Posts in Next Step
How to Pass the Human Test and Quickly Unlock Next

There are times when we aren’t at our best. Our energy is low. We feel mopey. Our motivation is zero. When that happens, it’s hard to move forward, let alone figuring out our next step. Insight for deciding what’s next comes from the most surprising places. My inspiration came a while ago when I was visiting my colleague’s blog.

I left a comment on her blog…or at least I tried to leave a comment. Before accepting my comment, the blog requested that I first complete an action to verify that I wasn’t a spammer or robot. It wanted me to complete a simple mathematical equation or identify specific objects within a group. Dutifully, I accepted the challenge. To my great surprise, a pop-up screen appeared with a message saying,


“You did not pass a human test. Please try again.”


I burst out laughing and accepted the challenge. This was one discerning anti-spam filter. It took me several attempts to succeed. I finally passed. Phew!

So how does this relate to my point? There are times when we aren’t up to passing the “human test.” We feel less than human. So what do we do when that happens? Consider these simple strategies when next eludes you:

 

Find the humor. In most situations, humor is there if we let ourselves embrace it. It’s OK to laugh at yourself and not take everything so seriously.  I delighted in the humor of the blog’s security message. It helped me move forward rather than get stuck in non-doing behavior.

 

Keep on trying. It took me more than one attempt to leave my comment. I could have given up when it didn’t work on the first try. Instead, I didn’t let one failed attempt stop me from pursuing a next step. Finding next often takes less effort than you think it will.  Don’t be discouraged.

 

Accept acknowledgment.  As humans we need to feel acknowledged and that we matter. It wasn’t affirming when the blog told me I wasn’t human. However, when it finally did acknowledge who I was, it felt great (as in doing the happy dance!) Acknowledgement is often bestowed on us, yet we don't accept it. Instead we make excuses about why we aren’t deserving of that message. You are deserving. Feel the power of that positive reinforcement. Let it nudge you to next instead of keeping you stuck in negativity.

 

Find a human. If I hadn’t been able to get past the spam filter, I would have connected with my fellow blogger to get help. Remember that you have people you can reach out to for tossing around ideas for next, for cheering you on when you’re at a low point or for helping you to get unstuck. You’re not alone.

 

I’m assuming that just by reading this, you have passed the human test. I’d love to hear what resonates with you? How do you approach next, especially when you've experience a challenge? Come join the conversation!

 

 

 

 

50 Colorful Life Lessons to Help Clarify Your Next Step
50 Colorful Life Lessons to Help Clarify Your Next Step

Do you ever get stuck? I’m guessing that you said, “yes” to that question. We get stuck for so many reasons such as we aren’t sure what to do next, or that next step seems too big, or we lack the confidence to experiment, or a million and one other reasons why we are treading water, but moving nowhere.

I’ve been holding on to a wonderful list of life lessons, written by author Regina Brett on the night before her 45th birthday. When she turned 50, she expanded the list. Every so often I read it over and by the end, I always feel inspired, grounded and energized. As I read her list again recently, I noticed the connection between her sage wisdom and how much of it related to becoming unstuck.

If you’re grappling with how to clarify your next step, dive into Regina Brett’s wonderful life lessons. Number two seemed particularly apt . . .

“When in doubt, just take the next small step.”

Regina Brett's 50 Life Lessons

  1. “Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.

  2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

  3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

  4. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

  5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

  6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

  7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.

  8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

  9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

  10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

  11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.

  12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.

  13. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

  14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.

  15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry. God never blinks.

  16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.

  17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.

  18. A writer writes. If want to be a writer, write.

  19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

  20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.

  21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

  22. Overprepare, then go with the flow.

  23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.

  24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

  25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

  26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: ‘In five years, will this matter?’

  27. Always choose life.

  28. Forgive everyone everything.

  29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

  30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

  31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

  32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

  33. Believe in miracles.

  34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.

  35. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.

  36. Growing old beats the alternative – dying young.

  37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.

  38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.

  39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

  40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.

  41. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

  42. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.

