energy

What is Your Frequency?

/ Kirsten Flory / Leave a comment

“Check in with yourself before you check in with the world”

– Matthew McConaughey

How do you operate most days? Are you a morning person or a night owl? Do you enjoy bursts of activity, or quiet spaces? Do you like to live in the moment or are constantly planning for what comes next?

The truth is, we ALL operate on various frequencies that don’t always sync up with those that are around us.

I have realized that I am a morning person. I naturally wake up early (some days earlier than others), but don’t necessarily like to have to be put together early. I like my quiet time in the morning to get a cup of coffee, check the news / emails / social media and get organized for the day. I feel the most at peace when I have some space in my morning routine and don’t feel rushed to get out the door. But when I’m ready, I go all in. I thrive on the hustle and bustle of my day. I love meetings to create strategies and solutions, and most importantly provide value to my clients. I am charged up by moving the dial a little more and a little more towards the finish line.

At the end of most work days, I am ready to crawl back into my cocoon of home and surround myself with just my immediate family.

My frequency is a mix of quiet and calm and high energy and collaboration. I find myself thriving in both, and too much of one frequency can leave me pining for the other.

Our firm hosted a guest speaker at an event we had a few years ago. She traveled to our area from out of town, and was scheduled to fly out the next morning. Her hotel was about an hour away, and at the close of the event that evening one of my colleagues who was scheduled to drive her to her hotel had to cancel due to another commitment. I offered to drive her, and she politely declined (and reserved an Uber instead) telling me that she actually would prefer to ride with a stranger, so she didn’t have to be “on.” Needless to say, I was surprised to hear that she wanted to be able to turn it off. She gave a presentation on stage, and mixed and mingled with a large group of professionals for several hours and didn’t skip a beat. I admired her ability to recognize her own frequency, and how to give it a rest.

How many times do we push our own frequencies to the limit just so we can feel included? Or not let others down?

This year, especially, has tested our own frequencies. I think many of us have realized exactly how we operate on an even deeper level that we originally thought. My motive here in writing this post is to get you to think about how in tune you are with your own frequency, and that it doesn’t have to match others.

Time to Rotate the Tires

/ Kirsten Flory / Leave a comment

I have a little sticker in the top corner of my windshield that reminds me of when to get my car’s oil changed, and when to rotate the tires.  If that sticker wasn’t there, I would probably forgo regular car maintenance until something went terribly wrong.  And no one wants to get stuck on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere with help far far away.

Your vehicle is one thing to maintain, but what about you?  What do you do to “rotate your tires?”  I am thankful that 2012 has turned out to be one of exciting opportunities for both myself and for those around me.  I see the activity bubbling up all over the place, and while it is welcomed with open arms, the exhaustion of handling it all effectively is beginning to set in.  So, here we are just over mid-way through the year, and have you taken a breath to recharge?

I recently had coffee with a good friend of mine who is considering participating in a new program that would take her away from her business one day each month.  This new program may or may not enhance her business, but it definitely will enhance her scope of how she contributes to her community.  I encouraged her to do it, and not worry about the missed day of work because this would provide her with an outlet for recharging.  Engaging in activities that may not seem to fit in to your repertoire of productive “work” will actually allow your brain and body to gain new focus and momentum to push forward with new gusto.

I am a fan of the arts.  I love museums, theatre, musicals, movies, live acts – you name it.  Unfortunately, activities like this take time and money.  When I get the opportunity to engage in the arts, I am blown away.  My brain gets a reboot, my soul is fulfilled, and I get a new memory to revisit each time I need a quick pick me up.  I have made it a priority to engage in an arts performance at least a handful of times a year.  I look for free concerts, discounted plays, and exhibitions that are intermingled with business meetings.  It’s a great way to get a little slice of culture, not to mention a great conversation starter, and breathe deeply.  Ahhhh.  Recharge accomplished.

Kick It

/ Kirsten Flory / Leave a comment

Track stars put together a strategy that gives them a competitive pace throughout most of the race.  The best athletes save just a little bit more to “kick it” right at the end for the win.  They push themselves almost to their maximum, but know when to summon up that extra bit of juice to go all the way.

This past week has been an incredible burst of energy for not only me, but for friends and family as well.  I was grateful to share in the joys of many a win: through baseball champions, longest bike ride ever, and even a high bowling score from a non-bowler.  These may be all sports related, but they all proved something to the people who “kicked it” to gain that success.  The baseball champs had created a synergy, positive mental attitude, and remarkable enthusiasm for supporting each other even through the down times.  My friend who rode longest distance on her bike?  She had worked up to this, but surprised herself for her ability to accomplish this feat in a greater way that she even imagined.

Knowing when to go for it, and when to hold back just a little is sometimes a difficult thing to master.  You’ll need to practice your ability to “kick it” and see how your body and your mind react.  Your timing may need some adjustment, or perhaps your mental attitude.  Fine tuning how you can pull forth that little bit extra can provide you with the momentum to exceed your goals.