Before I embarked on life coaching, one question I had was whether it would really change my life. I can honestly say: yes, it can—as long as you keep an open mind, which means being ready to answer difficult questions or doing practices that take you out of your comfort zone.
One of my biggest takeaways was the concept of making my work a pleasure. When I left my day jobs and started consulting, I made sure I was still very disciplined. (My mind was screaming: You might spend your days a bum at the sofa, reading, knitting and trawling through Instagram and then where will you be?) I was at my desk (also known as my dining table) at 9 a.m., worked diligently until 12 noon and it was only then that I could take a break to do what I wanted. If there was unfinished work, I made sure to start up again no later than 2 p.m. I felt virtuous and I hated it! I wanted to work from home so badly but the reality wasn’t as fun as everyone made it seem.
The coach I was working with at that time asked: Do you HAVE to follow that schedule? Her follow-up question: How can you incorporate more pleasure into your day? That was eye-opening. As my own boss, I realized I could make my own schedule (for the first time in my life) and most importantly, add some delight to my day. That included scheduling long lunches with friends who had flexible schedules, starting work at 9 p.m. sometimes instead of 9 a.m. if I wanted to, making sure I made time to read, knit, swim, do yoga, journal and my favorite thing, nap. For one week after the session, I had to do something pleasurable every single day. Needless to say, that was a fun week.
Today work is no longer a drag. I start when I want to start—and make time for fun things throughout the day. The only non-negotiable: meeting deadlines. If something needs to get done, then it has to get done even if I have to give up weekends and some free time for it.
That one question changed my life. Now I ask you: How can you incorporate more pleasure into your work/day/life?
Time to read, journal, drink a cup of coffee, do a puzzle—the pleasures of my workday
