Fall Refresh and Going Deeper (revised version for 2021)
Fall always feels like the start of a new year to me. Likely because of having experienced my three children go to school as when the new year does actually begin. My youngest, 22, is beginning her Junior year in college and once again Labor Day marked the start of a “new year”.
It feels to me like a time to refresh myself both professionally and personally. Perhaps especially this year after all we have been through with the Covid-19 pandemic which seems to be finally slowing down as more people get vaccinated. We’re all in this together!
For many businesses Fall is also a time to refresh and gear up again for a highly focused and energetic time before the Holiday season kicks in.
As individuals, Fall presents us with opportunities and challenges to perform at our best. Hopefully we work in circumstances where we can be our best professionally and personally.
To be at our best is to experience life at a deeper level and not let the noise of life distract us. Five ways I find helpful to go deeper into my true self are:
1. Focus on my breathing: Sitting for a few quiet minutes with no distractions, when I can notice my breath and let my exhale extend a little longer. Very calming.
2. Enjoy the natural world: There’s lots of quality research behind the idea that my five senses and everything connected to them greatly benefit from spending more time outside. An interesting book, The Nature Fix, explores the research in this area in a fun way. http://www.florencewilliams.
3. Find Inspiration: Taking time to read and experience something inspirational that helps me focus on myself at a deeper level. I find the most helpful ones move me to actually experience a deeper level, rather than just rationally understanding what deeper means. This usually means a combination of both inward exploration of who I am, and outwardly expressing my deeper self through meaningful actions.
We each have to find the inspirational sources that work best for us. I’m happy to provide you with ideas on where to find some of these.
4. Be helpful to others: Doing something to help other people takes me beyond my own needs. Could be a family member, friend, stranger, or through volunteering. I’ve always learned something richer and deeper about myself when I make a conscious effort to help someone else in need. I don’t mean sending money. That’s a great thing to do, but it’s not a substitute for direct engagement in helping other people, whether their need is small or large.
5. Turn it off, tune out, shut it down: We can all benefit by using our various electronic devices far less. From smart phones to laptops to desktops to TV’s to video games to whatever else we’re doing that takes us away from our actual lives. I use all of my devices plenty out of necessity in our modern world, and some out of mindless habit or addiction. It takes a serious effort to not use these devices constantly. Yet, putting them away on a regular basis brings me the ability to focus more directly and authentically on myself and the people I’m around.
There are many ways each of us can go deeper into ourselves. The ones I listed here are just a few I find most useful. You likely have others that work for you. The challenge we all have is making these an intentional and conscious part of our daily lives.
Helping people find deeper levels in themselves makes my coaching and consulting practice very rewarding. While I think that many of my clients have benefitted from working with me, I know that I benefit as much or more when I learn about myself while helping others. I’m grateful for that every time I work with a client.
In this “ new year”, I look forward to coaching new individuals and appreciate all referrals and introductions.
Now, go outside and take in our natural world. You’ll find your deeper self there.
