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Dear
How are you doing? I don't know about you but I'm finding it hard to focus on anything other than carbs, cocoa and couches at the moment. My lack of clarity? It's nothing to do with my wondrous extended wear contact lenses I can exclusively reveal. Neither is it the last festive vestiges of a glass too many of ol' red eye. I never have been able to walk a straight line in heels at the best of times.
No, it's that no matter what I do to try and make a great start to the New Year; diet, exercise, smile more - my body is willing but my mind's shivering under the duvet. Well, to be honest the body's is about as up for fun and frolics as the turkey carcass would be if it were still around.
Probably the worst time of year to embrace change of any kind when the weather could make a polar bear weep, the tax bill needs paying and your cellulite's got cellulite - it's no wonder failure crooks her finger beckoningly from the near distance.
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| Deep Deep Down Detox - The Duvet Diet
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Why not take a different approach to creating real and powerful changes this year? One that won't be painful or daunting, it doesn't mean deprivation or agonizing sacrifice (or those foul tasting herb teas!) and what about an approach that will not cost you a bean or leave you feel guilty and useless?
Sound good?
What if you could achieve what you wanted in a way that felt safe, comfortable and even enjoyable? Ladies and gentleman, may I introduce you to a new and inspirational life changing tool that will get you to where you want to be without pain or blame - it's called kindness.
Sorry if you are disappointed that it wasn't a quick fix, fat-vacuuming, money -magnetizing gizmo offering overnight results. But I wouldn't rule it out! For kindness applied liberally, first to yourself and then to others, reaps infinite returns.
So what does kindness mean to you?
In his book The Optimist: One Man's Search for the Brighter Side of Life by Laurence Shorter (Canongate £10.99)
the author, an inveterate pessimist, went in search of what makes optimists tick.
Among his research which included interviews with Bill Clinton, Richard Branson and the Dalai Llama he discovered that exercise, taking responsibility, helping others, avoiding bad news or energy drainers and being kind to oneself was a great starting point to happiness and peace.
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| The Big Wish |
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So this is my wish for you for 2009 so that it becomes a year to cherish and remember for the many good things you will learn and glean.
Duvet Diet Ingredients
- That you quietly and joyously dare to listen to what you and your body really wants. Your inner whispers have the answers. Will you trust them for once?
- You show compassion to yourself when lack of confidence keeps you stuck and unable to fulfill the potential you know you have. No more beating yourself up.
- I would ask that you allow yourself the possibility of having more in all areas of your life; love, career, health, family, friends by eliminating those tired old limiting beliefs that don't serve you any more. You are more than good enough.
- Stop focusing on the negative, concentrating on what you don't have and drop your inner Sergeant Major voice that wrongly uses abuse as a motivator. Since when has putting someone down been a motivator?
- Try saying no more often and honouring your energy and your time more. This is a good indicator of respecting the self.
A cautionary note: Side effects of the Duvet Diet may involve an unprecedented rise in self esteem, a sudden can-do feeling, a feeling of peace and acceptance and an overall improvement in well-being and happiness.
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| No Pain No Gain? - So Last Millenium |
If you have (as many of us are wont to do) equated goals with struggle and pain what about adopting an altogether more compassionate approach? Try to re-wire your dialogue.
Instead of "I'm not allowed my favourite foods now I'm on a diet", why not replace it with "I want a nice lean fit body" or "I chose to honour my body with healthy foods and exercise"
Replace "I've never been good at following through/being on time/reaching my goal" with "In the spirit of curiosity I'm interested in seeing what I can achieve".
Remove the inner critic and stop punishing yourself and you may find reaching your goals could be much easier and less painful than ever before. |
| Staggering Acts of Random Kindness |
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I am always touched by the small kindnesses people show to one another and this year I am making it an intention to try to do more. Even if it shocks people. Like the other day when I handed an elderly woman a shopping basket before taking one for myself. Taken aback at first by the unexpectedness of the act, her face then lit with gratitude. I felt good about myself all day.
If you are inspired by this thought check out www.29gifts.org for food for thought this year and maybe you would like to share with me how you got on.
Share with me your SARK (Staggering Acts of Random Kindness) and have a session on me. Make us all smile.
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| Take The Next Step This Year |
| Are you ready to attract more opportunities and boost your success?
Do you ever wonder how some people seem to be in the right place at the right time and achieve effortless personal and professional success? The join me and my colleague Susan Tomlinson at Real Coaching Solutions www.realcoachingsolutions.co.uk at our f'ree Monthly Group Coaching Call.
Our next telecoaching session is held on Thursday 22nd January at 8pm.
On this call you will learn some of the fundamental principles to help you attract opportunities and boost your career success. Find out how your beliefs and behaviours are keeping you stuck in deficit thinking and the long term implications for your work and relationships. This call is FREE for all Mastermind members. Not a member? Join now to access this call with our special FREE 2-month "Membership" trial. |
| Design Your Life |
 My friend Jennie Bayliss of Red Dandelion is hosting another of her Design Your Life weekends, March 20-22. The weekend is held at Stanton - a delightful village in the Cotswolds. In one weekend you can make HUGE changes to your life. Jennie weaves together practical and spiritual coaching to get past blocks, healing of old emotional wounds and life-skills teachings.
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| Quote of the Month |
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"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage" - Anais Nin |
