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Getting Unstuck
Have you ever felt resistance to the smallest tasks? Recently, a minor chore presented itself, and I was overwhelmed with reluctance. A trivial 30-second task suddenly felt like climbing a mountain. It wasn’t the task itself, but the emotion behind it, which was problematic. I realized this resistance highlighted a pattern: I’ve been avoiding many such tiny tasks, letting them accumulate into an overwhelming list. And that doesn’t feel good.
Passing on Notes: The Tale of Freddie Keppard
When it comes to jazz, there are names that resonate through the annals of history. Louis Armstrong, Buddy Bolden, and King Oliver are just a few. But today, I want to introduce you to a name that might not be as familiar: Freddie Keppard.
If you're already acquainted with Keppard, you'll know the significance of his story. For those who aren’t, Freddie Keppard might have been the best cornetist to ever live. But the world will never truly know, and here's why.
All Our Seasons Change
Your seasonal shifting will probably not look the same as mine. Some of us are going through significant life transitions, while some are seizing new opportunities like launching new albums or making career moves. Change, like the seasons, is a common experience for all of us.
Signposts: Curves Ahead!
Stay alert. Listen to your intuition. While it may not be right every time (thanks, lizard brain!), when you open your heart and mind, you realize these aren’t just random events. There's something – a science, a magic, an intelligence – we've yet to fully grasp.
Growing in Circles
My own “life spiral” has sometimes looked remarkably coherent and blessed. At others it has resembled a weirdly misshapen cinnamon roll, rather than a perfect circle. It's supposed to be that way. Growth is imperfect and asymmetrical—and sometimes we have to go back and repeat something in order to learn the lesson from that experience.
Your Learning Journey
I once had the task of introducing tech-averse individuals to new technology. It made me reflect on the learning curve. Traditionally visualized as a steady uphill climb, I find this representation misleading. I’ve been lucky enough to teach thousands of students in my higher education career, and I’ve noticed a different pattern.
Fear vs. F.E.A.R.
So, the lesson here is to examine your fears – discern between the necessary caution and the self-imposed limitations. In facing these fears, we might uncover something precious we thought was lost or even discover something new.
Unplugging
There's no one-size-fits-all approach to self-care, and that's perfectly fine. Recharging will energize you and enable you to be there for your family, friends, work, or anything that requires your attention.
The “Someday” Trap: Let’s Live Now
Hope is what keeps us going, day after day. We hope that tomorrow will be better than today. And there's something beautifully creative about hope, isn't there? As creators by nature, we constantly seek improvement, forever dreaming of a brighter future, and hope is our companion on the journey.
But is there a catch?
Life-Giving Goals
Let’s be real: we all have commitments and deadlines that we need to meet. We all have to do stuff we don’t absolutely love, and there are occasions where the SMART-style goal is a fantastic tool to use. But when the majority of our most important goals are life-giving and centered around real-life desires and visions, real progress and real transformations happen.
Coping with Crisis Mode
Crisis Mode goes into effect when unexpected events—like a family emergency or an intense work period—demand immediate attention, forcing everything else to fall away. These are the moments when our bodies are on constant high-alert, fueled by adrenaline and anxiety.
The Other Three Agreements
The author, Don Miguel Ruiz, explains that we make “agreements” (or ways of being) with ourselves and others based on what we've learned throughout our lives. These agreements can either uplift us or hold us back. And the four agreements mentioned in the book are practical and powerful.
Be Impeccable with Your Word
I transformed from being sarcastic and judgy to happier, saner, and more peaceful—and guess what? It improved my relationships, allowed people to trust me, and opened doors for career advancement and entrepreneurial enterprise!
A Little Chat with Shannon: Healthy Communication
It’s essential to be mindful of the tone and approach we use in our communications, especially when dealing with sensitive topics. When we remember that behind every conflict is a real, living-and-breathing person, it’s easier to be respectful and open to hearing what that person has to say. In turn, this opens the door for more open and honest conversations, ultimately leading to better understanding and collaboration.
A Little Chat | Nine Keys While Uncluttering
Over the past three years, I've gone through a lot, from two major career changes to losing a dream job. Despite these challenges, I've managed to find success in my graphic design work, which has been great—but also unexpected.
This was never a part of my plan or vocational identity. So I've recently found myself asking, "Who am I, again? And what exactly am I doing with my life?" If you've ever felt this way, know that you're not alone - I'm going through it too.
A Little Chat | Overwhelm
As much as I love my work, I've been feeling pretty overwhelmed lately. During the pandemic, I was working non-stop for my clients because—SUDDENLY—everyone needed everything online.
I went for about 2 years with no days off (not even weekends). I was doing the entrepreneurial “hustle” and becoming increasingly stressed out and unhappy. And to make matters worse, my dad passed away unexpectedly (not COVID). It was a lot to handle, you know?
A Little Chat | Celebrating the Moment
Dave and I recently launched the Album Accelerator, which was a heavy lift. It was 35 gigs worth of information and six and a half hours of curriculum, so you can imagine the effort it took to put it together.
When we finally finished uploading everything, we were elated! But guess what happened next?