This week’s Escape Plan challenge (aka our Tip of the Week) is #35: Hero For a Day: Do something to make the day of a child.

In almost all of Jason’s speaking programs he talks about a problem that many adults have, which is that they live by rules that don’t exist. One example he gives is how I accomplished Challenge # 11 during our original undertaking of The Escape Plan. I decided to eat dessert first. Why? Because there’s no rule saying I can’t! It was glorious! In yesterdays intergenerational program (ages 5-105) Jason asked the kids “How many kids here would like to have dessert first?” The entire flock of five-year-olds through high schoolers excitedly cheered!

He then went on to remind the adults that when we were all little we felt this way, and our parents assured us that it would ruin our appetites. Right then and there we made a secret pledge with ourselves that when we grow up we will have dessert first whenever we want. Upon saying this he asked the adults, “Raise your hand if you’re over the age of 18 and you’ve had dessert first in the last month.” Out of 300 adults, about five (proudly) raised their hands.

After an event in which this interaction played out similarly a few weeks ago, a mom came up to us afterwards and said that she had promised her kids that over the summer one night they would have only ice cream for dinner. The summer came and went and she hadn’t done it, so she was feeling very guilty. I assured her that it would come as a welcome surprise on a Monday night for dinner during the school year. She agreed!

Surprising kids with a dessert only dinner is a simple and surefire way to make their day. Share with us in the comments of the Escape Plan what you do to make the day of a child this week.

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This week’s Escape Plan challenge (aka our Tip of the Week) is #36: Dress Up Day: Accessorize your wardrobe today with a touch of childhood.

Jason has always joked that I have never had a problem with this challenge. In fact, sometimes I go a bit too far. (Read about what I was wearing the night Jason and I first met.) Who knew, however, that expecting a baby would end up helping me accomplish this challenge everyday. As Jason mentioned in a recent post, this baby bump is quite the conversation starter. Last week we were in four states in five days, so we were exposed to a number of strangers in airports, rental car lines, restaurants, and of course at the gigs. This belly sure brings out the questions (and smiles!). Yesterday in Wal-Mart two woman were in an aisle I was going down, in a serious discussion about a purchase, and as soon as the one saw my belly she stopped the conversation, smiled, pointed at it and exclaimed, “baby!” It’s fun to have a literal “touch of childhood” as a part of my wardrobe everyday!

Side note: The number one question people ask is this: “Is it a boy or a girl?” I find it funny that they assume we know. When we share that we are waiting to be surprised, we always get a double take. (I guess this is a good example of our instant gratification culture.)

I should point out, the moral of the story is not that you have to be pregnant to accomplish this challenge. There are countless accessories that will help you add some whimsy to your day… things that, just like this baby bump, will bring you and others smiles (and questions!). Leave us a comment in the Escape Plan Blog to let us know what you wore that helped you Escape Adulthood this week.

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This week’s Escape Plan challenge (aka our Tip of the Week) is #37: Tastes Like Childhood: Eat or drink something today that brings back childhood memories.

It’s ironic that today is the first day of fall (my favorite season!) This time of year elicits a plethora of childhood memories associated with food… candy corn, apple cider, pumpkin bars, and my ultimate favorite fall treat- homemade caramel apples. Mmm!

As a yearly tradition, my mom would pick up a bag of caramels and some apples from the store. My sisters and I would spend what seemed like hours unwrapping each individual caramel (smart mom, to delegate!). While my mom melted them on the stove, we’d go digging in the drawers looking for recycled popsicle sticks. This was before the sticks came with the caramels. We’d each take turns one-on-one with mom, stabbing an apple with a stick and dipping it into the pan of hot caramel. Mmm… I can still smell the sweet sugary caramel and tart apples now. The worst part was waiting a while for them to harden. Of course, I always wanted to dig in right away. The best part was that inevitable blob of caramel that would drip on the wax paper!

It’s amazing how the simple smells and tastes of food can so easily whisk you back to childhood. What culinary creation takes you back? Share with us in the comments on the Escape Plan Blog.

