True Path/New Path

The Yearly Goals

2008-09-22T06:46:00.000-07:00

This is the latest addition to my planning system, yet paradoxically it has become the underpinning for my entire system.

For the past four years, I take a break from the holiday excitement and spend an evening building my goals for the upcoming year. I usually have a nice dinner and then sit with a notebook and just noodle on what I'd like to accomplish, things I didn't get to in the current year, projects that are half finished. Then I write up a list of goals, along with the steps I need to accomplish the goals. I find goals so much less intimidating if they are broken up into bite sized bits.

Then I make a copy of my goals and their steps and keep in in a pocket that gets tucked into the current month of my calendar. I found that made a huge difference in achieving my goals. Previously I had kept my goals on a file in my computer and often forgot about them. Keeping them close by makes it easier for me to work on my goals as I plan my week.

This isn't entirely foolproof. This year, I realized in June that I simply didn't have any enthusiasm about my goals for the year and I had made very little progress on achieving them. I spent an evening thinking about what did interest me and wrote up a new list incorporating the few goals I was really excited about and adding a few more that had popped up on my radar. Since then, I've made alot more progress in achieving my goals for 2008.

So I learned an important lesson: Planning is important, but then again, so is enthusiasm!

The Life Project

2008-09-12T06:30:00.001-07:00

In 1999, I was at my wits' end with my life. I had a job that I loved, but it was so overwhelming that I felt my only option was to leave. I had no clue what my next step in life would be and I felt like I was wasting my time and energy.

One night, I just started writing. I wrote about how I felt about my job and my life, what I loved, what was lacking. I did a time line of my life and its important events. I drew a map of all the elements of my life and what needed improvement.

It seemed simple at the time, but it changed my life. I realized that I didn't want to leave my job, I just wanted it to be reasonable. I got in touch with my yearning to have a house of my own and started working toward making that yearning a reality. I started dating again and soon met a terrific guy I spent the next six years with.

I now have a binder on my "life" bookshelf that is labelled "The Life Project". Whenever I feel stuck, overwhelmed, or simply in need of a change, I get some paper and start writing. I review earlier entries in my Life Project. Then I start working on ways to achieve the goals the Life Project inspires.

My system-- an overview

2008-09-06T10:05:00.001-07:00

I've used a day planner for decades and every year I refine the system a bit more. Some improvements fall by the wayside, others become part of the lexicon.

I use a version of the Franklin-Covey pyramid. There are the themes of my life, then the yearly goals, monthly goals, weekly goals and daily goals. I try to regularly review these elements and tweak as necessary. This year, I spent alot of time deciding my annual goals, but for some reason, they fell short of the mark. I recalibrated my goals recently and feel much more enthusiastic about them. So I don't consider any of these elements to be written in stone.

In upcoming posts, I'll discuss each of the elements of my life planning.

And now for something completely different

2008-09-01T09:22:00.000-07:00

For the next few months, I am going to take this blog in a different direction. I've decided to play with one of my favorite "geeknesses" ("geek" + "weakness" = "geekness") and see where it leads me.

I've been using various time management techniques my entire life. Each year I refine the system a bit more. Right now, I use a Personal size Filofax for managing my yearly goals, projects and daily to do lists. I also have a smaller wallet/planner that I carry with me everywhere I go to jot down notes and dates that I then transfer to my Filofax.

Being a systems person, I've been working on various tweaks. Right now, I'm working on a new insert that would allow me to track, on a daily basis, my progress on my fitness and eating goals. I don't know if this will blossom into a business, but I'm having tremendous fun with it.

So please bear with me while I play with this idea and share what I find.

Enthusiasm

2008-08-09T18:42:00.000-07:00

All year I've struggled with my goals. At the end of last year, I did my usual writing of goals, put them in the monthly section of my planner. And there they sat, getting moved from month to month, with very little done towards them.

They were all very good goals, but I came to realize I hadn't built them out of enthusiasm, but from figuring they were the next steps I "should" do.

So I finally decided to scrap the "old" 2008 goals and start afresh for the last quarter of the year. And I am creating only goals that I feel enthusiastic about. One of them is my business plan. I am going back to a business plan that I have had in the back of my head for years. It's not a plan that will make me a millionaire, but it's something that makes my brain tingle and I love working on it.

Here's to enthusiasm!

How to generate ideas?

2008-06-28T19:32:00.000-07:00

I don't know if it's summer or whether my brain is occupied with work projects and the changes in my personal life, but the usual flow of ideas has slowed to a trickle, more like a faucet that occasional drips a drop. The business idea I had last year seems much less practical in the current economy but I haven't come up with a compelling idea in its place. We went away for a few days last week, that usually stimulates new thought for me, but I haven't gotten any good ideas. I'm doing my tried and true strategies: long walks, browses in bookstores, gardening, going to different types of events, but no luck. I don't know if I am merely fallow right now or if I need to seek out new strategies for generating ideas and creative energy.

Back in the saddle!!!

2008-06-21T07:55:00.000-07:00

It's been quite an ordeal trying to get back into this blog. I had alot of problems with passwords and access after Blogger was acquired by Google and I was about to give up. Then a fellow poster on my favorite BB sent me a kind email praising my work on True Path and I was inspired to carry on.

