5 essential questions to ask yourself before you buy your next program!
Are you guilty of buying various programs and then not seeing the results you had hoped for?
I have good news!! You’re not alone, it’s not your fault, and you might be closer to some of the answers you’re desperately seeking than you thought. Unfortunately, for those of us that want to improve our lives, reach our goals and dreams then set on a quest to find answers, we’re so excited to find someone who says they have answers, that we’re often desperate and make impulsive decisions without even thinking. If you’ve ever been lost in overwhelm, here’s a way to narrow down what’s right for you Right NOW! Before you commit yourself to another program, please stop to ask yourself:
1. What do I already know?
YOU already know so much!! Make a list of the things you already know about your topic of choice and/ or other things you KNOW about where you are in your life and business about what you need to do next. Have you bought products on the same topic and are still stuck in the same place you were when you started? Take a good look at previous programs/ products/services you’ve purchased, review the material, and summarize specifically what you learned in the program, what parts you liked, implemented, and appreciated that were helpful and what you learned about yourself in the process. Review what part of the program you didn’t implement and see #2.
2. Am I ready?
What habits do you have that are helping or hurting you in life? As Aristotle stated, “We are what we repeatedly do, Excellence then, is not an act but a habit”. Make a list of all the healthy habits you have as well as the habits you have that keep you from making the progress you desire. Consider where the unhelpful habits come up in your life and determine whether this program is going to support you in dealing with those habits that are at the root of various problems you have in your life/ business. Possibly gaining clarity and mastery with something you know in your heart is what’s holding you back is what’s required, more so than what you’re hoping the next latest and greatest program will help you solve. Your clarity can only come from the inside out!! Throwing more information or money at something won’t make your problems better! Doing the work will.
3. Is this the right time?
There is so much essential information out there and unfortunately some amazing products/ programs have been deemed unhelpful for people because it simply wasn’t the right time for them in their lives. Are you looking at a program that’s going to teach you marketing that you definitely will NEED at some point, however, you don’t have a program/service to even market at this point? Are you wanting to build a business, but there is a relationship around you that is so toxic, it would be nearly impossible to be successful without addressing that first. Prioritizing your life and clearing the clutter will help you know where your efforts would be best utilized at the current time. Make the most of your valuable time. If you can’t be fully engaged, wait until you can be.
4. What is my gut saying?
Too often we confuse what our gut is saying with what our negative self -talk is screaming to us out of fear. One way to tap into your gut is to trust that it’s never going to be mean to you. Your gut is your connection to everything that is divine, unique, wonderful, and bigger than you and it doesn’t get caught up in small talk or criticizing…it’s beyond that. Your gut can help you differentiate between needs and wants. Your gut won’t get caught up in false promises, your gut speaks slowly and softly, and we must give it the time and space to respond. Do this by being quiet with your questions. Write a list of questions about where you want to be, why you feel you need help and wait and patiently allow the answers to come. Know that if you impulsively purchase something it’s a reaction and not a proactive step towards the dreams you want to achieve.
5. What’s next?
If you’ve been through this decision making process of “What’s next?” time and time again but have yet to find the right answers, it’s time to carefully select this time around. You may know in your heart you’re ready to do your own internal work and I’m here to tell you there’s a safe community for you to do that in the first 4 weeks of 2012. This space has been created to provide you with accountability/exercises at a no brainer cost to get your year started with extreme clarity and an opportunity to walk away with a specific 2012 action plan. I look forward to connecting with you if you’ve asked yourself the above questions and you know your time is NOW!
http://www.lifecoachlaurie.com/divas-with-drive-online-community/
5 ways to be creative when you think you’re not
Many times I’ll hear someone say to me, “Laurie, you’re a singer, you write songs, you’re creative, I can’t do that kind of stuff” followed by the notorious “I’m just not creative” as if they’re defeated before they even get started.
Think about some situations you’ve been in where you’ve felt powerless, frustrated, pushed in a corner, isolated, and confused about what you should do next. Do you think if you could write a song it would help you get out of that trap? Do you think painting a picture or writing poetry would be able to help you solve that problem either? When experiencing the problems just mentioned these are the times it’s most important to be creative. Consider these 5 ways to be creative when you’re feeling you have no innovative juice inside of you and tap into creativity you may have overlooked.
