Acknowledging 2010

The end of the year is approaching. Have you been thinking about 2010 and what has been accomplished?

I was working with my coach the other day and she asked me about my achievements in 2010. My first line of defense was that I just maintained my coaching practice and not really moved forward. After taking a deep breath, I reminded myself about the wonderful opportunities that presented themselves during the year.

During 2010, Love Yourself Coaching moved forward and experienced many achievements. The one that has brought me the most pleasure was discovering Love Yourself Coaching’s Mission. Its mission is to support coaches in loving themselves while they build prosperous businesses.

Below is a little exercise that will support you in reminding yourself about the opportunities and miracles that presented themselves in 2010. Read over the steps and complete the exercise. Remember there is no right or wrong.

· Take a deep breath and let your mind wander.

· After a few seconds start focusing on your breathing.

· When you feel relaxed, think about 2010.

· Focus on one moment that brought you joy. Was it working with a client, rolling out a new program, etc.

· Live that moment and feel the excitement.

· Let the thoughts go and just relax.

· When you are ready open your eyes.

· Write about the experience in your journal, or call a friend and share the experience or brag about it in the Love Yourself – It Matters! Community comment section below.

I am looking forward to working together in 2011. Let’s start a Coaching Movement to increase the business prosperity for each and every coach.

What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity.

What sunshine is to flowers,

smiles are to humanity.

They are but trifles, to be sure;

but, scattered along life’s pathway,

the good they do is inconceivable.

~Joseph Addison

What caught my attention reading Joseph Addison’s quote was the word ”sunshine.” Here in New Jersey the winter days are cold and dreary. I would love to feel the summer sun again.

As my husband always said, “You can’t do anything about the weather so stop worrying about it.” How true!

My next thought was how can I brighten my spirit and feel the sunshine within. On to another challenge!

I reread Joseph Addison’s quote again and learned that smiles are our sunshine. Feeling empowered, I put on my coat and went to Dunkin Donuts for coffee. Holding a cup of coffee in my hand does wonders for my morale.

As I walked into the store, I smiled at the first person I saw. He smiled back and then I smiled at someone else. Within minutes most of the people in the store were smiling and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.

Driving home with my cup of coffee and a smile on my face, the sun came out.

Are you up to playing a little game? The next time you are in a store, smile at the first person you see. Continue smiling at everyone and see what happens.

Please share your experience with the members of the Love Yourself – It Matters! Community. Together let’s put smiles on people’s faces.

Helens Personal Holiday Message to You

Thinking Negatively vs. Thinking Positively

“If you see yourself as prosperous, you will be.

If you see yourself as continually hard up,

that is exactly what you will be.”

Robert Collier

I read quotes about thinking positively all the time.  The message shouted loud and clear is to think that way so you will attract desired results.  Okay, give me a break!

Sometimes things just happen, your mind takes over and we jump into the negativity pot.  I hate to say it, but sometimes a negative thought feels good.  You don’t have to act happy.  Feel grateful and it allows your negative feelings to emerge.  We sometimes need a break!!

Where has it been proven that if you think negatively you will only receive undesirable results?  If you have any evidence of this happening please let me know.

Okay it is time for me to get off my soap box.

Thinking and feeling positive has its benefits.

• My world brightens
• I have more energy
• Opportunities start to materialize
• People want to be with me
• I like myself better

I can spend a whole day writing down all the benefits of thinking positively.  Therefore, it is true that when you visualize yourself as thriving, you will be.

Please let me know what your thoughts are regarding thinking negatively or positively.  I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Let Your Creativity Juices Flow

There is no greater joy
than that of feeling oneself a creator.
The triumph of life
is expressed by creation.

Henri Bergson

We are all creators one way or another.  As small business owners you are creating all the time.  Our juices are flowing as we are developing different programs, networking or thinking about our business.

Sometimes our creative ideas can become overwhelming.  Knowing this first hand, I am always going in different directions.  My biggest clue is when I am constantly thinking and my mind is racing.  That is the time to step back and evaluate what is happening.

Steps you can take to bring yourself back into focus:

• Take out a piece of paper and write down all the ideas that are floating in your head.  Don’t judge them, just keep writing.  Dumping the thoughts onto paper frees our minds of overworking and gives us a chance to think of happy thoughts.

My fear is that I will forget something.  By writing everything down it takes the fear away.

