A Few Small Changes that Make a BIG Difference

One of the best ideas I have ever come across I discovered in Darren Hardy's The Compound Effect. There are lots of great ideas to be discovered there, but this one stood out to me.  I have added it to my own life and have had such great shifts that I want to share it with everyone. 

In his book Darren teaches of the wonderful empowering feeling to be gained by doing what he calls Book Ending Your Day.  Much can happen in your day that you are not in control over and you need to be able to flow and roll with it. That is not new news to any of us. But what Darren reminds us is that though you may not be able to control all of the events of your day, you can control your responses to them. And what better way to build a feeling of control than by practising it and exercising control over the parts that you can - the beginning and the end of each day.





For me, to flow and not lose my way, requires me to be able to do all that open heart and open mind flowing, while remaining well rooted in me. I have known that for years now, but I was lost in the idea that a huge chunk of time needed to be dedicated to that grounding every week or so. I wasn't making that grounding of myself a part of my regular daily routine in small ways as I do now. 

Darren talks about beginning your day in a routine that sets you up for feeling success. Since reading his wonderful book I have tweaked a morning routine that has become essential to me.  I was never much of a morning person so this was a toughy for me when I was staring. But now that my morning routine has become so important, I easily get out of bed 30mins earlier so I can be sure that I am not feeling rushed. My morning routine has become one the best parts of my day and I love that I can always count on it, and on me.

Here is what is working for me ~ Once awake and before my feet hit the ground, I say a little prayer of gratitude. "Thank you for a good night's sleep. Thank you for the wonderful pillow that supported my dreamy head. Thank you for my healthy feeling self who is ready to get moving (slowly, but still ready). Thank you for the opportunities that lay ahead in today."

I used to check my emails and other messages as I had my breakfast. Now, that waits. I make a tea or coffee and read something inspiring (usually just a short something, there is no shortage of inspiration in the wonderful blogs I have bookmarked). After a good stretch, 5mins of meditation and a shower, I am ready to begin the day feeling rooted and certain of myself. 

That rooted feeling helps me to stay on task while also being able to flow within the day's events.  After dinner and before I end the day I am sure to bring myself back full circle, to that grounded feeling place.  The evenings end with a reflection of my day and a plan for tomorrow's activities. I have traded in crap TV for an hour of me time. Usually I read or watch something that both entertains and inspires. Being a continual student of The Universe and the teachings and ideas of others is what helps me to feel like I am continually moving in a forward direction.  My evening "ready for bed" routine includes more gratitude. Some times I write my thoughts down in a journal, I love having a tangible collection of what I feel is my good stuff, and sometimes it is verbal.  Whether written or recited its important to me to go to sleep feeling the best that I can. It is my conscious way of continuing the cycle I spent time creating for myself this morning and setting myself up for a good start to tomorrow. 

It's called book ending your day. The idea is to replace some of the overwhelm in many of our lives with a balanced feeling of mastery. And the thought is that that can be created by exercising your power of control in what you are doing at either end of your day. Create a routine of daily success habits that work for you, whatever they maybe, and feel the chaos of the day dim. 

Sharing ideas is what helps us all grow into better versions of ourselves. Do you have a routine already? Are there success habits that are helping you to grow and move yourself forward towards your best life? I'd love for you to share your routines or ideas here in the comments section of on my Facebook page. 

Easy to Follow, Simple to Remember. 10 Mapped Out Steps to Manifesting

Yes my friends, there is great power harnessed between your ears. But, The Law of Attraction is about more than sitting in a comfy chair thinking happy thoughts and waiting for what you want to magically appear.  You have to do your part and that means taking some action. 

There is a simple, yet important, map to manifestation that you can take with you on your journey. It'll help you not only find your way to where you are going, but ensure you have some great fun along the way. And if we are honest with ourselves, who doesn't enjoy the idea of comboing fast and fun??? 

Easy to Follow, Simple to Remember 

10 Mapped Out Steps to Manifesting  

1.  Find your imagination and create a dream for yourself.  - Your Imagination muscle is an important one to flex. Step out side of the box and expand your comfort zone. Some of the greatest experiences will be found on the edge.  
2. Love yourself - That will set the bar for the way you are treated by others, and show the Universe that you are in it to win it. 
3. Pay attention to and understand what you are feeling. - What goes on in your gut is telling you if this path or idea is good for you, or if maybe there is a better one. 
4. Understand how what you are feeling is leading you towards your future. - There are many paths. None of them are wrong they are just different. Some will feel better than others. If you are in to feeling good rather than struggling through may I gently suggest you take one of those nice feeling paths wherever it presents itself to you. 
5. Believe that you not only deserve it but can have whatever it is that you really want. - Your beliefs about yourself and your place in the world will define exactly how things turn out for you. 
6. Be open to the many many ways that The Universe can present opportunity to you. - The Universe sees all the intricate moving parts and has many more ideas than we do. Let it show you bigger ideas than you have had so far.
7. When one of those bigger ideas or opportunities is presented, check in with yourself (see #3 and #4) and take ACTION.  - You need not force anything or make it happen but you do need to get out of your chair and play your part. 
8.  Notice that when your actions are in line with your energies, those actions suddenly don't feel like work any more.   
9. Say Thank You - Everybody loves to give to those who appreciate it. The Universe is no different. 
10. Share the Love - Cheesey as it sounds, when you start to love yourself and see the world through the eyes of love, you will want to show it and share it with those who cross your path. It will be through a patience, a kindness and an understanding that you will effect others and change the world.

