July 17, 2019
With summer well underway, we are likely spending more time and/or vacationing with family. While family is supposed to be our safe haven, sometimes, unfortunately family is where we find the deepest heartache. Since our birth into this world, our relationship with our family is the closest bond we form in this lifetime. The foundation of our mental and emotional being is established within our family ties.
Much of your relationship with yourself and others stems from your childhood. Being treated badly by someone is painful enough, but when you’re hurt by a family member, it can be especially hard to overcome.
Almost every one of us knows and has a family member that just puts us on edge, is unpleasant to be around and may even put you down. You know who they are! When there is a family function you moan that you have to be in the same room with them. Or you feel attacked when they criticize your choices and how you live your life. I’ve got a few of those people in my life too!
While a good drama makes for some interesting conversation at the family BBQ, besides the leftovers, it’s better not to take that energy home with you!
How to deal with toxic energy:
3. Beware of manipulation! Your family member may lash out at you for speaking your truth. They may spread rumors about you, try to get other family members not to speak to you, or try to manipulate you into repairing the relationship. Use this experience to teach you what you will and will not accept from the people in your life; be firm about your boundaries in the future.
4. Limit your time. Do whatever it takes to limit the amount of time you have to spend with the toxic family/family member. Try to not allow yourself to get sucked back in.
5. Learn ways to protect yourself. Practice meditation and learn to protect your energy field with energy work such as, Reiki.
Take charge of your life and your happiness. Don’t wait for others to give it to you. Many of my clients are tied to the drama in their relationships that create emotional blockages and drain their vital energy.
So much release happens for my clients from just talking to me before we even begin the session! It is essential to seek guidance for yourself. Talk to someone, anyone who will listen and someone you feel comfortable with. Ask for help with change and with taking risks. Surround yourself with people that lift your spirits and support you. While we can’t choose our family, we can choose how we respond to them.
Even a family that looks “perfect” from the outside can have its own problems and drama. Cutting ties with a family member is the one of the hardest and best things you can do for your mental health! You take your power back by setting clear boundaries; you can begin to move on.
Dorothy Knight is a Reiki Master Teacher, Yoga Instructor and wholehearted writer. She currently practices Reiki in Mississauga. She is a certified Reiki Master in the Usui Method of Natural Healing. Her passion is to empower people to reach their greatest potential of health and wellness through Reiki healing methods.
“Shift Happens”
July 17, 2019
It’s easier than you think.
"What should I do with my life?"
Isn't this the most important question you might ask yourself?
Creating a life you love is a beautiful thing, and figuring out what makes you happy personally and professionally is a way to start chipping away at this ultimate life question.
Many of my clients fall into careers after college or university or succumb to parental influences or societal norms about good jobs out there. They haven’t invested in themselves to make the best choices – much less created a vision for how they want their lives to be.
Then, these clients get to a stage in life where they are bored, unfulfilled, stuck, and at loose ends. Sometimes this happens after a significant life change, like losing a job, having a child, going through a divorce, or kids leaving the nest. They know there is something out there they’d like to do – something more purposeful and joyful, but they have no idea how to uncover it.
I get it because I was once there, too. And, here’s what I learned: life is too short not to do what you love.
The good news is that figuring out how to spend your time meaningfully doesn’t have to include anything drastic like quitting your job tomorrow or spending a month in a monastery (although these could be exhilarating and soul-stirring approaches).
You could start with journaling or speaking with a trusted advisor, coach, or friend to get more insights. Quite often, you overlook thenatural talents that others see more clearly.
For help identifying possibilities, I use several tools with clients, including career assessments and personality instruments. These draw out our passions, occupational interests, information about how you like to learn, what work environment may bring out your best, and your innate preferences and ways of working. They don’t tell you precisely what you should do with your career and life; they give you something much more empowering: greater clarity and valuable options.
If you’ve tried other tactics to figure out what to do with your life without success, now might be the time to open yourself up to the possibilities that a world renown assessment and a professionally facilitated self-discovery process can bring.
Find out:
What if you could get up every morning with gratitude and excitement about what the day would bring?
