Be accessible

How accessible and available are you? Do you get so wrapped up in your daily routine or tasks that you are not being very present and you are missing what you should be receiving or giving?

So many times, it is easy to get wrapped up in our own lives, our own challenges that we are not accessible to other people or even other opportunities. Sometimes the very thing we need to do is to be in a place where we are accessible and in tune with what is going on around us at that precise moment.

Always be present.

When you are focused and intentional about your life and your pursuits, you make yourself available or accessible to opportunities. When those opportunities show up, you're ready to walk through the door without hesitation.

Don't become inundated with busyness that will make you miss your real opportunities to give and receive.

I shared a story recently with attendees at my workshop about how a woman on Facebook (someone I've never met) reached out to me through an email. She shared with me how she had great aspirations for her life. She knew what her purpose was, but she didn't want to sacrifice her family in pursuit of her desires. She wanted my input on how I seemed to be managing and balancing my life, walking in my purpose, etc. Naturally, I was flattered by this initiative. More importantly, I immediately felt that I needed to be accessible to this woman. I could have dismissed the email and not given it another thought, especially since I didn't know her. But I know that part of my purpose is to inspire and motivate others to walk fully in their purpose, in their own personal greatness. I felt compelled to make the time to respond to her inquiry. I shared with her my story and what was working in my life in that regard.

Now for the beauty of being accessible: The next day after I responded to this woman's email, I received an email from her. This woman was so appreciative for my insight and for me taking the time to respond to her. She wrote that I had helped her tremendously and had sown a seed into her life. She further responded that my being accessible to her would not return void. I was truly moved. Sometimes you have no idea what impact you have (or can have) in someone else's life. You never know what someone is going through or needs unless you are accessible.

Fast forward: That same woman is now working on getting me to travel to her city to present one of my workshops! (She had no idea that I have 7 major cities that I plan to speak at this year. Her city was on my list, and prior to connecting with her, I didn't have the "HOW" figured out yet.)

Great story, right? But think about how many times you may have missed out on the opportunity to give or receive because you didn't take the time to be present, to be accessible, especially when that moment was different from what you might have considered.

Here are three ways for you to be more present and accessible:

* Create some 'ME' time or space — where you are taking a break from your routine or tasks — use that time to read, exercise, think or just to be quiet.
* Be willing to see or acknowledge a different perspective — sometimes it helps to see things or situations through someone else's eyes, especially if you're feeling stuck. Getting a different perspective might help you work through a particular challenge.
* Breathe! Yes breathe! This is my favorite one to remember because taking deep breaths throughout the day reminds me that I am a living, breathing person. It gives me the opportunity to pause. I am able to pause long enough to realize that my work is not all that is important. I am important.

What other ways can you be more present and accessible?

Try to be more aware of what is going on around you, even if it is not something you planned or expected. Focus on being present every single moment of every single day and explore the possibility that there is something you either need to receive or something you need to give. And if someone crosses your mind, don't give it another thought. Reach out to that person. Take some time to live, laugh, play.

Be more accessible and available when you can. Be present in every moment of your life. Give and receive opportunities in ways that you would not have even imagined.

Until next time, remember: "Be of service. Whether you make yourself available to a friend or co-worker, or you make time every month to do volunteer work, there is nothing that harvests more of a feeling of empowerment than being of service to someone in need." — Gillian Anderson

With definiteness of purpose,
Gwen Thibeaux