I’m sure this post is going to make many people think I’m either living in a hole or just plain ignorant. Of course I’m neither….I am just not interested in hearing one more thing about how bad the economy is. Don’t get me wrong, I am very aware of how hard it is for many people. There are a ridiculous amount of houses sitting empty with yellow front lawns in the city I live in, but there are also a lot of beautiful green lawns and front doors with beautiful fall wreaths on them.

I guess my point is just that complaining and reiterating how miserable the economy is won’t change a single thing. For the most part I don’t watch the news or read anything that’s a reminder as to how hard things are….everywhere. I will read uplifting and positive news pieces (although they’re just a tad harder to find). Interesting isn’t it that when gas was almost $4 /gallon this past summer it was on the news constantly. It’s now under $3, but no one says much. And honestly, as hard as it was to pay the almost $4 a gallon, that’s still no where near what it costs in Europe or Canada.

I’m hardly saying we should bury our heads in the sand and pretend everything is perfect, but what I am saying is if you decide to look for what is good in your life, I think you’ll find it simply feels better to be grateful.

I know I’m not the first person to come up with “Inspired Action’, but it hit me like a ton of bricks tonight. I was talking with a friend tonight about someone else I know who is getting involved in online marketing. I’ve been talking with this person for a couple of months and know exactly how they feel. When I started on this journey a couple of years ago (I didn’t do a whole lot until the beginning of this year), I was in the exact same spot as this person. There’s SO much information available and so many different directions you can go in, it’s hard not to want to jump on every opportunity, ebook, teleseminar, or product launch that comes your way. This is sort of where this individual is. They’re going in every direction that comes their way. I’m not doing that anymore.I’ve realized that the difference for me now is that everything I do feels like ‘Inspired action’.

There’s a big difference between activity and productivity. Personally, I’m sort of a fan of both. When it comes to starting a business, both are important. Too much productivity feels like a JOB though….not what I’m looking for anymore.  I’m hardly against hard work, but when what you’re doing doesn’t feel like work, you know that it’s because you feel inspired to do whatever it is you’re doing. I never feel like I have to “motivate” myself anymore. Motivation is external and inspiration is internal. Everything I’m doing is coming from within. The next thing I have to figure out is how to walk away when I’m feeling this “inspired”. There are plenty of times when I could keep working, but I know that keeping a balance is key to staying inspired. I’m still working on this, but I know I’m getting there.

This past weekend I had my girlfriends over for a ’sleepover’…yes, at 38 we still like having sleepovers! But before everyone came over we went and got massages. I’m sure I’ve written about this before, but I am a COMPLETE massage junkie! I would take a good massage over, well…..a lot of things (nothing great comes to mind).  I actually have sort of a regular masseuse that I go to at the spa in town. Unfortunately, she was booked during the time that I had my appointment, so I went with someone else. No regrets. The massage was good, but it wasn’t great. I’ve gotten so used to the other masseuse and the way she does things that I have to admit I’m becoming a little bit of a massage snob. However, what I get from the massage can definitely be described as ‘physical self help’ (yes, I made that up…..). While  someone else is clearly doing the massaging, spending the money on myself for this physical reward is worth every penny!

I’ve found that the massage does just as much for me mentally as it does physically (well, almost). I love to get 90 minute massages (who doesn’t?), and the spa that I go to is fairly reasonable for the price (I think it’s $95 for 90 minutes….which I’ve paid way more for a 50 minute massage at some hotels….and they have never been as good). What this does for me is it allows me to just sort of slow down my brain for a while. Like most other people, I have a lot going on in my life. I spend the majority of my work day on the computer so my neck is constantly tight. Because the work I’m doing is for my own company, it’s kind of hard to shut it off- and I love what I’m doing. So when I get a massage I really make a conscious choice to relax, breath deeply and enjoy the quiet.  I usually leave feeling in a very calm place….even if I have to get back to my ‘things to do today’ list- I’m able to enjoy what I’m doing, get more accomplished and at a less huried pace.

You would think I would have realized by now that to keep myself healthy, I need to make sure I’m getting enough sleep. The problem I’ve been having with this (and I don’t know if I’d really call it a problem…more like a challenge!)- is that I’m up late because I LOVE what I’m doing! Haven’t had this ‘challenge’ before! But I also know that if I get sick, there comes a point when as much as I’d like to be working, you know that you have to stop and get well.

