CoachCherri.com – The Transition Coach

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”

–Ralph Waldo Emerson

Who are you? Why are you here? What are your beliefs about life? For many years, finding the answers to these questions has meant going within. But what does that mean?

There is a Power within each of us that will direct us to our perfect health, perfect relationships, perfect careers, and which can bring us prosperity of every kind. In order for us to have these things, we have to believe first that they are possible. Next, we must be willing to release the patterns in our lives that are creating conditions we say we do not want. We do this by going within and tapping the Inner Power that already knows what is best for us. If we are willing to turn our lives over to this greater Power within us, the Power that loves and sustains us, we can create more loving and prosperous lives.

We cannot allow what I call “Power Enemies” to erode our energy and cause all kinds of distractions in our lives they hold us hostage and keep us from experiencing an abundance life. 

These enemies are characterized as:

• No knowledge of who we are
• Keeping ourselves locked into what happen way back when
• Listening to others instead of what’s inside of us
• Staying in unhappy and unhealthy situations out of fear
• Stuck in excuses for our lack of movement towards something greater for ourselves

We have the choice to use our Power in any way. If we choose to live in the past and re-hash all of the negative situations and conditions that went on way back when, then we stay stuck where we are. If we make a conscious decision not to be victims of the past and go about creating new lives for ourselves, we are supported by this Power within, and new, happier experiences begin to unfold.  Also we sometimes contribute toward the creation of every condition in our lives, good or bad, with our thinking, feeling patterns. The thoughts we think create our feelings, and we then begin to live our lives in accordance with these feelings and beliefs. I like the analogy that author Louise Hay wrote in her book, “The Power is Within You”:

Imagine that your thoughts are like drops of water. One thought or one drop of water does not mean very much. As you repeat thoughts over and over, you first notice a stain on the carpet, then there is a little puddle, then a pond, and as these thoughts continue, they can become a lake, and finally an ocean. What kind of ocean are you creating? One that is polluted and toxic and unfit to swim in, or one that is crystal clear and blue and invites you to enjoy its refreshing waters?

We are meant to be wonderful and loving expressions of life. Life is waiting for you to open up to it–to feel worthy of the good it holds for you.  Life is here to support you. Trust the Power within you to be there for you.

Try tapping into your inner power by:

• Believing Anything Is Possible
• Getting still in a quiet space
• Asking yourself simple, profound questions that require you to look inside your heart
• Letting your intuition guide you
• Feeling the riches and abundance of life
• Seeing things with new eyes, hearing with new ears and experience new ways of thinking

You have everything you need within you to make your own choices, decisions, achieve your dreams and find your purpose.  Getting in touch with who you are and living an authentic live…that’s true for you is powerful. There’s nothing mystical about it ..you just have to keep your lamp burning, by putting oil in it.

” Champions aren’t made in the gyms.  Champions are made from something they have deep inside them¾a desire, a dream, a vision.”

-Muhammad Ali

I haven’t been an avid watcher of the 2008 Olympic Games but the swim matches have caught my attention a little.  Much as of the hype has been on twenty-three year old Michael Phelps’ 8^th gold medal history making wins, who  was diagnosed as a child with ADD (attention deficient disorder), according to a recent interview on Good Morning America with his mother.  Most of these athlete’s have a mountain moving story of obstacles they had to overcome to reach their goals. 

 Take for instance Dara Torres, whom the media keeps repeatedly emphasizing that she is forty-old years old, the oldest swimmer to compete and qualify for the Games.   I loved it when she made the statement, “the water doesn’t know how old you are“.  Torres had to have surgery to remove a bone spur that caused a partial rotator tear in her right shoulder.  Although she had to miss four weeks of training, it was said that she didn’t miss a beat during the Olympic trials.  

 A true Champion is defined as a valiant fighte, who understands the Universal Law of Cause and Effect.  This law generally means that you reap what you sow by putting in time, energy, and effort over and over again until you inevitably enjoy the results and rewards.  It doesn’t come with a disclaimer: give up at the first sign of injury, disappointment, defeat, fear.  It simply means give it all you GOT and SOME. 

 The CHAMP and the CHUMP

 Let me compare a few qualities of these two characters famously made by San Jose State College’s sprint coach Bud Winter, in his book titled ” So You Want To Be A Sprinter”.

 The “CHAMP” has the WILL TO SUCCEED.

