In your journey, please accept where you are at now! Each step in your journey is meant to be there as a teacher for now, and for things to come. Take the time to both accept where you are now while you also thwart yourself into your beautiful picture of the place you would like to be.
While on your life path, be kind to yourself and know that you are doing the best you can with what you have in front of you now. Know that your intentions are good and full of the vision of that which you are creating now. Let go of guilt related to your imperfections. Let go of the guilt related to your roller coaster of commitment. Forgive yourself for your imperfections, embrace your consistencies and your inconsistencies.
Be here now while you envision the beautiful self you are creating with the steps you are taking right here and now.
Liz
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Trial & Error
Trial and Error
So, you've decided to make a change in your life. Congratulations on taking that first step to challenge yourself to new ways of being! As you take those initial steps towards change or what I like to call, "new beginnings", it is essential to understand you may have to try out a few plans until you figure out what works best for you.
There's a little thing we call, "trial and error" in the process to create lasting change. When you are creating your plan for change, take your time to look at all the potentials for success and failure. Being ready to "fail" with your plan is something we all have to face. One of the most important components in being able to be successful with your overall goal relies on your ability to accept that your first attempts to create a successful plan may be fraught with errors. I mean seriously, were you able to ride a bike the first time you hopped on? Did you come out of the womb speaking full sentences?! When taking steps towards a new or even familiar endeavor, please be kind, patient and dedicated to yourself.
People who are successful are those who are willing to LEARN FROM THEIR ERRORS SO THEY CAN GET BACK OUT THERE AND CREATE A BETTER MORE SUCCESSFUL PLAN!!! It simply doesn't matter if you get things right on the first try or the last try. It simply matters that you COMMIT FULLY to each plan and you are willing to FACE FAILURE so you will be able to FIND SUCCESS.
I encourage all of you to get out there and and don't be afraid to fail today so you can succeed tomorrow!!
My dog Buddy is tired from his excursion but he's still hanging in there :-)
Coach Liz
So, you've decided to make a change in your life. Congratulations on taking that first step to challenge yourself to new ways of being! As you take those initial steps towards change or what I like to call, "new beginnings", it is essential to understand you may have to try out a few plans until you figure out what works best for you.
There's a little thing we call, "trial and error" in the process to create lasting change. When you are creating your plan for change, take your time to look at all the potentials for success and failure. Being ready to "fail" with your plan is something we all have to face. One of the most important components in being able to be successful with your overall goal relies on your ability to accept that your first attempts to create a successful plan may be fraught with errors. I mean seriously, were you able to ride a bike the first time you hopped on? Did you come out of the womb speaking full sentences?! When taking steps towards a new or even familiar endeavor, please be kind, patient and dedicated to yourself.
People who are successful are those who are willing to LEARN FROM THEIR ERRORS SO THEY CAN GET BACK OUT THERE AND CREATE A BETTER MORE SUCCESSFUL PLAN!!! It simply doesn't matter if you get things right on the first try or the last try. It simply matters that you COMMIT FULLY to each plan and you are willing to FACE FAILURE so you will be able to FIND SUCCESS.
I encourage all of you to get out there and and don't be afraid to fail today so you can succeed tomorrow!!
My dog Buddy is tired from his excursion but he's still hanging in there :-)
Coach Liz
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Systems of Belief
Whether you believe you can or you believe you can't, either way you are right! Our beliefs about our own capabilities have a profound effect on the decisions we make and the directions we take in our lives.
Whether you are in the midst of challenging yourself to make a change or you simply want to take a moment to reflect on the decisions you make in your life, it's imperative to understand that the roots of the decisions that you make, not only take root in your personal values (as we discussed yesterday) but also in your beliefs.
For today, I would like to highlight a nasty little bug in our brains that we call "limiting beliefs". In my most recent workshop, we discussed "limiting beliefs" and how these beliefs about ourselves (and sometimes others) can limit our ability to move forward and thrive.
