Success

If your success is not on your own terms, if it looks good to the world but does not feel good in your heart, then it is not success at all.  ~ Anna Quindlen

Opportunity

Even when things seem to be going awry, what’s the opportunity that’s available to you?

Just Picked My Theme — What’s Yours?

Those of you who’ve been following me for a while know that I’m big on choosing a theme for each year.  It’s an idea I got from the Chinese calendar, but instead of animal themes I’m going for something more “all-encompassing”.  This past year, I decided that my focus was going to be on growth and abundance.  Using these two words as my barometers, I chose my activities and projects accordingly.  It always feels like a fun way to set an intention or two — provides a base of sorts, if you will.

Anyhow, last night it came to me, my theme for 2009.  It’s a two-fold one again.  But the words are so resonant for me that it cannot be denied.  2009 will be my year of “expansion” and “new story”.  This is the year that I expand my vision, my horizon, my reach AND the year that I change some old scripts in a really conscious, and BIG way.  (As I write the word “expansion”, there’s a gremlin-voice that wants to make it about waistlines — but no, there will be no expanding waistlines here!).

So, all that being said, I would love to hear your theme(s) for the new year.  What do you want to use as your “guiding principles” in 2009?  Whatever they are, may they be powerfully resonant for you and take you right where you want to go!

2009 Workshops, Teleclasses and More!

Stay tuned for information on upcoming events offered by Stellar Coaching & Consulting.  For everything from our twice-yearly signature workshop, “Your Life, Your Way, Starting Today!”, to the launch of our new worldwide weekly podcast and a range of options in between, this is the place to look!

Still looking for a Christmas gift?  How about a Coaching Gift Certificate — perfect for the woman on your list who’s looking to make 2009 her best year ever!  Contact us today to place your order!

National TV Exposure

So, thought I’d use my blog to share some fabulous news.

On December 24th, 2008 I will be doing a feature on Canada AM, promoting my co-authored book The Control Freak’s Guide to Living Lightly, and linking it specifically to managing stress around the holidays.  After all, much of the stress that gets created is a result of the expectations we hold around ourselves and others.  And when we can let go or modify these expectations, then we can truly lighten up and enjoy the holidays as they are meant to be — whether that includes chaos or not, solitude or not, massive shopping lines or not.  It’s all about learning to let go, right?  Tune in to CTV on the 24th if you can!  And if you haven’t got a copy of the book yet, order it at www.controlfreakseries.com.

Looking Ahead

What do you want to be celebrating come December 31st, 2009?

Staying the Course

You know, in these “tough economic times” (in quotes because I’m not completely convinced that they are all that tough!) it can be really easy to turn tail and run.  Heck, even when times aren’t tough it can be easy to turn tail and run.  I know from my own experience that sometimes it just feels like it’s time to stop chasing the dream, whatever it may be.  Believe me, I get it.

And here’s the other thing I get: while stopping the chase may be what’s actually needed, letting go of the dream altogether often isn’t.  Henry David Thoreau (at least I think it was him) said “we are not given a dream without also being given the capacity to make it come true.”  And Nathaniel Hawthorne talked about the wisdom of allowing happiness to catch up with you, rather than chasing it endlessly.  When I put these two ideas together, what I realize is that sometimes life is about waiting and allowing, more than it is about chasing and pursuing.  And indeed, my own life echoes this idea.  Sometimes, when I just sit still for a minute, the thing I’m chasing actually comes to me, seemingly effortlessly.

Bottom-line:  no matter what’s going on, even if you feel like you’ve gotta stop running for a bit, stay the course nonetheless.  Keep your eye on the ball, and know that sometimes the ball just comes to you.  It really can be that simple.  Them’s my thoughts.

Slow Down

Let the waters settle.  You will see stars and moon mirrored in your being.  ~Rumi

Bust the Holiday Stress!

Let things go.  That’s right.  Hold on to what’s important to you, and the let the rest go.  Notice how the holidays then become a breeze!

Can You Beat the Holiday Stress?

Of course you can!  To a certain extent anyway.  How? By changing (some might say lowering) your expectations for starters! Because the stress that arises around the holiday time — whatever holiday you might be celebrating — is generally a result of the expectations, or at least the perceived expectations, that you’re trying to live up to.  So give your head a shake and get real!

Ask yourself, what’s really important to you about the holidays?  If you could have one particular feeling be present, what would that be?  I’m guessing that it’s something like “joy”, “peace” or “relaxation”.  But maybe it’s “exuberance”, “solitude” or “connection”.  Really, there’s a whole host of feelings you could be going for.  Pick the one that’s true for you, and then choose the activities and functions that are going to make that feeling your reality.

If you can do this, trust me , you’ll minimize the holiday stress.  It’s all about authenticity my friends.  Find your way to be authentic.  And of course, feel free to tell me what you think!