“Praise makes us brave.”
Barbara Sher is a wise woman who has inspired me for many years and did so again when I came across this quote from her. What a great reminder. Praising others can lift them and us. Praising ourselves is a wonderful addition to our inner voice.
When we praise others and ourselves, we also are practicing gratitude as well as telling the world and Universe what we want more of in our lives.
Have you noticed what is getting in your way?
Recently I started to look at what was getting in my way.
A pile of books is waiting to be read. Okay, more than a single pile.
Some were cookbooks. I do enjoy good food especially sharing good food, and preparing food together. Not only are the flavors, textures and beauty there for the savoring, so is the joy of creation and celebration of things coming together into a new innovation. Oh, and what we can learn from failures. I learned the importance of ‘proofing the yeast’ after creating a loaf of bread that when it fell on the floor, cracked a tile. And I learned the joy and appreciation of every successful loaf thereafter.
Some books are about business development and systems that have worked for others and which may work for my clients, for me. Just as important as following a recipe as written the first few times to better understand its components and purpose, so are business systems. After that experience, a few spices may be changed to make it more suitable to our pallets, to our businesses. In some cases the recipe may not be to our liking, nor effective in our business needs. Good to know. Be curious. Try recipes and systems on for size. See if they fit. Keep what works and release what doesn’t.
Other books are show personal development possibilities. Our own development and growth are the foundation for all the rest. Practicing alone has it merits and is greatly augmented with support and partnerships and groups of peers who will expand our perspectives and horizons.
Some books are for fun. Even in these I find nuggets of wisdom along with the chuckles and freedom from burdens by escaping into make believe to come back refreshed.
Books wait for you; they are ready when you are. Turns out they aren’t in the way, they are here as part of our support system.
What will you read today?
“What are you doing?”
“I’m making a cake.”
“What do you mean? We get cakes at the store.”
The above was an actual conversation when two young women saw me doing a cooking demo. The concept was all the more confusing to them as there wasn’t a box in sight as I was using raw materials to bake the cake from scratch.
Another time when I said I was going to make bread, again from scratch, confusion erupted as to why wouldn’t I just go to the bakery if the grocery store offerings where insufficient.
Why indeed.
Now it is more popular to know what is actually in the food that we are eating, then the key was convenience. Both are useful. Yet more than both of these, I like to bake. I learned at my grandmothers’ sides. They were both amazing bakers. My mouth waters at the memories.
At a book signing, Julia Child, my hero, asked me if I was a baker.
YIKES!
When a respected mentor asks you a question, your answer had better be right.
Gulp!
“Yes, I am a baker”, I replied to Julia.
“Oh, that is WONDERFUL! I am not and I so admire those who are,” said Julia, the great cook, teacher and world changer.
She too was WONDERFUL and I fully admit my bias.
Sometimes when you are different or misunderstood because others don’t have your same passions and visions, it is important to have a mentor or coach to support you, to help you see who you are and that yes, you are wonderful.
Seeing a cake made from scratch may not have totally changed the world for those two your women however it did change and widen their perspectives and options. The French bakery in town did make delicious baguettes from the imported French flour. I miss it to this day. The oatmeal bread from my grandmother’s recipe allows me to share the love and memories with those dear to me.
Is there something you want to do?
Whatch doin?
“When you’re a part of an established entity, there is so much incentive to maintain the status quo. A lot of times, the people who are leading are at the end of their careers, so they don’t want to throw everything up and see where it lands.” Katie Couric, Fast Company February 2015
Katie is right. And sadly this ‘status quo is good enough’ is also applied by others who are established in a functioning setting, sometimes just getting by, and yet the familiar, even the familiar evil, feels safer than making a change, especially a BIG (real or perceived) change.
I admit that there have been times in my life when I have stayed around tolerating a less than idea situation – and yes, sometimes it has been even less than that – just because it seemed easier and less scary to stay than to change.
An ultra simple example is leaving dirty dishes in the sink. Sure it is easier in the moment and after a couple of days it is scary to reach in there, but really?!? Not only is the kitchen less pleasant to enter, my favorite cup isn’t available for my morning tea.
Obviously this is an over simplification of the magnitude to which your own life can be impacted. How about when you stick around in a job that isn’t as great for you as you had once dreamed. It isn’t utilizing your gifts to even a medium level and thus deprives both you and the world of your greater contributions. Yes, me too. Fortunately with support I got through and came out on the other brighter side. This is not to say that there weren’t turbulents and challenges along the way.
Frankly it turned out that even those turbulents made me feel more alive and involved than I had felt for ages when in my stuckness. And it showed me that contributing my gifts of
are too important to keep hidden any longer.
Remember: Tolerating Less Than takes up the space and prevents the Great from coming into your world.
How about you, is there something that you are tolerating to maintain the current status quo? Does it need your attention and support?
Comment below.
Together we can make a difference bringing ideas to light.
And if you’d like additional information or support clarifying your vision, developing your implementation plan and team, finding the right tools to move from chaos to clarity to get your ideas implemented, click on the link below to schedule a complimentary strategy session https://www.timetrade.com/book/7YZTH
Or send us an email us at Support at BarbCotta.com.
Have you ever noticed that getting started is the hard part?
