A Microsoft Vista Lesson In Perfectionism

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I woke up this morning all excited to publish Part 2 of my free report: The Energetics of Attraction: Understanding and Applying the Harmonics of Human Awareness to Compose the Life You Desire. (If you haven’t read Part 1, you can get it here).

Yesterday, I spent over 4-hours “finalizing” the document. I added the section on the role of the subconscious in attraction, made revisions based on feedback I received, and added the layout elements including all the callouts and quotes.

So imagine my surprise this morning when I fired up my computer, started Word and got to the quick launch menu and saw no sign of my revised file! I spent a few minutes poking around, but rather than get completely stressed before my morning yoga class, I took a deep breath and walked downtown for some hot yoga.

After returning from yoga I searched everywhere on the internal hard drive, external hard drive, and flash drives. I’ve looked for the autorecover files. And I’ve searched Google on the slight chance that Vista has some glitch (no snide comments please!) that makes files just disappear.

No luck.

The file is gone.

So, either I had a major hallucinatory/out-of-body experience for those 4-plus-hours yesterday, or Vista/Word decided to eat that file. Either way, I can’t say that I’m thrilled!

However, being a Law of Attraction practitioner, I’m taking a lot of deep breaths and looking for the positive and the lesson in this.

One big positive is that, aside from the brief moment when I considered smashing the computer, I have remained relatively calm during this process. I haven’t whined (too much). I haven’t screamed (thought about it). I haven’t found a “Microsoft is the antichrist” website to rant on (hadn’t actually thought of that one until just now. Maybe… Nah!)

In fact, as I write this, I actually have a silly grin on my face and feel pretty good. (Check in with me again when I’m 2-hours into making those revisions again!)

Now, as for the lesson… Can you say “perfectionists anonymous?” Sure, as a coach and trainer, I encourage people to let go of perfectionism and get more done. But that’s still a life lesson I’m actively working on.

If you have already downloaded and read part 1 of the report you know that Part 2 was supposed to be done last week. Didn’t happen. Yesterday, I planned to publish it by lunchtime. Didn’t happen. So when I “finished” it around 9:00pm last night, I thought, since it was “too late” to publish it, that I would give it one more read through this morning before sending it out.

I guess that was one too many versions and the computer gods conspired to give me a gentle reminder that next time I should focus on getting it done, not perfect!

Are you a perfectionist? Do you tend to take your projects one, two or more versions beyond where they need to go? What would happen if you “finished” your project in 3 versions instead of 5? How much time would you save? How much sooner would people have access to it? How much more money would you make?

Vista is a prime example! Do you think the project managers at Microsoft knew there were bugs in Vista when they released it? Absolutely. Did they find a good balance between getting it right and getting it done? I suppose it depends on which desk you’re sitting at. If you’re in the accounting office at Microsoft, I’m sure you’re feeling pretty good about Vista being out in the world. If you’re sitting at home pulling your hair out, you may not agree!

But Microsoft aside, I’m going to challenge you, and I’m challenging myself as well, to focus on “finishing” your projects – blog posts, reports, presentations, art projects, songs, etc. – in at least one fewer drafts than you normally would.

Don’t do what I did last night and say, “I’ll just give this one more read in the morning.” Get it out the door so that you can move on to the next project.

Does this mean that some mistakes will get through? You bet. Is it the end of the world? No!

In my case, a few typos in a free report isn’t going to make someone say, “Look, there’s a typo. I’m not going to read any more of this stuff!” And, honestly, if someone is going to be turned off by some typos, I’d rather they move on to someone else’s free report!

So here’s my promise to you: I will have Part 2 of The Energetics of Attraction: Understanding and Applying the Harmonics of Human Awareness to Compose the Life You Desire published by Noon pacific time… Today! That gives me two hours to redo the revisions, quotes and other layout elements. (Now it’s 1 hour and 53 minutes because I just did a quick proof of this post!)

If you haven’t downloaded Part 1 of the report, go get it now.

And then watch for an email at Noon announcing Part 2!

14 Success Strategies For Highly Sensitive People

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success for highly sensitive peopleThis is the second article in a series on Highly Sensitive people. If you have ever wondered what it means to be a Highly Sensitive Person or if you qualify, read this article: 22 Signs That You Are A Highly Sensitive Person.