• Follows a goal oriented training plan.
• Accepts pre game nerves but keeps anxiety and worry to a minimum.
• Focuses on personal goals without letting distractions of what others are saying or doing.
• Shows poise and courage in a crisis.

 The “CHUMP” has the WILL TO FAIL.

• Fails to prepare themselves/and or equipment properly for competition.
• Gets injured or ill regularly especially just prior to the competition.
• Expects times to “just come” or come easily because ” I’ve been doing the training.
• Never trains or practice drills unless the conditions are perfect.

 Choose which character you want to emulate as you go after whatever it is you desire. Should you decide to be a gold medal winner, take note of their body language: feet firmly planted, body erect, shoulders back, head up, smiling, eyes aglow and one or both arms thrust triumphantly in the air.  Now is not the time to look timid.  Go for the Gold…Act like a Gold Medal Champion.

 What are the unique gifts that differentiate you from other solo entrepreneurs? The path to discovering your gifts may take a lifetime, but you can use the exploration process to begin to use your gifts NOW!

 
Unfortunately, for many different reasons people get sidetracked or never even get started taking the actions that would help them discover their uniqueness. Here are some suggested strategies to help move forward and stay on the path of discovering your gifts.

1. Make yourself a priority. Understand what’s important to you. To do that, you have to make yourself important in your life. Spend less time worrying about what everyone else thinks you should do. That’s what got you confused in the first place.

 
2. Build a reserve of money, time and space. This doesn’t mean you have to be rich to live your dreams. However, if you’re always lacking in money, time and space, you’re creating extra pressure for yourself. Having some reserves gives you the freedom to play and make different choices.

3. Have a daily practice that keeps you connected with your gifts. A daily practice allows you to develop the skill and discipline to listen to yourself. Learn to look inward for answers. Consider journaling, meditation or other practices that help you tune out the world and hear your own whispers.

4. Ask others for input on what you can’t see in yourself. Sometimes it’s hardest to see your own gifts. People may overlook or dismiss your strengths and talents. Chances are your friends and family can provide clues about what’s special and great in you.

5. Don’t think too much. It’s time to get out of your head and into your heart and body-they have intelligence to share. You can’t always think your way to the answers. When you are engaged in activities, pay attention to your feelings or your body. Are you energized? Do you lose track of time? Don’t miss these valuable clues.

6. Get a fan club. Discovering your gifts doesn’t have to be a solitary endeavor. Exercise the choice you have about who to spend time with. Why not surround yourself with positive and supportive people?

7. Befriend your inner critic. Keep reminding yourself that knowing and using your gifts is not about being right or wrong or perfect. Discovering your gifts is an ongoing process of learning. Expect resistance, learn from your inner critic, and keep taking action.

8. Maintain a sense of humor. It is important to have a sense of lightness and fun to welcome new ideas and opportunities. Don’t be too serious. Take delight in unwrapping your gifts.

9. Shine the light on beliefs. Don’t underestimate the power of belief. What do you believe about yourself and the world that could be hindering your progress? Replace beliefs that don’t serve you. Consider creating an “old belief graveyard” and “new belief birth ward.”

10. Don’t step off a cliff, just take one small step toward the edge. The process of discovering your gifts requires action. The focus is not on arriving somewhere, but on being on the journey and learning. A desire to make changes in your life may come with a deeper understanding of your gifts.

However, you don’t have to make drastic changes overnight. What’s one small step you can take to move in the direction of your gifts?

Source: http/: www.advancingwomen.com

A great way to boost your confidence is to keep a confidence journal.

It is a smart tool to just remind yourself just how good you really are and what you have to be thankful for and pleased about in your life right now.

Buy yourself a pretty journal preferably one with inspirational quotes and once a week for the next month I’d like you to jot down your answers to the following confidence questions.

Don’t give me any excuses about you haven’t got the time to do it!

Take just 10 minutes per week, sit down and jot down your thoughts to:

1. What have I got to be grateful for in my life right now?

2. What am I happy about in my life right now?

3. Why am I happy about these things?

4. What did I accomplish last week?

5. What am I excited about in my life right now?

6. Who do I love and appreciate in my life? Who do I like hanging around? Why?

7. Who loves and appreciates me for what I am? Warts ‘n all!

Answer these questions at the start of each week and it will set you up for success.

If you need a boost midweek, then by all means answer them again whenever you want to feel centred and remind yourself of what you have got going for yourself in your life right now.