Archive for Values & Priorities
A nagging question that needs Wisdom 2.0
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Your life is on the fast track; school is ending, you’re preparing for the summer, and somewhere inside there’s a nagging question whispering “How will I do it? How can I be effective this summer as a Mompreneur when both my home and my business need me at the same time?”
The answer? It’s an inside job and only you hold the wisdom.
I’m asking myself these same questions, especially during this season of my life. My daughter just completed 4th grade last week and as I watched her with great joy at the awards ceremony, I wondered what happened to my little girl? Now that she’s 10, I realize that we are on a new trajectory of her life that is preparing her to become a woman and honestly, I don’t want to miss any of it.
My reality is that I’m a single parent which means I need to work; however, I’m on a mission to do this in the most life-giving and fruitful way. I am dedicated to leveraging my time, energy and resources for the sake of achieving my “lights on” vision. I am committed to thriving as a woman, showing up consciously and engaged as a Mom, while growing a sustainable business that leaves a positive impact on others and makes a larger contribution in the world.
How about you? What do you want?
It’s a tall order and I truly believe it’s possible for you and for me. It requires tenacity, perseverance and commitment to continue finding your way in the midst of an ever changing world as you create a life that is “less, yet more”.
I’m not alone in this movement….This is what I’m up to with Wendy Balman and our work through The Leadership Collaborative and Compass. Wendy and are just two examples of thousands of others who are after the same thing; another movement of these types is led by Soren Gordhamer who shares his thoughts about the 2010 Wisdom 2.0 Conference that he created.
Soren poses the question:
“What does it mean to say “yes” to a connected life and use all of the great technologies of our age AND say “yes” to what it means to have an inner life and cultivate wisdom, compassion and awareness?”
Ahhhh, sweet music to my spirit as I listen to industry experts from Google, Twitter, Facebook and more share their insights and ask provocative questions at the Wisdom 2.0 Conference Highlights. Be sure to watch the video and post your comments at the blog.
So what do you think? Is it possible to live from the heart, honor your role as a Mom AND build a sustainable business at the same time? Let’s get the conversation going…the time is now!
Stop the Madness!
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Are you on a roller coaster going up and down so quickly that it’s difficult to get off the ride? Perhaps the treadmill of your life is going too fast because you are being bombarded by too much coming at you? If you resonate with any of these statements, it’s time to stop the madness!
Since launching The Leadership Collaborative at the end of April, I’ve been out in the marketplace with intention; I’ve been speaking, networking and engaging the field to learn more. And boy am I learning what others in business are facing and it can all be boiled down to one word:
OVERWHELM!
This overwhelm is showing up in many ways; see which of these you can relate to:
- Life changes/transitions are at an all time high—loss of a well-loved pet, moving, personal health issue, graduation, end of school, ailing family member and unexpected financial matters just to name a few.
- Wearing too many hats—trying to run multiple businesses, taking on activities that aren’t aligned with passion or expertise, adding more to the plate without assessing what needs to be let go.
- Mediocre financial results—just getting by, barely covering the expenses, surviving instead of thriving.
- Too much activity—doing, doing, doing without any time to slow down, assess and plan with purpose.
If you can relate to any of these scenarios, let me ask from a place of deep humility and love the question that Dr. Phil always asks… “How’s that working for you?”
My hunch is that it’s not.
Now let me contrast the above scenario with another person I met last week. She decided to make a 180 degree shift from her 20-year career in the judicial system to launching a speaking/training business. She’s following her “lights” and integrating her love of photography into a platform that reconnects others to the core through nature as a vehicle to help them find their passion. She has a book coming out in August, she’s working on her website, promoting her speaking and because of her clarity, passion and plan she has opportunities abounding and she’s getting tangible results.
So why isn’t she overwhelmed? What makes her different that the others I mentioned above?
- She knows herself which helps her to know when to say “yes” and when to say “no”.
- She has a vision which guides her even in the chaos.
- She has a plan to take care of herself and slows down daily.
- She has a strategy and continually revisits it to adjust and stay in momentum.
Here’s the truth: If you want to stop the madness in your own life and eliminate the overwhelm, these four elements are essential and non-negotiable.
