Guilty Pleasures without the Guilt - By: Linda Greven

If I had a dime for every friend who told me she couldn't enjoy something fun because she'd feel guilty, I'd be a millionairess by now!

What is it with women and care-givers?

They can't have fun without feeling like they are doing something wrong?!?!?!

Many of my coaching clients tell me the same thing -- I suggest they go have a massage, and they say "Oh, no, I couldn't do that -- it would cost too much!"

Or I say, why don't you take the weekend and go visit a friend, and they reply "Well what about the laundry, the meals, and the shopping?"

And some of them even say, "Well, no; I couldn't go do something fun, because then my husband would have to stay home, miss his golf game, and look after the kids!"

Can you believe that? I mean -- really!!! Men are OK to have fun, but we aren't? What kind of message is that sending to the Universe?

My friend Lacey is a perfect example. She's working on two important projects (simultaneously), looking after a 1-year-old, trying to upgrade her education, and keeping house, etc. So, is it any wonder that she needs a break now and then? She finds herself in tears a lot; wonders why she's having difficulty coping, beating herself up for not being on top of everything, and probably not sleeping well. She's certainly not eating well; when one of us reminds her that she needs to have some protein more than once a day, she says, "Oh, yeah; l forgot!"

Lacey is a perfect candidate for our 3-3-3 program. In this program we introduce the notion that you need to plan on doing three FUN things each month. Then, after that has become a habit, we suggest you try to do three FUN things each week. And -- you guessed it -- once you've mastered that idea, we look for you to bring three FUN things into your life (and the life of your family) each day.

That's not such an unreasonable idea, you know! One of my favourite new books is by Ted Schredd; it's called Grandma knows the "F" word, and it's every bit as outrageous as you might think, but not in the same way. You see, the F-word that Grandma knows is "FUN".

When you think about the fact that children laugh more than 400 times each day, we adults should certainly consider laughing with our families, and our friends at least THREE times per day -- don'tcha think?!?

Jan Jantzen, the Women's Entrepreneurial Guru suggests that every business woman plan on ONE FULL day of FUN every week. She suggests that on your planned FUN day, you have no business contact whatsoever, no e-mails, no phone calls. Just you and your FUN time.

I know; some of you are cringing at that notion!

But honestly, you'll be surprised at how much more refreshed and energized you'll be! You'll have more desire to be with your family; more creativity to bring to the table, and more willingness to be open to the demands of a busy woman's life.

Since I first heard Jan make that suggestion, I decided to do exactly that! I can tell you it's amazing - every Saturday, I spend my time doing things I love to do, baking cookies, working on a quilt, digging in the garden - but no work-related activities. I don't do laundry, I don't clean (other than dishes) and I don't do e-mails. No computer for me on Saturday - unless I'm printing out a new recipe I've found and am dying to try.

It's very liberating, I must say! There is no time pressure - I do what I want, when I want, for as long as I want.

If this is something you think might help you, but it scares the you-know-what out of you, give us a call, and one of our coaches will be happy to get you started on the right track to enjoying a few of those Guilty Pleasures without the guilt!

About the Author

Remember when you and your husband first met? Remember enjoying doing things together? You used to have FUN, right? Then you got caught up in taking care of everyone else, and forgot how to PLAY. NeenaL helps women re-discover the FUN person they used to be. You can bring the joy back into your life. Click here for a free 1/2 hour coaching session to help you re-connect with that FUN individual. http://www.fun-wey.com/sample.html

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