Finding a passion project is the best way to get unstuck, or to take huge leaps forward – which is exactly what we’re talking about: BIG dreams.
Here are 7 success steps for big dreams. Pay attention and write down the ones you find yourself having the most trouble with. Work on those the most to push through your barriers.
Step 1 – figure out what you’re most passionate about and give your dream a voice – say it out loud! To EVERYONE. Take Rachel Ray for instance: she was passionate about food. After managing two local food markets, she was approached about turning her recipes into a book – and her wildly successful career began. She has now published 12 cookbooks, has a show on the food network, a magazine, an online shop and a non-profit to teach kids and their families to cook together. All from a passion for cooking!
Step 2 - create a vision. It’s doubtful that Rachel ever dreamed of creating so many successful streams of income HOWEVER I am sure she had a vision in mind. Where do you want to take your passion project? Is it a personal project? A local project? National? International? What is your mission?
Step 3 - break it down. I would bet that most big dreams are never followed through because they feel TOO big. Take your dream and break it into steps. Tackle them a little at a time. Most big dreams take a while to accomplish, but as long as you’re moving forward, you’re always closing in on your dream. Brainstorm, explore ideas, map out who you need to talk to and when.
Step 4 – Align yourself with people who can help you. Tell everyone about your dream. Little by little, you will find yourself attracting the type of people you need who can help you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, or to ask people who they know! Start creating relationships with people who are already where you want to be. Putting yourself in the company of people who are already living your dream only raises your awareness that it CAN happen.
Step 5 – push past the fear. It will come. Some moment will stop you dead in your tracks. Understand that you will face this, but don’t let it take your dream away. Most fears only hold us back in our mind. Once we take action against them, they usually aren’t as bad as we thought.
Step 6 – put pride aside. I spoke to a restaurant owner last night who said his biggest piece of advice is not to be afraid of going backwards if doing so will help you in the future. So, if you want to open a restaurant, go work in a restaurant for a while! Your experience will be far more valuable than your immediate paycheck in the long run.
Step 7 – Above all, keep pushing forward and dreaming bigger. If it’s something you are truly passionate about, don’t give up too early. So many people jump ship right before the real growth happens. Do what you need to do to stay afloat. You’ll find that your dream takes on a life of it’s own. You’ve probably heard of theknot.com. What began as a site for weddings has grown to include thenest.com – a site for new homeowners. Plans are in the works for a site for new parents as well. When you give to others in a way that you are passionate about, you cannot help but receive, your dreams cannot help but grow and our life cannot help but become more full.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Friday, June 08, 2007
Stuck like Glue
Standing still and watching the scenery is no way to get where you want to go. We’re reaching mid-year and a lot of people start to feel stuck around this time. Even the word feels sticky in your mouth as you pronounce it. Our temperatures are getting hotter and the air is getting thicker. Our springtime bliss is transitioning into summertime meltdown. Motivation isn’t at the top of anyone’s list! And we wonder why we feel stuck…
I think the first question we have to ask is where are you stuck? Is it in your job? In your marriage? In your personal life? What areas do you need refreshment in? Here is the toughest question of the day and I’m going to jump right into it: What are you doing about it?
“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again…expecting different results.” ~ Benjamin Franklin
Action is essential to break out of any funk. You can only wallow for so long without getting tired of yourself. Imagine how others are feeling! Really assess what you are doing to break free of the anchor pulling you down. Is it what you’ve always done? Where is that getting you?
I would wager that 90 percent of my clients have found themselves stuck in a comfort pattern. What I mean by that is that they see the problem, but they continue to try to fix it using the same methods. It’s like driving to work on the same road, knowing it’s going to be congested because of construction but not leaving any earlier or trying a different route…and then complaining to your co-workers everyday that you’re late.
If you’re starting to feel like a broken record, you’re probably starting to sound like one, too.
It’s time to pull a Houdini. Do something new – it doesn’t matter what it is. Take a cooking class, start a book club, ask a new friend to lunch. What this does is attract a different type of person to you. What you’re doing now is allowing yourself to remain in a complacent role with friends that won’t push you out of your comfort zone. Once you start seeking out some new perspectives, your answer will come much quicker. Someone might even be able to hand you the key to free you from your shackles.
Try to keep an open mind with new suggestions. Be specific about what you need and why. Your problem so far is that you keep talking about getting to Z, but you keep working hard at X. Ask the right questions to figure out how to reach Y and then Z. Have a clear vision of what Z looks like and it’ll be much easier to solicit ideas, connections and inspiration from others.
Have a vision.
I talk about this one all the time, but here’s a slightly different spin. Come up with an idea. Any massively huge idea will do. It could be a new career, a long vacation or a far fetched connection. Get in the zone with this new vision. Talk about it, plan it, work toward it. You’ll immediately begin feeling better when you have something tangible you are working on. At first you’ll feel a bit rusty and you are! You’ve been stuck! Give it a little time for your muscles to loosen up and before you know it, you’ll be off in a sprint.
Surround yourself with people who support your vision. Having a partner or someone who can be your cheerleader is invaluable. Share your positive energy as you move forward and lean on them when you need help.
Take the first step.
Moving forward in some direction is step one. Momentum starts to flow pretty easily once you get the ball rolling. Standing still, or spinning your wheels applying for the same job you hate, or having the same fight is only going to get you to one place – exactly where you are right now. And, really, how is that working for you?
