My “to do” list is 5 pages long! No wonder I can get so overwhelmed.

Now some of it is just stuff that is wondering around my head that I think I gotta do.

And some of it is stuff that if I ignore will eventually go away – no harm done (do I really need to post a new picture on my profile page??)

But much of it I really truly do need to do.

So what is the best way to separate the truly essential from the merely loud? And how is it possible to stop feeling guilty for not getting everything done?

Here are 6 easy ways to help get all that jumble in your head and turn it into a practical action plan.

#1 Write everything you need to do in one place. Sometimes I have bits of notes, both on paper and digital, of all the things that pop in my head for me to get done. You know what I am talking about – back of the envelope, sticky notes, reminders on my computer.

But many fragmented lists just lead to false impressions. On the one hand is seems as if there are only a few things to do because each list has only a few things on it – micro-lists I call them. On the other hand, it is easy to feel overwhelmed with the dread of having so much to do without having a realistic assessment of what those things are.

So once a week I gather up all of those bits of notes and reminders and write everything on a single piece of paper (or 5 as it turned out this week.)

#2 Separate the list into categories by type of task such as: email, errands, phone calls, forms, writing, multi-step projects. Another way to organize the list is by due date.

#3 (my favorite) Cross off the list stuff that does not matter!!! Get rid of useless things on the list and give yourself permission to let it go.

One way to stop feeling guilty about everything that does not get done is to give yourself a boost to remind yourself how awesome you are and how much work you do already.

Add to the list what you have already done and put a check next to it for completion. It is a small but psychologically important exercise to visually see “Wow, I have gotten a lot done this week already!”

#4 Assign time allotments next to each item and put it in your schedule – when you get it done check it off. What does not get done each day can be eliminated permanently or moved over to another day.

One of the benefits of this step is to see how long things really take – not how long you think it should take. This allows you to step back, take a breather, and cut yourself some slack when you feel like you have too much to do.

#5 Star the essential really important ones and do those FIRST. Let the fun stuff take place later in the day or after lunch when there is a lag.

#6 See what can be done by other people and delegate where ever possible.

Hope this helps!  Got any other ideas of how you get stuff done? I would love to hear about it – please share it here – thanks!!

xo,

Kathleen

Recap:

1. Write to do list in one place
2. Categorize by task or due date
3. Cross stuff off
4. Schedule
5. Prioritize – important and hard work gets done first!
6. Delegate

It ain’t easy doin’ nothin’!

Finding time to stop and sit and “do nothing” can be daunting and at times frustrating, I know. So here are 3 quick and easy things you can do to find meditation time and stick with it. Actually, here are 6 ways…the first list of 3 is from last week’s post but they are worth mentioning again in case you missed them

1. Find a friend to help keep you on task. You do the same for your friend and each of you benefit from the support.

2. You can post your meditation plan right here (A little secret, once you make it public, there is a bit of accountability to stick to it.)

3. Schedule it in your planner – keep the appointment just like you would any other.

AND 3 more…

!. From Dan, who wrote in the comments section – when your meditation doesn’t happen in it’s scheduled time, put it on your “to do” list for the day – it can be quite satisfying to mark that one off afterwards.

2. Break up the time into smaller increments. If you do a 5 Minute Meditation, go ahead and stick with that. If your regular meditation is longer, try a couple of 5-10 minute meditations during different times of the day. Morning, lunch, night time…all good times to stop and take a breather.

3. Set a timer. Sometimes when I remember something I need to do later, I set an alarm on my cell phone so I am sure to do it when I hear the beeping. Right in the middle of things if you hear that alarm going off, it is a good way to take a 5 Minute Meditation break.

Hope these help!

If you like them, then “like” them
Share with a friend…

And especially, if you have more ideas, please let us know here!!

Thanks and Enjoy!

These last few days I have been crazy tired and decided to sleep in a bit. It has been delicious!

Yet, I have to admit, when I skip my regular meditation to stay in bed it takes me so much longer to get my bearings for the day and that sleepy daze takes a little longer to shake and get my focus going.

