About Coach Helen

An Inspirational Blog for Coaches seeking their ICF Certification and need direction in building a successful coaching practice. Helen Burton, CEC, ACC, owner of Love Yourself Coaching, is committed to sharing her own experiences and expertise to help coaches stay focused, feel motivated and remember to be kind to themselves, while building their own businesses.
 

Traveling Down the Road of Happiness

Written on April 22nd, 2012 by Helen Burtonno comments

Simple things can make you happy.“Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but a manner of traveling.”
~ Margaret Lee Runbeck

What a great way to create happiness!  Just imagine you are always happy and traveling life’s journey with a smile on your face, looking forward to each day. Bingo you will be happy!

You might be asking yourself,” Has Helen finally lost it? What is she thinking?” Hey guys, just a second! I have not completely lost my mind. I’ve been thinking about ways to enjoy life.

Simple things can make you happy.  Just looking out the window, seeing the sun shining, the trees blowing in the wind and the music playing in the background is making me happy. I refuse to be in a negative place right now, so I am happy and feeling positive.

Happiness is a state of mind. To enter the Happiness Zone start thinking about all your accomplishments and try some of the tips suggested below. Let me know what transpires.

Some quick ways you can begin to achieve happiness:

  • Sit in a comfortable chair and, while taking deep breaths, tell yourself, “I feel so comfortable and happy.”  Believe me, you will begin to feel happy
  • Give yourself a big HUG and say, “I love you.”
  • Look out the window watch the trees dancing in the wind.
  • Softly sing yourself a love song.
  • Sing your praises in the shower.
  • Continue acknowledging all your accomplishments.
  • Start noticing the little things that you appreciate, like the beautiful spring blossoms and trees

Wishing you a beautiful and happy day!

Please post a comment below to share the tips and tools you use for bringing happiness into your day with the community. Together, the Love Yourself Community will continue to travel down the road of happiness.

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Helen

Creativity and Balance

Written on March 1st, 2012 by Virginia Ramirezno comments

Creativity and Balance“Creativeness often consists of merely turning up what is already there.”  
~ Bernice Fitz-Gibbon

Reading Fitz-Gibbon’s quote takes away my fear of being creative. When you stop and think about it, our creations are really just a thought away. 

Whenever I sit down to write a blog, the old nagging thought pops-up, “What am I going to write about?” The first thing I do is look for a quote that wakes up my writing juices and the words start to flow.

Today, I am focused on the word, “Action.” What does it actually mean? The Thesaurus suggests, achievement and accomplishment, with inaction as its antonym.

To me the word “Action” means doing something – not just waiting for things to happen. I consider myself a very action oriented person. In the past, everything had to be done perfectly and right away. Living my life this way caused overwhelm, fear and burnout.

I often forget about the value of “inaction,” which is really taking action by delaying the process until you are prepared to move ahead.  I have a friend who always says, “For today it is okay not to make a decision and see what happens.” It is amazing how, by not taking action, solutions start to materialize and creativity kicks in. 

Through the years, since receiving my coaching certification, I have learned about the word “Balance.” Now I live my life in a completely different way – most of the time. Being human and having ingrained habits I sometimes revert back to my old behavior. It’s a miracle because now, within days, I realize what is happening and start taking steps to bring balance back into my life.

What is balance? It represents moderation in all areas of our life. On a typical day, it would be working for 5 to 6 hours, spending time with friends and family;  and taking time for you, which is the hardest part. Remember, it counts even if you spend 10 minutes doing something nice for yourself.

I would love to hear from you. What thoughts pop into your mind when you read the words, “action”, “inaction” and “balance”? Please leave your thoughts in the comment section below. By sharing our thoughts and ideas with each other we can continue building a supportive community.

If you need support in anyway please send me an email to helen@loveyourselfcoaching.net and we can schedule time to chat.

