Sarajane Case's Blog, page 2

Quarterly Evaluations and Why I Love Them.

I'm a big fan of change. I love mixing it up, keeping myself on my toes and not forcing myself to be the same all of the time. It's the key to my personal satisfaction. However, there are a few pieces of my business model that truly keep this vehicle of a business moving forward in a positive direction. Things that help me to get clear on what I want and where I'm going. They are my life blood and they aren't going anywhere.

One of those items is my quarterly evaluations. 

I do this every, you guessed it... quarter. I also do this with my clients on a regular basis. It helps me to vision and dream about the future of my business in an intentional and manageable way. 

This week I decided that I couldn't go another week without sharing that process with you. I guess I could have kept it under wraps until you hired me and I walked  you through the process, but, well, I don't want to. 

Below, I will walk you through every step of this process and then at the very bottom you can click through and download a checklist for you to do this on your own! I recommend saving it to your desktop or in a folder to remind yourself that you want to touch in with it at the beginning of June! 

1. Change up your location. 

More and more studies are showing that travel can open up the creative problem solving part of your brain. I try to do my quarterly evaluations in a new place. Whether that's a quick day trip out of town or just a different coffee shop or a different room in my house. Breathe a bit of new life into your routine to set this apart and create a container that is open to new ideas and experiences. 

2. Begin with looking back. 

I always ask myself, "what's working & what's not" I like to ask myself this question about four major areas of my life and business. What's working & not working in my relationships, my creative expression, my career, and my health. 

3. Dream about the near future. 

I always like to set goals for 6-months down the road. Looking too far into the future is impossible. You don't know who you are going to be in 10 years or what circumstances out of your control are going to come into play. Consider what you want your life to look like in 6-months. If everything in your life were just right, what would it look like? What would you have on your list of things to do that day? What kind of projects are you completing? How do you feel and why do you feel that way? What's your routine? What's your process? 

Write it out and take note of the information you receive from there. Don't be alarmed if you realize that you aren't doing half of the things you're doing. Sometimes our future selves can access how much we hate things or love things a lot easier than we can because they aren't dealing with the immediate consequences but they can see what will happen if we don't make changes down the road. 

4. Plan. 

Take that information and make a plan. Problem solve for the things that aren't working and create a plan to get to the life you want 6-months from now. How do you do that? Set some goals. 

I recommend 4-5 goals for the 6-month period. Then, break them down into smaller increments and add dates to those. A tactic that I learned from Lily Calfee of Ideal Nourishment is creating a 3-month goal that is the half way point to each of those 6 month goals. Then, create a teeny tiny first step goal for each of those that you'll finish within the month. This is life changing. 

After completing this step, you have an actual map to the life you want to live. 

5. Chart the course. 

For those first step goals, I want you to make sure you add dates. If there's not a due date, you are significantly less likely to do it. If you don't take the first step, you won't meet the goal. Period. 

Add a date to each of those first monthly goals and then just focus on completing those tasks and then the next until you reach your destination. 

Phew! I know that's a lot. That's why I created this handy dandy checklist for you to do this on your own. Just click through to download yours and let me know how it goes! 

Download your checklist here

Alignment then Action.

Let me tell you a little story about a girl who grew up believing that one day she would do more than what was expected of her. She put all of her energy and focus on one day making a million dollars so she could buy her hard working mother a home and give her the gift of early retirement. She took the weight of her families problems onto her shoulders at a young age. Believing that it all relied on her ability to be different, to chart a new course for everyone. 

All of her energy went into being everything. 

Everything that was needed to be the perfect daughter, the perfect student, the perfect athlete, the perfect church goer, the perfect member of every club at school, the perfect employee at the local movie theater and the perfect friend. 

Until one day she woke up and just couldn't do it anymore. 

