by Dena Patton

 

Given it is Earth Day soon (April 22nd) I thought I would share a little bit about Green Boundaries. The whole concept around 'being green' is simply utilizing boundaries, putting in place some habits that limit certain behaviors. Sometimes we take advantage of our water system, our trash system, our money, our time, and other important items, so once you start putting some boundaries, or new habits, around wasteful behaviors you are simply using Green Boundaries. The same concept goes for your life. Boundaries are truly the key to creating a life you love and that means the environment you love too. What if everything in your life WORKED for you? Amazing thought, ah?! What if the struggles, the battles, the breakdowns, the disappointments, the unfulfillable all stopped? Creating boundaries can start small just like going green.

With going green you might have started by changing light bulbs, then you step up your recycling, then you plant more trees, all of sudden you are part of a community project, and then you find yourself booking your vacation at a green hotel! It's progression. So let's start making some boundary changes in your life. Start by identifying the top 5 things in your life that are important to you-write them down. This is a crucial step because boundaries are supposed to protect you and what's important to you, but if you don't know your top 5 then you're shooting in the dark, which leaves you feeling frustrated, scattered, overwhelmed and unfulfilled. If you are spending time and money outside of those top 5 items, then consider stopping for one month. As a coach this is always the first step in getting clients really committed to their top 5 things in their life. See how it feels to get focused on what matters most and saying "NO" to everything else for one month.

So for the next month I encourage you not only to make progress in your green boundaries but on your life boundaries too:
1. Identify your top 5 most important elements of your life (be specific). They might change each month, but as long as you know that and only stick to five you won't get overwhelmed with 7 or 9 or 10 priorities.
2. Say "no" to everything else for one month and watch your time, love, energy and money go to those 5 priorities. They will be like flowers that will bloom in your garden!
3. Write down your results. What did you like and what didn't work for you and go on to the next month.


There are free downloads: a boundaries worksheet, a great to-do list organizer, a Gratefulness Journal and a Me Time Study all on Dena's bio page (bottom/right side of bio page). To get there just click on her name on this page/upper right. Dena Patton is a Life Coach, Speaker and CEO of Chat, Chew and Chocolate. She is writing her first book The Well-Balanced Superwomen. Info on her programs and coaching visit, www.TheBoundariesCoach.com.