So yesterday I started getting that achey, not wanting to move feeling with a little bit of congestion. I got a little work done, ran a couple of errands with my daughter then came home to put the Halloween decorations away (which, by the way, is part of the reason I feel run down. After having a Halloween party the weekend before, we moved a lot of decorations out front…the slideshow below shows some pics). As much as I probably should have taken a nap, my daughter and I got it all done and I feel MUCH better today (knowing it’s done). Took some Nyquil last night and slept great. So, now I’m quietly working with some tea & honey….I think I may be napping today. I often wonder why I don’t take my OWN advice….get enough rest! And of course, balance things a little better…..

The beauty of getting older is that not only do you learn more about yourself, but you start sitting still with your feelings a bit more and actually listen to what is going on inside. Things are going really well with my business, but as I get busier, I’m also starting to figure out exactly what it is I want to do with this business.

I’ve tried a handful of things in my adult working life- and NOTHING has felt as right as this. When I started this journey, my intention was just to get a couple of websites of my own online and find the best way to monetize them. Months later I’m now developing websites for other people……and loving it to. Sort of….

One of the things that really drew me to starting an online business was that it didn’t feel like a JOB! I spent a good 15 years in management and tried a few different sales positions. What I learned was that I know I don’t want to be responsible for anyone anymore (employees) and I’m not sure to what degree I want to be responsible TO anyone either. So I guess that’s where the figuring it out comes into play.

A few years ago I would’ve taken some of the frustrations I’m feeling right now and done a number on myself in my head. NOW….I’m just sort of taking it all in and “sitting” with it. While I still don’t know exactly where I’m going with all this (the business), I’m clearly learning what I “don’t” want to do and starting to figure out which direction I “don’t” want to go in……. and the best part is that I’ve realized I don’t NEED to figure this all out any time soon. I’m just enjoying the ride.

I was listening to the new audio by Abraham-Hicks today (Money and the Law of Attraction) and actually laughed out loud at one of the answers Abraham gave to a question regarding a career choice and the opinion of a ’significant’ other. I don’t remember the question verbatim, but it was one in a line of questions that had to do with finding your life’s work and choosing a career. Before I get to the answer that Abraham gave that made me laugh out loud, I have to add a comment on the “life’s work” question.

I’m sure I’m not the only person who has questioned what it is I should “do” with my life or what my life’s purpose is- and it was great to hear Abraham almost laugh at the notion that we are supposed to have one and only one thing that we want to do with our life. I have NEVER had a definitive idea as to what it was I was supposed to do, I’ve only known that I wanted to do something on my own (there’s a quality of life when you control your time that you just can’t put a price on) and that I need to be able to grow, work with other people, be creative and help people along the way. As I’ve let go of what it is I’m “supposed” to do, I’ve found something that I “love” to do! And for now, that’s enough for me.

The question that was raised to Abraham re: a significant other was that the person wanted to do something different career wise, yet didn’t think their “significant” other would get on board. The first thing Abraham said was that they needed to think about their “significant” other as their “insignficant” other (that was when I laughed out loud). That when we look for the approval of other people, we are not in vibration with what it is we truly want. If we place SO much emphasis on the opinion of other people, whose life are we living anyways? What I have found through much trial, error, heartache and finally peace- is that when you get in alignment with what it is that makes your heart sing (even if it’s not for the next 40 years), the people in your life (significant or otherwise), will get on board with you.

You know you’re not taking the time for yourself when the little things start creeping up on you and getting under you skin. The day started out really well because I DID take some time for myself- I went and did pilates after dropping the kids off, then went home and got to work. I got a lot accomplished even before I picked the kids up (today was an early day, so pick up was at 1:00pm). It started more in the afternoon- when the phone started ringing off the hook! While I’m usually a “phone” person- for some reason it started making me a little crazy today. Clearly the notion that I don’t HAVE to answer the phone hasn’t sunk in yet. Because my business is picking up and I work from home, I can definitely see that I need to start taking my own advice and making sure that I take some time for myself and set some limits each day.

For some reason it was a little easier during the summer to take an hour out of my day and lay in the pool and read a book. As the weather starts cooling off and I’m getting busier, I think I’m going to have to unplug the phone once in a while and make sure I shut down the work and turn on my personal life (they seem to be getting a little mixed up). Maybe it’s because I have never enjoyed what I’ve done the way I do now (it really never feels like work). But in order to make sure it doesn’t start feeling like work, I clearly need to set some limits. I think I’ll start right now…..by going to bed.