Resources

This section will be a collection of quotes, useful tools and other favorite recommendations from BRIJ. Don’t hesitate to drop a line including requests of what you want more of, feedback on what you like, or suggestions on new topics you’d like BRIJ to address via the blog or a webinar.

brijsolutions

I know, you’re probably sick of hearing about ho

I know, you’re probably sick of hearing about how the pandemic changed people by now. But hear me out: it taught me more about myself than all the self-assessment, coaching and feedback I’ve ever received.

I was go-go-go in my career, and nothing was going to stop that…until being forced home literally did. And somewhere between telecommuting, homeschooling and adjusting to the new normal, I asked myself a hard question: Am I running on autopilot?

I had my routines, and my ways of solving problems. And suddenly, I had to create new routines and strategies. This doesn’t only happen when you’re locked down for a pandemic. It happens when you move, have a baby, get laid off, and have to take time to care for a loved one (or yourself!) It’s not a break, it’s an adjustment. And it’s more than that: It’s an opportunity to check in with yourself.

How are you actually doing today? What makes you happy? Who makes you happy? And if something’s missing from that equation…how can you get what you need? In this moment where your old routine is broken and you aren’t locked into a new one, take the opportunity to take control. This is your opportunity to redirect the direction your life is heading and orient yourself toward what it is you’re genuinely passionate about.

#runningonautopilot #selfassessment #pandemicreflection #opportunitytochange #selfdiscovery #newnormal

Imagine this: It’s bedtime, lights are out and

Imagine this:

It’s bedtime, lights are out and as you’re tucking in your child to say goodnight, she remembers she has a cut and “needs” a bandaid. Frustrating, right? It’s the end of a long day, you’re exhausted and ready for alone time.

So what do you do? Scold her? Refuse the bandaid? That won’t end well. Instead, use this life hack that I shared with a few friends last week. Their reactions reminded me how powerful it is!

Next time you’re frustrated and ready to pull your hair out….change your perspective by using 3 simple words – “fascinating, not frustrating!”.

Say it outloud or say it in your mind….whichever you do, trust me, it often works!

Why does something so simple work?! Because you’re adding one extra step before your mind goes into fight/flight mode. That’s the mode you don’t want to be in since it limits your ability to use logic, reason, and yes, humor. It limits your ability to stay sane and happy.

So use this “life mantra” the next time something frustrating happens…especially when it happens at a moment you’re not in the mood to be frustrated or fighting!

#ParentingLife #BedtimeStruggles #LifeHacks #PositiveParenting #PerspectiveShift #MentalHealthAwareness #Fascinating #Frustrating

Our minds love to think. We make up scenarios in t

Our minds love to think. We make up scenarios in the future. We reevaluate and revisit the past. We make assumptions. We react to those assumptions. We create our own movies!

To take a break from my busy mind, I do one of the following two things (and sometimes, both):

1. CHECK OUT - I do something I really enjoy or something that’s totally mindless to check out - think exercise, sports, games, music, TV, nature. This is the easy one. We’ve all been doing it since we were kids.

2. CHECK IN - I close my eyes or find something to look at and just let my mind go for a few minutes. I don’t solve. I don’t plan. I don’t make notes. I simply check in to see what’s going on. Whatever my brain spits out, I sit with. I don’t judge, I don’t react.

For the times I “Check In,” at first it wasn’t easy, but shockingly, with a little direction and a little improvement each day, I got better. I learned to be ok with my thoughts and not get worked up by them.

Not enough people know how to Check In…not because it’s hard, but because the thought of trying can be scary. The thought of not making a list, not solving a problem, not replaying a scenario, not predicting an outcome….it’s uncomfortable. But the more you practice it, the less scary and more comfortable it will become. A little bit of practice each day…even just five minutes can make a huge difference.

Isn't it funny how confident we are when we tell others, especially little ones, that the way to get better at something is to practice…but then, when such a simple solution is available to us adults to do what we really want to do, we resist?

