Posts Tagged ‘career’
“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.
- Make a list of all your strengths and special gifts.
- Looking back over the years, identify one big accomplishment that changed your life.
- What new direction did your life take?
- Do you feel empowered or unfulfilled?
- If you are felling empowered, why do you feel this way?
- If you are feeling unfulfilled, journal about steps you can take to improve your situation.
- 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
“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
Filed under Business Tips, Life Issues, Motivational Quotes
Tags:Achieving Goals, career, Coaches, Coaching, feeling empowered, positive thinking, self-confidence, solutions, struggles
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
Filed under Business Tips, Coaches, Coaching, Life Issues, Motivational Quotes
Tags:Achieving Goals, Attitudes, career, Coaches, Coaching, feeling depressed, happiness, Living In the Moment, positive thinking, professional, Resolutions, self-confidence, solutions, Stress, struggles
“We have a mental block inside us
that stops us from earning more
than we think we are worth.
If we want to earn more in reality,
we have to upgrade our self-concept.”
~ Brian Tracy
After reading Brian Tracy’s quote what were you thinking? Do the following thoughts sound familiar?
- Is this the reason I am not making money?
- How do I change my thinking?
- I knew all along it was my thinking that was stopping me.
The thoughts can go on and on.
Okay, let’s take a step back and see what is really happening here. Most of us are always looking for a solution to a problem. Wouldn’t it be easy to change our thinking and our problems would disappear?
What I am learning is that sometimes I am my own worst enemy. My thoughts start telling me all crazy ideas. When this happens I take a deep breath, picture a STOP sign and tell myself “I am worthy of being paid for my services because I am a great coach.”
Brian Tracy’s quote sounds so simple and at the same time upgrading our self-concept can be a very difficult task. How do you go about it?
Helen’s mind is at work… Below is a simple plan you can follow:
- Go into a room with a mirror and close the door.
- Take a deep breath and look into the mirror.
- Say the following words out loud:
- “I am a special person.”
- “I am providing a service.”
- Repeat these two sentences three times. The first time with your eyes closed, second time looking at your nose and the last time look into your eyes. As you continue this exercise it will get easier.
- Repeat this exercise for a week and then only look in your eyes while saying the two sentences out loud.
After a month of reassuring yourself that you are a special person and providing a service, your attitude will change.
While practicing this exercise please stay in touch with the Love Yourself – It Matters! Community. We are in this together and by supporting each other things will change.
Keep in touch!
Helen
The first presenter for the Coaches’ Coaching Circle and Our Coaching Friends Educational Series is Dave Buck.
Come prepared to learn a new technique, become motivated and move forward with your business!
Details for Call
Date: Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Time: 1:00pm EST and 10:00am Pacific
RSVP: Email Helen at helen@loveyourselfcoaching.net to reserve your place.
Please let me know if you are interested by February 16, 2011 so we can make sure there is enough room on the bridgeline for everyone. I can be reached at helen@loveyourselfcoaching.net or 609.448.882. I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Dave Buck BIO
Dave Buck is a Master Certified Coach and the CEO of CoachVille, the largest social network for business and life coaches in the world. Dave’s vision is that everyone, everywhere with the courage to play BIG in the world, has a great coach!
As a life coach he has coached over 1,000 individuals one-on-one and in small groups. He has also trained several thousand coaches as the lead trainer for CoachVille’s Center for Coaching Mastery.
Dave worked side-by-side with Thomas Leonard - the founder of the life coaching movement – to create CoachVille in 2000 and became the CEO shortly after Thomas passed away in February 2003
Dave is a Founding Member of the Transformational Leadership Council; a group founded by Jack Canfield (author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series) and includes several leaders of the personal development movement including Wayne Dyer, John Gray and Rhonda Byrne. Many members of the council are part of the hit movie and book The Secret.
Play BIG in the World
Are you ready to play BIG in the world?
Playing BIG in the world means that you are fully expressing your talents and gifts in a way that adds maximum value to the lives of others while bringing joy and true wealth to your life at the same time! It means you wake up every day ready to play with purpose to create possibility vs. going to work on tasks and problems.
To play BIG you have to be willing and able to step up and stand out! You have to be willing to take a risk and be seen and known for who you really are and then boldly share your value with colleagues and customers. You must be clear about your value to others and live true to your purpose in the world. It is challenging, engaging and thrilling at the same time.
The Spirit of Play is the key!
One key to playing BIG in your business or career is to energize your game with the spirit of play! With the spirit of play you tap into a major human energy source that releases your creativity, resourcefulness, resilience and desire to have fun doing what you do. When you do this on a daily basis, you attract opportunities because the people around you are drawn to the energy.
