tuesday found me drifting a bit.
i had zoomed off my usually steady course.
our new refrigerator was apparently broken.
my sinuses were congested. again.
i didn’t eat well.
the light above the sink burned out in my bathroom.
i was cold.
and i was tired.
i forgot to buy several items on my trek to the city. 30 miles away.
i felt sad about a family situation.
i was feeling aches and pains, under the weather.
i hadn’t walked, so no mind-clearing or body-energizing.
my to-do list did not get crossed off.
and things i said were misconstrued.
i couldn’t even think straight by day’s end.
and obviously i wasn’t very productive.
i needed a do-over.
so yesterday i experimented with a new motivational mantra i’d recently drafted.
by openly inviting
the 4 Fs
into my life.
FLEX (ibility).
change things up.
don’t be rigid.
make materials/circumstances work for me (don’t be slavish).
welcome bumps that may actually improve matters.
FLOW.
get back up after setbacks.
learn. grow. adapt.
create momentum.
relax into my style (not someone else’s).
FREEDOM.
appreciate creative latitude.
ease into lifestyle opportunities.
manifest even more independence.
enjoy my ability to do or be whatever i want (and go wherever i want).
FOCUS.
have plan in place to keep me organized/on track.
hold big picture in mind.
take small meaningful steps to get there (each day).
stay accountable.
and the first thing i did wednesday morning was knuckle down,
pull all my scribbled ideas together,
and write this blog post.
i utilized the 4 Fs to get me on my way.
do you have OFF days now and then?
what do you do to readjust and redirect?
FLEX (ibility).
FLOW.
FREEDOM.
FOCUS.
try zooming back in by centering on the 4 Fs.
and let me know how it goes.
(i’d love to hear about your experience in the comments.)
April – I needed this one today… being too hard on myself (no flex, no freedom) over my lack of focus and flow!
glad this was helpful to you today, nancy! here’s to introducing flexibility and freedom (and treating yourself gently). 🙂
I have quite a few off days, seems no matter how I plan, there is always something that gets thrown in as a surprise. I think focus is number one for me, and if all else fails, a nap usually helps bring things a little clearer! thank you!
you’re right, teri – perhaps it would be wise to simply “plan for the inevitably unexpected!” a quick nap sounds like a wonderful way to quickly refocus.
Refreshingly honest April! For me, an item on the to-do list, if I look into it,, could be broken down into about 4 things..so it feels like it’s taking forever to do and I get put off – and have those off days as a result. I know to keep the task list small and doable. Having a reward and breaks (and keeping fb switched off when focusing – unless it is Facebook related) is vital!!
yes, farah – i think small and doable is the key (and of course rewards! :)). thanks for visiting.
It is easy to get down on yourself when things don’t go as planned. I love the 4 F’s to get refocused. Thank you!
you’re welcome, robyn – glad you stopped by!
Yes I agree – flexibility is a key. it is Ok to go off course sometimes – maybe you get to the same place in a different way – but if you really are off course having the flexibility to get back on track is essential.
Thanks for your post
it took me a long while to accept flexibility in my life, deb. it’s made a world of difference and i highly recommend it to everyone. 🙂
I like your 4 F’s April.
When I’m off, I would say that keeping things simple and tending to a little self-love (fitness, massage, bubble bath) always soothes the chatter that might be going on in my head.
a bubble bath is one of my favorite self-care tools too, susie. (although i greatly miss the huge clawfoot tub i used to have!) thanks for your input.
I so needed this blog today. I almost had a car accident when a car suddenly pulled out in front of me. Then I became so distracted from the incident, that I left the water on in my bathroom and flooded my bathroom, bedroom and my hallway. I had to take a full two days off from everything!!
oh my, denise! so glad there was no impact and you’re okay. have you cleaned up from the flood? happy to hear my 4 Fs might be of some help.
I love how you broke this down. I try to practice this on a daily basis, but this is a great reference for when I get off track. Thanks for the great post!
i appreciate your comment, lorna. and i’m pleased that my 4 Fs may prove to be a useful tool.
I’m having an off the computer mostly week-end… and flex and flow were part of my world… giving me freedom and focus to do other things… I LOVED IT! Great post April!
thank you, elizabeth. flex and flow are so important, and sometimes hard to let into our lives.
I’m just such a fan of the way that you write.
aw, bon. that is so sweet. 🙂
Love this! Focus Focus Focus. That one is key for me. In this multitasking world, where aim particularly susceptible, your post is a wonderful reminder 🙂
thanks, tania. it’s so easy to become distracted and find ourselves off focus, isn’t it? keeping the simple concept of the 4 Fs in mind helps me get back on track, wherever i happen to be falling off.
“relax into my style (not someone else’s)”
I might have to post that on my desktop – it’s something I need to remember every time I sit down at my computer to do another piece of work.
i’ve found that recognizing and accepting the essence of who we are is so very important to continued creative endeavors. thanks, cathy.
Freedom!! Love that F, it drives my life (now). I’ve released the corporate chains and am trying to find my way now, but losing my freedom is my biggest fear.
And my baby taught me to flex. Because until I learned it, I fought it. And frowned.
x