VerdeStreaming
Welcome & Update Your Personal and Professional OS!
by David Verdier on 11/28/11
Welcome to our new Blog page!
This
is a candid forum for you to get your questions answered about Verde
Touch Massage, massage therapy in general, or share insights about
creating the life you want. My intention is to make this blog page a
valuable resource for all of us, for you to get your questions and
curiosities answered, as well as a forum for me to share my years of
experience and insight as a massage therapist and business builder.
So please, go ahead and ask me something!
Blog Entry #1
“Update Your Personal and Professional OS!”
This past weekend I was inspired to enact a powerful and simple process that you can practice within any group, small or large, to catalyze powerful change in your personal and professional lives. On Sunday, my day of rest, I found myself in a reflective space. While chatting with Anna and her long-time friend Gerry (visiting from Kauai, via Austin, Texas), I piped up: “Let's take turns sharing what #1 change we can make right now in our personal lives, and what #1 change we can make right now in our professional lives, that will move us in the direction of our greatest joy.” They loved the idea and so we began…
The
three of us moved from the kitchen, tea in hand to the
living room floor, where we could sit comfortably, stretch and relax. I thought for a moment and shared
the first thing that popped into my head. “I would like to go on more
outdoor adventures with my boys.” I instinctively
knew that this would be the single most important endeavor I could do in
my personal life, since I am very aware of the finite span of
childhood. I want to look back at my decisions and reflect on how
brilliant I was! My OS update partners were receptive and validating
saying indeed they too could see the value of this. I could tell I was
on the right track by how energized I was feeling.
Gerry went next. She too brought up the one thing that
was uppermost in her mind. She called it “Settling Down”, a metaphor
for so many things. To her it meant moving from a transient lifestyle
into one of being with a committed partner. When we asked for details
she took the plunge and shared that she had a dream of having an island
home (Kauai), as well as a mainland home to enjoy, and a partner to
enjoy both with. It was a vulnerable moment. Anna and I chimed in with a resounding YES!
Then
Anna shared her desire to focus on self-realization. She felt that the
most important thing she could do for herself personally was anything
that helped her to get in touch with her peaceful inner core. We sat
in silence for a moment, reflecting on this, then agreeing that we could all benefit from this practice.
Then we moved on to the next question, “What is the #1 thing can you do professionally to move in the direction that you want?”
For
me it was clear..to write. For years I have had the feeling that I
have a lot to share, and have had a desire to write, though have not
done so because I am "so busy". Gerry shared that she wants to get more
organized with a proper calendar; an upgrade from the post it notes stuck to her laptop :) Anna shared that she wants to attend more
networking events to meet people face to face in her industry. She had
recently done just that and had been amazed with the results.
Then I was inspired to take the second question one step further. I asked us to consider this… “What
is the #1 obstacle that is preventing you from attaining your goal?”
And a follow up… “What is the #1 action that you can take to overcome
this obstacle?” The magic formula for this OS update is say what you
want, identify obstacles, and take action! Then enjoy the next and best
version of your life's OS.
Gerry looked at her
professional goal and told us her obstacle was the lack of funds to buy a
new laptop. Anna and I quickly dispensed with that as we noted that
she already had a serviceable laptop, the real obstacle, we suggested
gently, was information about calendaring options. Then I told Gerry
about Google calendar and how well it has worked for me. A couple of hours later
Gerry excitedly broke the news that she had just put her first two
appointments on Google calendar and voila her #1 goal was met!
Anna confessed to us that she thought simple laziness was the primary obstacle to overcome regarding her professional goal. We suggested she make a commitment to attend two industry events over the coming month. As for her goal of developing self-realization, later that very afternoon she capitalized on a half hour of down time and meditated.
As I thought about the obstacles to outdoor adventures with my boys, I came up with, planning, time, gear and weather. Anna and Gerry gently told me that these obstacles were illusions. The real obstacle was the story I had about what the adventures “should” be. Once we cleared that up, in minutes I had an adventure on the calendar for a hike at Huddart Park in Woodside. As for my professional goal to write, well I guess I overcame that obstacle.
The three of us were struck by how quickly we were able to move to action. The supportive environment of honest sharing was a key factor. To create your own OS update. Find a couple of authentic friends or just sit down with yourself.
Ask these simple questions:
“What #1 thing can you do personally to move in the direction that you want?”
“What #1 thing can you do professionally to move in the direction that you want?”
“What is the #1 obstacle that is preventing you from attaining your goal?”
“What is the #1 action that you can take to overcome that obstacle?”
It helps to answer straight off, from your heart. Discern the one real obstacle from the perceived obstacles. Identify a single action that you can do right now, and DO IT!
Please feel free to add a story of your own OS update experience. And go ahead - ask me anything, looking forward.
In Touch,
David
