Not As Happy As You Want To Be

August 27, 2012 By

Do you love your life?  Are you not as happy as you would like to be?  Sometimes it’s what is happening on the inside that drives what is occurring on the outside.  How many times does it feel to you that your life is out of control?  Stuff is happening so fast and so often.  Your kids aren’t listening, the dog isn’t listening and your husband says you didn’t tell him what you know you told him.  Is it them?  Or is it you?

You aren’t going to like this…it is you.  If you are unhappy with what is going on, the first place to look is to you.  Great news though, you have the power to change it all.  Yes, you do!  What is going on inside is causing the turmoil on the outside.  What are your thoughts about yourself?  Are they positive, encouraging and supporting?  Or are they more along the lines of “I can’t believe I forgot that, you idiot!”  I won’t go on – I’m aiming for an upbeat feel here.

If your thoughts are negative and you are always putting yourself down, the chances are the negativity is all around your being.  Therefore, when people aren’t listening to you, you get annoyed, aggravated and even angry at them.  I call that the outward manifestation of your inner being.  What it really is though, is that you are truly annoyed, aggravated and angry at yourself.  So, then how can you turn that around and get the results you are wanting?

Here are five tips to turn it around:

  1. Remember that you have the power to change what you do not like by taking small simple steps.
  2. Stop being so hard on yourself.  When you hear your inner voice say something negative, stop it right there and remember a time where you felt confident.
  3. Be kind and encouraging to yourself.  Treat yourself as you would another person and you’ll soon shift to a better inner feeling.
  4. Start talking to yourself in a more positive and supporting way.
  5. Begin to pay attention to how you are being with others.  Are you showing up in a negative, unloving way and if so, shift that to a positive and loving manner.

Through your actions, what you will begin to see is a transformation in yourself.  You will see that you are communicating clearly and that others are really listening.  It’s almost like magic and truly beautiful.  You will notice yourself responding differently to others, and others responding to you in a good, positive, very pleasing way.

We see the outer part of ourselves so often we forget that we have an inner self as well.  Once we treat our inner self with respect, patience and love, we transform not only ourselves but those around us.  We see the world as a place of beauty; a vast area to live and breathe openly and with great joy.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, insights and revelations on below.

Filed Under: Personal Development, Self Worth Tagged With: , , ,

Who Said Changing Was Hard?

August 13, 2012 By

Truthfully, it doesn’t have to be hard.  Change can mean many things – alter, modify, transform, adjust, or amend.  Not such scary words right?  Yet why does the possibility of change scare so many people?  I’m finding that my clients are not afraid of change, but they are afraid of the possibility to change.  Ah, so it’s really resistance!  It’s the thinking that precedes the actual change that freaks them out and often leads to applying the brakes on their lives with such force that they leave skid marks as they come to a screeching halt in their progress.

Granted some changes that happen to us are extremely unexpected.  Some changes we expect yet when they happen we often find ourselves shocked.  Some changes we even set out to create for ourselves.  In all cases it really is about how we deal with the change(s) that occur or that we create.

Let’s talk about the ones we want to create for ourselves.  Often times what makes change hard is that resistance piece.  Yes, even if we really want to change, we are resistant to it.  Why?  Well, there are many reasons but one very big and important one is that as humans we very much like to have things stay the same because we feel safe, we feel comfortable and we know and like that.  It is the unknown that makes us think twice (or more) about making that change we said we wanted to create.

Recently a client kept telling me she really wanted to change her eating habits.  We created strategies and action steps for her and she’d do great for about a week or so.  Then she’d email me saying she “fell off the wagon and began eating poorly again, like I always do.”   I asked her two questions:  “How important is it to you to change your eating habits and why is it important?”  Her answers ended up being the key as to why she kept “falling off the wagon”.  Once she knew her answers, she was able to let go of the resistance and begin to get a solid grip on her wagon and not fall off.

