Pause Blog On Overload, Overwhelm & Life In General

REFLECTION: When I speak at conferences and deliver seminars on overload and overwhelm in life and work, I am constantly reinforcing the need for us to be as thoughtful as possible about how today’s choices and decisions affect tomorrow’s experience. It’s a ‘lift up your eyes for the long haul’ approach to the challenges that face us every day. 

And no, it’s not always easy to step back from the immediate pressures of the day to respond from a higher plane. One of the most helpful tools in shifting direction is simply asking good questions. I love good questions. I adore great questions! 

It’s for that reason, a message in the recent edition of the Green and White, our University of Saskatchewan Alumni magazine, caught my eye. Read More…

Posted under Life Balance, Overload & Overwhelm, Pause E-zines

As much as I love the outburst of the crocus on the prairie, my favorite spring blossom is the Buffalo Bean. And, I’m delighted to announce, from my rocky perch on the South Saskatchewan riverbank that they’re baaack! Bright and sunny in appearance – with a sweet, earthy scent – BB’s (or Thermopsis rhombifolia as they are officially known in circles Latin) are tough as all get out. When you see a Buffalo Bean peeking from riverbanks and roadsides, you know that summer is not far behind!

Posted under Life in General, Miscellaneous, Nature

REFLECTION: About five years ago, we redesigned the pond in our backyard garden. Moved it further out into the yard. Increased the size. Changed the shape. Added a creek and waterfall. We, and the birds, have enjoyed it greatly.

However (and don’t you love the sense of foreboding in that word?), for the last couple of years, the water level kept dropping. We’d top it off, and a few hours or days later it would be several inches lower. The pond never went completely dry. It just dropped 8 or 10 inches and sat there – thumbing its nose at us (or at least that’s how it felt!). 

And so the problem solving and experimenting began. Check for evaporation. Not at that rate. Check for leaks in liner. Nope. Check for wet, swampy areas around the hose connections. Nope. Shore up creek walls. Problem continued.

This spring, with the problem not having resolved itself over the winter (so much for wishful thinking), it was apparent the time had come for a major deconstruction. And, so that’s what I did on the weekend. 

I ripped the creek bed apart from waterfall to pond basin. And what did I find? Read More…

Posted under Life in General, Miscellaneous, Pause E-zines

Allow me toot my own horn ever so slightly by letting you know that on May 7, at the recent Saskatchewan Women Entrepreneurs’ Annual Provincial Conference, I was honored by being named Business Of The Year for 2009 in the Existing Business category.

The award is presented annually to a woman entrepreneur who has been in business for more than three years and who has exhibited the following criteria:

-expanded her business and contributed to the economy

-changed, grown and refocused in response to emerging trends

-shown long term financial viability and profitability

-contributed to entrepreneurship in the community

It was a delight to be recognized in the company of my family and business peers- a very validating and encouraging experience. The Lou Chrones painting that I received will hold a place of honor in my office.

My congratulations to other award winners honored the same evening: Kim Weimer of Fastener Warehouse and Rachel Mielke of Hillberg and Berk.

If you are interested in the comments I made on receiving the award, read on. Read More…

Posted under Life in General, Miscellaneous

REFLECTION: As we spoke about overload pressures in the workplace, one seminar participant expressed dismay at how many meetings she had to attend. In her view, they were far too frequent, and ate up far too much time. 

As a long time employee in the organization, there wasn’t much that was new to her on any agenda. As a result, at most meetings she felt like she was just putting in time, twiddling her thumbs, and spinning her wheels. Meanwhile her ‘real work’ was piling up at her desk.

You may have felt that way yourself, especially if you’ve been around for a while. The new information shared at a meeting may amount to 5 or 10 minutes. The rest of the time is spent going over what may be, for you, old ground and tired issues.

I was especially interested, though, to hear one of her co-workers offer another perspective. Read More…

Posted under Overload & Overwhelm, Pause E-zines