August 17, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Have you noticed that your consumption patterns may change as you are going through change? It could be anything–eating out more, wanting to learn to cook and thus cooking at home more, wanting to get organized and thus buying Quicken for your books, or a smartphone (e.g., Blackberry) or other PDA (personal digital assistant). I have a Community/forum category for what I call ‘transitional consumption” and I would love it if you would observe your behaviors and then write about them.
Or perhaps your decision-making changes, the processes themselves. If I am stressed, I can go into overdrive, researching and researching, and never deciding. Or I can go into overwhelm mode, thus buying the first item that will fill the need. . . .
Or maybe we transition into different needs, with changes. Our eyes may get worse with age, and all of a sudden it crosses the threshold and becomes noticeable. We no longer buy books with too-small typeset, for example. And with age, we may even go for large-print books, or audio books.
Maybe with changes our roles change. How often do we see that when people get divorced, all of a sudden they want to get in shape, buy sexier or more appealing clothes, etc?
Maybe our changes just bring situational differences. My ChangeArtist book is written with very short sections, because I noticed I had a very short attention span, and an inability to concentrate, when I was going through massive changes. I also had little patience for learning technology, or for using technological products. . .
Enjoy your observations. It can be fun and lead to a better understanding, and patience with, Self!!
August 17, 2009 at 2:16 pm
I’m sure most of you have heard the question:- How do you eat an elephant? And the answer:- One bite at a time! This is an old time management adage. If the elephant is a project you need to complete, you have to complete it one bite or action at a time. Sometimes that feels easier said than done. So let’s break it down further.
- Define the Elephant - First you need to define your project. Be specific. Make sure you know the scope of what you plan to accomplish. A good question to ask is - How will I know I’ve completed this project?
- Set a Deadline - If your project doesn’t have a deadline, you’ll feel less compelled to complete it. Make it a realistic deadline, but something that is a stretch for you. For instance, a lot of people say they will write a book one day. One day isn’t a deadline. But in 3 years is too long and 30 days may be too short for most. Sometimes an external deadline can be helpful.
- What are the bites - Break the project down into edible chunks. You can create a list or a mindmap for this. Or brainstorm with post-it notes and create a storyboard. Once these are organized, give each step a deadline. Be sure to include steps that you can delegate and make sure you get commitment on the deadline when you delegate them.
- Right now - Being in motion is powerful. Look at your steps and pick one that you can complete right now! If not now, then at least within the next 24 hours.
- Accountability - Set up an accountability system. This may be as simple as telling a friend, “I’m going to get this done by Tuesday and have them call you on Tuesday to check in.” Having a coach is a great accountability system.
Thoughts are abridged from www.TheJournalingJenius.com with permission!
August 17, 2009 at 2:00 pm
In our changing economic landscape, many people find themselves unprepared to deal with locating a new job in a struggling economy. The unemployed will initially react to the loss of the job and the security it provided. It’s normal to experience feelings of grief. Next comes a transitional period where the displaced worker comes to terms with the anxiety caused by finding themselves unprepared to be in the job market and deciding their next move.
This transitional period is one of establishing goals and making career decisions. It’s also a stage in which many people get stuck. The longer you stay unemployed and lick your wounds, the harder it is move to forward. While it might make sense to look for a position similar to the one you just had in the industry you were just in, this isn’t your only option. After all, if your company is laying off, it’s likely that others in that industry are as well.
Maybe it’s time to re-invent yourself. This could be a great opportunity to take a look at why you were doing what you were doing. In most cases, you have changed, and your industry has changed too. Maybe this is an opportunity for you to re-career: to evaluate your abilities, interests and values that you have NOW and find a match within an industry or field that has a brighter economic outlook.
Abridged: Examiner From The Career News, V 9, #33, Aug 17, 2009
August 16, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Again, by Erica M. Nelson (www.EricaNelson.com):
Where are you? Where is your mind? What is your focus? All that you think, do, feel, experience creates more of that in your life. Today stop and ask for awareness. See where your mind is going. Gently guide yourself back into being present in the joy of your experience. What is joyful? Remember why you came to the planet. Remember what you asked yourself to experience while you were here.
If you are in the middle of a learning, ask for the learning, let go the resistance, let go the pain. Make a suggestion to self that you can keep the learning and let go of the resistance. Let go of any obstacles that are keeping you from this complete and total feeling of joy.
Remember your perfection. It is all around you.
August 15, 2009 at 5:57 pm
The following is by inspirational author Erica M. Nelson (AuthorEricaNelson@gmail.com or read more at www.EricaNelson.com):
How are you being? Is life flowing? Are you in resistance? Are you in powerful, forward action? What is lighting you up? What is making you feel uncomfortable?
As you go through your day, ask the question of you “Am I downstream or upstream?”
When your movements are downstream, there is an energy flow. Synchronicity occurs. Life brings you joy. There is a feeling of goodness at play. The right people show up. People call out of the blue with good news. Life is in this flow, this “all is well”experience is pervasive.
I love this message from the practices of Abraham, www.Abraham-Hicks.com for more inspiration.
When you are upstream, it is harder. Life is bringing you challenges. You are having trouble getting motivated. You don’t know where to turn. Upstream is a different feeling, and it is very different from downstream.
Downstream is perfection unveiling itself to you, with the ebb and flow of all that occurs. Upstream is struggle, hard, challenging, not very fun, and people aren’t so nice to each other because they are also upstream, against the flow, working too hard and enjoying too little.
Where are you today? Get into the flow. Let’s go!