Take Care,

Helen

Be the Captain of Your Journey

Written on February 4th, 2012 by Helen Burton2 comments

The grass is always greener on someone else’s lawn.“I’d rather be a failure at something I enjoy
than be a success at something I hate.”
~ George Burns

Recently, I was having lunch with Sheila, a very old friend who has successfully climbed the corporate ladder. I admired her for all that she had accomplished and, honestly, was a little jealous.

During coffee, we started discussing our lives and, to my amazement, Sheila expressed how unhappy she was.  She wished she had taken the same path I did by starting her own business. I sat there staring at her and explained how I admired what she had accomplished and wished I took the same path she did. We both started to laugh!

Of course, as a coach I explained it was never too late to explore other options. I suggested that she start working with a coach. Sheila became very interested in what I had to say and requested I send her the name of a coach with whom she could work.

The important lesson I learned was that we are all human beings with our own unique stories. What a gift we receive when we share ourselves with others.

On the way home, I was thinking how fortunate I am to love what I do, even when I feel frustrated and overwhelmed.  It is amazing how we can think the grass is always greener on someone else’s lawn until we take the time to become aware of what is really happening in our own backyard!

I invite you to complete the exercise below.  Please answer honestly and without any judgment. You will be the only one to evaluate the results.

  1. Make a list of all your strengths and special gifts. 
  2. Looking back over the years, identify one big accomplishment that changed your life. 
  3. What new direction did your life take?
  4. Do you feel empowered or unfulfilled?
    1. If you are felling empowered, why do you feel this way?
    2. If you are feeling unfulfilled, journal about steps you can take to improve your situation.  
  5. Journal about the vision you see your life taking in 2012.

After completing this exercise, evaluate your answers and journal about the golden nuggets you uncovered.   What are your next steps?

Please let the Love Yourself –It Matters! Community know if you need support in any areas of your business. We are here to support each other. All you have to do is leave a comment at the bottom of this post and I will get back to you.  Working together, we will be able to travel down the road of life in a very supportive environment. I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Helen

Creating a Thriving Business

Written on January 11th, 2012 by Helen Burtonno comments

life and business have twists and turns and we need to learn from these experiences.“Life would be infinitely happier if we could only be born at the age of eighty and gradually approach eighteen.” 
~ Mark Twain

If we could live our lives backward, imagine how much easier it would be to run a business!  We would all have answers at our finger tips. There would be fewer struggles; and the money would come pouring in.

Unfortunately, life and business have twists and turns and we need to learn from these experiences. For most of us, when we started our businesses everything felt new and exciting; but as time passed, the excitement began to dwindle and frustration set in.

While there is no simple answer, this is a great time to take a personal inventory of your true desires and the path you want to follow.  I’ve approached these crossroads many times and, after taking inventory, found myself moving in new directions. 

For example, I have chosen to change my niche and work with different target markets. When I first started coaching my clientele consisted of women in transition; then people who were retiring. After a few years, my target market changed again, and I worked with individuals who wanted to get off the diet merry-go-round.

Then it changed again, and this time my niche found me. I became a coaches’ coach, and for the last 5 years coaches have been my primary clientele.  My business has flourished and I have never been so creative.  

Now It’s Your Turn!

This simple exercise is designed to help you discover your true business strengths and passion.

  • Write your answers to the following questions:
    • What do you love about your business?
    • Describe your ideal client (professionals, teens, young mothers, etc.)
    • List your strengths and skills. 
    • How are you being creative?
    • What support will you need to promote your business?
    • Outline the changes you want or have to implement.
  • Read over your answers and highlight details that jump out at you.  Include your ideal client, strengths and skills, along with the support you will need to grow your business, etc.  These items will help you paint a picture of your new direction.
  • Close your eyes and picture your business thriving. 
  • List the key ingredients for this success.
  • Plan your first steps in creating, shifting, or expanding a successful and prosperous business.
  • Discuss your findings and plan with the support of a coach, friend or mastermind group.

When your exercise is complete, please share your new business ideas with the Love Yourself – It Matters! Community in the comment section below.  Feel free to contact me at helen@loveyourselfcoaching.net if you are experiencing difficulty in completing the exercise.