Based on our fundamental understanding that all humans are born with the ability AND desire to play we developed a fundamental theory that ANY endeavor in life can be played as a winnable game. We call our method Play- Two-Win tm because as a coach you only win when your player wins and as a player you only win when your whole team wins. This becomes another point of attraction because people will love playing on your team because they know that you are playing for them to win also.
Traditional methods for coaching and personal growth are often not effective because they are focused on working on tasks and problems. We know that humans learn, grow and produce results better when they are playing and enjoying what they do. So if you want to play BIG in the world AND coach people who desire to play big in the world, you MUST learn this method.
This powerful playshop is designed for coaches AND anyone ready to play BIG in the world.
Details for Call
Date: Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Time: 1:00pm EST and 10:00am Pacific
RSVP: Email Helen at helen@loveyourselfcoaching.net to reserve your place.
Please let me know if you are interested by February 16, 2011 so we can make sure there is enough room on the bridgeline for everyone. I can be reached at helen@loveyourselfcoaching.net or 609.448.882. I am looking forward to hearing from you.
“Positive Thinking Is…
…not always the easiest course of action
when confronting difficulties.
If, however, we can remain focused
on keeping hope strong and
not succumbing to negative influences,
we will meet with success
in dealing with anything
life may throw in our path.”
~ Hiram Rogers Lloyd
Truer words have not been spoken, staying positive is not the easiest thing to do. The feelings of fear and sadness overwhelm us in a flash.
What are we to do?
My old stand-by is to let them come and know the feelings are temporary moments. You will make it through and the feelings will fade.
The other day I was writing an article and all of a sudden the pain of loss returned in such intensity that I could not breathe. My initial reaction was to do something that would make me feel better.
I ran out to my car and went to the local Duncan Donuts for coffee. To my surprise the pain remained. Coming home the tears started flowing and I was once again consumed by my sadness and fears.
I then tried affirmations and wrapped myself in a blanket. Nothing worked. Just sitting there with my coffee and not moving the pain started to lessen. Within time I was starting to feel better.
What I learned from this experience was not to fight my emotions, be with them and within time my mood brightened. I was then able to function again and complete the article.
Nothing in this world will take our feelings of fear and sadness away. Our only line of defense is to experience the moment and have hope things will get better.
Please share with the Unemployed Community what fears and sadness you are experiencing. Letting others know your true feelings will take the pain away and together we will create a positive journey for us all.
I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Helen
“Expect to have hope rekindled.
Expect your prayers to be answered in
wondrous ways.
The dry seasons in life do not last.
The spring rains will come again.”
~ Sarah Ban Breathnach
Tomorrow in the United States we will be celebrating Thanksgiving. It is a day for family, friends, lots and lots of food and a time to be grateful.
I am sure you are thinking, “Get real Helen, what do I have to be grateful for I am unemployed and will probably never find a job again.”
I am not going to debate you, it is a very hard time in your life right now. The one thing you do have is hope. It is up to you to believe things will be different.
As Sarah Ban Breathnach quotes, “The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again.”
So pick yourself up and let’s turn your thinking around. It is just as easy to focus on what really happened instead of blaming yourself.
You might ask how can I change my thinking in an instant? Take the following small steps:
- Negative thought pops up, “I cannot face my family tomorrow.” Say out loud what really happened. Example: It was not my fault the company closed.”
- Take a few sheets of paper and keep writing what really happened until you start believing it.
We sometimes become drama queens and kings and find ourselves falling down a deep hole. It is our responsibility to change things around as quickly as possible.
One thing that scares others is to see us stay in that dark hole. When we are positive it gives us strength and others hope that things will change.
Go out there and be either Superman or Superwoman and make your life and others brighter.
If you are going to a Thanksgiving Dinner with family and friends remember you are the same person you have always been.
One trick I have learned from a client is when someone asks you about your job situation, always smile and say, “Thanks for asking I have a lot of possibilities,” and then ask them a question about themselves.
People love to talk about themselves.
Enjoy your life and expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways.
Wishing everyone a Thanksgiving Day that is sprinkled with happiness, love and abundance!
Please share with the Love Yourself – It Matters Community what you are grateful for and your experiences during Thanksgiving. I look forward to hearing from you.
Helen
“A lot of successful people are risk-takers.
Unless you’re willing to do that –
to have a go, fail miserably,
and have another go,
success won’t happen.”
