Simplify Your Life’s Weblog


Simplify your organizing
August 20, 2008, 5:26 pm
Filed under: Inspiration, Life, Life Coach, Simplify, Uncategorized

There is a super cool organizing website called www.onlineorganizing.com that I recently became familiar with.  I may be partial because they just recently had their “Simplify Your Life Week”, which had nothing to do with my business name however still enjoy the reference.  They have advice, they have organizer locators, they have organizing products, etc, etc.  It is a wealth on information to get your own thoughts rolling or to find someone who can come and help you through the process.

So take a look for inspiration, figure out what you need to focus on and then get ahold of me to be your life coach and keep you moving forward!  :)



Delightful experience
August 8, 2008, 10:41 pm
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.



Big week of news!
July 29, 2008, 6:51 pm
Filed under: Uncategorized

This week has been a big one in my house!  I got a “competent” mark on my coaching model and visual for my ICA assessments, my written exam for ICA came back with a 98% on it AND my husband accepted a new job in the Omaha area.  So we’ll be moving from Wisconsin to Omaha before schools start there on August 13! 

Since getting the news of the Omaha move, I’ve been using all of the power tools from the coach training …. Trust vs Doubt, Game vs Significance, etc ….. Is there one that focuses on Sleep vs Obsess … :)

Ultimately, I am grateful for the opportunity that this brings into our lives.  I am trusting the process and I am committed to making the time aspect of the whole move a game.  I am truly looking forward to what life in Omaha holds for me and my family!



My Top 5 Themes
July 25, 2008, 3:42 pm
Filed under: Confidence, Life, Life Coach, Mindful Living, Simplify, Uncategorized

After completing the questionaire on www.strengthsfinder.com, I discovered that my “top 5 themes” are:

Maximizer:  focuses on strengths as a way to stimulate personal and group excellence, seeks to transform something strong into something superb.

Connectedness:  has faith in the links between all things, believes there are few coincidences and that almost every event has a reason.

Relator:  enjoys close relationships with others, finds deep satisfaction in working hard with friends to achieve a  goal.

Intellection:  characterized by their intellectual activity, are introspective and appreciate intellectual discussions.

Input:  has a craving to know more, often likes to collect and archive all kinds of information.

**All of these definitions come directly from the “Strengths Discovery & Action-Planning Guide” I was able to print off after taking the test.  This document also describes how I, as a Maximizer, am different than other Maximizers based on my answers overall.  It offers quotes from people in my themes, which tell me what these themes sound like.  And it also provides some suggested action-plan items to consider in order to focus on these themes. 

I really enjoyed the entire process.  In reading the information listed for each theme I was not necessarily surprised with what it told me about myself however it was useful to see it all in one place for me.  It made me feel as though my work in living a more mindful life has really been paying off in being more in tune with who I am, actually.  It will be a really useful tool to reference back to if I am feeling some imbalance in life.  It will allow me to reflect on whether or not one of my themes has been ignored lately.

Now I will be able to knowingly suggest this tool to my clients who need some guidance in reflecting on their own strengths.  I guess that is just either my Intellection or Input theme showing up again!



Change the way you see others
July 16, 2008, 9:00 pm
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!



Hello world!
March 29, 2008, 7:59 pm
Filed under: Life, Uncategorized

Hello World!!  My name is Paula and I have just begun my journey to become a life coach.  I am psyched to get started with a career that I am certain I will be passionate about!

What is a life coach, you ask?  A life coach is all about creating change.  What would you like to change about your life?