Is this your real life? {positive psychology lessons from Paris}

I always feel more like a “real writer” when I’ve parked myself at an outdoor cafe.

I order a diet coke (une coka lite, s’il vous plait), pop open my laptop and the world changes. The ordinary girl, Robyn, becomes Robyn the writer. In those moments, I feel inspired, and happy, and I know that I’m doing my work because I can feel it in my bones. Now is one of those times.

Just the other day, I wrote this for my new book Smart Girls (out in late 2013):

Many of you responded – even if you’re not in your 30s.

If you “got” it, it’s probably because you’ve felt disappointed, yourself. 

There are times when you probably wonder: is this my real life?

In response, I’ve been inspired to create a series of positive psychology lessons  – called French {Lessons} because, well, I’m in France. 

These lessons are intended – not just to inspire you – but to empower you to close the gap between your ordinary life and the one that you’ve imagined. 

Here’s your first lesson:

French {lesson 1}: Location. Location. Location. 

To no great surprise, you can’t be your most creative if you’re always working from the same space day after day after day at home in the guest room you transformed into an office (with a bed).

Or in your cubical.
Or in your windowless office at the hospital.

Ahem.

It turns out that you can’t be your most inspired if you’re still in your pajamas at 3 o’clock in the afternoon. (Okay, who am I kidding…of course you can be. Just not all the time.)

For creativity to flow, sometimes you’ve got to get out of your pajamas, brush your teeth, and get yourself out into the world.

5 Benefits of Going on Location 

1. location cultivates creativity.
2. location provides perspective. 
3. location gets you out of your ordinary reality 
4. location reminds you of what’s possible.
5. location inspires new action. 

Your turn: where are you going this week to spark your creativity? 

You could have a picnic in a Paris park, like I did.

Or you could grab your laptop and head out to your own local cafe where you can journal & people watch.

Just for today…work someplace else from your normal work space.