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Balancing Act March 2000

The Monthly Newsletter of Balanced Life Design

Produced by Annaliese Furnas, Success Coach and Speaker

Attitude is Everything, Part 1
Traits of Effective Problem Solvers
Balance Tips - Coloring Outside the Lines
Resources to help you grow

Attitude is Everything, Part 1

When I give public workshops about turning your dreams into reality, people always approach me afterward to talk more about the subject or ask specific advice. Invariably, there will be one or two people who tell me that, although it would be nice if they could actually live the life they've dream about, they can't turn their dreams into reality for several reasons. And I always agree with them. For while I believe that there are very few real life obstacles that can't be overcome, if you think something is impossible to accomplish, then it is. Your attitude toward accomplishing any goal will make the difference between giving up or staying with a project until you reach the level of success you desire.

This month we are talking with Linda Mansouria the President of Make it Happen, an Events and Meeting Planning company. A single mother who started a new career and her own company while raising two children, Linda is a woman who believes in her goals and has cultivated the positive attitude that helps her keep on track during all of life's challenges.

Linda, what made you decide to change careers?

L.M. I was downsized from my corporate job when the company I was working for went bankrupt. I had been working in HR, but knew that I didn't want to stay in that field because at that time, corporate America was downsizing in HR departments. It was a challenge and a risk to change career direction at a time when I was really looking for work just to support my two children. But I knew that it was important for my own happiness to find work that was fulfilling for me. And I knew that it would also serve as a model for my children.

How did you decide that Event Planning was the career for you?

L.M. I did all the traditional work, read "What Color is Your Parachute", went to work transition workshops, and did a lot of self-exploration to determine the type of work and level of personal interactions that made me happy. And when I came across Event Planning, it seemed to fit all my criteria. And then, of course, I conducted informational interviews with other Event Planners to make sure the day-to-day reality of the job really fit my idea of fulfillment.

Did you start your own business immediately after changing careers?

L.M. Yes, I decided I needed to get my feet wet in the industry. Hewlett-Packard was my first client planning a Marketing meeting for 250 people. By working with HP, I had a preview of the corporate event planner responsibilities.

Starting your own business can be a risky choice for anyone, but especially for a single mother. How did you overcome the fear and make the transition?

L.M. I went about the process in a very planned and logical way. First, I knew that if I was going to make this change, I needed both the support of my family and to radically reduce my monthly overhead. So I spoke with my children and with my Mother, and we all decided that to make a go of the business the kids and I would move in to my Mother's house. It made for a crowded life, but without her support, it would have been a difficult struggle to start my own business. By pulling together as a family, we made it happen. And as a bonus, my children got to know their Grandmother on a deeper level than they would have otherwise.

Your first step in starting your business was non-traditional. How did you begin?

L.M. When I was in HR, I'd seen freelancers that never really understood how to approach their potential customer and satisfy their needs. So rather than assume what my potential customers would want, I decided to work for them. I already had experience on the corporate side, so my next step was to get a temp job in a local hotel, so I could see what the problems were from a hotel's perspective. That way I was better able to satisfy both the hotel's requirements and the needs of each corporate client.

Join us next month for Part 2 of this interview, and read Linda's tips for growing a business, staying inspired, and keeping a positive attitude. You can reach Linda's company at 415-928-5257 or by visiting her web site, www.citysearch.com/sfo/makeithappen.

Traits of Effective Problem Solvers

Have you ever noticed that some people seem to be natural born problem solvers? Look closer, and you'll discover that problem solving is more a skill than a gift. Effective problem solvers share several common characteristics.

1. They have an "attitude"! Simply expressed, effective problem solvers invariably see problems as opportunities, a chance to learn something new, to grow, to succeed where others have failed, or to prove that "it can be done". Underlying these attitudes is a deeply held conviction that, with adequate preparation, the right answer will come.

2. They re-define the problem. Problem solving is a primary consulting skill. Seasoned consultants know that, very often, the initial definition of the problem (by the client) is incorrect or incomplete.

3. They have a system. Perhaps the most common model is the old consulting acronym:DACR/S in which the letters stand for Describe, Analyze, Conclude, and Recommend/Solve. As with many formulae, its usefulness stems from the systematic, approach it represents. Most astute problem solvers recognize that there is almost always more than one solution, so they develop several alternatives from which to choose.

4. They avoid the experience trap. The world is becoming increasingly non-linear. Events often don't follow traditional lines from past to present and cause to effect. In such an environment, where synchronicity and simultaneity rather than linearity prevails, past experience must be taken with a grain of salt. Seasoned problem solvers know the pitfalls of relying on what worked in the past as a guide to what will work in the future. They learn to expect the unexpected, illogical, and non-linear.

5. They consider every position as though it were their own. For effective problem solvers, standing in the other person's shoes is more than a cute saying. It's a fundamental way of looking at the problem from every perspective. This ability to shift perspectives quickly and easily is a key trait of effective problem solvers.

6. They recognize conflict as often a prerequisite to solution. When the stakes are high in a problem situation, the parties are often reluctant to show their hands and cautious about giving away too much. In such instances, managed conflict can be an effective tool for flushing out the real facts of a situation.

7. They listen to their intuition. Effective problem solvers experience what can best be called, "inklings"--gut-level feelings about the situation. When this happens, they listen, hypothesize, test and re-test. They realize that, while intuition is innate, effective intuition is also a developed faculty--and they work to develop it further!

8. They seek permanent solutions. Permanent, as opposed to band-aid solutions, have two traits: (1) they address all aspects of the problem, and (2) they are win/win in that they offer acceptable benefits to all parties involved. Symptomatic problem solving, like bad surgery or dentistry, leaves part of the decay untouched, with the result that, over time, it festers and erupts. Just for the record, a permanent solution is one that STAYS solved and doesn't come back to bite you.

9. They gain agreement and commitment from the parties involved. It's easy, in the heady rush of finding "the answer" to a problem, to fail to gain agreement and commitment on the part of everyone involved. For effective problem solvers, just "going along" via tacit agreement isn't enough. There must be explicit statements from all parties that they concur and are willing to commit to the solution. Agreement and concurrence really constitute a third characteristic of the "permanent" solution discussed above.

This was originally written for Coach University by Shale Paul, who can be reached at shale@shalecoach.com.

Balance Tips

Monthly tips for achieving Balance in your life.

March's tip - Coloring Outside the Lines

I was recently working with a client who couldn't see her way past a work-related obstacle. We were trying to brainstorm possible solutions, but she could only see one option, and that was not a viable one in her situation. She was completely stuck. This happens to most of us at one time or another.

When we're children, our imagination is vast and unfettered. As we grow older, we're taught to rein in those impulses, color inside the lines, answer roll call in alphabetical order. And though that might be necessary to instill obedience in children, as adults we often need to reacquaint ourselves with the unfettered imagination that still exists within us.

If you're feeling stuck and can't get around an obstacle, try this exercise. Remember back to when you were a child and anything was possible. A time when a kitchen chair could be a castle tower, a roaring monster, or Mount Everest. When you feel yourself recapturing that feeling, grab a pen (or crayon or paint) and start writing out possible solutions to your challenge. Be absolutely wild with no restrictions. Turning a coworker into your pet cat could solve one problem, or your fairy godmother could wave of her magic wand and make that new employee perform perfectly. Write until you have no more ideas.

Then, put the paper away for a few minutes. Get a cup of tea or take a walk around the block. Put yourself in a different physical space. When you come back to your list, reread it with an adult's appreciation of your imagination. Then start a second list, keeping that same flexible approach, but listing all the different "real world" ways you could approach the problem. Don't stop until you've found at least six different ways to address the challenge. By flexing your imagination muscles and relearning to color outside the lines, no challenge can stop you for long.

For tips about taking another step towards balance, check out next month's tip - Time vs. Money

Balancing Act February 2000

The Monthly Newsletter of Balanced Life Design

Produced by Annaliese Furnas, Success Coach and Speaker

In This Issue:

Dealing With Radical Change
Are You Walking Your Talk?
Balance Tips - Being Alone vs. Loneliness

Dealing with Radical Changes

Most of us deal with change on a consistent basis. From losing a job, to experiencing a company merger, or a major relationship change, we've trained ourselves to deal with the changes that present themselves in our lives. But what happens when the change is something that you've never thought about, couldn't foresee, and totally disrupts your life? How do you deal with those types of changes?

This month we are talking with Denise Rivera. Until recently, Denise was happily employed in a field she loved. Then, while helping out a friend, she suffered an injury that left her in chronic pain, unable to work, and battling depression. We discussed how this experience has helped her grow and the lessons she's learned along the way.

Denise, tell us a little about the job you had before your injury.

D.R. I was one of those fortunate people who was working at a job I truly loved. I worked for two surgeons at Davies Medical Center. I was responsible for assisting the Doctors with patients, as well as running the office and doing all the paperwork necessary to keep a medical practice thriving.

What was it about the job that was so fulfilling?

D.R. To see someone who was in serious pain or had a life threatening disease, and know that the work you did was helping that person to either continue to live, or live a better life was incredibly fulfilling. And because I also dealt with all the paperwork, I often had someone in the office who needed a medical procedure that the insurance company was denying and the patient would have no way to pay for the procedure. Being able to successfully fight the insurance company on those issues was often the difference between someone getting the treatment they needed or not. I can't imagine what could be more fulfilling.

But since your injury, everything has changed.

D.R. Yes, that's true. I injured my back and knees and after several surgeries, I'm considered permanently disabled. I'm in chronic pain and can't sit, or stand, or work at a computer, or even lie down for long without being in pain. I haven't been able to work for almost two years and it doesn't look like I'll be able to go back to the kind of work I was doing, and possibly not to any type of full time job.

That would be difficult for anyone, especially for someone who loved their job as much as you did. How did you cope?

D.R. Well, at first I wasn't able to cope at all. I was thrown into a deep depression and felt that nothing could make things better. I loved my job and my life and when faced with not being able to continue as usual, I became very depressed and morose.

How did you overcome that attitude?

D.R. There were three things that helped. First, I remembered that no matter what I was facing, there were others facing harder times. I may be disabled, but I can walk and get around, just slowly and in pain. I have my eyesight, hearing, etc. There are many medical conditions that are harder to deal with than mine and I've worked with those people all my life. It helped to remember the courage with which they've faced their illness or condition and that helped me to find the courage to face mine. Second, I've found it helpful to seek out the support of others. The way my friends have helped me through this has made me realize just how rich my life is. And it's strengthened those relationships because I know I don't have to always be the "strong" one - I can be vulnerable and ask for help, and that alone is a sign of strength. And the third thing is my inner strength, or faith. Faith that I will find another job of some sort, another way to contribute in life. Knowing the universe never gives you something you can't deal with, so I must have the strength to be able to deal with this after all.

Denise, what advice do you have for people who are facing difficult changes in their lives?

D.R. The most important thing is to remember that you are not alone. There are others facing these challenges too. Ask for help from your friends and family and bask in the joy of their love and sense of community as they help you during this difficult time.

Are You Walking Your Talk?

How many of you are "walking your talk" on a consistent basis? By that, I mean how often does what you think, what you say, and what you do actually align, mesh, and become integrated.

Being able to "walk your talk" is an advanced skill. Start to pay attention to how often this is achieved and you might be surprised at how few people and even fewer corporations have successfully mastered this skill. But ignoring this aspect of your behavior can have devastating results in your quest for success.

Let's look at an example. I was working with a mid-sized business to design and implement an effective Telecommuting program for their employees. The management at this progressive company recognized the value of their knowledge based workers and were determined to implement telecommuting as a way to retain their most valuable asset. They felt they had an outstanding group of talented employees that could make the company a runaway success.

However, as we worked on the design of the program, management balked at the thought of their employees actually being off-site. Fears that an employee wouldn't really do the work if their managers weren't there to physically watch over them kept creeping into the process. Managers were feeling panic that they would lose control of production. The bottom line was management said they valued and trusted their employees, but their actions and thoughts demonstrated a profound lack of trust.

Let's shift and look at how advanced your skills are in this area. Don't confine yourself to the workplace. Think about your personal life too.

Start with a Venn Diagram. Draw three circles, two side by side and overlapping slightly, the third centered slightly below the top two. A portion of all three will overlap in the center (visualize a pretzel). Now that you have the basic diagram, label the upper left circle "think", label the upper right circle "say", and label the lower circle "do". Shade in the area of overlap of all three circles. This is where your thoughts, words, and actions are in alignment. When you're operating in this mode you're "walking your talk" and it's an area of incredibly effective action.

Now think about a specific aspect of your business or personal life. Start in the upper left circle and write down what you think about that issue. Then move to the upper right circle and write down some of the things you say to others about that issue. And last, in the lower circle write down the actions you actually take on that issue. How often are you in alignment and what do you notice about your results and effectiveness when all three areas overlap? What do you notice about your body and sense of well being? What happens to your stress levels?

A friend of mine did this at the beginning of the year in setting his health goals. What he discovered was that he often thought about eating nutritionally balanced meals. What he was saying was that he was going to try to eat better. And what he found himself doing was grabbing donuts for breakfast and Big Macs for lunch. When he recognized this, he started working to combine these three aspects of his behavior into an integrated whole. When he starting "walking his talk" he radically changed his relationship to food.

And what happened with the company that was having difficulty with the telecommuting program? By combining a slow implementation schedule with additional training, the program was eventually a success. But in the process, they lost a few employees that were very expensive to replace. Had they been ready to "walk their talk" before starting the process, their success would have been even greater. So ask yourself, what areas are you willing to integrate this year to enhance your success?

Balance Tips

Monthly tips for achieving Balance in your life.

February's tip - Being Alone vs. Loneliness

I have a good friend who has a very busy schedule. Each night after work is filled with activities like attending seminars, having dinner with people, or running errands. On the surface, her schedule looks like one of a busy, involved professional. But she recently confessed to me that most of her evening activities just filled time so she wouldn't have to experience being alone.

Many people equate being alone with loneliness. When this happens, it can drive them into the company of people or into activities that do not contribute at all to the general quality of their lives. It is possible to turn loneliness into comfortable aloneness, so that when we socialize or engage in activities it is by choice, not because we are driven by the fear of loneliness.

A good place to start is to discover more about who you really are. Start a journal, or paint, visualize, or meditate, but start working on answering these questions. What are some of the things that you like about yourself? What activities do you most enjoy doing? What kinds of surroundings do you enjoy? What are the traits of people you most like to associate with? What global issues or spiritual concerns interest you? What are you most afraid of? Take your time in getting to know the deeper you.

Next, pick one or two of the things you have discovered and make some changes in your life. It might be as simple as volunteering for an organization that you believe in, or as radical as moving to a rural area to enjoy nature more. Even making one small change can make a difference.

