Movie to Move You

I loved this and thought it demonstrates what someone can create with just a little focus, energy and enthusiasm

http://vimeo.com/27246366

Enjoy!

What Days are you Making Special?

I was talking with a friend of mine the other day and I was telling her about how my grandmother was famous for having the same meals every week; meatloaf Thursday, fish Friday, pork chop Wednesday, etc. This got us talking about the need for spontaneity and the need for little things that make days special.

Last week on a Tuesday I had hoped it would be sunny and it wasn't. So I stopped and thought for a moment ... what would I do if it was hot and sunny today? I figured I'd go for ice cream. So I walked 5 blocks at 2pm on a Tuesday to an ice cream place I know and got a double scoop of my favorite ice cream pralines and cream (I was the only customer in the place!). I got back to the office and I was accosted as some type of weirdo - who gets ice cream on a Tuesday, on a workday?! And then the jealousy set in ... why didn't you get us some, where did you go, is it good?! My day became special and so did the attention I got.

On Sundays I sometimes go by this little bakery or pâtisserie. They make only 2 dozen of any specific item each day - super fresh and very french. It is unbelievable to eat their goodies on a Sunday morning with a big, fresh ground coffee. Its not always food related; some days I go to the professional car wash place and get them to do it. Sure it costs $15 but I love getting into a clean car and knowing I just got to relax while it was done. It makes the day special.

I find ways to make lots of days different. Open a fancy wine on a Tuesday, have a meeting at somewhere unusual, go sit in a garden or by the river and read for 20 minutes ... all these things create a better quality of life and enjoyment. How are you making each day special?

Finding Relaxation Anywhere

My new office is a block from a Good Earth Cafe. Outside there is a cement bench under a small tree. Three days in the last two weeks I have seen a lady out there stretched out on the bench with her shoes off, a coffee, reading a book. In the midst of downtown traffic, noise and distraction, this lady seems to find a great little place and time for relaxation. You see her sitting there consciously making time to relax and enjoy. It really is quite inspiring.

She is not out there for hours. I think it's about 15 minutes. The same amount of time I fritter away each day on the internet or shuffling between projects. It's the same amount of time some people spend smoking outside my building. It's less than the amount of time most people spend in traffic. My point is that most of us say we don't have time to stop and create time for relaxation. Really it is just our choice to make that time. How much more productive would you be with just a 15 break each morning where you really create a hideaway like this woman did. She is surrounded by chaos and yet she seemed like she could be sitting in a lawn chair beside a lake or the ocean - she was that at ease.

Start today. Find a routine that gives you a great break from your day. Maybe it's a walk. Maybe a nearby park. Maybe it is a phone call to a friend. Most people don't know what they would do if they had 15 minutes to create and enjoy relaxation ... do you? Find it and then do it!

Take 30 Days off ... of anything!

That's right, 30 days off. Not 3 days. Not 10 days. THIRTY. Pick something you want to cut out, reduce, or abolish. It could be coffee, booze, dessert, someone, a habit, whatever. Mine was alcohol and I've done it a couple of times now. Someone I had breakfast with last week said she cut out little white lies for a month only to discover it was something she would keep for life.

It's not really about what you cut out. Sure you might feel better. You might look better. Maybe perform better at work or in your life. What cutting something out for 30 days is really about is recognizing your will and power. When you struggle through the first few days without something and stick to it, you realize you can. You realize it's within you. It is liberating. Many people never make the effort and never get that lesson.

It is a long enough period that you are forced to find alternatives. This is key. Stop something for 3 days and you can just suffer through it. Not if it's a month! It is enough time that you really see the impact of whatever it was you removed; how it effected your health, your skin, your energy, your moods.

Engage someone to hold you accountable or do it with someone. Having support is also critical to success - we can always rationalize to ourselves why 30 days isn't necessary.

This works for men and women. It should be a mandatory life lesson. Pick something, find a support person and start today ... no, not next week or after the coming weekend. The best day to start is now.

Roll Out of Bed YOUR Way!

I have been there ... the alarm goes off in the morning and I instantly start to think that something has malfunctioned; it can't be 6am already. Then I wish about all things I would prefer to be happening. Finally, I give the internal pep talk and jump out of bed.

Actually, that's not even the bad part of the way I used to wake up ... it was the pace I'd set. Knowing that I had dozens of things to accomplish in a day I would start to rush from the moment I got up. It was 8am and I was already wound up and feeling behind.

Two things have changed for me. One is a recognition that no matter what time I get up I am not going to complete everything on my to-do list (mine is typically 250+ items long). Secondly, I started to honor myself when I awoke.

I simply thought about and defined what would be my ideal way to get up. So now I get up and I have a fresh cup of hot coffee and sit in the quiet for a few minutes in my favorite chair. I do some stretching/yoga for 10 mins. I choose my intention for the day. I might read for 20 minutes. Then I hit the shower. This quiet time to honor myself is life changing! I had previously never had time without other people, other distractions. Early morning is great for quiet think time. It is great to set your intention for the day and to breathe.

I actually get up earlier but I consistently have more energy and focus when I do it MY way.

Take a moment and think about how you really want to wake up each day. Its all within your control. Map it out and then do it. You'll find the whole day is better when you set the tone.