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Changemaker Q&A with Andrea Bailey: Lightbox Communications

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It’s hard to believe, but we’re already into our third week of Changemaker Q&A! This week we’re sitting down with Andrea Bailey of Lightbox Communications. I met Andrea on a chartered school bus that was headed to the Oregon Zoo for the opening party of the third… wait for it… World Domination Summit. Though the ride to the zoo was brief, I connected with her and a few of our fellow travelers along the way.

When I reached out into the Portland community for stories to share here, I was thrilled to hear from Andrea. She is one in the series who didn’t make it all the way to collapse before she realized that she was headed in an unsustainable direction, and I felt compelled to share all sides of the journey so that we can each find a marker along the way that more closely matches our own struggles and triumphs.

Here’s Andrea:

1. What is the world changing work that you are bringing into existence? (Tell us a bit about what your work means to you and why you think it’s important for the world.)

I am a marketing consultant for holistic health care professionals (think acupuncturists, naturopathic doctors, massage therapists, yoga teachers, holistic nutritionists…). My work is all about empowering them to cultivate a client community that will support their business for the long haul, and to feel authentic in the process.

As a society, we need holistic practitioners to have sustainable businesses so they can be around to help navigate the changes that are happening in our health care system and our living environments. To name just two of them, I think we need to take on more responsibility for our own health, and to really pay attention to balancing out deficiencies and toxins in our surroundings. Holistic medicine is excellent at that.

And personally, I am just thrilled every time I see someone let go of generic marketing scripts and formulas, and instead begins to communicate in a way that really suits them and lets their personality shine through.

2. What were the signs that made you realize you were off balance, or working in a way that was unsustainable in the long run?

My thoughts started to sound like a broken record. Am I working hard enough? Am I doing this right? Why didn’t x, y, and z happen already? At some point that loop got in the way of my eight hours of sleep, and that’s when I got really motivated to figure this out and change things.

3. What are you doing differently now – how are you maintaining a balanced place moving forward?

The single most important thing I changed was my perspective. I realized that I wasn’t overwhelmed by the work itself. Whenever I was stressed out, it was because if my interpretation of what was going in, because of expectations or fears. It dawned on me that that I had a choice to be worried/perfectionist or not, and that insight alone was super helpful.

And, as I’m sure you and many in your community have found, too, the yoga mat is a stellar training ground for letting go of stressful thought patterns. I would simply listen to my broken record during practice and it actually made me laugh after a while because I started to see so clearly that none of these thoughts had anything to do with who I am or what I’m worth.

4. If you could give that past self one piece of advice or guidance, what would it be? Or, if you wouldn’t change anything, why not?

I would tell myself to trust my own rhythms more, and to make the most of the right times for each activity. There are times when I am full of energy and creativity, and others when all I can do is clean up my desk. Now I don’t mind working long days when I’m inspired because I know I’ll get some R&R again soon enough, and I’m also OK with logging off and heading out for a walk at two in the afternoon because I know I’ll kick butt again when I’m back in that zone. It brings a lot of ease to my work.

 

Originally from Northern Germany, Andrea Bailey has been exploring what makes communication work across borders of all kinds in classrooms, offices, yoga studios and coffee shops in 22 countries. As the heart and mind of Lightbox Communications, Andrea is working with professionals from all areas of the holistic health field to clarify their message, uncover their own authentic marketing style, and grow their practices with confidence and ease. She lives in Portland, Oregon.

Reflections Along the Path – Week 1

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This is week one of a four week series. Here’s week 2, week 3, and week 4.

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It’s been one week. I can’t believe that the first week has flown by so quickly, or that it feels like we have been here for weeks already.

(I’ll be writing these posts on my Sundays off, but you won’t see them until Wednesday. I’m sure by the time this post goes up, I’ll be in a completely different head space with completely different things to tell you – but you’ll just have to wait until next week for that!)

[insert  a bit of complaining here – if you’d like to skip it, look for the next bracket!]

The time shift has been the hardest part of the transition. I haven’t slept through the night since I left Portland, and had several nights with no sleep at all, but it’s getting better. We got to sleep in this morning, which was a brilliantly beautiful experience. By sleeping in, I of course mean that I got up at 7:45 am instead of 5:30 am. My self from a couple of weeks ago would not be pleased with that new definition of “sleeping in”, especially since it’s technically 4:45 am PST according to my body.

This first week has been completely overwhelming from every possible angle – new surroundings, roommates for the first time since college, different time zone, different food, constant meditation, daily yoga and practice teaching, and SO MUCH SITTING. Did I mention the sitting? My knees (all of our knees) have been screaming from the transition to many hours of cross-legged sitting, both during class and meditation.

