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Tools of Hope ToolsLetter December 1, 2011
7 Holiday Stress-Busters , part 1 of 2
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The
If I Only Had
One Chance to
Tell You . . .
Book launch party was awesome! 
The weather was great, and Legends of Aurora was a great place to hang out for the afternoon.
About half of the contributing authors were able to make it and it was a wonderful and relaxing afternoon to celebrate the courage it took to share these inspiring stories. 
Want a book for yourself or a someone who might be struggling this season? Interested in some ideas for starting your 2012 strong? Tired of just floating along in your life? Watch for a one-week, on-line Christmas sale coming in the next few days! And read below for 7 ways to reduce stress this year! Photos courtesy of Barbara Peck- InYourElement.net Thank you Barbara!! Building you up -
Ana-Christina
email: hope@toolsofhope.com
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SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS:
| RECENT:
Wyoming Criminal Justice Association /
COVA - Colorado Organization for Victim's Assistance, Closing Keynote /
Rural Metro-Pridemark /
Boys Hope, Girls Hope /
American Water Works Association
UPCOMING:
Mile High Military Officers Association /
Potter's House of Denver
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QUOTE OF THE DAY
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"The place to improve the world is first in one's own heart and head and hands, and then work outward from there."
- Robert M. Pirsig
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7 Holiday Stress-Busters, part 1.
| "Stress" is such a big-picture word. And holidays can be filled with stress. This can get the best of you.
Truly.
Either they get the BEST of you, because you are focused on the right things
OR
you let them get the best of you by taking your patience and your kindness and all of sudden, what you have left is the worst. Bad behavior, bad feelings, and all kinds of unrealistic expectations.
You know what I mean? Big picture or not, unfortunately, the smaller (real) picture of stress looks like this:
Getting irritated with those you love,
impatience in general,
worrying about finances,
being sarcastic with your loved ones as the target,
losing sleep due to sheer busy-ness,
dwelling on regrets,
eating too much,
drinking too much,
agitation with family members you haven't seen for a while,
too many committments,
or being too intent on perfection.
And so you snap at your kids as you're flying around like a crazy person trying to get to the event on time. You act disrespectful or unloving to your spouse and make some sarcastic comment or roll your eyes. You might be heating up your credit cards in a vain attempt to buy someone's affection / appreciation / recognition or simply to meet some sort of keep-up-with-everyone-else mentality. You might be over-committed, or under-committed (alone and lonely and stuck in a grief that you think no one else can understand and you're not willing to venture out.) Regardless, this season can be tough. And it's hard, because everyone else "seems" happy and ok and coping, huh?
Well, the truth is that it's really hard on a lot of us. The truth is that we put on these masks. The truth is that people are hurting. And one of them might be you. The truth is that YOU can do some things to reduce the weight of holiday stress.
Let's look at some real-life tools, that, IF YOU CHOOSE TO USE, will help reduce some of the craziness that we put on ourselves.
1) GET YOUR FOCUS ON. First and foremost, and I would put it on all 7 steps if I really followed my gut on this one: Who is important to you and what are you willing to do for that relationship? Really important? Like, in-your-mind, in-your- heart, and in-your-gut important? And the really big question: is your behavior showing that? If not, here's a great opportunity to put it into play.
If you say your family is most important, would they feel that? And I don't mean with physical gifts. I mean with gifts of quality time, gifts of service, gifts of laughter, gifts of telling them you really love them, and gifts of hugs and kisses?
2) 1 BIG and 2 LITTLE:
As you find yourself so busy, and you've identified what's really important, I challenge you to give up (or start doing, if you are in that lonely, depressed place) at least 3 things (1 big and 2 little) that will allow you to focus in the right place. Ex: For me, it was giving up sending Christmas cards. I felt like my time and energy were better focused elsewhere. I have friends and family who send cards out at other times of year, and it's nice. Less stress for them, and I still get the update on their family! Another example is working to give gifts that actually mean something vs. giving just to give.
3) CHOOSE TO LOOK AT THE REALITY:
The more energy you put on fighting it, the less you have for enjoying what you do have. Be more realistic. Or less perfectionistic. They look similar, and feel different. Whichever camp you're in, go there.
Traditions and rituals change. People change. As people enter the family or leave the family, it often shifts the whole dynamic and that is difficult. Grief can be so difficult during the holidays. The small things get blown out of proportion. Sometimes the hot home-cooked pie falls on the floor. Sometimes the mashed potatoes inexplicably turn into potato soup. And, all in all, what matters is the people.
Oh, and . . . Sometimes, the problem is that people DON'T change. These family members that you rarely see have bothered you for years. And they still bug you. So prepare yourself mentally and spiritually to meet them. Consider either limiting your time with them -or- choosing to look at them differently. With understanding. With compassion. With forgiveness.
It is a season where we are reminded to focus on Christ and family and friends and our loved ones. And we can't do that if we are distracted.
Part 2 next week - 4 more steps to reduce that December stress!
Working on my FOCUS --Ana-Christina  
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| Speaking & Workshops | |
Our team was so impressed with your professionalism and method of delivery. In fact, your insightful real life stories turned out to be the highlight of the training. You were able to speak to our team in a language familiar to them and to provide them with the tips and techniques with which most everyone needs to be reminded. Our team met shortly after the training and was energized and had an increased level of confidence in their ability to tackle every day stress!
