Is It Really Too Hard, or Have You Not Tried?

Throughout my life, I've been content solving just one or maybe two sides of a Rubik's Cube. I'd watch in awe as some effortlessly completed it in seconds, hands moving too quickly to follow. I had this notion that it required endless practice and time investment, so I never bothered trying.

But the other day, I stumbled upon a Rubik's Cube in my son's room and thought, "Why not give it a shot?" I found a 13-minute YouTube video promising to reveal the secrets. It became a cycle of watching a bit, pausing, rewinding, and replaying—over and over. Surprisingly, in about 3 hours, I cracked it for the first time. I even have a recording of my 7th completion. In that recording, I completed the cubics in about 6 minutes. For a beginner like me, I think that's pretty speedy.

Each time I finish, it's a mix of amazement and joy, but also a hint of sadness, wondering how many things I've let slip by just because I assumed they'd be too hard, time-consuming, or beyond my capabilities.

No doubt, some endeavors may end up that way, but I've realized there are countless things I've abandoned without even trying. This experience taught me a lesson. I'm determined to explore, attempt, and experiment before throwing in the towel. So, how about you? Is there something you've passed up thinking it was too challenging or inconvenient? My advice: don't commit, just give it a shot. It might turn out to be easier than you ever imagined. And even if it proves as tough as you initially thought, at least you'll know for certain, and you can confidently cross it off your list. 🚀🤔

Impossible Dream

I was once told that to live a great life, you should dream big, so big it might seem impossible. That's how I chose my impossible dream: flying an airplane. To me, it felt utterly out of reach, and for many years, it truly was.

Then, one day, on a hiking trip with some physicists from my lab, I overheard a conversation. A guy in the group was talking about his small airplane pilot training. My curiosity was piqued, and I couldn't help but ask him more – Where do you learn it? What’s it take to get the pilot license?

A few months later, there I was, a private pilot, flying a Cessna airplane.

We can only achieve as much as we allow ourselves to imagine.

If flying hadn't been my 'impossible dream', would I have even noticed that conversation? Probably not. BTW, the guy from the hiking trip? He's now my husband.

So, what is your impossible dream? Are there dreams you’re overlooking because you haven't dared to imagine them? 

If you're intrigued by the idea of challenging 'impossible' dreams and exploring your own vision and purpose, you might find our discussions at the Women Leaders Community interesting. Our cohort on vision and purpose just started this week, and we have four more weeks of insightful sessions ahead. Curious? Check out more here: https://www.kimcoachinggroup.com/women-leaders-community

Can You Be Lazy? It May Not Be as Easy as It Sounds.

 In a recent post, I shared some reflections on productivity and came to a realization: I hadn't truly taken a break even after leaving my corporate job. My "time off" was actually packed with mother-son activities, fulfilling yet not quite the rest I needed.

As the holiday season rolled in, I felt my energy levels dwindling. This led me to a rather unusual experiment: embracing complete laziness. Surprisingly, this was harder than I initially thought.

The first few days were blissful. I lounged on the couch, embarking on a K-drama marathon, my version of climbing Mount Everest – but with less frostbite and more plot twists. Their creative storylines were a delightful escape from the world of corporate reports and spreadsheets.

But soon, this initial burst of excitement started to wane. Thoughts like, "Is watching dramas really how I want to spend my life?" began to surface. These guilt-inducing questions turned into a relentless mental game of whac-a-mole, each popping up without warning, demanding attention.

When the appeal of dramas faded, I tried to do absolutely nothing. That's when my couch and I struck up a friendship. It seemed to whisper, 'Embrace the laziness,' as I sank deeper into its cushions. But even in this comfort, a strange restlessness began to set in.

This discomfort was more than just boredom – it was a gnawing unease, the kind you feel when doing something you shouldn't. My instinctive reaction was to reach for my phone, aimlessly scrolling through apps. Recognizing this, I uninstalled many apps and put my phone out of easy reach.

Our society often views idleness as a sin, echoing in sayings like "Idle hands are the devil's workshop." Growing up, I was taught to value hard work and productivity, always judged by my achievements. Despite knowing that rest is crucial for productivity, the guilt was hard to shake off.

It might sound like I embraced laziness for a long time, but it was just over two weeks. During this period, I found joy in cooking healthy meals for my family, which surprisingly occupied much of my day and was quite fulfilling.

Emerging from these two weeks, ideas began to flow effortlessly. I hadn't planned to think about them until the new year, yet they matured on their own. It was a powerful reminder that, like muscles growing during rest periods and not workouts, creative ideas often bloom in relaxation, not in the hustle.

So, I leave you with this thought: Are you giving yourself enough 'lazy time' in your life? What has been your experience with taking a step back to just 'be'? I'd love to hear your stories and reflections on embracing downtime.

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Rethinking Productivity

There's a pervasive message out there about the importance of being productive and numerous tools promising to increase our productivity. We all felt guilty, at least once, when we perceive ourselves as unproductive. Often we link this productivity with the idea of leaving a legacy. It’s a productive life if I leave a legacy.

When I ask, 'What do you want to create during your time on Earth?' I typically receive two types of answers. Some speak of their big dreams and the legacy they wish to leave; how they want to be remembered. Others talk about simpler aspirations, like spending time with loved ones and being happy. I must confess, there was a time when I thought the latter group lacked ambition. My view on this has changed.

A story that profoundly impacted me involves a conversation between Buddhist monks. A young monk spoke to an older one before leaving the temple for the summer. Upon his return three months later, the older monk inquired, 'How was your summer?' The young monk replied, 'Every day, I prepared meals, ate them, and cleaned up.' The old monk responded, 'You had a great summer.'

Initially, I didn't understand. Just cooking, eating, and washing dishes for three months - how could that be productive or meaningful? It seemed like a waste of time. But after years, the message began to resonate with me: the value in everyday, mundane routines. Alain de Botton once said, 'We forget that spreading butter on bread and making the bed for our children are wondrous things.'

So, I ask you: On your deathbed, which will weigh heavier on your heart? The pursuit of productivity and legacy, or the missed moments with loved ones? Ultimately, what does productivity truly mean to you?

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