Hi Diane!

Today as I was being the Mommy Taxi, I also thought how I am so much more productive when I take intentional time away from the office, to reflect, rejuvenate and reconsider the "WHYS" behind my work.

I just returned from three days in Southern California with my Mother. We were down there to attend a meeting for my brother, John, who has Down's syndrome, but in addition, we spent quite a bit of time simply "being".

We visited her high school sweetheart, went out to dinner at a restaurant that is literally sitting on top of the surf (I thought I was in heaven) took in a movie matinee, and I wrote a lot in my idea journal. Not complete articles, but strings of ideas, stuff like that.

I did teach one teleclass, because I had made that commitment. An hour on the phone from my hotel room was actually fun, and I must have done something right cause two of the participants have since hired me as their coach. Probably partly because I was so refreshed!

Sometimes on my personal retreat days (Usually I take one day a month) I set aside time specifically for planning. I do my planning sprinkled throughout the day and am very mindful about it. Frequently I have a-ha's on these days. I would be glad to send you a quasi agenda as well, so you can see what I do exactly. The important part is to be quiet and listen to your spirit.

My Mom was too funny. We were running errands and I would opt to sit in the car. I would roll down the windows and gaze up at the blue sky, inhaling the clean ocean air.....pondering and contemplating. Halfway through the trip she asked, "What is that book you write in sometimes?"
and I told her about my idea journal.

I explained that although it did not APPEAR that way, our time together had been EXTREMELY productive for me. It would never have happened if I had been chained here, to the keyboard.

Does that help?

With Purpose and Passion,

JULIE