Two Reasons I Want to Get Home From the Conference

 

"Using My Tools Is What Sets Me. Free"

Today, one of my clients (Thank you Dr. H!) sent me a powerful WhatsApp message. What stopped me in my tracks was this:  I am realizing that using my tools is what sets me free.” 

I spent a lot of time reflecting on this, and I think he is expressing (in his own wonderful and deeply wise way) one of the key truths that I have espoused in my coaching practice: When we use our tools and stay in process we can let go of stressful and anxiety producing goals and deadlines,  while still meeting our goals and deadlines. 

The freedom that he spoke of is the freedom from worry, stress, and even obsession about outcomes and productivity. When we use the tools that get us to where we wish to go, and do so in a healthy and sustainable way, being future focused is far less necessary, and even inhibiting.

Freedom, in this sense, is related to the (Zen)Buddhist notion of attachment. Attachment to outcomes leads to unhappiness, anxiety, and stress. Living fully in the moment, or as fully as we can, leads to both wellness and productivity.

For emphasis: living fully in the moment, or as fully as we can, leads to both wellness and productivity.

This is why I am sometimes not enamored with explorations of “slow” scholarship. Slow does not mean healthy, and fast does not always mean unhealthy. Being present to our work, using our tools and staying in the moment are what lead to wellness, emotional freedom, and productivity and quality.

Sustainable Practices

Sustainable does not mean killing yourself day after day, year after year. That is consistent, relentless, or even crazy, but it is not sustainable. When I explore sustainable practices with people, we work on how to engage in habits and tools that don't harm your physical or mental health, yet lead to productivity.

You can have both. Two things can be, and often are, true. Make it your task to seek practices that lead you to meeting your long term goals while being healthy, happy, and joyful. Learn processes that you can stay in so you can forget those goals and live in the moment without anxiety. 

That is my wish for your year. 

Happy new year!

Happy New Year Eve!!! Bring it on 2026

 This has been such an intense year with so many losses. Like most of us in academia, I have a deep sense of grief about the assault on higher education (and our democracy and vulnerable communities). Mostly though I am full of gratitude that I have been part of the journey of so many amazing scholars, and get to bare witness to their journeys. Thank you all for your goodness and fight and struggle and joy. May the light of the universe shine upon you and yours in 2026. May your work bring you meaning and pleasure in a healthy, sustainable way. May you and your loved ones have health. My your relationships grow and deepen. Most importantly, may you discover the ultimate gift of the universe in 2026: salsa dancing 🎉 . Last year I danced (at home as "cardio salsa" or at socials with others) 340 times. I resolved to do better, body permitting, next year 😜 .

If you have been hoping to coach with me, or have been thinking about getting a coach, check out my 100 testimonials. I have been coaching scholars to have healthy and awesome careers for 17 years professionally. My super power is helping you write in ways you never imagined. My waiting list is kind of long, so if you have an interest, lets talk ASAP to see if I am the right person for your journey. https://sites.google.com/view/richfurmancoaching/testimonials

Big goals are facilitated by good processes.

I have never had more emails before about a blog post. People seemed to really resonate with this notion.

Big goals are facilitated by good processes.

Roll that one around a bit.

Goals and Deadlines=Anxiety

Does motivating with a mental health condition sound like a wise idea? When you use goals and/or deadlines as your primary tools for motivation for writing (or anything else), that is just what you are doing! This does not mean that we should not have lofty, big, audacious goals (I love those!!), and that deadlines are not real. However, as I have explored in this blog for well over a decade now, developing healthy, sustainable processes allows you to forget your goals in the moment of writing in order to focus at the task at hand.

Big goals are facilitated by good processes.

Roll that one around a bit.

You don't need to use anxiety as a motivational tool: there is another way.

I am responsible for living a joyful and purposeful life: Happy B Day to me

 And that is that :)