Well, it was the funeral of a family friend yesterday (yes, another funeral - that's 4 in about 10 months! I feel like rent-a-mourner.) And today I am Hung Over. Not in the traditional sense of a beer hangover - I don't drink much and managed to make each half of lager last an hour!) In the sense that it was a day out of normality - a really weird day of seeing people I haven't seen for ages.
And then today I'm back at my desk, trying to concentrate on what I am supposed to be doing! It's amazing how displaced you can get when you are involved in something like that - I feel utterly drained! So, in the spirit of practicing what I preach, I am working but taking it easy today. I hope you are honouring how your body, mind, heart and soul feel today.
Love
Donna.x
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Know when to switch off
A desk piled with paper, a to-do list 12 people couldn't complete in a month, and a racing mind.
Sound familiar?
Do you know when to switch off, or do you stock up on caffeine and adrenaline and keep going late into the evening...day after day after day?
Here's a tip: if you need artificial stimulants to keep you going, you need to stop. Probably about 2 hours ago!
Don't force yourself beyond your endurance. Know when it's time to stop.
Love
Donna.x
Sound familiar?
Do you know when to switch off, or do you stock up on caffeine and adrenaline and keep going late into the evening...day after day after day?
Here's a tip: if you need artificial stimulants to keep you going, you need to stop. Probably about 2 hours ago!
Don't force yourself beyond your endurance. Know when it's time to stop.
Love
Donna.x
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
A few last minute hiccups
Well, I was hugely optimistic when I announced to the breathlessly waiting world that my ebook is finished! All I had to do was create the pdf, set up the download pages, and record a couple of little audio files. Easy!
Yesterday I found out that a close family friend had passed away. Expected, but still very upsetting, and nixed yesterday for me - I couldn't concentrate to do any work! Today, I was determined to get on with it and was going great guns, until I ran smack-bang into a wall! The wall being the pdf I'm trying to create - either it doesn't work at all, or none of the links work.
Grrrrrrrrrrr. So please bear with me, it is SO CLOSE!!!
Love
Donna.x
Yesterday I found out that a close family friend had passed away. Expected, but still very upsetting, and nixed yesterday for me - I couldn't concentrate to do any work! Today, I was determined to get on with it and was going great guns, until I ran smack-bang into a wall! The wall being the pdf I'm trying to create - either it doesn't work at all, or none of the links work.
Grrrrrrrrrrr. So please bear with me, it is SO CLOSE!!!
Love
Donna.x
OnTheBeach - When No Action is the Right Action
A note from Donna -
Well, finally I have completed "The Torturer's Bible" - who knew that 30 pages would take 5 times as many days?! To those lovely people who are at the front of the queue, you will be receiving your link to download the ebook in the next couple of days. The rest of you will just have to wait til next week. If you can't wait, drop me an e-mail with "I can't wait that long, give me the link right now" in the subject.
- When No Action is the Right Action -
When was the last time you said to yourself "I really should have done that by now"? Maybe about your work, your fitness, your clutter clearing, your millionaire status? How often have you berated yourself for a task undone, a plan not put into action, a goal not yet achieved? Berating yourself is usually an attempt to motivate. Sadly, it doesn't work too well. Mostly, it is demotivating and demoralising - you end up feeling like a failure for not having done whatever you thought you should be doing.
What if it was ok that you had taken no action? What if there was a reason for you to be inactive on this for a while? No, not that you are a lazy slob! A good reason. Maybe even one that you don't know yet. Readers who've been with me for a while may remember an article last year about procrastination - in my view there are 2 reasons to procrastinate: not ready or don't want to.
Don't want to is easy, but not ready? How do you spot that one if you think you should be ready?! Let me give you an example. I've been writing an ebook for MONTHS…and I 'should' have finished it long ago! It's the first in a long line of ebooks and audio programs…and this first step has taken (what seems to me to be) forever! But guess what? I wasn't ready. It wasn't ready.
