What Do You Desire (from your work)?

January 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Do you enjoy your work? Are you passionate about it?

As I work to launch Healthy South Shore, a new online health and fitness magazine for folks south of Boston, I’m reminded of the question that got me here.

And that question had nothing to do with purpose.

And it had nothing to do with passion.

The question:

What do you desire?

 

I heard this question last April at a 2-day workshop I attended at Babson College. The impact of the question is long lasting. When I find myself drifting in thought to all of the “possibilities” in my life I ask “what do you desire?”

The answers keep me on track.

Last April I desired:

  • A resource for people in my area to connect with their local health/fitness resources – the people, wellness centers and parks.
  • A resource that allows the community to get to know their resources and perhaps feel less afraid about hiring them.
  • An opportunity to showcase the talents and expertise of these resources through web video and articles.

Prior to that I asked “what am I passionate about?” because that’s what the experts suggested I ask.

As a result I struggled to find work I enjoyed. I have a personal interest in and passion for health and wellness.

The logical response might be to become a personal trainer or health coach. I did. I quickly learned that I’m not passionate about serving in that type of role.

Asking “what do I desire” allowed me to:

  • Imagine what I want to create.
  • Think differently about how to create work that fit both my personal interest and my skills.
  • Think differently about my work over all.

Healthy South Shore is a direct result of asking that question. I now find myself in a much better suited sales/marketing role. Back to my roots.

And I’ve never felt better about my work. It’s challenging, fun, exciting and overwhelming all at the same time. I love it.

If you struggle, as I did, trying to figure out your “true calling”, “passion work” or whatever else you are looking for when it comes to employment, consider asking the question:

What do you desire?

See what comes up for you. Are you surprised?

Care to share your answer to the question in the comments?

Filed Under: Confidence, Miscellaneous Inspiration

The Word for 2012: CONNECT

January 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

A few years ago my friend Lance at the Jungle of Life started to announce his word for the year. I saw it as a chance to set an intention and did the same.

In 2009 my word was FREEDOM. I needed to free myself from myself – my fear, limiting beliefs – in order to create work and a life that I could feel good about.

In 2010 I chose the word FOCUS. Since quitting the corporate world I had explored many different avenues yet couldn’t settle on a business focus or idea. I needed to choose one thing.

In 2011 I chose the word ACTION. In 2011 I took action towards a career vision that had lurked for 5 years. I created Healthy South Shore, an online magazine and resource providing comprehensive health/fitness information to folks South of Boston. The official site is set to launch this week.

Which leads me to my word for 2012. This year the word didn’t appear as easily as the last three. I thought about what I want to accomplish this year, what I need to do to make Healthy South Shore a success. I thought about about I need to do to accomplish my personal goals as well.

Connection

For 2012 I choose the word

CONNECT

In 2012 I want to connect to:

  • Other people. I want to build relationships that are mutually beneficial and create a win-win. That is, we help each other grow personally and professionally. Support and professional networks are critical to success.
  • Social Media. In 2011 I began to understand the benefits of social media. I’d like to continue making connections through social media in 2012 and use the tools strategically. I’d love to connect on Twitter!
  • This blog and you, the reader. The focus for this year: what it’s like to create work you enjoy and feel good about. I’ll share stories and lessons from creating and growing Healthy South Shore – the personal and professional lessons. Posts will likely include small business topics, using yoga/meditation for personal/professional effectiveness, writing more creatively and simply enjoying life.  To connect here you can subscribe to the RSS feed or get email updates.  (For health/fitness information I hope you’ll check out Healthy South Shore. You don’t need to live there to benefit!)
  • Myself. Specifically to my personal power, voice and ability to create a successful business, promote my work, lead others, and create healthy communities.

I look forward to making new connections and deepening others in 2012.

How about you? Do you create a word or intention for the new year? Care to share in the comments?

Happy New Year!

Filed Under: Connections

End of Year Reflections & Happy New Year!

December 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I love this time of year. Holiday parties, time with family, fires in the fireplace and a creamy hot chocolate bring lots of warm feelings during this otherwise chilly month. I also love that as the year comes to a close, I have a chance to reflect on all that has happened.

Happy New Year

Have you thought about what 2011 has meant for you?

As I look back on my plans for 2011 I learned that:

  • Plans need timelines. This year I’ll make plans and put timelines next to them. Without timelines plans are sometimes forgotten.
  • Things change. Some of my plans for 2011 changed and took on a new direction – all for the better.
  • Don’t forget the baby steps. While I didn’t fully accomplish all of my plans, I did take steps in the right direction. Forward motion counts.
  • Celebrate your success (no matter how large or small). As a self-employed professional I’m the only one who can say “great job!” It’s easy to forget to do that. As the year ends I will acknowledge the steps I did take and how those steps will set the stage for 2012.

Below are a few of the questions I think about as I look back over the year. (and my answers for 2011):

How did you take care of yourself?

