I’ve had a war waging inside of me since birth. My need for structure, routine, and system pared with the chaos of trauma and ADHD. I could hardly handle myself, much less a growing herd of humans! I tried every method. Read every book. Some tools worked great, others, not so much…
As I got older, I realized it’s less about tools of time management and more about philosophies that serve our highest good. When we grow into alignment with ourselves, our family and home, and our contribution to our planet, we blossom into the most epic, fun humans with a lifestyle that suits our desires!
This week in the Soul Crew Community, our topic is time. Over the next four days, we will go deep, dismantling the illusion of time WHILE bending time to get into alignment and the richness of all that IS.
Procrastination as a Trauma Response: Moving from Survival to Abundance
If you struggle with procrastination, you’re not alone. We, Quirkies, find ourselves putting on masks, buried in trauma, putting off tasks, avoiding responsibilities, and feeling stuck in a cycle of self-sabotage. But what if procrastination is not just a bad habit but a symptom of a deeper issue?
Procrastination is on a spectrum with hypervigilance, a state of heightened awareness and anxiety that we develop in times of unsafety. When we feel threatened, our nervous system goes into overdrive, making it hard to focus, plan, and take action creating a trigger for us later in life. But when we are safe, procrastination kicks in, and we live in fear.
The solution, then, is not just to force ourselves to be more productive or disciplined but to remove the chaos and create a sense of safety and calm in our environment. This may involve setting clear boundaries, decluttering our space, and practicing self-care routines that soothe our nervous system and new fun habits that help us come alive and learn to play!
When we tap into our inner fire and purpose, we can overcome procrastination and channel our energy into creating our desired life.
When we submit to our highest selves, we playfully receive guidance from the universe. Whether you call it intuition, inspiration, or divine guidance, allowing ourselves to be open to receiving signs and synchronicities can help us align with our deepest desires and take inspired action.
Healing from trauma and overcoming procrastination is not a linear process. There are two levels at which procrastination can bite us in the ass: internally and externally.
Internally, procrastination can fuel feelings of guilt, shame, and self-doubt, leading to a vicious cycle of negative self-talk and avoidance.
Externally, procrastination can harm our relationships, reputation, and opportunities, as we miss deadlines, disappoint clients, and fall behind on our goals.
Procrastination is often matched with manic episodes, perfectionism, or hypervigilance. Rebellion, or the fire inside of you, may feel liberating and empowering initially, but it can also become a form of self-sabotage that kills manifestation and blocks our growth. When we reject grace and ease, we create unnecessary resistance and struggle, making it harder to achieve our goals.
Rebellion is a great tool that allows us to overcome and create a space of safety BUT moving out of survival and into abundance requires passion. Passion is a higher frequency of getting shit done.
Instead of rebelling against ourselves, we can use our rebellious energy as a bridge out of survival mode and into thriving. We can create a life of freedom, fulfillment, and joy by channeling our passion and creativity into positive, constructive actions. As you move forward, remember that money is not the only form of freedom. True freedom comes from finding fulfillment in all areas of your life, from rest and play to purpose and impact.
Join us in the Soul Crew for the entire teaching or the recordings of classes!
Rebellion kills next-level manifestation.
Rebellion is an indicator of rejecting grace and ease.
Rebellion is your bridge out of survival. It does not help you thrive.
Time UnManagement: F*ck the System. Do it YOUR way.
What if we were SUPPOSED to do 3 similar tasks simultaneously?
Or
What if scattered whirlwinds were creative inventions?
Or
What if your body and mind NEED minute-by-minute structure?
What if we all ONLY did what works, especially for our individual bodies, hearts, and minds?
Our world would be a space of creative invention, inspiration, and pure magic!
Here’s the secret sauce:
- Find and use a time tool or system that works for you.
- Come back to the same tools that work for you.
- Return to your tools when you get lost.
- Come back to your center with something that WORKS FOR YOU, then take baby steps or quantum leap into using it daily.
But how do you decide what tasks to DO every day? The Eisenhower Box is a simple yet powerful matrix, developed by former US President Dwight D. Eisenhower, that helps you prioritize tasks into four quadrants:
- Important and Urgent: tasks that require immediate attention and have high stakes need your immediate attention, such as deadlines, emergencies, and crises.
- Important but Not Urgent: tasks that are meaningful and valuable but can be scheduled or deferred and important for your long-term goals, such as planning, strategizing, and relationship-building.
- Urgent but Not Important: tasks that are time-sensitive but contribute little to your long-term goals, such as interruptions, meetings, and emails.
- Not Important and Not Urgent: tasks that are neither important nor urgent, such as distractions, time-wasters, unnecessary, and low-priority tasks.
You can prioritize your time and energy on the tasks that matter most and avoid getting bogged down by trivial or non-essential tasks. Once you understand WHAT tasks to focus on daily, keeping a close eye on your bottom line, you can figure out how to manage or unmanage your time.
Time Un-Management: Unlike traditional time management techniques focusing on maximizing productivity and efficiency, time un-management emphasizes the importance of rest, play, and downtime. By intentionally scheduling periods of rest and rejuvenation, you can avoid burnout, enhance your creativity, and improve your overall well-being. Time un-management can also help you tune into your intuition and inner guidance, allowing you to make more aligned and authentic choices.
Blocking Time with Listing: One way to tackle your to-do list is to block time in your calendar for specific tasks or projects. By pairing this approach with listing, you can break down your tasks into smaller, more manageable steps and assign them to specific time slots. This can help you stay focused and motivated and reduce the mental load of trying to remember everything you need to do.