• Evaluate the ideas.  Reading over the concepts sometimes will make you laugh and wonder where that came from.
• Choose one to two ideas you would like to focus on in the next few days.  Focusing on an idea will bring possibilities.  After a few hours or day you may decide the idea would not work, forget it and pick another one.  There is no right or wrong only a journey to see what is working.
• Discuss your ideas with your coach or friend.  Sometimes the concept will sound fantastic, by discussing it you will see other options and the possibility of it not working.

One of my clients thought she had a great idea and after speaking to a friend felt it would not work.  After we brainstormed different ideas, she came up with another concept that would work and is more exciting.

• Keep an open mind and let the creativity juices flow!

Please share your creative ideas with the Love Yourself – It Matters! Community and together we will support each other in developing them.

Have fun and let those juices flow.  As Henri Bergson quotes, “The triumph of life
is expressed by creation.”

FEAR = False Evidence Appearing Real

This past week I stepped out of my comfort zone and attended a New York Expo.  There were hundreds of small business owners attending the event.

Getting ready to leave, my old dreaded companion FEAR stuck out her ugly head.  For a few moments, I felt paralyzed and did not want to go.  Remembering my new mantra, “I am responsible for having abundance in my life,” I picked up my pocketbook, left the house and met my friend.

My FEAR and I walked into the Expo together.  As everyone started to greet each other, a miracle happened, my dreaded companion left.  It was a great experience.  I attended Social Media Workshops, learned new marketing strategies, made new contacts, and saw old friends.

Marketing Strategies:

• Build a list of raving fans.  Secure testimonials from clients/customers, your mentor and other businesses you interact with.
• Follow-up with people you met at the Networking Event. Send a short note either by email or one of the Social Media options, or make that phone call.  Example of a note:  I enjoyed speaking with you yesterday at the Expo. Would love to learn more about the services you offer.  When would you be available to meet for coffee?  Helen
• Write articles for business magazines, blogs or local newspapers.
• The most important strategy: Build Relationships.

Next time you are planning to attend a Networking Event, bring your dreaded companion, FEAR.  Both of you will have a rewarding experience and at the same time meet interesting people and build relationships.

Are you stepping out of your Comfort Zone or is FEAR holding you back?  Please let us know if you need support and together we will create strategies in helping you move forward.

For those of you who are stepping out of your Comfort Zone please let us know what steps you are taking.

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Taking Control of Your Life

Yesterday I started consciously thinking, “It is my responsibility to create joy, happiness and abundance in my life.”

With this new mind frame I am feeling positive, full of energy and miracles have been happening all day.

Today I met with the members of the Love Yourself Coaching Team to discuss ways to bring the company’s mission for supporting coaches/entrepreneurs in building prosperous businesses.  The beautiful part was we were all honest with each other and supportive at the same time.  Everyone was stepping out of their comfort zone.

Ideas were flowing right and left.  Stay tuned to see what new opportunities will be offered.

As we were talking it became very clear to me that I was living up to my new way of being by creating abundance in my life.

Now It Is Your Turn

What new way of thinking do you want to focus on in your life?

A simple way to change your mindset is by taking the small steps below.

• Write down all the things that are going wrong in your life.  Go ahead and have a good time complaining.  No one will read your list.
• Read over the list and find one or two items that make your stomach turn.  Example: I will not have enough money to pay my bills this month.
• Write all about your fear and don’t hold back.
• What did you learn?  Example:  This has been a fear of mine since childhood, have always survived and eventually paid all my bills.  At the present time I have a good credit rating and able to pay my bills on time.
• What is your new mindset?  Example:  It is my responsibility to pay my bills on time.

Please share with the Love Yourself -It Matters! Community your ideas and concerns regarding the changing of your mindset.  Together we will support each other in moving forward with our lives.

Wishing you joy, happiness and abundance in your life!

Losing Sight of Your Mission

“If your ship
doesn’t come in,
swim out to it.”
Anonymous

Speaking to my coach this morning, I was telling her that I am tired of fighting every day.  When the words came out of my mouth, it hit me like a ton of bricks.

Have I lost sight of my mission, “Supporting coaches so they can feel confident and build prosperous businesses.”?  What was happening?

We discussed my dilemma and the underlining cause was that I had lost sight of my mission.  Once I started talking about my mission, the fire within me started burning and I felt alive again.   Ideas started popping into my head.

As the quote states, if things are not happening you have to look for opportunities!