So, what's gone on since December 2006? Alot and not much. I'm still employed in the corporate world. I finished and am editing my first novel and have started doing historical research for an artist in my area. I'm still trying to figure out what I'm going to do when I grow up. The bumpy economy has not helped my courage.

On the bright side, my long distance boyfriend and I have moved in together. Dave is an entrepreneur who encourages me to continue on my path and it's good for me to have him here with me, providing a good example and lots of encouragement.

I promise it won't be 18 months until my next posting! How are you doing these days? Let me know!

Vidya

2007 Goals

2006-12-19T11:49:00.000-08:00

Saturday night I spent a few hours deciding how I want my life in 2007 to look. I first looked at the goals I had set for 2006 and I was suprised at how many goals I had achieved. This year I decided to take it up to the next level, mainly by reviewing my goals on a more regular basis and keeping a copy of my goals tucked in my day planner so they'll always be on view.

It's amazing how just thinking about and writing down our goals can propel us toward actually achieving them! I found a great resource for goal setting: http://www.superviva.com/index.php

Podcasts

2006-12-05T06:19:00.000-08:00

On my commute to work and throughout the day I've been listening to different podcasts. Here are some of my favorites for inspiration for escaping from the corporate world:

Escape from Cubicle Nation:
http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/get_a_life_blog/

Start Up Nation:
http://www.startupnation.com/index.asp

Brain Brew:
http://brainbrewradio.com/

More inspiration

2006-11-27T07:03:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I was working on an involved work project when all of a sudden the plan for what I need to accomplish before I strike out on my own came to me. I seized the inspiration (it was almost as if some other force was dictating to me-- do you ever have those moments?) scribbled down about 25 things I need to have in place before leaving my job. Already, I have completed one task. I have the list in my planner so I can check it regularly. Having a clearer roadmap seems to keep me from getting discouraged and keeps me focussed on the road ahead.

Energy II

2006-11-18T10:14:00.000-08:00

We still haven't found a replacement for the team member who left in June so I am continuing to handle double my usual (and already daunting) workload. The field I am in has become increasingly crucial to the function of apparel product development but the supply of available workers has shrank significantly. We have interviewed half a dozen candidates, but none have worked out.

This has put a strain on my outside pursuits, making it difficult to find the energy to work on my novel and embark on my latest creative project. I realized recently that I have no problem with time management-- I can plan my week with the best of them. It's energy management that's the problem. My day planner may have everything listed that I need to accomplish in a given week, but if I am too exhausted to do more than work and basic life maintenance, then the plan isn't worth the paper it's written on.

Some weeks I feel like an athlete in training. I have to eat right, get sufficient sleep, provide time for mental/spiritual/emotion nourishment, get plenty of exercise just so I can run the marathon that is the life I've chosen. I've been reading alot of articles on acheiving optimal energy. One of my favorite resources is the Energy Coach, Jon Gordon. Check out his website if you're feeling in need of some energy assistance yourself:

http://jongordon.com/

An interesting idea

2006-11-03T06:34:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was flipping through Oprah. I was about to skip over an article on eating sensibly when something caught my eye. The scientist quoted in the article, Brian Wansink, mentioned that at the beginning of each month, he makes three changes in his life. Hmmmm, I thought, that sounds interesting. So when I sat down to set my goals for the month, I included three new things to try. It seems like a small, easy way to make changes in life.

Update

2006-10-06T06:09:00.000-07:00

No huge progress to report, just that I am managing to get up every morning to edit for half an hour to an hour and am expecting to acheive my goal of a workable second draft before the end of the year. I have also been playing with the concept inspired by a conversation on my retreat. It started out as one thing, a typical chick lit novel, but the character I found most compelling was an elderly Hispanic woman, a pivotal yet fairly minor character, and I am now trying to hear her story.

I told a friend recently that I often wonder if creative ideas exist on a separate dimension and the artist can tap into this dimension, but she can't always control what will fall into her grasp. I have often been puzzled by the projects that grab me, they usually involve characters that are far out of my realm of experience, but I feel their stories need to be told. That's the beauty of the creative process-- we don't know where it will lead us!

I'm hoping you're making good progress with your projects and finding joy in them!

A chance to refresh

2006-09-27T06:32:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I did something I have had on my life list for at least five years. I spent a weekend at a monastery on the Central Coast.

Mt. Calvary is a small, beautiful guest house high in the foothills overlooking the coast. A feeling of serenity and acceptance suffuse the very walls. I spent the days hiking, meditating, praying, reading, napping, and having fascinating conversations with the monks and others on retreat. For three days I was able to put aside all the stress and worry that has been my constant companions.

I had hoped that during my stay I would come up with my next writing project. It didn't happen, but I had such a great experience that I wasn't too disappointed. But then, a few days after I returned to "the real world", a remark someone had made during my stay resurfaced and the more I examined it, I realized I had the seed for a new writing project! It was a wonderful reminder that sometimes, the best thing to do in our creative life is to let go, do something else, and just give our creative energy its own time to bloom.

"The Creativity Book"

2006-09-16T09:38:00.000-07:00

I like to "test drive" books by first checking them out of the local library. Most of the time I read them or leaf through them and then return them. But every once in a while, I come across a book that I just have to have in my personal library of "books for the journey."

