One-Thing Thinking
The concept of choosing one thing, as in — one project, one focus, one goal — has shown up in two ways this week and it has me re-thinking my thinking.
The concept of choosing one thing, as in — one project, one focus, one goal — has shown up in two ways this week and it has me re-thinking my thinking.
First, I listened to a one-hour talk by author Jessica Abel in which she shared the concept of examining our “idea debt inventory” and choosing one project to give our focus. It hit home because I always have tons of ideas begging for my attention (aka “idea debt”) and the notion of choosing only one to focus on at a time brought on gut wrenching anxiety. I noticed that physical sensation, breathed into the near-panic happening inside my body, and continued listening to why choosing one thing makes sense.
The reason that struck me most is that when we choose just one single thing, our minds keep working on it even after we step away from the computer. This leads to getting that one chosen thing accomplished sooner than moving several ideas forward at a snail’s pace.
Second, I started listening to a book that’s been on my Audible.com wish list for several months -- The One Thing, The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller. I haven’t finished the book yet, however I’m really enjoying it. I’m sure I’ll have more to share as I learn from it and use the material to help me in the process of choosing my one thing.
These two experiences felt like a one-two punch and it has my attention. It’s time for me to choose one overall focus for my business and, based on that choice, one project until it’s finished.
What’s the one thing that you want to give your focused attention?
In the spirit of learning,
Jalene
Can you think of a business with a staff that would benefit by getting to know more about each other so they can communicate better, get the right work done, and enjoy themselves more? I work within organizations as a trainer, facilitator, and executive coach. Learn more here: Professional Development
Can you think of a person who could use some extra support during an extraordinary time of change, who wants to feel more comfortable in their own skin, or who wants to take on an enormous goal? I coach via phone or online so the person can live anywhere in the world. Learn more here: Executive & Personal Coaching
If anyone pops into your mind, please connect us in whatever way works for you:
Share my contact info with them: email: Jalene@JaleneCase.com and website: www.JaleneCase.com
Send an email to both us introducing us to each other.
Send me the person’s contact info.
Hand on heart...thank you :)
Join Me Here
Women's Symposium located in Lincoln City, OR on June 23rd.
Befriend your Creative Self located at the Sitka Center for Art and Ecology near Lincoln City, OR on August 12th.
Explore all the details and, as always, you're welcome to contact me with your questions.
LinkedIn • Facebook • Twitter • JaleneCase.com • (541) 272-2337
Unsexy Basics
It's so invigorating to envision the business I'm building, the life I'm creating, and the next big project I'm going to birth.
It's so invigorating to envision the business I'm building, the life I'm creating, and the next big project I'm going to birth.
What's not so exciting is doing the unsexy basics that support all of the above mentioned juicy stuff such as taking the exams to earn certifications, telling myself "no" when ideas don't fit, holding myself accountable for the goals I set, and setting up the accounting structure.
I love this clever structure I saw on a recent beach walk! It reminds me that the structures we create, including our unsexy basics, can be uniquely ours.
This week, I've experienced the thrill of completing exams to receive certifications in an Emotional Intelligence assessment process, and to become an Associate Certified Coach through the International Coach Federation. Plus, Quickbooks is set-up, and up-to-date. These are part of the foundation for my business.
These things on my to do list have been taunting me for a couple of months. This week I got to feel the exhilaration that comes from setting a goal and checking it off the list! Woohoo!
Those unsexy basics create the solid foundation from which our dreams are built upon.
What are the unfinished unsexy basics taunting you?
In the spirit of knowing ourselves,
Jalene
Can you think of a business with a staff that would benefit by getting to know more about each other so they can communicate better, get the right work done, and enjoy themselves more? I work within organizations as a trainer, facilitator, and executive coach. Learn more here: Professional Development
Can you think of a person who could use some extra support during an extraordinary time of change, who wants to feel more comfortable in their own skin, or who wants to take on an enormous goal? I coach via phone or online so the person can live anywhere in the world. Learn more here: Executive & Personal Coaching
If anyone pops into your mind, please connect us in whatever way works for you:
Share my contact info with them: email: Jalene@JaleneCase.com and website: www.JaleneCase.com
Send an email to both us introducing us to each other.
