Filed under: Confidence, Gratitude, Inspiration, Life, Life Coach, Mindful Living, Simplify
It has been too long since I blogged. No excuses really, just caught up in our relocation to Nebraska and a little bit of laziness. With our relocation, I’ve had to consider what I am interested in doing as a career to help support my family. We were deliberate enough in our life changes that it is not an emergency for me to find just any old job. I have the luxury of being able to be just as deliberate about my career path.
As can be seen with my previous blogs, I have gone through training to be a life coach. I officially become a Certified Professional Coach as of tomorrow at 1 pm CST though I’ve been a coach for many years. This is one stream of income that I am passionate about pursuing and am working toward a game plan for that as we speak.
The other stream of income that I am passionate about has been “in me” since the 5th grade. In the 5th grade, I wrote a story about a farmer who had cows that gave orange juice rather than milk. While the story itself is not something that has stuck with me, the feeling it gave me to write it and the feedback I received has. Ever since then, I have dreamed of being a writer.
For the past few weeks I have been reading about becoming a freelance writer. I have signed up for various online discussion board groups about freelance writing. I have done all sorts of thinking and investigating around the topic however this morning it occurred to me …….. perhaps the real first step to becoming a writer is …….. TO START WRITING AGAIN!!!!!!!! Funny how the most obvious of answers can escape us for a period of time. And when we become more mindful of what we want and break it down into simpler, more manageable pieces it becomes crystal clear.
Here I am today in my first step of starting to write again. I am committed to blogging when the urge strikes me. I will begin journaling again. And when inspiration hits I’ll write about whatever is in my head at the time. There are many different avenues to share a person’s writing and I am beginning my discovery of what type of writing comes the most natural to me. I am grateful for this revelation and I know that the simple act of writing will build my confidence.
Filed under: Gratitude, Inspiration, Mindful Living, Personal Connections, Simplify
With this day and age of excess, I love the following list of ideas to teach our children how to simplify … just follow the link here.
http://www.onlineorganizing.com/NewslettersArticle.asp?newsletter=go&article=794
I have long encouraged people to give my children “experience” gifts rather than more things and it surprises me how difficult that seems to be for people. It is almost as if they don’t think it is a true gift unless there is something they can unwrap, play with for approximately 3 days and then discard in the tub with all the other things. Of course, there is the chance that a few months from now they will rediscover it and play with it for a few more days I love the idea of having the memories of fun times with people we love rather than another piece of plastic to eventually end up in a landfill.
My hope is that, with a little direction, the experience gifts are ones my children will request on their own as time goes on. I can picture them sitting and thinking about how much fun it will be to go to the “paint your own pottery” place with Aunt Angie and then reliving it each time they look at that clay spider they picked out. Sure it leaves them with bringing another “thing” home however this one has a personal connection tied to it. Personal connections make our lives much richer, fill us with gratitude and inspire us to keep others close to our hearts.
Filed under: Confidence, Gratitude, Life, Life Coach, Mindful Living, Uncategorized
Hello! So the first of my 12 supervised coaching sessions happened this past Wednesday and I am happy to report that it is a delightful experience. It is a close-knit, safe and wonderful place to grow and develop our coaching skills and techniques. What better way to become for confident with my new chosen profession!
We coach someone in 6 of them and my first was this past week. It went well and, of course, received great feedback. Our group decided to coach each other so I will have the opportunity to be coached as well. An invaluable way to sort through issues that I need to become more clear on myself. The power of coaching is one that has to be experience to truly appreciate. I am so grateful to have it in my life. I am really looking forward to the rest of the sessions.
Well, the time has come for my supervised coaching class to begin in order to graduate in December 2008. I am excited about the whole process and the opportunity to grow as a coach. While I have been received really positive feedback from my clients, the chance to hear what ICF certified instructors will be the chance to take my skills from good to great! I welcome the challenge and am grateful for the chance to build my confidence.
I’ve contacted the 1st person I’ll be coaching during our session and am really looking forward to hearing back from her. While it isn’t possible to rehearse the session word for word, it is nice to have some idea of what the focus will be. Then, with the short time we have to coach the person, you can ponder possible powerful questions and get a feel for how things may proceed. It will be a relief to have the 1st session done and have the experience behind me. From there, I am certain I will feel more and more at ease with the future classes.
Filed under: Confidence, Gratitude, Life, Life Coach, Mindful Living, Simplify
Part III of “Change The Way You See Everything Through Asset-Based Thinking” by Kathryn D. Cramer, Ph.D and Hank Wasiak discusses methods to change the way you see situations. They point out the fact that when we have feelings of anxiety when presented with challenges, while normal initially, they are also very limiting. These feelings tend to hold us to a narrow perspective and keep us from recognizing all of the possibilities that come along with such experiences. Here are some of the ideas to open yourself up to the situation:
- “The Wider the Lens, the Better the View”: By staying open to every possible detail of a situation, you’ll have more options to work with. Your internal dialogue regarding challenges influences not only your personal perception, it also forms your interactions with others.
- Reframe your perspective of something being a threat (harmful) to a challenge (growth).
- Remember the power of focusing on slowing down your breathing. It calms you and will facilitate “Asset-based thinking”.
- “See the problem as a pause”: See it in slow motion and you will be able to get a better understanding of what is going on. Don’t get overwhelmed by the situation or problem, instead focus on the goal and keep moving toward it.
