January 2015 - Catalyst! Newsletter
from Sue Cowan Coaching
Issue 37

How have the first few weeks of the new year been for you?

The end of January is often the time when people reflect on their "resolutions". And feel bad if - like the majority of people who make new Year resolutions - they haven't made progress (on what was probably an ill-defined goal that they weren't focused on or motivated to attain anyway!).

I like the refreshing view in the first of this month's short articles. What about you?

And whatever you DO want to move forward with, there are some ideas in "10 Things You Must Give Up To Move Forward".

Mont Blanc in the January sun

Here in Geneva the snow is falling - time for me to get out for a walk, to enjoy it before daylight fades.

Till next time,

Sue

You can email me at sue@suecowancoaching.com

phone me on (+41) 076 2055 076 (office and mobile)

or visit my website www.suecowancoaching.com

You can read past editions of this newsletter via the archive here

In This Issue

* How will you use your 'present moments'?

* 10 Things You Must Give Up to Move Forward

* Quote of the Month

* Cartoon

* About Sue Cowan Coaching

How will you use your "present moments" this year?

I find the following thoughts very refreshing. A client sent me this some years ago: I'd like to pass it on, to share with you a past New Year blog posting from Wayne Dyer, American self-help author and motivational speaker:

" Dear Friends,
Forget about those New Year's resolutions in which you decide on the first day of January how you will be conducting your life in September, some nine months later.

Here's why: any resolution that involves you making decisions about long-range upcoming behavior reinforces the self-defeating notion of living in the future rather than in the present moment. In fact, you can go about resolving until the cows come home, and you still have to live your life just like everyone else on this planet-ONE DAY AT A TIME. The important questions to be asking yourself are "How am I going to use my present moments this year?" and "Will I waste them in reviewing to myself how I used to behave, or how I would like to behave in the future, rather than resolving to live each day to the fullest?"

What you can do is set up day-to-day goals for yourself, and then resolve to begin living with present moment awareness for the rest of your life.
For example, instead of deciding you are going to give up sugar for a year, resolve to go one day without eating sugar. Anyone can do virtually anything if it is for only one day. When you go for one whole day without eating sugar (or not smoking, or being assertive, or any other new behavior), you are a totally different person at the end of that day. Learn to let that totally different person decide on the second day whether he or she wants to do it again on this new day, rather than letting the same old person decide that it is only going to be difficult in a couple of days anyhow, "so what's the use." Always let the new you make the decision, and then you'll be living your present moments.

You know how easy it is to give up on a resolution, and you may have attributed this to some character flaw or personality weakness. Not so! You give up on your resolutions because your mind resists the notion of trying to live your life in long stretches, when it is patently impossible to do so. It is simply a matter of asking yourself at the beginning of the day, "How do I want to conduct my life today?" Then very directly begin to carry out your goals for the day. When you get good at living your present moments one day at a time, you'll see yourself changing right before your own surprised eyes.

Remember, anyone can do anything for just one day, so tune out the sentences that keep you locked into your old self-defeating ways and begin to enjoy each day of your bright new year.
Love, Dr. Wayne W. Dyer "

~ ~ ~

I am curious what you might decide to do today? How will you use your precious "present moments"? .... and what will the new you at the end of the day then decide?

10 things you must give up to move forward

We often think that perseverence and persistence are the best options, that there's something inherently negative about claiming "I Give Up!"

To shake up that perspective, how about considering things that will reap benefits when/if you GIVE THEM UP?

Some years ago, author Stephen Covey ( of "The 7 Habits..." fame) came up with a list called

"10 Things You Must Give Up to Move Forward". Perhaps you'll also find it useful to refer to when you feel stuck or have a sense that you're spinning your wheels....

Here are his tips for what you must GIVE UP if you want to move forward:

#1 Letting The Opinions Of Others Control Your Life

It's not what others think, it's what you think about yourself that counts. You have to do exactly what's best for you and your life, not what's best for everyone else.

#2 The Shame Of Past Failures

Your past does not equal your future. All that matters is what you do right now.

#3 Being Indecisive About What You Want

You will never leave where you are until you decide where you would rather be. Make a decision now to figure out what you want, and then pursue it passionately.

#4 Procrastinating On The Goals That Matter To You

There are two primary choices in life: to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them.

The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is now.

#5 Choosing To Do Nothing

You don't get to choose how you are going to die, or when. You can only decide how you are going to live, right now.

Every day is a new chance to choose.

#6 Your Need To Be Right

Aim for success, and never give up your right to be wrong. If you do, you will also lose your ability to learn new things and move forward with your life.

#7 Running From Problems That Should Be Fixed

Stop running! Face the issues, fix the problems, communicate, appreciate, forgive and love the people in your life who deserve it.

#8 Making Excuses Rather Than Decisions

Most long-term failures are the outcome of people who make excuses rather than decisions.

#9 Overlooking The Positive Points In Your Life

What you see depends on what you're looking for. You see what you focus on, everything else drifts by unnoticed. You will have a hard time ever being happy if you aren't looking for - and being thankful for - the good things in your life right now.

#10 Not Appreciating The Present Moment

Too often we try to accomplish something big without realizing that the greatest part of life is made up of the little things. Enjoy the journey.

"10 Things You must Give Up To Move Forward" by Stephen Covey.

www.stephencovey.com

Quote of the Month

" Of all sad words of tongue or pen

The saddest are these:

'it might have been' ..."

- John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-1892)

Bit of fun

About Sue Cowan Coaching

If you are considering working with a coach to gain clarity, focus and direction to help you implement some change in your life, do get in touch:

info@suecowancoaching.com
Tel. Mobile (+41) 076 2055 076

If you are curious to know more about what I do, or about coaching in general, you can visit my coaching website www.suecowancoaching.com