My work and life support each other. I work in a way that supports my health, my heart, and my whole life. Likewise, I live in a way that supports and feeds my work. This wasn’t always the way, but today, with a soul-centered business, it is.
When I wrote A Gentle Warrior’s Manifesto to End Busyness, I thought there might be more to say from a Gentle Warrior’s perspective. Creating rules or guidelines for how I live and work encourages a healthy, happy lifestyle and helps me enjoy the work I do. These rules also serve as a cornerstone, so when I feel lost or overwhelmed, I have a solid foundation to come back to.
The Gentle Warrior’s Guide to Doing Good Work is a list of my non-negotiables for creating and engaging in good work.
1. I will keep things simple.
Simplicity has transformed my life and my work. Things build up and get complicated, but I keep coming back to simplicity. It means saying no, cutting things out, streamlining and sometimes stepping back to really see what has to change.
Be a gentle warrior.
Keeping things simple isn’t always the easy choice, but practice anyway. The simplest version of something is almost always the most appealing, most compelling, and most sustainable.
2. I will write 3 pages every morning.
Every morning I write 3 pages of words that usually mean nothing. I do it to clear my mind and make room for ideas and words that will mean something. Thanks to Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way
Be a gentle warrior.
Start your day with something that fills your heart, or soothes your soul. It will calm and prepare you for the day ahead.
3. When I feel pressured or panicky about work, I won’t work harder.
When deadlines loomed, or the work piled up, I used to wake up, coffee up and get to work. I’d work through lunch or stay up late trying to keep up. I finally realized that kind of frenetic effort doesn’t result in better work. Now if I feel pressured or panicky, I take a walk, eat a slow meal, take pictures of flowers, or write down my heart until I calm down.
Be a gentle warrior.
Be kind to yourself as you find your way in business. Leave the keeping up and catching up behind. Don’t be afraid to walk away from your work and give it room to unfold as you remind yourself that everything will be ok even if it feels like things are falling apart. As Wallace Stevens said, “sometimes the truth depends on a walk around the lake.”
You will feel better and work smarter when you get back from your walk.
4. I will establish and protect boundaries.
My mornings are for connecting with my heart and soul, and for creating. I don’t schedule meetings or appointments before 1pm unless absolutely necessary. The morning is for making things and the afternoons are for everything else.
Be a gentle warrior.
Do what’s most important to you first. Do it before email, Facebook, or making your bed. Creating boundaries will help you protect your health, your life, and your work. Do this with the heart of a gentle warrior and your efforts won’t be selfish or isolating, but instead will allow you to be and give your best self.
Creating boundaries makes room to expand in all directions. You’ll free up time, space, and attention to expand in any direction you choose. And, you’ll have great clarity on what the best direction is.
5. I will always bend the rules around never and always.
I work within my values and know what I need to do most of the time to stay soul-centered in my work. That said, things change. I will shift and evolve, challenge my always and nevers, bend the rules, and re-write them if necessary.
Be a gentle warrior.
There will be days where you have to let all the rules go. Remember you created them to serve you and when they don’t, release them or change them without regret.
Such wise words–thanks for your inspiration. I love that we share simplicity as a core value.
These are such helpful guides that are so easy to personalise. I’m fortunate to work in a job that nourishes me but even within this there is more I could do to bring joy and simplicity to the work. Thank you. Cx
Courtney-
I especially love #5 – bending the rules around always and never. When I’m wading deep in the world of personal development, I think we (or at least I) can get caught up and pressed my emulating other people’s hard and fast routines, rules, life structures, etc. However, everyone’s journey is unique, and we can never evolved unless we loosen our grip around never and always. Realizing that has been a game changer for me.
P.S. I recently purchased your micro business mini course. It was just want I needed to get a little jump start! I have read a lot of business books over the last couple of years, and it’s the first piece of work I’ve read in that realm that didn’t feel gimmicky…I can tell it’s from your heart. Thank you!
These were simple and straight to the point, Courtney. I especially loved the third rule on not working more when we panic. I actually had that kind of day at work today and when I read this post over lunch, it pulled me out of my “headless chicken running” state and helped me be less panicked the rest of the day. Thanks, Courtney!
I love these rules. I, too, have been reevaluating my life and work and trying to create a more calm, peaceful, happy yet purposeful life. The morning advice is particularly good- it keeps you from letting the less important things suck up all of your time and creative energy.
Thank you so much for your words, your work. You, and your work, are beautiful.
Thank you for sharing, Courtney! I like how you combined “gentle” and “warrior” together, and that you quoted Brene Brown, my fave author – I’ve read all 4 of her books!
Mandy
I enjoy what you write and, having just started on a new blogging adventure, needed this today. It is comforting to know that what I have learned about myself seems to be in line with your gentle warrior concept. I am slowly learning what I need to stay healthy – mentally and physically. I’m currently doing really well with number four. Thanks for the reminders.
this is so helpful! thank you.