WHERE ARE YOU TODAY?

January 2012 is coming to a close and I challenge you to think about your life's direction. 

How far you’ve come and what you have accomplished since the start of the year? 

Resolutions were made, some were broken, while others have stayed the course. 

Have you taken the time to sit back and reflect on your progress thus far? If no, this is the perfect time to get focus and back in line again.  The good news is that, if you’re living, breathing and reading this post you still have time to make the necessary changes and get moving towards your goals.

This journey is a mental, physical and spiritual battle and you have to be ready to handle what will come your way.

Here are 10 tips to get you started:

1. Assess your current situation. Figure out where you truly want to be and what you’re going to do to get there.

2. Appreciate the “process” in reaching your goals. You can look back and be thankful.

3. Take responsibility for your actions. Know that there is always a positive or negative consequence.

4. Admit your faults and emphasize your strengths.

5. You’re human: briefly give yourself permission to release your feelings and get focus again.

6. Be aware of distractions and work on reducing or eliminating them.

7. You’re worth it! Don’t apologize for your worth, continue to maximize on your strengths.

8. We were not made perfect, so don’t expect to be that all the time.

9. Just shine! Be who you are intended to be.

10. When you feel like you’re going off course, repeat the above.

Happy Life of Adventure & Discovery! Stay on the path!

~CPC

"My Butterfly Friend"

My love for butterflies has had an impact on my family, friends and networks. The idea of the birth of a butterfly is the same way I view my life (past, present, future) and how important it is to accept and appreciate the process for achievement and the fragility of life.

What I have learned from my personal and professional experiences is that, in this maze called life, continue to be yourself and shine your light for the world to see. People will remember all that you have done and it will never be in vain.

Here is what a dear friend and colleague left me with last week as I was in the process of starting a new chapter in my life.

On The Wings of A Butterfly 
by Christine McClimans

Your friendship is special
Like the flowers that bloom,
Or when a butterfly emerges
From within its cocoon...

You remind me of that butterfly,
Loving and free,
Bright and colorful,
For the world to see...

We will share sunshine and rainbows;
Sometimes, the rain and the snow;
We'll stand together through it,
While the cold winds blow...

When the time is right,
We won't stop to ask "Why?"
Our friendship will take flight
On the wings of a butterfly ...

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Friends Helping Friends

Three months ago, a colleague/friend and I were having a conversation, and out of the blue she asked me if I would be her mentor.

At first, I was a little taken back, but soon realized that this person trusted me, and believed that I had the ability to help her get where she wanted to be.

"Are you sure?” I asked.

“Yes,” she replied.

“You know that I will be taking this very seriously, so get ready,” I said.

Here’s the thing – we’ve known each other a few years and I always told her that she had choices, and I questioned what was holding her back from reaching out for her goals. In her, I saw potential.

But it took for her to ask, and for me to respond, to make what I call the ‘coaching alliance. At that moment where suddenly things are clearer and a person is ready to take the next step into the unknown, and have faith as their guide.

That day, my friend chose to move forward with her life, and I couldn’t have been happier to be there through her journey.

On that very day I gave my friend a few challenge questions to think about over the weekend.

Let’s talk strategy, I told her. Together, we both agreed upon a plan, including:

1. An agreement to work together for three months, with a meeting every Wednesday during our lunch time.

2. A Q&A about her life experiences, specifically, her concerns, fears, accomplishments, strengths and weaknesses.
3. Created short-term, mid-term and long term goals.
4. Provide her with books, articles and online resources.

5. Introduce her to the art of networking.

6. Focus on interview skills and self-presentation.

The result: As time went on, and we followed our strategy, I began to see subtle changes in her.

More confidence. A positive outlook. An emerging belief that she could achieve anything she put her mind to.

With increased confidence, my friend found herself mentoring relatives, changing her approach in conversation, thinking and acting differently.

The growth wasn’t just one-sided; I too grew in my abilities as a better person, coach and mentor.

This is her testimonial:

Celia,

I want to take the time to say thank you for coaching/mentoring me. You've taught me to set goals and to take steps to achieve them, to believe in myself, go after my dreams, take initiative for the things that matter most to me, and how to be fearless. You pushed me past my boundaries. You have truly shown me the meaning of professional development. You have a ‘take no prisoners’ attitude, and you gave me the kick in the pants that I needed to wake up and take my life and career seriously. Thank you again.

~Desiree

  

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