounded by 10 other successful business owners at this event. I learned so many things about myself and about my fellow colleagues. It seemed that we all have a bit of struggle finding balance in what we give to our business versus what we give to ourselves and all the other areas of our life that deserve equal attention. One woman coined it as “feeling like you are always in finals week.” We all juggle so much.
There are some ways I have found to put balance back into my life despite the heavy work flow and many needs that life brings to us daily and I would love to share them with you!
5 ways to bring more balance into your business and life:
1. Pre-book non-negotiable time for yourself.
Some people, (especially entrepreneurs like moi) just never shut off. We are always thinking about our marketing, the next clients, our services, the next business trend, what our competitors are doing, I mean, the list is endless. It is so important to take the time that we need to clear space and give some love to ourselves. It comes back to the classic saying you cannot give what you do not have. So make a point to fill your well. Here are some great places to start:
* Look at your yearly calendar (if you do not have one…go get one) and block off your vacation time for that year. This will give you something to look forward to and you can feel proud that you have taken the effort to value yourself (and your loved ones if they get to come with you!)
* Pre-book massages, hair appointments, facials and other pampering, feel good activities. Block out the time on your calendar again and make a contract with yourself that no matter what is going on at the time you will not change your appointment! Most importantly, book your next appointment before you leave to continue self-nurturing.
* Say NO to work-through-weekends. Try to pick two days, even if its not Saturday and Sunday, where you can check out from the business and play! Say no to working on weekends unless you absolutely have to. It’s like having a mini vacation that allows you time to rejuvenate and show up Monday knowing that you have rested and given yourself some much needed R&R.
2. Sweat it out.
It’s a tried and true method of creating more balance and happiness. Exercise not only is great for your physical body it’s also wonderful for your mind. I know I would be a basket-case without my Yoga practice and what’s really helpful about it for me is that it’s at a set time and I know when to block out my schedule to commit some time for myself. Perhaps you can go to some classes at your gym or grab a buddy to set a time to work out together, at least until it becomes a habit. Try to sweat daily!
3. Create a ritual.
Some of us can have a really hard time shutting off or separating work mode to downtime, especially if you work from home. It’s a really great idea to create a ritual for ending your work time. Other than shutting down your computer try an additional “closing the day” ritual. This can include:
* Lighting candles and sitting for five minutes to reflect on your day and show gratitude
* Drinking a cup of hot tea
* Calling your favorite person even if its just to leave a message
* Doing a little dance
* Having your favorite snack
* Turning on a particular song The key is to make it ritualistic and somewhat similar every time. This will give your brain a cue to start its wind down process and know that it has permission to switch into relax mode.
4. Clear the mental space.
Whenever anyone comes to me stressed or overflowing with ideas, I always ask…did you write any of this down? You will be surprised at the amazing sense of clarity and balance that comes from writing. Please try this experiment for one week: Take 10 to 20 minutes each morning before you start your day and write from a stream of consciousness. This means writing without lifting your pen even if you end up writing “ummmmmmmm” over and over again. It allows a conscious dump of the endless thoughts going on in your mind so you can start your day with a fresh perspective and not feel the weight of overwhelm.
Talk about taking away the feeling of being in finals week! I have come up with some of my best solutions and worked out long standing challenges from this process. Most importantly when you clear the mental space in this way it allows you to let in what you really need.
5. Breathe and take breaks.
Um yeah, it may seem involuntary and obvious…but most of us take super shallow breaths all day long depriving our brain of the much-needed oxygen that helps it perform at maximum capacity.
* Set an alarm on your phone or calendar to take breaks at least two times daily (other than your lunch) and when it goes off actually stop what your doing take 2 to 3 really deep breathes
* Get up and move, go outside and get the blood flowing. A really helpful way to increase blood flow and energy is to do an easy forward fold. This is said to relieve stress and get blood flow to the brain.
* Another important tip is when you are on these breaks do not think about anything business or work related try to simply be in your body. Notice how you feel and give yourself what you need and give your nervous system a break. It’s the law for companies to allow breaks for their employees, why should your needs be any different.
