Travel by imagination....

“Imagination is fundamental for the development of people and for societies. It brings us to strive, and history to unfold. Physical walls cannot confine us.”

— Tania Zittoun

Imagination is vital and precious. We should nourish it: exploring the world through films and documentaries, visiting the past through novels, discovering fantastic realities when transported by music or cartoons, visiting some of our favourite places through online maps or sharing memories with others. Physical walls cannot confine us, we can roam beyond them, to wherever our imagination takes us. 

— Scott Olser, Editor at LinkedIn News

I don’t know about you, but I rely on a couple of warm getaways to survive the winter blues. I’ll definitely need to get creative, especially with all the restrictions at home (limited movies/movie times, minimal coffee shop/restaurant access, get together restrictions). I just may try some of the suggestions above. Just sayin’ ;) Hugs. XO

Blesssings,

Chatgirl 

Separating work from life...

Some benefits of commuting... or separating work from life in these Covid times:

Time for “Prospection” - three years ago, a team of researchers led by Harvard Business School professor Francesca Gina found that people who use their commuting time to think through their plans for the day—something the team called “prospection”— were more productive once they arrived at the office than those who did other mental tasks or looked for distractions.

Do something physical - can help expend more calories during the week without actually having to work out

Social connection - add in some friendly banter in short exchanges, grabbing coffee from your local coffee shop, or a on a short walk around the neighbourhood

Time for transition - creates a psychic barrier and opportunity to get in the right frame of mind for work/home

A break from being “on” - a moment elude all roles and expectations and not be an employee, manager, executive, parent, roommate, spouse

A chance to daydream - allowing for creative breakthroughs. (Also called the “incubation effect” in which unconscious mechanisms unlock connections that were not obvious to your directed thoughts). 

— Lila MacLellan (Quartz at Work reporter, from the article Separate work from life wth a “virtual commute” that energizes you)

Great advice! I feel more relaxed just thinking about it. Just sayin’ :) Hugs. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl 

Believe in possibilities...

Change your language to “what if it does work.” Believe in possibilities. Think of the best case scenario. Retraining your mind will lift you higher out of the overthinking, stress, and worry of negative habitual thoughts. Change starts with your mindset. Shift it. Switch it.

— averstu.com

I like it! Think of the best case scenario! Great reminder that I will strive to remember in fearful moments. Just sayin’ :) Hugs. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl 

Makes your dreams come true...

A dream written down with a date becomes a goal.

A goal broken down into steps becomes a plan.

I plan backed by action makes your dreams come true.

— Unknown 

Thing is, it can take time. In my experience anyway. Just sayin’ :) Hugs. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl 

It changed my life...

I changed my thinking.

It changed my life.

— Unknown

The biggest paradigm shift I’ve ever had is around money. I survived the financial crisis post 2008, but it took years to recover from the lost wages. There was a silver lining however. I had to go suuuuch a long time without spending money that I had to tell myself a new story. The story was about enjoying simple pleasures; swimming/yoga, spending time with animals, writing at my favourite coffee shop (that I could afford luckily), watching movies from my home library, visiting with friends. I never went back to my pre-crash spending and now enjoy saving, watching my money grow and knowing I can support myself if that rainy day comes again. Game changer. Just sayin’ :) Hugs. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl 

Admitting that we’re lost...

When we fight the idea of being lost, we’re unable to do anything about it. We can’t recalculate the route if some part of us believes we’re still on the path. But when we accept that we’re lost, we shift from knowing to listening. In this receptive state, we’re much more alert to options and opportunities.

— Ingrid Fetell Lee (Designer with a Master’s in Industrial Design from Pratt’s Institute, author of the book Joyful and Ted Speaker. Drawing on research from the fields of neuroscience and psychology, Ingrid Fetell Lee studies joy and reveals how we can find more of it in the world around us, by exploring the powerful connection between our surroundings and our emotions). 

In this Covid world, I realize I really need to re-set my expectations and attachments. I’m used to booking one or two warm get always to escape the dark, cold dampness of winter. In-restaurant dining is quite limited, as are movies and cinema options. What to do, what to do?? I’m still working on it! Just sayin’ ;) Hugs. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl 

The Procrastination Doom Loop...

Procrastination strikes everyone... You can’t hope to stop procrastinating until you first have a firm understanding of why you Procrastinate. New research from Joseph Ferrari at DePaul University shows that procrastination is more complicated than most people think. People tend to think of procrastination as coming from poor time management or laziness, but Ferrari’s research shows that procrastination stems from negative emotions that hijack your mood. Once you’re under the influence of these emotions, you can’t bring yourself to work. Figure out why. When you aren’t in the mood to work, procrastination is telling you something important. It could be something simple, such as you need to take a break or get something to eat. It could also be something complex, such as you’re carrying the team on your back or you’re dissatisfied with your job. Whatever it is, instead of punishing yourself for procrastinating, take a moment to reflect and figure out why you’re procrastinating. This could end up being the most productive step you take in conquering your task. 

— Dr Travis Bradbury (Author The Seagull Manager, Emotional Intelligence 2.0 & Cofounder of TalentSmart, California School of Professional Psychology Greater San Diego Area). 

I’ve noticed I put off activities that I’m not good at (like spreadsheets or other detail oriented tasks) or that may involve a frosty response (like cold calling or delivering disappointing news). I recently devoted a few hours to such activities and said to myself “I get why I put these things off. It’s yuck.” I made a deal with myself that when I complete my least desired to-do’s, I’ll immediately treat myself to something I love doing. This way, I’m efficient and engaged because I can’t wait for my happy hour ;) Just sayin’ ;) Hugs, XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl