WorkingAwarenessNetwork : monday morning minute

Is it just me or is there actually less time in each day than there was in the past?  I’m guessing probably not, however time sure does have that illusion.  As the information age continues to blossom we can now do so much more within our workday that it can easily lead to a distortion as to what we should be doing.  This unrealistic expectation of what we can actually accomplish in each day ultimately leaves us saying, “I just wish I had more time."

This one simple phrase can serve as such a blessing and when given our full attention is the perfect opportunity to review priorities and begin re-establishing our personal boundaries.  What if the check-in was more around who we are “being” as opposed to how much we are “doing"?

The being opens us up to the freedom of choice while the doing smells of judgment and unrealistic unobtainable expectation. And once you have choice you can make decisions.  Imagine for a moment that by focusing on who you are being you’d be able to actually achieve more in one day. I know when I get caught up with just trying to complete tasks that I loose focus and ultimately feel like some crushing doom is looming around the next corner. 

By relaxing for just a few moments I can check in with who I am being and unplug from the judgment and self doubt.  This is the place that my greatest and most productive work gets done no matter how many things are on my to do list,  because I am able to reconnect to what is most important and let go of my fear.  This is not always easy, yet magical every time I put forth the attention to who am I being!

Monday Mindfulness
This week pay attention when you here yourself or others say phrases like, “There is not enough time” “I’m too busy” or “I need to catch up”  Take a moment and ask yourself who are you being and choose to focus on what is most important in that moment.

It’s amazing how easily I can say “No” to requests.  Perhaps out of fear of being drained by energy vampires or as an automatic strategy to keep me in my safe zone, for whatever the reason, my ability to say “No” and not consider things has began to put limits on my experiences.  That is, until Sierra and I had a little talk.

My Biggest Teacher
Although Sierra is only three years old, she is one of my biggest Teachers. The other day she looked me in the eye and asked if I was playing “Being a Yes Today?”   Not knowing quite how to answer, I listened as my wife explained how easy it is to automatically be a “No” and that she and my daughter had invented a game where there was a “Yes” to every request.  

Within an hour I had my first chance to “play”.  My daughter asked me if I wanted to color with her.  Now I had about 15 things to get done and my automatic response was to say “No”.  But, I remembered the game. 

Being a Yes
“YES”, I said, “I have 2 whole minutes to color with you”.  Five minutes later I had colored an entire page and had fresh energy to complete my other tasks.  I continued to play with this concept, thinking I may be able to be a yes to all requests in some way. I explained the rules with a coaching client and said, “Ask me anything”. 

She proceeded by asking if I would come to her work and give a free training.  Now that was a big request; however I love to give and I thought what if I was able to meet my needs and hers at the same time.  “Yes, I’d love to; I’m open to presenting to your group for free if we can schedule two other paid engagements”.   

What if you could start saying “Yes” to life, to people, and to yourself?

Monday Mindfulness

Where in your life do you automatically say “No”?  See if you can be a “Yes” to life this week.

 
Monday Morning Minute Update

Welcome to the new MMM format.  The Working Awareness Network has been a project for the last two years.  We know have 3 live groups in Portland Oregon, 1 online group in Denver Colorado,a nd a new online group starting in Michigan.  Please have a look around.

Wishing you all a Happy Monday.