“No matter how strong or strong-willed you are, you cannot live a stressful, maxed-out life without that pace eventually biting you in the butt. It is necessary to take breaks, set parameters, and be kind to yourself if you want to continue making an impact in your little corner of the world.” ― Cynthia Mendenhall, author
Did you get your copy of The Timeout Newsletter?
If not, here’s a quick rundown of what you missed.
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Join me this Friday, November 3rd at Central Piedmont Community College as I present, “Peace by Design, The Power of the Pivot”
I along with nine other amazing speakers will take the stage to talk about how we overcame numerous obstacles in our personal and professional lives AND we will provide the blueprint on how you can do it too.
I am sharing 3 Strategies from my Peace by Design process.
Identify areas of overwhelm, stress and low energy
Get Smart & Create Peace Goals
Become the change that you desire to see
Peace by Design is the process of intentionally sharing your vulnerabilities to ease stress while gaining clarity and confidence.
****This event will serve as the official launch of my Peace by Design Coaching & Consulting Program****
This is an event that you don’t want to miss. I hope to see you there, your invitation is below.
You are invited!
On Friday, November 3, 2023, Charlotte’s premiere public speaking coaching platform, Your Signature Talk, is hosting its inaugural event entitled, The Power of Voice. This cutting-edge event will host professional speakers who will be presenting on a variety of topics that will educate, inspire, and empower each of its attendees.
The Power of Voice will cover topics including personal and business finance management, health and well-being, the power of our habits, peaceful and motivated living and more. The event is from 8:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Tate Theater at Central Piedmont Community College, located at 1201 Elizabeth Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204.
One ticket includes general admission to the event, networking with speakers and fellow attendees, giveaways from each speaker, and lunch.
This motivational event is ideal for aspiring thought leaders, coaches, and entrepreneurs who:
Are interested in transformative leadership development.
Are ready to share their message and be seen.
Have a story, book, or business to promote.
This small investment could provide a tremendous growth opportunity and make a profound impact on your personal and professional development. You can expect to leave feeling refreshed, invigorated, and ready to take your business to the next level.
According to the June 2015 Forbes article entitled, Can A Creative Person Survive Corporate Life, a creative person can survive in a corporate environment by taking the following five actions:
Decide what you want
Make a plan to get what you decided you want.
Look at the ways your current situation can help you get what you want.
Practice self-awareness.
Speak your truth
I believe in today’s corporate climate, an intentional practice of number four, self-awareness is one that must be done on a consistent, and continuous basis.
As a creative in corporate, I fully realize that my adherence to timelines is sometimes variable. I begin with the greatest of intentions to complete a task on time but find myself off kilter when urgent requests arise or when something happens to redirect my focus. When this occurs, I am fully aware that it takes me a while to find my way back to the original focal point.
So what am I doing to correct this?
In total transparency, this is a current situation that I struggle with. I have recently started using new tools to help with time management and productivity, but it all boils down to the type of projects that drive your creativity and knowing when you’ve done enough creating to move forward to next steps.
If you are a creative struggling in your current work environment, ask yourself, “what do I want?”
Is it time to move forward to something new or will you take the necessary steps to make improvements in your current work environment? As a creative, it is totally up to you.
As you move through this week, be gentle with yourself and know that your creativity is not an impediment to your success, it is a gift. Value it, but make sure your protect it.
In a world full of AI, Gridlines and Algorithms, showing up as your authentic self still matters.
“When You Show Up Authentically, You Create the Space for Others to Do the Same. Walk in Your Truth” -unknown
During a recent presentation, the meeting organizer stopped me in mid-sentence and said, this is amazing. The colors are so vivid, and your presentation tells a great story. I acknowledged the comment and thanked the organizer for noticing. Her words meant a lot to me because I strive to show up differently in every aspect of my life, business included.
Professionally, the brand of Origins of Peace, LLC is bright colors, vivid photos and transparent stories. I love creating a unique experience of peace through my content, with the hope that it will free you to show up and engage with us in the same manner.