Keep an eye out for next month’s SHIFT for a follow up to this article with advice on where to begin your first steps!
I think the first question we have to ask is where are you stuck? Is it in your job? In your marriage? In your personal life? What areas do you need refreshment in? Here is the toughest question of the day and I’m going to jump right into it: What are you doing about it?
“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again…expecting different results.” ~ Benjamin Franklin
Action is essential to break out of any funk. You can only wallow for so long without getting tired of yourself. Imagine how others are feeling! Really assess what you are doing to break free of the anchor pulling you down. Is it what you’ve always done? Where is that getting you?
I would wager that 90 percent of my clients have found themselves stuck in a comfort pattern. What I mean by that is that they see the problem, but they continue to try to fix it using the same methods. It’s like driving to work on the same road, knowing it’s going to be congested because of construction but not leaving any earlier or trying a different route…and then complaining to your co-workers everyday that you’re late.
If you’re starting to feel like a broken record, you’re probably starting to sound like one, too.
It’s time to pull a Houdini. Do something new – it doesn’t matter what it is. Take a cooking class, start a book club, ask a new friend to lunch. What this does is attract a different type of person to you. What you’re doing now is allowing yourself to remain in a complacent role with friends that won’t push you out of your comfort zone. Once you start seeking out some new perspectives, your answer will come much quicker. Someone might even be able to hand you the key to free you from your shackles.
Try to keep an open mind with new suggestions. Be specific about what you need and why. Your problem so far is that you keep talking about getting to Z, but you keep working hard at X. Ask the right questions to figure out how to reach Y and then Z. Have a clear vision of what Z looks like and it’ll be much easier to solicit ideas, connections and inspiration from others.
Have a vision.
I talk about this one all the time, but here’s a slightly different spin. Come up with an idea. Any massively huge idea will do. It could be a new career, a long vacation or a far fetched connection. Get in the zone with this new vision. Talk about it, plan it, work toward it. You’ll immediately begin feeling better when you have something tangible you are working on. At first you’ll feel a bit rusty and you are! You’ve been stuck! Give it a little time for your muscles to loosen up and before you know it, you’ll be off in a sprint.
Surround yourself with people who support your vision. Having a partner or someone who can be your cheerleader is invaluable. Share your positive energy as you move forward and lean on them when you need help.
Take the first step.
Moving forward in some direction is step one. Momentum starts to flow pretty easily once you get the ball rolling. Standing still, or spinning your wheels applying for the same job you hate, or having the same fight is only going to get you to one place – exactly where you are right now. And, really, how is that working for you?
Keep an eye out for next month’s SHIFT for a follow up to this article with advice on where to begin your first steps!
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Don't Mute Your Dreams
"Because you will never again be able to keep it (heart) quiet. Even if you pretend not to have heard what it tells you, it will always be there inside you, repeating to you what you're thinking about life and about the world."
The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho
What dream are you trying to ignore? Listen to the fire within you - pursue your purpose.
The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho
What dream are you trying to ignore? Listen to the fire within you - pursue your purpose.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Taking Action
So…creating action. Why are you taking action?
Why is your first question to any action step. Why am I taking this step? What does it mean for me, and what is the payoff that I get? When you can identify the reasons behind why you want something, it becomes more real for you and it’s easier to keep pushing forward in that direction.
BUT when it’s time to make that cold call or run our first 5K or ask for what we want, we freeze right? Fear creeps in. I know it’s happened to me plenty of times! By stopping in your tracks and dropping the idea, you are saying no to yourself before you give anyone else the chance to say no to you. I have good news about fear. The freeze stage is GOOD. It means progress is happening. You are moving out of your comfort zone and most often, the things you are most fearful of are the things that are most worth doing.
Fear can be a really powerful barrier, but it can be a really telling milestone, too. Notice when your fear shows up and how you avoid tackling your next step. Once you recognize that stopping point, it’s easier to identify it and move on through the next time. Shifting your perspective out of negative fear and into a measurement of progress can be a powerful tool toward following through with your action plan.
Fear of failure can be really debilitating, too. When you don't reach a goal, or have a history of not reaching a goal, try not to beat yourself up about it. Rather, ask yourself why (again...back to the why) you are doing the goal in the first place. What has shifted? Is this goal no longer meaningful for you? Did something happen along the way? Is there another goal you need to accomplish first?
The trick to taking action at any time is to keep that goal IN FRONT of you at all times. You can’t hide from it, you can’t say it out loud and then hope it happens. You can "if...then...maybe....when" until you're blue in the face. Sometimes you create your own opportunity. Taking a huge leap of faith isn't always a necessity, but taking the first step toward your goal is.
Be sure to set up measurable steps to reach your goal. Big goals such as weight loss, starting a business or being a better friend can be a little daunting to take in one big chunk. Break them down into smaller goals. For instance your process might go like this:
What do you need to do to lose weight?
Eat better and exercise.
How do you WANT to do those two things?
Walk everyday and buy better food at the grocery store.
How can you start that today?
Go for a 30 minute walk and run by the grocery store to pick up veggies for a stir fry for dinner.
Your next step is to tell everyone you know. When you're held accountable, you will accomplish more. Write it down and put it somewhere you can see it. Here are a few tricks for easier action steps:
Creative thinking when you get a no - there are many ways to drive from California to Charlotte. If you come across an accident that is going to tie you up for a long time, find a different route to get to your destination!