When I sleep in, I still have a meditation later in the day. But for me and my schedule and my personal needs, it is just not the same as the first-thing-in-the-morning meditation that I have cultivated.

So here is my new adjustment – keep my date with myself and stick to my regular scheduled early, early morning meditation time and then if I need to slip in a quick nap, I do.

Right now my minivan is my rockin’ nap machine. I grab a few winks while I am waiting to pick up the kids either at the bus stop or in the school parking lot before class gets out. (I’ve been a mom for over 16 years now and I assure you no one even looks twice if they see me napping in the minivan for ten minutes!!)

The discipline of sticking to my meditation plan is so so so worth it! But to be honest, I have to keep reminding myself that this is what I need to do.

A million more comfortable options present themselves. Actually, at 4:30 in the morning, only one comfortable option presents itself!

And if I get off track for a couple of days I can really feel it and every other aspect of my life is eager for the benefits of that early morning stillness.

So I tell you this because I need to remind myself. We all need encouragement and I am here to heartily encourage you to find the meditation time that best works for you and stick with it. And sharing this with you is an encouragement for me as well.

Having the support of others makes a huge difference – really it does! So thanks for helping me stay on track and let me know if I can help you, too!

Here are 3 good ideas to help you stick to your meditation plan:

1. Find a friend to help keep you on task. You do the same for your friend and each of you benefit from the support.

2. You can post your meditation plan right here (A little secret, once you make it public, there is a bit of accountability to stick to it.)

3. Schedule it in your planner – keep the appointment just like you would any other.

Give them a try and see what works best for you! Let me know how it goes…

xo,
Kathleen

PS: I was trying to decide between the two titles for this update “Sleeping In Is Delicious!” and “3 Ways To Help You Stick With Your Meditation.” The experts tell me that the “3 ways…” is the best title, but I love deliciousness. Tell me what you think right here… thnx ~K

It’s no accident there was no accident for me.

It happened this morning on my way to the dojo. There is a particular route I drive most days. Drop off the kids at the bus, stop for a cup of coffee, maybe there is time for an errand or two. You know the drill – it is all part of the daily routine.

As I was on my usual way, I was surprised when out of the blue, clear as a bell, I hear this thought in my mind: change routes now.

For a brief moment I resist.

But then I give into this seemingly absurd notion and pull into the left hand turn lane to take a different highway to the dojo.

And yes, sure enough, it happened right before my eyes.

It was a typical accident. A van pulls out of the parking lot and rolls partially into the street. The small car in the lane closest to the van swerves to miss it. But unfortunately, there is a light truck in the next lane. As the truck is knocked into the oncoming traffic, bits of car parts are sent flying over the road into all 4 lanes.

In slow motion I see the truck heading straight for me. Right where I would have been. Except I am not there. I am in the left hand turn lane a few car lengths back. Out of harms way because I listened, trusted and followed my intuition.

(Remember the story when I listened to my intuition, but didn’t follow it…)

This time it was such a visceral experience since I saw the accident happen right before my eyes. The results of my choice were clear and immediate.

Wheh! That was a close one. It turned out that no one injured.

It was a relatively small accident, but one that still left everyone shaken. And thankful that no serious harm was done.

So this is a good time to increase your awareness: next time you hear your intuition giving you an odd command, listen to it. Trust it. Follow it.

It could save your life.

Maybe you have a story about a time you had were saved from a close call because you followed you intuition…or even a time when you wished you had listened to your intuition, but did not and the results were not in your favor.

If you do, please share it here. We would love to hear about it!

Take good care of yourself.
And drive safely.

Xo,
Kathleen

People often ask me to teach them how to meditate and so I always prefer to give simply the most basic instruction necessary.

In my classes, what I am doing instead of teaching how to meditate is giving you the opportunity to experience it. Holding the space to make it easier or even possible. And I think that counts for a lot.

It happened today when I was leading an Aikido class where a third of the class was made up of black belts who have been training for many years longer than me (talk about intimidating!)

Instead of trying to “teach” them something, I demonstrated a series of familiar techniques and created the opportunity for the experience of vigorous training.

