What else can we do? People are losing their jobs, the well is running dry, and the forecast is bleak. How do we go about maintaining our stamina while juggling our lives and not losing ourselves in the process?

Numerous studies suggest that long working hours, the inability to do what one loves and enjoys, and not honoring our personal priorities can lead to burnout. What good is that?

No matter what, we can’t stretch time. There are only 24 hours in a day and 7 days in a week. It becomes then a question of managing ourselves and our energy and not just focusing on managing our time.

It has been observed and documented that when people take care of themselves consistently and “recharge their battery” - sort-of-speak -  they perform better and avoid burnout.

Taking care of your body is a good place to start. Begin with the basics.

• How do you sleep? Do you feel rested when you wake up or not?
• What is your ritual before bedtime? Do you eat late? Do you drink? Do you smoke?
• Do you work up until bedtime?
• Do you tend to go to bed irritated and anxious?

Try all or some of the following and see if it makes a difference in how you feel the day after:

• Eat a healthy meal no later than 8 pm;
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine after 6 pm;
• Take a shower or a bath before bedtime;
• Avoid watching late night TV;
• Do something that helps you relax; Forget about work, it will be there tomorrow;
• Take 10-15 minutes before bedtime to meditate.

As a dear friend once suggested: “Maybe it’s time to do just what’s in front of you; chop wood, carry water and let the world go by.” Every so often, I need to do just that.

So, I focused on my family, my closest friends and my work with existing clients. I only did what was absolutely necessary and what gave me joy. I needed to clear the cobwebs of my mind and trim off the excess, sort of speak.

During this time, I witnessed an old friend’s futile battle with cancer. He was 37 and a father of two. I opened up to the fear, anxiety and confusion that most of us experience these days with everything that’s going on.

My daughters are growing up with lightning speed and I find myself wishing things could slow down a little. Nevertheless, life keeps going, impervious to our little dramas. My parents are aging and friends are going through major life transitions. In the midst of all this, I celebrated my 50th birthday and as one of my daughters pointed out, in her infinite compassion, Wow! I have lived half a century already!

I was looking forward to this stage of my life. I find growing older exhilarating and very liberating. There are definite privileges that come with age and I take full advantage of this little fact. Women my age get this.

There is a lot one learns in fifty years. Like, it’s never too late for a change and fear is one’s worst enemy. Or, whether we choose to be happy or not, life goes on, so we may as well lighten up and do the best we can with what we have.

What have you learned from your life experience and how are you applying these lessons? How often do you make time to be with yourself and have a heart-to-heart with you? There is a wealth of wisdom inside and we often forget to dive in and find the treasure.

It’s important to know how we want this time of the year to be. What do we crave for? What is our heart’s desire? As we go through our days, busy thoughts racing through our minds, what do we wish for?

When we are clear as to our wants and needs, we are more likely to satisfy them. Neglecting to honor our personal needs results in lack of personal balance and satisfaction.

As this year is coming to a close and while preparing for the year to come, honor yourself by engaging in the practice of:

1. Self-awareness. Being aware of how you feel in any given situation and what you truly want, is a gift and an art worth learning. It takes practice, for certain. Most of us haven’t been encouraged to be present within ourselves and honor ourselves. After all, being human is a journey into self-awareness.

   Imagine the strength that comes from knowing, at any given moment, who you are, what you want, and what you want to do, beyond any reasonable doubt.

   As you go through your day give yourself the gift of pausing and asking: “How do I feel right now?”, “Is this something I want to do or is it something I’m expected to do?”, “What do I want to do instead?”, “Am I willing to do what I want?” You’ll be surprised how little time it takes to do this exercise.

2. Self-acceptance. Children are great teachers in presence of mind and self-acceptance. They seem to know exactly what they want and when they want it by (it’s usually now). They don’t seem to feel self-conscious or guilty for getting their needs and wants met. Adults, are a different story altogether. Whether we have what we want or not, we find a way to torture and reject ourselves and feel guilty on top of it!

   Are you one of these unfortunate but extremely mainstream adults that engage in self-criticism as often as you get the chance? Try some good old fashioned forgiveness and kindness towards the only person that will always be there for you, no matter what: Yourself!

