Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Today's TQ Challenge: Get It Done!

"The greatest inspiration is often born of desperation."
~ Comer Cotrell

Your TQ Training Challenge for Tuesday, March 31, 2009:

Do It Now -- Get It Gone...

Just How Long Are You Willing To Live With This?

The more unpleasant the task, the greater your urge should be to tackle it head on and get it over with.

If you don't want to do the next item on your To Do List, make a game of it. Be creative. Build in a big reward for doing it. It's there for a reason. Get it done!

"The biggest difference between time and space is that you can't reuse time."
~ Merrick Furst

Happiness In Troubling Times

The Silver Lining
Happiness in troubling times
by Jamie Nishi

Are you getting tired of hearing about nothing but doom and gloom - the economy, the wars, the credit crunch, the housing bust, banks dissolving, industries collapsing, species disappearing, the earth warming? Whether or not you've been affected by any or all of the above, if you think about it too much, it could very well start feeling like doomsday.

While it's important to acknowledge the gravity of things, it's just as vital to glance over in the other direction. Is there a silver lining? Of course - there always is! If you think about it, uncertain times can lead to a better way of life. We know it's not easy to ask yourself questions like: What can I bring away from my experiences? How can I enact positive change in my life (and in the world) based on these experiences? But those types of questions are the key to a silver lining.

A plan to really do it! When looking for one, it's helpful to remind yourself that there are few creatures more adaptable than humans. Put people in the unforgiving Arctic, and after enough trial and error, they'll figure out how to live, raise families and even enjoy life. Put them on a desolate rock in the Atlantic, and they'll learn how to make the most of the resistant land and the ferocious sea. Our capacity to cope with change and adversity, to face challenges and still go on living full, meaningful lives is one of our most amazing attributes.

So, instead of embracing doom and gloom, embrace change and welcome new ways of thinking and living. The following 5 steps can show us how troubling times can get us to think differently and move forward in positive ways.

1. Wake-up call
For many, the economic crisis has been a wake-up call. No longer can we take our way of life for granted or believe that it is guaranteed. Hopefully, these hard lessons will lead us to a greater appreciation of what we do have and allow us to see how fortunate we are. Now, it's time to take responsibility for our way of life - or change it.

2. Age of responsibility
While it's impossible to live a harm-free existence, there is a growing awareness of how the choices we make impact the world around us. More and more people are trying to behave responsibly, integrating new practices into their daily regimes like buying locally grown food whenever possible and forgoing plastic bags in favor of reusable totes. The underlying principle is conservation and less waste -a low-impact life that can also be a more affordable way of living.

3. It's cool to save
As a result of the credit crunch and mortgage crisis, we have entered into a new age of responsibility, transparency and accountability. People are more aware than ever of how important it is to live within their means. Saving is actually cool again. Even if you can't save, you can use good practices by slowly paying down high-interest debt and resisting further credit spending. Take advantage of employee benefits, if you have them, such as a 401k or a flexible spending account. Or set up your own retirement plan with automatic deposits, so you "pay yourself first."

4. Back to basics
Paring down can be one of the more liberating experiences in life. With the economic slowdown, there is less focus on materialism and more on making the most of what you already have. That can't be a bad thing! Instead of indulging in consumerist behavior, people are coming back to the hearth. You can still indulge in your nesting instincts - staying in, cooking at home, reading or doing personal projects. These activities can enrich your life and keep your pocketbook safe at home.

5. Creative thinking
Necessity is often the mother of invention. Challenging times call on our stores of resourcefulness and creativity! As old industries die out, new ones take shape. Just look at the excitement over green industries. We might be in a slump, but we're also in a fertile period of transition. Latch onto some of that excitement and channel it into your own life. Being flexible about what you are willing to do can be a great asset. Maybe you'll find ways to work more cost-effectively or increase sales. Or, who knows, maybe you'll find work in one of these exciting new fields.

Trying times really do bring out the best in people and can bring us together as a community. We can look at this moment as a great opportunity for change - if we work together. Talk to your associates, friends and relatives. See what kind of support or assistance you can offer each other. Business may be slowing down, but it doesn't mean you can't keep making connections, building your network and helping out wherever you can. It might be difficult, stressful and challenging - but by focusing on some of the positives, we can get through it - together

Monday, March 30, 2009

Problem = Opportunity

"You have to see every potential roadblock as an opportunity and a benefit."

—Suze Orman

Coach Sherrie says: There is a school of thought that says the lesson keeps repeating itself until it is learned so learn the lesson so you can move on!

Sunday, March 29, 2009

0 % for Nothing Risked

TODAY'S QUOTE
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." - Wayne Gretzky

Make Time For What You Want

Make Time for What You Want...

You Must Make The Time.

You must make time for the important, even when the important is not urgent. This is when you spend time planning, creating and being the most productive.

If it's important to you, it deserves the most prominent place in your day.

"Leaders aren't born, they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work. And that's the price we'll have to pay to achieve that goal, or any goal."~ Vince Lombardi

Friday, March 27, 2009

Get Specific

Get More Specific About WHO, WHAT and HOW -- Now!..

The Longest Journey Is A Series Of Single Steps...

When you map future steps, any project -- regardless of how complex or difficult -- becomes nothing more than a series of steps toward defined objectives. These objectives, when completed, will then take you anywhere you want to go.

