Sit up, take notice & look back before looking forward to next month.  If you didn’t catch all the posts this month simply usher yourself down to the well & click as you wish.

Learn well in the training & development learning well.

Dive deep into the learning well or take a small sip. Shower yourself in training & development or just get your big toe wet.

Refresh & refreshing.

As you wish.

• Good intentions mean naught to a Go Life Lens

• The Rock.Paper.Scissors newsletter is out:
• 3rd annual To do, To done, To not do, To stop doing & To’odle compilation
• What’s on your ‘to continue doing’ & ‘to stop doing’ list?
• Complexity made simple – that’s what a good assessment does
• Putting the social in social media: testing a drum some 14,000 km away
• Sorry you are leaving (the asylum) & other tidbits of wisdom
• Time out – a cause for paws to pause – cats playing patty cake
• Penguins playing rock paper scissors = lessons about breaking out
• Suck or blow? Power surges & power vacuums
• Global perspective – what sound does your heart beat?
• The Rock.Paper.Scissors newsletter is out: funny resources related to interview with Emmanuel Jal, international hip hop star

The first month of the new year is about to slip by.  Sit up, take notice & look back before looking forward.  If you didn’t catch all the posts this month simply usher yourself down to the well & click as you wish.

Learn well in the training & development learning well.

Dive deep into the learning well or take a small sip. Shower yourself in training & development or just get your big toe wet.

Refresh & refreshing.

As you wish.

• Freedom for creativity? Freedom from creativity? Is this a playground or a jail?

• The Rock.Paper.Scissors newsletter is out:
• Resources related to Emmanuel Jal, former child soldier
• What a former child solider has to say about forgiveness & more

• A ludicrously easy, perspective changing way to better tie your shoes

• What is culture? 5 ways people from different countries learn differently (& 5 ways we all learn the same)

• Fresh perspective = creativity + words that dance

• Learning enhancing yogurt

• It’s IS (not) my job & other reasons (not) TO change (or learn)

• We all have n.u.t.s (nagging, underlying to’dos) but don’t let them drive you nuts

• Spontaneous heartfelt Jen Louden shoots from the hip AND the heart

• It’s not my job & other reasons not to change (or learn)

• Training & development interests, skills & opportunities a la Scott Belsky

Creative Commons licensed on Flickr by: steffenz's photostream

You know those thoughts you have, the fleeting impressions or sensory sneakers that flit across your awareness before you’re conscious of them?  They come & go faster than the chocolate that graced my kids’ Christmas stockings.  It’s enough to make you nuts.

I’ve been spending time teasing them out.  Trying to be more aware of how I’m feeling, what I’m thinking before my conscious mind muddles it up with a misshapen but well intended translation.

For example if I have the fleeting impression of being tired or overwhelmed I try to ‘catch’ it before my conscious mind says ‘you’ve no reason to be tired’ etc.

Why am I doing this?  Because it’s in line with one of my all time favourite quotes by Jiddu Krishnamurti:

If you being to understand who you are without changing, then who you are undergoes a transformation.

My results?  I think we’re all n.u.t.s.

We all have tons of n.u.t.s that take up valuable space in the hardware of our brain.

N – nagging

U – underlying

T – things to do

My n.u.t.s tend to direct my focus an amazing amount of time.  I’ll be checking email, then swoosh, in drops a n.u.t. & all of a sudden I’m making list.

Clunk.  Another n.u.t. drops in & I’m redirected to check a website.

Thunk.  Another n.u.t. drops & all of a sudden I’m paying a bill (all the while I’m intending to blog)

Technology is both a curator of n.u.t.s & a curse.  Technology can keep the n.u.t.s at bay or mercilessly shake them out of the tree until it’s raining almonds, pecans & walnuts.

So here’s to the n.u.t.s in all of us.  May they remain on the tree until you’re ready to pick them.  May you be conscious of them & may that consciousness undergo a transformation a la Jiddu Krishnamurti.

Need another example of how n.u.t.s can drive you nuts?  I just had 3 nuts drop in, nope actually 5 nuts, scratch that make it 8 nuts.