1. Reflect: We live in a reactive often unconscious society. By simply engaging in reflection and recognizing the moments in your life and what you’ve learned you’re tapping into that part of yourself that many never seek to know. Consider what parts of yourself, what answers you could discover if you simply made the time to reflect on your feelings, your thoughts, you gave yourself the space of silence to hear your own intuition. Get a journal and make time everyday to reflect and write.
2. Be vulnerable: The next time you feel as if you don’t know the answer or you’re confused about something simply say so boldly. Be that person who is willing to get the conversation rolling. Allow yourself to tell others what you’re experiencing instead of responding the way you think you should or by staying silent. Express yourself in an authentic and respectful way and you’ll soon be the go to person for creative solutions because you’re willing to be real, which not everyone is willing to do.
3. Be Flexible: When things are supposed to go one way and they don’t, tell yourself you’ve got nothing to lose even if you think you might. Consider at least two alternatives on how you might proceed and move forward. Model to others that you’re open-minded and be willing to receive feedback and adjust when necessary. Creative people welcome ideas and recognize there are ideas and opportunities everywhere. Be willing to see them.
4. Be Proactive: Recognize that there are times when we’re not able to plan, but in many cases we can prepare and be ready for what’s to come. Consider a potentially difficult client or staff meeting that always results with the same negative outcome. How could you proactively change how things go the next time. Possibly this would be to proactively at the beginning of the session state “This is what has happened the last 3 times we had this discussion, let’s make sure we don’t do it again. If it starts to happen I’m going to _________________” and establish your boundaries accordingly. Politely request their feedback as well and agree on how you each are going to respond when x occurs. Proactively address your boss privately when no conflict is present and say “every time I get called to your office I experience anxiety. It would really be helpful if you could let me know ahead of time what we’ll be discussing so I can prepare”. There are always exceptions and circumstances where this may not be effective, but just remember being proactive is about you being in the driver’s seat and in charge of how people treat you. If you’re not feeling respected or a situation is too great to deal with you always have a choice.
5. Support Creative/ Innovative people: Often times the few people who are willing to speak up or stick their neck out on the line are on their own. Those who don’t speak up may be thinking “thank goodness so and so spoke up and said exactly what I was thinking”. Just because it was said doesn’t mean it is going to have the same impact as it would if other people supported it as well. Connect with people who think like you, who you admire, who you respect, and practice supporting them fully. Surround yourself with the people who bring your energy up, who challenge status quo, who can help you tap into your own creative energies.
These are some examples of what creative people do. It doesn’t take any artistic skill to be able to perform these successfully, but it does take a commitment. When you’re drained or exhausted or thinking about what you’re lacking you’re not focused on your gifts and talents and getting them out into the world. Consider what a disservice this is and make the change to embrace your creativity today.
Mantra gives clarity
Do you have a Mantra? Do you have a phrase that brings you solace when you’re frustrated or allows you to gain clarity when faced with chaos. In this day and age in our fast paced society it appears many of us are losing sight of what’s important. The size of debt most americans have is off the charts, not to mention the related obesity, anxiety and depression that often comes along with it. What exactly are we trying to fill ourselves up with? Where does giving back or finding ourselves come into the equation when we’re often too busy to keep up with the basics? This week, I want to encourage you to find that place within your heart that knows your answers, your purpose, your song, your destiny and start asking yourself for that information on a regular basis. A mantra may assist in accessing this information.
I’d like to share a mantra with you that has worked for me, and still does to this day, to help me sort through information overload and overwhelm. Simply take a deep breath and say:
Organize
Simplify
Enjoy
Repeat it as necessary in whatever cadence is comfortable until your answers start to emerge. This process allows your mind to organize information first and foremost. Once you’ve been able to sort through matters in your mind then begin to prioritize by stating SIMPLIFY. This part of the mantra is inviting your mind to delete unnecessary information, tasks, or distractions in order to focus on what is most important. This process takes practice, but be consistent with your regimen.
Lastly, take a moment to give yourself permission to ENJOY being in the moment. Be proud of yourself for taking a moment to be fully present in your life. Being mindful means being purposeful. God wants us to give back in big ways and to use our strengths, talents, and abilities to do just that with our egos, issues, and distractions aside. We are not able to do this successfully in overwhelmed autopilot mode. Too often this is where we get stuck!
If you’ve been searching for how to tap into your most authentic self, you may enjoy a summit I hosted recently on this very topic. Check out my guests and their wonderful information on the topic. Let me know if you use the Mantra. I’d love to hear your experience!
http://www.lifecoachlaurie.com/coaching/the-authenticity-summit/