If you find that you want to create lasting change but just haven’t gotten there yet, ask yourself those same questions.  After you have your answers, follow my suggestions below to move forward once you know why you feel resistance:

  1. Ask yourself “What can I do differently right now?”
  2. Create a plan of action – list several first steps you can easily take.
  3. Write down your action steps and put end dates on them to keep you moving forward.
  4. Trust yourself that you know exactly what to do.

Change really isn’t so hard.  I know, I’ve been there personally as well as helped others move through change so that they reach their goals.  If you find that you are just not there yet, my 30 Days to Success Program is a great starting point.  Email or call me to get started!

As always, I love to hear from you – what is one big take away and what one small step will you take on your road to change?  I can’t wait to hear what you have to say below!

Filed Under: Personal Development Tagged With: , , ,

Are You Taking Care Of You?

June 25, 2012 By

It’s kind of a buzz word — more of a buzz phrase — that we hear here, there, and everywhere!  But what does ‘taking care of yourself’ mean to you?  Are you thinking “I have no idea”?  Then you are not alone.  Let me help you because it took me a long time (and I mean a long time) to get it.  Here it is, the secret meaning behind that phrase – it means whatever you want it to mean.  Tah-Dah!

For example, I love to go for a manicure, yet I never seem to make myself an appointment.  There are various reasons; I don’t have the time, I don’t want to spend the money, I can’t find the number, etc.  Then one day I realized I was heading down a slippery slope because everything seemed so hard, my mind was racing, I wasn’t eating properly, nor was I exercising for myself.  It suddenly became clear to me that I was NOT taking care of myself.  So, I made a conscious effort to eat healthier, exercise more for myself, get enough rest and I made that appointment for a manicure.  Then some really cool things happened.  I relaxed, my mind stopped racing and I enjoyed myself.  Everything that I had going on around me didn’t feel so overwhelming or stressful or out of control anymore!

It was then I realized what taking care of myself meant.  It is all about what I enjoy and what brings me happiness — and no matter what it is, I have a right to it.  High on my list of what is important to me is my health and wellness; health in the physical sense and wellness in the overall sense.  Taking care of my mind, body, and spirit is truly what keeps everything in my life running smoothly – from running my business and helping out my family, to fun and recreation.

Where in your life are you NOT taking care of yourself?  I encourage you to take a moment right now to think about all the things you like to do but always put off for later when you think you’ll have time.  What brings you happiness, joy and good feelings?  What relaxes you or energizes you?

Here are a few of my favorite wellness tips:

  • Spend five minutes just breathing – sit quietly and focus on your breath as you breathe in and out.
  • Spend as little as 10 minutes doing some light stretching – yoga poses.
  • Take a brisk walk outdoors (with or without kids/pets).
  • Get out a novel and enjoy reading for pleasure – for five minutes or 30 minutes.
  • Schedule a facial, manicure, pedicure or massage.
  • Be present where you are and with whom (even if it is just yourself).
  • Play with your kids or your pets.

Don’t slide down the slippery slope of letting yourself go and wondering “When on earth did I start to look and feel old, tired and worn out?”  Instead, take the time to make a list of at least five things that you will do to help you begin (or continue) taking care of yourself over the next week.  Now schedule them, do them and — most importantly — enjoy them!  They’re good for you!

Please share with me below your tips and the things that you do to take care of yourself.  I can tell you, not only will you inspire me, but you will inspire all the fabulous men and ladies who are part of my world!

 

© Copyright 2012 Kim Ravida Coaching. All rights reserved. Feel free to use the material from the article in whole or in part, just makes sure you include this complete acknowledgement including the live website link and let me know where the material will appear: “Kim Ravida, owner and founder of Kim Ravida Coaching, is a Certified Professional Coach and a personal and professional motivation mentor. In essence, she motivates people to stop beating themselves up and helps them get off their butts so that they maximize their time and energy to quickly get what they want in their lives… and love their reflection! Kim produces a weekly ezine where she shares insights, inspirations, tips and ideas for setting and reaching personal and professional goals. To get more information or sign up, please go to www.kimravida.com.” 