Send me the person’s contact info.
Hand on heart...thank you.
Join Me Here
Women's Symposium located in Lincoln City, OR on June 23rd.
Befriend your Creative Self located at the Sitka Center for Art and Ecology near Lincoln City, OR on August 12th.
Explore all the details and, as always, you're welcome to contact me with your questions.
LinkedIn • Facebook • Twitter • JaleneCase.com • (541) 272-2337
Giant Step, Baby Steps (repeat)
While there, it occurred to me that ten years ago I also started a Masters degree program with the dream of doing the work I’m doing today. Wow. I never would have imagined that it would take a decade to realize that dream. Honestly, I probably wouldn’t have had the guts to begin.
Ten years ago, Keith and I married in a special cove that can only be reached at low tide, below the Yaquina Head lighthouse in Newport, Oregon. Last weekend, I facilitated the final day of a private women’s retreat above that spot. It felt like a time warp.
Yaquina Head Lighthouse. Photo by Chad Case, Chad Case Photography & Video, April 2008
While there, it occurred to me that ten years ago I also started a Masters degree program with the dream of doing the work I’m doing today. Wow. I never would have imagined that it would take a decade to realize that dream. Honestly, I probably wouldn’t have had the guts to begin.
Looking back, I realized that I have taken a giant step, then tons of baby steps that take me to the next giant step, then tons of baby steps…and so on. Professionally, this is the birds-eye view of what it looked like.
Giant Step: Left a 22-year career. (2008)
Baby Steps: Started Master’s degree program to change professions. Started a job in a completely new field. Completed a 3-year degree program.
Giant Step: Gave ourselves 2-years to ride our motorcycles to the southern tip of South America. (2015)
Baby Steps: Traveled by motorcycle in Latin America with challenges, magic, learning, and so much more.
Giant Step: Went all-in on my dream business. (2017)
Baby Steps: I’m working on these now!
Of course, there are zillions more baby steps that I’m not listing here but I'm pretty sure you get the picture.
We can’t know how long it will take for our dreams to fully come alive. The best we can do is to have the guts to take those giant steps, and the tenaciousness and heart to keep taking those everyday, seemingly meaningless baby steps until one day (like the day last weekend at the women’s retreat!) we realize that our dream is alive.
What’s your dream?
What did (or will!) your Giant Step look like?
What are the Baby Steps propelling your forward?
In the spirit of knowing ourselves,
Jalene
Are you ready to accomplish your dream? I'd love to hear all about it and help you move from, "I wish I could (fill in the blank)" to "Wow! Yes! I did it!" Schedule a complimentary Curious About Coaching session to learn more.
Can you think of a business team that could get along better and accomplish more? I help teams improve their communication and get the right work done. Contact me to learn more.
Join Me Here
Women's Symposium located in Lincoln City, OR on June 23rd.
Befriend your Creative Self located at the Sitka Center for Art and Ecology near Lincoln City, OR on August 12th.
Explore all the details and, as always, you're welcome to contact me with your questions.
Self Care Shine
Why oh why do we think it’s selfish to take superb care of ourselves? I don’t think that…anymore.
Why oh why do we think it’s selfish to take superb care of ourselves? I don’t think that…anymore.
This is one of the many inner changes that came from traveling on a motorcycle for 23 months. (More on that here if you haven’t heard the story.)
I make way less money now than I’ve made in decades and yet, I spend more on self care than I ever have. Crazy, right?
As we prepared to return from our travels in South America last year, I remember thinking to myself, “I wonder what would happen if I committed to taking awesome care of myself for a year?” I daydreamed of joining a yoga studio, getting back into running, getting regular massages, eating well, and not overloading my plate with “to dos.” It hasn’t turned out exactly as I had envisioned, but it looks pretty close and the results, almost a year later, have been shocking. Here are a few:
On the inside, it feels like I’m on my own side.
