I’ve found that turning actions into habits is a great way to create lasting change.  We identify an obstacle, create a structure or routine to overcome this obstacle, and then refine our process until we no longer need to think about the solution – it becomes automatic.

For many of my clients initiating action is a challenge.

We know “the advantage of working from home is working from home”.  AND . . . “the disadvantage of working from home is working from home”!

One solution is to create a “get motivated, get focused, get working” playlist.  A few of the songs on my playlist are  . . .

  • my mind movie (a number of meaningful pictures and afformations set to music)
  • “Free” by Faith Hill (reminding me that I’m choosing the freedom to follow my path as a solopreneur)
  • “Boys “Round Here” by Blake Shelton (who can’t laugh listening to those lyrics)
  • “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen (for the teenage girl in me).

Recently, I just added a “decompress, leave work behind, relax” playlist.  I’m using this playlist to transition from my “work time” to my “thinking time” (or even to my “me time”).

I realize I need to be in a different state of mind when I switch from the structured doing parts of my day, to the unstructured thinking (or relaxing) parts of my day.

One part of this new playlist is Natasha Bedingfield’s song, “Unwritten”.   The line  is the perfect line to remind me that I create the schedule but I need to be open to the outcome – as the ending is still to be determined.

Taking a moment to stop, listen, and then think allows me to be more open to the process.

“Unwritten”

I am unwritten, can’t read my mind, I’m undefined
I’m just beginning, the pen’s in my hand, ending unplanned

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

Oh, oh, oh

I break tradition, sometimes my tries, are outside the lines
We’ve been conditioned to not make mistakes, but I can’t live that way

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten
The rest is still unwritten
The rest is still unwritten

Oh, yeah, yeah

What strategies have you used in the past to get into “work mode”?  Or to get out of “work mode”?  I would love to hear about your successes (or your challenges!)  Please post below!