What if I could offer you the world? It sounds like some marketing gimmick!  But let's just play along for a moment.  What if you sat back and thought about it. What if there was a genie in a bottle. What would you ask for more of in your life?  More time with family? More money? More peace in your daily life? More sense of purpose? More rest?  Less stress? Less feelings of inadequacy?  Less juggling?

While I can't simply give those things to you, through life coaching we can take the first step of finding out what those things are that you would like changed and why. So many people just can't quite put their finger on what feels off or what they can do about it.  They are following someone else's template for success and happiness that is not their own!  Or maybe they know what they want but they just need help getting out of their own way!  They know there is something else they want or need but are unsure of what it is or how to get it.

This leads us into the 2nd step of clarifying how we can make changes in our life that fit us! We can work though how to make those changes in manageable and positive ways.  And we can continue that conversation and continue on that path in a supported way with an ally who is non-judgemental and supportive in finding solutions that work for you!  We all need someone in our corner.  We all need that support from time to time.  I'd be happy to be that person for you!  What changes would bring you joy, peace, and satisfaction in your life?

Many of us struggle to say “no” in our lives.  There are so many thinks we want to do, we are supposed to do, and we need to do.  I personally struggle with this like everyone else.  Since my practice comes from the appreciative model of coaching, we try to focus on the positive and what we want MORE of in our lives.  Well how do we get MORE when we are already full?
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First, personally, I no longer say, “Yes!” to events, projects, or requests that I know that I won’t enjoy or are not fulfilling for me.  It is easy to fall into the martyr role or the victim/rescuer/persecutor triangle.  If I really look at why I am spending time on an activity and it is as one these roles then I am not living my best, most balanced life with good boundaries. I will share more about this drama triangle on another post but here is a quick example.  If I have a volunteer opportunity that I know I’d be good at, and they need my skills or help, and they might not survive without me; then I am falling into the rescuer role and may end up feeling the victim as if I had no choice but to volunteer.  If choose to do it because I want to or will be fulfilled by the roll then it that is good way to possibly spend my time.  But it isn’t a healthy dynamic for myself (and the group) if I was guilted or pressured into it.  This can be a difficult exercise but one worth doing.  Once we have looked at our motivations and we have considered weeding out those commitments that no longer seem to fit us, then we come to the question of, what do we want more of!? 

Here is my tip for you!  Don’t think of it is as saying, “No.”  Think of it as saying, “Yes!”  Over the years I have learned a lot about myself, and you have learned a lot about yourself, which is why in my health practice we say, “You are the expert on You!”  One thing I know about myself is that my love language is quality time.  In our busy, high-paced life, time is at a premium so how do I get my quality time?  For me knowing that about myself helps me see the Yes/No dilemma in a different way.  When I say, “No” to getting together with a professional group I enjoy, I am saying, “Yes” to an evening spent with my family or an evening of much needed downtime!  Can you see situations in your life where saying, “No” is actually saying “Yes?”

Now the scenarios I shared might be different than yours, but I am guessing some of you might resonate with the similar challenges.  Some of you might not be sure how you truly want to spend your time?  If you are unsure, I would be happy to go through a values alignment exercise with you as part of your health coaching journey.  Or if you are needing help deciding what you want MORE of and how to make changes in your life to get it, reach out and set up a Get to Know You free consultation so that we can Get Started!
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You can also join me for a free Agenda Mapping Session on October 10th to begin to map the changes you want for your life! 

Going to a health coach might seem a bit intimidating for some people. It can be hard to share our challenges with others.  It can make us feel a bit vulnerable.  It is important for me to share with you that in my health coach practice I use appreciative coaching as a basis of my coaching. What does that mean?  It means that you won't be judged.  We will celebrate your successes both big and little.  And if we fall off track for a bit then that was an opportunity to learn more about ourselves and our motivations!  Take a moment and read this list of growth mindset statements and try one on for size this week when you need a little affirmation.