10 Minute Trips: Gratitude

So much is coming together in my life lately. I know it is the result of the hard-ass work I've done in my inner world and the actions I have taken in the outer world but it is all still freaking AMAZING!

Amidst the cray-cray-craziness (and scariness) of some of the things I'm doing, I've had a FLOOD of wonderful things happen - from making connections with people I'll be working with in the future to money showing up out of nowhere; from people wanting to work with me to a whole bunch of peeps subscribing to my newsletter that I had no idea about; from scoring a role that will help high school student connect with entrepreneurship and make a positive impact in the world to positive reactions to my reaching out to others.

So, pack your bags Adventureess, in today's ten minute trip, I'd love for you to join in to the love-fest. Ignore for a moment some of the yukky stuff that is going on in your life and write down a list of things you are grateful for. Make that list as long as you can and just keep writing for 10 minutes!

Start with some of the obvious things you may have going on - great partner, loving mother, money in the bank.

Then look around you and see the little physical things in your life that you love - your hardworking laptop, your favourite pen, the gorgeous colour of your nailpolish.

Think about actions that have happened over the last few days - a smile you got from a stranger, one of your girlfriends calling up to say hi, your puppy waking you up with a lick to the face (and doggy breath).

Then think about the stuff we often over look - clean water, freedom to get educated, the feel on sunshine on your skin.

Just write.
You can't do this incorrectly.
Write from your heart.
Let these things put a smile on your face.
Love the crap out of all that is good.

Maybe you want to introduce this to your everyday. I love writing a few things down on my gratitude list each morning or evening. I often repeat things. Sometimes I cry from the gratitude I feel (those that know me well probably think it is more than sometimes...).

I have a lot of special things in my life. I bet you do too, maybe you just weren't as aware of all of them before....

Make it as you wish Adventuress!
Arienne xo

10 Minute Trips: What Are Your 3 Best Qualities?

I know, I know, it is hard talk ourselves up but it is so important! I went to a Self Love and Sisterhood event last week and it was such a good reminder that we need to look after ourselves so that we can make life truly work for us. If we are constantly focussing on everyone else first, we get depleted and can deviate from the path that is right and wholesome and worth while and that makes life truly fun for ourselves. But that is a whole 'nother post Sister!

I'm doing a course at the moment where we are looking at building a business around ourselves. As part of that, getting to know who you are, what you want to be and what your strengths and values are is really important.

One of the exercises was to ask 25 people around you (family, friends, colleagues and/or clients) what your 3 best qualities are.

Sure, it felt funny asking, but it was such an interesting and enlightening experience. The responses were varied but I could definitely see a theme. It was truly heartening to see what impressions people have of you that shine through!

So, are you interested in the findings?! I put the words through wordle.net to create a word cloud (that was fun playing around with the colours and word directions!)

Now I know what my strengths are so that I can put more of those qualities out into the world as I see what people appreciate and benefit from.

I really recommend doing it. It is powerful. Plus when I am feeling a bit bleh it is a beautiful reminder of part of who I truly am. What an uplift!

I challenge you to do it Savvies. Go on - what an adventure it will be! Take a few minutes and put together an email and send it out to the people in your life that you trust or admire.

It could be something along the lines of "I'm doing an exercise someone recommended to me to find out my personal strengths. Could you please let me know the 3 best qualities you see in me?".

Make it as you wish SSSs!
Arienne