Finally, celebrate the fact that right now, you can have time alone. For many people, it's a luxury they have little prospect of ever having. By using the time to get to know yourself better, you'll turn the fear of loneliness into a life enhancing experience.

For tips about taking another step towards balance, check out next month's tip - Coloring outside the lines

Shameless Marketing Tip:

Annaliese currently has 3 openings in her private coaching practice. Every serious athlete has a coach. Are your goals less important? If you want to step up to the next level of success, give Annaliese a call at 415-487-0507 and see if coaching can help you achieve your goals.

Annaliese is a Success Coach who specializes in helping clients reach the next level of success in both business and life. She'll support your uniqueness while guiding you to accomplish the goals you want, but think you can not possibly have in your life.

Annaliese also conducts corporate training programs on topics such as Supervising the Telecommuter, Balancing Work and Life, Time Management, and Peak Performance.

For a FREE 1/2 HOUR COACHING SESSION, call her at 415-487-0507 and set up an appointment today. Call or email her to inquire about her corporate training programs.

Portions of this material were originally developed by Coach University (www.coachu.com) and are used by permission. Copyright 1995-97 Coach University, all rights reserved. All other material copyright 2000, Annaliese Furnas. May be freely copied and/or retransmitted with this notice.

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Balancing Act January 2000

The Monthly Newsletter of Balanced Life Design

Produced by Annaliese Furnas, Success Coach and Speaker

In This Issue:

Taking Care of Yourself
Are you Ready for Y2K, Part 2 (strategic plan)
Balance Tips (monthly tip for achieving Balance in your life).

Taking Care of Yourself

Some cultural experts say that 2000 will be the year people get in touch with their spirituality and learn to take better care of themselves. As a coach, I often see people put themselves last on the list of things to take care of, much to the detriment of their health, family, and businesses.

This month we are talking with Kelley Snow, a licensed esthetician who specializes in aromatherapy facials and skin care. At the end of high school, Kelley was looking for a job and was drawn to a skin care company where, without any experience, she got a job that lead to her dream career. We discussed how spirituality helped her find her career path, and how we can spend some time taking care of ourselves and getting in touch with the intuitive side of our natures.

Kelley, when did you first know you were in the right job?

K.S. There were actually several things that showed me I was on the right career path. The first was getting hired by a skin care business without any experience and intuitively knowing how to work with botanicals and other natural skin care products. But the biggest indication happened when I was getting my esthetician license. I was working on an elderly woman who had Parkinson disease. When she first came in, she was shaking severely. I got her comfortable in the chair and then tried to sense what she most needed in that moment to relax and tune into her higher self. I started blending some aromatherapy oils and gave her a facial. As I was working on her, she relaxed so much that the only indication of her Parkinson was a slight throbbing of a muscle in her hand. At that moment, I realized the work could effect others in a positive way, and that I brought an intuitive gift to the process that enhanced the process. I knew it what I was meant to be doing.

You use of lot of spiritual energy in your work. Tell me a little about that.

K.S. People often say I'm a healer, but I don't claim to have any special powers. I was always very sensitive as a child, and my work has simply sharpened my intuition. It's a gift everyone has, but not everyone tunes into it. When someone comes in for a facial, I let my higher self tune into their higher self to see what kind of energy or healing they need right now. That's how I choose what blend of aromatherapy to use on them. It's a completely intuitive process. Women and men in high powered, demanding jobs seem to need this the most. When people feel vulnerable and are able to release their stress and receive nurturing, that's when they come to me. My work helps them get in touch with the spiritual side of themselves that knows they deserve recharging to be at their best.

You're obviously doing what you love, but doesn't it ever get scary being on your own?

K.S. Sure it does! But when that happens, I get into action. For example, three years ago business was down and I was feeling a little isolated. So I joined a business-networking group (BNI) and they helped get me motivated and on the right track again. They reminded me to network and ask for referrals. And even more than that, they gave me feedback and helped me remember that I was not alone out there.

Kelley, what advice do you have for people trying to take better care of themselves?

K.S. We are all human beings, but spend so little time just "being." We're always so busy "doing" things. My first suggestion would be to start spending some time alone with yourself. Slow down and stop multi-tasking. Find some time to meditate or journal every day. Each month try to get a massage, facial, or acupuncture. Whatever most nurtures and restores you. If money is an issue and you can't afford professional services, then at least once a week, take a long, hot aromatherapy bath with no interruptions. And lastly, find time to be in nature on a regular basis. Take a walk in the woods, or by the beach or in a park. People need to stop feeling guilty about taking care of themselves and make it a part of their lifestyle. If you aren't taking care of yourself, you can't take care of others or your business.

You can reach Kelley at her downtown San Francisco location by calling 415-362-7669.

Are you Ready for Y2K, Part 2

Last month we looked at doing some preparation for year 2000 by concentrating on personal and professional goals. This month we're looking at the strategic plan that will make those goals into a reality.

1. List 100 obstacles that will get in your way.

Last month you defined what success is for you, and gotten very clear on what goals you want to accomplish. But getting clear on your goals without looking at the obstacles that can stop you is one of the fastest ways to fail. Start by asking for input from others. Enlist staff, friends, competitors, and family. Ask your customers, client, co-workers, etc., to join with you in looking for the roadblocks, blind spots and bottlenecks that prevent you from growing. Make it a matter of personal pride to never have a problem pop up that you haven't already considered.

2. List 1000 solutions, 10 for each potential problem.

The key here is creativity, flexibility, and being able to respond instantly when the unexpected happens. Expect the unexpected, and have a file of alternative solutions at your fingertips. It's contingency planning. Do it.

3. Get tons of advice.

Have your accountant, your attorney, your insurance agent, your spouse and your cousin look at your completed strategic plan. If you can't explain it to them, will you be able to explain it to your staff, customers, and friends? If these people don't understand and support your plan, will you be able to maintain your own enthusiasm over the long haul as you work on those goals?

4. Get GOOD advice.

After explaining your dreams and goals to a lot a people, sit down with a handful of those you trust the most, and pay them to give you their best feedback. People tend to heed the advice they pay for, rather than that offered free by friends. Also, take care in choosing those you turn to. Lots of people can give you technical advice, expert advice, and even friendly advice. Wisdom and trust is more important, and harder to find.

5. Take the path of least resistance.

You have your goals, know the obstacles, and have support from others. Now begin mapping your way through the wilderness to your destination. What's the easiest, most direct, route? What's the safest route? Which combination of activities and priorities makes the most sense to get you there? Achieving your goals doesn't have to be a struggle full of excruciating hard work. It can be a gentle path when you've mapped out your course in advance.

6. Take action.

Once you know where you want to go and have a path to get there, start walking! Too many people take their goals and put them into a nice file folder that is never looked at because they are too busy "working" to implement them. Instead, use your efforts and your strategic plan together so that your effort is focused, productive and smart!

6. Reassess often.

Just as someone hiking across barren territory needs to periodically stop and check their map and compass to avoid walking in circles, you need to check your direction and priorities often. Conditions will change. Opportunities pop up or disappear, new problems arrive or the nature of your goals can change. All of these things will happen so plan for it!

Regularly step outside your goal plan to reassess and redefine your most important tasks. You can't afford to spend 80% of your effort in busywork and inefficient distractions. Reassess and stay on course. No business or personal goal plan can survive lost time and wasted efforts. Start on a path of continual self-fulfillment today.

Philip E. Humbert originally wrote portions of this article for Coach University. You can reach Philip at his web site:
www.philiphumbert.com

Balance Tips

Monthly tips for achieving Balance in your life.

January's tip - Eliminate the "tyranny of the urgent"

The phone won't stop ringing, your email box indicates that you've received another 25 emails, an employee is standing in your doorway with "just a quick question", and you're late for your third meeting of the day. Sound familiar?

For many people, this is a typical day at work. It's filled with urgent and constant demands for their attention. By the end of each day, not only are they exhausted, but they look at their "to do" list and find they've accomplished very little that they actually set out to do that day.

This is the "tyranny of the urgent", where phone calls, meetings, and other details of life dominate your days, although they rarely make a difference to your long-term success.

So how can you recognize and chose between the important and the merely urgent? First, go back and review your life plan (that's where you detailed what you wanted in life and your strategy for achieving it). Look at the things that aren't getting taken care of. After all, no bell will ring to remind you to exercise or have lunch with a friend. And no boss will ever rush into your office to remind you to take a moment to laugh with your child today. What's important in your life that you're neglecting?

Next, start saying "no" to urgent tasks. You know the drill - cut back on meetings, empower your employees to come up with their own solutions, filter your email. Then try this test - stop doing "urgent" busy-making tasks for one week. See if anyone notices or complains. When I have clients try this what usually happens is they get a lot more time to work on the things that really matter. You can spend your days being ruled by urgency, or working toward the life you want. The choice is yours.

For tips about taking another step towards balance, check out next month's tip - Being Alone vs. Loneliness

Shameless Marketing Tip:

Annaliese also conducts corporate training programs on topics such as Supervising the Telecommuter, Balancing Work and Life, Time Management, and Peak Performance.

For a FREE � HOUR COACHING SESSION, call her at 415-487-0507 and set up an appointment today. Call or email her to inquire about her corporate training programs.

To SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE, please contact us.

Balancing Act December 1999

The Monthly Newsletter of Balanced Life Design

Produced by Annaliese Furnas, Success Coach and Speaker

In This Issue:

From Entrepreneur to Employee, Part 2
Are you Ready for Y2K, Part 1 (goal setting)
Balance Tips (monthly tip for achieving Balance in your life).

From Entrepreneur to Employee, Part 2

Owning your own business isn't for everyone. Some entrepreneurs start their own business with unrealistic expectations about the viability of their product, their aptitude for running a company, or the amount of work necessary to succeed. And some see entrepreneurship as something to experience, but not a life long goal. But for those people who've taken the leap into owning their own business, the transition back to being an employee can be a tough one.

Last month we started our conversation with Kazumi Mechling. A successful entrepreneur, she started her own high tech PR firm in Japan in 1993. After running her own business for six years, she came back to the US in 1999 and took a corporate job as the head of business development at Niehaus Ryan Wong, Inc. a high tech PR firm. This month she discusses some of the challenges and some of the advantages of returning to the corporate world.

Kaz, how did you make the decision to go back to the corporate world?

K.M. There were many forces at work in making my decision. First, I had decided to move from Japan back to the Bay Area to be near my family. At that point, I wasn't necessarily thinking that I'd work for someone else. But I was getting tired of working 18-hour days, although I loved my business. When I arrived here, I did some investigating about the PR industry in general and met with some of the people at NRW. I had an instant gut reaction that the people at NRW and I would be a good fit. And when they asked me to join their team, I knew it was the right thing to do.

Was it difficult to make the transition from being your own boss, to reporting to someone else?

K.M. There was certainly a transition to be made, but I had already started that transition in Japan when a large corporation bought my company and I found myself reporting to a conglomerate with 33 offices worldwide. At first, I thought being part of a larger organization would allow me to expand the cooperative culture in my own organization. But I soon found that what it really meant was that I had to take a less "hands on" role in my own company so I could deal with all the additional bureaucracy.

What was the greatest challenge you faced working for someone else?

K.M. Going from being "King of the Hill" to having to answer to someone else caused some initial stress. I had a lot of ego invested in owning my own business and I bristled when my decisions were questioned. But I came to realize that working successfully in a corporation wasn't necessarily about being top dog, but about being part of a team with a common goal and following a worthwhile path.

What are some of the advantages to working in a corporation again?

K.M. One of the advantages is being able to sleep at night! And not having the full burden of the company weighing on you. There's no more solo worrying if I've made the right decision, if I'll get the next contract, if I can make payroll this month. That disappears and you can concentrate on just doing the work you enjoy. It can be very liberating. It has allowed me to shift focus and expand my own personal horizons which includes work on two books that I had wanted to write for some time. And I've also been able to do workshops on healing and spirituality, which is something I wouldn't have had the time to do if I was still running my own company.

Kaz, many entrepreneurs feel that going back to the corporate arena somehow means they've failed. What advice do you have for anyone facing that decision?

K.M. First, I think failure is a state of mind. Most successful entrepreneurs and business people have "failed" numerous times before hitting pay dirt. Hopefully, each "failure" brings improvement and an appreciation that will eventually lead toward ultimate success. For many people, there simply comes a time when the quality of one's life is more important than maintaining the role of owner. Peace and fulfillment matter more than ego. You have to do what your intuition tells you is the best move in the moment. Trust in your ability to read people and the situation and make your decision based on those things.

Are you Ready for Y2K, Part 1

It's all you hear about - in the newspapers, on TV - are you ready for Y2K. I'm sure you've taken care of all you need to regarding your computer and electronics, but what about other aspects of the year 2000? Have you examined your personal and professional goals? Have you written your strategic plans?

This month we are going to look at preparing for year 2000 by looking at personal and professional goals (next month we'll look at preparing the strategic plan for those goals).

1. Review your progress for 1999.

Think back to the beginning of 1999. What were your goals for the year? What resolutions did you commit to? How did you lay out your priorities for the year? What results did you achieve?

This is not a time to berate yourself for what you did not accomplish. This is a chance to reflect and notice what did occur. For those goals that you did accomplish, what methods or processes worked well? Can you discern patterns of behavior that worked consistently for many different goals? For those goals that you did not see to completion, what methods were you using to accomplish them? Was the problem with the method used, or was the goal not clearly defined from the beginning? Asking these questions will yield useful tools for the goals you want to accomplish in 2000.

2. Define what success is for you.

People define success in many different ways. Do you know what success is for you? Do you define it in terms of externals - having lots of dollars, owning several houses or fancy cars? Or is success more internal for you - the relationships you have with friends and family, the amount of fun you experience day-to-day, the ways you nourish your creativity, the way you take care of your health? Is your definition of success about the contribution you make to others?

You must know what successful completion of your goals looks like in order to accomplish all you want in life. Being clear about how you define success will play a big part in the goals you commit to this year.

3. Making the list of goals.

You've already looked at what you've accomplished in 1999 and defined your relationship to success - now it's time to look at what you what to be successful at in 2000. When making this list, look at all the aspects of your life. Career and money are important, but don't neglect things like fun, family and relationships, fitness and health, spirituality. What do you want to accomplish in all those areas as an integrated whole human being? Who do you want to be as a person by this time next year?

Of course, these goals also need to be realistic. When working with clients the biggest obstacle is often how achievable a goal really is. Are you setting objectives so high that only a superman or superwoman could achieve them? If your goals and unrealistic, you're setting yourself up to fail.

4. Making the goals clearer.

There is a fine line between shooting for the stars and shooting yourself in the foot. Aiming high is a good place to start, but be very honest with yourself about how much of any one goal you can accomplish within one year. For example, if one of your goals is to get that million-dollar contract, how far will you get in one year? You might not be able to close the deal, but you might be able to build the relationship to the point that the deal can be closed the following year.

