REAL Women Enterprises

Good News!

Are you worrying about increasing gas prices, shrinking paychecks, and global warming? Where's the good news?
There IS good news in all this 'bad news.' There's opportunity everywhere and it lives in how you look at things. With people driving and traveling less, we're making less of a 'carbon imprint' by burning less fuel. In my neighborhood, we're walking and bicycling more and with that, I predict that people will shed some pounds. Americans are becoming more active by necessity.  Good news!

At my neighborhood bike shop, the owner says business is booming - lots of old bicycles coming out of the garage and onto the street.  Now, that's good news!

Support your neighborhood shops and see your neighborhood thrive! The petstore, corner grocery, and local restaurants belong to you. Don't have any of those businesses near you? Then start one yourself - there's an opportunity.  Figure out what's missing in your neighborhood and provide it.

Is your neighborhood lacking charm? Looking messy? Not a place you want to spend your time because it needs attention? Talk to your neighbors and arrange a neighborhood clean up! Get involved in local projects that will make your community a place you're proud of! You'll get to know your neighbors, have the satisfaction of improving your surroundings, and be a part of something bigger than yourself.

Longing for a vacation but can't afford to go away? Spend your time off with a list of 'tourist attractions' in your area. Sleep in a different part of your house or even camp in a tent in the back yard - BE on vacation in your own home... go out for coffee, try that new restaurant, go for a walk, visit local attractions you've never had time to see. View your life from a visitor's perspective and see your creativity sky-rocket.

Even in 'bad news' - opportunities exist, and when life is full of opportunities, we lead enriched, interesting, and full lives.

Things are changing, and our lifestyles are changing.  Instead of reacting with worry and fear, we have the opportunity to evolve and change, too. Those to cling to the old ways will expend a lot of energy and will be unhappy. Those who embrace change, and find the opportunities in it, will thrive.

Who will you be in all this?  What are you committed to?

I coach those who are ready to experience a life that is based on opportunity and prosperity.

Accountability

One of the things my clients often ask for help with is accountability. You know, they want to experience something (like shed weight or implement new business ideas) and they find that something gets in the way of them sticking with their plan... after a time, the 'want' is still there and they've experienced failure. Since they really, really, really want what they desire, they decide to hire a coach to help them achieve it.

So, we make an agreement: I'll help them be more accountable. I'm always aware of the language here - because right off the bat, there's often a lack of accountability built right into the language they're using:  "I need to be more accountable."

Not a powerful statement. 'Need' is a term that implies a lack of something -- you need something. Instead, I train them to make powerful statements like: "I am accountable." or "I want to be accountable." In fact whether they take responsibility or not, they are accountable for the situation they're in! No one else put the weight on them or failed to follow through on the plan. Mostly, we 'blame' others or our circumstances for not following through on actions, as if we aren't in charge of our own lives.

After we've gotten the language straightened out, we set up an agreement that clearly says what we'll each do.. and I make sure they understand that it's an agreement with themselves. A promise.
"I promise to check in on Mon, Wed, and Fri via telephone to report on my progress with the project."

Clear, concise. Exact. Often, this is where we start seeing the breakdowns occur. They forget, get caught up in circumstances... any number of 'things' have them not keep the agreement.

Now it's time for me to be a coach! I reflect back to them who they are being that they aren't keeping their promise to themselves.  This is where they get the opportunity to be honest with themselves about what is in the way and what they are responsible for -- which is breaking promises and agreements to themselves.
This is a powerful aspect of coaching and it creates the opportunity to truly get rid of the obstacles that get in the way of progress.  Those who are willing to face up to their responsibility to themselves and transform fear and resistance can really have all that they want.

It's that simple.

Aren't you ready to have the power to create your life the way you say it'll go?  It's possible to live each day in prosperity and the joy of all that you want.  Take yourself and your wishes seriously! Email me to tell me about them!

Self Esteem and My Contractor

Even my contractor knows pretty much everything is related to self esteem...

He asked me what REAL Women Enterprises IS, and when I told him that I train humans to fulfill their potential through life coaching and physical training -- he got all excited.

He GETS what I do! He gets how important it is for people to know what they value; to know how they define success; to pursue their dreams and what is important to them.... I am attracting and building a life full of amazing people who share my values and my path and these people I am attracting are in alignment with ME and what I want... isn't that cool?  Even my contractor is talking about self esteem!

A little over a year ago, the man I'd been involved with for many years left our relationship. At the time, I was hurt and felt betrayed by his actions and the way in which he conducted himself. I didn't feel complete with him and I didn't feel honored or respected or cherished. I took his actions to heart and allowed myself to think what he did meant something about my desirability and my lovability.
I allowed myself to think I was defined by his actions. 
I gradually realized that who I am is not defined by someone who didn't value what I value.
Who I am is not defined by what someone else did.
Who I am is certain of who I am and of my love of myself.
Who I am is worthy, valuable, honest, honorable, steadfast, committed, loving - who I am is an amazing woman who is free from the past and free of anyone else defining me - who I am is who I SAY I AM.

I've been given the gift of freedom - a year ago, I couldn't see where I was going and hurt was in the way.

A year ago, I would have accepted so much less than I will now. 

And as Robert, my contractor, says, it's all about self esteem.

I'm excited to be bringing more people like Robert (that's the contractor) into my life - people who have values like my own; who believe that investing in themselves and their relationships with others will foster a connection that they want to nurture.  Robert gets it - he gets that self esteem lies at the foundation of our choices, our relationships, our behaviors, our actions; how we feel about ourselves, how we treat ourselves, how we communicate and what we expect; and who we're involved with. 

Know yourself; value yourself; your life depends on it.