Dream Boards - these are visual collages of your goal that you can revisit everyday.
Index Cards – write out your goals in positive, "now" language, complete with a set date and time of when you will accomplish them
The Success Principles by Jack Canfield - Read it!
www.Futureme.org - write yourself a vision of what it feels like to have accomplished your goal and set it to send on your projected completion date.
Ask for help - align yourself with people who can help you reach your goal. It never hurts to ask!
Why is your first question to any action step. Why am I taking this step? What does it mean for me, and what is the payoff that I get? When you can identify the reasons behind why you want something, it becomes more real for you and it’s easier to keep pushing forward in that direction.
BUT when it’s time to make that cold call or run our first 5K or ask for what we want, we freeze right? Fear creeps in. I know it’s happened to me plenty of times! By stopping in your tracks and dropping the idea, you are saying no to yourself before you give anyone else the chance to say no to you. I have good news about fear. The freeze stage is GOOD. It means progress is happening. You are moving out of your comfort zone and most often, the things you are most fearful of are the things that are most worth doing.
Fear can be a really powerful barrier, but it can be a really telling milestone, too. Notice when your fear shows up and how you avoid tackling your next step. Once you recognize that stopping point, it’s easier to identify it and move on through the next time. Shifting your perspective out of negative fear and into a measurement of progress can be a powerful tool toward following through with your action plan.
Fear of failure can be really debilitating, too. When you don't reach a goal, or have a history of not reaching a goal, try not to beat yourself up about it. Rather, ask yourself why (again...back to the why) you are doing the goal in the first place. What has shifted? Is this goal no longer meaningful for you? Did something happen along the way? Is there another goal you need to accomplish first?
The trick to taking action at any time is to keep that goal IN FRONT of you at all times. You can’t hide from it, you can’t say it out loud and then hope it happens. You can "if...then...maybe....when" until you're blue in the face. Sometimes you create your own opportunity. Taking a huge leap of faith isn't always a necessity, but taking the first step toward your goal is.
Be sure to set up measurable steps to reach your goal. Big goals such as weight loss, starting a business or being a better friend can be a little daunting to take in one big chunk. Break them down into smaller goals. For instance your process might go like this:
What do you need to do to lose weight?
Eat better and exercise.
How do you WANT to do those two things?
Walk everyday and buy better food at the grocery store.
How can you start that today?
Go for a 30 minute walk and run by the grocery store to pick up veggies for a stir fry for dinner.
Your next step is to tell everyone you know. When you're held accountable, you will accomplish more. Write it down and put it somewhere you can see it. Here are a few tricks for easier action steps:
Creative thinking when you get a no - there are many ways to drive from California to Charlotte. If you come across an accident that is going to tie you up for a long time, find a different route to get to your destination!
Dream Boards - these are visual collages of your goal that you can revisit everyday.
Index Cards – write out your goals in positive, "now" language, complete with a set date and time of when you will accomplish them
The Success Principles by Jack Canfield - Read it!
www.Futureme.org - write yourself a vision of what it feels like to have accomplished your goal and set it to send on your projected completion date.
Ask for help - align yourself with people who can help you reach your goal. It never hurts to ask!
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Are you surfing your wave of tolerations, or drowning in it?
On any day, at any given time, we are tolerating something. It might be a person, a location, a job, a broken household item, an old car, etc. At times, our tolerations propel us forward on a fast current. Other times they hold us in place like a buoy in the middle of the ocean.
What is a toleration?
Tolerations are little tasks, thoughts, people and actions for which we make excuses. “My office is messy because I don’t have time to clean it...because my boss keeps me late…because my kids have practice…because I have too much other stuff to do.” This can quickly become a verbal flood of excuses that eventually drown out the positive aspects of your life.
Understanding the Flood
Beginning with the mind, your list of tolerations expands to overwhelm the items you want to do on your priority list. By not filing your mail or keeping up with routine maintenance, a pile begins. Before long that small pile becomes a mountain that seems too big or time consuming to conquer. Similarly, when you cannot say “no,” your schedule is at risk of becoming a toleration. If you stop allowing time for some of things you want to do, your tolerations sneak in and take over.
Next, your friends become weary of hearing the continuous rushing of excuses for why you haven’t just taken care of what obviously plagues you so much. How much of your conversations seem to be rattling off an excuse list, or a “to-do” list? If your answer is “a lot of the time,” then your toleration list is a long one.
Most severe is when your environment becomes contaminated; your mind, your conversations and your actions are all directed by the swirling list of tolerations that have helped you to forget all the free time you once had. Friendships dissolve as they tire of hearing about all the emergencies. You feel exhausted all the time because you are trying to catch up instead of keeping up and your mental and physical energy suffers, which can affect your mood and self-esteem.
At any point during the flood, you must choose whether you:
1. Put off and continue to perpetuate the flood of overwhelming “to-do’s”
2. Give in and begin checking off tolerations
3. Give up and remove the toleration by making a life shift
Put off
Your first choice is to ignore the flow of frustration and continue putting things off. For every day you choose to push aside your tolerations, the flood coming toward you gains speed. Take yourself back before the wall of tolerations began to take over. Would you have stood in that place and said, “In a year, I hope to be drowning in paperwork, treading water in my relationships and hanging out in a sea of unhappiness?” If you choose to put off your tolerations, you stand here, today, and say that for your future self.
