I often gauge what is going on with someone by how they are breathing.  A persons breath, the depth or lack of, the smell, the pattern can tell you a lot about an individual.  More importantly closing ones eyes and listening and feeling your own breath and learning to control it can be crucial.  

“Practicing regular, mindful breathing can be calming and energizing and can even help with stress-related health problems ranging from panic attacks to digestive disorders.”
Andrew Weil, M.D.

Since breathing is something we can control and regulate, it is a useful tool for achieving a relaxed and clear state of mind. I recommend three breathing exercises to help relax and reduce stress: The Stimulating Breath, The 4-7-8 Breathing Exercise (also called the Relaxing Breath), and Breath Counting. Try each and see how they affect your stress and anxiety levels.

You can find some great breathing exercises here: by Dr. Weil.

Breathing Exercises are an ideal way to relieve stress in that they’re fast, simple, free, and can be performed by just about anyone. They can also be done anywhere and at virtually any time. These factors make stress relief breathing exercises a free cure for everyone.

onsidering the number of talented people entering the unemployment pool each month, I believe there are huge opportunities for a rise in independent consultants this coming year. In the last few months, the pace of layoffs has grown to nearly a half a million per month with no end in sight. While a stimulus package may eventually pass, it may be more than a year before the economy actually begins to grown again. For those looking for a job or looking for a better job, that’s a long time to be out of work.

The ability to successfully market yourself as a consultant while looking for a full time position could be your best chance of staying fresh, earning income, and improving your chances of rehire.

 So, how do you go about offering your services?

Examine your experiences and expertise. Summarize your skills and know what services you will offer and the scope of each service. Be able to describe the deliverables; a comprehensive report summarizing your research and offering suggestions, a ready-to-mail tax return, up-to-the-minute financial reports, etc. Whatever your skills are, your goal is to turn them into a deliverable that you can offer for a fee.  Have a portfolio of examples ready to show potential clients, if possible.

 Network. Let everyone you know you’re looking for work and what you’re offering. Connections are important in times like these. Most people who still have jobs these days feel blessed and are willing to help if they can. They understand they could easily be next. Let people know how they can help you. Often an opportunity will arise only because someone thought to put two people together. It pays to stay connected.

Once you’re bringing in income and keeping busy, you will need to establish yourself in business legally. Check with your local government to see what licenses are required. And if you find yourself in a position to help another person out of work, don’t pass on the opportunity. Pulling each other up is what it’s going to take to get out of this downturn as quickly as possible.

Have you ever thought of the many people who had a part in making you who you are today.  Favorite teachers, your parents, your children or grandchildren, a neighbor, or mentor at work…  So many lifepaths intertwine, and our interactions with these people make us who we are.  The faces may not all be recognizable, but they all play a role.  

Recently, as I pulled up to a drive-thru Starbucks, I leaned out the window to hand the cashier some money only to learn that the person ahead of me had paid for my coffee.  This person, who I am certain I did not know, is one of the unknown faces who influenced who I am today, and his or her actions also affect the people I have shared the same experience with since that day.

I believe it is important to honor those that made us who we are and celebrate the fact that they came into our lives.  Not all of these people did great things, but we learned even from those who brought drama and negative experiences.  The lessons from even the “bad” stuff helped us learn.

I like to celebrate my birthday by honoring all the people who made me who I am, and gave me the knowledge and experience to help others.  I respect the many teachers who captivated me and fostered my skills of observation and critical thinking. Thanks to them, I am capable of quickly connecting dots and referencing probabilities, which made my suggestions highly probable solutions. I also respect those who  taught me not to jump to conclusions and to be a patient listener and allow others to make mistakes so they too can grow. All of these people, I honor and I treasure the lessons they gave me.

You may want to reflect back on your own life and find a way to honor the gifts others gave you.  I highly recommend you do so. Complete your intentions and follow through with action towards your goals.