Creating Tomorrow

“…Organize your life around your dreams - and watch them come true…”

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All of us know people who have a secret dream. For some it is writing the definitive novel for their generation; for others it’s mass producing a quirky-but-useful invention they’ve created.

Whether or not a dream becomes an objective that eventually turns into reality has a lot to do with what space we give that dream in our day-to-day lives. Take a moment to focus on your secret passion… Now ask yourself: What have I done today to move closer to realizing that dream?

We all accept the wisdom behind this question when it comes to realizing tangible professional goals. If you take the time to brush up on your high school German, your chances of getting that transfer to Berlin are higher than if you don’t. But how many us never apply the same level-headed logic to less tangible things - our true inner passions? When asked about her writing ambitions, a good friend of mine recently said on Facebook that you ultimately have to commit to “putting butt to seat” and writing on a regular basis. It doesn’t matter whether it’s in the morning or in the evening. It doesn’t matter if you are motivated to write that day or if there’s a huge blank spot where your imagination used to be. In the end, what counts is perserverence.

Being willing to “fake it till you make it”.

So, once again I ask you:

What have you done today - and what are you willing to do every day - to turn your professional dream into reality?

“…We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them…”

(Source: Albert Einstein )

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One of the most valuable lessons I learned during drivers’ training was how to handle my automobile if it threatens to skid out of control. My instructor told me that our natural instinct is to focus on whatever it is we are afraid to hit. This means when skidding on a patch of ice, for example, our eyes automatically lock on the main obstacle in our way. When they do that, however - no matter how hard we try to steer the other way - we often end up slamming right onto it.

In other words: We encounter what we focus on.

His advise to me: If your car ever veers out of control -  do not look at the tree (or wall, or mail box, etc.)!  Focus on the clear space you’d like to steer your car towards.

The same can be said for any kind of problem-solving. Our first reaction may be to panic as the worst case scenario unfold before our very eyes. But dwelling on that worst case does nothing to alleviate our problem. Instead our mindset makes it more likely that we will steer ourselves more deeply into the situation we are trying to escape.

In order to effectively solve a problem, we must keep our wits about us enough to focus on that ‘clear space’; that space that potentially holds the solution to our problem, and not the path that led us to that problem in the first place.

Trina

Dear Friends,

Sometimes our intuition kicks in, and we don’t realize it till all is said and done. Last week was a more active week for me, despite the general summer “go slow” phase. Although the affirmations were chosen in advance, they quite clearly support that increase in activity, and balance that action with an attitude that maximized its affect.

• TODAY: I will eliminate a ‘want’ in order to satisfy a ‘need’ –> Just a check-in with myself to keep my priorities straight.
• TODAY: I will complete a necessary task, no matter how unpleasant –> It’s a great way to free up time & energy for things I want to do.
• TODAY: I will continue to work to reach a goal despite opposition or interruption –> It’s an exercise in focus and discipline.
• TODAY: I will celebrate the smallest success to encourage myself or others –> accomplishing a milestone means you’re closer to your goal!
• TODAY: I will be an encourager –> Sometimes having faith in someone else helps them discover their faith in themselves.
• TODAY: I will not say, “I told you so.” –> It doesn’t add anything positive to the situation.

Trina

(Caption: “The Only Reason To Vote Black”)

“…My hope is that as a consequence of this event, this ends up being what’s called a teachable moment, where all of us – instead of pumping up the volume – spend a little more time listening to each other…”

(Source: President Barack H. Obama)

Dear Friends,

This week’s Monday Coaching Gem revisits the subject of dealing effectively with mistakes.

We can all expect to make our fair share of professional mistakes, and that is as it should be. Little would be more detrimental to our further development than letting the fear of ever making a mistake condemn us to a life where our only interest is to “play it safe”.

BUT: What rôle should leadership play in turning a mistake into valuable teachable moment?

Read the rest of this entry »

 ”…It is disgraceful to stumble against the same stone twice…”

(Greek proverb)

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As paradoxical as it may sound, our road to success is paved with the mistakes we make.

How do you deal with your own business or career mistakes or mistakes in your team? Do you see them as a barrier to success or do you embrace them as valuable learning opportunities; in other words - stepping stones to success?

Trina

Dear Friends,

August is traditionally a month when things s-l-o-w d-o-w-n. Children enjoy time away from school, and many adults try to schedule at least of week or two away from work. These sunny, warm days are perfect for relaxing and re-energizing, as well as spending time with family and friends.

