Your Creative Way

Habits

How To Get More Done Faster

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Busy. Busy. Busy.

You can’t stop for a moment to catch your breath or you’ll lose more time.

It’s not actually possible to lose time but it sure feels as though it is.

What can I say that you don’t already know, haven’t already read? That isn’t a cliché or platitude about taking on too much or just saying no?

What about this: if you slow down, you’ll get there faster.

Does that sounds like a dream? Or a nightmare?

Daily Quick Collage ~ Linda Hough

Rather than take up more time of your time, I’m getting straight to the point today.

Nothing good is accomplished with a mass of worried thoughts racing around in your head while taking frantic action.

When you feel like you’ve got way too much on your plate, when life feels overwhelming and you’re about to lose it, do a complete about face. Slow down to get more done faster.

This may sound counterintuitive and almost impossible to actually do.

Imagine taking action with a calm mind, knowing that what you need to get done will happen with less effort the more you slow down and focus on the task at hand.

Right. And how does that happen?

All that crazy-making thinking is the only thing getting in the way of your productivity flowing more easily. Take away this interference and you have ready access to the clarity and focus you need to best accomplish whatever lies before you.

Daily Quick Collage ~ Linda Hough

When your head is clear of unnecessary thoughts, you effortlessly determine which actions are most appropriate and most effective for you to take.

The more you slow down and listen for what wants to happen, the easier and more joyful life gets. Rather then trying to rush through your to-do list or cram too much into your day, you tend to each moment as it occurs with a free + open mind allowing new thoughts and ideas to show you the way. You are connected to your natural inner timing.

Are you thinking that your work pace is too fast to ‘allow for inner timing’?

This too is only a thought that is getting in your way. When you recognize it as a thought and not something that is real, you loosen the grip it has on you. When you allow this thought to pass through your mind without grabbing hold of it, recycling it again and again, turning it into worry or stress, you open yourself up to new thought which again, allows for clarity and focus, giving you the ability to accomplish more in less time.

The next time you notice you are feeling stress or the need to rush, slow down instead. Take a moment to relax (or let go completely) of whatever thoughts are causing you distress. Let your shoulders drop. Let your mind clear. Feel your heart beating as you take a deep breath.

You are now focused in the present moment with all your inner resources available to do what is in front of you to do without the interference of a thousand other thoughts pulling you in a thousand different directions.

If you are finding this hard to believe, do yourself a favor and give it a try.

The only things you have to lose are worry + stress + overwhelm.

Daily Quick Collage ~ Linda Hough

How To Have More Energy

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Several months ago, I walked into my studio room, stood there for approximately one second, spun around and walked out.

Several days before that, I’d started to feel bored doing my daily quick collages. They were feeling routine, stale. Like I was rehashing the same routine, the same images, the same thoughts.

I noticed that when I looked through my box of collected images, nothing stood out to me. Time to trash them I thought, and start anew.

I knew there were some images that I wanted to keep so I started to go through the box. That wasn’t working either. What would really feel freeing would be to throw out the whole box in one go. That seemed too much so I walked away.

The next time I walked into the room was when I walked right back out. My collection of books, art supplies, objects d’art and PAPERS, so many papers, all neatly organized suddenly felt incredibly overwhelming. Like they were closing in on me. I couldn’t bear to be in the room anymore.

I decided to temporarily spend my days working in the spare bedroom where there is more space. More open area. And more room to breathe.

But that didn’t do anything about what awaited me in the studio. Although I don’t think of my collections as clutter, much of what is in that room is outdated, no longer relevant and needs to be cleared out.

Daily Quick Collage ~ Linda Hough 2016

All of this is unfinished business that I know I need to address. I have a deep intuitive sense that what I most need right now is a clean slate, a blank canvas to begin a whole new phase.

Much like the overabundance of stuff in our lives, so too can the overabundance of thoughts in our heads take away from the quality of life that we yearn for.

Do you know this feeling?

