Counting on ourselves
August 09th, 2008
My friend had a baby this past year, and one of the things I noticed was the power of schedules and routines for an infant. They create a safe place for the baby to thrive. Things like going to bed at the same time, having a consistent nap time, following an eating schedule all build trust and allow the infant to count on the one caring for them.
I notice in the work I do that the same routines support our own self-trust. A consistent place to write things down, a habit of putting written notes into the inbox to process into action, looking at the calendar first thing in the day and last thing before leaving your office/computer, and a regular review of all your lists and folders all let us know we can count on ourselves to do what we say we will.
People often ask me how I remember people’s birthdays. I don’t. My computer calendar does, and I simply have a habit of looking at my calendar daily and taking the action that is on it.
Looking
August 08th, 2008
I was talking to a client today about the importance of “looking.” By looking, I mean putting your full attention on the paper, list, or whatever is before you so that you see it clearly and don’t skip over what needs to be seen. I notice often we will look at our lists, or our desk, or our email (for that executive scan before a meeting) with half of our attention, thinking we are seeing, and we often miss the one thing that most needs our attention. Looking is a conscious moment of seeing clearly.
Moving/acting/doing
August 07th, 2008
How often have you stopped yourself from doing something, thinking you know better? For instance, I can’t call this person now because I know they are out of town or in a meeting, or I can’t do this now because . . . (fill in the blank). I call this approach to working the thinking/organized method vs. the doing/moving mode. I see both my clients and myself stop ourselves midstream by “thinking we know.” When I am working with someone, I will encourage them to make the call or send the email, regardless of the reasons why they “think” it is not the right timing. Almost without exception, they discover what they thought was happening with the other person was not accurate, and they are able to complete their action. Moving/acting/doing is the path to completing.
Writing it all down
August 06th, 2008
During a client review yesterday, the client commented as she went through her “someday maybe” list—Oh, wow, that one is finished! The beauty of being willing to keep the mind empty and everything written down is that, without effort, things get handled. Trying to hold our ideas and actions in our head can stop the flow of completing.
Acting instead of reacting
August 05th, 2008
We have a choice to react to challenging news or to simply move into action with the next step that will balance the situation, create a solution, or put it into perspective. That willingness to stop and listen for the next step allows the solution to appear.
Today I received news that I needed to find another fulfillment person to ship my book and CD. I first reacted inside with—not now—where will I ever find someone as easy to work with, etc. I assumed this was “bad” news. I stopped myself immediately and took a step. I called a new company to ask about their fulfillment, and within five minutes I hired them for less than I had been paying.
The experience of this was grace filled. I am seeing more and more the importance of moving into action vs. staying stuck in reaction. Moving into action makes it possible for us to connect with the solution. We need to realize that everything that comes forward is perfect and is presented as a test to see if we are willing to cooperate and move forward. And if we are all willing to be honest and let go of what doesn’t support us, we allow new possibilities for everyone involved.
Thank you, Mary. << Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Next >>
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