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"The task is to keep alive the flame - or everything goes to ashes." Jean Cocteau, novelist, director and playwright
How do we stay on track with our projects, plans and visions after the initial inspiration and excitement? How do we bring our ideas to fruition? Sustain our commitments? How do we keep the flame alive?
If you wrote a list of list of goals for 2010 you were probably full of enthusiasm about all the rich possibilities that lay ahead. You committed to a new health and fitness program or decided to write the book you've thought about for two years. Perhaps you recently got clear about a career path that is right for you and you're excited to move ahead on your ideas.
For many people it isn't easy to see their dreams to completion. It can be difficult to keep focus for many reasons. Some people feel scared and defeated when they encounter obstacles, others simply become easily distracted. There are those who are attached to the feeling of newness that accompanies the early stages of a new endeavor or project. When the luster wears off they turn away and look for something new to give them that 'good feeling.' Painful past experiences can also contribute to giving up on plans and projects. Rejection or criticism from a supervisor, for example, makes a strong impression and may cause someone to retreat when there's even a hint of criticism directed toward them.
How do we maintain momentum? Here are some suggestions to help you stay on course:
- Keep remembering why you want to, e.g. write that book or return to school. Stay away from the reasons why you should. Psychologist Fritz Perls talked about 'the tyranny of the shoulds.' Shoulds trigger resistance. Remembering why you want to do something ignites your passion. Make a list of the reasons you want to ... and keep the list close by. Read it often. Add to the list whenever you choose to.
- Get support from people who believe in you. Find a buddy or support group, a place where you can share your vision, and where you can be accountable for your goals and intentions. Whenever possible, avoid people who may want to undermine your success.
- Identify what typically distracts you, e.g. email, TV, trips to the refrigerator, Starbucks, more organizing or closet cleaning. Keep this list close by to remind you what you must say No to.
- Practice saying no to unreasonable requests from others for your time and energy. Every time you say no to external 'pulls' you are saying Yes! to you. As Bill Cosby said, "I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody."
- Imagine your success and achievement. Take 5 - 10 minutes at least five times a week and visualize yourself taking steps and moving ahead with ease and confidence. See yourself achieving your goal and feeling wonderful about your accomplishment. Bring in all the senses to increase the effectiveness of the imagery. The imagination is very powerful. Including imagery in your process can enhance your possibilities for success.
- Listen to your intuition. Intuition, the voice of your soul, is always available to you as a champion for your visions. Your inner wisdom will remind you how much happier you will be if you stay on course, will provide insights and strategies for keeping focus and will help you become clear about the resources you need to realize your goals.
Now, bring on that dream! |
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UPCOMING CLASS
SELF, SOUL and MONEY
An Afternoon Workshop
You will receive keys to help you transform your relationship with money and create ease, trust and flow in your 'money life.'
In this workshop, you will:
- Clarify What You Really Want
- Learn How to Get 'Unstuck'
- Receive Intuitive Tools for Clarity and Effective Decision-Making
- Identify a Healthy 'Money Self', e.g. Your Inner Entrepreneur or Thriving Artist and Learn How to Cultivate This Connection
- Create Realistic Action Steps to Move Forward
You will also receive guidelines for creating a Transformational Money Journal.
Fee $55
12:30 - 5:30 pm
Sunday, February 7
6239 College Avenue
Oakland, CA
OR
Saturday, February 20
San Rafael, CA
Early registration is advised.
Enrollment is limited to 10 participants.
GUIDED IMAGERY CERTIFICATION COURSE
In this one-day accelerated certification course you will learn innovative imagery techniques and guidelines for the successful use of imagery for your own healing and transformation and/or to expand the scope of your practice and your work with clients.
You will learn:
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Specific Imagery Techniques for Intuitive Decision-Making
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How to Access the 'Inner Healer', 'Inner Entrepreneur' and Other Positive Selves Through Subpersonality Work
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How to Apply the Healing and Symbols Process to Financial and Career Issues
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How to Integrate Imagery Into Daily Life
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How to Use All of the Senses to Increase the Effectiveness of Imagery
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Marketing Tips and Tools
For helping professionals of all kinds: teachers, coaches, somatic practitioners, hypnotherapists, psychotherapists, social workers, nurses and physicians
Saturday, April 16
9:30 am - 5:30 pm
The Center for Hypnotherapy
Oakland, CA
Hypnotherapists and nurses will receive CEUs
$167 before March 25, $187 after March 25
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FREE WORKSHOPS
WRITING YOUR SPIRITUAL JOURNEY
- Explore what spirituality means to you
- Create a spiritual timeline
- Identify who and what shaped your spirituality
- Explore current influences and areas of inquiry
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
6:00 - 8:30 pm
Fairfax Library
Fairfax, CA
WRITING FROM THE SOUL: Writing for Creative Expression and Spiritual Growth
Saturday, March 6
2:00-4:30 pm
Rockridge Library, Oakland, CA
THE SOUL OF CAREGIVING: Creative Tools for Insight and Wellness
This free workshop focuses on 'caring for the caregiver' and is open to healthcare professionals, volunteers and family/friend caregivers for people with cancer and other life-altering illnesses. Participants will explore the meaning and transformational potential of their caregiving experience and receive tools for emotional and spiritual renewal and self care.
Pre-registration is required. Please bring your own lunch.
Saturday, March 13
11:00 am - 5:30 pm
John F. Kennedy University
Pleasant Hill, CA
To register for any of the free workshops, please contact me at susannewest888@yahoo.com or (415)721-0766 . |
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WRITING FROM THE SOUL™
In these ongoing, drop-in groups you will learn processes to free your imagination, develop ease and confidence in writing, cultivate your unique writing voice and overcome blocks to writing.
San Rafael, CA
Alternate Thursdays
Last Sunday of each month
6:15-8:15 pm
Sliding scale of $35-45 per session
INDIVIDUAL COACHING SESSIONS (phone or in-person):
- Overcome writer's block
- Start and/or complete writing projects
- Discover your natural writing voice
- Develop confidence and ease in writing
- Create attainable short and long term goals
A FREE CONSULTATION is available. |
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INSIGHT TO ACTION COACHING™
INSIGHT TO ACTION COACHING™ phone or in-person coaching can help you:
- Achieve your personal and professional goals
- Navigate through periods of transition
- Develop strengths and seed potentials
- Find your purpose and passion
- Overcome blocks and limiting patterns
- Quiet the voice of the Inner Critic
- Access inner knowing for decision-making and clarity about your goals and life direction
- Ignite and sustain your creativity
- Create action steps that generate tangible results
I specialize in helping clients overcome blocks of all kinds and translate ideas and visions into concrete action. Fees are based on a sliding scale and time frames are based on individual wants and needs.
A FREE CONSULTATION is available. | |
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Click here to visit my website if you'd like to learn more about my phone or in-person Insight to Action Coaching, Writing from the Soul Programs, or The Soul of Caregiving.
A Free Consultation is available. You can also sign up for my free monthly newsletter. |
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