Now I'd have sworn blind that I was ready all along…and I would have been totally wrong. This project is now finished, and I can see clearly that to have rushed it would have been a mistake. I can see now that those periods of seeming inaction were really 'simmer-time' - where the ideas, knowledge and vision were all coming together to make the next steps really obvious.
This happens absurdly often with clients too. They will be berating themselves for not having taken some action, then with hindsight they will realise that the delay factor was a good thing. I believe that we are always doing our best, and I also believe that this is a friendly universe. Put the two together, and maybe inaction is the best action to take?
- Something To Play With -
Think of a project you have been procrastinating on. If this delay was FOR you, and a good thing, why might that be? Want to share how this article affects you? E-mail me. I love to hear from readers, and will respond to all e-mails.
Well, finally I have completed "The Torturer's Bible" - who knew that 30 pages would take 5 times as many days?! To those lovely people who are at the front of the queue, you will be receiving your link to download the ebook in the next couple of days. The rest of you will just have to wait til next week. If you can't wait, drop me an e-mail with "I can't wait that long, give me the link right now" in the subject.
- When No Action is the Right Action -
When was the last time you said to yourself "I really should have done that by now"? Maybe about your work, your fitness, your clutter clearing, your millionaire status? How often have you berated yourself for a task undone, a plan not put into action, a goal not yet achieved? Berating yourself is usually an attempt to motivate. Sadly, it doesn't work too well. Mostly, it is demotivating and demoralising - you end up feeling like a failure for not having done whatever you thought you should be doing.
What if it was ok that you had taken no action? What if there was a reason for you to be inactive on this for a while? No, not that you are a lazy slob! A good reason. Maybe even one that you don't know yet. Readers who've been with me for a while may remember an article last year about procrastination - in my view there are 2 reasons to procrastinate: not ready or don't want to.
Don't want to is easy, but not ready? How do you spot that one if you think you should be ready?! Let me give you an example. I've been writing an ebook for MONTHS…and I 'should' have finished it long ago! It's the first in a long line of ebooks and audio programs…and this first step has taken (what seems to me to be) forever! But guess what? I wasn't ready. It wasn't ready.
Now I'd have sworn blind that I was ready all along…and I would have been totally wrong. This project is now finished, and I can see clearly that to have rushed it would have been a mistake. I can see now that those periods of seeming inaction were really 'simmer-time' - where the ideas, knowledge and vision were all coming together to make the next steps really obvious.
This happens absurdly often with clients too. They will be berating themselves for not having taken some action, then with hindsight they will realise that the delay factor was a good thing. I believe that we are always doing our best, and I also believe that this is a friendly universe. Put the two together, and maybe inaction is the best action to take?
- Something To Play With -
Think of a project you have been procrastinating on. If this delay was FOR you, and a good thing, why might that be? Want to share how this article affects you? E-mail me. I love to hear from readers, and will respond to all e-mails.
Friday, April 18, 2008
So close, So close, So close...
Right, this free ebook I've been working on since the beginning of time. It was nearly finished in February!!! I'm STILL working on it! It's only 30 pages. By now it should be War and Peace it's taking so darn long! The trouble is that just when I think I'm done, I get another idea. I got over one obstacle this week - the pictures to go in and for the 'cover'...oh my life I have gone boss-eyed looking at pictures!
And of course, every search I do I get 25475 possibilities to sift through! But I have narrowed it down, and that bit is done - its just the last bit that needs to go in. I was going to be finished by the end of the week...and at 7pm on Friday, I've just thought of another idea!!! But do you know what, this free ebook is MUCH better than it would have been if I'd rushed it and said 'that'll do'.
Next week, it'll be ready. Honest! Remember, if you want a copy before anyone else in the whole wide world, you need to e-mail me with "Have you finished YET? I want to read it!" in the subject line!