When you love what you do, you feel energized and fulfilled, and ready to give your best. This is the ultimate in experiencing joy.
And the fantastic thing is, you can find that perfect job and enrich your life in ways you never thought possible once you figure out what you should do with your life.
Lisa Petsinis is an ICF certified life and career coach who works with resourceful women who want to rediscover their brilliance and create alife they love. She is a former Certified HR Leader who has worked withprofessionals for decades to chart their career development, and now she uses her coaching skills with clients more holistically -- as well as certifications in the Strong Interest Inventory® and MBTI® -- to explore new visions for their lives. Visit her website to learn about her coaching programs, including “What To Do With My Life,” and upcoming events.You can also contact Lisa for a discovery call or sign up for her newsletter for even more advice and inspiration.
July 17, 2019
Big presentation tomorrow. Networking event later today. Your boss calls you into their office. Cue the beginnings of stress - the nervous butterflies in your stomach, followed by worry and then doubt about your abilities. As this feeling washes over your entire body, you mind goes blank, what are you going to say? You look around and there's no way out! What do you do?!?
Phew, take a breath. In and Out.
The problem comes when adrenaline fires without a Saber Tooth Tiger present, when our old brain triggers the fight or flight response simple because something is new… which happens all the time.
Good news! You use this normal, neutral, natural fuel to move you forward! Instead of shutting down, learn the science of stress and how to flow with adrenaline, using it to move you and your team forward. In a matter of seconds, just 2 breaths!, run through these 2 secrets to calm your mind, block out the crazy energy and find your words, painting a different picture of your situation.
A – Grounding
B – Bubbling aka Shields Up!
So, the next time the nervous butterflies in your stomach begin, quickly spreading to the rest of your body and your hands begin to shake… Despite the roaring in your ears, both blocking out and amplifying the sounds around you… Instead of looking for a way out, wishing it would all just stop…
Ground & Bubble!
And Ace that Presentation. Stay calm and collected during conflict between team members. Speak up with confidence.
Join her on Facebook for more tips, tricks and magic wand moments to get to your more.
Shannon is also honoured to be the Branch Director for HHW Central Toronto, Ontario (where she runs the Secrets of Stress Success event 😊 )
July 03, 2019
Just over a week ago I remember thinking, 'Summer in Canmore sure is amazing (and it is!) and I just LOVE how we're pretty much mosquito free here.' Well ... then they hatched. It's not like other places I have been but by the end of my morning meditation I had numerous patches of blood - my own - on my hands, my thighs, my ankles, my forehead - and I felt anything but relaxed ... I was leaning towards crazy!!!
Here are some strategies that have helped me in the past that I'm now implementing …
1. Changing my scent - you know how some people just don't get bitten and we all have our own scent? No one has figured it all out yet but there are certain things that can change that scent from the inside out and it makes sense to me that this is part of the puzzle - just think about how your sweat smells after you have had a lot of curry or garlic or if you are a woman, how your scent smells around hormonal changes and PMS. In the past B vitamins and garlic are two of the things I increased internally to change my scent when I was travelling in countries where malaria was present and it seemed to work well for me so I'm getting back on that.
2. Physical protection - mosquito nets, jackets, long sleeves and long, light pants, all of that - of course doing what you can to protect yourself - especially at night is super helpful. I know too much about pesticides and DEET to want to put any of the standard repellents on me or my kids and have been very happy with a spray called 'Summer Survivor' that is made of essential oils mainly catnip oil. It smells great and works well and I'm crossing my fingers that my local health food store has some. Rocky Mountain Soap Co. has come out with a "Hydrating Outdoor Spray" that has some great insect repellent type ingredients in there too including catnip oil so that's another great option as well that a fellow mama brought for the fairy camp crew that we all thought was helpful.
FYI - There are studies talking about how the warmer you are the more mosquitoes are attracted to you and the more carbon dioxide you breathe out the more they are lovin' you as well and right after a can of beer ... lovin' you! ... and how white clothing and not moving makes you less attractive and .... really, at the end of the day no one has figured it completely out yet and so do what makes sense enough to you and now what to do about the bites?!