If no one has told you lately, your authenticity matters.
I personally believe that if we hold space for one another, by allowing each other to show up as our unique self, without judgement; corporately we could all breathe a little better.
I challenge you this week to help your neighbor breathe a little easier by being authentic and holding space for them to be authentic too. Here a few things that you can do to accomplish this challenge:
Be intentional with your words
Demonstrate accountability for your actions
Show interest in learning from others
Express your emotions clearly
Look for ways to have fun in the process
It is totally ok to be you. As a matter of fact, God created you because there was a void without you. Never allow the opinions or actions of others to stop you from being authentically you. There are so many obstacles that are put in front of each of us on a daily basis. Don’t get tired or weary in your daily doing. It’s all about the bob and weave method to make it through.
If you’ve been feeling anxious or uneasy about your interactions with others, remember that social anxiety is something that everyone experiences on some level.
Origins of Peace provides coaching services to help you create an action plan to navigate your feelings. Click here to get started.
Affirmation: I am open to change……I easily adapt to change……I create change……I am a Change Leader
Many people are resistant to changing their traditional ways of doing things. Traditions that have become the go to method of operation, no matter how inefficient or unproductive are sometimes hard to let go of.
This is an emotional response, not a logical one. In some cases, people, more specifically women, fear change due to shaking things up and disrupting the normal operation of how things are done at home and in the workplace.
Many fear they will lose things that are important to them, such as a relationship or work status if they ask for change.
Truth be told, the longer you fulfill a need or role either personally or professionally, the harder it is to change or require something new for yourself.
If you are considered the errand runner, dinner maker or grocery store extraordinaire in your family, letting go of these time-consuming responsibilities, or asking for help could be a huge ask.
If you are the coffee runner, note taker and calendar manager at work, these too might be tasks that you cannot easily allow someone else to fulfill or assist with.
Although it might feel hard to ask or even want change from your everyday norm, it is possible.
Today’s post is meant to inspire you to take action this week to shake things up, disrupt the norm and take risks to try something new. I am sharing 3 steps that you can take to help you disrupt your resistance to change.
In the corporate world, the practice of Lean Six Sigma involves finding more efficient ways to conduct business. It involves identifying and eliminating areas of waste in order to perform work more efficiently. In our daily lives, work life balance and mindfulness techniques can be used to create intentionality and to manage everyday life responsibilities.
In both areas, those who are the front-line workers and task performers often resist change because of comfortability.
I challenge you both personally and professionally to utilize Movement to disrupt your resistance to change.
Movement is a common but less thought about method for creating momentum to activate change. As professional women with work and family responsibilities it is easy to create a routine of taking care of everyone else’s needs before tending to your own. Additionally, women of color are more prone to fulfill nurturing and supportive roles in our communities, churches and even at work. Use movement to shift the norm!
Your body is the first gift you are given in this life. The gift of your lungs allowed you to take your first breath. The gift of your mouth allowed your first cries to be heard. The gift of your muscles allowed you to make your first movements. Though you may have gained and lost many things along your journey, your body has stayed with you. It is time to allow your body the full range of expression that it desires and the gratitude that it deserves (Find Your Peace, A Workbook for A More Mindful Life by Kiki Ely)
Professionally, get out and socialize. Attend networking events or invite a colleague to lunch. Personally, ask a neighbor to accompany you on a walk through the neighborhood. These are just two examples of how to implement small acts of movement in your life. Small activities of movement can activate your willingness to change.
1.Start by reflecting on areas in your life that need to be disrupted. Where should you begin?
2. Build on the awareness that you’ve created by embracing your desire for change. What will change look like for you?
3. Take one step toward your desire. What activity can you complete in the next 14 days to get started?
Do you need to disrupt your resistance to change? Are you willing to make a move toward your desires?
I offer personal and professional coaching, and I would love to help set you up for success.
