How To Renew and Re-Energize Yourself—Tip #4

April 22, 2013 by ·

Greetings,

The past three weeks we've talked about purging three powerful energy saboteurs: thoughts, feelings and clutter. You should feel lighter and more energized from these exercises. You can read previous editions here.

This week and next you're going to increase your energy so you feel renewed and ready to move forward in your life.

Bring In New Energy

One of the easiest ways to usher in new energy is to do things differently and try new things. Too often you get into routines. These routines, while comfortable, become boring and leave you uninspired. 

Alternatively, when you try new things and change up your routine, your brain wakes up and you become more engaged in life—giving you more energy.

Try these ideas:

  1. Drive a different way to work or take a different type of transportation
  2. Exercise using a new routine, new type of weight or new machine
  3. When you go out for a walk, choose a new area or path
  4. Try a new sport
  5. Take a class about something that interests you
  6. Try a new hobby

One good friend is taking a landscape design class and is really enjoying it. She's excited to learn more about landscaping (a fun hobby for her) and she feels new inspiration. My son inspired me to try the pull up machine at the gym. I'm now feeling stronger and excited each time to see whether I can cut down on the assistance it's giving me.  

Result

Your brain gets bored. You get bored with life. This week try some new things to spice up your week. By using your brain in a new way, you'll automatically feel renewed and have more energy toward achieving your dreams. 

Get Re-Energized! Manage Your Energy, Not Your Time

Looking for some inspiration? Come to The Boston Club event on May 21st to hear me speak about this topic. You don't have to be a member to attend. Learn more and register here.

All my best to you,

Jacqueline

Filed Under: Brain Power, Change, Emotional Intelligcence, Employee Performance, Leadership, Productivity, Stress Management · Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

How To Renew and Re-Energize Yourself—Tip #3

April 19, 2013 by ·

Greetings,

A big thank you to those of you who wrote to me saying last week's tip was particularly helpful to you!

The first two weeks of this month we talked about purging two powerful saboteurs—thoughts and feelings. Now that you've cleaned out some internal energy blockages, the next step is to clean out the space around you. 

Look around your work space, do you have piles of important papers that don't have a home, multiple half finished projects and a cluttered drawer that sometimes doesn't even close?

These things are more than an eye sore, they are draining your energy. 

Do A Clutter Purge

Each day this week, when you have 10 minutes before your next meeting or when you are trying to a solve a problem that's tricky, pick one pile or one drawar to tackle. Taking your mind off the problem to tackle the clutter frees your mind—often the solution pops right in.

When purging clutter, make 4 piles:

  1. Throw away or recycle (put these things directly in the trash or recycling bin)
  2. Important to act upon (place these in a file on your desk)
  3. "Idea" file—create your idea file and put it in your filing cabinet. You can easily open this file when you know you need a new idea or when you want to read something you've put in this file 
  4. Things to file

In doing this, you'll notice you've automatically put away items that fall into the first 3 categories. When you find you have a couple minutes before your next meeting or call, put the items in category 4 into the appropriate files. 

Done. Wasn't that easy?

Use this same process for any new papers you acquire, so you don't accumulate those overwhelming piles again. 

Result

The cleaner your desk and drawers, the clearer your mind. You have more energy and are able to accomplish more. Enjoy…

Get Re-Energized! Manage Your Energy, Not Your Time

I'm speaking to The Boston Club in May on this very important topic. You don't have to be a member to attend. Learn more and register here.

 

All my best to you,

Jacqueline

Filed Under: Brain Power, Emotional Intelligcence, Employee Performance, Leadership, Productivity, Stress Management · Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

How to Renew and Re-Energize Yourself—Tip #2

April 9, 2013 by ·

Greetings,

Last week we talked about purging thoughts. This week we’re going to focus on purging feelings. 

Feelings are also powerful saboteurs. You get ready to take the next best move and your heart begins racing, hands get sweaty, you feel nervous… That’s enough to stop yourself from reaching your goals. 

Let’s differentiate these limiting feelings from trusted gut feeling or intuition.

Fear is negative. “You can’t do that!”, “Don’t even think about it.” and “No one wants to hear about that.” are the common thoughts that accompany feelings of fear.

A trusted gut feeling is usually a simple “Yes” or “No”.

To tell the difference, sit with the feeling for a second, close your eyes and ask what it’s telling you. If you get a negative phrase, you know this is a negative feeling. If you get a simple “Yes” or “No”, you can be sure it is your intuition.