Filed Under: Personal Development, Wellness Tagged With: , , , , ,

Are You Being Present? The Gift That Keeps On Giving

June 11, 2012 By

I do everything fast!  I talk fast, I walk fast, I eat fast, and I move fast.  I get a lot done, yet I also create a lot that needs to be re-done because I’m moving at the speed of light.  I make mistakes and messes and sometimes forget important things.

I thought I was on a call about a week ago only to learn afterwards that I wasn’t – now how did that happen?   I was so busy, moving fast and getting other things done that I didn’t even know I wasn’t present for it.   Ah! There it is – that word, present!  What does it mean?  Present:  ‘there, here, in attendance’ and the antonym is absent!  And guess what my moving at the speed of light did – it really made me absent from what I was doing.

Being present for yourself and others in the world is a gift – a gift of you!  So for the month of June, I have (much to the pleasure of those around me) made a conscious choice to be in the present when I am in the present.  This means listening to whoever is talking (no multitasking or thinking about a response or worse, what I need to do next), being mindful with the tasks that I am involved in (no watching the clock or wishing time away) and taking a few moments to breathe, relax and be aware of my surroundings.

I’ve been working at this for a couple of weeks and let me tell you – I see a whole new world!  Am I still getting things done, you bet!  And believe it or not — now, hold on to your hat – I’m getting more things done.  It seems when you take your time and are present in what you are doing, you don’t make a) mistakes and b) messes!  This is a whole new thing for me and it is fabulous.  The three values that are highest on my list right now are freedom, peace of mind and happiness.  This ‘being present’ is bringing me more freedom, peace of mind and way more happiness!

Not only that, but I’ve had some amazing conversations with my family, friends, clients and prospective clients just because I’ve slowed down to listen and be present with them.  I no longer feel anxiety throughout my body and my muscles are no longer tight and cramping.  I have more energy because I am breathing deeper and focusing on how I am feeling internally.  I can easily stop the madness even before it starts; which before was an amazing feat and now is becoming second nature.

With each article I write, I like to pose questions for you to begin taking small steps to change your life as well.  Remember, I am a DOer – I’ll do or have done whatever I ask you to do, too.  And I like to share what I’ve done to inspire and show you that I’ve gotten such great benefits and results, and so can you!

So question time:  Where in your life are you moving faster than fast, where you know if you slow down things will be fabulous?  How would your day look if you didn’t run on full throttle all the time?  How would it look if you took your foot off the gas completely? Where can you be more present for yourself, for others and for the world?

When I teach my group exercise classes, I sequence the workout so that my clients are in the present moment focusing on the movements and the muscles they are working.  Many remark at the end of the class “Wow, that went by so fast, I didn’t even realize that we were just about finished.”  That’s because they were present.  They were in a zone.  There really is – as I am finding out, and as you will too – no better place to be!

Please share your thoughts, insights and revelations below!

 

© Copyright 2012 Kim Ravida Coaching. All rights reserved. Feel free to use the material from the article in whole or in part, just makes sure you include this complete acknowledgement including the live website link and let me know where the material will appear: “Kim Ravida, owner and founder of Kim Ravida Coaching, is a Certified Professional Coach and a personal and professional motivation mentor. In essence, she motivates people to stop beating themselves up and helps them get off their butts so that they maximize their time and energy to quickly get what they want in their lives… and love their reflection! Kim produces a weekly ezine where she shares insights, inspirations, tips and ideas for setting and reaching personal and professional goals. To get more information or sign up, please go to www.kimravida.com.” 

Filed Under: Personal Development Tagged With: , , , ,

Are You Leading Or Following?

May 21, 2012 By

I want you to know that minding my own business jump-started my business.  Are you wondering “Hmmm, what does she mean?”  Well, I shall share (you knew I would).  I used to live my life being afraid of what ‘other people’ would say to me and about me – so, when making decisions about my life (my business) I always made choices based on pleasing everyone around me.  I was following those I lovingly call ‘other people’.  And as you probably figured out, I was very unhappy.  After much ado, I finally began to mind my own business and make my life choices based on what I would be satisfied doing and what I wanted my life to look like.  I began to lead – at last!

