The unofficial start of summer is traditionally accompanied by a more relaxed, go-with-the-flow kind of attitude.  Years ago there were only re-runs on a very limited number of TV channels and no internet to entice/distract/constrain us from being outside enjoying the warmer weather and longer days.

With our 21st century 24/7 lifestyle, this means that we have to consciously take time to disconnect with technology and re-connect with Nature, and ourselves.  

Like that cool special effect in big blockbuster movies of our recent past and present,  we need to pause midair and get a full 360 degree view of what is going on around us so that we can take the precise action to defend and/or advance who we are and what we want.

So while in the park or at the beach, be sure to take a moment to reflect on where you really want to be going and why, rather than just moving unconsciously from one activity to the next, day after day.  If you’ve been feeling too anxious or not in control, give me a buzz – I’ll take the remote out of your hand, put it on slo-mo, and guarantee you’ll be feelin’ groovy in no time!

(Today’s PGG was originally posted on June 1, 10)

P.S. Don’t forget to check out the article featuring yours truly in Forbes.com:  What I Learned Working with a Career Coach and be sure to share with your friends and followers 🙂 

There’s a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in. ~ Leonard Cohen

I recently had my apartment painted, which is basically like moving without actually moving. The main reason I did it was to force myself to go through all of my belongings and see what should stay and what should go, clean all the nooks and crannies that never get looked at and rearrange things in a better way.  Well, it’s working, but for various reasons has been happening s-l-o-w-l-y….and I just need to be okay with that.

In my post The Present of Presence, I mentioned that out of chaos comes clarity.  And I’m always talking about process, how patience is a virtue and the consistent effort needed to make lasting change, One Step at a Time.  I’m certainly getting some good practice right now!

It’s been a great exercise to dismantle my external life since most days I live and work on the internal side of things.  Just like with physical surgery, sometimes you gotta literally open up, get in there, dig around and rid yourself of and/or fix whatever is not working in order to begin healing and functioning more optimally.  Like my client’s ostrich with its head held high on her Vision Board, we have to deal with what is and take action, instead of keeping our heads buried in the sand expecting things to change.

With all the graduations, series, season and competition finales, and loss of some famous folks, it’s  a reminder to say goodbye to life as a student, to an era, to characters and storylines, and perhaps jobs, people, places and things, and especially old personas that we’ve outgrown. There are just times in our lives when we need to let it all go to make way for the new.

What needs to be opened up, dismantled, re-examined in your life? What is old and tattered and/or has served its purpose and should be released? What can be put back together in a new and improved way so that you can more easily integrate ALL parts of yourself and more effortlessly move forward in the most positive way on this journey called life?

Whatever area you feel stuck in, be sure to Ch-Check it Out – because only when we look at things from a different perspective can we make different decisions.  Having a hard time letting go of anything that’s not Hot Stuff?  Give me a buzz and I’ll help you face the music and get you Stayin’ Alive in the best version of yourself now and beyond!

P.S. In case you haven’t seen it yet, I was featured in the article What I Learned Working with a Career Coach now on Forbes.com! Please feel free to share /post /tweet to your peeps. 🙂

A rabbit’s foot, four-leaf clover or that certain pair of underwear – we all have things in our life that we consider good luck charms. Objects that we hold near and dear to serve the purpose of bringing us a little special magic in whatever scenario we need it.

But what about your inner charms, the things that make you YOU, those little quirks, sayings and even physical characteristics that come together in a combination uniquely yours? That is where your true luck lies, and by using them and trusting where they take you, doors that were previously closed can start to miraculously open.

We spend more time and energy than we realize trying to fit in and conform to certain standards of acceptance. Whether it be in our work, family, relationships, appearance or lifestyle, most people bury to varying degrees the very substance that will make them the most appreciated and successful. So if things aren’t going your way right now, why not ‘let your freak flag fly’ and see what happens?

Not sure what little treasures you possess or how to use them in the world? Give me a buzz and I will help you uncover those special gems that will lead to your pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!

(*Today’s PGG was originally posted in March 2010)

P.S. In case you haven’t seen it yet, I was featured in the article What I Learned Working with a Career Coach now on Forbes.com! Please feel free to share /post /tweet to your peeps. 🙂

“A human mind is a wandering mind, and a wandering mind is an unhappy mind,” was the conclusion of a new* Harvard study using an iPhone app. It is a sentiment that many religions and philosophies have proclaimed for centuries that can best be summed up by the popular phrase, ‘be here now.’

