Author Archives: Kathleen Guthrie Woods

Nudged: Throw something out

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Backstory: This could be anything. A “thing”, a memento that no longer holds any sentiment, trash, something I’ve outgrown. Or it could be an attitude or a bad habit or a dream that no longer calls to me. Hmmmm….

What Happened: Tuesday morning, as I sorted through items in my to do folder, I came across the instructions for our “new” CD player (see “Nudged: Listen to two old CDs” from, well, a while ago). I had already figured out how to run the thing just by poking around, but it’s always a good idea to read up on all the functions. Except I couldn’t do that. Why? Because the instructions brochure I had saved to read was all in Spanish. Brilliant. Quick toss that one!

What else in this office/this house/this brain is taking up space, nagging me to do? What really needs to get done, what really matters? Or better yet, what do I want to do that is being put off or blocked because I’m so busy dealing with unnecessary stuff?

The next couple of days I thought about this intermittently as I faced down a huge deadline on a client job. I was exhausted, mentally, physically, and spiritually, and I started think about the feelings and judgments I might throw away: feeling stuck, feeling underappreciated, feeling stressed, feeling tired of working so hard for what often feels like so little return. I delivered the job Thursday afternoon (ahead of the deadline, thank you very much) and allowed myself a brief respite to recover. (Ha. What I wanted to do was crawl into bed with a bottle of wine and cry, but I had things to do.) Friday morning I got back to work on the next set of deliverables.

Friday afternoon, during a break and after I received a “thank you, but we’re going in a different direction” rejection letter on a project that I really really wanted, I started looking around again at what I could get rid of. Let me see, what is “dead” around here? There’s the houseplant I’d tried to resuscitate by placing it in a sunny spot on our front steps (hello, death blocking the entry to our home!)…into the trash. The table center bouquet that had been so beautiful a week ago but now smelled like rot…buh-bye. This morning I pulled out several long-dead lavender plants and planted their healthy replacements..hello, beautiful!

Ah-Hahs: Will this make a difference? We’ll see. But it felt good to throw out the dead and make room for the new, both inside me and in the world around me.

52+: When Nudging pays off

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There’s this local craft spirits distillery I’ve been curious about for a couple of years. When a friend introduced me to their gin, in particular, I was surprised by how much I liked it. I wanted to learn more. I picked up a book about the history of gin. I tried flights at bars and experimented with cocktails at home.

Then about eight months ago, I nudged myself and coordinated a group of friends to go for a tour and tasting. It was fantastic. The whole time we were there I kept thinking, “It would be really fun to work here.”

So I nudged myself again and called them. Turns out they were hiring for the tasting room team, so I applied. And then I interviewed, went through intense training, was tested extensively, and got hired. I’m now there every Sunday alongside wonderful colleagues. I welcome guests from all over the world, tell stories, and learn new things.

I know: Wow!

This isn’t replacing my day job; it’s actually on top of all the other things I do. Friends have suggested I’ll one day write a book about gin, or start distilling my own in the bathtub. (Never say never!) I don’t know. I don’t know who I might meet or where it might lead. The future is uncertain, of course, so for now I’m just having fun. (And getting paid a bit while doing it.)

I have been meaning to share this with the 52Nudges community for ages, but there was part of me that wanted to make sure the job would “stick” before I went public. That sounds silly, now, but I was uneasy. Would they like me? Would I screw up? Would I burn out?

So far so good.  🙂

I share this with you now because I realize all of this came about because I opened myself up to opportunities and I nudged myself to:

  • Plan a fun outing with friends
  • Do something that scares me
  • Take a risk
  • Challenge my intellect and learn something new
  • Pursue a passion

If I wrapped up this whole 52Nudges project right now, I’d consider it a win. However, this experience inspires me to keep going. What might the next Nudge reveal? I am excited to discover the possibilities.

How will you nudge yourself this week? Is there something on the edge of your dreams you want to try? Please hear this from me: Go for it. ♥

Nudged: Walk a new street

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Backstory: I’d forgotten about this one—how fun! I think the idea for this Nudge may have come to me when I checked out a new-to-me bookstore several months ago, when I ended up in a new-to-me neighborhood. Even though I live in a smallish city (San Francisco is roughly 47 square miles; for comparison, Los Angeles is 302 square miles), there is so much here I have yet to explore. Weather permitting, here is my chance to do just that.

What Happened: My city is home to several really cool staircases. Some are elaborately painted. Some offer incredible views or glimpses into “secret” gardens. For this adventure, I chose something closer to home: a staircase that I’ve driven past probably once a week for the last 10 years.

Early one morning this week, I and my loyal sidekick Louie hopped in the car and drove five short minutes to the base. We huffed and puffed up the steps, then recuperated by wandering one of the side streets. Back down, then right back up, followed by a trip down a different street, where we checked out gardens and got glimpses into interesting home decors. Down again, with a break through a different street and oohs and ahhs over interesting architectural details. Then one final climb and descent before we got back in the car and headed home.

