Like many of you, I’ve been going through major transitions in the last couple of years. The economy has definitely impacted my business, and my personal life has also changed substantially. My long-term marriage came to an end, and a new relationship is beginning to blossom. I changed residences, took on new responsibilities and let go of others.
I’m finding that it’s time for me to re-evaluate my own priorities by using a coaching tool I offer every new client. It’s called the Wheel of Life, and it allows me to see a snapshot of what’s working and what isn’t working in the areas of career, money, physical environment, significant other/romance, personal development, family and friends, fun and recreation and health.
The idea of the wheel is to rank each of these categories, notice where the gaps are between where you are and where you’d like to be, and how evenly distributed these areas of your life are. How smooth is the ride if your career is at a 6, but your health is at a 3?
In looking at my own, I realize that I’m now choosing to focus more on fun and recreation and romance than any of the other pie pieces. As many of you have recently reflected back to me, I’ve been operating at a high level of self-sufficiency and can take my foot off the gas for awhile and still have plenty of forward momentum. That’s what I’m choosing consciously to do.
I have decided to take the month of July off from marketing, webinars, blogging and networking. I’m going to be quiet, relax, hike, spend time in nature and swing in a hammock during this time. I’m going to vacation with my kids for several days.
I’ll be attending the Kushi Macrobiotic Conference again (my 5th time) and will use the rest of the month to relax, swim, read and pore through old journals for inspiration and instruction. I’m going to watch grass grow and spend time doing nothing.
I often recommend this to my own clients. Now the coach is taking her own prescription and trusting that the Universe wants exactly that from me–to do nothing and allow it to manifest whatever is next. There’s a heap of trust involved in letting go to this extent, but I’m crystal clear that it’s what I need to do.
I’m looking forward to a busy June and an August that is full of promises for the fall. I know I’ll return to my office renewed and reinvigorated. You can look forward to a full report (after a month of silence) when I get back.
Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world.
Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.
~Rumi
Good for you, Jane! And thank you for sharing and letting us know that absolutely everyone needs to take a break sometimes…..and re-focus. Enjoy your time away!
Wendy
@Wendy
I hope a few of you who may be on the fence about taking a break will join me. Thanks for the affirmation!
I am finding that I want to incorporate this approach for myself too, but more on a continuous basis. Spending the very first part of my day writing in my journal, process painting, reading something spiritual and inspirational, and walking in nature all all ways that I hold onto the retreat mode in my daily life. I know this sounds way too time consuming for busy women,but you can MAKE the time if you choose to do so.
Hope your time will be enjoyable and restful.
What a great post, and so thrilled to hear about all the positive things happening on your new journey. I broke my foot a few weeks ago and had to cancel a long planned trip to Paris and London. You can imagine my disappointment. But I do think perhaps “the universe” was telling me to slow down and, as you said, watch the grass grow a bit. As I have been less mobile, I have been writing more and am trying to embrace my current temporary vantage point. I won’t be taking the same sort of break as you, but a different one. For me, it’s more about having to go with the flow, embracing what I can’t control and turning it into an opportunity. Enjoy your break!