3. Self-love. Am I pushing it? It blows my mind that we actually think we can love others without loving ourselves first. Our relationship with ourselves is an ongoing exercise in learning to love, unconditionally. Isn’t that how humans have been wired to love? So, let’s practice some self-love this season and for seasons to come.

See yourself for who you are, accept yourself, and feel love and compassion for the person you are, for all you have been and all you are meant to be.

Every first Tuesday of the month, I am available for those of you who would like to join me in a tele-conference and discuss work life balance issues. It’s free of charge (except for the cost of the actual phone call).

This month’s “Conversation” will take place on December 2nd, 7 - 8 pm EST.

To sign up just send me an email. I will email you back with the phone number to call and the access code.

My vision is to have as many people as possible participate and support one another in our effort to live our best life and stay true to ourselves in the midst of change and anxiety.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

I was talking to a young woman yesterday. She is twenty-four years old, very bright, beautiful, and a genuine mover and shaker. She had just changed jobs and we were talking about her process. I shared my experience of climbing the corporate ladder only to find out - as I was turning forty - that I wasn’t willing to keep paying the price for corporate success. Living a life of inner conflict wasn’t for me. (more…)

1. You don’t like the nature of the task and you consider it a waste of  time. The task maybe boring or time consuming. You just don’t want to do it and that’s that.

Figure out what it is you don’t like about the task or the project. Think of alternative ways of dealing with it. Delegate it, ask for help, or find a way to get it off your plate once and for all. If all else fails, break the task into smaller steps, schedule time to tackle each step at a time, and reward yourself for completing the cycle. Find a way to motivate yourself and make it interesting.

2. You’re afraid of the outcome.

Consider the possibility that you may be afraid of what it means to complete this project. Is there something that’s working behind the scenes that you are not clear about? Are your concerns realistic? Are you making things worse by procrastinating?

3. You may not feel equipped to do something well.

Think about the project or task and be honest with yourself. Are you concerned that you may not do a good job with this project? If the answer is yes, identify the area of concern and think of the resources that you have at your disposal. Are your fears realistic? Is there someone you can go to for additional guidance and support? Would it be worth passing the project to someone else? (more…)

As you go through your day, there are people to talk to, decisions to be made, projects to review, and problems to solve. Events will transpire that will distract you, demand your attention, drain your energy, and eat up your time. You will try to focus on what’s right in front of you but. . . what about the “unfinished” business?

What about the items that linger in the back of your mind? You know what I mean. I am talking about procrastination; the items on your to-do-list that have not yet been accomplished but are hanging in there, gnawing at you!

Things like the bill you forgot to pay, the phone call you dread to return, the expense report that was due last week, the broken appliance that needs to be fixed, the doctor’s appointment that keeps getting pushed back, the difficult conversation you need to have with a colleague, a family member, or a friend.

I am not writing all this to depress you. Unfinished business can drain your energy and darken your spirit even before you get out of bed in the morning. Unfinished business lingers in the back of your mind, works on your subconscious, and eats you up until you do something about it.

What to do? The simplest and fastest way to bring these items out of hiding and into the light is to write them down. Take five minutes and write down everything that you have been putting off. When you finish writing, take a deep breath, and scan your body and your mind. Do you feel lighter?

Writing down what’s on your mind frees space and energy for you. Instead of allowing your fear of something to control your actions, you are able to examine it from a distance and make a decision.

Look at your list, pick one thing you can do right now, and do it! We can talk at length about why we procrastinate, how we allow things to get out of hand, and what unfinished business really is all about, but that’s for another entry. For now, pick one thing, and do it!

1. Do you always feel you don’t have enough time?
2. Are you working on too many projects at once?
3. Do you procrastinate and then push to get something done at the last minute?
4. Have you been dropping the ball lately and forgetting things?
5. Are you on edge emotionally?

If you answered yes to at least four of the five questions, chances are you are running on adrenaline.

