Books that have Changed my Mindset

I simply love reading. There is something so rejuvenating about exploring differing viewpoints, concepts and thinking. This exploration of the mind propels us past our current limitations whatever they may be to a new found wisdom led through the eyes and words of another.



My book of choice up until a couple of years ago was the action/romance. Escaping momentarily from my day to day life of being firmly entrenched at home with several small children, they gave me a chance to breathe and live someone else's adventures for the day. However, as I've 'grown up' I have begun to yearn for something more. Please don't get me wrong, I adore a great novel, however I also have a new found love of the self development book. Whether you look to personal development books as a means to further enhance a positive mindset, to take your personal life or business to the next level or to simply discover what you may learn, they all offer varying gems to take on board. I take what statements and concepts I need to explore at any given point and use them to challenge and advance my thinking. Do I agree with all they say? No, not always. However I do find that I learn something new each time I read them and if I can gather one diamond of information from each one I know I am always heading in the right direction.

Therefore I've compiled a list of books that I've found incredibly beneficial. Some are business orientated, some wealth orientated and others simply personal.












Life's Golden Ticket- Brendan Bourchard
Motivation Manifesto-Brendan Bourchard
Five Love Languages-Gary Chapman
Rich Dad Poor Dad- Robert Kiyosaki
The Slight Edge- Jeff Olsen
Think & Grow Rich-Napoleon Hill
The Secret- Rhonda Byrne
Go Pro- Eric Worre
Your First Year in Network Marketing- Mark Yarnell
The Richest Man in Babylon-George S. Clason
Think Like a Billionaire- Donald Trump
Laws of Leadership- John C Maxwell
7 Habits of Highly Effective People- Stephen Covey
Flip Flop CEO
How to Win Friends & Influence People-Dale Carnegie
Buddhism for Mothers of Young Children- Sarah Napthali


The underlined links will take you to a variety of book stores and websites so that you can see and read for yourself what these little gems are all about.

Would love to hear of more suggestions from you

Happy Reading xx

THE ESSENCE OF LEADERSHIP

What is leadership? Some view it as leading by example, "showing the way" and telling others how to follow. However, others see it in a more passive manner, where by inspiring and encouraging others you inadvertently lead with the goals and dreams of others in mind and in heart.

Celebrating with one of my gorgeous team members
on her recent promotion.

You may wonder why the concept leadership weighs so heavily on my mind considering I predominatelywork for myself? That may be the case, however decent and genuine leadership is required everywhere, whether it be workplace or in the local community. I have the privilege of working beside a gorgeous team of Independent Consultants, all conducting their own individual global online business. My role is not one that dictates, controls nor demands. My sole purpose as a leader is to inspire and encourage others to see the true worth of their own potential and to encourage them to take their own steps in their pathway to success. It is so much more than just creating personal success, selflessly assisting others to achieve amazing things brings more joy and satisfaction than traveling any road on your own. 

My husband trekking with the team from Leaders in Life.
An amazing development program.

 In a sense I am also a leader to my family. There was an interesting parenting metaphor discussed recently, about being "A Light House Parent". Someone who rather than hovers to protect their child from the slightest harm, they are viewed as a steadfast and constant source of orientation and guidance as children maneuver their own childhood journey. Interesting concept, there is never a right or wrong answer with parenting due to the uniqueness and individuality of all situations, however I do see the value and similarity it poses to passive and gentle leadership.

Therefore to celebrate leaders who act and speak with integrity, compassion and empowerment I've compiled my favorite quotes on Leadership.

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader" JOHN QUINCY ADAMS

"A leader is a dealer in hope" NAPOLEON BONAPARTE

"As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others" BILL GATES

"Earn your leadership everyday" MICHAEL JORDAN

"Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others" JACK WELCH

"Leadership is lifting a person's vision to high sights, the raising of a person's performance to a higher standard, the building of a personality beyond its normal limitations" PETER DRUCKER

"Average leaders raise the bar on themselves; good leaders raise the bar for others; great leaders inspire others to raise their own bar" ORRIN WOODWARD

"The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not followers" RALPH NADAR

"The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority" KENNETH BLANCHARD

"Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other" JOHN F KENNEDY

"Management is about arranging and telling, leadership is about nurturing and enhancing" TOM PETERS

What does being a Leader mean to you?

