The Far Side version of choice

So, everyone has one of those days.

I have had one of those weeks.

Earlier this morning I was at the point of choice: a glass of water on the table sits on  a table.

I can see it as

A) Half full

B) Half empty

Or

C) What glass, I want need a cheeseburger!

Earlier this morning, I think I would have chosen to chucked the glass out the window (please note: not a responsible option!)

Then, excellent (and I mean above and beyond excellent) tech support from the company that powers this web page and my email arrived just in time!

www.lunarpages.com, saved the day! I can see the glass is overflowing!

I am usually the one who give outstanding support.  In every aspect of my life, both personal and professional, I know my ability to help people who help others ( you know, teachers, nurses, non profits who provide community support, ombudsman programs and of course my family and the community where I am rooted) will not make me millions, but it does make me aware I am living on purpose.

I do not wish my life to be a bed of roses, rather, I work hard cultivating a life and livelihood that blooms. For every season there is rest, work and harvest. I know that you have to work at it every day. I also know not everyday is going to be fun.  Hindsight helps you remember the bright spots in the not so fun days. You may choose not to repeat the experience, even though it adds to your harvest in that season.

Case in point: I learned things about the web, email and my computer and how to trouble shoot things I never would wanted to have to know regarding email. So now I do. And I can choose to be grumpy and bumpy about the time lost or I can choose to be grateful it is finally fixed.

The option is always there for choice. It is like the yoga instructor who gently reminds you: rest is always an option (and in a strange way this gentle reminder powers you through.  At least for me it does)

I know it is what you do in the continuum that makes a difference.

I know continuous effort is the key to unlocking the potential inside of us all.  Everyone needs support and accountability. It s what helps us move forward. Even an accountability coach. Perhaps, especially, accountability coach when she is really outside her comfort zone. (read: getting email to flow in and out of the mailbox manager on her laptop!)

Who is helping you today move forward?

I am so glad the tech folks at www.lunarpages.com are helping me today.

Email up and running again. Ready to keep moving forward!

Also, thank you to all who work those help lines across the globe. Thank you for helping us to remember we have a choice…. I for one continue to choose overflowing!

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It is summer and the heat is draining us all.
What do you do to stay cool?
How do you ‘tolerate’ something you have no control over?
Your choices are
1) complain and fuss about it
or
2) find a way to be cool, think about other things and save your energy for more important things.

It is the same with any other thing that is ‘draining ‘ or zapping your energy.

What is a toleration?
dictionary.dom sites:
–verb (used with object), -at·ed, -at·ing.
1.
to allow the existence, presence, practice, or act of without prohibition or hindrance; permit.
2.
to endure without repugnance; put up with: I can tolerate laziness, but not incompetence.

If you allow, permit, endure something, why do you need a vacation from a toleration?
Because like the heat, it will over time drag you down and zap your energy.

Usually, one tolerates something because there is not a clear path to eliminate it or delete it.
You can zap a toleration in several ways:
a) Remove yourself from the situation
b) redefine your boundaries or your priorities so that you are not giving away your time and energy to something that is not supporting you
c) allow someone else to be responsible for the outcome
Clear,easy step for something you can do something about.

What about those things you have little or no control over?
The traffic delays due to road construction, the trash in your neighborhood, the regulations and processes for your industry
These are the ‘little things’ in life that usually would not get your ‘feathers in a fluff’ , but will drain you if you are not careful and
your mind begins to give away energy to frustration, complaining, procrastination

Change your mind, by changing your behavior. Simply ‘take a vacation’ from the toleration.
The vacation does not cost money and usually if you have a ‘trip tic’ all organized you can ‘get away’ at the drop of a hat.
Like most great ‘get-away’ s it is really not that complicated.
If you are at home or in an office near a microwave, grab a towel.
Spray with lavender body spray.
Put it in the microwave for about a minute.
Place the towel over your face when it is cool enough to handle.
Sit comfortable and breath deep, allow your mind go to to positive thoughts.

Take a few minutes to design a few ‘get -away’ s for yourself.
There are a few commercials that show people taking a ‘break with a cup of coffee or piece of chocolate
Make this vacation ‘ commercial free’ and go for a walk, do a few yoga stretches, or listen to some music that really makes you feel good.
The next time you feel your energy being zapped by something you are tolerating, change your mind, take a vacation and get yourself back on track so your energy and actions help you move forward.

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Do you harness change or navigate change?

What does “harness” mean?: to bring under conditions for effective use; gain control over for a particular end, control, manage, utilize.

And what’s “navigate” mean?: to move on, over, or through, to direct or manage; to control the course to pass over, to  find one’s way.

Terry Paulson, the author of Paulson on Change, quotes an uncle’s advice: “It’s easiest to ride a horse in the direction it is going.”

In other words, don’t struggle against change; learn to use it to your advantage.

Take a quick survey – see where you land on the question of harness and navigating change in a future blog

Paulson’s great quote  makes me wonder about the the question behind the quote….

Do you know which way you are going?

And, more importantly, are you sure the direction you are sitting on the horse is the right direction?

Clearly identifying your destination is important…. Making sure you are going about it most effectively is equally important.

Are you struggling and trying to make a go of something that you know should be right …but can’t seem to connect? Then, check the way you are riding the horse…

Readjusting how you use your  tools/ information to accomplish the goal may make all the difference.

A recent group  I was coaching discovered a new way to ‘ride the horse’

The scenario:

Office staff of a 24/7 operation wanted to create more time for  off site appointments and personal training and growth.

They had asked for a 4/10-work week before with out success

Utilizing tools and refreshed information they learned in a Fresh ideas Interactive Learning Experience (ILE) they:

• Worked as a team organizing their thoughts.
• Worked as a team to compose a report that detailed the benefits to the customer and the company why shifting to a 4/10 schedule would benefit the bottom line
• Presented their report to their direct supervisor for feedback and suggestions
• Presented the report in a formal, short presentation to the boss after getting the green light form the direct supervisor!

The Result:

They got their schedules adjusted!…and

• their wok week now flows much more smoothly
• they come to work refreshed and not worried about how to get appointments and personal growth training accomplished.

Most importantly, they have a fresh perspective on coming to work and this directly impacts the increase in customers and customer services

The key:

In the Fresh ideas ILE they learned about communication, boundaries and how to connect  their personal values to the company’s values and goals.

Common sense?

Perhaps…..and it takes common sense to get off the horse, walk around it and make sure when you remount, you are in the most effective and efficient position so you can enjoy the ride!

Common sense  and effective use of time and energy leveraging support in the process of getting your sense of direction and perspective in focus and sharp.

Do you need to dismount, reevaluate and get back up again to take charge of change?

Want to learn more about Fresh Ideas ILE?

Contact me for more information…..and  get ready to enjoy the ride!

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