Sometimes I feel like I need to scream at myself. I’ve always been tough on myself and it’s a big reason I started Work Happy Now back in 2008. I wanted to research and test out ideas that helped me become happier and more productive.
I know getting mad at myself doesn’t solve anything. It’s just such an ingrained habit that’s hard to break.Every now and again it sneaks back in. Then I take a deep breath and tell myself it’s up to me to create more positive habits.
So I’ve been taking more time to apply Active Relaxation to my workday. I also tell my clients don’t compare yourself to others, take baby steps and enjoy the process. I haven’t been doing any of these things. I’ve been beating myself up by letting my arch nemesis dictate my happiness.
I’ve been working on a course called Brain Recharge. It’s a comprehensive course that walks people through the process of increasing their energy, lowering their stress levels and improving their productivity. As I’m putting it together I realize that I’m trying to put this huge course together and I’m not taking baby steps.
The only way to get to point B is to do one thing at a time.
So I asked friends, meditated on the idea and listed countless ways to create this course. I was still lost.
Your Help
Instead of tackling this problem all by myself I asked for help from you. I asked you if you would rather me create one big course and charge $49 or charge $5.99 per section. I actually decided on selling the first module for only $4.99.
53% of you said you wanted individual sections. 47% of you said you wanted the whole package all at once.
You were as torn as I was, but it helped me realize one thing.
I needed to create individual courses à la carte and one big course for people who wanted all 12 modules.
I've decided to release one section at a time over the next few months.
Thank You
I'm so grateful for all your help and feedback. I couldn't do this without you.
The first module is called Active Relaxation. It teaches people how to turn their mind into a friend that supports and encourages their career, allowing them to bring more energy to workday.
If you don’t have the right mindset no amount of coffee will matter. That's what the first lesson is all about, learning how to work with your mind so you can stay emotionally balanced, happy and energized.
I learned a valuable lesson in all this. Keep a work journal. It's vital to career and personal growth. Because I decided to take a break and do a little reflection in my journal I spurred myself to reach out and ask for help from you.
You need to take the time to step back and see where you need to steer your career. Otherwise you don’t have any control.
Your Turn
How do you check in with yourself to make sure your career brings you daily joy and a sense of accomplishment?
Hi Karl,
Sorry to hear your arch-nemesis/inner critic has been giving you a bad time again. I can relate--mine has been doing the same thing. Naturally, it only leads to feeling less, rather than more, enthused and motivated when the arch-nemesis takes over.
I find it really does help to have some kind of meditation or grounding ritual to do first thing in the morning. I've also found that going for a short walk (even 20 minutes) that incorporates a mindfulness or meditative approach in the mornings is a great physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual energy booster. I've fallen out of the habit of my morning routine and I'm noticing the not-so-great effects of my lapse. Having a vision board with visual representations of where you'd like to be in the long run is also a great way to stay connected with and focused on the bigger picture of where you want to be.
The other part of the equation for cultivating a good friendship with one's inner voice (or higher self or whatever you want to call it)is to help it find some evidence to counter and quieten the toxic inner critic. One practice that I read about in Tama Kieve's book Inspired and Unstoppable:Wildly Succeeding in Your Life's Work is to keep a "Win List". It's a bit more than just a "got it done list": According to Kieves it's acknowledging and recording the big and little actions, thoughts, insights that happened throughout the day that helped to move you in the direction of your dreams, personal growth and what's right in your life. A "done" list is also helpful in reminding us of what we accomplished and maybe showing us where we're trying to do too or mistaking entire projects for simple tasks.
I hope these ideas help.
Hi Sue,
Thank you for your understanding and tips. This has been a battle for awhile now. It's all a part of my journey.
I like the idea of keeping track of my wins. It's a good reminder that I am accomplishing great work.
Thanks for all your support Sue. You've always been in my corner.
I love your honesty, Karl. It's nice when experts share that they still struggle sometimes too. It makes us all feel more "normal"...whatever that is. I'm excited to see your new course as it slowly comes out. Great, much needed, topic area.
Hi Chrissy, Thanks. I try to show that we all have faults. I'm excited for the new course too. It's been a wonderful challenge. 🙂
Hey, that's what for friends are for. Thank you for your support and being in my corner over the years. It's greatly appreciated.