3. Treating the bites to decrease itch and scarring ...
My favourites have been R30 ointment from Bio Lonreco, Lavender Essential Oil, to lemon juice on the bite, (or the old standby I used as a kid of making an x on the bite with my nails!) and a couple days ago I have been turned onto a product called Therapik (from MEC) - it is a battery operated handheld little device that you put on the bite and I have to tell you it worked like a charm to take away the swelling and itch - this may be my new favourite!
For you oil lovers, here is a simple, healthy after-bite essential oil option from Lea Harris that would be easy to find the ingredients for. I like the idea of the roller especially for my daughter to use easily at camp but putting a drop of each - Lavender and Tea Tree - directly on (applying it "neat") is how I would do this for myself at home.
Instructions
Hope this helps you and your family enjoy everything Summer time brings that much more! xo
Dr. Monika Herwig ND is a Naturopathic Doctor, mother of 2, Calm-Joyful Mom Mentor and a Trailblazer with Happy Healthy Women in Canmore, Alberta. She practices Mind-Body Medicine especially around Adrenal, Gut and Mental Health in her clinic and leads Wellness Workshops and Retreats locally and internationally. Dr. Monika supports heart centered women shine their light and share their gifts with the world without burning out. She is especially passionate about supporting moms and creative women and runs yearly Fairy Nature Camps for her clients’ children (and herself!).
To connect with Dr. Monika to see if she can support you naturally with health concerns you or your family have or in creating a calm, joy filled home life you can set up a clarity call through calling her office at (403) 609-8385or texting her at (403) 678-7901. Her website is www.opentowellness.ca.
July 03, 2019
If you asked me what being an entrepreneur is like I would have to say, “It’s hard. Plain and simple, being in business for yourself takes effort, a lot of time and it’s can be lonely.”
On the outside, it’s portrayed as all rainbows and unicorns. On the inside, it’s exhausting and, at times, discouraging. “Will I ever be successful? Do I have what it takes? Can my adrenals survive this?” are just a few of the questions that take up my headspace.
Let’s be honest, most of us are drawn into becoming an entrepreneur under the guise of the freedom it will afford us. Entrepreneurs are driven. It’s the double-edged sword that lends to no boundaries between our personal and business lives and before you know it, we’re working all the time.
Been there, doing that.
With a few years behind me now, I see what’s really been going on through this entrepreneur journey; my business has been a chrysalis of healing for me. I fled the corporate world of money and security to follow my dream and find my purpose. Except I didn’t really know what that was. I just knew on a deeper level to take one step at a time towards my interests and passions and the journey back to me began.
I believed I had to let go of the money to do meaningful work; that it was an “either/or” choice.
Interestingly, the constant thread in both worlds was my need to strive and work hard. The common denominator was me and the deeply rooted belief that my success was defined by my external world.
Funny enough, I recreated the same situation except I was no longer making a lot of money! I thought I had to choose one over the other and now see how my lack and scarcity mindset of climbing the corporate ladder transferred over to battling it out in the trenches of entrepreneurship.
My goal as an entrepreneur was to create an abundant life with my business. I believed that if I led a spiritual life, had meaningful work that gave back to others and set up the right systems and processes, that I would make money while I slept which would allow me the freedom and balance to do whatever I wanted to do. Except it hasn’t worked that way and it has almost killed me trying to get “there”.
Fast forward to today, I see clearly that lack and scarcity thinking and an abundant mindset are nothing more than different sides of the same coin; fueling the “either/or” mentality. Ah, that’s the missing link! I haven’t been living from my heart. I haven’t been living a life in alignment with what I truly valued. Instead of spending time with those I love, I’ve been taking myself away from them.
Now begins the big work of sifting through what is important to me so I can powerfully create my life one empowered decision at a time. Success isn’t defined outside of ourselves; it comes from within ourselves. I am now choosing to live in a “Both/and” reality versus and “Either/or” and asking myself what do I value and leading my business and life from there.
