CONNECTION + COMMUNICATION Page 2 of 21

On prioritising the important stuff

Posted on 2018-02-12 at 7:08 pm.

Three times in the past week I have been asked how I prioritise personal projects, when there are so many other demands on my time, so I thought I’d share some ideas with you today.

Firstly, it’s important to be really clear on why you want to do the project you want to do. Sounds really obvious, but if your reasoning isn’t crystal clear, the project will slip and other things will eat the time you were meant to make available for your project.

Secondly, it’s important to block out a realistic amount of time to make progress on your project. I have two versions of this kind of time – one set of blocks is non-negotiable, another is moveable depending on what is going on. This gives me flexibility (because life happens) but also keeps a level of commitment (because if you keep releasing your blocks of planned time, you’ll never get anywhere new).

Thirdly, I try to focus on one chunk of the project in one given block of time. So, right now I am working on my second book (hurrah) to a very tight deadline (eek). I have found that getting super organised gives me just enough boundaries to then be creative and free within the chunks of time I have. I might pick one particular chapter or idea within a chapter to focus on, and only work on that in a particular 2 hour block of time. Ideally creative work needs even bigger chunks of time than this – a full day, or a full week, but when that’s not possible, even a couple of hours can be valuable if you can dive right into the heart of the matter.

Lastly, it really helps to share your plans with someone for some kind of accountability. Right now Mr K is that check-in person for me. At the beginning of each day I am working on my book I tell him what I’m going to focus on, and then report back at the end of the day. Sometimes I get done more than I expected, sometimes less. Sometimes I find I have gone off on a tangent, but talking about it really helps me realise whether I used my time well, and then I can adjust accordingly the next time.

If you don’t have anyone in your house to help you stay on track with your personal projects, try finding an accountability buddy in real life or online, or get a mentor who is invested in your progress.

With so much going on in our busy lives, and so many demands on our time, combined with our natural tendency to prioritise others before ourselves, it’s no wonder that our personal projects often slide. But these projects are where much of our joy and genius lies, they are stepping stones to a more creative fulfilling life as we explore what we are capable of, so this week I encourage you to try out these ideas and see what works for you. Let me know!

Beth

PS This is the last call for our free Winter Writing Workshop, which starts TOMORROW! If you want accountability for a writing project, this is a great place to begin. With daily writing prompts, thoughts on the writing life and a community gathering space where you can connect with other writers, this will get you back into the rhythm of writing! I hope you’ll join us. Sign up here (it’s free!) https

5 steps to decluttering your life {VIDEO}

Posted on 2018-01-15 at 7:22 pm.

Written by Beth Kempton

It’s that time of year. Are you feeling the burning desire to declutter and pare things down, but don’t know where to start? If so, here are some top tips for you:

Now, no more procrastinating. Off you go and begin!

How to find calm as a busy parent

Posted on 2017-10-23 at 4:35 pm.

Written by Beth Kempton

Prioritising self care can be completely forgotten about – perhaps even laughed at! – when you’re trying to balance work, life and parenting. But if self care is a fundamental part of yours and your family’s happiness – you must be healthy and feel fulfilled to pass on the same for your children – why is it we don’t make it a priority in our day?

Meet Shawn Fink, a woman striving to help mothers find the inner calm, mindful moments in their day. In a world that is so fast paced, when you feel like you couldn’t possibly steal 10 minutes for yourself and a cup of tea, listen to Shawn’s advice to help you savour those quiet moments you need to make more of…

How to find calm as a busy parent Abundant Mama 1

1. Tell us about the work you do with Abundant Mama and how you came to start Doing What You Love?

Abundant Mama is a family and motherhood wellness program that teaches overwhelmed moms how to slow down, take care of themselves so they can take care of their families and how to mother from a place of abundance.

I started blogging in 2012 and sharing tips and tools for how to be more present, playful and peaceful and my blog took off. I ended up creating the Abundant Mama Digital Program in 2013 and it has been SO popular through word of mouth that I was able to quit my full-time job and focus on this project solely.

2. What is driving you to help so many mothers with the challenges motherhood can bring?

Creating a more peaceful world! I say it over and over again — peace begins with me. I have never found motherhood to be easy. And the more real conversations I have with other moms, the more I realize that there are many out there who feel the same way. We’re highly sensitive and deeply committed to doing this RIGHT and so we place a lot of false expectations on ourselves in the process. By helping moms face the challenge of motherhood with the right tools, strategies, self-care and support, I am helping to create a more peaceful world — one family at a time. That is my ultimate driving force.

