How many times have you wished you could take a short cut or read “CliffsNotes” to achieve results? The reality is as leaders, parents, and seekers we spend much of our time collecting information that can transform our lives, but stall when it comes to implementation.

I spent years creating a holistic balanced life that supported me as both a parent and leader. During this trial and error period, I kept my own version of CliffsNotes as I applied mindfulness techniques to life and work. I witnessed our organization’s turnover rates decrease from 33% to under 1% by revamping our goal and review processes and implementing 9 actionable principles. Experiencing this success motivated me to expand my notes into a book and program, Culture Infusion: 9 Principles to Create and Maintain an Organizational Culture to help others.

Inspired by Cliff Hillegass the creator of CliffsNotes, in the video below, I share my condensed version on how the 9 Principles of Culture Infusion can be your starting point to identifying potential enhancements in your firm.

If you would like to explore, understand, and encounter new ways to review your organizational structure, I am happy to assist you. We can start with a simple employee survey or assessment. Contact me today for more information. ​

​With a focus on whole-body awareness and some simple Ayurvedic suggestions, I learned how to turn a midday slump into midday intelligence. This 3,000 year old holistic approach works for adults and children by supporting our natural biological rhythms. The foods we choose can affect our body and brain causing us to slump or to flourish. With a little attention we can optimize our lunch choices for ourselves and our children at work, school, or home.
 
Midday Lunch
Ayurvedic food is used to sustain balance in the body and as a medicine to heal.  It is suggested that lunch is the largest meal, as our digestive fire is at its strongest. Taking the time to bring a homemade lunch fuels the mind and body to sustain balance and create mental clarity. Even though processed food is more convenient to pack, it can be laced with harmful additives and chemicals. Processed food lacks prana (life force) and intelligence that can disturb the intellectual rhythms. On the other hand, pure cooked food promotes balance and is easier to digest and absorb nutrients. This gives us strength to make it through a mentally challenging day. This is equally important if you have school aged children. A balanced diet enables us to better handle the emotional ups and downs of the day.
 
Tips:

• Use a thermos to store a freshly cooked meal.
• Try homemade soups and stews.
• Experiment with rice, bean, and vegetable combinations.
• Find options that are likable and easy to prepare in the morning.
• Save fruit for a snack.

 
In Ayurveda which literally translates to science of life in Sanskrit, it is recommended not to pair fruit with other food, making fruit the perfect after school or work snack option.
 
Midday Intelligence
Now that you have nourished your body it is time to attend to your brain. Take a few minutes to stretch or go for a walk. Quiet your mind by paying attention to each of your feet touching the ground feeling your feet stretch. Try meditating, focusing on your breathing, or making a mental gratitude list. (For guided relaxations and movement at your desk, check out all the options in the drop down on my personal wellness website: http://www.zendoway.com/videos.html). Visualize how you will interact with your loved ones when you greet them at the of their day. Formulate a few questions you can use to really interact.
 
Here are a few questions and leads to get you started:

• Tell me about the best part of your day.
• What was the hardest part of your day?
• Who did you eat lunch with?

 
As the new season is upon us and for our own well-being, it is critical to utilize our energy in the most effective and efficient ways. Nobody likes the midday slump, but with the slightest efforts Ayurvedic or Ayurveda can be utilized to energize your family’s day at work or school.
 
If you would like to add mindful energy to your day, contact me about my Make a Great Day! Program. Individual and companywide sessions are available. 

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1.   My great-grandfather Cecil Stowers. His passion for educating children left the legacy of the Cecil B. Stowers Elementary School in Anaheim, CA. I was blessed to have spent summers under his guidance through high school.

He taught me to respect everyone. Walking by his side I witnessed him thanking every person he encountered at each establishment. Each person as important as the last; none labeled as less than or more integral than another. I saw his gratitude towards teamwork as he discussed how each person is necessary on a team.

He took me to the library. I cherished our quiet time at the library where we read together. What made it special was that he never told me I had to read, we just did. He truly led by example.

He gave me the gift of confidence. I believed in myself because he believed in me and asked me about my dreams and passions. He demonstrated this with effective listening. He was fully present, asked me sincere questions, and asked how he can support me to achieve my goals.

2.   My 8th grade basketball coach. He shared his journey on how he had to work hard to be his best and in turn, I dug in deeper to reach my highest potential. We experienced teamwork and the importance of coming together with plays. To this day, the shot I took in one of those plays, I make with ease. With our dedication, we won the 8th grade championship as the underdogs with our short, yet scrappy team (I am 42 in the picture). I lived the importance of playing to each team member’s strengths. 

As he was giving out awards, he spoke of a natural leader who inspired and lifted each of the team members up. I thought to myself, I want to be that person. As he called my name, I was in shock, yet felt responsible to continue being that person he described. From that day forward, I have been passionate about lifting others up to see their best qualities as he saw something I did not see in myself. I felt the value of being appreciated.