Give in
Sit down and put all of the swirling tolerations down on paper in the form of a checklist. Prioritize which items are high-level tolerations and which are low. Begin to wade through the list one day at a time, conquering an achievable mix of large and small items first. Sometimes it’s just a matter of starting. Many of my clients have noticed that soon, some of the “consistent every-day items” can be taken off the list because they become habitual. Like brushing your teeth in the morning, filing your mail each day can be done without thinking about it.
Give up
Ever felt like you were living in a parallel universe? Sometimes you have to give up to make forward progress. Tolerating an environment, a job or a relationship can be overwhelming. When you begin to notice that most of your energy is wrapped up in one area, it’s typically time for a life shift. Life shifts create the nourishment for new growth. They are also the hardest to make. Ask yourself: are you getting anywhere doing what you are doing? Are your conversations focused on one area of your life? Are you tolerating more than you need to? If so, it’s time for an emotional revolution. Dive in, move past the fear of change and check the biggest toleration off your list.
Building the dam
Tolerations can devour your time and energy, or just nibble at you little by little. Think of each toleration on your list as a small crack in a dam. Each crack that you plug secures all that you’ve worked for from the danger of flooding. As you neglect the dam, cracks re-form and water will flow through. Neglect it long enough and you will be frantic to make large repairs. Neglect it for too long and it will break, washing you away with it.
If you need to, call in help. Sometimes you need an assistant, a bookkeeper, a maid, a therapist, a mechanic, etc. Whoever it is that can help you take care of your list, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone. There is no weakness in asking for help - even if it’s only in the form of support from friends and family as you tackle this list.
Enjoy the view
Each time you take care of a toleration, reward yourself. It’s hard work! Experience the beautiful calm as you get things done and enjoy the free time you gain. Managing your tolerations allows for a quiet mind, a life with little to no unwanted surprises and a more relaxed lifestyle. If you’re tired of the storm over the ocean, maybe it’s time to buy the house on the lake. Enjoy the view.
What is a toleration?
Tolerations are little tasks, thoughts, people and actions for which we make excuses. “My office is messy because I don’t have time to clean it...because my boss keeps me late…because my kids have practice…because I have too much other stuff to do.” This can quickly become a verbal flood of excuses that eventually drown out the positive aspects of your life.
Understanding the Flood
Beginning with the mind, your list of tolerations expands to overwhelm the items you want to do on your priority list. By not filing your mail or keeping up with routine maintenance, a pile begins. Before long that small pile becomes a mountain that seems too big or time consuming to conquer. Similarly, when you cannot say “no,” your schedule is at risk of becoming a toleration. If you stop allowing time for some of things you want to do, your tolerations sneak in and take over.
Next, your friends become weary of hearing the continuous rushing of excuses for why you haven’t just taken care of what obviously plagues you so much. How much of your conversations seem to be rattling off an excuse list, or a “to-do” list? If your answer is “a lot of the time,” then your toleration list is a long one.
Most severe is when your environment becomes contaminated; your mind, your conversations and your actions are all directed by the swirling list of tolerations that have helped you to forget all the free time you once had. Friendships dissolve as they tire of hearing about all the emergencies. You feel exhausted all the time because you are trying to catch up instead of keeping up and your mental and physical energy suffers, which can affect your mood and self-esteem.
At any point during the flood, you must choose whether you:
1. Put off and continue to perpetuate the flood of overwhelming “to-do’s”
2. Give in and begin checking off tolerations
3. Give up and remove the toleration by making a life shift
Put off
Your first choice is to ignore the flow of frustration and continue putting things off. For every day you choose to push aside your tolerations, the flood coming toward you gains speed. Take yourself back before the wall of tolerations began to take over. Would you have stood in that place and said, “In a year, I hope to be drowning in paperwork, treading water in my relationships and hanging out in a sea of unhappiness?” If you choose to put off your tolerations, you stand here, today, and say that for your future self.
Give in
Sit down and put all of the swirling tolerations down on paper in the form of a checklist. Prioritize which items are high-level tolerations and which are low. Begin to wade through the list one day at a time, conquering an achievable mix of large and small items first. Sometimes it’s just a matter of starting. Many of my clients have noticed that soon, some of the “consistent every-day items” can be taken off the list because they become habitual. Like brushing your teeth in the morning, filing your mail each day can be done without thinking about it.
Give up
Ever felt like you were living in a parallel universe? Sometimes you have to give up to make forward progress. Tolerating an environment, a job or a relationship can be overwhelming. When you begin to notice that most of your energy is wrapped up in one area, it’s typically time for a life shift. Life shifts create the nourishment for new growth. They are also the hardest to make. Ask yourself: are you getting anywhere doing what you are doing? Are your conversations focused on one area of your life? Are you tolerating more than you need to? If so, it’s time for an emotional revolution. Dive in, move past the fear of change and check the biggest toleration off your list.
Building the dam
Tolerations can devour your time and energy, or just nibble at you little by little. Think of each toleration on your list as a small crack in a dam. Each crack that you plug secures all that you’ve worked for from the danger of flooding. As you neglect the dam, cracks re-form and water will flow through. Neglect it long enough and you will be frantic to make large repairs. Neglect it for too long and it will break, washing you away with it.
If you need to, call in help. Sometimes you need an assistant, a bookkeeper, a maid, a therapist, a mechanic, etc. Whoever it is that can help you take care of your list, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone. There is no weakness in asking for help - even if it’s only in the form of support from friends and family as you tackle this list.
