I don’t know about you, but it can be a real struggle for me to not fill up all of my time being "productive". ⚙️
In her best-selling book on reclaiming creativity, The Artist’s Way, author Julia Cameron advises people to avoid the “VIRTUE TRAP.”
That’s what she calls the impulse to fill our free time with “productive” activities rather than the space to reflect, create, or dream. Having time to putter, to browse, to space out, to do nothing, is crucial. If we don’t give ourselves that time, and cram it instead with chores that make us feel like we’re “doing something,” then we’ve missed an important opportunity.
But these concepts don’t only apply to people trying to become more creative. They actually apply to us all. Along with our work, love, and family lives, each of us has a spiritual life. Or rather, a spiritual need. All of us are born with the need to get in touch periodically with a higher power, whatever shape that takes for us individually.
Setting aside time each day to be still, to get quiet, and connect with whatever Higher Power we believe in is vital to keep us balanced, emotionally whole, and able to give more to the people around us. When we don’t take time for this, the rest of our life tends to suffer.
Here are some suggestions for those of us trying to carve out some time for our spiritual lives:
1. Go on a hike. This way you’ll gain the benefit of “doing something” (exercise) with time spent near a Higher Power (in nature).
2. Make it fun. In The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron talks about something called “the artist date" - take yourself on a date. It’s time just for you. And nothing “productive” is allowed.
3. Write it out. Keeping a journal, or even a gratitude list, and making a habit of writing in it every day is a spiritual activity. When we write down the events of our lives and remark on what we find thankful for in each activity, we are acknowledging the presence of the Divine in our lives.
4. Learn to say no. Learning to say no is like strengthening a muscle. It may feel difficult but the more you do it to preserve your spiritual time the better you will feel.
How are you going to carve out time for yourself? 👇
Do you know how to comfortably initiate negotiation?
Here's the deal...sooner or later, you will have to negotiate with somebody who is in a powerful position. There are nerves, insecurity, and a plethora of other things that influence our ability.
So, how do we get the best results in a negotiation? 🤔
REMEMBER: Negotiating is just another method of asking.
The first step a master negotiator takes to attain a successful negotiation includes deciding to negotiate in the first place. Female candidates often are hesitant to make requests because of potential repercussions. In spite of the odds, we must recognize that every situation is negotiable. Asking for change is a step closer to implementing change. A single action may lead to more equality in a whole company.
In a negotiation, both parties are coming to the table with their needs and both want whatever serves their best interests. Negotiating is a way of reconciling the various visions and needs of two parties, as well as an inevitable stepping stone to an improved future.
Would you like some more tips to help you become a master negotiator?
Visit the link in BIO for my resource: The Art of Negotiation - 5 Tips to Become a Master Negotiator! ⬆️
#coachingservices #boundaries #lifecoaching #businesscoaching #networking #mentorship #negotiator #negotiationskills #negotiate #knowyourvalue #negotiatelikeaboss #bestresults #businesscoach
To niche or not to niche?
Unpopular opinion...
There’s no need. 😲
Instead, think of the personality attributes you like of a person.
I like to work with ambitious people who are fun, creative, and up to big things. It’s not their first rodeo and they have lived through hard times and made it through.
When you think of character qualities, you will be able to serve people in all types of industries instead of just one.
It will open up your clientele base and you will be able to serve people who are excited about working with YOU. 🎉
Thoughts? Share with me in the comments! ⬇️
#biztips #businessbuilding #businessgrowth #bizcoach #niches #idealclient
OMG! 🤯
I woke up this morning and realized that not only are the holidays here (HAPPY THANKSGIVING! 🍗) but we are close to the end of another year. Yup, that happened! It’s already almost December!
In 37 days, it's going to be 2023...🎉
When people look back at their past, they often refer to how they can see things with 20/20 vision. If they only knew then what they know now, things would be "different".
That’s a really easy thing to say but when you are living it, you can’t see things clearly. You don’t know what’s around the corner. You aren’t sure how the pain is going to be meaningful in a year’s time. You aren’t savoring the moments that you’re living the same way you’re savoring the memories. And you’re ruminating, thinking about what could have been and sitting in fear about what might happen.
Our culture has taken a position that it is easier to REACT rather than CREATE.
We are reacting to life instead of creating life.
I understand why we shelf things. I know that it can be easier to stay the same rather than changing. But I also know that change is powerful. Creating the life that you would be living if you weren’t afraid of what other people would think is powerful.
What have you been reacting to that you can be creating instead? ✨
#creativity #thanksgiving2022 #happythanksgiving #grateful #thankful #holidayseason #coachlife #mastercoach #designyourlife
Studies have shown that certain traits make people more predisposed to success. 📈
Recently, I've been inspired to take a look at some of the world's most successful changemakers and really study their habits to see what I can do to improve myself, my business, and my surroundings.
If you want to follow along, here are 4 lessons that we can learn from a few of the biggest changemakers on the planet. ⬇️
✨ Believe in yourself. ✨
Sara Blakeley, the founder of SPANX, had doors shut in her face over and over again as she tried to sell her control top creation. But she didn’t lose faith in her idea. Finally one of the manufacturers changed his mind, and the rest is history. Sara Blakely’s creation forever changed the hosiery market – and now is worth over a billion dollars.
💪 Embrace adversity. 💪
J.K. Rowling encountered multiple stumbling blocks before the publication of the first Harry Potter book. Each of these obstacles on its own would be sufficient to waylay many of us, but she found failure to be a motivating force. In her 2008 commencement address to the graduating class of Harvard University, she talked frankly about how failure actually helped her. It stripped away everything that didn’t really matter, except the book she was determined to write and publish.
👀 Be Fully Present. 👀
Oprah Winfrey attributes her success to giving her full attention to everything she takes on. Whether it’s a television show or a magazine or running a network, she has learned to give everything her full-on attention, because with that comes “a level of intensity and truth,” she’s said. And when she tries to multitask? “It’s a joke,” she says.
☯️ Make peace with a lack of balance.
Entrepreneur, Grace Bonney, interviewed over 100 female entrepreneurs and found that most have accepted the fact that work/life balance is almost impossible to achieve. A more realistic option? Accepting that different areas of your life will demand your entire attention at different times. And that this is okay.
Do you need assistance in creating good habits for success?!
Let's chat! 📥
#gretchenhydo #mastercoach #icf #coachingpractice #successmindset #selfdevelopment #coachlife
Letters from Gretchen
