Inner work for the outter planner

I’ve been planning a bit for the new year. I’m not a big planner in business (that surprises lots of folks I know!), and really do much better going with the ideas and visions as they come to me. And I believe that I’m probably not “usual” in that—I think people prefer to plan, and have a road map to follow.

The challenge I see so often with people I coach is that they are often planning “out there” because their lives “in here” aren’t very rich. It’s easier to look externally than internally. It’s easier to affect things going on than to look inside at who one is and what all of that means.

But like with so much else, for life to be truly fruitful and moxie-filled, it has to start inside. If it doesn’t, there’s only so much that can be accomplished. Conversely, begun inside (or brought inside along the way and then having that inform what happens outside), anything is possible. A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G.

And you know I speak the truth of this. You know it because I’m not the only one you hear it from. And you know that people can absolutely have grand (read “big”) lives without ever looking inside. You can see bunches of them doing it—everywhere you look. But what none of us knows is whether those people we see--the people with big houses and fast cars, and flashy businesses, and (seemingly) the world on a string, cry themselves to sleep each night because they’re actually unhappy. 

Big lives don’t bring happiness. Lives of whatever size, informed with what comes from inside the life liver, bring happiness.

So as you plan, it’s going to be important for you to consider how much of what you’re planning out there is driven by what’s inside you.

I realized the other day that my own rich inner world has been formed by other smart thinkers who have shared big thoughts with the world. I tend to read books that are “guidance” related or themed. Books that are meant to help a person find a path, or move along in a journey. Books that help me be better at living in the moment. Books that I imagine could help planners be better at planning and living the plans created.

So, as the year end is often a time when people think about these things, I wanted to share a few of these gems with you. I've put them in a little listy over there in the right sidebar for your clicking convenience. If you’ve read them and use them, terrific. If you’ve not read them, I absolutely recommend them for all sorts of wonderful reasons. And if you’ve read them and forgotten what they said, maybe you’ll consider reading them anew.

In that last category is a book I first read in 1998 when it was first released. I've read it countless times since, and it never grows old for me--there's always something I see differently than I ever did before. It's Cheryl Richardson's Take Time for Your Life. It's such a phenominal book that it's been required reading at AssistU for ten years. Even today, I hear people exclaim about what the book has given to them and how it's helped them create better lives and businesses.

Another of the read again and again sort is one where, with each reading, I learn more about myself and how I move through this life of mine—including how I move through my business journey. It’s The Right Questions by Debbie Ford, and it’s designed to help you wake up and live/work consciously by asking yourself certain questions as you move along your journey. These questions help you make choices, and the choices you make help form your experiences.

Life is a Verb, by Patti Digh, is a book the AssistU VAs gave me in the fall of ’08 when we gathered together in Vegas for our yearly Community Recognition Awards ceremony. At the time, I’d never heard of Patti Digh or the book, but dove into it because the VAs gave it to me. It’s a book that helps you answer the question, “What would you be doing if you only had 37 days to live?” Trust me, you get pretty clear about what you want and don’t want when you put things in the perspective of living full out, right now… rather than assuming you have all the time in the world and half-living. Patti also writes an awesome blog, and is wonderful on Twitter.

The last two are by Mary Anne Radmacher. Lean Forward Into Your Life is a book I gave my retreat participants this past September—I liked it that much (although I admit I struggled with whether to give this, or The Right Questions!). It’s about intentionality, and living an uncommon life. I liked it so much I even asked my beautiful friend Carla to create candles for me to give away (and one to keep for myself--mine is burning as I write this. How perfect!).

(photo credit: Carla Blazek)

Live Boldly is about living 35 qualities that Mary Anne believes will change ones life. I’d list a few of them, but you really need to take a peek at the book for them to make any sense. And they do make sense.

The last one is a book I’ve been reading since 1995. It’s Tranquility: Pathways to Inner Peace, possibly the single biggest impactor on my self-esteem, and in teaching me to love being alone with myself. This is huge, IMO, because loving being with yourself goes directly to the truth of how you love yourself, and then how you love and give to others. Anything you can do better in this regard will have a moxie-filled impact on your life and work. Amazon et al don’t have this book available, but you can get used copies if you’ve a mind to.

As you wind down (wind up?) this year, here's my last Bit O’Moxie: One thing I know for sure, and that I've been teaching the VAs at AssistU since 1997, is that you can't have a truly great business if you have a crappy life. So looking forward to 2010 and to what you want next year (and beyond), please don't neglect spending time looking inward and thinking about what you what there, too. That could be the absolutely most fruitful planning you'll ever do.

My very best wishes to you and all those you love for a truly fabulous holiday season. I look forward to being back here with you in January to continue the conversation about moxie!

Comments

[Geri Lafferty]

Stacy -- This is such a wonderful post. Thank you so much for sharing all of these wonderful tools and insights with us. I will surely dive into every one of your suggested readings.

I didn't see this post until today, and (of course!) it is perfect timing for my personal journey into 2010...and beyond.

Much love and success in the new year.

Geri