There IS middle ground between lack and scarcity and abundance and it’s called enough; enough love, enough money, enough time, enough doing and all the excess is just fluff.
What is enough to me however, may not be enough for you. That’s why each one of us needs to go inward and connect with our hearts to see what we truly value.
Living between the lack and scarcity and abundant thinking creates a striving energy that reinforces the societal belief that we are not enough. This striving shows up when we are going against the current. Yet, when we decide what is enough in each area of our life, it creates an allowing energy which puts us in the flow and life unfolds with grace and ease.
I never imagined that this whole journey of being an entrepreneur was really all about a journey back to me. It’s not what I expected or planned, it just happened. And like the caterpillar that’s in the cocoon, it cannot comprehend the possibility of becoming a butterfly; it’s totally out of its realm of possibility and yet, it just happens.
All the trials of entrepreneurship have led me to my wounds and as a result, I’ve uncovered the gifts that they hold. It’s been a wild ride that’s for sure. Recognizing that my business and myself are really one in the same. Doing the inner work IS hard. It DOES take effort. And…a big AND here, the lessons ARE worth it.
I’m choosing to relax into who I am and trust the process. I am choosing to strive less and be more. I am allowing…and I’m grateful for it.
Leigh Ann makes her home with her family in the Canadian Rocky Mountains where they enjoy the outdoors, community and small town living. Best known as a Transformational Leader and Intuitive Change-maker, Leigh Ann is on a mission to uplevel women’s lives through feminine leadership and entrepreneurship.
With a unique blend of credentials in Business, Feng Shui and Life Coaching, Leigh Ann inspires women with new skills, new thinking and new hope to transform their lives to become powerful creators of a life they love.
If you are ready to take the next step towards a life you love, connect with Leigh Ann for a free 40-minute clarity call by clicking here. You are worth it!
Leigh Ann Betts
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June 13, 2019
Many tennis players have what is called their “sweet spot” which refers to the place on the racket at the center where the ball will rebound with the most velocity. This reference transcends into life as well; when you find your sweet spot, you just know it.
Our “sweet spot” really shines when it comes to our spiritual gifts. There are some areas in which we will serve (no pun intended) that will have greater “bounce” than others. It is amazing once discover your unique combination of gifts and abilities that the universe has given you.
My clients often express the longing to uncover what that sweet spot may be. Often, they aren’t sure what their particular gifts are. Finding your sweet spot happens the moment when you feel connected, validated, acknowledged and honored for exactly who you are. Everyone has a different sweet spot because we all have different goals and dreams.
What can you do to discover and develop it? Here are three things you can do to find your spiritual gift “sweet spot.”
Feeling spiritually alive and connected to some kind of higher power immediately brings us to our spiritual sweet spot. There are many fantastic ways to find your sweet spot from practicing mindfulness to expressing gratitude to the things and people you have in your life. Meditating is also a great way to find that sweet spot because it allows you to be alone with your thoughts as you connect to a higher power. You awaken to the truth that your purpose is greater than your possessions or your career.
There are many ways to look within, and it’s important to find the best way for you.
A great place to discover your bliss and follow it is to approach the journey with curiosity and playfulness. You may need to try many different things, to see what resonates best with you.You’re naturally adept to giving when you are in your place of bliss. When your heart feels “full” that self-love emanates into everyone around you; there is unique quality present in what you do and how you do it when it comes from the space of infinite love.
Develop a growth mindset and be a student of life. Remain open to the world around you, as every relationship, challenge, setback and accomplishment serves as your teacher. When we can see things from a wider perspective, we can better navigate life and see each moment as an opportunity to learn something about ourselves that in turn, contributes to our personal growth.
Finding your sweet spot spiritually is a life-long journey because there is no time limit. You will know you have found it when everything just seems to “flow” and you feel happy, content and in sync with everything unfolding around you. You feel connected to a higher and much greater consciousness. You know the universe has got your back and that no matter what happens, you are going to be all right. Your spiritual sweet spot feels like home because YOU ARE HOME. And wherever you go, there you are in all your magnificence.