The moral of the story? Why beat yourself up over not meeting your expectations when whatever you're doing is the right thing. Always. You are always doing your best. I wasn't ready to finish. But I will be. Soon. And next time I will know that I have a lot more to do that WRITING and I'll be doing it as I go along.
Love
Donna.x
And of course, every search I do I get 25475 possibilities to sift through! But I have narrowed it down, and that bit is done - its just the last bit that needs to go in. I was going to be finished by the end of the week...and at 7pm on Friday, I've just thought of another idea!!! But do you know what, this free ebook is MUCH better than it would have been if I'd rushed it and said 'that'll do'.
Next week, it'll be ready. Honest! Remember, if you want a copy before anyone else in the whole wide world, you need to e-mail me with "Have you finished YET? I want to read it!" in the subject line!
The moral of the story? Why beat yourself up over not meeting your expectations when whatever you're doing is the right thing. Always. You are always doing your best. I wasn't ready to finish. But I will be. Soon. And next time I will know that I have a lot more to do that WRITING and I'll be doing it as I go along.
Love
Donna.x
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Enjoying the Win
Last week, I was at a client's offices and in the meeting room they had a picture titled "Face each problem with a will to win" with a picture of athletes in agony (marathon runners by the look of them). I admire the sentiment. Determination, tenacity and will gets you far.
BUT.
It's the agony bit that bothers me! yes, ok, winning is all good...but in business these days it is all too often at the expense of your physical, mental and emotional health...and I can't see that as good no matter which way up I look at it!
How about "Face each problem with a joyful smile and a determination to enjoy finding a solution"? With a picture of smiling, happy people?
Or am I just TOO mad for thinking this???
Love
Donna.x
BUT.
It's the agony bit that bothers me! yes, ok, winning is all good...but in business these days it is all too often at the expense of your physical, mental and emotional health...and I can't see that as good no matter which way up I look at it!
How about "Face each problem with a joyful smile and a determination to enjoy finding a solution"? With a picture of smiling, happy people?
Or am I just TOO mad for thinking this???
Love
Donna.x
Monday, April 14, 2008
OnTheBeach - Powerless
- A note from Donna -
Well, the day I'd set aside for putting the finishing touches to the Torturer's Bible and setting up the webpage is a bit of a washout. We had a fuse burnout and the entire fuse box is being replaced as I speak! So, I am without Power. So you have another short wait before you can get your hands on this free ebook! If you are not already in the queue and would like to be among the first in the world to get a copy, e-mail me with "What's that queue for? Must be something good, I'm going to join" in the subject line. Spookily enough, today's subject fits well with this month's recommended read - check it out.
- Powerless -
So I'm writing this article in the old-fashioned way - pen and paper - by daylight as I have no electricity. But for the sound of cars going by, I could be in another century. The house is incredibly still - not just quiet, but still. It's rather nice actually! When I first discovered I would be without power for hours on end, I was lost! No computer, no radio, no light, no tv, no phone. I can't even make the electrician a cuppa or myself a toastie.
So I took the dog for a nice walk. It was lovely - the sun was shining, and because I had no reason to rush back, it was very leisurely. Normally I am walking along thinking of what is going to happen when I return, but today there was going to be nothing happening without Power. I did think of several things I could do with the 'powerless' time, but there's a curious feeling of ease and patience about it. There's no rush to 'do' anything, no sense of time passing. There is just a curious serenity about the day.
In this world in this century, we are constantly being assaulted by technology. There is too much to do and too little time and we have very little 'down-time'. Proper, quality down time, where there is no hurry to get anything done. Even on holiday, if we are so inclined, we can fill up every last moment with things to do. I feel quite sleepy, and yet also feel that I am being energised by this curiously calm space. Although I could break the silence with my MP3 player, I am happy enough to enjoy these hours of peace. After all, they are so rare; I may as well enjoy them!
- Something To Play With -
Notice today how much electricity adds to your busy life. Imagine just switching everything off for an hour or two, and only 'doing' what you feel like (that isn't powered by the electricity board!). If that imagining feels good, switch off your computers, phones, tellies and radios and enjoy being powerless! Want to share how this article affects you? E-mail meI love to hear from readers, and will respond to all e-mails.