And so the transformation began – choices made by me, for me.  First, I left a really bad working environment, then I decided to go to coaching school, and then I decided to use my skills and experience to begin a business (as in working for myself).  By minding my own business — taking care of my needs and wants — I jumped-started my new career based on making choices for myself and for my business.  I am leading myself to success by no longer following others!

So where can you apply this lesson to your life?  ANYWHERE.  You don’t have to have a business; it’s all about your life.

Let’s use weight loss for an example.  Have you been wanting to lose weight yet have not been taking the steps to reach your goal?  Maybe you are doing things that ‘other people’ are doing (i.e. following) such as Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, or any other program geared toward weight loss.  While that may work for some, it might not be working for you.  That’s okay because everyone is different!  You need to look at what would work for you by asking yourself questions such as: What is it I want to get out of this?  How does this program fit into my life?  When this is over, what do I want my life to look like?

Following other people is often what keeps us stuck in place.  Yes, it can be helpful to have someone to follow, but being clear about why you are following them is the key to leading yourself with intention.  Remember that leading yourself with your own ideas and choices is what will bring you success.

If you like or need to be held accountable for your decisions, by all means get a buddy to keep you honest and motivated!  Find someone who understands where you are in your life now and where you want to go.  But recognize that you are leading you to your goals; it’s just with the support you want to have to reach them.

Now, go out and do the things you really want to do and know you are capable of!

As always, I am happy to have a chat with you to examine what is happening in your life so that you can really begin to mind your own business to reach the successes that you want!

Please share your thoughts, insights and revelations below!

 

© Copyright 2012 Kim Ravida Coaching. All rights reserved. Feel free to use the material from the article in whole or in part, just makes sure you include this complete acknowledgement including the live website link and let me know where the material will appear: “Kim Ravida, owner and founder of Kim Ravida Coaching, is a Certified Professional Coach and a personal and professional motivation mentor. In essence, she motivates people to stop beating themselves up and helps them get off their butts so that they maximize their time and energy to quickly get what they want in their lives… and love their reflection! Kim produces a weekly ezine where she shares insights, inspirations, tips and ideas for setting and reaching personal and professional goals. To get more information or sign up, please go to www.kimravida.com.” 

Filed Under: Personal Development Tagged With: , , , , ,

What If You Already Had What You Were Seeking

April 9, 2012 By

Recently I was reading a book that I thought was going to give me ideas to be more productive in my business.  I was super excited; I can always use new ideas!  Well, it wasn’t at all what I expected.  I began to feel a bit dismayed and thought “I don’t like this” – but decided to finish it, because I know that everything happens for a reason and gems appear often out of nowhere.  I was interested in seeing what my gem would be.  About two pages until the end I realized what the gem was – this book was telling me why I was already productive!  How cool is that?

What a revelation!  Here I had been looking for answers and solutions and — guess what — I already had them.  I gained a new understanding of how I am productive and, boy, with that awareness I saw myself differently.  I believe in the statement “When you change your perspective, things change”.  Wayne Dwyer is famous for saying “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”  I had been thinking I needed more answers, more solutions, more knowledge, and more whatever I could get externally to help me be more, do more and learn more… when this book sent me the message I already have all that I was seeking.

How enlightening and freeing!  Since one of my values is freedom, this was a joy to discover.

This got me to thinking: how often in our lives might we discount ourselves, another person, or a situation and just blow it off and not even give it a chance?  Oh, I know what the answer is — it’s more times than not!  I know this because I’ve done it, my family, friends and clients have done (and are still doing) it.  So let me ask you this, where might you (and perhaps those around you) benefit from a change in perspective?  Who could benefit from you looking at them differently?

Now, I have had a lot of coaching and I know that the benefit is in having an objective party see what I might not be seeing, challenge what I might not be willing to challenge, and to support my forward movement.  Coaches help you see your blind spot and to encourage you to step out from behind it, to flourish, to grow and to fit into being you.  For me, it is so helpful to see a side of myself that I didn’t see before.

