“I want to go back to bed, pull the covers over my head and have somebody wake me up when my 401(k) bounces back., I don't know about you, but I'm finding myself so jittery about, well everything, that it's all I can do to surf the net. Kind of ironic, isn't it? I should be working more, but I'm so anxious… that I'm actually working less”
When I read friend and humorist Lisa McLeod’s thoughts from her Forget Perfect newsletter, I found myself nodding my head. I've felt some of what she’s talking about, on and off, for a few weeks.
However, this month’s been much better – I’ve been more productive, more hopeful and more focused. The result: new business ideas, new potential alliance partners, more energy, more fun and more waking-up-ready-to-go-days, more often. Not much has changed in the world but the biggest change has been…
…within me. I’ve gotten back to being more choose--y and selective about where I place my focus and my time. I’ve decided that staying glued to the financial and news channels, following every up and every down, only drags me down. Especially if I’m deciding whether things are working out or not working out based on the latest peak or valley.
The only thing that’s different from last month to this month is my focus.
I can’t control outside circumstances, I can’t control the world or even one other person. This month I re-remembered that It’s not my job to try to change the world. The only control I have is where I decide to focus my energy and time. This month, I’m being more deliberate about where I focus. This takes daily practice for it to become a habit. Here are some simple thiings that helped me shift:
· Writing lists of appreciation - I try to write until I run out of things to write or until I feel a sense of relief - I do this every day, sometimes, several times a day! (I have notebooks everywhere – in my car, in my office, all over my house)
· Spending more time and energy with people (and on projects) that are interesting and challenging to me
· Planning my days, the night before, by picking 3-6 high leverage actions that I WILL complete the next day (no more 50 item to-do lists to overwhelm me as I start the day)
· Turning off news and tv shows that are depressing and negative
· Discontinuing the delivery of the local news paper (I'm surprised I don't miss it at all.)
· Making deliberate efforts to focus on what IS working, not adding to or chiming in, when others are complaining
· Taking time to appreciate clients and friends by sending out Thanksgiving cards, with hand-written notes of appreciation in every card.
· When I first wake up, saying and meaning: “Today, no matter where I go, no matter what I do, I choose to focus on what I want to see. ”
It’s a different month. Outside circumstances and events are pretty much the same. But I’m different. I’m more rested, more available, more active and more on target with my personal and business intentions.
I know that this more positive orientation is one that takes practice and focus. When I stopped focusing my efforts I was influenced by others who are mostly well-meaning, but who are only documenting, exaggerating and talking about what’s wrong. There’s a place for looking at what you don’t want, but if we pitch a tent and stay there, we get stuck, feel anxious and want to crawl under the covers and hide.
I choose to see what’s wrong, I don’t want to be ignorant. But once I see it, I'm determined to then turn my focus toward the desired improvement I want to see. I 'm so pleased to know that I'm I in charge of where I focus and that I can choose. With this type of focus I can live the wake up eager lifestyle I believe is available to everyone, which is a life that is strong, purposeful, joy-filled and authentic.
"You intended to discover a way to feel good, no matter what, because you
have the facility; you have the power; you have the ability to focus. You
have the ability to choose where you focus, therefore, you have the ability
to offer vibration deliberately; therefore, you have the ability to choose
the way you feel. But it takes some practice.."
have the facility; you have the power; you have the ability to focus. You
have the ability to choose where you focus, therefore, you have the ability
to offer vibration deliberately; therefore, you have the ability to choose
the way you feel. But it takes some practice.."
Abraham-Hicks Publications
Now it's your turn - What are some of the things you do to pull yourself out of a slump?
Please share.
