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Writer's pictureStephen

Before you think I am going to be political with this post, I am actually thinking about DIY projects, perfection, and kids.


I've shared with you before I am working on a couple of backyard projects and several of them require building. As with most DIY projects, there is an acceptable level of tolerance allowable that might be different than if you were hiring a professional to install and finish your cabinets. For example, the dirt box I built to help hold dirt on the side of my house didn't really require precision measuring, but the posts for my patio cover required a little more accuracy. However, even those had an acceptable level of tolerance (so don't look too closely if you come over).


That got me thinking that having an acceptable tolerance level is actually a great antidote to perfection. If I needed everything in my backyard to be perfect, I would still be working on the very first project, not moving on to the next one (kind of like the GETMO idea). While that may be true for projects, it can be a bit more challenging with people!


This is where the kids come in. Most first-time parents recognize the desire for everything to be perfect, and the quick crashing in of reality! You want everything to be just right, or as they grow, for them to do things the "right way," but you soon discover that when you allow for an acceptable level of tolerance, they may not be doing things wrong, they are just doing things their way (which might not be the same as your way). Kids helped teach me that if I let go of my ideas of perfection, and I am willing to embrace an acceptable level of tolerance, I discover the beauty of their individuality and what helps them be their unique selves.


In what areas of your life might you be able to use an acceptable level of tolerance to let go of perfection? Could it help you actually discover the uniqueness of someone in your life instead of thinking they are just wrong? How might you apply an acceptable level of tolerance to yourself, and could that help you take some steps forward instead of waiting to make sure you don't mess up? 


Here's to finding an Acceptable Level of Tolerance this week!


Be Well,

Stephen


Center was created to support individuals and teams so they can live from their Purposeful Center.  We specialize in professional coaching and leadership development and we’d love to support you!  Click on our Services page to book a free consultation.

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Writer's pictureStephen

You have probably heard of a time study where you keep track of where and how you are using your time. This can be a really helpful tool for brining mindful awareness to places where time may be used more wisely.  


But have you ever heard of an Energy Study? Same basic concept, except instead of paying attention to your use of time, you pay attention to the way Energy Flows and how you tend to use it.


For example, I was recently talking with someone about their desire to give some time and space to a new creative effort.  In the course of our conversation, we processed their Energy Flow and discovered that the mornings are a time when they feel at their most alert and sharp. So, they scheduled some creative time for the morning.  Similarly, another friend and I discussed how their Energy is super low in the morning, but they feel like they can get twice as much done between 9 PM and midnight, so they are considering how to use that discovery to their advantage.


Now, maybe you are thinking, "That might be nice, but I have this thing called a job that requires certain hours from me." Or perhaps you're like my other dear friend who says, "I'm not really a morning or a night person. I'm more of a brunch person!"  I certainly understand there are outside influences that dictate components of our schedule and lives, but how could paying attention to our Energy Flow help us work within the frameworks that we have?


What are the tasks that require the most attention from you, and how might being aware of your Energy help you schedule or prioritize those? Are you like me and have an Energy slump in the afternoon? If so, are there projects that require less focus or that involve more activity and movement that could work well in those times? And what about the responsibilities that you know require a lot of Energy from you? How are you resting before and after them to make sure your overall Energy levels aren't getting too depleted?


Here's to working with our Energy Flow this week!


Be Well,

Stephen


Center was created to support individuals and teams so they can live from their Purposeful Center.  We specialize in professional coaching and leadership development and we’d love to support you!  Click on our Services page to book a free consultation.

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Writer's pictureStephen

I facilitated a team collaboration experience last week. One of the tools I invited the group to utilize is something I affectionately call, "The Golden Rule of Brainstorming & Improv Comedy." It's the simple statement, "Yes, and...!"  I've shared about this idea in the past, and in light of our national holiday this week, I thought of another application for it.


As we celebrate the 4th of July this week, we will hear lots of calls to celebrate the freedoms we have as people who live in America.  There is certainly a place for truly being grateful for our freedom!  And...as a professional coach one of the frameworks I use on a regular basis is asking people what their next steps are to help them keep moving forward. One of the questions I sometimes use to frame this forward approach is, "And what would you like to do about that?"


When I couple these two ideas together, it seems like we could easily add a simple "Yes, and..." to our gratitude for having freedom. In other words, it seems like the real question related to this freedom is, "What do we want to do with it?!"  Yes, let's celebrate and be grateful we have all of this hard-won freedom in our lives, AND how are we going to use these freedoms in a way that takes them seriously and with the amount of responsibility they demand.  


For example, how do we want to use our freedom for the common good of our fellow citizens? Do we need to raise our voice and speak up with anyone trying to convey a message for some kind of change? How does voting fit into the "yes, and..." mindset connected to our freedom? Is there someone around us who is being overlooked, and how could we be an advocate for them in a way that helps them feel seen and heard? What other ideas come to your mind?


Yes, we can and should celebrate and be grateful for our freedom, AND how are we going to respond to that freedom we have been given?


Here's to considering our "yes, and..." responsibilities as we celebrate our freedom this week!


Be Well,

Stephen


Center was created to support individuals and teams so they can live from their Purposeful Center.  We specialize in professional coaching and leadership development and we’d love to support you!  Click on our Services page to book a free consultation.

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