My advice for you is to stop for a moment and look around you with fresh eyes.  Where do you already have the information, the knowledge, and the know-how, but haven’t seen it to be able to take advantage of it for yourself?  Or maybe you discovered a big revelation, like me, and are a scared to go forward and would like some support.  I encourage you to reach out to a friend, colleague or a coach to help you reach outside your box.  Getting that support is all that is standing in your way!

In any event, I’d love to hear what you have discovered; please share your thoughts, insights and revelations below!

 

© Copyright 2012 Kim Ravida Coaching. All rights reserved. Feel free to use the material from the article in whole or in part, just makes sure you include this complete acknowledgement including the live website link and let me know where the material will appear: “Kim Ravida, owner and founder of Kim Ravida Coaching, is a Certified Professional Coach and a personal and professional motivation mentor. In essence, she motivates people to stop beating themselves up and helps them get off their butts so that they maximize their time and energy to quickly get what they want in their lives… and love their reflection! Kim produces a weekly ezine where she shares insights, inspirations, tips and ideas for setting and reaching personal and professional goals. To get more information or sign up, please go to www.kimravida.com.” 

Filed Under: Personal Development Tagged With: , , ,

To Soar: Relax, You are Already Perfect

February 20, 2012 By

Are you familiar with the saying “Relax, you are already perfect”?  It’s a very freeing statement.  At least, I think it is.  How about you?  I’m a former perfectionist; I never did anything without fear of not doing it right.  I never stood out for fear of doing it wrong.  I never tried anything for fear of failing.  What this left me with was a stale, boring and unsatisfying life.

I spent so much of my life trying to be someone else, trying to please others, and trying to make others happy – which I know I did.  Yet, I never tried to make myself happy.  I was just plain afraid that they wouldn’t like me if I wasn’t perfect.  The thing about being someone else is, well, you aren’t!  You are you.   Until you take that step to love yourself and be you in your full glory, you’ll be just like I was, stuck and stranded on the ground.  If you want to soar, it is important for you to relax and know that you are already perfect being you.

Now, I’m not going to tell you this was an easy journey or that I’ve mastered it.  But what I can tell you is that once I freed myself from the bonds I had imposed on my life, I began to soar.  My life became everything I was wanting!  It is joyful instead of unhappy.  It is effortless instead of difficult.  I have ease instead of stress.  Most of all, I now love my life and participate fully in it rather than trudging through yet another day of the same dull, boring existence.

We are all unique and specially made… and we need to embrace it.  Once we begin to do this, we soar.  You are you and I am me, and we come together to bring joy, happiness and fulfillment to each other and the world. The subtle beauty of this is that we flourish both independently and together.

So the next time you think you have to be perfect — stop, go to the mirror, smile, and say “I am unique and special and perfect just the way I am now.”  This will help you remember that right now, this very moment, you are able to soar to your greatest self, reach your highest goals and begin to free yourself from your self-imposed perfectionism.  Trust me; it’s one of the best gifts you can gift to yourself!

Are you a perfectionist trying to change your ways?  Share your thoughts below!

 

© Copyright 2012 Kim Ravida Coaching. All rights reserved. Feel free to use the material from the article in whole or in part, just makes sure you include this complete acknowledgement including the live website link and let me know where the material will appear: “Kim Ravida, owner and founder of Kim Ravida Coaching, is a Certified Professional Coach and a personal and professional motivation mentor. In essence, she motivates people to stop beating themselves up and helps them get off their butts so that they maximize their time and energy to quickly get what they want in their lives… and love their reflection! Kim produces a weekly ezine where she shares insights, inspirations, tips and ideas for setting and reaching personal and professional goals. To get more information or sign up, please go to www.kimravida.com.” 

Filed Under: Personal Development, Reaching Goals, Self Worth Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Do You Love You?