In physics they talk about overcoming inertia. What’s that mean? Well, let’s look at the example of launching a rocket. The actual biggest push is needed to get the rocket physically off the launch pad and into the sky. This is due to the pull of gravity – the energy that keeps us on the planet and pulled Newton’s apple to the ground.
In addition to this gravity that pulls falling apples to the ground, there are also other energy pulls such as surface tension. You’ve seen surface tension when you just barely overfill a container and the liquid rounds up and holds in place without spilling over. Sometimes when I am watering my plants, I pour on a bit too much water and I hold my breath hoping the drip tray underneath the plant dish will be able to hold the water from spilling over. Sometimes yes it rounds up around the edges, sometimes no it spills over when much too much water.
Now back to the rocket. Huge amounts of fuel are consumed to overcome gravity and get the stationary rocket into motion. Just like riding a bike, or traveling by car or train, at first when power is applied, there is no movement, then slowly things begin to move and eventually the action is speeding along with less extra fuel/effort/energy needed to maintain the motion. You’ve broken through the hurdle of inertia.
Doing project work happens much the same way. This time though, instead of rocket fuel, what you need is to overcome the inertia of stuckness to get the next phase happening.
Between you and me, I’m great at and love working with clients to clarify their vision, create the implementation plan, and get the right supplies and tools. Once there, some of the excitement evaporates. This is when extra fuel – motivation – is needed to over come gravity and surface tension. In this case, surface tension can show up as “What will people think?”. Gravity can show up as fear and risk (which may or may not be related to each other). Your “gravity” and “surface tension” may be different. For example, you may be wondering if you’ll have the supportive and knowledgeable team you need to provide energy to your project.
Once the project is off the launch pad and into motion/flight, the implementation phase is easy for me to complete with its challenges of success, partial success and failure. I’ve learned that all three provide valuable learnings for adjustments to greater than anticipated designs, results and success.
How and/or where do I find the fuel to overcome my gravity and surface tension stuckness? Being aware of my Big Why is key – both for me personally as well as for the project. Connecting into the actual Big Why of what will become available is what reminds, inspires, and motivates into action overcoming inertia. For me it isn’t just about the money nor even the one specific result, rather it is about the positive differences that learning can make for individuals and our world.
Before you get upset about the fact that money can be an actual issue, especially when there doesn’t seem to be enough to pay for the project, the right tools, or even food and a roof over your head, let me assure you that I do understand and have shared those same concerns. What I know from the other side is that you need to get started right where you are in this moment. Even when it seems like nothing is visible, doing the necessary work and actions will build up momentum and over time you will see signs of progress. With continuing energy input aka Work, you will reach lift off. Along the way you will make adjustments and perhaps use some duct tape. That’s okay. Workarounds have been known to create better and new creations.
Right now it is time for me to Get Started – put on my sneakers and open the front door so I can go out to get some exercise in nature. [Overcoming surface tension: opening the front door. Overcoming gravity: starting exercise. Fuel: being in nature. Big why – health and inspiration.]
What will you do to Get Started?
Share your comments below.
And if you’d like additional information or support clarifying your vision, developing your implementation plan and team, finding the right tools to move from chaos to clarity to get your ideas implemented, click on the link below to schedule a complimentary strategy session https://www.timetrade.com/book/7YZTH
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You know you are far from the equator, in my case far north, when you hear yourself say:
“Oh good, it’s warmed up enough to snow.”
Subzero temperatures on the thermometer mean the air will not hold enough moisture for precipitation, aka snow, to happen.
It is all a matter of perception and mindset that can make the difference in your experience and can impact your success in life, both real and perceived.
In the case of snow, it can be a sign of ‘warmer’ weather as above. OR it can be the sign of yet more shoveling required. By the end of the winter season finding space for more shoveled snow can be a challenge when several feet of snow are already on the ground. Yes, I am from that far north.
Similarly when receiving a shipment of supplies, you could be delighted to now have more options to offer your customers OR overwhelmed by wondering where and how you will store all this additional stuff.
Likewise when you are writing, the first hundred words may feel too big to accomplish for that English literature class essay OR just barely the beginning of your project proposal to take your company to the next level.
While it may not always be easy to find the possible positive(s) in any given scenario, taking the time and energy needed to do that will result in easier flow moving forward rather than sinking into smothering the situation with negative thoughts and words.
Negativity increases your energy burden while Positivity can add lightness (pun intended).
What will you do to add positive light to your situation?
Comment below.
If you’d like additional information or support on moving from chaos to clarity to get your ideas implemented, click on the link below to schedule a complimentary strategy session : https://www.timetrade.com/book/7YZTH
The old training taught that you should be able to do everything yourself.
Have you tried that? I have. Sometimes with good results, a few even great results. Yet, there have been those occasions when the disappointment builds along with the frustration.
A wise person (okay more than one as it turns out) told me JUST ASK. Well with the above mentioned old training, the JUST didn’t apply. However, I have begun to practice the more important part ASK.
The results have increased the percentages of good and great occurring. I do sometimes wait a bit too long to ask as I like to see if I can figure it out. And I am thankful that there are those who are willing to answer my ASK. And that I am learning to RECEIVE.
ASK and RECEIVE.
How’s your practice?
When going for your dream, hold space for the dream and for you.
Brilliance is an inside job. Wisdom Sage
BarbCotta.com 