3. How can any parent reading this silence the busyness and find calm in their day?

In my book, Savoring Slow, I talk about 12 habits to implement to really slow your life down. This doesn’t mean to no longer be busy. It means to create a sense of calm and beauty in your busy life. We’re raising kids — we’re BUSY. I’d like to share those habits here with your readers 12 Savoring Slow habits to adopt:

Wake Up — Practice waking up every single day to see the beauty in your life. It’s everywhere!
Release — Embrace the idea of letting go of what is not working for you any longer to create more time for what you love.
Reframe — Accept that your busy life is your beautiful life and start telling yourself a different story about how you are living.
Focus — Aim for a distraction-free life where you always try to do one thing or nothing at all.
Go Slowly — Forget rushing through and start lingering more in all areas of your day.
Do Less — Understand that the only way to have more time for the good stuff is to do less of the other stuff.
Plug-in — Reject the notion that you need to unplug and start intentionally plugging in to be more efficient with your time and life.
Unstructured — Create more free time in your family’s day to allow the wow moments to evolve and multiply.
Go Quiet — Quiet your mind and feel time expand in the process.
Savor — Take time to appreciate every little detail around you.
Abundance — Start seeing time for what it is — something to be thankful for in your life.
Make Space — Carve out physical, mental and emotional space in your life for the things you want more of in your day.

4. What do you think is the typical definition of ‘abundance’ for parents who join your community, and what practices are important to put in place to achieve that abundance?

Abundance often means FINALLY feeling like we are enough, we do enough and we have enough … and we can rest now.

5. As someone who is doing what they love, what does a typical day look like for you?

I’m writing this after my girls are back in school after summer break so my days are a bit different. But the idea is roughly the same. I wake early — often between 4 and 5 a.m. and take care of ME by doing my Rise and Shine Routine (I offer a free challenge on waking up early and taking care of yourself!). I then put all of my efforts into getting the family fed and out the door. Once everyone is gone, I get to work. I have about 7 hours a day on a good day to write, send emails, create products and manage my programs and clients. SO … no wasting time. In the late afternoon, I set my to-dos for the next day, take a walk and meditate before my girls get home from school. On a really good day I take a rest in my hammock! And then I try to put all energy into my family and home in the evenings … until I crash into bed often very early because I wake up so early.

6. How do you juggle being a mum with running a blossoming business? What challenges might you come across and ways to overcome them?

My biggest challenge is and always has been my schedule being so inconsistent. Summer break is hard because I don’t have much time to do my work — and taking time to do the work leaves me immense amount of guilt as it’s summer after all. The school year isn’t much better with half days, sick kids, holidays and appointments. I am a work in progress on finding the right way to let go and trust that it all will get done.

7. Do you have any tools/techniques to help mothers who feel stressed out/anxious/overwhelmed because they have too much to do?

I believe strongly in the brain dump exercise for overwhelm/anxiety and worries. This is when you write everything down that is on your mind. All fears. Worries. Tasks. To-Dos. And then you slowly cross off what you can release that is not URGENT. And often, most of it is not urgent. Here’s a post on that! https://www.abundantmama.com/ease-mama-overwhelm/

8. What’s your ultimate dream? And your dream for women/mothers as a whole?

My ultimate dream is to build the most helpful, loving support group for mothers around the world possible. If I could I would build us a REAL VILLAGE with real houses and we’d all live there together helping each other out. I’ve said — they say it takes a village to raise a child but I think these days it takes a village to raise a mother. My dream for mothers like myself — those who are highly sensitive, introverted and highly reflective — is to finally feel peace from the inside out because there’s no better abundance than a feeling of contentment.

Shawn’s snapshot

Your happy place: my hammock if I can’t get to the beach

Quickest way to find clarity: journaling

Mantra of the moment: I am strong as F@#$ 🙂

Best place to people watch: the Beach Boardwalk

Most inspiring books you’ve read recently: The Go Giver, The Hate You Give and Dial Down the Drama

Best ‘ah-ha’ moment this year: Realizing that just because everyone else is doing a podcast doesn’t mean I have to … in fact, I don’t even LIKE podcasts. I’m not an auditory learner. I tune them out. So, I quit my podcast and told everyone to follow my blog. It was a real coming home moment for me.

Biggest ‘proud ofs’ in life: Building my community, writing a book and self-publishing and, of course, becoming a mother.