Enjoy the view
Each time you take care of a toleration, reward yourself. It’s hard work! Experience the beautiful calm as you get things done and enjoy the free time you gain. Managing your tolerations allows for a quiet mind, a life with little to no unwanted surprises and a more relaxed lifestyle. If you’re tired of the storm over the ocean, maybe it’s time to buy the house on the lake. Enjoy the view.
Curse of the If...Then, Maybe...When...
Taking that first step is the hardest. I'll let you in on a little secret about life. "Perfect timing" comes very rarely. Having the stars aligned is overrated. You can "if....then," and "maybe....when" until you are blue in the face. Sometimes you create your own opportunity. Taking a huge leap of faith isn't always a necessity, but taking the first step toward your goal is.
I speak a lot about having a vision and it's very important - but it will only get you so far if you aren't willing to ACT on it at some point. Take a step today toward what you want! Create your opportunity and you'll find that others step in to help, support and encourage.
Cheering for you today,
Coach Katie
I speak a lot about having a vision and it's very important - but it will only get you so far if you aren't willing to ACT on it at some point. Take a step today toward what you want! Create your opportunity and you'll find that others step in to help, support and encourage.
Cheering for you today,
Coach Katie
Monday, March 12, 2007
What were you expecting?
"When we create something, we always create it first in a thought form. If we are basically positive in attitude, expecting and envisioning pleasure, satisfaction and happiness, we will attract and create people, situations, and events which conform to our positive expectations." - Shakti Gawain
So, are you expecting....
success or failure?
love or lonliness?
checks or bills?
happiness or frustration?
excitement or disappointment?
ease or challenge?
Have high expectations for life and you will rise to the occasion. Have low ones and you will wallow in defeat. This can be difficult at times, but try to know deep within your soul that you are worth every positive thought and expectation. Practicing this also helps you to expect only that which you want and nothing else. Why would you hold an expectation for yourself and fulfill it if you didn't really want it?
Live with passion,
Coach Katie
So, are you expecting....
success or failure?
love or lonliness?
checks or bills?
happiness or frustration?
excitement or disappointment?
ease or challenge?
Have high expectations for life and you will rise to the occasion. Have low ones and you will wallow in defeat. This can be difficult at times, but try to know deep within your soul that you are worth every positive thought and expectation. Practicing this also helps you to expect only that which you want and nothing else. Why would you hold an expectation for yourself and fulfill it if you didn't really want it?
Live with passion,
Coach Katie
Monday, March 05, 2007
Only the Wisest of Mankind Achieve...
"There are two things to aim at in life: first, to get what you want and, after that, to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second." - Logan Pearsall Smith
What have you achieved in life that you are taking for granted? What could you be enjoying MORE? What are you grateful for?
Furthermore, what do WANT out of life? Instead of focusing on what you should have, or what you don't have, ask yourself what you WANT. Your chances of enjoying it once you get it are far greater this way.
What have you achieved in life that you are taking for granted? What could you be enjoying MORE? What are you grateful for?
Furthermore, what do WANT out of life? Instead of focusing on what you should have, or what you don't have, ask yourself what you WANT. Your chances of enjoying it once you get it are far greater this way.
Friday, March 02, 2007
Hear a little music, read a little poetry...
"A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
What are you grateful for today? Moving into the weekend, fill your senses with pleasing sights, sounds and touches. Create your definition of beauty and contentment from the small things. Out of this habit, your small pleasures turn to fulfilling moments which make space for more happiness in your soul. More happiness brings you closer to your authentic spirit and wonderful gifts emerge from that. Gift yourself and others with authentic happiness this weekend!
What are you grateful for today? Moving into the weekend, fill your senses with pleasing sights, sounds and touches. Create your definition of beauty and contentment from the small things. Out of this habit, your small pleasures turn to fulfilling moments which make space for more happiness in your soul. More happiness brings you closer to your authentic spirit and wonderful gifts emerge from that. Gift yourself and others with authentic happiness this weekend!
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Favorite Quote
I know I have featured this quote before, but it feels powerful today.
"Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us: We ask ourselves ‘who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of god. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory that is within us. It is not in some of us, it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
- Marianne Williamson
How do you allow your light to shine, to ignite the lights in others and to burn so brightly that the stars are even illuminated by your brilliance?
"Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us: We ask ourselves ‘who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of god. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory that is within us. It is not in some of us, it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
- Marianne Williamson
How do you allow your light to shine, to ignite the lights in others and to burn so brightly that the stars are even illuminated by your brilliance?
Monday, February 19, 2007
Full Tank
Have you ever had one of those days where you just felt full? I'm not talking physically full. I'm not even talking mentally full. I'm talking full of everything you want. Those precious moments where the world is in line and you know you are walking your path. Things fall into place without tremendous effort. What a glorious feeling!
How can you manifest that feeling everyday? Keeping your thoughts in the here and now - knowing that even if things aren't working out, they are still WORKING. They are working to teach you something, to protect you or to prove that walking the same path expecting a different result will only lead to insanity.
What is working for you today? Do you need to adjust any of your forward movement to yield the results you envision? Do you need to change your perspective of the moment?
Feel full today...
Coach Katie
How can you manifest that feeling everyday? Keeping your thoughts in the here and now - knowing that even if things aren't working out, they are still WORKING. They are working to teach you something, to protect you or to prove that walking the same path expecting a different result will only lead to insanity.
