The "IF" WordWritten by Rick Beneteau
I recall as a child being mildly scolded after coming home from Kindergarten and telling my mother all about new word I had learned - "F" word. Spray painted across some garage door on way to school, I guess I thought it sounded like a neat addition to my vocabulary. Not!Now, as an adult, there's a word that doesn't quite have same phonetic ring, but sticks out as much as aforementioned expletive whenever I hear it. It's "IF" word! As human beings, almost all of us have been raised in genre of past generations replete with all innocent but self-limiting behavior. And there's no better word to exemplify these stunting characteristics than "IF". "IF" only I had done this. "IF" things were just different now. What real "F" word is to vocabulary, "IF" is to spirit! The mere subconscious mention of this word, and phrases such as "I wish" puts us into that conscience state-of-mind where we believe we are powerless. Powerless to change what we in fact have power to change. Once we believe it, we act accordingly and then of course, we become powerless. Many of you who have read me in past know that I don't preach rhetorical "anything is possible" gospel, because only truly reachable things are. I try to bring a realistic plate to table. However, I do believe and firmly, that our minds and our spirits are infinitely stronger than most of us believe. Taken in reverse and to extreme, we can be our own worst enemies! Why? Again, because we have been immersed in misguidance of our ancestry. Patterns of learned behavior permeate both our aware and unaware beings and sabotage our very existence. Growth is almost impossible when we believe we can't, or, believe not to believe. A few years ago I was involved in writing and production of a CD of motivational and inspirational music. Called "On My Way", it walked listener through many dimensions of personal growth and "good stuff" for career success. One song that was not recorded for project, was entitled "I Will" and it would be most appropriate for me to share lyric with you here: I WILL Sometimes hardest thing Is simply to decide To make choice to change your life To change it from inside The journey's uneventful With waters calm and still Never clear destinations Until you say - I Will
| | Creating A Vision That Is Uniquely YouWritten by Maria Marsala
What do you see yourself doing a year from now? 3 years? 5 years? When you die, what would you like people to say about you? The answers to those questions, and a few more, can assist you as you prepare "first edition", of your vision. Why first edition you say? Well, if you are an evolving human being, your vision is apt to change as you do.A vision helps to pull you forward - towards "something you've deemed is special". Without a clear vision, you may find yourself confused, stuck, stressed, overwhelmed, and drained. How can you get back on "your" track? The answers are as individual as you are. Use some of ideas below as starting points. Take a look at where your vision is on your priority list. If it isn't high enough on your list... ~~ask yourself why ~~do something about it ~~let it go Write down every reason (excuse) for why you don't have a personal or professional vision. Don't stop till you have run out of reasons. Then follow suggestion that fits you best ~~Celebrate by burning what you've written! Isn't it time to let excuses go? ~~Celebrate by creating at least five solutions to each of your excuses. If you can't come up with five, ask your coach for assistance. Then get going. Some people can create a plan and that plan never changes. They go for something and don't stop till they get there. Others change their plan often. Still others use both styles. Remember what your style is and do your best. Don't worry about everything being "someone else's idea" of perfect. Throw "doing it perfectly" out window! Whatever way YOU do it WILL be ideal for where you are now. That includes waiting till time is right for you or not doing it at all! Ask your friends and clients what they think your personal or professional vision is about, what your strengths are etc. You may be surprised at what you learn! Find a group to work with. Many coaches and consultants offer personal foundation groups, business start-up groups, find your ideal career groups, career support groups, or marketing groups. Often, you'll work with group and a buddy towards your ideal plan, vision etc. If you want it badly enough, there is a group, via phone or in person, out there to assist you. To find groups: ~~Check business section of your local newspaper or your local business journal for groups. ~~Join a telephone group, such as ones Maria's Place offers, that are listed at www.coachmaria.com/events.html ~~Locate a coach, by using resources found at www.coachmaria.com/coaching.html to find unadvertised in-person groups in your area. ~~Offer to host a group. Here you'd receive program for free by hosting group at your home and helping with marketing and securing up to 7 other individuals. Maria's Place offers this option to residents of Kitsap, Jefferson, Mason and King counties www.coachmaria.com/washington.html Many other coaches and consultants will do this too, so check around your area.
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