Wow, things are really changing quickly, aren’t they? Just yesterday all of the Bay Area went under “shelter in place” orders, for at least the next three weeks. Here in Sacramento*, all large gatherings have been cancelled, grocery store shelves are bare, and many schools and organizations have sent their students and workers home. And while I don’t have a line on how this is all going to turn out, I do have an invitation and a gift to share with you.
 
Everything that is happening is a major disruption to our day-to-day lives, and brings up vivid fears about our health, our finances, and our world. And yet, we still have so much, most of us! I know I still have my overall good health, a roof over my head, plenty of food in the house, running water, Internet and phone connections that allow me to talk with people in real time all over the world, and my dog to snuggle with. And if you’re reading this, I’m guessing you do, too (wait – how did Baloo get to your house?) 😉

As a counterbalance to the legitimate fears running rampant right now, I’m calling on the best version of myself to come forth as frequently as possible. The version of myself that appreciates what I have, instead of what I don’t; that doesn’t waste too much time and energy on apocalyptic, worst-case scenarios but rather approaches this situation with a sense of curiosity about the positive things that could come of it. The version of myself that says, “Bring it on! I don’t know what’s coming, but I know that ultimately, we’ll deal with it.”
 
To do this, I’m falling back on the structures and routines that I have built over time that keep my energy levels high and positive, that allow me to push the distractions away so I can still do the work I’m here to do, and that let me be present and generous with the people around me. Do I show up as my best self 100% of the time? No, of course not – I’m human! But thanks to these structures and routines, I show up that way much more than I would without them. And I continue to improve and fine-tune, always aiming to close that gap between who I’m being and who I’m capable of being.
 
I share this because in times like these, it’s more important than ever that we have structures and routines that support us and make it easier for our best self to show up – not harder. Now is not the time to watch Netflix for hours on end, or eat junk because we find it comforting, or spiral down into speculation about the world as we know it coming to an end. Maybe it will come to an end, maybe it won’t! Either way, we’ll learn from it and emerge even stronger – as hard as that may be to imagine right now.
 
So, keeping all this in mind, I have two things to share with you. First is the Optimize Your Life to Be Your Best Self group coaching program. Now is exactly when we need to be cognizant and purposeful about how we are spending our mental and physical energy, and intentionally structure our lives so that we can show up at our best. And the program is virtual so it provides a means of connection and support without putting ourselves or anyone else at risk.

Optimize Your Life to Be Your Best Self

I also have a gift for you. Two weeks ago I did a virtual Get Out of Overwhelm 5-Day Journey. It’s ended now, but I know that some of you may be feeling very overwhelmed at the moment given everything that’s happening. So I’ve put the recordings back up (for now) for anyone who would benefit from watching them.
 
There are five recordings, each about 15 minutes long, and they’re a great way to take a little break, especially if your monkey mind is feeding you negative, fear-based stories about what is going to happen. Drop into the most important areas of your life: your Energy, your Work (paid or not), and your Love (all your relationships), as well as discover your Kryptonite, and get ideas and focus for moving forward in a productive way. I hope you enjoy them.

Get Out of Overwhelm Journey – Video Recordings

 
Here’s to all of us getting through these times stronger than when we started! And supporting each other as we go!
 

* As I was getting ready to send this out, a “stay at home” order was been issued for Sacramento, and a “shelter in place” order for Davis – and undoubtedly many more such orders to come. Stay safe, everyone!