Productivity Tuesday: Maintain Good Habits By Making It Easy On Yourself

In today's episode of Productivity Tuesday, let's talk about habits. We all recognize that we have "good" and "bad" habits. I think many of us might agree that journaling is a good habit. Many of us might also agree that drinking until you puke every Friday and Saturday night is a bad habit (It might be fun every once in a great while, but it takes its toll on our bodies, spirits, emotions, and productivity in a big, bad way). We could list a variety of habits and judge their merit, but the theme that binds them all together is that we tend to do them without giving them conscious thought.

Sure, when you are four, your parent has to remind you to brush your teeth. By the time you are an adult, you've like got that habit down. If you don't do it after every meal and before bed, you at least likely brush those pearly whites when you wake up.

Many studies have shown that repetition builds habitual action. In other words, if you want to make a behavior habitual, repeat that behavior for some time et voila, it will ingrain itself into your routine and before you know it a habit is born.

That works great if nothing in your life changes, and you can develop and maintain a consistent routine. But what happens when life blasts you a curve ball? You have to roll with it and try to maintain equilibrium in the face unexpected change. Heck, even if you knew the change was coming, a disruption to your routine can make all your good intentions go the way of the do-do.

So, what do we do? How do we ride those changes and keep our good habits on deck? We do it by making it as easy as possible to continue our habits regardless of our situations. We facilitate a pattern of behavior by creating an atmosphere where that pattern can continue unimpeded regardless of outside circumstances.

Here is an example. I have a rule that I've mentioned before. Regardless of anything else going on in my life, I am required to at least step on my yoga mat, every, single day. In my world, at my house, that is easy. I know where the mat lives. I know how much time my yoga practice will take. I know how long I can go before the dog requires his morning constitutional. So, I can practice yoga and move on with the rest of my day.

But, what happens when I have to travel like I do this coming weekend? Suddenly, the routine flies out the window. I'm in a different space, different city, and with a different schedule. And on top of that, depending on where and how I am traveling, I might not be able to bring my yoga mat with me. So, I have to plan ahead and make things easy on myself.

I figure out my morning schedule. Will I have early meetings? Great! Then, I set my alarm 30 minutes early to make room for yoga. Will I need to walk my dog because he traveled with us? No? Then, that 30 minutes is bought and paid for because I can now place yoga into that time slot. If I plan it ahead of time, my routine doesn't have to change much at all.

But what happens if I can't take my mat with me? Well, some people buy Yoga Toes. I've tried them, and they don't work for me because my feet slip out of them too easily. Instead, I created my own version of a yoga travel mat. Someday, I might even make these for sale. But for now, this is what my yoga travel mat looks like. Instead of the big, long rolled up tube, I have just a few small strips to carry with me.

It does take a little extra prep time, but that conscious planning ahead of time helps me remain true to my good habits. I look at this planning as an investment in ourselves and in our future. If we keep ourselves accountable to our inner planner, we can maintain positive habits for all the days of our lives. Remember, the habit is an ingrained unconscious behavior. But the prep time to keep that habit going? That's something we can plan and implement. And that's how we thrive!

Mother's Day and every day, we thrive.

I wish a happy Mother's Day to all of you who guide, protect, and love others. Some of you are biologically moms. Some adopt (humans and others). Some work with kids and help them thrive. Some have that nurturing energy and give it to those in need.

I send you my wishes that you are loved and appreciated this day and every day.

I read somewhere recently that a mother's love gives her child the ultimate sense of belonging and that children who don't have that vital love feel its lack for all the days of their lives.

I respectfully disagree. I think we can overcome even that giant obstacle. As long as we remind ourselves that we have the right to exist, that we deserve to be here, to be alive and to thrive, we can find that sense of belonging within ourselves.

I send this wish out to those of you who didn't have loving mothering. May you always remember that simply by the fact that you are here, you deserve to be here, you are loved, and you belong.

We are enough. We have enough. We do enough.

So may it be.

Today's Tarot: Hierophant (learning, knowledge, information)

Learn and then do. Know and then act. Find out and then react. The Hierophant can be a tough taskmaster. He calls on us to know before we act. That can really cramp your style when all you want to do is jump in and get going. But, often when we do that, instead of coming up with the goose that laid the golden egg, we end up with egg on our faces.