As I look at this photo, the angle doesn’t look all that intense. But I’m here to tell ya, our butts were sore! 🙂

The Ah-Hahs: I often think “I don’t have time” to do things like this. But I do. Re-read that line about “five short minutes” away from home. Geez. And not only did I get a great workout, I changed up my usual gym routine, I got some fresh air, I got in the dog’s exercise (which is typically a separate workout from my own), and it felt a bit like going to a museum (checking out the different homes and gardens and getting inspired about what I might do with my own).

What did you discover this week?

Nudging: Walk a new street

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Backstory: I’d forgotten about this one—how fun! I think the idea for this Nudge may have come to me when I checked out a new-to-me bookstore several months ago, when I ended up in a new-to-me neighborhood. Even though I live in a smallish city (San Francisco is roughly 47 square miles; for comparison, Los Angeles is 302 square miles), there is so much here I have yet to explore. Weather permitting, here is my chance to do just that.

Nudged: Find my mojo

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Backstory: This Nudge didn’t come from the bowl. This is one I dropped in because I’m struggling today. Maybe it’s the post-holidays blues. Maybe it’s the cold and gloominess of the season. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a real affliction, in case you didn’t know. Maybe it’s the ongoing frustration of not having a clear path, a clear purpose.

I’m not sure what’s up (or down) with me right now, but I feel the need to find something to get me up in the mornings. Something other than piles of laundry that need to be addressed or bills that need to be paid. I am dragging through my days, so much so that yesterday, as I lay in bed dreading my day (and it was a Saturday!), I had a small fantasy about pulling everything off the top of my desk and burning it in the fireplace. Yes, I know that wouldn’t really solve any problems—likely make some worse—but the idea of having a clean start is appealing.

Where is my magic? What happened to my mojo? I need to find it and put it back to work.

P.S. I did check in with myself and know it isn’t chronic depression, lack of sleep, or illness causing my malaise. If your blue mood is lasting longer than is okay, please schedule a checkup with your doctor or reach out to someone for help. xo

What Happened: I started by looking up the definition of “mojo”, and this is some of what I found:

“a quality or some ability that brings good luck or helps you be good at something”

“personal confidence and charisma”

“self-confidence, self-assuredness”

“belief in one’s self”

“a good luck charm to bolster confidence”

“the ability to bounce back from a debilitating trauma or negative attitude”

“magical power”

(Sources: Urban Dictionary, Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary)

This helped me clarify that I am not looking for a thing—a charm or amulet—that will provide me with power, I’m looking for actions that will rekindle the magical power I have inside me, a power that seems to have gone temporarily dormant.

Over the week I set aside some quiet time to think about what makes me feel good, makes me feel energized and calm and happy and me. Here are some of the things that came up:

  • pulling myself together (if I dress better, I feel better)
  • knowing there’s money in the bank (catching up and staying current with accounting)
  • clearing space in my office (and subsequently clearing my head)
  • writing personal letters to family and friends (and, as a result, reading their replies)
  • doing something crafty (on my to do list is sewing cheery curtains for the kitchen and pulling out the cross-stitching box)
  • cooking and baking
  • playing with Thor (my darling husband), especially when we do slightly crazy touristy things
  • a tidy house
  • talking walks (for exercise and meditation)
  • get-togethers with friends (especially one-on-one or in small, intimate groups)
  • watching a really great movie
  • getting lost in a really great book

I then took one step, sort of a new year’s thing, but really exactly the Nudge I needed this week: I cracked open a new notebook and started a gratitude journal. I know this to be such a great tool, but haven’t used it for a while. Now is the perfect time to remind myself—with just three items a day—of how much I have to be thankful for, even on those days when it feels like a stretch. A few of the items on this week’s page:

  • cozy new PJs
  • the trusty, hard-working space heater in my office
  • Thor, my funny, affectionate, appreciative, generous life partner
  • good dark chocolate
  • my loyal Louie (the dog)
  • fresh raspberries
  • the fabulous women of my book club
  • this whole crazy 52Nudges adventure

Ah-Hahs: You know what those actions on my list above are, right? Nudges. I wrote a bunch on strips of paper and added them to the bowl. I believe taking these small steps over time will help me find my mojo and continue to nurture it.

P.S. Just before the Christmas, a friend shared a list of “20 Ways to Be Kind (without spending a dime)”, ideas of actions that could be given instead of purchased things. Take a look and see if any of these inspire you for new additions to your Nudges:

  1. send a handwritten note
  2. recreate a special day
  3. listen without distractions
  4. include someone new
  5. smile more
  6. look for common ground
  7. assume the best in everyone
  8. share your prayers (If someone asks for prayer support, respond with a text or note what you said in your actual prayer.)
  9. affirm someone
  10. apologize early and often
  11. be clear (but polite)
  12. be kind to yourself
  13. lend a hand
  14. pay it forward…for free!
  15. offer to babysit
  16. donate used clothing
  17. curb the road rage
  18. give your time
  19. let people know they matter (Learn the name of the guy who makes your coffee, the waiter at your favorite restaurant, the crossing guard.)
  20. share the wisdom you’ve learned

Nudging: Find my mojo

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Backstory: This Nudge didn’t come from the bowl. This is one I dropped in because I’m struggling today. Maybe it’s the post-holidays blues. Maybe it’s the cold and gloominess of the season. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a real affliction, in case you didn’t know. Maybe it’s the ongoing frustration of not having a clear path, a clear purpose.

