Yesterday, I had a big AHA moment that involves me listening even more to what I have been preaching.
I have been very vocal about preaching the virtue and value in saying, NO. Did you read my blog over on The Daily Love on Why saying NO is the ultimate form of self-care? But, yet I have been finding myself overwhelmed, stressed, and annoyed lately because I have been spreading myself all around and adding more and more things to my “To Accomplish” lists.
I see clearly now that it is easier for me to say NO to things that are actual calendar items. Example: Can you go to my event Thursday in LA at 6PM? NO. I can’t. But when it comes to things like Do you want write a blog for our awesome website and send it in whenever you like? Or even do you want to write a blog and have it in by the end of the month? I think YES, sure! No problemo! Let me just add that to my never-ending list.
Or, Do you want to come lead a workshop at our yoga studio? We love you and think it would be a great opportunity for you and our community. YES! I am touched that you want me! Let’s do it!
Again, I find myself saying YES to things that sound awesome and would give me more recognition. More recognition means changing more lives, and or course possible clients. {Remember y’all this is my career AND passion, I don’t get paid in likes or retweets, but that would be awesome, and I really do get so excited at every like and retweet.} More money in my bank means more that I can do to inspire more…like launching the merchandise line that I am dreaming of {oh and feeding myself}.
I also end up spreading myself too thin because I, myself create too many opportunities and possibilities for myself. I get so excited about all of the things I CAN do to spread my word of FUCK YEAH let’s live this life and love this life {click to tweet} that I start to work on too many things at once.
I will hold workshops at yoga studios!
I love this website, I want to be a contributor!
I want to start holding retreats!
I will start doing motivational speaking at high schools!
I will offer a new group service to be able to reach more people, especially the ones that want to work with me, but can’t afford it!
Oh remember that email subscription program I wanted to launch, I want to work on that.
I want to offer a service for musicians, since I have worked side by side with them for over a decade, and get it.
I want to launch my first merchandise item and a kickstarter campaign to fund it!
That be an awesome T-shirt idea, I want to make that!
Ohh, journals with an awesome saying on the front, I will make those!
I can do health and wellness demos around town!
Just because I can, doesn’t mean I need to. {click to tweet}
I have a lot to offer. We all do! But, I have to keep reminding myself I can only focus on so much at one time. I had to get really clear with myself on what I really want the most, and NOW. All of the things on that list are things that I know I will rock at and are things I do plan on doing (well, most of them). I just can not work on all of them at once. To be more productive I need to take things off of my plate, not add more.
What I really, really, really want more than anything is to have my own merchandise line of inspired, sassy, fun, sleek items. This new venture is the most challenging for me as I do not know anything (I am learning) about merchandising. So, although it is what I want most, I find myself spending the least amount of time on it. Yes, I make progress weekly. I learn new things weekly, I reach out to experts weekly. I get shit done, but I want to get more done.
So, I have given myself some new guidelines. Until my Kickstarter Campaign has been completed and I have my first item, my Affirmation Deck, in my office and am shipping it out to all of you awesome buyers, I WILL NOT add anything new to my plate.
Ideas are sure to keep coming up for things that I want to do in the future. I have started an IDEA BANK file in my computer to keep notes of them. I will not be ignoring them, but putting them off until later.
I am a YES to continuing working one on one with clients in the services that I have already created, and that I know are awesome and work. Working with clients fills my soul. I definitely want this in my life.
I am a NO to promoting these services and worrying about getting new clients. The services are all listed on my site, I will answer all emails about services, and I will sign on new clients, but I am done with stressing over the getting of said clients.
I am a YES to the awesome new 6 week Be Your Own Joyologist. The Program. that starts in May. I can not even express how stoked I am to be offering this! I have so much to share.
I am a NO to creating any new programs or services until my goal is met.
I am a YES to staying consistent with my blogging here (once a week, at least), at The Daily Love (once a month) and Wild Sister (once a month).
I am a NO to adding more places to contribute to at this time (until my goal is met!) Even if they are awesome…ugh so hard. (I did already say YES to a few last week, but not taking on anymore. So if you see those when they go live, know that I am keeping my promise to myself, those were already written.)
I am a YES to all things merchandise! Investigating printers/suppliers, sorting out the legal logistics, allowing creative time for plotting my items and styles, calculating packaging and shipping costs and how to’s, seeking advice from those doing it. YES to all things merchandise! But, plowing through with the Kickstarter launch BEFORE I start to get into the next items.
WOOOOOHOOOO. It feels good to lay it on the line for myself. I even made up a little poster for my office to keep me on track. From now on when things come across my inbox, or my mind I get to consult my clearly laid out YES and NOs. I can file it away for later in my IDEA BANK and keep on trucking forward with my NOW goals.
How are you doing? Do you need to look at what you are up to and create a YES and NO list? Do you need to redefine your NOW goals? What do you really, truly, deeply want more than anything? Are you making time for it? Share with me below and check out my Be Your Own Joyologist, The Program to really dive deep into that head and life of yours!