Today isn't the day to take a leap. Instead, today is the day to step back and observe. Note what is going on inside and out. If there is something you don't know, look it up, wait for the information to become available. Ask questions. Study. Seek. Intuit. Know.

If you leap off the cliff before you know whether the water is welcoming or whether there are jagged rocks on which you'll dash yourself, you are taking an unnecessary chance. Many days, I will say, it's worth it. Go for it. Roll the dice. Play the game. Leap. Today, not so much.

At the very least, today I ask you to know your own motivations. Know yourself. Know what you want, need, and desire. If it's a secret want, at least be honest with yourself about it. It does us no good whatsoever to lie to ourselves but oh we can be good at it. Our powers of rationalization kick our own butts all the time. If you see yourself rationalizing, stop. Step back and figure out why you are making excuses for yourself or for others around you. There is information for you even in that place of pulling the wool over your own eyes. Something is making you do it. Figure out what that something is and you will be most of the way to fixing it.

I tell my students to "know the rules before you break them." Never has this been more true than it is today.

Today's Tarot: The High Priestess (secrets, internal awareness, independence)

Today's Tarot: The High Priestess.

(Secrets, Internal awareness, Independence)

In my mind, there are two big archetypical women in the deck. The first is the Empress, who represents the caring, mothering aspect. Then, there is the High Priestess who represents the strong, independent aspect. She holds herself to herself, knows what she wants, and gets the job done.

She is fiercely independent. The trouble is, even she sometimes needs a helping hand, but often, she is too independent to ask. And, she might feel that showing vulnerability is a sign of weakness so she carries on but therefore perhaps misses out on opportunities for growth and connection. That reluctance to ask for help, reliance on secrecy, and reticence can bring their own share of troubles. First, if we stay quiet about needing help, we miss opportunities to learn other ways of doing things. Second, we run the danger of becoming like the little hamster running in a wheel. The little guy runs, runs, runs, but he never gets anywhere.

Chances to change, learn, and grow must be grasped and utilized. If we don't, then we run the risk of remaining in a sort of stasis, like a deserted island. Sure, the island is pristine and lovely, but there's no life on it to bring it energy and vitality. 

The agitation that comes from stepping out of your comfort zone brings that spark and High Priestess can use that spark to fan all sorts of flames if she has the courage to make the choices that she internally knows she must make. But, often, the High Priestess remains a little removed from the mess of the every day and although she remains pristine, she also remains untouched and untouchable. 

That mess, that life brings the good, the bad, and the ugly. But, at least it brings ... something. And if what you don't want today is stagnation, then your mission is clear. Make your choice. Drink from one of the cups of chance and choose a path. Find that courage you already possess inside you. Once you do, you will be unstoppable.

Today's Tarot: Eight of Pentacles (study, learning, details)

Today's Tarot: Eight of Pentacles.

(study, learning, details)

You know that old saying that the Devil is in the details? That's absolutely the case today. Pay close attention to the details. Read, reread, and then re-reread everything. Make sure you have a clear picture of the exact situation in which you find yourself.

Another that is appropriate for today: Trust but verify (it even rhymes, in Russian).

There are things you need to learn, information you don't yet know, so trusting that you have the lay of the land is premature. Allow today to be a day of finding out, or at least of laying the groundwork for doing so. That way if/when you bite off more than you can chew, you will at least know just how much "trouble" you're in.

Oh, and if you've been thinking of taking a class, going back to school or educating yourself somehow, today is the perfect day to start.

Today's Tarot: Justice (Balance, Truth, Consequences)

Today's Tarot: Justice

(Balance, Truth, Consequences)

This can be a challenging card because it calls us out on our stuff. No one can lie to us like we can lie to ourselves. No one can rationalize for us like we can do to ourselves, and no one can take us for granted like we can allow to happen.

We lie to ourselves every time we say we're okay when we're not. Imagine if someone were to step on your toe, what would you say/do? Likely, you would say something like "Ow, that hurt." And what would they do? They would likely apologize. Now, imagine what happens when someone steps on your feelings. Do you ever just say, "Ow, that hurt?" Likely not. No, when someone hurts our feelings, we tend to suck it up and not express it. And that leaves everyone more in the dark. Here's the kicker: people will always hurt your feelings. We can't help it; it's how we're made. But, it's how we react when we do hurt them that is important. So, someone who hurts you and cares when you let them know, is someone to keep around. And someone hurts you and doesn't give a hoot is someone to give the boot. 

