In Praise of Naps

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Few kids like naps. When I was little, the last thing I wanted to do was take a nap. Today I can’t get by without one.

Naps have somehow gotten a bad rap. Somehow we’ve gotten the idea that napping is lazy. That’s simply not true. Naps are smart. If more people napped, I think we’d be better workers. We’d also be nicer. Stress abounds with unrest, as does reptilian behavior. 

The Spanish are famous for their siestas, which are considered a necessity, not just a luxury.

 They know the benefits  of naps. They know a nap will;

- Give you more energy

- Improve your productivity by over 30%

- Improve your alertness by up to 100%

- Reduce stress and the risk of heart disease by 34%

- Allow better negotiation and communication

- Reduce risk of accidents at work and on the road

- Increase your happiness and wellbeing

 Naps can increase your brainpower. Several corporations have caught on to this. Employees of Nike, British Airways, Silicon Valley, even NASA encourage their employees to nap. They brought in comfy sofas to accommodate power naps.

A nap will allow you to see things differently. It changes your perspective on a problem you’ve been musing about Give you new ideas and the energy to work through problems more effectively. Few things compare to a great nap. I should know; napping is my hobby. I live for naps. I love the refreshment I feel when I wake. I feel like I can conquer the world.

Da Vinci wrote, “It is a very good plan every now and then to go away and have a little relaxation…When you come back to the work, your judgment will be surer, since to remain constantly at work will cause you to lose the power of judgment.”

SARK wrote a fantastic book in praise of naps called Change Your Life Without Getting Out of Bed.  She says, “Napping softens all the edges and smoothes the shredded places. Naps are the adult version of a child’s fort.“  And it’s true!!

c. 2011

Laughter and a bad memory will help you beat stress.

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I was reading this month’s Woman’s World magazine, when I came across a little snippet in the front of the issue where they list random tips. The tips can range from household to beauty, to anything you can imagine.

This weeks’ list included a tip about managing stress by laughing at it. They cited the journal of Anxiety Stress and Coping as a basis for this tip.

I know the benefits of laughter as a stress reliever, but this seemed a little overly simplistic to me. You can’t solve all problems be laughing at them, I thought. Plus that’s one way to really get in trouble with management at work. Laughing at the boss is generally NOT a good idea.

But I was curious about this, so I tried it. Trying it on a Monday was the perfect test.

Darn it if it didn’t work! Not exactly as I expected, It certainly didn’t solve anything, it just helped my attitude. I didn’t have to meet each stressor with a huge guffaw, just an inner chuckle was enough to change my outlook.

When the man came in with his large list of orders that he sped through, without taking a breath, all the while holding his money out, seeming annoyed when I wasn't following as fast as he was ordering, I just smiled.

When the really high-maintenance lady came in who likes the whipped cream for her third-caf mocha on the side, in a separate cup, like she always does, I chuckled to myself.

I laughed and calmly switched the trash bag which one lady dumped her entire Venti coffee in it after putting the wrong creamer in it. Because what else would you do with it? [My boyfriend insists that this isn’t all that clear].

When the lady who doesn’t acknowledge me, because apparently I am invisible to her; I laughed to myself, very pleased with my newfound shape-shifting abilities. 

Ordinarily the combined angst of these individual annoyances would have put me in a none-too-pleasant mood. These things would have momentarily bugged me, and I would have given them more space in my brain than they deserved; ruminating over them and getting annoyed over and over again.

But today I was laughing at them and forgetting about them.

c.2011

The Path to Your Dreams

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In our current economic predicament, lots are finding themselves without a job. While terrifying, I realize, I am seeing this as a good thing, though. It opens doors for new entrepreneurs to open their doors.

Trying new things is very risky, but so is anything these days. Nothing is secure, least of all any large corporation. Why not move from one insecure situation to another one that will make you proud?

Now is the opportunity to really live that dream of yours. Always dreamt of opening your own business? Consulting, coffee, computer, whatever…. Give it a go. The worst that can happen is that you’ll fail miserably.

You’ll learn many valuable lessons. You’ll learn a lot about how not to do it. You will also be able to decide if it’s worth it in the first place.