I trust myself more often to do what I say I'm going to do for myself.
I do my best to tend my energy rather than spend it until it’s over spent.
None of that familiar whine, “I’m soooo tired.”
I feel good in my body, stand taller, thrill in nudging myself further in yoga.
Now I think of self care as the special sauce for success!
I’m not preaching; I’m learning right along with you. Of course I’m not perfect at this, that’s not the aim. I’m with myself for the rest of my life so it just makes good sense to take care of myself. Why oh why is that such a whacky concept for us to get our heads around? Now it’s your turn…
What do you do for basic self-care?
Now kick it up a notch. What does superb self-care look like for you?
I double-dare you to try it for 3 months, 6 months, or a year!
In the spirit of knowing ourselves,
Jalene
I help individuals make the jump from wishing to doing, and professional teams transform from awkward tension to potent interaction.
Here are 2 offerings for you. Give yourself the precious gift of time to learn more about who you are now and what's most important to you.
Women's Symposium located in Lincoln City, OR on June 23rd.
Befriend your Creative Self located at the Sitka Center for Art and Ecology near Lincoln City, OR on August 12th.
Explore all the details and, as always, you're welcome to contact me with your questions.
Another Person's "Why"
If two people have the same goal they want to accomplish, does it matter if they have different reasons for why they want to do it? I’m talking about the kind of “why” that animates your motivation.
Keith and I riding near Futaleufú, Chile
If two people have the same goal they want to accomplish, does it matter if they have different reasons for why they want to do it? I’m talking about the kind of “why” that animates your motivation.
My husband and I grappled with this lately. We both wanted to improve an aspect of our relationship but our reasons why were different.
Admittedly, when I first heard the reason why it was important to him, I didn’t like it one bit, and I took it personally. Thankfully, I gave myself time to roll it around in my head. Hours later, I had this realization.
As long as we want the same outcome, the “why” that leads us there doesn't matter to me. Stick with me on this.
It was helpful for me to understand his “why” but it didn’t have to match mine. In other words, I want to hear about the other person’s “why,” what’s motivating them to achieve our mutually agreed upon goal. However, I appreciate that the reason “why” that drives each of us doesn’t have to match up in order for us to achieve our end goal.
How could this perspective of “why” be useful in your relationship scenarios?
Next time you’re working with another person to reach the same goal, ask them their “why” and share yours. Get curious about how knowing each other’s “why” helps (or hinders!) you, so you can achieve what matters most to both of you.
In the spirit of knowing ourselves,
Jalene
I help individuals make the jump from wishing to doing, and professional teams transform from awkward tension to potent interaction.
Here are 3 offerings for you. Give yourself the precious gift of time to learn more about who you are now and what's most important to you.
What's Next Workshop located in Newport,OR at our vibrant 60+ Activity Center on May 19th.
Women's Symposium located in Lincoln City, OR on June 23rd.
Befriend your Creative Self located at the Sitka Center for Art and Ecology near Lincoln City, OR on August 12th.
Explore all the details and, as always, you're welcome to contact me with your questions.
Cultivating Proprioception
"What?!" That's what I thought when I first heard the word "proprioception" in yoga recently. Then, I learned what it meant and now, it has been weaving throughout my awareness in surprising ways. Curious?
Proprioception means asking yourself, "Where is my body in space?
"What?!" That's what I thought when I first heard the word "proprioception" in yoga recently. Then, I learned what it meant and now, it has been weaving throughout my awareness in surprising ways. Curious?
It means sensing the position of your body parts. It sounds simple, and yet how often have you been unconscious of your body's position when bending over to clean house or garden (and strained your back) or typing on the computer (and ended up with knots in your shoulder muscles)? Being aware of the position of our body parts helps us take better care of our remarkable human bodies.
The meaning expanded further as I noticed sensations inside my body and connected them with situations on the outside, such as communication. For example, I've felt a knot in my diaphragm (just above my stomach and below my ribs) when I'm feeling intimidated/small/not enough in a professional networking situation.
