When Less is More: Erin’s interview with Stew Friedman on the Work and Life show on Sirius XM radio

by | Oct 10, 2016 | Interviews

When Less is More: Erin's interview with Stew Friedman on the Work and Life show on Sirius XM radio

We invite you to grab a cup of tea or a latte, kick back, plug in to your favorite device, and hear Erin’s insights about how Eastern philosophy and a “less is more” approach can reduce your stress level, increase the joy in your life, improve your productivity and creativity, and more.
This recording originally aired live in September 2016 on Sirius XM Channel 111, Business Radio Powered by The Wharton School.

[dropshadowbox align=”none” effect=”lifted-both” width=”autopx” height=”” background_color=”#ffffff” border_width=”1″ border_color=”#dddddd” ] Play the recording “Work and Life, September 13, 2016″
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Combating Overwhelm When the Minimum is Still TOO MUCH!

Combating Overwhelm When the Minimum is Still TOO MUCH!

by | Aug 15, 2016 | Ezine

You have numerous responsibilities. We all do. And in the current time of 24/7 mobile accessibility, only you can decide when to stop being available and rest. But when everyone else is online at all hours, what can you do? Combating overwhelm is difficult.

BE YOUR OWN BAROMETER

As hard as it is, do NOT compare yourself to others. You are the only one who knows when you are approaching your own personal maximum capacity. So, ignore what others are doing and make your own intelligent decision about when you have too many commitments.

DRAW THE LINE

Combating Overwhelm When the Minimum is Still TOO MUCH!Decide when you will rest. That translates to creating a clear boundary with technology. When you draw the line, you honor your human personal space by shutting off your computer, tablet, smart phone, and entertainment devices.

For you that might be several times a day for a shorter period of time. Or maybe for you that means a hard line at the end of your work day.

If you are part of a team or larger organization, invite others to draw the same line so you can support one another. My friends at the innovative Philadelphia-based company Vynamic have a universal policy called zzzMail, where no internal emails are sent between 10 PM and 6 AM, nor on weekends or holidays. Personally, I need a longer period of “no email” during the day so I can be present with parenting, with my husband, and my own self-care.

IF NOT NOW, LATER

Even when you are excited about all your commitments, sometimes it’s better to wait to say yes until you have more space in your calendar. If a new and fabulous opportunity arises, ask yourself: does it have to be now? Will I still be excited about it next month? next quarter? next year?

MAKE SPACE and BE CONSCIOUS OF THE IMPACT

Okay, so let’s say it can’t wait. Then what? If you are already feeling stretched to the limit, take a serious look at all your projects and roles and ask yourself: What TWO things can I let go of? And how soon can I let go of them?

Why TWO? Entering into a new project or commitment usually involves a learning curve and extra invested time at the beginning. By taking two responsibilities off your plate, you release enough capacity to fully engage in and enjoy your new passion.

If one or both of the existing commitments you will let go of involve other people, consider how your departure will impact them. Share your intention and work together to ease into the new reality so you don’t burn bridges along the way.

HONOR YOUR PERSONAL GUIDELINES

Combating Overwhelm When the Minimum is Still TOO MUCH!Do you suffer from “bright, shiny object syndrome”, which my dear friend Sara Canuso describes as “being excited about every new thing that comes my way”? One way to fend off the lure of new opportunities is to refer back to the goals and budget you set for yourself this year or quarter. Then, ask yourself: does this new opportunity support my overall vision? Does it feed into one of this year’s or quarter’s goals? If not, then the answer is clearly no. Or, at least not this year or quarter.

I’ve recently had to say no to a number of professional development and business opportunities because they did not fit with my goals. There were certainly moments of hesitation and asking myself: “can’t I just change my goals so this fits?” In the end, though, I was really glad I said no because ultimately other better and more-aligned opportunities came to me.

BE HONEST ABOUT THE BIG PICTURE

If in the end, you still feel overwhelmed, then it may be time to look at the big picture. When my clients do all the right things and make positive changes with tangible results, but still feel something is wrong, it usually (but not always) is a sign that they are off track in their life path.

It’s never too late in life to make a life or career change, to re-connect you with your core values and passions. And working with a skilled professional like a leadership coach, career coach, or life coach might be an option you want to explore.

IS NOW THE TIME TO COMBAT OVERWHELM?