We rationalize to ourselves every time we promise, "I'll start doing this differently tomorrow." Now, the "this" can be eating better, exercising, writing, taking walks, stopping some negative behavior pattern, or starting a positive new one. As long as we put off what's good and correct for us, and we make internal excuses as to why we're putting it off, we are only kicking our own behinds. 

And last, every single time we allow ourselves to be taken for granted by something or someone external to us, we are selling ourselves short. Sure, it can be scary to stand up and fight for proper treatment, a raise, a job, a partner who supports you, and respect from those around you, but it is absolutely worth. If we swallow the fear, and do it anyway, we blaze a trail for ourselves to follow. And it is a fabulous and wonderful trail. Full of pitfalls? Yes. But the treasure of balance, stability, and self-respect at the end, is totally worth it.

Last but certainly not least, look for what will be the proper road for you, today. Walk the tightrope but use a balancing bar. And stay out of trouble with the law. No speeding, drugs, or driving after more than a beer. Or believe me, there will be serious consequences.

Today's Tarot: The Star (Dreams, Creativity, Inspiration)

Today's Tarot: The Star

Dreams, Creativity, Inspiration.

When I think of the Star card, I think of keeping your feet on the ground while reaching for your dreams. In the card, the figure literally has one foot on land (of practicality) and the other in the water (of dreams). She tells us to stay practical but always keep dreaming of the possibilities. The best part is when we get to act on those dreams from the stable base we've built for ourselves. And, when we do it on our own terms, so much the better.

So, today, I encourage you to spend a little time evaluating your dreams. What are they? How are you serving them right now? And what small or large thing can you do that will take you one step closer to fulfilling them?

Affirm for yourself that you deserve your dreams and act on that affirmation from a place of pragmatic wisdom. Then, the universe will be open to you. And that's just the best!

As always, if you want a more detailed reading: http://readingsbyizolda.com

Self-Care, Self-Love, & Patience

This week's cards rock, on toast, with sugar-free, all natural jam.

The first card: Two of Cups. This card is all about connection, sharing, a soul-to-soul union. If the past comes calling (and by "the past," I mean an old lover/partner/boyfriend/girlfriend/snookly, and that person gave you warm fuzzies and you parted on good terms with love in your hearts, then by all means, consider giving it another go. If not, why then stay on the lookout this week for someone who will trip your "Universe Is Smiling On This Union" switch. Be careful not to jump guns, but seriously, this could be a beautiful foray into a whole new dimension in love.

If that "holy crap, how am I going to handle all this love coming at me" thing doesn't happen, then it's really time to look deep into your soul and see what you need to feel loved, cared for and joyful. Need a foot rub? go get one, or heck find directions on how to give yourself an at home foot spa treatment. In fact, here are some now: http://skincare.about.com/od/caringforyourfeet/ht/footspa.htm. Take the time to decide what you need and then do a wee bit of research and you will move toward that goal.

Tuesday, especially, you will want to practice self-care. If someone starts giving you grief, walk away. Don't engage. They aren't worth it. You deserve better and you know it.

The second card: Queen of Cups. Self-love in all its glory. What does it take to get us to go deep inside and find that small, secret, scared part of ourselves and then nurture it (which by the way is a revolutionary act)? What do we need in order to show ourselves compassion? How far down the road of stress and unhappiness do we need to get before we cut ourselves some slack? This is your mission should you choose to accept it.

This week: Be Kind To Yourself. Love yourself. Give yourself frequent breaks (particularly if you live in the really hot parts of the world. It's brutal out there and we have shorter fuses when nature is being extreme). Drink deeply from life's well, this week. Spend time in repose. Allow yourself to feel, really feel, what's going on inside. Figure out your needs and try to meet the ones you can meet. You might not be able to meet them all right now, but that doesn't mean you won't. And this way, you will at the very least have a set of needs identified. Once you have that, the rest becomes all about finding new and creative ways both to love yourself and to move forward on your path. Oh, and creativity plays a big role here. Be unapologetic about what you create. You are the artist of your own life and don't you forget it. Oh and for you artistic, creative types, now would be a great time to break out your old copy of Julia Cameron's "The Artist's Way" (or check it out from your library) and work through the book. You will be delighted that you did.

