Practices That Change The World #7

Time to read: 56 seconds

2023 started intensely. Chaos. Crisis. Emotions. No pause or time to breathe. Last week I finally had a chance to breathe, recover, and reflect.

For today's "practices that change the world," I am going to start with a story. (My parents granted me permission to tell it.)

My mother made an emergency trip to the hospital two weeks ago. I got THAT phone call and in 20 minutes was showered, packed and in the car to the airport. If you've ever done this, you know what the next week was like. (For all you caring folks, my mom is home and doing well.)

In the middle of it all, we received disappointing news that meant more days in the hospital. We were discouraged and sad.

I was the chief note-taker and candy striper so I looked at my parents and said,

"What would make this suck 5% less?"

My parents: "answers to medical questions....going home."

Me: "Not in the future. What can I do right now that would improve this experience by 5%?"

My father said, "beer."

My mother said, "a massage."

I said, "better food."

Which brings me to today's practice....

What can you do right now...this minute...that will improve your experience by 5%?

Studies show that a beer, a massage, and better food improve your experience by 10-15%. In fact, those things created sublime moments in the midst of difficulty. When you aim for 5% better right now, you often get so much more.

I love to hear from you. What's your 5% better?

Have a great weekend!

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When Your Day Is A Pile-On….Do This

Time to read: 1 minute, 2.5 seconds

Bird Murmurations, Tanya Hart, UC Davis

Oh my. Yesterday, everything exploded.

My husband and I squabbled at 6:30 am about food for our daughter's graduation party and the chaos lasted until midnight when I wrapped up a call with a frustrated volunteer. In between, my father was admitted to the hospital (He's fine, Nothing to worry about.), people across the country were texting and emailing with random questions, I realized picking up my son collided with a dinner meeting, client sessions were packed back to back, and a friend needed to decompress after being a first responder to a motorcycle accident on the highway. (The man was alive - saved by an excellent helmet.)

For the entire day, chaos kept coming and coming.

In the midst of the chaos, I noticed something else. Grace. Ease. Flow.

In the past, I would have found a day like this overwhelming. This time, I watched as help arrived and space opened, like a flock of birds changing direction in unison. My husband picked up our son so I happened to be free when my friend needed help. My father's admission to the hospital meant the doctors could treat something while it was still minor. Clients understood when I needed to end on time in order to call my mom. The dinner meeting resolved the questions about food for the graduation party. Time emerged to answer everyone's emails. Trust was forged in a late night phone call when we both happened to be awake.

Stuff happens. Even bad stuff. You and I both know that. Yesterday I learned that if you pay attention just beneath the visible circumstances of the stuff, you see grace and space. The day flowed, and all I had to do was ride, stay present, and respond in each moment.

Then the chaos passed. Today is calm and quiet.

I can't explain why stuff happens in a pile-on. It just does. When the pile-on happens in your life, tune your attention just beneath the surface. You'll be amazed by what you find.

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3 Tips For a Successful Transition to 2020

Time to read: 1.05 minutes

This is the second time my dishwasher has been featured in a newsletter.

This is the second time my dishwasher has been featured in a newsletter.

Happy New Year!

It's 2020.

Chaos is the name of the game. My clients are experiencing chaos. I'm experiencing chaos. Do these examples feel familiar?

  • The dishwasher broke down.
  • Your child showed up to the class he's registered for and discovered he's not registered.
  • The scope on a work project crept over the holidays, and everyone on the team is confused about their role.
  • You're not sleeping well.
  • People are sick.

Here's the good news. Early January is a period of transition. Life doesn't immediately go back to "normal" on January 1st. The promise of the New Year doesn't take off on January 1st. It will take you a few days to a week to feel like the ground is solid under your feet again.

So, what's a Corporate Rebel to do in the chaos of transition?

  1. Get to know and accept your process. You have a process that guides you safely through a transition. Some parts of your process may not be pretty. Mine involves a major freak-out/melt down. A friend's involves apathy. Move through your process (even the messy bits) with acceptance and grace. After my melt-down, I have a day of super efficiency. It's like a storm blows through, clears the debris, and sets the runway for take-off.

  2. Be patient. Transitions aren't a one and done. Give yourself time to get back on your feet after taking time off.

  3. Take one step at a time. You'll find a firm foundation one email at a time. One meeting at a time. All you have to do is write that one proposal. Send that one inquiry. Call that one person. Pretty soon you'll be on a roll.

Then it will be spring break, and you can come home from vacation and do it all again.

Mid-January through the end of February are the perfect time to reflect on 2019 and create an intentional plan for 2020. If you'd like to talk about a powerful 2-session process to guide you through reflection and planning, hit reply to this email and we'll set up a quick time to chat.

Welcome back, Rebels!

Christina

P.S. Do you have a friend or family member who is transitioning to the new yea? Share my blog with them. If they choose to receive more, they can join us here.

P.P.S. The New Year is the perfect time for a Corporate Rebel Strategic Plan for Work and Life OR a Corporate Rebel Year End Reflection and Plan. Both offer the chance to reflect on 2019 and plan for 2020. Email me for more info.