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We live in a time of unprecedented access to information, news, and opportunities. This is awesome, yet leaves us overwhelmed and exhausted. What do we do?
Everything you do is a choice. It’s your choice. Let’s take a closer look.
Jessica was constantly fatigued and always on the go. All she wanted was time to relax and recuperate. Sound familiar?
She reviewed her time allocation over the past three months and was astonished to realize that she spent over 30 hours a month on volunteer leadership boards. 30 hours! That was in addition to her regular job as Project Lead. She loved what these non-profit boards were all about, but it was taking a toll on her health.
Jessica took a deep breath and asked herself, Where can I make the most impact? She chose to resign from two leadership boards, so she could still be part of an organization that she truly believed in and go deeper into that one role. By doing this, she gave herself almost 20 hours back in a month. That’s almost one hour a day.
We can become anything we want to (within the law, of course!) yet, most squander this gift by saying yes to activities that don’t truly fulfill our deepest desires.
What does saying “No” give you?
Space.
Space to breathe and identify what’s truly important.
Space to recuperate and recover from your other meaningful and impactful work.
Space and a sense of openness that allows you the opportunity to say “yes” to something that comes along. that’s truly exciting for you.
Start saying “No” more so you can say “Yes” to what lights up your heart.
Wishing you an abundant, joyful and prosperous day!
Lora Polowczuk
Chief Energy Officer
© Priority Retreats International
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After 10 years with the same company, Jill’s last day as a corporate director arrived. She had a knot in her stomach. The layoff package was on her desk for final signature. What could have I done differently, she thought. The house is paid off. The kids are in a good school. Yet, her mind was on edge. Her marriage was a wreck and her kids barely talked to her. Jill’s friends barely remember to invite her to gatherings as she was usually too busy working. All she really wanted was to feel something again and get off the rat race.
As Jill left the brick building, she went for a walk in a nearby park and asked herself, what could I have controlled differently?
Jill realized she lashed out at her team when the project didn’t go right. She ate uncontrollably when project deadlines weren’t met. She had no energy when she came home, and ignored her husband and kids, throwing pizza in the oven for dinner.
It’s time to take back control of what I can control.
I will eat healthy and begin a daily walking program.
I will plan two family days a month to stop the rushing around and spend quality time together.
I will learn how to manage my emotions and learn stress management techniques.
I will say “yes” to fun activities that make me come alive inside.
I will take ownership for the choices that led me down this path. It’s up to me to change my choices.
Three months later, Jill started a new job with a sense of calm and ease. She had sustained energy throughout the day. Her marriage began to blossom and her kids invited her to play cards with them. It was a new day, a new time, a new approach to life.
Jill took the initiative to get still and identify what really wasn’t working. Will you?
Wishing you an abundant, joyful and prosperous day!
Lora Polowczuk
Chief Energy Officer
© Priority Retreats International
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As I’m watching the Super Bowl, I can’t stop asking myself – Are you ready for the big game? All eyes are on you. Your actions will make one city cheer and another cry. Your actions are being watched by over 110 million people across the United States and world. The impact you make will be talked about for days and years to come.
When you receive that amazing opportunity (perhaps your dream job), how will you respond? What would you say? I’m too tired and exhausted. I can’t add anything more to my plate. I don’t get enough sleep now. I want to but I can’t right now.
Or, would you jump for joy? Would you say, I know what to do to clear my schedule to make it happen. I believe in my capabilities. I’m glad I do what it takes to have energy and stamina in my life.
Opportunities are mere challenges to stretch yourself and go beyond what you think you’re capable of. Yes, there will be butterflies in your stomach. There will be self-doubt that you can do it. But, the impact is real. In the past, how have you risen to the challenge? What worked and what didn’t? What can you improve for next time?
I want you to have the energy, stamina, and endurance for the big game or opportunity when it comes. Its takes daily preparation and practice. It takes stillness to figure out what’s important and courageous steps to move forward in the right direction.
Wishing you an abundant, joyful and prosperous day!
Lora Polowczuk
Chief Energy Officer
© Priority Retreats International
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As winter approaches, our lush, bountiful garden begins to wither and dry up. It’s time to plant the spring bulbs and wait for their beauty to arrive in the spring. The same holds true for our own lives.
