Determining the Value of our Work

It’s no secret that I absolutely adore what I do for a living.

And I’m pretty darn good at it too.

Recently I realized something is out of alignment and I’m guessing I’m not the only person struggling with this.

A few key events have helped me see that I’ve been undervaluing myself. (This article helped too. As well as my dear husband very bluntly telling me it’s crazy to give away my services for free.)

I realized that the danger in loving your work so much that you’d do it for free is that sometimes you end up doing just that! 

Furthermore, when our work allows us to use our true strengths it often feels easy. In fact, this is a sign that we are doing our right work. I truly believe this but at times I still tend to get stuck in the if-it's-worth-anything-it-can't-come-easy mentality. For me this translates to undervaluing myself and undercharging for my services. Yuck!  

So I'm off to reevaluate how I monetize my gifts, services, and products. Care to join me? Share your thoughts on worth and work in the comments below or on my Facebook page. I love hearing from you!

image credit

P.S. I definitely believe in pro bono offerings. But I’m learning now that they need to be intentional. Otherwise I risk draining my energy and becoming resentful of the gorgeous peeps I work with. So if you are considering giving away your time and talents for free I strongly encourage you to take some time and outline what your ideal pro bono gig looks like. 

P.P.S. For more on this topic check out Tara’s The Art of Earning or my friend Dani’s The Evil League of You.    

What are you longing for?

Come home to yourself.

Come home to yourself.

Come home to yourself.

Come home to your Self.

Lately I hear myself saying this repeatedly while I teach yoga.

It seems to me that many people today are searching for something, existing in a constant state of striving toward some goal. Many times we can’t even put our finger on exactly what it is that we feel is missing. Heck, many times we don’t even slow down enough to notice how we are feeling!

What is it we are longing for? Eight consecutive hours of sleep? A fabulous international vacation? The perfect vegan dark truffle? We might look toward a new job, a robust savings account, the perfect partner, or a beautiful home to bring us contentment. How many of us have ever uttered the words, “I’ll be happy when…”

All of these things are wonderful goals to work toward in life. (Especially the 8 hours of sleep. Believe me I will be shouting it from the rooftops when Lainey sleeps through the night.) And I am all about going after your dreams! But hear me when I say this: achievements, be they personal or professional, aren’t going to bring you what you’re looking for. No shiny object can bring you true inner peace. 

Because all of our hankering for stuff and titles and money is really a yearning for something more – a certain feeling we are after. And the truth is this: whatever you are seeking is already within you. Now if we could just get quiet enough to connect with it…

I truly believe that there are countless ways to tap into this fount of pure, blissful peace within you. Please do whatever works for you. You’ll know it when you’ve got it. If you’ve never felt connected with this part of yourself before here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Meditation (actually everything on the rest of the list is just another form of meditation)
• Yoga
• Folding laundry
• Painting
• Sewing
• Washing dishes
• Drawing
• Writing
• Laying on the beach
• Walking
• Watching wild animals
• Hiking a mountain
• Staring at a river
• Knitting
• Holding a baby
• Gazing at a fire
• Running
• Petting a dog or cat

What would you add? I'd love to read about it in the comments or on my Facebook page! 

    

Guest Post by Jennifer Winarski: Intuitive Painting

Some of you might be thinking that an evening walk with Nik Wallenda would be a better choice than taking a painting class! 

I beg you not to take one. 

one of my intuitive painting pieces ~Mindy 

With that said, I encourage you try an intuitive painting class instead.  

What is intuitive painting? Well, to me it is acting on your whims. It is playing with paint like a small child. 

Have you ever watched children paint? 

They just spread colors willy nilly and they often make a mess. 

They experiment and they don’t give it much thought. 

I asked my 6 year old son what he thinks about when he paints a picture. He turned his head to the side, scrunched up his face and he replied “nothing”.  He simply plays with paint. When was the last time you had permission to just be who you are with zero judgment and no expectations? An intuitive painting class can provide a nourishing environment where one can feel comfortable to stop thinking and just have some willy nilly fun!

Jennifer Winarski

Creative, artist, homemaker and blogger.

Mindfulcanvas.blogspot.com

P.S.  There are just 4 spots left for my Women's Yoga & Creativity Mini-Retreat on July 21st featuring an awesome Intuitive Painting workshop with Jenn! You can reserve your space by contacting me at mscime710@roadrunner.com or 716-939-0892.