[end of complaining – see, that wasn’t so bad!]

Now with that initial petty griping out of the way, I have to say that being here at the Ashram has been an amazing experience. I really had no concept of how things would be. There are 9 of us here for basic teacher training, and we feel like a family already. We laugh more than I have laughed in a lifetime, even during class. No laughing during meditation, of course (except for laughter meditation, which is awesome btw). The food is fantastic, and we are being guided by two amazing teachers (and several of the Reverends and Swamis), and supported by three selfless staff members who seem to anticipate our needs before we even realize we have them.

This experience is so much deeper than just learning how to teach asanas. We’re really getting a fully rounded education in all aspects of yoga, learning to live the practice.

There have been a few moments of terror, thinking about how big this thing I’m doing is, and feeling so uncertain about my ability to step into the role of teacher (at least in this capacity). Those moments have been thankfully few and far between, and I’m mostly left with a feeling of joy about being here and the new directions I’m headed, and a little bit of brain fatigue from the immense amount of information that is getting pumped into our heads.

There was a full lunar eclipse at the beginning of the week with a moon that was incredibly close to the earth, and all sorts of natural and planetary energy is shifting in major ways all this month. It’s definitely going to be an interesting ride, so stick around.

I want to be able to leave you with some huge, mind bending blog posts while I’m here, but I’m recognizing that it’s all a journey, a process, and like most things in life, they happen in whatever order they happen. For now, I’m soaking in the experience and new knowledge like a sponge, and recognizing that’s all I can do.

And, really – that’s pretty much all we can do in this life: be here, be good to ourselves, do good work with an open mind and a clear heart. And enjoy it while you’re here; that’s really one of the more important pieces.

LOTUS_elephant

So, I’ll leave you with this selection of thoughts that resonated during the week:

If you are dwelling in darkness, you cannot bring light into the world.”

“If you’re not having fun, you’re missing the point!”

“Deep peace is always present in every moment, but we’re often too wrapped up in other things to notice that it’s there.”

“None of us are going anywhere, anyway, so we might as well relax!”

“Did you know that the average 4-year-old laughs 400 times a day, and the average adult only 15?”

I’ll be posting up more like this during the next three weeks over on Facebook (including photos), so if you’re really curious to keep up with what’s going on in between posts, you can do that there.

Changemaker Q&A with Dave Ursillo

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For our second edition of Changemaker Q&A we’re sitting down with Dave Ursillo. I met Dave at the very first World Domination Summit (you might see a pattern forming), and have been honored to call him both friend and mentor for the past three years. He is a fellow yogi, and is also completing his teacher training this spring.

One of the things that has struck me the most about watching Dave’s journey unfold is his honesty toward how he approaches life. It was his story about reaching the breaking point in an earlier chapter of his life that caused me to initially reach out to him, but it turns out that even now he was in the middle of figuring out a new transition point with his writing community, the Literati Writers. His is a poignant reminder that life is a constant evolution, and even the most positive of projects can start to break you down if you’re not mindful of where you really want to be headed.

Take it away, Dave!

1. What is the world changing work that you are bringing into existence? (Tell us a bit about what your work means to you and why you think it’s important for the world.)

I help self-starters embrace the arts of writing and self-expression to become stronger, happier and healthier communicators. I’ve been a writer for most of my life and a self-employed entrepreneur since 2009, but I only began this iteration of my creative work in 2012 when I founded an online writers’ group and support system for creative people called The Literati Writers.

I founded this community to help writers who wanted to love their creative journeys and find a sense of alignment and integration with their values, rather than resort to the “tortured artist routine.” As a creative, I’ve learned the hard way that pursuit alone is not enough: pursuing dreams and goals never left me happy, only wanting more; it never helped me feel fulfilled, only empty.

I started to change by focusing on the journey, itself: finding artistic integrity on my path and heart-alignment in my work. It’s all about deeply honoring our callings while helping to serve and better the lives of others.

2. What was the moment or situation that made you realize the way you were approaching this work was unsustainable? And, how did you find your way back to balance out of those challenges?

Interestingly, I founded The Literati Writers in 2012 when I realized my business was starting to fail *and* that my own commitments to writing were falling by the wayside. My excuse was a very real one, and a very important one: the need to make money. That was my reality, and a circumstance of living in New York City. But, it was also my excuse to put writing on the side-burner.

Over the last two years, The Literati Writers has called home to more than eighty writers from seven countries. We published a book in 2013 that was scooped up by more than 3,000 readers. And yet, ironically, I realized in early 2014 that my own community, which was a saving grace for my business, has itself needed to evolve because it was no longer sustainable for me.

