Oya's Newsletter: "Roots & Wings"

May 2004: Volume 1, Issue 2. 

Written & Published by Philippa Kennealy, MD, MPH

Contents

Welcome Note
Feature Article: Pruning for Full Promise
On Track: Ready, Set, Go!
Book review of the Month

Welcome Note:

Thank you to all my new subscribers. April was an exciting month following my official announcement about www.oyaconsulting.com. I’ve enjoyed both the positive comments and the constructive feedback. I am learning that a website is a true work-in-progress that is always amenable to improvement and on-going development.

My garden’s roses are about to bloom. They are bursting with life, their leaves glossy and healthy, the buds thrusting into the spring air. It was only three months ago that they looked shabby and tired, with yellowed leaves and puny flowers. What a difference a thorough pruning makes! 

This observation got me wondering about our human experience. What would the effect be of pruning jaded thoughts and lackluster habits from our lives? What if we cut the old spent growth back to the bare essentials?

Imagine if you timed it right and used the correct tools. You might begin by questioning your assumptions, interrogating your limiting beliefs, rejecting your harsh inner critic. You cut away at this deadwood until you reach your passionate, alive core. The part of you that mandates that you be yourself, no matter who that person is. The part that longs to make a difference, or stand up and be counted.

Picture the lush flowering of insights, ideas and aspirations. The sap of renewed energy coursing through your days. Naturally, like all tender plants, you need nurturing at this vulnerable stage. Time, courage, support, stubborn doggedness, assistance, self-confidence, faith, patience ………. all reward you with nutrients to encourage healthy, vigorous growth.

Ask yourself: 
- What can I prune? 
- What am I tolerating in my life? 
- What no longer serves me or brings me joy? 
Make plans to hack it away. Go ahead and “Just do it!” 

The stems bearing last season’s fading foliage reside within you. They also harbor the promise of new bloom. You must begin the skillful, hard pruning!

On Track: Goal-Setting Part 2

Last month, I wrote about how the Importance of your goals affects the likelihood that you will reach them. Whether they are business, health or life goals, the following thoughts apply equally.

What about Readiness? 

How often do you start something new in response to pressure (“I really should do it”), or being tired of the nagging (“You really should do it”)?

Research shows that change attempted under these circumstances is likely to be short-lived.

You are only ready to make the effort your goal requires when you:

• Are eager to begin, despite lingering doubts
• Have set a “start” date
• Have formulated an action plan

Without these, you are most likely just contemplating a change. Perhaps you are unaware of a need to transform some part of your life or business.

Here’s the approach:

• Think of your goal
• Ask yourself if you are ready to do the necessary work to achieve the goal
• Score your Readiness from 1 to 10. 1 is “not ready at all” and 10 is “I have a start date, a plan and I just can’t wait to get going!”

A score of 5 or less suggests this is not the time to attempt this goal. Do you have other higher priorities? Is it realistic right now? Is it important enough?

If the goal is sufficiently important to tackle, how can you raise your Readiness score?

• You may not have enough knowledge………go learn more.
• Discover what is holding you back. Is it fear? Is it a lack of confidence in your ability to succeed? It is hopelessness based on prior experience?
• What are the risks inherent in the new goal? What are the rewards? Make lists of each and balance one against the other.
• Find a “buddy” who also wants to try something new. Make commitments. Inspire each other. Celebrate each small achievement.
• Create a plan for the follow-through, from the start date forward. For ideas, what successful strategies have others used? What has worked for you in the past? What hasn’t worked?

The subtitle – “A Surprisingly Simple Method of Getting Out of Your Own Way” – reveals the story.

We all fall victim to the incessant dialog in our minds that tends to be self-critical, negative and very influential. The author, Rick Carson, offers an approach to identifying these “inner critics” he calls Gremlins.

Under the guise of protecting our wellbeing, our Gremlins limit us, keeping us small and trapped in our zone of false comfort. Carson argues that Gremlins can be tamed if handled correctly. He spells out his taming techniques through stories and exercises in a fun but pithy book.

If you enjoy this newsletter and want others to benefit, please forward this copy to family, friends or colleagues. I truly appreciate your loyalty and interest.
 

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