| September 2010 | Vol 3, Issue 8 |
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the Creative Coaching Group newsletter |
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Greetings! |
 We recently had a work party up at the community garden, of which I am a part, on a hot, sunny August morn. The first three of us to arrive looked with dismay at the huge 4 yard pile of mulch that we had to shovel and then move into the beds 200 feet away. (4 yards is a lot of mulch!) What do you do when a task in front of you is seemingly insurmountable? Do you get inspired or discouraged or do you, like many of us, experience O.P. (Overwhelm Paralysis)? This is the time of year when a lot of new pressures are upon us and it is easy to get overwhelmed and ultimately paralyzed. Read the article below for some easy tips to make your life manageable.
I encourage you to take time in the waning days of this glorious summer season to bask in the sunshine and marvel at the changing colours of the trees.
Cheers,
Certified Executive Coach and CEO of Creative Coaching Group
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| Feature Article: How to overcome O.P. (Overwhelm Paralysis) |
Q/How do you eat an elephant? A/ One bite at a time! | You know the feeling. The task in front of you is huge...the deadline looms...the potential fallout of non-completion is massive....yet you spend the evening rooted to your chair, watching another reality TV show, unable to get started. You have fallen victim to O.P. (Overwhelm Paralysis).
We have all experienced O.P. - in fact, some of us live in that state! It has become a common theme of late with my high-achieving clients to be immobilized by the sheer enormity of their to-do lists. Yet they still persist in accepting new work, in offering a helping hand to a friend, in taking on yet another volunteer task. Last week I said three times in one day to separate clients "if you never say NO, then what is your YES worth? " Clearly this O.P. insanity is rampant, and has to gbe gotten under control!
5 steps to overcoming O.P. (Overwhelm Paralysis)
1/ Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing
At the beginning of each day, choose what area and what action is most important to you and then make a plan. What one thing would make the most difference today? What one thing, if achieved that day, would make you go "Woo hoo"!
2/ Set Time Limits
How long could you comfortably commit to spending on your insurmountable project per day? I recommend starting with 15 minutes. Set a timer or alarm clock. Commit to work on that project for 15 minutes only. When the timer goes off, pledge to STOP and do another 15 minutes tomorrow. Each 15 minute piece moves you forward. Each 15 minute piece is a piece that wasn't done yesterday.
3/ Do what you can, and can what you can't
That is one of my mom's favorite expressions that I just love. Do what is realistic, and turf or defer what you can't. Sorry, high-achievers...we really cannot do it all, all the time, and that is perfectly okay! As you look at any project, or any to do list, or at the beginning of any mountain climb, simply think about the simple phrase - What can I do? You will always be able to move forward...one step at a time...the power of incremental improvement.
4/ Set Yourself up for Success
Create the best environment for your success. Choose the time of day that best fits for the work you need to do. Make sure you have the materials you need on hand. Make sure your equipment is working. Create a distraction-free zone. What can you pre-plan and systemize to free you up to do your work unencumbered? What do you need to be successful today?
5/ Reward yourself One of the most important ways to overcome O.P. is positive reinforcement when you do get up and actually take a bite of the elephant. A finely tuned reward system is critical. Celebrating and acknowledging your own efforts will keep you going. I like motivational stickers...or chocolate seems to work for most! |
| Lightbulb of the Month |  "The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one." - Mark Twain, Writer (1835 - 1910) |
| Feeling overwhelmed? Get a "quick-shot" coaching intensive |  Are you feeling the effects of "O.P (Overwhelm Paralysis)? Experience a quick-shot 2 hour coaching intensive with Jan and you will emerge with clarity, direction and a readiness and keenness to take action. Special September Quick-shot intensive rate for readers of this e-newsletter $199 + hst (regular fee $300) September Quick-shot intensive spaces are limited. Email Jan now to reserve your spot! |
| Announcing: Harmony from the Inside Out TELE- BOOT CAMP! | |
This is so exciting I can hardly contain myself!
I am thrilled to announce that I am running a new and unique program for 4 weeks in November. It's the Harmony from the Inside Out TELE-BOOT CAMP - a 4 week telephone coaching course that will launch you into a place of possibility and change your life! Using the principles introduced in my book, Harmony from the Inside Out, this tele-boot camp will support and motivate you to use the tools, go deeper, take action and make the changes you've been thinking about in your life.
You can participate in the Harmony from the Inside Out TELE-BOOT CAMP from anywhere in the world! You simply dial in, listen in, and participate on your phone. The best part of it is...you don't even have to attend LIVE! If you miss a session, the MP3 recording will be emailed to you the following day.
Save these dates : Monday nights Nov 8 - 29, 2010....and stay tuned for more news and sign up details next newsletter. More info. Jan@creativecoachinggroup.com
DO YOU HAVE YOUR BOOK YET?  First-time Grandmother Donna from Skyway Connection chorus just couldn't put her copy of Harmony from the Inside Out down! Perhaps it was some inspirational bedtime reading for 3 month old Alexander?
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| About Jan | Jan Carley is a leader, speaker, author and certified executive coach credentialed with the International Coach Federation. Her company, Creative Coaching Group, specializes in working with highly motivated individuals and high-achieving teams to expand their possibilities and focus their energies to achieve a leading edge of excellence.
Jan lives in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, and is available for individual and team coaching, workshops, and speaking engagements worldwide.
Contact Jan if you are ready to open up your life possibilities and live your potential.
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| Quick Links | |
Book recommendation: Surviving Adversity - Living with Parkinson's Disease
Do you know anyone with Parkinson's disease? If so, check out the book my brother, Gord Carley, wrote called Surviving Adversity - Living with Parkinson's Disease. The book contains 28 profiles of individuals who share their inspiring stories of how they have adjusted to Parkinson's disease. The book will provide readers with perspective and hope. It's a must read for people with PD, their family and friends. 50% of the proceeds go to Parkinson's research. click here to order your copy |
| P.S. What one step will you take today? | | |
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If you would like to reprint any part of this ezine in your blog or newsletter, please feel free to do so as long as you include the following credit information: Jan Carley inspires possibilities by coaching from the "inside out." Sign up for her free ezine, LIGHT ON THE SUBJECT, for creative articles and tips on giving your life and business the "inside edge." Creative Coaching Group, www.creativecoachinggroup.com
copyright 2010. All rights reserved
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