Hey, where are you running to so fast? What’s the hurry? Have you stopped to take a look around recently?
There are some really beautiful things happening
right here
right now
in this moment!
Yep, right NOW!
Pause for a quick second….
Breathe
This moment.
…. This one…
What do you feel? How is your body feeling? What’s that smell near you? The lighting? The rain? What’s around you?
I don’t want to get too far into the headspace of why, but I do want to quickly mention that taking the time to look at your NOW is important, not only for the essence of you, but also for the way you run your business. And that’s one of the reasons I so strongly encourage you (and me) to spend time looking at the current state of your business. And I usually do that by asking you to measure something (webstats, sales figures, expenses, number of subscribers) – things that bring you back into the moment & remind you of the changes that have happened in the past days, weeks and months. It’s so very easy to get caught up in the rat race we forget about the goal/target we’ve set for ourselves. Sometimes we’re even moving towards a target we haven’t clearly defined (and that’s a bit ‘crazy making’). But if we don’t take a moment to stop and look around us, our poor body, mind and soul can become exhausted.
Stop and look! Look around you. Look at your life, look at your business. Be grateful for where you were, and where you are today.
Stop and smell the roses. Or the poinsettas! Or those smelly socks in the corner J
Little flowers I leaned over to smell after picking grapes during harvest in Victoria, BC
And if there is something you’re not terribly happy with, when you look around you – change it. It’s all within your power to change it. Stop doing something, say “no” to something, delegate it to someone else, or delegate it to another week, month or lifetime for that matter.
Don’t do the things that make you unhappy, miserable, scared, grumpy, pissy.
There’s no reason to be in this headspace, and if there is something that’s bringing you to this space, seriously, change it!
Bring yourself back into alignment.
Even if it’s just one tiny baby step that makes it seem more bearable. Taking control of the situation WILL have a magic ability to make you feel better about it.
So STOP & look at where you are right now! Is this what you want to be doing? Does it make you happy? Are you lit up inside & out? Can the people in your life see why you’re so happy doing what you’re doing?
And is your business “happy”? It’s a reflection of you.
It can be so simple to make small changes today to create change.
Share with me one thing, big or small, that you’ll do to make change in your life/business today.
P.S. I’m in a writing challenge called Contentpalooza during the month of November, and writing 50,000 words. This short post was written in the middle of a thunderstorm, as a “note to self”. I hope you find you find it as helpful as I did.
Thanks Loralee. I have had a rough week on a personal level and this certainly reminds me to step back and look at it as an opp to make some profound changes to move things into a more positive and lighter space. I have been making some big changes in my biz life….and well, it’s time to make some big changes in other places too. Thanks again…I feel like I just got a hug!
xo, Tina
Big hugs to you Tina. I know change is supposed to be good, but it sure takes a lot of energy. Here’s to change, with ease and grace. xoxo ~ Loralee
Beautifully said, Loralee
I especially like “Stop and look! Look around you. Look at your life, look at your business. Be grateful for where you were, and where you are today.”
AND
“And is your business “happy”? It’s a reflection of you”
Great reminder to focus on what’s truly important and not take things for granted. Awesome post!
Thanks Yvette!
Genius reminder.. Is your business happy? Well I am doing a few things that make me grumpy pissy and such, so we’ll call it temperamental lol. Fantastic post..
Jenn, I almost took that line out. I’m so glad I didn’t 🙂
Favorite sentence in the whole post….”Don’t do the things that make you unhappy, miserable, scared, grumpy, pissy.”
How often we forget this in the name of doing what needs to be done as we are building our businesses from the ground up? In the name of saving money, bootstrapping or even learning. And, the busier we are, the more likely we are NOT to do the very things you are talking about. Thanks for the reminder that reflection can really benefit you – in the short run and in the long one too!
I love your perspective Jennifer. Thanks xoxo
“Hell yeah!” That’s something I read recently – I forgot the author to give credit to. And another friend told me the same when telling me that if the prospect or proposed action doesn’t feel like a “hell yeah!” inside me, then say “No” and don’t do it. So I’m slowly adapting this attitude and learning that if I don’t really truly want to do something, then simply I don’t have to do it and I can choose not to do it. (Not to say that I do everything presented, but we all get invitations and offers, and its nice to say “Yes” and participate, but sometimes, it’s better to say “no”, slow down and just be.) Powerful.
I’ve heard that one too! Most recently from @MarieForleo or @DanielleLaporte maybe? I know what you mean. It’s so easy to take on projects that feel right, and I rush in with a yes. Not really checking in with myself fulling – because I love to “help” so much. Sounds like both you and I may need this one taped to the bathroom mirror 🙂
Well, my love… I certainly need this right NOW!!! yes… I zip zap zowwwwieeeeeeeeed down the rabbit hole for the last few weeks in preparation of my launch and it consumed me. Literally. Fully. The birth has been wonderful… and my house and body are carrying the chaos of the creation! haha! So now, I must come back to NOW… and really bring all the aspects of my living and joy back. People. Relationships. My body in the canyon. Sleep. Sleep.
so tonight, I am going to make a yummy salad, clear just a wee bit of the madness. Not much. Put on comfie clothes and finish reading my favorite blogs! Thank you for this reminder. Without which I may have just sat here all scrunched up in my clothes in this mess, half hungry feeling like I am still moving towards a launch. sighhhhhhhhh … ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh… xo
aaaah… comfie clothes and salad. I can just feel the relief. Hugs. xoxo Loralee
Beautiful post Loralee. It’s always good to get these reminders. I know I can get stressed out when I think about the future. But if I just focus on the now, it snaps me right back to what is important.
Thanks Laurie. As I read your response right now I realize I’ve probably spent the past hour living in the future too! I’m taking a moment to breath and step back into NOW too. Constant little reminders and “notes to self”. Thank you! Loralee
Loralee,
Such wise words! Thank you for this reminder not to be racing so fast towards the finishing line, that we forget to enjoy the run! Today I vow to take a dance break, eat while sitting down and not multi-tasking, and doing a breathing meditation. Thanks for the encouragement!
Eat while sitting down & taking a dance break! Love it.
I’ve also found that eating while doing nothing else but eating, makes a huge difference. I know – almost sounds silly in our multi-tasking world. I’d love to hear how your day was, after taking those small breaks. Let me know if you have a moment. xoxo ~ Loralee