Hi friends! A quick intro for the new people: I’m Catherine Greer, lover of shoes, kitchen dancing, finding joy, making Sunday desserts and writing books. Thanks for joining me for a little weekly inspiration. You’ll hear from me every Sunday morning in Australia (Saturday night overseas). If you need a reminder of what I look like, I’m a silver-sister, here on Instagram but I haven’t posted in ages…

I had a realisation this week and it really shook me, so I’m sharing it with you.

Maybe it will help?

Here’s the story: as well as writing books, I also work in Australia’s finance world as a copywriter and communications specialist. This means I write all the things — books and blogs (adult novels, picture books, young adult novels) and also executive speeches, business articles, presentations, advertisements and more.

I was struggling with a presentation — trying to make it look good, trying to find the right words — and suddenly the simple solution just came to me.

The problem with how I approach things is that I plow ahead, diligently, doing MORE of the same thing until I get the results I want.

And I made a coffee that morning and thought of the famous words that are usually misattributed to Einstein (but probably came from an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting — see link below): “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”

So I made a promise that I would spend the week like this:

It sounds so simple.

My results were amazing.

I don’t know how long my comfortable brain has had me stuck in so many areas of my life, but now I’m changing it up. From the simple to the complex, I’m over here trying EVERYTHING differently.

• The type of dishcloths I use get so smelly when the boys just leave them wet in the sink. Now: sponges.

• My morning routine: it has always been slow chair time with hot coffee. Now: I want to be the one to walk the dog in the fresh morning air.

• Eyeliner: watch a YouTube video.

• Gift wrapping: try another way for bulky packages - link below and it’s fabulous.

Every single thing I’ve done differently has worked so much better.

I wonder if it will do the same for you?

Sending you good vibes and all the blessings this weekend. Next week, I promise we’ll race towards the holidays togather.

Stay tuned for favourite recipes, lots of baking and more!

Love, Catherine x

P.S. The fun stuff!

• Here’s quote investigator on where that Einstein phrase probably came from. The answer: a woman. Of course.

• My friends with tricky feet: the shoe stretcher above for heels and the one for flats are life changing. Just get two sets and let them work their magic for holiday shoes. Trust me.

• Speaking of party shoes, these ones are actually hours-long comfortable and I mean this with my whole heart. Quick, they’re selling out! Right now they’re on sale with 50% off any second pair. (Aussie women — I KNOW, I’VE NEVER SHOPPED HERE EITHER!)

• Wrap bulky and awkward packages this way. So good!

• Girlfriend gifts — everyone loves The 10 Minute Fix! Personally, I think Small Steps are Perfect is better…but both make lovely little gifts. My books are slim enough to post as a letter, so they’re perfect at Christmas.