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Tag: connection

You can say “No.”

And when you do, you open up space in your life for more: More of what you want. More of what gets you closer to your goals. More of what serves you.

“No” is necessary.

Saying “No” forces to you to confront the parts of you that crave acceptance. The pieces that yearn to be liked and to please.

Your “No” might start an argument. You may disappoint someone close to you. But every time you say “Yes,” “Okay” or “Sure” when you really mean “No,” your heart shrivels.

Declining invitations and turning down offers doesn’t mean you’re a bad person. Your “No” doesn’t need to be swaddled in guilt. When you learn to say “No,” you show the people around you that you value your time. That you have priorities. That you care about things that matter and place emphasis on doing on your best work. That when you show up, you show up 110% and commit fully to the task at hand.

Practice saying “No” once this week.

36 ways to cultivate gratitude

  1. Write a letter.
  2. Meditate.
  3. Look at old photos.
  4. Go for a walk.
  5. Cook a special meal.
  6. Start a journal.
  7. Send flowers.
  8. Bake cookies.
  9. Take new photos.
  10. Compliment someone.
  11. Sit in nature.
  12. Praise a colleague.
  13. Call a relative.
  14. Hug warmly.
  15. Savor a cup of tea.
  16. Listen to soft music.
  17. Smile.
  18. Concentrate on your breathing.
  19. Acknowledge a stranger.
  20. Teach what you know.
  21. Block out time in your calendar.
  22. Surprise a loved one.
  23. Make a playlist.
  24. Wake up to watch the sun rise.
  25. Give to a meaningful cause.
  26. Watch the sun set.
  27. Observe your thoughts.
  28. Move slowly, intentionally.
  29. Volunteer.
  30. Do an online yoga class.
  31. Watch clouds pass.
  32. Download a new podcast.
  33. Start a new project.
  34. Recognize kindness.
  35. Say thank you.
  36. Love.

Power down

Do you power down your devices or put them to sleep? Are your machines and electronics constantly running or do you turn them off to conserve energy?

What about yourself?

When was the last time you gave yourself a day to “switch off” — a day disconnected from alerts and email dings and calendar reminders. A day powered down and turned inward to reflect and enjoy the people around you.

Schedule one day this week for a “digital detox.” Your smartphone can wait and whatever email arrives in your inbox will be there tomorrow.

Extend the life of your battery. Power down.

Close but not too close

Intimacy isn’t only found in relationships. The energy you put into work and into yourself also requires closeness, attention, warmth, and care.

How much effort are you putting forth? What are you holding back? Are you “all in” or hesitantly waiting to see how things pan out?

It is natural to build mechanisms to protect yourself from pain and disappointment and failure. But if the defenses you’ve built are stopping you from establishing meaningful relationships and putting your best work into projects that are important to you, it is worth evaluating whether such precautions are necessary.

Which boundaries are essential and which are limiting your growth as an individual, a partner, a colleague, and as a friend?

Ask yourself these two questions before writing marketing material

1. Who are you writing for? [audience]

Think about the audience you wish to target. What do they want? What do they need? What makes them care? What do you want them to do? What happens if they don’t do anything?

Know who you are writing for and tailor your messages accordingly.

2. What is your purpose? [aim]

To inform
To convince
To persuade
To propose
To invite
To ask
To confirm
To approve
To deny

Only after you have identified your audience and your aim can you produce writing that is clear, efficient, and results in desired outcomes.

What is your sacrifice?

If you don’t have an answer, you don’t love it enough.

If you care, REALLY care about (fill in blank with your: project, partner, job, client), you will sacrifice something. Results don’t come without sacrifice.

You might sacrifice time or quality or money or reputation or fame.

But if you don’t know what you have sacrificed, either you don’t care enough or you aren’t fully aware. And the only way you know if your efforts are worth anything is if you can identify what you have given up and what you have received in return.

Bonus: Read how Nepal has taught me about the sacrifices involved with love.