“Adrenaline is a hormone produced in high-stress or physically exhilarating situations by the adrenal gland in our body. The term “fight or flight” is often used to characterize the circumstances under which adrenaline is released into the body. It is an early evolutionary adaptation to allow better coping with dangerous and unexpected situations.”

Research shows that it’s important to “work off” the adrenaline that is being released into our system when we experience stressful situations. Failing to do so results in high amounts of adrenaline staying in the body which, in turn, results to “insomnia, anxiety, depression, and a suppressed immune system.”

Now that we got the scientific part over with, it’s safe to say that people can become addicted to this “adrenaline rush.” It becomes a habit and many use it to get through the day and accomplish all that is expected of them.

If you are one of these people, consider the following: (more…)

I thought a lot about our personal stories as I read. We go on living our lives, going through the motions, dealing with unexpected events, checking off our to-do lists, and crossing paths with other people. Somehow morning turns into evening and we don’t know where the hours went.

When I stop and think that the present moment is all I have and I allow myself to be present, I realize how much of my life I have lived on automatic. I don’t like that. There is richness in every day living. I find that when I live in the past or constantly agonize over the future, I forget to recognize and appreciate the present.

I have also noticed that time stretches when I live in the moment. When my mind is not racing, thinking about what’s next or engaging in what has happened, I am at peace, I am focused, and I accomplish all I need to accomplish right on time.

I have come to believe that we have all the time we need in order to accomplish what we need to accomplish. This perspective involves acceptance for what is, presence of mind, right action, and the ability to know when to say no.

Don’t just shake your head, try it!

The people who come to me are tired of going on automatic and getting nowhere fast. They want to live a life of purpose, they want to be fulfilled at work,  they want to contribute and make a difference in the world.

As we begin to look at their dreams, their personal gifts and talents, and the belief systems that define them, we unfailingly come to the point when they are asked to make different choices and let go of old beliefs and unproductive habits. (more…)

• Are you worried and overwhelmed with everything that’s going on?
• Do you find it difficult to focus on the quality of your life while trying to cope with the volatility of the job market and the tough economy?
• Do you feel that all you can do right now is keep your head above water?

You are not alone! There is so much going on right now. People are faced with tough choices. Anxiety and stress are running high.

This is a time for reflection and inspired action. I have been thinking of what would be the best way to give back and reach out to people who find strength and inspiration in community. This is a time we need to support one another.

Helping people find purpose and balance in the midst of transition is what I do best. So, I decided to launch “Conversations with Yota,” a group gathering, over the phone, for like-minded people who want to pursue their vision for a more balanced, purposeful life and are feeling overwhelmed by all that’s happening.

Every first Tuesday of the month, I will be available for any of you who would like to join me.

The first “Conversation” will take place on November 5th, 7 - 8 pm EST. We will begin by addressing how we can maintain our focus and conviction in the face of uncertainty.

For those of you who would like to participate, all you have to do is email me. I will email you back with the phone number to call on the first Tuesday of each month. Free of charge (except for the cost of the actual phone call).

My vision is to have as many people as possible participate and support one another, as we all try to live our best life and stay true to ourselves in the midst of change and turmoil.

People are reacting and there is a lot of talking going on. The more I hear people talk and the more I read, the more I think that once again, we are asked to go beyond the obvious and get in touch with who we really are and what our life priorities are.

I can’t help seeing the current crisis as a course adjustment. Somewhere along the way we took the wrong turn and got lost in minutiae. Too much of life became about acquisition and the race to the top. Now, don’t get me wrong. I believe in being successful. I also believe in being able to define success for ourselves and not let others define it for us. (more…)

Experts are coming out of the woodwork, giving us the latest information on how much people are planning to spend - or not spend - for the holidays and dispensing advice on the numerous ways to cut back on expenses.

Suddenly people are even showing interest in cooking, as a way of saving money while battling obesity and spending quality time with the family. There are all kinds of theories and a great sense of urgency.

Thank God for the financial crisis to make people appreciate home cooking. I have to admit that one is my favorite. You see, I have been cooking for twenty-four years and still going strong. Nobody has to convince me on the benefits of home cooking. I am a stickler for ingredients and flavor. At this point, my family would go on a hunger strike if I opted out for take-out. And, I love my family.

