Take a Moment to Tune into Your Intuition
Tuesday, August 25th, 2009Recently, I had the opportunity to work with two new clients on several large, publicity projects. However, I had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach about the pending deals so I decided to take some time to think about these contracts and figure out what my intuition was telling me.
Go With Your Gut
After making a list of positive and negatives, and sleeping on my decision, I woke up with clarity. I realized that there was a significant probability that these potential customers would be negative, micro-managers and make my life miserable.
Plus, I always try to work with clients that help others in some way, and I simply cannot promote people, products and services that I don’t believe in. Sure, the financial offers were fantastic, but the stress, time and effort involved in fulfilling these contract obligations just weren’t worth it.
Have you found yourself in this same situation?
With current economic conditions, it can be easy to work insane hours at necessary, mundane tasks (with people you’d rather not be around) just to pay the bills. But it is important to take some time to think.
After all, when was the last time you actually spent some quiet time thinking about your goals and what you are actually doing to achieve them?
Life goes by quickly. And if you stop once in a while to gather your thoughts, you can make better decisions that will make you happier, healthier, and ultimately, more successful.
Here are some of the tips I use to help stay positive and move in the right direction:
1. Go to a quiet place.
Turn off your cell phone and computer and go to a place where you won’t be disturbed. If necessary, schedule this “quiet thinking time” in your calendar. Then, keep your appointment. Use this time to let go of your current problems, and think about what will make you happy.
What are you doing now that is getting in the way of your happiness?
Have you fallen into some bad habits that you can change?
Are negative people and situations getting in your way?
Just by taking a few minutes to stop and think, you may realize some key issues keeping you from your success. Then, you can take action for necessary changes.
2. Spend some time with nature.
It’s always a good idea to take a walk and “stop and smell the roses” (Seriously, when was the last time you actually stopped to sniff a flower?).
By focusing on the beauty of nature, you may just realize how small your problems are in the overall scheme of things. I find that if I observe the ocean, look up at the clouds, sit by a stream, watch the birds, etc., I am more relaxed and have a more positive outlook.
3. Note pros and cons.
If I need to make a big decision, it really helps me to make a list of all the pros and cons. For example, when I was grappling with the decision about working with the new clients or not, I wrote my list. The negatives far outweighed the positives, and my choice became clear. A list of pros and cons is a great way to see potential outcomes, and it only takes a few minutes.
A Few Advice Tips
Now, it may seem simple, but just by taking a few minutes to stop and think, you will work smarter and make better choices. It definitely helped me. After I turned down the new contracts, I was overwhelmed with a sense of relief and calmness. And wouldn’t you know it? As soon as I freed myself of these stressful decisions, a new and better opportunity came knocking on my door the same day!
Now, this entry may not deal directly with PR or copywriting. But when it comes right down to it, you cannot promote your business or reach any of your life goals without regularly focusing on what you are doing, the people you work with and where you are going.
A very successful mentor gave me the advice to just stop and think. And it has truly helped me accomplish more and experience true happiness in life. Try it! You may be surprised at the results.
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