My Top Tips for Working from Home Sucessfully

The vision of working from home can often have that idealistic picture attached to it of sipping coffee in your PJ's on the couch whilst you tap away on the laptop resting on your knee with your kids happily coloring in beside you. Like many things the reality isn't always was rosy as we picture!

However, that doesn't mean that it can not be done and done well.

I adore the fact that I get to work from home. My hours are able to be flexible and fitted in around family commitments and school holidays. It is a freedom that I truly cherish. If there is a sports day at school, mothers day at kinder, an early pick up, an excursion or phone call from the school office desperately needing me to pick someone up, I can drop what I am doing and be there. AND I LOVE THAT! However, that doesn't mean  I don't work! I absolutely do, and I am constantly learning and evolving my skills to work smarter and more efficiently because I have to. My work hours might not be the typical Monday-Friday 9-5 scenario however it's not a bad thing as long as I plan effectively and make the most of my work time. So here are some of my tips that I've found make life working from home more than doable and maybe even really enjoyable.

Kinder concerts are too precious a memory to miss

1. PLAN: Sounds boring I know and everyone harps on about it constantly, however if I don't have some form of a running sheet beside me I start to procrastinate and achieve nothing! 

Scheduled time out to take the kids go-karting

FAMILY PLANNER: I have a family planner on the fridge and a digital version on my phone where each child's activity, play date, kinder time etc is written down. The alarm on my phone has saved me many a time when my head has been down busily working and time seems to slip into an elusive vortex of speed and disappear. I also include our work meetings, Micks basketball games and my singing lessons (it's so important to have an outlet for yourself "aka sanity saver" and by singing with a group of friends it means I spare my family from my serenades at home!). If it isn't on the planner it isn't happening!

PERSONAL PLANNER/DIARY: Diaries are brilliant, whether they are book version or a snazzy app on your phone, transferring the abundance of information in my head into a legible format frees my mind to concentrate on other tasks. There is a brilliant online version available for purchase at PASSION PLANNER. I always ensure that I write down a to do list each day and I allocate them a priority label. "A" needs to be completed straight away, "B" to be completed as soon as possible and "C" when I get a chance. Too often we get overwhelmed with an enormous list that is entirely unrealistic and rather than accomplish the most important tasks, we 'pretend' by fluffing with things that are easy but not essential. Your list doesn't need to be huge, just doable and when broken down into those allocated task groups it becomes easier to see where to start. And tick them off when completed. I love ticking things off. I may have even been known to write an extra task down that I have finished just to tick it off! It's a little moment of glory and self praise and well deserved.

2. GOAL SETTING AND PROGRESS TRACKING: Working from home and being your own boss also means that more than ever, you are responsible for your own progress. By setting clear goals with an associated timeline (think SMART, specific, measurable, achievable, realistic/relevant with a timeframe), you have a means to track and assess your productivity and steer your business in the successful direction of your choice.  Just "winging it" isn't enough, there is often no performance review conducted other than the one you complete for yourself. It is completely worth it and you need to be prepared to have that honest conversation with yourself at times to ensure you remain on track. Yourself and your business are worthy of investing the time and energy to create and monitor a specific business plan with goals.

www.salonbusinesscoach.com

You are important and deserve time and space for yourself

3. ME TIME: This may seem strange having 'me time' so high on the list, however to ensure you remain most effective you need to look after yourself first and foremost. As with most business owners, we are our own boss and employee, therefore we need to be the best boss we have ever had and the best employee all in one. If you do a great job at something, acknowledge it. If you believe that a something isn't quite up to par, fix it or seek help. But do it gently without speaking harshly to yourself. It is also imperative to acknowledge that work time is work time and personal time is just that, PERSONAL. Precious time spent enjoying hobbies, exercising and just being yourself are essential and must never be sacrificed, because if you burn out, so does  your business.

4. WORK SPECIFIC HOURS: In the beginning it is imperative to set clear work hours and boundaries not only with yourself but also with friends and family as it can be easy to get sucked into re-configuring your working hours to fit with the needs and demands of others as you are "flexible". Just because you "work from home" doesn't mean that you are available anytime for them to just drop in for a cuppa. Whilst that would be lovely, it isn't practical and it can easily encroach on limited working hours leaving you desperately trying to catch up late into the evening. Therefore consider the true amount of hours that you need to work to effectively achieve your set tasks for the week/month and schedule that time in your planner. By blocking out these work times you are not being selfish, rather you are showing respect to your business and to yourself as a professional. 

