You're not a machine...

You’re not a machine…you're a human being and...human beings need to unplug to recharge.

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it”. Ferris Bueller.

It’s rapidly approaching fall, have you taken a break yet? There's still some time to take a pause, recharge, and reset.

• Pausing to check in with yourself.

  • When you’re on the constant treadmill of life, it can be easy to forget about taking time for yourself.

• What can a pause look like? 

  • From taking a vacation,to finding moments in your day; a pause is a chance to step back, catch your breath, and reset.

Why does making time to pause matter? There are so many benefits:

• By stepping away from something you can get a new perspective on it.

  • Something as simple as getting up and going for a walk can be enough to provide you with fresh insights. 

• It can recharge your batteries.

  • When you charge an actual battery, you plug it in. But you’re not a battery! In order to recharge your human batteries you need to take a break... 
    They say everything works better if you unplug it. Yourself included. 

  • You can actually gain momentum by slowing down. New ideas come in those moments when you’re doing something else.

• If nothing else, taking a break can serve as a reset. A new baseline to move from.

So what can you do?

Are you ready?

Let's get to it...

Your challenge...

Short on time but still need a refresh?

Reconnect with:

• A hobby you never find time to do.

• Nature. 

• Your partner, dog, cat, or an old friend.

• Yourself.

You may just find that by slowing down, you discover something new.

It's still summertime...barely... Every now and then, stop and take a look around, take in the scenery. Check-in with all of your senses.Track through your body, and notice your breath or balance. Listen to the sounds around you, near and far. Notice your surroundings and take in the details. All of it. Savour it. 

Just like Ferris Bueller said…"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it”.  And, you don't want to miss it!

Ready for  a reset?  Contact me 

Cheers,

Ann

You’re not a machine…

Can we talk about fear?

Can we talk about fear?

We act as if the people that achieve many things...seem to be "on it"...take chances, and move through the world with apparent ease...feel no fear. 
.
Feel no fear?!

That's probably one of the the biggest lies out there. We all feel fear. Maybe it's more about our interpretation of it and how we manage it when it comes along. I don't know. What do you think?

I bucket fear into two categories, or maybe not the fear itself...but rather...the way we can manage it.

The first bucket?

Probably pretty common, is to feel fear and treat it like a "stop sign". "It must be bad to do this thing" if you're feeling fear, and yet we know that fear is a natural response. When you want to do something different, when you want to do something new, when you decide to make a change...fear will normally come up...because that's how we're manufactured. Our brain wants to keep us safe. When you want to do something new, the alarm bells go off. Let's face it...it's not very convenient at all. When we normalize this and understand that that's just a process that everyone goes through, it can totally open the door to new opportunities, to mobilize fear differently.


The second bucket?

To look at fear as if it's a gateway. When you look at it that way, it suddenly becomes very different. My approach to it shifts, and I'm able to see the opportunity behind the fear. It takes practice because it's working against nature. I try to remember this and reframe fear when it comes along because let's face it, if we back off every time we feel fear how boring would our lives be?  

Just to be clear...you do know that I don't have it all figured out. I'm just a person like you. Maybe all of this is obvious to you, but not so obvious to people around you. So while I juggle some fear right now, knowing that it really will be okay, I'm telling my brain to do the work, do the preparation and it'll work out. I will still get that feeling in my chest and stomach...and I will choose to look at that as a reminder... a reminder that this is a gateway...not a stop sign.

How about you? How do you manage your fear? What tricks and tips can you share? I'd love to hear from you. It's nice to know you're out there!


Are you ready?

Let's get to it...

Your challenge...

Like I said, I'm no expert, I just know the things that work for me and I'm here to share. Take it or leave it. 

So for this week, I want you to explore:

• What is your first response when you feel fear?

  • The stop sign?

  • The gateway?

  • Your thing?

When you reframe the way you respond to fear, you may find that it works for you...not against you. 

Have a wonderful week.

Ready to grow your confidence? Contact me 

Cheers,

Ann

Can we talk about fear?