- Reverse the 80-20 rule by focusing “80% of your attention on opportunities and 20% correcting what’s wrong”.
- Create visions of what you want your life to look like. With this vision in mind, you’ll have a greater sense of purpose as you move toward having what you want.
- “Laws of Attraction”: Use your positive thoughts, actions and words to attract other like-minded people. This will make your “circle of influence” a fantastic resource to draw from in any situation. Surround yourself with people who inspire you.
When you are able to look at a situation with endless possibilities and as a way to grow, you can have whatever you want. Absolute freedom!
Filed under: Confidence, Gratitude, Life, Life Coach, Mindful Living, Simplify, Uncategorized
In taking a look at the next idea in “Change The Way You See Everything Through Asset-Based Thinking” by Kathryn D. Cramer, Ph.D and Hank Wasiak, you can change the way you see others. They include considering:
- “Use your positive filters, get more traction” where we get back into the mindset of looking at everyone we encounter as having something positive to offer, even through their negativity. We are all merely a work in progress. Acknowledging others “out loud and often” when they do something positive and remembering those things as your relationship grows over time.
- Looking at conflict as an opportunity to change your mind. Consider both sides of the issue as being true at the same time to eliminate any defensiveness and inspire curiosity. Working to create a truth that both sides can agree on.
- Recognize that each of us has behaviors that are less than desirable however we are still worth having a relationship with. Focus on the person’s strengths and what you like about them.
- “Tell the truth fast”: When approaching a conversation you think may be difficult, create a “healthier dialogue” by being clear and concise about what is bothering you; tell the person how it is affecting you and your relationship with that person; and, offer the “positive vision” you have for resolving it.
- When you look at a person, have your first thought be what you like about them. It can be anything from the dress they are wearing to the story a friend told you about their passion for rescuing dogs from bad situations. Have this be your thought before you even begin speaking with them.
- When you see a trait in someone that you admire, imitate it. “As a student of the assets of human nature, you are now ready to spot the best of what anyone has to offer.”
- Consider asking someone “How did you do that?” rather than “Why did you do that?” See the difference in tone ……
When we are able to look at others in a positive light from the get go and really open up to someone else’s thoughts on a particular issue, we open ourselves up to really growing as individuals. Challenging others to consider a different way of looking at someone is often met with resistance however it doesn’t mean we should give up!
Filed under: Confidence, Gratitude, Life, Life Coach, Mindful Living, Simplify
Even us optimists; who see the world in the best light, give everyone the benefit of the doubt; and, assume that all will be right in the end; can have trouble with extending the same feelings to ourselves. The book “Change the Way You See Everything Through Asset-Based Thinking” by Kathryn D Cramer, Ph. D and Hank Wasiak gives practical exercises to do just that. It includes such exercises as:
- Reflecting on what you accomplished each week and the talents and skills you used to do so.
- “Magnify What’s Best and Focus on What’s Next” encourages you to revert back to thinking of things the way a child does, instinctively.
- Realize you are perfect just as you are today. We are always growing and learning.
- Thinking of 5 personal assets you have and 1 deficit that hinders your effectiveness. Then determine how your assets can help you through a current challenge or opportunity. This is “the five to one rule” and it facilitates your growth.
- Have a vision based on passion.
All of these things help a person focus on their strengths rather than their weaknesses. They empower you to take control of your life rather than just letting it happen. We have the choice and choices give us freedom! Mindful Living – deliberately choosing what we bring into our lives and what we choose to eliminate from our lives.
In establishing more specifics regarding my Simplification Coaching practice, I decided to define some powerful terms I plan to use frequently.
Mindful Living: Deliberately choosing what you allow into your life and what you choose to eliminate from your life.
Simplify: Breaking something down into smaller and more manageable pieces.
Balance: Just the right amount of life energy being applied to each valued aspect of your life.
Imbalance: When one or more aspect of your life is requiring more of your life energy than you would like it to, causing you stress or discomfort of some sort.
Role of coach: To ask powerful questions that allow the client to shift perspective, clarify their vision/goals, discover their own creativity and resourcefulness and move forward toward the life they truly want.
While I was stuck in a rain storm the other day, I decided to pull into a parking lot and wait for it to let up a bit. As I sat in the car, I began thinking about my classes at ICA and how much I am enjoying them and how they are helping me with taking a closer look at myself.
I especially enjoyed a class called “Commitment vs Trying”. I began thinking about some things in my own life that I have been trying to do however have not taken it to the level of being committed to it. I grabbed a piece of paper and jotted down 6 things I am now committed to. Lunch with my husband, exercise for myself, moving forward with some school things I have been putting off, etc. I also communicated my commitment to the others involved and it feels great!
Well, I have completed a draft (which number I’m not sure) of my coaching model to use in my practice. I am grateful to many people for reviewing it and giving me feedback. A fellow ICA student and new friend, Toni, has given me ideas for the visual part of it as well. It was so kind of her to put her energies into it for me! Thanks Toni!
So here goes World …….. SIMPLIFY Coaching Model
Support the client
Investigate the imbalance
Motivation for balance
Plan for change
Love the process
Inspired by possibilities
Feel the empowerment
YOU are the Master of Your Life!
If you are interested in “seeing it in action”, just contact me and we’ll set up a Discovery Session to see if a coaching relationship would work! Cheers!