As a result of noticing the physical sensation, I have learned that it's a signal for me to internally press pause. I can choose to take a deep breath, center myself, and communicate authentically from my true self rather than from a wonky emotional state.
Next time you're in an uncomfortable situation, pay attention to your body's sensations. Get curious about the connection between your physical feelings, thoughts, and emotions. Then choose your action.
This is one of the many methods I use in helping my coaching clients reconnect with themselves to reach their goals. It's all connected! Right? Our bodies have wisdom to share with our minds.
What sensation do you feel in your body right now?
Where is it? How does it feel? What might it be trying to tell you?
This proprioception thing takes practice! However, when it works, it's pretty cool to deepen the connection between the physical, intellectual, and emotions parts of ourselves.
In the spirit of knowing ourselves,
Jalene
P.S. Thank you to Gabe at Harmony Yoga Studio for opening my mind and body to this concept!
I help individuals make the jump from wishing to doing, and professional teams transform from awkward tension to potent interaction.
Assessments reveal the “how” and “why” behind your actions and emotional intelligence, indicating your ability to manage your emotions and their effects on others. We will work together to build skills in the areas you choose. The super-special sauce drizzled over our entire adventure is purposeful, heartfelt coaching.
Why am I doing this work I love? After completing an epic motorcycle trip from Oregon to the southern tip of South America, I am determined to support people in their leap across the border from, “I wish I could.” to “Yes! I did it!”
Executive & Personal Coaching • Professional Development • Personal Workshops
JaleneCase.com • (541) 272-2337
Seeing the Next You
There will be times when we're in the ugly duckling stage of becoming the next version of ourselves, and we can’t clearly see what that next self will be. If we're lucky, we get a glimpse of it. It feels like, "Yes! That's the kind of woman I want to be!" That's the kind of experience I had this week.
There will be times when we're in the ugly duckling stage of becoming the next version of ourselves, and we can’t clearly see what that next self will be. If we're lucky, we get a glimpse of it. It feels like, "Yes! That's the kind of woman I want to be!" That's the kind of experience I had this week.
I attended a conference for the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) California. Why California? I was connected with a phenomenal woman, and the next NAWBO California President, because we both use the same assessments with businesses. She nudged me to attend (love that kind of serendipity!). Her name is Mindy Bortness, President/CEO of Communication Works and she is a brilliant, loving force of nature! Thanks to her, I experienced much more than simply what was on the agenda.
I got to see the next version of myself more clearly than ever! Through interacting with fellow entrepreneurs, I felt in my core, "This is my tribe! This is the playground I want to play in! I belong!" In the afterglow of the conference, I notice that I'm clear in the action I'm taking and pushing myself to step up my game.
“You can’t be what you can’t see.”
I took this photo on my walk through a park in Sacramento during the conference. It brought to mind the sense of seeing the new through the natural, like seeing the next version of me, through the current one.
Where is your new tribe and how can you place yourself among them?
In the spirit of knowing ourselves,
Jalene
I help individuals make the jump from wishing to doing, and professional teams transform from awkward silence to potent interaction.
Assessments reveal the “how” and “why” behind your actions and emotional intelligence, indicating your ability to manage your emotions and their effects on others. We will work together to build skills in the areas you choose. The super-special sauce drizzled over our entire adventure is purposeful, heartfelt coaching.
Why am I doing this work I love? After completing an epic motorcycle trip from Oregon to the southern tip of South America, I am determined to support people in their leap across the border from, “I wish I could.” to “Yes! I did it!”
Learn more: Executive & Personal Coaching • Professional Development • Personal Workshops
Let's connect: LinkedIn • Facebook • Twitter
Contact me: JaleneCase.com • (541) 272-2337
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Learn about our motorcycle trip from Oregon to the southern tip of South America.
I LOVE being part of the Oasis community to help me get my scary sh*t done.
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I LOVE the Insight Timer app because it makes meditation easy.