Blog | Your Life - Inspired

Wanted: New Cliches Please

It's no secret that I love words and language. I've devoted more than a few blog posts to the topic, like this one, and this one, and this one.

Lately I've been noticing how much violence sneaks into every day conversation. Once I started paying attention, I was a little stunned at the amount of violence behind my words. Things like conquering, and beating, and pimping.

With a little awareness, I'm (mostly) using words that more accurately reflect my peace-loving self. But a few words and idioms are such succinct, well-understood short-cuts it's difficult to find substitutes.

I'm talking about these kinds of things:

There's more than one way to skin a cat.
Kill two birds with one stone.
Pimping

I'm going to keep thinking about different ways to express these ideas, and I'd love to hear from you.

What new words or phrases could replace those?

What other sneaky violent references pop up in every day conversation?

February 2nd, 2010

Posted in Hello Self, So This Is How You Work, Randomness and Funny Things | 4 Comments »

Retreating

The view from my window at the retreat. Complete with deer (in the middle of the photo).

Have you ever noticed that little trick your mind plays on you, the one about how you don't have the time to relax, you don't have the time to be calm, you don't have the time to breathe?

It's a crazy, twisted little trick.

It's so easy to get in that mode, and push, Push, PUSH. Sure, stuff gets done, but so do you. Cooked. Burnt-out. Deflated. Sick.

I have an extra lot on the to-do list today. See I pretty much took all of last week off. I took the time to attend Havi Brook's Destuckification Retreat at the last minute.

Am I glad I did. Today was going to be busy before I rearranged things, and put stuff off until this week. Now it's just extra busy. And, instead of feeling overwhelmed it's going smoothly. Had I not taken the time to really relax, explore what I need and get re-inspired by my business (and boy am I re-inspired!) it would have been gerbil wheel central around here.

Every so often it's great to retreat.

I know it's not always possible to get away, so I want to tell you about a really cool opportunity to retreat in the comfort of your own home, live or on a schedule that works for you.

Jen Louden's Virtual Retreat

She's the Comfort Queen, and her book, The Woman's Retreat Book was featured on Oprah. I've retreated with her, and she knows what she's doing! The whole set-up is pretty great. There are 13 mini-retreats, a workbook, support and structure to help you get the most out of it.

If you're on the gerbil wheel, please take a moment to relax and breathe and explore how to find a little more calm in your life.

February 1st, 2010

Posted in Discovering and Developing That Thing You Love, Hello Self, So This Is How You Work | No Comments »

Trusting Myself Enough to be Crude

Over the years I've tried lots of different systems for resolution setting and goal-planning. You know, SMART Goals, life-changing resolutions, positive affirmations. But the results were sketchy at best. And completely demoralizing at worst.

One of the things I noticed is that I was following these systems, but they weren't quite right for me. I was doing what I thought I should be doing, not what I wanted to do.

For example, every year I'd come up with something around money. But I'd never want to be so crude as to actually use the word MONEY. That would be too base. So, I came up with schmancy names, like financial wisdom or life wealth or a gazillion forms of abundance. But you know what? I never really felt connected to the resolutions or goals, and the results were what you'd expect. Completely variable.

As opposed to the times where I really connected with what I wanted. Like when my goal of being active wasn't getting me to the gym or on the trail, but training to climb Mt. Hood, got me out every day. And now, more than a year later the basic goal still gets me to the gym and on the trail, even after reaching that particular summit. I've just keep changing the name of the summit!

So this year, as I was reflecting on 2009 and looking forward to 2010, I happened to read one of Michael Neill's Coaching Tips, "What's Your Impossible Dream for 2010?"

In it, he talked about setting up a big challenge for yourself, something that is hard to believe can happen, but you'd love it if it did. The example he gave was, "a 90 day game where "winning" was defined as earning more than [he] had earned in the previous 12 months."

Wow, talk about big.

As I was reading, it hit me. I wanted to do the same thing. And I wanted to do it around money. Not wealth, financial security or abundance. But money. (Cue The Apprentice theme song.)

He gives lots of good information about why creating an impossible dream like this works. All good, important stuff. But the thing that struck me was the use of the word money. I realized that I had some fear that if I used the word money, rather than one of the nicer, P.C. terms, I'd turn into some kind of money grubbing huckster, who'll do anything for a buck.

Ha. Not likely.

Suddenly I can trust myself to say what I really want out of this particular challenge. Money. Because behind that word is so much more… Helping people tame their fears. Igniting inspiration. Supporting other little people's businesses. Having fun and laughing along the way.

And boy, when I set up my own Big Ass Money Challenge, the energy and excitement around it is game-changing. A little something magic happens when you trust yourself, even when it means using a word that can seem crude.

