Tag: Personal Growth – Professional Growth

Will You Work from Home Post Pandemic? Self Leadership Skills Required!

Written by Maria Connolly. Posted in Self-Leadership Skills.

“Self-care is, fundamentally, about bringing balance back to a life that has grown imbalanced from too many commitments or responsibilities.” ~ Robyn L. Gobin, author of The Self-Care Prescription

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your work routine? Do you still go to the office to work? Or were you forced to work from home? Perhaps you already worked from home as an entrepreneur, coach or business owner. Whatever your circumstances, this unique time in our history creates an opportunity to think about what you really want from life, including whether or not you’ll work from home post pandemic.

As with many of my clients, I had to quickly learn how to work from home. Thankfully, I was already using Zoom to work with clients who live in different parts of the country (and the world!) so was able to transition to that format very easily. I’m also grateful I already had self-leadership and self-care practices and routines in place, which allow me to balance new demands in a healthful way. It’s like riding a bicycle — we have to keep moving forward to keep your balance.

Bored by Routine? Learn to Unleash the Power of Repetition to Improve Your Health and Life

Written by Maria Connolly. Posted in Health and Wellness, Self-Leadership Skills, Somatic Coaching.

Is predictability passé? Do you thrive on change? Is chasing novel experiences your thing? Do you view routine activities as boring, even a waste of time? I get it. I’m the kind of person who craves something different. For example, I’m not happy unless I rearrange my furniture every few months. But I’ve learned that tapping into the power of repetition and routine actually gives me more freedom to enjoy novel experiences in my life, and I think it will work for you, too.

The number one reason why routine and the power of repetition gives you more freedom, is that repetitive actions reduce your overall stress levels. Every time you have to stop and make a conscious decision, you’re adding stress to your life. But once the decision is made, you’re free to not think about it again unless you choose.

Doing things routinely allows you to become more centered. I’ll get to how to do that in just a moment. However, let me first assure you that learning to love the power of repetition will improve not only your mental health, but also your physical health. So many people tell me they don’t like the rigidity of counting calories, tracking their food intake, or doing the same exercise routines. With a simple mindset change, you can flip this thinking on its head!

How to Listen to Your Body and Feel Whole Again

Written by Maria Connolly. Posted in Somatic Embodiment.

“There is more wisdom in your body than in your deepest philosophy.” ~ Friedrich Nietzsch

When “Amber” came to see me, she was “overwhelmed with grief” and had lost her spark and joy for life. Her partner had passed away three years prior. She said, I’ve been “spilling my gut to others, but I still feel lost, spent and engulfed with heartache and misery.” I’d seen this situation before, so I explained, “the key to your healing is to listen to your body wisdom.”

Together we ventured into the body – the subtle story that lived in the tissue and fibers of her being; we listened deeply and witnessed together; we unfurled the subtle story. Something new started to emerge – a new story of how she could embrace the loss and still feel grateful and fully alive.

Thrive Despite Life’s Ups and Downs by Learning to Weather the Storm

Written by Maria Connolly. Posted in Handling Change, Self-Leadership Skills.

I’m fascinated by sailing — you’ve probably noticed that theme on my website. I think it interests me because it’s a highly dynamic activity, so while sailors have to live in the moment it also requires planning and foresight. We’ve learned through life’s ups and downs in 2020 that we can’t control “the weather” but we can learn to use self-leadership tools to navigate through the elements and head in the direction we want to go!

Does it feel like you’ve been blown off course — maybe a little or maybe way off course? It’s difficult to stay inspired day after day, no it’s not difficult. It’s impossible! There are days where we just don’t feel inspired. It might be the world situation or it might be something going on in our personal life. So then what, do we just let the wind blow us in any direction?

No, even on days where we don’t feel particularly inspired we can stay the course. Let’s talk about two things that will help.

Learn How to Be Vulnerable to Expand Your Full Enjoyment of Life

Written by Maria Connolly. Posted in Self-Leadership Skills.

“Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.” ― Brené Brown

“I was badly hurt once. I’m not letting that happen again! I’m putting up walls to keep people at a safe distance and I’m not revealing my true thoughts or feelings so I’m not betrayed or ridiculed again!” Can you relate to these expressions? Many people I’ve talked with are afraid to be vulnerable to one degree or another. (In this article, I am not talking about the pain from sexual, physical or emotional abuse, as the healing of these often requires the assistance of a mental health professional.)

Tag: Personal Growth – Professional Growth

Will You Work from Home Post Pandemic? Self Leadership Skills Required!

Bored by Routine? Learn to Unleash the Power of Repetition to Improve Your Health and Life

How to Listen to Your Body and Feel Whole Again

Thrive Despite Life’s Ups and Downs by Learning to Weather the Storm

Learn How to Be Vulnerable to Expand Your Full Enjoyment of Life

Let's get started with 30 free minutes

How to Step Forward to a Future You've Created

DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE INTRO TO STEPPING FORWARD TODAY!