She could barely keep her eyes open in class because of working late nights at the theater after tennis practice. She'd wake up early in the morning so that she could get to school early and do her homework. It all worked for a while until she found herself leaving school to grab a nap in her car or walking out of AP History tests because she was unprepared. It's hard to be prepared when anytime you sit still, your eyes can't seem to stay open. She spent the last few months of her junior year of high school sleeping and crying and feeling like her life wasn't worth living. 

That was my first time experiencing burnout and I've dipped my toes into less extreme versions several times since.

Through the years I've learned that basing your self-esteem on how much you can achieve is a recipe for burnout.

I've learned that.  I know it in my mind, but, it's the muscle memory that may never go away. That I'll likely be facing for the rest of my life. 

When faced with a decision to achieve or not to achieve it feels drastically more attractive to do more! To check more things off of my to do list. To go to more social events. To be everything that everyone could possibly want me to be. 

Yet, I know that entering into that mode of being opens me up to my own eventual loss of self. So, what's the draw? Like any addiction we crave the result that we trained our brains we receive from that action. 

Producing more = higher self-esteem = happy Sarajane. 

What's the antidote? 

A new recipe for my brain. 

Alignment before action. 

There's nothing inherently wrong with doing things. With enjoying the process of meeting your goals or taking your work to a new level or in a new direction. But, I've learned that taking action before allowing the idea to come into alignment is a symptom of striving for achievement vs. working toward something I believe in. 

Sit with your ideas, let them marinate for a bit. Work through the fears you have around the project and when it's time for it to come to fruition, it will flow out of you. 

That's the way to action that is not only happening but when it happens it has that magic combo of being inspired and effective! 

Alignment = a raised operating frequency = inspired and effective work life = happy Sarajane. 

Similar results, but, the experience is nourishing instead of depleting. 

all the love, 
Sarajane.

 

 

On creating lasting change.

I know what it feels like to gain clarity on an issue only to find that the change doesn't follow. Shouldn't I see change once I understand that the change needs to exist? The trouble is that we have built habits and ways of thinking that support our old ways.  

I have worked out a foolproof system for creating change in your life. If you follow these steps, you will have the tools you need to drastically alter the way you live. I want to introduce you to the 5 step system! I'm not promising that you will make positive changes just by reading this. Apply it and I promise your being will be altered! 

1. Recognition that something needs to change. 

One of the hardest things to do as a human is to be brutally honest with ourselves about the things in our life that aren't serving us. I don't want you to pick yourself apart. But, I do want you to take note of what's not contributing to the way you want to feel, the things you want to achieve or how you want to show up for those you love! 

2. Understanding the source of why you've developed that habit you're trying to get rid of. 

Having things in our life that detract from our vision or our happiness doesn't happen by accident. We often develop these habits out of a need we have. Maybe it's something you've neglected over time, it may be something that you're fearful of or a guilt that was adopted at a young age. 

3. Healing the source of what's not working for you. 

Once you know what you want to change and why that has developed you can start to truly heal the source. Address that source and see what it needs to heal it for good. Often we just apply a temporary fix, a band-aid to the problem. But, the wound remains and therefore the need for that behavior that doesn't serve you, remains. Heal it at the source to prevent the need for it to exist. 

4. Creating new habits and behaviors to replace the old ones. 

Usually the things we need to change take form in our lives as habits or compulsive behaviors. They're often so ingrained into our lives that we don't even realize we are feeding them each day. I want you to pinpoint the specific actions that you want to see shift and replace those with nourishing and joy filled rituals instead! 

and finally...

5. Support yourself in the decision you have made to ensure lasting results! 

SO often we go through all of these steps and we still can't figure out why we aren't seeing the results that we want in our life. Here's the deal, you have to create an environment that supports the change you want to make! This means, be mindful of the people you are spending time with, the books you are reading, the music/tv/movies/etc. that you are feeding your mind. You are either going to feed yourself the things that support your efforts or you could be feeding yourself with things that detract from those efforts. Be mindful and set yourself up for success! 

with love,
Sarajane.