Success is successive. When you have a written plan, you can take one successful step at a time -- and know why you're taking it!

"Ability is of little account without opportunity."~ Napoleon Bonaparte

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

TQ.com says: "I Can Do This!"

Repeat 20 Times Today... "I Can Do This!" Believe It...

Does Your Mirror Reflect Your Desired Image?

Expand your identity! Don't hamstring your potential with old programming. You have the power right now to redefine yourself any way you want.

You're the author of your own autobiography. If you want a better life, write a better script.

"Every successful man I have heard of has done the best he could with conditions as he found them..."~ Edgar Watson Howe

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

A Place We Belong

"I've always believed in the idea that each of us has a particular place in the universe where we belong, and that if we find it everything will fall into place and we will flourish."


—Patrick O'Connell, chef

Coach Sherrie says: I agree!

Monday, March 23, 2009

Imagine First

"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

TQ says: Create A Unique Place for Everything

Are You Looking More And Finding Less?

The secret to finding anything immediately is to go directly to the file where you put it. You did put it in a file, right?

In the end, it takes less time to put something away than it does to find it.

"The elevator to success is out of order. You'll have to use the stairs... one step at a time."~ Joe Girard

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Speak Enthusiastically And Carry a Big Smile

Speak Enthusiastically -- Motivate and Inspire Others...

And Do You Know What Else Is Wrong...!

There's nothing more unproductive than someone who's constantly criticizing and complaining. Stop as soon as you catch yourself, and start talking about the positive actions that can be taken to improve the current situation.

Complaining's easy. But if you want to make a difference, turn a bad situation into a better one by speaking positively about what can be done.

"Our attitudes control our lives. Attitudes are a secret power working twenty-four hours a day, for good or bad. It is of paramount importance that we know how to harness and control this great force."~ Tom Blandi

Coach Sherrie says: There is a quote I use to share with my students about attitude. All I remember now is "If you think you can't, you won't." Also something like "If you think you will lose, you've already lost." I wish I had my hubby's memory. ;-)

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Appreciation: A Journey

Appreciation a Journey of DiscoveryShare
Friday, January 30, 2009 at 12:16pm
A deeper look at "counting your blessings"...

APPRECIATION WORKSHOP Upstate NY - Date to be set

In these difficult times, it is important to focus on the bounty each one of us has, and not what we don't. I woke up this morning, clear in the realization that among the workshops I teach this one presents the understanding that is most timely. It offers the simplest, most powerful "stimulus package" for happiness and general well-being.

This workshop is certainly one of my favorites. It provides an opportunity to probe and clear some issues that limit one's ability to appreciate, as well as provides an opportunity to express and receive appreciation with greater facility. Includes several writing exercises and subsequent discussions. it is highly interactive and participatory. (3 -5 hours depending on the size of the group).

I have had the privilege of teaching over 100 Appreciation workshops in the last 18 yrs and can recommend it for everyone. It is wonderful for folks who have been employing self-help techniques, but it is also appropriate for those who have never done a workshop. Born-again Christians and Buddhists are among the diverse participants who have found significant benefit from attending them.

It is particularly helpful for couples, parents and children, siblings, or individuals who work together in any capacity, but perfect for anyone who wants to increase awareness of their good fortune or is seeking a lift out of worry, fear, and mild depression.

If you are interested in hosting an Appreciation Workshop in your area e-mail me at juletz@gmail.com

Coach Sherrie says: I did this several years ago and my life has never been the same. I learned how to let abundance into my life.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Today's TQ - An Idea for Action

Do You Have The Power To Go The Distance?

The ideal diet keeps you going strong for the entire day. Sure you can sprint the 100 yard dash with some foods and drinks; but the ideal fuel keeps you on a strong steady course without dropping you off the other side.

Think long term. You're going to want to be in top performance tonight as well as tomorrow.

Today's TQ - One Step At A Time

What Are You Avoiding Because It's Bigger Than You Are?
When seen in their entirety, difficult or complex projects appear too overwhelming even to begin. However, even the largest project is simply a sequence of smaller, "do-able" steps. Take a deep breath, and then take action -- one step at a time.

Once you know where you're going, focus on the only step you can control -- the one immediately in front of you.

Coach Sherrie says: That's what my coach told me yesterday. She said 1) Walk to my PC. 2) Open it. and 3) Do page 1.

I got four hours of work in that way. Now I just need to repeat it today and tomorrow and . . .

Divide Your Time Wisely

Give Proper Time to Each Role...

How's Your Yin And Yang?

Balance all the different roles in your life. Give each one the attention it deserves, and you'll be happier and more productive now and in the long run.

Make all of your life your life's work.

"There are some people who live in a dream world, and there are some who face reality; and then there are those who turn one into the other."~ Douglas Everett

Monday, March 16, 2009

TQ says "Dream, Plan, Build"

Does Your Castle Have A Foundation?

"If you've built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that's where they should be. Now put the foundations under them." - Thoreau

First dream, then plan. Then start building. It's how all great structures are built.

"Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success."~ Stephen A. Brennan

Today's TQ - The Big Picture

Are You Forgetting The Big Picture?
When you set priorities, set them for your entire life, not just your work. Where does your family fit in? Your health? Your emotional and spiritual well being?