Share with me your thoughts about the information that has been shared in this post. Comment below and let me know if this information is helpful to you.
Is there someone that you admire personally or professionally? Is there a colleague or friend that has certain qualities that you desire to exhibit more of in your life?
If this holds true for you, what actions can you take to move from your current reality to the desired reality that you want. Is it as simple as taking the appropriate steps to mimic what you see in others, or do you need to create a more structured plan to make to make it happen.
Personally, I am working on intentionally strengthening the qualities of curiosity, spontaneity, and adventure in my life. Years of overbooking my schedule and failing to prioritize, caused these attributes to become basically nonexistent.
For me curiosity involves traveling to places that I’ve never been, seeking out alternative ways to work and experience financial freedom. Spontaneity and adventure resemble taking the trip prior to feeling burned out and overwhelmed.
On Friday, August 4th at 11:30am, I am hosting a Lunch and Learn Planning Session with step-by-step guidance on how you can move from your current reality to the life you desire. Join me to get the 5-step blueprint, which can be applied to all areas of your life where change is desired.
Let me help you find your #originsofpeace. Email melissa_rivers@originsofpeace.com to receive the meeting details.
Affirmation: “I welcome opportunities to shine. I will tap into my magic and show up in irresistible ways personally and professionally.”
The magic that was available to you as a child is still available to you as an adult.
You likely were raised to believe that all things were possible to you as a child and that you could be, have, or do anything that your heart desired.
Somewhere between adolesence and adulthood, perspectives begin to change.
Everything that once felt like a miracle, begins to feel like a challenge to overcome, or an unreachable goal. As an adult you’ve some how forgotten the magic that you have, and the miracle that is you.
No matter how old you are, the magic still exists. Personally and Professionally, you have the ability to make magic happen in your life.
Ask yourself the following questions to help you tap into your magic:
What can you do to make deeper connections at work and in your social settings?
Are you scheduling networking opportunities with colleagues and engagement appointments with associates to build commaradere?
Does your schedule allow time for you to feel relaxed and at ease, instead of feeling hurried and anxious?
If you are disappointed with the answers to these questions, it is time to make a change.
Start by making a list of opportunities to connect. Brunch, after work activities or weekend Food Truck events are a few ideas to help you get started.
Next, decide who you want to connect with. Are there at least three work colleagues that you would like to get to know better?
Do you want to build your relationships with a few of your associates? After you have worked out those details, now comes the most challenging part.
You have to make time in your schedule to build those connections.
Affirmation:I am intentionally making time for self-care this summer. I will soak up the sun, release compressed emotions and spend quality time with people who make me feel good.
It is possible to enjoy summer to the fullest while maintaining a full work schedule.
You can have a productive summer and find time to recharge by managing your time between summer-fine goals and your professional aspirations.
Manage your time and prioritize self-care so that you can actively and intentionally take care of yourself. Preparing for work the night before, beginning your day earlier and being productive at work allows you to not feel guilty for clocking out as soon as your shift ends, in order to still enjoy the day.
One very important thing that you can do to ensure you have time for self-care this summer is to put yourself first. Prioritize things that are important to you and be sure to make room for those things. If beach trips are important, plan them. If fitness is important, make time for it. If romance is a priority, make room for it.
Be consistent with things that are important to you and keep them close!
Enjoy this short video where I list some of the resources that I am utilizing this summer to manage self-care and create more balance.
If you find it challenging to manage work-life and summer-fine goals, email success@orignsofpeace.com and allow us to help you create a time management plan.
Remember: Commitment is what turns a promise into reality. Commit to your own personal self-care.
“Appreciate again and again, freshly and naively, the basic goods of life, with awe, pleasure, wonder and even ecstasy, however stale these experiences may have become to others.” – Abraham Maslow
*****Mental Clarity, Self-Preservation, Rejuvenation, Service to Others*****
One of the fundamental values of Origins of Peace is rejuvenation, simply taking the time to halt all routine commitments and take an extended moment to inhale, exhale, show gratitude and repeat. Repeat the process until you are empty. Empty of worry, stress, expectations, commitments, insecurity and doubt. An extended moment to simply exist as your authentic self.