All the students trained according to their own capabilities and the result was a tremendously satisfying class.

Often times when we are in charge of a situation, we feel inclined to instruct to such an extent that our words become a mandate.

This is especially true for me if the person that I am instructing happens to be my teenage daughter. I really really want her to get the information I am giving her so she can learn it already!

But just like the meditation classes and the Aikido class, my best teaching is not teaching at all. It is a thousand times more effective if I give her a few guidelines and hold the space for her to safely experience it on her own.

This is an exceptionally ripe opportunity for paying careful attention to what my intuition is telling me – often it is telling me to Stop Talking!

It can seem unproductive to only give the slightest amount of instruction, but in reality all the words in the world are not nearly as valuable as just doing it.

So maybe you have a situation in your life like that – a child, an employee, a co-worker or a student. Maybe instead of teaching them how to do something, just give them a few choice guidelines and lots and lots of space to safely explore, experiment and experience it for themselves.

Give it a try and let me know how it goes…

Xo,
Kathleen

Check out the pix here …

During winter break we went up to Tahoe for a family ski trip. It was beautiful and we all enjoyed plenty of good skiing for the week.

My practice is that during the course of my travels, I like to experience a public meditation. Sometimes I get to do that with other people and sometimes I do it by myself in a public setting. So, of course, Tahoe was no different – except that it was COLD!

The temperature was -2 degrees – and that is Fahrenheit, it was -18 in Celsius! But I was determined to sit outside in the Northstar Village and bring meditation into the world. No fanfare, just a quiet silent stillness amidst the bustling crowds of folks on a holiday.

So I found a sunny spot and decided to start with a 5 Minute Meditation. It was quite surprising that once I settled in, it was effortless to go another 20 minutes. My bum was really cold, but the shining sun kept the rest of my body warm enough.

My favorite part was relaxing into the moment and tapping into the ancient grandness of the mountain. It was easy to see how transient my worries are in the face of such a lasting and solid rock of earth. As the people hurried by me, I often sensed the excitement, anticipation, worry and unrelenting go-getting-ness of people with an agenda for having a good time.

It was interesting to observe and I noted how often I fall into that place of being determined for things to happen in a certain way instead of allowing a more natural flow of life to occur. In reality, it takes both the determination and the allowing – but it’s important not to let one overtake the other.

After nearly a half hour, it was time to get moving! So off I went for another day enjoying being outside and appreciating the gorgeous mountain and the sense of groundedness it gave me.

On another note…

Today I am introducing my newest class! It is called Women’s Intuition and I am super excited about it. Check it out here. This first session is offered locally and future sessions will be offered online. Let me know if you would like to join or if you know of someone who might like this, please share it with them. Thanks so much!!

Best blessings in the New Year to you,
xo,
Kathleen

Happy and Blessed New Year to You!

Got lots of goals, ideas, plans, resolutions?

Perhaps a daily meditation practice happens to be on your “to do” list -
or maybe “to be” list in this case

If so, consider giving it a go with a daily 5 Minute Meditation.

It’s quick, it’s easy, and it surprisingly makes a difference. Let me know how it goes for you…

Whatever you have planned for the New Year, I wish you blessings, joy, passion, delight, success, peace and all goodness.

Lots of xo,
Kathleen

The Dalai Lama has a full schedule. As a worldwide spiritual leader he travels, speaks, teaches, writes, leads and maintains his own spiritual practice among a million other things. I heard that once he was asked if he reduces his meditation when he travels and has more time constraints. He noted that instead of meditating less during times of an extra full schedule, he meditates more.

It is mysterious, but if you decide to increase your meditation in the face of hectic and busy days, you will empower yourself. Any time you increase your resolve in the midst of challenging situations, you empower yourself to greater strengths.

Here is an idea. I encourage you to consider what you are presently doing with your meditation and set your intention to increase it just a little bit. Try it beginning today and go until the start of the New Year (2012!) Instead of waiting for the New Year to start or deepen your practice, do it now and you will be well on your way come January 1st.