What about the money, you say? There are all kinds of grants available for this sort of thing. You may need to take a part time job to help finance it. I didn’t say it would be easy; just rewarding.

If you do have to take a “menial” part time job to make ends meet while you are pondering your dream, don’t think of it as “menial.” Enjoy the scenery. Live in the moment, but think of it as a stepping stone to your destiny.  It will give you networking skills. You may even gain future clients who will remember your professionalism in what they see as a “mediocre” work environment.

When people ask what you do, as they always will, don’t roll your eyes and say, Well, I work at such and such place, but I’d really rather be doing….” Say, I am a professional web designer, or whatever. I moonlight here to finance my business."

So investigate that website, business model, restaurant idea that’s been in the back of your mind for years. Make “someday” today. It will energize you just thinking about it.

c. 2011

OMG!!

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I witnessed first-hand an example of the fight response at trivia this weekend.

Friday nights we go uptown to the Buffalo Wild Wing, which sits amidst some other restaurants, nightclubs, and theaters in an area known as the Epicenter. There is a Nascar theme to this particular Buffalo Wild Wing. It attracts a more unruly crowd than what we’re used to.

It’s a large, open space with a central bar area, with three rooms full of tables for dining.  The area is full of TVs with a few arcade games

We usually sit at a table within full sight of the bar, where all of the cheaters sit. As we were playing, we happened to notice that the two girls who were currently in the lead were using their cell phones to “Google” their answers.

We told the Andy, probably the most non-confrontational host in the league. When he saw them, he called them out on it. The girls got really belligerent and defensive.

“I’m sorry, I really can’t accept your answer,” he said.

“OH MY GOSH!! ,” She shrieked, “We were texting. We were having a conversation about…,” she paused for a moment, “...RELIGION!!”

I think we were all so caught off-guard by her answer. We have heard every excuse in the book for having a cell phone out, but this was a first. I think this might have been the only time we have ever been speechless at a cheater.

These girls were caught red handed, and they knew it. But they weren’t going down without a fight.

They continued for about 15 minutes, just arguing and pshawing the host. Their protests were met with unsympathetic ears.

When you are in defense mode, you don’t give up. You have convinced yourself completely of the reality of your version of events, and you are defending that version with all of your might.

It is not until you upshift to your more cerebral brains that you can step back and realize how ridiculous you are being.

Everyone’s been there. It's just funny.

c. 2011

Dropping the Ball...

photo credit: bostondirtdogs.com

Or, just as bad, being perceived as dropping the ball.

How are we to react? We are doing everything in our power to make things work smoothly, but for some reason it doesn’t; and we end up looking blameworthy.

This is a question I pondered after a rough day at work.

We’ve all been there. Things weren’t going as planned. Humans were being humans. I ended up looking as though I were dropping the ball. I was juggling it a bit; I managed to keep it above ground. But it didn’t look that way. I was responsible for a few mistakes, but not all of them.

Everything in me wanted to protest, It’s not me, I did everything right!! I could offer all kinds of reasons it went wrong, but I’ve found, in situations like this it’s pointless. I just sound defensive, it wastes time, and it really doesn’t make any difference.

Different people have different stories, feelings, emotions, etc. People create a narrative based on their perceptions. This becomes their reality. People are going to think what they think, whether it’s right or not. I know I have faulted others in my own head to fit my perception of reality. We can’t help it.

After discussing my day with my wise and dreamy boyfriend, he said some very wise words.

There is no such thing is an illegitimate emotion. If someone is treating you like crap, or you are just having a bad day, it is natural to feel bad about it.

Having said that, it is important to know that you are bigger than what somebody else thinks of you, how a certain day is going, your performance at a certain task, or even your opinion of yourself. You are not the voice in your head.

I was dubious. The voice in my head sounds a lot like me.

He continued,
I’m all for wallowing in how stupid and unfair the world, the system, and other people are, but sometimes my energy can be spent on better things.

I felt so validated. I had wasted so much energy worrying about it, feeling so guilty for things I couldn’t help.

I was rehashing everything over and over again in my head. Once I got over myself, I was able to forget about it for a few minutes, and take steps to productivity.



c.2011

Focus: Zen Habits' Leo Babauta

I have been so inspired recently with entrepreneur, Leo Babauta. He is the author/owner of the Zen Habits’ site. In the information age, he preaches a simple message. Simplify.