The Creativity Book by Eric Maisel, Ph.D., is one of them. Dr. Maisel provides a series of exercises designed to encourage creativity in everyone, from artists and writers to leaders and managers. The exercises range from writing a 2500 word autobiography to just getting up and going directly to work on a creative project. I really liked Dr. Maisel's belief that we all benefit from enhancing our creativity, regardless of whether or not we consider ourselves "artists".

Blinding Glimpse of the Obvious

2006-09-13T06:13:00.000-07:00

I've been working on transcribing the first draft of my book (handwritten) into a Word document. It was pretty slow going-- my job has been extremely demanding lately-- and I was getting discouraged at the lack of progress.

And then one day, it hit me. I had been getting up at 5:30 to catch the early bus into work and I started questioning why I was putting so much energy into something that I know is not what I want to do longterm. I decided to "flip" my day-- still get up at 5:30, but instead of catching the early bus, using that very first hour of the day to work on my own projects. In a sense, I would be doing what financial advisers always recommend-- paying myself first, only in time instead of money!!

I've been doing this for nearly a month, three to four times a week. I'm amazed at what an effect it has on my general mood-- the days I sleep in I find myself vaguely grumpy, the days I get up early I feel centered and satisfied with the progress I'm making. And I've made astounding progress on my novel. I have rearranged my day so that my evenings are devoted to preparing for the next day and relaxing and I don't have the guilt of feeling I should be doing something when I'm tired from all the rigors of the day.

I hope you find this suggestion helpful.

A major goal reached!!!

2006-06-03T07:23:00.000-07:00

When I worked on my plan last summer, I decided to focus on one big project instead of scattering my energies in a hundred different directions. I had wanted to write a book since I was about 10 years old and over the years had started about six different novels, running out of steam anywhere from a few pages in to about 75 pages in.

But I stuck with the novel I started in late 2002 and last Monday, Memorial Day, I finished the first draft!!!! I was stunned when I got to the last sentence and realized I was done. Of course, now the real work begins with getting this mass of handwritten scribbles into readable form. But for the first time I have something that can eventually be made into a book!!

I got to a stage where quitting no longer was an option. I finished part one, then figured I may as well continue. Then I wrote a chapter that I had always thought would be difficult, finished it and realized it hadn't been all that tough. Then when I finished part two, there was simply no point in stopping there, I may as well finish it. And now that I have a first draft, I may as well edit it.

I have learned so much about persistence and the momentum that small successes create, leading to larger successes that previously seemed unacheivable.

I hope you are having success with any goals you're working with. And I'm here to tell you that even daunting goals can be acheived!

Interesting seminar

2006-03-22T21:21:00.000-08:00

I just got an email from one of my favorite resources, Changing Course. They are offering a weekend seminar in Southern California the first weekend in June on "Work at What You Love: The Life-Changing Workshop and Retreat for People Who Want to Quit Their Job and Get a Life." I'm definitely planning to attend!

http://ChangingCourse.com/workshop.htm

Golden handcuffs

2006-03-04T16:24:00.000-08:00

Last month, I was promoted to director of my department. I had been doing actual director-level work for nearly two years and this was mainly a recognition of what I have been doing, as opposed to moving me up to a higher level.

Now that the excitement has died down, I sometimes feel like I have gotten golden handcuffs. The raise and perks weren't exceptional, but I find myself saying things like, "Well, I could just bank the difference in pay so I can work toward my goals faster." And I have to admit, the urgency of making a change has lessened. I occasionally wonder if this was a deliberate move on the part of my boss. I am in the middle of a big, high-profile project and this was a very good way to take the edge off any rebellion I might be feeling.

So I recognize the handcuffs and how alluring they are. I'm still working through how I can square this with the bigger changes I want to make in my life. I've been trying to continue work on my novel and not get sucked into taking on even more projects now that I'm officially in a higher and more visible position. But it is definitely a struggle.

2006!

2006-01-02T10:55:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a happy and safe New Years Eve! I spent the last few minutes of 2005 finishing one of my goals-- completing Act One of my novel. Then I spent a few minutes reflecting on all that I experienced and learned in the year. Despite all the horrific events in the world, on a personal level 2005 was a year of tremendous growth for me and I was thankful for all the experiences.

Now, onto 2006. I hope that we all experience significant growth and acheive some, if not all, the goals we have set for this year.

Resolutions

2005-12-07T20:39:00.000-08:00

I'm sitting at a local coffee house playing around with ideas of how I want 2006 to look. I have finally embraced at least part of my next step-- I need to do whatever it takes to finish my novel by the end of 2006.

It's one thing to have a big resolution like that, but really what does that look like? How will that affect my daily life? What does it mean to follow through with my calling to be a storyteller?

So after I write down the big goals, I break it down into bite size pieces. Like taking one night of the week to go somewhere and write for a few hours. And instead of waiting until after the New Year to get started with this resolution, I am starting tonight. Because really, when you think about it, it's kind of silly to wait for some random milestone to really commit oneself to acheiving a cherished goal.

I hope that sometime in the rush of the holiday insanity you'll take sometime to sit and think, How do I want my life in 2006 to look?