This is the time to be as specific as possible for every goal. What will successfully accomplishing this goal look like? Use key words, photographs, and examples of how life will change when you've accomplished a goal to help crystallize success.

Next month we'll look at concrete steps that will help make these goals a reality.

Balance Tips

Monthly tips for achieving Balance in your life.

December's tip - Embracing Gratitude

Last week was Thanksgiving and many of you gave formal thanks for the people and things in your life as part of your Thanksgiving ritual. I was working with a client last week and suggested this as something he might do over the holiday. He commented that it was a good idea, but mentioned he felt it was something we should do every day. And I agree.

I believe being grateful is one of the smartest, most powerful things a person can do for themselves and for their future success. Sure, bad things happen, but if you only focus on that part of your life, you can become bitter and paralyzed by pessimism.

Let me give you an example. Last week I was feeling very frustrated. My computer had a virus, my car needed to go into the shop, and the logistics coordinator at a conference I was speaking at had already changed my speaking schedule for the third time. I was feeling put upon, frustrated, and was starting to snap at everyone around me.

At the height of my aggravation, I took a moment to perform an attitude shift. First, I made a list of all the things that were making me feel irritated. Then I set that aside and started a list of all the things that I was grateful for in my life. I listed all the people that I cared about and cherished. Then I moved into listing other things I'm grateful for-- the fact that I have a car and computer, even if they occasionally brake down; that I live in a wonderful city in a warm and comfortable house; the roses growing my back yard; you get the idea.

By the time I finished my grateful list, my attitude had completely shifted from feeling put upon to feeling energized and ready to tackle the next challenge. The original list of irritating things seemed trivial. Total time involved, less than 10 minutes. Even if you don't have time to do this every day, it's a powerful way to shift your attitude on any day.

For tips about taking another step towards balance, check out next month's tip - Eliminating the "Tyranny of the Urgent"

Shameless Marketing Tip:

Annaliese also conducts corporate training programs on topics such as Supervising the Telecommuter, Balancing Work and Life, Time Management, and Peak Performance.

For a FREE � HOUR COACHING SESSION, call her at 415-487-0507 and set up an appointment today. Call or email her to inquire about her corporate training programs.

To SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE, please contact us.

Balancing Act November 1999

The Monthly Newsletter of Balanced Life Design

Produced by Annaliese Furnas, Success Coach and Speaker

In This Issue:

From Entrepreneur to Employee, Part 1

Requesting Help from People

Balance Tips (monthly tip for achieving Balance in your life).

From Entrepreneur to Employee, Part I

Many people who are unhappy in their corporate career view entrepreneurship as a magic bullet for their career woes. And for many, it's a wonderful solution. But for others, being self-employed isn't the best solution. Learning to see the pros and cons of each career option, and making the decision that best fits you is one that takes maturity and introspection and honesty.

Kazumi Mechling successfully ran her own business for several years before deciding to transition back into corporate life. Along the way, she took huge risks, learned some painful lessons, and has finally come to a place in her life where her career goals fit into her personal value system.

Kaz, tell us a little about how this all started.

K.M. I was working in PR and marketing for a firm that wanted to transfer me to Japan so I could mentor and teach their female engineers to work towards management opportunities. There was still a lot of reluctance on the part of Japanese women to move up the corporate ladder and they felt that as a Japanese/American woman, I was the perfect role model to help change that. I was very excited about the opportunity. Also, I was born in Japan and spent my early years there, and I was moving back at the same age my mother was when she moved to the United States.

So, you moved your career from the US to Japan. What happened next?

K.M. I worked there for two years and I noticed that many western companies didn't know how to sell to the Japanese market. There was a tremendous opportunity for someone who could take western high tech companies and help promote their presence in Japan. At that time, there were no firms like that in Japan, though they were common in the US. So I opened my own high tech boutique PR firm, MediaWorks in 1993 to fill that need. Timing was on our side and I had two clients my first week in business. In fact, we were profitable our first year out which is amazing in any industry, but especially in PR and in Japan.

Moving alone to a foreign country and starting a business both take a lot of courage. How did you overcome your fears and take that leap?

K.M. When desire becomes more compelling than the known or unknown it's amazing what one can do! Once I felt a sense of urgency about getting to Japan, I just took one step after the other to make it happen. I know what drives me and how to take advantage to it. My personal pride can be a great motivator, so once I told people that I was planning to move to Japan, there was no turning back. I was much more motivated to make it happen when so many people knew I had committed to it.

Were there any difficulties being a woman and the head of a company in Japan?

K.M. Women are still struggling for equality in Japan. There were times when a company wouldn't take a meeting with me because I was a woman. But I was fortunate because my company grew very quickly and I knew how to deal with protocol. I had a circle of Komon (seasoned, elder advisors) working for me. When necessary, they would be my proxies at meetings and key negotiations that I could not attend. And in the end, it became more about how well my company performed than the gender of the person running it. Ironically it became very "in" to be a foreign woman running her business in Japan and I got lots of local press and became a role model.

What was the biggest lesson you learned working in Japan?

K.M. There were so many, but one of the most amazing has been the depth of the Japanese culture. On the surface, they seem very conservative and repressed, but the Japanese are actually very driven by instinct and emotion. By having formal protocols and developing business relationships slowly there is less risk of getting into a business deal with the wrong people. Relationship is everything in Japanese business. I learned how patience and conforming to reach an end goal could be truly rewarding. It also helped me have a deeper appreciation for the layered beauty of Japan and my "other half". Growing up in America, which is such a young country, you don't always get exposed firsthand to the richness and depth of older cultures.

Next month we'll talk about how Kaz made the move back to being an employee and some of her insights.

Requesting Help from People

I was recently working with a client who was frustrated at her lack of progress on a goal she was pursuing. She was looking to dramatically increase her business and she wanted referrals from former clients. But week after week went by, and she wasn't contacting the people she needed to assist her.

As we explored why she was delaying this crucial task, she admitted that to ask for help from others would be humiliating and would somehow signify that she was a failure. After all, if she were asking for business from others, wouldn't they perceive that her business was in trouble, or that she was needy?

Asking for help from others isn't easy for most people. But in reality, there are very few projects that one can accomplish alone. Whether you need the cooperation of other managers to carry out a company project, or need word-of-mouth referrals to keep your business thriving, or even need your children to help keep the house clean, most people rely on others at least part of the time to help them succeed. Here are ten ideas, written by Jim Allen (www.coachjim.com), that can help when you're feeling stuck and need the assistance of others.

1. Remember, if you don't make the request, it will NEVER happen. Wayne Gretzky once said, "One hundred percent of the shots I don't make don't go in." Likewise, the unasked question is never answered.

2. Don't beat around the bush. Just ask and be clear about what you want the other person to help you accomplish.

3. If it's an extraordinary request, say so. BIG requests are often the best requests. Be 100% up front and honest about what you want and what's involved.

4. If the request is work that YOU would normally do, explain why you can't. You don't need to provide tons of detail, but again, be honest with the person you're making the request of (and with yourself).

5. Don't assume you know what the answer will be. Maybe they'll say "No." Of course, they might say "Yes." Approaching another person with the expectation of a certain answer is a set-up for disappointment.

6. Recognize that the person *can* say "No." You may not like it, but it will happen from time to time. Accept it and move on.

7. Make one request at a time. Asking for help, assistance, changes, etc., is fine, but don't overwhelm a person with multiple requests all at once.

8. Make the request clear and distinct. If there is an exact way it needs to be done, let the person know. Give them all the information to make a good decision, but also so they can really do what you need them to do.

9. Trust the person to do the right thing. If you've made your request clear and the person has said that they'll do it, expect they'll do it correctly. Don't follow them around and hound them about it.

10. Say "Thank you." (Even if they turn you down.) Just because they turn you down for this request, doesn't mean they might not say "yes" next time. Don't burn any bridges.

Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. Real strength lies in knowing that we are all connected and that we can accomplish more together and than any of us can accomplish on our own.

My client did get the help she needed to increase her business. Her former clients were happy to be able to do something for her. It actually made them feel good to make a contribution after all the wonderful work she had done for them. All she had to do was pick up the phone and ask.

Balance Tips

Monthly tips for achieving Balance in your life.

November's tip - The Power of Forgiveness

Many people spend their entire lives carrying around the pain and negativity from past hurts. This can be hatred and anger at the boss that didn't give them the promotion they deserved, the parent that was never there when they needed them, the Ex that walked out of a relationship, etc. But there is a price for carrying all that baggage around in your life.

A colleague of mine related how one of his teachers helped him understand this concept. She had each student bring in a clear plastic bag and a sack of potatoes. For each person a student refused to forgive in life, they would write the person's name on a potato and put it in the plastic bag. Then they had to take the bag with them everywhere -- to work, out on a date, in the car, etc. -- for over a week. Carrying the bag of potatoes around helped them understand what a weight of negativity they were carrying in their lives every day. And, as the potatoes decomposed and turned to slime, each student saw how all that anger and hatred was affecting their own emotional outlook and how they were starting to view others in their lives.

Still, it's not always easy to forgive those who have hurt you. One way to start is by setting aside some quiet time and writing a letter to a person you want to forgive. Let everything, all the anger, pain, and hurt out in the letter. Once that is complete, sit down in front of your fireplace or a fire-safe bowl, and burn the letter. As the letter is burning, concentrate on letting go of the negative feelings toward that person and forgive them for what they did to you. As the next few weeks and months pass, if you find yourself feeling anger toward that person, remind yourself that you have forgiven them and will no longer carry that negativity with you. It will take time, but eventually the forgiveness will be complete. Because ultimately, forgiveness isn't a gift for the other person, it's a gift for yourself.

For tips about taking another step towards balance, check out next month's tip - Embracing an Attitude of Gratitude

Shameless Marketing Tip: Annaliese currently has 3 openings in her private coaching practice. Every serious athlete has a coach. Are your goals less important? If you want to step up to the next level of success, give Annaliese a call at 415-487-0507 and see if coaching can help you achieve your goals.

Annaliese also conducts corporate training programs on topics such as Supervising the Telecommuter, Balancing Work and Life, Time Management, and Peak Performance.

For a FREE � HOUR COACHING SESSIONSSION, call her at 415-487-0507 and set up an appointment today. Call or email her to inquire about her corporate training programs.

To SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE, please contact us.

Balancing Act October 1999

The Monthly Newsletter of Balanced Life Design

Produced by Annaliese Furnas, Success Coach and Speaker

In This Issue:

Embracing Change
How Intuition Guides Your Decisions

Embracing Change

Change is an inevitable part of life. But most people resist change, fighting against it as if that would make it go away. But what about the concept of embracing change? What a difference it would make in your life if you looked at change as a long lost friend that deserved to be loved, respected, and celebrated? Something to be accepted gracefully.

This month, we're talking to Ann Maruhashi, a women in the process of embracing an enormous life change. For the past several years, Ann worked to establish her Bay Area business -- Meyralights, Candles of Illumination. Now that her business is established and she is successful, she's unexpectedly picking up the whole operation and moving to Seattle.

Ann, how did you first get into business?

A.M. I had been working in marketing for years, but wasn't happy with my career. I wasn't sure what else I wanted to do, but marketing wasn't my life purpose. Then one day, five years ago, I walked into a store in Carmel and noticed these beautiful, but obscenely high-priced, candles. I had always considered candles sacred because they bring energy and spirit into people's homes. Although I had no background in making crafts, I knew that I could make candles by hand that brought natural beauty and spiritual intention to people, and do it at a reasonable price. I started researching and designing candles almost immediately. Making candles was second nature to me, as if I had always been making them. It seemed like spirit was guiding me to this, and that was the beginning of my business.

So, you made the change from corporate marketing to candle maker. What happened next?

A.M. I spent a few years refining my product line to the place it is today. Each candle is made to assist a person with a specific intention they want to bring into their life. I make candles for Abundance, Balance & Harmony, Joy, Celebration, Manifestation, and Illumination. Last year, I successfully launched my candles into retail stores, though I still fill special orders for individuals.

Why did you decide to relocate to Seattle?

A.M. Although the candle business was expanding here, the Bay Area was getting more crowded and I felt it was time to move. When I visited Seattle on a scouting expedition, I felt so much more peaceful there. It just felt like coming home to be there and I trusted that feeling and went with it.

Were you worried about the impact the move would have on your business?

A.M. I was at first. I think fear is what most people first experience when facing change. But once I reconnected with faith and trust, knowing that my intuition was right that Seattle was the place for me to be, I was able to shift my perspective on what the move would mean to the business. I started to see that moving was actually a growth opportunity for the business. I can still ship product to my Bay Area retail outlets and now I can move into the Seattle market as well. Plus, the Seattle market isn't as saturated with product so there's more opportunity for my candles. And, of course, we're closer to Canada which opens whole new possibilities for me that I hadn't even thought of when I was living in the Bay Area.

Ann, what advice do you have for those who are facing changes in their lives?

A.M. Making life changes means you have to break old patterns of behavior and let go of the fear that tends to keep your life static. This can be difficult, yet if you just let go and allow change to flow through you, around you, into you -- it's easier. But most of us are not taught how to do that. Honoring all the feelings and intuition that come to you and evaluating how you want to proceed in any situation will make change smoother. Then eliminate the excuses you have for why things can't work. If you accept and intend to make a change in your life, nothing can stop you. Only fear and doubt can stop you. When you've decided to do something and accepted your path, all the things you've known are possible can become a reality.

If you want more information about Meyralights Candles, you can contact Ann at 206-352-0286.

How Intuition Guides Your Decisions

Follow your heart. Listen to your inner voice. Trust your guidance. It all sounds so easy. But what do you do when your inner voice sounds like your inner critic, or worse, your inner child run amok? How can you learn to depend on your intuition to help guide you to the right decisions?

1. What does your intuition tell you? Your intuition can contribute insight and help in making decisions. Begin to pay close attention to what your intuition is telling you; it could lead directly to positive changes in your life.

2. How does your intuition communicate with you? Each of us has a predominate form in which we receive intuitive information. It may come through feelings, images, body sensations (gut feelings) or through your thoughts. When you are making a decision pay particular attention to all of these ways that your intuition communicates with you.

3. Ask your intuition questions. Many people believe that intuition comes completely unbidden. I have found that when you ask your intuition for additional insight it will respond with answers. Ask, "What should I do in this situation?" or "What do I need to know about this?" Remember you may get the answers from a variety of sources (feelings, words, physical sensations, and images.)

4. Act on the information you receive. Developing your intuition is like learning any new skill. The more you practice the better you get at it. If using your intuition is new for you, it may be best to use it in relatively low risk situations at first. This will help you develop your intuitive muscles.

