Monthly Archives: February 2018

Feb 19
1
Authenticity

Authenticity

By | Encouragement, positive thoughts | No Comments

I would like to blog about what we could use more of in our culture: authenticity. The reason I feel this topic deserves a whole blog post instead of just a sentence or two is that I feel we are craving it more than we are feeling it from others. We are moving in a fast-paced world with many changes that happen quickly. As we try to gain footing on all that we are exposed to, many times we only have our own Intuition and discernment to filter through it all.

I know when I am on social media to conduct business or catch up with my loved ones, I am exposed to many things that are being created and sold. I’m all for vision and innovation, but I also find myself bombarded with information and many people selling products (whether it be for the purpose of primary or secondary incomes). We can find ourselves pulled into conflicting advice, getting swamped by information, and not knowing what we need from the burden of overwhelment.

Did I mention that everyone is an expert these days? I say this jokingly and lovingly. But it often feels like the elephant in the room metaphor. I think it’s great to share information. We can be very helpful to one another in so many ways. However we can also be unhelpful to think we know what is best for another. It can be tricky to figure out our own health and balances, much less think we know what is best for everyone else. Most things are trial and error with no guarantees. So if we can come from a place of our own authenticity, we can help others by getting our ego out of the way.

I know this is a delicate dance when you are in a business for yourself. Whether it is selling and moving products, making a brand for yourself or your business, we can take some notes and hints at what is taking place for people now. We can’t duplicate another’s success. We can learn from it. And take some helpful giveaways, but we can’t recreate any exact environment, place, or time. So the best we can do is to give and receive information authentically.

I will admit the word “authentic” has been thrown around like “happiness.” There can be a variety of definitions and opinions. For the sake of this blog, I would like to defer towards representing our true selves and nature. When we present our true self and story, we represent more of our whole self, not just our best shiny parts we only want others to see. It comes from a place of not just honesty, but who we are from within.

People resonate and feel your resonance better when you are authentically you. No one else can be you, no matter how hard they study. So be your best you! When I say the best you, I don’t mean “absolutely-no-mistakes” you, but the real you! That is what we all want…the real you!

In my experience, when I have intentionally came from my authentic self, I sell more, do better, and find deeper connections with people. I think that is what many of us are looking for and enjoy doing business with. And my authentic self doesn’t come perfect or shiny, much less completely successful at everything I do. My authentic self loves, fails, hurts, helps, gets frustrated, experiences joy, experiences loss, and most importantly learns.This authentic self weaves a beautiful tapestry full of story and experience. We all have so much to offer others being our authentic selves.

Give out what you’d like to get in return. If you offer your authenticity and you don’t get a bite or feel rejected, see it as a blessing. Aim to spend time with and do business with those you align with. I find it makes for higher experiences. Your authenticity and true self has its own magic to work in your favor.

As you move though your daily activities, goals, and media posts, ask yourself if it comes from your true authenticity. Not what “sells, what “sounds good,” or what gets the most hashtags, but what truly reflects who you are deep down. It’s a small and powerful place to start. There is a time and place for facts and research when someone is interested. But to get a foot in the door with others and the pleasure of their communication, I suggest offering your authentic self. See how much deeper you connect and if you are more successful in what you do.

Feb 04
2
Sensory overload

Sensory Overload

By | Encouragement, positive thoughts | No Comments

With all the technology and media many of us are exposed to daily, we often don’t step back and notice when we may be experiencing sensory overload, much less create some space to balance out these triggers.

Some of our daily interactions and social media habits can create a stir of emotions for us. When we are exposing ourselves to many megaphone blasts of opinions and information, we don’t always acknowledge the need to process before reacting and exposing ourselves to more.

I know our various forms of media provide a wide range of help, from having fun and keeping up with our social calendars, to granting us opportunities to be more flexible in regards to our work and responsibilities. Like most good things, however, there are some downsides to balance out a little or contend with. What we don’t always pay attention to is how much time we may be losing in upsetting or unserving outlets. This can pile up emotionally, affecting our happiness, health, and relationships with others.

Our emotional health directly affects our physical health. When we frequently spend time being overstimulated, we can lose balance in our mental and physical health. We can get so caught up in our busy lives that we may not recognize how much drama we introduce into our energy from our exposure to multiple medias. I’m not saying you have to avoid all media, but we can learn to regulate and add some filters when we start getting stressed and feel our senses starting to overload.

Once we start becoming more aware of how often we are getting upset and triggered when we engage with technology and social media, then we can start to be creative in making some space for breaks and balance. Just like someone with a desk job that requires them to sit for hours at at time; they could really use some movement and stretch breaks from the constant sitting sitting that can cause many problems with the neck, shoulder, and lower back.. We could heed this advice when spending hours browsing multiple medias.

I would guess many of us have enough distractions in life that we don’t pay attention to what stresses we may be adding as well—kind of like how we may gain weight if we don’t pay attention to what and how much we’re eating. If we can measure how much time we spend on social media, especially if it is causing some angst or stress, we can take some steps towards moderating how much time, energy, and attention we give it. I’m not suggesting you have to abandon things that bring you joy; just that you make your life simpler with the tools at our hands. The stress is controlled by how we use and navigate it.

It can take a little time and awareness to notice what causes your triggers and when you are experiencing sensory overload, but the more you pay attention, the more you can balance daily stress and emotional health. Whether you take steps to lessen your exposure to these sensory triggers, or limit the time you give it with some boundaries, you make big steps towards more joy and less stress. At least start noticing when you feel the stress building, or the anger being triggered, or the temptation to argue with another rising. Could it be that you are experiencing some sensory overload?

You could step back and ask yourself, “Is this worth all this stress and energy?” Could you be giving your balance and power away to unnecessary angst? These are personal questions only you can feel for yourself. Once you notice what overloads your senses and triggers your stress, you can create some options for yourself to handle them. Perhaps that means limiting how much time you spend on social media or reducing how many forms of social media you interact with. Perhaps it means walking away from media altogether, even if just for a short while. We are often taught that we need an online presence in so many forms of social media for success, but perhaps being spread too thin may be getting in the way of what you’re actually getting done.

It’s a lesson we often learn directly in our work environments, but don’t apply to our relationship with technology. When you get home from a stressful day, you may be the type of person who needs a hot bath or something to unwind. You can set some time away from your technology for some unwinding boundaries as well. Just like our waking life needs balance from sensory overload, we can apply more helpful techniques to our virtual world as well!