February 13, 2012 By

Do you love you?  Do you tell others how much you love them yet never tell yourself how much you love you?  Hmmm…I figured as much.  So if you haven’t already told yourself how absolutely awesome you are, stop right now – go to the mirror and take a good look at yourself and say “I love you, I really, really love you.”  You are the only one who has the power to love yourself wholly and unconditionally.  If you are anything like I used to be, you are probably saying “Um, ya, don’t think so” probably because it feels uncomfortable.  However, I challenge you to ask yourself why it feels that way!  We are all unique and specially made in our own way – own it, embrace it, love it!  See, it isn’t about another person, it’s about you and how you show up in your life.  As you begin to show up more loving toward yourself, you bet you’ll show up more loving to others.

After working on this with one of my clients who was always stressed out and feeling like she was never getting anywhere, she exclaimed “Oh gosh, I never really thought of myself as important.”  Then she sat there very quiet for a long time. Finally I asked, “Okay, what are you feeling?” She replied “Anger.  I see now that I have put so much ahead of myself that I’ve missed out on a great deal in my life.”  Then she said “I know what you are going to ask, so here is the answer:  I plan to put myself first no matter how hard it is and do the things I’ve been wanting to do, take time for myself to get healthy, have fun, and love myself rather than sabotage myself.”  She knew I was going to ask her what she wanted to have in her life now that she knew what she knew.  And from there she set about creating her plan and implementing the steps for her to love herself and be able to look in the mirror and say “I love you, I really, really love you.”

The ironic part is, she is a lovely and loving woman, wife, mother, employee and friend.  She shows her love to others by helping them out, doing for them, being there for them, and making them happy.  Yet when it came to her, it didn’t feel right so she just didn’t.  She gained weight, felt stressed, angry at times, and overall just blah and worn out.  By owning the love for herself, she immediately saw how she was treating herself… and it wasn’t how she would ever treat another!

As interesting or perplexing as that may seem — where are you doing the same thing by not feeling the love of you?  Are you saying “I love myself” yet continue to put obstacles in your way so that you don’t get what you really want?  Have you had the same goal for a long time and can’t seem to reach it?  Do things seem to happen to you again and again and you have no idea why?  Saying you love yourself and really loving yourself are two different things.  Where might you really show yourself the love?

Share your thoughts below; I love hearing from you!

 

© Copyright 2012 Kim Ravida Coaching. All rights reserved. Feel free to use the material from the article in whole or in part, just makes sure you include this complete acknowledgement including the live website link and let me know where the material will appear: “Kim Ravida, owner and founder of Kim Ravida Coaching, is a Certified Professional Coach and a personal and professional motivation mentor. In essence, she motivates people to stop beating themselves up and helps them get off their butts so that they maximize their time and energy to quickly get what they want in their lives… and love their reflection! Kim produces a weekly ezine where she shares insights, inspirations, tips and ideas for setting and reaching personal and professional goals. To get more information or sign up, please go to www.kimravida.com.”

Filed Under: Personal Development, Self Worth Tagged With: , , ,

To Leap, You Need to Let

February 6, 2012 By

When you read my title, just what does that mean to you?  I’ll share with you what it means to me.  It means that in order for me to leap to what I want, I need to let go, let it happen, let myself be open and receptive, let things be, let myself be who I am, let people be who they are (without me trying to change them), let the negative thoughts go, and let in the positive thoughts.

I love words and looking up the definition even if I already know what it is.  Here is a definition for let:  not prevent something.  I also love the thesaurus and use it often.  Here are a few other words for let that might resonate with you: allow, give permission, agree to, and consent to.  So now knowing the definition and some other words for it, does it mean something different or new to you?

Where are you not letting yourself do something?  Where are you not allowing yourself to shine?  Where are you holding yourself back by not giving yourself permission, agreeing to step forward, or allowing yourself to leap?

Is it in a relationship that you no longer want?  Is it in a crummy job that is no longer fulfilling and has been making you unhappy for longer than you care to admit?  Is there a new career direction you really want to take? Do you feel that you don’t deserve better or don’t really “need” it?

I’ll admit it, as much as I hate to, for many years I didn’t allow myself to shine at all!  I stayed in a job that I had outgrown, where I didn’t feel appreciated and where I was miserable every day of my life.  I was afraid.  What else would I do?  Where else would I work?  Would anyone think I was valuable?  There were so many questions and fears that just didn’t let me do any leaping and held me back.  Fear is something I lived with for a long time: fear of not having money, fear of not having insurance, fear of not knowing, fear of being the new person, fear of … you name it, I’ve probably had it!

