Can you even recognize contentment?!?!?

“Wanting to be happy and feel loved and have a great job means nothing. We all want that. Knowing what you’re willing to give up for those things means everything. It determines who you are. Mark Manson, author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F#@%!

I receive Mark’s weekly emails and this was how he opened it recently.

What felt like a “duh” at first blush, nudged me to hone my philosophy on work life balance.

Here’s what I believe.

While Mark Manson talks about all of us wanting to be happy, feel loved and have a great job…

I believe what we REALLY want is bone deep contentment.

Stop searching for HAPPINESS and create CONTENTMENT instead.

Knowing what brings you contentment is important.

However, the key to contentment is in understanding the trade offs.

True contentment occurs when you’re fully aware of what you’re giving up in, order to have the life you want. -Me :-)

Mark Manson is the first person I’ve heard to actually say this reality out loud.

The fact that we must think about what we need to give up, might feel fatalist or negative to some.

But… I find it refreshing.

Honestly, I’m growing tired of Instagram, Facebook and now even LinkedIn, telling me that if I’m not happy or joyful, something’s wrong with me.

We hear that if we’re not happy, we need to make some changes. (get a degree, join that group, buy those cute shoes).

Thus, the never ending journey to joy begins.

Hop on the treadmill. Do the thing. Buy the stuff. Achieve the goals.

Feel the fleeting flutters of happiness.

Then, ramp up the speed a notch, and do it again.

All the while, never feeling content or at peace.

On a recent discovery call, this lovely, successful, high achiever had an epiphany.

“I don’t think I’d recognize contentment if it hit me over the head with a 2x4!”

We’re working together now. Whew! We didn’t need to get out the board. ??

I’m truly excited for her.

Because I’m confident that in less than 6 weeks, her life may still be crazy busy and her calendar crammed full, but she’ll have made intentional decisions in her life that will bring her contentment.

In this brief season before the holidays, you could feel perfectly at peace and deeply content with your very full life, too.

Want to see what coaching’s like with me, without a long term commitment?

I’ve got 2 spots available this month, for The Ideal Day Intensive.

Specially priced at $225.00, you’ll receive 2, 60 minute, private coaching calls designed to:

~ Realistically assess your calendar/schedule

~ Create a concrete plan for a productive work day

~ Schedule down time/family time/me time

You'll leave The Ideal Day Intensive with a:

~ Solid Get-Back-On-Track Strategy

~ Customized, repeatable system so that your ideal day grows into your ideal life

~Regular rhythm to your day that assures contentment and peace

So, are you with me?

While the "cool kids" are working themselves to death in search of happiness and joy,

You and I know the truth.

Intentionally choosing your trade offs is the key to contentment.

Cheers to yours!

Lisa