- Reccommended Read -
In Praise of Slow by Carl Honore Life is such a fast paced ride these days - we have fast food, fast cars, fast internet connection (sometimes!) and there is never enough time to do everything you want to. The hectic pace of life ruins our enjoyment of so many things - food, leisure time, work, love. But does it have to be that way? Carl Honore and I say 'no'. You can slow down your life. It's a choice. You can choose to 'take it easy'. You can choose to put your feet up and just watch the other headless chickens run round. And while you're doing that, read 'In Praise of Slow'!
Well, the day I'd set aside for putting the finishing touches to the Torturer's Bible and setting up the webpage is a bit of a washout. We had a fuse burnout and the entire fuse box is being replaced as I speak! So, I am without Power. So you have another short wait before you can get your hands on this free ebook! If you are not already in the queue and would like to be among the first in the world to get a copy, e-mail me with "What's that queue for? Must be something good, I'm going to join" in the subject line. Spookily enough, today's subject fits well with this month's recommended read - check it out.
- Powerless -
So I'm writing this article in the old-fashioned way - pen and paper - by daylight as I have no electricity. But for the sound of cars going by, I could be in another century. The house is incredibly still - not just quiet, but still. It's rather nice actually! When I first discovered I would be without power for hours on end, I was lost! No computer, no radio, no light, no tv, no phone. I can't even make the electrician a cuppa or myself a toastie.
So I took the dog for a nice walk. It was lovely - the sun was shining, and because I had no reason to rush back, it was very leisurely. Normally I am walking along thinking of what is going to happen when I return, but today there was going to be nothing happening without Power. I did think of several things I could do with the 'powerless' time, but there's a curious feeling of ease and patience about it. There's no rush to 'do' anything, no sense of time passing. There is just a curious serenity about the day.
In this world in this century, we are constantly being assaulted by technology. There is too much to do and too little time and we have very little 'down-time'. Proper, quality down time, where there is no hurry to get anything done. Even on holiday, if we are so inclined, we can fill up every last moment with things to do. I feel quite sleepy, and yet also feel that I am being energised by this curiously calm space. Although I could break the silence with my MP3 player, I am happy enough to enjoy these hours of peace. After all, they are so rare; I may as well enjoy them!
- Something To Play With -
Notice today how much electricity adds to your busy life. Imagine just switching everything off for an hour or two, and only 'doing' what you feel like (that isn't powered by the electricity board!). If that imagining feels good, switch off your computers, phones, tellies and radios and enjoy being powerless! Want to share how this article affects you? E-mail meI love to hear from readers, and will respond to all e-mails.
- Reccommended Read -
In Praise of Slow by Carl Honore Life is such a fast paced ride these days - we have fast food, fast cars, fast internet connection (sometimes!) and there is never enough time to do everything you want to. The hectic pace of life ruins our enjoyment of so many things - food, leisure time, work, love. But does it have to be that way? Carl Honore and I say 'no'. You can slow down your life. It's a choice. You can choose to 'take it easy'. You can choose to put your feet up and just watch the other headless chickens run round. And while you're doing that, read 'In Praise of Slow'!
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
What did you do Right today?
If I asked you at the end of the day what you did wrong, or what you 'should' have done that you didn't do, how many answers would you have for me? (just a rough guess, you don't need to count exactly!)
My guess is that you could think of 10-20 things quite easily.
Now, what if I were to ask you what you did RIGHT today? What are you pleased with? What are you proud of? Can you get 10-20 again?
Again, my guess is that you would find this more difficult! Why is it so easy to criticise ourselves but so hard to praise ourselves? Which is more motivating? Constant criticism or constant praise? Which do you do to yourself?
Just for today, notice what you got RIGHT. Then, you could maybe do it again tomorrow...and the next day...and the next day.
