Archive for the ‘Inspiration’ Category

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Where Are You with Your Own Self-Care?

Friday, April 12th, 2013

 

“Self-care” — I first heard this phrase a few years ago in my coaching program. And then there’s “Extreme self-care” which I first heard of from my co-presenter Amy Medling, a health coach, and which I would apply to times of crisis, life changing events or crazy busy phases we sometimes have. My latest podcasts with my colleague Carol Williams focus on self-care and how to create time for it.

Today, I’d simply like to share ideas and questions for you to come up with your own definition for taking care of yourself.

A list of ideas can spur one’s thinking. This is my list, nothing official, just from work with clients and on myself.

 

Body:

  • Are you seeing a primary care regularly – medical, naturopath – whatever your choice.
  • What age/stage of life are you … and what issues are likely to crop up for you? What are you doing to plan ahead so you’re not in crisis?
  • Nutrition/eating: acknowledging and honoring allergies, tolerances, weight and energy even if you’re the only one in the household with these issues.
  • How important is walking, exercise, or movement to you to your health and to your mental health? (Yoga, dance, seasonal sports)
  • Awareness – through meditation,visualization, body scans or yoga.

Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.

Jim Rohn

Mind:

  • Meditation
  • Reading
  • Connecting with the outside,  in nature
  • How do you clear your mind to stay focused?
  • What techniques do you have for letting go of difficult conversations or emotions?
  • How do you keep track of all you need to keep track of in life and in your work?
  • How confident are you in your home or work systems which help life run smoothly for you?
  • How do you open your mind to learning and curiosity so you’re always growing?
  • How much do you take from the work you do: does it drain or add energy or something in between? What’s next?
  • What roles do you have; which are you comfortable with? Which do you need more support for?
  • What professionals are in your life to support you? Therapists, coach, respite care, trainer, medical/health experts, babysitters, etc.. Who is on your team?
  • How do you deal with anxiety or similar challenges?
  • Have you dealt with old feelings – family dysfunction, divorce, grief – or are they getting stuffed? How could you deal with these once and for all? What would that do for you?

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to pray in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.

John Muir

 

 

The Spirit of You:

  • What do you do for friendships you want to strengthen? From taking a 1/2 day off together to dinner out to mini-retreats away from it all.
  • What do you do for fun? What did you used to do? Is there enough in your life today?
  • How accepting of yourself are you? How demanding? Does this feel balanced and realistic?
  • What do others say about you? Do you believe it?
  • Are you the person you want to be?
  • What gives you joy; how often do you take those opportunities?
  • What makes you laugh? Are you doing that often enough?
  • Who are you not getting enough time with and how could you change that?

 It isn’t until you come to a spiritual understanding of who you are – not necessarily a religious feeling, but deep down, the spirit within – that you can begin to take control.

Oprah Winfrey

 

 

In each area, where are you now ?

  • Do you have the knowledge or ideas you need to get started yet?
  • Contemplating getting started but not sure how to begin?
  • Can’t even contemplate – too much to think about.
  • Beginning to think about creating time for one or more changes.
  • Already in some form of ritual or routine but difficult to keep up.

 

If you now listen to some of our self-care podcasts, you’ll get ideas for how to work self-care into your days, how to get started, how to make the time and much more. Each podcast is audio and also written out in the blog; each lats 5-8 minutes at most and typically has 4  key suggestions to focus on.

Go here to begin listening. All podcasts are in the category called “Perspective Podcasts.”

If you’d like a one-on-one discussion or coaching around creating time for your own self-care, please call 603.554.1948 or email Sue@OrganizeNH.com

Sometimes, one call is all it’ll take to process ideas for where to start. If you’re working on new habits or behaviors, it’ll take longer.

 

 

 

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Posted in Caregiving, Design Your Days: A New Perspective ( Podcasts), Habits, Hoarding, Inspiration, Life "Balance", Time Management | No Comments »

Success: My Train of Thought

Friday, February 8th, 2013

Success. How do you know you’re a success with your organizational goals? With your time management? If you’ve been reading for awhile, you know I share a lot of my own learning and stories; I’m in my early 50′s and still learning. So I find it easier to explain the lessons and insights and with more depth when they are my own.

One of my coaching instructors a few years ago asked me to define success for my business. The course, Organizer Coach Marketing, was about the inner work we need to do, even before getting to the marketing tactics. Who is your favorite type of client and why? What value do you think they get from your organizing and coaching meetings; can you ask them for their own description? And so on.

Because if you don’t know this part, then your tactics are just a shot in the dark. Sort of like organizing – if you don’t know your values, how can you know whether you’re spending time on the “right stuff?” If you haven’t figured out a time management system that feels intuitive to you and how you process your world, no planner or app is going to improve your time management. If you’ve bought all the products you can discover to organize the stuff, and it’s not still not feeling organized, then it’s more about your habits, your ability to maintain what you’ve put in place, and your abilities to motivate yourself or others.