Are you ready for a clean slate? To create the next chapter in your life?

When you clean up unfinished business, you not only create space for yourself physically + mentally, you have more energy.

All those loose ends in your life? Whether you are thinking about them consciously or not, they are taking up valuable energy. Energy that could go toward something so much more satisfying.

Every time I walk into that room, I feel crushed by the weight of it all.

Now I know what you’re thinking because believe me, I was thinking it too. What about all the energy it will take to do the clearing out? All the time! All those decisions? All too much!!

Daily Quick Collage ~ Linda Hough 2016

Here’s what I suggest: take a pen + paper and make a thorough list of all the things you’ve started but haven’t finished.

Then write down anything else that would give you a clean slate.

This could include anything you are tolerating, anything you’ve been putting off, even conversations you need to have with specific people.

Anything and everything that will give you open space both in your environment and in your head.

Anything and everything that needs either FINISHING or CLEARING OUT.

Then ask yourself what items do you really want to finish? What brings you joy when you are either doing it or using it? What items no longer have that spark and need to be cleared out?

My FINISH list includes work projects, online courses, websites, and house repairs. The CLEARING OUT list includes that collage box, the entire studio room, creative projects that no longer hold interest, emails + computer files, and my wardrobe.

Daily Quick Collage ~ Linda Hough 2016

Though your list may seem like a LOT, just the act of getting all of this out of your head and onto paper releases blocked energy.

Now, about the TIME thing.

Here’s what I’ve been doing that is working well: micro-movements.

Where you can, break your list down to the smallest elements.

For example, taking the time to finish this email + setting it up to send out will be pleasurably completed. But to clear my entire studio in one go => overwhelming.

To make this monumental task manageable, I’ll clear one shelf at a time. And just clearing that one shelf already feels better. Lighter. Freer.

Use a timer if that will help. You’ll make decisions faster. Rather than overthinking, feel for the inner YES that sparks joy.

One last thing: take a look at your list. I know you made one!

Imagine for a moment that this list is empty.

Imagine all your unfinished business complete. All the excess cleared out.

How would that feel?

Can you see how much energy this would free up for you? Energy to spend with your kids, out in nature, or even on creative projects!!

Now…I’m off to throw out that entire box of collage images and give myself some wide-open space for new creation.

Where will you begin?

Visual Journal Page ~ Linda Hough 2016

Real Life Scenario: The Battle Within

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For two weeks, I’ve been putting off doing something that will seem easy peasy to some of you. But I’d love for you to follow along anyhow.

This story has its origin a couple of months back when I offered to connect an author with someone in France that might be interested in producing his play.

What do I know about producing plays…zippo.

BUT I immediately thought of someone who knows someone who knows someone else.

So I raised my hand and volunteered.

Although this path was instantly favorable, as can be the case with such endeavors, it eventually fell flat. I was left with a promise I had made and also by this time my own desire to see this project through.

Now I had to dig a little deeper. Three people came to mind but this would put me decidedly outside of my comfort zone. I only knew these people in passing AND I’d have to speak French.

Daily Quick Collage ~ Linda Hough 2016

If you’ve been reading my emails for a while, you know I’ve lived in France for almost 12 years. What I am most embarrassed and even ashamed to admit is that my French is still rather basic. Certainly not fluent. I spend most every day speaking, writing, and buried in books in English.

I am definitely not proud of this. Most days I don’t think much about it but in situations like this, it stops me cold.

Then there is the introversion factor. I’m so much more comfortable having deep conversations with people I know than to talk with someone I don’t.

Hence the two-week wait.

But yesterday I was inspired to go out and connect with these three people and make some progress.

The first stop was a shop on my street that is hardly ever open. But today, she was. And sitting in plain view.

I walked right by.

Here’s what I heard in my mind: Oh, she’s there! Keep walking. You can catch her on the way back. Or even another day. She won’t understand you. She probably can’t help you anyhow. She’s busy. Why are you even doing this anyway?