What is working for you today? Do you need to adjust any of your forward movement to yield the results you envision? Do you need to change your perspective of the moment?
Feel full today...
Coach Katie
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
LATE!
So I am very late in starting my '07 blogging. What a year already. Lots of pots bubbling on the stove with some great partnerships. I hope your year has started off in a full boil as well! Here is some food for thought today:
"The space for what you want is already filled with what you settled for instead." - Richard Bach
What have you allowed yourself to settle for?
"The starting point of all achievement is desire. Keep this constantly in mind. Weak desire brings weak results. Just as a small amount of fire makes a small amount of heat."- Napoleon Hill
What are your desires? When will you build your roaring fire from within?
"The space for what you want is already filled with what you settled for instead." - Richard Bach
What have you allowed yourself to settle for?
"The starting point of all achievement is desire. Keep this constantly in mind. Weak desire brings weak results. Just as a small amount of fire makes a small amount of heat."- Napoleon Hill
What are your desires? When will you build your roaring fire from within?
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Share a little Daily Zen
www.dailyzen.com
This website is fantastic. Send someone special a little daily zen today to kick off the new year!
Enjoy your week,
Coach Katie
This website is fantastic. Send someone special a little daily zen today to kick off the new year!
Enjoy your week,
Coach Katie
Raining on New Years
So it rained on New Years. Not a light rain, but a steady and heavy rain. All night. Like Mother Nature was releasing all of her hurt and anguish from 2006. Or maybe she was sharing tears of happiness for all the memorable moments. I got to thinking about how wonderful an experience it was to run around in the rain on New Years Eve. Cleansing one year from my body and starting clean. Washing away the past and emerging refreshed as we counted down the seconds. What a spectacular way to wind up one year and embrace the next. How symbolic. I wish for 2007 to be as great as 2006. And I have a very sneaking suspicion that it will be just brilliant. Happy New Year everyone.
Friday, December 29, 2006
Simple Wisdom on a Resolution
Do what you love.
Simple as that.
What would you love to do in 2007? Big, small or rediculously crazy, name it, own it and go after it. A year is a long amount of time to achieve what you want. Change your attitude, get a dog, pay off your debt, go climb the seriously huge mountains of the world. Resolutions don't always have to be what you love, but if they clear the path of clutter lying in the way of doing what you love, go for it!
Do what you love.
I wish you success, prosperity and love in the New Year!
All my best,
Coach Katie
Simple as that.
What would you love to do in 2007? Big, small or rediculously crazy, name it, own it and go after it. A year is a long amount of time to achieve what you want. Change your attitude, get a dog, pay off your debt, go climb the seriously huge mountains of the world. Resolutions don't always have to be what you love, but if they clear the path of clutter lying in the way of doing what you love, go for it!
Do what you love.
I wish you success, prosperity and love in the New Year!
All my best,
Coach Katie
Friday, December 22, 2006
Momentum Coaching's Newest Additions
Good morning,
I wanted to update you on some of my new additions for 2007! I'm looking for new energy, new challenges and new experiences in the New Year (do you see a theme here?). Here's a sneek peek at the new pathways for Momentum Coaching:
Personal Momentum:
Tackle your personal goals, practice extreme self care and get ready to indulge in life. Personal Momentum is one-on-one coaching done 3 times a month via phone in 60 minute sessions. Through our sessions, we will work on ways to increase your own personal momentum by creating awareness and action and accountability in your life.
Professional Momentum:
Move closer to your passion and gain focus! Navigate your way through a sea of career choices by exploring what you truly want out of a profession. This pathway includes six weeks of career coaching that are bursting with exercises to visualize the type of future you want, embrace the unique strengths you possess and give you the tools to become a magnet for your ideal career. Indulge in a career that supports your life instead of living your life around your job!
Romantic Momentum:
Coming up with fresh ideas in a relationship is not an easy task. Romantic Momentum is a short series of one-on-one sessions for planning unique dates, anniversaries or engagements. This step-by-step process helps you get in touch with your inner creative romantic and the little details that make your relationship special. Create the perfect romantic occasion for you and your partner!
Take advantage of a new year early and get a jumpstart on those burning goals and beautiful dreams you hold so close. I would love to hear from you! Energize your moments in 2007 with a new perspective!
Enjoy the journey and create your adventures,
Coach Katie
www.energizeyourmoment.com
I wanted to update you on some of my new additions for 2007! I'm looking for new energy, new challenges and new experiences in the New Year (do you see a theme here?). Here's a sneek peek at the new pathways for Momentum Coaching:
Personal Momentum:
Tackle your personal goals, practice extreme self care and get ready to indulge in life. Personal Momentum is one-on-one coaching done 3 times a month via phone in 60 minute sessions. Through our sessions, we will work on ways to increase your own personal momentum by creating awareness and action and accountability in your life.
Professional Momentum:
Move closer to your passion and gain focus! Navigate your way through a sea of career choices by exploring what you truly want out of a profession. This pathway includes six weeks of career coaching that are bursting with exercises to visualize the type of future you want, embrace the unique strengths you possess and give you the tools to become a magnet for your ideal career. Indulge in a career that supports your life instead of living your life around your job!
