Yesterday I started what many of you finished weeks ago: decorating for the holidays. We got a tree, pulled out the nutcrackers and brushed off the Santa hats. As I placed our NOEL stocking holders on the bookshelf (much to my disappointment, we don't have a fireplace to adorn), I smiled and told the kids that our house was officially decorated.
It didn't take long before my oldest son, Max, started to snicker. He is a clever young man, full of the best kind of mischief. When I asked him what was so funny he said, "You'll see it eventually." I looked around the living room, not noticing whatever had changed. Eventually, I saw that our stocking holders now proudly said, "LEON."
"Very nice," I complimented, as I rearranged the metal letters back into their proper order. As the night went on, each time I left the room, I came back to a snickering Max. I'd look at the letters, and sure enough they were arranged into a new word. Who knew how many words one could spell out of the letters in NOEL!
As I sat on the couch this morning thinking about this week's e-mail, I felt inspired by Max's creativity. There are a few projects on which I've been stalled over the last couple of months. I've had it in my head that I needed to move forward in a particular way. Since I've made little or no progress, it's clear that my current approach is not working. Today as I look at all of the possibilities created by rearranging letters on a bookshelf, I think there must be multiple ways could rearrange my thinking to achieve my goals.
If you have some goals you created for 2017 (or beyond) that you haven't yet met, consider rearranging your approach. Perhaps these prompts will help your thinking:
- What's the easiest way to take one step closer to the goal?
(Sometimes getting a little momentum jump starts our motivation.) - What's the most fun way to proceed?
(When I inject a playful attitude, my creativity blossoms. Check out my recent #WeLiveBigWednesdays for more on this.) - What would [insert favorite role model] do to reach the goal?
(If we can get out of our own brains and into someone else's we're bound to come up with new ideas.)
By the way, if any of you are wondering about the "word" in the lower right corner of the photo collage, Max tells me it's Noel with no "L." Hee hee hee.
Flourishing Workshops Make a Great Gift!
Just in time for the holidays I've scheduled 2018 Flourishing Workshops for the Midlife Seekers and Entrepreneurs in your life! These workshops are a great way to say Happy Holidays to someone special (including yourself). What are these workshops, you ask? Here's a summary:
Flourishing for Midlife Seekers
Conducted in two half day sessions, this workshop will help you identify the storyline you've been living, including the greatness and shadow that are your subliminal operating system. You'll examine your values and how they can be used to overcome the fears that are holding you back from living your biggest, boldest, most authentic life. And you'll leave with an inspired purpose that will ignite and align new passion for your work, your home life and your hobbies. Learn more and register!
Flourishing for Entrepreneurs
Been in business for a while, but feeling a little flat about how you describe your company? Think there's more to your brand than what you see now, but not sure how to express it? Want to inspire your employees, customers and prospects with a brand built around your "special something" as a leader? Whether your inner voice is hollering "YES! Sign me up now!" or it's just whispering, "Maybe this is what I need to re-energize my brand," you should act on your instincts. This one-day intensive will identify your organization's storyline, values and inspired purpose. You'll leave with a messaging map that is the foundation for all communications from recruiting and culture-building to sales and marketing. Learn more and register!
Book a workshop before December 31st and I'll send you a FREE 30-day Journaling Challenge Postcard Pack. This colorful set of coaching prompts will start your loved one's (or your) journey of self-discovery. Now that's a gift that keeps on giving.