The third card: Temperance. "Be patient" is one of the worst things you can say to me. WTH?? I want it (whatever it is) and I want it now. The need for patience makes me want to tear out my own hair. I chafe about it. I gnaw and gnash over it. I am not good at it. And you know what? This week, the universe just doesn't give a flying rat's butt. This week (and perhaps longer, darn it) it's all about patience. Things come when they do. And it's our job to get over ourselves, sit down, hush up, and wait for the signal. We will know it when we see it. And it will come.

Self-centered or centered on yourself?

Today's cards: Judgment, Four of Pentacles, Three of Rods. Hmm, well, I got a travel card, and I'm traveling today. Anyone else traveling today? If so, take up whatever opportunity you see while you are out and about. Judgment talks to us about making the hard choices, listening to our innermost desires, and taking a stand. It's either a stand for what we believe in or a stand for what we want, but either way, take a stand. Whew, that sounded convoluted. Ultimately, I guess what I'm trying to say is, if you don't stand up for what you want or believe, why should anyone else?


The four of Pentacles is about greed. Now, it can be the grabbing, yucky kind of greed, or it can be the kind of greed that has you being centered on yourself. The phrase self-centered has gotten a really bad rap over the years. In fact, I bet when you read the phrase, you felt a little icky. No one wants to be described that way because it has such a negative connotation. It means you are an egotist (remind me to write about what it means to be an egotist at some point), you're selfish, or you're only concerned about what you want and need. Right? Do you consider that a negative? Being centered on what you want and you need? If not, I say good onya. If so, I'll ask you to think about what's wrong with taking some time to assess what you need and being focused on that. I think most people could use a little more time being centered on what they really need. I believe the surprise would come when many of those people realized that their needs are very different from the surface-level material things most of us think they are. 


In fact, I'd say that if we all spent some time being greedy with ourselves, our time, our thoughts, our feelings, we'd discover that our actual needs are basic and few. The trappings of greed: power, wealth, material possessions, etc., don't tend to truly satisfy. I believe they've done happiness studies of people the world over and they determined that a lot of people in what many would consider to be poor countries, describe themselves as happier than those in countries with a higher per capita income, etc. What seems to be key to happiness are human connections. Alan B. Krueger said, "Much of what contributes to wellbeing happens outside markets." From Gallup's Economics of Happiness, "Though the study of what makes people in societies around the world feel positive about their lives begins with their relative economic status, it doesn't end there." There was a forum on happiness (around the world) and they studied responses from 130 different countries. What they found was there was a correlation between a certain amount of money and happiness, but that was only the beginning. True life satisfaction came from having other types of needs met. And today, I say, focus on that. Besides money, what are other ways you can get life satisfaction? Make a list of what makes you happy. See how many things on that list have nothing to do with what you can buy. And then go grab a few of those things and play.

It's never as bad as it seems inside your head

Today's cards are: Nine of Swords, Two of Rods, and the Sun! Yep, I put an exclamation point at the end of the Sun(!) because it's just that kind of card and something needs to be done about that Nine of Swords.  That Nine of Swords squats inside your head and heart like a miasma. The worry you have doesn't help anything. It doesn't allow you to deal with the dramas and stresses of your life any better. In fact, it takes your focus away from being able to do what you need to do because you're too busy worrying about what you need to do to actually do it well. Here's a paraphrase of a quote that many have said better than I can. It is: "Worry doesn't solve tomorrow's problems; it saps today's joy." Truer words were never written (except perhaps 2+2=4). Really, that fear, that worry, that anxiety, they aren't at all helpful to you in getting anything accomplished. They just take energy away from you so you have less to devote to the very things you are worried about.

And here's the thing: the other two cards in today's draw? They are fabulous! The Two of Rods tells us that the world is ours. We can be bold. We can be original. We can grab life in our hands and fly. And the Sun gives us all the energy and childlike joy to do it.

So, whatever it is that has you worried, today, see if you can release it out into the universe. Stand outside and if it's at all breezy out there, let your anxiety blow away on the wind. Seriously, go outside. Take a break. Stand under the sun. Close your eyes. Take a minute away from all the other stuff going on around you. Whatever hectic pace everyone else has right now, doesn't have to impact you. Stand still and breathe deeply. Listen to the sounds around you. Let them flow over you. Notice and appreciate your feet on the ground. Feel the sun on your face. Come to a place of stillness, and the cares will dissipate.

Oh, you'll still have stuff to do. You'll still need to make plans and carry them out, but worry, that energy vampire, won't make you feel like you're crawling through molasses as you get it all done.