Two Things You Can ReInvent Even Today

Today I'm reinventing two new things and I invite you to do the same. I'll choose what I reinvent and you can do the same ones or select something more pertinent to your own life.

First, I'm reinventing the order in which I do things during the day, just to shake things up. So, I already did things out of order. For example, instead of getting up and doing my stretching and meditating, I went to the computer first and checked email. Now, after this, I'll do the stretching and meditating. The point here is: Don't get bored, Break out of the routine of always doing things the same old way, shake things up!!

The second thing I'm going to do is to leave my apartment very early for an appointment I have in midtown Manhattan. Relying on subways (or maybe for you it's traffic), often impedes my commitment to be punctual and I find myself being anxious about getting there late. So, I worry, I try to call and tell them I'm still on the platform waiting for the train. So today, I'm giving myself a whole lot of extra time and reinventing my use of time.

This is just another tip on how ReInvention can be simple, non-threatening and something you bring into your life on a daily basis.

My posts are now going to be shorter and more regular... just to keep reinvention "top of mind" for you all.

REInvention is a Lot of Things

HI Everyone,
We often get very intimidated by the concept of reinvention, so I thought I would offer you a simpler way of looking at it.

Let's say you walk to work each day (as people do in NY). And let's say you consistently go the same way but one day, the street is blocked off because of repairs. What do you do? Well, you can either stand there and wait for it to re-open and not get to work OR you can go another way. The end result is.. you still get to work.

Well, reinvention can actually be like that. Here are some examples of how to reinvent:
• Walk/drive to work a different way
• Wear new colors
• Eat something different for breakfast
• Buy a new/different raincoat or umbrella
• Change your haircut or color
• Take on a new/different hobby
• Sizzle in a new relationship
• Create a new logo or letterhead

You see, it's all about doing something different. There's nothing to be afraid of.

You don't have to throw the baby out with the bath water. You can do what you've always done, but with a little shift or tweak. Or, if what you've always done works, keep doing it the same way and reinvent something else.

I say this all the time .. you don't have move to Timbuktu, give up your kids and shave your head to reinvent.. you DO just have to be open to looking "newly" at something and tweaking it.

For more ideas, go to www.annfry.com and download the FREE 33 Ways to ReInvent
enjoy!
ann

More Ramblings - Tiger Woods, Olympics, Hatred and Angst

Hello Everyone,
It's an interesting week. The Olympics are underway in Vancouver, the media is all over how the Canadians say "eh," Tiger Woods has apologized, a man flew a plane into a building in Austin, TX and killed himself and another in the process. I'm sure that somewhere out there, there's celebrity news as well .. I'm just not tuned in.

About the Olympics. I know people love them, but I have some thoughts on reinventing our views and beliefs about them. It's a concern to me that we spend millions of dollars on fireworks and gala events in a time when the world is in distress. How many people could we feed with that money. I so admire the young people who devote their lives to their skill training and put their body, souls and heart into it. It's grueling and often their childhood is put on hold. I worry about them. Then, when they come in 4th and don't get a medal, it's like their life is over. I'd love to find some ways to honor even getting to the Olympics and being better than 99.9% of the population. When are people every "good enough?" And how can we honor that without making it about being #1, 2 or 3?

About Tiger Woods. I think it took real guts for him to come out this week and apologize so publically. He was definitely a different Tiger at that podium. Now, the media is tearing apart whether he was apologetic enough. Who are they to say? I saw an interview this morning with an "Apology expert." She gave him an A- pretty darn good. Let's reinvent how we love to knock people off their pedestal when they show a "human side." Do I approve of what Tiger did? No. Is it my business what he did? No. It's between he and his wife ... and in this case, his sponsors. The therapist in me (I was one for 30 years) says... "there but for the grace of God go I." No one is exempt from mistakes, addictions and bad judgement. History is filled with them. It's how we learn and grow.

About Joseph Stack. A man builds up incredible anger and angst at the IRS and the government. I'm sure many of us have had feelings like that before. He, who appeared normal to those around him, obviously was teetering on the brink, simmering under the surface and then, seemingly "lost it." I feel incredible sadness for him and his family. And, having lived in Austin (in fact I lived less than 1/2 mile down the road from that building).. I'm sad for the residents of that great city. Although this was not a "terrorist" act, the site of an airplane into a building will bring back any post-traumatic shock anyone has had of a scene like this in the past. I'm sure that was intentional on Mr. Stack's part. What if that was avoidable? What if the powers that be could have responded to him in a different way? What if the government could be compassionate to people and listen and be helpful? Now that would be a major reinvention.

Personally, I went to the Dept. of Motor Vehicles this week in NY. I wanted to trade in my TX driver's license for my NY license .. and yes, finally become a resident of NY. The woman at the information desk handed me a form, told me to come back when I had my passport or birth certificate and my SS card. She never looked at me, and she certainly didn't want any further questions. She was on to "next." What if we reinvented this world to a place where people come from their hearts and their desire to be helpful ... and all people they served felt honored and assisted. Now that would be a reinvented attitude at work.

That's what I do. I'm the reinvention hotshot ... working with companies to reinvent their culture into one that cares about their employees and customers.
Thanks for reading.
As always, your comments are invited.