1. I googled nut trees so I didn’t sound like an idiot & use a type of nut that didn’t actually grow on a tree

2. While googling I noticed the Swahili terms that come up (as I’m currently in Kenya Google thinks I’m fluent in Swahili) & was tempted to google one for the fun of it

3. The remote playlist I’m listening to at the UN (my MacBook picks up shared playlists) just started playing the hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy

4. Which made me think of my facebook post about whether I should try to contact the owner & thank him.  Which made me check my facebook post & comment on a reader’s comment in turn.

5. I’m very aware that I desperately have to go to the bathroom but wonder if it’s worth packing up my computer to go there (as am in a public place & don’t want to get it stolen).

6. I end up asking a lovely woman, Lucky who’s on leave from W.H.O. work in Somalia, to watch my stuff & we end up talking about the book she’s reading ‘Learning French in 15 minutes a day’

7. I ran into a friend on the way to the bathroom & we chatted for a bit

8. When I came back to my computer I told Lucy that she’s featured in a blog post & we had a lovely continuation of our conversation

Last year round about now I did a series of posts on my to-do, to continue doing, to stop doing, not to do, to-done, and to’odle lists.  (See below for a quick summary of each and a link to download a template to create your own.)

This year I thought I’d ask some right interesting folk what’s on their lists and share their responses with you.  I’ll do one post on each of the segments – today’s is on to-do’s.  You’ll see a theme that emerges pretty darn quick…

While you’re reading, think about what inspires and speaks to you.  How does it influence your to-do list?

To Do – or things I want to start doing, being or having  this month

From Dyana Valentine, who helps self-starters self-finish and whose Perfect Pitch process is nigh on perfect – Having more time in silence; doing less and more intensely YES activities (both biz/personal); being more open to invitations and unexpected opportunities.

From Danielle LaPorte, lifestyle diva, style maven, Fire Starter & WhiteHot Truth mama – I want to write 3 amazing books in 2 years. Uhuh.  And do more yoga. And go to Greece. And up my philanthropic offerings.  And wear more Donna Karan.

From Melodie Biringer Queen of all we Crave & Mistress of Women’s business development – I just spent the last few weeks getting my to-do list to zero.  now i know it will populate again.

From Kerri Carlson – the Wonder Woman behind the inspirational Every Woman annual conference – Read one book a week, drink more water, sit doing nothing & make sleep a priority.

From Oz Sokoh, U.K. Shell Geo-scientist by day and foodie blogger by night – Read & write every day, read at least one book a week & wake up early to write for half an hour on my food blog, my writing blog & not-yet-online-work & life blog

From Melanda Schmid, UN Habitat consultant in Kenya, non-violent communications fiend & lover of earrings – Having a stable job, a home base, and a committed partnership!

And in case you think I know not men, this in from Pat Jarvis – dedicated to Paralympic sport, Order of Canada recipient, his perigrination & peripatetic lifestyle is dedicated to making the world a better place (& is brought to you by the letter ‘p’) -  Slow down time;  moving towards a meditative, reflective period in each day although may have to consider moving meditation as a transition….back to Tai Chi or perhaps yoga that could also introduce me to more flexibility (physical and mental?).

From Sam Crespi, writer, ever curious, purposeful wanderer – I want to study further and practice non-violent or compassionate communication, something that also involves deep listening.  As change continues to speed up and be more uncertain, this kind of training will serve all of us well and make our relationships more meaningful.  Write more and play more.  Give and ask for more hugs.  I keep sensing that there are a lot of people out  there who are starved for this simple and easy life affirming act. Bring ‘em on!  We’ll all be better with more hugs.

From Michelle Royle, one of the best trainers I know, whose integrity can’t be topped, a deep thinker, traveler & dry humourist – Say Yes to more Fun – Play – Creative adventures.  Having work that allows me to serve the world and in doing so it will feed me. More financial assets. Work I love in a place with people who welcome my contribution, are fun, respectful and kind.  Falling in Love.

From Johanne Gallagher, the wickedly funny, charming Irish Diva living, working & playing in Norway – I want to exercise more and take care of myself.  Dance more tango.  Have lots of joy.

Self-care in order to serve.  That’s what I hear.