Purge Old Unhelpful Feelings

Use this simple exercise (same as last week) each time a limiting feeling creeps into your body this week:

  1. Notice the feeling and give it a label (e.g., fear, sadness, not capable etc.).
  2. Drop your chin toward your chest (to get you out of your head).
  3. Notice where the feeling is located in your body (e.g., stomach, chest). Don’t worry whether you have it right, just pick a spot that seems right.
  4. Imagine a door opening at that place and see the feeling exit through the door.
  5. Take a few deep breaths as you continue to visualize the feeling leave through the door.
  6. Lift your head and notice how you feel without that feeling.

Result

When you differentiate between limiting feelings and intuition, you know how to proceed. When you notice and follow your intuition, you are more powerful. Here’s to your strength! 

All my best to you,

Jacqueline

Filed Under: Emotional Intelligcence, Employee Performance, Leadership, Productivity, Stress Management · Tagged: , , , , , ,

How To Get Unstuck—Tip #3

March 22, 2013 by ·

Greetings,

Last week we looked at how you may be causing yourself to get stuck without realizing it. As a review, you know you're stuck when:

  1. You feel others have control over you
  2. You start to accept the status quo
  3. You allow stress to build and don't do anything about it

From time to time just about everyone gets stuck. However, you can free yourself. Never settle for being in a rut!

How To Get Unstuck

Here is my proven 5-step process for getting unstuck: 

  1. Harness the power of your mind
  2. Identify and dissolve limiting thought patterns
  3. Learn how to handle difficult situations effectively
  4. Make some important life changes
  5. Incorporate the 7 habits of conscious success into your life

I can't go into each one in detail here—no way to do that in a minute. You can get the details in my virtual course and book. However, I'd like to  explain the first step in more detail here.

Harness The Power Of Your Mind 

Your mind controls your experience. Your reality is wherever your mind is. If you're sitting at your desk right now and thinking about something you did this weekend, you're reliving the experience from the weekend. You feel good if it was a nice experience and you feel crummy if it was a bad experience (even if today has been a great day so far). 

Therefore, it matters much more what your mind is focused on than where your body is in determining whether you feel good or bad. The three conditions for being in a rut are largely controlled by your mind. Your mind runs the show.

Well no longer…

That's why the first step to get out of a rut is to harness the power of your mind. Now YOU run the show (and your experience) rather than your mind.

The way to do this is to notice when you are lost in thought and bring your focus back to the present moment. Do this all day long and eventually you'll find yourself lost in thought less often. 

Result

When you take control of your mind you are more effective in your work and  your relationships and your stress levels will be lower. Rather than going through your day hijacked by your to do list, you'll enjoy life because you'll notice the little moments (a pretty view, a smile, a moment with a loved one) that bring joy and richness to life. 

All my best to you,

Jacqueline

Filed Under: Brain Power, Emotional Intelligcence, Employee Performance, Leadership, Productivity, Stress Management · Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,

How To Get Unstuck—Tip #2

March 13, 2013 by ·

 

Greetings,

Last week we looked at whether you are stuck. If you answered yes to any of last week's questions you have an opportunity now to take stock of the various situations in your life and take control.

This process isn't about changing everything up. If you do that without understanding why you get stuck, you'll just end up stuck in a different set of circumstances. 

Why You Get Stuck

You may be causing yourself to get stuck without realizing it. You know you are stuck when you lose your drive, feel stressed and have low energy. These things can sneak up on you if you don't understand why you get stuck.

The three primary reasons you get stuck are:

  1. You feel others have control over you
  2. You start to accept the status quo
  3. You allow stress to build and don't do anything about it

Does someone else have control over you or do you control the situations in your life? if the answer for a particular situation is someone else, look at it more closely and ask yourself how you can gain control over the situation. How can you make the situation better for yourself? I'll bet you can come up with at least one way to do this.

Have you begun to accept the status quo? Have things gotten a bit boring? How can you spice them up? What types of projects or hobbies are interesting to you? How can you begin to incorporate these types of activities into your work or your personal life?

Are you feeling stressed? Can you implement some of the techniques you've read about to release your stress? How can you release stress throughout your day?

Result

When you take control of situations, begin infusing your work or personal life with projects that interest you, and use techniques to reduce stress, you'll be less likely to get stuck. 

