Do Less:     
The quickest way to fulfillment and contribution 
 
**Please know that though today's message is very direct, it is written from a place of love: )

Ask people how they are, and nearly every person says "Oh I've been SO busy!" It is the new norm.  Unfortunately.

As driven women, one of the greatest challenges my clients face is that they are always in high demand, scheduled to the brim and often finding themselves working incredibly long days, with little time for respite.

NOTE:  You will never NOT be needed.  You are talented, you have mad skills, you are an expert in your field or household-face it, you're awesome.  Everyone wants a piece of awesome, it's just how it is.

Choice.  You can either be that awesome person whom everyone can count on when they want /need you, or YOU can be awesome while having a whole, complete and balanced life (during which, you may occasionally disappoint others).

I'm giving it to you straight.

Please hear me-- I believe that my purpose is to be of service, to support myself and others to awaken to "soul," and a sense of fulfillment and contribution.  I do believe fiercely in service.   I do not believe in service that is to our depletion.  I do not believe in service in lieu of living our own lives/ dreams--it gives others too much power over our sense of self and value.

What to Do Next?
Well, in your awesomeness, the first step is acceptance.  Accept that you are innately fabulous, wonderful, skilled, lovely, beautiful, brilliant.  Not because someone relies on you and tells you so.  Because it is true, and it is who you are.  Own it.

The second step is to create space for your life.  Practice valuing your worth SO much that you are willing to decline invitations, hold strong to your desired schedule, register for one less kid's sporting season, reserve at least one night a week totally unscheduled (my clients LOVE the freedom of unscheduled time!).  When we value serving others more than our own worth, we risk scheduling ourselves to depletion.

Nutshell?  You must be willing to say "no."

How useful are you to the world when you are run down, wiped out, irritable, or upset with a co-worker / spouse? (When really, underneath, you're simply yearning for some time off.)  

Initially it can be really uncomfortable as you develop the ability to simply "be," to know yourself.

I remember a time when I was single and working like a mad-woman.  Sundays were my one day off and though I really craved quiet, down time, it was dreadful at first!  I felt lost, without purpose, and even sad.  I did not know what to do with myself.  This is a perfect example of when purpose gets collapsed into over-service and busy-ness. 

They are not the same thing. 

Over time I learned to delight in open spans of time, to know who I am while not working.  To honor and love myself enough to value rest, to move slowly, and have "non-productive" time.  I'm still learning!

As always, start small and simple.  You can begin with 10 minutes of quiet in the morning with your hot bevvie (even if it's in your car), or graciously decline to serve on that 3rd committee.

In honor of contribution and fulfillment, I encourage you to challenge yourself to do less for a little while.  Allow yourself time for ample rest, sleep, recreation, spaciousness. 

Be there for you.  You are worth it. 


Much Joy,
Robin

About Robin:

Robin Peglow Berg of http://www.soulmoxie.net/ is a Success and Fulfillment Coach--a consultant, coach and speaker devoted to guiding others to have the courage to live a fulfilling life with soul.

She shows highly driven, successful women entrepreneurs and biz leaders how to create a new model for success that is energizing, deeply meaningful and helps them to thrive no matter what. She applies 10 years of coaching, consulting and speaking to craft strategic programs for long term success.