My yoga practice slipped a bit. Yoga helps me feel grounded and focused. I want to incorporate more yoga into my daily routine in 2012.

What did you accomplish?

As I look back on my plans for 2011, I accomplished some, others fell off the list entirely and others I will carry over into 2012.

How did you celebrate your successes?

I will acknowledge the steps I did take to make some of my plans a reality.

How did you grow personally and professionally?

I took steps to make a professional dream (Healthy South Shore, launching in January) a reality.

Which areas of your life could be richer?

My personal life is pretty rich – I feel good personally. This year I will focus on feeling good professionally and growing Healthy South Shore.

As 2011 ends, consider reflecting for just a moment on the year. Remember to celebrate your successes, celebrate your family and friends and most importantly, celebrate YOU!

Wishing you a very happy holiday and an abundant new year!

How was 2011 for you? What did you accomplish? What can you celebrate?

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Inspiration

Holiday Delight: Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Candies (Recipe)

December 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I posted a picture of these sweet treats on Facebook and several people asked for the recipe.

Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Candies

Every Christmas I make these chocolate peanut butter candies and they are always a crowd pleaser. Low fat? No way! It’s the holidays so enjoy, in moderation, of course. (They freeze well if you have leftovers!)

Although easy to make, rolling the peanut butter balls does take a little bit of time. Get the family involved for more fun.

Enjoy!

Ingredients

1 stick margarine or butter, softened

1 ½ cup peanut butter

4 cups confectioner (powdered) sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

12 oz chocolate chips

¼ slab paraffin wax (found in baking aisle and yes, this the same wax used in canning)

Directions

  1. Cream all but chocolate chips and wax. Roll into balls, about 1 inch. Chill approximately 8 hours or overnight.

Peanut Butter Candies - before chocolate dip

  1. Melt chocolate chips and wax in double boiler.  Dip peanut butter balls with spoon into chocolate. Place on wax paper lined baking sheet. Chill another 8 hours or overnight.

This recipe makes about 80 (maybe more) small (one-bite) candies. These are so small and tasty it’s easy to keep popping them into your mouth. Instead, take small bites to really savor the flavor. You won’t need to eat as many if you eat them slowly. :-)

Enjoy!

Filed Under: Food, Fitness and Cooking

Meditation Isn’t Easy But the Practice is Worth it

December 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

A blog post came through my Twitter feed that caught my attention: Meditation Has Annoyed Me.

woman meditating

I hear it a lot. People tell me they tried and they can’t stop thinking. They get frustrated and quit.

I remember the first time I meditated. I was a student in a 200-hour yoga teacher training program. Our instructor walked in and said, “We’ll start with a 30 minute seated meditation today.”

Although I didn’t say anything verbally, my body language spoke volumes. My mouth dropped open and I furrowed my brow as if to say, “You want me to do what?”

I sat. I fidgeted. My legs started tingling. My back hurt. I couldn’t settle my thoughts. I felt angry and aggravated.

When we finished I silently promised myself I would NEVER meditate again. (Nice attitude from a soon-to-be yoga teacher!)

I don’t remember when I started again or why. I do remember that I started slowly – 5 minutes at a time. I could handle five minutes. On my own I increased the amount of time I sat by 2 – 3 minute increments until I made it to 20 minutes. –  Today I can sit anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes “comfortably”.

Here is the thing about meditation: It’s a practice. You sit, free of distractions and focus your attention on a word, mantra, breath.

Your thoughts won’t stop. The practice is noticing your thoughts, detaching from them and bringing your attention back to that point of focus (word, mantra, breath).

Feeling frustrated? It’s part of the process. What else are you impatient or frustrated with in your life?

A few tidbits I’ve learned from meditation (certainly not a comprehensive list):

  • Silence is uncomfortable because it forces you to be with yourself. You start to feel things you haven’t felt in a while or ever. Let them come up if you want to heal and feel better.
  • Meditation keeps me focused. Meditation settles my thoughts (doesn’t stop them) when I feel overwhelmed or irritated and keeps me on track.
  • Sitting does get “easier”. Now I know if I fidget something is not right in my life. I need to let it come up and out.
  • Meditation keeps me in control. If I feel like I’m about to over react, I breathe. If I find myself reaching for food that I’m not hungry for I sit quietly for a few minutes. The “hunger” goes away because the “hunger” had nothing to do with food.
  • Compassion. Meditation has truly helped me open my heart and my mind to others.

The practice is not about stopping your thoughts but instead how quickly you notice your thoughts and stories, detach from them and bring your attention back to your breath/word/mantra. Also, how do you feel when you’re done?

Resource: Susan Piver meditation teacher and author recently wrote a posted called Am I Doing it Right? She offers a few thoughts to help keep you on track with your meditation practice.

Do you meditate? How has it helped you? Are you afraid of it? I’d love to know what you think.

Filed Under: Stress Management and Relaxation, Yoga & Meditation
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