How Resilient Are You?

After taking a wonderful course with Dr. Tal Ben-Sharar at UPenn, and since taking on the position as President of the International Coach Federation Metro DC Chapter, I have been thinking and visioning what I’d like to see for the year, for my clients, for my chapter, and for you. There’s a few things that pop that I’ve learned so much about that I want to share with you because I know it will be helpful. It’s about Resiliency…because resilient people pick themselves up when they’ve stumbled. They don’t let anyone or anything keep them down for long.

Resiliency can profoundly change how enthusiastically we approach challenges. Resiliency can transform hardship into challenge, failure into success, helplessness into power, victim into survivor and allows survivors to thrive. Anyone can master resilience and from that you grow – you grow personally, you grow your business, you help your client grow.

Everyone has that resiliency factor…you have to work it like a muscle and build it up…it will make a tremendous difference in your life!

"Thoughts Point The Way"

I want to share this poem by Ralph Marston with you because it shows how important our self talk is for how we live our lives. Enjoy and please share your thoughts with me.

“Thoughts Point Our Way”

What you think influences what you see.
What you think influences what you do.
What you think influences what you learn.
What you think influences how you feel.
What you think has an enormous impact on the way
you experience life.
What you think determines the very nature of the world you
you create for yourself.
Thoughts have no physical mass, yet they do indeed have power,
and there are no restraints or limitations upon what you
can think.
Consider all the main places to wish your thought have carried you.
Imagine the limitless possibilities of where your thoughts can now enable you where to go.
Choose positive, creative, loving life affirming thoughts, and where those thoughts point the way, you can fill your world with value.

Intentions for 2009

But where do our intentions come from and what do they mean? I know when I am not clear about something, personally or professionally, the way I get clarity is to ask myself, "What are my intentions here"? "What do I want to produce"? and "What do I need to be mindful of"? Try it yourself!

When we are intentional and mindful (conscious and aware) of our thoughts we gain focus which gives us the necessary clarity to make decisions and to take action. By being intentional, people aren't allowing life to just happen and reacting. They are purposeful and clear on what they want and take action steps that align with what they want. So when someone tells you what you did was "lucky" or it happened "by accident"...no such thing exists! Intention is about who you are "being". Be aware and mindful of your thoughts and who you are spending your time with. Do work and activities that make you happy. When we say "yes" to life by doing what we love, we are saying "no" to stress. It's quite empowering!

Our intentions, what we intend to do, how mindful and purposeful we're being, helps give us the tools we need to navigate through life. But before we even set our intentions, we must first look at our self talk, our inner dialogue, to make sure we're coming from a positive mindset. Otherwise the outcome we desire won't manifest.

Here are two of the eight Strategies for Positive Self Talk that have proven successful with helping people shift from negative to positive:

1) Set aside a Quiet Time - during this time, even if it's for just ten minutes, think of what your intentions are for the day, the week. What do you want to accomplish? How do you want your day to look? It helps you focus and gain clarity.

2) Be Present and In the Moment - people tend to think in the past and get stuck there, or in the future and anticipate the "what if's" which create anxiety. It's okay to look to the past or future...just don't stay there...stay present and in the moment...that's all we really have.

Once you transition to a positive mindset, and practice this daily, shift happens! Intentions are clear and life feels more purposeful. It's a great time to set short and long term goals and create a plan for 2009.

If you'd like an "Intentions Goal Setting" worksheet or if you want to learn more about Susan's 8 Strategies to help people shift from negative to positive Self Talk email Susan Samakow or call her at 301-706-7226

Make it a mindful year- It's your Choice!

How are you using intention for 2009?
Please leave a comment and let me know!