You know how good it feels when you mediate. You know the blessed relief when have just a few minutes of everybody-leave-me-alone peace and quiet. Ah, bliss.

Now, this need not be an overwhelming, one more thing I gotta do, sort of a deal.

So how about this: 5 minutes.

Just 5 minutes. If you want to start meditating, try the 5 Minute Meditation. If you already have a practice, add 5 minutes each day.

It can be a walking meditation, a movement meditation, a stillness meditation, a chanting meditation. Whatever it is, commit to it. Give yourself that extra boost of energy and vitality that comes from a meditation practice.

And let’s share with each other our intention for these last few weeks of this glorious year. Check out here what my commitment is going to be for these next few weeks – and share yours, too.

xo,
Kathleen

PS. The Dalai Lama is also reported to have said that sleep is the best mediation, so maybe what you really need to commit to yourself is to get extra sleep – post it here so we can all be be a support for each other.

I drive a lot. Carpools, pick-ups, drop-offs, ballet, art classes, high school, middle school, elementary school, aikido, library.

And that does not count anything extra – field trips, special events, science fair presentations, birthday parties, performances, dress rehearsals and mandatory parent meetings (x3!)

Now I have two things to say about all this. Actually three, but one of them is not printable…

First, I have to drive; there is no getting around that. And much of it is in heavy daily traffic, so I figured out how to stop fighting it (mostly) and settle into the Zen of Driving. When I arrive after the Zen trip, I am calm and ready for the adventure that is ahead. Of course, it doesn’t always work out that way…

There is no Zen of Driving when the kids are arguing and grumpy, either first thing in the morning or after a long day at school. I am completely serious when I tell you that I actually went into the Honda dealer a few weeks ago and asked if they could install a bullet proof, sound proof shield between my front seat and the back seats of my minivan.

You know, like the ones they have in taxis. I am even willing to have a little slot so the kids can slip me some money to pay for the gas. Or maybe even a tip, hmmm…

Anyhow, I put my foot down when it comes to excessive arguing and will pull over to get everyone quiet before I start again. Sometimes when I pull over to the side of the road, I can elicit a cease and desist to all the fighting by using my “crabby Mommy powers.”

Or sometimes I pull over and sit in complete and stony silence until everyone settles down. It all works, just gotta know which one for which situation. When it’s only my own children in the car, it’s fine and everyone shapes up and when we get back on the road, no one is worse for the stop.

But every once in a while when I am driving other children in the car, the whole group becomes so wild, loud and over the top that it actually become dangerous for me to drive under those conditions. I have to pull over to calm and quiet them down a bit using one or two of my special skills.

This of course is completely embarrassing for my kids and the other children, too. But it is effective and driving off after an awkward “pull-over” results in a completely silent ride the rest of the way home. They are all a little scared of me, and I like it that way.

I have been at this for a while and when I pull up to the bus stop for the pick up and everyone piles in, to quote Rick Harrison, “You never know what is going to come through that door!” And that leads me to the second thing I have to say about driving the carpool…

Sometimes, it is exquisite.

A teenager might climb into the front seat and tell me all about her day, her worries, her classes, her weekend plans, her uncertainty, her fears, her hopes and dreams. It happens.

Sometimes we all share a long standing joke that only comes up in the routine of the carpool. And one day comes when we are roaring hilariously over a funny scene that has unfolded over the course of time, maybe weeks, maybe years.

And when I am driving every time on the way to pick-up or after drop-off all by myself with no one else in the car, no music, no cell phone…ah, that is when my creative mind can solve problems, work out details, or just relax.

In the carpool we sing, debate, explore ideas, exchange mundane this and that, tell stories, share sadness, laugh and occasionally we all sit in natural silence each in our own private reverie.  It is precious time and I know it will be over some day.

So this is a job that takes up a lot of my time. And honestly, plenty of time I don’t really love it. But you know what, it is also a gift. And when I am willing to be present for it, magic happens in the carpool.

I know you have something in your life that is difficult, annoying, challenging, frustrating and will not go away. But consider that it can also be a gift and see what small pleasures you can receive from it today.

Best blessings,
xo,
Kathleen