Challenge #9: A Bigger Picture

Time to read: 30 seconds!

Welcome to week 9 of your summer challenge!

You've spent two weeks learning to manage doing nothing. Isn't it weird that something as seemingly easy as doing nothing can be so hard?

This week's challenge will support your nothingness.

Hold a bigger picture.

Clients bring me all kinds of situations - relationships with bosses, struggles with children, hard feedback, the challenges of leading through change, life transitions (divorces, job changes, moves), big promotions. Their starting question is usually, "What do I do?"

I assure them that we will definitely talk about what to do. Coaching leads to action. And, the pathway to action is to get out of the weeds. By putting down the details of who said what or who did what to whom, clients fly up 10,000 and look at the situation from a much bigger picture.

• Who do you want to be?
• Who are you becoming?
• What's important to you in the situation?
• What's the lesson this situation is showing you?
• How is this situation part of the larger work of your life?

For example, maybe you are struggling to get a promotion you want. What is this sitaution showing you?

• Is about claiming and holding your value?
• Quieting the over-acheiver?
• Holding your strong core and not comparing your career to other people's?

When you see the bigger picture of any situation, you will have more options. Give it a try this week and let me know how it goes!

If you're enjoying this challenge, please invite your friends and colleagues to join you. All they have to do is sign up here.

You've got this!

Challenge #8: What happens when you do nothing?

Time to read: 30 seconds!

So uncomfortable

Welcome to week 8 of your summer challenge!

I hope you gave doing nothing a try last week. Honestly, it's one of the most powerful things that my over-performing self can do.

Then, when you choose to do nothing, something happens, at least at first.

You feel uncomfortable.

If you are someone who reaches for control or who has a lifetime of believing you must act/solve/speak up/do, experimenting with doing nothing can be excrutiating.

I am certain that I have the exact advice my kids need (I am a coach, after all), or that I know what will fix any problem. I am a woman of action, so doing nothing can be so hard it hurts.

And yet, almost always, if I do nothing long enough, the problem resolves itself or the important conversation naturally emerges in daily life without force or urgency. A more effective resolution emerges without any effort. It's like a miracle every time. So, be in your discomfort. Here's the important question: Are you doing what you're doing because it's necessary or because you are trying to assuage your discomfort? You are strong enough to handle the discomfort. This week, simply notice your discomfort, and your urge to run from it. Next week, I'll give you a strategy or two to manage it. If you're enjoying this challenge, please invite your friends and colleagues to join you. All they have to do is sign up here. I'd say have fun, and I know that this week is important but not fun. You've got this!

Challenge #7: Nothing

Time to read: Almost nothing!

In th spirt of nothing, there is no photo.

Welcome to week 7 of your summer challenge!

The first few weeks were about physical habits and clearing space. For the next few weeks, you'll turn your attention to habits of mind and ways to support calming your nervous system so you'll feel less stressed and more aligned with yourself.

I'm going to share the best strategies I teach my clients.

Today is a fan favorite.

Do nothing.

For the next week, notice when you have the urge to do something and see what happens when you pause, wait, and do nothing.

Sometimes it takes the sheer force of your will to stop the urge to act. This is not to say that action is bad or you should never take action. In fact, action is a future challenge. And for this week, see what solutions and resolutions emerge organically when you pause and do nothing.

As always, I love to hear your stories. Send me an email and tell me what you notice.

If you're enjoying this challenge, please invite your friends and colleagues to join you. All they have to do is sign up here.

Nothing!

Challenge #6: Yes!

Time to read: Short and fun!

Welcome to week 6 of your summer challenge!

You said no and you've quit! Yay you.

Now you have extra time and energy in your life. Your reward is the chance to say YES!

A friend of mine told me something she heard about fashion choices. If a piece of clothing isn't a Hell Yes! then it's a Hell No! So this week, I want you to look for the Hell Yes to yourself.

Maybe it's a new outfit or spending time in your garden or picking up an old hobby or starting a new one. Maybe it's asking for a challenging project at work or organizing a party. Whatever it is, feel into the energy of Yes! and go for it.

Then email me and tell me all about it. Even better, send photos! I love to hear from you.

If you're enjoying this challenge, please invite your friends and colleagues to join you. All they have to do is sign up here.

Challenge #5: Quit!

Time to read: short, sweet and oh so effective

Welcome to week 5 of your summer challenge!

I hope you said no to lots of things last week and cleared time and space in your life and work. This week, we're amping up your NO

Here is your 5th challenge.

Quit

Quitting gets a bad rap. How many times have you heard, "Don't be a quitter." When you quit something to honor yourself, quitting is good.

It can be hard to go back on something you already agreed to so pay attention to the pull to please people or put their needs before your own. It is ok to change your mind or make a new decision.

Consider cancelling plans with friends in order to have quiet time at home. Quit a volunteer role that has become dull and flat. Quit being the one who makes all the plans.

If you need a script for how to quit, try words like these,

• "I am reprioritizing, and have decided...."
• "I've decided I need more time at home so I'm going to stop...."
• "I feel ackward about this since I already said yes, and...."

Quitting will help you clean up how you use your time and energy so you have room for things that nourish you.

If you're enjoying this challenge, please invite your friends and colleagues to join you. please invite your friends and colleagues to join you. All they have to do is sign up here.

You're a quitter! Yay!

Challenge #4: Say No

Time to read: short, sweet and oh so effective

Welcome to week 4 of your summer challenge!

If you discovered a wonderful new breakfast last week, please email me. I'd love to hear your ideas.

Here is your fourth challenge.

Say no to something. Or many somethings.

This week, pay attention when you feel yourself pulled to say yes when you really want to say no. Maybe you don't have time or the ask isn't in your wheelhouse. You also get to say no just because you don't want to. (Imagine that!)

When you say no, you clear energy and time for the things you do want to do. Say no enough and your life will be designed around your preferences and desires. Imagine if you say no all summer!

If you're enjoying this challenge, please invite your friends and colleagues to join you. All they have to do is sign up here.

When you say no, feel free to email me and tell me all about it. I always love to hear from you!

Challenge #3: Rest and Refresh

Time to read: 45 seconds to read. Doing this challenge will give you time

Welcome to week 3 of your Summer challenge!

Like last week's challenge - EAT, this week is about caring for your human body.

The research is clear. You need SLEEP.

Sleep is often the first thing you sacrifice in order to cram in a few extra emails or tend to the laundry. Perhaps you worry in the night or wake up early. Whatever is getting in the way of your sleep, do something about it.

Getting enough sleep will, quite literally, change your life.

Here are the best tips for getting good sleep:

• Stick to a sleep routine. Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.
• Turn off screens 2 hours before bedtime.
• Do quiet, relaxing things in the evening. It's not the time to read stressful news or argue with your spouse.
• If you feel like something physical impairs your sleep, like apnea, hormones or other health issues, talk to your doctor.

You are worth investing in your sleep and making it a priority. Getting enough sleep is probably the quickest path to more energy and less stress.

If you're already feeling refreshed, please invite your friends and colleagues to join you. All they have to do is sign up for this newsletter to be part of the fun. They can sign up here.

If you have something you'd like me to address in this challenge, please reach out. Tell me the thing you'd like to shift, and I'll add a challenge tailored for you (and you can bet others need it, too!).

Have fun getting your zzzzz's this weekend!