How long is a decade?

How long is a decade? 10 years...521.429 weeks...3650 days...87,600 hours... 5,256,000 minutes...315,360,000 seconds...

Long ago...and just like yesterday. That's how long a decade is.

10 years ago, this very day, I stepped away from my life in the corporate world to start my own business. To say it's been rewarding is an understatement.

In these past 10 years, I've redefined so many things about my world and also grown a skill set that I never imagined I would carry back into the very place I left.

Earlier this year, I was invited to step back into an amazing company.  I'm leading a team with the purpose of elevating each member and ultimately...the team. To say it's been rewarding is nothing short of an understatement. The gratitude I have for being able to bring all of these skills that I've developed in the last 10 years into the organization that I loved, was it truly a pinch me moment. Now, after almost five months, I can see that the decision to modify my business temporarily was probably one of the best decisions I've ever made.

I get to bring all of the skills that I've developed in the last 10 years to the forefront, to use them literally...daily. Being able to witness in real-time, the growth that's happening right around me has been a pleasure to witness. How lucky am I?

What an unusual and amazing opportunity as a coach. So while this is a temporary situation, I am cherishing each and every lesson along the way. Knowing that it's going to make me an even better coach, a stronger coach, a more aware coach.

Here's to the next 10 years! 

Are you ready?

Let's get to it...

Your challenge...

I invite you to consider what you want to look back on 10 years from now.  Every single adventure starts with the willingness to say yes and then taking the first step.

"Nothing ventured...nothing gained."

Thank you for being here! I appreciate you.

Curious about what coaching can do for you? Contact me 

Cheers,

Ann

How long is a decade?

Do you jump to conclusions?

Do you jump to conclusions? Of course you do...you're human!

 "Jumping to conclusions" is part of a protective mechanism in our brain, picking up information and quickly drawing conclusions.

Humans have always been this way. This is what kept them safe. Our ancestors had to assume that when someone from another tribe was coming towards them with their hand behind their back...they were holding a weapon. This assumption kept them safe and alive.

There's not much chance of this happening now however, old habits take a loooonnnnggg time to be undone. Our brains will continue this pattern as a first response. When something seems to be heading in what feels like a familiar direction our brain will decide in a nanosecond: Where it's going and what the outcome will be. It's very useful in keeping us safe, but not so useful for keeping us in connection.

I was recently in a situation where that's exactly what started happening...not the hand behind the back weapon thing...a typical human exchange. To be quite honest, it was getting a little ugly...and from an outsider's perspective it was all a matter of someone thinking someone else meant something that they didn't mean. All because of familiarity and assumptions, expecting things to end a certain way because that was their lived experience.

It took a bit of repair work to backtrack.To clarify. To soothe emotions, because emotions are always involved. Whether it's a personal situation, in the gym, the boardroom...basically wherever. 

So if you find yourself in situations where you're jumping to conclusions...which is bound to happen... here are some things to consider:

• Don't be hard on yourself.

• Before a situation escalates, pause. 

• Now, reassess.

What new information do you have now? How do you want to proceed?

How do you work with this very natural, human condition? The first step is always awareness.


Are you ready?

Let's get to it...

Your challenge...

Jumping to conclusions... is human nature, we all do it. Working with this natural tendency takes practice especially in those situations where you're convinced of the conclusion...and it's not a good one. How do you learn to stop and allow the other person a minute to finish what they're saying? 

• Don't be hard on yourself.

  • Your brain is doing what it knows to do to keep you safe.

• Before a situation escalates, pause. 

  • A.B.C. Align your spine. Breathe in through your nose for 5 counts. Breathe out through your mouth as if you're blowing through a straw for 7 counts. While internally repeating "I am calm".

• Now, reassess.

  • Was your assumption correct?

Whether it was or wasn't, this brief check in can save a whole lot of grief in the long run...allowing you a chance to respond rather than react.

Jumping to conclusions? Contact me 

Cheers,

Ann

Do you jump to conclusions?

Have you lost the plot?

Have you lost the plot?