  43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

  44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

  45. The best is yet to come.

  46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

  47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

  48. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.

  49. Yield.

  50. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.”

We get stuck. We experience doubt. We have challenges with figuring out what to do next. Which of these ideas resonate with you? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation and share one of your life lessons with us!

Introducing Useful Way to Embrace a Mindful Next Step

Our lives are full. We are human beings busy doing. There’s nothing wrong with doing. After all, there are always things that are next on our to-do list. There are always those next goals that we want to accomplish, places we need to get to, or people we want to connect with. However, sometimes we can get so caught up in the doing, that we don’t take time for just being.

Embracing the gift that awareness of the moment can bring is so valuable. It can give you that much needed pause between activities. It can give your mind a break from the barrage of thoughts and distractions. Awareness can connect you to and help you appreciate the present moment. Mindful living can be done anywhere at anytime. All that’s needed is your willingness to be aware of and embrace your present experience.

To further expand on how it's possible to introduce mindfulness as your next step, I’ll share a recent moment that I wrote about in my personal journal . . .

 

I have so missed the sun. I am here now sitting, basking in the warmth of the sun. On this unusually warm, winter day, I find myself seated by a window of a café as the sun streams in. It warms my left arm, face and body in the most joyful, enveloping way. The surrounding furniture is bathed in the strong light and shadows cast by the sun. Calm, peaceful, and grateful feelings within accompany this unexpected, seasonal gift.

Sipping my cool iced tea, I notice the contrast of the chilled liquid entering my mouth and throat as the sun warms my outer being.

There’s more to do today. Yet, I am feeling so content just sitting and being with this moment.


How does mindfulness show up for you? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Come join the conversation!

 

 

 

 

How to Figure Out Where to Start Organizing

The most frequently asked question by my organizing clients is,

“Where should we start?”

It’s an excellent question for figuring out the next step. The first step was deciding that getting organized was a priority. Now that you’re ready to begin the organizing process, you’re unsure about where to begin. I’ll share some ideas that my clients have found useful.

If you take away nothing else, remember . . . there is no wrong place to start.

To figure out where-to-start, ask more questions.

Are you organizing single, confined areas like closets and drawers?

  • If so, have you cleared time in your schedule to complete an entire single project?

  • Or, will you need multiple time blocks to complete one single area?

  • Base your where-to-start decision on the time component and scheduling the time you need to complete a single spot.

Are you organizing multiple areas, as in many rooms or every room in your home?

Time and scheduling are also part of these multi-phased projects. Also, choosing where-to-start requires asking additional questions because there are so many options. Again, remember that there is no wrong place to start.

Here are some questions consider:

  • Which room would be most helpful to organize first?

  • Is it the area you spend the most time in?

  • Is it the room that’s easiest to organize because it’s almost done?

  • Is it the room that’s causing you the most angst?

  • Is it the room you know what to do, but just need the time to do it?

  • Is it the area that will have the biggest, positive effect on your daily living?

  • Is it the one that you feel like organizing today?

  • Is it the area that you have the mental and physical energy to work on today?

Some spaces are more emotionally draining than others. Papers, for instance, take a lot longer to process, and decision-fatigue can set in quickly. Clothing closets and drawers are usually faster, and results are realized more easily. Of course, this varies by person. Some of you many love organizing papers and detest closet organizing.

Once you’re in a room, more where-to-start questions arise. They include:

  • Do you want to edit the floor first so you can move around more easily?

  • Do you want to edit the surfaces (counters, chairs, shelves) first to notice the visual change more quickly?

  • Do you want to edit the closets and drawers first to make space for things that don't have any place to be stored?

  • Do you want to work in a zigzag pattern or move methodically from one end of the room to another?

  • Do you want to edit the biggest, bulkiest items first to make more space?

  • Do you want to remove the items to discard first?

Guess what? You know what I’m going to say, right? There is no wrong place to start.

The questions are useful so that you can define your parameters and figure out where to begin. Remember, there are no wrong answers.

I’ve given you a few questions to get you started. What other questions are useful for figuring out where to start organizing? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Come join our conversation!