Do you notice what’s going on in and around you? Are you alert to life?

Years ago I went to training to learn how to prepare relevant talks for my audiences. Florence Littauer, published author and founder of CLASServices shared this concept with our group. It has served me well over the years, not just in creating training material, but also in other facets of my work and life.

Let me share an example that might be helpful, especially for those of you working as Mompreneurs. One area of my personal and professional life that I am exploring and nurturing is my creativity. I haven’t exercised this muscle in years so it’s time for some training!

As I’ve become “alert to life” in this area, I have become aware and paying attention to how my daughter expresses herself creatively. She’s started to design clothes and draws pictures of dresses she wants to make. She’s already a huge fan of coloring and drawing but her creativity doesn’t stop there. She’s brilliant when it comes to building things with Lego’s, Tinker Toys and more. She’s definitely got me beat when it comes to science, math and spatial ability!

Being aware of this has been helpful on many levels. It’s teaching me about creativity, it’s revealing more about my daughter’s strengths and it has provided a connection point for our relationship as we “create” together. It’s also allowing me to integrate my life and business as I explore creativity for my work in The Leadership Collaborative. Bottom line is that I feel alive, on purpose and whole!

So how about you? When you become alert to life what do you notice? What’s hear for you to teach, speak or write about?

The larger story is that being “alert to life” awakens you. You become “present” in the moment which brings value personally and professionally.

Will you try this today? Become alert to life and share your comments at the blog. There’s a gift awaiting when you do.

“Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That’s why we call it ‘The Present’.” — Eleanor Roosevelt

Where are your thoughts focused? Are you noticing what’s not working? Do you pay attention to what still needs to be done or what you still don’t have?

These are good places to look because it helps you choose your activities, supporting changes that intentionally move you in the direction of what you want. This is what will make your dreams become real.

The problem is that it’s a one-dimensional approach toward life. You are not just a “human doing” you are a “human being”. When you keep your internal focus zoned in only on the changes needed, you lose sight of what’s present here right now.

Ask yourself these questions to bring fullness to your life today:

• What’s good?
• What’s working”
• What can you celebrate?
• What strengths can you embrace?

As you consider this insight, remember that your life is like a coin. One side is about being in action while the other side is about slowing down to connect to your internal core. Both sides of the coin are essential to allow all of who you are to thrive and flourish at home, work and more.

So, it doesn’t really matter whether you have been on the doing side of the coin or you’ve been resting in the being side. Play with the coin, flip it and decide to embrace what’s here today as you let this present moment inform you of what’s next.

Your thoughts? Post your comments at the blog and share the wisdom.

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is God’s gift, that’s why we call it the present.” Joan Rivers

Photo Courtesy of Photoxpress © angelo.gi

I’ve spent the majority of my life “doing” rather than “being”. After all, there are places to go, people to see, and things to do, right?

This approach to life fell short for me over ten years ago when I made the bold and courageous decision to leave behind the security of my steady paycheck. I quit my “Corporate” job to pursue my entrepreneurial dream because I was exhausted and burnt out from all of my “doing” for the sake of what?!

Little did I know that I would find myself going through life transition upon life transition, starting with my divorce and the subsequent hurdles of my daughter’s health struggles.

Because of these changes, I was challenged to find answers to the questions of “Who am I?” and “What’s next?”

I could write a book on the topic and some day I just might! In the meantime, the key learning is that I am a “human being”, not a “human doing”. Out of this paradigm shift, I have reaped the benefits of living a heart centered life and I am committed to supporting women like you to do the same.

For those of you who are “do-ers” (which is 99.9% of the women out there), here are some practical next steps that will help you “to be”.

1. Slow down and breathe fully. Repeat multiple times during the day!
2. Go for a walk in silence. A little bit of exercise, a chance to be and not just “sitting still”.
3. Get up early in the morning before everyone else wakes up. Drink your coffee in silence and breathe some more.
4. Stop talking and listen. Pay attention to others and to your inner voices, your body, etc.
5. Read my blog article “On the Verge of a Break Through” for more insight.

Learning to “be” is essential if you want to find inner peace, joy and greater purpose. It’s a huge shift from the crazy-making world we live, yet so worth the perseverance and commitment to find it.

So what else would you add to this list? Share your comments at Facebook and the Blog…And then, breathe and “just be”!

As summer winds down, are you feeling overwhelmed or fragmented because of too many things on your plate?