Our "limiting beliefs" are often false beliefs that accentuate our inner fears, worries and past traumas. These beliefs hold us back and keep us down. These are those beliefs that say, "I am not good enough, I do not deserve that, I am not strong enough, I am not smart enough...". You may or may not be aware that these nasty little beliefs are swimming around in your brain and in your heart, but if you find yourself continuously struggling to overcome a certain obstacle, you may need to take a closer look at your current set of beliefs to see if there is one that continues to hold you back.
If you could imagine that your beliefs act like the driver for your life, where would your "life car" go? Do they drive you up to the top of the mountain or do they drag you down to swirl in the mud? I'm sure you will notice that your beliefs will varies in the different parts of your life, as we have a tendency to compartmentalize different components of our lives.
I invite you to take 10 minutes of your time right now to explore the different beliefs that both drive you up to the top of the mountain and the ones that drag you down. Then ask yourself, "Is there anything you believe now that you would like to change? Is there a belief that drives you up the mountain that you need to write down and post up in front of your face each day to keep you motivated?!
I hope you will take a moment to check your beliefs and start eliminating the ones that bring you down while you highlight the ones that bring you up.
Coach Liz
Whether you are in the midst of challenging yourself to make a change or you simply want to take a moment to reflect on the decisions you make in your life, it's imperative to understand that the roots of the decisions that you make, not only take root in your personal values (as we discussed yesterday) but also in your beliefs.
For today, I would like to highlight a nasty little bug in our brains that we call "limiting beliefs". In my most recent workshop, we discussed "limiting beliefs" and how these beliefs about ourselves (and sometimes others) can limit our ability to move forward and thrive.
Our "limiting beliefs" are often false beliefs that accentuate our inner fears, worries and past traumas. These beliefs hold us back and keep us down. These are those beliefs that say, "I am not good enough, I do not deserve that, I am not strong enough, I am not smart enough...". You may or may not be aware that these nasty little beliefs are swimming around in your brain and in your heart, but if you find yourself continuously struggling to overcome a certain obstacle, you may need to take a closer look at your current set of beliefs to see if there is one that continues to hold you back.
If you could imagine that your beliefs act like the driver for your life, where would your "life car" go? Do they drive you up to the top of the mountain or do they drag you down to swirl in the mud? I'm sure you will notice that your beliefs will varies in the different parts of your life, as we have a tendency to compartmentalize different components of our lives.
I invite you to take 10 minutes of your time right now to explore the different beliefs that both drive you up to the top of the mountain and the ones that drag you down. Then ask yourself, "Is there anything you believe now that you would like to change? Is there a belief that drives you up the mountain that you need to write down and post up in front of your face each day to keep you motivated?!
I hope you will take a moment to check your beliefs and start eliminating the ones that bring you down while you highlight the ones that bring you up.
Coach Liz
Monday, August 15, 2011
A Picture of Commitment
A Picture of Commitment
So, what does it take to commit once you have established a goal? I have found one of the greatest tools to creating commitment is to clearly identify your values. For example, when I was embarking on the journey to lose weight (like I had many times before), I decided to do something a little different and figure out the values behind my motivation for this change. I began the process by finding a quiet space to gather my thoughts. I then started drawing a picture of the self I would like to see once I have lost the weight. This helped me to really visualize the goal and the feelings associated with the end result. I then placed descriptive feelings around the picture of how I believe I would feel once I have obtained this goal. Some of the words I discovered;
"Joy, accomplishment, beauty, healthy, lighter, comfortable, confident, stronger, etc"
The next step was to place these into values. I believe our values (family, friendship, etc) really drive our actions and behaviors and these values can really get your goals done! I started to think about what the reasons were behind losing this weight; it's not just about looking good, its also because I value......
1) Health; I will honor my body.
If you notice, I took an extra step and added "I can" and "I will" statements along with the values. This is not necessary but it can be very helpful as well.
