One of my favorite creative coaching tools is the “credit check-in.” By simply listing all of the things that you did get around to during the week you often realize you accomplished much more than you thought you had. We tend to dwell on all that we haven’t yet crossed off our never-ending, crazy-long, take-care-of-everyone-else-on-the-planet first to-do lists. You know – everything that needs to be done, didn’t get done and a few things we can’t imagine how there will ever be enough time in the world to get done. This just serves to frustrate and overwhelm us. Frustration + Overwhelm = Bad Feelings. Credit Check-in + Self-satisfaction = Good Feelings.
Today I had a “physician – heal thyself!” moment. About a bazillion things that I need and want to do (that’s barely an exaggeration!) raced through my mind. Things to promote my new CD, “Dancing In Limbo”… things to better serve my Creative Oasis Coaching clients … things to do for my family … things to do for my friends …things to do for the planet (when I get on a roll – watch out!) … lots and lots and lots of things!
Just about the moment I felt overwhelm wrapping around me like a boa constrictor and I couldn’t take a deep enough breath, I received a wonderful e-mail from a past client. She wrote to thank me for some of the tools that we’d used together during our coaching sessions and to let me know they were still essential to helping her make the time and space in her busy life for her creative passions (which includes writing a fabulous blog that you can check out here). “Oh yeah,” I remembered, “These fantastic tools are available even to me 24/7, but sometimes we just need a little reminder.”
So I took a break from obsessing about everything that needs to be done and did a credit check-in for myself. I made a list of everything I’ve accomplished in the past week. (even laundry and making lunches – everything that took even a few minutes of my precious time) Then I read it over and let it really sink in. I’m not shy, so I’ll tell you – I’ve been kicking booty this past week! Yes – there is still much to be done – but NEWS FLASH – there always will be. And if there weren’t life would be boring and stagnant and no fun, in my book anyway. I felt so much better realizing all that I had already successfully accomplished. I was able to take a deep breath and feel a blessed release from that awful overwhelm that had been creeping in. (insidious bastard that overwhelm!) I share this in the hope that it will serve as a reminder to you to take a minute to give yourself the credit your due. I promise it will feel great and you deserve it!
All the best from my creative oasis to yours,
Jill
p.s. - I'm thrilled to be the featured coach in this month's MUSE FLASH by Jill Badonsky. Pop over and check out her monthly musing here. It's always inspiring and fun!
6 comments :
Thank you! I was just lamenting the laundry, the pantry and two horrid looking closets. Now, I feel better because you helped me focus on the more important stuff that DID get done. I would be wandering aimlessly without you, ya know.
Sister, if you ever for a minute need help coming up with all of the useful, wonderful, amazing things you've done recently - just give me a call!! I will remind you! :)
Thanks, Jill! I get so caught up in "end -of -the -school- year -Itis", that I forget that just sketching or working on a quilt project at night is quite alright, in the midst of all the things I'm doing to make learning and creating meaningful for my students, until that last bell rings on May 28th!
We all need reminders. I think that's one of the wonderful benefits of reading and writing blogs - the great reminders - to breathe, to relax, to try something new, whatever it may be. There's an amazing community out here in cyberland.
Thanks for those words of encouragement. I way to often forget to pat myself on the back...I don’t do a lot, but I do do somethings...
Beatnheart - I checked out your beautiful jewelry designs and blog - it seems to me that you have good reason to give yourself pats on the back! Thanks for visiting and all the best from my creative oasis to yours! - Jill
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