WholeLife Mastery

Who would have thought tearing a page out of a book could feel so liberating?

This morning I went to the first session of my altered books class. When I first heard about "ruined books" from a colleague at shool, I gasped with horror. Altering sounds less sacrilegious. Yes, given all that they've given me -- education, inspiration, connection, ... -- I consider books to be sacred. So tearing that first page out of a book was ... a stretch.

Funny thing about learning a new skill is reflecting on how I learn best. Taking a class definitely helps. I like being shown the way by someone who's traveled the path I'm just starting and I enjoy bouncing ideas around with others. I need some structure in there too. After making a few stops at the Goodwill store for books to alter and a Scrabble set -- it's all about the lettered tiles -- for $1. (50% off today at all Las Vegas stores), I didn't find the clear plastic make-up bags for holding found objects. I'm definitely cleaning out my jewelry box this week to make use of the 20 year old charms, broken necklaces, single earrings, etc. that I just couldn't bear to throw away. I found some very clear directions, tips, and "prescriptions" for getting started.

Okay, so taking this class is definitely a home run. I get to bring together two of my favorite expressive arts (journaling and collage/treasure-mapping). I get to release some stuff -- altered book artists call it "ephemera," and put it to creative use. I get to remember what it's like to be a student. That always keeps me honest when I'm the one at the front of the room. And, icing on the creative cake, I met some really interesting, creative, evolving and proud of it ... people.

"And miles to go before I sleep"

Hey coaches, It's Time to Get Visible & Make a Difference!, asserts personal branding coach Rosemary Davies-Janes. "My recent travels across the North America have verified the huge public need for coaches. I was shocked to learn that most 'civilians' STILL don't clearly understand the value of working with a coach. This problem is exacerbated by many coaches natural reluctance to sell - and the challenge of translating a largely 'intangible' - and very personal - service into clear, genuine, benefit-rich marketing tools."
It is my vision that within the next 10 years everyone who needs a coach will have one. To realize this vision -- BTW, vision is one of the topics for my professional development course next week. Yes, I know, I teach what I need to learn:)! and on the best days I practice what I profess -- I need to show up and serve in my still evolving, newly defined role of "Coach as Professor". This week's nightime reading, Herminia Ibarra's Working Identity has me reflecting on and being with my shifting professional identity. Not always fun, but definitely evolutionary. Growing on!

The Joy of Being and Doing What is Mine To Be and To Do

HOORAY! I received my first blog comment today, and it wasn't even in this blog. It was in the Career Development blog I set up for one of the courses I'm teaching. The comment was from one of my blogging role models, C. J. Hayden. What I love about C. J.'s blog is that it's a clearly focused authentic promotional tool for her business and an insightful resource for her readers and clients. That's what I'm wanting my blog to be. (Thanks to my best friend for pointing out there's no clear contact info on my blog. Yep! that's at the top of the list for this week. Not the to-do list of add contact info and write "About Me" page, but the to-be list of making myself visible and available to attract my ideal coaching clients.)


I'm preparing to work with my students on values and mission statements next week, so the joy I felt in reading C.J.'s comment pointed to one of my values -- confirmation, which I define as being acknowledged and rewarded for doing well what is mine to do. Originally that value and clarifying statement didn't sit well with me. It felt too externally driven UNTIL I recognized that my most important and powerful rewards come from within! When I take inspired action and do what is mine to do while being my Authentic Big S Self, joy naturally follows. That joy is my Internal Guidance System acknowledging and rewarding me for being on purpose, on misssion, aka doing what is mine to do. Inquiry: What brings you joy? What is TRULY, joyously, and authentically yours to do?

Today I remembered there's nothing to learn

In Conversations with God, Book 1 (CWGI), p. 21, we are reminded that there's nothing to learn. We are here "To remember, and re-create, Who You Are". About two weeks ago, I was excited about the show "Starting Over" and recommended it to my clients and coaching colleagues. After watching it for two weeks, I was a bit disappointed .... until I remembered: "This is television, not real life. 'Reality TV.' What an oxymoron. What I would consider the good stuff of coaching probably ended up on the cutting room floor, because there's not a lot of drama in it. After all, the true work of coaching is internal and the shifts are subtle, even imperceptible in the short term. That doesn't make for dramatic viewing." The other part of experience -- NOT the LESSON -- was that I had expectations about what the show should be. ACKKK!! I was shoulding on the show AND on myself -- "I shouldn't have recommended it!" "To live your life without expectation -- without the need for specific results -- that is freedom" (CWGI, p. 101).

The Journey's the Thing

Yesterday, I had a "wherever you go, there you are" conversation with a colleague. This morning, I open my email to find an Abraham-Hicks reading entitled "Reasons for Life" that encourages approaching goals as one would approach a vacation. "Now what we want to do is startle you into the awareness that 'getting it done' is really not what you are looking for. And yet that's what you think. You think when you have a better job, then you'll be happy. A job with more time, then you'll be happy. A job with more money, then you'll be happy. Or work coming to you more easily, then you'll be happy. In other words, it feels like 'If I could just get there, then I'll feel better'. And what we want you to hear is that you can't get there from here." Inquiry: What are you trying to get done? How can you shift your focus from "getting it done" to enjoying the journey.

If your work isn’t what you love, then something isn’t right.

Before leaving the house for campus this morning, I sat with one of my intentions for this year: "I am enjoying soul-satisfying, prosperous, fulfilling work professing, coaching, and writing." So when a colleague showed up at my desk in the advising office, blowing his usually cool head, I felt a coachable moment coming. We started talking and he gave me that song lyric. All I remember from the Talking Heads was the song, "Burning down the House", and looking at the lyrics it had a serious message too: "People on their way to work baby what did you except? Gonna burst into flame". Cathy Severson's Passport to Purpose blog drove this same point home with the story of a Harvard MBA and a Mexican fisherman. Do you love your work? If so, let's celebrate with a Snoopy Dance!! If not, what belief is keeping you there? Life is just too short ....

The Gremlin Taming Institute

Co-Active Coaching in Organizations

In addition reporting the results of a study on the impact of co-active coach training on emotional intelligence, this article also includes an excellent description of the similarities and differences among coaching, managing, consulting, and training.

RESULTS Newsletter

RESULTS Newsletter

Home and Garden Television: Mission Organization

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