Simple Tools to Reclaim Your Energy

It’s always a joy to speak to audiences of great women — women who are committed to doing important work in the world and show up as their best selves — as I did last week in a program I led for women working in healthcare in Sydney Australia.

In addition to their efforts at work, they carry the loads of family responsibilities, volunteering, getting new certifications, sometimes caring for aging relatives.

Maybe you can relate to the feelings of overwhelm that were shared in this session, as they so often are when I speak.

When I guided the attendees through a Discovery Dozen™ exercise (which you will be familiar with if you have a copy of my book), things women shared that they yearned for in order to take better care of their bodies and their spirits, included:

• focused, quality time with their children

• time to spend in nature, to swim, to exercise 

• more confidence, belief and trust in themselves

• the ability to set boundaries with ease

• being kinder to themselves

• booking and planning time away

• more time to have fun with their pets

Being able to connect to deep desires like these is a key first step to bringing positive change into your life.

So, here’s a question for you:

What things would make a difference in your wellbeing each day? 

I invite you to sit with the question and see what shows up.

(And if you want to use a Discovery Dozen to explore that question, reach out and I will provide a prompt and explain how to use this amazing tool.)

When I speak to audiences, coach women, lead retreats, and offer programs for organizations to support the great women in their companies so that they thrive, my focus is always on offering small yet power steps that make a significant difference — that help women access and amplify the creative power they possess.

I have many tools and approaches that help women to connect to and unleash their abundant creative power, so that they create the truly fulfilling lives they yearn for. 

Let’s connect and talk about the changes that will be transformative for you to make.

We can also talk about ways I can help you build a culture where the women in your organization are supported to make their biggest, best contributions, while living rich satisfying lives.

Book time with me here.

I look forward to a great conversation.

What I am learning about resilience this time around

There are times when events show up in your life and you are tested. 

When my father suffered a health crisis two weeks ago, we mobilized and dashed to Philadelphia. After five days in the hospital he was discharged, we arranged for additional care for him at home, we returned to Boston, and everything seemed stable.

Until it wasn’t.

My father was back in the ER on Friday, admitted again, and once more we’ve need to be patient as the medical team works to fine-tune the medication plan that we hope will allow my him to return home without fear of new events. 

Naturally, this is stressful for my dad, for my sisters and me, for my husband and children and all who deeply love him.

Life inevitably calls on us to be resilient

Today I turned to the chapter in my book, Live Big: A Manifesto for a Creative Life, titled Carry On. It’s all about resilience, and I realized it was time for me to revisit the content I wrote based on my own past experiences.

The chapter addresses a range of times we need to be resilient. I focused on the exercises and practices that were matched to what I need now.

I started by completing a Discovery Dozen™ exercise to help me slow down and cultivate awareness. I modified the suggestions in the book to best help me now. I used this fill-in-the-blank sentence, completing it with 12 different answers, to start my day:

To slow down and be more present I can....

Then I focused on the best actions I could take to ensure my father’s well-being and for my self-care. I made calls to the nurses and then set aside other tasks to meditate. I know that meditating helps me to stay centered and think clearly.

Next, I was guided to bolster my belief in myself, by recalling the ways I have been able to do things well in the past when I’ve been under stress. I reminded myself that I may not do things perfectly, but when I think clearly and do my best, I have been able to do a lot — and I can do a lot today, too.

Rather than reacting, I consciously chose to create. I considered the resources available to me for help, and resources I can activate, and got things in motion.

I asked myself good questions, too. I knew these Discovery Dozen sentences would help me: 
“What would I do if I were not afraid?”
“How is this experience calling on me to grow, expand, or adapt?” 
“What am I learning now?”

My big take-aways 

When I turn to proven tools to support myself to stay calm, I am able to think clearly, and that makes everything better — especially as I continue to navigate this health challenge. 

I can keep fear at bay when I reach out for support.

I appreciate how much I have learned from dealing with other challenges in the past, that are informing me now. 

And I appreciate myself for my ability to be patient and trust, as well as my willingness to learn and grow.

How are you resilient in your life?

All of us are called on to be resilient, in small and bigger ways, as we move through our lives. This last year has certainly been filled with challenges that run the gamut.

How are you able to respond? What works best for you? 

I would love to hear from you, and would be glad for you to share your strategies. Email me or leave a comment and let me know.

Stay safe and well, and keep creating. 

And thank you for keeping my sweet father in your prayers.