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Upfront & Personal
We've created a new version of the Success & Balance newsletter designed specifically for working mothers. The Briefcase Moms™ newsletter will carry the same personal development articles you have come to expect from Success & Balance but tuned up to speak to the needs of women combining careers and motherhood. We hope you like it. Let us know what other features you'd like to see. Sorry for the missed November issue of the Success & Balance newsletter. We hope this new newsletter was worth the wait.

We've taken the liberty of distributing the Briefcase Moms™ newsletter to all Success & Balance subscribers. You are free to subscribe to both newsletters, however, please note the core content will be virtually the same. If you are a working mother or planning on becoming one, we suggest you unsubscribe from Success & Balance and start reading the Briefcase Moms™ newsletter instead. Note: If you are on the Briefcase Moms™ R&D Team you have automatically been unsubscribed from Success & Balance and will now receive the Briefcase Moms™ newsletter monthly.

In the October edition of Success & Balance our feature article was Part 1 of "Find Joy in Everyday." In that piece, we began reviewing a simple, 3-Step process to increase the amount of joy in your life. (To read Part I of "Find Joy in Everyday," click here). In this month's issue of Briefcase Moms™, we will continue to explore the final two steps of the joy process. With the holiday season just around the corner, taking time to be present to the joy around you is paramount. With all there is to do and get done at this time of year, it is very easy to miss the true essence of the holiday spirit. We wish you and yours a joy-filled holiday, L.

Feature Article: Find Joy in Everyday - Part 2
As you may remember, there are three steps to continually discover joy: detach from the outcome; stay in the present; and, appreciate the little things. We have already reviewed the importance of finding joy in everyday, and how joy is found in the process of any project, event or activity, rather than in a measurable outcome or accomplishment. Here are the remaining two steps to help you create, and sustain, more joy in your life.

Stay in the Present
Often I hear working mothers say that they will be happy when... they have the mortgage paid off or their kids are out of diapers/college or they have enough money in their savings account. They also promise that they will stop working so hard and start enjoying life more as soon as... they get the company finances under control or get that promotion or put out that fire. Taking this approach to life is basically postponing joy.

The key to determining if you are postponing joy is to listen for phrases that might come out of your mouth such as "when I get this done I will do that" or "once I've done this I will do that" or "as soon as I do this then I will do that." We delay joy when we dwell in the future-and wait for something big to make us feel good. If you find yourself spending the majority of your time imagining tomorrow, and beyond, then most likely you are forfeiting the happiness of today for some unspecified time in the future. And what happens to most people is that they never get to experience the things in life that could bring them the most joy because there is always something else that takes precedence. The main problem with postponing joy is you can't always count on "someday" being there.

Appreciate the Little Things
Experiencing joy is also about paying attention to the small pleasures in life. If you are aware of the delight that can be found in each ordinary day, life itself is a celebration. Small, basic, everyday things can bring you joy. The smell of fresh coffee, the sound of your child's laughter, the beauty in a blade of grass. When you slow down for just a moment and practice really seeing and experiencing all the beauty that surrounds us, joy can be found on a daily basis. Each day can be considered a great and unique gift to be savored and appreciated, rather than one day closer to the deadline.

Check Your Balance
Take a walk in an area where you feel most centered and peaceful - a place that brings you joy. You might venture into the mountains, or take a stroll along the beach, or maybe you have a favorite city street where you like to window shop. Wherever it is that you like to go, make a commitment right now to spend some time in that area alone, or with a friend. While you're there, slow down just a little bit, and notice the little things that might have passed you by. Notice the bird's nest in the tree, the family of ducklings, and the intricate art outside of your favorite restaurant. Take note of the little things that bring you joy and allow yourself to relish in the moment

About Lisa Martin

Lisa Martin, PCC, is the author of the acclaimed Briefcase Moms: 10 Proven Practices to Balance Working Mothers' Lives. She lives what she writes and talks about. Mother of a six year-old son, a certified executive coach with 20 years of corporate and entrepreneurial experience, and the founder and president of Briefcase Moms®, she is all too familiar with the tug-of-war and challenges of work-life balance. Lisa has helped thousands of career-oriented women and men define, establish and maintain work-life success via her proprietary learning systems - 90 Days to a Balanced Life and Briefcase Parent Solutions.

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Contact LisaMartin
For more information on Briefcase Moms® programs, customized private coaching with Lisa or inviting Lisa to speak to your organization, please contact her at (604)988-9394 or lisa@briefcasemoms.com. Or,visit http://www.briefcasemoms.com

 

 

 

We are excited to report that the content of the book is finished... finally! Next step: design and printing. We expect the book to be available Spring 2004.

To read an excerpt click here.

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