I’m not sure what’s up (or down) with me right now, but I feel the need to find something to get me up in the mornings. Something other than piles of laundry that need to be addressed or bills that need to be paid. I am dragging through my days, so much so that yesterday, as I lay in bed dreading my day (and it was a Saturday!), I had a small fantasy about pulling everything off the top of my desk and burning it in the fireplace. Yes, I know that wouldn’t really solve any problems—likely make some worse—but the idea of having a clean start is appealing.

Where is my magic? What happened to my mojo? I need to find it and put it back to work.

P.S. I did check in with myself and know it isn’t chronic depression, lack of sleep, or illness causing my malaise. If your blue mood is lasting longer than is okay, please schedule a checkup with your doctor or reach out to someone for help. xo

Nudged: Work two hours outside of the office

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Backstory: This is about shaking things up. Getting out of the routine (aka rut). Nudging myself, literally, out of the nest of my own making.

I work from an office in our home. I love doing this, but I have to be hyper-aware of the toll isolation takes on me. In previous years, I made a point of going out to lunch once a week with a client to make sure I had human contact. It’s a little harder to do now because most of my clients are remote. (One of my all-time favorite clients lives in Detroit.) I spend all day, every day, on a computer, communicating with friends, family, and clients through emails and text messages. When I start talking with my Head of Security (Louie, the dog) and expecting him to answer, I know I have to get out.

Maybe I’ll take my laptop to a coffeehouse. Maybe I’ll take a folder and review it in the park (sitting in my car, if the weather is too chilly). Maybe this is the week I check out the other nearby library branch, to see if they have a cool workspace.

What Happened: I’m writing this from a coffeehouse down the street. I got out, I walked here. I fired up my laptop and was immediately annoyed by the loud music. “I’ll never get anything done here!!!” I lamented—silently, of course. And then I started working and tuned everything out. I sipped a delish mocha, I reviewed some notes for a project, I did some research for an upcoming interview.

You know what was really nice? I could only work on the three things I brought with me. When I’m home, I’m easily distracted by the phones, the pinging emails and text messages, the dog, the stack of files that need to be filed, the to do lists on my desk and white board and desk top. Here it’s just me, my laptop, and my thoughts.

The Ah-Ha: That bit about No Distractions. Among the three projects I brought with me is something I’ve been putting on the backburner while other tasks took priority. Here I have no choice but to focus on this one thing. Hmmm. There’s something here that needs further examination.

52+: Today is a special occasion

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Just re-read my headline and realized it implies I have some BIG IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT to share! I don’t. 🙂 Not really. It’s just that this morning I stumbled upon an amazing video that is inspiring me, and I want to share it with you:

“Don’t Wait, Celebrate Yourself”

The gist is: TODAY, like every, is a special celebration simply because we’re alive. So let’s make the most of it.

“Every day you can dress for a party and the party will find you.”

–Steve Edge

Cheers!

Nudge: Work two hours outside of the office

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Backstory: This is about shaking things up. Getting out of the routine (aka rut). Nudging myself, literally, out of the nest of my own making.

I work from an office in our home. I love doing this, but I have to be hyper-aware of the toll isolation takes on me. In previous years, I made a point of going out to lunch once a week with a client to make sure I had human contact. It’s a little harder to do now because most of my clients are remote. (One of my all-time favorite clients lives in Detroit.) I spend all day, every day, on a computer, communicating with friends, family, and clients through emails and text messages. When I start talking with my Head of Security (Louie, the dog) and expecting him to answer, I know I have to get out.

Maybe I’ll take my laptop to a coffeehouse. Maybe I’ll take a folder and review it in the park (sitting in my car, if the weather is too chilly). Maybe this is the week I check out the other nearby library branch, to see if they have a cool workspace.

P.S. Whatever you do, wherever and however you work, take this week to look at your routine and think about how you can mix things up. If you’re a full-time stay-at-home mom, maybe you take your stack of bills to be paid and do them from the cute little café you’ve been meaning to check out. If you work in an office, maybe this is the week you take a 10-minute break outside. It might be just walking around the building, but it gets you out. Instead of eating lunch at your desk (I was so guilty of that back in my corporate days), you eat outside or eat at your desk then get outside for a walk for the rest of your break time. Can you review that report at a park bench? Can you take your laptop and reply to emails from a pretty spot? Do it!