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.

The Best Advice for Getting Things Done

Time to read: 5 seconds

This is today's actual chair

Some days you feel it, and some days you don't. Ya know?

I'm the luckiest woman alive. My job is a perfect use of my gifts and gives me a sense of purpose and meaning. It's soooo good.

And today, I don't want to write this newsletter. I'm tired. I'm cold. I miss our new college student. I'm less than inspired which means writing will be like slogging through mud. I much prefer when the ideas flow onto the page like melted butter or gooey caramel or chocolate pudding…..see? I'm distracted.

Randomly, I remembered the Italian history PhD student who lived across the alley from me and my then boyfriend (now husband). He was completing a second history PhD since the one he did in Italy didn't qualify him for jobs in the US. When I started my dissertation I asked him for advice, expecting lofty productivity and self-care tips. Here's what he said:

"Stick your butt to your chair."

That was it. Getting your work done, especially when you're not feeling it, doesn't require fancy tricks or sexy strategies. It's as simple as showing up, being willing to do something, and then guess what often happens? You get over the hump and the work flows. Or it doesn't and you stick your butt to your chair again tomorrow.

I hope this helps.

Reach out anytime. I always love to hear from you. Email me here