Give Yourself

At a recent Forbes event the Silicon Valley editor for the same publication was banging a familiar drum - "companies need to cultivate self-awareness, they need to ask themselves who are we, what do we do, who do we serve, how do we communicate, how do we innovate??"

It's a pretty familiar thing- this mission statement- esque line of questioning. But have you ever asked yourself those very same questions?

• Who AM I? This isn't far from the existentialist angst you might have felt as a teenager (or still feel). And answering it requires you to both acknowledge any external qualifiers you might have been born into or chosen (gender, race, profession, etc.). But the question is also a tool to surface new insights into how to BE more true to YOU in the midst of everyday mayhem. If you treasure that you are a person of grace and creativity, remember that the next time the #@&*% hits the fan
• What do you DO? What are the doings that comprise your day? What would you like more/less of? This is the roadmap to shifting and optimizing your life.
• What do you SERVE? At 70-something, my friend Josephine sells aromatic oils in front of the Barnes & Noble. She told me last week that when she conceives of herself as a teacher and guide, she feels a whole lot better about herself and finds herself more confidently tapping into her own creativity and wisdom in talking to passers by. They get more wisdom from her and buy more. If she is in SERVICE to selling the bottles, it is a drag. If she is in SERVICE to wisdom and connecting, it is an interchange of beauty.
• How do you COMMUNICATE? The other day I was crossing the street and a cute woman my age was waiting on the opposite corner. OH, I thought, what a cute outfit she put together, boots, cute huggy cap, tights - I was inspired and moved. Then she rolled her eyes and turned her nose into a sneer. Communication is more than words.
• How do you INNOVATE? What do you know about what makes you creative? Have you ever noticed when your best ideas seem to happen? By paying attention to how you innovate, you will know exactly what conditions to create the next time you are stumped.

By walking around with these questions, you walk around with an active relationship to yourself, both in terms of who you are as well as with acknowledgement of who you most deeply want to be.

Stress Busting

What if three little reminders exposed any stressor you have AND gave you a break? Try these out...

1. This is not going to last forever. Remembering that everything comes to an end is a great way from going into hyper panic when confronting stressful situations. Get through it, one breath at a time, easy does it, let go and let God, these adages pepper our cultural wisdom because they are right!
2. This doesn't mean anything about you as a person. Generally, these moments stress us out because in some way they threaten our sense of self or sense of safety. Remembering that you will be intact exactly as the person you are once the situation passes is a great way to be that same amazing person through it.
3. After all, the adrenaline is kind of fun. Remaining cognizant that the rush of adrenaline and drama is a bit of a kick, entertaining and engaging, focus worthy, and what the hell - appealing to your inner drama king or queen - allows you to back off a bit and enjoy the ride.

Since we know stress is a natural response to change and uncertainty, these little reminders can help you remain at the center of any storm.

You Move Too Fast: The 15 Second Slow Down

Stop. Right now. Whatever you are doing. Take a deep breath and soften your eyes. Imagine your nostrils are opening to receive your breath and your entire torso is expanding fully, completely. Exhale with just as much attention - what moves, how does it feel?

Repeat this full cycle two times between actions - before you start a meeting, between emails, before a meal.

This 15 second slow down creates an inner experience of spaciousness that has nothing to do with how hectic your day is. In that spaciousness you allow your attention to drop out of the chatter of the mind and ground your energy to be fully present for whatever the next task or pleasure may be!