"The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak."
- Hans Hoffman
For a cluttered, too-many-things-on-the-go-at-the-same-time kind of guy like me this statement today is gold. Very obvious, but still gold. Like flipping thru a yearbook and seeing the 20 years ago version of yourself... always there, but always "Ahhhhh" when you see it again.
I am often like those old little Family Circle cartoons where they show the mom asks the boy to do something simple, like take the plate to a table, and they show you with a dotted line his wonderful adventure in out up down all around the neighborhood before he finally gets the plate 6 feet to the table. Oh look! A squirrel.
Yup...that's me. Past life I was a dog I am sure. But I am aware of the simplicity by which we can "find" our priorities and flick the neon sign on to keep us focussed again... even for a momen....Squirrel!!
Step One - Stop .... and Take a deep breath. It is essential to come to a complete Mind Stop. ( Try that later today, when something gets going, like a coworker, just say "Mind Stop!" but try it with a friend before you pull that one on the boss.)
Step Two - Admit it... say, "Self...we have a problem." We have to identify that we know we have too much on the go, and we need to realign our wants and needs with the - here, now and "that's not even relevant until next year." You should notice a weight being lifted already. See? Simple.
Step Three - As the fog is lifting, pick out the shapes of the items on your Do List that are now not overlapped like a pile of pick up sticks and sort them to their catagory. Once you see a task by itself and not under a pile of others, it is easier to asign priority level to it. I am revising my To Do list as I write this.
Step Four - Repeat, Deep Breath. Already feels better.
Step Five - Once you have things mentally, or paper to pen catagorized let the necessary items "Speak". Washing my truck is a Sunday thing and all the sub tasks for it like buying the polish, getting the Shop Vac etc...are not necessary right now on Friday... so shush those items. "Friday Family Fun Night" has it's hand raised and is squirming to say something more important. This is my 'necessary'.
Step Six - Relax into Action. You have simplified your Do list and self expectations. You have taken a breath to stop the race and can see the tornado is dissipating.
I have focussed on Task lists. Start there. And when you feel more of the unnecessary is out of the way, you will feel more simplified and less burdened with other areas and feelings as well.
Good morning, Greater day.
Greater you, has become more of the necessary.
Pierre Couturier
Husband, Daddy, and Author to my Day.
Welcome to all of our New Friends
Welcome.
Please find today's shared comment below.
Visit often as we add new material and contacts and if you like what you find here, please share it with friends and family.
I encourage you to visit the archives, and to leave comments.
Send us an email if you wish. We look forward to hearing from you and providing you with great content each day.
Welcome to AYD, and may this be the start of great things to come.
Pierre
Please find today's shared comment below.
Visit often as we add new material and contacts and if you like what you find here, please share it with friends and family.
I encourage you to visit the archives, and to leave comments.
Send us an email if you wish. We look forward to hearing from you and providing you with great content each day.
Welcome to AYD, and may this be the start of great things to come.
Pierre
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Friday, July 11, 2014
Thursday, July 10, 2014
AYD - July 10, 2014 - The Contribution of a Great You
"If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way."
- Napoleon Hill
Go forth today and be You - but be a damn good You.
Your contribution of this brings value to all those whose appreciation you have earned, and those who may need to see that it can be done.
Good morning, Greater day.
Greater you, is your inspiring contribution.
Pierre Couturier
Husband, Daddy and Author to my Day
- Napoleon Hill
Go forth today and be You - but be a damn good You.
Your contribution of this brings value to all those whose appreciation you have earned, and those who may need to see that it can be done.
Good morning, Greater day.
Greater you, is your inspiring contribution.
Pierre Couturier
Husband, Daddy and Author to my Day
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
AYD - Show Me Some Dance Moves
"Dance like no one is watching."
Always good advice. Basically means, let go and just be yourself. Don't get hung up on fears of judgement. The happiest of people appear to be those that live their life like that.... and not just on the dance floor. They carry themselves differently. They command attention. They are like a magnet.
Have you ever really sat back and taken a moment to enjoy people watching? Just step out of the main flow of foot traffic and gaze upon the faces going by? Picture an often used scene from movies of people walking on a crowded New York sidewalk. Who grabs your attention? Who stands out in this simple and repeated activity? Can you find the magnets?
If I were standing on the side this morning as you walked by in a group of people, might I be drawn to look at you for some unannounced reason? Can I see the dance in your expressions?
You may not be able to physically Tango with a rose in your mouth all through your day, but you can embrace your day like life is a dance and wear your Gratitude of that in your appearance. You can dance in many different ways and not worry about what others think. You can share the joy of your dance with your attitude, demeanor and expressions.
"Dance" like no one is watching - if you wish - or let it all show - for just remember, some of the ones watching, are just trying to learn some feel good dance moves. Inspired people may be quieter than the judgemental...but they are there in larger numbers.
Dance your dance like noone is watching, but please allow me to enjoy your flow of expression as it is more inspiring than you know.
Good morning, greater day.
Greater you, has moves you never knew you had.
Pierre Couturier
Dancing Hubby, Dancing Daddy, and Author to my Day.
Always good advice. Basically means, let go and just be yourself. Don't get hung up on fears of judgement. The happiest of people appear to be those that live their life like that.... and not just on the dance floor. They carry themselves differently. They command attention. They are like a magnet.
Have you ever really sat back and taken a moment to enjoy people watching? Just step out of the main flow of foot traffic and gaze upon the faces going by? Picture an often used scene from movies of people walking on a crowded New York sidewalk. Who grabs your attention? Who stands out in this simple and repeated activity? Can you find the magnets?
If I were standing on the side this morning as you walked by in a group of people, might I be drawn to look at you for some unannounced reason? Can I see the dance in your expressions?
You may not be able to physically Tango with a rose in your mouth all through your day, but you can embrace your day like life is a dance and wear your Gratitude of that in your appearance. You can dance in many different ways and not worry about what others think. You can share the joy of your dance with your attitude, demeanor and expressions.
"Dance" like no one is watching - if you wish - or let it all show - for just remember, some of the ones watching, are just trying to learn some feel good dance moves. Inspired people may be quieter than the judgemental...but they are there in larger numbers.
Dance your dance like noone is watching, but please allow me to enjoy your flow of expression as it is more inspiring than you know.
Good morning, greater day.
Greater you, has moves you never knew you had.
Pierre Couturier
Dancing Hubby, Dancing Daddy, and Author to my Day.
Monday, July 7, 2014
AYD - July 7, 2014 - Make Eye contact with the Meaning
"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."
- Henry David Thoreau
A statement that could launch 1000 books.
Or something as simple and meaningful as your day.
Perception can be the enemy that writes your script before your emotions get past the headline ... or it can be the greatest success planner you ever partner with.
A goal, a morning, a task ... or the love of your life.
Take time to soak it all in. Take time to truly see the value in what is at hand.
Take time to understand what this statement says to you personally.
Good morning,
Greater day.
Greater you, is seeing more than a passing glance.
Pierre Couturier
Husband, Daddy and Author to my day.
- Henry David Thoreau
A statement that could launch 1000 books.
Or something as simple and meaningful as your day.
Perception can be the enemy that writes your script before your emotions get past the headline ... or it can be the greatest success planner you ever partner with.
A goal, a morning, a task ... or the love of your life.
Take time to soak it all in. Take time to truly see the value in what is at hand.
Take time to understand what this statement says to you personally.
Good morning,
Greater day.
Greater you, is seeing more than a passing glance.
Pierre Couturier
Husband, Daddy and Author to my day.
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