* * *

Are you feeling stuck with resolution-making or goal-setting? Check out the teleclass I'm co-teaching with Janine Adams of Peace of Mind Organizing, called Why Resolutions Don't Work (and how to get what you want anyway).

January 21st, 2010

Posted in Discovering and Developing That Thing You Love, Hello Self, So This Is How You Work | 5 Comments »

Why Resolutions Don't Work (and How To Get What You Want Anyway)

Where are you on the New Year’s Resolution Continuum?

(statistics from 2008 survey by Opinion Corporation of Princeton, NJ)

If you fall in that big middle group (or have drifted into the no resolutions group due to disappointment) this could be the year for something different.

Janine Adams and I teamed up again (we co-created the Declutter Happy Hour course) to teach this teleclass. We share with you the reasons resolutions don't work, and more importantly what to do instead. We give you tips and strategies, and guide you through helpful exercises so you can experience a new way of approaching your resolutions and goals.

Perhaps you'd like to declutter and get organized this year, or maybe you want to make changes for your health, creativity or finances. Our approach is terrific for whatever set your sights on.

This year is going to be different.

Why Resolutions Don't Work

(and How To Get What You Want Anyway)

The teleclass is over, but you can still get the immensely helpful recording. It's great to listen to any time you want to re-vamp a resolution that isn't working, create a new habit or establish a goal that really works for you.

Details:

We talk for about an hour and then open it up for questions.

During the call we talk about the common reasons that setting resolutions doesn't work, and we explain and guide you through exercises that help you get what you want.

This is for anyone who has been frustrated by resolutions or goals, and wants to learn a new way to approach it.

The cost? Just 19 bucks.

Special bonus. Everyone who signs up will get a coupon for $20 off any product or service offered by me or Janine.

Are you in? Yes? Just click the "Add to Cart" button:

You'll get a link to the recording in moments.

Here's to getting what you really want!

January 11th, 2010

Posted in Discovering and Developing That Thing You Love, Hello Self, So This Is How You Work, News and Announcements | 1 Comment »

Three and a half things I'm embarrassed to admit

1. Yesterday was the end of NaNoWriMo, and I didn't finish my novel.

After writing nearly 33,000 words I realized the tingling and numbness in my hands and pain in my wrists that started around 20,000 words, wasn't getting any better. I bought Speech Recognition software and I wrote another 1000 words or so, but the learning curve for the software was steep. I still had to do a fair amount of mousing and typing.

Ultimately, I decided that meeting the deadline wasn't worth the pain. It wasn't easy, tears were shed. Once I'm healed I'll continue to work on the novel at a slower pace. After all, I'm anxious to find out what happens!

2. I miss being online. A lot.

To rest my paws, I went on a computer fast for four days.I glanced at e-mail on my Blackberry and responded only to urgent stuff. Other than that, no Twitter, no Facebook, no Kitchen Table, no Google searches, no reading my favorite blogs. Virtually no computer time until yesterday. I found myself wondering, a little too frequently perhaps, what was going on online, what my friends, colleagues and clients were doing.

The good news is I picked up the phone to connect with people, read some great books, watched some interesting movies, spent time with friends and family, and went on a couple of beautiful walks. And now, I can poke my nose in online for a few minutes a day. As long as I use a timer and pay attention to my wrists.

I'm also getting the hang of Bixby, which apparently is the name of the voice recognition software, because every time I say, MacSpeech, it types Bixby. I wrote this post with it. Blame any typos, weird words or odd punctuation on Bixby.

3. I lived in the land of frustration for far too long.

As I mentioned in the post about my carpal tunnel coaching special, I'm just about ready to release my first product. I'm super excited about it, and can't wait to let you all know more. But there's a certain amount of typing and mousing that needs to occur before it's ready to go. So, it's on the back burner for now. And then of course the novel, also on the back burner. And then there's e-mail, filling the library of the Tuscan villa that is my inbox.

All of this equals mucho frustration. Plus the pain. Did I mention tears were shed?

And then, my mastermind buddy suggested I use my own product. It was a forehead slapping moment, hello I'm my own best client! I listened to the Boring Change recording, went through the process, and let my unconscious mind takeover. It's been so much easier than struggling. The angst and emotional pain are gone, and the physical pain is definitely decreasing.

3 1/2. I love the song, Cum on Feel the Noize by Quiet Riot.

I'm only giving this a half, because it's not nearly as embarrassing to admit now as it was in the mid-80s when my zippered cassette case was full of Depeche Mode, INXS and Pet Shop Boys tapes. But still.

December 1st, 2009

Posted in Discovering and Developing That Thing You Love, Hello Self, So This Is How You Work, Randomness and Funny Things, Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

Carpal Tunnel Coaching Special

Sorry, this extra-special offer has expired.
Learn how we can work together here.

