Fellow overachievers, recovering perfectionists, and aspirational friends…gather around, I have a proposition for you.
And it’s probably not what you think.
I’m inviting you to slow down, stress less and connect more. I’m inviting you to the unchallenge challenge of #75EASE.
I’m a sucker for a challenge, in the best sense of the word. I’m not suckered into a challenge, I just love the idea of being in a community with other folks striving towards the same goals. Goals are kind of my jam (and I know they’re yours too). In fact, in a recent Clifton Strengths coaching session with the author of the new Best Day Ever book Jessica Potts, I learned my top two strengths are Achiever and Activator; I can amp it up fast and see it through. In other words, if I take on a challenge, I’d better be really clear it’s the right thing for me because I’m all in.
Generally, this is a pretty good strengths duo. However last year, they were my kryptonite.
I’ve been pretty honest about the burnouts I experienced last year. And I know I’m not alone. It sure feels lonely when you’re used to being able to do a million things and still have the energy for more. “Less is more,” they say? Ha! “More is more!” Until it isn’t.
I don’t think there is anyone among us who hasn’t experienced extreme strain or health issues or life just being so darned turned upside down, that it’s taken it all out of you. If you’re still there, and I’m trying so very hard to stay out of that place (I still have caution tape around my ambitiousness), another thing on the plate is not what we need. We need more ease.
Not all of us need it. Many of us do. If that’s you, read on.
The UNchallenge Challenge
I’m seeing all these super cool challenges. It’s like having to sit on my hands with tape on my mouth to no do anything when I see them. To sit back, say “huh, that’s cool” and do nothing for 72 hours (that’s my rule now…if it still appeals to me in 72 hours then maybe it’s truly about what I need versus a cool idea in whatever mood or state I’m in at the time). This curious place has allowed me to sit back, get out of my own goal-oriented head and witness the joy of others engaging in challenges I’m a part of. The amazing Leanne Hughes, podcaster, facilitator, entrepreneur, running 2020 miles in 2020. Michelle Collins, rockin’ #75HARD with her hubby. These women are kicking butt and taking names! With the challenge not being about me, I can quietly cheer them on. (And if you know me, quiet isn’t usually my go-to place).
Given the craving is still there, just like a smoker needing to wean off with nicotine patches, I need an interim measure. That’s where #75EASE was birthed. To harness the community and intention and clarity that a challenge brings with it being cushioned by so much ease, by having the focus on joy and self-care, that it’s not an extra thing to do, rather a celebration of what you do (and maybe a slight nudge to do more of what heals you). And maybe, just maybe, it’s enough to get that achievement chemical dopamine rushing through our brilliant brains too.
Welcome to #75EASE
The guidelines are suggestions. The goals are gentle. The focus is simple. It’s built on the belief that you are already greatness ™️, so I’m willing to bet you do all or at least most of them. And that’s the whole point about these. We’re consciously celebrating and noticing self-care, self-compassion, and kindness more intentionally.
Every day for 75 days:
- Stretch every day for 10 minutes
- Share one self-care ritual you practiced
- Drink 8 glasses of water
- Read one chapter for pleasure (print, ebook and audio all count)
- Give one compliment (to yourself or others)
That’s it. So who do you share these juicy things, especially your one self-care ritual? Text someone, talk about it at the dinner table, post it to our yummy Facebook Group Great Happy People, or wherever else you “play” already!
Remember #75EASE, it’s all about ease!
Why am I so confident that I, you, and anyone else you want to invite to join us will be successful. Because I will say it again, you are ALREADY greatness ™️. You don’t have to be anything different. You have EVERYTHING already within to be successful because you already are.
What do you think? Are you in for more conscious awareness, intention and celebration of self-care, compassion and ease in 2021? Share this challenge and let’s grow our community, needed now more than ever.
BTW, my last post of 2021 will be celebrating all the things that we normally gloss over and go uncelebrated, and am excited to share many of the small extraordinary acts we normally miss that are hidden as ordinary things. I can’t wait to see what you share so that this inspo will fuel the juiciness of this post.
Who’s in?
For more ideas on how to take great care of yourself, check out these blog posts:
And if that weren’t enough, the bad news keeps rolling in. COVID rates are going up, and we’re not going “back” (school/work/any fun at all) anytime soon. Essential services friends, the unrelenting floodgates of need continue unabated. Your vacation plans have to be delayed, you’ve been banned from that country, or your mother-in-law calls you every day freaked out about getting on a plane (and it’s just easier to say “okay ma, we won’t go until 2025!”) Your favourite gym has closed down, as has the only florist in your sister’s town that is willing to deliver within her two-minute ‘availability window” on her birthday, and your guilty pleasure nail/hair/paintball establishment.
Congratulations!
Seriously, I’m not trying to minimize how hard this is. For my healthcare, developmental services, and other essential services clients, please know I am in no way minimizing how desperately hard this time has been for you and how grateful we are you’re keeping on keeping on. Industries hit hard by COVID – restaurants, events industry, airlines, hotels – not for one second have we forgotten about you, nor am I minimizing how devastating this time has been. I hope you all know this is just an attempt to deal with this upside-down time we’re living in my own small (frankly cathartic way by writing it out).
When I worked in healthcare, it wasn’t uncommon for nurses to get yelled at (and not just those helping women in labour). When I worked in the service industry, it’s incredible how many people treated us like we were gum on their shoe (if they noticed us at all). And when I hear people I love and respect trash teachers for their cushy jobs, I want to counter with “oh yeah, would YOU like to spend all day teaching YOUR kids?” (Okay maybe that is a little harsh…I’m sure their kids are quite lovely).
Do you remember going for a walk when you were a kid in the fall? (Okay this reference might not translate for those of you lucky folks who live in warmth all year long so bear with me for a moment). You would walk along, picking up fallen leaves, and bring them back to your kindergarten classroom or house or community centre. You’d be given a lightweight piece of paper and pencil, and asked to lightly rub back and forth. Before long, the definition of the leaf would show through. What was invisible was made visible. And in a different but equally beautiful form.
In my recognition keynote, I often ask:
Let’s create a 2021 ripple effect. Let’s get really specific. Let’s add to this list, let’s add specific names to this list, let’s drill down on this list. Please comment below. And why not forward to someone or a professional group that we need to celebrate more of in 2021.