So here was my own “internal work” thinking about my definition of success.  I’ve purposefully put the thinking in order, from superficial to deeper thinking. You’ll notice the transition from external measures to internal ones here as well.

Success is:

  • Profit and revenue
  • Billable hours
  • “Six figures”
  • Number of certifications I have/credentials (Important. Confidence-building. Only successful if you can bring the learning directly to clients and they benefit.)
  • What clients/colleagues say (Important, but not as the only source of feeling a success.)
  • Being asked to write a book about organizing. (What a  boost.)
  • The types of clients I work with: Are they curious about their own habits? Are their issues complex, because that’s what I enjoy?
  • Doing the work I love.
  • Creating new projects as I work on others or let them go. Design work (classes, workshops, writing books,blogs).
  • Having time to write (“Write” means to share, educate, think deeply, create.)
  • Volunteering in my industry. Giving back, now that I’m older and wiser and believe I have some to share.
  • Seeing my prior career experience being useful to my business and clients. Realizing how it all fits is a beautiful feeling.
  • Working with clients in an organizing/time management situation so that they can move onto do their own great work in life, and move into their own life’s purpose.
  • Fulfilling friendships with smart, creative and wise colleagues – local, virtual and even those I only get to see once a year but stay in touch with. (Important to the self-employed, as we have no “hallway” to walk down or “water cooler” to hang out at!)
  • Being able to do the  work  I love, not having it take over my personal world, expressing my values through my work and life (heck, knowing what they are!), being a strong and caring partner in life, being a respected partner in business, and making enough income to support the life I love.

Now, that feels like success. What are your own, internal measures of success? How do you know that your home is organized enough? Your home business systems are successful for you?

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Posted in Inside My World, Inspiration, Life "Balance", Time Management | 9 Comments »

Fresh Starts – My Interview at “Oh, So Organized” with Linda Samuels

Friday, January 25th, 2013

“I didn’t realize how much was happening in my life until I told you what the last few years have been like.” 

“I’m stuck and can’t figure how to move on – plus, I don’t know what’s next. “

A feeling

… of needing to simplify, reorganize or let go of the past is often the result of some big life changes a client’s been through. She’s coming out the other side of these changes, and wondering what’s next. A wonderful way to blend the last chapter of her life with what she wants for her next chapter is to reorganize – Things,  Thoughts, and Time.

  

My blog this week takes you over to “Oh, So Organized!” with my colleague and friend, Linda Samuels, where I’ve answered some questions for her, on the topic of life changes, transitions and moving towards a fresh start.

 

These are her questions for me. The blog is here for my answers:  Ask the Expert: Sue West

  • You’re an expert on helping others navigate life transitions. What is your favorite tip for negotiating uncharted territory?
  • Fresh starts can be enervating or draining. What are a few strategies to help minimize overwhelm?
  • A clean slate is an opportunity. How can we prepare physically or emotionally to experience positive results?
  • Do you have a philosophy about new beginnings?
  • What has been your biggest personal challenge around second chances?
  • Is there anything you’d like to share about fresh starts that I haven’t asked?

And read the comments on the blog, too; to me, they add so much to this interview, making it even more useful with different perspectives.

Who is in this Ask the Expert series –  a word from Linda

“Last year the “Ask the Expert” feature was introduced on The Other Side of Organized blog! It quickly became a big success as we enjoyed inspiring conversations with industry leaders such as best-selling author Gretchen Rubin, time management guru Julie Morgenstern, and organizer and coach extraordinaire Denslow Brown. For 2013, the interview series continues with another dynamic group of experts. I’m thrilled to begin this year with author, coach and organizer, Sue West to share her wisdom about fresh starts.”

 

Please join us over at Linda’s this week !

 

 

 

 

Ready for more, after the blog interview? My book about fresh starts is available here: Organize for A Fresh Start: Embrace Your Next Chapter in Life.  Read a sample chapter and the table of contents to see if it suits your needs. Or organizing & coaching services – together! Coaching in our organizing meetings or purely by phone – that’s the piece that helps the new strategies stick.

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Posted in Change, Divorcing, Inside My World, Inspiration, Interviews and Guest Posts, Next Chapter, Time Management | 1 Comment »

Suspend Reality for Just a Minute, Would You?

Thursday, January 3rd, 2013

As you read the following statements, suspend reality for a few minutes to think about the possibilities.

Open up to your dreams, just a little bit today.

You may have a fresh start waiting for you.

What would life be like….?

If you didn’t have all that ‘stuff’ without homes, piled up on your kitchen counter or table?

  • So that when you wanted to create a family dinner, you didn’t need to clear off the table each night? You could just make the meal and sit down.

If you didn’t race around, embarrassed when you constantly show up late for business appointments, or to friends or events? You’re the person nobody ever expects to be on time.

  • Is that the person and the small business professional you wanted to be? How would it be if you were always on time; how would that make you feel?

If you didn’t have to feel you needed to apologize when friends came over or someone dropped by. Or maybe you’re avoiding the apologies by not having people over – your friends, your grandchildren, or their friends.