Working together, we will build thriving businesses!

Helen

Doing for Our Grandchildren Is a Gift of Love

Written on December 16th, 2011 by Helen Burtonno comments

Teen boyEveryone goes through difficult days—even children! Things that might seem unimportant to us can impact a child in different ways. I am sounding very deep right now.

Recently, my 11-year-old grandson seems to be facing some struggles. While on the surface none of these struggles are earth-shattering to me, everything seems to be a big deal to him. Yesterday he went to school with a hole in his pants. He called his mother and asked her to bring him another pair of pants. But she was busy all day with clients and meetings. Then my cell phone rang. My grandson was on the line, asking me to bring him a pair of pants. I had commitments with clients all morning and, on top of everything else, had a very bad cold and wasn’t in the mood to drive 20 minutes both ways.

However, being a grandmother, I couldn’t say “No.” After finishing with my next client, I went to the school so we could go to Target together to buy another pair of pants. When I walked into the school building, I was greeted by both my grandson and the Principal. She asked me why I was taking him out of the school. I explained he had a hole in his pants and we were going to the store for another pair. She looked at me as if I was crazy and told him to go back to class and for me to go home. So that’s what we did: he went back to class and I went home.

Thinking about what had just happened, I felt good that my grandson feels comfortable calling me and knows I love him. The best gift we can give anyone is support and showing the person, “I love you.”

On the way home, I started thinking about the many different times I felt such love from my grandfather and how special it made we feel. How lucky I am to give to my grandchildren the love that makes them feel special.

Later that day, my grandson called and thanked me for coming to the school. We both laughed about how the Principal sent him back to class and me home.

Now It’s Your Turn

Think about the times you were with your grandchildren when both of you felt a deep love for each other. These are special moments. Not only do you feel close to each other, but it builds self-confidence and a closeness that can never be taken away.

Enjoy the time you spend together, and keep building those memories.

Helen

Uncovering Your Vision

Written on December 13th, 2011 by Helen Burtonno comments

 

Take time for yourself and think about 2012!

“Change your thoughts and you change your world.”

~ Norman Vincent Peale

Reading Norman Vincent Peale’s quote made me realize what power we have. The choice is ours—either we can feel disillusioned or powerful and creative. Doesn’t that sound simple and so hard to accomplish?

Is your business taking a vacation during December? Clients are taking time off, and prospecting for new clients is an uphill climb. Here is your golden opportunity to take time for yourself and think about 2012!

We can let our emotions start dictating our lives when we fixate on such thoughts as we are not making much money this month, our business is not growing and we will have to find a new career. Or, on the other hand, we can feel excited about the extra time we have to do the things we want and plan for 2012. The choice is ours.

My choice is to embrace my power and start planning for 2012. This thought alone energizes me.

Steps to take in creating a powerful and rewarding 2012:

  • Write yourself a letter describing your dreams and desires for 2012. Include all the aspects of your life—your business, vacations and new opportunities you would like to explore.
  • Keep adding to the list for a few days. Our thoughts will keep multiplying when we give ourselves the freedom to be honest and not pass any judgment on our vision.
  • When you feel your list is complete, create different categories for your ideas (business, vacations, social events, family and friends).
  • Plug the ideas into the different categories. You will be amazed what thoughts surface. Congratulations, you now have your dream list. 
  • Choose both a big and a small dream you would like to accomplish. Plan the two steps you will take this week for each dream. Remember, as my mother always said, “Rome was not built in a day.”

Taking time during this quiet time to plan for a powerful and rewarding 2012 is a beautiful gift you are giving yourself. ENJOY THE JOURNEY!

Now It’s Your Turn

After completing the above exercise, please share your dreams and action steps with the Love Yourself – It Matters! Community. Sharing with each other creates support so miracles can start happening.

Let me tell you a little story. At a networking meeting last week, the facilitator requested that everyone in the room share their vision for 2012. When it was my turn, I shared that my vision was to support a nonprofit organization working with overweight children. Before I left the meeting, three people approached me with the names of specific nonprofit groups and contact information for people who are working with overweight children. By sharing your dream with others, miracles start to happen right away.