So, what does it take to commit once you have established a goal? I have found one of the greatest tools to creating commitment is to clearly identify your values. For example, when I was embarking on the journey to lose weight (like I had many times before), I decided to do something a little different and figure out the values behind my motivation for this change. I began the process by finding a quiet space to gather my thoughts. I then started drawing a picture of the self I would like to see once I have lost the weight. This helped me to really visualize the goal and the feelings associated with the end result. I then placed descriptive feelings around the picture of how I believe I would feel once I have obtained this goal. Some of the words I discovered;
"Joy, accomplishment, beauty, healthy, lighter, comfortable, confident, stronger, etc"
The next step was to place these into values. I believe our values (family, friendship, etc) really drive our actions and behaviors and these values can really get your goals done! I started to think about what the reasons were behind losing this weight; it's not just about looking good, its also because I value......
1) Health; I will honor my body.
2) Family; I will be able to play with my cousins and hopefully live longer.
3) Friends; I can go to a social gathering and feel more comfortable.
If you notice, I took an extra step and added "I can" and "I will" statements along with the values. This is not necessary but it can be very helpful as well.
I have found these tools to really support one of the hardest parts to life change; commitment.
Coach Liz
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
A Great Challenge vs. Poor Me
When faced with adversity, what thoughts come to mind for you? Do you find yourself motivated to take on the fight of this new challenge or do you find yourself entering into a victim stance with thoughts of, "oh, poor me"?!
As you know, the only real constant in life is change. And along with that change, adversity is sure to come. What matters most is how you respond to that adversity in your life. You can choose to let the difficult times chew you up and spit you out to be left withering helplessly on the ground or you can choose to withstand the storm and discover all the strength you surely hold within.
When faced with adversity, now matter how difficult it may seem, I encourage you to embrace the challenge with courage and excitement, yes I said excitement! When difficult challenges arise, it is the perfect time to rediscover your strengths and abilities. It is a time to fight for what you need and want. As you know, it can be easy to retreat to a place of fear and worry which will only act as a debilitator with your ability to persevere through these challenging times.
No matter what you are faced with today, remember to embrace your adversity and know that it is there simply to make you even stronger then you were before.
Cheers to courage, strength and embrace!
Coach Liz
As you know, the only real constant in life is change. And along with that change, adversity is sure to come. What matters most is how you respond to that adversity in your life. You can choose to let the difficult times chew you up and spit you out to be left withering helplessly on the ground or you can choose to withstand the storm and discover all the strength you surely hold within.
When faced with adversity, now matter how difficult it may seem, I encourage you to embrace the challenge with courage and excitement, yes I said excitement! When difficult challenges arise, it is the perfect time to rediscover your strengths and abilities. It is a time to fight for what you need and want. As you know, it can be easy to retreat to a place of fear and worry which will only act as a debilitator with your ability to persevere through these challenging times.
No matter what you are faced with today, remember to embrace your adversity and know that it is there simply to make you even stronger then you were before.
Cheers to courage, strength and embrace!
Coach Liz
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Quick Tips for Stress!
In these challenging times, the stress factor is high for many folks. I've met countless people who were used to living quite comfortably but now are faced with which bill to pay on time. I have seen the devastating effects that this constant stress and strain can have on the mind, body and spirit.
As you may know, the definition of stress hinges upon how in control we feel at any moment. When you feel a certain perceived threat to your existence, you can feel out of control. This feeling then turns on your body's natural stress response of "flight or fight". At that moment, you either have an innate drive to run away from the threatening/stressful response or you will feel the need to fight!
For example, I am a Vermonter and as such we do not have much traffic. I'm used to slowly moving along on the two-lane highways of the slow paced life. However, since living in San Diego California, I've had to get used to the high traffic and sometimes not so kind drivers.
When I get "cut-off" on the road, it sends a signal that I may be in danger and thus my stress response of flight or fight kicks in. I will then naturally have a response of wanting to "fight" (flipping them off, yelling, etc) or I may experience a feeling of "flight" (getting away from that driver as quickly as possible).
