Peace, Tranquility, and Relaxation.
Aaaaaahhhhh.
(Read about the 13 traits)
Yeah, there is some irony that I am writing this on a Sunday at about 9pm and I am committed to getting up at 5am for the gym. But well, since I own my business I also completely own my schedule and I can work whenever I like. And I can relax whenever I like.
My strategy this week is to incorporate some relaxing moments and/or tranquil thoughts daily, as well as try daily meditation Monday through Friday. This is the part where I tell you that I am a bit A-type and most of my life did not know how to truly relax, and clearing my mind is pretty much impossible.
Since becoming a coach, I have learned the power of the mind and have tackled many things I once thought impossible. Therefore, I am giving meditation a real honest-to-goodness shot this time. I have also learned the power of relaxation (even if I still have to set the timer to truly let myself relax- freakish, I know!), and of visualizing events and images for things I would really like to see happen. So I am excited to embrace this right now, plus it fits oh-so-nicely with one of the books I am currently reading: Eat Pray Love, and she is in India at the Ashram...
I still have a bit of a mental hurdle regarding the meditation, but I discovered that there are many forms of meditation and that pretty much everyone struggles initially - so it just takes practice. I also am thoroughly sold on the benefits.
So- here goes: I, Heather Legge, of Envision Success Inc, commit to posting my progress on this little relaxation and meditation journey of mine this week (and to catching up on past posts soon). Stay tuned!
Monday update: I recited several times "Om Namah Shivaya" aka "I honor the divinity that resides within me." It was definitely peaceful. Although I am honestly not feeling the mantra as just saying it, I know there is value in simply concentrating ones thoughts and voice in one direction.
Tuesday update: WOW, a VERY productive last few days. That's the good news. The bad news is that I've been staying up late and getting pretty caught up in " Get Er Done" mode, and I skipped the gym this morning in favor of sleep, didn't eat well, nor did I experience any tranquil thoughts since Monday update above. OK, wait - YET. I will make some time before bed to breathe, think calming thoughts, and do a 20-minute guided relaxation before sleep. Aaaaahhhhh, I feel better already.
Later update: I turned it around over the next few days and was able to embrace Peacefulness more fully. I found myself much more aware of my ability to be more relaxed, peaceful, or tranquil in just about any situation. Next round, I would like to sign up for a meditation class and force a bit more growth in this area.
Envision Success Inc blog posts from Executive, Business, and Life Coaches on topics like Saying No, Focus, Effectiveness, Leadership, Changing Habits, Communication, Boundaries, Work Life Balance, and Perfectionism.
Showing posts with label vision board. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vision board. Show all posts
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Intention: Week 5
Post 5 of 13 traits. Read more.
Intention, ah...I can't help but think of the phrase, "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions." For some reason, this has been a staple phrase in my subconscious for many years.
So we can state that intention is not enough; we have to follow it up with action. But how? I am a big proponent for what is called "inspired action." In other words, when you know what you want, you will know what to do. It's when your intentions are not very clear that actions too are muddied.
My expected focus for this week was to visualize desired outcomes (much more) for lots of things: my business, proposals, projects, clients, transactions, and even conversations. ie, What do I want this person I am meeting with to experience today? As much as I teach my clients this technique, I can't claim that I am applying it 100% of the time either, and I was happy to give it some extra attention for a week.
The technique involves thinking about, articulating, and then pretending it's really possible---whatever outcome you'd really like to see. As an example, I asked a client Wednesday what she would really like to happen during an event she was co-hosting and she starting talking about it, and as she was explaining to me during her session, she was defining it for herself. And it was cool!
One reason this works so well is because once you articulate what it is that you want, then you will see opportunities differently, you will make different assumptions, you will use different words and interact differently with others. In short you will make those teeny-tiny decisions differently that you are confronted with a thousand times a day and will create the situation as you'd like it to happen. Long term, this means better results.
So yes, as expected, a lot of awesome stuff happened this week!