It’s also a perfect time to reflect on the progress made in the first half of the year, as well as confirming your path for the coming months.

With more personal time at my own disposal, I find the affirmations I’ve selected provide me with an opportunity to “re-connect with the moment” several times a day. No matter what I am doing, whenever I think about what I affirm on that day, it gives me a chance to pause and center myself, then act/reflect on the message that day’s affirmation brings to my consciousness.

Affirmations: w/c 2 August 2009

• TODAY: I will reconnect with a predetermined but almost forgotten purpose –> I will make sure I’m in sync with my life’s ‘big picture’.
• TODAY: I will be patient while waiting –> Not inactive. Not unprepared. Just patient. I will practice ‘active waiting’.
• TODAY: I will teach someone something helpful –> The most valuable gift is knowledge shared.
• TODAY: I will read something to broaden my knowledge –> Not something fun or trivial. Something that will feed and stimulate my mind.
• TODAY: I will listen to good music –> I will sing along - loud (!), and maybe dance a little by myself, if the spirit moves me!

Are you doing something special this summer to re-energize and relax? If so, please feel free to share what works for you!
Trina

“…This gives us renewed confidence that we’re on the right track…”

(Source: Chris Greene)

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As a coach, I know that simply stating a desire to do or achieve something is not enough to insure success. If that were true, we’d all have no trouble achieving and maintaining our ideal weight, discovering and working successfully in our dream professions, or finding and staying happily married to our perfect mates.

Once someone has taken the first steps of defining and mapping out an action plan towards achieving a specific goal, their first step towards achievement seems relatively easy. They find themselves propelled forward by the mental excitement of being on a new journey of personal or professional discovery. That initial phase usually lasts for at least a week or two - or till they encounter the first major road bump. At that point, their inner wheels begin to spin much more slowly, till - with each new bump in the road - they come to a screeching halt.

That standstill doesn’t have to be permanent!

Read the rest of this entry »

Dear Friends,

Summer is traditionally a time when we all like to get away from the our day-to-day schedules. Whether for a week or two entire months, whether in a foreign country or in our own backyards, whether sailing and climbing or simply relaxing and meditating; summer offers us all a much-needed opportunity to recharge our batteries and refresh our spirits.

While my work schedule is lighter, I want to make use of the coming month to do what the Germans call “die Seele baumeln lassen” (approx: “to let my soul dance”). It will probably end up being an eclectic mix of puttering around our house and garden, reading, and walking with our dogs with a few weekend trips to the shore thrown in for good measure. But I’ll also be jotting down new ideas, reviewing old items in my IdeaBook, and planning new projects for the fall.

As part of my own summer plans I’ve also selected a collection of daily affirmations to accompany me through the month of August. Affirmations can be an extremely powerful tool when used to focus your mind to achieve a positive shift in mindset and belief.

Why daily affirmations during a time of increased rest?

My theory is that precisely because my mind will be in a lower gear, the affirmations will fall on unusually fertile ground. Instead of ‘working’ to focus on doing something specific or gaining/maintaining a particular level of awareness, these affirmations are meant to serve as simple mental prompts. Each affirmation was chosen to address a relevant issue in my life, and is something for me to read and ponder at the beginning of my day.  At the end of the day I reflect on how that specific affirmation may (or may not!) have subconsciously guided my thoughts and actions during the day.

Here is a list of ‘practice’ affirmations I started off with at the end of July:

• TODAY: I will avoid procrastination –> I will do what I need to do to stay on track in my professional and private life.
• TODAY: I will be interesting and interested in what others have to say –> Not only in my capacity as coach, but also as a person.
• TODAY: I will stretch my limits –> I will do something today that I usually think is ‘too difficult’ or ‘impossible’.
• TODAY: I will be thrifty, but not stingy –> I will pay better attention to my personal resources (time, energy) and use them more wisely.
• TODAY: I will find something to laugh about –> Not something to laugh ‘at’! Something that will shine the gift of laughter into my heart.
• TODAY: I will get out into the fresh air instead of staying cooped up inside –> I will ‘air out’ my spirit and exercise my body.

Do you use affirmations ? If so, what experience have you had working with them?

If you have never used affirmation in your life and are curious, maybe one of the affirmations on the list above will resonate with you!

Trina