When I popped open my beach lounger in the middle of town, right on the front lawn of the Visitor’s Center, I knew my mission to rejuvenate myself had been realized. There I lay, relaxed, under a huge oak tree, directly across from the waterfront, with not a care in the world.
The previous 72 hours had been spent boat hopping, beach bumming, cloud gazing, and daydreaming. I kept doing these things until the stress began to melt away.
The early morning coffee conversations with God while sitting on the dock of the bay were essential in restoring bliss and awe in my life.
When I first arrived at my destination, I was full of anxiety. I had reached my tipping point with just about everything that I was attached to. The day that I popped open my beach lounger I was at ease and feeling stress free.
As I continue to build, and refine the mission of Origins of Peace, LLC., destination retreats with a specific focus on our fundamental values are in the works. If you are interested in learning more about our peaceful retreats specifically focused on mental clarity, self-preservation, rejuvenation and service to others, click the link below to express your interest.
Please forgive my nearly closed eyes, but I’ve been dealing with some major sinus congestion for more than a week now. Sheer agony!
Anyway, for weeks I had been searching for a beach lounger, when I came across the perfect one on the Academy Sports Website. The color scheme perfectly matched my beach dining accessories from Tabitha Brown’s latest release at Target, it was light weight, and the straps were perfect for easy portability.
I ordered the lounger using a gift card that I received on my birthday last year. When I arrived at the store to pick up my order, I decided to use curbside pickup, since I was not feeling well. I selected the appropriate options to alert an associate that I was outside waiting. When the associate arrived, he immediately asked me for my ID. This posed a problem for me because I had lost my driver’s license at the beach, the previous weekend. Before uttering a word, I looked in my purse and retrieved the gift card that I used to make the purchase, my confirmation email, and my temporary driver’s license.
As I am doing all of this, I told the associate that I had lost my driver’s license, but I had all the items that I listed above as verification that I was in fact the person that placed and paid for the order.
The associate’s initial response was to refuse delivery. My response was, how will my picture ID assure you that I am the person who made the online purchase? Your website didn’t ask for a picture, so how would that help you validate the purchase and me as the purchaser?
We discussed the dilemma for a few minutes and then a second associate came out to my car whom I assume was a manager.
After about a 10-minute delay, I was able to get my order.
As I began driving away, I immediately thought to myself, I need this kind of protection in my life.
Protect Me Like Academy Sports Protects its Online Purchases!
The intention, the verification, and the validation of transacting with the appropriate party was top tier for me. Although I was the one who could not provide the needed information, I appreciate the steps taken by the store to ensure that I was in fact who I claimed to be.
Imagine if each of us took that same level of care in our everyday relationships. Instead of rushing into agreements with others, what if we took time to actually validate who they really are? I was able to gain the trust of the associates because I described the color of my dining accessories and how the colors complimented the lounger that I purchased. I also talked about my past trip to the beach and my intention of going back. All of this discussion helped the associates get to know a little about me and become comfortable with the decision to give me my lounger.
I’ve had a number of representatives show up in my life claiming to be someone whom they really were not. When I thought that I was dealing with someone who had integrity and was trustworthy, but in reality, they turned out to be just the opposite.
The lessons that I am taking from this encounter are:
I will always show up as my authentic self, and I will expect others to do the same
I will value the connections that can be made by simply engaging in a little small talk
I will respect the boundaries and values of others, and I will expect others to show the same respect to me
These are simple truths that are now part of my #originsofpeace.
How about you? Are you showing up authentically, and do you have set expectations and values that others must adhere to?
There is a quote that says,
“Intention is one of the most powerful forces there is.What you mean when you do a thing will always determine the outcome.The law creates the world.”
My intention is to be protected as well as Academy Sports protects its online purchases! What’s your intention?
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