Halfway down the road, I stopped. The more I listened to my thoughts, the closer I came to abandoning the whole project. Seriously, what do I know about getting plays produced? I’d sound like an idiot in English, yet alone in French.

Daily Quick Collage ~ Linda Hough 2016

Then I got very quiet. I relaxed into the deepest part of myself. I began to feel all those competing thoughts drop away and clarity of mind arise.

WITHOUT FURTHER THINKING, I turned around and entered the shop.

After saying hello, I smiled and hesitantly began speaking in French. To break the ice, I asked her to excuse me after all these years to be speaking so poorly but that I hoped she would understand. She smiled back and we began a conversation.

I left with a list of things to do and an agreement of participation.

The terrifying stories I had made up in my mind were just that: stories.

Emphasis on made up.

When all that fear-induced thinking settled down, I was left with a calm resolve to find the way forward, to accomplish my desire.

We face enough battles in the outside world without having a battle raging within us as well. Next time you hear that critical, doubting, belittling voice telling you YOU aren’t good enough, DO NOT LISTEN.

As quickly as these thoughts appear, they can disappear. IF you don’t latch on to them.

Take time out. Take a deep breath. Relax. As these distracting thoughts dissipate, your own deep inner knowing will be revealed.

Daily Quick Collage ~ Linda Hough 2016

No matter who you are or what you’ve been through, at your core, you are creative, resourceful + whole. Take away all the random thoughts flying through your head and what you have left is an innate wisdom that is always present.

If you aren’t familiar with this part of yourself, or if you doubt this applies to you, please take a few minutes and look at any one of these videos. (free to watch, no opt-in required) Here, I share the practice of creating a daily quick collage, the same ones you’ve been seeing in these emails.

This process is as fun as it is revelatory in uncovering this magical space within where you hear your own wisdom and learn how to recognize your own deep inner knowing.

By the way, the other two people were equally magnanimous and I’m now back on the path of what I’ve learned is actually an Executive Producer. Who knows where this journey will take me but I’m having fun doing something new + different along side my regular work.

And I will be improving my French.

Daily Quick Collage ~ Linda Hough 2017

A Short Note on LOVE

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When the layers of conditioning + beliefs + bad habits fall away, what remains is the essence of YOU.

It can happen in a moment.

It can take years.

But when the veil lifts, there is nothing more delicious, more delightful or more serene than the feeling of love that permeates your entire being.

It’s the YOU you remember from a time long ago.

When you were innocent. When you were joy. When you were free.

This YOU is available any time.

Underneath all that holds you back. All that keeps you in fear. All the thoughts that weigh you down.

This YOU is available right now.

You have only to let the veil fall away to feel the deep down love of who you really are.

Daily Quick Collage ~ Linda Hough 2017

When You Need to Make a Decision

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Several years ago I was sitting in a conference room watching a woman onstage making a presentation. She was offering her latest program, something I was absolutely sure I didn’t need.

But as she told her story, I began to feel my emotions rise. She had started her coaching practice about the same time I had, yet here she was onstage + infinitely more successful that I.

As I continued to listen, my thoughts became more and more agitated.

She was outlining the requirements for this program. I could feel my anger churning.

Not at her success but at what I saw as my own shortcomings.

When the presentation ended, I got up from the table and stormed out of the room.

On my way out, I ran into someone I knew. She asked me what was wrong. I blurted out my frustration with myself … and my desire to do the program.

Where did that come from?? Simple answer: ego.

She then uttered the words that would change the course of my path.

How would you feel if you didn’t take the program?

My thoughts were telling me I had fallen way behind and I needed to catch up.

QUICKLY!

In that moment, I saw the program as the best answer to my desire for success. I went immediately to the table and signed up.

The result of this decision was the expenditure of thousands of dollars for the program, travel time + accommodations that led to absolutely zero success.

If only I’d known then what I know now.

Visual Journaling Page ~ Linda Hough 2017

Had it happened today, this is how differently the same scenario would have played out.

