Archive for clarity
Amazing Results are just 1-2-3 Steps Away
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Running your business (& your life) doesn’t need to be overwhelming or hard. Amazing results are just 1-2-3 steps away!
As a coach, I have learned what it takes to find joy, create ease and achieve prosperity. I’ve personally taken these three steps and seen the positive impact in my life as well as the clients I serve.
It’s this simple:
- Gain clarity of purpose and vision and keep it in front of you,
- Have the right support behind you (and beside you, above you, and in front of you) and,
- Take focused and inspired action consistently!
You might be asking yourself “how” do I start? It begins with saying “yes” to investing in yourself as you walk the path of change. For this type of transformational journey, partnering with a coach is imperative if you’re really serious about creating amazing results that are lasting and sustainable. This was confirmed for me yesterday when one of my clients shared, “I matter” and “I am worth the investment.” This is the place where you learn to believe in yourself and have the ability to accomplish what’s necessary for steps 1-2-3.
Too often I see people “stop” when it gets difficult. You’ve probably found yourself here as well as you begin to doubt and question; before you know it you find yourself doing the same old thing and expecting different results.
The truth is when it matters you can expect opposition. Don’t take it as a sign to stop but as an opportunity to pause and assess so you know how to proceed based on intention, wisdom and discernment. Partnering with a coach will give you the ability so stay the course. In my opinion, coaching is the “circle of life” as it relates to achieving extraordinary results by following the 1-2-3 steps.
Are you taking action on steps 1-3 above? If not, start today because you matter and the world needs what you have to offer.
So, what’s your next step? What will you commit to to achieve amazing results starting now? Post your comments at the blog and share 1. what you’ll commit to and/or 2. how working with a coach has helped you achieve amazing results in your life!
“Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplaceable spark, in the hopeless swamps of the approximate, the not-quite, the not-yet, the not-at-all. Do not let the hero in your soul perish, in lonely frustration for the life you deserved, but have never been able to reach. Check your road and the nature of your battle. The world you desired can be won. It exists, it is real, it is possible, it is yours.”–Ayn Rand
Photo Courtesy of Photoxpress © Olaru Radian
A nagging question that needs Wisdom 2.0
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Your life is on the fast track; school is ending, you’re preparing for the summer, and somewhere inside there’s a nagging question whispering “How will I do it? How can I be effective this summer as a Mompreneur when both my home and my business need me at the same time?”
The answer? It’s an inside job and only you hold the wisdom.
I’m asking myself these same questions, especially during this season of my life. My daughter just completed 4th grade last week and as I watched her with great joy at the awards ceremony, I wondered what happened to my little girl? Now that she’s 10, I realize that we are on a new trajectory of her life that is preparing her to become a woman and honestly, I don’t want to miss any of it.
My reality is that I’m a single parent which means I need to work; however, I’m on a mission to do this in the most life-giving and fruitful way. I am dedicated to leveraging my time, energy and resources for the sake of achieving my “lights on” vision. I am committed to thriving as a woman, showing up consciously and engaged as a Mom, while growing a sustainable business that leaves a positive impact on others and makes a larger contribution in the world.
How about you? What do you want?
It’s a tall order and I truly believe it’s possible for you and for me. It requires tenacity, perseverance and commitment to continue finding your way in the midst of an ever changing world as you create a life that is “less, yet more”.
I’m not alone in this movement….This is what I’m up to with Wendy Balman and our work through The Leadership Collaborative and Compass. Wendy and are just two examples of thousands of others who are after the same thing; another movement of these types is led by Soren Gordhamer who shares his thoughts about the 2010 Wisdom 2.0 Conference that he created.
Soren poses the question:
“What does it mean to say “yes” to a connected life and use all of the great technologies of our age AND say “yes” to what it means to have an inner life and cultivate wisdom, compassion and awareness?”
Ahhhh, sweet music to my spirit as I listen to industry experts from Google, Twitter, Facebook and more share their insights and ask provocative questions at the Wisdom 2.0 Conference Highlights. Be sure to watch the video and post your comments at the blog.
So what do you think? Is it possible to live from the heart, honor your role as a Mom AND build a sustainable business at the same time? Let’s get the conversation going…the time is now!
Three Key Principles for Sound Decision Making
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Do you have an important decision to make? Are you struggling with making the best one? Or do you have a hard time making most decisions?
Just yesterday I was talking with a potential client and one of her reasons for considering professional coaching is because she struggles with decision making. She’s looking for defined processes that will help her respond when she makes decisions rather than react in the moment or not do anything. What’s her ultimate goal? To find a way to make decisions that is authentic AND that eliminates stress!
Could you us this process too? How do you make sound decisions?
Straight out of the Proverbs here are three key principles for sound decision making:
- Get the facts before answering.
- Be open to new ideas.
- Make sure you hear all sides of the story before judging.
All three of these key principles center on seeking additional information. This is difficult work but it is essential. It requires you to “pause on purpose” in order to gather the additional insight necessary to be proactive and respond instead of reacting.
John Maxwell, leadership expert and author says, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Practicing the “pause on purpose” and using these principles for decision making will enhance your ability to be an effective leader of your life.
So what do you need to do differently so you can “pause on purpose”? What needs to happen so you use three key principles in your decision making process?
What do you think? Post your comments at the blog after you’ve had a chance to practice these skills. Together I can support you in your struggles and join you to celebrate your wins.
“Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to decide.”