5. You may not receive information immediately. If you don't understand something, ask for clarification. It is possible to get your guidance in dreams, for instance. Many people ask for intuitive guidance during a meditation and don't receive information immediately. You may find that the insight you desire will come seemingly unbidden at some point later in the day while you're involved in other tasks.

6. Learn to take small steps. Most of us feel quite anxious when making big changes in our lives. We're afraid we'll make a mistake that we'll later regret. You may find that by taking small steps, the decision becomes clearer, your resolve becomes stronger, and the fear begins to lessen.

7. Write down the guidance you receive. Whenever you're facing a tough decision, write about it in a journal. Always jot down what your intuition is communicating. What feelings do you have about this decision? What images come to mind? Are there any body sensations that indicate a good or bad decision? Is there a still, quiet, inner voice that informs you? It's helpful to look back at this journal from time to time to see how accurate your guidance was. Did you trust the information you received? Did you act on its wisdom?

8. Don't forget your left brain! Remember to use your logical or rational mind in this process as well. There needn't be a competition between the intuitive mind and the rational mind. Your rational side can help you find out facts and assist you with details of your decision. Your intuitive or right brain simply adds another level of information often described as, "You know, but you don't know how you know."

9. What's your goal in making this decision? When using your intuition, it helps to be clear about the outcome you want. Many people get stuck in the process by thinking of all the things they don't want. When you're clear about your goals, your intuition can inform you about the clearest, most direct path to achieve it.

This article was originally written for Coach University by Lynn A. Robinson and has been extensively edited. You can reach Lynn at Lynn@Lynnrobinson.com.

Balance Tips

Monthly tips for achieving Balance in your life.

October's tip - Believing it's Possible

When Henry Ford said, "Whether you believe you can or believe you can't, either way you're right," he was talking about the power of attitude and belief in achieving the success that you want. I've seen highly educated and talented people fail to achieve the results they desired, because they really didn't believe theirs was an attainable goal. And I've seen people with little training or experience achieve great success simply because they believed they would.

A friend of mine uses this principle in her business every day. She works with private clients on a spiritual level to help them break through barriers and heal emotional wounds. She doesn't advertise her services or make cold calls, doesn't have a website, and doesn't attend networking functions. She ignores many of the accepted business techniques for filling a private consultation practice. Yet every week she has exactly the number of clients she wants because she believes it will happen. Her attitude allows her to make the perfect choices in reaching out to connect with potential clients, based on intuition and belief rather than someone else's idea of what should work.

Believing it's possible allows you to take action based on choice. When you don't believe it's possible, you can become pessimistic, whiny, and fatalistic. You suddenly perceive yourself as having no choices, as being trapped and powerless.

If you find yourself doubting you can accomplish either a business or personal goal, look for ways to turn your attitude around. Ask a friend or associate to brainstorm some possible alternatives that could help you achieve your goal. Even if none of their solutions is the right one for you, it can help you see that you have many choices available and that you are not powerless. Your attitude determines the results of your efforts. Believe it's possible.

For tips about taking another step towards balance, check out next month's tip - The Power of Forgiveness

Annaliese also conducts corporate training programs on topics such as Supervising the Telecommuter, Balancing Work and Life, Time Management, and Peak Performance.

For a FREE � HOUR COACHING SESSION, call her at 415-487-0507 and set up an appointment today. Call or email her to inquire about her corporate training programs.

To SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE, please contact us.

Balancing Act August 1999

The Monthly Newsletter of Balanced Life Design

Produced by Annaliese Furnas, Success Coach and Speaker

In This Issue:

Embracing Change
How Intuition Guides Your Decisions

Embracing Change

Ann, how did you first get into business?

So, you made the change from corporate marketing to candle maker. What happened next?

Why did you decide to relocate to Seattle?

Were you worried about the impact the move would have on your business?

Ann, what advice do you have for those who are facing changes in their lives?

If you want more information about Meyralights Candles, you can contact Ann at 206-352-0286.

How Intuition Guides Your Decisions

This article was originally written for Coach University by Lynn A. Robinson and has been extensively edited. You can reach Lynn at Lynn@Lynnrobinson.com.

Balance Tips

Monthly tips for achieving Balance in your life.

October's tip - Believing it's Possible

For tips about taking another step towards balance, check out next month's tip - The Power of Forgiveness

Annaliese also conducts corporate training programs on topics such as Supervising the Telecommuter, Balancing Work and Life, Time Management, and Peak Performance.

For a FREE � HOUR COACHING SESSIONSSION, call her at 415-487-0507 and set up an appointment today. Call or email her to inquire about her corporate training programs.

To SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE, please contact us.

Balancing Act September 1999

The Monthly Newsletter of Balanced Life Design

Produced by Annaliese Furnas, Success Coach and Speaker

In This Issue:

Going with the Flow

Ways to Make a Difference

Balance Tips (monthly tip for achieving Balance in your life).

Going with the Flow

As humans, one of the extraordinary talents we have at our disposal is intellect. The ability to reason, to think abstractly, to make decisions based on facts and analysis is of tremendous value. We are also gifted with the power of intuition and the ability to tap into our spiritual side. But what happens when you're trying to make major life changes and your intellect is telling you to choose one path, and your intuition is leading you in a different direction?

Patti Glick is a woman who has grappled with this conundrum on several occasions. She has learned how to make peace between these two, often contradictory, abilities.

Patti, how did you decide to go into business?

P.G. Three years ago, I was working as a podiatric nurse. My Doctor had asked me to put together an educational talk about proper foot care to give at corporations. But the office was so busy we never got around to it. At that same time, my twins were entering the first grade. I decided to quit so I could be home for them after school. I took the idea of speaking to the corporate market about general foot care and started my own business.

What does your business specialize in?

P.G. I do customized presentations to corporations focusing on three key areas. My Foot Injury Prevention presentation focuses on safety training for employees with a higher risk of injury due to foot-intensive jobs; my Foot Fitness presentation is designed for physically active people and others who want general information about foot concerns, diabetic foot care, shoe selection, and reducing injury; and my Preventative Foot Care presentation is geared towards service, industrial, and manufacturing shift workers where foot fatigue is a major issue.

Your business had been successful from the start, yet you wanted more of a challenge. How did you make the decision on where to take your business next?

P.G. I had been thinking about expanding my business by going to the convention market. But after my first experience, I felt that the time needed for preparation, the amount of stress I experienced, and impact on my family might not be worth it. At that point, my impulse was still to tap into logic and the intellect before I ruled that venue out completely. I decided that I should go on a retreat and prepare a formal strategy plan for enhancing my business. But things kept interfering and prevented me from going on the retreat. Then I broke my foot. While recovering from that, I used a home treatment product called the Micro-Z. It's a muscle stimulator that treats pain and increases circulation and among other things treats diabetic neuropathy pain. It was such a wonderful product that I contacted the manufacturer to tell them about my experience with it. They instantly asked me if I was interested in becoming their distributor in the Bay Area. Even if I had gone on retreat for a month, I would never have thought of that as a possibility. But it's a perfect fit with my existing business and gives me the extra boost I was looking for.

So how will you continue to make the combination of intuition and intellect work to your advantage?

P.G. I have to remind myself to be open to the universe. I constantly have to get out of my own way and surrender to a higher power. I know that things will work, not in my time but in God's time. Part of my intellectual side still questions and doubts the path and the time commitment that I'll need to make this next step in my business. But when I really feel doubt, I think back to something my minister once said -- we are always at choice and we can always change our minds if our choice isn't working out. When I can remember that, I can enjoy the path I'm following and let go of the guilt and fear. Patti, what advice do you have for those who struggle with making decisions?

P.G. I don't know that I can give anyone advice. I'm still discovering what works for me, still learning to trust my intuitive side. One thing that I know works is to always be positive. When you have a positive attitude it's easier to overcome any obstacle. It's carried me quite a ways.

Visit Patti's website at www.footnurse.com

Ways to Make a Difference

>If the polls are any indication, millions of Americans are experiencing varying levels of frustration because of their inability to make a dent in the problems confronting them personally. It's easy to become discouraged and feel that nothing you do matters, but here are several ways that you CAN make a difference.

1. Do something completely unselfish for someone each day. It doesn't have to be a great deed. All it takes to get started is a kind word or a small favor for someone else. The interesting thing is that, after a while, you won't have to look for subjects on which to practice. They'll begin coming to you.

2. Leave the world a little better than you found it. If you've hiked in the Rockies, you've probably heard the expression: pack it in, pack it out. It refers to not leaving your trash behind when you leave your campground. That's fine as far as it goes, but it won't clean up the mess we've all created. A better way to convey the idea might be: pack it in, pack MORE out. Clean up the campsite, remove the litter from your street, even if you didn't put it there.

3. Minimize your contribution to the world's pollution. We all pollute, to a greater or lesser degree, but we can all reduce the amount that we pollute. Recycling, voluntary simplicity and simple consideration of others are all ways to begin.

4. Stop tolerating irresponsible behavior. Some people are irresponsible by choice, some by habit, and others by ignorance. Whichever the cause, you can begin to make a difference by letting the other person know, in a nice way, that his or her behavior is unacceptable. The key here is to address the behavior rather than the person.

5. Add your voice and become broadly informed. The Internet, the proliferation of special publications, and the multiplication of interest groups have made information much easier to come by, and intelligent decisions begin with good information. With email, faxes, and voice mail, it's also easier to make your voice heard. And even politicians are beginning to learn that it pays to listen.

6. Create something special. Everyone has a special talent, although it's often buried beneath layers of insecurity and self-doubt. Your talent may be knitting, woodworking, writing, or just cleaning up. Whatever it is, there is a way to use it to create something special for you and for others. Emma Grafton, a young woman of 87 from Butler, PA has been knitting 3' x 3' quilts at the rate of 50 a year since 1991. She gets material from donations and gives them away, especially during the holidays. Mrs. Grafton is making a difference by using her unique talents to create something special.

7. Meet anger with love. There's an awful lot of anger in the world. You don't have to go beyond the front page or the local news to see it. Quite often, when we're confronted with an angry person, we tend to react in kind. Instead, try meeting the anger with love--not reasoning, argument, instruction--just love. You may be surprised at the difference it makes!

8. Resolve to be and do your best in everything you do. We are all too comfortable with averageness in our lives. We accept so much less of ourselves than we are capable. We take on too much, do it less than well, and complain that we're tired and overburdened. Just for a while, try doing less, but do everything that you do the very best way that you can. Before long, you'll discover what the sages have called, the joy of doing. This article was originally written for Coach University by Shale Paul and has been extensively edited. You can reach Shale at A HREF="mailto:Shale@Shalecoach.com">Shale@Shalecoach.com.

Balance Tips

Monthly tips for achieving Balance in your life.

September's tip - The Importance of Conversation

When was the last time you actually sat down in a chair, opposite somebody, looking eye to eye, and shared words, thoughts, and feelings for at least an hour? I'm talking about connecting, not pretending to listen to them as you think about what you have to do when you get back to the office. Because of our busy lives, few of us take the time to bond with others in this way. But taking the time to connect in this way can have a profound effect on your life.

Two years ago I was at lunch with my friend Margaret. At the time, I was simply deepening my connection with a remarkable 89 year-old woman who was my neighbor. As we were eating our pasta, she told me the story about how her and her husband came here in 1960 from England. She told me about the company that sponsored them, and the horrible working conditions they experienced when they got to the mid-west. They didn't know anyone in this country, they were broke, and they owed the company the $900 it took to bring them here. Yet, with all that, they found a way to leave a horrible working situation, move to the West Coast, and create a life they loved. During that time, I was going through a tough time with my own business and was thinking of quitting and going back to a corporate job. Having that conversation helped me recommit to a business I love. You never know where the wisdom will come from that can effect your life.

So this week, pull up a chair, break some bread, look across the table, give a smile and say, "What's up?" to someone you care about. You'll be surprised, enlightened, and possible transformed by the answer.

For tips about taking another step towards balance, check out next month's tip - Believing it's Possible

Annaliese also conducts corporate training programs on topics such as Supervising the Telecommuter, Balancing Work and Life, Time Management, and Peak Performance.

For a FREE � HOUR COACHING SESSIONSSION, call her at 415-487-0507 and set up an appointment today. Call or email her to inquire about her corporate training programs.

Balancing Act August 1999

The Monthly Newsletter of Balanced Life Design
Produced by Annaliese Furnas, Success Coach and Speaker

In This Issue:

Hanging in For the Long Haul

Power of Being an Optimist

Balance Tips (monthly tip for achieving Balance in your life).

Hanging in For the Long Haul

What if your "dream job" is something that many people fantasize about, few people succeed at, and everyone says you're crazy to pursue? That's a pretty daunting hill for most people to climb. But for people dreaming of a career in the creative arts, being a writer, actor, painter, etc., it's a hill they often have to climb as they pursue their dreams. April Dill is an actor. Each day she learns more about her craft and pursues her dream of acting full time. At the same time, she must find ways to pay the rent each month that still allow her to continue her career goals. Finding people that are supportive, working temp jobs, and having faith are just a few of the things that keep April on her path.

April, when did you know you wanted to be an actor?

A.D. By the time I graduated from High School, I knew I wanted to act, but I was terrified of pursuing a career. I had no mentors; just people telling me I couldn't possibly make a career out of it.

How did you overcome that?

A.D. I started to tell my friends and co-workers about my dreams and some of them started encouraging me. When I was 22, I took my first professional acting class. I was petrified, but the class went well and it gave me the courage to continue with my training.

Courage is such an integral part to any career search, especially one in the arts. How do you find the courage to continue?

A.D. Courage isn't about avoiding fear; it's about overcoming it. I'm afraid all the time. From the minute I go to an audition, to the moment I step in front of people to perform, to each month when I wonder if I'll have enough money to cover the bills. But I know how to survive and I know it's possible to succeed at what I want to do. When I am at my most fearful, I take a deep breath, put one foot in front of the other and just do it. Each time I audition or perform or pay all the bills, it proves to me that I can move forward with my dreams. Each success helps me to overcome the fear of doing it the next time. When the fear is really strong, I remember my first audition, the first time I was cast in a small play or my first small part in a film. It moves me from being afraid I can't do it, to thinking I can do it, to knowing I can do it, to doing it today.

April, you're working toward making a living as an actress, but how do you manage to pay the bills and keep working on your dream?

A.D. When I first started taking acting classes, I was working at a permanent job in the high tech industry. With the pressures and long hours demanded by my job, I soon realized I was just "pretending" to be an actor. I could barely find time to keep up with classes, let alone go to auditions or perform in anything. Then, one day, I got laid off. And in many ways it was the best thing that ever happened to me.

How did that change things for you?

