What I Learned This Summer Part 2: Change Is Possible!

Time to read: 52 seconds + the links to sign up for 2 free Live Events

Couch necessities

Welcome to fall, everyone!

I took the entire month of August off. For the first time in my life, I took an extended break, and I learned a lot.

For the next few weeks, I'm going to share What I Learned on Summer Vacation and invite you to two live events inspired by my time off.(Details and sign-up below.)

Part 1: Change is possible

Fifteen years ago, I was so "busy" that I was unable to sit down to read a book. During winter break, a friend from work called every day to ask, "have you laid on the couch reading a magazine yet?"

Of course not! With my free time, I cleaned closets, sorted my children's toys, and ran to appointments. There was much to do, and all of it felt urgent. At my friend's suggestion, I lay down to read. I made it three minutes.

Fast forward to this August. Not only did I shut everything down for 5 weeks, I got Covid and spent 5 days isolated in my bedroom watching season after season of British mysteries. Not only was I able to slow down and watch TV for 5 days, I enjoyed it.

I'm sharing this story so you can see how the characteristics you think are "just who I am" can change. Through coaching, reflection, and practice, I've changed from a woman who felt like life was urgent to a woman who can exist in spaciousness. It felt revolutionary when I realized how much I've changed.

The bottom line: If you decide to, you can change old habits and behaviors, too in order to create your life according to who you want to be and what you want to do.

I've created two live events this October to help you make those changes. Get more info and sign up for Creating U here and Energizing U here.

Cool, isn't it?

Delighted to be back!

What I Learned This Summer Part 1: Nothing Is Not Nothing

Time to read: 1 minute, 22 seconds

Welcome to fall, Corporate Rebels!

I took the month of August off, meaning I completely shut my business down and had no plans. It's the first time in my life I've ever done something like this. I learned a lot. For the next few weeks, I want to share: What I Learned on Summer Vacation.

Part 1: Nothing is not Nothing

My family has attended a family camp in the Colorado mountains for 16 years. Every year, I have led programs, organized activities and served as the director of the entire camp for 3 years.

I stood by the belief that being so deeply involved in camp brought me closer to the community and enhanced the experience of the weekend.

Every year, I was busy…making sure presenters had supplies, children were in the right places, problems were handled, and interpersonal situations addressed efficiently. I loved the intensity.

This year at camp, my children were counselors, and I had no responsibility. I expected that "doing nothing" would be boring.

I was wrong.

I discovered that Nothing is not Nothing.

All weekend, I had time to talk deep and long with friends I've known for 16 years but never had time to sit down with. People came to my room to hang out late into the night. We hiked. We had happy hour. I took naps.

In the running around for 16 years, I didn't see what I was missing. It turns out there is a lot of slower, quieter, deeply fulfilling things waiting in what seems like nothing. I just couldn't see it under layers of activity and performing.

This may be one of those moments when you think, "everyone already knows that!" and I'm humbled to be late to the party if that's the case.

Five weeks of doing nothing has inspired new thinking and ideas. I'm creating two free live programs for you this fall. They are coming soon. Share this blog with your friends and colleagues and they can subscribe to this newsletter here so they are first in line as soon as the events drop.

Now that I've seen what I was missing, my days will be filled with plenty of nothing. I'm never going back to that kind of busyness again. And, I'm excited to let the nothing create some awesome somethings for you!

Have a great weekend.