“Slow down and everything you are chasing will come around and catch you”

I recently saw this quote and smiled.  I have been on a path of slowing down for the last few months and have directly experienced the truth of this statement.  Even though I continue to experience the miracles of this in my own life, I still find it one of the most difficult things to do.

I think for many of us, slowing down is so difficult because it implies being perceived as lazy, unmotivated and lacking ambition.   Even more challenging is just the simple act of doing less.  When we are busy, we don’t have time to think and reflect.  Slowing down requires us to reconnect and create space for things to happen.  That space can be scary.

As I considered what to write about this month, this seemed particularly timely given that August is an interesting time of year.  On the one hand, it is very much a time for slowing down.  The “lazy hazy days of summer” are the time when businesses slow down, families take vacations and the city feels quieter as everyone heads up North for the cottage.

At the same time, we find ourselves half way through the year and thinking about the remaining months ahead.  Many of us start to stress about whether we have time to accomplish all that we set out to do before another year ends.  And so we try to enjoy the summer yet battle the guilt of feeling like we should be doing more to get ahead.

Whether you are at the cottage reading this or just enjoying summer days with friends and family, I want you to see how you can use the slow energy of August to your advantage.   The essence of the above quote is that we often end up getting the very things we want when we let go of the need to have them, particularly the need to have them quickly.

This is very similar to the concept of surrender.  It is not about giving up on our goals, but letting go of the grasping, needy energy that often keeps our dreams at a distance.    We all know this is true.  Perhaps you’ve experienced it yourself or heard stories from others.  The ones where you lose weight when you stop trying, or you find love when you stop looking, you find a job opportunity when you weren’t really looking, or the perfect shoes when you don’t really need them.  The examples are endless.

So as you enjoy the rest of this summer, keep this quote in mind.  By releasing any guilt or stress and anxiety that you may feel around your goals, you are able to create the space for things to come to you – in the form of ideas, inspiration and opportunities.  It can be amazing the changes that take place when we are in a state of peace and acceptance.

Enjoy the next 4 weeks.  Soak up the sun and the heat and be present to the stillness.  Use this time to get clear on what you want to accomplish before the end of the year, and write out your plan and action steps.  Brainstorm all of the things you can do to move you in the direction of your goals.  Taking the time to reflect, you will find inspiration and new ideas which can go a lot further than simply doing for the sake of doing.  So grab a book and a refreshing summer drink and go soak up the sun!  Fall will be here before you know it. 

To your health and happiness,

Victoria

As a wellness and life coach, I get to help people create change and transform their lives.  This is my passion.  I get such joy from seeing the physical and emotional transformation that takes place when my clients create the life they imagine for themselves.  Perhaps it’s also my own experience of changing my life that drives me to help others experience the same feeling of freedom and fulfillment.

While I wish I could spread this feeling to everyone, the reality is that not everyone is ready for change.  At least not in this present moment, and the present moment is all that matters.

I often meet individuals that inquire about my services or are curious about life coaching and seem genuinely interested working with me, and then they don’t call me back for months.  Are they afraid of change?  Perhaps.  Are they procrastinating?  Maybe.  Are they ready to make a change? Probably not.

Here’s the thing.  Fear will always exist.  So will the list of reasons why this is not the best time in your life to do the thing you want to do.  Until you are ready, you’re not ready.  It’s as simple as that.

Whether it’s changing your diet or starting an exercise routine, changing jobs or careers, moving to another country, or leaving the comfort and security of a familiar relationship; there is always going to be an aspect of fear and discomfort associated with making any type of significant change in your life.

The point in time at which you finally take action, is the moment where the pain and discomfort of staying where you are is greater than the pain and fear of moving forward.

Often we think that someone who has done something we can’t imagine doing ourselves has more courage than we do.  That somehow they must not have experienced the same fears, doubts and obstacles that we are experiencing.  This is an illusion and couldn’t be further from the truth.

The old adage really applies here:

Courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to act in spite of it.

Whatever situation you find yourself in right now.  If you’ve been putting off taking the next step, whatever that may be for you, don’t be too hard on yourself.   Understand that for whatever reason, you were not or are not ready yet.

But also remember this, the process of change always starts on the inside before you can begin to take visible steps on the outside.  Be patient with yourself and also know that you don’t need to take drastic steps immediately, simply begin to do the work on yourself and the transformation will happen.

If you find yourself at a point where you’re not sure if you should take the next step, here are some things to ask yourself:

• Does the thought of your situation not changing feel almost unbearable?
• Does the thought of things staying exactly the same scare you more than the though of the unknown?
• Do you often find yourself frustrated by your present circumstances?
• Have you been feeling particularly sad, unhappy, tired, or unmotivated for an extended period of time?
• Do you look forward to the end of the week and dread the beginning of a new one?
• Whatever roadblock to change may be in your mind, if that didn’t exist, would you do it?

Remember that you don’t have to do it alone.  There are resources and support all around you, including friends, family, coaches, counselors, books, conferences, support groups, mastermind groups and even online groups.  The people and resources that can help you will change as you move through the process, just start somewhere and the rest of your path will unfold.

To your health and happiness,

Victoria