Spring is in the Air

As we say goodbye to sweaters, coats and dark afternoons, we are looking at the re-birth of the earth. And with it, metaphorically, our own. But can we do, as spring approaches, to start over, give ourselves a boost, feel better in every way? First, get out into the sun for at least 30 minutes per day. New studeis are showing that sun is beneficial not only for Vitamin D, but for mood and feelings of well-being. Of course, it goes without saying that warm weather is another opportunity to exercise outside -- hiking, biking, skating, running, walking...whatever you like! And spring is a time to clean out the old and bring in the new! Decide today what you can get rid of in your environment to improve the energy, and what can you bring in? Do you have new goals? Maybe drop a few pounds before bikini season? If you are at a "start-over" or renewal point, consider Life Coaching to give you the extra motivation and boost to realize your goals!

Mid-Life Crisis at 32

Anyone can have a mid-life crisis. You don't even have to be mid-life. You just have to be at a place where you want something new -- a job, a relationship, a day job at ebay. Anything that will alleviate the boredom, the anxiety, the distress of being trapped in the box you call your life. Now, it may not be all that dramatic for you. You may be more the eating- Mallomars-in-bed-and-watching-TV-all-day type. But however it manifests for you, one day you may wake up and want it to go away.

You've always been successful before. Grad school Cum Laud, a Porsche at 25...but now you have a dilemna. Do you duck out of your responsibilities and head for the south of France, or do you DO SOMETHING--ANYTHING!

Coaching gives you the start, the lighted match, the spark, to get it going. Every client of mine is different, yet all are the same in one respect. They come for coaching in order to get into ACTION. Because action leads to results.

The results you get may not be the ones you started out to find, but you will have started the flow of energy and kicked old entropy out the door.

This post is dedicated to James: The action master of them all!

The Hippest Chick

From what I'm reading, 500,000 Americans are now getting hip replacements every year. Not one to avoid a trend, I too, had my hip replaced -- my right hip. Now, you may be saying, "Couldn't find a cheaper, easy trendy thing to do, maybe yoga or pilates?" I could have. But since I needed it done anyway, I did it. The trick was in the preparation. The most important part of anything in life is the MENTAL part (after, of course, the Spiritual part. But that is another post entirely...)!

I got ready for surgery by doing what any self-respecting woman would do -- I bought a new dress and a new purse. And I had my bathroom (just my section) painted pink!

I also got new towels and bedding and a rolling cart for next to the bed. And invited friends to the hospital. My best friend from childhood for the surgery through the next day, my cousin the Dr., for the first night (he brought dinner at the behest of his girlfriend), and a good friend for the second night when my husband went to a business Christmas party. (It's cool -- I made him go).

So, I arranged to make myself as comfortable as possible, and then used the best mental trick known to man: I went into denial. Not the river in Egypt, the place that said that everything is normal and that I love sleeping on my back.

Additionally, I used Angel Therapy (Doreen Virtue), Guided Imagery and Color Therapy. And I hired someone to help out with meals, etc.

And I promised a friend that I would write about it. To help other people. So, if you are looking at joint replacement therapy, and feel you could benefit from some coaching by someone who has been there, please call us: Believe & Achieve Coaching, www.bealeeve.com!

How's Your Diet?

It's the first week of February. Have you stuck to your New Year's Resolution about shedding those last ten pounds? If you are still in the game, but faltering, do this now: Go to your kitchen and dump (that's right) all soft drinks down the drain. Trash the chips and get rid of the ice cream. Get in a good supply of bottled water and fresh fruit and vegetables. You are eating to live, not living to eat! If you are not happy to hear these words, then think about why. If you are someone who can eat two chips at a sitting, you can have them in the house -- if not, they have to go. The number on the scale will be a bigger reward than the junk you are putting into your body. And stop eating after 6 p.m. If you do that, you are guaranteed to cut a lot of calories. Make the goal the reward and find some friends to support you! As always, if you need motivation, get Coached!