In order to gain a sense of control over this body's natural stress response, you must be open to implementing certain strategies to cope. In my most recent workshop, Stress Management 101, we discussed the following quick tips. Please review them, try them out and let us know how it works for you!
1) Change Your Response: Keep in mind that your first reaction may not always be the best.
2) Ask yourself, “What is to be gained by my response”?
3) Learn to Cope- Engage in “Stress Inoculation”. This concept focuses on assessing the stress in your life, assessing your current coping skills, and making plans to practice what helps you to minimize your negative stress responses.
4) Assess and Simply- eliminate unnecessary obligations, prioritize, and learn to say no
5) Get Support- reach out to friends and family. Join a support group, therapy group, etc.
6) Practice Mindfulness- stop multi-tasking at least 5 minutes of every hour!
7) Incorporate more Eustress (positive stress) into your life. Eustress helps us to accomplish our goals.
8)Move Your Body - when your mind is stressed, it needs a place to go.
9) Get to the top of a hierarchy that matters to you- Having a sense of mastery and control in an area of your life that is important to you will do wonders for your blood pressure!
10) Breathe- practice deep breathing. When you become stress, you tend to naturally shorten your breath. Take a moment to engage in deep abdominal breathing daily.
11) Take Action- If you know you need to make some changes to improve your ability to handle stress in your life, then make a plan and follow it! Contact Rooted Living for more support to accomplish your goals.
Be Well,
Liz Myers
Founder Rooted Living Wellness Coaching
www.rootedliving.com
Rootedliving@gmail.com
As you may know, the definition of stress hinges upon how in control we feel at any moment. When you feel a certain perceived threat to your existence, you can feel out of control. This feeling then turns on your body's natural stress response of "flight or fight". At that moment, you either have an innate drive to run away from the threatening/stressful response or you will feel the need to fight!
For example, I am a Vermonter and as such we do not have much traffic. I'm used to slowly moving along on the two-lane highways of the slow paced life. However, since living in San Diego California, I've had to get used to the high traffic and sometimes not so kind drivers.
When I get "cut-off" on the road, it sends a signal that I may be in danger and thus my stress response of flight or fight kicks in. I will then naturally have a response of wanting to "fight" (flipping them off, yelling, etc) or I may experience a feeling of "flight" (getting away from that driver as quickly as possible).
In order to gain a sense of control over this body's natural stress response, you must be open to implementing certain strategies to cope. In my most recent workshop, Stress Management 101, we discussed the following quick tips. Please review them, try them out and let us know how it works for you!
1) Change Your Response: Keep in mind that your first reaction may not always be the best.
2) Ask yourself, “What is to be gained by my response”?
3) Learn to Cope- Engage in “Stress Inoculation”. This concept focuses on assessing the stress in your life, assessing your current coping skills, and making plans to practice what helps you to minimize your negative stress responses.
4) Assess and Simply- eliminate unnecessary obligations, prioritize, and learn to say no
5) Get Support- reach out to friends and family. Join a support group, therapy group, etc.
6) Practice Mindfulness- stop multi-tasking at least 5 minutes of every hour!
7) Incorporate more Eustress (positive stress) into your life. Eustress helps us to accomplish our goals.
8)Move Your Body - when your mind is stressed, it needs a place to go.
9) Get to the top of a hierarchy that matters to you- Having a sense of mastery and control in an area of your life that is important to you will do wonders for your blood pressure!
10) Breathe- practice deep breathing. When you become stress, you tend to naturally shorten your breath. Take a moment to engage in deep abdominal breathing daily.
11) Take Action- If you know you need to make some changes to improve your ability to handle stress in your life, then make a plan and follow it! Contact Rooted Living for more support to accomplish your goals.
Be Well,
Liz Myers
Founder Rooted Living Wellness Coaching
www.rootedliving.com
Rootedliving@gmail.com
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