Dorothy Knight is a Reiki Master Teacher, Yoga Instructor and wholehearted writer. She currently practices and teaches Reiki in Mississauga. She is a certified Reiki Master in the Usui Method of Natural Healing. Her passion is to empower people to reach their greatest potential of health and wellness through Reiki healing methods. Healing starts from within.
You can reach Dorothy at dorothyknightreiki.ca
You can follow Dorothy on Instagram@dorothy_knight_reiki
June 13, 2019
Getting real about ‘balance’
Finding/Reaching/Attaining balance. What an out of date concept.
Nothing is ever balanced... okay, except maybe a set of scale in a clean room devoid of any outside influences.
So, let's get real. And take a timeout from the quest for balance.
Instead of striving for some impossible pipe dream of 'balance' let's switch up the conversation to something more attainable, more real.
Wholeness.
How can you fill your mind, body and spirit to live a Whole Life?
What does that even mean?
It means you look inside to identify the missing pieces and then you go our and fill them!
The beauty of a Wholeness focus? You can get to full! And then its your choice whether to be satisfied OR stretch more, expand your cup and fill even more.* This is how you get to the More that's Waiting For You. You fill towholeness and then expand and grow even more!
Forget 'balance' and switch your focus to Wholeness.
*Note: Open space is the most important element to include when filling your cup... this is what makes it possible to move between the different areas, to have choice and to set a foundation to grow from.
Okay – now how do you do this. Simple, #1 ask yourself these questions – or get a friend to ask you, as its so much simpler to be real with yourself when someone else asks you. (And I said real with yourself… you can keep your answers to yourself…)
Step #2 – Book in the time. Carve the space for them out of your schedule. Fill your ________________ (insert feeling from b) muscles so you have the juice to do all of the other things in your calendar.
A change is as good as a rest… until you’re burnt out. So, switch it up, add some you time, and rock it!
Join her on Facebook for more tips, tricks and magic wand moments to get to your more.
Shannon is also honoured to be the Branch Director for HHW Central Toronto, Ontario.
June 10, 2019
Can we really live and lead authentically?
Okay. This is one of my favorite words, however it’s also a word that is overused in the corporate (and non corp) world, thus being tagged as a current ‘buzz word’.
But here’s the deal with Authenticity, it is not easy to embrace. In fact, it’s tough.
The world is probably in the most unauthentic era ever.
We are bogged down with social media pressure and expectations, false imagery, massive shifts in the employment landscape, generational shifts on leadership ideals and these are just to name a few. This makes practising authenticity tough.
Currently, millennials make up the majority of the workforce and by 2020, they will make up 70%. Gen Z’s are also entering the work force in a big way and Baby Boomers are re-joining the work force as consultants, temp workers and advisors.
There is a lot of confusion out there. Living and leading authentically is certainly a challenge.
In some corporations, there can be up to 5 generations within a company.
Confusing right? This means that leadership must be highly adaptable. Flexibility is crucial in order to accommodate the different needs, ideas and perspectives.
Let’s take a look at what authenticity truly means. But first, let’s move past the buzz word. I believe, more than anything, the greatest thing we can do as leaders, parents, employers, employees and volunteers, is lead and live as authentically as possible for ourselves and as our contribution to our communities and our country.
Here’s the Webster Dictionary definition of Authentic: true to one's own personality, spirit, or character
Pretty solid right?
Here’s Brené Brown’s (my favorte author and speaker) definition:
‘Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are.’
I love this.
So, in our pursuit to live and lead more authentic lives, to cultivate and live with more joy and perhaps ease, here are a few ways we can begin to make those positive strides together.
Allow yourself to be wonderfully imperfect and know you are enough. Even more important, your neighbour is enough. Save the judging and comparison.
Set boundaries for yourself. Let go of the ‘Yes Woman’ syndrome. We can say no, or ‘not right now’.
Practice empathy. Lean in, and really listen to your children, your partner, your employee’s, your friends. Ask questions.
Know that everyone is struggling, and it’s okay.
Dance your a** off even if people are watching.