Authentic Voice

I am sitting in the cafe of a chain bookstore, part of a community of people -- some readers, others using their computers, and even a few people having conversations. One woman is on the phone. Is it eavesdropping when her words land on my ears? Now she's gone back to talking to a young man --not her son -- giving him advice about a girl. And in the background, the coffee grinder is intermittently whirring away. This is a snapshot of contemporary American life. The advice lady is at it again. Is she a therapist? His therapist? She's asking him questions, but not like a coach. She's trying to get him to see the "reality" of the situation by asking him questions -- but in kind of a repetitive way. Why would you have such a personal conversation in such a public place? I'm listening -- because I'm hearing it -- for the technique, the vocabulary, the questions, the answers. And thinking about coaching, done over the phone, in complete privacy, completely confidential. I hear judgment in the voice of the woman, and the young man keeps answering. Now they are going to walk -- realizing perhaps that they are being heard. Having an authentic voice has a paradoxical duality. To hear, you must listen -- even to, or especially to -- yourself. Your voice, your soul, your animus, are revealed in your listening as they are in your speech, your words, your voice. Coaching can help you cross the divide between what you hear, what you say, and finally, what you do. (To be continued).

Unanswered Questions, Guest Blogger, Paula Shumaker O'Donnell

A LITTLE HELP ALONG THE WAY
Because success is a journey...
UNANSWERED QUESTIONS...
Many times in our lives we have questions that don’t have any
easy answers.
Sometimes they are important questions and we would like for them to be resolved.
They can cause heartache, frustration, or anger and can keep us stuck if we
dwell on them.
So what do you do when you are in a situation with unanswered questions?
You make soup.
You clean your house.
You throw yourself into a project.
You pray.
You let it go for a while because there isn’t anything you know to do.
You focus on work and things you can control. You make decisions that are right
for you. You learn that not all of life has answers—easy or otherwise.
But you never give up.
And you always hope...that one day, you will get the answers you were looking for.
Dec. 6, 2010
© 2010 Paula Shumaker O’Donnell, Springfield, Missouri
417-838-0277- MyCoachPaula@aol.com

Jana Brauninger, Musician

Jana Brauninger--

The other day while practicing I slowly began to realize that all I was thinking about were my flaws. Of course I was working on them at the time, but somehow...something inside me let go of my obsessions and instead I imagined somone amazing playing with ease. That lead me to this inspired question: HOW WOULD I PLAY IF IT WERE EASY?
Everything changed then. Everything.

Jana used her own inner wisdom to shift her reality. If you want to do the same and be supported, Life Coaching is for you!

Thank you Jana for your words of inspiration!

Biulding Your Self-Image, Rabbi Zelig Pliskin

#996 Building Your Self-Image One Tiny Step at a Time
There are special occurrences, situations, and opportunities that help build your self-image in a short time. However, it is more common to improve one tiny step at a time every day than to have quick progress in this area.

The daily question to ask yourself is: "What small improvement can I make now?"

(From Rabbi Zelig Pliskin's book: "Building Your Self- image and the Self-image of Others" (Artscroll) Chapter 16)

And for help and support in building your self-esteem, Life Coaching!

When you can, do!

Don't wait for the perfect time, the perfect place, the perfect opportunity! If you have an opportunity for something fun, profitable, growth-creating, helping someone else -- then do it!

Extreme Value

Not long ago I went to a dressy event. One of the principals was wearing an incredible dress. I thought, "That dress must have cost $1,000." When I complimented her on the attire, she said, "Oh, it was $768." No, I misunderstood. She meant $7.68. Clearance rack from a very high end store. Is this even possible? Her daughter told me that her mother does it all the time....You can live the life abundant and look great on very little if, 1) That is your intention, and 2) You put in the time. Needless to say, the wearer not only had a great dress, she had fun at the purchase as well as the event. Hold that thought! Life coaching for extreme value!

Lift Your Spirits, Rabbi Zelig Pliskin

#945 Lift Your Spirits
Here are some ideas to help you feel better:

(1) Fill your mind with happiness-producing thoughts. Create an encouraging inner voice.

(2) Remember the positive moments of your life. Re-experience the positive feelings you had when you lived through those moments.

(3) Get in touch with your moments of strength. When you felt strong, how did you create those feelings?

(4) Increase your sense of meaning in life by doing meaningful things.

(5) Create enjoyable mental imagery. Visualize yourself being joyous.