I wonder how much happier you'd be if you did this every day?
Love
Donna.x
My guess is that you could think of 10-20 things quite easily.
Now, what if I were to ask you what you did RIGHT today? What are you pleased with? What are you proud of? Can you get 10-20 again?
Again, my guess is that you would find this more difficult! Why is it so easy to criticise ourselves but so hard to praise ourselves? Which is more motivating? Constant criticism or constant praise? Which do you do to yourself?
Just for today, notice what you got RIGHT. Then, you could maybe do it again tomorrow...and the next day...and the next day.
I wonder how much happier you'd be if you did this every day?
Love
Donna.x
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Learning More From Failure
Do you learn more from failing than you do from succeeding?
It is accepted wisdom that we learn a lot more from making a mess of things than we do from effortlessly flying through. But why?
Is it because there are more lessons when we fail? Or is it because we don’t examine the cause of our success as much as we analyse the cause of our failure?
I believe it is the latter – there are just as many lessons to learn from happiness, ease, joy and success. But we don’t tend to pay any attention when things are going well. As soon as things go bad, we get out the magnifying glass and take it apart!
What’s going well in your life right now? Why is it going well? What are you doing to contribute to this ‘well’ness? What are the factors that make up a happy, successful life for you? Are you doing them?
Make the decision today to learn just as much from what you are doing right as what you are getting wrong.
Love
Donna.x
Monday, April 07, 2008
OnTheBeach - WAKE UP it's a Beautiful Morning
- A note from Donna -
Tick, tock, tick, tock. The countdown is on for the launch of my free ebook "The Torturer's Bible" - intrigued?? I am really excited about this project, and that's why it's taking so darn long to finish - I keep adding to it. What was a 15 page mini book is now nearly twice that. I am so lucky to have such wonderful enthusiasm for my work! Just a few more finishing touches, and it WILL be released! And you guys will be the first to know. Want a sneak peek before anyone else gets it? E-mail me with 'I am in the queue with my sleeping bag and flask of hot coffee' in the subject line, and you will be one of the first to get a copy.
- Wake up it's a Beautiful Morning -
What do you wake up to? Do you wake up to the news telling you that it's a depressing day in a depressing world? Do you wake up to some irritating idiot who thinks he's funny? Do you wake up to a jarring beep-beep-beep-beep? Or do you wake up to something that fills you with joy, laughter, happiness, excitement for the day and energy? If you do the latter - congratulations!
What better way to start the day than being woken up by something joyful? Whether it's children, cats, dogs, sunlight, music or the voice of a loved one it's a wonderful thing to start the day feeling good. Now, I say this from the perspective of someone who has NEVER been a morning person! 7am is the middle of the night as far as I am concerned, and I have hated getting up ever since I was in school.
However, in recent years I've got better and better. I'm still a grouch in the morning - just don't speak to me, and I'll be fine - but I've found that much of my hatred of getting up is a matter of attitude…AND what I wake up to. I admit, it does help that I work a lot of the time from home, and I don't have to get up at the crack of dawn, but even then, the insistent, jarring beep-beep-beep-beep would jolt me out of sleep with a racing heart and murder on my mind!
Some time ago I got a CD player alarm clock, so I could wake up to my choice of music every morning…much better! For weeks, I woke up to Antmusic by Adam and the Ants, and just recently I have been waking up to a CD by Abraham Hicks - very inspiring way to start the day! And then yesterday, I had an epiphany - create a CD of morning music. So here's my playlist so far:
Lovely Day by Bill Withers (nice and mellow to begin with)
Feeling Good by Muse (more mellowness)
Beautiful Day by U2 (yep, time to wake up!)
Wake up Boo by the Boo Radleys
Pump It by Black Eyed Peas
What's the story (morning Glory) by Oasis
Any ideas on what to add to this CD? (Just in case I am STILL lying in bed after half an hour of music…which is quite likely!) If you have some ideas, please e-mail me. You know, every morning you wake up alive, full of possibility and promise, IS a beautiful morning.
