Archive for Life Balance
Permission to Unplug!
Posted by: | Comments
Do you need permission to unplug? Is your blackberry, computer, kids, work, or whatever else keeping you “amped” up and on “overdrive”?
I’m headed out of town tomorrow and you know how that goes! There are errands to run, logistics to coordinate, packing to be completed in addition to the regular routine of life and business!
Breathe with me please! In this moment, let’s all take a deep breath inward and exhale all of the spinning and frenetic energy to “be still” and remember what really and truly matters.
I’m traveling to Breckenridge, CO for a training retreat with my friends and colleagues of the WayPoint Coaching Community. So here are some other action steps that I’m giving myself permission to take in the coming days:
- No e-mail, facebook, twitter, or internet for the next 5-days! I know…this is going to require self-control and tons of prayer!
- Being fully present with the training our group will be doing.
- Opening my heart to receive the renewal and replenishment that I really need.
- Engaging with my WayPoint Coaching Community with the intention to allow every emotion to surface because it’s all welcomed and necessary for my renewal.
So that’s me…What about you? What do you need to unplug from? What steps will you take?
We all know it’s a choice to take a break, yet I know that you need permission. Super Mompreneurs and Women Extraordinaire need to know it’s OK. So today, permission is granted for you to take a sabbath from whatever is keeping you on the fast track. Why? Because when you slow down, you are actually more Super, Amazing and Incredible!
Will you join me on this adventure? Let me know by posting your comments below.
P.S. No e-mails, blogs, facebook posts, or twitters from me until next week! I’m declaring the victory right now…Wish me luck!
Taking Care of Business means Taking Care of YOU!
Posted by: | Comments
Remember that song by Bachman-Turner Overdrive called “Taking care of business?” Oddly enough, this song randomly popped into my head this morning so I googled it to find these lyrics:
Taking care of business, everyday
Taking care of business, everyway
I’ve been taking care of business, it’s all mine
Taking care of business and working overtime.
This little ditty could actually be the theme song for every woman out there, and most definitely applies to those of us who work from home as entrepreneurs and Mompreneurs! No matter who you are engaging with, whether it’s in your home, community or workplace, you are most likely “taking care of business” from the time you awaken until the time you get to bed!
And today marks the fact that there are only 100 days until the end of the year. Nothing like adding some pressure!!!
So here’s what I’m curious about. As you “take care of business” are you “taking care of you?” If not, you might be working from an empty tank, reducing the quality of your health, diluting the impact of your results and hindering the quality of your relationships.
Here’s the truth…Taking care of business means you must take care of you! To positively influence others in your life your gas tank must be refueled regularly.
You probably “know” this to be true, so the real question is whether you act in your life as if you believe it to be true. Would others in your life see you as present, loving, and available? Or do they see a woman who is distracted, on edge and unavailable?
What does it mean to take care of you? Read the list below and find one that you’ll commit to in the coming week:
- Go to bed 30-minutes earlier.
- Schedule some quiet time before your day starts.
- Take a lunch break.
- Make time to go for a 15-minute walk around the block.
- Take a hot bath.
- Slow down your pace.
Any one of these activities will become a conscious way to replenish. With a full tank, you’ll be much more effective at “taking care of business, every day.”
What will you commit to? I’d love to hear what you’ll say “yes”. Post your comments below…and Enjoy!
Slow Down and Breathe
Posted by: | Comments
On your mark, get set, GO! It’s off to the races, go, go, go…Come on get going, now! Can you feel the shallow breathing, the quickness of your pace, and your thoughts being consumed with “what’s next?” It’s almost suffocating, isn’t it?
Thanks to blog read Lisa Lauffer for her inspiration as she shared that tip #27 from the Quick Tips for Daily Living blog post has encouraged her to “slow down”!
Here’s what Lisa had to say:
“I felt led lately to follow #27–sloooowwww doooowwwwwnnnnn. I mean really–what’s the hurry? Why am I trying to get through everything and get everywhere so darn fast? Aren’t I doing all these things so I can enjoy the journey of life? This single one-liner has led me to take many a deep breath and sink into my experiences, so that even if I’m scraping dried food off my countertop with my fingernail, I’m really engaged with that activity! And I’m loads more engaged with my kids. Life feels fuller, and I close my eyes at the end of the day with much more satisfaction.”