(6) View your depressed feelings as a challenge that can eventually help you to elevate yourself.

(7) Find some positive way of looking at each event and situation in your life.

(8) Keep a diary of the good things that happen to you.

(9) Keep a self-mastery journal to give you a greater sense of empowerment.

(10) Engage in physical exercises such as brisk walking or running.

(11) List ten reasons why you can feel better even though you are experiencing difficulties.

(12) Each day, do acts of kindness for others.

(For a series of probing questions on this topic, see Rabbi Pliskin's "Gateway to Self Knowledge," p.193-7)

Action v. Delay

If you can't get going, get some help. A support system can help you get into action when you don't feel like it. Once you start, the energy of the movement wll propel you forward.

Spend it Wisely

Time is precious, so spend it wisely. It's one thing that you are not getting back... There were a group of ladies in Florida sitting around playing cards, dissing their husbands for snoring, being lazy, not helping around the house. All participated in the discussion, save one woman, a widow. When she could take the whining no longer, she finally stood up and said, "What I wouldn't give to hear my husband snore one more time." She then walked out of the room. She went to her computer and composed Evites to an Appreciation Luncheon. She invited all the dissed husbands of her ladyfriends. No plus-ones! Her friends were in a huff for a while, but when they relented and came back for cards -- it was with a new appreciation for their better halves. Appreciate what you have. Coaching an Attitude of Gratitude!

Living Poor

A woman at a cocktail party related the story of what had happened to her family since the economic downturn. Born into wealth, she had grown up with the best of everything -- clothes, education, travel -- she was able to have whatever she wanted. She had gone to an Ivy League college where she met her husband, also from a privileged background. They finished their educations, got married in a lavish wedding and moved into a luxurious house in a gated community. They had a child, a dog and the woman spent her time shopping and doing charity work. She described herself as a walking cliche of the upper class. Then, one day, all her husband's (risky) investments took a dive and they had nothing. She lamented that they were even prohibited by the CC & R's of their community from holding a garage sale. They had lost everything material. She told her then four-year old daughter, "I can't live poor," and she sunk into a deep depression. Meanwhile, she had had a huge household staff that she had to let go, including a nanny from Central America. The nanny said, "I wish I could help you more, but while you are recovering, your little girl can come live with me and my family." The father was spending his time hustling work, and since the mother couldn't get out of bed most days, she told the nanny that she would be grateful for the offer of childcare. She had no idea where the nanny lived, nor the living conditions there. So, the nanny packed up the little girl, whom she had practically raised from birth, and brought her to her own home. This was a small rented house with a vegetable garden in a modest neighborhood. The little girl missed her mother, but she knew her mother was sick and would come get her when she was better. So the little girl began a life of "living poor." Her clothes and toys were brought from home, but as children grow quickly, she was soon wearing thrift shop clothes, and playing with used toys. During this period, the mother would call, but never came by. The little girl noticed at first the lack of "amenities" (no pool, no butler), but soon forgot about the rest. The nanny had to seek day work cleaning houses and the little girl was cared for by her new "abuelita," grandmother. Six weeks turned into six months and then a year and then two. It took the father almost two and a half years to get back on his feet. During this time, the mother, reluctant for her former "friends" to see her in her impecunity, rarely ventured from the rented apartment she and her husband had obtained. Finally, the day came when the family had enough funds to rent a house and lease a nice car. They went to get their daughter. They happened to arrive during a family barbeque, where everyone was singing and laughing and having fun. The mother blanched when she saw the outside of the house. She could only think, "How could I have left my daughter here." The little girl was six now, in school and fluent in Spanish. When the mother rang the doorbell, the little girl was the one to answer the door. She didn't recognize her mother. The mother was mortified by the entire situation and burst into tears. "I have left you in poverty and you have suffered" she said to the little girl. The little girl said, "This is not poverty, this is living happy."

You are living in whatever state is in your head right now. Money buys comfort and convenience and status. But it doesn't cure depression, nor bring you laughter and love. The little girl stayed with the nanny. After two years, at such a young age, this was her home and her life. The mother was relieved not to have the "burden" of raising a child in reduced circumstances with no childcare. Who here was really living poor? Life Coaching to live rich at any income.