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Saturday afternoon Jason and I ended up at the grocery store to pick up some ingredients for the recipes for the weekend. (Jason treated me by making three very yummy dinners!) As many couples do in the grocery shopping situation, we split up to divide and conquer our list. I was about done and I went looking for Jason, only to find him walking from the cereal aisle looking like this…
Yes, this is the actual picture of him from that exact moment that I took from my new iPhone. I instantly started laughing hysterically- for a couple of reasons. First, because it’s just more proof that I am, indeed, married to a five-year-old boy. (I wouldn’t want it any other way!) Second, because just two days earlier at a speaking gig the host introduced Jason using the bio we had given her. Among other tidbits, it read… “Jason grew up loving superheroes and Star Wars. He also enjoys collecting fun retro t-shirts and eating sugar-laden cereal.” His intro is definitely the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Yes, you are correct, he is holding a box of Captain Crunch, Apple Jacks, and Frosted Flakes.

Jason and I are often laughed at when we tell other grown-ups that neither of us drink coffee. Of course, those “two cups before 10AM” people cannot understand how we manage to get through the mornings without that caffeine jolt. Well, I think I put my finger on it… sugar-laden cereal!

One of my guilty pleasures from childhood happens to be Kraft mac ‘n cheese, the kind in the box with the powdered cheese. After all, it is the cheesiest! Yum!

An easy way to fight the daily dulldrums of Adultitis is to revisit that comforting and fun indulgence from childhood.

What do you indulge in from your yesteryears?

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This week’s Escape Plan challenge (aka our Tip of the Week) is #40: Sick of it Day: Take the day off. Do anything you want, but no work and no chores. Consider it a sick day or at least a “sick of it” day.

If you live in the United States, this one should be easy this week, since today is Labor Day. The reality is, however, that often times when presented with a day off our natural tendency is to fill it with things that “need” to get done… yard work, laundry, cleaning projects, etc. Do yourself and your loved ones a favor and let it all go. Enjoy the long overdue laziness of this final weekend of summer.

In our recent podcast for Club K&J members we shared a list of Five Tricks for Fighting Fall Frenzy. One of the tips was to “Turn the Other Cheek.” Stop worrying about those dusty blinds, the lack of shine on your kitchen floor, and the pile of newspapers and magazines you haven’t gotten to. Let it go. In the busyness of fall, maintain the necessities… clean clothes, a fridge with food, and bills that are paid on time. Everything else will have it’s place in due time.

This is an important part of giving yourself time to rest and rejuvenate. So, if you have spent your Labor Day morning laboring… rebound quickly enough to enjoy the heart of why this day was created- to rest.

Share with us in the comments of the Escape Plan blog what you do this week to enjoy your “Sick of it Day.”

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This week’s Escape Plan challenge (aka our Tip of the Week) is: #2 Instaparty: Find a reason to celebrate and do something to celebrate it.

This past weekend Jason and I attended the wake of one of my former kindergarten students. She was ten and had battled cancer for the last 3+ years. Wakes are hard no matter what, but this one was probably the hardest one I’ve been to. With older folks who pass away, you can look back and celebrate their life and all that they were able to experience. In this case, I’m pretty sure everyone in that long line heading into the funeral home felt a sense of injustice. She was just too young.

A few weeks ago one of our recent Kim & Jason Champions (from the Kim & Jason Magazine, page 6) lost her life, along with her husband and son, in a plane crash. Again, it’s impossible to understand the meaning behind such tragic events. It is interesting to note that she left this life doing what she loved- flying with her family.

So, why am I bringing up these sad stories at the start of a week in which we’re challenged to celebrate?

It’s all about the unknown. You HAVE to celebrate today. You simply cannot wait. As Jason mentioned in his recent post, “Putting off something to ‘next year’ can be a tricky gambit.” Human nature tricks us into believing that we’ll all die from old age, but it’s simply not true. Don’t wait until a tragedy happens to realize that your life is meant to be lived to the fullest today. Don’t wait until your anniversary to surprise your spouse with a night out on the town. Don’t wait until your birthday to allow yourself the permission to pick up that ice cream cake from Dairy Queen. (Yum!) Don’t wait until circumstances are perfect before you plan that spontaneous camping trip. Celebrate today!

If you need some help getting started I’ve found a fun site, Holidays for Everyday. You literally have your pick of things to celebrate each and every day. Share with us what you decide to celebrate this week by leaving us a comment on the Escape Plan blog. Remember, living in this mindset is a daily challenge. It’s also very contagious, so be prepared to have some followers and be proud to lead the way.

Don’t wait until tomorrow. Do it today!