Current passion project: ReKindle … I’m preparing to launch another round of this program that my community LOVES that is all about rekindling your marriage AFTER children. And, frankly, my husband and I always need to do better this time of the year after a busy summer. Wish for the world: For everyone to place being KIND over being right.

Quote you live by: “Coffee is a lot more than just a drink; it’s something happening. Not as in hip, but like an event, a place to be, but not like a location, but like somewhere within yourself. It gives you time, but not actual hours or minutes, but a chance to be, like be yourself, and have a second cup” ― Gertrude Stein

You can read more about Shawn and Abundant Mama at www.abundantmama.com and follow her on Facebook and Twitter

Join our Founder for a transformational one day workshop

Posted on 2017-09-19 at 9:27 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

Join our Founder for a transformational one day workshop 21557526 10159375813820252 318096623747894203 n

As we edge closer to the last quarter of 2017, how are you feeling about how the year has turned out? A lot has happened in the world, both difficult and good. I wonder if 2017 has turned out how you hoped, or not?

I get the sense from many of you in our community that 2017 has been a challenging year, and so I have decided to offer some in-person workshops to help make 2018 different.

This workshop is for you if…

• You feel like you are at a crossroads and unsure of what to do next

• You are feeling trapped, overwhelmed with too much to do, all the while watching your dreams drift further away

• You have forgotten what your dreams actually look like, and want some inspiration and guidance

• You want to reconnect with what really matters, and do it in a safe space with like-minded people

This workshop has been specifically designed to help you:

• Realign to what really matters

• Understand what’s holding you back, and how to escape that and fly free

• Navigate what lies ahead (because the path to your dreams is rarely the easy road)

I rarely offer small group workshops, but felt called to do this and I would love for you to be part of this transformational experience.

We are offering two dates for 2017:

SUNDAY OCTOBER 1 IN TOTNES, DEVON, UK (hosted by Living Now Events)

CLICK HERE to book (and use the code LivingNow at checkout for a 20% discount)

SATURDAY OCTOBER 7 IN LONDON, UK (hosted by Alternatives)

CLICK HERE to book

I really hope you will join me, or pass this on to someone who needs it.

Much love

Beth

30 reasons to do a digital detox

Posted on 2017-08-08 at 8:55 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

This is a guest post by one of the UK’s leading experts in digital distraction and digital detox, Frances Booth, author of The Distraction Trap: How to Focus in a Digital World, A Writer For All Seasons, and more productivity tips. Find out more about her here.

Here are 30 reasons to do a digital detox; ideas to make you think, to challenge you, and to give you motivation if and when you do decide to switch off. If you’re curious about the benefits a digital detox can bring you at work and for work-life balance, these tips are for you.

If you are sick of pinging demands, an overflowing inbox, and feeling overloaded, a digital detox can be a great strategy to use to achieve balance in the digital world. It might just give you the productivity boost you need.

My related piece on How To Do A Digital Detox gives more advice on practicalities such as how long your digital detox should be and how to prepare for switching off.

Image credit Alejandro Pinto via Flickr

These are some reasons why a digital detox makes sense.

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Sometimes we need a shining light. Sometimes we are that light.

Posted on 2017-07-08 at 1:41 pm.

Written by Beth Kempton

How are you doing? I woke up at 5am this morning, feeling compelled to write to you even though my body clock is all over the place, having recently travelled 26 hours to Boise, Idaho, for an event, and sleeping at very strange times each day.

As soon as I awoke I wanted to go outside and sit with my laptop in the dark listening to the birds, watching the world wake up, and write to you, so that is what I am doing. The reason for this is that yesterday I spent a truly wonderful day here at Melody Ross’s beautiful Brave Girl Symposium, first telling a story of freedom to 500+ women, then having a Q&A with my soul sister Kelly Rae Roberts answering questions about life, love and business, and then signing copies of Freedom Seeker for over three hours. It was a love fest.

I felt bad for the people queueing up for so long, but treasured the opportunity to speak to each and every woman who so generously shared their story with me – where they are in their life right now, what they are looking for, and what resonated in my talk about finding freedom in our lives, whatever is going on.

Even though I’m still fairly new to the world of book signings, I’ve realised that it is one of my favourite things to do. There’s something about sharing your story in words, that seems to give other people permission to do the same back. I watch the women from the corner of my eye as they are waiting. Some chat among themselves, some are laughing, some are deep in thought. Some seem to be preparing what they want to say, others clearly have no idea what they want to say, but are trusting something will come when they get to the front of the queue.