I'm back to journaling nightly.
And now for Communcation...
Intention, ah...I can't help but think of the phrase, "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions." For some reason, this has been a staple phrase in my subconscious for many years.
So we can state that intention is not enough; we have to follow it up with action. But how? I am a big proponent for what is called "inspired action." In other words, when you know what you want, you will know what to do. It's when your intentions are not very clear that actions too are muddied.
My expected focus for this week was to visualize desired outcomes (much more) for lots of things: my business, proposals, projects, clients, transactions, and even conversations. ie, What do I want this person I am meeting with to experience today? As much as I teach my clients this technique, I can't claim that I am applying it 100% of the time either, and I was happy to give it some extra attention for a week.
The technique involves thinking about, articulating, and then pretending it's really possible---whatever outcome you'd really like to see. As an example, I asked a client Wednesday what she would really like to happen during an event she was co-hosting and she starting talking about it, and as she was explaining to me during her session, she was defining it for herself. And it was cool!
One reason this works so well is because once you articulate what it is that you want, then you will see opportunities differently, you will make different assumptions, you will use different words and interact differently with others. In short you will make those teeny-tiny decisions differently that you are confronted with a thousand times a day and will create the situation as you'd like it to happen. Long term, this means better results.
So yes, as expected, a lot of awesome stuff happened this week!
I'm back to journaling nightly.
And now for Communcation...
Thursday, September 3, 2009
How to Focus (No, It's Not Hocus Pocus)
Pay attention! Focus! How many times did you hear this is a kid (or as an adult, come to think of it)? When the ball is coming at your head or when you have 2 hours until a big deadline...all you need is more focus. Ugh, "just focus." Yeah right, like it's so super easy when your stress level is through the roof. Aaaah, but it can be. Easy, I mean. With practice. Yep, that's the catch. But it's not really a catch as much as a way in, and it is SO worth it!
Focus Defined
Q. Are focus and discipline the same thing, because I just can't seem to get a handle on either of these?
A. No, although the road to learning laser focus probably requires a bit of discipline for most people. Focus is the ability to put thought energy toward something specific. Discipline is the ability to give yourself a command and follow it.
What About This, That, and the Other?
Do you have this challenge too? You just sit down to focus on that project and almost as soon as your butt touches the chair, one or more things you "have to do" pop up. Such as: I have to go to the bathroom, and I should get that email out to the team before I forget, and oh I just remembered I need to call Bill, and omg I should have eaten lunch because I'm starving... First of all, rest assured this is normal in our modern world of work. Almost everyone feels like their focus is scattered pretty much all the time. My personal theory on this is that we are simply used to it, and we now expect it, and the cycle continues. We expect ourselves to be masterful multi-taskers. However, just like a computer processor, the human brain technically handles only one task at a time, even if it is at the speed of light.
How to Increase Your Focus
Determine what type of structures or processes you can use to help you create and maintain focus when needed. As an example of something my clients really benefit from, try using a kitchen timer to keep yourself focused. Determine a specific task to focus on, take a few minutes to clear out the procrastination items (go to the bathroom, refill your water glass, set the phone to silent, etc...) then set the timer for a reasonable period of time and focus ONLY on completing the desired task for that amount of time. This works because essentially you give yourself permission to put the other stuff on hold temporarily. Try it.
What to Focus On?
Another facet of Focus leads us to what exactly you put your focus toward. Which thoughts and actions will ultimately help you be more effective? What are you working toward? If you don't know your desired outcome, start by focusing on that.
As an example, if you have a project due soon, be able to articulate what you want to accomplish. In others words, what would you like the outcome to be? (At a medium-sized contact center, they determined as a team they wanted the clients totally satisfied, the team to feel the project was worthwhile, they worked together well and didn't have to put in as much overtime, and also the profit is in the good range due to improvements in project flow.) Once you have the goal to focus on, being as specific as you can, stretching for improvements with a bit of pragmatism. Then, hold the picture of this accomplishment in your focus while asking simple questions to help you drive it forward from your starting point. What could you do to make it happen? (If you have a team, like in this example, brainstorm with them.) Do NOT filter the ideas until AFTER you have a ton of real possibilities. Then figure out which ones to take action on.