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The street upon which our office/shop is located is getting torn up right now. There are gigantic trucks digging holes, dirt everywhere, lots of loud noises and large tubes lying around waiting to be put underground. It’s a little boy’s dreamland, and Jason and I saw this firsthand. While walking into the office we came upon a young mom and her two-year-old son in a stroller. They were parked on the sidewalk in front of our shop staring at the construction site. I immediately looked in the direction they were looking, to see if something cool was happening, but all I saw was a couple of guys carrying their lunch boxes, getting ready to take a break… not exactly gripping. Then I looked at the little boy. He was literally sitting at the edge of his stroller, watching with great intensity and interest.

It was one of the purest examples of “delighting in the little things” (one of Jason’s 8 secrets) I’ve ever witnessed. He was thoroughly enthralled by the entire site, never mind that the worker guys were on a break. He was into it. The coolest thing, though, is that the mom recognized this and took the time to sit there with him. I’m sure there were plenty of other places they needed to be. She didn’t appear rushed. She wasn’t over talking about what the workers were doing, she was simply standing there and allowing her son to delight. What a great mom!

There are lessons to be learned in this little situation. The cliche “stop and smell the roses” only makes sense if you love the smell of roses. So, what’s your “rose”? Is it a street full of dirt and trucks? (If so, you might want to visit this place.) Is it the taste of a home cooked meal prepared just for you? Maybe it’s reading an e-card at work from a friend who took the time to write from the heart? Whatever it is, delight in it.

At the National Speakers Association Convention last week we were able to hear a fabulous speaker, Marshall Goldsmith. He is a regular columnist in Fast Company Magazine. Marshall took everyone on a journey many years into the future. He asked us to imagine that you’re very old and on your deathbed. You’re about to take your last breath. Right before that breath you’re given an incredible gift- the chance to go back in time and visit yourself right here and now. You’re given the opportunity to help yourself be a better person and to have a better life. What advice would your wise elder self give?

The room was completely silenced. Marshall shared that overwhelmingly the answers are always the same- Be happy now! Too many people, he explained, suffer from “Western When” syndrome (i.e., I’ll just be happy when …)

You have to remember three words: Be happy now. Not next week. Not next month. Not next year. It’s a great Western disease: I’ll be happy when… When I get that car, status, money. But there is no when. That’s a person waiting to die. Be happy now. Life is short.

Don’t wait until this or that finally happens. Happiness if a choice and you need to find it in your present situation.

The boy in the stroller found it, and so did his mom.

How about you?

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As the baby bump grows bigger and the end of November seems to approach more rapidly with each day, I’m having fun reflecting on the lessons I’m learning along the way… lessons that are specific to my situation of carrying our first baby (KoJu as the RodeoClown calls him/her, “Kotecki Junior”), but these lessons can also be applied to anyone looking to live life with less stress and more fun.

1. Take care of yourself. Eat foods that are good for you, drink water, exercise regularly, breathe deep, stretch daily, sleep long enough, and make an effort to stay on an even keel.

2. Don’t wait until you feel stressed to de-stress. Incorporate de-stressers into your day-to-day. Simple things like singing with your favorite tunes in the car, taking a bath before bed, and shooting hoops after dinner. (It doesn’t have to be a $75 massage all of the time.)

3. Nesting is needed. Having things in order goes a long way towards helping you think clearer and more creatively.

4. Surprises are important. Not everything has to be instantly gratifying. As you can see the baby’s room is yellow… gender neutral. We have a big surprise to look forward to. Surprise those you love… just because. There’s something magical about a good surprise.

5. Accept change without resistance. Everything is evolving- relationships, feelings, responsibilities, seasons, heck- even our bodies! The sooner you roll with the punches, the better off you’ll be.

6. Enjoy the anticipation. I’m convinced that anticipation is sometimes even more exciting than the actual reality of that being anticipated. Savor it. Celebrate it. Delight in all of the joy it brings you.

7. Buck the system. Don’t live by rules that don’t exist. If everyone tells you things must go a certain way, prove them wrong.

8. Revel in family treasures. You don’t need to accumulate much in life, but honor the treasures that connect you to those you love. Those two plastic giraffes hanging on the wall also once hung in Jason’s nursery, some thirty-two years ago. So cool.

9. Don’t make excuses. Own up to the reality of your situation. Yes, I pigged out on cookies recently, but I would’ve done that pre-preggers, so it’s not fair to blame it on the baby.

It’s quite an exhilarating journey! All of life is!

By the way, if you’re wondering what inspired the giraffe theme, watch this.