No more lengthy commutes!

5. WORK SPACE: There is no longer a lengthy commute to separate work and home This is wonderful as it allows you to save an amazing amount of precious time and devote it to other areas of your life. Imagine having an extra hour per day to allocate as you choose? However, you do need to consciously "go to work" to avoid the feeling of never switching off.  Setting aside a separate space for work is not only beneficial when it comes to differentiating expenses come tax time but it also allows you to create a focused area for efficient working and facilitates separating work and personal time. My desk is permanently set up to function according to my needs. When I walk into my home office and sit down to work I am 100% committed to the task at hand. Additionally when I "knock off" and switch into mum mode I can shut the door and remove the stress and needs from work and remain focused on my children. They deserve my time and attention and it wouldn't be fair to them to keep sneaking back in "just to send another quick email". Just as my work deserves focused attention. It ensures efficiency and mindfulness in both aspects

www.motor-kid.com

6. DRESS THE PART: Following on from above, working from home is all about being in the correct mindset and I find sitting down to work in trackies and slippers that I lose that inner sense of being a "powerful, successful and knowledgeable business woman". Prepping myself for work is also about prepping my mind and when I walk to my desk looking and feeling like a successful entrepreneur, that tends to be the quality of work I produce. If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, it's generally a duck.


7. CLOUD STORAGE: It's Brilliant! Love it! Take the time and save all of your important and necessary documents in specifically labelled folders in a cloud storage facility like Dropbox and you can access them anywhere anytime. If I'm having a remote meeting, writing from a coffee shop or just away from the home office I still have everything I need and I don't waste valuable time retyping or emailing documents later.  My folders are all clearly labelled and set out to ensure ease of finding the necessary document. Not just because I'm a little obsessive, it really does save time!

8. OUTSOURCE WHAT YOU CAN: Time is precious and valuable, therefore I love things that are super efficient. For me grocery shopping for a family of 6 takes ages and I would rather be doing something more productive, however healthy and nutritious meals are a must therefore I get Farmers Direct delivered weekly. Not only am I supporting Australian farmers and businesses but I am thoughtfully looked after by our delivery man who so kindly texts me each week reminding me to leave out my eskies. I get great fresh produce and I know that without me having to do anything, every week I will open my door and receive milk, cheese, bread, eggs, yoghurt, fruit and vegies amongst other goodies. Another brilliant local service is Scullery Wholefoods who deliver  a divine range of organic wholefoods. Quite often local businesses will run a delivery service, whether they be butcher, baker or farmer, this is a win win situation for all involved. Local business supports local business and you can rely on deliveries of great quality produce whilst you use your time effectively doing other 'work'.

9. NETWORK ELECTRONICALLY: The brilliant introduction of social media, especially the likes of Linkedin, enables us to professionally network on a completely new level with other like minded professionals. Being "stuck at home" does not limit your ability to connect, share and learn from other brilliant minds. The abundance of professional and personal development concepts found in articles, blogs and websites can be a treasure trove of tips and knowledge allowing you to take your self and your business to the next level. Just because you work on your own, does not mean you need to remain isolated in business.

10. WASHING: Having 4 children and a builder for a husband, there are times when I feel as though my washing basket has developed a life of it's own! My best tip is always after shower/bathtime at night to put on a load of washing. That way it's ready to hang out first thing in the morning and if I achieve nothing else around the house for the rest of the day at least I know we are all in clean knickers! I have also been known to turn sock pairing into a competitive sport for kids. Interesting how no one wants to willingly help fold washing, however if you set a timer and see how many sock pairs you can discover in under 2 minutes the competitive spirit in my boys takes over!


Working from home has amazing benefits as long as you continue to view yourself and your work with the respect it deserves. It's completely doable!