The next two weeks are often the most difficult for Mompreneurs. Through the transition, there is an overlap of activities for the end of summer and the beginning of fall, all happening at the same time! You’re probably finishing vacations, wrapping up those summer barbeques and trying to shop for supplies as you get your kids back on track for the school year. With this extra flurry of activity, you feel the intensity of juggling added responsibilities it’s hard to be present and enjoy your life.

Instead of being frustrated, exhausted and perhaps “done” with summer, I want you to to experience the priceless opportunity of connection, fun and lasting memories.

So how do you navigate this transition time? What will bring ease and grace so you aren’t robbed of the joy that’s available?

Today Hannah Hollett, my guest author and client has provided some powerful tips on being present so you can fully enjoy.

Reconnect with your body and listen to what it is saying! Learn what it feels like (physically) when you are honoring your values and being present.  Do you feel light, flowing and full? Notice what happens when you are not being present.  Do you feel tightness in your chest, shallow breathing, and tension when you are ignoring what is important to you? Listen to your body as it will never lie to you. Use your body as a guidance system and make the choices and changes needed to “be present”.

Carry a small object that you can literally wrap your fingers around as a reminder to be in this moment. As an example, keep a smooth stone in your pocket to act as an anchor reminding you to be present!

Trust that you are exactly where you are supposed to be right now. Even when things are challenging there is always a gift to experience. Being present will keep you conscious and aware allowing everything to be your teacher.

What will you do right now to “be present” and “enjoy?” Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Shortly after the launch of the blog, I could tell that I was getting sick and the cold was heading for my chest. It was rather surreal the way it all happened because it came on instantaneously. In retrospect, I realized that I had been “pushing through” to get everything wrapped up so I could be done and move on to the preparation of my much welcomed and anticipated girl’s weekend get away.

By the time I made it to the mini-vacation, my voice was essentially “Gone” with a Capital “G”. Not a good thing for an extrovert  ready to meet new women at this birthday party adventure for my friend Julie. Once again I stepped into my regular pattern and I attempted to “push through” by forcing words out.  It was rather painful, not just for me on a physical level, but also for those who were trying to listen to my squeaky voice!

As I realized that I wouldn’t be able to engage as normal, I made the choice to embrace my reality and do what I was obviously meant to do…Listen!

In spite of minimal talking, it was an amazing weekend! I watched the joy around me as women from all walks of life, and all parts of the country came together to celebrate Julie and the amazing gift she is. The stories and conversations ranged from hilarious, to provocative to powerful. The laughter was contagious and the tears shed along the way reflected the beauty that resides in the hearts of these incredible women.

I learned something this weekend. Because I was forced to listen more and talk less, there was a fullness to the relationships built over the weekend. Normally I am a giver, but this time I was able to receive in a way that I usually don’t because I listened in more powerful ways.  It made the weekend more rich, beautiful and whole. Not only was Julie’s lifelong dream fulfilled as she connected with her network of amazing women friends all in one place, but I received the gift of receiving the deeper learning attributed to this powerful listening.

Listening is a tool that all coaches use. We learn early in our training that there are actually three levels of listening that are essential to the coaching relationship.

Level 1 listening is self-focused listening. In the context of the coaching relationship, this means that I hold back my agenda and opinions to be fully with my client. I do pay attention to what I have to offer the client from my experience and bring it into the coaching when appropriate.

Level 2 listening is laser focused listening. With my clients, this means I completely focus 100% of my attention toward them, creating the space for them to be seen and heard in service to their agenda.

Level 3 listening is the softened listening where I allow my intuition to kick in. I notice the shift in my client’s voice and pay attention to what’s not being spoken.

Pondering these levels of listening, I realized that I was engaged with all three this weekend. I was able to honor the level 1 listening by staying in tune with my body as I took care of my physical needs. When up to it, I was able to exercise the level 2 by staying focused in the one-on-one conversations I had with the different women at the party. And, it was the Level 3 that allowed me to witness the many heart qualities that were present in the weekend as we ate, drank, laughed, talked, learned and engaged in relationship as women.

The pinnacle of this moment happened when Julie and Sharon, her BFF for life, joined together to sing. They both have amazing voices and used to sing together with the Sweet Adeline’s. Singing acappella, you could feel the love shared between these two and hear the synergy and harmony of their voices. Their singing truly captured the moment where these three levels of listening came together in a divine way.

So now I’m curious about you. When have you experienced that “harmony” in your listening as you engage in relationship with others? What will you take from this post to use as you leverage the power of listening in your relationships? What listening muscle do you need to exercise to find that rich place of connection?

I’d love to hear from you! And thanks Ladies for an incredibly life giving weekend on so many levels!