A.D. Just to keep paying the bills, I applied at a temp agency. For me, discovering the world of temping has made all the difference. There is a tremendous amount of freedom when you're a temp. I let each employer know that I'm an actor and that there might be times when I need to get off early for auditions or rehearsals. I've found that my bosses have been very supportive and flexible. They often connect with my passion because many of them have given up their dreams for the "security" of a full time job. They really want me to succeed. And there is the added bonus that though I do the best job I can every day, it's not a permanent job. I don't have to waste time and energy getting involved in internal politics, or worry about how I'll climb the corporate ladder. I save all my extra time and energy for the career I'm dedicated to, acting.

April, what advice do you have for others trying to live their dreams?

A.D. Learn better time management techniques - how saying yes to one thing means you have to say no to something else. Once you know your priorities, work hard every day toward your goals. Some days all I can manage is one hour of rehearsing or reading my lines while on BART, but I do something everyday. Then you must believe that if this is what you're meant to be doing in life, it will happen. Have the faith that it will work out and visualize the end results and you will get there.

The Power of Being an Optimist

Many people think being optimistic is fool-hardy or pollyanna-ish because it doesn't always take into account the real story or situation. Well, there is an argument there worth exploring AND, to put it simply, optimism is just a more efficient and enjoyable system to use most of the time.

There are definitely times when being a realist is important or even necessary (making a business decision, buying a house, choosing a school for your children). However, for your regular day-to-day living, optimism is a more useful approach. The thing which most often stops people from reaching their goals or living their dreams is their own limiting (non-optimistic) self-talk. So let's look at a few techniques to strengthen your optimist muscle.

1. Surround yourself with optimistic people.

We humans are extremely impressionable creatures and tend to absorb and take on the qualities of our surrounding environment to a large extent. It is very difficult to maintain a high level of optimism when you spend time with people who are negative, pessimistic, resigned or playing the victim role. Instead, seek friends, associates, and life partners who demonstrate visibly optimistic attitudes and pay close attention to how they respond to adversity.

2. Avoid television and most media as much as possible.

Most of what we see and hear in the media has a fairly pessimistic tone. Notice how our culture loves to tear people down (usually after building them up). Even the commercials we watch tend to point out where we are lacking, or where we should buy some product in order to have our lives work properly. Try to eliminate it for an extended period of time. Read a book, listen to music, call a friend, meditate, play with your children, cultivate a hobby, go for a walk... whatever! Just do something else. You'll be very glad that you did and you'll have much more energy available to spend in other areas.

3. Take total responsibility for your entire life.

While it may be easier to fret and moan about how it "wasn't your fault" or "life isn't fair", in reality you ARE responsible for everything that happens in your life. Once you understand that, life becomes about acceptance, and seeing that the present is always perfect (even when you'd like to believe otherwise).

4. Identify your core beliefs.

Many times, pessimistic thoughts have their roots in beliefs that you endorsed at a young age. If you were to examine such a limiting belief now, you might quickly discard it. However, the problem is that you haven't examined it lately, and it is currently operating in your life (maybe even running your life). Start looking at which of your beliefs enhance your life and which hold you back. Eliminate those that keep you from having the life you want.

5. Eliminate everything you are tolerating or procrastinating/incomplete about.

By doing this, you will give your self-esteem and confidence a big boost. When you let these things hang around, not only do you lose vast amounts of energy; you begin to feel impotent in life. It starts to feel like you are incapable of handling/completing certain tasks. When you reach that place, negative thoughts are just around the corner. Make a list of the top ten things you are tolerating or procrastinating about, and handle one of them right NOW.

6. Get clarity about what you truly want.

It's always been hard for humans to get in touch with what they REALLY want in life. When you do get clear about what you want from life, and you orient yourself around those choices, optimism can blossom naturally because you will experience a deep sense of purpose and mission about who you are and why you're here.

This article was originally written for Coach University by Paul Rarick who can be reached at flowcoach@aol.com

Balance Tips

Monthly tips for achieving Balance in your life.

August's tip - Producing Results vs.Working Hard

A friend of mine has her own consulting business and was considered a very hard worker. She focused on making the right number of cold calls and scheduling the right number of appointments each month to keep her business going. She usually made her monthly budget numbers, but often had to scramble to get there.

Over time, she developed the ability to listen and to communicate more succinctly with potential clients. She also began to focus on her present enjoyment and on having a fulfilling life outside of work. As a result, she started to form better connections with her clients and potential clients as people rather than just possible business contacts. Her business skyrocketed without her having to make more sales calls or schedule more appointments. Producing results is not always the byproduct of simply working hard. The more effective you are, the easier it is to accomplish results. Rather than work harder to produce the results you want, invest time in becoming more effective.

To get started, determine what it is you really want to accomplish. Is it increasing sales for the company, getting a promotion, developing a new product line within your corporation? What result do you want?

Then look for examples, other people that have accomplished the results you want. Study what skills and methods they used. Did they have great listening skills, wonderful presentation skills, the ability to forecast trends? Determine what skills you need to enhance and invest time in improving those areas. When you've achieved a high level of effectiveness, your work will be effortless and your achievement level will soar.

For tips about taking another step towards balance, check out next month's tip - The Importance of Conversation

Annaliese also conducts corporate training programs on topics such as Supervising the Telecommuter, Balancing Work and Life, Time Management, and Peak Performance.

For a FREE � HOUR COACHING SESSIONSSION, call her at 415-487-0507 and set up an appointment today. Call or email her to inquire about her corporate training programs.

To SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE, please contact us.

Balancing Act July 1999

The Monthly Newsletter of Balanced Life Design

Produced by Annaliese Furnas, Success Coach and Speaker

In This Issue:

Turning a Hobby into a Career

Creating Motivation at Work

Balance Tips (monthly tip for achieving Balance in your life).

Turning a Hobby into a Career

"But I don't know what I want to do for a living". People who are going through a career transition often utter those words. It's not difficult to realize that you are unfulfilled in your current career, but how do you
figure out what would be fulfilling? There are many paths for discovering what you want to do for a living. One that has worked for many people is to explore turning an activity that you enjoy doing into a full time job.

Craig Newmark, the founder of the grassroots community web site Craigslist (www.Craigslist.org) is a man who took a hobby and turned it into a full time job. Craigslist is one of the coolest and most popular web sites in the Bay Area, with over 8000 subscribers and three million page views per month.

Craig, how did Craigslist start?

C.N. I had been observing people on the Net and on WELL and was impressed with how they helped each other out with information when they had questions. There was this great sense of community about the interactions. About four years ago, I decided to contribute to that sense of Internet community by using the net to tell friends about cool events around San Francisco that they might be interested in attending. Within five months, things had grown so much through word of mouth that it demanded the use of a list server to distribute the postings.

Over time, this expanded to so many other areas of interest. How did you deal with the growth?

C.N. Craigslist is a community of people helping each other out with real world issues. I was trying to allow this to develop into a way to expand social and interpersonal interactions, to develop a real community that humanized and democratized the Internet. So I let the people using Craigslist direct the areas we would explore. We started out with simply listing events and expanded to include things like finding a job, selling a sofa or old PC, finding a home for yourself or your pet, finding a swing dancing partner, or recommending a great dentist to others. We have over 15 categories that people can post and subscribe to that really run the gamut.

Craig, you were making good money as a contract programmer before starting Craigslist. What made you decide to turn this into a full time job?

C.N. Craigslist did start as a hobby, but one that appealed to me on many levels. One of the most important things to me was creating an opportunity for people to connect with other people, in a down to earth way, using technology. We don't know our neighbors anymore and our sense of community is eroding. This was a different way to achieve community in a world that is becoming more fragmented. And when the time required to keep the list running grew, I decided I wanted to make the transition to full time. My personal philosophy used to be trying not to make things worse. Now it's helping people make things better. Craiglist allows me to do that in a small way. It just feels good to do it.

But you turned down offers by large companies to run banner ads on the site. Where is the money coming from?

C.N. Almost all of the postings we have on the site, we post for free. But when companies and recruiters approached us about posting job openings on the site, we decided that a small charge was necessary, just to pay the bills. As the job opening area has expanded, the money it generates allows me the opportunity to work full time, and to hire some additional staff.

What are your plans for the future?

C.N. Well, we're just making it up as we go. But I do have a few ideas, based on feedback from our subscribers. A lot of people have been asking for the equivalent of Craigslist in other cities, so we're looking into expanding and setting up community lists elsewhere. Also, as a non-profit, we're always looking for sponsorships to help support the list.

Craig, what advice do you have for others making a career transition?

C.N. Ask yourself what you really want in your day-to-day life. Then figure out what compromises you're willing to put up with in achieving it. Then just do it.

Creating Motivation at Work

Creating and facilitating a workplace that supports motivation results in higher personal and group productivity. It also enhances satisfaction and quality of work life. All managers should work on creating motivation and a fun place to work for employees.

1. Take responsibility for personal motivation through self-discipline and positive thinking. You need to take responsibility for yourself and set a tone. Having mission, vision and regular daily objectives creates an emphasis on productivity. Choosing a positive outlook is contagious. Being an optimistic thinker helps you and those around you. Enjoy the tasks of the day. Look forward to them.

2. Communicate affirmative spirit and energy. Motivation is a continuous dynamic with esprit and energy. Esprit is composed of morale, positive expectations, excitement, enthusiasm and passion. It's attitude in action.
Demeanor, performance and words tell the team about your feelings regarding work. Energy is physical, mental and emotional. It empowers and enables achievement. Energy supports high activity levels.

3. Care, understand and empathize with team members (develop positive regard and expectations of success). People really don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care. Recognizing that the team is composed of people, and treating them each as special individuals who have value, goes a long way. Appreciation is shown in small, subtle ways, but is critical. Know the team, believe in them and watch the results.

4. Make a point to listen (verbally and non-verbally) to both facts and feelings. Attending to people shows them that they are important. Giving your attention is giving yourself. An open door to hear professional and personal concerns fosters communications at all levels. Often, people simply need to feel heard and valued.

5. Develop efficient feedback and critique. What counts and to what degree? Performance is enhanced when people know what they're doing well and where they can improve. Feedback should be timely, accurate, and complete. Good feedback provides useful linkages between performance and consequences. Team members should know where and how they can improve.

6. Manage intrinsic and extrinsic incentives. Intrinsic rewards come from within. They're the good feelings that come from accomplishing something. While each team member creates these, the proper words and recognition from management facilitate them. Values of performance, customer satisfaction, recognition, achievement and the like need to be communicated. External incentives should not be neglected. Security, money, the bread and butter issues of every day can not be underestimated.

7. Consciously minimize de-motivators. Factors undermining motivation should be intentionally minimized. Even factors that motivate, when lacking or wrongly used, generate boredom, confusion and/or disappointment. Atmospheres of fear and pessimism discourage performance. Managers must address these issues each time they arise.

8. Establish definite linkages between performance and positive reinforcement (rewards). Too often, motivation becomes a neglected variable. Performance reviews are postponed. Incentives are delayed. This undermines the linkages. The significance of establishing clear understandings between performance and consequences cannot be understated. Expectations govern the exchange. They need to be managed as part of the motivational process.

This article was originally written for Coach University by Robert G. Jerus who can be reached at rjerus@mn.uswest.net. It has been extensively edited.

Balance Tips

Monthly tips for achieving Balance in your life.

July's tip - Fulfillment vs. Acquisition

Last year, I had a client who was remarkably successful by all outward appearances. He had literally made millions when his Internet company went public and he cashed in his stocks. He had spent some time doing the things that he had been taught meant success. He bought a trendy sports car, a lovely house in a desirable district, and spent some time travelling. Yet, despite all the things he owned, and all the power he had to buy the experiences he desired, he was incredibly unhappy. He was just beginning to see that true success isn't about acquisition, but is about fulfillment.
Fulfillment is the feeling that your cup of life is full. It comes from the inside. Acquisition is when you add things to your life from the outside. In our society, we are taught from an early age, that acquisition equals success. That reaching certain goals, buying certain things, or attaining a certain status at work will make you happy. But if these goals are not aligned with your inner sense of fulfillment, they will never be enough.

To discover what inner fulfillment is for you, start with this exercise. If you knew you were going to die one year from today, what are all the things you would want to do before that day arrives? Would it involve spending more time with friends and family, telling the truth more often, giving back to your community?

Make a list of all the things that would be important to you. Then, for each item you list, write why doing or having that in your life would be important. If those items are important because of something that resonates with your inner spirit, then you will experience fulfillment as you achieve them. If they are only important because others view them as so, then chances are they aren't the right goals for you.

For tips about taking another step towards balance, check out next month's tip - Producing Results vs. Working Hard

Annaliese also conducts corporate training programs on topics such as Supervising the Telecommuter, Balancing Work and Life, Time Management, and Peak Performance.

For a FREE � HOUR COACHING SESSIONSSION, call her at 415-487-0507 and set up an appointment today. Call or email her to inquire about her corporate training programs.

To SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE, please contact us.

Balancing Act June 1999

The Monthly Newsletter of Balanced Life Design

Produced by Annaliese Furnas, Success Coach and Speaker

It's Never Too Late

"I've always wanted to (fill in the blank), but I'm too old to try that now." As a coach, that's an excuse I hear people use all the time. But there is no timeline for creating the life you want to live. If you have the desire and the courage, it's never too late to live your dreams.

This month we're talking with Mary Ann Smoot-Higgs. A spiritual counselor, speaker, and writer, Mary Ann was 55 when she decided to quit her job as the Chairman of the Business Department at Concord High School in New Hampshire and make some radical changes in her life. From spending 40 days at a wilderness retreat in New Mexico, to living a year and a half in isolation in a log cabin, Mary Ann has moved far outside her preconceived comfort zone. In the process, she's discovered that by reconnecting to your intuition and spiritual side anything is possible.

Mary Ann, what made you decide to make such radical changes in your life?

M.A. One morning I woke up with the revelation that I was well on the way to dying without ever having lived! Living is allowing your Spirit to speak through you, and I had only existed through my mind in total bondage to "duty". Then, too, you might say, "When things get bad enough, one is ready
for change."

Realizing that is one thing, but acting on it is another. What helped you make that shift?

M.A. Well, I looked at my attachment to security; detachment from comfort was a risk, and I dared to risk security for truly living. Helen Keller's quote, "life is either a daring adventure or nothing" must have been somewhere in the back of my mind during the process. I came to realize that living is about trusting, which is surrendering totally to the unknown, and giving up the illusion of control.

Did your family and friends support you in your decision?

M.A. At first, they thought I had totally lost my mind. Little did they know that that is exactly what I wanted to lose - the control my mind had over me. However, it was out of my own intention that I was able to move forward in spite of others' opinions. Although we went through some tough times, my children now say they have been given the greatest legacy a child can be given, i.e., that of being true to oneself. How did intuition and trust help you in this journey?

