here’s your gentle place to begin today.
tiny story
There comes a moment in the middle of the push to achieve our goals when the wisest choice we can make is to pause. Breathe. Slow down and allow ourselves to become still. This act of reflection is not a luxury, but a necessity.
Necessary because constant action without calibration risks ending up in a destination quite distant from where we want to go.
Necessary because movement without focus creates a churn that depletes.
Necessary because when we set aside distraction, we make room to uncover choices that are near, but appear out of reach when we’re inundated by the noise.
Take the walk. Drink that cup of water. Hold a warm cup of tea. Gently stretch your back. Look up from the screen. Breathe deep. Lean back and look up at the sky.
What if you were still?
shift
5-ingredient tiny story shift toolkit
because the connection and growth we crave happens one small choice at a time
Here are 5 thoughtful tweaks to help you implement this tiny story shift in your day:
Stop what you’re doing. Find a window, a door, or an opening in the room you are in. Close your eyes (if it’s safe to do so). Or just allow yourself to still. Take one deep breath.
Release the expectation that says I should have already figured this out by now. Try replacing it with, I am learning. I am growing. The most powerful thing I can do is to keep showing up.
Ask yourself, What really needs to be done right now? What can wait? Make a short list. Cross everything off of the list except the one thing that is most connected to everything else you’re moving towards. (That way you are focusing your energy on what is most core to you, rather than on everything else you could do or expectations that surround you. (When that one thing is done (or you’ve chipped away a sufficient chunk), appreciate your progress. Then repeat.))
Pick one meeting on your calendar (in your personal or professional life) and make it a walking (or movement) meeting. Invite the person you’re meeting with to join you (whether on the phone, or in person). If walking isn’t an option for you, consider a different activity that will allow you to release stress while being productive together.
Go drink a cup of water.
Use what you need, allow the rest to remain. Try at least one, at least once. I’ll see you tomorrow.