Schedule time to write down what's most important to you in all the different areas of your life. Then give direction and clarity to your life by making a list of what's the most important of all your "most importants."

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Habits for Success

Dear Sherrie,

Not long ago the popular business coach John Di Lemme broadcast a simple idea that applies to anyone wishing to succeed. It goes like this:

"I am your constant companion. I am your greatest helper or heaviest burden. I will push you onward or drag you down to failure. I am completely at your command. Half the things you do you might just as well turn over to me and I will be able to do them quickly and correctly. I am easily managed--you must merely be firm with me. Show me exactly how you want something done and after a few lessons I will do it automatically. I am the servant of all great men, and, alas, of all failures as well. Those who are great, I have made great. Those who are failures, I have made failures. I am not a machine, though I work with all the precision of a machine plus the intelligence of a man. You may run me for a profit or run me for ruin--it makes no difference to me. Take me, train me, be firm with me, and I will place the world at your feet. Be easy with me and I will destroy you. Who am I? I am a habit!"

Favourable habits reap favourable results. It seems that simple habits contribute more to success than luck, happenstance, or even a favouring economy. Further, recent studies on the nature of genius indicate that self-generated habits are mighty muscles indeed. While all of us who wish to master specific skills need to tailor our habits accordingly, here are a few for starters:

Squeeze out paint in the morning before your coffee is cold.

Program creative work balanced with rest, exercise and study.

Train yourself to be regular, punctual and workmanlike.

Shoot down your lazy tendencies before they shoot you.

Do whatever it takes to honour your personal perception of quality. This may mean slowing down, speeding up, multitasking, single-tracking, going back to basics, being risky, being cautious, dreaming, concentrating, winging it or even reading the instructions. Apparently, one of the most common bad habits these days is not reading the instructions.. This can apply to artists. We need to regularly refresh the habit of truly looking, truly seeing and truly understanding. No big deal. It's just a habit.

Best regards,

Robert

PS: "Our natures are alike; it is our habits that carry us far apart." (Confucius) "We are what we repeatedly do." (Aristotle)

Esoterica: John Di Lemme was a 24-year-old stutterer working in his family art gallery who dreamed of becoming a motivational speaker. Over a seven-year period of hardships, challenges and obstacles, John focused on his dream and ultimately built a marketing team of over 25,000 representatives in 10 countries. His idea was simple: with the right habits one could see progression to a higher state. In the words of the great art mentor and teacher Robert Henri, "If a certain activity, such as painting, becomes the habitual mode of expression, it may follow that taking up the painting materials and beginning work with them will act suggestively and so presently evoke a flight into the higher state."

Coach Sherrie says: Robert Genn is now on Facebook. Although he is a painter, much of what he says works for any creative endeavor.

TQ says "Be Bold!"

Set Highly Rewarding Goals... Goals that
INSPIRE You to Take Bold Action...

Do Your Goals Turn You On?

Make exciting goals for yourself, goals that pump you up, that make you proclaim "YES!"

Write your goals using the most inspiring description possible. This will increase your motivation and your desire for their accomplishment.

"Your goals are the road maps that guide you and show you what is possible for your life."~ Les Brown

The Dream Is In the Details

Build Inspirational Detail into
Your Dreams & Visions...

Is Your Greatest Wish Just A Pipe Dream?

To make your dream a reality, write it down in as much detail as possible. The more you write, the more real it becomes.

Your dreams are only smoke until you capture them in ink.

"Success... it's what you do with what you've got."~ Leroy Van Dyke

Enjoy Life

Do Your TODAY'S QUOTE
"The ultimate goal should be doing your best and enjoying it." - Peggy Fleming

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Today's TQ - Show Appreciation

Show Appreciation For Others --
Reward Things Done Right...

"Thank You!"

Always keep on hand a ready supply of "Thank You," "Congratulations," and "Good Job" cards. Use them often. You will find that people are more willing to be productive when they feel that their efforts are acknowledged and appreciated. A well-timed thank you goes a long way.

Reward others with thank you notes. Buy them in bulk and write a couple every week.

"People see the world not as it is, but as they are."~ Al Lee

Coach Sherrie says: That reminds me of a story Rev. Michael told about two people going to a monk and asking what people in their new home town were going to be like. The monk asked what the people in the old home town were like. The first one said, "Oh, they were thoughtless and rude and not very friendly." The monk said you will find these poeple the same.
The second one said, "They were kind and helpful, all around nice people." He told that one that he would find these new people the same too.
The point is that life is what we expect it to be. Try to expect the best in everyone and most likely, that is what you'll get. ;-0

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

TQ says "Have More Fun"

Act Cheerfully -- Have More Fun.
SMILE... SMILE... SMILE...

Can Playtime Save Time?

When you approach work with an attitude of playfulness, you become more creative, positive and energetic.

Find a way today to blend the line between work and play.

"An optimist may see a light where there is none, but why must the pessimist always run to blow it out?"~ Michel De Saint-Pierre

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Time = Life

"Time = Life. Therefore, waste your time and waste of your life, or master your time and master your life."~ Alan Lakein

The Power of YES!

