Sunday, April 26, 2009

Confidence...The Very Thing Self-Trust Is Made Of. *


Well folks, I found that in the past couple of weeks, a common theme kept popping up on my radar that inspired me to write an article about it. The topic of Confidence.

I have seen may definitions of confidence, from “feeling assurance”, to “having faith in a person.” However, one recent definition I never heard before really struck me and became branded in my mind. That definition was, “having trust in one’s abilities”.

Now, I ask you to think about that for a moment. When I heard that definition, I realized that many people I know may have much less confidence then they are aware of. Do you trust your abilities? Are there things about you that you don’t trust? Some people don’t trust such things as their ability to remember, while others don’t trust their actions or reactions in certain situations….*

I recently was with someone who almost didn’t go to a fun event because they did not trust their own abilities in making a responsible decision. I knew that this person believed that there was a side of them they didn’t trust. I asked him when was the last time he tried to trust himself in this situation, and he said weeks. So I mentioned to him that he could focus on breaking up the event into small and simple steps.

The first step was to trust himself and his abilities. To sit with that trust within for a moment. Then the second step was to travel to the event. I asked him to take a moment to check himself for self-trust, after the second step. If he felt a strong sense of mistrust, then he could leave. But if he felt he still trusted himself, then he could continue to the third step, which was to sit down and greet friends at the event. After every step, I asked him to internally check himself. This seemed to help him tremendously with his ability to be more aware of his actions and gain some self-trust. He felt much more in control of his abilities and enjoyed himself at the event….*

So if there is an area in your life that you feel low confidence, or self-trust in your abilities, then try breaking down the situation in small steps and checking in periodically for self-trust. Over time you will begin to trust yourself again and build your confidence.
* Please note, these are highlights from an entire article in Higher-Self Living Paychecks. For more information, please visit our website at www.higherselflifecoaching.com.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Easter Time and Finding Your Inner Hidden Easter Eggs*


How about that….for many, it is Easter today. Some people will be visiting family, coloring hard-boiled eggs with bright and vibrant colors, and receiving a beautiful basket filled with candy, jelly beans, and of course a big old chocolate bunny. Many kids, young and old, will be hiding Easter eggs and searching for them. I remember as a young girl looking for Easter eggs at my grandmother’s house. I felt so excited when I saw a hint of a bright yellow, or vibrant blue egg, nestled in the grass or a couch cushion. Some of the eggs were hard and delicious to eat. While others were made of plastic and when popped open, revealed a yummy treat.

As a coach, I realized that finding bright Easter eggs filled with surprises was much like finding a new passion. Coming across a new idea or thought that seemed exciting and fun, made me feel all giddy inside, much like when I opened a plastic Easter egg. And some of those ideas and thoughts have blossomed into new, wonderful, and even life- long hobbies and passions….*

In the spirit of Easter today, I would like to ask all of you to take a moment to search for some new hidden passions to explore and invite into your life. Take some small pieces of paper and write down a couple (preferably more) ideas or passions you have thought up, or come across. Write each down on a small sheet and fold them up. Place each in a colorful plastic Easter egg. Have someone hide them for you, or if you live alone, place them in creative locations you will come across them. The following day, look for and find the eggs. Open each and see what idea or passion you reveal.

Next, take one small step to reaching, or researching that idea. Pay close attention to your body’s response to this step. In most cases, you will experience some excitement and that will lead to another step. Now, some people may find that their body is not enthusiastically responding to the idea or passion. In those cases, the road to that idea or passion may be done, and the next idea or passion can be pursued….*

However, in most cases, these little and fun steps can lead to a new life-long and fulfilling hobby or passion.
* Please note, these are highlights from an entire article in Higher-Self Living Paychecks. For more information, please visit our website at www.higherselflifecoaching.com.