Now It Is Your Turn to try the exercise below:

• Take a few moments and think about your day and what feelings materialize.  Are you feeling weary or excited?
• Write what you are thinking about.  Just let the thoughts flow and don’t judge them.
• Read what you wrote and notice what jumps out at you.  Are you acknowledging yourself, losing sight of your passion, etc…
• What small shift would reignite your fire?

Please share with the Love Yourself – It Matters! Community what small changes you are going to make.  Together we will support each other in reigniting the fire within us.

Acknowledging your Accomplishments

“Shoot for the moon.

Even if you miss it

you will land among

the stars.”

Lester Louis Brown

American journalist

I think about Lester Brown’s quote and the feeling of overwhelm comes over me.  Recently, I have been shooting for the moon and landing among the stars.  Things seem to be moving very quickly and I am losing focus of what is happening.

This morning…thinking all I have been doing is taking one action step after another and not acknowledging my accomplishments.  I am losing the enjoyment of moving forward on my journey and feeling like a “Robot.”

Celebrating your accomplishments is part of the journey.

Now it is time to change my behavior, start feeling, celebrating and learning from my actions.

Let’s create an action plan together.  Below are some of my ideas.  I would love for you to contribute your ideas and together we will create a “Self Acknowledgement Plan.”

Helen’s ideas:

• Before turning the computer off for the evening take the following steps:
  • Meditate for 5 minutes to center myself.
  • Write a thank you note to myself or leave a voicemail acknowledging my greatness.
  • Drink a cup of tea while closing down for the day.

What are your ideas?  Please leave them in the comment section below.

Have a beautiful day and “Shoot for the moon” and possibly land among the stars.

Listening to Your Thoughts

Yesterday, out of the clear blue sky, I started thinking about my business and what a struggle it has been thru the years to enroll clients.

My thoughts turned to should I continue or start pursuing other options.  This thought gave me chills.  Making myself sit with these feelings was not an easy task.  I wanted to go for coffee, take a walk or read a book.

I sat in the chair knowing the answer was not to run away.  After a few minutes my thoughts turned to what I have accomplished in the last eight years.  Love Yourself Coaching offers three different Coaches’ Coaching Circles, the Monday Wake-Up Calls and individual coaching.  These programs provide support to coaches and entrepreneurs.  All of a sudden, I started feeling excited about my business and how I was helping others succeed.

The key is to feel your feelings.  During that process you will find new solutions or remind yourself of your accomplishments

Please share with the Love Yourself – It Matters! Community what your fears are and together we will support each other.

You are the Force Behind Your Success!

“You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
You’re on your own, and you know what you know.
And you are the one who’ll decide where you’ll go.”
Dr. Seuss

What direction are you steering yourself?  We are the action force behind our success and journey.

It is so easy to say, “I am working so hard and my business is not where I want it to be.”  This certainly can be your reality.  On the other hand, things are happening which you could have not imagined say a few months ago.

My dream was to have a team of professionals working with me who were dedicated to the success of Love Yourself Coaching.  Gradually, I connected with different professionals whose dedication and skills are increasing my business productivity.   My motto is, “Be open to possibilities.”

Now it is your turn!

What is your dream?  As Dr. Seuss says, “You can steer yourself any direction you choose. And you are the one who’ll decide where you’ll go.”

Some simple steps you can follow to get started:

• Write about your dream.  Make it real and that it is already happening. Example: My business is growing and as of today I have 10 clients.
• How are you feeling?  Example: Successful, happy and fulfilled.
• Everyday read or write about your dream.  It will keep you focused and open to possibilities.

Please share with the Love Yourself – It Matters! Community.  Together we can support each other.

Helen

Focus Is the Key

Do you find yourself getting up in the morning thinking about a set agenda? Then as the day proceeds you tackle everything except your agenda items.

Those of us who follow this routine are sometimes wasting our precious time and making more work for ourselves. We have a challenge on our hands.

A way to change this routine is to start Focusing on a plan. By focusing you breakdown goals into reasonable action steps.

Daily Action Plan:

• At the beginning of the day determine how many reasonable hours you would like to work that day. Remember, as my mother would say, “Rome was not built in a day.”
• Choose one to two action items you can accomplish.
• Analyze the steps to determine if they can be accomplished in your work day. Taking into consideration emails, phone calls and time for yourself.
• Once your plan is finalized create timeframes for the different activities. Keeping in mind your pre-determined working hours.
• Start your day following the plan and focus on one activity at a time. Nothing is written in stone and revisions can be made anytime.
• Once your plan is finalized set-up an accountability system by working with a friend or leave comments on the Love Yourself – It Matters! Blog regarding your progress and Helen will support you.