Sticking to a Schedule: A Guest Essay from Lily Calfee

I am thrilled to introduce you to Lily Calfee of Ideal Nourishment. She is a vibrant soul that has meant a lot to me and my progression of self-care. If you've ever struggled with tending to your body and mind with an open heart and gentle adjustments, well, you really need to be talking with her ASAP.  For now, enjoy this lovely piece all about maintaining a schedule that supports your self-care! You're gonna love it!

Common questions that I get from entrepreneurs or “side-hustlers” are ones of self discipline: How do I stick to a schedule? I want to take a lunch break but not a two-hour lunch break… Should I work on evenings and weekends or stuck to nine to five?

I’ll let you in on a tip: when I was first figuring out how to be an entrepreneur, the best thing that I did for myself was to get my sleep schedule on lock. When I started out, it was very tempting to stay up late working (or watching movies). I’d tell myself, “Well, I'll just start work at eleven tomorrow, and work until eight PM.”

Eventually, I figured out that I actually get my best work done in the morning. It became obvious that I needed to get myself in bed early enough to wake up, do my morning routine, and start working by nine AM. I only have about three or four hours of super-focused creative time in me before I need to switch to tasks like networking or meeting with clients.
A trick I discovered was to wake up at the same time every day, no matter what time I went to bed. This was a real struggle for a while because I wanted to wake up every day at 6:30, but some nights I’d go to bed at ten and others at 11:30—and I never felt well rested when I woke up. After a week or so of getting up at the same time every day, I started to also get tired at the same time every day, and eventually my body got on a pretty standard sleep schedule of 10:30 PM to 7 AM.

The other important change I made was to create a bedtime routine. As a solo-preneur who lived alone, I would often go back to work after dinner and stare at my computer right up until the moment I was about to pass out. Obviously, this didn't make for very restful sleep.

These days, I take about forty-five minutes before I want to be asleep to make my to-do list for the next day, get into my pajamas, wash my face, and then lay in bed and read. (Actually, I very rarely read. I just open my book and stare at the same paragraph until I realize I need to turn the light off before I pass out.)

Taking taking time to unwind before I fall asleep has been such a godsend. It allows me to transition more smoothly into a restful head space, and I no longer have busy, stressful, anxious dreams. In fact, I recently had a dream about sitting on a dock and staring at the sunset with two old friends. The dream felt like it lasted for hours, but nothing ever really happened—it was just this peaceful, warm experience.

To get my sleep schedule on lock, I also needed to look at my relationship with sugar and caffeine. I am a self-identified health nut and used to say that I lived a “low-sugar lifestyle.” However, when I looked at what I was eating or drinking over the course of the day, I realized that I used sugar and caffeine to get me through the dull moments.

I actually gave up sugar entirely—cold-turkey, none, not even fruit—for about nine months, and have never slept better. I realized what an impact my blood sugar was having on my sleep, and now I'm very conscious of what I eat and drink, especially when I'm feeling sleepy. It seemed natural to feel tired at two or three in the afternoon and reach for some crunchy carbs or a little coffee or tea to get me through the last bit of the day. I realized that I was mostly looking for a distraction in those moments and if I was hungry, I was actually hungry for protein and fat, not for carbs and sugar. I started snacking on a carrot and almond butter, or a little piece of beef jerky, or a handful of walnuts. This practice not only truly satisfies my cravings, but also helps keep my blood sugar balanced.

Energy is key for anyone starting out in the freelance or entrepreneurial world. If you don't have consistent energy and focus, your plans just don't happen. If you’re struggling to stick to a schedule or get yourself up in the morning, I encourage you to look at your sleep routines and blood sugar. If you want to have an in-depth conversation about food and your energy, focus, and productivity, you can find me at idealnourishment.com

Get more from Lily over at Idealnourishment.com You wont' regret it! 

How to Kick Ass at New Years Resolutions!

