Coaching in the News: Long Islanders – tune into WHPC, 90.3 FM, Monday 2/13 and 2/20 at 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM Eastern time to hear Siobhan speak on the New Paradigm! More details below.

Taking time to rejuvenate YOU

Recently, I spent a weekend at a beautiful Retreat House on the water on the East End of Long Island. It was a wonderful opportunity for renewal. “Retreat” means “a place affording peace, quiet, privacy, or security” and “the act of withdrawing.”

I saw this as an opportunity to re-“treat” myself to some of life’s simpler pleasures:

• A nap
• Long walks on the beach
• Someone else’s home cooking
• Long conversations with girlfriends
• Writing in my journal
• Going to bed early
• Giving myself permission not to “have to” be anywhere at a certain time
• Meditation and ritual

This gift gave me some time to release the pressure of daily thoughts that my analytical mind (left brain, logical) accumulates from time to time. I could just BE. Meditation, or allowing your mind just to be still, is rejuvenating in itself. It gives rest to the constant hum of thoughts and allows the heart to be heard.

Here are some simple ways to give yourself a re-“treat” every day:

• Turn off the radio in your car for 10 miles of the trip and listen to the quiet.

• Get up 15 minutes earlier so you don’t have to rush around so much. Some people start their day as if they were shot out of a cannon. Allow yourself time to come into the day.

• Stop and drop. Stop what you’re doing anytime during the day and drop your awareness into your heart center. Listen to the beats. Ask your heart what you should know about the next activity you’re about to engage in.

• Breathe. My clients know I’m a fan of 3 deep breaths. Breath 1 – let go of what you were doing. Breath 2 – listen to your body; be where your feet are. Breath 3 – set your intention for what you’re about to do next. You can do this as you transition from task to task or meeting to meeting and know one has to know!

• Walk. When all else fails, just walk around the block. You’d be amazed at how much clearer you’ll be when you come back to your work.

Coaching in the News

I've just taped an interview for the Radio program WHPC, 90.3 FM on "Just Relationships" discussing the New Paradigm of Business and what it means for workplace relationships. You can hear two different shows. The first one airs on Monday, February 13th at 8:30 AM and repeats at 4:00 p.m. in the Greater New York City/Long Island listening area. The second show airs the following Monday, February 20th at 8:30 AM and will repeat at 4:00 PM. The show does not stream on the Internet at this time. Thanks to Dr. Duffy Spencer for inviting me to participate on the show. Visit http://www.sunynassau.edu/dptpages/whpc/whpc.htm for more about WHPC.