Breaking Up with Busy!

"Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans." 

~John Lennon

So often we are asked (or ask) "Are you busy?" It's practically replaced "How are you?", and yet what does busy mean? It's almost a badge of peculiar, proud honor for people to talk about, dare I say brag about, how busy they are. Please stop it!

And, similarly, we often answer the question "Yes!" to "Are you busy?", or "Busy!" to "How are you?". Please stop that, too!

Break up with busy, as busy only show you are either frazzled, tired, over-scheduled, over-worked, not in control of your time, or you are allowing outside influence or people to drive your schedule. Busy does not indicate anything other than motion or being rather than interest and productivity.

Replace the concept, and response of busy with productive, full or enjoyable. If someone asks "Are you busy", please consider smiling and replying with "It's been a productive day/week/month", or "It's a full, enjoyable time".

In all of this, make sure you are sincere, clear, and owning your language and disposition...all while letting go of the idea of being married to "busy"! Break up with busy, and get hooked on your productivity and your time/decision ownership!

Be Your Best Valentine...For Yourself BEFORE Others!

"I know of only one duty, and that is to love."

~ Albert Camus

 French philosopher, author, and journalist.

(1913 - 1960)

Often around Valentine's Day, our thoughts go to others, what to do, and what to give. While there is much fun in creating a cupid-type approach to a day or date, and nothing wrong with any of those thoughts, what about how you love yourself...how to BE your best Valentine for you?

When we take care of ourselves, we can be our best, and ultimately, we can be kind with and for others! Here are 10 ways to BE Your Best Valentine this month, and beyond:

10. Be selfish (not self-centered). Take care of you so others do not have to take care of you. When you take care of self, you can be your best!
  9. Be present. Put your devices away, and get the most of situations and people by being involved!
  8. Be real. Nobody and nothing is perfect. Let your feelings and experiences flow, and figure out what each means to/for you.
  7. Be gracious. While it can seem like many others are doing and getting terrific opportunities while you are "working away", grace means you accept opportunities and challenges in a way you are willing and able to address them with style and consideration.
  6. Be open. As you let your heart and mind be free to people and offers, you can, and likely will, let things in that enhance your world.
  5. Be aware. Similar to presence, your awareness goes beyond your experience. Being aware is about all senses. What are you experiencing, and what are others doing or feeling. Awareness in self and of others creates a leading energy and perspective.
  4. Be engaging. Let what you are doing be filled with questions to learn and grow through exchanges with others about them. This is for them to feel engaged, and for you to gain momentum and ideas from others.
  3. Be clear. Allow your yes to be yes and your no to be no...without apology or explanation. Clarity in expectation and position keep you focused and true to self and others.
  2. Be positive. Even when things go differently than expected, look for what is working versus failing. Seek positive energy and people for surrounding yourself and nurturing you in order to give positivity.
  1. Be grateful. Having appreciation, gratitude and thankfulness in your heart and on your mind will allow that to come through in your vision and voice as you are alone and with others. Gratitude is one of the best gifts you can give yourself that will fill your heart and the hearts of others!

These ten ways, ten approaches, ten attitudes, make for a terrific start to a loving way to give to you...your special all-year-long Valentine! Love yourself first, and make Valentine's Day what you want it to be!