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If you live in Portland, OR, you’re probably familiar with OMSI – Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (actually it’s well known across the country too). It’s an amazing place for both adults and children with exhibits that teach, entertain and allow kids and adults to play as they learn. They have many exhibits that stay the same, but they have one main exhibit that changes quarterly and right now it’s the genius of Lenoardo Da Vinci that’s on display.
I returned today for my second visit – this time without the kids. Walking through the displays of codices with his handwriting and drawings, and the replicas of his inventions and paintings, was incredible. I knew he’d accomplished much during his life, but I had no idea just HOW much!
But what struck me more than anything wasn’t his genius. What struck me were my own questions as I wandered:
What if he’d been too afraid to follow through with and explore his ideas?
How many other geniuses like him have held themselves back?
What might the world be like if we each had the courage and audacity to follow through on our own ideas – even if it took over 500 years for many of them to be realized?
If you’re anywhere near OMSI, you’ve got to see this exhibit.
The problem is that we often get ourselves into a place that says, “To really make a difference it’s going to take a lot of time. Time is something I don’t have right now, so I just won’t try.”
I know I’ve been in that place. I remember when I was working in real estate, I had an infant and a 3 years old to take care of, my husband wasn’t working at the time, my mom was in the hospital fighting for her life and so I had her affairs to handle (which involved multiple attorneys, wills, trusts, and a divorce). I didn’t have time to eat. I couldn’t even use the bathroom without my potty-training son knocking on the door! Time for myself? Are you kidding??
It took my life coach more than six months to convince that it was possible to build into my life a little bit of me-time. Once I started to, my whole world began to change – for the better. A few moments to breath could shift my perspective and help me find a creative solution. A 5 minute walk could allow the stress to sluff off.
When we broke it down to just a few minutes at a time, it became more doable. And, when I found ways to build those few minutes into other things during the day, they were no long “add-ons” to my list of to-do’s, but true opportunities for me.
Here are a few ideas on things you can do in 10 minutes or less:
1. Stop. Close your eyes. Breath deeply and count backward from 30 to 0, slowly.
2. Stretch for 5 minutes.
3. Listen to something while you’re driving that you really WANT to listen to.
4. Turn your cell phone OFF for 5 minutes.
5. Allow yourself to eat EXACTLY what you really WANT for lunch for one day – you have to eat anyway, right?
6. Talk a 5 minute walk.
7. Write down 3 things you’re grateful for – or even just think of them for a minute or two.
8. Stop. Ask yourself: “Why am I so blessed?” And allow yourself to think of an answer or two before moving on.
9. Give someone a sincere compliment.
10. Have a bit of chocolate!
What makes you feel a little better, a little more nurtured, and a little more YOU?
By the way, did you know that the Compass MAP program takes less than 10 minutes per day? I use it myself to help me focus my thoughts for the day, and give myself a little gift each morning that’s all my own. This, along with a few of the ideas above have made such a tremendous difference in the level of contentment I feel.
Don’t get me wrong – life still happens! But regardless of whatever else might be going on, I now have a solid place of my own from which to perceive those events so that they now empower me, rather than suck the life out of me.
I wish the same for you.
Resources available:
-Compass: Affordable Life Coaching for Women.
-Who am I? How to Answer the Single Most Important Question You’ll Ever Ask.
Releaseing my book has been an incredible experience. I’d heard for years how just being published can boost your credibility, but living it is amazing!
I held a book release event in January and was excited by the outpouring of support. But what’s been even more exciting, are the other opportunities that are now opening up. For example, I’ve held a vision of doing speaking and workshops for years, but when I tried to put them together they just didn’t work. Now, I’m being asked to do workshops and speaking for organizations simply because I have a book!
After years of putting in the time and effort each day, often alone in the early morning hours before anyone else was awake, it’s finally paying off. If you’ve ever thought about writing or publishing, it’s worth the effort!
Here’s a bit more from an interview that was recorded live in January, just click here.