The Life-Altering Power of 'Yes'
Wednesday March 4, 2009
By Valerie Reiss, Holistic Living

A friend and I were walking down the street yesterday, talking about our mutual tendency to, when a good thing happens in our lives, instead of embracing it, say "but...." As in, "I have this great new apartment possibility, but... maybe it's not really right" or, "I met a fantastic guy I love, but...." "I won a million dollars! But..." I'm guessing you know the drill.

She said she had forgotten, but that the remedy to Big But Syndrome (BBS) is another equally powerful word: Yes.

As in, "Want to go to Hawaii?" YES! "Would you like to meet this new person?" YES!

Being a big fan and forgetter of Yes, I mentioned that book "The Year of Yes" in which the author decided to say Yes to almost every invitation or offer for 12 months. I haven't read it, but I think she had a pretty interesting time (apparently interesting enough to make a Jim Carrey movie out of it).

Then I remembered that John Lennon met and fell in love with Yoko Ono at her 1966 London installation art exhibit--you had to climb a ladder and when you got to the top, you picked up an attached magnifying glass and read the word Yes painted on a canvas. Even though they were both married and didn't get together for two more years, he was hooked. Yes.

So we're still walking down the windy, sunny street having this conversation and I notice an old building is newly bright yellow and that a huge sign on it reads, "One word can change the world." I stop and step back to see an ad mural with rain-slicker yellow letters as tall as me: "Yes!"

We just stared at it, at each other, and started laughing. And laughing. "We get it!" I yelled happily at the sky. "YES!" And more hysterical giggling and "Oh my god-ing." (Turns out it's an ad for Western Union's charity campaign. Not to add snark to a happy moment, BUT, the company could start to say Yes to the earth by not using giant vinyl sheeting to display their cool message--here's some eco info on vinyl. Or maybe that's just an example of BBS.)

Yes. Clearly there's something there. Yes, yes, yes. It moves me forward. It feels scary and exciting. It makes me feel intimate with the world. Like it's a lover, not a foe. I feel energized. Not stopped, not but-ed. And in my heart, not my analyzing head. Yes might just be the opposite of fear. Yes. Less No, more Yes. I'm going to remember this time, until I forget and another billboard has to shout it at me.

Maybe you'll join me in saying Yes to life more? Not Yes to projects that are a bummer, chores that drain you, but Yes to the places your wild, beautiful heart wants to go but is afraid to. How can you say yes today?

I'll leave you with this quote I just found from Yoko:

"LET EVERYBODY IN THE CITY THINK OF THE WORD "YES" AT THE SAME TIME FOR 30 SECONDS. DO IT OFTEN. "
--YOKO ONO, EXCERPT FROM "LET'S PIECE I" (SPRING 1960)

Yes!

TQ says "What's Next?"

Plan at Least One Step Ahead of Where You Are at EVERY Point in Time...

Then What?

Teach yourself to always ask, "What's next?" What are you going to do after you finish what you're working on next? The more you plan ahead, the more you'll accomplish in the time you have.

Smooth out your day. Always know what and where your next step is so you won't trip over it.

"It's simply a matter of doing what you do best and not worrying about what the other fellow is going to do."~ John R. Amos

Coach Sherrie says: At least I'm doing something right!

Share Your Goals

Share Goals With Others for Mutual Success...

Could You Use Some Help?

Your goal will be reached more easily if there are others who'll commit to this same goal. A shared goal is an extremely powerful force.

A shared cause and a shared goal guarantee success. Be sure to share yours.

"My philosophy of life is that if we make up our mind what we are going to make of our lives, then work hard toward that goal, we never lose -- somehow we win out."~ Ronald Reagan

Monday, March 9, 2009

No Secret

Thought for Today
"The big secret in life is that there is no big secret. Whatever your goal, you can get there if you're willing to work."

—Oprah

Saturday, March 7, 2009

More from "ThinkTQ.com" - Prevent Interruptions

Prevent Interruptions BEFORE They Occur...

Who Decides How Your Time Will Be Spent?

You're the one who decides how your time is spent. When you allow outside forces to keep you from completing your plans, you have no one to blame but yourself.

Look at your goals. You know what needs to get done. Stay focused!

"There are only 3 colors, 10 digits, and 7 notes; its what we do with them that's important."~ Ruth Ross

Coach Sherrie says: And I might add 26 letters in the alphabet. I am realizing the need to take this advise and STOP making excuses!

Friday, March 6, 2009

TQ says "Create Routines"

Create Efficient Routines -- Stick To Them...

Is Your Routine Efficient?

The more often you establish solid, ongoing routines for recurring jobs, the more quickly you'll get to major tasks. Schedule a routine time for handling phone calls, mail, reports, etc.

This week, schedule the performance of the same task at the same time every day to make your routine more efficient, productive and automatic.