M.A. An ice storm was predicted in early December 1991 in New Hampshire where I was living. I knew if I didn't leave before that storm I might not get out until spring. I had no idea where I was going; I just put my hands on the map and asked God where he wanted me to go. I looked down, and my hands were on California. I hesitated a few seconds because of the earthquakes. But I saw the name Joshua Tree and I so resonated with the name that I had to go there. By opening up to Spirit in every situation from the very beginning of my journey, I discovered my own creativity and path in life to become the spiritual counselor, speaker, and writer I am today.

Mary Ann, what was the greatest obstacle you faced?

M.A. Clearly, detachment has been the most difficult challenge of all - detachment from all that I had been identified with, such as mother, wife, teacher, etc. I came to realize identify was a perception; knowing myself is actually having an experience of me, as opposed to a concept. Being willing to look inward and ignore society's opinions was powerful. I came to see that simplicity, gratitude, humility, forgiveness, compassion, and love are far more important that any possessions, roles and professional titles. The simplicity of I AM speaks louder than any of life's distractions.

Mary Ann, what advice do you have for others?

M.A. I don't usually give advice, but what has worked for me has been to embrace detachment and intention because life is for living, not for making excuses. We're afraid of stepping off the cliff because we don't understand trust. We think we have control of life, but what we really have is choice. Trust in our choices is the key. Freedom always arrives on the wings of detachment, accompanied by the peace of intention.

Keys to Success

As a Success Coach, I'm often asked what's the trick to becoming successful. And while I don't believe there is a special trick, I do believe there are three major things one must have to be successful. The first is Passion, the second is Persistence, and the third is Courage.

Let's talk about these things. And, let's tell the hard truth about each of them.

PASSION - To have passion for a goal, you must have extraordinary clarity about WHAT the exact goal is and WHY you want to achieve it.

Let's start with clarity because you can't hit a target you haven't defined. What exactly do you want? Define it down to the smallest detail. Put dates, dollars, colors, sounds, smells, and feelings to it. Do you want a new house, better job, more time with family? How big a house and where, what would make a job "better", how much time do you want with family and how will you spend it once you have it? Being specific, really defining your goal is what prepares you for action.

The second part of having passion for a goal is knowing why the goal is important. Can you connect the goal to your core values as an individual? For example, if you want a better job, is it because your current job isn't fulfilling or doesn't satisfy your values? Or is it because your friends think being a data entry clerk isn't prestigious enough. Or perhaps your parents always wanted you to be the CEO of a company. Make sure that your goal satisfies YOUR values and desires. If you're tying to accomplish a goal to make someone else happy, it will be impossible to maintain the necessary passion and commitment long enough to make it a reality.

PERSISENCE - This means really committing to a goal, and agreeing to pay the price necessary to achieve it. For instance, if you want more time with your family, it may mean cutting back on time spent at work and that may mean less income. Buying a new house may mean skipping vacations for a few years or keeping your current car another five years.

Life requires that we make choices. Unfortunately, many people are still looking for the quick fix, the easy way out. You've seen the ads, "lose 10 pounds in two weeks - no dieting or exercise!" In real life, success requires that you are ready and willing to make adjustments in your spending, eating, working sleeping, or play patterns to accomplish major goals. These adjustments can last from weeks to years. Some people view this as struggle or too much hard work. But if your goals are aligned with your core values, these adjustments will seem effortless and natural rather than something you have to do against your will.

COURAGE - Fear is the greatest barrier in our quest for growth and accomplishment. And because we're infinitely complex and creative, the signs of fear are often subtle. Fear doesn't always show up as the feeling you have when you narrowly avoid an accident on the freeway. It shows itself when you utter excuses like 'I can't do that because I don't have the time, the money, the right education"etc.

There are many ways to overcome these fears. They range from learning more about the challenge, to calling on past successes to give you courage today. But in the end, they all have one thing in common - taking action. Each time you take action by doing something you're afraid to do, you strengthen your "courage muscle" and enable yourself to take yet another step tomorrow.

If you want to achieve a higher level of "success", you must be willing to take a close look at what you want, and what you're willing to do to make it a reality. Ask yourself if you have the Passion, Persistence, and Courage to achieve your goals? And if the answer is yes, then nothing can stop you from having the life you want and deserve.

Balance Tips

Monthly tips for achieving Balance in your life.

June's tip - Cultivating Your Creativity

Years ago, I had an employee who had been injured and would be bed ridden for several months. I had no budget to bring in a temp, my department was overloaded, and my staff simply couldn't deal with the increased workload. Thankfully, my administrative assistant solved the problem for me. She suggested that since the injured employee worked primarily on the phone, why couldn't she just telecommute? It was a solution I hadn't seen, because I was stuck in the old way of doing things. I had let my creativity muscle get flabby.

Left to our own devices, we humans tend to do the same old things the same old ways, day in and day out. But do you remember when you were a child - how easily your imagination could turn a boring situation into an adventure? Or how free you felt to express yourself, whether that expression was singing a song off-key, or drawing with chalk on a sidewalk, or performing an elaborate tea ceremony with invisible friends.

Why not bring that creativity and freedom back into your daily life? It's as easy as challenging yourself to do something NEW every week, or better yet, every day. These don't have to be overwhelming or difficult tasks. Try driving to work a different route and marvel at the new scenery. Buy a magazine or book on a subject you've never read about. Brush your teeth before you take your shower. Eat at least one new food you've never eaten before and savor it. Take an improv class or buy some chalk and draw on the sidewalk again.

The important thing is to reconnect with the creativity that is inherent in you. We don't lose the ability to be creative as we grow older, we just forget it's a tool we can still use. Cultivating your creativity in a proactive way can bring more delight into your life as well as enhance your business effectiveness.

For tips about taking another step towards balance, check out next month's
tip - Fulfillment versus Acquisition

Annaliese also conducts corporate training programs on topics such as Supervising the Telecommuter, Balancing Work and Life, Time Management, and Peak Performance.

For a For a FREE � HOUR COACHING SESSIONSSION, call her at 415-487-0507 and set up an appointment today. Call or email her to inquire about her corporate training programs.

To SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE, please contact us.

Balancing Act May 1999

The Monthly Newsletter of Balanced Life Design

Produced by Annaliese Furnas, Success Coach and Speaker

In This Issue:

Taking the Leap

Questions and Solutions to Help you with a Career or Job Change

Balance Tips (monthly tip for achieving Balance in your life).

Taking the Leap

Creating the life you want requires many skills. We've talked about the power of persistence, how to find your passion, and the faith to follow your path. There is another quality that is essential to creating a life you want. That quality is courage.

There are many faces to courage and this month we'll talk about the ability to jump off the cliff of uncertainty. Kobi Yamada said, "Sometimes you just have to take the leap, and build your wings on the way down". Heather Gardner is a woman who is doing just that. Heather left her job as a Vice President of a prestigious investment management firm, for the great unknown of temporary unemployment while she searches for her ideal job. Heather, what prompted this leap into unknown territory?

H.G. Nine months ago I was working in New York for an investment management firm and I knew I wasn't happy, but I thought it had to do with being tired of the chaotic pace of life in New York City. My company offered to transfer me to a new marketing/sales position in San Francisco and I thought that would make the difference. But it was more than just the location?

H.G. Yes, being in San Francisco helped me realize that I was unfulfilled living in New York City, but it wasn't just the city. Once I was in a location that I loved, it made it easier to see some of the other things that weren't working in my life. I had taken two weeks vacation at the end of 1998 and spent it doing my personal inventory as a preparation for New Years. During that process, I discovered that working in the financial industry simply wasn't going to bring me the fulfillment I'm seeking, regardless of the pay. But here I was, a recent Bay Area transplant, and I was contemplating leaving a very good job at an extremely prestigious company. I was working with top-notch people at a company that did a great job recognizing the work their employees did - a job many people would kill for. But I just wasn't happy in the industry and life's too short to continue on a career path that doesn't energize you or fulfill your dreams. I never want to look back on my life and say, "what if"Many people decide to leave their job, but conduct their job search while still at their old position. What made you take the leap into unemployment?

H.G. It was a huge decision to leave without the safety net of another job. In fact, at first I tried to look for another job while keeping my old one. But I discovered that I wasn't doing my job, or my job search justice by splitting my energies. I felt I couldn't discover my true passion and path by doing it half way. I needed to put my whole self into the process. What is the process for discovering the type of job that will be fulfilling for you?

H.G. Well, I soon learned that figuring out what I want is even scarier and tougher than resigning! I'm currently reassessing my interests and looking back over my life to see what I really love to do. What I would still do if I had all the money in the world. What are the kinds of things I love learning and reading about, the things I talk to friends about, those are the types of questions I'm asking myself. I know I'll stay in marketing because I love how it combines business and psychology, and I'm concentrating the search on the industries that will best fit my personal interests. Then, I'll be conducting informational interviews, searching the web, talking with recruiters - the usual job search methodology. What if you start the new job and discover that it isn't a good fit either?

H.G. I do have a bit of fear about that and hope it doesn't happen, but I'm willing to fail in the search for fulfillment. Failure is often an important part of the process. Heather, what would you say to others in your position?

H.G. The first thing is that everyone is different and some people just aren't comfortable being unemployed, even for a short time. But life is short and I believe that if you're not happy in your career, it's your responsibility to make a change. Take the time to find a job that gives you energy, rather than one that takes it from you. Then go for it! You only live once. Why live a life where you have to look back and say "what if".

Note from Annaliese: If you have any possible job leads for Heather, call her at 415-440-8748 or email her at Hgardner1@excite.com

Questions and Solutions to Help You with a Career or Job Change

We have all heard that if you do what you love, you never work a day in your life - or as Arnold Toynbee once said, "The supreme accomplishment is to blur the line between work and play." The following points are a start on the journey of finding the career or job that will bring fulfillment.

1. Do you enjoy getting up in the morning and going to work? Are you experiencing the typical signs indicating that you are not enjoying your job as much as you did at one time, i.e., being unwilling to put in extra hours, not volunteering for projects, feeling elated on Friday afternoon and depressed on Sunday night?

2. Do you feel energized by your work? Do some parts of your work drain you? Create a list of those parts that energize you and those parts that exhaust you. The "energize" list is the list to build on - the "exhaust" list is the list you want to learn more about. Is there a pattern with people or tasks? Do you want to do what you are currently doing, but for a different company?

3. Are you happy at work? If you are not happy, take a few minutes to determine why. Are you unhappy with the type of work you do, your company, or your manager? Or is your life missing "balance"? What was it that drew you to this job in the first place?

4. Examine your strengths and interests. Keeping on top of your strengths is critical - both for your value to your organization, and for your self-esteem. Know which skills you enjoy using the most - these things are what you want to do more of in your next job.

5. Speaking of skills, are yours up-to-date? At least once a year, take a look at whether your skills are still state-of-the-art. Keep up with your industry, stay on top of new technology and trends in your field to stay current and competitive.

6. What job is right for you? Picture your ideal work day one year from today. Describe a full day from morning until night. What are your surroundings? Are you in an office building, a home based office, an RV? Is your work culture high energy and fast-paced, or is it slow and peaceful? What are your duties during your workday: creating, managing, building, technology-based, or helping others? Compare the results of your visualized workday with your current circumstances -- the differences will help you identify the changes to make. Then, set a specific strategy to make those changes.

7. Once per quarter, update your resume. Everyone knows this one, but few actually do it. Keeping track of your recent accomplishments and new skills will help you when your performance review is due, and it will increase your self-esteem.

8. Set clear, concrete goals for change. When we say, "I sure don't want to be doing this a year from now," we've made a statement of frustration - it's a start, but not a goal. Try saying, "Next year at this time I want to be ____ ______ _____." Then set specific action steps to get there, including additional formal education, learning new skills, and expanding your network.

9. Take charge of your career. When we don't take advantage of the choices available to us, we become victims of circumstance. To find the right career and move ahead, we must start from the inside, learning what it is that we value, need, want and do well. Then, we must increase our personal bandwidth through constant learning, growing and developing a take-charge attitude about our careers. It's a journey - value each step of the way.

This article was originally written for Coach University by Linda R. Dominguez and has been extensively edited. Linda can be reached at LindaD@executive-coaching.com.

Balance Tips

Monthly tips for achieving Balance in your life.

May's tip - Creating Delight in Life

Last week, a friend of mine was having a very challenging day at her printing business. An employee had recently quit and she had several rush orders pending. As she struggled to get her work done, cover the front desk, and deal with a supply problem for a rush job, her ability to maintain her usual cheerful demeanor started to slip.

A regular customer stopped by to drop off a job and noticed she was having a rough day. Ten minutes later, he was back at the front desk with a perfect, beautiful rose for her. It was a simple gesture that only took a few minutes out of his life, but by creating a moment of delight for my friend he helped altered her attitude for the rest of the day.

Delight comes from adding value to the lives of other people. Creating delight in life is easy and can take many forms. It may be as simple as looking a stranger in the eye and smiling, giving a friend a much-needed hug of support, or bringing someone a token of appreciation or a surprise for no reason. Or it could involve volunteering for a local charity, or taking an afternoon off with your significant other or child to do what delights them.

Creating delight for your clients or co-workers can be adding value to your relationship with a quick call just to say "I was thinking about you and wanted to see how things are going". Or sending them a funny card, a congratulatory note, or a thank you for all their hard work and for being such a great client or co-worker.

Think back to a time when someone did something that brought delight into your life. Remember how much it lightened your day, the smile that crossed your face, the sudden ability you had to see the brighter side of your challenges. Delight, like optimism, is very contagious. Spread it around every chance you get. You can make the difference in someone's life today.

For tips about taking another step towards balance, check out next month's tip - Cultivating Your Creativity

Annaliese also conducts corporate training programs on topics such as Supervising the Telecommuter, Balancing Work and Life, Time Management, and Peak Performance.

For a FREE � HOUR COACHING SESSIONSSION, call her at 415-487-0507 and set up an appointment today. Call or email her to inquire about her corporate training programs.

Balancing Act April 1999

The Monthly Newsletter of Balanced Life Design

Produced by Annaliese Furnas, Success Coach and Speaker

In This Issue:

The Power of Persistence

Managing the Emotional Side of your Finances

Balance Tips (monthly tip for achieving Balance in your life)

The Power of Persistence

We live in a time when instant gratification has become the norm. We can't imagine how our lives would be without cell phones, beepers, email, and overnight delivery by 10:00 a.m. And there is nothing intrinsically wrong with the pace of life today. Yet, when pursuing complex goals in our lives, we often get derailed when it takes more than a few days, or weeks, let alone over a year to accomplish them.