So what’s true for you? Are you ready to stop the insanity which is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results?
I’m on a mission to stop the madness! If you’re serious like me, then let me help you take a stand for your heart. Give yourself the gift of a 15-minute free, no obligation call to find out what your one next step is. Contact me to schedule your appointment today. At a minimum, schedule 15-minutes in your own calendar to slow down.
You have everything to gain and nothing to lose.
Photo Courtesy of Photoxpress ©Andrejs Pidjass
The Question to Ask is “What?” rather than “How?”
Posted by: | CommentsAre you crystal clear on what will bring vitality to your life and keep your business sustainable? Consider this question and then explore “Where do I spend my time?” Take a moment to write your answers.
As you look your responses, step back and make observations without judgment. Are you focused on a list of action steps that support you in “how” to take action? Are your answers and actions supporting you in creating “what” you want? In other words, are you focusing on “what” really matters and are your actions getting you where you want to go?
I met with local business leaders this week to share ideas around the “hot” topic of The Fortune is in the Follow-up. These are energetic and committed people passionate about serving their clients; it was so much fun to be in their presence! At the start of the meeting I asked what outcome they desired from my talk. Ultimately, the question being asked of this group which, I assert is a recurring one for all business owners, is “how?” Questions like:
- How do I balance my time between doing the work and following-up?
- How do I making meaningful connections that produce results?
- How do I keep in touch with the people I meet?
These are important and relevant questions; I imagine you can relate to these. However, I assert that “we” as business owners are focusing our attention on the wrong question. “How” sets you up to look for answers outside of you which can take you away from what you want and what matters to you.
The questions I want to us to be asking are based on “what”. For example:
- What is important to me?
- What information is available that will support me in having the impact I desire?
- What impact do I want to make at home, with clients and in the marketplace?
- What’s the best way for me to forward?
- What investment in relationships, coaching and/or training are necessary for me?
Shifting your attention to the “what” questions draws you inward to find your internal compass that is true and right for you. Here you tap into your core wisdom that provides clarity around your answers for “how?” Specifically, your “what” answers become the filter to run everything through as you decide “how” to move forward in meaningful and purposeful action.
What do you think? Do you agree? Disagree? I’d love to hear your comments about this so be sure to post them at the blog.
I also have an invitation for you if you want an opportunity to connect to your core to access more of your “what”. Join me for a FREE and complimentary Discover your Compass Group Coaching Session on the theme “The Power of Choice”. As I prepare to become a Compass Certified Coach I’m offering two options, one on this Thursday, 5/19 at 10:30a Pacific and another on Monday, 5/23 at 1:45p Pacific.
Perhaps now is the perfect time for you to refresh and renew from the inside-out. Find out the “what” that will lead you to the “how” that’s true for you.
Embrace Today
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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
A New Year, A New Word
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I appreciate the positive energy and hope that a new year brings. At the same time, it can be overwhelming to navigate the plethora of information about resolutions, goals, strategies and more. The transition from a year end into a new one can be harsh and abrupt adding unnecessary stress if you’re not careful.
So in this first blog post of the year, I’m keeping it simple….
It’s a new year, so instead of resolutions and a long list of to do’s, how about a new word?
Yes, that’s right. Identify just one word that will guide you throughout 2011!
Consider the impact this one word might have as it engages your heart, connects you to what really matters and guides you in taking purposeful action. Isn’t it time to simplify and bring true and lasting fulfillment, the kind that improves your life and contributes to others in a BIG way?
I want this to be your BEST year ever. You can begin right now when you decide to visit myoneword.org. Make the time to discover your “word” for this new year and let this be your anchor that keeps you centered in your core. If you want additional resources and support, be sure to sign-up for my monthly newsletter.
My word for this year is integration. What’s yours? Post yours at the blog and join as a community so together we can find our sweet spot where we have greater impact with less effort.
Your sweet spot is that place where Frederick Buechner defines as “finding where your great joy and the world’s need intersect and that is most likely where you belong.”
Now’s the time; what are you waiting for?
Picture Source: Book Cover of One Word: Contemporary Writers on the Words They Love or Loathe, Molly McQuade asks the question all writers love to answer: what one word means the most to you, and why?
