Starting a brand new year, a time to renovate…

Like many people, I’m approaching the New Year with some thoughts of things I’d like to change. Some improvements I’d like to make.  Some personal innovations – or more aptly, “renovations.”

From that perspective, I’m asking,” How’s my personal foundation looking?”  Seems like my foundation could use a little shoring up.  Remembering the “Power of Now,”  perhaps mindful awareness of this moment can help me to focus and identify opportunities. I believe it was Jon Kabat-Zinn who said, “If you can be present in this moment, there is the potential for the next one to be exponentially better. “

That kind of awareness is one of the 5 behaviors common to successful innovators, according to the authors of The Innovators DNA a book based on detailed investigation of how innovation happens.

My framework for Personal Innovation borrows some tools from the authors of The Innovator’s DNA:

By asking more questions, and observing the way things are more intently, opportunities for change become clearer. I’m sure you have different resolutions for your new year, but maybe you’ll get some ideas from my path.  Here are some of my questions and observations:

What do I want to be doing with my time?  Continuously learning and sharing new knowledge and processes for living well.

How that going?  Not nearly as productive as I would like!  I’m often distracted and spending time on things that aren’t important.

Why is that? Taking a step back to get a better perspective,  and relating to my experience in the corporate world, a few familiar tools jumped out.

1. Clutter clearing.  Focusing on key objectives and the related activities is much easier if obstacles are identified and cleared away before pushing forward. For me this means both mental and physical clutter… Where are my comfort zones?

2. Time management. Not just allocating time and prioritizing, but recognizing how to optimize my best times.  I’ve started to observe how I feel – what time of day do I consistently write best?  What time of day am I learning better by reading.  How does eating more at lunch make me feel? What time of day does exercise feel energizing, instead of tiring?

3. Just do it!  There’s an old saying, “Luck hates the slow and loves the bold.”  Or as Dr. Wayne Dyer writes: "Excuses begone!"

This will be a good year to overcome my tendency to hesitate.  That’s not to say I don’t want to approach new directions with caution, but when adequate analysis, research, and soul searching are done, it’s time for me to stop “dawdling.” (Wonder where that word came from?)

Hope this gives you some ideas.  Happy New Year!

Looking where you’re headed

Have you ever tried to walk, run, or climb while looking back over your shoulder? I have. In fact, I have actually tripped and fallen while looking in one direction and moving in another!

Since looking backward in the physical realm interferes with my ability to move forward, does it also makes sense that I can best achieve my goals by focusing on the direction I want to go, not on where I came from?

Many of the people I admire have pointed out the value of thinking positive and visualizing what you would like to have happen, instead of focusing on the past, or on what you fear.

Dr. Wayne Dyer’s books and videos are excellent resources to describe how that works.  He said, “You become what you think about, whether you want it or not.”

Thinking about Mindfulness

Have you had difficulty “emptying” your mind to get into meditation?  I certainly have!

As an active learner, I tend to think that when I want to get better at something, I need to study more.  But generally speaking, studying mindfulness more intently doesn’t seem to produce better results.

Recently, though, reading the TIME Special Edition, MINDFULNESS, The New Science of Health and Happiness, I had an “aha moment.”

In the article, “Why Every Mind Needs Mindfulness,” Mary Elizabeth Williams pointed out that when you’ve noticed that your mind wanders, it’s not a sign of failure.  In fact, the awareness of a wayward thought is actually a sign of mindfulness working.

After reading that, I happily went for a mindful walk. Every time I started to think of something on my “to do” list, I remembered her words, and smiled as I turned my attention back to the blue sky and the sun on the autumn leaves. 

We hear so much about Mindfulness these days, some people are put off by the term.  I’m convinced, however, that anyone who looks into the concept for themselves will find some amazing benefits.

It was great to see Jonathan Kabat-Zinn, Professor of Medicine emeritus at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, sharing Mindfulness practice with Anderson Cooper in this 2015 video clip from 60 minutes.

Thinking Positive, Creating Change

The GLC Wellness blog shares lessons learned, stories to brighten the day, and ideas for living happier and healthier.

Hanna's Story

A few years back, my granddaughter, Hanna, graduated from college and started out with a job at Americorp. In her job, she became acquainted with homeless families who had no resources or options to get themselves off the street.

As the somewhat naiive and positive-minded young lady that she was, she didn’t just say, “Someone should do something about that.” She immediately decided that SHE could and would do something. She researched the processes for organizing a community and a nonprofit org, trusting that if others had done this, she could too.

Hanna contacted a national organization called Family Promise and got the information to set up a nonprofit affiliate program in Lincoln City.

Then, armed with a bright smile and the belief that people want to do good, the new graduate approached churches and businesses in the area, explained the problem, and asked them to help. Business leaders and church parishoners were caught up in her enthusiasm, and energized, They stepped up to do what she asked of them – providing not only basic shelter on an ongoing basis, but many engaged personally as volunteers in the process.

Ultimately, they joined in supporting her development of a nonprofit with the lofty goals of getting homeless families into meaningful lifestyles, with education, career paths, and jobs. Along the way, she has faced many challenges, including personal health issues, but she has continued to pursue her passion, making a positive difference for those families to live happier, healthier lives.

 In just a few years, she has literally changed the lives of many previously homeless families, and set in motion a system that will change many more in the future. Recently, the organization she started, Family Promise of Lincoln County, has received a significant United Way award to continue its work.

Here is Hanna with the founder of the national Family Promise organization, who recently presented Hanna with an unprecedented award to recognize the success of the Lincoln City program.

You can follow Hanna’s Family Promise journey in the Lincoln County and coastal newspapers online:  Promise Kept – Nov., 2015