My Mom was my first life coach!

She was the first person who created a safe space for me to be all of me. She showed me that life was full of learning and that learning could be FUN! She saw my greatness when all I could see were my limitations. She nudged me out of my comfort zone, giving me opportunities to try things she had a hunch I would love. Most of all she loved me with out reservation or conditions.

Thanks Mom for giving me the best foundation for my life and my career!

Who was your first life coach?
What would a partnership with a coach give you today?

Call me and let’s get to work!

Hannah Kearney

What do you want to be when you grow up?

• Construction Worker
• Detective
• Professional Soccer Player
• Musician
• Olympic Athlete
• Archeologist

Those are some of the answers to that question around our house these days. Each answer gives clues about that person’s passion in that moment. It is delightful to witness how those passions blossom.

I love asking myself and my clients that question. It invites us to dream, to wonder, to change. The question nudges us to consider possibilities and assumes that there is always room to grow!

My husband is percolating on plans to ride his bicycle across America. My nephew would like to be a successful ballet dancer in New York. My thriving flight attendant friend looks forward to the day when she can return to the Missionary work that feeds her soul. When I grow up, I want to create a lucrative business cooperative for women entrepreneurs who are as dedicated to their families as they are to their work.

So how about you – What do you want to be when you grow up?

Image source: http://www.nbcolympics.com/freestyle-skiing/index.html

Under the YAHOO, we look at accomplishments, what you are most proud of, and any other items to celebrate; BOO HOO – goals not achieved, regrets, disappointments and any sad moments; AH-HAHs – key learnings or lessons this year offered.

Then my clients create a personal ritual for closing out the year.  Once that is complete, we tackle setting intentions for the next year.

How will you wrap up 2009?

Young and old look forward to the “race.”  My children start planning for it long before the adults plan the dinner menu. Everyone is engaged, whether by running the course, being a timer or commentator, or cheerleading.

Of course, this tradition got me thinking…

In planning our post dinner fun, everyone looks forward to creating a challenging set of obstacles and seeing how each person masters those challenges.  How could we bring that excited anticipation to the challenges and obstacles in our own lives?  Who enthusiastically cheers us on when we stumble?

Of course, part of the fun of the event is the competition. We are racing against the clock and each other but there is never a clear winner.  The goal seems to be to do your best and have fun at the same time.  What if we approached our lives with the same friendly competition and intention to do our best?

One more thing that adds to the delight: Nobody gets bent out of shape about the impromptu changes that happen as we run the course (like one of the spectators deliberately stepping into someone’s path). We laugh and admire the contestant’s ability to adapt on the fly.  How can we playfully handle the unexpected in our lives?

We are already making plans for next year. Would you like to join us?

• Buy Groceries
• Send Holiday cards
• Balance the books
• Deadlines this week
• Piles of email
• Kids’ homework
• OMG – I forgot to get my blog ready for tomorrow!

“CALGON TAKE ME AWAY!”  ;-D

I think I need a retreat.  Thank goodness my FREE Teleclass this week features the delightful, down-to-earth Retreat Coach, Michelle Burns. She is going to lead us in a mini-retreat to reconnect, get grounded, and BREATH.  There is still time to register HERE.  Michelle is absolutely passionate about this crucial tool for success.   I am happily anticipating this hour of playful reflection and conversation.  Hope you can join the fun and respite.

Whoa – what an interesting and challenging combination. What does it mean to be fiercely kind? It is easy for me to imagine and practice being fiercely protective or fiercely loyal. But I never considered fierce kindness.

What would be possible if I brought fierce intensity to being kind?

What would the world be like if we all took a stand to be deeply and intensely kind at some point each day?

I think I found my growing edge for this week. How about you? How will you experiment with fierce kindness?

Here is what we came up with…

Intuition is that deep sense of knowing that we can’t quite explain. Everyone has it – just like everyone has a mind of their own. Sometimes we very good at listening to the wisdom our intuition offers. Sometimes we actually talk ourselves out of listening to our intuition.

Intuition sends information through a variety channels:
• It can be that unexplained feeling that you just can’t shake.
• It can be a vivid image or symbol that appears out of nowhere.
• It can be a persistent thought that doesn’t go away.
• It can speak to you though physical sensations – a backache, a pain in the neck.
• For some it speaks in vivid dreams or visions.

Intuition is always right – however, our interpretation of the signals our intuition sends isn’t always accurate. How often have you found yourself saying – “I knew it! I knew something was up. I just couldn’t put my finger on it.”

When your intuition nudges you this week, get curious. Discover what you know, without knowing how you know it!

I don’t hear much in the media or in casual conversation that helps to promote calm and courage in the face of the predicament that this virus has created.

What is keeping you calm?  I hate to admit it but I find myself coming back to 2 trite clichés…

BE PREPARED:  Have a back up plan for work and childcare.  Make sure the food shelves at home are well stocked. Fill the medicine cabinet with an extra supply of pain relievers and fever reducers.

LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER:  All the prevention tips I read boil down to things that my mother has been telling me for years!  Does this sound familiar to you?
•    Wash your hands often
•    Keep your hands off your face — Don’t put your fingers in your nose or mouth
•    Cover your sneeze and cough
•    Take your vitamins
•    Gargle twice a day with warm salt water or Listerine ®
•    Drink warm liquids (Chicken Soup anyone?)
•    Get plenty of sleep
•    Blow (or clean out) your nose at least once a day
•    If you get sick – STAY HOME!

How are you keeping a cool head this season?

Ready? Here we go. Sit up straight, close your eyes and take some nice easy breaths. Bring your attention to that warm, open place in the middle of your chest.

Let your awareness linger here and notice….
• What sensations do you become aware of?

• What is the energy of this place?

• What images come to mind (yes, you can use your mind but don’t let it carry you away)?

• What feelings do you notice?

• What is your heart’s desire?

Take some time to jot down what you discovered in this brief journey to your heart’s wisdom. How can this wisdom inspire and guide you each day?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

With heartfelt appreciation,

From a coaching perspective, feeding our growing edge is easier when we have a handy supply of “life skills.” My list includes:
• Being present
• Asking for help
• Dreaming
• Playing
• Luxuriating

Today’s focus: Listening
LISTENING TO YOURSELF is the first skill to develop for your success. The easiest way to begin is to turn your attention to your mind. Because of the gift of imagination, our mind is the host of our dreams, our hopes, and our visions for the future. There are so many fabulous resources here! It’s important to access them—but first you have to quiet down to listen past the everyday inner “chatter” of to-do lists, errands, work meetings, kids’ schedules and the interesting thing you heard on NPR!

When you pause to tune in to your busy mind, you may also discover that monster that lurks in the land of your mind – The Gremlin! According to my friend Rick Carson, the Gremlin is that narrator in your head who wants to make you miserable!
WOW! There is so much to learn here. When was the last time you stopped to take note of all the busy happenings in that brainy brain of yours? What is in that marvelous mind that feeds your growing edge? Or stops it?!

Listening is such a biggie, you will be reading more about it here at The Growing Edge!
Next time – LISTENING TO YOUR HEART. Stay tuned!