As we crave more in our life – more friends, more money, more time for fun, we must also purge. The funny thing is that we get overwhelmed by everything we have to do yet we fail to identify what no longer serves us.
This year, I’ve had to carefully evaluate where I invest my time and energy. I’ve said “no,” removed myself off leadership boards, and not attended certain events to create the space I needed. What can you say “no” to? This creates the space you want for something new to arrive in your life.
Now is the time to purge – physical and mental space. Now is the time to clear out the clothes you haven’t worn for years, the piles of paper accumulating around the house, or the junk in your garage. Now is the time to let go of what we no longer need – a belief, a bad attitude, a bad argument with your spouse, distractions.
Then, take a minute and plant that seed of opportunity. What more do you want in your life? How do you want 2018 to go?
To allow for more to come into your life, it’s like trimming back the bushes and plants so they can flourish come spring. When we create this open space, we allow for more greatness to come into our lives. As we clear the old out, we utilize our own focus and discipline to create more of what we desire.
Wishing you an abundant, joyful and prosperous day!
Lora Polowczuk
Chief Energy Officer
© Priority Retreats International
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Whenever I talk to people these days, I get a common answer. I’m busy.
I’m busy working.
I’m busy on nineteen hundred projects.
I’m busy taking care of the kids.
I’m busy volunteering.
I’m busy seeing friends.
I’m soooo busy I can’t think.
All this busyness shows a general lack of enthusiasm in what you’re doing. There’s no emotion. None.
There’s no excitement. There’s no joy. It’s coasting from one thing to the next without thinking.
Saying, I’m busy, indicates that you’d rather be somewhere else doing something else than whatever it is you’re busy on.
Stop for a second. Think about it. Are you really busy? Are you actually distracted from doing what’s important? Stop. Get still. Get intentional. What is your intention for the day?
Instead of I’m busy on a project, change your mindset to: As a result of this project, my client will understand how to improve their business capabilities.
Instead of I’m busy taking care of the kids, change your mindset to: I’m spending quality time to nourish my kids’ growth and development.
How you approach your day says a lot about how you think during the day. If it’s a drag or if it’s something enriching and inviting.
If you catch yourself saying, I’m busy, think to yourself: Why am I really doing what I’m doing right now? If it’s not important, do something that brings you joy.
Lora Polowczuk
Chief Energy Officer
© Priority Retreats International
When was the last time you did something for the first time?
In this day and age, we’re running from one thing to the next. We hardly have time to know what we’re actually doing or even why. We go here and we go there. We then get resentful that we don’t have time for our favorite, joyful activities. Suddenly, it all becomes monotonous.
Ever wonder where that spark went? Remember that joy when you did something for the first time and got all giddy like a kid? Yet, there was an anticipation that scared the heck out of you, too? When was the last time you did that?
That’s what happened this past weekend!
I performed the Tryolean Traverse. It’s crossing a river using a harness and ropes tied between trees on either side of a river. Think of a hire wire act with rope and gear. And, it met all the stages of change.
It went like this.
Wait, what am I doing? Why do I have to do this to get to the other side? Uh, what was I thinking? The first stage is doubt.
Then, it was – How do I do this? How do I rig my harness and gear to not fall into the river. The second stage is Adapt your knowledge. When I drew upon my prior climbing knowledge I could easily figure out how to rig the system even though I hadn’t done it exactly this way before.
Next, How do I sit in the harness and move my bag and me across? This feels weird. The third stage is awkward.
How do I do this by myself? Fourth stage. Ask for help. Too often, we are afraid to seek other’s assistance. We need support in our new endeavors. Luckily, another person offered to hand me my bag once I was rigged and safe. This made it much easier to be safe and go into the next move.
Fifth stage. Go for it. I walked one arm in front of the other, swung my feet on the rope, and pushed my bag along with me to the other side of the creek. In the face of uncertainty. Go for it!
That was hard work. I wondered if my arms still had stamina to climb!
Sixth Stage. Acknowledge and Celebrate. Wow! I can’t believe I did that! How fun was that! Now it’s time to explore a new climbing crag and go climbing.
I share this so you can identify where you can take on new endeavors. What’s something big that you want to go after? What stage are you with that endeavor?
These are all stages of moving outside your comfort zone and ending the monotonous in your life.
What will courageous leap will you take today?
Lora Polowczuk
Chief Energy Officer
© Priority Retreats International