M.H. - 19th Judicial District, Greeley, ColoradoI was present last night at your presentation. I want you to know what an impact you made on me!! I am 60 years old and have attended motivational speeches before; but never have I come away from one feeling so sure of what I needed to do to change my heart and my life.
K. L. - Aurora, Colorado
ANA-CHRISTINA WADLE: Keynote Presenter
Professional Trainer
Motivational Speaker
Customizable Workshops available:
Tools of Hope
Resilient Leadership
Fire Up Morale!
The Confident Communicator
Simple tools for more effective communication
CBPG - Communicating By Personality Group
Use personality knowledge to significantly improve
your professional and personal effectiveness
Victim to Survivor to Thriver
Certified Facilitator - Parenting with Love and Logic
For pricing and scheduling, please contact Ana-Christina.
Cell: 303.434.0431
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Tools of Hope Book
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Ana Christina! Thanks for sending me a copy of your TOOLS OF HOPE. I found it packed with eternal truths, thoughtfully edited and laid out, and I'm sure it will be helpful to many souls traveling life's path that is often rocky and a difficult climb.
When a person has a down moment (or two!) how nice it is to pick up a little book, and know, that no matter what page you turn to, it will probably speak to your heart. Thanks to Ana-Christina Wadle.
Dr. Foster W. Cline, M.D.,
Co-Founder of Parenting with Love and Logic, Golden, CO
Many thanks for your book. It will be a ray of hope for those lost in despair. Congratulations. Jim Fay
Co-Founder of Parenting with Love and Logic,
Golden, CO Tools of Hope was published in December, 2008.
It has spread across the U.S. and is being read from Alaska to Maryland, and from California to Florida - more than 1500 copies, all word of mouth! Read the "Testimonials" on the website!
 | | Inspiring and Encouraging Real-Life Stories (For people like you, by people like you) |
is an anthology work of 17 authors who answer the question that the title poses. Published September, 2011. Both are available for purchase at Tools of Hope website
P.S. - Check out some history behind
Tools of Hope in the free
NO MORE MONDAYS E-BOOK!
(We're on pg. 28!!!)
Click on the purple link below to see dozens of encouraging stories on how Dan Miller's 48 Days To the Work You Love has impacted hearts to follow their gifts and passions in their career! When you get to the page, click on the teal No More Mondays EBook link.
No More Mondays E-Book |
| My Legacy Coaching, LLC |  Ana-Christina's power as a coach comes from her profound ability to draw out your inner most passions and beliefs and weave them together in such a concise way that you can carry them with you every single day.
Her absolute love of what she does -- helping us find and connect with our authentic selves and desires -- is infectious and compels you to engage with both her and the process 110%.
Kristen (Kaye) Taavialma
Dean of Academics, KIPP Denver Collegiate High School and Aspiring Actress
What is coaching? Coaching is not therapy or counseling. One analogy is: "Therapy is like helping someone with a broken leg to walk again. Coaching is helping them to run the four minute mile." Tony Grant - Sydney University.
My Legacy Coaching, LLC - I help people to learn to live unregretted lives.
My passion is to give people the HOW tools to move and grow in direction of building the life they REALLY want. I help people who are feeling stuck.
Instead of just surviving or "hanging in there,", I help my clients to thrive in their personal and/or professional lives. I help them with balance, perspective, and resilience.
A willing heart does not stay stagnant while working to find their path. A willing heart grows on its journey. God won't let you go it alone.
You tell me what you are looking for (if you don't know, I'll help you uncover it), I share tools, and then I encourage and inspire and hold you accountable.
Encourage = to give heart.
Inspire = to give breath; to give life.
If you are ready to explore your options with coaching, or think a friend or family member might be ready, call or email me! I offer a 20-30 minute free exploratory session to all new clients to answer questions and let them see how coaching might work in their lives.
Ana-Christina
303.434.0431, cell
hope@toolsofhope.com
Build the life
you REALLY want.
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| My Legacy Résumé |
Building your LEGACY.
Building your RESILIENCE.
You made me open my eyes and realize a lot about myself that
I was not truly aware of. I know it will take time, but I am already starting to see myself in a different way -- thank you!! D.S., Fort Lupton, CO
Ana-Christina took my résumé and made it come alive, IT WAS ME ON PAPER!!! Since the economy has take a down turn you need to think about how you can stand out from the other résumés and... it does just that. I now have a more personal résumé than just what my skills are. I love my new résumé and can't wait to start using it.
A.S., Walton, NY
So.. Want a fresh start?
Want help in living your legacy? Interested in figuring out what you
REALLY WANT TO DO WHEN YOU GROW UP?!!
I work with you to uncover your gifts and strengths.
We work together to help you move forward.
- Or -
If you're looking for a résumé that truly describes
WHO YOU ARE
vs.
simply WHAT YOU'VE DONE,
I use that information to powerfully describe who you are and what you bring to your next job / career. For more information on the coaching process, contact me.
For pricing and next steps, please contact Ana-Christina.
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