In the bustling world of entrepreneurship, life often presents us with unexpected twists and turns, prompting us to embrace new adventures and opportunities for growth. This sentiment rings true for Lori Saitz, the CEO and founder of Zen Rabbit, as she shares her journey of exploring unconventional living arrangements and embarking on new adventures. Faced with rising rent costs and a desire for change, Lori found herself drawn to the idea of house-sitting—a unique lifestyle choice that not only provided her with a place to live but also allowed her to indulge in her love for animals. As the host of the podcast, "Fine Is a Four Letter Word," Lori's openness to new experiences and willingness to embrace life's uncertainties serve as a testament to her adventurous spirit. While contemplating her next move, Lori reflects on her fond memories of living on the West Coast but remains open to exploring new horizons beyond California. Join us as we delve into Lori's journey and uncover the insights she shares about living life to the fullest and embracing the unknown with a sense of curiosity and excitement.
Lori Saitz-Zen Rabbit on Gratitude and Meditation for Business People
Lori Saitz, the CEO and founder of Zen Rabbit, shares her entrepreneurial journey, which has been marked by various ventures and transitions. With a background in marketing, corporate communications, and broadcasting, Lori initially delved into entrepreneurship in 2003 with her product, the gratitude cookie—a heartfelt gesture for business people to express appreciation to their clients and referral sources. Despite her love for the business, Lori eventually closed it down after eleven years due to scalability challenges. She then transitioned back into marketing consulting before realizing her aversion to working for others and pivoting to teaching networking strategies. However, the onset of the pandemic disrupted her plans as traditional networking events became obsolete. Consequently, Lori pivoted once again, returning to the topic of gratitude but with a fresh perspective, emphasizing its transformative power when combined with meditation.
Lori's journey underscores the importance of adaptability and resilience in entrepreneurship, especially in the face of unforeseen challenges. Through her experiences, she has honed her expertise in guiding individuals, particularly those in their forties and fifties, through periods of transition and self-reflection. Recognizing the limitations of settling for a life that is merely "fine," Lori developed her program, "Fuck Being Fine," aimed at helping individuals break free from complacency and pursue a more fulfilling existence. Central to her approach are the three pillars of success: gratitude, connection, and self-awareness. Lori emphasizes the significance of cultivating inner dialogue and fostering genuine connections with oneself and others as foundational elements for personal and professional growth.
The Connection Between Autoimmune Diseases and Self-Reflection
In a poignant reflection, Lori delves into the notion of happiness, emphasizing its often-overlooked significance amidst societal pressures and achievements. She questions the frequency with which individuals inquire about one another's happiness, noting the prevalence of discussions centered on external milestones such as income, career advancements, or material possessions. Drawing from her own journey battling an autoimmune disease, Lori sheds light on the interconnectedness between emotional well-being and physical health. Despite meticulously attending to her nutrition and lifestyle, she acknowledges the emotional component contributing to her condition—a realization stemming from a lack of genuine self-reflection amid the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Lori underscores the importance of carving out moments for introspection, lamenting the tendency to prioritize busyness over genuine connection with oneself. This disconnect, she suggests, maybe a contributing factor to the rising incidence of autoimmune diseases and other health ailments, emphasizing the body's innate ability to heal when provided with the essential elements, including emotional nourishment. As part of her advocacy for self-care and introspection, Lori offers a free PDF download on her website, titled "Living Five Easy Ways to Start Living a Sabbatical Life," highlighting the importance of allocating time for oneself amidst life's demands.
Living a Sabbatical Life
Lori reflects on the concept of sabbaticals, acknowledging the privilege of taking extended breaks from work and life commitments. Drawing from her own experience of embarking on a month-long road trip sabbatical with her aging cat, she recognizes that not everyone has the luxury of indulging in such lengthy respites. Therefore, she advocates for integrating elements of sabbatical living into daily routines, emphasizing the importance of allowing oneself time to recharge and engage in activities that bring joy. Lori highlights the prevalence of individuals who have lost touch with what truly brings them happiness due to the incessant demands of modern life.
She encourages her clients to reconnect with their inner child and explore activities that evoke a sense of joy and fulfillment. Moreover, Lori delves into the societal conditioning ingrained since childhood, which equates hard work with success. While acknowledging the value of sacrifice in pursuing goals, she questions the sustainability of the 24/7 hustle culture and the toll it exacts on health and relationships. Reflecting on her father's journey from emphasizing hard work to prioritizing work-life balance, Lori underscores the importance of reassessing one's approach to success and redefining priorities to align with genuine fulfillment and well-being.