- Something To Play With -
What do you wake up to? Is it inspiring? Does it fill you with joy? If so, tomorrow morning, revel in that feeling of joy and wonder for 30 seconds before you get up. If not, what can you change today to make tomorrow morning a more beautiful morning? Want to share how this article affects you? E-mail me. I love to hear from readers, and will respond to all e-mails.
To sign up for Donna's weekly newsletter, go to www.donnaonthebeach.co.uk/newsletters
Tick, tock, tick, tock. The countdown is on for the launch of my free ebook "The Torturer's Bible" - intrigued?? I am really excited about this project, and that's why it's taking so darn long to finish - I keep adding to it. What was a 15 page mini book is now nearly twice that. I am so lucky to have such wonderful enthusiasm for my work! Just a few more finishing touches, and it WILL be released! And you guys will be the first to know. Want a sneak peek before anyone else gets it? E-mail me with 'I am in the queue with my sleeping bag and flask of hot coffee' in the subject line, and you will be one of the first to get a copy.
- Wake up it's a Beautiful Morning -
What do you wake up to? Do you wake up to the news telling you that it's a depressing day in a depressing world? Do you wake up to some irritating idiot who thinks he's funny? Do you wake up to a jarring beep-beep-beep-beep? Or do you wake up to something that fills you with joy, laughter, happiness, excitement for the day and energy? If you do the latter - congratulations!
What better way to start the day than being woken up by something joyful? Whether it's children, cats, dogs, sunlight, music or the voice of a loved one it's a wonderful thing to start the day feeling good. Now, I say this from the perspective of someone who has NEVER been a morning person! 7am is the middle of the night as far as I am concerned, and I have hated getting up ever since I was in school.
However, in recent years I've got better and better. I'm still a grouch in the morning - just don't speak to me, and I'll be fine - but I've found that much of my hatred of getting up is a matter of attitude…AND what I wake up to. I admit, it does help that I work a lot of the time from home, and I don't have to get up at the crack of dawn, but even then, the insistent, jarring beep-beep-beep-beep would jolt me out of sleep with a racing heart and murder on my mind!
Some time ago I got a CD player alarm clock, so I could wake up to my choice of music every morning…much better! For weeks, I woke up to Antmusic by Adam and the Ants, and just recently I have been waking up to a CD by Abraham Hicks - very inspiring way to start the day! And then yesterday, I had an epiphany - create a CD of morning music. So here's my playlist so far:
Lovely Day by Bill Withers (nice and mellow to begin with)
Feeling Good by Muse (more mellowness)
Beautiful Day by U2 (yep, time to wake up!)
Wake up Boo by the Boo Radleys
Pump It by Black Eyed Peas
What's the story (morning Glory) by Oasis
Any ideas on what to add to this CD? (Just in case I am STILL lying in bed after half an hour of music…which is quite likely!) If you have some ideas, please e-mail me. You know, every morning you wake up alive, full of possibility and promise, IS a beautiful morning.
- Something To Play With -
What do you wake up to? Is it inspiring? Does it fill you with joy? If so, tomorrow morning, revel in that feeling of joy and wonder for 30 seconds before you get up. If not, what can you change today to make tomorrow morning a more beautiful morning? Want to share how this article affects you? E-mail me. I love to hear from readers, and will respond to all e-mails.
To sign up for Donna's weekly newsletter, go to www.donnaonthebeach.co.uk/newsletters
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Before it's too late
In November, a 39 year old man went to the doctor's with stomach problems.
Last week, that man died.
He just turned 40 in February.
Do you think that you have all the time in the world to do what you want to do with your life?
What if you're wrong?
If you just had a week to live, what would you regret most not having done?
Can you make plans to go and do it, now?
Before it's too late.
By the way my main regret would be not having enjoyed what I was doing at any given time.
Love
Donna.x
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