I finally got on my cat, Rumi’s wavelength this morning. 
I have been feeling uncomfortable lately and a new friend of mine, John McGrail, a great hypnotherapist in Los Angeles, gave me a ‘homework’ assignment to just sit still each morning and take 21 deep long breaths. If I lose count, I have to start over, but I am to just sit through 21 continuous deep breaths, counting. That’s all.
This morning, I sat down on my couch in my living room, which has this gorgeous view and softened my gaze out across the part of Topanga Canyon where I live.
And as I breathed, what worked for me was to imagine that with every breath in, I was filling myself with the energy from the whole Universe (now bear with me, I know this sounds way out there, but it works!). I imagined that energy coming from way way up in the stratosphere, the music of space, and from the earth, I could almost feel the dust of all parts of the planet, it was kind of amazing, because I didn’t expect that at all. Wow. Here was the fun part: once I opened my eyes, both my cats were sitting stock still, in their own meditative state. I never realized that’s where my cat was when she was staring off into space until I could feel myself there with her. I have a lot to learn from those critters!
Right now, I feel energized, clear and calm. That is a good thing! All from just 21 deep breaths.
So...on to more practical matters. I have recently returned from Las Vegas, a favorite getaway spot of mine---I just love the direction that city is going in! It’s not only got some of the best entertainment in the world, but the souvenirs are getting better and better!! Anyway, I was only there for about 18 hours, as I was invited to speak at the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) conference, which is still in full swing. I was scheduled to be at the amazing, gorgeous Wynn Hotel by 6:30am to speak to a group of intrepid early-risers on time management. Just walking the hallways of that elegantly and tastefully appointed hotel was such an inspiration for me, especially at that early hour when no one else was around except the hard core gamblers who were still up from the night before.
During my talk, what I noticed people became most excited about was the idea that how we manage time is not so much about our schedules as about what is important to us, our priorities. We all do what we choose to do all day long, so if you find yourself procrastinating, losing focus, getting distracted, maybe there is another way to approach managing your time. The only way to feel more in control of your time is to change the way you think.
Brian Tracy, in his excellent book on Time Management called Eat That Frog! says that you can’t really gain control of your life until you pinpoint those activities that really make a difference in your day and focus your energies on them, rather than attending to the myriad of non-productive activities that bog us down and eat up our time. (Sound familiar?) Don’t confuse activity with productivity! Make your actions purposeful and in service to your most impactful goal.
So, what is your goal and what is your deadline? Let me hear your comments. The best way to do it is to set a clearly measurable number (“I weigh xxx lbs or I earn $xx,xxx,xxx.xx”) for a clearly measurable date in the future and keep that goal in mind every day. Set your goal in present tense so that you can live it, breathe it, be it and you will see incredible results!
If you have been struggling with managing your time and would like to have someone help you with accountability and support, I offer telephone coaching from anywhere in the world. Just email me for more information: phonehelp@inperfectorder.com and I would be glad to chat with you to see if we are a match!
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((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Jessica -:¦:-
Come visit me at my In Perfect Order Organizing website, where you can sign up for phone coaching, a quote for your garage and check out our list of great organizing resources!