If you’d like to talk further about reducing overwhelm, or your big picture, it only takes a 15-minute call. I am scheduling exploratory calls now for September and October. Email me and we’ll find a date and time that work best for your crazy schedule.

With loss comes “carpe diem”

by | Apr 17, 2016 | Ezine

ZoeOur beloved 11-year old chocolate Labrador Zoe left us unexpectedly earlier this month. I am usually the first to say carpe diem (Live and love now! Don’t wait!), and the loss of Zoe provided another reminder of how short life can be.

I’ve written on this topic before, but felt it needed to be revisited. It’s so easy to get caught up in the distractions of the daily grind. It takes conscious effort–and sometimes the reminders from a friendly supporter–to keep the big picture and what’s most important fresh in your mind.

In my coaching of two business partners last week, we talked about how challenges like employee turnover and delayed closure of a key contract can cause you to forget your overarching vision. And in another coaching session with a business owner we talked about the importance of celebrating the small successes of daily work that build toward the bigger goals — important for staying the course even when unexpected challenges arise.

[dropshadowbox align=”center” effect=”lifted-both” width=”auto” height=”” background_color=”#ffffff” border_width=”1″ border_color=”#dddddd” ]What are you waiting to take action on? What distractions are drawing your attention away from what is most important?[/dropshadowbox]

One client recently re-hired me to help her tackle those distractions so she can stay on track toward her biggest growth goal. But sometimes the goals are more personal, like meeting that special someone…or taking a bucket list trip…or finally completing that next level licensing exam.

If you have not ever or not recently read the Top 5 Regrets of the Dying, as shared by a bedside hospice nurse Bronnie Ware in her now well-known observations, I invite you to read on and consider what small step you can take in the direction of a long-held goal or desire.

(1) I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.

(2) I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.

(3) I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.

(4) I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.

(5) I wish that I had let myself be happier.

Carpe diem!

Ride the Spring SURGE to your next stage of growth!

Ride the Spring SURGE to your next stage of growth!

by | Mar 8, 2016 | Ezine

Can you feel it?

Spring energy is pushing you to clean out the old and make room for new growth.

Maybe you’ve felt the urge already?

The urge to…

…weed your winter plant beds?

…go through your finances and cut out unnecessary expenses?

…clean out closets and drawers?

…phase out unprofitable clients?

…declutter your desktop?

…stop dedicating time to tasks you should be delegating?

…delete unnecessary files taking up hard disk space?

…stop playing old “tapes” in your mind?

…let go of some unhealthy relationships?

I encourage you to follow these urges!
(When was the last time someone told you that? Ha!)

Once you’ve cleared some space in your mental, physical, emotional, digital, and calendar spaces, you will have created a VACUUM! A vacuum to invite in what energizes you, enriches you, enlivens you.

Who doesn’t want that?

So, where do you begin with cleaning out the old? How do you make it manageable?

Start with the urge that is bugging you the most. Carve out 30 minutes of time. (Check out my past blog post on the Focus 30 practice for ideas on how to be super productive in just 30 minutes.)

Use as many 30 minutes increments as you need across a day, several days or a week to knock out your first urge. Then, notice how you FEEL. What do you THINK? Observe the impact of cleaning out just one area of “old” to make room for new growth.

Then, rinse and repeat. Pick your second urge and do this again. And again. Through the next several weeks – even into April, to ride the spring SURGE to your next stage of growth!

And remember you can always call me or email me for support: as a coach I will support you to clarify your list of things to clean out, create manageable timelines and structure to follow-through, and cheer with you each time you cross the finish line.

Here’s to your new growth!

Bali? Bali! (And a new podcast!)

Bali? Bali! (And a new podcast!)

by | Feb 8, 2016 | Ezine

yoga-meditationI leave Thursday morning for Bali. Do you wish you could come with me? Me too.

This is a research trip to finalize details for the next and final retreat to Bali. I’m visiting Candidasa and the Amlapura area on the east coast, heading up to check out two potential lodging options on the ocean in the northeast and north of the island, then going to an area I’ve never before explored in the northwest near the national park, and finally coming back “home” to the beloved Ubud area for a 5th dip in the holy springs and some other key appointments. All in one week!

When I return I will announce more concrete plans for the next retreat, which I hope you will join!

In the meantime, listen to this podcast–my recent interview with Morgan Dix of AboutMeditation.com. It offers a glimpse inside my own path and transformation and how I work with clients. I hope it inspires you!