Getting to Good Enough

This week, we're re-running an episode we originally recorded in January 2019. Despite all the changes that have happened since then, the message still rings true! Feeling satisfied--even when something isn't perfect--allows you to embrace a good-enough mentality. This week, Janine and Shannon discuss the importance of finding (and recognizing) satisfaction. Feeling satisfied doesn't lead to compl...

When your mind is too clogged with thoughts for your comfort, there are some things you can do for relief. This week and Shannon and Janine discuss some techniques clearing your cluttered mind.  Discussion topics include: • Janine's cluttered mind • One of the most obvious strategies for clearing your mind: Writing things down • The tricky way our brains count thinking about something as doin...

Janine and Shannon have talked quite a bit about electronic task management, but in this episode, we delve into bullet journaling, a hand-written task management system. Shannon's been using this system for years and Janine is a starry-eyed novice. Discussion topics include: • How Bullet Journaling is one of a number of things that Janine has embraced after Shannon did it for a long time • Shannon...

We all know how bad regret can feel. But did you know you can turn it around? In this episode Shannon and Janine discuss how to glean the learnings from a situation and then let go of the regret. And Shannon demonstrates the process on Janine, helping her let go of regret around catching COVID. Discussion topics include: • Janine testing positive for COVID • Janine's regret over letting her guard...

Janine and Shannon have been selecting a Word of the Year for years. In this episode we reveal our 2022 Words of the Year and discuss the power of having a special word to guide you each year. Discussion topics include: • The weather. Spoiler alert: It's cold but our electric cars started up like the champs they are! • Janine's love of having a Word of the Year--she's had one every year since at l...

After six weeks off, Shannon and Janine are happy to be back recording a podcast episode. We missed our weekly conversations! In this episode, we discuss some of the ways we benefited from taking a break. Discussion topics include: • We're back after our hiatus! • Our mixed feelings about our break • The beneficial rhythm of regular podcasting • It turns out we're out-of-sight out-of-mind people!...

It's the time of year to set goals (though, really, you can do it any time). We're winding up our break by re-running our 2018 end-of-the-year episode about goals and resolutions. In this episode, we talk about setting realistic, good enough goals. Way back in 2009, we created a teleclass and workbook about resolutions and we're revisiting it in this episode. (The messages of the teleclass will fe...

Happy Thanksgiving to our U.S. listeners! This week, Shannon and Janine discuss the value of taking a true break from things you do regularly. And announce that we're walking the walk by taking a hiatus from the podcast for five weeks. (We'll return on December 30.) Discussion topics include: • We're taking a break! • Our decision to take a podcast hiatus between Thanksgiving and the end of the ye...

We're all about the fun this week as we discuss gamification as a way to make tasks more fun and enjoyable. From decluttering to learning a new language to running a race, employing gamification can make everything easier! Discussion topics include: • Declutter Go! the new decluttering game that Janine's friend Lynne Poulton has just launched • Shannon's favorite gamifying language-learning app, D...

Sometimes you have to slow down to actually get more done (and feel good). This week, Shannon and Janine (who recorded this episode in person!) discuss the value of mindfully slowing down. Discussion topics include: • The joy of recording an episode together in person • How we've both had experiences where not slowing down has created problems, as well as experiences where mindfully slowing down h...

Sometimes it can be hard to tell when to tolerate a situation or when to say it’s not good enough and walk away. In this episode Janine and Shannon discuss how make that call, along with some techniques for standing up for yourself and getting the results you want. Discussion topics include: • A trip down memory lane at travel practices of yesteryear • Figuring out when enough is enough • Shannon’...

We dipped into the archives for this episode, which originally aired on July 18, 2019. We think the advice is still solid! Labels on bins are great. Labels we give ourselves can be limiting. This week, Janine and Shannon talk about the problem with negative labels we apply to ourselves, along with the benefits of positive labels. We also discuss some of the labels  we're trying to shed in our...

Venturing out of our comfort zones can be difficult in the best of times and COVID has made it even more challenging. In this episode, Janine and Shannon discuss weighing rewards and risks, as well as some of the joys of venturing out. Discussion topics include:  • Janine's thrill over the fact she was able to buy a new Nissan Leaf! • How buying an electric car caused her to venture out of he...