Another good resource

2005-11-26T08:08:00.000-08:00

http://coaching-for-results.com/articles/NextStep.htm

Some good exercises.

A small goal reached

2005-11-18T06:44:00.000-08:00

Two days ago I finished a chapter of my novel. For over three years I have been working on a chick lit novel inspired by the events in my life in the summer of 2002. Parts of it are quite autobiographical and this particular chapter was the most. It dealt with some very painful events in my life and over the six months it took to write the first draft I often felt anxiety, fear and pain when I picked up my pen to write. But the chapter was pivotal to the action, so I pressed on.

Well, it's now done! And when I wrote the last word, I thought to myself, I think this baby is going to make it full term! It's the first time I truly felt, heart and soul, that I would finish this book.

Tracing a Path

2005-11-14T19:02:00.000-08:00

On the Day of the Dead, I wrote about the Heroes portion of the altar I assemble each year. One of my heroes was Joseph Campbell. Curiously enough, he set me on a path that changed my life for more than ten years.

In 1987, several months before Campbell died, I found the LA Times Life and Style section on the bus during my morning commute. There was an article about Campbell, whom I had never heard of before. By the end of the article, I was fascinated by his life and determined to see the documentary about his life that was going to debut that night.

When I got to work, I called my boyfriend and read him excerpts from the article. He agreed that we had to attend the screening. We were just starting out in our careers and money was very tight, so Jim forged student IDs from a local art school so we could get the more affordable student admission to the documentary.

The documentary was amazing and I was utterly entranced by Campbell, his ideas, his personality and his work. Many of his insights about the nature of religion were ideas I had pondered and it was the first time I had ever heard anyone express concepts that had certainly never been discussed in the Catholic churches of my youth. I wanted to learn more about Campbell's work and his life.

After the film, Jim and I wandered out into the lobby. There were hors d'oeuvres and wine and we nibbled a bit and surveyed the crowd. I went to get a few more strawberries, but when I got back to our spot, Jim was gone. I looked around for him, but he was nowhere to be found.

I went back into the auditorium where I saw Jim deep in conversation with Joseph Campbell and two other people. I sat next to Dr. Campbell and when I got a chance to interject, I told him that it was an honor to meet him and his life's work was impressive and thought provoking. "Oh, aren't you sweet," he said with a smile, and patted my knee.

I avidly watched "The Power of Myth" on PBS and read "Hero with a Thousand Faces" and the volumes of "The Masks of God". I gave copies of "The Power of Myth" to friends and in 1991 I took an extension class at UCLA on myth and literature inspired by Campbell's writings. There I met the young journalist who was to become my (now ex) husband. So I tell people that meeting Joseph Campbell literally changed my life.

The reason I am recounting this anecdote is to illustrate that life changing possibilities exist everywhere and every day. A chance find of a newspaper on a bus-- what could be more ordinary than that? Yet picking up that newspaper (and acting on the impulse it inspired-- a very important point to remember!) led my life on an entirely different path.

Was it fate? Was it meant to be? I don't know and I don't expect to ever know. But now I pay very close attention to what comes into my life and when the impulse is strong enough, I always follow it.

Day of the Dead

2005-11-02T21:52:00.000-08:00

Today is the Day of the Dead, the Mexican holiday that commemorates those who have passed on before us.

Every year I build an altar to memorialize the dead who are important to me. I have a section for family, a section for the animals I have loved, and a section for my heroes, the people whose lives and contributions inspire me every day. Some of the people in the "Heroes" section of my altar:

Laura Ingalls Wilder, whose books were among the first to make me realize other people had lived before me and had compelling stories to tell.

Dan Eldon, the young journalist who wrote and illustrated incredibly detailed diaries. His life and work inspires me to continue to chronicle my life and to live every day to the fullest, no matter where I am.

Joseph Campbell, my "guru" was the first person I ever heard articulate beliefs I had had about the nature of God that ran counter to everything I had ever been taught in church, but instinctively understood to be true.

Marguerite Henry, another author who wrote books I read over and over again when I was a child. She was also the first person to give me feedback on my writing and I treasure the letters she wrote me.

Daniel Pearl, another journalist. He exemplified everything I love about the best journalists: compassion, curiosity and the generous desire to share truths with the world.

Rosa Parks, whose seemingly small act of resistance changed the world. She reminds me that we can all change the world, even with small actions.

Some of my friends who aren't familiar with the idea of Day of the Dead find it morbid. But I find it comforting to take a special time to remember those who have died and honor their memories with a creative work.

Heard it on the radio

2005-10-28T07:02:00.000-07:00

I listen to an online radio show, WMKV (http://wmkvfm.org/index_ii.html), that features big band music along with fascinating talk shows. Yesterday, Bill Jensen, author of "What is Your Life's Work?" discussed his book and what he has learned in writing it. He had alot of interesting things to say (unfortunately it was a very busy day, so I couldn't hear the entire show) and I was inspired to check out his website. He suggests posing and answering some very tough questions to help us maximize our life's journey. He also had some very interesting insights into how people find purpose in their lives. Later that day, I had what may have been a groundbreaking discussion with my boss. Coincidence? I'm not so sure!

http://ourlifeswork.com/

Some very practical hints for the next step

2005-10-24T07:49:00.000-07:00

Another good article I came across:

http://coaching-for-results.com/articles/NextStep.htm

Very interesting developments since I last posted. A company based in my city has a position open that looks to be a very good match for my skill set. This company is famous in the industry for being a values-driven organization. It has had its ups and downs, but the owner has tried very hard to stay true to what he believes.