I remember when I thought, “There is no way I can relax my mind without a distraction… I really need the time to totally check out.” All I can say now is, “I was wrong!”

#MentalBreak #MindfulnessPractice #CheckOutAndRelax #PracticeMakesProgress #EmbraceYourThoughts #Mindset #Growth

When too much is on your plate, your mind can go i

When too much is on your plate, your mind can go in a whirlwind about what to do first, what you wished you did differently, what you may have to skip, whose feelings you might have hurt. You may fixate on what's not going well. You feel overwhelmed and naturally, you get stuck.

When there isn’t enough time, it’s time to stop and assess. It might sound counterproductive, but slowing down is exactly what you need when you’re feeling overwhelmed—trust me. What you need most is to take a breath and look within. Step back and become aware of the craziness you’re feeling. Then be a friend to yourself and become aware of your thoughts, rather than judge them. Be self-compassionate instead of beating yourself up.

When you’re down, you need someone to help pull you up. Why can’t one of the people who helps you be you? Your mind loves to think and solve. Your mind can play devil and angel. Why not lean into this superpower and have a productive conversation with yourself about what you really need in a moment of distress? Give yourself the same advice you’d give to a friend in your shoes. I bet it’s not the same thing you’re telling yourself today!

#SelfCompassion #Mindfulness #Overwhelmed #StressRelief #ProductivityTips #MentalHealthAwareness

Your kids look up to you more than anyone will eve

Your kids look up to you more than anyone will ever look up to you. They seek your approval. They mimic your actions. Their personalities may be unique, but they will take bits and pieces of you. So what happens if you don’t take care of yourself? If you don’t sleep enough? If you dwell on your mistakes vs learn from them?

In my latest blog post, Right Now, are you Really the Person you Want to Be? I get real about strategies that I’ve used to make my life better. They aren’t instant fixes; They’re a set of tactical steps you can take right now to begin shifting your perspective.

In the end, to be the best parent, there is nothing more powerful than being your best self.

Be sure to check out my stories for the link to the full blog.

#parentingtips #selfimprovement #mindfulness #personaldevelopment #lifetips #wellnessjourney

Waiting kills progress. I’ve experienced this.

Waiting kills progress. I’ve experienced this. I’ve been told this over and over. Stats prove it. If you want something bad enough, don’t wait…take action!

It’s easy to let your mind jump to conclusions and give you reasons NOT to take even a small step. Don’t get caught up thinking, “if I do that, then I need to…..” or “if something doesn’t go well, then that means….” or “before I do that, I need to” or “now just isn’t the right time.”

You can’t predict the future. The only way to get more clarity on your vision/goal/idea is to take a step forward…even if it’s a tiny one. And even when it doesn’t feel like it, every step is a productive step, even if it feels like a step backward.

Sometimes, we actually think waiting is a strategy. We overwhelm ourselves with all the possible things we could do and all the things that could possibly happen if we do them. But waiting is the ego speaking—the part of the ego that’s afraid to fail. It’s tough, but if you want to move forward, you need to push aside that part of the ego and give yourself a chance to expand your comfort zone!

If the step you see in front of you is one you find yourself putting off, don’t let yourself shut down. Instead, try adding another step in front of it. Ask yourself, is there some research I can do? Someone else I can talk to? Something else I can try? Your answers to these questions can help you identify what’s keeping you from taking that bigger step. In the meantime, take that smaller step! It doesn’t need to be something time-consuming. Rather, it should be a simple, easy, and most importantly, DOABLE task that gets you closer to completing that bigger step.

This is how you can push your passion to knock over your fear of disappointment. Don’t wait a moment longer—it’s time to take those baby steps that push you to the edges of your comfort zone!

#TakeActionNow
#NoMoreWaiting
#PushYourPassion
#StepForward
#ExpandYourComfortZone
#BabyStepsToSuccess

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