Tony's Coaching Tip Come alive!
April 2006

Greetings!

Welcome to the April 2006 issue of Tony's Coaching Tip.

This is the month that Spring finally arrived in Kent, bringing new life to the cold weather that I was beginning to think was here to stay. Easter delivered mountains of chocolate, much to my 9-year old daughter's delight, but not great for someone who is used to running 4 times a week and is currently in a state of relative physical inactivity.

Most recently I sat in front of my television rather enviously watching the thousands of participants stepping well out of their comfort zones in the London Marathon. Many congratulations to those of you who took part or helped in the organisation.

Thanks to Steve who submitted the article "Coffee with a friend" (below) that you may have come across before but I think is always good food for thought.

The feature article this month is nothing to do with a well known soft drink but was inspired by last month's quote of the month and from watching the London Marathon.

Finally, welcome to the largest number of new subscribers for a number of months. I can only assume that the All Present and Correct article from last month must have rung a few bells.

in this issue
  • Quote of the month
  • Book of the month
  • Easter Surprise
  • Coffee with a friend
  • Feature: Come alive!

  • Book of the month

    My choice this month is "A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose" by Eckhart Tolle.

    As the book synopsis says, Eckhart Tolle "shines an illuminating light that leads to happiness and health that every reader can follow".

    This is not a book that you can skim but needs the time to read and reread key passages. However, I think the investment is well worth it. Written by the author of the bestselling "The Power of Now", this new book contains philosophies that are very close to my heart, including connecting to the present moment and letting go of the Ego with acceptance, enjoyment and enthusiasm.

    To take a look, click on: A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose


    Easter Surprise
    Easter Gosling

    We had 2 new (as in brand new) guests staying overnight with us on Good Friday, one of whom you can see me holding above.

    My daughter returned from her tutor with 2 one-day old goslings who slept the night with her in her bedroom. Needless to say she was short on a few hours of sleep the next morning.

    I have to say that our 2 house guests certainly gave a different focus on the meaning of Easter, apart from chocolate, with the new life that Spring heralds.


    Coffee with a friend

    A professor stood before his philosophy class with several items in front of him. When the class began, he picked up a large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

    He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

    The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.

    He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

    The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."

    The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

    "Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things--your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favourite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

    The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.

    The sand is everything else---the small stuff. "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

    "Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first--- the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

    One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."


    Feature: Come alive!

    Watching the London Marathon this weekend, as always, I was inspired by the occasion, the spirit of the participants and the spectators, and also by some of the extraordinary individual stories of people overcoming incredible adversity just to be on the starting line.

    Unfortunately, over the next day or two following the marathon I was left with a feeling of complete loss of energy and motivation. After a period of resisting and fighting the feeling, today I decided to succumb to it, accept it and look at what lesson might be there for me.

    I realised that running really makes me feel alive. There are other things that make me feel alive in a different way, such as coaching, singing, reading inspiring books, listening to music and spending time with family and friends. But there is something unique that I get from running. It's a feeling of every cell in my body being alive and tingling that makes me want to do things that stretch my comfort zone. Nothing else gives me that feeling in the same way.

    I know that I would have never left the safety of full- time employment for the freelance market back in my days in computing if I had not been a runner.

    I would also have never left the corporate world (again) of sales and marketing for the complete unknown quantity of starting a coaching business had I not been a runner.

    It has been 7 weeks now since I was advised by my doctor not to run due to my stress fracture. However, I realise that my acceptance of the situation has really been the grudging acceptance of a victim rather than joyful acceptance.

    So today, I have scheduled a follow up appointment with my doctor for a review and I have also promised myself that I will go swimming tomorrow and look at new bicycles before the end of the week.

    I now feel in control of the situation and doing what is in my circle of influence to bring about an early return to generating the aliveness that running and exercise can bring. And, you know what, I already feel that my energy level is starting to creep up.

    What makes you feel really alive?

    Whatever it is, are you doing it on a regular basis?

    If not, do something now to change that.

    If yes, is there something that you'd love to do to take your level of "aliveness" to the next level?

    If so, do it now. Don't wait for the right opportunity. You will always find reasons and excuses why now isn't quite the right time, but remember the time you invest in what brings you really alive increases the quality of everything else you do in your life.

    Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this coaching tip why not forward it to a friend or colleague? Next issue on May 31st.

    Until next time,


    Tony

    Tony's Coaching Tip is published on the last Wednesday of each month to challenge, stimulate and inspire people who want to unlock their own potential and learn in the process. It is written by Tony Phillips, who coaches dynamic individuals and teams to swing out and play a bigger game. Worldwide.

    The names of coaching tip subscribers will never be shared or sold.

    You are free to use material from Tony's Coaching Tip in whole or in part, as long as you include the complete attribution, including e-mail link. Also, please notify me where and when the material will appear. Thanks.

    � 2006 Tony Phillips - All Rights Reserved


    Quote of the month
    Tony (cropped)

    "I can feel guilty about the past, apprehensive about the future, but only in the present can I act. The ability to be in the present moment is a major component of mental wellness."

    - Abraham Maslow



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