How welcome his message is in an urgent era of inescapable connectiveness. Just when you think you’re caught up, you’ve got ten people digitally informing you just how far behind you are.

Ironically, he has built his empire on connectivity, but he says, “I’m just one example of many people who have managed to do business online, have managed to stay connected, but who are able to limit the stream and make conscious decisions about how to be connected and how much information we consume.”

I’ve often, ruefully, imagined how much more I got done without the distractions of Facebook or other internet distractions.

Leo suggests a digital cleanse, of sorts. Gradually eliminating your streams of information, leaving only the essentials. He says that by limiting your stream to only the most essential information, you’ll free up more time for doing and creating amazing things.

I can’t tell you how exhilarating this prospect is to me. I often watch people with their all of their digital attachments, and wonder how we all survived 20 years ago.

He addresses the urgency we all feel to “connect,” and be “connected.” He says,
“Think about why we feel we need to respond to everything. Often it’s just a compulsion — we’re so used to answering messages that we have developed an urge to respond. Often it’s also out of fear: fear that people won’t think we’re doing our job, fear that we’ll lose customers, fear that we’ll miss out on something important, fear that people will think we’re rude or ignoring them.”

He says that most people unknowingly, perhaps, have a fear of not being up to date with important information. “There are always going to be opportunities we miss. But more likely are the opportunities we’re missing because we’re letting our days be consumed by trying to stay up to date. When we do this, we lose time we could be using to pursue exciting, real opportunities. “

But won’t something bad happen if I don’t know what’s going on? He says.
“This is highly unlikely. I’ve been uninformed — tuned out from the
news and other information I don’t want — for a few years now.
Nothing bad has happened to me. Instead, good things have happened
because I’m free to create, to focus on what makes me happy.”

I personally have witnessed the exact opposite. I have watched enough people, as well as experienced it for myself, that if I am too focused on what is happening on my computer, I will miss the things I need to attend to in the present.

I watched a lady today in the coffee shop I frequent who was immersed in her own digital world of texts and e-mails on her blackberry, that she didn’t realize that the drink that was called at the espresso bar wasn’t hers, so she cut in front of a large crowd of people. Nonplussed, and still texting she got mad when her friend told her it wasn’t hers. “They called tall cappuccino though, ” she said.

He encourages people to test his theory for a day or two. I know I will. I doubt the aforementioned lady will.


c.2011
photo credit: tonsoftime.com

Interview with artist, Christina Steward

My friend Christina is pursuing her passion as an artist and thriving. I wanted to talk to her about taking the leap that so many people are afraid to take, and how awesome it is doing what you love!!

Thank you so much Christina for letting me interview you!! First off, let me say that I so admire you for pursuing your passion! Your artwork is incredible! You can tell just by looking at it, that you were made to do it. You are also a software developer. You mix both sides of the brain seamlessly.

Thank you, Brooke! To hear you say I am “made to do it” is a big compliment. I’ve been on a personal mission for the past several years to find just that: what I was created to do. I think I’m uncovering it. By the way, I was a software developer for 12 years, until just a few months ago. My calling to be an artist was so strong that I finally made the decision to leave IT and pursue a creative career.

When did you discover that you were an artist?

Well, the signs have been there since I was a child; I was always looking for a creative outlet. I used to sketch just for the fun it. I sang in choir from elementary school through college. I taught myself to sew. I studied interior design. But it wasn’t until I took an open-studio painting class (held at the office where I worked in software J), and afterward a formal drawing class with the Art Institute, that I realized I had been missing something. I was surprised at how quickly I learned the concepts associated with drawing...and how much I absolutely loved it. At the end of my drawing class my instructor referred to me as an “artist”; that was the first time I believed it was true.

Something I really love about your art is the precision. Many of them look like photographs. I often have to look twice. I can tell that comes from the computer programmer in you. Are you obsessive about detail or does it come natural to you?

Seeing details comes naturally. That especially helped me in my software role, and is invaluable when creating art. Although, I admire artists who are able to communicate their ideas well without using fine details. I believe they still have the ability to see them in their minds, but choose which ones they’ll include to make a tree look like a tree, for example, without creating a super realistic rendering.

