4 Steps to Achieve with Ease

Several weeks ago I agreed to create an online course called Achieve with Ease, and the process hasn't been easy. I wanted to deliver an excellent product, but found myself struggling with the equipment and being myself in front of the camera. I even started questioning my content. It was tough!

So I put my advice to the test. Here are the four key steps that worked for me - 

1) Break the process down into small steps

2) Ask for help

3) Stay persistent

4) Find ways to make it fun

I'm so grateful for everyone who has supported me in the process. It took way longer than I expected, but I successfully recorded the content, which is a huge step forward. 

That's the funny thing about goals... It's never really about what you achieve, it's about who you become in the process. I've learned so much about myself, technology, writing, and content creation. I feel much more comfortable filming (in front and behind the camera). I've also gotten practice asking for help. Today I'm reminded that with enough persistence, playfulness, and diligence, anything is possible. 

When you're clear on what you want (and why), keep taking action (even when it gets tough) and soon you'll move from feeling frustrated to fantastic. 

Achieving goals isn't always easy, but it's worth the effort. If you're working on a project that's driving you crazy, remember why you started and keep going. You can do it! 

7 Productivity Killers

Most people have trouble focusing, especially in a hyper-connected digital age. Here are some of the most common reasons we aren't as productive as we could be, and what you can do about it. 

1) Your "to do" list is too long. Massive to-do lists can be overwhelming for day-to-day project management. At the start of each day (or the end of the previous day), select 3-5 items to complete each day. 

2) You're not eating frogs for breakfast. Mark Twain is quoted with saying, “Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” Modern day translation: When starting your day, do the most challenging task first. Completing this task the first thing in the morning feels great and sparks motivation to do more.

3) You try to focus for long periods of time. The Pomodoro time management technique suggests using a timer to break work into 25 minute increments. Having a timer running on your phone, ipad, or computer can be surprisingly effective at encouraging you to get in the zone. Experiment with the length of time that works best for you. Here's a free web-based tool you can use today. 

4)  You mindlessly scroll Facebook. If you find yourself automatically going to Facebook, try Newsfeed Eradicator. It’s a Chrome extension that replaces your newsfeed with a quote about productivity. You can still visit profile pages and groups, but you’ll need to have an intention about your visit to Facebook, which curbs the unconscious desire to scroll. 

5) You spend too much time on a particular website. Self Control is free app that enables you to block access so you can stay focused. You simply download the app, enter the name of the website, add the length of time you wish to block access, and voilá! Until the times expires you won’t have access to that site (or sites), even if you restart your computer. It’s extreme, but very effective. 

6) You're constantly bombarded with notifications. Email, Slack, Instagram, Facebook, texts... with all that distraction is no wonder why we can't focus. 😬 Limit the notifications. If you want to do deep thinking, temporarily close/quit the apps, silence your phone, set a timer, and get to work.

7) You don't meditate. Arguably the most effective tool for enhancing focus, meditation is like lifting weights for your mind. Sitting still with your eyes closed for even just two minutes a day is training your attention and strengthening your mind. Your mind may race the entire time you’re meditating, but if you’re committed to sitting still and paying attention to your breath, you've made progress. Meditation also cultivates self awareness, which enhances conscious decision making. Favorite apps: Headspace for beginners, Insight Timer for everyone, and Guru for experienced meditators seeking to deepen their practice.

Now is the perfect time to review what's important, and what you can do right now. Go! 😊

Meditation Made Easy: Top 10 Tips

What do you think of when you hear the word meditation? 

Here's some of things I've heard: Hard. Peaceful. Zen. Pretentious. Oprah. Challenging. Confusing. Mantras. Monks. Mind control. 

I get it... There are so many people advocating the benefits of meditation, how to do it, what to do, what not to do... Meditation can seem really confusing. 

But you know what? It's not! It's actually really simple. 

The goal of meditation is to focus on your body, notice your breath, and quiet your mind. 

This week I'm sharing my top 10 tips to make meditation an easy and regular practice so you can enjoy all the mental and physical benefits.

1. You can't do it wrong. Simply paying attention to your body, your thoughts, and how you feel are the cornerstones to meditation. Don't stress out over the details.
    
2. Your position doesn't matter.  You don't have to be sitting down! If you sit down all day and the thought of sitting meditation sounds terrible, try slooooowly walking around the block, taking deep breaths, and focusing on your breathing (no cellphones allowed unless in airplane mode). If you're on the go (or on your feet) most of the day, try sitting down in a quiet area to practice. 
    
3. Time of day doesn't matter. I love meditating first thing in the morning, but will often do little mini-meditations throughout the day. There is no right time. Practice when you can.
    
4. Length doesn't matter. My meditations last anywhere from 60 seconds to 30 minutes. There is no right or wrong. I love meditating for about 20 minutes in the morning and practice 60 second meditations throughout the day before meetings, calls, even dates! This allows me to "clean up" my energy so I can be more connected and present for the person I'm meeting.
    