ACTIONS:
1. Consider your ability to focus and whether or not discipline is required. Resolve to make 1 little tiny improvement this week. What will it be?
2. Try using the timer technique today or tomorrow to complete a task you've been putting off. OH, it will feel so good! Which task do you choose?
3. Keep a notepad handy and jot down things that come to mind when you are focusing on something specific. Write it down, then get right back to it, checking the list for actions after "focus time."
Bonus!
To help you focus your imagination and get motivated, I'd like to recommend a product I use personally and recommend to clients to help focus on creating their vision for the future:
http://www.visualizeyourgoals.com/cgi-bin/t.cgi?a=476574
Focus Defined
Q. Are focus and discipline the same thing, because I just can't seem to get a handle on either of these?
A. No, although the road to learning laser focus probably requires a bit of discipline for most people. Focus is the ability to put thought energy toward something specific. Discipline is the ability to give yourself a command and follow it.
What About This, That, and the Other?
Do you have this challenge too? You just sit down to focus on that project and almost as soon as your butt touches the chair, one or more things you "have to do" pop up. Such as: I have to go to the bathroom, and I should get that email out to the team before I forget, and oh I just remembered I need to call Bill, and omg I should have eaten lunch because I'm starving... First of all, rest assured this is normal in our modern world of work. Almost everyone feels like their focus is scattered pretty much all the time. My personal theory on this is that we are simply used to it, and we now expect it, and the cycle continues. We expect ourselves to be masterful multi-taskers. However, just like a computer processor, the human brain technically handles only one task at a time, even if it is at the speed of light.
How to Increase Your Focus
Determine what type of structures or processes you can use to help you create and maintain focus when needed. As an example of something my clients really benefit from, try using a kitchen timer to keep yourself focused. Determine a specific task to focus on, take a few minutes to clear out the procrastination items (go to the bathroom, refill your water glass, set the phone to silent, etc...) then set the timer for a reasonable period of time and focus ONLY on completing the desired task for that amount of time. This works because essentially you give yourself permission to put the other stuff on hold temporarily. Try it.
What to Focus On?
Another facet of Focus leads us to what exactly you put your focus toward. Which thoughts and actions will ultimately help you be more effective? What are you working toward? If you don't know your desired outcome, start by focusing on that.
As an example, if you have a project due soon, be able to articulate what you want to accomplish. In others words, what would you like the outcome to be? (At a medium-sized contact center, they determined as a team they wanted the clients totally satisfied, the team to feel the project was worthwhile, they worked together well and didn't have to put in as much overtime, and also the profit is in the good range due to improvements in project flow.) Once you have the goal to focus on, being as specific as you can, stretching for improvements with a bit of pragmatism. Then, hold the picture of this accomplishment in your focus while asking simple questions to help you drive it forward from your starting point. What could you do to make it happen? (If you have a team, like in this example, brainstorm with them.) Do NOT filter the ideas until AFTER you have a ton of real possibilities. Then figure out which ones to take action on.
ACTIONS:
1. Consider your ability to focus and whether or not discipline is required. Resolve to make 1 little tiny improvement this week. What will it be?
2. Try using the timer technique today or tomorrow to complete a task you've been putting off. OH, it will feel so good! Which task do you choose?
3. Keep a notepad handy and jot down things that come to mind when you are focusing on something specific. Write it down, then get right back to it, checking the list for actions after "focus time."
Bonus!
To help you focus your imagination and get motivated, I'd like to recommend a product I use personally and recommend to clients to help focus on creating their vision for the future:
http://www.visualizeyourgoals.com/cgi-bin/t.cgi?a=476574
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