Let’s work together and support each other!

Helen

Special Moments

Written on December 8th, 2011 by Helen Burtonno comments
Life is like a box of chocolates

Life is like a box of chocolates

“Life is like a box of chocolates.”
~ Forrest Gump

I love this quote. Life at times can be a piece of chocolate in the midst of an entire box of assorted chocolates. Some pieces are familiar favorites while some pieces are rather exotic or unknown. Some pieces turn out to be unexpected pleasures, even though at first glance they seem mysterious or something to be avoided.

My husband past away almost four years ago and yesterday would have been his birthday.  I received a call from my daughter in the morning asking if I wanted to go out for dinner and celebrate her dad’s birthday. My first reaction was no—I just wanted to spend the day hiding and forget about his birthday. All of a sudden, my positive side kicked in, and I agreed to meet her at his favorite restaurant.

I spent the day thinking about the times we celebrated our birthdays together. Sometimes we had the family over and celebrated together, while other times we went away for a few days or had dinner alone. We never forgot about each other’s birthday.

As I’m writing this article I’m thinking how life can be like a box of chocolates. A piece of chocolate is sweet and delicious. My memories during the day were sweet and brought a smile to my face. Meeting my daughter at night was very healing as we discussed our life as a family and what special moments we all shared together. The day turned out to be very special and healing.

Now It’s Your Turn!

When you read the Forrest Gump quote, what special memories come to mind? You can consider these moments as your happy place. Whenever you are feeling a little sad, it’s time to think of those special moments. I’m sure they will bring a smile to your face.

A Grandparent’s Special Memory

Written on November 27th, 2011 by Helen Burtonno comments

Create memorable moments“Life is a great and wondrous mystery,
and the only thing we know
that we have for sure
is what is right here right now.
Don’t miss it!” 
~ Leo Buscaglia

Most of us wake up in the morning and think about all the things we have to do instead of planning an enjoyable day that creates memorable moments. We are so conditioned to accomplish things that taking the time to enjoy ourselves is sometimes put on the back burner.

Every Monday at 4:00 pm, I meet Jeffrey, my 11-year-old grandson, at his school, and we spend time together. This is our special time to bond together. Having fun as we spend time together is our main focus.

While I am with him, we are laughing, discussing different subjects and just being ourselves. The greatest gift I am receiving is seeing life through this child’s eyes. Last Monday we went to Barnes & Noble and explored the bookshelves. Jeffrey loves the New York Yankees and likes to read about the different players. I like to read novels and just relax. We found books, ordered drinks and sat together looking over the books we would like to read. Of course, I ended up buying them.

Then we top off the evening by going out for dinner. One week Jeffrey chooses the restaurant, and the next time it is my turn. 

Our time together is so very special. It reminds me of the times I spent with my grandfather. 

Now It Is Your Turn
It is time for you to plan a special day. Either meet friends, spend time with a family member or just take a ride or walk to your favorite place. Building memories is so easy to do and lasts a lifetime. 

I would love to hear about your special memories. My email address is helen@helenburton.net.

I am looking forward to hearing from you. 

Helen

Trusting the Universe!

Written on November 21st, 2011 by Helen Burtonno comments
“…the moment one definitely commits
oneself,
then Providence moves too.”
~ Goethe

Reading Goethe’s quote brought a smile to my face, realizing all I had to do is commit to an idea and then have faith the Universe will guide me. Isn’t that simple?

The hardest part is to have faith and let the Universe guide me. I find that my desire to control everything gets in the way. What about you? Are you willing to let things go and experience the outcome, or are you driven to get in there and fix things?

Let me tell you a little story. I was thinking about my business and what new steps I could take to increase my passion. Of course, no ideas popped into my mind. After a while I decided to go do something else and forget about the idea. Every so often the thought would pop into my head. But, as before, I drew a blank. During that time, members of the Coaches’ Coaching Circle (Circle) were completing a survey to let the Love Yourself Coaching Team know what other services they would like the Circle to offer. It became apparent they were interested in an educational series.