Feeling balanced is essential for a fulfilling experience in any life situation. How can you enjoy your work if you feel like you haven’t taken care of yourself or shown your loved ones you care? …and, how can you enjoy your free time if you feel the anxiety and overwhelm of your work. By understanding that giving yourself balance and the 5 gifts above (that’s what I like to call them) is absolutely necessary to your over all success, you can bring a more enriching standpoint to the way you approach all things. Give yourself some extra love today and see how much its helps in every area of your life.
Happy Balancing!
MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY! Dark Before the Dawn
Submitted by Jessica
I am sitting here writing this to you, honestly just coming out of frustration. Between having my brain packed with out-of-this-world information and two consecutive days of computer problems not being able to implement what I have learned (let alone work on client jobs), I’ll admit some old negative behavioral patterns crept to the surface. But looking back to this past weekend and the wealth of not only knowledge but wisdom I obtained, one of my HUGE “take-aways” was one little phrase: “Ahhh…To Be Expected”
They always say it can be the darkest before the dawn. As all these computer glitches kept happening, I kept asking myself why? Why now at this poignant time do things want to break down? I am so close to my goal and now an obstacle has come. Have you ever had a situation like this? Are you in one right now!?
I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and is subject to cause a “looking inward.” So in these past two days of what could be construed as chaos and “unfair,” I just keep asking what is the message? What I am I to learn? I have repeated, “Ah…to be expected” many, many, many times, believe me! Because it’s true, things happen and as leaders we should always expect them to. The key is to not have it come from a doom and gloom place, but simply as information. What is the message?
Take a moment to think about any blocks, frustrations or “limitations” you feel right now in the growth of your business. How is your business trying to tell you to step up? If you listen the answers are there and you know what…they are to be expected!
Here’s the thing, I know I am moving into my next levels of business, things are expanding at such a rapid rate, that better, faster, newer equipment would serve me and my clients. Not only that but in this “down” time I was truly given the opportunity to create some better systems that will create better work flow between me and my assistant, refocus my big vision in why I am doing business, and to just reconnect and do some planning. When is the last time you did those three things? Or have you been stuck in the do one thing, next, next, next, next and so on and so forth. In this case, the dark was really the dawn, I just didn’t know it! I was literally being set up for success!
With this space, I can see that taking the time to having improved systems and equipment in place will actually help me to take on all this growth that I am experiencing in a much more enlightened way. And the funny thing is (just got the chills) they couldn’t find what was wrong with my computer! Thanks Universe! (Still going to upgrade though so I have a mega fast machine).
Problems will undoubtedly always come up, it’s when we don’t solve, that things begin to dissolve. And when we do solve, progress is made and happiness and growth can’t help but ensue. So I always love to leave you with some action steps to help you along your way because success is a choice people!
One: Next time a seemingly “unfair” or totally uncool situation presents itself to you and your business….GET CURIOUS and ask what is the message? What is the information being provided to me right now? How can the business grow from this? How many times has this happened? Is this really the same problem in a different costume?
Two: Take a step back to take a leap forward. Get quiet for one freakin’ second! I know you are being pulled in 9,000 different directions, I totally get it, but if you do not make a point to assess the situation, what good is any action you take. It’s like taking a leap off the building without checking for a ledge to land on! Give yourself a ledge, a net, a white fluffy cloud, you deserve it and your business depends on it.
Three: Reconnect with your purpose to find the solution. First, understand the problem and the message that is being delivered, and take a step back to really look at things to give yourself a ledge to land on. Then, you can reconnect to the purpose of why you do what you do and the big vision you see yourself moving into and make your action plan from that space. If there is one thing that has catapulted my growth, (besides online marketing structures <wink>), never make decisions from where you or your business is, but rather where you or your business wants to be. Set up the space for you to grow into, versus staying small in hopes that maybe, one day, just maybe I’ll get over there, where all the freedom, growth and money is. Make decisions as if you are already there!