I’m Katy, join me in living your true self. It feels frigginawesome.
xoxo
Katy Loewen Co.
Learn more about Katy at : www.katyloewen.com
June 05, 2019
1. Understand their development.
This will inform your interaction and communcation with them. It will let you meet them where they are at and allow you to be more compassionate and present with them.
Not many parents know that children under 7 live predominantly in the theta brain wave state and learn by imitation and by doing. They think in pictures and are physical. Modelling what you want them to do speaks louder than explanations. When you do explain pair the words with actions.
Their brain is not developed to include the higher executive functions and abstract thought yet so talking to them about things will not foster the close connection we desire. Storytelling that brings in their picture consciousness does.
2. Love them the way they want to be loved.
Take time to figure out what their love language is and schedule something regular – even just once/month - where you are especially conscious about honoring that. My 15 year old’s love language is quality time & words of appreciation (and food lol!) so I take him out to dinner once a month – just me and him and in our time I am mindful of letting him know what I appreciate about him.
3. Be well yourself.
Self-care and self-love is getting lots of air-time these days! (-: Let it not turn into a ‘have to’ on the to do list. Self-love can take time. Find little ways in your day to nourish you and be curious as to what truly sparks joy and uplifts you. I have a lift list that helps . A hot cuppa chaga tea to support my adrenals, a walk in nature, time with girlfriends.
Nurture a relationship of warmth and with yourself.Children love to see their parents thriving. If you think about your own parents you’ll notice this might be true even still for you! As moms we teach by how we are and when a mom is well she teaches wellness.
Our adrenal health affects our mood, weight, energyand all our relationships.
One of my favourite, yummy ways to support women’s wellness in my office is through the restorative practices of Yoga Nidra and Yoga Therapy. 30 minutes of Yoga Nidra is equivalent to 4 hours of sleep! Yoga Therapy is really about releasing tightness and softening.
Out of all the practices I do Yoga Therapy is the one that clients tell me helps them truly feel love for themselves. Any practice that supports someone to hold loving presence for the unmet parts of their self seems to do this.
There is a Yoga Nidra meditation in the blog link below for you. It’s an easy, ‘can’t-do-it-wrong’ lying down guided mindfulness meditation that is key in healing adrenal unwellness
Getting away for a retreat and reconnecting to You is a powerful gift to give yourself (and everyone in your life!).
Consider our November 23-30, 2019 retreat where we will be heading south and sunny for a week of replenishment at Xinalani. The theme of the retreat is of coming home to ourselves (in love, calm, clarity, confidence, simplicity, beauty and joy). Yoga Nidraand Yoga Therapy sessions will be part of our time together.
To learn more about She Shines 2019: Eat. Play. Love. Connect. ..:
Early bird prices until June 21st!
Be well, (-: xo,
Dr. Monika Herwig ND is a mother of 2, and a Trailblazer with Happy Healthy Women in Canmore, Alberta. She practices Mind-Body Medicine especially around Adrenal, Gut and Mental Health in her clinic and leads Wellness Workshops and Retreats locally and internationally. Dr. Monika supports conscious women shine their light and share their gifts with the world without burning out. She is especially passionate about supporting moms and runs yearly Fairy Nature Camps for her clients’ children (and herself!).
June 05, 2019
Do you have a hard time saying no?
Happy, successful people establish healthy boundaries and learn to say no to what doesn’t serve them.
Here are 4 ways to start saying “yes” to yourself and saying “no” to others:
Most successful people say “no” to practically everything, except what really matters. You probably have no idea just how many times a day you agree to something. It’s time to take notice!
For the next few days, make a list of all the things and people you’ve said “yes” to, then think about how you might have responded differently. Would you still say “yes” today? You can do this activity retrospectively, also, and reflect on the past week.
When you create a focus in your life, saying “yes” or “no” becomes effortless. And, setting priorities starts with quiet reflection and solid planning. Give yourself the time and space to dream big, then write out your bold goals for the month. Narrow these down to the week and the day and create a habit of getting clear as you start each day. You’ll have that mental reminder of what’s important to you and what you’ve committed to yourself to get done.
