Oh how I’ve missed sharing my thoughts on this blog!  For those of you who subscribe and read, please know that I’ve felt a huge wide gap in my life in not connecting with you…it’s so nice to be back. ;-)

Where have I been? Well, I intentionally took about six months off from writing this blog and writing articles for my business.  It kind of happened organically, but there was also a deeper intention set beforehand by me as well. Intentions are what create our lives, and relationships, and so it was interesting to witness how this one played out for me, because sometimes I move so fast I can forget that I’m aware of an intention being set.  I do believe that we all hold our own answers – we just need to quiet down, listen, trust, and then simply (ha!) act on them. And get help when we need it with that process.  

So a trusted mentor suggested taking some time away from the writing and marketing, and not doing these things ‘publically’.  I  had started to feel like I was on a train that I wasn’t sure I wanted to be on, and maybe the destination wasn’t exactly for me anymore.  I felt the need to do something different.  And then there was also my relationship – my marriage – and some bumps in the road that were beginning to feel painful. We were needing some transformation.

It felt right in my heart to take the suggestion, even though I didn’t want to. And ‘logical’ thinking would argue the choice. But I pulled away from my established blogging & marketing routine, and channelled that energy into personal writing, healing, and new studies.

Cocoons are often necessary for growth.  This time for me was really that of ‘cocoon-ing up’ in some ways. Life still carried on and I still worked with clients, but the departure from the approach I had been taking and some time channeling that energy in new directions was incredibly transformative for me.  I feel like a new woman in some ways, and it’s really exciting and humbling, because it’s largely been a process of letting go.  I still have my training wings on – and do they ever actually come off?

I wanted to share my process with you  (and will be sharing more) because it’s so important, especially right now, at this time on our planet. Things are in a massive shift right now on just about every level. We are being demanded to change.  I know first hand how much resistance comes up when we desire new results – or desperately need them – but resist taking new actions, a new approach.  We don’t listen to that inner voice. We’re afraid of losing the validation and security that we’ve come to know by the roles that we play, with our life as we’ve come to know it.   Most of us are so conditioned by our society to ‘do’ and to ‘attain’ , that especially, if we have the yearning to change, or take some *intentional* time doing something different – or maybe nothing (intentionally ;-0) – we freak out, and resort to just crossing our fingers that things will work out eventually (or stay in victim-mode and play the blame game!)

Change can be so painful, and that’s why we resist it.   And, we’ve been raised to want and demand the ‘proof’ – the answers – the security, before we take any risk to change.  It takes risk and new actions to become who we are meant to be, and experience what we so desire in our hearts to experience.  I obviously need to remind myself  of this by reminding you.

Here’s some inner & outer work for you – take out your journal and write down your thoughts to:

What are you deeply desiring to change about the way you relate to life, and the people and things in it?  Get curious about the way you *relate* to being single, your partner, your work, your body.

Do you stay too busy and ignore your much-needed self-care?  Do you keep relationships in your life that don’t mirror and honor the love, beauty and brilliance in you?  Are you even able to *feel* and own those qualities in yourself?  (If you don’t, how can you expect someone else to?)

Now for an easy outer first step. Get to a quiet and grounded place within yourself, and then ask yourself what’s calling you – what would feel nurturing and healing for you to do – or not do?   Then, take action. Eliminate an energy drain – a person, dreaded event, messy room.  Next, schedule a nourishing activity: walk, bath, yoga class, massage. The magic is in the follow-through!

Much love,

Leslie

Stepping outside ‘the box’ in approaching ’big’ things in  life such as love – or job hunting/career changes – health & wealth creation – can seem so daunting and hence, that’s why the majority of us simply DON’T.  And I’m not discluding myself from this majority, either.  Part of the inspiration here for this blog is to share with you that when I have, immediate results came – and miraculously.   Am I consistent with this approach – absolutely not.  But it sure as heck inspires me to step out again and again out of my comfort zone as I look at both my past and my current reality – what’s worked –  and where I want to go being who I want to be. We all have our ‘growth edge’ – coaches too – and that’s why coaches need coaches and CEO’s need coaches.

What’s interesting is that in Timothy Ferriss’ book, The 4 Hour Work Week, which I’m currently reading, he talks about not just thinking outside the box but ACTING outside the box.  I read that this morning, and then during my workout at the gym this morning (so painful in this gorgeous heat wave in SF currently, but necessary…) I saw a segment on the Today show about job hunting in the New Economy and the dire importance of stepping out of your comfort zone.

Whether you’re job hunting or relationship hunting (or looking to create new and impactful results in ANY area of your life such as those mentioned at the start of this post) - results lie in doing it differently.   BE-ING different than you’ve been, and ACTING differently than you have.  As humans we’re creatures of habit, as we all know.  So, it’s important to ‘scare yourself’ – do those actions and that thinking that has you feeling a little out of ‘control’ and also a little *mischievous*.  Yes, mischievous.  With yourself.  See, when you act, think and BE ‘different’ than you’ve been, it can feel thrillingly mischievous, because what you’re doing is busting out of your own box and breaking your own rules.

For example, after a year+ out of corporate work, with my apartment in storage, a failed relationship left in Toronto where I had been playing but not earning or saving -  and,  a uncomfortable bed at my parents – I needed a J-O-B – and fast!  But I wanted to switch industries, AND I didn’t want to take a pay cut for doing so. In fact, I wanted to make more money than I ever had before (I’m sure you can relate).  I interviewed for a great opportunity - and I was intent on getting it.   How could I set myself apart from the competition?   An idea popped in to my head as I wrote a thank you note:  send the note with a roll of scotch tape.  It felt slightly OUT THERE to me.   Why the tape?   The gentleman – and my future bosses boss – that I had just interviewed with, had played with a piece of scotch tape as we talked and apologized to me , saying it was a bad but necessary habit of his. I felt a little mischievous sending the tape -but it worked (and he later coo-berated that it worked). I got the job and earned more than I ever had before, in a new industry. 

Stay tuned for Part 2, and how to be mischievous in love…

From my savvy heart to yours ~

Leslie

www.BeLoveSavvy.com