That concludes my rant and rave.
Here’s a fab formula from this weekend that sums up this article:
Ah to be expected = Problems + Solutions = Progress
…therefore, Ah to be expected! = Progress
Happy Progress!
MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY! Swimming Out Past the Break
Submitted by Jessica
Have you ever been in the ocean, it doesn’t even necessarily need to be that treacherous, and feel like you are being pummeled, or feel exhausted after only a few minutes? The waves keep coming and keep crashing and you keep standing there and keep taking it because you know if you just swim hard enough, fast enough with the perfect stroke you’ll get to the other side. Or maybe if you just stand there firm and strong, the waves will lighten and soften. But they don’t, do they? As I studied the waves and the relentlessness, I thought wow…the ocean is so much like life. Vast, endless, expansive, beautiful, glistening and in the same breath powerful, irresistible and with storms that can brew at any second without warning.
And here we are trying to float and swim out past the break where there is peace and calm. But we’re missing something here. All we are seeing is the surface! We have completely forgotten about what is deeper, what is below. We sometimes have to close our eyes, hold our breath, and dive deep into the unknown (which can be very, very scary). But, when we take this path less traveled we come on the other side with so much more appreciation and let’s face it, less exhaustion. So look at yourself next time you feel like the waves of life are wearing you down and see where you are playing. Are you on the surface? Or is there an opportunity to take a risk, sit in the fear and dive deep to really get you “past the break” in a more meaningful way. Remove the waves; take the waves out of the equation. Yes, you have the power to do so. Why do you do the same things over and over again and expect a different result? It’s insane! We beat our heads against the wall for no reason!
If you don’t already know, which I know you do, the waves block creativity and innovation, which are the backbone, the soul of your business. Change and evolution are necessary, without creativity the business shrivels and dies. Obviously, as a graphic designer, I rely heavily on creativity to run my business. However, even if your company doesn’t involve construction paper, drawing pads or advanced illustration software, you are manifesting ideas and products and packages and new ways to add more value for your clients and that my friend is the ultimate creativity. To summarize, here is how to best swim past the break whether you are trying to make a decision, get over a creative block or just find the more meaningful purpose behind your actions.
STOP! Stop swimming in the wrong direction, stop kicking and flailing so hard and calm down! Even go back to the shore if you must and study the waves so you know them better than they know themselves. Eliminate the ones that don’t really need to be there like negative thoughts, unappreciative clients and projects that aren’t giving you results. It will calm your turbulent waters into a mellow ebb and flow.
NOW GO! Dive in, run and do it with all your might, your stopping should have recharged you! You’ll be like the Coppertone baby without the dog pulling at your rear!
Either be there 100% or not at all, you choose. If you go, then really go and don’t look back.
ASK! Umm duh…I am sure there are other swimmers around you, no? Are there even ones that have already made it out past the break? What are they up to? What’s their strategy…do their swim strokes look a little different than yours? How fast are they making decisions? Are they going left or right? Let me guess – they have hired a ski boat to ride them across the break or even built the bridge. ASK them! What are they doing and how are they doing it? Research, study and then put it all to work and see how quickly you advance.
PLAY! Have fun in the deep blue waters, dive down, buoy up, and make a splash. And if all you can think is “this IS NOT fun,” then either stop doing it, delegate it or MAKE IT FUN. My coach just recently told me to get a mini trampoline so I can bounce and play when I get stuck creatively and feel like I’m treading water. You can also make a “fun box,” so when those tough moments come you can have “toys” to play with like a kaleidoscope, jump rope, coloring book, foot massager, or my personal favorite a piece of chocolate!
Swimming out past the break is possible for all of us, if we just get out of our own way. So don’t give up, get goin’!
Happy Swimming!
MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY! Heart of Courage
Submitted by Jessica
This article comes about from an experience I had awhile ago that has just stuck like a popped gum bubble to your cheek! I went rock climbing with some close friends of mine in this indoor set up. I had only been rock climbing one time before out doors and it was almost 3 years ago, so I couldn’t really remember the difficulty or the exact emotions that went along with the experience. Needless to say I was excited! I tried a few baby climbs first and then I really wanted to try this super tall climb that I knew would take some endurance and strength. I was climbing up, putting one foot then the other on the tiny shelves (I’m sure there is a technical name I don’t know).
I finally found myself close to the top, heart rate up, breath going strong. There was one more divot but it was quite a reach and I was tiii-eeerd! My brain was screaming “you’re done, you’re tired, you need more upper body strength for this”…but a slightly larger voice came up, the one from my heart and it said “you want this and you can do this, if you do this, you can do anything. Do it!” So I mustered everything I had and shut the brain off and lead with my heart. Before I knew it I was tapping the top of the climb and I had made it past “my big hurdle.”
How often have you let your brain get in the way of your heart? How many times have you sacrificed passion for practicality? I have learned from a great teacher, Osho, that the mind only knows the past and can only think and conjure from memory, from what once was. BUT it is the heart that can lead, create and guide you into the future; to help you face uncertainty with courage.
It takes courage to nurture and grow a business to its maximum potential and I find that when we get too heady, when we have to make it just right by mental standards that often when we get stuck and the heart-centered creative process shuts down. This can occur especially when creating a brand for your business, as it required utmost clarity to structure the foundation in which your business will be built upon. Have no fear! Below are 4 simple ways to allow courage to come into your space and move to the next levels of passion in your business:
ONE – Accept That Life is Uncertain.
And why would you want it any other way? This idea freaks “the mind” out because we try endlessly each day to make everything certain. But can we really argue that if everything was exactly certain that we wouldn’t be bored out of our gourd, let alone try to bring some uncertainty just to test ourselves? It takes courage to relinquish our need for certainty to step into our greatness. If you know exactly how to fulfill your ideal vision of yourself, I would say you are not dreaming big enough. Try getting more comfortable with the uncertainty of life and embracing the magical mystery that lies ahead despite all your planning.
TWO – Ask a Different Question & Get Out of Your Own Way.
A fabulous coach of mine recently stated to a group “stop stepping over the dollars to go chasing after the pennies.” I thought this was brilliant! How often have you let the statement “I can’t afford it” stop you from making an investment with a high chance of return? How often have you seen the value you in something but kept yourself waiting for a more opportune time. Let me tell you something…there will not ever be any better time than now, because that is all we have. A tactic I have learned from Susan Scott’s Fierce Conversations is “if you truly don’t think you know what the answer is to something, imagine that you did know the answer. What would the answer be if you did know?” Can you feel the shift in your brain from that very statement? It’s a doozy! Incorporate this into every challenge that arises in your business and face it with courage.
THREE – Realize It’s Not About You.
Ouch! Sorry if that struck a cord with some of you, but it’s true. We are all here to serve in one way or another. When we know that we are doing something for the collective whole, courage takes over, because it is much bigger than just you and it will be guided by something bigger than just you. If any of you are out there helping entrepreneurs and other business owners like I am, the most rewarding part of what we do is when someone else feels a sense of accomplishment and we all get to share in that celebration with one another. I am not talking about people pleasing, which I am sure we have all done our fair share of. I am talking about making the world better by lifting up those around you through your service. This idea of giving takes out all the feelings of obligation and entitlement, so that we can just share our amazing gifts to those who seek us out. And trust that when you give from this space it will come back to you a thousand fold.
FOUR – Know Your Values.
This will help negate the people pleasing I just addressed. When we know our values we know where to operate from as an individual. It’s like your own personal branding and mission statement. If I value being sunshiny yellow and I am feeling muddled blue maybe it’s time to check in and see what needs to shift. Do a body scan right now both physically and in a more energetic subtle way. What comes up for you? Where is there tension physically and emotionally? Work on removing those blocks with some self-care and feel the courage rise up fiercely again.