People who overcommit don’t do it because they want to disappoint others or become stressed out; they do it because they crave approval and fear disappointment. They think they can do it all (newsflash: they can’t, and neither can you).
Instead, when you’re asked to do something, don’t feel pressured to answer right away. Pause. Go back to your list of priorities and your calendar and see what’s reasonable. If your goals are always top of mind, you’ll have no trouble making decisions that are in alignment.
4. Perfecting saying “no” is like doing chin-ups; it takes practice and consistency. At first, it feels awkward, and it hurts a little, but then you realize how exhilarating it can be.
Try saying “no” loud and proud in front of a mirror. Then say it, and let it go. You don’t have to overthink it, worry about anyone’s reaction, or of feel guilty. Use my examples of ways to say “no” without even mentioning the word.
What are you waiting for before you’ll do it? Commit to your yeses and feel good about your noes as well.
Lisa Petsinis is a certified life coach who works with resourceful women who want to put themselves first and create a life they love – without chaos or guilt. Visit her website to learn about her coaching programs, contact her for a discovery call, or grab her free guide“5 Simple Ways To Start Turning Your Life Around Today.”
May 29, 2019
As I sit here, racking my brain for an engaging topic, thoughts of “Clean Eating 101,” “Juggling Life,” “Finding Balance in Life” or “Priority Management” all spring to mind. Then, I realize that one of the biggest obstacles I put in my own way - something that makes all these ideas more challenging on a daily basis - is … procrastinating. I mean, seriously, think about it. Do you hit the snooze button in the morning? Do you ever leave that heaping basket of clean, dry towels until tomorrow to fold? Do you put off meal prepping on the weekend and struggle to put together a healthy lunch during the week? Do you scan Instagram for hours at a time when you have other things you could be doing?
YOU ARE NOT ALONE! I admit it too … I procrastinate!
So, then, I’m thinking, WHY? Why do I procrastinate? Why do I put things off until later when it is probably much simpler and more efficient to do them now?
Well, what about feeling tired? Nah. I’m sure none of us is so fatigued, out of energy and just plain exhausted by the end of a full day or week that one last thing - like folding laundry - seems like the largest, most insurmountable task that anyone could think of at that given moment, are we? Well, … yes! Yes we are! We’re only human right? There is a limit! So, feeling tired. That’s one of the reasons I procrastinate.
Time. Does it ever feel like there’s just not enough time to fit everything into one day? Does it feel like you just cannot do - or even begin to do - that one job or assignment or report. It’s overwhelming and, well, let’s face it, why start something now when there’s no way you can finish it today?
Sometimes, I just, simply, don’t feel like it. Wouldn’t you rather watch that next episode of Grey’s Anatomy. You know the one where Station 19 overlaps and both casts are in the one episode? Love that episode. Actually, there are 2 in a row if I remember correctly. Can’t miss that! I have to watch it … NOW! It’s funny that,“Most of us seem to tacitly believe that our emotional state has to match the task at hand. …But that’s just not true. I have to recognize that I’m rarely going to feel like it, and it doesn’t matter if I don’t feel like it.” (Washington Post, April 27, 2016). Reality check! That is so true! I even tell my own children as well as my students that, sometimes, we have to do things even if we don’t feel like doing them right at that moment.
There are books and studies and so many articles written on this exact topic. Also, “The process of overcoming procrastination can (only) begin once you’re able to admit that. when you avoid taking action, you’re really avoiding pain. … Without realizing it, most of us instinctively retreat to a comfort zone and try our best never to leave it.” That pain may simply be that you’d much rather enjoy scrolling through Facebook than emptying the boring, old dishwasher but, think of the other side. How will you feel in the morning when you can grab a big, clean mug out of the cupboard for your morning coffee, instead of having to see that dishwasher full of clean dishes just waiting to be emptied? It would’ve been worth doing it the night before – guaranteed! So, how do I practise what I preach, as they say? Where do we start?