Realizing this was a great opportunity for the members of the Circle and myself, I knew my next step was to organize the Circle Educational Series. My passion was on fire again. How amazing the Universe guided me, and I did not have to do anything.

Events of the Circle Educational Series are scheduled for the last Wednesday of every month at 1:00 pm ET. During the events, coaches and small business owners receive expert advice from various seasoned leaders in the coaching industry. It’s free to listen in on these calls.

On Wednesday, November 30, 2011,@ 1 pm ET and 10 am PT, you can hear Michelle Schubnel discuss “The 7 Key Ingredients for a Full Coaching Practice of High-Paying Clients.”

All you have to do is register here to receive instructions for joining the call.

It’s Your Turn!

Please share with the Love Yourself – It Matters! Community what experiences you have had with trusting the Universe and having faith things will work out. I’m looking forward to hearing from you.

Take Care,

Helen

Can you believe November is already here?

Written on November 17th, 2011 by Helen Burtonno comments

Spend more time in the moment instead of worrying all the time.What happened to 2011?

Thinking about the year, I automatically started visualizing the highlights of the year as well as the struggles. The big lesson I learned this year was to stop projecting how things will work out and just enjoy the moments leading up to the event.

This is easier said than done.

Let’s put our heads together and come up with a strategy to spend more time in the moment instead of worrying all the time.

Below are some ideas that work for me:

  • Be more aware of what I’m thinking and stop the thought in midair by closing my eyes and saying out loud, “What is happening right now?”
  • Tell myself, “I don’t have to worry about anything right now.”
  • Put music on, and dance around the room.
  • Call a friend, and have a good laugh.
  • Go for a cup of coffee, and smile at the first person I meet.

Now it’s your turn! What techniques do you use to stay in the moment instead of projecting your fears on the outcome?
 
Below are the ideas I received from some of the Love Yourself – It Matters! Ezine readers. Thank you everyone for sharing your techniques for creating a peaceful and loving life for yourself.  


Katie Keating

A few thoughts in response to your Ezine.

  • Have faith- work on your spirituality.
  • Read Dale Carnegies book, How to stop worrying, and start living,
  • Volunteer and do a good deed for another in need.

Have a superb day!

~ Katie Keating


Doretha “Dee” Burrell

Things that keep me focused:

  • I allow myself to shed a tear from time to time when things seem tough, but no more than 5 minutes.
  • When stressed, I go out for a walk, meditate or practice yoga.
  • I sit at my computer and email people that I think I would never get responses from- great example- A few days ago I  was having one of those days that my spirit and soul needed a little  uplifting, so I decided to email John Paul Mitchell (owner of Paul Mitchell Hair) to inform him that I had the opportunity to speak at one of his schools in NJ. Well, would you believe I received a response yesterday from him!)
  • Believe in myself and what I am doing is going to work.. never quit, never give-up. I read a lot about very successful people and how some of them actually were homeless at one point in their lives and now they are millionaires. I’m not homeless yet, but if things don’t pick up… I might be there: Remember you must be able to laugh at yourself sometimes!

~ Dee

Doretha “Dee” Burrell
http://www.deeburrellinstituteforwomen.com/
http://about.me/deeburrell 

 

Alvah Parker

I wrote a list once about changing your mood.  Certainly if you are feeling fear it is important to move away from the fear and toward something else.  Perhaps one of the suggestions on the list would work.   You’ll find my list here http://www.asparker.com/ppts1003.html   I wrote it in 2003, but it still makes sense to me.  Feel free to use it if it feels right to you.

My Best,

~ Alvah Parker
Parker Associates
781-598-0388 (voice)
781-593-1734 (fax)
617-240-5353 (cell)
LinkedIn
Twitter

“Everyone has his own specific vocation in life..Therein he cannot be replaced, nor can his life be repeated..Thus everyone’s task is as unique as his specific opportunity to implement it. We detect rather than invent our mission in life.”  Victor Frankl “Man’s Search for Meaning”

Read Road to Success, an ezine and Parker’s Points, a tip list with articles and tips on career or practice building topics. To subscribe go to Alvah’s website and choose the edition for career changers and/or attorneys.

