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CATALYST NEWS
Eva Dahm, CPCC, MA
July, 2003
Dedicated to your growth and exploration
TAKE TIME TO RELAX
Many of us have so much to do we rarely take
time to sit and relax. The time to let our minds
wander, let our bodies catch up with us, or let
our creative juices flow is in short supply. With
cell phones and pagers and a sense that we want
to be available at all times, it is difficult
to have a time of peace and quiet.
The benefits of an adult "time out"
are numerous-a chance to reflect on our lives
and our future paths or simply a well-needed break.
Sundays used to be for resting until our busy
schedules forced us to do errands and meetings
on that day, too. It takes time for our bodies
to catch up with our minds. When we are not in
our bodies we sometimes bump into things or stumble.
Our minds can move rapidly and move through space
and time, our bodies cannot. Resting gives our
bodies time to catch up. Daydreaming while relaxing
is a wonderful source of creativity-allowing our
minds to wander and putting ideas together in
new ways.
HOW TO RELAX?
How do you relax? Do you need a beach and a deserted
island? Do you require an official "vacation"?
How often do you let yourself unwind, chill out,
or daydream in a normal day or a routine week?
My summer "to do" list is topped with
a task I frequently ignore-relaxing and enjoying
the season. I have one speed-drive. I say I am
a recovering Type A because I have moved my speed
from overdrive to drive. But I still demand a
great deal from myself. I always have a list of
business or household chores.
It's easier for me to actually sit on the deck
for awhile than it is to turn off my mind's chatter.
The mind is saying that I haven't done enough
today. I believe I can only "Rest After Work
Is Complete." (This is a portion of the Myers
Briggs judging preference.) Those of you who believe
in "Play First and Work Will Eventually Get
Done" may be having trouble understanding
my approach. (This is part of Myers Briggs perceiving
preference.) More than half of us are judging
preference, and we hear similar voices urging
us on to more tasks.
LOOKING BACK
It has been helpful for me to reflect on how
summers seemed when I was a kid. Long, endless
days of sun and warmth with no schedule but tons
of exciting possible adventures: walking in the
cornfield, biking to the country, wading in the
streams, or playing in the rain. I recall staying
outside to play until it was so dark we couldn't
see each other.
What do you recall from summers when you were
young? Can you reclaim a piece or two of your
summer memories?
SEASON FOR RESTING
To gain perspective, it's useful to think of
the times in our lives like the seasons. I believe
we have times that mirror the seasons as we go
through life-weeks or months or years. When I
began my coaching business, it was springtime.
Many mentors advised "planting seeds"
at this time without expectations of immediate
results. Then the time of growth and development
(summer) when things begin to happen without me
pushing. As plants yield fruit or vegetables (fall),
the seeds of business began to pay off with clients
and opportunities. And finally the time of laying
fallow before the next new beginning (winter)
is as important as the planting. The renewal of
the soil (our own creative souls) is the key to
the success of the next planting or idea.
These "seasons" can occur as frequently
as we make changes in our lives or careers. It
is helpful to label the times when we shift gears
so we can be in the flow and not pushing inappropriately.
What time is it for you? How will you accept
the time and flow with it?
BENEFITS
Relaxing refreshes us for the next day or week.
It also opens us to new possibilities. Taking
time off is a wonderful tool in creating the next
idea, project or stage in our growth. Many times
my clients work with me because they simply need
time to stop and reflect each week. Several of
my career clients are helped most by taking the
time to get to know themselves-their values, life
purpose and goals.
How can you create moments to relax today? What
would give you a mini-vacation experience this
weekend? How can you embrace this summer?
Good luck. And please excuse me while I go sit
outside and listen to the catbird sing.
eva dahm
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