Photo Pause: Garden Play

In the midst of work-related navel gazing, dreaming and plain old elbow grease, the garden sits growing dutifully, waiting for someone to take notice.

I don't find my gardens this year to be particularly superb at first glance, but once one starts to look a little more closely, oh there is beauty to be found...

garden happy

sunny tendril

leaf light

white spire

shady tendril

Judi's bloom - this perfect bloom was in my friend's garden,

I couldn't resist capturing it with my camera

What beauty lies in your garden? Look closely, I guarantee you will find it.

Say YES to Your What-ifs + 3 NEW Planning & Productivity Packages

ta-dah!

After reading my last post, some of you might wonder how - or why - on earth one would quit a solid paying job with solid benefits to put one's self through such turmoil! But others, I know, are not wondering at all; you know why.

You get it.

You know it's about not wanting to settle, about being tired of feeling stuck. It's about answering the call to explore what's out there instead of constantly wondering what if.

It's about giving it your best shot even if there are no guarantees, because not trying at all would be too painful.

None of this stuff is specific to my wanting to create meaningful work. You might feel called to clear out the guest bedroom and turn it into a studio, set up a blog, or finally create that new amazing product/e-course/line of greeting cards that's been sitting on the back burner for the past six months, but for some reason, you haven't quite gotten to it.

Feeling stuck sucks, there's no need to stay there. You're ready to move on.

One small action at a time, give your projects and what-ifs the attention they deserve. When you do that, you'll feel better about yourself. When you feel better about yourself, good things happen.

Make good things happen.

~~~

I'm now offering 3 NEW one-on-one planning & productivity consultation packages to help YOU gain traction on your dreams and goals. Clarity, momentum, and gentle accountability is what it's all about.

Sometimes all it takes is that perfectly timed nudge to get you moving. Go see!

Work Transition Checkpoint: Almost 9 Months In (a Checkpoint of Truths)

[Warning: It's long and it's real. I spill; there's no sugar-coating here.]

The last few months of my work transition journey have been coloured with action, many steps outside of my comfort zone, much needed rest, joyful disbelief at the prospect of being paid to do such fulfilling work, and frustration at the fact that it's still a "prospect" at this point in time and not yet reality.

I'm dealing with questions related to my relationship with money, independence and marriage, and vulnerability. I expected the money issues to crop up (they did a long time ago), but I wasn't ready for the rest.

This checkpoint is an honest, raw braindump of transition-related "truths", as they stand today:

~ Truth is, by focusing on my dream of creating work that supports the life I want to live, we're putting D.'s dream of home ownership on hold. Truth is, I feel guilty about that.

~ Truth is, I want to own a home too. Maybe even that funky 1950s one with the vaulted ceiling, oodles of natural light, greenhouse and faux pine-panelled "conservatory"; the one that I noticed about a month ago, that D. noticed this week, listed at a lower price. Truth is, until I bring in revenue, it's most likely not going to happen (but I'm open to options, Universe!).

~ Truth is, I still believe - perhaps naively - that one dream doesn't have to come at the expense of the other. It may just be a question of timing; I'm a little impatient, that's all. Patience isn't one of my fortes.

~ Truth is, I'm a little disappointed at the speed at which I am working. I'm a slow, methodical worker - also sometimes known as a perfectionist, which means I don't "ship out" very quickly. I want to experiment with quicker production. I am not afraid to work hard at a sustainable capacity.

I could always take up the bagpipe...

~ Truth is, I'm still proud of all the things I did produce this year: a mailing list with consistent mailouts, a Monthly Planning Kit (sign up for the mailing list and it's yours, FREE!), a Facebook page, a pilot workshop called Creating Intentional Spaces, twice-a-week blog posts, consultations on workshop planning and key content messaging for presentations, beta consultations for my upcoming Get Clear, Get Moving offerings, new artwork and a renewed online shop, the basic structure of a new website (coming soon), specific money and marketing goals, a guest post here and a new regular contribution here, and deeper relationships with kindreds who are on a similar journey. I write this not to boast, but to acknowledge how far I've come. It's how I give myself the encouragement that I need.

~ Truth is, I can't wait to get to work in the morning. I love what I'm doing. I also love working from home and having the flexibility to set my own work hours.

~ Truth is, I want to make this work. Really badly. On some days I waver in my belief that it can be done; luckily on most, I'm optimistic.

~ Truth is, I don't know how it's all going to turn out and when I stop to think about it, that makes me very uncomfortable. So I continue plugging away and doing whatever I can do that's within my control. I also practice faith. It doesn't always come easily.

~ Truth is, it's a fine line between acknowledging the lows and what they're trying to tell me, and dwelling on them. Thankfully, I bounce back much faster than I did even six months ago. Much, much faster.

~ Truth is, I get excited at the thought of all the projects I want to make real! And I do believe many of them have the potential to create revenue. This excites me even more.

~ Truth is, this is one of the deepest personal learning experiences since my divorce. That's not necessarily a bad thing.

~ Truth is, I think I am worthy of work that fulfills me and allows me to live a life that is rich (not just financially), healthy and meaningful. I will give this transition everything I've got.

~ Truth is, I think you're worthy of it too.

Goals, Right Pace and Self-Compassion

June was a high energy, full-paced month; July, not so much. I'm cool with that.

I'm very aggressive with my monthly goals. I prefer aiming high even if it means sometimes I miss the target. It may not be the most effective way to go about it, but it works for me.

I think one of the key reasons I can do this is because I practice self-love, embracing the notions of right pace and self-compassion.

Right pace and self-compassion are the perfect companions to planning and goal-setting.

"Achievement without self-love is empty. Goals without flexibility and breathing room are punishments. I am learning that how I hold my own hand on this journey determines the nature of success I will have. I don’t want to 'arrive' anywhere without my own self-love."

~ Tama J. Kieves

When I miss my target, I know if I really could have met it. I know if I could have made different choices and pushed myself a bit more. I also know when I made the right choice to let it go.

Through experimentation and observation, I discover my right pace.

Find your right pace. Make plans. Know when to let them go.

When you're setting your goals, wiggle room is a must; it's just more fun that way.

Photo Pause: Vacation @ Cottage #2, Trees and Greenery

A photo pause of greenery from our vacation at the cottage. There are a few more photos than usual in this one. It was just too hard to choose.

pine forest on a calm morning

leaf, drop, treetops

climbing under a vibrant canopy

I couldn't resist the birches in the evening sun...

... nor could I resist the birch bark.

there were pines too, white and red

red pine bark

an enchanted forest right at our doorstep