I never know what someone is going to say when they get to me. I often ask them a question, and see what tumbles out. The truth is, often I go to events and people have no idea who I am until I tell my story and it resonates with them on a soul level, and they feel compelled to come and chat. Those are some of my very favourite conversations.

Anyway, what I woke up wanting to say to you is this. In every conversation I had yesterday, in every question I answered, in every pair of eyes I looked into while I was talking from that stage, I saw you. I saw you in the stories and hearts of those women, because in so many ways we are all the same. We are just doing our best. We are showing up for life in the best way we can, and sometimes we need support in doing that, and sometimes we can be the one to offer support. Sometimes we need a shining light, sometimes we are that light. And we are stronger and happier together.

If you were sat with me in a room right now, I’d ask if I could read you this paragraph from Chapter 17 of Freedom Seeker, as a gift to you today:

“Life is wild and glorious and hard and beautiful. We Freedom Seekers must keep choosing freedom with every decision, every detail, every dollar, every day. Because it’s the experience of it all that adds  up to a beautiful life. Go now and live it with all you’ve got. Fly free, my friend, fly free.”

Much love

Beth

PS A quick round up of news from over here:

We’re hiring (application deadline is Monday, UK position)
Some thoughts on the importance of self care https://dowhatyouloveforlife.com/blog/2017/05/importance-self-care-video/
Kelly Rae and I just launched this and it’s going to be amazing. Would love for you to join us
If you like a good story, I’d love to read to you
Freedom Seeker is now out in Italian and German!
Our round up of thought provoking + life-changing events this summer
Freedom Seeker in-person workshops coming soon! Stay tuned…

What’s going on? Our guide to the best upcoming thought-provoking + life-changing events

Posted on 2017-07-03 at 8:55 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

With in summer in full swing, now is the perfect time to think about what you want from the rest of 2017. Whether it’s learning a new skill, developing yourself personally or professionally, tapping into your creativity, hiring a coach, or taking a break to rest and recharge, making time to nurture yourself and your dreams every once in a while is vital for your health and wellbeing.

Here’s our pick of the best upcoming festivals, events and talks to help you on the path to doing what you love…

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5 upcoming events to help you on your journey to doing what you love

Posted on 2017-06-05 at 8:55 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

When it comes to doing what you love, attending festivals, events, workshops and courses are a great way to broaden your horizons and meet like-minded people who share your passions, understand you, and have similar values.

It’s always inspiring, motivating and encouraging to hear people share their stories and wildest dreams and in time you may even find yourself sharing your own thoughts, motivations and hopes for the future, safe in the knowledge that there is no judgment, and that you really are free to be you – real, authentic, and true.

So this summer be brave, put yourself out there, and try something new. Who knows who’ll you’ll meet and where it will take you.

Here’s our guide to some of the thought-provoking and life-changing events that are happening over the next few months…

Image via Escape the City

How to Build an Impact Career

Where: The Escape Cafe, London

When: TONIGHT! June 5, 2017 from 7-9pm

Cost: £10

Many of us want to have a more positive social or environmental impact through our work – at this event you’ll learn how to do it with from those who have. Life is short. Do work that matters to you and the world.

More information at Escape The City

World Domination Summit launch party: Image courtesy of organiser Chris Guillebeau

World Domination Summit

Where: Portland, Oregon, USA

When: July 11 – 17, 2017

Cost: $647

If you’d love to know how to live a remarkable life in a conventional world, you won’t want to miss this. Since 2011, World Domination Summit has brought together more than 10,000 people from more than 40 countries. As adventurers from all walks of life, their mission is to create a remarkable community that helps each person pursue a big dream. There will be discussions and activities on topics like how to live a good life, travel hack your way around the globe, and write your first book, making it an experience like no other. Jam-packed with eye-opening events and unforgettable keynote speakers, you’ll learn from unconventional thinkers, acquire powerful new skills, and go away with a whole new community of friends and supporters.

More information at World Domination Summit

Soul Circus

WHERE: Elmore, Gloucester

WHEN: August 18 – 20, 2017

COST: Ticket prices vary – see website for details

This Cotswolds-set wellness festival covers every fitness buzzword under the sun. Think hot yoga, gong baths, aerial classes, sunset meditation, light therapy, juices, clean eating… the list goes on. Don’t worry though, it’s not too virtuous – there’s also gin tasting, live music and after parties, so you can still do what comes naturally at festivals (just make sure you do some yoga afterwards to combat the excess).