Hunches Are Miracles in Disguise

Written on November 10th, 2011 by Helen Burton2 comments

Hunches Are Miracles in Disguise“A hunch is creativity trying to tell you something.”
~ Frank Capra

Thank you, Frank Capra, for your quote. I am always having hunches and most of the time just let them evaporate into thin air. From now on when I have a hunch, I will stop and listen.

A hunch is described as a premonition, intuition, instinct or idea. Many of these thoughts are constantly passing through our minds. Instead of letting them float away, we have another option: pay attention to our hunches.

As I am writing this blog post, a thought has popped into my head. What a difference it would make to work with a group of coaches who want to offer their services during this time of year to people who are struggling. 

What comes to mind is helping the unemployed. We could barter our services. That way, we are supporting individuals in their time of need and at the same time giving them an opportunity to give us a gift. When I first started coaching, one of my friends made me roasted vegetables in exchange for my coaching services.

What do you think about this idea? Please let me know by leaving a comment below, or send me an email at helen@loveyourselfcoaching.net.

Here are some of the ways we can find unemployed people who might be interested in our services:

  • Ask friends, family members or neighbors if they know of anyone who is unemployed. Request they contact the person to see if this person would like to receive support in finding a job. Once you know the person is interested, give this person a call.
  • Put an ad in your local newspaper; in some cases, such an ad may be free. We can work together in making the content inviting.
  • Go to a networking event that reaches out to the unemployed. Get to know the attendees, and schedule to have coffee with the people you meet.
  • Put a flyer on display on the bulletin boards of local thrift shops or food banks. Another idea is to volunteer your time at the thrift shop or food bank so you can strike up conversations with people in need of coaching services.
  • Send an email to various houses of worship in your area, volunteering to present a motivational program for groups serving the unemployed. 
  • Let me know your ideas for reaching out to people who are struggling during the holiday season.

Together let’s make a difference. I am anxiously waiting to hear from you. Either leave a comment on this blog or send me an email at helen@loveyourselfcoaching.net with your ideas of how we can put this group together and get started.

Let’s make this year different and give to those in NEED!

Helen

Small Business Owners Can Experience Happiness at a Moment’s Notice

Written on November 4th, 2011 by Helen Burton2 comments
Happiness is a butterfly

Happiness is a butterfly

“Happiness is a butterfly, which, when pursued,
is always just beyond your grasp, but,
which, if you will sit down quietly,
may alight upon you.”
~ Nathaniel Hawthorne

Even though we have been in business for years, we are always looking for “Happiness.” Sometimes we are happy and walk around with a smile on our faces and other times it seems like a pie in the sky. 

What truly is “Happiness?” It means different things to each one of us. For me it is a sense of fulfillment, self-confidence, accomplishment, joy…. The list can go on forever.

When you are happy, what feelings surface for you?

Let’s take this a little further and see how we can bring this sense of happiness into our business. We have the ability to experience this feeling whenever we want. That is a big statement!

Let’s see how we can always have this feeling within our grasp. One way as Nathaniel Hawthorne suggests is “to sit down quietly and let the feeling alight upon you.” Easier said than done!

Since no ideas were flowing as to how we can accomplish this special feeling, I turned off the computer and just sat down quietly to see what would happen.

At first sitting quietly was very difficult. As the seconds passed it became a little easier. All of a sudden I felt a sense of peace and fulfillment. As I enjoyed this feeling a thought popped into my head of all the great things that were happening in my business.

What a great experience!

Now it is your turn to sit in a comfortable chair and let the thoughts surface. Please don’t give up to easily as time passes you will feel more relaxed and a sense of contentment will surface.

Please share your experience with the Love Yourself – It Matters Community. Together we can learn from each other and be able to grasp the feeling of “Happiness” at a moment’s notice.