I feel like a woman who has been married for decades, but suddenly is back on the dating scene! My resume skills are rusty, but I have been getting good advice from friends. It's one of those opportunities that I can't pass up. I'll keep you posted.

Frustration

2005-10-18T07:55:00.000-07:00

This is a very difficult place to be. There has been alot going on in my workplace and I probably need to move on as the situation just gets more and more frustration. But I'm not yet ready to go on my own. I'm trying to figure out how to make this situation work without doing too much damage to my psyche and allowing me to get to the point of being able to make the next move. How can it be done?

Thanks, Anonymous

2005-10-03T07:06:00.000-07:00

I want to thank whoever posted a reply to my posting about taking on a new major project and my ambivalence about it. I realized that although I often fight to make sure people on my team get what they deserve, I am less likely to fight for myself. After having an incredibly clear symbolic dream and reading "Anonymous"'s posting, I know that wherever my path takes me, I need to be more proactive about going after what I am due and valuing what I have to offer as highly as I value what other people offer.

Worthwhile

2005-09-23T07:15:00.000-07:00

A friend recently turned me on to a new magazine, Worthwhile, that focusses on having a work life and environment full of purpose and passion. It is a different way of looking at the workplace, an idea whose time has come. Many of the articles profile business executives and trust fund babies who were able to follow their passions (not such a challenge when your family can easily bankroll you!), but I found lots of food for thought and am sharing the ideas with my colleagues and superiors.

http://worthwhilemag.com/

How to balance?

2005-09-20T06:58:00.000-07:00

A few months ago I was given a directive by my boss to implement a new product size extension. It's a pretty daunting project and has the potential to increase sales by over a million dollars in its first season. If I can pull this off right, I can come off as a hero and there might be a promotion for me in it.

A few years ago, I would have gone into this project wholeheartedly, put all my energy into it just for the sheer joy of proving I could do it. But I have done that in my job so many times and gotten such paltry returns that I no longer have the enthusiasm. And more importantly, I don't want anything to get in the way of the momentum I am building with my true path projects. Unfortunately, though, I am not in the position of refusing this project, unless I am prepared to leave my job, which I am not yet ready to do. So now I am looking at ways to make this project work, but in a way that doesn't compromise my work on my true path. I'm making it all up as I go along, but I feel compelled to do it.

How to balance?

2005-09-17T20:32:00.000-07:00

A few months ago I was given a directive by my boss to implement a new product size extension. It's a pretty daunting project and has the potential to increase sales by over a million dollars in its first season. If I can pull this off right, I can come off as a hero and there might be a promotion for me in it.

A few years ago, I would have gone into this project wholeheartedly, put all my energy into it just for the sheer joy of proving I could do it. But I have done that in my job so many times and gotten such paltry returns that I no longer have the enthusiasm. And more importantly, I don't want anything to get in the way of the momentum I am building with my true path projects. Unfortunately, though, I am not in the position of refusing this project, unless I am prepared to leave my job, which I am not yet ready to do.

So now I am looking at ways to make this project work, but in a way that doesn't compromise my work on my true path. I'm making it all up as I go along, but I feel compelled to do it.

Creating a space

2005-09-12T07:08:00.000-07:00

One of my ongoing projects is to carve out some space to work on my ideas. It's been a surprisingly difficult project-- I can never keep on top of keeping the spare bedroom organized. It seems like stuff and papers grow faster than I can contain them.

There are a few islands of organization. All the books and magazines I consult are on a shelf on the big bookshelf. I keep the computer desk fairly organized. But the rest of the room is fairly chaotic. I can't help but wonder if my work would flow more easily if there was more order around me.

So I continue to chip away, trying to keep the incoming flowing as smoothly as possible. I hope that one day I'll have a system in place to conquer the clutter. I hope you have your own sp ce to physically let your dreams flourish and that it's neater than mine!

It must be a trend

2005-09-10T20:55:00.000-07:00

I was on the elliptical trainer at work yesterday when I found the latest issue of Woman's Day magazine. I almost never read Woman's Day, but I noticed this issue has an article on finding your dream job! Woman's Day is devoting a year's worth of articles to how to make your dreams come true:

http://www.womansday.com/article.asp?section_id=7&article_id=9384

Preparedness

2005-09-06T08:51:00.000-07:00

After reading about the horrifying devastation in the South, I realized that I had no emergency preparedness plan. No supply of water or food or an escape plan in case there is a serious emergency. Since I have pets, my options for getting into an emergency shelter would be limited and in the event of an earthquake or other disaster, I could expect to be pretty much on my own.

So over the long weekend I bought a plastic bin and filled with supplies both for myself and the cats. I have also started gathering important paperwork to include copies in my emergency kit and to send to my mother, who lives out of state, for safekeeping. I also started a list of the things most precious to me, prioritized, so if I ever have just five minutes in which to evacuate I have a list so I won't be running around, wasting precious time prioritizing. (It was surprising how short that list is!) The bin now sits near the garage door, with a sleeping bag on top of it.

