Change Your Life and Fix Your Relationships in 30 Seconds

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Well, it's 2015. And already, a lot has happened in my life. (And, warning, this is a super link-happy post. So, click on whatever you want to know more about.)

• I wrote and published 2 books and a new deck of cards (coming soon). 
• I started a new brand and website, A Moment for Me, and got the books on Amazon too.
• My 9 month intensive training program, Lightworkers Intensive, sold out and began its new year.
• All of the above got started in addition to the usual business of running my school, growing my practice, volunteering for Hospice, and taking care of my kids.

So, how did I do that? Sometimes I wonder. 

What did I learn so far? A lot!

The biggest lesson is that even the busiest person can find 30 seconds to do something that changes their day, their relationship, outlook, physical health, presence, and grow as a person. Really, 30 seconds.

We, as a society, are busy. I mean REALLY FREAKING BUSY. I know I'm not the exception, but lots of people are as busy as I am trying to keep it all together. 

So, I started by brainstorming 30 second ways to pay attention to mind, body, spirit, and emotion with mini-tasks. I made 36 cards, and then challenged myself to make 365 more for a daily calendar. (And I made a free app! Want it? Click here.) And a free daily email. Dang, that's a lot.

Then, I moved on to motherhood. Moms are such carriers of responsibility! They're busy. Real busy. What am I talking about by saying "they"?? We're busy.  Anyway, yeah. Coming up with 101 Moments for Mom was a good lesson for myself too.

Then, I moved on to relationships. There really are 30 second ways to make a relationship closer, more loving, and more fulfilling. I came up with 101 ways and made them into a book. Two students asked me to make the book into a deck of cards, which, of course I did, it is currently in the graphic design process, and will be available in a few more days. I'm going to actually try all of the ideas with my husband. (I'm sure I'll need to remind him and maybe nag a little at first, but I think it will become a good habit for us.) I could feel the potential lasting power in each task as I wrote them.

With Valentine's Day around the corner, and this 30 second idea on my mind, I decided to really try to explain how this concept could work. To reach the most people in an hour, I'm hosting a free class called 30 Second Self-Care. It's online this Thursday night, and everyone who attends will be given a 50% off discount code for a signed copy of my new book, A Moment for Us: Care for Busy Couples - 101 free ways couples can enjoy more love, caring and togetherness in 30 seconds. 

In the class, I'm going to talk about what stops people from taking care of themselves. There are so many things that get in the way, from feeling like there's no time, to denying that we need it, to trying to feel empowered by pretending we have it all together. I know, because I do every one. I'm trying to change this by putting it out there, and then talking about why and how to change it - in only 30 seconds a day. Come take it. The class is only an hour. And it's free.

The busiest person can find 30 seconds. The benefit of these tasks last so far beyond 30 seconds, that it can change your entire self-worth, presence, health, abundance, and relationships. 

Want to see how it's going for two people who are committed to trying this daily? I hired two busy people to try out the calendar, and publicly blog about it every single day of 2015. You can see Doug and Michelle's journey with 30 seconds a day by reading the comments at the end of each blog post here.

I'm captivated by the idea of 30 seconds, and think I'm onto something. You can expect more in the A Moment for Me series this year - my goal is to write at least 6 books in 2015. I'm also planning to give a Ted Talk on it. It's gonna happen, my friends, and you read it here first. The details will fall into place, just you wait. Now you and the Universe know. So everything else is already in motion to make it so. 

Got 30 seconds? Sure ya do.

Your comments are so welcome, always.

Taking a Moment

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It's been a busy Fall so far. I spent about eight weeks creating a 365 day tear-off calendar. Each page has something different on it. The theme is self care for busy people. It's called A Moment for Me 365 Day Calendar - self care for busy people - 365 FREE things you can do in 30 seconds to balance body, mind, emotions, and spirit. 

Here's the Behind-the-Scenes look at the process of creating this project I assigned myself.

Let me tell you, it was quite a project. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to do it. I mean, I've written lots of content before - I have been a game content writer for several years and had to write thousands of categories for board games. But, this was different. These are some narrow parameters! 

First of all, they had to be tasks that a person could do in 30 seconds. So that eliminates lots of things, like taking a bath, or doing a yoga class. I had to find short ways to accomplish the same kind of effect as those, like washing your hands and the back of your neck, instead of a bath. Or doing a modified Sun Salutation, instead of a yoga class. 

There couldn't been any equipment needed, or special places to need to go to do the things. I did allow a pen and paper, because most people have those, or can at least think through the things if they don't. I did also allow an internet connection for just a few of the tasks, because I figured that most people have access to the internet most of the time. 

They also had to be free, and not involve spending money. So, no real retail therapy, or making some kind of donation. 

At first, it was easy. That's how content writing usually is. The ideas pour out fast, and need to be captured on paper quickly. The first 150 or so were like this. I also categorized by body, mind, emotions, and spirit, and made lists according to those. I listed special days that would be good for putting on the calendar, like holidays, zodiac sign changes, and seasons. Then I also added some themes, such as totem animals, planets, yin/yang, numerology, and colors. I made lists for those. 

Then, around the 250 mark, things slowed down a bit. I didn't want to be repetitive, and every task needed a reason behind it, and some benefit for doing it. I started researching what others had to say on the subject of changing your life, and self care. I was able to bounce some ideas off of some things I read, and that helped. 

The last 20 were the hardest, but I got to them somehow. Though the stress had increased at that point, as I had a timeline to manage (this IS a calendar after all, and needs to be ready for calendar buying time). The accomplishment was short lived because there was more to do beyond the content writing. I pulled some VERY late nights!

Now, I'm proud to say that it's done! I finished the list, organized everything in a spreadsheet, formatted it onto a document, designed the cover, and found a printer. I also started a website, a free daily email, a Facebook page, and a Twitter account for it. 

Three stores have ordered some so far. 

Why did I make this?
            Because I need it. 
I'm a busy person. With four kids, a business to run, a Reiki practice that's growing, and volunteering once a week for JSSA Hospice, I needed the reminder that self care isn't something to do once a week or whenever. A daily commitment of even 30 seconds can make a difference. And I know that this message isn't just for me, it's for other people like me. 

I loved doing this activity, actually. It taught me a lot. I learned that there are many, many ways to become present, mindful, and to value yourself. They don't cost money, and they don't take long. But they matter, and they make a profound difference. And now I can share this message with everyone.

So, I'm inviting you, my dear readers, to give it a try. Read the daily posts, or subscribe to the free daily updates. Maybe even purchase a calendar for yourself, or for a gift for the other busy people you know. (Use NOVPROMO as a code to save $5 per order). 

And especially, please offer me feedback. When I create something new, it really matters to me how people receive it. I want to know that it's helpful, and that it's really good, because I worked really hard to try to make it good. 

Thanks and love.