And if you want even more information and tools on how to thrive in this world as a Highly Sensitive Person, get my free report:

The Energetics of Attraction:
Understanding and Applying the Harmonics of Human Awareness to Compose the Life You Desire

Just enter your info below and you can immediately download the report.

If you are a Highly Sensitive Person, you may be wondering if there are any tools or strategies for living more comfortably and effectively in this sometime overwhelming and seemingly insensitive world. There certainly are.

Here are 14 Success Strategies for Highly Sensitive People!

1. Accept your sensitivity.
Your sensitivity is a gift. I know it doesn’t always feel like it. But it is. I spent more than half of my life denying that I was a highly sensitive. Until you acknowledge and say “yes” to your sensitivity you cannot begin to learn the tools that will help you leverage that sensitivity into a positive benefit.

2. Choose to empower your sensitivity rather than minimize it.
It has taken me many years to get to the place where I can truly claim my sensitivity and use it as a powerful tool on my journey of self-discovery and deliberate creation. As a Highly Sensitive Person in an often over stimulating world, dampening your sensitivity sometimes seems like the best solution. And while that may be helpful, and even necessary, at first, ultimately you want to empower your sensitivity and turn it into a powerful ally in the creation of a truly brilliant life.

3. Spend time with other sensitive people.
It is very easy to get caught up in the stress and overload of our frenetic, chaotic world. Sometimes it seems as if there is no one else as sensitive as you. And from that thought it’s a short slide down the slippery slope into feeling like you are crazy or weird or strange. So find some other folks who are highly sensitive and create a support group where you can go for encouragement and to remind each other that you are not alone and that you are not crazy. One important note on this: This group is not a complain and whine group! The point is not to compare notes on how horrible and insensitive the rest of the world is. You connect with other Highly Sensitive People in order to know that you are not alone and discuss ways to leverage your sensitivity to create positive changes in your lives!

4. Hang out with successful, not-so-sensitive people.
I know this seems like a contradiction of the last one. But I have seen it happen (in myself and others) where a sensitive person basically says “screw you” to the rest of the world and all of the less sensitive people and finds someplace to curl up in a little ball and hide. While this can certainly be a beneficial and sometimes necessary short-term strategy, it’s not an effective long-term solution. Those of us who are highly sensitive can learn a lot from people who are not sensitive. So find some not-so-sensitive people who are successful and begin hanging out with them. Observe them. Learn from them. Watch how they move through the world. Not so that you can dampen your sensitivity but so that you might learn how to bring your sensitivity into the world in a balanced manner.

yoga for highly sensitive people5. Start a regular practice of “mindful exercise.”
Exercise is important for everyone. But especially so for Highly Sensitive People. Moving your body helps to get any environmental, emotional and energetic toxins out of your system. While any type of exercise is beneficial, workouts that incorporate your mind, body and spirit can be especially helpful. Try things like Yoga, Tai Chi, Akido. and Pilates. Dancing and rock-climbing can also be great opportunities for the body, mind and spirit to move. The bottom line is to find a form of exercise that touches YOUR body, mind and spirit.

6. Find HSP role models, sensitive people who have leveraged their sensitivity to create a great life.
Do you know any Highly Sensitive People who have learned to not only survive in this world, but thrive in it? What lessons can learn from them? What life strategies can you emulate? If you can’t find role models in your own life, look in the wider world. What teachers, authors, artists, and entrepreneurs (yes there are successful AND highly sensitive entrepreneurs) can you find? Once you find them, again look for lessons and strategies that they are using to leverage their sensitivity into success.

7. Gently push yourself beyond the level of your sensitivity.
Your sensitivity is a gift and strength. But in order for this gift to be of any value to you and to the world, you must learn how to put it into use. That means you have to stretch yourself and bring your sensitivity with you into places and situations where it feels uncomfortable. Just as you build muscle mass through resistance, you increase your ability to bring your sensitivity into the world by practicing and exercising.

8. Know your limits.
Don’t push yourself so far that you blow a fuse! Become aware of the internal signals that let you know you are reaching maximum capacity. And when you notice them back off. You want to push yourself and strengthen your sensitivity, but not to the point where it causes you to blow a fuse!

Sensitive Person Massage9. Set up a consistent self-care routine.
As a sensitive person you need more self care than others. Don’t compare yourself to less sensitive people. Get clear on your needs and take steps to ensure that those needs are met. If you need a massage every week, get one. If you need to take a bath with sea salts every night, do it. Your sensitivity is of no use if you are not able to function in the world!