Auto Pilot

• AUTOPILOT (noun)
The noun AUTOPILOT has 2 senses:

1. a cognitive state in which you act without self-awareness
2. a navigational device that automatically keeps ships or planes or spacecraft on a steady course (Source: http://www.audioenglish.net/dictionary/autopilot.htm)

Are you on autopilot -- in a state where you are moving through life just to just in done? In today's busy world, it's hard not to be! How do you stay self-aware, as you navigate your course, as you fly your plane through life?

How do you fly your plane? Both hands on the controls -- eyes fully focused?

Remember, when you are flying your plane, the controls are in your hands! You have a handle on it! And if you need to step back and think before take-off, do so.

That's the way you are going to soar.

Life Coaching for those who want to fly.

Trust vs. Doubt

What does it take you to trust someone? How about trusting yourself? The role of the Life Coach is to help the client believe in herself -- to trust her own judgment and decision-making capabilities. Trust comes out of a belief that people are telling you the truth, that they are trustworthy. Trust is a cultural value and a cultural motif. There is the ubiquitous used-car salesman, the symbol of the deceptive, devious, anything-for-a-buck liar who can't be trusted. Then, on the other end of the spectrum, is the elementary school teacher, the kindly mother or father figure trusted with our children, a person believed to be moral, kind and decent based upon career choice alone.

When we examine ourselves, do we fall somewhere in the middle, or are we paragons of trustworthiness?

In coaching, trust is often used synonymously with self-belief, the opposite of self-doubt. The feeling of trust, or self-trust is empowering to the client, while doubt, the lack of trust, is disempowering. What can you accomplish if you don't trust that what you are doing will ultimately succeed, ultimately work out for the best.

Sometimes you have to consciously choose to trust, in order to keep doubt at bay. Think about it: Everything you have achieved has come out of your self-belief and trust in your decisions.

On the other hand, the positive function of doubt is that it can serve as a warning system to steer you away from making the wrong decision. You may have heard, "When in doubt, don't."

You have an opportunity to find the trust you need out of the doubt you possess. Work on it and let me know! Have a great day Coach Paula

Ground Your Worries --Rabbi Zelig Pliskin

#789 Ground Your Worries
Frequently people jump to the conclusion that they have a problem, when in reality there is nothing to worry about. To overcome this tendency, make it a practice to look closely at the available facts. By carefully investigating the situation, it will often show that your original worries were groundless.

(Tnuas Hamussar, vol.1, p.132; Rabbi Pliskin's Gateway to Happiness, p.158)


Also, wen you look at the facts, you are taking your mind off the worries. Your mind can only hold one thought at a time. Nx times you are in an uncomfortable situation, work on shifting your perspective in the moment.

If you can be happy and positive in the moment, chances are the situation wil shift itself.

The Lesson of American Idol

Just because your mother thinks you can sing doesn't mean you're going to get a record deal. Brutal honesty starts at home. If you are that good, find out from a pro,and pursue it. And if you're not, make it your hobby and move on. You can always record and sell your own music, but if that's not going to make you the living you envision, then find another way to incorporate music into your life.

Learn the distinction between reality and positive thinking. Know what you can do, and do it. And know what the realities of your talents are. You have something to give. Find out what your gift is and give it. You will be a lot happier.

Planning a Bar/Ba Mitzvah?

Are you the mother of the B'nai Mitzvah? Going crazy? Need some help in calming down and gaining some peace of mind. Believe and Achieve Coaching provides coaching for mom, the B'nai Mitzvah, the whole family if needbe. It's not the planning aspect -- you can do that, or you hire a planner. We coach you on how to maintain your equilibrium as you are trying to balance many factors -- the budget, the relatives, your own parents, etc. Complimentary session if you mention this Blog! Mazel Tov. Coach Paula paula@bealeeve.com

Fly!...based on a Chassidic Tale

A man had dream in which he was walking around and around a narrow precipice. He looked to his left, and there was a pit of fire, to his right a void of darkness. He walked in terror and offered a prayer. From the Heavens, an angelic voice sang out the one word answer to his dilemma, "Fly!"

When you have a choice to make, which option will give you wings? Which one will empower you? Make you fly?