When I look around right now in situations that I'm often in as an observer, it's really easy to see where others have lost the plot. Where they have missed the point, Iost the storyline...all of it.

What does that look like?

From the outside, it definitely looks like the intention was probably good at the start. But somewhere along the line, someone took it a little bit too far perhaps...dug in their heels and now they're in a predicament. It can look like there's no turning back which, of course, isn't true...there's always a chance to turn back.

First, it starts with awareness...being willing to hear the feedback that whoa, whoa, we need to reassess, we need to check-in and perhaps ask ourselves a few questions.

• Starting with intention...what was the intention of this in the first place?
  

  • Chances are it made some sort of sense at the time.

• When did things start falling off the rails?
  

  • Maybe you can't pinpoint the exact time. But when you go backwards, just start to see the telltale signs. They'll be there if you look closely.

What do you do now?

Let's face it, you can always leave it as it is...stick your head in the sand and pretend it's going to be okay...you can believe that you have no say in it...you can't do anything.

Or...you can start to take steps. Start to notice where you can do something...where you can make a difference...because you always can and doing so means you're going to stand out. You're going to have to be brave. You might be going against the grain and that takes courage...and through the course of time, it's always been the ones who take those steps that shift situations, make them better.

Do you want to make things better?

Ultimately, you have to ask yourself, is it worth it? Decide it's worth the personal risk.

Only you can decide that.

Here's a litmus test that I tend to apply when I'm in situations where I'm not sure what to do:

Fast forward, even a couple years and ask yourself:

• Will I regret my inaction?

• Or will I be grateful that I took action?

This litmus test gives me real clarity on what I should be doing. Maybe you can try it too.


Are you ready?

Let's get to it...

Your challenge...

Ultimately, you have to ask yourself, is it worth it? Decide it's worth the personal risk.

Only you can decide that.

Take the litmus test. Be honest with yourself.

• When you fast forward, even a couple years, will you regret your inaction?Or will you be grateful that you took action?

This litmus test gives me real clarity on what I should be doing. Maybe you can try it too.

Lost the plot? Contact me 

Cheers,

Ann

Have you lost the plot?

In a tough situation?

This is for you. Yes, you.

When you're going through big changes it can feel like you have no agency...your sense of control has been handed off to someone, or something else. Even if you're not going through big changes, this is a reminder that you do have agency...you can make decisions. Despite how you may be feeling in this minute, you will feel more empowered after you have read and explored these suggestions.

Here we go, whether you think this is for you or not... if you're open, you'll find some value here.

Think of a situation now. A difficult situation where maybe you or someone you know is struggling, and the solution seems out of reach. No situation is too big or small.

Take your situation through the following steps and see what happens...

Where can you let go. What's out of your control?

• How much power do you have over the weather? Exactly...none. You can't change it.

• What "weather" are you trying to control? It could be another person?A situation that you'd like to influence but you can't.

What "weather" do you need to release?

What if you let it be. Letting something be can be difficult.

• Maybe you think you can change it...but you're coming up against resistance.Swimming upstream.

• The solution is crystal clear to you but you're not getting any traction. 

Letting it be. This doesn't mean you ignore the very real feelings that come with this.What it means is acknowledging that despite what seems obvious to you, you can't solve it and moving through the emotions that come up. Acceptance.

What could you let in?

• Maybe for you it's accepting some help.

• Maybe is acceptance. Period. It is what it is.

Let it be. Let it go. Let it in. Three steps to clarity.

Are you ready?

Let's get to it...

Your challenge...

Think about that situation again.What feels different about it after asking yourself the questions above?
It's not necessarily a "one and done"...sleep on it. See what pops. Ask the questions again, and again. Be open to what shows up. With time and patience the clarity will come.

Looking for some clarity?  Contact me 

Cheers,

Ann

In a tough situation?

In the middle of a storm?

If you're in the middle of a storm, here's some perspective for you...