5. Location doesn't matter. You don't have to be in a yoga studio or quiet zen den. Find pockets of time during your normal routine. Some of my favorite places for a quick meditation are super random, but they work. If you're just getting started with meditation I recommend putting a post-it somewhere in your bathroom with a word that will remind you to meditate. After you're done brushing your teeth, sit down for 60 seconds to connect with your (fresh) breath, feel your heart, and set an intention for the day. Another tip: take 60 seconds to relax in the car before running into your next meeting, your house, a meeting with a friend, etc. It will do WONDERS for how you feel, and are perceived.
    
6. Thoughts during meditation are normal. Meditation is Attention Management. Studies have shown our use of technology has shortened our attention span dramatically over the last decade. When we disconnect from our devices for even just a few minutes and quiet our mind, we're strengthening our ability to focus. When a thought comes in your mind while meditating, release it and refocus on your breath.
    
7. Visualizations can be very helpful. Random thoughts driving you crazy? Totally normal. Gently let them go and visualize your ideal life instead. Where are you living? What does your career look like? How is your relationship with yourself? Your partner? Your family? Take slow, deep breaths and notice how your body feels.
    
8. Use a mantra...or not. If chanting makes you feel good, do it! You can say something as simple as "om" or "thanks", or it can even be a quote like "As I change my thoughts, I change my life." Experiment to find out if this is right for you. 
    
9. Think of these basic steps to relax and chill out during your meditation: uncross your legs, unclench your hands (let go of anything you may be holding), and relax your shoulders.   
    
10. There are thousands of guided meditations that make meditating easy! Check out YouTube or the App store to find one that works for you.

I hope you found this helpful! 

6 Unexpected Lessons from Burning Man

Burning Man is a festival that takes place in Black Rock City, Nevada every year from late August through early September. Over 50,000 people create a community that celebrates art, inclusion, radical self-expression, decommodification, and leaving no trace. The event takes its name from its culmination, the symbolic ritual burning of a large wooden effigy ("the Man") that traditionally occurs on the Saturday evening of the event.

Burning Man seemed like a place that disrupted belief systems and accelerated growth, and I knew I had to go. I felt called, excited, and terrified - how was I ever going to survive without running water for a week? 

What happened next was the stuff dreams are made of. After a 14 hour journey from LA, we made it to Black Rock City (AKA "the playa”), set up camp, and the real adventure began. 

Burning Man is based on 10 principles:

Radical Self-reliance
The only thing you can buy on the playa is ice and coffee, so you need to bring everything on the playa you need to survive: water, food, shelter, emergency supplies, clothes, toiletries, toilet paper, if you need it, you better bring it. 

Decommodification
There are no sponsors, advertising, or transactions on the playa. You're encouraged to play every day - see art, bike around, meet people. 

Gifting
Burners give without expectation of anything in return: food, booze, costumes, yoga classes, lectures, jewelry, momentos, and more. 

Radical Self-expression
You're encouraged to be yourself, whatever that looks like. Your self-expression is respected and celebrated, which is incredibly liberating.

Radical Inclusion
Everyone is welcome on the playa, and most camps are set up to offer people a place to hang out. No velvet ropes, guest lists, entrance fees - just good vibes and good times. 

Communal Effort
Creative cooperation and collaboration are necessary for the city to thrive. If someone needs something, it’s part of the culture to help out however possible.

Civic Responsibility
If you see that someone needs help, you help them. It's that simple.

Leaving No Trace
Everyone commits to “leaving no physical trace of our activities wherever we gather,” which is a big task given that there’s over 50,000 people attend Burning Man. Whatever trash you create you must take with you off the playa. Also, if you see any MOOP (Matter Out Of Place), it’s everyone’s responsibility to pick it up.  

Participation
Everyone's participation is expected and celebrated. 

Immediacy
On the playa if you don’t do/say/stop and look at it when you first encounter it, you might lose your chance. If you want to do something, seize the moment.

Here are my 6 unexpected lessons from Burning Man: 

1) Choose Love. 
We’re all just people on earth for a short time. Loving each other feels good. Give more hugs. Tell people what you like about them. Connect from the heart. Give more freely. The more you do this, the better you feel. 

2) Be Active Every Day. 
On the playa we rode our bikes for 15+ miles a day. My legs were bruised. I had scrapes on my shins from the bike pedals. My hands were dirty.  And I was really freaking happy. I know that being active is as good for my body as it is for my mind. I make time to move my body daily.

3) Connect From The Heart.
Being disconnected from technology reminded me of the power of heart-centered communication. Now, that’s what I crave. I use “airplane mode” on my phone more often. It feels good. 

4) Respond Immediately. 
If I look at email or a message, I respond immediately. If I’m not prepared to respond, I don’t look. Being more discerning about when I look at messages has helped me be more present and get more done (on and offline). I've also learned to value connection over perfection, and have limited over-analyzing my responses.

5) Remember Challenges are Temporary.
Biking on the playa is typically easy, but sometimes the fine dust piles up and it becomes hard to pedal, practically immobilizing. I learned to stay steady and keep pushing, eventually, you'll get through it. Same goes for tough times in life. 

6) You Are Enough.  
 Every day, every hour, our inboxes and newsfeeds try to show us what we should be saying/thinking/doing in order to be successful/happy/relevant. My experience being self-expressed and free at Burning Man reinforced that I'm doing my best and I'm enough, just as I am. 

Sharing my experience and reflecting on my journey has been a gift, so thank you for reading. I'm grateful for you!