Compassion

compassion

Road Trip! The destination for this week is “Compassion.” You’re caring and see the good in others; have that same compassion for yourself!

Make a list of your strengths and positive qualities. How can you acknowledge these in yourself more often?

If you’ve been holding a grudge against yourself, allow yourself to feel the forgiveness you deserve.

This week, notice when you’re having negative thoughts about yourself or others and release them as soon as they form.

Let us know in the comments where you’ve gone and what you’ve discovered about yourself.

Success

Success
Road Trip! The destination for this week is “Success.” What does success look like for you? Are you focused only on material things or what will truly fulfill you?

How will you know when you are truly successful?

Do your measurements of success match your values? (For example, are you striving for a bigger paycheck yet long for a “simpler life?”)

What will you do to attract (or repel) success into your life today? What have you dreamed and imagined?

Let us know in the comments where you’ve gone and what you’ve discovered about yourself.

Transformation (if not now, when?)

transformation

Road Trip! The destination for this week is “Transformation.” The word is often used when referring to the incredible reshaping of a body. Changes that occur in our mind can be just as remarkable.

What isn’t working in your life? How might changing the way you look at things change your direction?

Next time you find yourself in a “bad” situation, make a mindful effort to shape it towards the positive. Take coal and make a diamond.

What needs to change to allow you to live as the real, authentic you?

Let us know in the comments where you’ve gone and what you’ve discovered about yourself.

Beginnings (What are you waiting for?)

Road Trip! The destination for this week is “Beginnings.” We’re at the start of a new year. What will you breathe life into?

Reflect on the past year. What needs to change to allow you to be the best version of you possible?

What have you been putting off that would have a positive impact on your life? Make a plan for getting started.

Quite simply, what do you want for yourself in the new year? It’s time to begin.

Let us know in the comments where you’ve gone and what you’ve discovered about yourself.

Purification (time to renew)

Road Trip! The destination for this week is “Purification.” Time to cleanse and renew; inside and out.

Make a list of what isn’t working in your life. How will you change for the positive in the coming year?

Tackle an organization or clean-up project you’ve been putting off.

Clean up your diet by cutting out some of the junk food or sugar.

Let us know in the comments where you’ve gone and what you’ve discovered about yourself.

Breakthrough

breakthrough

Road Trip! The destination for this week is “Breakthrough.” We each have the potential for greatness, we just need to break through anything that’s blocking us.

What positive actions can you take this week to move towards a life-long goal?

Having difficulties communicating with someone? Break through the static by really listening to them.

What negative attitudes do you have towards yourself? This week, break through one of these limiting beliefs by acknowledging your talents.

Let us know in the comments where you’ve gone and what you’ve discovered about yourself.

Just Do It!

OK, he’s maybe a little……intense? But he’s right. What are you waiting for?! I love this video. It sums up the entire idea of coaching in about a minute.

Time for a Change

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It’s the end of the year and my phone is ringing off the hook. It’s peak season for coaches because, as we end the year, many are looking back and realizing they didn’t make the best use of the past year and want help moving forward. Many feel it’s time for a change.

Before you make that jump, here’s one important question to ask yourself. Am I making a change for myself or someone else?

Coaches turn down a lot of potential clients because of their answer to this last question. You might be completely satisfied with your life but feel outside pressure from parents, a spouse or work colleagues to “do more” but if the desire isn’t genuinely yours then coaching isn’t going to help you one bit. In fact, the coaching experience would just be an exercise in frustration for both you and the coach.

To find out if you’re ready for a change, ask yourself these three questions:

  • If I knew today was my last day, could I say I’m satisfied with what I’ve done?
  • Am I doing all I could with my life right now?
  • Can I afford to wait another year to “do more?”

If you answered No to any of the above questions, then it might be time for a change.

So, where do you want to go now? Here’s an exercise I use with a lot of my clients. While you won’t have the benefit of interacting with a coach, it might help you gain some clarity.

Relax in a quiet room with your eyes closed. Take a few deep breathes. Now, imagine your “perfect” (and authentic, what’s going to make you happy) life. Think about all aspects; your career, health, finances, personal relationships and even your spirituality. Think about everything in as much detail as possible.