"The world cares very little about what a man or woman knows; it is what a man or woman is able to do that counts."~ Booker T. Washington

Coach Sherrie says- I really need to work on this one. This could be the answer to ALL my problems.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Assist Your Creative Nature

Forget Making a List
Lists often come from the organized, analytical left side of your brain, and to solve an intractable problem, you want to engage the right, the creative side. Make a mind map instead. Get a big piece of paper and start in the center with a circle that contains the original problem. Write different solutions, and follow paths outward on the page, limb by limb, pushing beyond the obvious. To plan a party, for example, I put "A great dinner party for friends" in the middle, and among the many branches, one went: "Make your own sundaes → mashed potatoes → have dessert first → sit on floor → indoor picnic." Another branch went: "Progressive dinner → go to different restaurant for dessert(s) → show up at friends' houses uninvited → scavenger hunt to find food." A third: "Teach something → learn something → juggling → magic trick → expert invitee on food/wine." Your to-do list will just get you from point A to B.
Hire a Coach
A lot of people tell me, "I'm a smart person; I don't really need help." When I hear that, I point out that Tiger Woods, perhaps the best player in the history of golf, has a coach. My first book came out in 2001, and I was approached by a speakers' bureau that wanted to send me on tour, but I had done zero talks. So I got a coach. I spoke in 16 countries last year. Suddenly, I'm standing onstage with Deepak Chopra! I've got to tell you, for me to discover at age 45 that I could do this? That was a gift. A coach can bring out talents that you haven't fully developed or ones that you might not even admit to yourself that you have.
Keep a Journal But Not Just Any Journal
Good to Great author Jim Collins asked people who felt stuck, "What are you born to do? What are you passionate about?" A lot of them would look at him blankly. So he'd explain: As a kid, he was really into science and jotted down observations in lab notebooks. When he grew up, he worked at Hewlett-Packard—a great company—but he just wasn't happy. While he was trying to figure a way out of his situation, he bought a new lab notebook, wrote his name on the front, and studied himself as if he were a bug, trying to understand what kind of bug was this thing called Jim. Each night he'd write the answer to this question: When during the day did I feel bored; when did I feel engaged? After a while, he noticed that his favorite moments involved teaching people. So he went off to do that and lived happily ever after. When you start paying attention to when you're at your best (it can take a while to find a pattern), the results can open up unexpected new territory.
Blow Open Your Curiosity
Focus on what you love, but don't limit yourself to only things that you love. Subscribe to new magazines, download podcasts on a topic that has nothing to do with your current life, go to lectures by people at the top of their field—even if you've never heard of their field, get books on tape, and follow websites that gather interesting information. (I get Cool News of the Day from Reveries.com and Trend Candy from TrendHunter.com.) If you've been banging your head against an obstacle, this kind of cross-pollination can get you over it.
Let No Idea Escape
Ideas are precious and fragile and tend to show up when we're in the shower, in bed, or stuck in traffic. So we forget them. Try to capture 100 percent of your ideas—on your BlackBerry, in a notebook, on the back of receipts or boarding passes. Go for quantity. Defer judgment until later, when you start to sift through them. You'll probably find that you have a thousand concepts—and most of them are bad. At IDEO, we start a brainstorming session on an empty whiteboard, and in the next 60 minutes we try to fill it with at least a hundred fresh ideas. (By the way, if you number the ideas as you go, no self-respecting brainstorm group would ever want to stop at number 97.) We're happy if we come out with a few leads.
Find a Reverse Mentor
The world is changing at such a rapid rate that most people over 40 and certainly 50 (which is me) find it impossible to stay on top of developments that might contain the perfect solution to your family's digital photos snafu or open you up to a job that would not only put your talents and skills to good use but thrill you. A reverse mentor—someone younger and more plugged in—can get you up to speed on new trends, pop culture, starting a social network account, or more substantial things. I have two reverse mentors. One, Diego, took me under his wing and helps me with blogging. What's in it for the mentors? They're building relationships, for starters. And, as we all know, you learn a subject more completely when you teach it to someone else.

A Quote from My Newest Hero(ine)

Staying True to Yourself

"One of the lessons that I grew up with was to always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody else says distract you from your goals. And so when I hear about negative and false attacks, I really don’t invest any energy in them, because I know who I am."

Source: Marie Claire magazine interview

Sorry!

Please, skip the self-esteem quiz. I meant to put in in my weight loss blog. By the way, you can check it out by going to:
http://sherrieweightlosscoach.blogspot.com/

Self-Esteem Quiz

If we learn to love ourselves the way we are, we can stop focusing on the weight and just BE HAPPY. There's a chacnce that THEN the weight will just drop off naturally.

Self-Esteem Quiz
How much do you possess?
by S.K. Smith

Sometimes, we equate high self-esteem with setting high goals… After all, why would you reach for the stars, if you didn't know you could touch them? It's also pretty common to link self-esteem with beauty, great grooming habits or a perfect fashion sense.

In this instance, the thought is that anyone who takes the time to look that good (or simply is that attractive naturally), has to feel great about themselves. But the truth behind self-esteem is far more complex than how well you do at work or what your external appearance is like. Conversely, it's also simpler.


True self-esteem comes from within and that's sometimes hard to detect. So, take this quick, score-it-yourself quiz to find out where you fall on the scale of self-worth. You might be surprised by the results!