And you?  What’s on your list?

Watch for segments from these same folks I’ll cover in upcoming posts:

To continue doing

• these work, so I should continue doing these

To stop doing

• I tried these but they aren’t effective, so I shouldn’t do them anymore

To not do

• I know I want to stay away from these

To done

• yep, that’s not a typo; these are my accomplishments – I am proud of these.  This one is left off most lists I know of and yet it’s critical to take time to reflect on what we’ve done not just on what’s left to do.

To’odle

• what to do when I need to float, let my mind wander, and relax

To download your own template to use as you wish simply click here: Rock.Paper.Scissors To Do template

Stay tuned for the next compilation – the to-continue doing lists.

My last 6 posts describe an extended, quirky to-do list tool that I use in my corporate training (click here to download a copy for you to use).  It has 5 parts:

- to do, to continue doing,  to stop doing, to not do, to done (no, the last one’s not a typo) (here’s a description of each)

I thought it might be helpful to conclude this series of posts with a comment from a reader and an update on my progress.

To Do: create more space in time and more physical space

• progress? Ahh the bliss of having taken 10 boxes to Value Village the other day.  I actually have empty shelves in the play room.  My calendar has more white space as well.  I’m enjoying more unplanned, unscheduled time.

To Continue Doing: keep off the weight I’ve lost and keep my monthly dance dates

• progress?  I enjoyed lots of Christmas goodies this year but managed to keep the weight off by increasing my workouts.  Went family snowshoeing and skiing several times each.  As much work as it was to get all flotsam and jetsam out of the house (goggles, mitts, poles, boots, hats, jackets, extra socks, snacks….I swear there is invisible glue holding it to the house) it was joyful being outdoors in the frosty air.

• no monthly dance date of yet; still have to replace my dance ‘date’ who moved to Scotland.  Having said that my hubby is home from an international business trip soon.  Hmmm. Perhaps we’ll hit the dance floor this weekend.

To Stop Doing: stop finishing things

• progress?  You bet your cute buttocks baby.  I’m devouring Tim Ferris’ ‘Four Hour Work Week’ and have turned not finishing something, somethign that I decide after starting isn’t strategic or meeting my needs, into an adrenaline surging, smash on the brakes, screeching halt.  The bliss that flows from not having to finish something, from not feeling my own imposed pressure, is enlightening.

To Not Do: watch loads of TV

• progress?  I keep surprising myself by not turning to TV in the evening.  Though I wonder what’s happening on Dragon’s Den, curling up in bed with a good book is inifinitely more relaxing and rejuvenating.

To Done:

• progress?  You bet your sweet socks, I continue to be proud of having been accepted to the FWE e-series program, having done international work for the UN last year, getting back on the ski hill with my family and continuing to meet with my Goddess gals

So far so great.  I’m sure 2010 will bring the inevitable ups and downs but I’m feeling on track, focused and ready to rock and roll.  Bring it on!

Maybe now I can take the advice of a reader (confession time, none other than my hubby), to add ‘do’odle’ - the ability to avoid following my lists and let my mind wander.

Time to wander, perhaps while listening to this post’s theme music ‘Because We Can’ by Fatboy Slim (a song guaranteed to ramp up your workout by the way).

And you?  How are you doing / being with your resolutions?

Continuing the spirit of New Year’s musing, my last 4 posts describe an extended, quirky to-do list tool that I use in my corporate training (click here to download a copy for you to use).  It has 5 parts:

(I love that out of the 5 categories only two are about adding things.  Can we collectively breath a sigh of relief?)

- to do, to continue doing,  to stop doing, to not do, to done (no, the last one’s not a typo) (here’s a description of each)

I’m continuing to share how I’m personally filling them in.  For my 2010 to-do’s see this post.  For my continue to do’s see this post. For my things to stop doing click here.

This post is about what not to do.   Things I want to stay away from like brussels sprouts, second hand smoke and the smell of my teen’s bedroom.

Seriously though for 2010 I am committing to staying away from mindless TV.  I spent a month working in Africa late last year (see related posts: African nocturnal visitors,  Musings on Africa) and an unintended result was radically reducing how much time I spent watching the tube.