As our goals and needs change, we have to change the projects, visions and endeavors that we’ve made into our own saving graces. But in my heart I realized that I needed to make a serious change to help my work remain sustainable, while creating the impact for others that I desired.

3. What are you doing differently now – how are you maintaining a balanced place moving forward?

I’ll tell you how I decided to retool my own writers’ group: for the group to remain viable, growth was needed. I needed membership growth to be making more income from the community, and I saw the need for new members to infuse the community with new excitement, energy and peer-to-peer connections.

The problem was that relying upon pure membership growth to help sustain my business ran in direct contrast to what makes me feel alive–and what makes me truly love my work.

The community could have grown to more than 100 members as I had intended, but it would dilute the quality my work and ultimately dilute the communal feel of my writers’ group. That’s when I knew I had to change course.

4. If you could give that past self one piece of advice or guidance, what would it be? Or, if you wouldn’t change anything, why not?

First, give yourself twice as much time as you think to complete something.
Second, work twice as focused. Be diligent with your time, and mindful of your attention.
Third, emphasize three “things” that you want to be, or do. Leave the others by the wayside.

 

Dave Ursillo is a writer and creative entrepreneur who helps self-starters make their lives’ journeys more rewarding. As a former politico who has walked in the West Wing of The White House, Dave teaches the art of writing and self-expression to help men and women serve the world around them, everyday. He is the founder of communities like The Literati Writers and The U Crew, and teaches writing workshops across the US. As an eight-time published author, Dave has written over 350 essays at DaveUrsillo.com and has been seen on CBS News Sunday Morning, ZenHabits, Inc.com and Chicken Soup for the Soul.

The Rebel Yogi Origin Story – Part 2

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This post has been a while in the making. It’s not a particularly difficult subject, but it falls into the “really damn important” category, and that has caused my perfectionist meter to spike. Now, sitting in the Portland airport, with just over an hour until my flight leaves, and just over one day until my journey at the Ashram begins, it’s time to “git ‘er done”.

Much of the past ten years has involved a personal evolution of sorts; I grew up surrounded by nature and was raised with a consciousness of the importance of protecting our little blue marble, but had never really been invested in the process. It wasn’t until the past five years or so that I started taking an active part in this process. It started small, with community organizing for a group called 350, taking part in the planning process for a few days of climate action.

Then, in August of 2011, I laid it all on the line. Literally. (If you’re being picky, I was sitting, not laying… but I digress.) I heard the call from some of the nation’s top scientists, and I headed up to DC to participate in a massive two week long civil disobedience. Those of you who know me well probably know the story, but here it is again for the uninitiated:

On August 20, 2011, I was arrested for civil disobedience, and proceeded to spend the next 3 days in jail. That linked post goes into the details, so I won’t talk too much more about it here.

That summer was a life changer. I went from armchair activist, signing e-petitions and not much else, to full out environmental activist. I was entrenched in the fight, had skin in the game, and was ready to take on the world. I had received the call loud and clear, and I knew that one of the reasons that I had been put on this earth was to save it.

Fast forward a few years, add in more rallies and actions (but no more arrests), a selection to a national leadership team for a climate organization and a national leader training for another, an Executive Director position for an environmental nonprofit, and plenty of stress around the immediacy of the things we were fighting for. Time was slipping away, and we just kept throwing ourselves harder and deeper into the fray.

By the time I moved out to Portland last year, I was ready for a change. It wasn’t that I didn’t care anymore; I was just tired. I had been toeing the line of burnout off and on for a while, and the move across the country provided me with the opportunity to regroup and decide exactly where my priorities would lie moving forward.

So, you know how when you’ve been pushing yourself for a long time and you finally take the time to stop – and your body relaxes, only to get plowed by the pent-up stress that has been following one step behind you? Yeah. That happened. If you haven’t read the first post in this series, a lot of what happened gets explained there.

It was a wakeup call, a priority revealer, whatever you want to call it. I couldn’t keep doing things the way that I had been doing them, or I was going to burn myself out to the point of no return. I’ve watched it happen to colleagues, and it’s not pretty.

Don’t get me wrong: I still have that burning desire to save the world. I just know now that I can’t go about it the way that I was. In fact, I think there’s a better way for all of us to approach our world changing work. It took a giant slap in the face from the universe for me to see it, but it’s getting clearer with every passing day.

That’s what Rebel Yogi means to me: the opportunity to have massive, world changing impact while remaining whole and balanced. Just imagine it – a world where making a difference can also mean a better life for those creating the change.

Let that sink in a minute. Bask in the idea. It’s possible – now it’s time for us to step up to the challenge and start to live it.

My flight starts boarding in 15 minutes, so I’m signing off for now. I’ll be posting weekly from the Ashram, and posting up a few more Changemaker Q&As along the way.

