Season of Change

Fall is my favorite season and one change I look forward to.   The change I didn’t expect or like very much?  Changes to my gym routine, especially the classes.

I love routines.  They help me stay focused and on track.  This is expecially true of going to the gym.  I also love challenges, which is why I go to several classes each week as the instructors are the best at pushing me past my comfort zone physically.

So you can understand my horror (OK maybe that’s too strong a word) when I realized that not only would some of the times of my tried and true classes be changing a bit, but many of the instuctors were changing too!!  My first reaction was “NO!  this is not good, this won’t work at all, now I’ll have to change my whole schedule, I’ll have to find different classes…” and on an on my mind reeled!.

Then I took a breath and thought about what I truly wanted – to be physically fit; and the best way for me to make that happen – taking classes that focused on strength and challenged me.  So…. I realized that the tweak in schedule may mean taking a different class now and then which adds variety (something I also love), and that new instructors would also be challenging me in new ways.  So, I not only accepted this change but now look forward to what is could mean for me positively!

How do you react to change?

What is Enough?

My recent article, “Enough, that elusive measure” focuses on the dilemma many of us face of not having enough.  We don’t have enough… time, enough sleep, enough money, or enough energy.  We are not smart enough, thin enough, educated enough, we don’t know enough, or charge enough.  When working with my clients I hear words like, “If I had enough money I would…”; or “I never have enough time to…”, and “I never have enough energy for…” 

When I started my business I knew and prepared just enough to take my first step.  I completed my initial coach certification, created my client materials, and designed my basic business structure to begin accepting clients.  Did I know everything there was to know about coaching?  No – that is an ongoing process that will never be completed for this profession requires my own consistent learning and growth.  Did I have everything I would ever need to work with clients?  No – every day I learn a new tool or find new resources to benefit my clients.  Did I know everything I needed to know about running and building a business?  No way – I did know the important start up points including my potential for income, my accounting needs and possibilities, but the rest I learn as I go along and that is part of what makes it exciting.  I knew just enough to start.  Just enough to plan out my beginning.

What does your “enough” look like?

Feeling Like A Kid

September is such a wonderful time to visit the beach.  The weather and water is still warm, yet there is a hint of fall in the air and light; and you practically have the beach to yourself.

While I love many things about the beach, one of my favorites is being in the water, expecially when the waves are strong.  There is something about the waves crashing at my feet as I stand knee deep that exhilrates me.  It is as if, in those moments I am transported back to my childhood.  I feel a sense of giddyness, wonder at the power of the ocean, and playfulness.  

What made this last experience even more fun was getting caught in a downpour while on the beach.  It always strikes me as funny when everyone runs for fear of getting wet, when we are already in our bathing suits!   For me, walking in the rain also brought me back, and I was enjoying the moment of getting soaked as we walked back to our hotel, just like I did as a small child (when my mother let me get soaked that is).

Being on vacation adds to the experience of feeling like a kid since responsibilities are put on hold, there are no schedules, and no expectations.

What makes you feel like a kid?