I know that there's a lot of stigma around 2016. Y'all people hated this past year. But, if I'm being honest with you, it was a really really good year for me. I've done so much subtle work and made so many life altering decisions. I started two businesses and got engaged in Iceland. I learned to let go of control more often. I learned that stillness opens me up to my best work and self. I started to love money and worked through the belief that money is evil. I've become more kind to myself, more honest about what I want and a lot less attached to the outcome of things. It's been good! 

With that in mind, I wanted to share with you my process of evaluating each year and setting intentions for moving forward. I'm a super nerd and I put aside a LARGE chunk of time for this process each year. Maybe you find that you just take a few bits of this process away with you and that's totally fine too! But, here we go! 

1. I separate myself from the ordinary. 

I find it incredibly helpful to have a change of scenery. It opens me up to new ideas and possibilities and prevents me from running into people that I know. I always try to get out of town, that's usually Greenville, SC for me or sometimes Knoxville. Both of those are less than 2-hours away and easily done in a day. If you don't want to travel, maybe you sit down at a cafe' that you don't normally go to or somewhere else that would be inspiring for you. 

2. I look deeply at my quadrants. 

If you've done work with me in the past, then you probably know what I mean when I say 'quadrants' if you haven't then what I'm talking about are the four major areas of your life that need attention, in the work that I do that includes: relationships, work, self and health. I ask myself what worked, what didn't and what's next. 

For my upcoming Business Bliss Course I've created a worksheet specifically for this process. But, you can totally do this on your own too! 

3. I set my plans for the year at this point. 

What do I want to accomplish? How much  money do I want to make? What would feel fun for me to do this year? What do each of those quadrants need to move forward? 

4. I determine how I want to feel. 

This is a new one that I added on this year. After finishing Danielle Laporte's Desire Map last year, I have completely re-framed the way I approach goal setting. Determining the feelings that I desire is the perfect way to evaluate if I'm actually setting the right goals for me. So, I determine how I want to feel this year and then I check back in with those goals that I set and I see if they will really make me feel that way. If they won't make me feel that way I replace them with a goal that will, if they will, then awesome, we're on the right track! 

5. I ask myself, what do I need to do to meet those goals that I've set for myself.

Here's the thing, we set the goals and then we don't ever really ask what needs to happen before that goal can even be met. If I want to feel abundant and I want to leave the country twice this year, then I'm going to have to start prioritizing my savings account. If I want to feel free and I want to make $100,000 this year then I'm going to have to prioritize passive income. Does that make sense? 

6. Then, I chart a plan for the next 6-months. 

What part of those goals do I think can be accomplished in 6-months? How can I break that down into smaller pieces and schedule that in throughout that time? What's my first step? 

7. I celebrate. 

Shower yourself with gratitude for the year ahead. Celebrate that you are going to have another great year! Toast someone, toast yourself, sit quietly with a cup of herbal tea. Whatever feels the most celebratory to you. But, acknowledge that you will have a great year this year and go ahead and toss out a few thank you's to yourself, to your community and to the universe. 

If this work sounds great to you but, you just aren't quite sure how to implement it or where it will fit into your already crammed schedule. Then, the Business Bliss Course is probably a great fit for you. Join me and revolutionize the way you approach work. You deserve the right to chase your dreams and still enjoy your life. Read more about Business Bliss HERE.

Gift Guide: For the Business Owner that Wants More Organization!

Alright! So, I am rounding out this season of gift guides with one final list for that self-employed friend or loved one that's looking for a bit of organization in their life. Which, to be quite honest we could all use a little more organization in our life! I've got a really good list for you today, so give it a look over and let me know if you end up gifting one of these items so I can give you a big ole' pat on the back! 

