JANUARY MONTHLY MUSINGS To muse: To wonder and marvel; to become absorbed in mindful meditation provoking thoughtful inspiration to unlock doors, walk through them with ease, experience the world of possibilities, and create positive life changes. To cherish and love; acceptance; to take in or include as a part, item, or element of a more inclusive whole. "2007: A Year of Inclusion" by Coach Deborah The New Year is here! What is your New Year's resolution? It's my goal this year to assist people in accepting themselves and others and to help people create a world of inclusion. The more we choose to learn about people and their cultures, the better able we are to accept others while remaining grounded in our own beliefs. There's so much we can learn from one another. We don't need to agree with other belief systems and opinions and we can make room in our lives for differences. Laughter is a universal medicine. Laugh often this year; make it a point to gift yourself by inviting someone very different from yourself in to your life. Make your life inclusive, not exclusive. Then, e-mail me and tell me your story. Make enlightened choices. Make memories that you'll never forget. Make 2007 a year of inclusion. Here's the deal... You can develop GOOD HABITS. Here's how. It takes 30 days to develop a habit. There's a chemical in the brain called dopamine that transmits signals from cell to cell and gets us hooked on food, cigarettes, etc. Here's the good news. There is a way to get yourself hooked on something that's not inherently pleasurable to you - like living on salads or exercising. There is a way to trick our brains into craving things we aren't very excited about. The secret is thinking up rewards. Giving yourself rewards for a job well done (such as exercising an hour a day for a week) engages the dopamine system so your brain will associate the positive outcome with it, which will help you form the habit. By the way... Take a look at the January issue of Oprah's "O Magazine" regarding how to make a successful life transition. Contemplation and preparation are the two places to start. Here are several questions to ask yourself if you want to make lasting changes in your life. Do I know why I want to make this change? Have I assembled all the instructions, equipment, and advisers that this shift will require? (You will be able to commit to a transition if you can say "yes" to the above two questions). Can you explain the reason for the change and list the places you can turn to for help? If you've tried to make a change and failed, it's enormously difficult not to skid back into disappointment and a box of Ring Dings. Instead of fighting or fleeing your fear of failure, can you describe your worries? Now can you identify the ways in which your mind has exaggerated the risks? Did you Know... Statistics show that people who hire coaches move along far more quickly and with less struggle in achieving their goals? Seriously consider hiring a coach this year to help get you from where you are now to where you want to be. Go to International Coach Federation.com and remember to talk to at least three professional coaches to find a good coaching fit. A Thought for 2007... Work- Life Balance are three current buzz words. In order to balance more and juggle less, consider the following hints. Have the flexibility to live in the present and tune out distractions to get done what needs to be done. Keep your sense of humor intact; don't sweat the small stuff. Get your needs met; self-care must come first. When you have your own act together and have yourself filled up and your needs met, life is more effortless and doesn't drain as much of your energy, and you accomplish the task at hand more effectively. Say "no" to requests if your cup is already filled to the brim and overflowing so you don't drown; more isn't always better. Have realistic expectations; roll with the concept of "good enough" Set-up support systems - ask, delegate, hire out Develop habits of resilience as a personal plan for balance - increase your ability to bounce back. Stay grounded by allocating your time and energy wisely (prioritizing) Give Yourself A Me-Moment Time... Pick up one of the following books to help you in your quest for more balance in your life. Meditations for Women Who Do Too Much by Anne Wilson Schaef Work + Life by Cali Williams Yost Something to Think About... What do coaches do for their clients? We don't let you off the hook for settling for less than you deserve. We help you EMBRACE your authentic self and live your best life now, today. Home Page | About the Coach | Services | Fees | Monthly Musings Clean Sweep Program | Testimonials | About Coaching | Workshops More Links: Contact me Musing Archive