Good Luck

Emily xx

Wealthy Mind, Wealthy Thermostat

At the beginning of this month my husband and I were fortunate to attend the Masters of Wealth Creation seminar in Melbourne, spearheaded by the highly regarded Robert Kiyosaki and backed up by the effervesent Scott Harris. We view financial education to be a high priority and are looking forward to passing this knowledge and skills onto our children. What took us a little by surpirse was the overwhelming theme of the day being mindset. The power of a positive mind and visualising your goals and aspirations has been a concept repeatedly covered by not only our business coach but also many others who we look to for inspiration. However, we had never really considered it in the form of a wealthy mind....

 In the beginning of the conference we were asked to write down 5 words that we would use to describe ourselves. Mine were kind, graceful, respectful, loving & successful. Hope those that know me think of me along the same lines! Surprisingly it was brought to my attention that the language that I sub consciously use to describe myself and live towards did not include wealthy and as often stated "you cannot be what you dont already define yourself as".  So what is wealth? For me personally it isn't about having the latest things, the biggest house or the flashiest car, it's so much more than that. For me wealth enables me to spend more time with my family doing the things that we love togther without being tied down working 40 hour weeks. Wealth allows me to travel with my children and show them new experiences, it allows for a greater sense of security knowing that through the business asset I have created I am no longer reliant on someone else for my paycheck or my happiness. Creating true wealth is about creating true freedom and one of my biggest aspirations. So you can bet that the first thing I did was add wealthy to that list!

Taking this concept a little further, one of my most favorite analogies is that of the Wealth Thermostat. Each and every one of us has a preprogrammed figure or amount in our minds that we view or associate as being "wealthy". For some it may be billions, others millions, thousands, even hundreds. These beliefs come about during our childhood and development and are in direct correlation to our surrounding and the comments we hear in regards to money. Statements like "money is the root of all evil", "don't be greedy" and "money doesn't grow on trees" are all well intended statements often given by parents stetched to their limits however we have spoilt the concept that money is a good thing. So much good can be done with money! Assisting others in times of need, donating to worthy charities, setting your children up for amazing futures, the list is awesome. We aren't bad if we want money or enjoy it, especially when it's for the right reasons. What's sad is that we accept mediocrity when we are all capable of amazing things. If we altered our inner description and concentrated on viewing money flowing in to our pockets, providing us with amazing opportunities to do wonderful things with it, what a mindset shift!

"I'm rich already, I am becoming increasingly wealthy"

Back to thermostat....

Consider this concept. A room has a thermostat set to a pleasant 25 C. Now if someone were to open the door on a cold and blustery day, the temperature inside will initially drop until the thermostat kicks in and switches on the heater. Hence raising the temperature back up to 25. Alternatively, if it's hot out side and the door get opened, the temperature will initially increase until the thermostat turns on the air conditioner bring the room back to 25 C. This can also be said for our wealth thermostat that we have established in our minds. As many will know, winning lotto or a large inheritance doesn't necessarily ensure that someone becomes and remains wealthy. So many who have a low wealth thermostat have found out the hard way that the decisions they have made caused the money to gradually disappear. Our thermostat or wealth mindset will see circumstances and makes decisions that match where we see ourselves. If we see ourselves as thousands wealthy, that's all we will reach. However, if we view it (and I mean really see, visualise it, dream about it)  as millions or billions wealthy then that is what we strive for. Those are the opportunities we come across, the assets we create, the decisions we make. A great example of this is Donald Trump (I've linked his bio so you read what I'm talking about). Now we all know that he has lost his fortune (a big one) in the past. However his wealth thermostat remained set in the billions. It was the way his mind worked, how he considered and made decisons, visualised himself and eventually progressed his way back to where he is today. Just making enough to cover the mortgage was never going to cut it for him. He liked life living at the top and he was determined to do all in his power to get back there. And he did!

So I guess now as you embark on considering your New Years Resolutions it's time for some of those confronting personal reflections.

Q. Do you believe you are meant to be wealthy? Do you see it, speak like it and visualise it? Is it one of the words you use to describe yourself?

Q. What level of wealth is your thermostat set to?

Q. What are you doing about it right now?

Q. How much time do you spend with, or reading about people who are as wealthy as your thermostat?

Now I'm certainly not professing that by visualising wealth that money will start falling out of the sky and into your wallet! However, imagine what you could create for your self, your family and your future if wealth become a new years resolution for you to seek? In what ways could your life change by shifting that mindset and aiming for something more?

