2012 may well be another tumultuous year! Being able to remain grounded in your own being leads to an inner steadiness amidst the uncertainty around you or in the world. Here some questions to consider.

What is your own life purpose and are you living by it?

Look into your heart, in what areas is it at war or at peace?

Are your thoughts and actions coming from fear or love?

These are the big questions, your own inner truth that can be addressed before you get to the details of your plans and goals for the year. Taking the time to look inside may well ease the way for your outside directions.

May you value your own mastery as you move forward, first from your own truth, then out into the world.

As coaches, we can jump start the transformation of our client’s challenges into effective perceptions and actions. My coaching does that by engaging you with your purpose and assisting in freeing your energy so that YOU can innovate your own future. I can even bid you goodbye with a new set of tools that you have tested and that you know work for you.

Ultimately it is always up to YOU! This very short video says it best. Enjoy!

THE PERILOUS JOURNEY OF BECOMING A SOMEONE from Nic Askew on Vimeo.

Have you ever tried to change your relationship with money? We have been and continue to be in tough financial times. When our jobs go away, or when the market takes a dive, or business dries up, we naturally blame outside circumstances, which are real. Yet, how often do we take a step back and look at how we think or feel about the money that flows in and out of our lives?

One way to begin that process is to see money simply as a tool to support our true wealth. Think
about your wealth, which is different for everyone, with ideas like family, friendships, affiliations, respect, love, work you enjoy, fun hobbies, faith, health.

To explore this further:
1. Make a comprehensive list of your real wealth.
2. Then prioritize it so you have your top 4 items.
3. Write a statement of how you use, or intend to use, your money as a tool that best supports the
4 top wealth items in your life.

William Arruda, a business branding expert says:

Conformity has been replaced by individualism
Loyalty has been replaced by freedom
Security has been replaced by fluidity

In our new business normal of individualism, freedom, and fluidity, what
connects us to ourselves and each other? There are lots of things such as
community, belief systems, communication, the internet, the list goes on.
At the heart of everything may be our truth, our deepest truth, our authenticity.

Alan Cohen, an author and speaker, puts it another way:

Life’s gift to you is your unique vantage point. Your gift to life is
expressing from it.

Whether it’s our business slogan, our life purpose, our goals or commitments, they work best when they are big, compelling, and keep us enthusiastic. That’s when they encourage us to reach for our best selves.

CONCERNING CHOICE from Nic Askew on Vimeo.

Thanksgiving to Christmas is a time of giving, of connections to family and friends, sometimes forgiveness and often gratitude. It’s a time of celebration,
of religious observance, of festive lights and parties. When someone leaves during this time, all the elements are in place to provide comfort for their family and friends. So it was in my situation.

How do you approach the holidays? Are they a time of financial stress, personal sadness, or a crazy busy time?

One way to check yourself is to stop and ask, “Is what I am about to do or buy for my well-being as well as for others? Do I feel good inside when I make holiday plans or buy something whatever it may be?

This is a time of love, and the best place to begin is with YOU. How are you
allowing this time of connection, giving, celebration, religious observance, and festivities support you?

I experience this goodness whenever I visit a friend who has
had horses all of her life, and the deep bond she has with them is unmistakable. Their intelligence, freedom, and magnificence draw me in to want to spend more time with them.

Recently, after a riding lesson, I knew I had been cared for by these highly trained horses because they had lots of patience with this greenhorn. I was grateful for their tolerance and their keen awareness that I was a beginner.

All of our animals are special. The smaller ones in our homes may not be as dramatic as horses, but they still have a secret. They show us the power of love.

A few weeks ago, a coaching friend and cohort lost her life to cancer. She went quickly, but not before I was able to let her know that her special work in the world so impacted me that I am going to follow in her footsteps.

Last year at our Success Unlimited Network (SUN) retreat, we all sat amazed as she masterfully demonstrated a Coaching Constellation with our group. This is a powerful and profound way of working with groups and relationships. We experienced her deep love and commitment as she was able to change so many lives within a space of about 2 hours.

Diane’s life and work is a contribution of major proportion. She created an environment in which people could understand issues and change their lives in deep and meaningful ways. She inspired me and another SUN coach to learn this work. We know that Diane’s spirit will be with us on our journey.

It’s a choice to use our power with intention that comes as much from our hearts as our heads. It does not come from our minds alone because too often our minds are concerned with our status and our ego needs.

This power is aware, intentional, and is often born in our silence. It can appear to others as kind, sincere, and upbeat. The way it feels inside of us is often what it feels like when we are loving or forgiving. At the same time, this power is strong and effective.

Dr. David Hawkins notes in his book, Power vs Force, that “the only way to enhance
one’s own power in the world is by increasing one’s integrity, understanding, and capacity for compassion.”

Outcomes from using this kind of power include more open communication with our family, friends, and cohorts. It expands the possibilities and the results in our lives. It just makes life bigger for ourselves and those around us.

How do you use your life-expanding power?