Once you have that well planted in your mind, imagine someone just asked you this question: “You are so happy these days. You have the perfect life. How did you get where you are today?”

Now, answer the question. Out loud.

A lot of people are surprised by what comes out of their mouth. Often, this is the first time they’ve said out loud something they’ve always wanted for themselves. Or, they knew something was just “off” and this exercise helps them find the words they’ve been missing.

Now, go make everything you just said a reality!

Have a healthy, happy and successful 2015!

Photo credit: SomeDriftwood / iWoman / CC BY-NC

For True Success, Look Inward First Then Choose Well

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Are you chasing after more money, a promotion or some material possession thinking that’s what’s going to make you happy? If you achieve that milestone, you’ll likely still feel unfulfilled and then you’ll set off after the next shiny object. This cycle will frustrate you and burn you out. It’s critical that you look inward to learn your desires and passions then choose to set goals around fulfilling them.

Certain things catch your eye, but pursue only those that capture the heart. -Ancient Indian Proverb

To help you focus on what’s important, consider this one question. Given unlimited time and resources and knowing there’s no way you can fail, what would you be doing with your life? Jot down your answer and think about what’s keeping you from pursuing your desire. The reason this question is so powerful is that it encompasses the three most common reasons why we forgo our wishes; we believe we don’t have the time or resources (usually money but it could be knowledge, popularity, looks, etc.) or we’re afraid of failing.

Do you have an idea as to what’s been holding you back? You may have a list of a dozen “good” reasons why you’ve given up on that dream of yours. Now here’s one more question for you; your life is full of choices…how well are you choosing?

Looking back on the choices you’ve made can be uncomfortable. However, you can be glad in knowing that they’re in the past and your next choice is still open to you. So, what will it be? Will you choose to stay right where you’re at because you don’t have something you think you need or are too afraid or will you find a way around these roadblocks you’re putting up for yourself and create the life you were meant to lead? The choice is yours.

Photo credit: h.koppdelaney / Foter / CC BY-ND 2.0,/small>

How to Make Your Own Luck

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St. Patrick’s Day is just about here. You’ll see all sorts of lucky symbols and charms like horseshoes and four-leaf clovers. All with the idea of reaching that pot of gold.

What’s your particular pot o’ gold? Are you waiting for that perfect job, relationship or simple “stroke of luck?” I’ve never seen a Leprechaun so if you’re waiting for magical delivery of what you desire, you might be waiting a long time. Instead, how about taking luck into your own hands and simply make it happen?

When I work with an individual that seems to be pining for some unfulfilled need or desire, they’re usually stuck in one (or all) of the following stages of “wish fulfillment.” Here are a few ideas to help you get unstuck

Definition
You have to know which pot of gold you’re seeking. You may want greater wealth. OK, it’s not going to fall out of the sky. What can you do to reach greater wealth? Maybe it’s a better job, saving more, paying off debts; you get the picture. You need a solid destination. Think about what you really want and write that down.

Mindset
You might have a clear picture of where you want to go but also have serious doubt that you can ever get there. Think like a Leprechaun; there’s nothing stopping you from reaching your goal with the use of a little magic. Fortunately, that magic resides in all of us and that’s the ability to mold our thoughts and perceptions. Stop wishing and simply know that you’ll reach your goal when you give the process all of your positive energy. Try a little projection exercise. Write an article to be published sometime in the future; 6 months after you reach your goal. Write about how you got there and how you feel now that you’ve fulfilled your desire.

Planning
You know where you want to go and have no doubt that you can get there. Where many fall short is in planning. Look for the brightest rainbow that’s going to get you to that pot of gold. Without a solid list of tasks, completion dates and milestones, you won’t be able to measure your progress which can have a negative impact on your mindset. For this stage, simply write out your plan and commit to sticking to it. Think about finding an accountability partner to help you stay on task.

For each petal on the shamrock
This brings a wish your way –
Good health, good luck, and happiness
For today and every day.
~Author Unknown

Let me know what wishes you’ve granted yourself!

Photo by JD Hancock on Foter.com / CC BY