When I put the bin into place and marked my calendar for next Labor Day weekend to switch out water and food products, I felt an incredible sense of relief. I had done something about an issue that had been weighing on the back of my mind for years now. I could now let that go and make room for other things to contemplate. This has inspired me to start looking at other little nagging issues so I can get them resolved and free myself to work on more important areas.

Plans for the long weekend

2005-09-01T07:18:00.000-07:00

Even after being out of school for over twenty years, Labor Day weekend still feels like the beginning of a fresh start. We still may have six weeks of summer here in Southern California, but the calendar tells me it's time to get out my notebooks and pens and get to work. This weekend I am carving out some time to review my plan, read some more books, sketch out some goals and how to acheive them. Of course, I'll still take some time to laze in the hammock and get to the beach, but most of the weekend will be devoted to working on my plan.

Quotes from my commonplace book

2005-08-30T22:32:00.000-07:00

Follow your bliss. Joseph Campbell

What you choose is your destiny. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Nine doors will close in your face before the tenth one opens. Mr. Fishel

Midlife is when you reach the top of the ladder and find that it was against the wrong wall. Joseph Campbell

God loves you just the way you are, but He loves you too much to let you stay that way. Angus MacLachlan

Energy

2005-08-30T07:04:00.000-07:00

A few months ago I spent alot of time pondering the areas in my life in which I am stuck. I was in a serious writer's drought and after much contemplation, I realized I was creatively stuck. After much meditation I discovered that I wasn't allowing my creative energy to flow. I had been so busy with the nuts and bolts of my daily life that I wasn't nurturing the creative energy I so desperately need to move on with the plan in my life. I then started asking myself what I needed to get more creative energy and I realized it was very simple-- more play, more long walks, less concern with budget and more concern with getting what I need.

As you work on your path, when you encounter roadblocks within yourself, try spending a few minutes or hours just meditating on what is blocked and what needs to be released. You'll be surprised at how wise your soul is.

The Breaking Point

2005-08-29T22:46:00.000-07:00

Right now I am reading an amazing book, The Breaking Point, about women's midlife crises and how they are transforming our society, especially as the Baby Boomers hit middle age and beyond. The author is very candid that not all change at midlife is positive, but can be explosive and life altering. This book has plenty of inspiring stories and quotes.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0805077111/qid=1125324462/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-5128072-0683042?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

Friday Fun

2005-08-25T21:56:00.000-07:00

Have you discovered Sudoku? It is my new addiction. It's a grid game in which every digit from 1 to 9 must appear:
In each of the columns,
in each of the rows,
and in each of the nine boxes.

It's a great brain teaser, but it can also be viewed as a metaphor for living life to the fullest. Really. Stay with me here. Some of the squares are filled in very logically. It is obvious which is the correct number. But other squares require a leap of faith that you will choose the right number. Sometimes you do. Other times, you keep working the puzzle until it becomes obvious that your original guess didn't pan out. But never mind. By diligently backtracking and getting back to the point where you made a different choice, you can erase and start working forward from that point with new data.

See what I mean?

http://sudoku.com.au/

Inspiration

2005-08-24T07:08:00.000-07:00

When I feel my enthusiasm and drive flagging, I read one of Mark Morford's best columns:

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/gate/archive/2005/07/08/notes070805.DTL&nl=fix

I hope you find it inspiring too.

Gathering my thoughts

2005-08-23T08:12:00.000-07:00

After a month of excitement, it's time for me to get back to work. It feels like it's been months since I've worked on my plan and it's difficult to regather the threads of my efforts. Right now I am keeping a list of small steps I can take to keep things going-- printing up more business cards, writing up a few more outlines, making phone calls. It's like going back to the gym after not working out for a while-- I feel rusty and out of shape.

Funny how that works

2005-08-22T07:07:00.000-07:00

Have you ever learned a new word and then suddenly it pops up all over the place? Or you buy a new car and suddenly you see its twin everywhere? Something like that is what happened to me this weekend. It seems like all of a sudden, I am surrounded by people who found their true path in life, ranging from a man who's chance encounter in a thrift store lead to finding his calling, to a woman who let nothing stand in the way of her dream of establishing a nationwide lost pet assistance network. And then I received this month's Oprah magazine to find excellent articles on figuring out the next step in life. I was feeling pretty tired after all the excitement of the past month, but these little synchronicities revived my energy and got my brain whirring again. I highly, highly, highly recommend picking up the September issue of Oprah for inspiration.

Friday Fun

2005-08-19T07:11:00.000-07:00

My friend Dave refers to the Internet as "the repository of all human knowledge". That it may be, but it gets a little daunting, all that information out there.

I rely on http://artsandlettersdaily.com/ to give me a digest of what's worth reading on the Web. There are links to book reviews, opinion pieces and interesting articles. It's worth checking out.

Change in the midst of real life

2005-08-18T07:07:00.000-07:00

It's been one of those weeks, lots of work challenges and house projects going on (workmen are ripping out my roof even as I type-- the noise is so unnerving that my shoulders are up around my ears-- I'm convinced one of them is about to come through the ceiling!). It's just life, but it makes tackling anything other than sheer day to day living daunting.