Our goal is to create a future that we don't need a holiday from. If you would like to read more about one of the assets we have created to achieve this visit Emily Limb. Wish you all the best in your wealthy endeavours xx

The Power & Benefit of Community

Sometimes in the fast paced and hectic world of deadlines, commuting and commitments we can be left feeling more than a little overwhelmed, disconnected and unsettled. Our life doesnt feel like what it was "meant to" and we become tired of that perceived notion that success and satisfaction are directly determined by the pursuit of bigger, better, more. That working in excess of a 40 hour week makes you a "good" person regardless of the fact that it leaves little time for life and enjoying it with those around you.

Excitingly there appears to be a gradual awakening of the urge to create and enjoy a more simpler form of living. When I use the word simple I don't mean in any way a life of lacking. It's living with abundance of what is really important. One that reconnects us to our surrounding environment and community, where we have the time and space to be, to breathe and to support those around us. This is evident in the ever increasing appearance of community farmers markets, community gardens and mutually benefical networks. Maybe it is a realisation that 'having it all' isnt necessarily material asset focused but rather having all of our core needs fulfilled and experiencing and enjoying it all. Allowing feelings of happiness and contentment to replace those of anxiety and stress. How much nicer to consider thoughts of "I am I happy and content" rather than "I'm lonely or I'm so stressed".

This sense of belonging to a community became truly evident to me after starting my Arbonne business nearly 18 months ago. Suddenly I was surrounded by a network of people, all of a similar mindset who were actually concerned with how I was and how they could be of assistance. Being within in the Network Marketing Industry, you can only succeed and grow wealth if you help others achieve it too. Well wishes and encouragement were given freely with no expectation of return (although I was more than happy to reciprocate!). I could walk into a meeting or training session to cheerful greetings, positive attitudes and genuine care regardless of how we were connected within the business. How nice?! I've been fortunate over my years to work in some really lovely and supportive environments however this really took it to the next level and prompted me to consider how I could take this essence of community and spread it further?

With this vision in mind I was chatting with another fellow business mum (and gorgeous friend) about how many amazingly talented local people there were who ran businesses from home in our surrounding community. We thought it would be wonderful to promote them and encourage everyone to "shop local for christmas". To help advertise their business to those they live beside so that we can all support each other. Why buy cushions from a big department store when you could purchase them from a clever mum down the road who hand stitches some whilst her kids nap ?

Why not purchase your make up or skin care products from another local who walks you through her premium quality samples and whose customer service is her pride and joy? Why not purchase your children's clothing from another local parent who designs and creates a gorgeous range from home Adeline's Closet?

Set up is well underway

Hurriedly thrown together in under 3 weeks our "Shop Local for Christmas" was born. I was amazed at the amount of people who once they found out what we intended enthusiastically offered to help or be a part of it. So many comments on the night of "I never realised they did that!" and "Mind if I give you a ring and pop over and see the rest of your range?". We had Santa visit, we had a DJ playing vinyls in the background, sausage sizzle, guess the lollies, kids craft and supper. The atmosphere in the room was buzzing and all from a simple market that went back to basics, back to community spirit, back to the essence of giving and supporting and it was beautiful.

My business partner, beautiful friend and talented mumpreneur with 4 boys!!

In our tough economic climate, so many jobs that were once perceived as secure and stable are now hanging on by a thread. We are working harder with ever increasing hours and pressure to perform yet with a reduction in personal and financial security. Our focus is away from our home, our environment and community, our personal needs and our happiness. Wouldn't it be wonderful to throw our support behind those we live beside as they create assets to support themselves. To cheer on and encourage small local businesses and keep that constant cashflow within our community. To remove our blinkers and connect with people beyond our door, get to know them and their talents, enjoy their company and see all the wonder and joy that actually surrounds us.

If we all lived with a little more of a servants heart, focusing on "how can I contribute to those around me", rather than "what do I get out of this", would our happiness levels and life satisfaction levels increase? Just a thought.

What makes your community special to you? Are you connected?

Santa is always a hit.

.

Could an ESIP Business Plan be brilliant for your relationship?

When we fall in love, our rose coloured glasses make life seem pretty awesome, and it is. We have found someone to share our life with, our triumphs and challenges. We have someone to care for and who cares for us. Life seems great and planning out the nitty gritty details seems boring. They lived happily ever after right?

