
by Mary B. Golly
What keeps us from living a life we love? Humans love to burrow themselves into what is known as “the comfort zone.” It’s about living the cushy life of routine which — heaven forbid — is disrupted. We fear change. Some of us stay in jobs that stifle us, no longer work or even worse – endure abusive environments. Living in this safety-net robs us!
Socrates coined the phrase: “The unexamined life is not worth living.” We owe it to ourselves to be self-investigative; cleaning-up what no longer works, while enhancing what we do well.
I have attended various trainings facilitated by Barbara Fagan and they always served as a conduit to clarify my path and help me choose the high road at all costs. They helped me to do and be the best that I can be. Lou Dozier’s relationships workshops tackle the paradigm that we cannot love or be loved without loving and accepting ourselves 100%. These rigorous women stand for nothing less than greatness. For example, I learned about:
1. Playing to win versus playing not to lose: taking well-calculated risks without fear of failure; viewing failure as useful information and a learning tool
2. Being proactive versus reactive: being aware of “reacting” only to realize that reaction causes more of the same things we don’t want
3. Affirming what/who we are: seeking the gifts in ourselves and others; learning to make a difference with our gifts
As a Life Coach, my practice today focuses on the aging woman and the beauty that comes with wisdom and experience. My training has taught me to be a more
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by Lou Dozier
Executive VP
& Co-Founder
“Your results are simply your results” is certainly much easier said than accepted. Your universal mirror can truly be exciting — if — you are willing to let go of the right/wrong, good/bad, success/failure paradigm as you examine your results. Creating a healthy relationship with your results will allow you to be real regarding living the life you love. When your results match what you have declared for yourself, you have feedback that you are indeed on your game. If you don’t, then you have the information necessary to do things differently. It’s as simple as that!
Declaration is inherent in intentional living. A declaration is “something that isn’t that could be.” The Declaration of Independence is an example. When our forefathers created this declaration — we were not yet free; there were many Red Coats still hanging around. However, based on results, the consciousness was aligned in that the thinking, feeling and action was consistent with the declaration. So it came to be.
Now, this doesn’t mean that you should sit around chanting “ohm.” But instead, recognize that your thinking, feelings and actions must be aligned with your declarations and intentions in order to have what you say you want. As I became involved in exploring this distinction of intentionality, I must tell you I was disappointed that it wasn’t more “magical” in creating my vision. And then I “got it” in a powerful way: I am meant to have my dreams and I am meant to make them happen. What I got very clear about is that the Universe (or whatever is meaningful for you) is designed to give me what I authentically want. I just need to be willing to develop practices that will assist me in consistently being aligned with my vision.
Energy Flows Where Attention Goes
When I first ran into this principle, I had difficulty wrapping my brain around it. As I pondered and reflected (which I invite you to do — what I love to refer to as “grapple”), I realized how true this has been in my life.
I am famous in my circle of relationships for what I love to refer to as “travel karma.” The first year I was training (way back in 1986), I had “horrible” travel experiences. I missed flights, had delayed flights, lost two bags (never to be found), was mugged, had my purse stolen in New York City, had my purse stolen in the break-out room in Honolulu, slept in airports, etc. (Just for your info — I never missed a training.) I realized that the more I worried (was afraid or concerned), the more it kept happening. So, at the end of that year I asked myself, “Lou, is this the way you want to travel? You don’t arrive rested, relaxed or as grounded as you want.” And in that moment, I created a very clear vision of what my travel experience would be from that moment forward.
I wasn’t familiar with the principle of intention, but in retrospect I “saw” myself arriving at trainings relaxed, rested and grounded. I began thinking, feeling and acting as if this was the only possibility. I created certain practices: arrived early at the airport, took the first flight out, did not work on the flight — it was my time. Then I got noise reduction headphones for the purpose of not interacting with others, arrived at the hotel early afternoon, took myself out to a fabulous restaurant where I was graciously served and then retired early. This has been my pattern for the last twenty three years! I love it!
What occurred is that I began thinking, feeling and acting in alignment with this vision. My energy is now 100% focused on what a fabulous flight I’m going to have. (There have been a few hiccups — once in a blue moon I’m on a flight that may have
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by Candy Cole, Leadership Coach
One of the many characteristics a leader embraces is that of taking committed action in life! Leaders understand that they are at source, and in creating a desired result take on the attitude of “If it’s to BE, it’s up to ME!” Leaders learn from each result they create and carry that learning into their future choices. They live each day in the present with an eye on the future they are creating.
When we want to make a change, we create a vision. This vision opens up a whole new possibility that helps us set a specific goal. Many people stay right in that place of considering and wondering “what if” and never really accomplish what they set out to do. What brings them to living their dream is committed action, and the understanding that they are creating and inventing something that wasn’t going to happen otherwise. Leaders let their promises and commitments dictate their actions.
Commitment is a leadership value, and by definition is being bound emotionally and intellectually to some course of action and then doing whatever it takes to have it happen. Leaders live in the stand that life works no matter what the circumstances are. They understand that they matter and are accountable for their actions rather than working from the concept that their success or failure is based on their circumstances. This is key! A leader learns to remain neutral in situations; therefore, they learn to distinguish between the fact and the interpretation of the story behind it. Results don’t lie!
According to Zander and Zander in The Art of Possibility, we all have the capacity to override the hidden assumptions (circumstances) that give us the world we see. By being open to possibilities we can create the conditions for the emergence of anything that is missing. Using the framework of possibilities, embracing that anything is truly possible, and by following the road map of specific committed action, we can move forward and create a new reality (a goal accomplished). It really is that simple! One of the greatest gifts of taking committed action is that an individual is accessing their own unique personal power and natural leadership skills to achieve their goals. Now that’s empowerment!
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