What Matters Most

Ideas That Inspire Action

More than 70 big thinkers each focus on just 1 simple idea we can use to think and act differently in 2010. Thanks to the generosity of Seth Godin and 70+ contributors this new e-book is free. Let the ideas in it help you engage in small - yet significant - shifts in your work and lives during these changing times.

Got your copy of Seth Godin's new free e-book? If not, check out this slide show version of it. You can download it here too.

What Matters Now

Fear is Not Your Friend

Experiment with Life Balance 

Where are you putting your sacred energy? Into the cauldron of fear that is fast becoming our cultural story? If so, I know you feel like you're tethering on the brink. That's because where your attention goes your energy flows. Wendy Haines says it best: "Where you put your energy is where you create the results in your life." Only you can control your attention. So consciously choose to take your energy and attention back to focus on what is precious to you. NOW is your moment of power.

1-Minute Practice

Decide to go on a 7-day news fast. All those negative stories, images and bad news conversations drain your energy and hold your attention hostage in fear and dread. So why not experiment? Liberate your attention and energy for 1 week and notice if there's any difference in how you feel, act, or experience balance in your life.

If you're unable to go cold turkey with a 7-day news fast, limit your exposure to the bare minimum of print media. That way you can be extremely selective about what captures your attention and consumes your energy.

Wondering what to do with the time your 7-day news fast frees up for you? Spend 1-minute of that time each day jotting down what is precious to you. Just the first thoughts that come to mind. Don't re-read them until the end of your fast. Then notice how much clearer you are about what matters most.

I invite you to experient with this practice. And naturally I'd love to hear how it works for you. Post your comments or email me.

Key to Work/Life Balance

What Matters Most to You  

You hold the key to having and enjoying the life balance you want. Life balance is not a one size fits all experience. Only you know what matters most to you. If you're not living your values, it's up to you to decide to do some things differently. Of course, first you have to be clear about what is really most important to you. So if you haven't given this much consideration lately, here's an easy place to start.

5-Minute Daily Life Balance Practice

• List what comes to mind when you think about what matters most to you - at work and in the rest of your life.
• Jot down your thoughts in a little notebook so you have them all in one place.
• Don't edit or re-read what you write, just get it out of your busy mind and down on paper.
• When you have captured everything that you feel is essential to your greater well-being, set the notebook aside for a while.
• Then after whatever time feels right - a day or two or a week, set aside 30-45 minutes of alone time and re-read what you've written.
• Check or highlight things you've written that pull at your heart when you re-read them.
• Identify one next step that brings you more in sync with what matters most to you.
• Do or BE that without delay.