How can it be done? How can I continue to move toward something new when most nights I come home from work too tired to do more than cook dinner, tackle a chore, call a friend and then go to sleep? I use my time as efficiently as possible, but I still find myself spending several hours of the weekend just sitting, staring into space, willing energy back into my body so I can face the upcoming week.

Some days I feel like I can't pursue my own projects unless I quit my job or at least take a sabbatical. I know that is unrealistic and often I start to get depressed, feeling like I'll never get a chance to do something more in my life and five years from now my life will be much the same as it is now.

I try to tackle little projects each day, a phone call here, some research there. I hope that it becomes like a snowball, that each step leads to a bit more momentum so that at one point moving will be easier than standing still. . .

Getting started

2005-08-17T06:47:00.000-07:00

Alot of times, when I talk to people who want to do something different with their lives, I find that while they yearn to make changes, they often don't know where to start. As I suggested earlier, getting one's personal life balanced and clarified is a helpful starting point. But for the next step, there are some terrific resources. Here is one worth checking out:

http://lifeonpurpose.com/index.php?page=1

Know Thyself

2005-08-15T21:54:00.000-07:00

A few months ago a friend gave me a book on astrology. I have always been interested in how the movement of the stars correlates with the cycles of human life and this book clearly explained the principles of astrology. Several years ago I bought some software for calculating natal charts, so I built my own chart.

What I found in my chart wasn't surprising. Clusters of planets in a particular House of the heavens corresponded very closely to the areas I am looking to redirect my life to. There was something very heartening about seeing the very map of the heavens at my birth pointing to the passions I am directing my energies toward. I have since cast natal charts for friends and family. Some charts show a very clear path, others are less direct. If you are looking for some heavenly direction, here are some websites that will cast free natal charts:

http://www.astro.com/

http://www.alabe.com/freechart/

http://www.chartplanet.com/html/natal_charts.html

Another useful tool is the Myers-Briggs personality profile. Again, I didn't learn anything new about my psyche, but it was helpful to read about how I can best work with my particular personality to acheive success:

http://www.personalitypage.com/

Friday Fun

2005-08-12T12:15:00.000-07:00

For the past four years I have been involved with a website that allows books to travel the world. You can register a book, get a unique ID number that is then noted in the book, which is then released "into the wild". Hopefully a like-minded individual will find the book, go to the website and enter the ID number, allowing you to track the book's wanderings. One of my books ended up in Bakersfield, another ended up in Germany! BookCrossing is trying to turn the world into one big happy library! Check it out:

http://bookcrossing.com/home

Time Out this week

2005-08-11T08:45:00.000-07:00

It's been a crazy week, with houseguests and my Story Corps project and an unexpected feline emergency. I've done very little work on my plan and couldn't even get to posting a resource yesterday. But it has been good to talk with friends and family about what I am working on-- the feedback has been overwhelmingly favorable, even from the people who usually counsel caution and security. I hope that wherever you are on your path, that you are getting lots of good support from those around you.

Back to work

2005-08-09T07:00:00.000-07:00

I took Monday off to attend to chores and hang out with my mom, who is visiting until the end of this week. Now I have to go back to work and I DON'T WANT TO!!! These are the days when I wish I were further along a new path and no longer needing to work at a normal corporate job. It doesn't help that I have a whole mess o' problems waiting for me at the office, including a bunch of meetings and tons of paperwork.

I guess that these kind of days are good in that they strengthen my resolve to do something different, something I can be excited about and work into my life instead of having work be this monolithic structure that sits apart from my life. So I am taking a deep breath, going into the office and determined to fit a few minutes in during the madness to doing something toward my real goal and mission.

Self publishing resource

2005-08-08T11:08:00.000-07:00

When I talk to people who are considering a different and new path in life, many talk of writing books. As I mentioned last week, writing and publishing are an important part of the strategy for the next part of my life.

I am very fortunate to have a terrific resource to help me build this strategy. If you live in Southern California and are interested in publishing your own books, I highly recommend taking one of Belma Johnson's courses through area community colleges and adult education programs. Belma has gone both the traditional publishing route and self publishing and he is an enthusiastic proponent of publishing one's own books. His workshops are fast paced, engaging, full of practical information and incredibly inspiring. Once you have participated in one of his workshops, you are then part of the "DreamNet" circle and eligible to attend various workshops Belma offers throughout the year. There's nothing like being in a room of other aspiring authors and publishers to renew the enthusiasm and get the energy flowing again!

http://www.belmaj.com/

Friday Fun

2005-08-05T06:46:00.000-07:00

This weekend I am interviewing my mom and a dear friend as part of the Story Corps Story Kit project. Story Corps is an organization that works to capture the stories of ordinary Americans-- their lives and loves and philosophies (you may have heard snippets of interviews on NPR). On a recent business trip, a friend and I stumbled across one of the Mobile Story Booths. I interviewed her about her life in the apparel business and the interview evolved into a discussion of our friendship, its history and its evolution.

http://storycorps.net/

The plan, so far

2005-08-04T06:28:00.000-07:00

I'm still working out the details and how I'm going to get there, but the general outline of My Plan is this:

A selfpublishing company specializing in interactive journals and publishing local authors
Consulting/freelance projects in my industry
Writing projects, especially novels. I currently have a "chick lit" novel in progress and outlines for half a dozen more.
Increased community involvement, especially with the local libraries.
And the biggie, the most daunting part of my dream-- a used bookstore/community center. If you have ever been to any of the Bookman stores in Southern Arizona (http://bookmans.com/) you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.