All my best to you,

Jacqueline
Filed Under: Emotional Intelligcence, Employee Engagement, Employee Performance, Leadership, Productivity, Stress Management · Tagged: , , , , , , ,

How To Get Unstuck

March 13, 2013 by ·

Greetings,

I speak with entrepreneurs and business leaders all day long and often hear them say they feel stuck.

This month Monday Minute will be dedicated to helping you understand whether you are stuck, why you get in ruts, how to get unstuck and how to gain and keep momentum in forward progress. 

Are You Stuck?

You may be stuck without realizing it. Answer these questions to find out:

  • Have you lost your motivation or drive?
  • Do you experience low energy in the afternoon and/or evening? 
  • Do you get out of bed slowly, wishing you could sleep longer rather than being inspired to begin your day?
  • Do you feel stressed? Have you gained weight (especially around the belly)? Do you feel the weight of the world on your shoulders?
  • Are you quick to snap at coworkers or family members? 
  • Are you just going through the motions at work or at home?
  • Do you feel uninspired by your life or your work?
  • Do you feel you don't have any alternatives?

There Is An Answer

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are stuck. It happens to the best of us at times.

But, it doesn't have to be this way. You should feel inspired by your work and your life. You should have energy to enjoy your work and your personal life. 

This month you'll learn why you get stuck and how to get out of your rut. I look forward to hearing your questions and comments about this topic.

All my best to you,

Jacqueline
Filed Under: Emotional Intelligcence, Employee Engagement, Employee Performance, Leadership, Productivity, Stress Management · Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

Working from the Inside Out

March 2, 2013 by ·

Here's a great article from Success Magazine about the practical business application for mindfulness tools that don't seem particularly hard-lined business based, but provide impressive business results because of their effectiveness in helping employees solve situations most effectively.

 http://www.success.com/articles/2145-working-from-the-inside-out

Filed Under: Brain Power, Emotional Intelligcence, Employee Performance, Leadership, Meditation, Productivity, Stress Management · Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

Ignite Your Peak Performance—Tip #4

February 27, 2013 by ·

 

Greetings,

Last week we talked about how to develop peak performance and flow. This week we'll talk about how to sustain it. It's one thing to have pockets of productivity and it's another to be able to get into the flow each day and sustain it throughout your day.

The key is in how you begin your day. If you jump out of bed, rush through your morning routine and head out the door without breakfast, you're not setting yourself up for peak performance.

The best way I know to be able to sustain your energy for great performance is to have a morning ritual that gets increased oxygen into your body to get your mind working it's best.

Try This

Here's my recipe for a quick morning routine (less than 3 minutes) that will support you throughout the day in doing your best work and being in the flow:

  • Immediately upon waking, sit up and take 10 deep belly breaths.
    • On each exhalation, squeeze your belly toward your spine to get stale air out of your body (this enables your inhalations to be more full and brings more oxygen to your brain and the rest of your organs)
  • Set an intention for the type of work you want to do that day. Something like this: I intend to use my talents to be my best self at work. I intend to focus completely on all conversations and my work.
  • Take a moment to have gratitude for your work, your co-workers, your workplace, your paycheck and any other aspect of your work that you appreciate.
  • Have a healthy breakfast of whole grains or protein shake
  • Want to turbo charge your day? Get some exercise on the way to work after having done your breathing, intention and gratitude exercises and before breakfast.

Result

When you set yourself up for success each day, you more easily operate at your peak and in the flow. You have more energy throughout the day and you feel better when you arrive home.

Recent Press Release:

View the recent press release about our newest offering to increase motivation here.

Want To Learn How To De-stress and Be More Productive

You have two options–our book and our guided virtual course:

Conscious Success: The 5 Step Process to Dissolve Stress, Increase Productivity and Find Your Flow At Work

Learn an effective process to reduce stress for good. Order here

The Master Your Life Program

Want to feel good about work and home? Take back control of your life through a guided, audio course that walks you through each step and helps you practice the techniques. Learn more here

 

All my best to you,

Jacqueline
Filed Under: Emotional Intelligcence, Employee Engagement, Employee Performance, Productivity, Stress Management · Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Ignite Your Peak Performance—Tip #3

February 27, 2013 by ·

 

Greetings,

Last week we talked about how feeling overwhelmed is the number one way get get out of the flow. Today we'll talk about how to develop peak performance and flow. As a reminder, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi describes flow this way, "One is so engrossed that sense of time disappears and all attention is focused on one activity." 

