The Willow Group

The Willow Group

Coaching leaders & organizations towards
long-term resilience

Contact
  • Home
    • Guiding Principles
  • Services
    • Leadership Development
    • Executive Coaching
    • Schedule a Coaching Session
    • Professional Facilitation
  • About
    • Credentials
  • Clients
    • Resources
  • Blog
  • Contact

 New Year Focus - Avoid the Banana Bread Trap!

12/30/2013

Comments

 
Picture
#1 – Declutter! Someone once told me that not every overly, ripe banana needs to be turned into banana bread. It’s okay to throw away rotting fruit. Are you surrounded by stuff? Is your physical environment at work or home so full of things requiring attention you don’t know where to start? Sometimes, we need to let things go. We hold on to physical things way beyond their shelf life because we assume there will be a dire need of it in the future. Rarely is this true, and when things are out of sight they are out of mind – giving space to focus on more important things. Along that same line, are your thoughts cluttering your brain? I find that clutter is an attention killer whether it is physical or invisible. Part of reducing clutter is quieting the racket in our brains and letting go of the thoughts that no longer serve us well. Toxic thoughts, such as past hurts, disappointments, failures and missed opportunities, add just as much debris to life as anything physical. Don’t let the clutter and pressure of making banana bread keep you from living your preferred life. 

Picture
#2 – Friendship! The month of December is full of reading Christmas and Holiday cards with newsletters. We know more about our friends and loved ones now. We know about their kids' accomplishments, where they vacationed, and what losses/gains they experienced this past year. Through these written words, whether penned electronically or with ink, we feel a connection. Don’t let another 12 months go by before you feel this connection again. The annual newsletter shouldn’t be the only time we exchange stories about our lives with people that matter. Instead, live life together in regular connection so that when you read the next newsletter you can laugh and say, “I was there for that!” I often ask my coaching clients how well they are known by others. Many come back and say, not many know them well. Let others know you! Find new and creative ways to stay in relationships and make friends. When you are surrounded by people who
know you well, they propel you to live your preferred life. 

"Friendship? Yes, Please!" - Charles Dickens

Every New Year brings opportunities to anticipate and be hopeful. As you reflect on your goals for 2014, look back first. How did you manage the clutter of 2013? How did you manage friendship this past year? Notice what you did well and make note of what you hope not to repeat – then let go and move forward. 
Comments

    Carrie Arnold, PhD, PCC, BCC

    In no particular order: Writer | Dog mom to Moose Speaker| Reader | Mom to human offspring | Wife | Lover of learning | Leadership coach & consultant, The Willow Group | Fellow, Institute for Social Innovation

    Archives

    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013

    Categories

    All
    Appreciation
    Book Reviews
    Change
    Coaching
    Complexity
    Current Events
    Decisions
    Education
    Emotion
    Energy Management
    Gratitude
    Humor
    Language
    Leadership
    Pause And Reflection
    Relationship
    Resilience
    Silence
    Teams

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    RSS Feed

© 2018 The Willow Group, LLC