  • What would it be like if you could entertain more often,  enjoy the spontaneous drop-in friend, have your book club at your house?

What would it be like if you had an organized office for your business, where you knew projects were under control?

  • You could find what you needed when that favorite client asked a question. Where you didn’t feel like you were wasting time looking for files or PC documents. Instead, you were living the dream you created for your business?

If your ADHD – or your partner’s – were less of a third wheel in your household? If it wasn’t always about the ADHD at work?

  • How would it be if the two of you figured out better ways of communicating, organizing your days and your home, so that you both felt stronger and better about this diagnosis? So that the ADHD was there, but just not such a major player in your home or with your chosen career.

 

What if …

  • you had the skills, strategies, systems and habits to make this all work better for you?
  • you weren’t worried about being out of sync with who you want to be?
  • you could move on?

 

This might be your year – or it could be – for a fresh start. Blend what you love about last year with where you want  to head this year, and really make it work this time.

At some point, you hit that place. You realize you’ve done as much as you can do on your own. You are okay with inviting in some assistance, expertise and outside perspective because you’re really committed to making it work this time.

Take a chance on yourself. Be open to the possibilities. I’d love to work with you on that – organizing, coaching or both together.

 

 

 

 

Not sure you’re ready yet?

Try my book – Read a sample chapter here.

Keep reading the blog; I post weekly. You may need more time to make a change.

Listen to my podcasts with colleague Carol Williams at this link:

Or call for organizing and coaching prices to work together.

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Posted in AD/HD, Change, Habits, Inspiration, Next Chapter, Time Management, Uncategorized | No Comments »

It’s Your Holiday, Too, Remember.

Saturday, December 22nd, 2012

This post is about taking care of you during the holidays. It’s a simple list of ways to make things easier on yourself, not a ‘to do’ list.

WHO typically irks you…

…gets your goat, pushes your buttons, or otherwise puts too much “Grinch” in your holiday season? This is your holiday, too, and you don’t need more stress.

  • Bring someone else into your confidence and ask him/her to stay with you, or help keep that person away.
  • Stay way from the person. Just walk away.
  • Decide ahead of time how you’ll answer the comments or those fun,  prying questions he/she may ask.
  • What is it that bugs you? Can you talk through some strategies before you’re stuck in a conversation.
  • If you were advising a friend, your adult child or your favorite person on how to deal with this person, would you have different ideas? This is a way to get perspective that’s less emotional.
  • If it’s an ongoing issue, consider solving it in January.
  • Start work with a therapist for a short term goal of dealing with “people like this.”

It’s Your Holiday, Too, Remember.

WHAT situations are difficult? Not people, but situations, times, events, places.

    • As  you get ready to go out, or you’re traveling to wherever you’re going, think about what you DO appreciate about this. Stay focused on that, in your mind, or write it down. Peek at what you’ve written down, whenever you leave to go take a biology break.
    • Is the difficulty  in how you respond? Then practice slowing down. Walk slowly.  Speak slower. And take a breath before you speak. Find a signal you can give yourself (or someone else can) to stop. Pause. Think. Then respond. Respond; don’t react with emotion.
    • Can you do some of the event, but not all of it. Meet people after the big party, at the end for dessert or out for drinks. Change the situation to be something you can handle more easily.

It’s Your Holiday, Too, Remember.

HOW could it be the best holiday ever?

  • What’s one thing that would really make this holiday or holiday vacation rock and roll for you? One small change that would make a difference. If it’s feeling too big, what piece of this could you try? Experiment with? Dip your toe in the water for? One small piece, so you know you’ve made a difference this year.  There’ still time – and plenty of time before next year. But start down the road now.

It’s Your Holiday, Too, Remember.

WHEN are you on your game?

When do you usually feel “on your game” versus “off?” Important to know, whether it’s the holidays or not.

Consider these aspects, and whether you need to shore up in any area, just by a little bit. OR choose ONE area and focus on it:

  • Sleep: amounts, and cycle (staying up too late?)
  • Food/nutrition: morning meal for energy and a kickstart, eating enough but not too much (don’t give up just because it’s the holidays), alcohol levels.
  • Health: Whether it’s medications or natural methods, stick with these as much as possible. Don’t give up if you miss one day. The point is to recover and keep going, not to be perfect.
  • Peace: Walking (grab a family member or go alone if you need ‘me’ time away from it all), meditation/quiet time (5 minutes can make all the difference), reading (10 minutes!).
  • People: alone versus social time – watch the  mixture at the holidays. Find small ways to get away and refresh, take a break, get away, if that’s what you need.

 

Seemingly Impossible to Change?

I just discovered www.RightBrainPlanner.com and their Facebook site and found two inspiring posters just this week.

I’m sharing them with you below for inspiration. One of my Facebook followers plans to print the “impossible” picture and post it on her bathroom mirror!

 

 

 

 

   Because … It’s Your Holiday, Too, Remember.

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Posted in Change, Divorcing, Harmony at Home, Holidays, Inspiration, Time Management, Vacations | No Comments »

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