1. In terms of how you feel about yourself daily, your job performance is:

a. Hugely important - in fact, my self-perception is kind of reliant upon it. (10)

b. Somewhat important - I have integrity and the desire to do well, so I can get bummed (or excited) by work. (5)

c. Not important - who cares about my stupid job anyway? (0)


2. The status of my relationship (past or present) is important to how I view myself because:

a. Without a mate, I have nothing. (10)

b. It's not important to my worth, but it is tied to my happiness. (0)

c. The ebb and flow of my love life teaches me lessons about myself and my partner(s). (5)


3. True or False: I put tons of pressure on myself and am seriously upset when I fail to meet my expectations.

a. Always true (10)

b. Sometimes true (5)

c. False (0)


4. People would describe me as a perfectionist…

a. Are you kidding? My picture is next to perfectionist in the dictionary! (10)

b. Not really, but they would say I have standards and care about what I'm doing. (5)

c. No way. Exactly the opposite. (0)


5. Okay, I admit it, I care about what other people think.

a. All the time. I get dressed to peek out the window! (10)

b. When they're important to me, of course I do. But I don't have to keep up with the Joneses… (5)

c. I don't. I walk completely to my own drummer. In fact, I make a point of it! (0)


6. True or false: One failure (or poor performance) rocks my confidence in all areas.

a. True (10)

b. False (5)


7. My self-esteem can best be described as:

a. A day to day affair - it can be super high or totally low, depending on how things go. (10)

b. Pretty solid - I've got a sense of myself and even if I'm not always perfect, I'm okay with that. (5)

c. Excellent - I'm motivated entirely by my own interests. (0)


8. When it comes to my own weakness, I feel:

a. Difficulty acknowledging them, only because I always strive to be better! (10)

b. We're all human, so I can live with them (and improve myself sometimes, too). (5)

c. I don't have them… at least not a lot of them. (0)


SCORING


0-25 points
Brave face. You may think your self-esteem is in tact and that your devil may care attitude says you've got confidence in spades, but that brave face might actually belie a disconnected interior with limited to little self-esteem. How you ask?

For starters, while you shouldn't let your image dictate your life, those who value themselves care at least a little bit about how they're perceived by the people closest to them - even if they don't always agree. They recognize that what others think of our decisions, strengths and weaknesses has a lot to teach us. We're supposed to care about our relationships. And on that note, all your "not caring" may really be your attempt (subconscious or otherwise) at avoiding self-examination - perhaps with the idea that your effort won't actually get you anywhere, anyway.

And it usually follows that walking to your own drummer is a great thing (and indeed a sign of strength), however, trying to be an island is not. Likewise, don't mistake your "I do as I please" creed with turning inward. There's a difference between an examined life and hiding like a turtle in its shell (beneath a tough, protective exterior). You are worthy… and once you cultivate those feelings, you may find a lot will change.


25-50 points
Solid foundation. Life impacts everyone - for better and for worse. That said, despite the ebb and flow of your personal ocean, you seem buoyant and steady. You feel generally positive about yourself and your prospects. You view yourself as equal to other people (as opposed to superior or inferior), and recognize that making connections is an important and fulfilling aspect of existence. You're not hugely affected by the day to day events of your life (though of course, everyone can be shaken sometimes), because you are comfortable with both having weaknesses and expressing strength. You're not afraid to accept responsibility for your mistakes or give credit for someone else's success. That's because you're not threatened, which is a very positive place to be.

To grow even stronger in your core confidence, try taking time out for personal fulfillment. Do things that are enjoyable to you as often as possible - particularly when they're not linked to work or home or any exterior obligation. What you're likely to find is that you feel even better about yourself and make an even more positive impact on the world.


55-80 points
Seeking affirmation. You're probably a go-getter with insanely high standards. No doubt you sometimes fail to meet your own expectations - and then beat yourself up for that. People assume you to be confident, self-assured and even cocky. In fact, you're the picture of high self-esteem. The problem here, is that your self-esteem is not as strong as you (or they) think.

While you may be biting off more than you can chew (likely from every area of your plate), your inability to hold steady overall satisfaction is tied to a quest for external approval. If that weren't true, your feelings about you wouldn't tank when things go poorly or soar when success is in your grasp. They'd stay relatively even in good times and bad. Before you can move forward into more truly self-aware, confident territory (which for someone with your drive, you will undoubtedly do), you have to recognize that validation from an outside source, does not make you a better person. You're already good enough… just as you are. There is nothing to prove.

Do You Value You?

Do You Value You?
Take our quiz to find out
by S.K. Smith

It's easy to say that you value yourself. After all, your self-esteem is pretty solid. You know that you're smart, capable and loveable... You may even think you're pretty terrific (and let's face it, you are!). But before you go assuming that the people in your life perceive you in the same way you see yourself, take a second and ask yourself a few questions.

If you assess your life honestly, you may indeed believe that you're worthy, and still be selling yourself short with your words and actions. Take this quick score-it-yourself quiz to see if you're coming off as self-confident or self-doubting.


1. A hot romantic prospect has asked you out for second date drinks. You're totally interested but you'd like to actually hear them this time, rather than the noise of a bar. You…

a. Suggest making it dinner instead
b. Agree to whatever they propose - you don't want to seem too high maintenance
c. Say you're busy in hopes of getting another invite for a date that's more your style
d. Reject the invitation. If they understood you, they would know drinking is not your thing


2. You love your job and you're fabulous at it. Then you find out that you're getting far below the average salary. You…

a. Prepare a list of your achievements and accomplishments in the position and where you'd like to see your role go as well as do some research into appropriate pay grades before approaching your boss to discuss a raise
b. Request a meeting with your boss ASAP and open the floor for discussion of a raise
c. Wait for your annual review - they'll offer you something, right?
d. Suck it up. You're lucky to have a job. It's not called "work" for no reason.


