I will be eternally grateful for your great gift of taking in to the fullest extent what it is that I
have to offer, living it, and then reflecting it back in terms of the potential experience of others.
You have given words to a process that defies words. And you’re constantly in a position to help
me continue to hone that, deeper and deeper and more and more resonantly, who I am and what I offer,
which is truly invaluable. — Jon Hansen, 
Working together was absolutely key, and I think that’s what made it such a great
experience. I felt like you were my partner in this. I felt like my success was your
success. To me, someone who has that attitude and the skills to go with it —
that’s an unbeatable combination! — Daniel Stone, 
I have a website I’m proud of — but for me, the hugest benefit has been
increased self-confidence. Because of the process we went through, and the validity that
came with the process, I trust what I think and I trust myself to speak about it. I have
greater confidence and clarity in my message about who I am and what I do. — Bev
Dwane AICI CIP, 
What you’ve sent me is so darn perfect it hurts! It’s a sheer pleasure to work with someone
who writes as beautifully as you do — and in “my” voice. — Ariane Goodwin, Ed.D,
You have a real gift for words. You’re really, really good at it. — Sherry Essig,
I’m doing “nothing” (or am I?)
My mind is convinced that I’ve done almost nothing today.
This despite the fact that – among other things – I’ve created an amazing list of programs and products that I’m ready, now, to start developing and offering. The outlines are clear, I’m focused and inspired, and I know exactly what to do next.
Not only that, but I also know how much these offerings will help people who need it.
So why is my mind so upset?
Because I did this by breaking a lot of rules.
I did it by not sitting at my desk.
I did it by not working on my computer.
I did it by … digging dandelions.
Taking a walk.
Sitting in the window seat with a notebook and my fountain pen.
Going to buy milk, veggies, and kitty litter. (And oh, yes – cat treats – without which I would probably have been thrown out of the house this evening.)
My mind, as you might gather from this, subscribes to a very Puritan work ethic. It discards the notion that creativity has a flow that can’t be denied. It pooh-poohs the idea that it’s okay not to work at my desk, and instead to get messy with pen and ink and a flow of un-edited, somewhat random thoughts. And it’s frankly horrified at the notion that running personal errands in the middle of the day is actually perfectly okay and even reasonable.
I’m so glad that – even though it was a little difficult at times - I didn’t listen to its cries of dismay and predictions of doom.
Because working on these programs and products is going to be fun.
And seeing how people take them and use them and find what they need in them is going to be … sublime.
So who’s up for a little doing nothing?
Posted under The internal message.
Tags: Fear & struggle, Productivity
Comments
Comment from
Grace
Time May 12, 2010 at 8:54 am
Lauren – Thank you! It’s good to hear that sharing my process is helpful. 
For me, it’s constantly and consistently remembering to ask myself … what’s really true in this moment?
And it’s consistently remembering to observe what’s actually happening. In feeling the impulse to force myself to sit dutifully at my desk, I also allowed myself to notice how that felt (pretty nasty!), and to ask myself what sort of results I’d be likely to get (pretty minimal, as past experience has shown me).
It’s taken me a while, but at least for now, it’s clear to me that the nagging mental voice isn’t telling me the truth. And in that seeing, I can hear it, acknowledge it, and not believe it or follow it.
I don’t know if that makes sense or not!
Comment from Lauren
Time May 11, 2010 at 6:47 pm
Grace,
I want to grow up and be just like you. That “someday” will happen soon for me!
Great post…thanks for the reminder about the Puritan work ethic and how/what works looks like to those of us who still hold those beliefs.
But, as you know, I am working on the Clarity + Focus to result in Inspired Action.
You always inspire me. You rock.
Thanks for being you and sharing your thoughts with the world. We all gain by it.
Lauren