Scheduling: Scheduling is another key time management strategy that can help you optimize your workflow and minimize distractions. By scheduling your tasks and appointments in advance, you can reduce decision fatigue and avoid overcommitting yourself. You may also want to experiment with different scheduling tools, such as time-blocking apps, digital calendars, or paper planners, to find the best system for you.
Combining the Eisenhower Box with other time management tools can help you maximize your productivity, reduce overwhelm, and achieve your goals more quickly and clearly. You can create a life and business that reflects your unique strengths and passions by staying true to your values, purpose, and vision.
You do you, Boo. Being the boss of your own life is so dope! Embrace your quirks and pour love on every hiccup! You got this! WE are rooting for you!
How to Structure Your Book and Stay Focused While Writing
Telling your story is the most powerful way to inspire your audience and grow a brand, but writing a book can also be overwhelming and a huge task!
When I first have an idea for a book, I brainstorm different possibilities and see which one best fits my intentions. The very first step is to answer two questions.
What is the message I want to deliver and the desired impact?
Who is reading my book?
Once I know my intention and audience, I can begin outlining my ideas. Creating a writing environment that supports your focus and creativity is essential. Here are some tips for doing this:
Give yourself the entire day to write: Schedule a full day, or at least several hours, to focus on your writing. This will give you the time and space to fully immerse yourself in your work.
Find a quiet space to work: Look for a quiet, comfortable space where you can work without distractions. Build your writer’s nest!
Turn off your phone and email notifications: Eliminate distractions by turning off your phone and email notifications during your writing session. This will help you stay focused and stay focused.
Set a specific goal or deadline for each writing session: Before you begin writing, set a particular goal or deadline for what you want to accomplish during your session. This will give you a sense of purpose and help you stay on track.
By having a clear plan and structure and creating a writing environment that supports your focus and creativity, you can effectively bring your book to life and share your story and ideas with the world. Remember to be kind to yourself and take breaks when needed, as writing can be emotionally taxing, especially when dealing with trauma.
Different Ways to Structure Your Book
One of the first decisions you’ll need to make when writing your book is how to structure it. Here are three different approaches you can consider:
Chronologically: Starting from the beginning of your story or idea and moving forward in time. This structure works well for memoirs or historical narratives.
Reverse chronological order: Starting with the end of the story or idea and working your way backward. This can be a helpful structure for mysteries or nonlinear stories.
Organizing by topics: Breaking down your book into specific themes or subjects and exploring them in detail. This method works well for nonfiction books or self-help books.
Choosing the proper structure for your book will depend on the impact you desire to make with your book and who will be your reader. Keep going! Your story matters!
You Are An Evolved Being
Whether you have ADHD, autism, dyslexia, or another condition that affects your thinking and learning processes, you may find it challenging to navigate the demands of running a business while also taking care of your mental health and spiritual well-being.
Fortunately, you can integrate your neurodivergence, spirituality, and trauma healing into your entrepreneurial path. Here are some breakthroughs I’ve had along the way. Hopefully, they will help you as well!
Embrace your neurodivergence as a strength, not a weakness.
Many neurodivergent entrepreneurs struggle with imposter syndrome and self-doubt, especially if they grew up in a world that didn’t recognize or value their differences. However, your neurodivergence is a source of creativity, innovation, and resilience that sets you apart from other entrepreneurs. By understanding and celebrating your unique ways of thinking, processing information, and solving problems, you can leverage your strengths and build a business that reflects your authentic self.
Connect with your spiritual side for grounding and guidance.
As an entrepreneur, you may face a lot of uncertainty, stress, and pressure to perform. This can trigger old traumas and make it harder to stay centered and focused. That’s where your spiritual practice can come in handy. Whether you meditate, pray, journal, do yoga, or engage in any other form of spiritual exploration, you can tap into a more profound sense of purpose and meaning that transcends the ups and downs of the business world. Your spiritual practice will help cultivate compassion, gratitude, and resilience to support your mental health and well-being.
Recognize and address your trauma triggers.
Trauma can affect anyone, but it can be incredibly challenging for neuroquirky individuals with sensory sensitivities, executive function difficulties, and social communication challenges. If you have a history of trauma… don’t we all?!?!
Identifying your triggers and developing coping strategies that work for you is essential. We offer a course for FREE called Healing With Benefits, and it’s the system I used to find freedom and healing. The idea is to add as many tools as you need to your tool belt to handle anything that comes up!
Build a support network that understands and accepts you.
Entrepreneurship can be lonely and isolating, especially if you don’t fit in with the mainstream business culture. That’s why finding a community of like-minded individuals who share your neurodivergence, spirituality, and trauma-informed perspective is crucial. That’s why the Soul Crew exists! A community of peers, mentors, coaches, and leaders where you can connect with others who understand your struggles and can offer support, advice, and encouragement.
Practice self-compassion and self-care.
Finally, it’s essential to prioritize your own well-being and practice self-compassion on your entrepreneurial journey. If you are aligned with your highest self, things get smooth. This may mean setting boundaries with clients or partners who don’t respect your needs, taking breaks when you feel overwhelmed, and seeking out activities that bring you joy and relaxation.
Remember that your worth as a person and entrepreneur is not defined by your productivity, success, or neurodivergence. You are valuable and lovable, just as you are, and you deserve to care for yourself in all aspects of your life.
You are the most important in your life. When you put YOU first, your cup overflows with love, kindness, and compassion, which flows into every relationship and business. You are unique and born to fulfill your deepest desires! Take the steps. Become the person you desire to be one little step at a time. You can do it! I’m rooting for you! I love you!