This is going to be quick.

It seems with all the novel writing and the hanging out in the Tuscan Villa that is my email and the finishing up of a new product, Boring Change, I have overtaxed my hands and wrists and have major pain from carpal tunnel and tendinitis. My days now consist of ice baths for my arms, ugly wrist braces, and long, frustrating chats with my new friend Bixby, the speech recognition software program. At least that's what he said his name was when I tried to get him to type MacSpeech for me.

While I have to severely limit the use of my hands and wrists over the next two weeks, there's no reason I can't talk on the phone.

That's good news for you!

Normally I only have a few hours a week available for telephone coaching, but suddenly, all the time I had allotted to finish up that product is now wide open. So, I'm having a carpal tunnel coaching special!

If you ever wanted to try coaching but didn't want to make a big commitment, now's your chance. Between now and Friday, December 4, I'm going to be doing single coaching sessions (an hour-long) for just $99 each. That's practically half my normal session fee.

Usually, we'd exchange emails, chat for 10 minutes or so, then schedule a session. To try and limit the amount of typing required, I've put an add to cart button below. Once you buy a session you'll get an automatic e-mail to schedule it. Since this bypasses the normal get to know you process, if during the first 15 minutes of the session either of us decides this isn't the right thing, I'll cheerfully refund your money immediately.

Sound good?

And remember, you're not just getting a coaching session for a really great price, you'll also help me stay sane while I'm healing my hands and wrists. And that's a good thing.

I'm in! (Click the "add to cart" button below)

Sorry, this extra-special offer has expired.
Learn how we can work together here.

November 24th, 2009

Posted in Discovering and Developing That Thing You Love, News and Announcements | 1 Comment »

I can SEE you!

Big news, I'm now seeing clients in person!

For the last six years I've fully embraced the working at a distance mode. Working with clients over the phone and with email allows so much flexibility with scheduling, location, travel, clothing and personal grooming. But a few weeks ago, while I was enjoying dinner with the lovely Hiro Boga I had an epiphany. She was asking me about my business, and as we were talking it struck me, I want to work with people in-person.

Big wow for me. I didn't realize how much I'd been wanting to do it, and pretending like I didn't because of the whole work over the phone and from home thing I mentioned before.

I found some convenient office space that's comfortable and doesn't cause me to amp up my overhead expenses too much, and started working with clients face-to-face. I love it! It's so fun to get to see people in-person, actually watch their amazing transformations. And the totally awesome surprise? It has enlivened my phone coaching too.

Yes, yes, yes, I'm still phone coaching, and that will continue to be the primary way that I work with clients. However, I have created space to work with a very limited number of clients in person.

And to help kick off this new opportunity I'm offering a very special introductory package for the two spots I have available: Six Sessions for $837 (That's 25% off of the price you'd pay for single sessions!)

There are a couple of things you need to do to get this bargain price:
1. Pay for the package in advance.
2. Use all the sessions by January 31, 2010.
3. Be able to attend sessions in NE or N Portland between the hours of 9 and 3pm Monday through Thursday.
4. Be ready to work through your stuck stuff and have some fun while you're at it.

Interested? Fill out the form here on my Services page.

November 10th, 2009

Posted in Discovering and Developing That Thing You Love, News and Announcements | 4 Comments »

I'm in Wikipedia! And other random tidbits.

Tidbit #1 – I'm in Wikipedia.

And, by "in" Wikipedia I mean that I was part of the "group of climbers" that aided an injured climber in one of the listed accidents. It remains one of the most memorable experiences of my life.

Tidbit #2 – I'm writing a novel in November.

Don't you love that conviction? November means National Novel Writing Month. I first learned about NaNoWriMo in November 2004. My friend and Declutter Happy Hour co-teacher, Janine Adams told me about it and somehow convinced me to do it with her.

The conversations went something like this:

Janine: "It's National Novel Writing Month! It's too late to join the official one, but I want to do it in December."

Me: "Cool."

Janine: "You should do it too."

Me: "Okay."

I must have been weakened by all the arm twisting, because that was an insane idea.

I had no experience writing fiction, unless you count poorly researched college term papers and that play my friends and I wrote in six grade. (It was a modern re-telling of the Cinderella story. But instead of a gown and glass slippers Cyndi wore San Francisco Riding Gear and Sbiccas, and went to a disco and danced to music from Saturday Night Fever.)

Besides the extreme lack of fiction writing experience, I didn't have a story idea or even a character in mind for my novel in 2004. All things Chris Baty, founder of NaNoWriMo claims to not be a problem. In fact, that's what he called his manifesto and novel writing guidebook, No Plot? No Problem!: A Low-Stress, High-Velocity Guide to Writing a Novel in 30 Days.

