Great News in Not-So-Great Times?
A wee rant from Planet Andrea…
With all the talk in the world, my question for us, this tribe of forward-thinking coaches, is this:
“If during good times we talk all about harnessing the law of attraction, tapping into the ‘Secret’ and so on, why during not-so-good times do we mostly conveniently forget? Where are the creators of the Secret now? If we really are the creators of our own reality, which one of us created THIS?”
It would be funny to imagine the collective us looking around the room, accusingly – was it YOU? Except that it’s for real. So in light of our current reality, here’s a second line of questioning:
“If we manifested this, what purpose does it serve, because it must serve some. For what reason might we be having this economic downturn? How could this be ‘perfect.’ actually? Really.”
It may seem rude to ask this kind of question, and I mean no disrespect. I have a client whose stock portfolio has left his marriage bruised if not broken, and working with him is my starkest connection to the reality. No, I ask these questions because I hope they are useful.
“When hard times strike on an individual basis, what happens as a result? Let’s say the household budget in your world was cut in half, right now. What would you do? What could you do? What would/wouldn’t you eat? What (different) choices might you make for the coming holidays? Why wouldn’t you make those choices anyway?
What does it say about what’s important to you, the difference in the choices you’d make?”
Tough times, while not actively sought by most, do serve a purpose, they must, or dare we say it? They wouldn’t exist. We might not put it on the nose like that to our clients, I’ll give you that. But like the natural environment around us that is also under siege, tough times are ‘nature’s way’ of recalibrating a system that’s unbalanced, too complex to be sustainable.
Instead of fighting it, I say take the simple route and ask a final set of questions – at least for this rant. It’s what I’ll be savoring for the next 30 days because I have a spidey sense that the answers might be the truly great news, if I am/you are/we are — willing.
“How can I use this time of change to recalibrate for myself? ‘Live’ off less – use fewer resources to live an even richer life. Become more efficient and effective at achieving what I want for our world. A lean mean coaching and change-making machine? How can my life become pared down, more simple?”
Post your thoughts below, if you so desire. And stay tuned for a future issue of Creating What Matters, for more thoughts on this topic.
Andrea — I truly believe that the current situation is one of tremendous opportunity, especially for solo entrepreneurs. We have the advantage of nimbleness — the ability to change our business strategy quickly (only one decision-maker!) and with less baggage (think switching direction on a scooter, not turning around an ocean-liner, a la US automotive companies!)
I refuse to see the economic situation as scary or something to worry about it. Might my husband lose his job? Yes. But that will just be the beginning of another opportunity for him and for our family, just as it was when I was laid off in 2001 and started my own business.
Naive? Some may say so. But I say it beats sitting around fretting!
Terri Z
Hi Andrea –
you hit a few different threads, but I’ll comment on a couple…
1) you mention The Secret, so let’s go to the source first:
“Your desire is proportionate with your awareness of what you don’t want. It always is so.”
–Abraham-Hicks
I really like this quote… clarifies much, I think.
I think most people tend to avoid the “contrast” in life. In other words, we believe that if somehow we experience something unwanted that we’ve done something “wrong.”
But contrast (e.g., an economic slowdown, plunging stock values) is not be avoided. It’s an essential ingredient in the stew of life. We will never stop experiencing it as long as we exist on this plane. Why? Because all of our desire is born from our experiences of contrast.
In other words, “stuff” happens…
However, our responsibility when that stuff happens is to avoid dwelling in a negative space. Rather, we are to use this event to identify what our true DESIRES are…
(most people fail to do this… don’t be one of them!
2) As for the “living off less” question, I think it’s important to be careful. If living off less is what you really WANT and what would really feel GOOD, then by all means explore away.
But if one approaches this question from a fearful place (i.e., omigod, the entire sky is falling! you see it too, right? I mean just look at the news, just look at my portfolio! I’d better tighten my belt if I’m going to survive here!), then LOA tells us that you will indeed be living off less, ‘cuz there will be less of it around for you.
Be mindful of the “reality” you choose. Just because most people agree that the world is coming to an end doesn’t mean yours has to.
All that said, I think now is THE PERFECT TIME to consciously choose/connect to/practice getting aligned with what you DO WANT.
After all, this is the gift of contrast… Use it
warmest,
drew
“The universe is not required to be in perfect harmony with human ambition.” – Carl Sagan
Less is more, right? Funny, how in times of ‘scarcity’ you come to know what’s truly valuable, what’s essential.
It feels like a let’s get real and ‘be the change’ time. If you don’t like the garden you find yourself in, it’s time to prune and plant your own. Potential is just a nice warm fuzzy, unless you’re willing to bring it into your world and make it real.
Reminds me of that 60′s saying, “You’re either part of the solution or part of the problem.” The individual choices we make reflect the collective state of being. In order to change the world, we must first change ourselves.
