March 29, 2010

get in gear newsletter

in this issue

signals and signposts

upcoming classes

true discipline of time management
   

on the blog

more spring cleaning

a note from Cairene

At the time you are reading this, I'm likely still recovering from surgery (very routine procedure that should leave me feeling much better, so not to worry). My sweetheart is pretty sweet, but I somehow doubt my recovery looks quite like this... (clip art cracks me up sometimes).

This medical interlude has been an interesting lesson in paying attention to the signals of my body and the signposts that point this direction or that when it comes to making choices. I've also learned a lot about speed limits and detours. And what happens when I'm on autopilot.

What happens when you are on autopilot?

classes

the true discipline of time management
Become a Time Disciple with me! By this summer you could be calm, prepared, energized, confident – and ready for anything.

signals and signposts

I was driving to an appointment recently and had one of those moments - I'm sure you've had them too - when I couldn't remember if the light at the intersection I had just passed through was actually green. Presumably it was. Presumably the part of my mind that was in charge of driving knew what it was doing and would have stopped it the light had been red. But the rest of my conscious mind that was preoccupied with the subject of that appointment had no awareness of which color it was.

It kind of weirded me out for a moment.

And then it struck me as an awesome metaphor.

At first because it seemed to be such a great illustration of the importance of staying awake to one's experience, of maintaining a certain level of awareness.

But then it seemed such a great illustration of the importance of the signals and signposts in our lives.

In navigating the grid of our daily activities, having a clear, well-practiced system of signals and signposts allows us to give our awareness to the big stuff, while knowing we're still traveling toward our intended destination in a safe way.

This is not the same thing as having maps or planning a trip according to a map - also important elements of your systems. This is about having a way of moving safely during that trip and knowing if you are still on your intended route.

This is about knowing how to navigate all the little things that might not be on your map. Intersections. Terrain. Weather. Construction. And, of course, other travelers.

Stop. Yield. Do not enter. No right turn. No left turn. No u-turn. Red. Yellow. Green.
Speed limit. Do not pass. No turn on red. One way.
Crossroad. Side road. Winding road. Sharp turn. Merge. Deer.
Low clearance. Slippery when wet. Hill.
Railroad crossing. School zone. Work zone. Detour. Fines double.
Scenic overlook. Historical marker ahead. Rest stop. Gas - Food - Lodging - next right.

All signals and signposts have a single corresponding action: red = stop, crossroad = look for traffic, sharp turn = slow down. We know what they mean - we've even been tested on what they mean.

Do you similarly recognize the signs and signals in your life? And do you know what their corresponding action is?

  • When your body is sending you signals of being tired or hungry, do you recognize and obey them by exiting at a rest stop?

  • When you are at the crossroads of making a decision, do you stop to look both ways?

  • What are the signs of the twists and turns of stress and confusion that help you know when and how to slow down?

  • In your relationships, do you know when to yield? when to merge?

  • Do you have clear boundaries that guide your route?

  • How do you recognize when you are distracted by a side road? How far do you have to travel before you turn around and go back?

  • Do you establish conditions of satisfaction that let you know how many more miles there are to go or when you've arrived?

When you are on autopilot - and we all are at times - do you have systems that keep you safe and moving in the right direction? Or are you running red lights?

If you were to write your own Driver's Manual with the rules of your personal road, what would it say?

recently on the blog

Letting go of... | the returns on doing with more genuine, open, trusting being-ness
Clearing My Circles of Influence | more than room for good new things, there is room for action

let's chat

Like what you've read? Confused? Have a suggestion? Got a question? Let's start a conversation. I'd love to hear from you - send me a line, comment on the blog, or follow me on Twitter.

subscription info

I encourage you to share this newsletter with people you think may enjoy it. When doing so, please forward it in its entirety, including my contact and copyright information. Thanks!

If you received this issue of Get In Gear from a reader and would like your own subscription, please click here.

To update your email address or unsubscribe, please click the link at the bottom of the newsletter.

An archive of past issues of the Get In Gear newsletter can be browsed here.

Unless otherwise attributed, all material is written and edited by Cairene MacDonald.
© 2010 Cairene MacDonald, Third Hand Works. All rights reserved.

Cairene MacDonald
Third Hand Works
PO Box 31113
Portland, OR 97231
contact

from overwhelmed to ready for anything
organization and time management for people in their "right" minds

Third Hand Works | administrative guidance for independent creative professionals