Good News! - Unlike other maps, with this one you can get a little creative (creativity is always encouraged). Meaning, you should include each step but  the order is somewhat flexible. No need to memorize it. You can just feel your way through this one and get still get there. 

As always, I totally want to know what you think. How do you get it done?  Do you have a map of your own or will you be adopting this one? Do you have ideas to contribute? Use the comment section below of find me on Facebook, Twitter or Google+ to share. 

I am Planning a Party and You're Invited

Want to know what kind of future lays ahead for you? Come, and peak into my Crystal Ball. Just kidding. No Crystal ball here but let me ask you, what's on your mind these days?

Such an important question because what we think about creates a feeling tied to that topic, and that feeling lets us know if what we are thinking is any good for us. It's an indicator of what kind of party we are planning for our future selves. Are we worrying and planning a pity party, or are we feeling good about what is going well so far, and planning a celebration of that getting a whole lot better? 

Whatever you're thinking about is literally like planning a future event. When you're worrying, you are planning.  When you're appreciating, you are planning.  What are you planning?   ~Abraham

Don't set your fazers to panic just yet. You have time. Luckily for us the Universe, in all of its infinite brilliance, included a buffer of time. So you don't have to worry. You have time. And WAIT! I know it may be hard to believe, but it gets even better. You only have to just tip the scales to get to the good. You only have to have 51% better feeling thoughts on any topic to tip your scales and to grow more of what is awesome. You can do it!!  If I can do it.....YOU CAN DO IT!

It didn't happen over night. I have always been a bit serious. A planner and organizer, a thinker. But I am trying a new approach on for size these days. 

If I can control it ~ there is no reason to worry about it because I can control it.If I can't control it ~ there is no reason to worry about it because I can't control it.

I must say, its taking some effort, but I am learning. I am enjoying being in the driver's seat of my life and the quiet feeling of balance that is bringing with it a friend call "full nights sleep".  As far as side effects go, I am feeling pretty darn good about this package deal.

So what's on your mind these days? What kind of party are you planning? 

Photo Credit fiestafacil.com

Contact me about Private Life Coaching Sessions if you would like help planning your party.

I Don't Need it, But I Totally WANT it.

My Dad has grown the sweet tooth in the family. Which is crazy because there is a certain someone in the family who, as a child, would eat only the sweet center of the Oreo and feed the cookie part to the dog. Dad has always had a specific weak spot for a quality ice cream sundae. Hot fudge with nuts as it is served at McDonald's totally counts. I can still hear him asking my Mom if she wanted an ice cream too. The conversation ALWAYS went like this:

Dad: "Do you want an ice cream?"
Mom: " I don't really need one."
Dad: "Nobody asked you if you needed one. Do you WANT one?"

My Dad is a smart guy. He has always known the answer or where to find the answer. At lease that is how he is seen by his children. But unknowingly, my Dad has been an LOA (Law of Attraction) Master for many many years.  His philosophy of need vs want, as he applies it to ice cream is brilliant.

There is a huge difference between needing something and wanting it. Though both are looking towards the same end result, in this case a hot fudge sundae with nuts, each approach is built on a very different foundation.

Its a good idea to, as often as you can, try to approach your list of things to acquire, do, or experience from the place of wanting rather than of needing. 

When we acknowledge a desire of any kind it is impossible to not notice the current lack of it in our lives. Needing something comes from a place of lack and one's awareness of being without. It creates a yearning because not having it is an unhappy and often stressful feeling. Wanting something, though also noticing the lack of its presence, focuses on the joy that would be rather than the pain that is. Wanting something can have a nice, light almost playful ease about it which will allow your energy to remain open. And staying open to receiving rather getting swooped up in the logistic of making anything come to you is key.

Say out loud, "I want a vacation."   And now say "I need a vacation."  Do you feel the difference?

A list of wants or desires can be fun to create. I don't need a bunch of new clothes, but I can want them.  I don't need a new car, but I can want one. I don't need a giant check to be delivered to my door but I want one. Nothing on that list is defining my survival, but everything on that list holds the possibility of great joy being found in the having of it.

Ice cream, along with many other things, totally makes my list of wants. I invite you to look at your list of wants and of needs. Are there things on your "need" list that really belong on your "want" list?