1. The Desire Map Planner

This is the closest that a planner has ever come to being the one of my dreams. I'm just going to list out the features that I love here for you: 
- spacious monthly calendar with plenty of room for writing tasks in the day boxes. 
- Monthly check-ins with how you want to feel, major goals for the year and for the month. 
- Space for a monthly to-do list. 
-Each day has space for your schedule, how you want to feel, the top 3 things you HAVE to accomplish that day, a small to-do list, gratitude, and something you should stop doing! 
- The language is sincere and heartfelt and pulls you back toward a heart centered point of focus. 

I have the daily planner and I truly do think it's close to perfection! It also matches up with a lot of the tools that I teach in my workshops or coaching sessions. 

2. The Huge Celebration Box from J.Isabel Designs.  

Making the decision to get serious about organizing your business is seriously something to celebrate! It's likely about to be the jumping off point for your friend or loved one. If they are investing their time and attention into getting things together for their business, well, they are about to be see more success then they've experienced before. Go ahead, celebrate with them now! They deserve it! 

3. The Partnership Program.

For that friend or loved one who is ready to get organized, The Partnership Program will be a remarkable fit! They'll be able to work with me monthly to analyze what systems aren't working and how they can be adjusted. To top it off it will be custom to them and their personality/life habits. It's not about cut and dry systems that work for some people but flop miserably for others. The Partnership Program will be about getting to the root of why they aren't working and creating systems that support their success! 

4. Dubsado 

Have you all figured out that I'm obsessed with these guys yet? It's honestly the thing that saves me more time and keeps me more on top of my systems than anything else that I do. It helps me to streamline my workflow, automate time consuming systems, invoice clients, send contracts & questionnaires simply and easily and I know that I'm not even using it to its fully capacity yet.

If your friend or loved one is looking for more organization, Dubsado would be an amazing gift to give them. 

If you'd like, you can use the coupon code: sarajane to receive 20% off of your first month! 

5. Co-Working Space at Asheville Folk

So, this may only apply to people local to the Asheville area. However, give them the gift of a three month membership at Asheville Folk or a co-working space in their area! Having a place to go work is one of the quickest ways to enhance productivity for those who are self-employed! Plus, they'll get to meet some of the loveliest entrepreneurs in their area! 

 

6. Super Stacked Desk Organizer from Poppin. 

Poppin is a killer website for gifting office supplies because they offer most things in a wide range of colors but, their designs are relatively simple so they appeal to all kinds of people. I love the super stacked desk organizer because there's room for incoming - outgoing, paper clips, thumbtacks and pens without taking up your entire desktop or a whole drawer! It's kind of an organizational nerds dream. 

7. Quickbooks Online

I can't tell you how often I meet with a business owner and they tell me they know they need to get the business ends of things in order, but,  they are overwhelmed. It's one of the most resisted areas of self-employment by far. Quickbooks can feel daunting because it seems expensive and hard to tackle. But, the truth is that it's not that pricey to get started online and it's a lot simpler than they think. It's really just taking that first step that's hard. Gift them the freedom of having that first step out of the way! 

8. Tyler McCall's Coaching Program. 

If your friend wants better organization in the land of social media, if they feel overwhelmed by where to start, hook them up with a sit down with Tyler! He will not only teach them strategy for turning their followers into customers, but, he will also teach them how to make it all work with their schedule! More organized social media means more free time for things happening in real life! 

9. Idea Journal from 7 Ton Co.  

One of the biggest tips I give to creative entrepreneurs who are ready to get organized is to keep an idea journal. Here's the thing, if your friend has a highly creative and proactive mind, they are likely to be swimming in brilliant ideas that may keep them from moving forward in a focused direction. Keeping an idea journal is a great way to hold onto those ideas without getting distracted from their current goal. 7 Ton makes absolutely stunning journals that are beautiful and well-made enough to be heirlooms!

10. The Weekly Kickstart from InkWell Press.

This is perfect for that friend who wants to ease organization into their life but, really will not carry a day planner around with them. It has space for their larger to-do list, then room for prioritizing tasks and keeping up with their schedule. It's a solid gateway into the full on world of organizational bliss. 

all the love, 
Sarajane.