Romantic Momentum:
Coming up with fresh ideas in a relationship is not an easy task. Romantic Momentum is a short series of one-on-one sessions for planning unique dates, anniversaries or engagements. This step-by-step process helps you get in touch with your inner creative romantic and the little details that make your relationship special. Create the perfect romantic occasion for you and your partner!
Take advantage of a new year early and get a jumpstart on those burning goals and beautiful dreams you hold so close. I would love to hear from you! Energize your moments in 2007 with a new perspective!
Enjoy the journey and create your adventures,
Coach Katie
www.energizeyourmoment.com
Add some "NEW" to your life!
*Warning* This blog uses the word NEW far too often and may cause NEW dreams to enter your reality.
I'd like to talk about NEW opportunity today. Take a quick moment to reflect on your experiences, adventures and lessons in 2006:
What was new for you?
What have you done that you are proud of?
How much personal growth have you allowed to happen?
Where do you want to go next?
This year sped by at a rapid pace for me, personally. This may very well be my last blog entry for 2006, but who knows, I might just surprise you. I do love surprises. As I see each task on my list wrapping up for the year, I get a little sentimental. It's been a great year. I'm not sure I'm ready to see it go, but I am excited for the prospect of a NEW 2007.
I met a friend of mine for an evening of pre-holiday drinks and great conversation last night. We decided that 2007 should be everyone's "best year yet." I'm sure someone out there can give you statistics (but I cannot) about 7 being a lucky number for the masses. So, what will you do with a little lucky 7 on your side?
Each year as the clock strikes midnight and the time transitions us from one year to the next, I bask in the thought of a new beginning, a clean break, a fresh slate. New beginnings are thrilling. Adrenaline and endorphins rush through us anytime we start something new. A new sport, a new house, a new relationship, a new addition to the family, a new business, a new idea...anything NEW causes excitement within us.
Not only that, but with every new experience, we learn more about ourselves, our limits and our abilities. Stepping into a new challenge is one of the best confidence boosters you can find. You've heard the term "trial by fire." This is a HUGE learning experience. Getting thrown into the fire forces us to take on new responsibilities to prove ourselves. It's the thinking that gets in the way sometimes.
As you enter the new year, push aside the anxiety and tackle your newest dream.
Take some time with these questions:
What will you accomplish in '07?
What have you been putting off?
What do you want to offer the world?
Make 2007 your "lucky 7" and add some NEW to your life! That is my challenge for you as the clock strikes midnight this year.
Spice it up,
Coach Katie
I'd like to talk about NEW opportunity today. Take a quick moment to reflect on your experiences, adventures and lessons in 2006:
What was new for you?
What have you done that you are proud of?
How much personal growth have you allowed to happen?
Where do you want to go next?
This year sped by at a rapid pace for me, personally. This may very well be my last blog entry for 2006, but who knows, I might just surprise you. I do love surprises. As I see each task on my list wrapping up for the year, I get a little sentimental. It's been a great year. I'm not sure I'm ready to see it go, but I am excited for the prospect of a NEW 2007.
I met a friend of mine for an evening of pre-holiday drinks and great conversation last night. We decided that 2007 should be everyone's "best year yet." I'm sure someone out there can give you statistics (but I cannot) about 7 being a lucky number for the masses. So, what will you do with a little lucky 7 on your side?
Each year as the clock strikes midnight and the time transitions us from one year to the next, I bask in the thought of a new beginning, a clean break, a fresh slate. New beginnings are thrilling. Adrenaline and endorphins rush through us anytime we start something new. A new sport, a new house, a new relationship, a new addition to the family, a new business, a new idea...anything NEW causes excitement within us.
Not only that, but with every new experience, we learn more about ourselves, our limits and our abilities. Stepping into a new challenge is one of the best confidence boosters you can find. You've heard the term "trial by fire." This is a HUGE learning experience. Getting thrown into the fire forces us to take on new responsibilities to prove ourselves. It's the thinking that gets in the way sometimes.
As you enter the new year, push aside the anxiety and tackle your newest dream.
Take some time with these questions:
What will you accomplish in '07?
What have you been putting off?
What do you want to offer the world?
Make 2007 your "lucky 7" and add some NEW to your life! That is my challenge for you as the clock strikes midnight this year.
Spice it up,
Coach Katie
Monday, December 18, 2006
Clean Out the Clutter...Stop the Madness! Pass it on.
With the holidays rapidly approaching, we're all on overdrive. Scurrying to get presents on time, in the mail and ordered, we wait in line, in traffic and on the phone. We're late to everything because everyone is rushing around doing the same thing! It's madness out there and if you're anything like me, it's madness within your own house, too. In my hustle to get out the door to various holiday parties last week I left cooking utensils on the counter, wrapping paper on the floor and a various assortment of holiday trimmings scattered throughout my house. Santa has officially ransacked my lovely home.
I woke up this morning, completely geared up to get a full day of work done, except I couldn't find my files, my papers or my mind. I figured I must have left it with the kitchen utensils, right next to the coffee pot on the counter. So, I filled my cup and slowly waded back into my office, trying to decide which pile of leftover mess to tackle first.
When our lives get cluttered so do our minds. Ever notice how you are more forgetful around the holidays? Easily distracted? Quickly irritated? You're cluttered. Stop the madness. Seriously. Give yourself a few moments throughout the day to breathe in and breathe out with thought. Focus on your breath, focus on something that centers you and let it go. Life is far more accessible when your own mind is up to the challenge. Let alone your spirit!