Ahhh, breathe into that?! Feel the spaciousness and life that comes with slowing down and breathing.
I want to invite you to slow down for a minute right now and breathe fully. And by the way, it doesn’t take any extra time for those of you with with an already full day!
As you breathe, contemplate the following questions:
- What do you notice around you? Become present to your surroundings.
- What’s going on in you? Check-in with your thoughts, your body, your heart to become conscious right now.
- What’s the wisdom from slowing down and breathing? Make a choice right now that will allow you to engage completely with today’s journey.
I’d love to hear the impact this has on you. Share your comments below. And keep breathing!
Quick Tips for Daily Living
Posted by: | Comments
Remember when you were a kid and there was that Magic “8″ ball toy that you’d ask a question, and when you turned it over you’d find your answer. Do you ever wish you had something like that to give you answers now?
What do you use for step-by-step instruction in those moments when you are feeling scattered, overwhelmed or unclear?
Today’s “Quick Tips for Daily Living” are powerful “one-liners” that you can refer back to when you just need someone to give you the answer. It’s your “press here” when you need to know what to do next! I’m not sure who to credit for the following list because the author was unknown in the e-mail I received from a friend. I do hope these little doses of wisdom give you exactly what you need in those moments when you just need to know what to do next!
- Pray.
- Go to bed on time. Get enough rest.
- Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
- Say “no” to projects that won’t fit into your time schedule or that will compromise your mental health.
- Delegate tasks to capable others.
- Simplify and unclutter your life.
- Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
- Allow extra time to do things and get to places.
- Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult problems over time; don’t lump the hard things all together.
- Take one day at a time.
- Separate worries from concerns.
- Live within your budget.
- Have back-ups; an extra car key in your wallet, extra stamps, etc.
- K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
- Do something for the Kid in YOU everyday.
- Eat healthy.
- Get organized so everything has a place.
- Listen to a tape while driving that can improve your quality of life.
- Write down thoughts and inspirations to read when you need them again.
- Every day, find some time to be alone.
- Laugh! and laugh some more!
- Take your work seriously, not yourself at all.
- Develop a forgiving attitude.
- Sit on your ego.
- Be kind to unkind people; they probably need it the most.
- Talk less; listen more.
- Slow down.
- Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.
- Every night before bed, think of one thing you’re grateful for that you’ve never been grateful for before.
- Love yourself.
Would love to hear which of these speak to you. What tip will you use today? Post your comments below!
Ideal Life, Ideal Business
Posted by: | Comments
How would you answer the following question, “What does your ideal life and ideal business look like?” If you’re not sure, today’s tactical tips from the trenches will help you take steps toward clarity.
Whether you are a seasoned entrepreneur or just preparing to launch your business, you must make time for both your life and work, because they are not mutually exclusive and both need your attention to experience fulfillment and impact.
Try this step-by-step approach to designing your ideal life and ideal business:
- Decide how you want to use your time bank account. You have 168 hours per week (24 hours per day x 7 days a week.) What are the top 5 roles and priorities requiring your attention consistently?
- Grab your calendar and block time for your personal priorities and commitments first. Include those you already have scheduled. Add those additional activities that you need to block in for you to honor all the areas that matter to you (be sure to include sleep
). - Write down your work commitments that you already have scheduled.
- Determine the remaining hours you have left each week. How much of this time will you use for developing your business?
- Allocate the time you spend developing your business using the following criteria:
- 60% toward “wealth building activities” that will generate new paying clients, new interest and activities that will lead to profitability.
- 20% toward “planning and strategizing activities” which is time spent working with your coach, researching, visioning, goal setting, etc. This will help you move forward with intention and stay focused on your priorities as they shift, change, grow ad expand.
- 10% toward “administrative activities” to keep yourself organized and on top of everything. This would be activities like handling your paperwork, coordinating appointments, setting up your newsletter, delegating to others.
- 10% toward “super service” for your customers or clients to feel connected and supported. You might provide a resource that you found, send a note of encouragement, or a gift when your client refers others to you.
Take 30-minutes right now to explore and apply these concepts. What are you discovering about your ideal life and business? Where are you challenged? I’d love to read your thoughts in the comments below.
And don’t forget to breathe…life is a marathon, not a sprint!