2.THEN, ASK YOURSELF: WHY DO I PROCRASTINATE? Once I realized that I was avoiding tasks because they were unpleasant or boring, or I just plain didn’t feel like doing them, I could start planning to overcome this lifelong habit of putting things off. Sure, being tired, feeling like I just don’t have enough time, those are all real feelings, but think of the end game. How will this change your lifeor even the next day of your life (start small😊)?
3. JUST DO IT! Even if you do feel tired and unmotivated, just do that small task like folding the laundry. Make those lunches the night before. Start that report. You’ve got this! I’ve been trying this for the past month and guess what? I feel amazing! Instead of leaving all these little tasks until tomorrow, I’m doing them right away or, at least, as soon as possible. I’m feeling calmer, more confident, more in control of my life. Who knew that making my bed every morning, folding towels as they come out of the dryer and consistently making my lunch the night before could make such a positive difference in life?! Focusing on the end result has been life-changing! Now, each “next day” is going more smoothly because I did those things yesterday. I know,it’s early days, and this will take time until itbecomes a regular habit but, so far, so good.
4. CHUNKING: Often, we procrastinate because we’re unsure of where to start, so we don’t start at all. Does that sound familiar? Try this:Look at the task, determine what the first step would be (even if it’s Youtubing a video on how to do it!:)) and begin with that first piece. You know Newton’s Laws of Motion? The Law of Inertia – an object at rest will stay at rest – or on the couch😊 – and an object in motion will stay in motion - unless acted on by an outside force – blah, blah, blah. Let’s focus on the staying in motion part. Push yourself to start and get into motion. Easier said than done, for sure, but get into motion. That is key, and the biggest hurdle I’m working to overcome.
It all sounds easy, right? Well, maybe not, but it is doable. So, where to start? Start at Step 1 and go from there.
Honestly, once I recognized that I have a tendency toprocrastinate and that I often feel overwhelmed by the one million things I have to do in a day, my life started to become less stressful and things are now getting done! On that note, I’m off to begin report cards which, by the way, aren’t due for another 3 weeks. The schedule is set to do a little each day with a day of editing at the end. Woohooo! We’ve got this!
To learn more about Liz visit: https://www.lizryan.arbonne.com
May 22, 2019
I just can't stop thinking about the episode on Queer Eye when Karamo kept saying, 'Love is in the details'. It's sooooooo true!
The little stuff really does matter, because it's the little stuff that ultimately makes up all the big stuff.
As a Leadership/Success coach, I'm privileged to coach young leaders how to really ignite their confidence and leadership in order to excel at what they are chasing. A big part of what I do is take my clients back, way back to when they use to 'dream'....remember those days?
I’m living my dream, and boldly putting myself ‘out there’ by adding another leg to my company, Interior Styling.
When we add beautiful details to our space, to our homes, to our writing, to our businesses, to our relationships, everything just seems to be enriched. There's just more love.
Let's look at your space. Do you have some photos that take you back to an amazing trip, or photos of people you adore? Start thinking about creating a gallery wall. Gather up things you love. Add some green to your space, it's a simple as buying a few stems from your local florist. How about books? Books can tell a million stories, and really help define your style and how you roll. Adding quotes that inspire you, add art that makes you feel good.
Those are just a few ideas. For me, I have shells all around my home. They remind me of my mum. I've collected shells from all parts of the world, starting from when I was very young. I treasure this.
Many people say to me, 'I have no idea what my style is, I'm not good at this Katy!' Here's a tip, start with what you don't like. Crazy thought right? But once you know what isn't in alignment, or doesn't make you sing, then you can really start to creating with a blank canvas, but a clear canvas.
Creating a style is cool. It is empowering and can tell your guests/friends a story about who you are.
As much as we work on the inside stuff (Success Coaching) it's equally as important to have an inspiring space, a space that we can be proud of. So, the outside stuff requires attention too. Trust me on this one.
Think about your style. Think about what you love, and what brings you happiness and joy. Love is in the details.
xo
K
Katy Loewen
Home Stylist/Success Coach
https://www.instagram.com/katyloewenco/
https://www.instagram.com/katyloewenstyling/