Napoleon Bonaparte
Photo Courtesy of Photoxpress © Sophia Winters
Be Resilient through the Ups and Downs of Change
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I am completing my Monthly Action Plan (MAP) on the topic of Overcome Overwhelm for my coaching this month with Compass. The topic of resiliency inspired me to reach out to others and to share the learning with the intent to support you around how to be resilient through the ups and downs of change.
Here’s the question I posed to my Facebook Community: How would you rate yourself on a scale of 1-10 in dealing with change? 1 being NO! I don’t like it all to 10 being Bring it on!
Take a look at what others shared with me and see where you can relate:
Kathy Owens Rowland Depends. Mostly I like change…trying new things, finding a better way, going new places. But, if change means loss, or something negative I have no control over, then not so much. But, for overall dealing with any kind of change, probably a 6 or 7 (higher for the good, maybe lower for the not good, but always better after I’ve had a chance to process). Good question…I’ll be interested in reading your blog.
Carrie Tolar Jalonen I like to *think* of myself as closer to a 10! “Everything is an adventure!” 
BUT, when they change the aisle that they keep the beans on at the store and I have to wander aimlessly for several minutes to find them, I’m closer to a 1… heehee
Stephani Strege Morgan Change is not always a choice that I want to do, so sometimes it is the hardest thing to accept. However, I have come to realize that change can be a good thing. I have to look back on where I was to realize it and so acceptance has become an idea that I am embracing. On a scale of 1 -10, I believe I am about a 9. Look for the open door and go through it.
Noelle Lang Beverly I go up and down the scale. really depends on my perspective. For example, if I am really plugged in to who I am and who God sees me as then I handle the change better. I’m not so much me centered and I can accept that I don’t know all o…r see all and can still be at peace. I see adventure and possibility and creative solutions/miracles. In that place nothing can truly rock me. But when I allow outside stuff to define me and tell me who I am then I try living up to these manufactured standards that don’t match up with my authentic self. In those times, I can’t handle change at all. It ends up handling me. Just some thoughts.
Linda Mae If you’d asked a few months ago, I’d be way close to a 1. Meanwhile, I faced a layoff, new position with a great new department and even a new personal relationship. I am comfy with a 9 for now largely because of the new body work I’ve been doing. Also, I was in a class called Movement and Mindfulness and it changed my perspective on life through Yoga, Pilates, Hiking, Reading/Writing, Meditating and being totally present in the moment.
Wow! What amazing authenticity, wisdom, humor and more!
Through my MAP, I’ve learned that resiliency is the ability to bounce back from whatever is going on. People who are resilient are much better at handling change of any kind; they have a “human rubber band attitude.”
Resilient people are: optimistic, persistent, unstoppable, flexible, curious, creative, laugh a lot, go with the flow, have a sense of adventure and boundless enthusiasm.
How would you rate yourself in being resilient? Do you embrace change or resist it?
As you can see from the posts to Facebook, there is humor, wisdom, struggle and joy that comes through being immersed in the change process. I want this for you!
So, what’s your next step so you can become more resilient in your life? Share your thoughts at the blog at www.shannonbruce.com.
I want to invite you to stop “getting ready to get ready”. Decide on an action step and make the commitment to become more resilient. Visit Compass or The Leadership Collaborative to find out how we can partner together in making permanent change as you experience joy in the process.
Photo courtesy of Photoxpress Attila Toro
Do you know who you are?
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“Possessing information about yourself is not the same as truly knowing yourself. Self transformation is always preceded by self-acceptance. And the self you must accept is the self you actually and truly are–before you start your self-improvement projects.”
David G. Benner, Author of The Gift of Being Yourself
Your success in the world is contingent upon knowing who you are. It is critical to achieving your goals and having the impact you desire. Building your self-esteem by discovering and knowing yourself allows you to be more confident, open and comfortable with who you really are and this self-knowing leads to self-acceptance allowing you to give more to your families and the world.
So how do you come to know all of who you are?
I recently found an assessment tool that you can use to gain feedback from others about your personal brand identity. It’s a powerful tool called the 360 Degree Reach which you can use free for 15-days.
I imagine you’re wondering if you really want to have others feedback about you. Yes, it’s extremely vulnerable to ask others for input. If you come from the perspective that not everyone is out to get you and in fact they may have good feedback to give you, it can help give you the courage to take this next step.
I was inspired to do this as a result of reading a recent Daily Workplace Inspiration received from Os Hillman. Here’s what he shared:
Someone once said, “Success is when those who know you the best are those who love you the most.”
Years ago a self-assessment toll was developed by Joseph Luft and Harry Ingram called the Johari Window. The Johari Window helps you realize where you are in your ability to know who you are and for others to know who you are. Real transparency in communication takes place when those we associate with us know who we are after we discover who we really are. See if you can identify what category you might fall among these four:
Transparent Life: The transparent life is the life we should desire. I know who I am and others know me. There is nothing hidden. I have come to know who I am as an individual and basically people get what they see in me.
Bull-In-The-China Shop: This person is blinded to the things that others recognize about him. The solution to becoming a transparent person is to get feedback from those around us about our blind spots in our personality. We must ask for the feedback and be willing to respond to their input.
Aloof/Hidden Secrets: This person lives in a secret world. They don’t allow others to know about themselves. They know themselves but are fearful of letting others know. Those around them do not know them either. What do others really about you? Have you allowed yourself to get close enough to others to share who you really are inside?
Hidden Potential: This is a combination of Bull-In-A-China Shop and Aloof/Hidden Secrets. It is the saddest of all conditions. These people don’t know themselves and others don’t know them either. This means both parties have to invest the energy to communicate and get feedback from one another.
How about you? Why not take a step to find out who you really are in the lives of others. It could change your life.
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