Mind Map: Attention and Energy

Uses: A place for you to rethink how you are spending your time and energy. A place to refocus yourself on what truly feels good to you.

Background: I did this exercise several weeks ago (after writing Forget IT) and a conversation with my coach. Since doing it, I've personally committed to working on projects that only feel really good to me.

How to: Click the link below to open up the map. Inventory the projects or ideas that you are currently focusing your time and energy on. Each idea or project must go into one section or the other. (By default, if it doesn't automatically feel really good, it is probably just a good idea.)

Here is the key, you must decide if you are willing to spend your time and energy on just good ideas, or if you are going to spend your time on projects, ideas, etc.. that feel really good to you.

More comments: I realize life isn't 100% feel good all the time. I'm challenging you to a higher level of honestly with yourself on the areas of your life that are clearly in your control and that you can decide to change.

Feature Article: 27 Light Bulbs

I promised I wouldn't reflect on the past year of half baked, but since I wrote that paragraph, I've changed my mind.
(If this makes no sense to you, you didn't read the introductory paragraph.)

Regardless, this article is about half baked. Read on, it might be interesting...

The evolution of half baked has been on my mind for the past several weeks. I never really planned what happened, so what's next is an even more ridiculous question.

How I originally envision of half baked and what it is today is not really consistent. The initial concept was "helpful" ideas for business related people. It was going to contain my brilliant business perspective, and all my ideas for making business better. Because, you know, business needs lots of help. :-)

For months and months, I tried writing content. I have no record of what I wrote, because I didn't save it. It became a casualty of the delete button.

One day I was sharing a pizza with my partner, Jill. As I cut into my slice, I realized it was only half baked. At that very same moment, Jill said, "What about half baked for your newsletter title?" The words flew off her lips with simplicity and were received in joy.

At that moment, as nearly 27 (twenty seven) light bulbs went off, this newsletter was truly born.

And that is when my experience of writing changed 1000%.

The title fits me like pizza sauce belongs to a pizza crust. To me, the title is light hearted, risky, and true. 

I don't take myself all that seriously. (I've done that in the past, and this is much better.) I like to laugh. I have an off beat perspective of life and of the world. And I'm clearly a work in progress.

I decided the content also had to fit as snugly as the title. Still armed with my idea of "business" content, I re-committed myself to writing.

And I did write. Not about business, not about marketing, and not about strategy. (These are, by the way, all things I love.)

What came out was not what I expected. You see, I started writing what was in my heart. And the process of writing which was previously a chore, a struggle, an effort of varying proportion, has since become a joy, a pleasure, and a gift all in itself.

I've learned that it is my responsibility to do what truly comes from my heart.

I can simply be no other way. I've tried it, and it doesn't work. And this process has helped me learn this hopefully for the last time!

I know half baked has not only helped me, but others as well. That was, of course, the original intention. Maybe in ways I never envisioned, perhaps in ways I'll never know.

But it is all good. I simply can't imagine a newsletter on "business" or something as boring as "best practices" being more helpful, at least to me... can you? :-)

The future of half baked is always evolving. Hope you have enjoyed the journey! I thank you so very much for being a part of it!

:-)

The content of  Half-Baked may be forwarded in full without special permission provided it is used for nonprofit purposes and full attribution and copyright notice are given. Our mailing address is: BizSmart LLC
659 Auburn Ave, NE, Suite G-21, Atlanta, GA  30312 For other purposes, contact jans@bizsmart.net.