10. Connect with nature as often as possible.
If there is one consistent theme I have found among sensitive people it is the restorative capacity of nature. Even if you live in a city get outside every day. Connect with a tree. If you don’t want to look strange, pretend you’re leaning up against it waiting for some. But while you’re there, feel the restorative, grounding energy flowing through that tree.

11. Create safe, sanctuary spaces.
It is very important for sensitive people to have safe spaces to go to when the world hsp-sanctuarygets overwhelming. You need to know that no matter what is happening in the wider world, that you have a safe space, a sanctuary to which you can return and restore yourself. Ideally, your home is your sanctuary. If it’s not, start by taking a small space and turning it into a safe, private, sanctuary where you can go when you need quiet and solitude.

12. Limit your exposure to news.
In some ways, this one suggestion may be the easiest and most powerful success strategy for Highly Sensitive People. And yet, I find it amazing how often this suggestion triggers people. They feel that if they don’t read the newspaper they’ll be missing out on important information. My response is that if reading the newspaper makes you feel like crap what good does that information do for anyone. I would much rather see you feeling great and doing positive things in the world, than see you feeling depressed and hopeless because you’re reading too much news.

13. Explore energetic healing modalities.
My training at the Academy of Intuition Medicine has been the most powerful work in my quest to empower and balance my sensitive nature. Try acupuncture, homeopathy, reiki, energy medicine, flower essences and other forms of energetic healing. When you find one that works, schedule regular sessions.

14. Learn how to create positive energetic boundaries.
There are wonderful resources that can teach you to setup positive energetic boundaries. Start with my course, The Energetics of Attraction and explore Energy Medicine University (the distance learning wing of the Academy of Intuition Medicine). Read books by Caroline Myss, Donna Eden, and others. Once you venture into this world you will be amazed at how easily you are led to the information and teachers you need to get learn how to thrive in this world!

If you are a Highly Sensitive Person, I encourage you to begin using some of these strategies. Look through the list and pick one or two of these that resonate with you and begin integrating them into your daily life. You may be surprised at how quickly and dramatically your life can change when you actively employ success strategies specifically designed for Highly Sensitive People.

Please leave a comment below and let us know which of these strategies you already use and what other techniques you use as a sensitive person in this world.

And if you want more information, inspiration and techniques to help you thrive in this world as an empowered sensitive person, I encourage you to read my new report: The Energetics of Attraction: Understanding and Applying the Harmonics of Human Awareness and to Compose The Life You Desire.

The report is free and you can download it instantly by entering your name and email in the form below.

Photo Credits:
Rock Climber by Greatlettuce
Yoga by MikeSchinkel
Candles by Ldcross
Massage by The Naked Photographer.

The New Energetics of Attraction Free Report Is Available

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Whew. I wanted to get a quick post out because I’m so excited – and just a little bit tired! – about the new report that I I just finished: The Energetics of Attraction: Understanding and Applying the Harmonics of Human Awareness to Compose the Life You Desire

Although, I have to be honest with you, it’s sort of finished!

You see, a funny thing happened on the way to this report: One of those “aha” moments when the pieces fall into place in a new and exciting way. As I was pulling together the pieces for this report, the plan was to focus on my model of the five levels of human perception, awareness and response. And while it still addresses those levels, this report now includes a new and powerful concept: The Harmonics of Human Awareness.

Well, sort of.

Because the Harmonics of Human Awareness piece is new to me, I still need to write it. The ideas are all here, in my head and in various notebooks, but they’re not yet written in any sort of presentable manner. So I’m releasing the report in two sections.

Part One, which is available now, begins with an exploration of why the Law of Attraction may not be “working” and then moves into the five levels of human perception, awareness and response.

Part Two, which will be available soon, will cover the following topics:

  • Recognizing your primary perceptual level.
  • The role of the subconscious in the Law of Attraction.
  • Understanding the Harmonics of Human Awareness.
  • Using the Harmonics of Human Awareness to empower your work with the Law of Attraction.

I promise I’ll have more information on the concepts in this report as well as the upcoming Energetics of Attraction live teleclass.

But until then, you can download your free report by filling out the form below:

And please come on back and leave a comment below. I’d love to hear what you think and discuss these ideas with you!

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