Archives August 2016

Even a coach need motivation.
Mindset: How do you motivate yourself?
Even a coach need motivation.
Even a coach needs motivation.

When it comes to motivation, do you coach yourself to success or paint yourself into a corner? Part of business is learning how to coach and motivate others. But you also have to motivate yourself if you are going to drive the success of your company.

I love Audible. I pay a subscription fee and I get to download anything I want for one credit. The subscription is motivation to keep consuming information. After all, a coach is only as good as the information they can provide. Hiring a coach is like taking a football team filled with coaches and committing to one to give you personal attention. I listen to a lot of books because I multi-task. I made it through seven chapters of Jen Sincero’s “You are a Bad Ass” between Coloma, CA and Carson City, NV. I could not have done that with a paper copy. In fact, I think this coach would have killed her business and herself in the process of trying. To save lives and expand minds, I am gladly giving away a 30 day Audible Free Trial [Digital Membership].

See, I am always on the look out for tools to motivate me. I see motivation as the gas that makes my business engine run. My company is healthier when I do the work to motivate myself. I motivate others better when I motivate myself. I have always used vision boards to propel my business forward. In fact, everything I coach I do myself. Go figure. Want to see if What Works Coaching works? Look at how healthy What Works Coaching is! Basic business 101 – no contractor’s dilemma here. I know I must fill my own cup first before filling others.

Yes, that means you need to motivate yourself and that will fill up your cup. So, how do you motivate yourself when energy is low, ideas are short, and time is shorter? Well, you might want to consider looking for a coach. For me, I downloaded “You are a Bad Ass.” I do highly suggest you read or listen to that book. You might like the You Are a Badass 2017 Day-to-Day Calendar. But, since Jen Sincero may not be on your speed dial, maybe consider putting me on there.

Schedule some time with me. If you are super convinced already that coaching is right for your business, go all in on one hour. If you want to stick your toe in the puddle of motivation and risk 20 minutes of your time to possibly motivate the hell out of yourself, schedule a complimentary 20 minute session.

Whatever you do, do something – anything. Take action. Because action is what motivation is really all about. Unless you can think of a company that stayed in the black doing nothing. I’m waiting… No company can do that? You would be right.

So my question to you, right here, right now, is this. How do you motivate yourself? Share in the comments below. Who knows. The way you motivate yourself might motivate others, which will great sweet rapids of motivation we can all raft. Let’s go!

Career: 5 tips for keeping your groove when you lose your job

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Losing your job is no fun. It comes with a mix of emotions. In fact, studies show you will go through a full cycle of grief when you lose a job. This includes: shock, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, testing, and, finally acceptance. So how do you avoid getting stuck in one stage of the cycle? How do you keep your groove when you lose your job?

1) Breathe (and cry if necessary): Tears may come and, if they do, it is best that you don’t try to stuff them. Delaying your grieving process may leave you stuck. Take deep breaths and cry as much as you need to, alone or with friends. Just let it out.

Read the rest of my article on PuckerMob.

 

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What yoga taught me about business
yoga prop
Using props is important, in yoga and in business.

The other day I was taking Theresa Simmons’ yoga class at Eagle Fitness in Carson City. We were doing what I considered to be a basic pose. I don’t remember the name right now. However, it was a pose where I didn’t feel like I needed to reach for my blocks. “Use the blocks, that’s what they are there for,” she said.

Immediately my ego shouted at me “No!” “I won’t use blocks for this pose!” “I don’t want to look like I don’t know what I am doing.” “I don’t want to appear weak.” “I can do it without help!”

Yet, the one thing yoga practice has done for me is that it has helped calm my monkey mind. And boy can that thing chatter! It has taught me to challenge my ego. Sometimes, challenging my ego means accepting help from a block made of cork.

Immediately, the pose felt better. I wasn’t straining as hard. I could breathe. Even in the simplest of poses, utilizing my props made it easier.

Suddenly, it all came together. I haven’t been using my props (my support system) in business!

The ego shouting sounded the same in a business context. “No!” “I won’t sub-contract this out!” “I won’t ask for help. I don’t want to look like I don’t know what I’m doing!” “I have 20 years of experience. I don’t want to appear weak.” “I can do it without help.”

I have been blessed to have a great support system. This system grows every day as I open myself up to possibility. When I use my blocks in yoga, I don’t hurt. When I use my support system in business, I also don’t hurt. Things…. flow.

Coaches are like blocks, too. We are business yogis of a sort. We help correct your poses. We connect the asanas. I used to hate it when a yoga teacher would provide an adjustment or correction. That, too, provided a business lesson. Sometimes, we need our teachers. We need our blocks, our straps, our bolsters, our blankets, to help get us to the next level.

That, my friends, is going with the flow of business.

Daily Exercise: Choose one area where you will ask for help today. Comment about it below.

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Peek into your psyche with this quiz

Today’s exercise is a little different. It’s symbolic in nature. Dr. Carl Jung studies symbols and their meaning in the dream world. Imagination is a form of lucid dreaming which can give you just a little peek into your psyche. Post your results below. Or, if you found this on social media, tweet your biggest realization. If you feel comfortable, form an affirmation for yourself. Then, after 30 days of practicing this, do the exercise again.

My biggest realization is that my defenses are still up. Although nothing else surprised me, this did – until I looked at it. When I have my walls up, it limits my good.

Today, I commit to being open to what gifts the world has for me and will follow the flow without fear or defense.

Down Time is Not a Waste of Time - So Relax!
7 reasons why down time is not a waste of time

Fall semester is just around the corner! This means, for college students, life may get a little harder to balance. Parents have double duty with kids going back to school. Responsibility (ick, that WORD) may be barreling toward you at warp speed. But, that doesn’t mean you have to turn into a workaholic. When you keep down time in your schedule, studies show it makes you more productive! Here’s are seven reasons why chilling out does not mean you are slacking off.

1) Relaxation = Creativity: When you relax, carry a notepad and pen with you. Prepare to jot down ideas or inspirations you get. When your mind is clear, you are more open to inspiration. If you are ready to capture your genius ideas, suddenly that mid-week fun time is productive time.

Finish reading the article on PuckerMob…