For this first podcast of the new year, I’m going to share with you an interview I did back in the fall of 2011 but saved for now because the timing works so well. Maybe you’re among the millions of people who use the new year as a catalyst to make some sort of resolution about their physical health.
Physical activity is key to our overall health, and my guest today takes that truth even further by sharing with us the mental game that contributes to our health, for better or for worse. He calls it “the athlete within,” and it’s not just about being able to run around the track and not collapse when you’re done… it’s about taking care of yourself, body, mind and spirit, so that you can have energy for all of things that you want to accomplish.
There’s a phenomenon that happens with many fresh water lakes a few times a year called “lake turnover.” Without getting into the details, it’s a process that happens when the surface water reaches a certain temperature and becomes denser and heavier than the water under it. That top layer sinks and displaces the water below it. This results in “new” water coming to the surface, hence, “turnover.” I’ve been noticing that same phenomenon in my own life recently… what is this new energy that’s rising to the top?
“KISS: Keep It Simple, Stupid.”
All of us, at some point, have probably heard those words spoken to us, or have said them to ourselves.
How rude!
Not the “Keep it simple” part… just the “stupid” part. When we call ourselves or others “stupid” in this context, we’re beating ourselves up. It’s like a mental “whap!” upside the head and a wake-up call to get with the program. (Even calling an epiphany a “Duh! moment” – which I did this weekend – isn’t particularly compassionate.)
It’s an open acknowledgment of a tendency we all have: to make things much more complicated than they need to be.
Here’s my attempt to make a complicated subject simple!
When the busyness and business of life gets to be too much, we sometimes find out too late that we’ve lost touch with what makes us unique, what makes us brilliant. We feel disconnected from our energy and even our values. My guest today is Amy Kessel, certified life coach. Amy has dedicated her coaching business to helping women in transition reconnect with their authentic selves and their purpose. And her message today isn’t just for the ladies – men also will benefit from her wisdom and call to find simple ways to honor your strengths.
In my recent Ignite Seattle 12 talk, “5 Reasons Introverts Rock the Business World,” I called out different strengths that give introverts an edge. One of the strengths I chose to highlight was “depth over breadth.” Introverts generally have a special ability to stay focused for extended periods of time. I used to be able to keep my attention fixed on one activity for hours, such as writing, practicing my clarinet or reading a good book.
And then I became an entrepreneur.
Why a spreadsheet gave me a heart attack and how I’m getting back on the road to recovery.