Your Money or Your Life

2005-08-03T06:59:00.000-07:00

Part and parcel with changing my life path is working on simplifying my life. Looking at life beyond a weekly paycheck means I need to analyze my resources and work on being more mindful of how I use those resources, especially my money.

I am currently reading a revolutionary book Your Money or Your Life. The author, Joe Dominguez, spent a long time analyzing how much energy goes into that paycheck we get from our jobs. His story is pretty amazing-- he was a stockbroker who decided he wanted his life to be more than his job. By careful use of his resources, he was able to retire in his early 30s and by the end of his life, he was living on $3000 a year. He is one of my new path heroes!

Check out the website devoted to his work:

http://www.simpleliving.net/ymoyl/default.asp

How it all started

2005-08-02T07:08:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned yesterday, five years I drafted a new plan to help me cope with my life. The story, though, goes back even further. In 1997, two years after a wrenching divorce and being stuck in a job that I knew would eventually go overseas, I started working on something I have come to call "The Life Project". Every few years I look at all aspects of my life, usually with an eye to make changes. At that time, I contemplated becoming a consultant while continuing to write and perhaps developing some products I could sell. I took on some freelance projects and quickly realized I had alot to learn, especially with computers.

Then, out of the blue, a job came my way. It was in a related field and the one area of the apparel biz that was experiencing growth here in the States instead of overseas. It was a big enough of a stretch to give me insomnia and make me sick to my stomach every morning for the first month, but I have learned so much and have grown, despite the craziness.

The moral of all this is that even when the path doesn't go in the direction you design, there are still opportunities that ultimately put you in a better position to make bigger changes down the road. In these past 8 years I have met people who have pointed the way, learned about the bigger picture of how businesses work and gained a clearer vision of how I want my life to look. It's been a worthwhile "detour" from my original plan.

2005-08-01T08:42:00.000-07:00

Five years ago I was burned out and desperate for some change in my life. I loved my job, but it was so overwhelming that it was making me ill. I didn't want to leave, but I knew I couldn't keep going the way I had been.

I started reading self help books, looking for strategies to help me get my life back and draft a new plan for the next few years. One of the most helpful resources was Cheryl Richardson, a life coach who has written such books as "Take Time for Your Life" and "Life Makeovers". Her advice and recommendations were practical and her books featured quizzes and checklists that helped me pinpoint the areas that needed action the most. I realized that before I could dream big about a new path in my life, I had to come from a position of strength and clarity, not exhaustion and desperation.

The changes I made were fairly subtle, but enabled me to make the next big decisions in my life: to buy a house and stop allowing my job to suck every bit of energy out of me. Making those two decisions work then allowed me to consider the next steps in my life. For anyone contemplating a significant life change, I highly recommend tackling this project first.

http://www.cherylrichardson.com/

Friday Fun

2005-07-29T08:46:00.000-07:00

I just stumbled across a very cool website that is worth checking out:

http://postcrossing.com/

The basic premise is you register your information then request info on sending a postcard to someone somewhere in the world. Eventually someone will get your info and send off a postcard that will just show up in your mailbox! And who doesn't love getting something unexpected AND fun in the mailbox?!

Your address isn't posted on the site, but sent to someone who requests an address to send a postcard to. You can request up to three addresses at a time.

Enjoy your weekend.

Message in a Bottle

2005-07-28T07:02:00.000-07:00

I feel like this is a message in a bottle and I'm hoping it washes up on a shore where someone will read the message and it will be something they have been longing to hear.

I have read plenty of self help books over the years. My daily life is well balanced and there is plenty in all areas of my life. I have dealt with painful past events and forgiven those who have harmed me. My health is good and ever day I give thanks for the happy accident of fate that gave me such a prosperous and secure life.

And, yet. . .I ask myself, is this the best use of my life and my gifts? Am I on the right path, making the most of this brief life? Can I make more of an offering to the world and my destiny? Should I be directing my energies in a way that is more in keeping with my deepest yearnings?

Then I feel that I have been given so much and have a life millions would love to have that it is sheer selfishness that makes me hanker for more. Why should I yearn for more when so many have so little? Why should I be discontented with such plenty.

The wheel turns and then I feel that I am a caterpillar outgrowing its chrysalis and must go ont its next stage or die. Or a snake that has grown too big for its old skin, that served its purpose and now must be shed. This matter can be questioned and contemplated, but it just is and must be dealt with.

Beginning

2005-07-27T13:36:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, I came up with idea of making a magazine for people who are looking to change their lives, especially in the direction of getting off the corporate treadmill and following their true soul's calling. I quickly realized that a magazine is a pretty daunting undertaking, but I still want to share with likeminded souls the resources I have been unearthing. Then I had a BGO (Blinding Glimpse of the Obvious)-- I could easily do it in blog form!

Today's resource: I recently discovered http://www.changingcourse.com/, a resource that offers workshops, a newsletter and all sorts of real life stories of those who have made their dreams come true.