Sitting in a conference room, watching a presentation, I notice my thoughts getting very active. As the speaker talks, I understand that we have taken different paths each leading to where we are today. One is not better than the other. We are each on our own path.

Even with this awareness, my thoughts are creating the feeling of agitation in my body.

The speaker is describing her latest program that will surely propel those who are ready into success.

Because I know myself + the particular path I’m on, I do not see this program as adding to my success. Besides, I know now not to make any decisions when my mind is this agitated or in any sort of low state. I remind myself of this as I make my way out of the room during the break.

I stop to talk with someone I know and we casually exchange our thoughts on what we just heard. As much as I respect this person, taking in her words does not affect any decision I may be considering.

I continue outside where I find a quiet place to sit. I relax and gently quiet my mind so that I can better hear the wisdom inside.

When my thoughts have settled, I know beyond a doubt that this program is not a match. I hear a deep internal NO.

I take note of my agitation though, as a signal that I do have a desire inside that needs further exploration. I also know that this desire contains within it all that I’ll need if I decide to pursue it.

I return to my seat, at peace with my decision that is really not a decision at all but much more of a knowing.

~ ~ ~

On the female side of my family, decisions do not come easily. So much so I even made a painting on the subject. But by using the following guidelines, decisions have become effortless.

The Decision ~ oil painting ~ Linda Hough 2017

When you need to make a decision:
Do so from a calm state-of-mind. If you are agitated, upset, overworked or pressured, wait until your mind is relaxed. Making decisions from a low state often results in undesirable outcomes + regret.

This especially applies to any bad habit. You are more likely to succumb to cravings when something uncomfortable is happening, when you are tired or hungry or otherwise in a low state.

Do let your answer arise from inside. Listening to outside influences does not give you the quality information you need. Only YOU know you.

Even your personal thoughts themselves are not actually that helpful. They will often pull you back and forth, coming from different parts of yourself, from hidden beliefs or even habits.

While making a list of PROs + CONs can be helpful to the intellect, it’s the wisdom within that you can truly trust.

A mind at rest always knows what’s best.

Daily Quick Collage ~ Linda Hough 2017

Is This Stopping You?

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Is there an area of your life where you can’t seem to make any progress?

Something you’ve been trying to do in various forms for some time now but it’s just not happening?

You keep spinning around in the same cycle unable to find a way out?

Most of us have at least one area like this. Some of us have more than we’d like.

One of these areas for me, I talked about the last series of emails: maintaining my ‘normal’ weight range. None of the various diets or programs I did gave me lasting results. I kept trying new versions of the same thing.

One of my favorite Einstein quotes* goes something like this: We can’t solve our problems using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.

When I had a new understanding of how cravings work + why we have them, I had exactly the new kind of thinking that resulted in a new solution that has enabled me to get different results.

Results that are far more satisfying and long-lasting than giving in to any craving.

With virtually no effort at all.

What is getting in the way of your progress?

Without knowing your personal situation, I can only guess. But if you have anything that you excessively use to distract yourself from feeling bad, I can say that this is a very good place to look.

Besides the array of commonly known addictions such as alcohol + drugs, you can also include busyness+ overworking as well a obsessive mental habits like worry, fear + my all time favorite, procrastination.

You only want to feel better…but none of these, done in excess, contribute to your overall health and wellbeing.

Unless you get to a new place of understanding, you’ll keep getting stuck in the same cycle of trying to make a change and then relapsing, of not getting where you want to go and being eternally frustrated, if not worse.

Daily Quick Collage ~ Linda Hough 2017

If you missed my 3-part series on An Effortless Path to Freedom, you can find them here.
Part One: Has This Ever Happened to You?
Part Two: Could This All Be Just a Big Misunderstanding?
Part Three: An Effortless Path to Freedom

If you’d like a new understanding of what’s stopping you, I’d love to talk with you. Contact me here and I’ll get right back to you.

*There are several versions of this quote all attributed to Einstein.