This month I spoke with Judy Anderson, the Western Regional Marketing Manager for AmeriCorp Relocation Management. Although she spent two years searching for her ideal job, she ultimately found the right match. We talked about what it's like to persevere when the end of your goal seems so far down the road. Judy, how did this all start?

J.A. I moved here eight years ago after marrying a Bay-Area native. After temping for a few months, I was offered a full time position with a company that developed employee incentive and recognition programs. I knew it wasn't my dream job, but I thought I would stay for a year or so until I got to know the area and job market better, then would look for a new job. But I ended up staying there for over 7 years.

What made you stay so long in a job you didn't really like?

J.A. There were two things that caused me to stay. First, I received several promotions and it's a wonderful boost to your confidence when that happens. I felt my managers really recognized my contribution to the company and allowed me the opportunity to advance as I consistently achieved high results for the company. Secondly, I was learning so much and gaining a wealth of experience that I knew would serve me in the long run.

What made you finally decide to leave?

J.A. Even from the beginning I didn't agree with the company's basic business philosophy. I felt I was starting to compromise my value system to continue to work for them. It was also taking a toll on my health and level of happiness. I was tired all the time and lacked any joy or enthusiasm in my life. And I was beginning to bring my frustrations and dissatisfactions home. I knew I had to do something.

How did you start the process of looking for a new job?

J.A. I started by looking at my typical duties during the day and month and figuring out what I loved and what I hated about my present job. After making a list of those things, I also made a list of what I wanted to learn about next, the additional skills I wanted to master, and the pay range I was looking for. Having that list in place, I identified some of the less tangible aspects of my ideal job - the level of management support I expected, the team environment I wanted to work in, etc. Then I turned to the day-to- day work, searching the web, contacting local recruiters, going on informational interviews, the whole range of job search techniques.

Two years is a long time to look for a new job. Weren't you ever discouraged or tempted to give up?

J.A. There were times when it seemed like I should just give up and settle for something that wasn't a perfect fit. But all I had to do was take a good look at what my current job was costing me in terms of life satisfaction and fulfillment to reaffirm how important it was not to settle for less than what I wanted in my next job. I also had a great support network of friends, coworkers, and family to turn to when I was discouraged. And I just kept reminding myself that all the work I was doing was growing my experience and enabling me to be a better employee at the next job.

Judy is there is any advice you'd like to share with others going through this process?

J.A. My main advice to people is to hang in there and don't compromise on your dream. Make a list of what you want and start the informational interviews today. Really know yourself and what you want in a job that you believe will bring fulfillment. And never put limits on yourself. Just because you don't have direct experience in a particular job or industry doesn't mean you don't have the skills to do it or the ability to show an employer why they should hire you. Nothing is impossible if you keep working toward your goal.

Managing the Emotional Side of Your Finances

There is plenty of advice available about how to create, preserve, and grow financial wealth. But how do we deal with the strong emotions that crop up around money issues ... and often get in the way of attaining our financial independence goals? Here are some ways to manage the emotional side of our finances.

1. Act out of your abundance. Rather than let worries about what you DON'T have paralyze you, take actions based on the resources that you already DO have. If you spend mental energy worrying about what is missing, it becomes even more difficult to act on or even notice opportunities that will create wealth.

2. 'Sell' your most limiting belief. Consciously or unconsciously, we've chosen beliefs about ourselves. And just because we've labeled them beliefs doesn't make them true. (After all, lots of people once believed the world was flat.) Identify the belief that often gets in your way (I'll never be good with finances; my skills aren't really marketable; I don't have time to pursue my dream job) and dump it! Sometimes it's difficult to get rid of these white-elephant beliefs, but keep your eye on the larger prize and you'll find it easier than you think.

3. Lighten up.
Scrooge spent most of his time worrying over every penny. In fact, he seemed convinced that if he didn't pinch those pennies; they would slip away from him. The pennies didn't get away, but other things sure did; joy, creativity, relationships, and opportunity. Hold on to your money, but don't be so serious about it. Lighten your grip enough to make room for the possibilities of gathering other forms of wealth.

4. Know when to let go completely.
Pursue your goals, give it your best shot, go for the gold. But if it doesn't work out, or you've outgrown the situation, or you're tired of playing the game, be bold enough to let go gracefully and learn from the experience. When it's time to let go, make it complete. You've got better things to do than continue to ponder about the investment that went south.

5. Work with the universe, not against it. When financial matters seem like an uphill battle, it can be easy to step into "it's me against the world" mode. But your reactions are just that - your reactions. Let the world be shaped by those thoughts that you choose most to focus on, and make them good ones!

6. Grow your wealth, not your standard of living. It's easy to get caught up in the quest for more and advertising helps that along. But less "stuff" can mean less trouble; fewer things to break, fewer things to clean, fewer things to store. Running on the "buy more stuff" treadmill doesn't get you to peace and joy. Why not save your energy for real happiness and jump off that treadmill right here?

7. Get a plan, but don't let it get you. It's important to be clear about your financial goals and how you hope to get there. But don't get so wrapped up in the plan that you lose sight of what is going on around you. Circumstances change, you are continually learning. Be alert to the opportunities that pop up along the way. That's what makes the getting there fun.

8. Stop whining and get down to work. When things don't go as expected, it is easy to complain about the situation. You can often find someone to listen and commiserate with, and it takes the edge off the problem. But it doesn't get rid of the problem, does it? So save that energy, it's the creative energy that can turn things around. This energy is the most valuable asset for creating abundance. Invest it in your future, rather than throwing it away on the past.

Originally written for Coach University by Carol Gerrish

Balance Tips

Monthly tips for achieving Balance in your life.

April's tip - Being at Choice

Two weeks ago, I was trying to schedule a lunch meeting with a friend I hadn't seen in some time. Both of our schedules were so busy it was tough finding time to meet, but we finally managed to schedule a day. On the morning we were going to meet, my friend called and canceled due to a last minute business conflict.

My first reaction was one of extreme disappointment at not seeing her, and then anger at her for canceling our lunch. As I started to get more and more upset, I remembered that I had a choice about the reaction I was having. Did I really want to spend the whole afternoon angry with a dear friend?

Every day each of us are faced with a choice of how we will interact with our own thoughts, words, actions, and feelings. Most of the time our actions are simply reaction based on old behavior patterns. But we have a choice about that. We can RESPOND to a situation, rather than REACT to it. Choosing to respond rather than react builds a sense of ease and effortless flow into our lives.

The next time you find yourself reacting negatively to a situation, step back and take a wider view of your reaction. If you were to jump a year into the future, and view this situation from that vantage point, would you still be angry, upset, worried, etc.? If you had to choose between being upset or at peace, between anger or love, between worry or calmness, which would you choose to have in your life?

Incorporating choice into your life will take some time. It's a process that you will need to repeat until it starts to flow naturally in your life. It's not what happens to you, but how you respond to it that makes a difference. You gave the power and the ability, the choice, to create the life you desire.

For tips about taking another step towards balance, check out next month's tip - Creating Delight in Life

Annaliese also conducts corporate training programs on topics such as Supervising the Telecommuter, Balancing Work and Life, Time Management, and Peak Performance.

For a FREE � HOUR COACHING SESSIONSSION, call her at 415-487-0507 and set up an appointment today. Call or email her to inquire about her corporate training programs.

To SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE, please contact us.

Balancing Act March 1999

The Monthly Newsletter of Balanced Life Design

Produced by Annaliese Furnas, Success Coach and Speaker

In This Issue:

Living Outside The Box

Resolutions to Improve Your Business (Part II)

Balance Tips (monthly tip for achieving Balance in your life).

Living Outside the Box

As more people realize that they can create the life they want, they are shifting from traditional careers into specialties most people have never heard of. Non-traditional careers and job titles are growing at an amazing rate. But how can you create a business or new corporate job, when no one else is doing what you do? And is there a price to pay for being unconventional?

I recently spoke with Sherry Richert, owner of Mad Moon Creation. After two years as the Executive Director for PAWS, she started her own business designing custom-made celebration books. We talked about what it's like to live outside the box and the impact it's made on her life. Sherry, what started you down the path of alternate career exploration?

S.R. I had gone to a workshop on creating a "life worth living", and one ofthe exercises was to write out all the components of your ideal day. I spent a lot of time thinking about what I wanted in my life. From concrete things such as daily time for meditation practice, to having the ability to express the values that are important to me like creativity and connecting with others. Nothing was censored, everything got written down.

What made you think you could translate those ideas into a viable business?

S.R. Pure belief that the world could be the way I envisioned it. That I could have a job that no one has a name for, one that is completely outside the box -- that I could actually have a life I loved. Utter belief that the universe would allow for that possibility has led me to where I am today.

How did you design a business from a list of values and activities?

S.R. A friend of mine was getting married at the same time I was going through this process. Since I love to give gifts from the heart, I created a custom-made book with photos and comments from friends and family as her wedding gift. She loved it, and one of her guests asked me to make one as a gift for his friend. It was the start of a business and my first order all at the same time.

What's been the most important part of making your business a success?

S.R. Having supportive people in my life. When I first contemplated leaving my job, my life-partner, Bob, offered to help support us financially for the first year as I got the business off the ground. Without his financial support, I would have had to start the business part-time and keep my other job. Also, the emotional support of friends and associates is important. Surrounding myself with people who believe in what I'm trying to accomplish and who are following their own dreams, makes all the difference. Since the key to my business is celebration and helping people create community to do that, it's instrumental to have others in my life who share those values.

Has there been a down side?

S.R. Moving outside a traditional job was hard at first. In the beginning, I missed my title, the prestige of my job, and the steady paycheck. But the satisfaction I've gained from doing what I love for a living has more thanmade up for those things. My life is simpler now, but much richer.

Sherry is there is anything else you'd like to add?

S.R. My advice to people is to just go for it. Nothing is more amazing that living your ideal life. It's a spiritual process to live outside the box, without the borders that many need to feel safe. Bottom line is, if on your deathbed you would regret not having created a life you love, then you must take the risks necessary to live your dreams. Otherwise you're just existing.

Mad Moon Creations offers unique Celebration Books, Book Kits and Guest booksfor all occasions. You can contact Sherry at 415-552-0919 or visit her website .

Resolutions to Improve Your Business (Part II)

In February, we looked at the first five tips to help you transform your enterprise. Here are tips six through ten.

6. Resolve to focus on your strengths -Conventional wisdom says we should work on improving our weaknesses. What a terrible waste of time, talent, and opportunity. Successful entrepreneurs, as well as top scientists, artists, athletes and entertainers throughout history have achieved greatness by focusing on their areas of strength. Everybody has a natural aptitude in some areas. No matter how hard you try, it is unlikely you will ever be more than average in areas where you do not have an aptitude.

Working on your weaknesses undermines your self- esteem since you will focus mostly on your deficiencies. Developing your natural talents is rewarding and motivating, allowing you to continually realize higher and higher levels of ability, achievement and success. This year, experience the immense satisfaction that comes with being superb at something.

7. Resolve to develop new capabilities - A new capability is something that gives you increased ability to accomplish your goals. New capabilities often include better use of technology, new skills and knowledge, people with important skills, new products and services, and new processes for your business. Whenever you feel overwhelmed or frustrated by your business, it means that you've gone as far as you can go with current capabilities. It's time to develop new capabilities. Target eight or nine for this year.

8. Resolve to take more free time - Free time isn't a reward for working hard. It's necessary if you are to have optimum performance and productivity. We need free time away from the business, to rejuvenate ourselves. When you are aggressive about getting rest and relaxation, regularly and frequently, you'll see increased creativity and productivity. The more free time you take, the more creativity and productivity you will experience. To make breakthroughs in income, productivity and creativity, significantly increase the amount of free time away from your business.

9. Resolve to develop stronger business relationships - Your economic future is dependent on other people's future. Your success in your enterprise is based on the extent that you help other people to succeed in their lives. Ask every person you encounter what they want to have accomplished three years from now. Focus on finding ways to help others in achieving their goals. By adding value to their preferred future, you not only deepen your relationship, you also create huge opportunities for yourself.

10. Resolve to enjoy a life worth living - Researchers have said that only 4% of people enjoy both their work and their personal life. Make 1999 the year that you create balance in your life. Use your skills in goal setting and your persistence in achievement to develop a higher quality of life. Set and pursue goals in each of the value centers of your life: family life, physical well-being, your spiritual journey, intellectual growth, social involvement, and, of course, your financial health. By actively developing balance in your life, you will increase your energy, motivation, and your sense of satisfaction. In other words, your happiness. Most people are as happy as they choose to be.

Choose to be very happy in 1999!

Originally written by Gary Lockwood

Balance Tips

Monthly tips for achieving Balance in your life.

March's tip - Becoming Problem-Free

When I was a corporate manager, I was a great problem solver. When negotiations weren't going well or when my staff had a personality conflict, Icouldn't wait to figure out a solution and implement it. But after a few years, I realized that dealing with those problems absorbed most of my time and energy at work. When a mentor suggested ways to eliminate some of the problems altogether, I balked. I realized then that I had become a problem junkie.

I don't mean to imply that problem solving is bad. Problem solving can be a tremendous asset in business and in life. However, many people get so much energy and satisfaction from problem solving that they may either create problems or attract problems just so they can get the "high" from solving them. The adrenaline they get from overcoming obstacles is what keeps them motivated in life.

To shift from being a problem solver to being problem-free does take some work. First, you must realize that YOU have unconsciously created many of the problems you encounter, so that you can have a consistent feeling of accomplishment. You must recognize and truly accepted this if you are to become a problem-free person.

Next, try raising the bar on your own performance and that of others. When I asked my staff to bring problems to me only when they had possible solutions and were ready to implement those solutions, the number of problems decreased. My staff became more empowered to take responsibility for their work, and were no longer motivated to create discord just to get my attention. Try lettingm go of being a problem solver, and take a step toward becoming problem-free.

For tips about taking another step towards balance, check out next month's tip - Being at Choice.

Annaliese also conducts corporate training programs on topics such as Supervising the Telecommuter, Balancing Work and Life, Time Management, and Peak Performance.

For a FREE � HOUR COACHING SESSIONSSION, call her at 415-487-0507 and set up an appointment today. Call or email her to inquire about her corporate training programs.

To SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE, please contact us.

Balancing Act February 1999

The Monthly Newsletter of Balanced Life Design

Produced by Annaliese Furnas, Success Coach and Speaker

In This Issue:

Am I in the Right Job?

Resolutions to Improve Your Business

Balance Tips (monthly tip for achieving Balance in your life).

Am I in the Right Job?

How can you tell if you're in the right job? For many people this is a question that comes up time and again in their careers. There are many ways to determine if the job you have is the right one for you. Grabbing a copy of "What Color is Your Parachute, or "Zen and the Art of Making a Living", are two great resources to start the exploration. But not all career answers come from such traditional sources.