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This week’s Escape Plan challenge (aka our Tip of the Week) is: #4 Souvenir From Childhood: Add something childlike (not necessarily childish) to your workspace or home.

Souvenirs are so childlike, aren’t they? The concept of picking out a momento… a keepsake that will help you remember the best parts of your journey.

What about the journey of childhood? What were the best parts that you want to remember? So quickly we forget. If you could go to a gift shop filled with items exclusively representing your childhood, what would you find?

That raggedy teddy bear? Your special blanket? The soccer ball? Your favorite children’s book?

Pick out a trophy from your childhood and proudly display it! It’s a great conversation piece and even more importantly, it’ll serve as a time machine for childhood memories.

A woman named Karen Chappell from Canada started a website two years ago to help her remember the souvenirs from her own childhood. Her blog, “I Found my Childhood on eBay” is her way of treasuring her memories after a house fire in 1994 destroyed all the original souvenirs. What a creative way to remember back, without cluttering your house.

I have a Cheer Bear figure, just like the one in the picture, next to my desk at work. It’s the original one I received in first grade when I had hives. My mom and I went to the doctor and on the way home she let me pick it out at the store, to cheer me up. Ironically, Cheer Bear still cheers me up.

Share with us in the comments of the Escape Plan blog what souvenir you pick and why.

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This week’s Escape Plan challenge (aka our Tip of the Week) is #7: Indulge Thyself: Spend 15 – 30 minutes doing something you love that you don’t often have the chance to do.

When I was about nine-years-old I distinctly remember consciously NOT wanting to grown-up anymore. It looked like too much work… too many hassles… too much stress. It was much easier (and TONS more fun) being a kid. My oldest sister was turning sixteen and looking for a job and it hit me that my childhood was ticking away and was eventually going to come to an end. Reality check.

One of the things I prematurely mourned was the loss of free time to do what I loved… things like going on a bike ride, lying in the hammock and listening to the chimes, or going to the library and checking out a monstrous stack of books.

Who says the life of an adult has to be all doom and gloom, consumed with chores, bill paying, and work? Sure, these are the realities that inevitably need to accompany the responsibility of being a grown-up, but why do they have to devour every waking moment? If you cannot find 15-30 minutes on a regular basis to do something you love, then what’s the point?

By the way, if it’s been so long since you’ve done this that you don’t even know what you’d spend your time doing, then there’s a pretty good chance you have a severe case of Adultitis. Don’t fret, you’ve come to the right place.

Leave us a comment in the Escape Plan Blog to let us know what you spent your 15- 30 minutes doing?

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I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that my childhood summers were “the good ‘ol days.” Truly the lazy days of life. Why not recapture some of those moments as grown-ups? It’s a surefire way to annihilate any Adultitis in your life.

If you haven’t done one of these five things this summer, you need to get out your calendar and schedule one in… NOW.

1. Catch a lightening bug and put it in a jar in your bedroom.

2. Grill out and have a picnic. Don’t forget the sweet corn and cherry pie.

3. Go to an ice cream stand and get a treat, the more scoops the better.

4. Lay under the stars with a friend and dream together.

5. Go to a drive-in movie. (There are still 500 operating theaters in the U.S. Find one near you.)

What’s your favorite summer staple?

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This week’s Escape Plan challenge (aka our Tip of the Week) is #8: Doodlesmile: Draw a funny picture and hide it in an unexpected place for someone else to find.

When I was teaching Kindergarten, on average, I probably received three pictures a day from individual students in my class. Usually, one of the three would be left on my desk at some point throughout the day, nameless. I would find it around 4PM while attempting to find my desktop. It always brought a smile to my face, even after the toughest of days. Kids love to make pictures for others, it’s a simple way they show affection.

Yesterday at our niece’s sixth birthday party, she came up to me and Jason at one point with a handmade card. On the cover it said, in her handwriting, “To Aunt Kim and Uncle Jason.” On the inside was a large smiley face. After thanking her for the gift, I asked her, “What’s this for?” She casually shrugged her shoulders, “I don’t know,” and she walked away.

When’s the last time you doodled a picture for someone else?

As adults life is much to busy, filled with much more important things. There’s no time for silly foolishness. Right?

Wrong!

Life is too short NOT to be silly. A simple way to do this is through doodles. So, grab that marker. Dust off your box of crayons. Get to work putting a smile on someone else’s face.

Share with us about your doodle experience this week in the comments of the Escape Plan Blog.

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