“It is not always one big step, but a few steps forward.”
~ Denise Junqueiro
This week we have the pleasure of sharing parts of the transformational story of one of our original clients – Denise Junqueiro. Denise and Tess met in 2014 when she was a fellow attending the California Agriculture Leadership Foundation program. Tess was a part of restructuring the Ag Leadership learning and seminars and provided the Leadership Coaching for the program. In fact, Denise was a great support when Tess Cox & Associates was just beginning to launch the business.
We lead ourselves and our business by TRUSTING the foundation of our CHARACTER. As our client's learn to TRUST their own personal and professional integrity - they experience greater success by staying true to who they are AND through making decisions that are best for their organizations, teams and employees.
We're curious to know, "Do you have a word that is your focus for the 2025 New Year?"
Last week we mentioned the most helpful question to ask when new tasks and responsibilities come up within your team:
is this urgent or is this important?
In fact, that question was posed earlier this year in a cohort we were coaching through The Engagement Blueprint. The question reinforced how important it is to ask – it’s on everyone’s mind when given a new task, project or goal.
It’s likely that most of the work you do is very important. At the same time, it may or may not be urgent. Click here for a quick coaching video on how to discern. Considering the time of day you have your best energy may influence how urgent a certain task, project or goal is. Considering your energy will help you to prioritize so you can utilize your mindset, behaviors and strategy within your peak performance times. (Note: we all have peak performance times.)
YOU are Essential
Who you are … MATTERS. Allow this simple sentence to sink in. Who you are .... MATTERS.
Within the circles I follow and engage on social media from hospitality, leadership, self-development and self-care, fitness, healthy eating and inner peace – the theme of “valuing ourselves” and taking this time to recognize what we truly value, is a consistent message.
We are one month (if not more for some) into social distancing, staying at home, not seeing our family, friends and co-workers. We have been forced into working from home, going to work as essential workers or going to our place of work under limited conditions. Many of us are facing new realities of working overtime and under extreme circumstances. And, at the same time, being expected to instantly create a new normal that works for us, our families and everyone around us.
Writing To Be of Service... The Present Moment is A Blessing
A Time To Breathe - Mediation Is A Practice
Close your eyes
Take a slow, deep breath in through your nose for the count of 4 as your abdomen extends
Hold at the top for a count of 4
Now release, slowly out of your mouth for a count of 4, allowing the air to empty out of your lungs completely
Hold at the bottom for a count of 4
Repeat
This is a simple breathing exercise called box breathing. I use this exercise, any time I am feeling anxious or in need to re-center my thoughts and emotions. During these present days, I’m practicing my breathing exercise, A LOT. According to the Mayo Clinic, simple conscious breathing techniques (like this one), can release negative tension in the body. I have found, it is worth releasing the negative tension, instead of storing it inside of my body. In return, my stress is reduced, (as it seems or feels) almost immediately. I have found, my daily choice to exercise my breathing provides an extra level of mindfulness and personal presence. It may be hard to believe, something so simple that I choose to practice can have that much impact on my body and mind. I encourage you, this breathing exercise can, and it does, change the way you think and feel!
It is probable, we can all agree, now more than ever, how thankful we are for every breath we breathe - for we are witnessing through the news, social media, family and friends those who are taking their last breath, due to this pandemic every day. Truly, every moment we have, is a blessing.
A Time To Meditate – A Choice To Connect To Your Inner Being
When I began my meditation practice a few years ago, I fought it. I remember, meditation had been recommended, by various leaders and bosses, year after year in my 20’s, as I navigated an intensely demanding career. My excuses were consistent, I can’t sit still that long, I don’t have time, I don’t know how, it’s not for me...
It wasn’t until I chose to connect with my inner self that I experienced the life changing benefits of meditation. And, I am still learning something new about my inner self, every day. There are days I can sit for 20+ minutes. There are days, I struggle to calm my mind for 5 minutes. Every day is different, and that’s ok. The days that are difficult, I give myself grace and give myself permission to begin again, in a new day. Some days, being mindfully aware of each moment is enough.
As we journey through these next few weeks, months and years being present in our current reality is truly all that we have. As we move in and through this current and challenging time, the other side of all of this longs for us to be and stay fully present. Right here and right now appreciating and valuing our blessings.
Over the last few weeks, as I’ve joined worldwide meditation events with different spiritual teachers, I have felt a shift in our communal gathering. I have felt people yearning to connect deeply, in order to have a true sense of peace and calm.
Even, if you are a person who prefers to disconnect – meditation is always waiting, the time and space are here for you and will support you. I understand, if you don’t know where to start, I know from my own experience and excuses, it is difficult to GET STARTED. My encouragement is to “JUST BEGIN.”
Some of the most beautiful stories are from people who use their creativity while mediating, “walking in nature is my meditation, riding my bike is my meditation, writing is my meditation.” There is no right or wrong when it comes to the styles of meditation – the opportunities are endless. Meditation does not HAVE to be done in stillness – although, I do challenge you to work at least a few minutes of quiet and stillness into your practice each day. I believe you’ll experience the benefits of meditation and eventually begin to look forward to it! Yes, meditation can be another one of life’s blessings.
A Time To Be Supported Within Meditation.
Not only does meditation create more oxygen flow and have the ability to release toxins from your body, it provides support to your mind, your body and your soul when you are grieving, feeling trauma or experiencing sorrow.
