Often life can take that unexpected twist in the road, you can fall short of your expectations, or something as simple, but intrusive, as catching a cold can interrupt your plans.  It seems these things happen just when you have a project due or a big event to attend.

In my case, my recent cold prevented me from attending a 60th bash for the only sister-in-law on my husband’s side of the family, and it was a somewhat formal affair we’d been looking forward to.  I had to stay home from the out of town event and despite just wanting to crash, I spent a good part of the first morning  cancelling and rescheduling appointments, just to allow me the downtime to get well.

In the past, I’d have fought being laid low and would try to squeeze in as much as I could anyway.   However, I’ve been learning from my past blunders in doing this it only prolongs my sick time and I knew that bouncing back more quickly meant surrender and acceptance of how things were now. (more…)

The Miracle is You: Kute Blackson, courtesy of Youtube.com 5:38 min.

Today I had my hair done and, as always, my hair stylist and I attempted to solve the problems of the universe – or that’s what it seems like in the deep conversations we always have.  As usual, there’s a pearl that comes up in our discussions. Today we talked about tiredness.

Madeline said, “I’ve come to think of being tired as a blessing, you know why?” I asked her to go on. She said, “I think it causes us to look at our priorities more honestly, choose what we really need to do, and take better care of ourselves.” I agreed with her.

This was a reframe on a feeling and scenario that we often think of as unchangeable.  If we’re tired it’s likely we’re short of sleep and if we can’t get any right away we feel deprived until we do and disappointed we can’t get everything done.  Maybe it’s time to start asking if it’s necessary to get it all done.  Since coaching is often about the reframe of a situation first, my clients find it helps them have a different perspective that can offer them hope and a way to get unstuck.  Reframing helps you see a solution more clearly and feel that a situation may not be as impossible as originally perceived.  

In the case of tiredness viewed as a blessing, reframing helps me better see what to say yes or no to, rather than tiredness being a function of aging, for example, which can be a disempowering view if you let it.  I already have intentionally slowed down on several things I used to from when I first started my business, but more importantly my disattachments have left me feeling really good about my choices to let them go.  

Even so, in life we’re surrounded by the hectic pace of others and it can be easy to forget you had decided not to work at that pace. When I’m pooped, instead of just getting myself to move faster to get it all in before days end, I now ask if it’s really necessary or am I creating unnecessary busyness. And, if it has to get done, does it need to be today or can it be combined with tomorrows to-do’s?  Not being a procrastinator, I know I won’t put important things off continually.  But I love the reframe that tiredness is a blessing and deserves to be listened to.

I’ll honor my needs and less my laundry list.