Where do you find your inspiration for your pieces? Is it hard coming up with ideas, or are they constantly jumping out at you?

I find inspiration everywhere: places I’ve traveled, photography outings to the local botanical gardens, a jog outside, everyday objects lying around the house. I’m also inspired by the work of other artists. When I’m struggling to find a new subject to draw or paint, I know it’s time to get outside and clear my mind, visit a gallery or art show, or look through creative images on the web. Ideas eventually flow.

Was it scary going from a steady paycheck to something not as secure?

Honestly, it wasn’t as scary as I thought it might be. Leaving my software job was something to which I gave considerable thought. So when it came time to leave, I was ready. I also have the support of my wonderful husband; in many ways he’s given me the freedom to make such a big transition career-wise.

Of course I have moments where doubts about the unknown future creep in, but each time I do my best to let them go. Sometimes it takes talking with others to help make that happen.
I believe my mindset on what is “secure” has also shifted: is it more secure to work for someone else, who controls what you work on (and if/when), as well as your income, or is it more secure to work for yourself, where you determine the type of work you do, when you work, and how much you earn from it? Working for myself has been extremely gratifying.

Did you deal with any “nay-sayers?” How did you deal with them?

I’ve been blessed with an incredibly supportive network of family and friends. I can’t recall one instance of being told I was making a terrible decision. Naturally some of them were concerned about me leaving a corporate job when so many people are currently without jobs. That wasn’t something I took lightly. But I did my best to assure them the timing was right, and I believe it was.

It's obvious that you spend a lot of time on each painting. How do you juggle marketing and deadlines? How much time do you devote a week to painting? How do you deal with the stress of "not enough time?"

Keeping a calendar of important tasks is essential. I usually evaluate my calendar a week at a time and record the things I absolutely have to get done, or else. I’d like to say I’m disciplined at blocking off time to create art each day, but honestly I’m not there yet. I normally just listen to my own compulsion to create. When too much time goes by, sometimes only a day, I have to start drawing or painting to ease the tension.

Even when you’re doing what you love full-time, there is still never enough time. I am getting better at accepting this, as my tendency is to focus on work (which is also play) and leave room for nothing else. I just try to remember there are only 24 hours in a day; I want to make each one count both professionally and personally.

You are selling your beautiful art very successfully. Is marketing your work stressful?

Marketing is stressful only when I forget what “marketing” really means. When I first got started I had fear of having to “put myself out there”, imagining making cold calls and visits to people who didn’t have a clue who I was. While I think there’s a place for that, I’ve learned that successful (and less stressful) marketing happens when I simply share what I do, whether that’s at an art show, over lunch, via newsletter or blog. When you love to do something, I think wanting to share that with the world comes naturally. If someone has a need for art, hopefully they can see the quality of my art, hear the passion for what I do, and make an informed decision on whether they want to work with me.

It’s everyone’s dream to do what they love for a business. Talk a little about what it was like going from painting as a hobby to painting as a business. Does it change the experience or outcome any for you?

Even when drawing and painting as a hobby, I secretly hoped one day my art would be good enough to sell. When I believed that time had arrived and I was considering my own business, I surrounded myself with like-minded individuals: those who were pursuing self-employment of their own. We soon formed a “mastermind” group, where we met weekly to discuss our business goals and achievements. The facilitator of this group reminded me that unless I had a place (i.e. website) for someone to purchase my art, I didn’t have a business. And he was right. My very first sale resulted from simply having what the customer wanted at the right time, and providing a way to purchase my art. Being in the mastermind group was instrumental in helping me get my business off the ground. Their constant encouragement and feedback on business decisions kept me moving forward, making progress. I’m forever grateful to them.

Creating art as a hobby was like lacing up my running shoes, anticipating being outside in the warm sunshine and fresh air. But getting to do it for business? It’s like the runner’s “high”, where my feet feel like they’re lifting off the ground.

Do you have any regrets?

None whatsoever!

Thanks so much Christina! This has been very inspiring!! Be sure to check out Christina's blog Art Spiffy which includes her musings on her elegant pieces.

c. 2011
image credit: c. christina steward