When you come out of the storm, you won't be the same person who walked in. That's what this storm's all about." Haruki Murakami

Whatever your "storm" may be, when you're in the middle of it, the one thing that you're definitely missing is perspective. The ability to understand that this will pass. That every storm you weather becomes a story you tell later. That the lessons you gain from the storm can be life altering.

You gain wisdom when you're open to moving through something knowing that it's temporary and...everything is temporary. 

I feel like I've recently come out of a hurricane and here are some of the things I've noticed that may be helpful for you:

• You're not necessarily going to notice it right away.

  • When you get used to something you can lose perspective.

• It may be a slow realization...the wind has subsided and the sun's coming out.

  • It can creep up slowly.

• There's a wash of relief that may come over you.

  • The day you thought would never come, did.

I'm filled with gratitude right now. I know I'm in the right place, that I made a good decision. I chose well. Despite the storm that came with it.

Here's the thing about choice, it doesn't mean that it comes without challenges...the "storms"...and it's remembering that deep down, there's a reason for the choices you make.

Despite the sometimes inevitable storms, your decisions, your choices, are yours to make and you're far more capable than you think.


In the middle of a storm right now?

Are you ready?

Let's get to it...

Your challenge...

Are you in the middle of a storm right now? It's hard to have perspective when you're in the middle of something. 

• Get perspective.

  • For you, that may look like asking for help from a friend, partner, or co-worker.

  • Sharing the storm can make it less daunting.

• Look for the glimmers.

  • No matter the storm, there will always be glimmers if you look closely.

  • Maybe it's a small win with your kid, your boss, yourself.

• Know that this is temporary.

  • I'll repeat that for you...this is temporary.

  • All things eventually subside, settle, pass.

Remember:  "When you come out of the storm, you won't be the same person who walked in. That's what this storm's all about." Haruki Murakami

This is the gift of the storm. Becoming the stronger, more resilient "you"...the person you never would have discovered without this storm. Remember that. 

Are you in a storm? Contact me 

Cheers,

Ann

In the middle of a storm?

Is it a distraction or an opportunity?

Distraction or opportunity?

In this noisy, warp speed world that we live in, it can be incredibly difficult to discern between distractions and what may, in fact, be opportunities...

When it's one email after another, one social media post after another, one task after another...interruptions ...all that noise can pile up. People's opinions, ideas, just saying this makes me feel a little bit edgy.

How can you possibly think…stand back…discern??  How's this possible with all the noise? How do you tell what may be a piece of information or a nugget to explore?

Oh I don't have the answer to these questions...I'm looking for them!

How do you data mine in this world? How do you make sure that you are focusing on the really important things, whether it's at home, work...anywhere you are...any situation.

Taking a step back often helps. Literally or figuratively taking a step back allows you to see the landscape...to see everything that's going on, not just the thing right in front of you. Perspective.

Allowing yourself alone time...time to process. For me? It's definitely getting out in nature...going for a walk and just absorbing the sounds of the water, the birds, the wind, the leaves. Probably - 99% of the time -when I get my best ideas or solutions.

Problem solving. 

When you're in the middle of something and distracted by all the noise, it's really hard to see solutions. When you get out and about or switch gears and have a conversation with someone about something else, that's when it pops. That's when you can see the opportunity that you weren't able to see when you were in the thick of it.

Distraction gets a bad rap, and I want to argue that within the distractions that you face daily are often really useful pieces of information.

Clean up your world. Minimize distractions. Notice what bubbles to the surface. 

How do you view distractions? Do you even know you're distracted? In our world it's the norm.

Ready to make some time?

Are you ready?

Let's get to it...

Your challenge...


Take some time, some quiet time. Whether that's sitting in stillness, getting out for walk, or doing whatever you do...allow your mind to wander.

• Take some time to notice.

  • When are you distracted?

• What specifically is distracting you?

  • A particular idea or ideas that keep coming up?

• Pay attention.

  • The very nugget you've been looking for may be right there - the opportunity.

When you're continually distracted by the same thought or ideas, get curious...your opportunity may be right there in front of you.