It is interesting that when you start a business, so much time and effort goes into planning. We write our business plans, schedules, marketing strategies and policy and procedure manuals. We consider our employees needs, our work hours and invest considerable time and money into ensuring that everything will run as smoothly and efficiently as possible. It's necessary and all the successful businesses do it. Could applying these concepts into your marriage/partnership not only be a brilliant investment but more than necessary?

Let me go back to where this concept evolved. My husband and I run two businesses from our home office, a Building Company http://michaellimbbuilders.com.au and an online Premium Skincare & Personal Care store http://emilylimb.myarbonne.com.au. Over the last 8 years we have been on a steep learning curve of business development, always looking to improve and evaluate what we have created in our working lifestyle. We seek success, efficiency and a lifestyle that's enjoyable and provides for all of our needs. To take this a step further we started having sessions with a brilliant business coach who enabled us to delve even deeper and create a more stable, effective and enjoyable working environment. Jem from http://leadersinlife.com.au systematically led us through each process, opening our eyes to concepts and business systems that have completely altered the way we view our work. We have implemented monthly 1 on 1 meetings with our staff, new systems and procedures and have found a deeper level of understanding communication that will benefit so many aspects of our lives. We also created what is known as an ESIP Business Plan.

Sitting down for a 'business meeting' one night after we had finally got the kids into bed, we were reevaluating what we had come up with when we looked at each other and said simultaneously "why don't we have our own ESIP Plan?" Neither of us could comprehend how something so simple yet so important had never even been considered. We had just expected that as our marriage was pretty good anyway, that looking at things on that level probably wasn't necessary. We had survived our ups and downs and managed ok.  However we both want more than ok, way more. Our marriage is more important to us than any business we could ever create and deserves the equivalent attention and planning to ensure that it truly is the best we can do.

So what is this ESIP? First and foremost its begins with

Environment/Culture

What does your relationship feel like to be a part of? What are your relationships core values, goals and mission? We all think we have a rough idea, however have you ever actually sat down together and just put it all out there. Open up and tell your partner how you view your relationship, what you want from it, what you stand for. What are the critical things that your relationship needs for success. 

Systems/Procedures

It's all well and good to say "I want a relationship that feels like this, where we treat each other like this and live together this way" however, how are you going to do it?

What can you implement into your life to ensure that it all happens? It can be as simple or involved as you like and incorporate things like who cooks what nights, that you take it in turns to book regular date nights surprising the other with a new venue, one night a week there is no tv and you just sit together sipping tea/wine/whatever playing cards and laughing, or escaping for a surf together once a month. Anything and everything that you feel helps to create the environment and culture you want.

Implementation

You may have created a brilliant list of what you will do, however will you do it? This component is all about being accountable to what you have committed to doing and being prepared for the time when you slip up and forget and your partner says "Hey babe, when is date night?". This is about commitment to doing what you set out to. It's commitment to your partner and to your own words and vows.

People

A relationship is beautiful because it involves 2 people. 2 separate souls who have found love, joy and companionship with each other, they are significant to each other. What do you do to ensure your partner feels that significance and love? This is a time for personal reflection and to acknowledge that what you do and say directly impacts them. You both have core needs that are your own and significant to you. Your own personal happiness and satisfaction needs to come from within you first. However then consider how you can contribute each and every day to ensuring your partners needs are fulfilled and focus on "filling up their love tank". Imagine a relationship where both partners are simultaneously focusing on doing this. Sounds pretty spectacular.  

Business plans are meant to be reevaluated and adjusted regularly. Life situations are constantly changing, however, by creating an open environment where communication is welcome and necessary these adjustments can be discussed with the ultimate vision of your relationship environment always in the forefront of your mind. 

I'm certainly not a relationship councillor, just the wife and business partner of a wonderful man.

Are you a Rushed Woman?

Several weeks ago I ran into a friend at the swimming pool, it was fragmented discussion as we juggled mutliple kids and swimming lessons. Both busy mums with various commitments and responsibilities catching up poolside in between shouts of "stop trying to drown your brother" and "quick your lesson has started". As we so often do, when first asked "how are you" our response is often "good, just busy. Where has this week gone?".  Yes life is busy, it's hard to quantify how busy and measure it against something tangible. If we could, would it enable us to justify how tired we are or the fact that our to do list just didn't quite get completed this week? Has it ever been fully completed and if it was would you sit back and relax?  Are we more or less of a woman/mother/human according to how "busy" we are? Deep things to ponder poolside hey? It may have been a coincidence, or something bigger trying to smack me in the forehead and get my life back into some semblance of balance.

