Give yourself permission

There is always great opportunity that comes from times of confusion. This is a great time to really have a good old conversation with yourself and a check in. The last time you did this was probably New Years Eve and the next time will probably be New Years Eve. So see this as a bonus time for yourself. I’m really not trying to undermine the severity of what we are experiencing globally in any way but I am here to shine a light and provide some tools on how you can energise yourself through this period.If you have never journaled – here is a great time to start. You can use any blank paper in the house – printing paper is fine or any plain notebook. I’m sure you have a good collection of unused notebooks from many conferences or corporate gifts over the years. Get one of those...Just start to write down your thoughts and feelings. Firstly this is a great way to release built up stress, emotions and thoughts that need a place with no judgement. Don’t hold back or limit yourself in any way. Literally do a brain dump to get all those circling thoughts onto paper so you can get out of your own way. I do this practice daily or at least every second day at the moment. Write until you feel you have released that you need to. There is no right or wrong way to journal.The next exercise is really fun – write down ‘What would excite me?’ This could be things like ‘write that book, take that course, learn a new language, etc.’. The point is to expand your mind to the possibilities you may be holding yourself back from. So in this enclosed space, at least let your mind wonder and don’t hold back. It doesn’t have to be realistic at the moment, don’t let finances or resources hold you back from writing down what you would love to do.Once you are done, read the list and see what stands out. Is there one thing you could start on now in a very simple way? Can you turn this time into a mini life experiment? If you have always wanted to write a book, get back to cooking, painting, learn a new skill – now is the time to do it. Schedule in one hour per day in the calendar and try that one thing. You can test the concept if it is really something you want to do. Many people have a book inside them they have been waiting to start. So schedule one hour every day to write – that’s what writers do. Just show up to the page every day. See if you really like it. Maybe you’ll discover you are a natural fiction writer or you enjoy blogging. YouTube gives you access to any course, program or skill you want to develop. Go to sites like Udemy.com and there are hundreds of courses available. Even Ivy League Universities have free online courses, this link comes from the brilliant newsletter Morning Brew.If one hour is not realistic for you, then find 20 minutes. If you stop checking email, WhatsApp and the news feeds every 10 minutes, I guarantee you that you find more than 20 minutes. Every day schedule in 20 minutes but show up to those 20 minutes – honour those 20 minutes and I’m really hoping you dedicate an hour at least to this. Consistency compounds – by the time you have left quarantine, you will have developed some fantastic skills.If you have no idea what to journal and if you still don’t know what would excite you – then use these prompts to get you going.

• What are the things that naturally energise you?
• What do you like to learn about?
• If you had a free afternoon, how would you spend it?
• What things come easily to you?
• What topic do you love talking about to others?
• In a bookstore, what topics do you naturally gravitate towards?
• What kinds of articles do you find yourself drawn to?
• When was the last time you felt energised?
• Whose life are you interested in or envious of?
• What do you spend most of your disposable income on?

There is one missing ingredient to all this. Once you have written your list and you have come up with one thing you would like to take action on – you need to give yourself permission.I know you may already feel like you are drowning in this situation with managing work and life as it is. You need to also include something fun for yourself and something that matters to you – just for you! Perhaps make this one thing something you do on a weekend only?A major reason that contributes to anxiety and stress is when you don’t feel like you are showing up in your calendar and everybody else’s needs come first. When you start inserting time for yourself daily and you show up to your meeting with yourself – that’s the only face to face meeting that’s going to happen so make sure you show up on time and take action – not in your PJ’s. You will feel lighter and momentum will boost your internal motivation and drive.Here’s to giving yourself permission to take action on what matters to you,Warm wishesLori