Distraction getting in your way? Contact me and let's set up your FREE chemistry call.

Cheers,

Ann

Is it a distraction or an opportunity?

Are you consistent? It will show...

Are you consistent? It will show…

I remember working with a personal trainer many years ago. The first thing he said to me? "Be consistent, show up and do the work. It'll pay off in the long run."  He was right, many years later, I can appreciate the benefits of consistently showing up…especially when I didn't feel like it, doing one little thing...sustaining a habit.

The good news here?  Consistency applies to ANY goal.

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” Aristotle

Yes, anything we repeatedly do, over time, will end up "showing". I remember attending a celebration of life several years ago and reconnecting with some people I hadn't seen in many years The amazing thing about not seeing people for that length of time? You can tell, rather quickly, who prioritized their health and wellness. From a purely observational stance - it showed.

I use this example to illustrate that anything you do repeatedly will be evident over time...maybe not as obvious to others but definitely obvious to you...

Apply this to anything you want to achieve. A mindset shift? Growing your confidence? Becoming happier or healthier...whatever matters to you.

Consistency - where you are today, is a sum total of all your decisions and habits over time.

Satisfied with where you are? Great! If not, good news...the way you got here, is the same way you can get to where you want to be. It's not too late...you're not too old, too young or too whatever the story is that you're telling yourself.

Small habits and decisions over time, will result in change. It's like compounding interest…over time…tiny, consistent, steps will result in transformational change.

The kind of change that doesn't happen overnight...but by being consistent in your practices, putting in daily action.

Small sustainable practices will morph over time.



Are you ready?

Let's get to it...

Your challenge...


Pick a goal that you don't seem to be getting traction on, one that you're willing to invest in now. Keep it simple and small. 

Commit to taking daily action. It could be as simple as:

• Googling "how to" get started on that thing.

• Writing down three tangible steps you can take.

• ...and then...taking the first one.

It's always a good time to start. Start now. Today.


Ready to start?  Contact me 

Cheers,

Ann

Are you consistent? It will show…

Things going sideways?

Things going sideways?  That's not necessarily a bad thing...

Often people think my blogs are inspired by some crazy deep experience, and that's not always the case...although there's nothing random about the things we decide to pay attention to either. This blog...was inspired by a duck. Yep,a duck. I was on a walk, and saw a duck in the creek drifting sideways through the water. 

For some reason it inspired me to write this and it ended up being surprisingly useful for me.

Maybe it'll be useful for you too...

• The idea of different perspective...

  • If you're facing something head on and finding you're not getting anywhere, maybe a change in view is in order. 

  • Turn around. Notice something in your environment that you've lost track of.

  • When you're sideways versus looking straight ahead, what do you see now? 

• Going with the flow...

  • Making it easier like the duck was...working with the situation instead of against it.

  • How often do you struggle with something when letting go and accepting is also an option. 

• Being solo...

  • What's the benefit of being with your own thoughts? 

  • It's easy to get caught up in the noise of other people's opinions and ideas... not that these aren't important. However, it's sometimes in our own company, our own space, where clarity comes.

Mull this over.

Where right now in your life, could you benefit from looking at something from a slightly different perspective? Whether it's looking at it from a new angle, surrendering rather than struggling, or just spending some time with your own thoughts... 


Are you ready?

Let's get to it...

Your challenge...

This was short and sweet today and surprisingly powerful. The suggestions may seem obvious and it's often the obvious that you can overlook.

Stop...think of a situation where you've been feeling like you're going against the current…facing it head on and not getting anywhere, or there's just so much external "noise" that you can't hear your own thoughts...

Here's an invitation for you...

Ask yourself:

• Where might turning in a slightly different direction be useful? 

• What if you stopped fighting and let it be what it is?

• How could some "alone" time bring clarity?

You might be surprised how these three simple questions can provide a new way forward. With perspective, ease and clarity.

Try it...

Looking for a different perspective? Contact me and let's set up your FREE chemistry call.

Cheers,

Ann

Things going sideways? That’s not necessarily a bad thing…