As I reflect on my own life’s meditation journey, 2019 was a BIG year where I needed and relied upon my meditation practice.
Meditation supported me as my family and I lost my grandmother who was suffering from Alzheimer's. For years, my family and I experienced her deteriorating mind and body. It was tragic for us all to experience her slow death, as the disease continued to debilitate her inner and outer being. During the time of her death and our grief, meditation provided peace and even a sense of freedom for my soul. I felt comfort knowing she was no longer suffering. As a family, we were released from the day to day care giving for her, which, in full transparency was exhausting us all.
Meditation supported me as I experienced deep trauma from losing my puppy to a rare disease. He was only one year and nine months old and it was tragic to see his body waste away, no matter the efforts and cost we went through to save his life. When he was alive, he had the role of my meditation partner. He loved to be near me and he truly helped me connect with the greater world around me on a deeper level. My meditation practice, when he left this world, calmed my daily tears and sorrow.
Meditation supported me as I opened a restaurant in three months-time (seriously a world record!). With circumstances outside of my control, our team was forced to permanently close, a month after we had worked so hard to open. The last quarter of 2019 was highly demanding mentally, physically and emotionally. That said, my commitment to my meditation practice helped me navigate every day through the tumultuous time and to the other side of my sorrow of loss and closure.
A Time to Choose - Meditation Can Support You, Too
I share my experiences with meditation and the various ways it has supported me, to show how meditation can be of service and support to you, as well. It can provide encouragement to your inner being, also. I do hope, my experiences with meditation, piques your interest to connect with your inner being and true self. We can be the highest performers at our jobs, the greatest of athletes, super parents and more – but without the sustainability of our minds, at some point, we will struggle and it is possible, we will burn out.
With my best intent and the greatest of encouragement – Consider who you view as most successful? It is probable they use a practice to connect with their inner being so they can do what they are called to do and live out their blessing in life and work.
All you have to do - is begin and breath for the present moment is your blessing.
With Gratitude,
Chelsea
*I’m happy to provide further recommendations and resources on styles of meditation and different practices – you can reach me at chelsea@tesscoxandassociates.com
What a “shared story” we are experiencing within the Covid-19 pandemic.
As a leader and business owner of TC&A – I never would have imagined, “Life and work would look this way…”
And yet, the journey of living and working is one where a COLLECTIVE – “WE” are ALL encountering various hardships and obstacles in both our lives and work.
Staying Calm in Chaotic Times
Staying calm in the amidst of chaos can feel overwhelming and yes, even debilitating. I have found, leading my emotions with greater self-awareness requires my ability to learn new behaviors. When tragedy strikes, I have been challenged, too – my feelings that I will hit rock bottom has brought emotional and at times, psychological stress and even physical pain. My choice, however, has always been able to rise above.
In our current times – with this pandemic, I have been forced to face my own emotions and my own realities. For me, this is a time to practice all my learning, both in my mind and in my actions.
As I communicated with my clients, past colleagues and friends in the hospitality industry…
My heart felt heavy.
An industry I love and have at times, given my life to – hotels, restaurants and bars experienced layoffs and closures like never before and it continues to do so…
My heart feels heavy.
I’m reminded how my past colleagues and me have all been through challenging things before – extreme weather disasters, economy crashes, and the general complexities of managing hotels and rooms full of people on a daily basis. Together, we have ALWAYS RISEN ABOVE. There was and still is always something within us that kept us pressing and moving forward. After all, we truly love serving our guests and enjoy seeing them come back for our unique guest experience.
My heart feels called to support the industry I love.
At TC&A we continue to build our capacity for good and healthy communication for the good of all. Recently, I experienced an individual who lacked ALL ability to listen. It was truly astonishing - the lack of listening skills.
I am very aware of strong extraverts who love to talk and be expressive with their thoughts and views. Also, I am very aware of the importance of drawing information from introverts and asking good questions to support them to be part of the dialogue.
Every leader desires good outcomes. As a leader, when you empower yourself to find alignment, process information well, building upon your strengths, order your thoughts and stay engaged with others, you will have greater opportunity to grow, develop, seize new opportunities, address difficult situations and solve challenges. It is ALL possible with the TC&A Communication Model.
Your personal and professional Leadership calling and purpose is for you to seize the opportunities and choose to be the evidence of GRACE within your core family and extended family. This time of year, you can be an extension of GRACE to your friends, co-workers and those you may not even know or have a personal relationship. You will have many chances to bring GRACE within your work and relationships.
Listening and Connecting is important to us. As you embrace September and the beginning of a new season – We are wondering what the summer may have revealed or made known to you? Our minds may tell us that success is to: keep going, give everything, work until we’re exhausted, seize every opportunity, and keep chasing success.
I know there is more for me to expand in my personal and professional Leadership. May I embrace you, August with a sense of gratitude and be willing to prepare for the things to come – the things in life, work, relationships and love that are most significant for moving forward and creating something meaningful and worthwhile.
I am curious – What is your comfort level for change?
On a scale of 1 – 5 (1 being low and 5 being high), what score would you give yourself when it comes to being willing to change?
Until you are REALLY ready for change – the old way of doing things is a strong force to keep doing what you are doing, whether it is working for you or not.
