You’ve probably heard the new-age adage “go slow to go fast”. I, for one, secretly thought the idea was little more than psycho-babble crap. Of course I guiltily found time for learning, friends and fun. But my assumption was that success was defined by ones ability to: Push. Drive. Be Productive. Go For It!

Well…I changed my mind. I have been pushing for over thirty years. And, I admit it, I need a break. In fact, without one I may even be short-changing my future success. I thought I took a break in May and June after finishing at Yahoo! and before my short term consulting assignment at Juniper. And, yes, I slowed down a bit. But I put enormous pressure on myself to “use this time” wisely. I created a business entity, incorporated, set up the mechanics of a business, created a logo, networked with other female entrepreneurs, planned a female forum, embarked upon an exercise regime. I rose every day at 6am and lived by a schedule. I was afraid to allow too much down-time for fear of getting lazy.

In October, after completing my Juniper assignment and producing the F5 event, I vowed to take time off to rejuvenate, to “cocoon”*. Well…in true form my first month of cocooning involved launching a blog, designing future programming for F5, moderating a commonwealth club meeting and resuming success coaching (for myself). In one month I read three books and created a business plan for my TA venture. AND I had plans to launch an image re-haul: nutrition plan, personal trainer and image therapist.

Around 2 weeks ago, I met with Dory Willer (my coach) and told her I was frustrated at my pace – too slow! Dory gently reminded me that I was “cocooning”*. She entreated me to go back and read about cocooning and what it meant. And then I had the V-8. Holy cow. I had never stopped long enough to truly rejuvinate. And I was surprised to discover that I am terrified of stillness. Not just driven to make use of my time, but desperate to fill it with “stuff”.

So, dear reader, I’m slowing down, taking stock, and getting ready for my next stage. Well, trying. Here’s what I’m doing:

1. Cleaning, shedding, releasing: I have purged my bedroom closet and drawers so far. More to follow.
2. Recording the journey – I will continue to write and publish through my blog.
3. Nourishing head, heart and body: I’m working through the program “Effortless Success – Living the Law of Attraction”; walking at least an hour a day; cooking delicious healthy meals.
4. A “little bit” of business planning. Only when I feel like it, though– no schedule!

Here’s what I’m not doing:

1. Getting out of bed any sooner than I’m ready to. If that’s 6am, great; If it’s 8 am, even better. Haven’t made it to 9am yet. (hmmm…maybe a new goal?)
2. Forcing work on my plate before I’m ready to handle it.
3. “Pushing the rope”. I love that analogy. If it’s not easy and joyful, it’s for another day.

I’ll keep you posted on the journey. Anyone else “cocooning”? Let me know.

*A note about cocooning: The term was introduced to me through the book LifeLaunch – A Passionate Guide to the Rest of Your Life by Frederic M. Hudson and Pamela D. McLean. The book outlines and navigates the reader though the “renewal cycle”: Phase 1 – Go For It; Phase 2 – Stuck in the Doldrums; Phase 3 – Cocooning; and Phase 4 – Getting Ready for the Next Chapter. We spend most of our life in the “Go For It” phase. When we get to the Cocooning stage it’s a time to take stock, shed the old, prune so as to regenerate.

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