I was laying in bed, brooding about my day when it came to me that I was having “Loud thoughts”. Loud because the increased volume and repetition of this thinking were demanding my attention and upsetting my peace. There would be no sleep with all this noise. Loud is insistent. She thinks we should … Continue reading Loud Thoughts
Time Blocking
I struggle at times to keep focused when I am reading or studying. The little voice in my head chirps in with helpful suggestions of tasks I could be doing instead... The washing, preparing food, mowing lawns! As a result, the time studying, can often feel like I’ve ticked a box, but not really. … Continue reading Time Blocking
Improvisational friends
I am constantly working on my listening skills and trying to keep the advice monster at bay. These good intentions of mine regularly need a reset, often daily, in an ongoing effort to “try again.” Michael Lewis on The Tim Ferriss podcast shared how he and his close friends tend to obey the rules … Continue reading Improvisational friends
Post Lockdown
Post lockdown needs all-hands on deck. It needs people who go the extra mile. Who exceed expectations. Who pick up the slack. Who say “Yes, I can” Instead of “No, I can’t.” Or “No, I won’t.” Post lockdown needs people who don’t need to be asked. Who don’t wait to be invited. Who will … Continue reading Post Lockdown
Seeing you
In our kiwi lockdown, the only outing you can have with your “bubble” is a local walk or bike ride. With so many of us out and about, getting fresh air and exercise, keeping the two-metre distance from oncoming pedestrians or cyclists in the name of social distancing is a bit of a tactical … Continue reading Seeing you
Bubble living
Here in New Zealand, we are on day 4 of the COVID19 lockdown. It's early days but so far these ideas are helping me keep our Bubble intact and joyful... I would love to hear yours, so please share in the comments section below. Let the people you live with, do lockdown their way. … Continue reading Bubble living
72 hours
Its probably been 25 years+ since I read the book, “The trick to money is having some” by Stuart Wilde but this quote thankfully surfaced in my mind this week... “You don’t need a million dollars necessarily or a stockpile of Swiss francs [or a store cupboard of toilet paper] to feel ok. It … Continue reading 72 hours
Fear-based stress
Today’s COVID-19 update will soon be known. My partner, watching the evening news, will feel compelled to share it with me. He knows I prefer life in a news-free bubble but still, he’ll come and say “I’ll just tell you this …” These updates and others like it, feel like someone’s recount of a … Continue reading Fear-based stress
The problem is me
When something isn’t going well with a relationship or a project we tend to look out. He’s at fault! She needs to change! We might accept part of the problem but it’s common to justify putting off our change until we first see change in the other. Everyone waits. Nothing happens. Here’s what the … Continue reading The problem is me
Dangling carrots
An insight has inspired me to view “upsets” as dangling carrots vying for my attention. “Look at ME”, they say. “Talk about ME.” “Think about ME.” “STAY AWAKE with me!” They distract! Sometimes for hours. Sometimes for days and for one or two “issues”; actual years! Disrupting, distorting, derailing: Progress, productivity, creativity. This dangling carrot: … Continue reading Dangling carrots