These four steps will help you tackle the more challenging aspects of your business and life with greater courage and awareness. Remember to find balance and be as gentle with yourself as you are courageous. May your bravery flow and the abundance follow.
Happy Bravery!
MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY! Trust in the Process
Submitted by Jessica
Do you find yourself wondering what will come next in your business? How you will be able to show up for it? What you will need to do it the right way? Or are you thinking about a decision you just made speculating the exact way it will open up or not open up? Or are you just plain ol’ stressed, second-guessing and questioning every move you have made since Johnny pushed you in the 2nd grade lunch line?
I can totally relate. Let’s just put it this way…I was a premature baby, one month early out of the womb and I have been impatient ever since. Many of my close companions will attest to my deep-rooted desire to have it all figured out yesterday. Although this has been a certain advantage, as it has allowed me to take action and move forward rapidly, in some cases it has also inhibited me from ceasing the moment and enjoying the process. So one area of mastery I am working on in my life and especially in my business has been “trusting the process.” Rather than heatedly worrying about the outcome of every action I take or counting and recounting the potential steps I could take in the future, I have begun the art (and it is truly an art) of graciously accepting that the process will unfold and that it is 100% meant to be trusted. This applies to your business, your relationships and, really, your whole life.
Here are 4 simple ways to remember and live in the place of trusting the process.
1. List Your Accomplishments
Sometimes we get so caught up in where we are going we have forgotten the very things that have helped us to arrive where we are. There are so many pathways, people, events and divine interventions that have lead you to you as you know yourself. I challenge you to just keep a running list for the year of 2009 of all the triumphs you have experienced. Start with the amazing accolades, big or small, in just these first two and a half months. Keep going and try to write one each day before you close up shop, so when the Distrust Monster creeps into your brain you can bring out your accomplishment sword! You can also share this list with your team periodically or have them create their own to evoke even more purpose and passion into their daily activities. Usually, when we get back to gratitude, the fear and worries that surround taking risks can fizzle away.
2. Get a Coach or Accountability Partner
If you know you have difficulty “trusting in the process” surround yourself with people who can help you to remember the importance of what you do and how you do it. Let them create a cushion for when you start to go down that slippery slope of distrust, so they can squash the “am I doing this right? Is this the right next step? Is this the right person to be communicating with?” They can be your sounding board that is from the outside rather in the mumbled and jumbled brain space. Communicate what language you might begin to use and how you begin to feel when you are in a distrusting head-space, so that they can more easily point it out to you. Also, knowing what behavior you take on will help you recognize it internally so you can become your own coach as well.
3. Imagine Yourself…
If you’re startin’ to do the freak out…imagine yourself in the position of great confidence and acknowledgment. Ask yourself, “If I were whole-heartedly trusting of my life experience, how would I feel? Who would I surround myself with? What would the experience look like?” Really close your eyes and position yourself in this space, feel the feelings, see your surroundings. Then carry those feelings and visions with you. If it helps, write it down so that you can easily pull it up for reference and say “Oh yeah! When I trust this is the life I lead!”
4. Enjoy It and Have Fun with It.
Who ever said we had to grow up anyways? Sure pay the bills but never let go of discovery. We can still take the childlike wonder into everything we do. If you have ever watched a child play or seen a baby learn, you know that they have a relentless trust in the moment. We too can bring this sense of adventure to our daily tasks and our processes. Look upon your products and services as though it was the first time you had created them or told someone about them. Remember how excited you were when you first launched your business…don’t let the brain’s task oriented nature steal the passion that is forever blooming, if you take the time to discover it. Let go of the “have tos” and “shoulds” and move into the “I get to do this” and “what an opportunity this is”…like uncovering a rock to see the tiny plant beginning to grow beneath.
There just comes comes a point in the process where you must accept (that’s a biggie, ACCEPTANCE). Acceptance of where you are and that it is a process, a series of steps to get to an end result and not just a jump from here to there. Love what you do and trust it eternally as the reason you were put on this earth.
Happy Trusting!
MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY! Unfinished Business
Submitted by Jessica
Ok it’s February 1st. The “new” year has officially lost the sparkle and shine, and you might be sitting there wondering when you’re really gonna kick it in over-drive and get some stuff done! Have you ever sat in the mental pile of all your to do’s…papers and emails and accounting and phone calls and projects and writing and meetings! Oh my! Did you feel like the only way it would come to an end was to close your eyes and hope when you opened them back up it would have all magically been completed to perfection. Yet, no matter how hard you closed your eyes, no matter how tight you squeezed or the magnitude of your hope it just wasn’t going to do the trick. So alas you sit, wallow for a minute and hit the pavement again, in an anticipation to at least scratch the surface. Does this sound at all familiar?
If at the end of each day you are feeling like you are running in quicksand, grab a vine, crawl out and take a step back. As your business begins to expand and grow, one thing that you have to start getting comfortable with as business owners is not everything is going to be completed today, sometimes this week or even this month…oh goodness I’m actually going to use this line… “Rome was not built in a day.” But, lets face it, its true.
Here are some tools that will help you stay focused, prioritize and feel good about your progress, no matter what.
Tool #1
We have to get real cozy with refocusing as amazing opportunities spring up, client base grows and energy gets refocused. The key is to prioritize. You might be rolling your eyes right now with the sound of DUH rumbling in your head. I know we have all heard this before, but I want to challenge you to look at it from an opportunity stand point versus a sequential or even a “this has been on my to do since ’08″ perspective. There is this idea in your head of the order things should take place in, no? But something, at say number 4, keeps knocking, which makes number one impossible to get finished. Ask yourself, “Which “to do” is going to offer me the most momentum, opportunity, financial gratification and personal satisfaction?”
So take a look at what opportunities are truly knocking at your door and re-evaluate your to-dos from this new perspective.
Tool #2
Do not over or under estimate.
Another way to tackle unfinished business is to look at your, let’s say, 4 piles and set it in your mind to not get through all 4 but to get through half of one pile to check off the list. The key here is: do not over-estimate what you can do in a day and underestimate what you can do in a week, month or a year. Track your progress for a couple days and see the average amount of tasks you get through in one day.
I would say a good functioning point (depending on the size of the tasks) is about 10 tasks per day. Never put more than that on your “to do” list for one day. This will negate the sense of overwhelm you might feel as your list could get up to 20 to 30 items. Write those extra items down on a separate piece of paper or electronic document and save them for when the first 10 are complete
Tool #3
Prioritize.
Ugh! we’re back to that. After you have your ten items list them in order of importance from 1 to 10, using the criteria of section #1(momentum, opportunity, financial reward, etc). Do not move on to number 2 until number one is finished. You will be tempted, believe me, but don’t do it!!! Stay focused. This means do not check your email, do not answer the phone, and do not get distracted with the Rubik’s Cube on your desk. Lock yourself in your office or go to a coffee shop where no one will bother you, if you must.
Tool #4
You can also lump tasks together.
If you know you have 5 important emails you need to write, then write them all at the same time, one after the other. This focuses your brain and keeps you in the same mental arena so you do not have to adjust from writing to speaking to running an errand, which all take different skills and capacities. It, believe it or not, maximizes your time because you stay focused, you are in the same place, either mentally or physically, and you will find that the repetition speeds up your process.
Tool #5
Take it apart.
Are you naming something a task that is actually a project? Think about it…It’s the task that makes your brain hurt just thinking about it or every time you glance at it you instantly cause a short circuit in your nervous system.
When we dub projects as tasks our brains shut down because there is no defined starting point. I would say a project is anything that cannot be realistically finished within a couple of hours and involves more than one key step. Break down a large project into the several smaller tasks it will involve, and it will become much more manageable. Another great tip is to look at your end desired result first and work your way backwards with the tasks that will get you there.
Tool #6
Letting go.