The weeks leading up to this light bulb poolside moment had been fraut with crazy work hours, kids commitments and very little sleep. I had found myself hyperventilating on the way to netball and getting the shakes by the end of a work day. Was that any way to live a life? I felt as though I was on a treadmill that was set just a bit above the speed I could cope with and there was no way of turning it down. Comparing notes on our crazy symptoms it in turn led to us discussing a recent article published on Rushing Womans Syndrome, Adrenal Fatigue and the effects on the body and minds of those of us effected by excessive and constant stress.

Before I elaborate on the article let me ask you a few questions....
1. Do you just love your coffee and feel deprived or anxious if you cant get your daily fix?
2. Do you crave sugar, especially during that mid afternoon slump or close to the arrival of "that time of the month?"
3. Often answer 'stressed' or busy' when asked how you are and feel as though there are never enough hours in the day to get everything done?
4. Dont get enough sleep, or when you do you dont feel as though it's restorative?
5. You spend no time in solitude, feeling as though there is no 'me time'. Catch yourself feeling as though that would be selfish or a luxury you just don't have time for?
6. Often suffer from digestive complaints such as bloating or IBS?
7. Check emails, facebook and messages whilst visiting the bathroom?
8. Laugh less often than you used to?
If you answered yes to most of the above, then I kindly suggest my frined that you keep reading....

Always one to do my due dilligence and research, I came across an interesting website www.drlibby.com. Dr Libby Weaver is a biochemist and nutritionist based between New Zealand and Australia who found an increasing number of women presenting exhibiting all very similiar symptoms or complaints. Rushing Womens Syndrome was coined to describe the cascade of hormonal changes that occur when a person experiences stress for extensive time periods and has the ability to manifest itself in various ways from unexplained weight gain, to fatigue and mood swings. As further described by the Mayo Clinic,  it is the long term activation of the stress response system and the subsequent exposure to constant levels of cortisol and other stress related hormones that can potentially disrupt nearly all of your bodies processes, increasing your risk of various health problems incuding anxiety and depression, digestive complaints, heart disease, sleep problems, weight gain and concentration impairment.

Certain amounts of stress are necessary and even normal. This response system was a brilliant evolutionary boon when running from ravenous predators, however despite our day to day living generally lacking such evasive requirements, our bodies still lack the ability to differentiate between preventing being somethings next meal and back to back meetings, coupled with emails, cooking dinner, keeping up to date on the washing, transporting kids to all of their after school activities etc. This constant feeling of being "on the go" combined with the lack of effort focused on rest and recovery leads to a body constantly flooded with stress hormones and struggling to cope. Anne Clark, the author of  Running on Empty describes this state of living as being a "human doing" rather than a "human being" and whilst in short burtst having that "doing hat" on is somewhat beneficial, living like this long term and in a constant manner tends to turn you into more of a machine rather than a someone. She states that life isn't about just exisiting, rather more importantly it should be about experiencing and reflecting and describes life as joy and living as being in an 'aware state'.

Many of us are happy to take medications to combat sleep, digestive and mental health issues and yet do not look at adjusting lifestyle situations and  time demands as a means to leading a happy, healthy and more fulfilled life. It may not be the quick fix that we all desire, however some simple alterations to daily living can have an amazingly profound effect on our health and mindset. Dr Libby suggests looking at various lifestyle alterations to assist the body regain biochemical balance and include eating more wholefoods, participating in yoga and meditation, prioritising sleep and relaxation and having that daunting yet honest discussion with ourselves regarding the impact of alcohol and caffiene. If taking simple steps each and everyday could gradually reduce your stress levels and the stress hormones constantly circulating your body would you do it? Are you worth it? Rather than viewing personal time out as selfish and a luxury, start viewing it as looking after yourself. You are worth it. You deserve it, and so does your family. Don't get caught on the treadmill. Step off, sit down, preferably in the sunshine and just be. Life is to precious to waste it being so "busy". xxx