3. You've been with your lover exclusively for several months, but you still only see each other once a week. You…

a. Bring up the idea of seeing each other more to incorporate them into your life a little further
b. Get upset the next time you speak or see each other in hopes you'll get your way
c. Are grateful to have a lover in the first place. Why push it by being demanding!
d. Break up with them. If they haven't figured it out you're ready for the next level, it's hopeless.


4. True or false: You have goals for that you are in the process of achieving…

a. True! They're always changing and expanding
b. True… but I can't figure out how to get from one step to the next
c. False. I met my goals in life and love and then stopped making more
d. False. I fly by the seat of my pants


5. You're in love with your partner. It's pretty obvious the feeling is mutual. Your biggest concern is:

a. Making sure you're your best "you" in the relationship… and they're their best!
b. Getting your way. After all, you deserve it!
c. Saying how you feel… you don't want to scare them away
d. Being true to yourself and making sure they're true to you!

SCORING

Mostly A
Congratulations! You've got a strong sense of self-worth and you're acting from a place of your greatest good most of the time. Odds are, the people you interact with see you as confident and assertive without being demanding or self-absorbed. You understand that your own desires are important and that you dictate your own reactions, but that you can't control the world around you. As such, you're not afraid to take calculated risks. After all, you might as well lay out a plan and then ask for what you need and want along the way if you expect to get it!

Mostly B
No doubt you are sure you're self-confident and you may very well be. However, there's also little doubt that you are at least occasionally perceived as mercurial or tempermental. Why, you wonder? It seems as though in your well-intentioned efforts to remain true to yourself, you have a tendency to fly off the handle. Risk is worthwhile when there's a reward, sure, but calculated risk goes a lot further than leaping before you look. Try to form reasoned arguments in your attempts to get what you want - use your head as well as your heart. You may find that a more logical approach will work wonders toward furthering your intentions.

Mostly C
Odds are, you're perceived as full of potential that has yet to blossom. Whether you know it or not, fear is standing in your way - and most likely preventing you from really experiencing life in the way you want to experience it. If that doesn't make sense, stop and consider if what you say you want really matches up to your actions. Staying in a job where you're unhappy because "someday it'll pay off" or hiding your true feelings from a lover because you're too afraid of losing them are not the behaviors of a truly confident, fully-realized person. You have to put yourself out there in order to get something back… Perhaps you need to start by recognizing you've got more to offer than you think. Right now. Just as you are.

Mostly D
Pause for a second. Take a deep breath and repeat these words to yourself "no one is perfect. No one is a mind reader." If this sounds silly, ask yourself. Do you believe you can control the universe? Odds are, you've taken The Secret or The Laws of Attraction so far that you do. As a result, people may find you difficult and high maintenance and here's the truth - you may very well be! External forces, chance and accident are just a part of life. So, rather than setting the bar so high that you or the people you surround yourself with are bound to continually fail, consider more reasonable goals. After all, when other people are allowed to make mistakes… so are you!

Make A Schedule

Don't Wait -- Schedule It Now...
--

Do You Pay Enough Attention To Your Own Schedule?

Your schedule is where all the little puzzle pieces come together. This is the magical point where goals start becoming realities. Give your schedule the reverence it deserves.

Take any dream. Make it an action plan. Estimate the time required for each step's completion, and schedule each task into your calendar. Do it now.

"It's enough for you to do it once for a few men to remember you. But if you do it year after year, then many people remember you and they tell it to their children, and their children and grandchildren remember and, if it concerns books, they can read them. And if it's good enough, it will last as long as there are human beings."~ Ernest Hemingway

From Robert Genn

A few years ago I was conducting a workshop and had noticed one young lady who was particularly in need of help. No matter what I suggested or pointed out, she continued merrily doing her own thing, fraught as it was with ignorance and wrong-headedness. When she abdicated my workshop prior to its valuable, climactic end, she was singing to herself as she carried off an armload of paintus horribilis. Later, I heard she had several successful shows with the stuff. This morning I looked in vain to see if she had anything to say about my own effort. She hadn't.. I don't think she's a subscriber. "The best advice yet given is that you don't have to take it." (Libbie Fudim)

When Doing Is Hard

Just Try It: 10 Tips for When Doing is Hard
By Holly Lebowitz Rossi
Last week I shared my life motto, "Essayons" ("Let us try"). But I know - even without the guilt of a "just do it" philosophy, it's not so easy. How can we keep trying when life feels heavy and difficult?

We offer some of our go-to how-to-try ideas:

From Holly:

1. Clean your desk. Take 30 minutes and literally create a blank slate for yourself by moving all the papers, books, bills, pens, tubes of lip balm, paper clips, and dog-eared catalogs to wherever they each belong. The act is like a behavioral modification therapy to remind yourself that everything has a place, everything has a home - even you. And it's so much easier to try when you've got a clean surface to start from.

2. Do something crazy-fun. Give yourself a little "oh, right, every day doesn't have to be hard" brightness by doing something that doesn't belong on that day or at that time, but is just plain rut-busting fun. Like the 11:30 Thursday morning "Bellydance Fitness Blast" class that I will try to hit soon....

3. Say it out loud. Take a Stuart Smalley moment--look yourself in the mirror and break the silence by saying out loud something that you need or want to hear. Then, reflection, do your part by believing what you're hearing. Or, try to believe it...and if you can't, ask yourself why not.