Phillip Adams
(Australian writer)
Why, Why, Why do we have to be risk-takers and sometimes fail miserably to be successful? Do you hate being in the ranks of the unemployed and having to go through this period in your life? I know your answer is a loud, “YES.”
Remember nothing last forever. There is always a silver lining at the end of the rainbow. The next question would be “How do I find that silver lining?” The answer is quite simple take a risk, sometimes fail, get-up and take the next step in front of you.
I know after your hopes have been dashed again it is a struggle to go on. Give yourself a break and feel the pain. You are only human and can only take so much.
During this time, pamper yourself. What are you going to do nice for yourself?
Okay time is up and on to the next step. Below are some small steps you can take to restore your faith and become the risk-taker again.
• Write down your accomplishments.
• Pick-up the phone (don’t make a call) and start reading your accomplishments outloud.
• Put music on and dance around the room.
• Take a small risk that you know will be successful.
• Stand tall and become that powerful person you are.
Remember thousands of people have been unemployed and found that perfect job. You will be one of them real soon.
Now It Is Your Turn!
Send a list of your accomplishments to the Love Yourself – It Matters! Community. Let’s celebrate together!
If you are stuck please let me or the community know and we will brainstorm ideas together. Remember you are not in this ALONE.
Helen
“When a dream is in the mind of the believer,
and in the hand of the doer.
You are not given a dream
without being given the power
to make it come true.”
Anonymous
Being unemployed is a time in your life that is adventurous, exciting and challenging all at the same time. Would you like to thank the Universe for the special gift?
Now is your time to make some changes. You have an opportunity to bring your dreams out of hiding and dust them off.
Close your eyes and think back through your life and focus on the time you had a dream to make a difference in the world. Maybe it was to be a nurse, or concert pianist or a teacher, etc…
As the years went by you forgot the dream and went in another direction. Now since you are unemployed you have a clean slate and can bring the dream back into focus.
One beautiful thing, if you chose to believe in the dream you will be given the power to make it happen.
I know you are thinking, “Helen, I spend all my time looking for a job in the same field I was employed and have no time thinking about my old dreams.”
Yes, you are right and looking for a job does not take 24 hours a day. You have to eat, sleep and spend downtime. Otherwise, you will burn out.
Jane was working over 24 years for a computer company. She was the VP for Software Research and Development. The company started feeling the economic crunch and laid-off some of the senior managers including Jane.
At first Jane was absolutely distraught and could not believe this was happening to her. Her life fell apart. Jane’s saving grace was that she loved music and played in an orchestra on weekends.
Jane continued to look for a job in the computer field and felt she had no other choice. Until one day as she was practicing for the weekend performance a thought occurred, “Wouldn’t it be fantastic if I could spend my days with music instead of working for a computer company.”
She was given the dream!
Even though she did not stop looking for a job in the computer field, ideas started popping into her head regarding musical opportunities she could pursue. Jane did spend a few hours a day pursing different musical possibilities.
At first nothing materialized and that did not stop her. She kept talking to different people and arranging for informational interviews regarding the option of changing career paths.
Through her networking, researching and not giving up hope Jane stumbled across a small musical college looking for a Music Director. With her background in management and music Jane was a perfect fit.
Like they say, “When a dream is in the mind of the believer, and in the hand of the doer. You are not given a dream without being given the power to make it come true.”
Please share with the Love Yourself – It Matters! Community your dreams. Together let’s brainstorm ideas to make they come true.
I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Helen
“Imagination is the beginning of creation.
You imagine what you desire,
you will what you imagine,
and at last you create
what you will.”
George Bernard Shaw
According to George Bernard Shaw, all you have to do is imagine finding the job you want and create it. WOW what a way to go!!
Hold-on!! It is not so easy. There was a little piece that was not included in the formula for finding a job, the action steps.
Come back, don’t leave! Let’s make looking for a job easier.
Below are some simple steps you can take to keep yourself motivated while looking for that special job.
• First thing every morning take time for “YOU” relaxing with a cup of coffee or tea. Taking this precious time demonstrates, “You Are Special.”
• Plan what steps you are going to take during the day. Be realistic and not overwhelm yourself. One rule of thumb to practice, write down only one to three steps you will take instead of twenty. By keeping the steps manageable ensures you will accomplish them.
• Acknowledge yourself at the end of the day for taking one to three small steps. If you crossed off more items on your to-do list, stand-up and take a bow. Acknowledging yourself will ensure you are making progress.
Please share with the Love Yourself – It Matters Community what small steps you are taking to find a job. Together we will make this road a little easier.
Today is a special day, what are you going to do nice for yourself?
Helen