Hot Off the Press

This just in:

Why do I coach?
Because it inspires me to see the men and women that I work with move through whatever challenges them. Because I am proud to be a part of their transformation.
Because seeing others face their challenges and transform those challenges into opportunities helps me know that I can move through what challenges ME.

Because supporting men and women to live full, inspired, passion-driven lives that they care about and love benefits everyone.  The more happy people there are, the more happy people there are.. and the more happy people...

Because if I don't do this thing I love, I will have given up on myself and my dream -- which is to make a difference for others (even after I'm gone) by having been here.

When you are ready to receive the benefits of working with a coach, contact me.

Sunny Side Up

What is your very first thought upon awakening? Is it something like: "Ugh, I've got so much to do today." or "I dread going to work."

Pay attention! You can shift those thoughts (which are peppered with negativity) to something more creative and powerful. You can actually influence what happens during your day by your thoughts and your attitude!

What if you could create what happens in your day just as if you were a writer creating a story?

You can! Start each day with a positive thought about the day, such as, 'I will have an awesome day!' or 'Anything is possible today - I'm excited to see what happens!' or 'I'm going to have a great day at work!'

Look forward with excitement and expectation that something amazing WILL happen at any moment. Expect it and look for it. Remember what it feels like to know that something good is going to happen that you've anticipated and that you are excited about?  Work towards starting each day with that kind of attitude of excitement and adventure.

The 'muscle' of positive, expectant thinking will likely seem weak at first - just as any muscle is when you haven't worked it very much... with time, however, you'll see that muscle grow and get stronger and be more powerful as you train it to help you create what you want to experience.

Train your mind to think positively and see your attitude fall in step. It's not magic - it's power and it's all in your head.

Perspective

Today was hiking day! In preparation for the RETREAT and Adventure in Montana (hiking, trail-running, fitness, and fishing), I've been getting out hiking -- ahem -- supposedly, on a regular basis.

I've not gotten myself out as much as I've intended. Lack of momentum, mostly.  I hate it when I let that rule my life. I make myself a promise and then don't keep it. I want to do what I promise myself, but sometimes I fail to keep promises to myself.
And then, if I'm not careful, I'll start judging myself for being, well, weak, of poor character... you get the idea. I don't really need to share all the ugly things that I can come up with, do I?

This is not a very pretty state to find oneself in! Not keeping promises I've made to myself AND then judging myself harshly for it. This is a recipe for more negative thinking, in my experience.

UNLESS... I just get up and get out of the house and make myself GO. Action! The only thing to do is to move closer to what I've promised.  In this case, it was time to get up and get hiking.

It was GLORIOUS outside!!  A long hike, several waterfalls, amazing wildflowers, some challenging terrain (just to keep it interesting and to make me feel like a warrior when it was all over)... and here is the important thing: A shift in perspective. Momentum.
Energy.
Readiness to take on the world again.
Fire.
A new attitude.
Inspiration.
Spirit.

And, an expensive vacation isn't required to accomplish this!

I highly recommend immersing yourself in new and unfamiliar surroundings and moving your body; it'll do wonders for your attitude and your perspective.

Git 'cher YA-YA's!

"I give my power away when it comes to my finances."

"What do you mean?"

"I just don't deal with my finances very well. I know I need to either learn how to invest for retirement or pay someone to handle it for me. Instead, I don't do anything. I just put it off."

"What would you have available to you if you had that all taken care of?"

"Um. I'd be free of worry. I'd know that I was going to be provided for. I'd feel lighter. I'd be happy."

THIS is what coaching IS... it helps you bring power to the areas of your life where you aren't experiencing your full power. Where you're stuck. Where you're procrastinating. Where you're unhappy. Where you are unsure of how to experience what you really, really, really want.

Aren't you ready to experience a level of freedom and power in that area of your life (Relationships? Work? Health and Fitness? Finances?) where you have something other than what you want?

Building a new muscle takes practice.  Working with a coach or a trainer to guide you and help you be your best is an investment in yourself and an insurance policy for success. When you're ready to make the changes you really, really, really want for yourself, get coaching!)

Practicing Gratitude

Here's a secret: Gratitude will help you shift yourself out of negative or depressing thoughts! The next time you catch yourself thinking angry, sad, or other negative thoughts, take a deep breath and say aloud or write down 5 things that you are grateful for.

If it is an especially challenging time, you might come up with some real basics like: I am so grateful that I have my two legs to carry me where I want to go; I am thankful I have a bed to sleep in tonight; I am grateful that the sun is shining; I am so grateful that this day is finally over!

Express gratitude every day and see how your life and your heart open up to opportunity.

Happiness

What does it take to be happy?

We talk about happiness as if it is something we'll possess some day, in the future, with certain qualifiers that will 'make us happy'...  such as; 'I'll be happy when I get enough money,' or 'when I get married...', 'have a baby...' 'finish school...' 'quit working...'  We seem to believe happiness is something we'll find or we'll achieve through acquisitions or circumstances.

What is happiness to you?
Where does it come from?
How will you know when you 'have' it?
How will you act / feel when you're happy?   
Conversely, what causes happiness to go away or disappear?

Check in. Post thoughts to comments.

Are you in a life transition? Working on achieving goals? Starting a business? Ready to take on lifestyle changes for better health?  I work with women and men who want a coach supporting them to meet their potential. Contact me for a REAL Beginnings coaching session to get started!   

Great advice from the 90's...

"Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth.

You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded...

You are not as fat as you imagine.

Don't worry about the future. Know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra problem by chewing bubblegum...

Do one thing every day that scares you.

Sing.

Don't be reckless with other people's hearts; don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.

The race is long, and in the end, it's only with yourself.

Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life... "

Here it is in all it's glory - it'll make you feel good:

Wear Sunscreen!