When Thanksgiving arrives, the very act of giving thanks implies introspection: We look at our year and consider why we are grateful. If we advance that thought, we begin reflecting on how we are living our life. Are we busy living the values we profess and the dreams we have, or are we just busy?
I recently experienced two retreats which propelled my thinking—and my dreams—forward.
In the process, I affirmed or questioned my values and asked myself that difficult question: Does my busy life also live my most treasured values, or have I been so caught up in meeting deadlines and performing tasks that I failed to ask if these are things I really even value, and if I should be doing them at all. I’d like to share my epiphany with you.
As a presenter at the Women at the Top “Success with Less Stress” retreat, I spoke to the group on shortcuts to living more efficiently so we have time for the things we value. As each participant revealed their plans of action for the next week and how they will advance their lives, 6 of 9 women planned to use one of the techniques I presented to better their lives. I was blown away.
Shortly thereafter I travelled to the APPO (Association of Personal Photo Organizers) 2018 Masterclass retreat. One session, “Values Mining”, focused on identifying our true values and living a life that reflects them. In the midst of the presentation I received a call from a dear friend whose significant other who she had known since kindergarten passed away unexpectedly—at the age of 55. If that wasn’t a wake-up call to spend my time more thoughtfully and live my life more richly, I don’t know what would be.
As we charted what we thought our values were and contrasted that with how we spend our days both personally and professionally, I realized some changes were needed in my life. I honed-in on those six values I treasure most: family, friends, travel, integrity, organization, and helping others succeed.
It dawned on me that one way I could propel my true values forward in 2020 would be to offer a retreat that included both living a more efficient life AND one that is founded in the true values each of us holds most dear.
So, my friends, if you want to live a more efficient life with better-defined values, watch for news about my upcoming retreat. I truly believe it will not only establish goals centered on your inner-most values, it will teach you how you can accomplish more of what you value…and ditch the stuff that has kept you busy—but isn’t aligned with your values.
For those who have read Stephen Covey’s landmark book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, you’ll recall his advice: “People can’t live with change if there’s not a changeless core inside them. The key to the ability to change is a changeless sense of who you are, what you are about and what you value.”
In 2020, resolve to attend a retreat to identify your changeless core, and how to live efficiently and effectively with the help of your changeless core. Stay tuned for more information. Meanwhile, have a meaningful, mindful and loving Thanksgiving.
Let’s get started. Contact us today: beth@gettingorganizednow.com, visit our web site: https://gettingorganizednow.com/ or call: 612-616-1215.
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