Recommended Reading: The Now Habit

4 Comments / Everything, Procrastination & Productivity, Recommended Reading /

Since this month is all about getting into action on your big goals, I want to share one of my favorite resources to help you break through action’s archenemy (dun dun dunnnnn!): procrastination.

If you identify as a procrastinator, you are not alone. Like those who can’t get out of bed in the morning, most people who are intense procrastinators feel deep shame about their habit—and have no idea how large this club’s membership truly is.

I’ve found The Now Habit by Neil Fiore, Ph.D. to be a phenomenal resource for many clients who struggle with procrastination. Fiore helps you figure out why you are procrastinating and offers concrete exercises and strategies to overcome the most common blocks to getting started. …

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Recommended Reading: The Now Habit Read More »

Just Ten Minutes: a Powerful Trick for Tackling Tasks You Hate or Procrastinate

2 Comments / Everything, Procrastination & Productivity, Relationships /

“It’s only January 7th, and I’m already behind!”

Do you already feel “behind” in the new year? Often, we begin the new year resolving to tackle tasks we’ve historically resisted and put off.

The bigger, scarier, more time-consuming, or more overwhelming the task feels, the more likely we are to make up and believe compelling stories (read: excuses) for why this is not the right time to get started—we’ll do it later!

We are very, very good at making up these stories!

What’s more, we do this not only with tasks that we don’t enjoy, but also with activities we genuinely like to do–things that we know would bring us pleasure.

Here’s a strategy you can use the next time you think “I should,” “I need to,” or “I want to” about a task and feel the urge to procrastinate.

…

Just Ten Minutes: a Powerful Trick for Tackling Tasks You Hate or ProcrastinateRead More »

Just Ten Minutes: a Powerful Trick for Tackling Tasks You Hate or Procrastinate Read More »

Why I Love the Timer

2 Comments / Everything, Procrastination & Productivity /
Meet your new best friend.

All you goal-makers and procrastinators out there, have you met my friend the timer?

This unassuming little tool unlocks massive productivity potential.

It may look like an inanimate object, but I give this little guy part of the credit for completing my schooling, working out, my home’s relatively organized state, staying on top of my email, and for this blog you’re reading, among many other things. I seriously don’t know where I’d be without it!

I recommend this tool to all of my clients as they tackle their own projects, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to you today.

…

Why I Love the TimerRead More »

Why I Love the Timer Read More »

Are the If-Mores Holding You Back?

2 Comments / Everything, Happiness, Transitions /

One of the nastiest beasts that keeps people stuck is what I refer to as the “If-Mores.”

We tell ourselves that if only we had more (fill-in-the-blank), we would be able to do something that we long to do.

This can become an excuse not to take action.

Oh well, we say. I guess I just can’t have that.

This is usually accompanied by some major Poor me energy, along with a grumble or two of comparison to others who have the thing we wish we had more of.

Today, I challenge you to begin a journey to banish the If-Mores by doing the following exercise. …

Are the If-Mores Holding You Back?Read More »

Are the If-Mores Holding You Back? Read More »

How to Get over 20s (or 30s, 40s, 50s…) Regret

1 Comment / Breakups, Career Change and Fulfillment, Everything, Relationships, Transitions /

When reaching a “breakthrough moment” in creating positive changes in their lives, many of my clients say things like,

“I just wish I’d figured this all out sooner.”

“If only I hadn’t wasted that time in my 20s, I’d have it all together by now.”

“Why did it take me so long to see this?”

When you’ve hit upon a discovery and/or finally taken action that makes you much happier than you’ve ever been, it’s only natural to wish that you could have made that discovery or taken that action in the first place! …

How to Get over 20s (or 30s, 40s, 50s…) RegretRead More »

How to Get over 20s (or 30s, 40s, 50s…) Regret Read More »

You Think YOU’VE Got Problems? When Perspective Leads to Guilt and Shame

1 Comment / Everything /

We often feel guilty for mourning our own challenges and losses when they seem to pale in comparison to those of others.

As frustrating as small setbacks are, and as painful as larger challenges such as a breakup or a job loss can be, they can suddenly seem like not such a big deal in the light of tragedies such as natural disasters and horrific acts of violence, or a major adversity that another individual is facing.

Many people respond to the insight of perspective by throwing a bunch of guilt and shame on top of their pain—saying to themselves, “There are people with real problems in the world, and I shouldn’t be complaining about this—or even feeling bad about it.”

Then, being only human, they go on feeling bad, and feel even worse for feeling that way!

This approach is taking something with great helping and healing potential (perspective) and transforming it into something destructive (guilt and shame).

Guilt is not a helping emotion. Neither is shame.

Both emotions feed negative energy and keep you stuck—and do nothing to help those “people with real problems,” either. …

You Think YOU’VE Got Problems? When Perspective Leads to Guilt and ShameRead More »

You Think YOU’VE Got Problems? When Perspective Leads to Guilt and Shame Read More »

Handling the Holidays When You’re in Transition: 7 Steps to Take Care of Yourself

9 Comments / Breakups, Career Change and Fulfillment, Everything, Happiness, Relationships, Transitions /

No doubt about it—the winter holidays can be particularly poignant when you’re in transition.

This time of year is a common “taking-stock” time. As you go to festive parties or head home for the holidays, you can’t help but think about what your life was like this time last year, and the year before, and the year before.

If things were better last year—you had a job you loved, or you were in a great relationship, or you were happily single instead of dealing with the fresh heartbreak upon you now—the comparison can feel really sad, frustrating, or overwhelming.

On the other hand, holidays can be a time of deep awareness of what hasn’t changed.

If last year you vowed that this would be the year you finally (fill in the blank), the realization that it wasn’t can hit hard.

If you were stuck last year, and you’re still stuck now, still feeling in transition, you can get sucked into a defeatist mentality. “I’ll never figure it out.” “I haven’t made any progress.” “I guess I’m just the messed up sister.” …

Handling the Holidays When You’re in Transition: 7 Steps to Take Care of YourselfRead More »

Handling the Holidays When You’re in Transition: 7 Steps to Take Care of Yourself Read More »

Interview: From Barista to Fundraiser

2 Comments / Career Change and Fulfillment, Everything, Happiness, Interview, Relationships, Transitions /

“I thought I would do things that made me happy, but I never once imagined any of them making me any money.”

Rae and I discuss her career journey from “slinging coffee” to being a non-profit fundraiser, and how she ended up finding her passion in a job she landed in—a path she describes as “random, to say the very least.”

You’ll hear about:

  • the importance of champions and mentors
  • identifying and packaging your transferable skills
  • how to make yourself happy (she’s talking to you!)

…

Interview: From Barista to FundraiserRead More »

Interview: From Barista to Fundraiser Read More »