Design Your Life

Photo courtesy of Death to the Stock Photo

Standing by the side of the road and watching go-faster folks pass with the colors you wish you were wearing is no way to approach business, life or pleasure. It’s a go-getter kind of world. We’ve heard it said in many ways, shapes and forms. “Go for the gold.” “Name your price.” “Work hard, play harder.” I’m a proponent of speed in a controlled way. Faster does not always equal better. Slow and steady is a force to be reckoned with. The kind of speed I’m describing falls in the “Blink” genre, a go-with-your-gut/don’t delay or deny what’s instinctual. I’m no fan of rushing into things without careful consideration. After all, I’m a Capricorn. Weighing options, careful assessment and rationally choosing a path is part of my stardust. Still, the initial reaction, the first blush, the snap judgement does the job but good.

Are you intrigued by the aforementioned duality and trying to figure out “what’s works when it comes to decision-making” and thus, designing your life? Yeah, me too. I’m fascinated by what draws a person toward their conclusion. Throw in my obsession with emotional intelligence (try this quiz via The New York Times) and we’ve got ourselves a heady cocktail.

Image and edit courtesy of Canva

Bring your favorite shaker and join me for my Twitter chat during the month of March: Wednesdays 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. EST. Hashtag: #SirenChat. Participants (that’s you!) will fuel our chat with experiences, stories and questions. We’ll discuss:

  • How a decision-making process either sealed the deal or broke the bank
  • Collectively exploring pros and cons of strategic thinking and gut instinct
  • Articles and examples of emotional intelligence and relate them back to ourselves
  • Self-awareness and how we interact with people and deal with circumstances
  • Creative solutions to mind-bending challenges including suggestions from our fellow chatters
  • Mindfulness exercises to help us stay in the present moment so we can best assess any situation
  • Resources and helpful tips to living a life by your design
Homework:
Connect with us on Twitter so we’re ready to roll.

Tip:
Bring your copy of Malcolm Gladwell’s book “Blink” for extra in-depth discussions on how the human mind works in a millisecond.

Tools:
Not sure how this Twitter Chat thing works? Don’t fret. Read this and this

Ready and willing? Can’t wait? Same here. Help spread the word, invite your chatty friends and let’s make it a party!

Twitter chat with @urbansiren each Weds 12-1 pm EST this March to discuss designing a fantastic life. #SirenChat
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Design your life with entrepreneurs and social impact leaders each Weds 12-1 pm EST w/ @urbansiren #SirenChat
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Weds 12-1 pm in March we’ll discuss decision-making skills, gut instinct and more w/ @urbansiren #SirenChat
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Connect with likeminded thinkers exploring best practices for decision-making and productivity with @urbansiren
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Fan of #MalcolmGladwell and his book #Blink? Me too. #SirenChat each Weds 12-1 pm EST in March.
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Keep the conversation going in the comments section here and on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

 

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Pull Back, Dive In or Both: Writers I Love Series

Feel-it-from-my-heart/gut follows me everywhere. On all levels. I am also a head-strong pragmatic. As a creative, I can usually float both boats. I’ve trained myself to self-edit, axing the extra, making the sentiment ever more concise. Keep only sharp-as-a-knife observations. The reader doesn’t have much time.

Three cheers for the Pull Back Kings and Queens: Anne Sexton, Margaret Atwood, Edith Wharton, Bernard Malamud, Virginia Woolf (Queen Extraordinaire). Dammit, I also love the watery writers: Isabel Allende, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Rumi. What even to say about the impossible Harold Brodkey except bow down and pump my [frustrated] fist at the same time? And then there are the writers who hover somewhere else entirely, for instance the Eastern most coast treasure Robert Dash, author of “Notes from Madoo: Making a Garden in the Hamptons.” Mr. Dash crossed my path in the local paper, “The East Hampton Star.” His essays conceal sharp perceptions among facts and preferences on dealing with dirt, living things and seasons. In short, capturing life as it stings and sustains us. His essays are best read whole. Here, try any of these, in particular “Almost Spring.”

Lovers of the written word, share your favorite author in the comments below, on Facebook or on Instagram and tell us why you’re in love.

 

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