I recently spoke with Sylvia M. Skefich D.C., a woman who discovered her ideal career after a decade as a graphic designer and Art Director for a large firm. We talked about her unique method for discovering her true life purpose.

When did you discover you were in the wrong job?

S.S. I had been working as a graphic designer for several years when I realized that, although I was good at it, it wasn't fulfilling to me. I didn't want to spend my life designing toothpaste ads for other people. I had this feeling that there was something for me to do that used my hands for healing, but I didn't know what it was.

So you stayed in design for a few more years.

S.S. That's true. I was tied to the safety of the job and wasn't sure what else I was meant to do. I wasn't happy at work, but by taking a Buddhist view of day-to-day work - that I was there to serve my clients and co-workers, I got through each day. But I just couldn't get rid of the feeling that I was somehow meant to be healing people using my hands.

How did you finally break through the barrier and discover what you were meant to do?

S. S. One night, I sat on the edge of my bed and asked for guidance from a higher power. I woke up the next morning with a clear answer in my head - that I was meant to be a Chiropractor. I'd never even thought about the possibility!

That must have been something of a shock. What did you do next?

S.S. At first all I could see were the obstacles. Becoming a Chiropractor would mean leaving a career I was successful in, moving away from Santa Cruz to go back to school, getting into debt to pay for tuition, leaving friends and family to strike out in a different direction. I was terrified. But I remembered something a Buddhist leader once said, that if you feel a stream of energy leading you into the future, and it's surrounded by fear, that's the direction you're meant to go in.

Sylvia, how did you overcome the obstacles in making such a radical career change? S.S. At first, all I could see were the difficulties, but I decided to work on shifting my perception on each issue. Instead of focusing on how impossible something was, I thought about all the ways I could accomplish something. Then I had a list of possibilities to choose from rather than an impossible task.

What advice do you have for someone else grappling with career change issues?

S. S. If you can connect with your inner knowledge, your inner source of energy, and surrender for a moment to that voice, rather than listening to the critical voice of your mind, you'll discover the right path. Fear will still exist, but it's workable when you know you're doing the right thing. When I finished school, I started almost immediately with 15 patients per week, and that has increased continually through word of mouth. It's been so effortless that I view it as a sign I'm on the right path. You still have to do the work, but when you've surrendered to your true path, you eliminate so much of the day-to-day struggle.

Sylvia is there is anything else you'd like to add?

S.S. Once you know the path you're meant to travel, commit to it totally. If you do anything half hearted, you're setting yourself up for defeat. Without complete commitment you're giving yourself an excuse to be lazy and stay on the safe path. It's much more fulfilling to just go for it.

Sylvia's practice is in downtown San Francisco at 332 Pine Street. You can reach her at 415-397-2551 or fax her at 415-434-1533.

Resolutions to Improve Your Business

Although many people make their resolutions in January, here are 10 tips that can help you transform your enterprise whenever they are implemented.

1. Resolve to improve your attitude - Our behavior, decisions, actions and our results are largely based on our beliefs and attitudes. When we feel strong, confident, knowledgeable and competent, we will act that way. If we feel tired, depressed, incapable or weak, our behavior mirrors those bad feelings. How do we change the way we feel? By changing the way we talk to ourselves, we can manage our feelings and therefore our behavior.

Most people verbally beat themselves up all throughout the day. When things go awry or we make a mistake, we criticize ourselves terribly. Let's remember that mistakes are the fuel of creativity. If we're not making mistakes, we're not doing anything worthwhile. Just say to yourself "OK, it happened. Now, how do we deal with it and avoid this next time?"

2. Resolve to develop your vision - Develop and articulate a clear description of your preferred future as you want it to be in three years. Use this vision as a guideline for all decisions, plans, communications and actions. To achieve an extraordinary preferred future, you must do some things differently. You can't just keep doing what you've been doing and expect anything other than what you've been getting. Actions and decisions guided by your crystal-clear vision leads to extraordinary breakthroughs.

3. Resolve to develop new success habits - About 80% of your behavior is based on your existing set of habits. We have work habits, relationship habits, health habits, and so on. Getting better results in your business and your life is not a result of working harder, but rather of developing new habits that are moving you toward your goals. Are your habits working for you, or against you? As you know, it takes about 28 days of daily repetition to develop a new habit. Generally, you can develop only one habit at a time. Over the course of one year, you can establish a dozen new, productive habits that will accelerate you to your goals.

4. Resolve to delegate more - Business owners and professionals just don't delegate enough. Often they'll say, "no one can do the job as well as I can". With today's vast electronic networks, we now have the ability to link up with the best people in the world. Some may be contractors for you, some could be employees, and some might be strategic alliances. Stop trying to do everything.

Superb results come not from a single individual, but rather from teams of individuals, all working within their own distinct areas of expertise toward a shared goal or vision. You've heard of the 80-20 rule - 80% of your meaningful results come from only 20% of your activities. Each time you delegate some of your less productive activities, you multiply your effectiveness.

5. Resolve to cleanup loose ends - We all have messes in our lives. Messes are incomplete tasks; disorder, disarray, or conflicts that distract you and cause you to lose energy, break your concentration, and reduce self-esteem.

Messes can include cluttered desks, relationships gone awry, physical well being, finances, incomplete agreements and legal issues. Every time you eliminate a loose end, you boost your confidence, increase concentration, and feel a surge in energy.

This year, target a mess a month.

Next Month - Part II, Resolutions 6-10

Originally written by Gary Lockwood

Balance Tips

Monthly tips for achieving Balance in your life.

February's tip - Becoming Self-ish

The word "selfish" can cause a negative reaction in some people. But you have to get past/through the societal/parent-imposed negative connotations of the word "selfish". Being selfish does NOT mean needy, or narcissistic. It does NOT mean you can/should become irresponsible, abandon your children or spouse, or otherwise revert to the behavior of a six-year old. It does NOT mean you focus exclusively on yourself.

It does mean that you can easily take as much time/space/energy as you need to fully develop a complete sense of yourself. It means you spend time on yourself to strengthen the parts of you that you are called on to give to others. In order for you to give to others, either in business or relationships, you need to have some to give. Becoming selfish gives you the reserves you need to become truly generous with others.

There are many ways to start building the reserves you need to be selfish. Spend the next 7 days doing something very, very selfish each day. These can be tangible or intangible things. It might be reading a book for an hour one evening, or treating yourself to a massage, or buying that suit of clothes you've been eyeing in Macy's window. The trick is to obtain what you feel you want or need (being responsible to your own budget) instead of waiting, thinking a lot about it, weighing the pros and cons, wondering what others will say.

If that feels too uncomfortable as a starting place, try this - make a list of the 10 things you do during your average week that you resent having to do. Stop doing them for a week and see if the sky falls. It probably won't since by eliminating these you'll create space to improvise other solutions or find people to delegate those tasks to.

For tips about taking another step towards balance, check out next month's tip

- Becoming Problem-Free.

Annaliese also conducts corporate training programs on topics such as Supervising the Telecommuter, Balancing Work and Life, Time Management, and Peak Performance.

For a FREE � HOUR COACHING SESSIONSSION, call her at 415-487-0507 and set up an appointment today. Call or email her to inquire about her corporate training programs.

To SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE, please contact us.

Balancing Act January 1998

The Monthly Newsletter of Balanced Life Design

Produced by Annaliese Furnas, Success Coach and Speaker

In This Issue:

1. Live Your Dream - It is Possible!

2. Reasons People Don't Live Their Dreams

3. Balance Tips (monthly tip for achieving Balance in your life).

Live Your Dream - It is Possible!

Many people that I talk to say they would love to leave their jobs and start a new career, but they lack the conviction that it's possible to follow their dreams. They think they either don't have the necessary skills, the time, or the money to break away from what they're doing today. But the reality is, you don't need any special prep work to follow a different path in your life.

Luke Kreinberg is a man who said goodbye to his corporate job and started his own business, First Step Publishing four years ago. I recently got a chance to sit down and talk to Luke about how he made the leap and followed his dreams.

When did it occur to you that you wanted to make a career change?

L.K. Well, I had been a successful salesman at a software company for about five years when I realized that, although I was making good money, I wasn't satisfied in life. I wasn't growing as a person or connecting in a meaningful way with others and those things are very important to me.

Many people realize that at some point in their lives, but stay in their jobs for the sake of security or stability. Luke, what prompted you to take that leap and leave your corporate job?

L.K. I went to my mom for advice, and told her how unhappy I was in sales. She said, "Why don't you quit? After all, what's the worse thing that could happen?" That was a revelation to me. It had never occurred to me that I could simply do what I wanted and see what happened. And the worse thing that could happen was that I'd have to go back and get another corporate job some time in the future.

So how did you come up with the idea for First Step Publishing?

L.K. A friend of mine read about a guy who wrote down the 10 things he wanted to accomplish in his life and then went out and did them. As he was telling me about it, I thought that many people would love to do that in their lives, but lacked the knowledge of how to take the first step. Self-exploration has always been important to me. I feel like a private investigator in my own life and journaling allows me to explore different aspects of myself, as well as helps me become clear about many things. I thought a series of journals geared towards specific intentions could do the same for others.

There are lean times when anyone starts a new business. What have you done when cash flow hasn't met your expectations?

L.K. Since I didn't start this business with any kind of savings in place, I've taken short-term part-time jobs when I need more money for expenses. I've done everything from office temping to laying tiles. The advantage in that is I can move on when my cash flow improves and yet not inconvenience a business that has come to rely on me a long-term worker. And I can tell you, sitting on you knees slapping mud on the back of tiles can be a heck of a motivator to improve your cash flow.

Luke, what's been the biggest obstacle in keeping your business going?

L.K. The isolation. I'm a very social person and thrive on connecting with other people. It's tough to stay motivated without other people to bounce ideas off of. That's why I'm currently looking for a partner, to remedy some of the isolation and help expand the business.

For many people, lack of a steady income can be daunting. Do you have anyadvice for them?

L.K. What's worked for me is simplifying my life. I don't currently own a car, or a television. Material toys have simply become less important in my life. Yet my quality of life is actually better than when I had more money to spend on things. And I know that if I completely fall on my butt, I can always go back to a corporate job.

Luke is there is anything else you'd like to add?

L.K. The bottom line is, if you believe in what you're doing for a living, it becomes a spiritual process, it's almost like prayer to go to work every day. Life's too short to do something you don't love just for the illusion of financial security.

Luke's journals are sold through Barnes & Noble, Papyrus stores, and at Amazon.com. You can contact him at 415-399-9431 or at lukek@earthlink.net.

Reasons People Don't Live Their Dreams

We hear and read about the many people who have started living their dreams, found work they love, or are in transition to do just that. These people are discovering that there is more joy and fulfillment in doing what they're passionate about than working for the paycheck. There are still many people who are not living their dreams or have not gotten on a path to do so. If you are not living your dream, maybe one of these reasons will ring true for you.

Awareness is the first step.

1. They don't believe they can live their dreams. Either their belief system has them believing they cannot do what they love and earn a living, or they do not believe enough in their dream.

2. They aren't clear about what would fulfill them. Some people do not know exactly what it would take to fulfill them work/career-wise, so rather than starting on a path, they do nothing out of fear of doing the wrong thing.

3. They don't think they have a dream. I believe everyone has a dream. Some people keep that dream locked deep down inside and often they neither see nor acknowledge it themselves.

4. They don't believe they can make enough money living their dream. This is the biggest obstacle I hear from people continuing to do work that they do not find appealing or exciting. They say the work is not that bad, at least they're paying me a lot, more than I could make doing something else. What are these people paying for their "good salaries"? Why not at least take a look at your dream and make a plan for transition?

5. They are lazy. I don't really believe people are lazy. They may have become resigned, fearful, or depressed, but there are few people who are truly lazy. When you become resigned to a less than fulfilling life, you do not take action toward that which will fulfill you, even when you know what you could do. This often appears to others as laziness or lack of ambition.

6. They think they don't have the time to think about or start living their dream. People are caught up in the rush and busy-ness of today's world and do not have time to add one more thing in their lives. Of course I'm not proposing to add one more thing - I'd ask them to eliminate a lot before they began to rebuild.

7. They still believe hard work (whether meaningful or not) will pay off. I'm not saying don't work hard, but at least put your heart and soul into something that is meaningful to you!

8. They are afraid. They are afraid - of failure, of success, of rejection, of being different. We're all afraid of something, and it will only keep us from getting what we want if we succumb to it and take no action. What's your fear?

9. They don't love themselves enough. Many people still don't love themselves enough to be Self-ish. Why do I deserve to be happy when so many people are not? How can I invest so much in myself when I have 2 kids, a spouse, _____ - you fill in the blank.

10. They are not ready. Although some people are aware that what they are doing for a living will not fulfill them, they also know that it requires a significant investment in themselves to get turned around. They will admit that taking a good look at themselves and their life is not something that they are ready for at this time.

This piece was originally written by Susan Kennedy

Balance Tips

Monthly tips for achieving Balance in your life.

January's tip - Withdraw and Recharge

When the Bay Area had the power outage two weeks ago, I was at my home office working. I grabbed a flashlight, set it up on my desk, and continued working the best I could. The flashlight kept flickering and dimming and I was constantly shaking it to boost the life of the batteries. It worked for an hour and a half, then died completely.

I've seen friends and clients (and indeed myself) do something similar on countless occasions. As our energy reserves are depleted, we often don't take the time to actually recharge our batteries; we just plug along boosting our energy with caffeine, adrenaline, stress, etc. until we are on the verge of collapse. It's as if we think we are like the Energizer Bunny and can just keep going and going. Unfortunately, we're more like a standard flashlight that goes out completely when the batteries fail.

When I suggest that people withdraw and recharge when this happens, the most common complaint I hear is that they don't have the time. But recharging your batteries doesn't always take a long weekend. It can be as quick as five minutes of meditation.

The next time you feel your energy reserves waning, don't automatically reach for the coffee, but stop and mentally withdraw from the external situation you're in. Take just a moment and ask yourself what would be the best way to recharge your energy. It could be that closing the door and meditating for five minutes would put you back on track. Or it might be getting out of the office and taking a walk for 15 minutes. It might be saying "no" to drinks after work with co-workers and going home to a hot bath or your favorite book. There is no one method for recharging your energy source. Use what works best for you.

For tips about taking another step towards balance, check out next month's tip

Annaliese also conducts corporate training programs on topics such as Supervising the Telecommuter, Balancing Work and Life, Time Management, and Peak Performance.

For a FREE � HOUR COACHING SESSIONSSION, call her at 415-487-0507 and set up an appointment today. Call or email her to inquire about her corporate training programs.

To SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE, please contact us.

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