Messages from the Cards on Productivity

How appropriate is this post since I skipped last week's blog post? Excuses: I was super busy and a bit under the weather - but that time off gave me time to think about Productivity and, specifically, the glorification of busy.

Our society worships at the altar of Busy. Most of our role models are constantly on the go, production machines. Our movie stars are constantly flying here and there - on the set at 6 a.m. and then halfway across the country for an interview by dinner time. We see our financial goals as the product of continuous hard work and sacrifice. Success comes to us in the form of a fat bank account, a phone that is always ringing and a Filofax stuffed to the breaking point.

If we aren't constantly working, then why even try?

But that kind of all out sprint can only last so long. What happens after the fire goes out? Illness, exhaustion, mental and emotional unrest, snapping at our loved ones. All of the above. That kind of productivity isn't sustainable.

We spiritual gangsters like to approach all areas of our lives from a place of grounded balance, but even we fall prey to the Busy lifestyle. When I am looking for guidance, I like to turn to the cards. So, what do the cards have to say about Healthy Productivity.

Ace of Cups, Work from a Place of Love

What can you do, right now, to make your work more loving? We try to infuse all areas of our life with loving energy, but work often falls last - especially if you are working a day job (like me) until you get to do what you want to do. Work isn't a very warm and fuzzy kind of place. Often it is stressful. Even for those of us who run our own businesses and side hustles, it is hard to bring that loving ace of cups energy to our to-do lists. The key is to get creative. What can you do to make your space more loving? What makes you happy? For me, I have a small Happy Kit in my purse with a few crystals, a few bags of tea, a small rosary and a bottle of lavendar essential oil. These things help to keep me grounded on hectic days and serve as pick-me-ups when work gets me down. Make your own "Happy kit" and fill it with the things that make you happy. Try to personalize your work-space, if you can. Plants, zen gardens, candles and oil burners help to make your work space feel like sacred space.

Although making your space more inviting helps, loving energy can be applied in a much deeper way. Often, the way we approach our work isn't lovingly. It is filled with a lot of "should", "must", "have to" language. If you are anything like me, this language shuts me down. The moment someone (including myself) tells me I "have to" do something, it becomes the last thing I want to do. Instead I change the language to "get to" and "chose", which puts the power back in my hands and empowers me.

Take breaks when you need them. Give yourself a few minutes at the beginning and end of your workday to pause and center yourself. Love yourself through mistakes and "lazy days". Never beat yourself up.

10 of Wands, Delegate when you Can

Delegate. Delegate. Delegate. This is such a hard lesson for some of us, myself included. I have recently had to have a heart to heart with myself on this very issue. I am not a natural delegater. I would rather do the work myself than rely on others to help me - but is is a sure fire way to burn yourself out fast.

Sometimes, you have to ask for help. It's OK! In fact, it is healthy! For those of us that run our own businesses or side hustles, it can be hard to delegate - especially when you are doing the actual work yourself, but it is important to delegate what you can. For example, if you are an artist who does portraits, then of course you have to do the actual artwork yourself - but you could delegate the running of your website or event planning or marketing to someone else. My husband doesn't know anything about Tarot, but he helps me take photos of the cards and he talks through ideas with me. He also gets the dogs out of my hair so I can write, which is the most helpful thing! Get creative and ask for help where you can.

Rome wasn't built in a day and Romulus didn't do it alone!

Temperance, Balance and Work with your Flow

Of course balance is important - not just work/life balance but also balance while you are working. Use your flow to your advantage. When you are feeling inspired an creative, write two blog posts instead of one. That way when you aren't feeling 100% a few weeks from now, you still have content to put out. If you are having a rough day, go take a walk outside or watch an episode of your favorite show. Let yourself take breaks when you need them. Know when to push and when to break.

Develop a plan for those days when you just can't get going. What energizes you? For me it's yoga, some Orange Essential Oil and a green smoothie. Yours might be a jog or listening to music really loud or the world's biggest cup of coffee. Whatever works, do it!

Get inspired! Make visions boards or Pinterest boards that inspire you and pump you up to take on your day. Let them be your secret weapons for those days when you feel like taking off.

I hope this helps Doll babes! If you would like to book a reading with me, please stop by the shop! Use the code LION17 for 10% off of your next reading until the end of November.

#tarot #temperance #aceofcups #tenofwands #productivity #buisness