Transformation begins in your own zip code.
Hi Andrea,
In answer to your questions, I believe, everything happens for a reason. The eccomonic downturn that the world is now experiencing was inevidable and necessary in creating the changes that are sure to come. I believe that we are on the leading edge of one of the greatest opportunities we could ever hope to experience.
As the collective mindset squirms and wriggles inside its uncomfort zone a whole new world of possibilities lie waiting for the intuitive thinkers to awaken to.
Over the next twenty years or so intellectual age is going to re-invent the way we presently do things. For those who are up for the challenge, the world is yours. Those who are passive risk takers will eventually blend in or be bowled over by it.
Either way there is no stopping change and this time why would we want to?
Sincerely,
Larry
Hi Andrea, a very timely post.
Nearly 20 years ago now my partner and I “future proofed” our lives and lifestyle and love the simple life we live by choice. It is unfortunate that it often takes a catastrophy before many of us decide to clean up our lives and live in a way that is sustainable personally and for the planet.
My heart goes out to those who are suffering because of the economic downturn and yet I can’t help feeling that the world and everyone in it will eventually begin to live more joyously by default.
The Western world has had it very easy for a long time now and maybe it is time to share our wealth of knowledge,
spirit and financial abundance with others less fortunate.
Joan Bell
No, times are not easy. And that’s been the cause of some really great coaching conversations with clients in the thick of it. I am coaching automotive executives here in Detroit…talk about the thick of it.
But here’s the thing: when times are abundant and easy, I think we all get a little bit complacent…and tend to go ‘unconscious’.
The beauty of this blip (and in the grand scheme of life it is a blip) is that in these transformational dips we come face to face with who we really are deep down. We find out what we’re made of…and if we harness that strength and put it to purposeful use NOW (not hold back until abundant times swing around again) we’ll all be making the world a better place.
So my challenge to myself and my clients is to bring out the great stuff you’re made of and use it every day, in the here and now, with a clear purpose. Take the long term view…where do you want to be 2 years from now when the tide turns? What difference do you want to have made during this time? How do you want to show up in the world, in good times and bad? Are you getting caught up in the frenzy of everyone else’s opinions, fears and anxieties or are you following your own voice and being a voice of reason and clarity when others can’t see the way out?
That’s the opportunity we’ve been gifted here. Our success isn’t measured by our stock portfolios, net worth or any of that. So how DO you define success, right now, at this point in your life? Are you living up to it?
I am loving these conversations as a coach and find them way more meaningful than the ones we were having 18 months ago when things were easy-peasy going.
Wonder what would happen if the news broadcasters, papers and other reporting media stopped talking about the changing times with a not good attitude. They are feeding the energy of the challenges people around the world are experiencing. This energy adds to taking individuals deeper down the rat hole. We all need to decide how we choose to look at each situation. I guess I need to share something I wrote twenty years ago.
How You Color your Thoughts
and
How You Color Your Words
is
How You Paint Your World
Sue Trumpfheller
Energy Examiner
Sometimes the best thing you can do is to remind yourself that this too will pass. And some days are so challenging it’s all you can do to breathe your way through from one moment to the next. However, there is great opportunity in the downtimes on so many levels too; if only you allow yourself to see them.
When you focus on finding the good in every day, regardless of the adverse circumstances you may be facing, it can be a great comfort. Indeed, without this I probably would not have made it through the darkest times in my own life.
It’s important to choose not to be defeated by one’s circumstances. We are all rich; it’s just that many of us don’t happen to have any money.
Linda M. Lopeke
The SMARTSTART Coach
I love that you have opened up this discussion. It is very important.
And, by responding so generously by giving away FREE your excellent book, you have given me so many ideas of how to give back right now.
This is a wonderful time for us as coaches to walk our talk and go deeper with our clients. To take time to ask what is really important for own own and our clients’ happiness. The studies show it is not money (although we need enough for whatever lifestyle we choose.) It is connection.
By forging deeper connections we find fulfillment and can weather any storm.
On another note, I have gained 12 new clients in the last month. How? I’m not sure, but my guess is I am not buying into the negativity. I don’t stick my head in the sand – I understand what is happening in the world.
But I also understand that people will pay for something that is a priority for them. And learning how to find balance, purpose and peace is increasingly important.
I have lived long enough to have been here through other uneasy times and I have faith in people and in our country.
What is happening here is that we as a culture and society, with all of the humanity in it, have been guided to a place of vulnerability. Imagine a whole society or, dare I say, world, recognizing and feeling our vulnerability. Our interdependence. This is a good place. A place to dwell in humility. To see the truth in who I am and who we are with all the “good and not so good news” and how we feel about the news. In this place of vulnerability, all is well; it is our place of strength, it is a place of total unknown and the place where we take our next cue, and step toward toward wellness and peace, together.