If someone had a window into our minds, they’d see that we are almost never fully engaged in what is right in front of us, whether we’re thinking of something in the past or future, or simply not focused on the task at hand, and that causes unhappiness.

According to Andrew Bersnstein’s  The Myth of Stress, it’s not the activity or situation itself that is a stressor, but our mind’s perception and reaction to it that causes the stress.  So by recognizing the reality of the situation at that particular time, and really see why it is happening is a way to greatly reduce your adverse response to whatever is taking place.

I am always talking about process and ‘understanding where you’re at.’ Most unpleasant situations we find ourselves in are impermanent; by simply accepting the fact that they are temporary, you can greatly increase your sense of inner peace and balance.  Because life is constantly in motion we need to learn how to just ‘go with the flow’ and know that ‘this too shall pass’.  

Remember that if you show up, in your mind and also physically to that meeting or event or participating in that conversation, you’ve already done half the work and the Universe can meet you half way to create whatever it is you want or need.

Out of chaos always comes clarity.  Need a little help living in the unknown and keepin’ it in real time?  I can be your personal iPhone app that checks in to show you how to make sense of and get the best out of anywhere you happen to be!

(*Today’s PGG was originally posted on 11/16/10)

For related thoughts on this topic, check out my post One Day at a Time

P.S. In case you haven’t seen it yet, I was  featured in the article What I Learned Working with a Career Coach now on Forbes.com!

Today is the last day for my special Spring Cleaning coaching discounts & offers! Click here for more info.

For this week’s PGG I thought I’d share an excerpt from an article about a talk I did that was featured in The Huffington Post. Enjoy!

5 Simple Steps for Finding Your Life’s Purpose  

Today, times are a changin’. Our generation has learned that we have no choice but to find jobs in line with our true purpose. “Where is the job security today? Even the most traditionally ‘secure’ jobs can no longer make that claim. Bankers, lawyers, top executives, hospital and government employees and educators are losing jobs, and struggling to find new positions in their fields,” Kristina said.

She emphasized that this turbulent economic time, more than ever, is forcing us to dig deep, do more soul searching, find meaningful work that meshes perfectly with who we really are and create the life we want — no matter what our family, friends or colleagues think. Boy, can they chatter!

Kristina offered the group some amazing tools for staying focused and finding your purpose:

Get to Know Yourself: We are so influenced by external forces that many of us are out of touch with our deepest desires and passions. The ancient Greek philosophers advised, “Know Thyself.” Seek out classes, mentors and coaches to help you reach the core of who you are.

Get Paid to Be Who You Are: Think of Oprah, Rachel Ray and Dr. Oz; they all get paid to be themselves and do what they love. Maybe you’re not cut out for prime time, but it’s integral to realize that people are finding success just by being true to who they are.

Think Forward, Then Back: Not to be morbid, but how do you want to be remembered when you kick it? Take a few minutes to think about your legacy. What do you want to leave behind after your time in this world? Your answers will give you more clues to your purpose.

Take Advantage of Your Effortless Skills: Don’t knock the things you do well, big or small. The skills that come easily and effortlessly are the ones you should value the most. For example, are you an amazing listener? You might be surprised that listening is a valuable skill that many people don’t have. Don’t take your gifts for granted; they were given to you for a reason.

Have Courage: The universe rewards risk. Take a step in the direction of your passion and purpose, and opportunities will start coming your way. You first have to make a commitment to go for the gold in your life. Apply for a dream job you never thought possible. Meet with a mentor who lives your fantasy life. Take one step and watch the fun — and your future — unfold.

Most importantly, Kristina reminded the group to be patient! Don’t live like that high-roller on Wall Street looking for a quick fix and instant gratification; we all know how that story ends! Digging deep and finding your purpose takes time, perseverance and some elbow grease. Love the journey, because it will definitely be the best part.

Click here for the full article and share with others!

P.S. For related thoughts on this topic, check out my posts:  Work It, Money Makes the World Go Round, At Your Service

P.P.S. In case you haven’t seen it yet, I was also featured in the article What I Learned Working with a Career Coach now on Forbes.com!

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