4. Rest up. You won't be able to try very hard if you're dragging an exhausted body around. So rest yourself by getting enough sleep, or even by stepping away from a project to take 10 long, restful breaths, or as many as it takes to be refreshed enough to try, try again.

5. Just keep going. Put one foot in front of the other and see what happens. Remember, the present moment is always in motion, and so is your life. All you can do is be mindful of each step as it comes. Need more tips? Ask Therese how to keep going, she knows.

Five more, from Valerie:

6. Make a list. Print this one, or write your own, and put it somewhere you'll be likely to look when you get stuck. Keep it short and simple and do-able.

7. Put on some music. Music actually shifts your brain waves. It can be one of those meditation CDs designed to change your brainwaves, but really, it can just be something you like that re-establishes a rhythm in your body. I like to blast Prince, MC Yogi, 70's disco, even some rockin' moments of Krishna Das. I'd just say make it up-tempo and happy.

8. Get into nature. Even if it means popping your head out the window and breathing in some fresh air, connecting with something larger in a tactile way can be enormously shifting. Even better if you can go for a walk and see trees, sky, water. Whatever you do make a point of really connecting: touch a tree, kneel down and watch some ants build stuff, dip your hand into a stream, pick up a rock and carry it for a while.

9. Drink some water. A friend of mine once told me a spiritual teacher had told him, "Water is liquid love." I adore thinking about that when I sip sometimes--just the idea that I am imbibing something cooling, nurturing, balancing to my cells. And so funny! I'm just noticing a bottle of Poland Spring on my desk right now that says: "Did you know your brain is about 75% water? Drinking water throughout the day can help you stay hydrated and mentally alert."

10. Make something for someone. Whether it's writing a kind note or doing a little drawing or baking cookies, physically manifesting the love in your heart will probably make you--and someone else--feel pretty good. And able to keep trying.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Success

TODAY'S QUOTE
"Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor." - Truman Capote

Look For Energy Builders

Promote Energy Gainers -- Eliminate ALL Energy Drainers...

Are You On An Energy Roller Coaster?

Observe what energizes and what drains you during the day. To reach peak performance, look for ways to increase those items that build your energy, and let go of energy draining behaviors.

High OUTPUT requires high ENERGY -- keep it up!

"The first requisite for success is the ability to apply your physical and mental energies to one problem incessantly without growing weary."~ Thomas A. Edison

Sherrie says: My problem is getting started. I have all the energy I need once I begin, but I avoid doing the work as if I really don't care if it gets done. Sorry folks. I know I'm supposed to be the coach here, but right now, it's not going so well. ;-(

TQ says "The Economy Is Not All Bad"

There is some good news in this downturn in our economy. Overcome your fear, and you CAN survive, even thrive in this economic meltdown. How?

Develop an entirely new performance mindset... with an entirely new set of tools.

Sherrie says:

1) Find a new way of looking at things.
i.e. People are finally going to stop making such much waste. We are going to begin to conserve our planet.

2) Are you working less hours? Begin using that time to do what you love.
i.e. Write more. Dance, sing, play piano. Start a new blog.

3) Take a class to learn something you've always wanted to learn.
i.e. It's time for me to finally learn to type properly. (There, I said it. Now I have to do it, right?)

4) Take the time to enjoy family, friends and home.
i.e. Well, that's pretty self-explanatory but . . . for instance, I just got back in touch with a friend from Jr. High. I have also re-connected with my ex's family. (As they said, I divorced him, NOT them.)

Every Problem Is An Opportunity

Look for the Best in Every Situation -- the Opportunity in Every Problem...

How Did It Ever End Up Like This?

If a situation didn't turn out the way you wanted it to, evaluate your actions as objectively as possible. Use this new information to prepare for an improved performance the next time.

Refuse to wallow in recrimination. Make everyday this month a positive learning experience.

"If you view all the things that happen to you, both good and bad, as opportunities, then you operate out of a higher level of consciousness."~ Les Brown

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Are You Living Your Purpose?

Questions:

(1) Are you living and following your Purpose? (yes) or (no)

(2) If yes what is your purpose and how are you helping to make a difference in
the lives of others?

(3) If your answer is no, why? And what action steps are you willing to take to
discover and fulfill your True Purpose in Life?

Note: Please invite your facebook friends to join this group so we can expose
our members to a multitude of opportunities to expand and grow your spiritual,
personal and professional development!

Here is our rule:

"Success depends on the support of other people. The only hurdle between you and
what you want to be and do is the support of other people" Let's set and example
and be the change we seek...! I look forward to hearing from each of you.

Aloycia Woods
Life & Success Coach

Sunday, March 1, 2009

How Will It Feel?

Stay Connected to The REWARDS Within Your Goals....

What Does Your Pot Of Gold Feel Like?

Take time each day to imagine how you'd feel if you had already attained all of your personal goals. See them, hear them, feel them, taste them. Anticipation can be half the fun of getting there.

Anticipate your success. Gain the power in advance.

"When I chased after money, I never had enough. When I got my life on purpose and focused on giving of myself and everything that arrived into my life, then I was prosperous."~ Wayne Dyer

Today's Quest...
When you attain your financial goal...how will that feel?

When you attain your family goal...how will that feel?

When you attain your fitness goal...how will that feel?