Time for me

Taking time for ourselves is often something we put on the back burner after everything else is accomplished.  The thing is, we never finish all those things we want/need to do, so time for us rarely happens unless we plan for it.

Friday was just such a day I had planned for me! It started as most days do, with a trip to the gym, something I love.  Then if was off to a massage.  This was not just any massage though, today I was trying something new, an ayurvedic massage.   I went to the Ayurvedic Bodywork Center in Raleigh and experienced a wonderful treatment by Gin Brunssen. 

This was different than any massage I have experience in the past.  It was deeper, warmer and energizing at the same time as calming.  The residual effects lasted throughout the rest of my day, bringing me a sense of well being physically and mentally as I enjoyed the rest of my “time for me” day. 

What did I do with the rest of my day?  I spent time reading, enjoyed healthy meals and worked on my creative space.  What a great time I had!

When is the last time you took a day for yourself?  What would you choose to do with it?

Going for it – take a chance and create that program or develop your ideas

I’ll bet that there is something you have been eager to create, learn or do in your career, but since it is not currently part of your job description you have never attempted or accomplished it.  Perhaps you see a need for a new procedure or practice that could benefit your organization or colleagues; maybe you have always wanted to learn a new skill that could take you in a new direction professionally; or perhaps you have this great idea for a new service or system… 

What if you went for it?  What if you created that procedure, designed that system or developed that new idea for a service regardless of whether someone asked you to do it or not?  What if you trusted your instincts and talents, trusted in your imagination and creativity? 

What possibilities could be ignited?  Going for it will stretch your mind, challenge your abilities and move you out of your comfort zone.  It will infuse you with a renewed passion and vitality for your career and may even catapult you to a new one. 

Whatever the outcome, the key lies in the process of creation – owning a desire or idea and running with it.

Ah Ha Moments

I held a group coaching teleclass recently for a group of 5 friends from different cities who wanted to come together to learn and grow.  Our topic was Living a Passionate Life.  Facilitating this teleclass/group coaching call is one one of my own passions in life.  Nothing charges me up like hearing someone experience and “ah ha” moment.  It often happens when listening to someone else in the group express something about their life and situation.  Suddenly you see your own life from a new perspective, often noticing for the first time something that was right in front of you!

It was wonderful to hear these 5 friends sharing their thoughts, hopes, dreams and challenges with each other around what it means to them to be living a passionate life.  I was so pleased to hear that in the midst of very busy lives, these women were creating time in their lives to live their passion.  Do they wish they had more time?  Certainly – which is why we spent a good portion of the call working on some strategies to create space in their lives for it!

What are some of your ah ha moments?