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"
People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I
don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are
the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want. If they
can't find them, they make them. " - George Bernard Shaw
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I. Topic: Intentions for 2004: Themes
and Visions
II. Messages from the
Masters
III. Coach's Top Picks
IV. News
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I. Topic: Intentions for 2004: Themes and Visions
Over the
years I've become disillusioned with the concept of traditional
"resolutions" for the new year. Yet better things happen
with some type of a plan. My thoughts on this are
simple. I believe that our natural and intense resolve occurs, when we are
focused on doing what is most important to us and for our higher good.
A better description of what is "important" for me, implies
alignment with my personal priorities and core values. Also, it is
important that what I intend to create not only in some way serve me,
but it will ultimately serve those around me as well, personally and
perhaps professionally. I like to start with a bigger picture and
a purpose. If you want to get in better physical shape, for example,
you will yield better results putting emphasis first on the idea of
self-care and wellness, as well as what other pay-off you gain from it,
than from starting with purely the number of times you want to be at
the gym each week. Your actions will likely fall in line
afterward.
Many
coaches like to kick-off a year, for themselves, or with their clients,
with goal-setting based on longer-term visions, with a similar
philosophy. This can work just fine. Others focus solely on
creating one theme that will be a guiding force for the year. I
like to combine the two for the best results. I am partial to an
approach that includes visions and themes, and thought I
would share with you a bit more about this combined
approach. By sharing my personal plan, perhaps some of
you will gain a new approach to set some intentions for yourself. On
the flip-side, I will likely gain the enhanced ability to
manifest what I am intending! That's the beauty of intentions.
They become that much more powerful when you let others know what
they are.
Eight Guidelines
for Themes and Visions:
1.
Ground them in your current priorities. What needs your attention this
year: Your spouse? Children? Self? Career choice and fulfillment?
2.
Make sure they express your true self and core values. When you
peel back the onion, what do you truly want from these efforts? Love?
Truth? Peace? Balance?
3. They
should support, motivate and empower. Pick ideas you can get excited
about or that give you great pleasure.
4. Don't
be afraid to be self-focused, bold, stretch or shoot for the
ideal. If not in a vision, than where? If you lower your
standards, you will never rise above them.
5.
Be clear and simple, especially with themes. Visions do need to be
detailed and written in the present tense-even though they are a
projection of the future.
6.
Use reminders: Post key phrases, or words in your daily view to keep
you on track. You are not superhuman! We are all too busy to
keep these things in the fore without some help.
7.
Take these intentions and break them down into actionable steps and
milestones. Then most important - act!
8. Tell
someone what you are doing. Share and celebrate your successes.
With a new
baby, my intentions will be somewhat unique compared to other
years. That said, I know that my values and priorities, (not to
mention the lessons I am here to learn), in some ways remain
consistent---so there are similarities from year to year also.
Here's a peek at how my 2004 Intentions shaped up:
Themes: (I
like the power of three, as opposed to
one, since it allows me to balance my multiple values and desires,
as I put things on my radar for the year.)
1) Self-care: This year it means actively
taking time to be peaceful and quiet at least once a day; periodically
writing in a journal, getting back into physical shape that feels best,
making time for friends and fun, and being selective about what I say
yes to that takes my time and energy.
2) High Standards: This involves
going even deeper in my personal and professional interactions,
challenging myself to fully trust all of my capabilties, as well as
others'. Tapping into and following my intuition even more,
sharing what I see, and honoring my truth. Being bold enough to
reach out or to retreat as needed, for my own benefit and for
the benefit of others.
3) Acceptance and Faith: In changing times or with
situations and people that can bring up surprise, chaos, stress, or
concern, reminding myself that everything is unfolding for good
reason. Having faith in my own abilities to deal with whatever
comes my way, and recalling victories of the past that remind me.
Having equal strength and patience to detach and let some things
resolve on their own, and trusting they will.
Visions: Again, I have written
a brief page-long vision for three major roles in my
life: parent, partner, coach/business owner.
Without recounting the details, I will say my detailed and
descriptive visions have my values of peace, balance and acceptance in
them, and align with the three above themes. For my unique
circumstances, I did a blurb for the transition phase of the
first three months with the baby and then a vision for a year from now,
for each of the roles. I knew my expectations would vary depending on
the timeframe this year. This felt reasonable and complete for
me. You might want to do one, for just a year from now.
>Take
Action!
Look at
your approach for planning this year. What resonates for you more:
Writing a theme, a vision or both? Take one, and begin. If
you want an ear, drop me a line, I would be more than happy to
help! You can manifest what you truly want to create. It can
begin right here.
II. Messages from the
Masters
" I will do strongly before the sun and
moon what inly rejoices me and the heart appoints. "
- Ralph
Waldo Emerson
" Peak
performers are driven by what is important to them, not by the external
trappings of success. The point is to create a picture of what success
looks like, for you."
-
Rick Barrera, Co-author of Non-Manipulative Selling
III. Coach's Top Picks
The Winning
Spirit - Achieving Olympic Level Performance in Business and Personal
Advancements
- Compilation
edited by Robert Sommer of Best of the Masters; Published in
association with the United States Olympic Committee.
This book
represents and shares the thoughts of twenty of the nations's
leading counselors in the search for success. Thank you, Debbie,
for sharing this one with me. She is a company president who had the
insight to give this book to all of her annual conference attendees,
and have Bill Bachrach, one of the contributors, as the keynote
speaker.
IV. News
>A Balanced
Life Expo will be at The
Hartford's downtown Hartford location on February 17, from 10:30
a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This expo, for The Hartford employees,
will provide health and wellness exhibitors, and Ginny Kravitz, Sheila
Cartelli and Jill Berquist, of the Coaches and Trainers Collaborative
will be there. If you are there, come by and see us!
>The February Coaches and Trainers
Collaborative Incredible
Coaches Circle will be held at Panera's of Glastonbury
on Monday, February 23, from
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. All are welcome to join
these gatherings for conversation, community, resource-sharing and
fun. The only requirement is a passion for coaching. For
more information or to RSVP, please contact Jill at 860.659.5829 or jill@berquistcoaching.com
> Personal Announcement.....Although many may know:
Jaymie Elizabeth Berquist joined us on 11/18/03, is 10 weeks old at
this writing, and so far, has delivered on her parents prayers for a
healthy, wonderful, even, yet spirited little bundle of joy. Big
sister, Aliza, is doing better all the time with the transition and
can't stop saying how much she loves the baby. This, except for when
she has her 4-year old moments of saying she is a stinky poopy
diaper head. Fortunately the former far outweigh the latter:) Mom
and dad are well, and are gradually regaining the ability to get to the
REM sleep state.
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