Now It Is Your Turn!

Please share your new plan with Love Yourself – It Matters Community. I am looking forward to hearing new ways we can plan our day.

New Beginnings!

Labor Day has arrived!  Kids are going back to school and the fall is fast approaching.

Are you thinking, “It is September and before I know it we will be making our plans for 2011 and what have I accomplished this year?

Let’s celebrate our 2010 accomplishments, broken promises and lessons learned!

A little exercise?

• Take out a piece of paper and pen.
• Make three columns.
• Write in the different columns your accomplishments, broken promises, and lessons learned.
• Review the list.
• Choose one item from each list.
• Focus on the items you have choosen and answer the following questions:
  • How are you going to celebrate your accomplishment?
  • What action steps are you going to take during 2010 to achieve your broken promise and lessons learned?
• Create and implement an action plan taking into consideration ways to achieve your borken promises and lessons learned.  Also include when and how you are going to celebrate your accomplishments.

It is very important to create a support group so you will be accountable.  The Love Yourself  – It Matters! Community is here to support you in anyway we can.   Together we will create prosperous businesses.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Helen

Living Life as an Entrepreneur

Dear Entrepreneur:

Welcome to the world of a being business owner!

I wish I could wave my magic wand and grant you extra hours in your 24 hour day!

Many clients I have worked with, myself included, had the same issue. It comes down to organizing your time. Sounds so simple and hard to accomplish.

What could we do differently? Many years ago I took a Franklin Covey training on organizing your time. Since taking the training, I have been using the same simple tools successfully, on a daily basis:

• After getting out of bed in the morning with a cup of coffee, write down every activity you want to accomplish during the day.
• Analyze the list and determine which activities require your focus during the day. Limit the activities to those that you can accomplish in only 8 hours. Remember you are not Superman/Superwoman and cannot accomplish things in record time.
• On a calendar block time out for your family and personal time. Make a commitment to yourself that you will never deviate from this blocked out timeframe. By keeping this commitment you are honoring yourself and family.
• Schedule the activities that require your focus in the time slots remaining.
• Leave unfilled timeframes for unexpected situations.
• Remember to schedule breaks during the day to eat, go for a short walk or close your eyes for 10 minutes. After a break you feel energized and in the long run are more productive.

This exercise should only take you between 20 to 30 minutes.

Follow this plan for a week and see if you feel more organized. Please be gentle with yourself if you revert back to your old habits. The important thing is to STOP and start following your planned schedule. Remember it takes 21 days for a habit to become routine.

Special Request:
Love Yourself Community Members please post ideas for organizing your day in the Love Yourself – It Matters! Blog.  Virginia please put a link to the blog.  Together we will create different suggested schedules that will help us all.

Share your Business Challenge Today!
Want Free Business Advice? In the comment section write-in your business challenges that drive you crazy just like a pesky fly or mosquito. One dose of Love Yourself Coaching Biz Insight, could be all it takes to get you motivated and achieving your goals.

“The main thing that keeps an objective out of reach is your assumption that you cannot reach it. You’re able to do precisely what you expect to be able to do.”

~Ralph Marston

Have you thanked your business today?

“Words are mere bubbles of water,
but deeds are drops of gold.”
Chinese Proverb

 Today is my daughter’s birthday.  To celebrate her birthday for many years she has been sending me either flowers or a fruit basket saying, “Thank you for being my mom and bringing me into this world.”

 This special gift means more to me than words can express.

 What can you do today to thank your business?

Some thoughts:

• Leave a voicemail on your phone thanking your business for helping others and giving you the sense of fulfillment.
• Write an email to your business thanking it for allowing you to pursue your passion.  Make sure you address the email to yourself.
• Send your business flowers or a fruit basket and just say, “Thank You.”
• Acknowledge yourself for all your hard work and the accomplishments you have achieved over the years.
• What other steps can you take to say, “Thank You.”

Please share your action steps with the Love Yourself Community and how you felt when you took them.

 I am looking forward to hearing from you.

 Helen

P.S. Mindi, Happy Birthday!!