I didn’t miss it.

I did appreciate what I did with that time instead though, such as making cookie dough in the dark (electricity was out), visiting friends, reading, musing, writing…..

After I’d been home about a month I realized with utter shock that I hadn’t watched much TV.  Now there’s a kind of change I can hang my hat on – something that happens unconsciously, without effort, like water flowing downhill.

I used to fall onto the couch after the kids were in bed and vegetate in front of the TV.  Now I find I have more energy because I’m spending that time replenishing brain cells instead of draining them.

Replenishing as in more time with my kids (‘nuggling and reading), listening to music and writing.  I look forward to climbing into bed and plowing through books.  I’m reading Tim Ferris’ Four Hour Work Week right now.  I’d bet my last piece of dark chocolate that he doesn’t watch much TV.

As music is an integral part of my life, the song that couples with not doing things is none other than fellow Canadian Shania Twain’s ‘Don’t be Stupid’.

And you?  What do you not want to do?

Continuing the spirit of the requisite New Year’s musings, my last 3 posts describe an extended, quirky to-do list tool that I use in my corporate training (click here to download a copy for you to use).  It has 5 parts:

- to do, to continue doing,  to stop doing, to not do, to done (no, the last one’s not a typo) (here’s a description of each)

I also promised to share with you how I’m personally filling it in.  For my 2010 to-do’s see this post.  For my continue to do’s see this post.

Most to-do’s are about adding.  Adding things to already too full plates.  That’s why I like this part of my list, which is things to stop doing.

This year I’m pledging to stop finishing things.  Yes, up to this point I am a determined finisher.  Start reading a book, article, project, or task?  In my head the only possibility was finishing.  In fact up to this point I’ve been known to get bug-eyed and twitchy about things left undone.Stopping part way was not an option even when it made a whole lot of sense to do that.

No more.

Partly due to Tim Ferris’ advice I vow to not finish things.  I’ll stop the auto-pilot, knee jerk reaction that screams “what? you can’t stop! you must finish or terrible, horrible, no good, really bad things will happen”.  I’m going to assume that if I stop reading a book that I don’t really like, stop doing a task that isn’t meeting my needs, or horror of horrors course correct and change business strategies part way through, that the sun will rise tomorrow and I’ll live to see another day.

My theme song for this stopping is none other than Stop, in the name of love (and sanity).

Stay tuned for my next post about my to-done’s.

In the meantime how about you?  What do you need and/or want to stop doing?
—————-
Now playing: The Supremes-Stop! In The Name Of Love
via FoxyTunes

Continuing the spirit of New Year’s reflection, my last 2 posts described an extended, quirky to-do list tool that I use in my corporate training (click here to download a copy for you to use).  It has 5 parts:

- to do, to continue doing,  to stop doing, to not do, to done (the last one’s not a typo) (here’s a description of each)

I also promised to share with you how I’m personally filling it in.  For my 2010 to-do’s see this post.

Because it’s not all about trying new things although the shiny allure of what’s new keeps the shopping malls full – the things I’m going to continue doing in 2010 are:

*  keep off the 30 pounds I lost about 1 1/2 year ago.  I continue to feel a deep sense of satisfaction for this continued accomplishment.  I love how I feel about myself and my body.  It and I move through the world with more ease now.   I even (gasp!) run.  There was a time where if you told me I’d go for regular runs I’d ask which psychiatric institution I should return you to.

* continue my monthly dance ‘dates’.  I find nothing soothes my rattled nerves and puts me into a state of wild time like dancing.  I found a local pub with a live band – there’s no cover, no line up and 5 inch heels are not a requirement for entry.  Once a month I’ve been hitting the dance floor with a friend.  We shake it, gloriously, with abandon and glee.

Caveat: dance friend has left the building, well the country actually.  In order to continue must find new person to dance with.  Husband or friend Heather are you listening?

Stay tuned for my stop-doing, not to do’s, and to-done’s.

And finally because music is an integral part of the things I want to continue doing, here’s a song that fits the theme of continuing: Let’s go by the Cars

What do you want to continue doing …. again and again?