It's Tuesday at 2:00pm! (PST Time: I live and work from Southern California)
Currently, I'm exploring different leadership quotes on this blog post, and pulling out some application for all of us. This is part of my personal journey to keep growing, learning and being stretched! Join me each Tuesday at 2:00pm (PST). It will take you just a few minutes to read through the 2 sections of this post, but don't miss the final section where I share some of the things I'm reading, listening to and enjoying this week.
Russ
LEADERSHIP QUOTE:
"We have to slow the rhythm of rush in our lives so that the best of who are can emerge." Lysa TerKeurst
What does this stir up? Either write me HERE or comment at the end of the blog post HERE.
A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:
I've learned that most of us know what "slowing down our lives" means, we just have a difficult time actually doing it.
The other day, I laid in a raft in a pool and just stared at the sky, the palm trees, some birds flying over, and every now and then, a plane high in the sky. I spent about 90 minutes laying in that position, soaking in the sun, completely separated from technology, and just laying still.
90 minutes. Maybe more, I might have dozed off a couple of times.
When was the last time you just found a moment to STOP. To FLOAT. To BE STILL. To DREAM.
The quote above reminds us that when we can slow down the rhythm of our lives, something better emerges from that.
I don't know what emerged from my time in the pool. I was a little sunburned, I needed some water to drink, but I've thought about the view from that raft over the past few days and the deep blue color of the sky. I didn't miss my phone, and I don't regret the time I took to just stop.
When you're able to change up your pace, how do you feel? What emerges within in?
DEEPER STILL:
Melissa, at Simple Lionheart Life shares an article, "How to Slow Down: 20 Simple Ways to Slow Down and Enjoy Life". You can read the full article here, but I want to highlight 5 things from her list of 20. The comments are mine, and the main categories are hers.
#1) Get Outside
Like I mentioned above, getting outside into nature, feeling the wind blow and experiencing everything that is going on just sharpens your senses and replenishes you.
#2) Turn Off Your Phone
I actually went for a walk the other day without my phone. Of course, I always think that I need it in case of an emergency or in case someone needs me. The reality is that I'm about 10 feet from other people with phones almost at any point in my life. If there was an emergency, I'm not that far off the grid. I'm not talking about a 10-day hike through the wilderness, I'm talking about a 20-minute walk in my neighborhood. It felt great to be "untethered" for just a few minutes. We've convinced ourselves that we need to be accessible at all times.
#5) Savour Your Coffee or Tea
This took on new meaning when I ditched coffee for a week. I've found that I really enjoy the one or two cups I have each morning. I drink it slower, I smell it and I enjoy every aspect of making it and drinking it.
#12) Say No More Often
I was reminded last week that I don't have to say yes to everything. I need to say yes to my priorities, not others priorities. This is freeing and it's something I need to do more of.
#14) Clean Out Your Closet
In my life, clutter causes anxiety. There's something about cleaning out a closet, a desk drawer or a garage that is freeing. I'm in the middle of working through some of my "work clutter" and I'm just getting rid of stuff that I've allowed to accumulate.
Read the full list of 20 items, but I want to challenge you to simply identify ONE THING to put into practice today that might "slow your rhythm" down, then pay attention to what comes from that.
When was the last time you intentionally slowed down? What do you remember about what caused or forced that to happen? How did it make you feel?
Things I'm Reading, Listening To and Watching This Week:
Melissa, at Simple Lionheart Life shares an article, "How to Slow Down: 20 Simple Ways to Slow Down and Enjoy Life".
The stock market has been all over the place over the past few months. I still use Robinhood for free online trading. Get a free stock when you sign up HERE
Gina and I enjoyed this 10-part first season of The Lincoln Lawyer on Netflix. Lot's of twists and suspense in this. We enjoyed it!
Check out the work of Hope Ventures. I've had the privilege of doing some projects with them, and this past week learned more about an urban project in Los Angeles that has had some great results in their first cycle of entrepreneurial training. I endorse this organization and their vision to "fight poverty through opportunity".
For some great "Música Tropical" check out the Juan Luis Guerra Essentials playlist.