It sounds like the only way to get into flow is to lock yourself in a room, without a clock, and have no distraction. Not true…

Have you ever been in the flow when having a great conversation, working on your favorite project or doing your favorite hobby? You were so engrossed you didn't notice how much time had passed or the noise around you?

How can you get yourself into peak performance or flow when you're not working on our favorite task?  

Try This

The next time you want to get into the flow, do this…

  • Take a deep breath
  • Tell yourself you're going to give this project your undivided attention for 15 minutes
  • Consider:
    • Why this project is important to accomplish
    • What skills you specifically bring to this project
    • The impact this project will have on others
  • Begin working on the task that is most interesting to you
  • At the end of 15 minutes (or when your attention wanes) take another deep breath and notice what you've accomplished
  • Dedicate the next 15 minutes toward finishing another aspect of the project
  • Continue this process as necessary

Result

Understanding the impact of a project and noting the skills and talents you bring to the work help you get into the flow and exhibit peak performance. Notice how this improves your productivity and your enjoyment of your work.

 

Recent Press Release:

View the recent press release about our newest offering to increase motivation here.

 

Want To Learn How To De-stress and Be More Productive?

You have two options–our book and our guided virtual course:

 

Conscious Success: The 5 Step Process to Dissolve Stress, Increase Productivity and Find Your Flow At Work

Learn an effective process to reduce stress for good. Order here

 

The Master Your Life Program

You're about to discover the 5 secrets to having more energy AND feeling less overwhelmed! Take back control of your life through a guided, audio course that walks you through each step and helps you practice the techniques. Learn more here

 

All my best to you,

Jacqueline

 
Filed Under: Employee Engagement, Employee Performance, Productivity, Stress Management · Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Ignite Your Peak Performance—Tip #2

February 27, 2013 by ·

Greetings,

 

Last week we talked about how when we're in the flow we're exhibiting peak performance. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi describes flow this way, "One is so engrossed that sense of time disappears and all attention is focused on one activity." 

This week we'll talk about what gets in the way of flow or peak performance. The number one thing that gets in the way is having a "too much to do mindset." We get into this trap when we feel like we have so much to do that we'll never get it done—we feel overwhelmed and frustrated.

Let's face it, we'll never get everything done. Even if we had 10 extra waking hours each day, we'd never get it all done. New projects come about, new bills arrive each day in the mail, new e-mails arrive each minute, this list of new tasks to accomplish grows each hour.

So what can we do? Our choice is to either feel completely overwhelmed or to focus on what we CAN accomplish.  

Try This

The next time you begin to feel overwhelmed or that you can't get done what you need to…

  • Stop and take a deep breath
  • Consider what is critical to do today
  • Take 3 more deep breaths
  • Determine what is possible to do today given your available time
  • Write a to do list for today with only these tasks and post it where you can see it
  • Schedule these tasks on today's calendar during your open time slots
  • Make sure you take a break mid day to go for a quick walk around the office or outside (this will make you more productive in the afternoon)

Result

When you're feeling overwhelmed your productivity plummets. Today's tip will get you out of that free fall and help you get your important tasks done. With the weight of the world off your shoulders, you'll be more productive, efficient and effective. You'll allow yourself to get into the flow and enjoy your work. Try this and let me know how it works for you.

Jacqueline Recommends:

Check out this beautiful art that makes a difference in the world. My friendMichele Gorski has spent the past several years creating and selling art that people can enjoy and feel good about—the proceeds are donated to support charitable organizations close to her heart.  Her work is available here.

Recent Press Release:

View the recent press release about our newest offering to increase motivation here.

 

Want To Learn How To De-stress and Be More Productive?

You have two options–our book and our guided virtual course: 

Conscious Success: The 5 Step Process to Dissolve Stress, Increase Productivity and Find Your Flow At Work

Learn an effective process to reduce stress for good. Order here

The Master Your Life Program

You're about to discover the 5 secrets to having more energy AND feeling less overwhelmed! Take back control of your life through a guided, audio course that walks you through each step and helps you practice the techniques. Learn more here

All my best to you,

Jacqueline

Filed Under: Emotional Intelligcence, Employee Engagement, Employee Performance, Productivity, Stress Management · Tagged: , , , , , ,
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