It can be hard to change your mind once you've made a decision. But doubling down on a commitment isn't always the most beneficial thing. This week, Shannon and Janine discuss how to change your mind, the role of commitment bias, and the value of considering alternatives. Discussion topics include: • Janine's car-shopping frustrations • The car Janine wants to buy (because Shannon has one): A new...

Spending time on social media can be a double-edged sword. This week Janine and Shannon discuss the how's and why's of Shannon's recent deactivation of her Facebook and Instagram accounts--and the relief she felt afterward. Discussion topics include: • How Shannon deactivated her Facebook and Instagram accounts four days before we recorded this episode • Her reasons: Social media was sucking up ti...

If you offer advice when a person isn't ready to receive it, you may not be helping them. In this episode, Shannon and Janine discuss how to offer effective advice (or other types of help) by making sure the help is welcome. Discussion topics include: • The tendency many people have to offer unwelcome advice • Fashioning advice in ways that feel good to the recipient • Venting vs wanting advice •...

This week, Janine and Shannon are thrilled to present an interview Christine Platt, author of The Afrominimalist's Guide to Living with Less. Christine offers all sorts of great insights on the benefits of living with less, along with some ideas for getting there. (And we're offering a giveaway of her excellent book!) Discussion topics include: • Christine's relationship with perfectionism and how...

When we don't keep the commitments we make to ourselves, we may stop trusting ourselves, which can have devastating consequences. In this episode, Shannon and Janine discuss some strategies for keeping the commitments we make and trusting ourselves again. Discussion topics include: • Feeling icky when we let ourselves down • Case in point: Janine's daily yoga practice, which has been faltering • S...

Those of us who do creative projects do them because they make us happy. But sometimes we get frustrated instead. In this episode, Janine and Shannon discuss how to stay happily creative. Discussion topics include: • Shannon's unhappily stalled creativity • The illustrated story-telling event that Shannon is participating in • How practicing creativity less frequently can make it less enjoyable •...

It's September and that often gives accomplishing projects more urgency. The week, Shannon and Janine discuss some strategies for taking next steps toward your goals. (Spoiler alert: Getting in touch with what's important to you is a big part of it!) Discussion topics include: • How September makes us want to get busy and focused • Revisiting the goals for the year in an effort to restart working...

Who doesn't like a nice pat on the back? It can be especially valuable when that credit comes from within. This week, Janine and Shannon talk about giving yourself credit and focusing on what you've accomplished rather than what you still have left to do. Discussion topics include: • Deep cleaning a basement (or not) • The weird unwritten rule that can prevent us from appreciating our successes un...

Everyone has a bad day some time. On the day we recorded this episode, Janine was experiencing a bad day that left a dark cloud hanging over her head. Shannon was able to make suggestions that helped her (and can help you) make a bad day better. Discussion topics include: • How it's possible to reset bad day • Janine's terrible, horrible, no good very bad day • Taking a step back during a bad day...

We've all felt the Fear of Missing Out. It can prompt us to do things that might not be in our best interest. In this episode, Janine and Shannon discuss FOMO and some strategies for not falling prey to it. Discussion topics include: • Janine's love for her Wool& wool dresses (despite the summer heat) • How a fear of missing out may have prompted the purchase of her sixth wool dress • Shannon'...

Letting go (of things like negative emotions, beliefs and physical stuff) is a recurring theme in the podcast, especially in recent weeks. So we decided to re-run this episode on letting go, recorded in January 2019. Spoiler alert: It was during this episode that we decided to change our tag line! Janine and Shannon are experts in letting go. Janine helps people with tangible stuff and Shannon hel...

Many of us yearn for balance in our lives. But perhaps that's not the healthiest thing to strive for. This week, Janine and Shannon discuss letting go of the urge for balance and instead looking toward adding harmony in our lives. Discussion topics include: • The elusive nature of "balance" • The pressure of feeling that everything has to be in balance • How trying to maintain balance can be paral...