The Importance of Recharging and Having Fun
Lori emphasizes the necessity of daily recharging to avoid long-term burnout, likening it to recharging a low battery on a cell phone. She acknowledges the challenge of breaking ingrained habits, such as working late into the night, and encourages individuals to prioritize activities that replenish their energy. Meditation emerges as a key practice in rewiring the brain and fostering inner peace, although Lori stresses that there are various methods to achieve rejuvenation, each person needs to find what resonates best for them.
She dispels myths surrounding meditation and underscores the importance of experimentation and self-discovery in determining the most effective recharging techniques. Lori advocates for embracing enjoyment and leisure, challenging societal norms that equate productivity solely with work. She emphasizes the essential role of play and relaxation in achieving success, debunking the notion that constant productivity leads to optimal outcomes. Lori urges individuals to permit themselves to engage in activities that bring joy and vitality, recognizing that genuine success is contingent upon maintaining a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle.
Strategies for Managing Distractions and Stress
Lori provides practical strategies for managing stress and maintaining productivity amidst busy schedules. She suggests incorporating regular breaks into the workday, utilizing techniques like the Pomodoro method to alternate between focused work sessions and short breaks. These breaks can involve activities such as stretching, going for a walk, or enjoying lunch away from the computer, allowing for physical and mental rejuvenation. Additionally, Lori advocates for setting boundaries with technology, such as implementing do-not-disturb mode and limiting screen time before bed to improve sleep quality and overall well-being.
She acknowledges the challenge of disconnecting from social media, especially for those whose work involves managing online platforms, but emphasizes the importance of finding a balance to avoid excessive stress. Lori encourages entrepreneurs and high achievers to prioritize self-care and stress management techniques, recognizing that sustained success requires a healthy work-life balance. She invites individuals to reflect on their usage of technology and social media, considering how it impacts their stress levels and overall happiness and suggests implementing boundaries to cultivate a more sustainable approach to productivity and well-being.
Managing Stress through Meditation and Daydreaming
Lori emphasizes the significance of meditation in managing stress and enhancing productivity. She dispels common misconceptions about meditation, highlighting that it doesn't require long sessions of silent contemplation but can be as short as three minutes of focused breathing. By redirecting attention to the breath and acknowledging passing thoughts without attachment, individuals can experience the benefits of meditation in a brief timeframe. Lori addresses the common excuse of not having enough time for meditation, suggesting that dedicating just fifteen to twenty minutes daily can yield significant results.
She recommends guided meditation for beginners, as it helps maintain focus and trains the mind to refocus when distracted, leading to improved concentration and productivity in other tasks. Lori underscores the value of meditation as a time investment that ultimately enhances efficiency, enabling individuals to complete tasks more quickly and effectively. By incorporating regular meditation practice into daily routines, individuals can cultivate greater mental clarity and resilience, ultimately contributing to their overall success and well-being.
The Importance of Meditation and Peer Support for Entrepreneurs
The conversation delves into the phenomenon where individuals, accustomed to perpetual stress, find themselves uncomfortable when attempting to shift to a more relaxed state. It's noted that many people operate in a constant state of stress, so transitioning to a calmer, parasympathetic state feels foreign and unsettling. This reaction is attributed to being programmed to function under stress, even if it's not the desired state. The discomfort experienced when trying to break away from this stress-driven mode may lead to resistance towards practices like meditation.
The dialogue highlights the prevalence of this stress-driven lifestyle in today's world, with many individuals expressing a desire for calmness but struggling to adapt to it due to its unfamiliarity and discomfort. The speaker emphasizes the importance of acknowledging this discomfort and accepting the need for change, particularly in adopting practices like meditation, which can help counteract the effects of chronic stress and promote overall well-being.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the conversation underscores the importance of consistency and practice when it comes to stress management techniques like meditation. Just as brushing teeth becomes a habitual part of daily routines, regular meditation fosters comfort and familiarity, making its absence feel odd. The speaker emphasizes that with time and practice, individuals not only improve their meditation skills but also integrate it seamlessly into their lives, attuning themselves to the practice's benefits. Moreover, alongside personal practices, the significance of surrounding oneself with a supportive community is highlighted.
While friends and family may mean well, their advice may not always align with the challenges of running a business or practice. Thus, having a peer group of like-minded individuals who understand the entrepreneurial journey can offer invaluable support during both triumphs and hardships. These peers not only empathize with the struggles but also celebrate successes, providing a crucial pillar of encouragement and solidarity. Ultimately, the combination of personal practice and a supportive community forms a robust foundation for navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship while prioritizing mental well-being.
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