Then one day I realized that in order to get what I wanted — job satisfaction, fulfillment, a feeling of joy in my work — I had to let myself leap forward.  By letting myself, I now have a fantastic life that I only dreamed of in my past.  The best news?  I’m still leaping and allowing myself to experience new adventures, successes and happiness.

If you are ready to let and leap but are still afraid, please sign up for a complimentary consultation call with me.  Together we’ll have you leaping in no time!

Please feel free to share your thoughts, actions and successes with me below!

 

© Copyright 2012 Kim Ravida Coaching. All rights reserved. Feel free to use the material from the article in whole or in part, just makes sure you include this complete acknowledgement including the live website link and let me know where the material will appear: “Kim Ravida, owner and founder of Kim Ravida Coaching, is a Certified Professional Coach and a personal and professional motivation mentor. In essence, she motivates people to stop beating themselves up and helps them get off their butts so that they maximize their time and energy to quickly get what they want in their lives… and love their reflection! Kim produces a weekly ezine where she shares insights, inspirations, tips and ideas for setting and reaching personal and professional goals. To get more information or sign up, please go to www.kimravida.com.”

Filed Under: Personal Development, Reaching Goals Tagged With: , , , ,

The success and accomplishment component

January 30, 2012 By

The word success means different things to different people.  Success often means an attainment of something big: receiving a promotion, losing a lot of weight, completing a degree, or having well-raised children.  Yet, what about when attaining something small?  How do we view that?

I recently added a component to one of my group programs – a success/accomplishment component.  Each week my clients take a look at what they have done in order to acknowledge and celebrate them.  It does not matter if an accomplishment was big or small, what they focus on is the success of their actions.  Many have a bigger goal in mind, yet by focusing attention on the actions that they are taking consistently and getting results from, they see their success every step of the way.

So, when you think of success what do you think of?  I challenge you to look over your week, and even your day, to see where you have had success.  You will be amazed at how much you had for which you didn’t give yourself credit!  How you think often gets in your way of success.  Let’s say you realized your health was important and you decided to cut back on sugar, and in place of cookies you would eat one piece of fruit.  And the next time you craved cookies, you did just that – you chose the fruit.  That, my friend, is success!  Or maybe you decided that you want to get more exercise and said, “I’m exercising one hour every day”.  And you do exercise, but it isn’t for one hour every day, it is for 20 minutes three times a week.  That, my friend, is success also!  I know what you are thinking, “You said one hour every day and that’s not what happened.”  However, if you look at your goal — wanting to get more exercise — and ask “Did I accomplish that?”  YES, you did.  You exercised.  That is your success.

Simply by shifting your thoughts of what success means to you, how you go about reaching your goals, and whether or not you recognize yourself for your accomplishments along the way all make a difference.  Congratulating yourself for your efforts and dedication now will lead to future successes… and reaching them joyfully.

We often forget that it is the smaller steps that bring us to our ultimate goal and what we perceive as ‘the success’.  There is a saying, ‘”Don’t sweat the small stuff” – and it’s true, yet the small stuff can be just as important in our journey.

So, I’m curious about your thoughts on success, even just “Success to me is________” – please share them below!  I love to hear from you!

 

© Copyright 2012 Kim Ravida Coaching. All rights reserved. Feel free to use the material from the article in whole or in part, just makes sure you include this complete acknowledgement including the live website link and let me know where the material will appear: “Kim Ravida, owner and founder of Kim Ravida Coaching, is a Certified Professional Coach and a personal and professional motivation mentor. In essence, she motivates people to stop beating themselves up and helps them get off their butts so that they maximize their time and energy to quickly get what they want in their lives… and love their reflection! Kim produces a weekly ezine where she shares insights, inspirations, tips and ideas for setting and reaching personal and professional goals. To get more information or sign up, please go to www.kimravida.com.” 

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