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When You Know You Feel Like Yourself

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By Katie Corbett

 

I enjoy feeling like I am authentically who I meant to be. I have more joy in life, feel a greater sense of well-being, and I am more productive when I feel most like myself.

 

I can tell when I am feeling most like myself, because I feel more emotionally balanced. I am not easily swayed by the feelings of others or the circumstances around me.

 

Another sign that I am living as my truest self is that I start to get interested in new hobbies. I recently picked up origami and ballet, and both of these ventures our results of my feeling very in-tune with who I am.

What are some ways that you can tell that you are living from your true potential? Leave a comment and let me know.

 

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If There Were No One Else in the World

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By Katie Corbett

 

I am a recovering people-pleaser. I am always looking for ways to figure out what I want, find out what is important to me, and accomplish those things.

 

I have pondered a question that has helped me do this effectively: “If there were no one else in the world, what would you do?” It is a very insightful question, and I have been surprised by the answers I have gotten.

At times, when I ask myself this question, the answer is something relaxing, like read a book, or take a nap. Other times it is something productive, like work on a specific project, or do chores.

 

At first, I was afraid that when I asked myself this question, I would only do activities that would give me the most pleasure. Asking myself this question has helped me trust myself, and recognize what is good for me in that moment without worrying about the opinions or expectations of others.

Have you encountered a question that has changed your life? Let me know; I would love to see it in the comments.

 

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Keeping The Silence: Leaving Email Notifications Turned Off

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By Katie Corbett

 

I am always looking for ways to maximize productivity and minimize stress. This past week, I tried something new that has helped a lot. When I got back to work after the holidays I left my email notifications turned off.

 

Doing this helped me realize that I am more productive when I can check my email at a time that is best for me. Rather than having a Pavlovian response every time my email pings, I can check the account when I have time and mental bandwidth to do any tasks necessary that might pop up.

I typically check my email mid-morning, again at around noon, and a final time later in the day at around 3:00 PM. This helps me stay on top of things, and make sure that I am not missing anything important without sacrificing focus time.

 

What new hacks are you trying to minimize stress, maximize productivity, and make your life better? Leave a comment and let me know.

 

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Reflections on The 4-Hour Workweek: The Joys of Outsourcing

Katie Corbett holds the book, "The 4-Hour Workweek"

By Katie Corbett

 

Since I owe a lot of my success—and future planning—to the book, “The 4-Hour Workweek,” by Tim Ferriss, I have decided to revisit the book each quarter in 2022. Here are my thoughts in quarter four. I hope this inspires you to pick up a book that helps you live your dreams. Enjoy!

 

 

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Remember in December: Lessons from the Final quarter of 2022

Katie Corbett headshot

By Katie Corbett

 

This month, I am reflecting on the lessons I learned during each quarter of 2022. During the fourth quarter of 2022, I quit a job, started a new one, made more edits to my novel, got Covid, and, for the first time since this blog’s inception, I failed to post on a Friday.

 

I think the main take away from this quarter has been for me to take care of myself and give myself grace. I hope that all of us can take that lesson into the new year.

What was the most important thing you’ve learned in 2022? Leave me a comment and let me know.

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Remember in December: Lessons From Quarter Three of 2022

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By Katie Corbett

 

Throughout this month, I am reflecting on what I learned in 2022, quarter by quarter. In the third quarter in 2022, I took time off to visit a friend, planned my first fundraising event, and added a few more chapters to my novel.


in that quarter, I learned that it is important to take things at the pace that they need to happen. In planning the event, I did what needed to be done at the time that it needed to be done. I hadn’t been aware that more chapters needed to go into my novel until they needed to happen. And in terms of taking time off to visit a friend, it was important to take the vacation time when it arose and fully utilize the opportunity when it presented itself.

 

When have you done things in the time that they needed to happen? Have you made the decision to stop accusing yourself of laziness or poor planning and taking life as it has come? What have been the results? I’d love to know, so feel free to leave me a comment.

 

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Remember in December: Lessons from Quarter 2 of 2022

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By Katie Corbett

 

This month, I am reflecting on lessons I learned throughout each of the quarters in 2022. In the second quarter, I was offered a new job, worked a lot (sometimes three jobs at once), and started writing my novel again.

 

I think the biggest take away is that no matter how busy you are, make time for things that are fun. If I hadn’t been working on my novel during that time, I don’t know that I would have been able to accomplish all of the things I wanted to accomplish. It was a wonderful, creative outlet, and I am excited to be , working on it again. (I originally started it when I was in college, and have written several iterations since then; now I feel like it is finally coming together.)

 

What creative hobbies sustain you during times of busyness and stress? Leave me a comment and let me know.

 

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Remember in December: Lessons from the First Quarter of 2022

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By Katie Corbett

 

As the year comes to a close, I will reflect on what I have learned in each quarter. During quarter one of 2022, I went on a work trip for two weeks with my coworkers, lead a focus group for the first time, Did a lot of reading and meditation, and landed some unexpected clients in my business.

 

I think the most valuable lesson I learned in that quarter was to keep discovering more about myself. I found it helpful to sit in the quiet and reflect on who I am as a person.

 

What did you do in the first quarter of 2022? I’d love to hear how it went and what you learned.

 

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Benefits of Review

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By Katie Corbett


There is value in going back and reviewing things you have made earlier in your life. I have had a novel in the works since 2009. Yesterday, I took some time between doing a load of dishes and preparing for Thanksgiving to read over that very first draft ever. Needless to say, my writing has improved a lot since then. But I did learn several valuable lessons from that experience.

 

I learned that reading my old writing could be enjoyable. I compared it to looking at baby pictures: sort of cute, slightly embarrassing, and I’m definitely grateful no one else will read that book.

 

It was fun to see how much my writing has improved since then. I have gotten much better at dialogue, more readily able to show instead of tell, and my plot points have gotten tighter.

 

Even though that first draft is basically garbage, I know that my novel wouldn’t be what it is today without that writing. I needed to write to figure out who my characters are, what kinds of things they would do, and how they would interact with each other. That first draft definitely helped me flesh out a lot of those points.

 

Have you taken the time to go back and look at previous work? What insights did you gain from the experience? Can you think of ways in which that previous work has impacted you now? I would love to know, so feel free to leave me a comment.

 

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The Joys of Asking for Help

Katie Corbett headshot

By Katie Corbett

 

Sometimes, it is important to ask for help. I am in a stage of my life where I am paring down and making my life less complicated. As a result, there are certain things I am no longer taking on, or certain projects I am passing along to other people.

 

I have found it helpful to think of who is in my corner, and ask those people for support when I need it. Whether I’m looking for some objective advice, seeking out someone to hire for a project I no longer have the time or energy to complete, or searching out a friend to have new experiences with, finding people for each of these things has been both fun and rewarding.

 

Have you outsourced anything in your life? If so, how did it work out? I’d love to hear about your experiences, so feel free to leave me a comment.

 

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