More information at Soul Circus

Image via Cosmic Forest Festival gallery

The Cosmic Forest festival

WHERE: Cosmic Forest Festival Coromandel, Portugal (1.5 hours from Lisbon)

WHEN: 18-21 of August 2017

COST: Early bird special – 95€ | Cosmic Raver -130€ | Late Bloomer – 150 €

Featuring four days and three nights of amazing music, mind changing mediations The Cosmic Forest Festival is a gathering of wanderers, travellers, and soul seekers joining to celebrate love and awareness through the heights and depths of music. Synchronize your soul to your beating heart as you get lost inside a metaphysical experience through ecstatic dance. This festival offers an alternative path to those who seek to enjoy the fullness of life in the colorful madness of a nature festival, unleashing the mind, body and soul. Join the cosmic wave and dance without judgment, feel without filters and love without boundaries! Come reconnect to your higher being and enjoy the freedom to BE!.

More information at The Cosmic Forest Festival

Flow State: The interactive forest lounge at Aespia. Image via Aespia

Aespia

WHERE: Meet in London and jump on a bus to a secret location

WHEN: August 19 – 20, 2017

COST: Tickets from £40

Leave your phone at home, jump aboard a blacked-out coach and escape reality for 24 hours. You’ll be whisked away to Aespia’s secret woods where you’ll immerse yourself in an alternate, creative world. Aespia is split into five magical worlds, designed and built by a team of emerging artists, architects and musicians; all of whom live in the woods for the month of August, collaborating, dreaming and building a giant three-dimensional canvas for you to explore, adapt and enjoy. At Aespia you’re invited to become an artist – materials, atmosphere and backdrop are all provided – just make your mark. Whether you’re in the mood for dancing to infectious music, frolicking between installations, or connecting with like-minded creatives inside cosy dens, you’ll feel such a sense of belonging you won’t want to leave.

More information at Aespia

And if you can’t make it to any of these events, why not take your journal off somewhere quiet and answer some of these questions yourself?

What you really want from life? What do you want to give back?
How you want to feel each and every day? What could you do differently, or more often, so you feel that way?
Do you get annoyed at people’s (or your own) negative attitude to life? If so, what can you do about it.
What could you do today to make yourself more aware of the small things in life that make you happy?
What small changes can you make to give yourself more time each day to relax?

Let us know how you get on,

The DWYL team

Disclaimer: We are not affiliates of or involved in the running of any of the suggested events. Please contact the organisers directly with any questions or queries.

What to do when those around you tread on your dreams {video}

Posted on 2017-05-10 at 3:21 pm.

Written by Beth Kempton

Just recently I was explaining a crazy idea I had to someone close to me and they laughed at me like it was ridiculous. Actually it felt like they were laughing at me like I was ridiculous, which was even worse. They took a pin to the balloon of my optimism and burst it, just like that.

The thing is, when we change and grow, and step into new possibilities, those who have known a version of us for many years cannot always see what we can see. They don’t always understand how our perspective has shifted, or how delicate our dreams are. Some people simply aren’t used to looking up and outside the boundaries of the narrow track they live their own life on. Of course if they are happy living that way that’s fine, but it doesn’t mean you have to follow that same track.

Surrounding yourself with people who get it, who get you, and will give wings to your dreams is perhaps the single most important thing you can do if you really want to do what you love.

We are all human. If we keep getting told “You can’t do that”, “Your dreams are too big”, “It’ll never work”, then of course it’s natural that at some point we’ll start to believe those words instead of the truth inside ourselves, the knowing that actually we can do it.

If instead you have conversations about possibility and potential, options and choices, then you start to see and navigate life in a completely different way. That’s why I made this video to encourage you through those hard times when people you love are treading on your dreams. I hope it helps.

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Why you and a Cirque du Soleil clown might have more in common than you think…

Posted on 2017-04-18 at 1:04 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

I have a very special story to share with you today. It’s about the tallest person I have ever met, who revealed an important life lesson to me. You might see yourself in this story…

Here’s to recognising the power of the mirror

BethXx

PS We’ve been nominated for Mind Body Spirit Blogger of the Year in the Kindred Spirit Magazine Awards! We LOVE this magazine, so this is a huge honour, and I am so grateful to the whole Do What You Love team, who works so hard to bring you fresh and inspiring content every week. If you appreciate our blog please take a moment to vote for us here (under award number 3). And Kindred Spirit are entering everyone who votes into a prize draw so you might even win a prize! Thank you so much!

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