Start with the messy rooms in your house and your brain will begin to feel less cluttered. Open space, open mind. Now, take your dog for a walk, because if you're anything like me, your pets are feeding off of your anxious energy and driving you mad! Tired dog, happy owner. I have a wise friend who says that.
Now, take some more deep breathing soul treatments and make a list of things that need to get done. Remove the stress of remembering it all and put it down on paper. Decide which needs to be first and get going. Enter the snow globe of swirling flakes *ahem* snowflakes and don't mind the hustle. The new, centered and profoundly calm you can now walk through the streets of downtown and not be bothered by the madness that has infected other holiday goers.
Gifting yourself with a positive, clean environment allows you to give back far more than your checkbook can. Caring, content, courteous you is making someone's holiday right now with a smile and breath of calm, fresh air. Pass it on.
Happy Holidays and Good Cheer to you and yours,
Coach Katie
I woke up this morning, completely geared up to get a full day of work done, except I couldn't find my files, my papers or my mind. I figured I must have left it with the kitchen utensils, right next to the coffee pot on the counter. So, I filled my cup and slowly waded back into my office, trying to decide which pile of leftover mess to tackle first.
When our lives get cluttered so do our minds. Ever notice how you are more forgetful around the holidays? Easily distracted? Quickly irritated? You're cluttered. Stop the madness. Seriously. Give yourself a few moments throughout the day to breathe in and breathe out with thought. Focus on your breath, focus on something that centers you and let it go. Life is far more accessible when your own mind is up to the challenge. Let alone your spirit!
Start with the messy rooms in your house and your brain will begin to feel less cluttered. Open space, open mind. Now, take your dog for a walk, because if you're anything like me, your pets are feeding off of your anxious energy and driving you mad! Tired dog, happy owner. I have a wise friend who says that.
Now, take some more deep breathing soul treatments and make a list of things that need to get done. Remove the stress of remembering it all and put it down on paper. Decide which needs to be first and get going. Enter the snow globe of swirling flakes *ahem* snowflakes and don't mind the hustle. The new, centered and profoundly calm you can now walk through the streets of downtown and not be bothered by the madness that has infected other holiday goers.
Gifting yourself with a positive, clean environment allows you to give back far more than your checkbook can. Caring, content, courteous you is making someone's holiday right now with a smile and breath of calm, fresh air. Pass it on.
Happy Holidays and Good Cheer to you and yours,
Coach Katie
Friday, December 15, 2006
Unexpected Moments
Unexpected meetings with friends, lucky opportunities, surprise phone calls. These are the little details of life that make it interesting and meaningful. They serve as a reality check for me to experience the magic flowing quietly through my existence. I've had quite a few run-ins lately with unexpected moments. Every one makes me more and more thankful for this beautiful life I've lived so far. Think back to the last time you had an unexpected meeting, or a lucky opportunity.
Frankly, I don't believe in luck. I believe things happen for a reason. We heighten our awareness around something we want and when the time is right *boom* it's knocking on our door. My favorite of the 28 Principles of Attraction is to create a vacuum to pull you forward. Instead of pushing so hard for something, you strategically place yourself in front of the opportunity so it comes to you. Here's an example:
Say you want to paint for a living. You're passionate about it, you know your talent, you believe in your skill. Instead of telling everyone about your dream, knocking downthe door of every art gallery and paying tons of money for advertisement, make it easy on yourself. Research your key players in the art world that can speak to the audience you wish to reach. Create an oppotunity to get in front of them and *boom* instant word of mouth advertising...or a better connection that will create another open door, and another, and another. You get the point.
Don't force things. Follow your dream where it wants to go. Remain focused, but choose the right keys along the way. Swing those doors wide open and most likely, someone or something will be there with your next checkpoint...pulling your forward. Create opportunity today! Ask for what you want. I practice this with you.
Enjoy the weekend,
Coach Katie
Frankly, I don't believe in luck. I believe things happen for a reason. We heighten our awareness around something we want and when the time is right *boom* it's knocking on our door. My favorite of the 28 Principles of Attraction is to create a vacuum to pull you forward. Instead of pushing so hard for something, you strategically place yourself in front of the opportunity so it comes to you. Here's an example:
Say you want to paint for a living. You're passionate about it, you know your talent, you believe in your skill. Instead of telling everyone about your dream, knocking downthe door of every art gallery and paying tons of money for advertisement, make it easy on yourself. Research your key players in the art world that can speak to the audience you wish to reach. Create an oppotunity to get in front of them and *boom* instant word of mouth advertising...or a better connection that will create another open door, and another, and another. You get the point.
Don't force things. Follow your dream where it wants to go. Remain focused, but choose the right keys along the way. Swing those doors wide open and most likely, someone or something will be there with your next checkpoint...pulling your forward. Create opportunity today! Ask for what you want. I practice this with you.
Enjoy the weekend,
Coach Katie
Monday, December 04, 2006
Fulfilling Life
I'd like to share a resource with you. This is a great way to keep account of what you would like to do, what you have accomplished and what you are working towards.
www.SuperViva.com allows users to make life lists of dreams, goals and aspirations. "To-do" lists for life if you will. It's a great tool to keep all of your dreams in one place! Enjoy!
www.SuperViva.com allows users to make life lists of dreams, goals and aspirations. "To-do" lists for life if you will. It's a great tool to keep all of your dreams in one place! Enjoy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)