I wish people exhibited the same sense of urgency over the latest news that “90,000 of New York City’s elementary school students missed at least a month of class during the last school year.” Or, over the findings that”individuals ages 15 to 19 read for an average of 16  minutes per weekend day, while spending 47 minutes playing games or using a computer for leisure.”

Anyone surprised that we are facing a financial crisis?

People who don’t have good self-care habits to begin with, find it almost impossible to take care of themselves at times of extreme stress. Health matters. Living with stress, not sleeping or eating well, not exercising, and always focusing on the negative will not make you more effective or solve your problems.

As you are reading this, take a deep breath and scan your body. Feel how the stress is affecting you. Where in your body do you hold the stress? What kind of thoughts do you have? What kind of self-talk do you indulge in? Are fear and anxiety rendering you helpless? Giving in to negative thinking will only result to more of the same.

Let’s start by taking inventory of what is good with your life. Hold on to it. Crisis will come and go. The one thing we can all depend on, is change. What matters most is you, your health, and those you love. Take care of these assets. (more…)

The average person in an office is interrupted almost six times an hour, all day long. Six times an hour!

Most people I talk to feel helpless when it comes to handling interruptions. People often complain about how much longer it takes to complete a task because of getting interrupted all the time. So, what can you do to help yourself stay focused and complete your tasks?

To begin with, it’s important to know what or who interrupts you the most in the course of a day. Is your main source of interruption other people, your own working habits, or both? (more…)

Experts advise us to stay still and not panic. Sounds like common sense to me. Staying still! Quite a concept. How many of us can stay still? Stillness equals boredom for many. For some, staying still is the equivalent of being passive.

Being passive and being still are different. Stillness is a choice. In stillness, there is empowerment, clarity, and strength. Staying still allows someone to take in a situation, process the information, gain clear understanding, and formulate a plan based on facts rather than fear.

In stillness there can be no impulsive decision making or panic derived behavior. In stillness, we can be honest with ourselves.

Below, I am listing some ideas for practicing stillness in the course of your working day. As you are putting out fires and dealing with people’s demands and your own anxieties, try these simple steps: (more…)

“Work-family balance issues are often viewed as trade-offs implying deprivation or loss. Women struggle just as men do, she said, in figuring out what they want to create and what their platinum standards are.”

If there is any time when we can clearly see the manifestation of our inner conflict, the social battle of Create vs. Acquire, our time is as good as any. Driven by the desire to acquire, we can easily forget the kind of life we wanted to create for ourselves and our families.

It’s not easy, making the choices that serve our life’s priorities, goals, and values. Often, it feels like standing up to the good old “bully” archetype. Only this time around, we are not in the school yard. As adults, we are playing in a much larger playground. The “bully” takes the form of social pressure and the conflicting messages in our heads. (more…)

Life is complicated. We think we can divide our lives into neatly separated domains and keep them apart. Unfortunately, we can’t do it. No matter how hard we try. If you’re not happy at work, it’s going to affect how you interact with your loved ones. If you’re miserable at home, it’s going to affect the level of energy and creativity you bring to the office. (more…)

Our economy is flanking; the education system is letting our children down; there is war going on; the health care system is inadequate. . . do I need to go on?

What can we do? How do we turn the tide? Some go into denial and others try to find a way to make a difference. All we can do is hope that with a clear intention and hard work we may affect change. We owe it to those who come after us to try to make this world a better place.

Since we all have to do what we do best, I would like to explore how true change begins right in our backyard and our own homes. It has been my experience that people who try to work and live from a place of purpose and inner principle are the people who make the biggest difference. (more…)

Change is not easy, it is vital. I have long understood that when change needs to happen, it does not ask for permission. Therefore, you may as well make the best of it.So, I am rethinking my vision and my mission as a coach. I am dreaming of projects that can be of further benefit to my clients.

As I go on with my envisioning process, I am becoming aware of how my inner critic comes out to play. Sneaky little fellow. And persistent. But you know what? I can be persistent too. It takes more than my inner critic to stop me when I feel passionate about something. (more…)