Stick around. It’s going to be an amazing journey!

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Michael Margolis wrote a post recently about origin stories that provided the inspiration for this series of posts. This is part 2. Also: part 1 and part 3.

Changemaker Q&A with Amy Clover: Strong Inside Out

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It’s here! For the first installment of Changemaker Q&A, we’ll be sitting down with Amy Clover of Strong Inside Out. I first met Amy at the World Domination Summit, and I am so excited to be able to share what she’s doing with you. She has a smile that can light an entire room, and a story that shows how powerful and transformative taking care of ourselves can be.

One of the (many) reasons that her story resonates so strongly with me is her focus on building yourself up from the inside first – taking care of yourself, building strength, confidence, health and happiness from within. And, she’s living that advice; no hollow message here, just truth and a passionate desire to bring positive change to the world. I sincerely hope that she inspires you as much as she has inspired me!

So, without further ado, Amy Clover.

1. What is the world changing work that you are bringing into existence? (Tell us a bit about what your work means to you and why you think it’s important for the world.)

I am working to raise hope and inner strength through physical movement. Having fought depression and obsessive compulsive disorder with fitness, I know firsthand the life-changing effects of pushing one’s limits. So many people immediately reach for magic pill solutions that act as bandaids, only covering up the problem without treating the actual wound itself. By nurturing our souls and bodies, and becoming present, all the power in the world can be ours. My mission is to help the hopeless realize that there is indeed hope, and it’s only a run away.

2. What was the moment or situation that made you realize the way you were approaching this work was unsustainable? And, how did you find your way back to balance out of those challenges?

When I launched The 30×30 Project Tour last year, I had all the energy in the world. Then, I tried to do it all myself. I quickly realized that it wasn’t the best idea; I was distracted, I forgot to do major things at the events like take pictures with the group or have people sign in, and I was just exhausted. Blissfully so, but still! When I started planning this year’s programs and tour, I realized that I would need help, so I established a system to integrate more groundwork with local partners in each city. This way, I’ll be able to have help in each city and an enthusiastic group of people when I get there!

3. What are you doing differently now – how are you maintaining a balanced place moving forward?

I do not overcommit myself like I used to. I now have to say “no,” most of the time, when just last year, I was eager to say “yes” to everything that I was offered! It feels horrible to let people down, but I know that if I spread myself too thin, what I end up giving falls short on expectations anyways. I’d rather give my all to fewer projects than disappoint with too many.

4. If you could give that past self one piece of advice or guidance, what would it be? Or, if you wouldn’t change anything, why not?

Get help! I’d tell myself that there’s no reason why you can’t ask for help. Also, I’d give myself a system for each event from the get-go. Things were a little shaky at the start of last year’s tour. Can’t wait to just rock this year’s out of the park!

 

Amy Clover is a fitness coach and founder of Strong Inside Out, a site where she helps people unleash their strong through fitness and positive action. Last year, she launched The 30×30 Project, a tour to 30 cities across the US and Canada to raise money and awareness for suicide prevention charity, To Write Love On Her Arms. This year, she plans to tour again, so stay updated by signing up for emails here!

Introducing: Changemaker Q&A

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Furthermore, we have not even to risk the journey alone; for the heroes of all time have gone before us; the labyrinth is thoroughly known; we have only to follow the thread of the hero-path. — Joseph Campbell

Starting tomorrow, I am incredibly excited to launch a series of interviews with change makers who have traveled this path. Some reached a place of burnout, others slipped and found their footing before the fall; what connects them is that they made a comeback, found their path back to balance, and have served as an inspiration to me as Rebel Yogi came into being.

But it’s not just my story, or their stories. The most important story is the one that YOU are telling, the shared journey to making the world a better place.

It’s the story of the activist laying her body on the line in Texas to stop a dirty oil pipeline; it’s the story of a girl who started a nonprofit to change the lives of young girls all over the world; it’s the story of the political “body man” who realized that there was more to life than staying small and quiet against the back wall; it’s the story of a clinically depressed teenager who almost committed suicide, but then found her inner strength and became an inspiration; it’s the story that you are telling right now, right this minute.

It’s these stories and others like them that you will see highlighted over the coming weeks and months at Rebel Yogi. I reached out to a series of friends and colleagues whose stories inspired me as I was beginning my journey – the stories that remind us that this thing we’re striving for, this balanced and beautiful positive-change-making life, it’s possible.

So keep an eye out tomorrow – the first post in the series will be up, and I know that you’re going to love it!

PS – if you know of someone who should be featured in the Changemaker Q&A, please let me know. I’ll do my best to make it happen!