He was right. At the end of December, I had a novel. Parts of it were barely readable, but some parts were actually kind of good. I was surprised that quantity over quality didn't entirely eliminate quality.

This year I'm starting with an idea. It came to me at the Taos Writers' Retreat. I also have at least one writing buddy, Janine's doing it again too (read her great post about it). And maybe most importantly, I fired that mean-ass inner critic and hired my dead uncle.

Tidbit #3 – November also means Thanksgiving

November isn't just National Novel Writing Month, it's also time for Thanksgiving, and the beginning of the holiday season. It's also the perfect time to get 28 days of tips, techniques and insightful inspiration to help you clear the clutter from your home. We're offering a $20 discount on Declutter Happy Hourthrough Thursday, 10/29.

Even if you don't celebrate Thanksgiving and just want a unique and inspired way to declutter your space, it's a great program. See for yourself what's possible. There's also a link for free help when you're having a clutter emergency.

October 28th, 2009

Posted in Books and Other Things I Can't Stop Talking About, Discovering and Developing That Thing You Love, Hello Self, So This Is How You Work, Randomness and Funny Things, Shiny Things (that sometimes distract me) | 2 Comments »

Your Email Inbox – Beloved Home or Ellis Island circa 1907?

One of my biggest daily struggles is with email. My problem is that I sometimes suffer from FMS ('Fraid of Missing Something). If you aren't familiar with it, it's a not-so-distant cousin of JustIn Case.

My inbox is overflowing with newsletters, updates and notifications that I keep getting because there might be some good information in there. The problem is that it tends to pile up in my inbox, until I can't stand it anymore and then I madly delete and respond and get exhausted, annoyed and more frequently than I like to admit embarrassed by important emails lost in the detritus.

Last week, while strategically ignoring my inbox and checking in on my favorite blogs, I read Christine Martell's post Getting Control of Email. Unlike Christine, I'm not sure I'm brave enough to know exactly how much time I'm spending on email right now, but, I loved reading about what she's doing, how it's helped, and oh the beautiful paintings!

Duly inspired, I started deleting and unsubscribing and messing around with rules and folders. There went a few hundred of the 500+, but I had a long way to go. And, it was still agonizing.

The next day, I was having a chat with my mastermind buddy, Kat Miller* that completely shifted things.

She asked me to imagine my inbox as my living room or office, and wanted to know what it would be like to invite all that email in.

[Insert Horrified Gasp]

I immediately felt panicked. I don't want all that crap in my space.

Kat talked me down, and guided me to think about my email as a special place, a literal place, place. This idyllic little Tuscan villa came instantly to mind. It was beautiful, welcoming and private.

Unfortunately, instead of being the gracious lady of this beautiful home, I was acting like a security guard at Ellis Island. Scanning over the wretched refuse looking for the sick and troublesome to get them handled.

Not a pleasing metaphor.

So Kat and I ran with the little Tuscan Villa metaphor for awhile. I decided to create a Library where I could relax and browse through newsletters whenever I wanted. Most importantly, I realized that setting aside focused time every day to greet visitors, or spend time in the library, or otherwise hang out with people who dropped by was a really wonderful way to be.

I'm practicing this new way of being with my email. It'll take some getting used to, changing of habits, and I already like how much more spacious and friendly it feels. Almost like when I got my very first aol account.

* BTW, Kat is an amazing person, with great talents and abilities. Unfortunately, she's not taking new clients right now, but when she is, and/or she has her website up, I'll be the first to share!

October 27th, 2009

Posted in Hello Self, So This Is How You Work | 2 Comments »

That's not jet lag, that's the flu…

The Fix-It-All-Now Flu.

And it's a bugger. I've talked about clients that have it, in fact, it was the topic of my first newsletter.

And as I'm sitting here, back at my desk, after traveling for awhile I realize I have the symptoms. While traveling I had lots of time to dream. Time to percolate new ideas, to come up with a whole list of things I wanted to do when I got back home. And now that I'm home, I'm not magically completing my dream list.

I'm bouncing around from project to project, doing a little unpacking, catching up on email, doing a little decluttering, looking at my Autofocus list, click-click-clicking around online, saying hi on Twitter and Facebook, being busy, but not really getting anything done.

I'm frustrated. I hear Veruca Salt's voice in my head, "I want it NOW!"

So it's time to remind myself of the cure…thinking small. With that in mind, I can feel the frustration ease up a bit, and a small opening to do something. Not just do it, but complete it. At least in some small way.

September 17th, 2009

Posted in Hello Self, So This Is How You Work | 3 Comments »

Your Life - Inspired