Enjoy!

Helen

Having Joy in Your Life

Written on October 7th, 2011 by Helen Burton2 comments
Having Joy in Your Life

Having Joy in Your Life

“Joy is what happens to us
when we allow ourselves
to recognize how good
things really are.”
~ Marianne Williamson

How many times have you heard Marianne Williamson’s quote?  I am sure it has been over a thousand times.  The trouble being we instantly forget what we heard or read. 

Why do we constantly ignore the simple fact to recognize how good things really are instead of what we don’t have right now?   The reason being we are human beings and are always striving for something.  Life would be pretty boring if we were not working towards a goal.

I really think we can have it both ways.  Let’s think of ways to make this happen.

Here we go!

  • Take five minutes during the day to reflect on how good things really are.  Example: I love to write and the Love Yourself Blog – It Matters! is a vehicle where I can be creative and write.  What is really good for you?
  • Spend time during the day to focus on what you want to achieve and the steps you are going to take. Example: You want to connect with two clients just to say hello and see how they are doing?  Plan when you are going to make the phone calls and make them.
  • Before dinner evaluate your progress.  
    • You took the planned steps, take a bow.  You are amazing.
    • If things did not work out devise an alternate plan.  It is a good idea to determine what stopped you from taking action and how you can overcome the roadblock next time.  Example:   Forgot to reach out to the two clients.  What stopped me was not scheduling time to call them.  Tomorrow I will call them at 10:00am and 11:00am.

Remember you are only human and as my mother always said, “Rome was not built in a day.”  Be kind to yourself and as time goes by habits will become routine.

Please share with our Community what strategies you use to acknowledge the good things in your life and taking action to achieve your goals. 

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Helen

Change Brings Happiness into Our Lives!

Written on September 21st, 2011 by Helen Burton2 comments
Change Your Thinking

Change Your Thinking

“Things don’t change.
You change your way of looking, that’s all.”
~ Carlos Castaneda

When I read Carlos Castaneda’ quote it really struck me.  How we are always looking for our life to change and never take the time to change our thoughts. 

Castaneda suggests change the way you look at things.  EASIER SAID THAN DONE!

Let me tell you a little story… I am working with a client, who we call Fran.  Her business was steadily growing through the years.  One day she woke-up thinking her business was failing.  If things didn’t turn around quickly she was going to be bankrupt in a few months. 

When she called me, Fran was devastated and could not understand what happened.  Last month she did not feel this way, and was implementing new programs.  All of a sudden she was thinking about letting her team members go and maybe looking for a JOB

We discussed what was happening and looked at her business growth objectively.  After checking with her Accountant, Fran was surprised to learn that the profits this month were higher than last month.  What changed was her thinking.

Isn’t it amazing how we allow ourselves to cause suffering in our own lives.

Next time things are running smoothly and you want to shake up your life, implement the following steps.  This exercise also helps people who are facing real hardships in their lives.

  • STOP take a deep breath and ask yourself the question, “Is what I am thinking right now, really true and nothing will ever change?”  By stepping back and examining the situation we start seeing our challenges from a different perspective and solutions start appearing. 
  • Make an agreement with yourself not to think about your challenge for today.  Every time the thought pops into your head tell yourself, I will think about it tomorrow.  Miracles happen all the time so don’t waste your time worrying about something that can change in minutes.  There is an old saying, “Most circumstances we imagine never materialize.”
  • Think of a time in your life when you were experiencing difficulties and within a short period of time everything turned around and your life was better than it was before.  This happens all the time and by visualizing what happened will give you strength and hope to continue. 
  • Remind yourself constantly, that you are doing the best you can and the Universe is here to guide you.  
  • Think happy thoughts at least once every thirty minutes.  By thinking these thoughts you will start changing your philosophy and a smile will appear on your face. 

As Castaneda says, “Things don’t change. You change your way of looking, that’s all.”

Please share with the Love Yourself – It Matters! Community your thoughts about this blog post.  Together we will grow and experience joy in our lives. 

Helen