How to make the most of the last weeks of summer

Here we are, on the other side of the mid-summer shift from July to August.

I hope you have had time to slow down and enjoy the season. I look forward to spending a few special days away at the end of this week, to celebrate my anniversary. :-)

Some of us unplug with ease and are able to be fully present when we are at the beach, visiting an exciting new place, at home on a staycation, or any other adventure. Sometimes a single day is available and that can be magical.

Others of us — and I admit to being prone to this myself — can find it challenging to really disconnect. Even if we resist the beckoning of technology, our distracted thoughts can keep us from savoring the time and space available to relax.

Two mid-summer possibilities and opportunities

1. Appreciate the rich benefits of down time.

There is no question that slowing down, taking a break from the usual routine and intensity of work, and allowing ourselves to be fully present and have fun is good for us.

We are not machines! We need physical rest, and our spirits need to be nurtured.

Research has shown that those who take vacations have lower levels of stress (helping both physical and mental wellbeing), have less risk of heart disease, have a more positive outlook, and are more motivated to achieve. Even planning a vacation has health benefits!

So make the most of whatever summer affords you in terms of time to rest and relax and enjoy.

2. Use this time to dream.

Something amazing can happen when we feel free and allow ourselves to imagine in a playful way.

When you are not hyper-focused on doing — which frequently involves responsibilities related to both personal and work matters — your brain operates differently.

Allowing time to daydream, to explore your thoughts in a journal, or listen to music without multitasking, or sit in a cafe and share personal thoughts with a close friend, you will be amazed at what might pop up.

When our logical, data-focused left brain is quieted, the imaginative right hemisphere takes the lead. We connect more deeply to our intuition. New ideas show up and new possibilities come to mind.

Try prompting yourself with questions like these, to find meaningful gems of insight:

• What makes me feel happy?

• What do I truly yearn for?

• What do I want more of in my life?

(If you know how to use my Discovery Dozen™ — found in my book — by all means use that tool to quickly bring your insights to light!)

It’s important to observe the dreams and desires that showed up for you without judgement, without guilt, and without doubts.

These are important, precious messages from your heart, even if some of them seem surprising or out of reach.

They can be your compass for the future.

Make the most of your insights

By slowing down and relaxing, and choosing to explore your dreams, you will finish the summer with two great gifts — a restored spirit and terrific clarity.

And, you will be beautifully positioned to make the most of the months ahead.

Rather than living on auto-pilot, you can start to consider how you want to create the life you envisioned.

I am not suggesting you make a to-do list of things that feels pressured.

I invite you to begin thinking of small steps you can start to take to make the desires you brought to light tangible.

Summer will soon transition to fall

The coming weeks are ripe with possibility for relaxed play and all sorts of pleasure.

And they are also ripe with possibility for making the coming season — and the next year, and beyond — the most satisfying of your life.

I invite you to consider having a guide to help you turn the dreams in your heart into a reality, one sure step at a time.

As I shared with you last week, my signature program, Live Big Live! is starting soon, and culminates in a fall retreat.

It may be a perfect fit for you to begin creating the life you deeply desire.

Traveling with a GPS that is pointed to a great destination, with loving guidance to support each step of the journey, has been life-changing for the women who have experienced the program.

Let's talk about what you yearn for.

On a call, we can both see if this program is a fit for you.

It would be my pleasure to talk with you no matter the outcome. (There's no cost or obligation for us to have a call.)

Here’s how to schedule our call:

LiveBigCall.com

Inspiration may be waiting for you in unexpected places

Have you ever lost track of time — not for hours, but for days?

That’s what happened to me this week. (And that is why this post is appearing later than usual.)

During COVID, when we were all endlessly confined within the same four walls, it was common to lose track of what day it was. 

On vacation we sometimes lose track of the days as we experience new places and have new experiences — or simply slow down to rest and reset.

And sometimes you have an experience that is so compelling that you are fully absorbed and stop paying attention to what day it is.

Great opportunities often come as a surprise

Last week I left Boston to fly to Nashville for the annual conference of the National Speakers Association, Influence. It was my first time at Influence, and to be honest, I was not all that excited about going.

I have had a busier-than-usual string of weeks, and the idea of getting on another plane, being away from my family, and facing the back-log that I knew would await me upon my return, had me wondering if I ought to skip it.

Having launched my speaking career when my book was published in early 2020, I have mostly spoken to virtual audiences (and was grateful to do so during the pandemic). When I’d registered for the conference, I had hopes that it would be informative and worthwhile. 

What I did not foresee as I packed and departed was the tremendous experience that awaited me. My experience at Influence was powerful right from the start.

People welcomed me as a newcomer, and were wonderfully generous. The speakers and topics were fantastic. Their styles and subjects included humor, inspiration, personal and moving stories, courage, creativity, provocative and erudite ideas, and practical wisdom.

The joy of being fully present

I found myself fully drawn to all of my experiences.

In addition to the stage presentations there were personal conversations with people I have never met, and with whom I am excited to remain connected. Some of the people I met are quite prominent and some were first-time attendees like me.

I soaked in the energy, enthusiasm and knowledge of brilliant people who are passionate about making this a better world, each time they have the privilege to address audiences from the stage.

Being fully present made time fly, and the days blurred. I allowed myself to feel and process it all, and was excited to envision how my future as a speaker can take shape.   

Where can you create possibilities for deep immersion this summer? 

We can always look for opportunities that will enrich and inspire us.

When you are curious and explore, you may not be fortunate enough to hit the jackpot every time, but you increase the odds of finding yourself in the midst of a heart- and mind- and eye-opening situation or event.

When that happens, allow yourself to be fully present — whether you feel refreshed or tired at the start. Let yourself be transported in exciting and unexpected ways.

I invite you to look for inspiration this summer, and share your experiences, too. Let’s all enrich one another and keep the vibrant energy expanding.