Really, how long has that been on your to-do list. Days? Weeks? Months? Always? Well it’s time to let some of it go. If you have items that have just been sitting there gobbling up your mind and most likely your heart energy, then you need to let them go at least for now. This means you either delegate it or out source it OR take it off your list with a solid decision to realize its not doing you any good to have it nagging at you daily. If you have a hard time with letting go, create a someday box. Fill out a paper and drop it in and let the powers-that-be decide when it should be addressed again.
If you are anything like me, someone who loves to have things finished, some of these will be harder than others. However, if you start implementing these tools you will see your productivity, not to mention your energy, skyrocket. Put it to the test. Try it for one week. I would love to hear your results!
Happy To-Doing!
Balance Creates Creativity & Success!
Submitted by Jessica
For me, yoga is a time to dig and push away barriers. At first it’s about the physical barriers, but I’ve realized that in actuality it’s pushing beyond what I mentally think I can and cannot do. Life and business are just a dance, a rhythm of movements much like yoga. Sometimes it’s time to create fire and burn and push through and sweat and other times its about the sweet stretch, the breathing and relaxation…all in all you come out a better version of yourself. To me yoga creates my balance so that when I come across a challenge in my business I know that the only thing that may be stopping me is ME!
I believe it’s important to have something in your life that allows you to push beyond your barriers in a somewhat controlled environment, so that you can “burn” away the disbelief or mind-yuck that can sometimes stand in our way. Gaining this balance in your own unique way could be just the thing you need in order to see things in a clearer perspective. Creativity and success go hand in hand in all types of careers. For some, this balance might come from something physical like running, or perhaps your favored activity is more subtle like painting or singing or talking to a trusted friend. Whatever the practice, make sure you have that outlet regularly because the more we grow as individuals, the more our businesses can grow and in turn so can the world!
We want to know: What do you do or WISH you could do to bring more balance and therefore more FLOW into your life???
The Grace of Gratitude & Giving Back
Submitted by Jessica
With the recent tragedy in Haiti, I find that there is a humbling sense of coming back to simplicity and what’s really important because life will occur no matter what we think about it.
Sometimes in the muck it’s hard to see what is right in front of you and to have the passion and gratitude that makes all of our earthly actions feel like gifts. But isn’t all of life really just a shift in focus and having the right tools? If you are looking to expand your business you must first expand yourself. And trust me, if you are not grateful and trusting of exactly where you are, then how on earth do you expect to receive or be able to give any more? In order to retain the passion in what we do, I have found that these two things (among others) must occur.
Give Gratitude
List three things a day in the morning or at night that have brought you joy, clarity or just an overall sense of growth and happiness. Writing them down gives them power and you can look back over them to see what continually makes you feel grateful. This way you can begin to bring those actions more commonly into your daily practices. Warning: after doing this practice for about a week you might feel a sense of overwhelming peace and joy! You might find more value in everything you do and feel less overwhelmed in your day. Who wouldn’t want that!!! You want a cure-all medicine? It’s called gratitude! Make it a daily practice…I dare you! I have recently found the website www.happier.com that tracks your daily gratitude for you (if you like keeping things on the computer like me!) This site is super cool and very self-insightful. Check it out!
Volunteer.
Volunteering face to face with someone in need is one of the most rewarding and humbling experiences one could do. I think we are put on this earth to serve others with our gifts. Find out what your gifts are and what you love sharing with others and then find an organization that will allow you to give to your hearts content. Let’s face it – it’s hard to feel self loathing and self critical when you open your heart unconditionally to another. Volunteering allows you to step out of your head and really give back all the abundance that has already accumulated in you. If you’re reading this you are on a computer or maybe even a nifty phone…there are so many people in the world who have no idea what email is! Perhaps you have a personal situation that would make you gravitate towards one cause over another. For instance, I love art and think it’s so therapeutic and love children so I found this amazing non-profit called CoachArt! Choose something that you are passionate about and commit to volunteering at least 4 times a year. I promise you will gain so much more abundance than any check in the mail has ever given you!
Watch all the feelings of lack disappear and be replaced by intense passion and gratitude!
Let us know what you are grateful for, or where you love to volunteer!
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