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Ease and Flow

I had this whole other blog post all planned out in my head for weeks now. It’s this research-based breakdown of a training I went to. In my head, it was going to be so awesome! Science. Stories. Great actions to do. 


But then today my coach asked me: "What would happen, Irene if you were 5% more lazy?" 

This blog post is the result.



STORY: Floating on a river of cream

READ MORE: Click any of these linked sections to jump into the story

BOOK STUFF: New book for April and May!

GOING FURTHER: Some in person opportunities for you coming up




STORY: Floating on a river of cream


I've been stuck on several big things at work that feel really hard, that feel like huge lifts, that seem like WAY too much effort. Getting out a blog post. Politics surrounding a community effort I’m helping with. Getting this new coaching model right! Even meditating and yoga feel like hard work. 

 

So when a brilliant coach asked me, "What would happen, Irene if you were 5% more lazy?" I froze up. 


My whole life, I've always believed that good things come through hard work and effort. Be busy. Stay focused. Nose to the grindstone. Sleep is for the weak.


There's a sneaky cognitive bias known as confirmation bias. It's the brain's tendency to notice information that supports what you already believe and downplay information that contradicts it. But over the past few weeks, Life has been sending me little information signs that contradict my life story.


There was that day flowing with pure joy in Nevada City, following all the little dribbles of surprise and delight all through town instead of forcing a sightseeing agenda.


There was a conversation with a coaching friend who noticed my go-to pattern of making it heady, complicated, and a lot of work when instead, as I let go and followed what my body needed, I got to the same place so simply and easily.


There was a conversation with my business partner, reviewing the impact of our low-key, no effort, only what's fun and easy marketing plan for the retreat. (The surprising result, as many or more clients as our best year to date!)


There was a line in today’s morning meditation that suggested meditation can be as easy, luxurious, and effortless as “floating on a river of cream.”


Life seems to be putting information in my path to suggest that getting to my next level professionally might require being more lazy, not working harder. 


What if I looked for ways to be lazy about it?

What if I followed little dribbles of ease?

What if I could let go and follow what my body needs?


It might all be confirmation bias. But the Father of Flow, Mihály Csíkszentmihályi says “...It is when we act freely, for the sake of the action itself rather than for ulterior motives, that we learn to become more than what we were.” And I teach all my clients that their signature strengths are those that feel effortless, energizing, and essential. So why am I so bought into this idea that everything has to be hard?


I'm honestly terrified of this experiment. What if everything I built all falls apart? What if this experiment fails? What will all you overachievers think of me recommending taking it easy and having fun? What if people call me lazy?


But it's too tempting a question to pass up. That river of cream is beckoning.


If any one of you other overachievers out there feel brave enough to try it with me for a week and see what happens, email me the results of your 5% lazier experiment, and I’ll reply with my own results.


That’s it. That’s my blog post. 


Short, sweet, and lazy. 


READ MORE:

Nope. No readings this time. What would make you 5% lazier? 


A nap? Reading an indulgent romance novel? 10 minutes alone outdoors just watching the clouds float by?


Go do that.


BOOK STUFF:

I’m excited to share that our next read for April and May will be a short but powerful book

 

This book offers a practical lens on how to be more intentional about building, maintaining, and repairing trust through the way we communicate and show up with one another. It gives language and tools to help us create stronger, more resilient relationships in our work and beyond.


GOING FURTHER:

Last chance to sign up for Heroine’s Journey Women’s Leadership Retreat, where YOU can experiment with getting to the next level with ease. 


And April 1, Redding locals can join me for a free workshop on Embodiment. 


We’re exploring embodiment—how your physical body (posture, breath, facial expression, feelings, gut instincts) directly shapes your confidence, emotional state, and access to your voice. Just as you can use your mind to move your body, research in neuroscience and psychology shows that the body can just as readily change and move the mind.


In this highly experiential session, we’ll explore how to use your body to access grounded authority and speak from alignment rather than reactivity. We’ll also work with the concept of a “whole body yes” as a way to recognize when you are in authentic alignment with your mind, heart, and gut.


You will walk away with:

  • Greater awareness of how your body impacts your confidence, voice, and internal narrative

  • Practical tools to regulate your nervous system in high-stakes moments

  • A felt sense of what alignment means for you as a leader

  • A clear, embodied “I am…” statement that names who you are in this world


Come dressed in clothes that allow a full range of motion (we will be stretching, bending, squatting, and maybe even dancing).


Date: Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Time: 5:00–6:30pm (with socializing 15 minutes before and after)

Location: Art Hunger / IOOF Hall, 1504 Market St


RSVP HERE to reserve your spot.


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