Comments on: Want to Achieve More? Do Less

By: Michelle Russell

Michelle Russell — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 22:08:13 +0000

Leisa, thanks for your comment! The timing is good, too–I need a reminder of this myself. I’ve gotten much better about saying no to the things I don’t really want in my life, but that means it’s now trying to fill itself up with all the things I *do* want. Which makes it a whole lot harder to do less. )

I need to remind myself of how important it is even–or maybe especially–when everything I want to do looks so darn attractive now.
Michelle Russell recently posted..The Bittersweet Music of David Rhodes

By: Leisa LaDell

Leisa LaDell — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 17:02:45 +0000

Always love your blog. Thank you so much for what you do. A refreshing view, and helps set me right every time.

Best, Leisa
Leisa LaDell recently posted..Lonely petunia – A case for action

By: Michelle Russell

Michelle Russell — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 22:21:36 +0000

@JoVE – Advice about expectations when expecting?

And yes, the journey can be rewarding. Perhaps SHOULD be. Except there’s that darn “should” again…

By: JoVE

JoVE — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 21:23:16 +0000

I think I’m already doing some of this. And I concur that it is good advice. A friend gave me that advice about expectations when I was pregnant and I now give it to lots of expectant parents. But I think it can work for lots of things.

Also when you are focused on some far off goal, you miss all the good stuff about the journey. Maybe that is what is needed. Not to see it as a negative but to focus on a different positive. The journey/process can be rewarding in itself. ANd then the goal becomes a total bonus.

By: Michelle Russell

Michelle Russell — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:59:19 +0000

@Robin – Mmmmm! Massage! Good for you! )

I love your metaphor there about just revving the engine and not really going anyhere. That seems *very* apropos to me.

Hmm . . . maybe a new mantra? “Stop revving. Either turn off the engine or drive somewhere already!”

By: Robin

Robin — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:57:52 +0000

The other day I was getting a massage (turning down the dial right there!) and the practitioner asked me, while working on my neck muscles, if I tended to get ahead of myself. Apparently my tendons were showing strain because I physically have a tendency to push my head forward, getting to the next thing, and the next and the next…

It was a lovely reminder to slow the f**k down. Because it’s not even like I’m getting anywhere exciting; I’m just revving the engine!

Here’s to doing less. And doing it more mindfully. Thank you for your warm and timely post.

By: Michelle Russell

Michelle Russell — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:02:25 +0000

@Carolyn – Yaaaay! (and **sigh!!!***) for things being easier! And I’m sorry that you, too, are dealing with chronic pain. Anything that alleviates that is a good thing, I think. Umm…as long as it’s legal. ;o)

@Mark McQuillen – Yep, it’s hard enough to know where to draw the line when you’re only dealing with yourself. When you’re doing things for someone you love? And when the stakes are high? Soooo much harder then.

I always think of the “goose and the golden egg” story. (I *think* the attribution for using the story this way should go to Steven Covey, if I’m remembering correctly. Anyway.) If you’re not not taking good enough care of the goose, it’s eventually going to stop laying the golden eggs you want so much.

Crossing my fingers for both of you and her job search!

By: Mark McQuillen

Mark McQuillen — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 23:45:29 +0000

My girlfriend is in the process of applying for jobs and I have taken it upon myself to provide her with lots of great ideas on ways to find those jobs and get them. I’ve been thinking about it so hard that I didn’t get a wink of sleep last night. It’s hard to know how to pull back when it feels like so much is at stake. The one thing I tell myself is that this is a process with a natural evolution. It’s not necessary for my girlfriend’s resume, cover letter, and interview skills to be pefect right out of the gate. They will get better as she continues her job search. But hopefully, it won’t take too much time. Fingers crossed.

By: Carolyn

Carolyn — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:25:51 +0000

Thanks Michelle for this post. I am definitely getting this Manifesto. Like gabrielized, I too deal with chronic pain. And I FINALLY got it that I have to make my life easier. Life doesn’t have to be soooo hard. The hardest part of life should be deciding whether to go to the beach or go shopping!

By: Michelle Russell

Michelle Russell — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 18:10:41 +0000

@Lisa – “Splendidly imperfect.” I LOVE that. And yeah, who knew about the checkbooks? ;o)