Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Feel guilty and say no, anyway
It is so easy to be sucked in to saying yes when you really want to say no. Especially if the person asking is close to you. Or if he is in a position of authority. Or if she is always so nice to you. Of if it's not a big request. Or, or, or. It reminds me of the story of the frog in warm water that does not have the reflex to jump and ends up cooked. It just got used to the water getting warmer and warmer and warmer.
If accommodating others is your default position in life, you are most likely shortchanging yourself. You would feel guilty you say? Well, feel guilty. If you wait until you don't feel guilty to put yourself at the top of your list of priority, don't hold your breath my friend.
This week I spoke with a friend, corporate exec. who confessed she never takes her allotment of vacation days. Not even close.
What have you been denying yourself? I am not speaking about breaking the bank here. Just to take what's rightfully yours. Remember even God took one day off every week and probably a few weeks here and there that we never heard about.
Go practice saying no or saying yes to yourself
Your coach
Marguerite Tennier, M.A.
http://www.canadascoach.com
If accommodating others is your default position in life, you are most likely shortchanging yourself. You would feel guilty you say? Well, feel guilty. If you wait until you don't feel guilty to put yourself at the top of your list of priority, don't hold your breath my friend.
This week I spoke with a friend, corporate exec. who confessed she never takes her allotment of vacation days. Not even close.
What have you been denying yourself? I am not speaking about breaking the bank here. Just to take what's rightfully yours. Remember even God took one day off every week and probably a few weeks here and there that we never heard about.
Go practice saying no or saying yes to yourself
Your coach
Marguerite Tennier, M.A.
http://www.canadascoach.com
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Use a self-care journal
Tip of the month: If you find yourself slipping on your way to Extreme Self-Care, buy a small journal and use it to plan your self-care activity (or lack of it).
Choose what daily activities you want to include in your life, list them in your journal every day and check them as you complete them. You can also do the same for your exercise, strength training, sit-up, push-up, cardio.
I am on holidays now and I find this helps me keep on track. It does happen that I miss a day and that's ok. As long as you do it 3 or 4 days a week, you're doing ok.
Your coach
Marguerite Tennier, M.A.
http://www.canadascoach.com
Choose what daily activities you want to include in your life, list them in your journal every day and check them as you complete them. You can also do the same for your exercise, strength training, sit-up, push-up, cardio.
I am on holidays now and I find this helps me keep on track. It does happen that I miss a day and that's ok. As long as you do it 3 or 4 days a week, you're doing ok.
Your coach
Marguerite Tennier, M.A.
http://www.canadascoach.com
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Follow your own advice
I am following my own advice about self-care.
Between July 15 and September 15, I will have worked a total of 6 days, which leaves over 50 days, yes, that's fifty days of pure holiday bliss during my favorite time of the year, one month of it in a secluded cabin (perfect for lots of reading, sleeping and swimming or simply listening to the leaves moving in the wind or watching the birds) in the country by the water near the quaint town of Perth, Ontario. I believe that any woman with kids deserves a month by herself just like she deserves that little red dress. I have read almost a novel a day, something I had not done since my children were born and I used to take their nap time as my reading time.
But, I found myself feeling almost guilty of such indulgence until I mentioned it to one of my daughters and she quickly set me straight with words that meant: Don't waste your time feeling guilty, mom. Enjoy.
My challenge to you: Give yourself some extra self-care before the end of the summer. Maybe a weekend get-away, or an extra long weekend including both Friday AND Monday, a massage a week until September, a cleaning lady before the Fall get-back-to-work or to-school time, good catered food, a weekend without any errands or housecleaning, just your favorite stuff. I know, you feel guilty for taking that time. But do it anyway. Your body and your mind will thank you for it.
Your coach, who is going back to the cabin
Marguerite Tennier, M.A.
http://www.canadascoach.com
Between July 15 and September 15, I will have worked a total of 6 days, which leaves over 50 days, yes, that's fifty days of pure holiday bliss during my favorite time of the year, one month of it in a secluded cabin (perfect for lots of reading, sleeping and swimming or simply listening to the leaves moving in the wind or watching the birds) in the country by the water near the quaint town of Perth, Ontario. I believe that any woman with kids deserves a month by herself just like she deserves that little red dress. I have read almost a novel a day, something I had not done since my children were born and I used to take their nap time as my reading time.
But, I found myself feeling almost guilty of such indulgence until I mentioned it to one of my daughters and she quickly set me straight with words that meant: Don't waste your time feeling guilty, mom. Enjoy.
My challenge to you: Give yourself some extra self-care before the end of the summer. Maybe a weekend get-away, or an extra long weekend including both Friday AND Monday, a massage a week until September, a cleaning lady before the Fall get-back-to-work or to-school time, good catered food, a weekend without any errands or housecleaning, just your favorite stuff. I know, you feel guilty for taking that time. But do it anyway. Your body and your mind will thank you for it.
Your coach, who is going back to the cabin
Marguerite Tennier, M.A.
http://www.canadascoach.com
