For 3 days recently, part of my daily commute was a walk from London Victoria to Marble Arch, through a sunny Hyde Park.
It’s not a route I’ve done before, and it’s safe to say I’m not a natural navigator. I’m terrible at finding my way to new places on my own the first time (and often a few times after that!).
In the past I’ve judged myself for this. It felt like a weakness I should be able to fix.
Now I use Maps.
I have been a great completer finisher in my life.
Sometimes when it really would have been wiser to stop.
I’ve trained through injury, I’ve stayed too long in roles that no longer fit me, I’ve chosen to ‘push through’ when really, I needed to stop and regroup.
I’ve also started things that felt like a wonderful idea at the time - before I realised what the process would be like - and then felt I had to see it through.
So, it’s been a complete gift to realise that I don’t have to finish everything I start.
And that I often learn just as much from the things I stop as the things I complete.
It’s all useful data.
A few weeks ago I flew out to see my sister in the US.
The purpose was clear - to have a fun break, and spend some quality time together.
The plan for the trip was pretty loose. We had a few ideas - setting up her classroom for the new school year, some favourite places to go - but nothing set.
Which, as it turns out, was a very good thing…
Does it feel like you have too many things to do?
An overwhelming to do list?
With not enough time in the day to get it done?
When we step into a larger space - in our work or life - it can feel as though there’s a lot more to do, all at once.
It can be hard to work out what we need to hold onto, and what we can let go of.
Especially if we’ve been praised and rewarded for being someone who gets a lot of stuff done.
It’s the middle of the year.
A half way point.
A beautiful time to take a step back and look both ways.
To appreciate the progress you’ve made so far, to focus on what’s to come.
When we’re busy in our lives and work, we can forget to pause, to see the bigger picture, to put things into perspective.
And yet it’s so important.
One of my favourite quotes from Danielle North sums this up, “If you never stop to ask yourself how you are doing, how will you ever really know where you are going?”
I’m a big fan of creating clarity from the inside out.
Of shining a spotlight inside to light the way ahead.
Of getting super clear about who we are on the inside, so we can create the life we want on the outside.
It’s what got me into coaching in the first place.
And yet…
Sometimes, it’s not an inside job.
Sometimes, it’s the situation.
Have you ever tried to create the perfect habit… and ended up never getting started?
For a long time I wanted to add some strength training back into my life.
I know it’s important, I feel better when I do it, it feels good to feel stronger.
And yet for a long time I didn’t do it.
And then felt bad about not doing it.
And still didn’t do it.
