Each month, you will receive some practical tips on ideas such as eliminating stress, finding your passion, clearing clutter, and maybe even some travel tips and more. Also look for helpful resources including book titles and websites. In addition, don’t be surprised when you find a call to action. I am a coach, after all! I hope you find some useful tidbits monthly challenges. If you know someone that you think may find something of value in here, please forward this newsletter on. And remember…the adventure begins at the start of The Trailhead!

Minimum Daily Requirements

Welcome to Autumn: a season of new leanings and transition!

I’m just back from my yearly September seaside sojourn. This year, it was a good balance of work and play since I can take my work on the road in my biz. When I wasn’t at my computer or on the line with a client, I spent luxurious time on the beach either playing in the waves or catching up on my reading.

 

One book I brought along was Jennifer Louden’s The Life Organizer: A Woman’s Guide to Mindful Living. It’s one that is certainly useful in my Life Coaching business as the majority of my clients are professional women who are juggling their commitments and many varied roles. AND, it’s a gem for me, personally as I am often challenged by time management and fitting in all I want/need to do. The core of this wonderful book is the focus on organizing your life in a new and different way; absent from “shoulds” and instead making choices that are in alignment with your true values. It’s not about following a program or regime. It’s more about being present to becoming the creator of your life, instead of a victim.

 

One thing Jennifer talks about that really struck a cord for me is determining your “Minimum Requirements for Self-Care”. She advises her readers to “Give yourself time to find your minimum requirements. You may start out with ten things and find that all you really need is 7 hours of sleep, to remember to breathe and listen, and to touch living things.”  She mentions the importance of being willing to adjust your requirements and be aware that they will change over time, given your varying situations.

 

One afternoon while on that quiet beach, I began exploring my own daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly Minimum Requirements. Here’s a sample of what I came up with for myself:

Daily: Awakening peacefully and slowly each morning

Getting outdoors, if only for a 20 minute walk

Eating at least 3-4 varieties of fruits and vegetables

Weekly: Connect with family members or friends

              Exercise at least 3 times

Monthly: Going on a solitary mini-retreat

               Organizing my financial picture

Yearly: In-depth learning of something new

            Spending a week by the sea

 

What about YOU? What are your Minimum Daily Requirements for a full, happy, and balanced life? How about weekly? Monthly? Yearly? By becoming fully conscious of those minimum requirements, you will be able to begin to stay in touch with your core being; your center. Jennifer states: “When you reach a certain stage of commitment to yourself, you find that you are willing to give the amount of attention and energy needed to these basics, because without them, it isn’t’ your life.”      

Challenge at the Trailhead:

I challenge you, Dear Reader, to pencil in a solitary mini-break from your busy life one day this week or next. (In your favorite, quiet spot) Note your own Minimum Requirements for Self Care. Write them down; even post them where you can see them on a daily basis. Share them with a non-judgmental and supportive friend or family member. Noticing what the basics are for YOU will help you in taking more responsibility for your life and influencing your over-all well being. And what could be better than that?

And…if you want to go beyond the basics and further explore your Self-Care requirements; why not make it in a warm, beautiful, and peaceful environment.  Join me for the upcoming Costa Rica retreat that I’m co-hosting in February, 2008 (Details below)

·         To schedule a complimentary 45 minute coaching phone session, email me at patt.adventurecoach@verizon.net or call 609-953-0027