Rosa’s monthly ho’ohana for October is a great one: closure. As in, what’s left on your 2005 to-do list that still needs doing?
Year-end closure? In October?
But follow Rosa’s line of thinking: with November and December full of holidays, and other end of year to-do’s, October is a great month to lighten the load in preparation for the new year.
She is challenging her readers to choose a project that’s nagging them, commit to finishing it, and take the steps to complete it. By the end of October.
I’m game – I’m reorganizing my home office space so that it works better for how I’m currently using it. Ready, set, go!
Rosa’s nudge is getting me off the dime on this project. I found I
could choose and commit quickly. Making this commitment to myself
another thought to mind: how can I apply this principle daily, not just
monthly, to help me make choices and move forward with integrity?
It suddenly came to me: if the activity I’m considering – in my
work, or at home – doesn’t promote or improve my health or the health
of my family, I’m not going to do it.
Working part-time as a consultant and coach, I have a limited number
of hours to work, and a number of clients and projects to track and
attend to. It’s important that I use my limited time well and
effectively, so that I’m not finding my work encroaching on my other
priorities as a mom of young kids. I recently outlined all my work
projects and commitments and the hours I will dedicate to each one.
Whether something promotes my or my family’s health (physical,
emotional, financial) is a bit broad, and may leave a little too much
room for interpretation, but I think it may work. Here’s a sample of
how I used this idea last night:
Watching TV? No.
Drinking a glass of water instead of eating a bowl of ice cream? Yes.
Taking some time for myself to read and reflect? Yes.
To know what I’m choosing, that I have a choice, that I’m actively
choosing my life, rather than blindly accepting the status quo: Yes.
—
What helps you choose your life?
What criteria matter to you?
Before specializing as a professional coach in 2004, I spent more than a decade in leadership, management and program development for state and local government and non-profit organizations. Now I get to help leaders and teams have more clarity and ability to stand up for what's important in their work and in their organizations. Working with me, leaders and teams find more meaning and purpose, feel happier and more confident, navigate change and conflict, and work together better.