Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone

What happens when we choose to remain in the realm of our comfort zone? We neglect to take the opportunities that could otherwise expand our lives and create more joy, more value, and more benefit for both ourselves and others. The result? We remain where we are, forever wondering about how much greater our life would be if only we were to break free of our self-imposed shackles. The solution? To smash through the gremlin of self-doubt by understanding the values of courage, passion and determination.

Are You?

Wishing You Could Break Through Whatever’s Holding You Back?
Frustrated That You Could Be Achieving So Much More?
Prepared To Challenge Yourself?

Begin making the transformation today!

What’s In It For You?

Leave Your Self-Limiting Beliefs Behind
Make A Difference In Yourself And Others
Create Opportunities And Expand Your Horizons

By stepping out of our comfort zone, we find ourselves “stepping up to the plate” and revealing more and more of our innate potential. No longer do we look at ourselves through the lens of doubt, instead we wake up to the reality of our life and see the greatness that only we can manifest.

How do we achieve this? Simple – we get clear about our values and inspirations and transform them into compelling motivators for change. To begin with we ask questions of ourselves including: “What difference is it going to make?” “Who are the beneficiaries?” and “What opportunities may arise as a result?” This is where our values show up … then our inspirations … then over time, these turn into compelling factors that motivate us to the extent that we cannot not carry through with them. Result – the gremlin gets defeated and we move into a place of courage, passion and determination.

INQUIRY: Cast your mind back over recent weeks to when you had the opportunity to step out of your comfort zone but chose not to. Go through the questions above and get clear about what you could have achieved had you done so.

ACTION: Now look at the opportunities you have ahead of you … ask yourself the same questions … expand on them … which of your values do they call on … what is your inspiration … what motivates you to see them through to the extent that you cannot not carry through with them? Get clear about the benefits and make them a reality.

Make a habit of stepping out of your comfort zone

Visit www.rightlifecoaching.co.uk now for information on how to live a better life!

Best wishes

Simon

Learn To Apply The Fundamentals Of Respect (Part 1)

What happens when we constantly forsake our own wellbeing to be of service to others? We risk denying ourselves the opportunity to strengthen and develop our own existence by neglecting the value of our self-worth. The result? We fail to recognise the potential inherent in our own lives and subsequently open ourselves to constantly being taking advantage of. The solution? To respect our own lives so as to recognise when it is appropriate to give time and energy to ourselves rather than to everything and everyone around us.

Are You?

Giving Too Much Time And Attention To People Around You?
Always Putting Others First?
Realising It’s Time To Think Of Yourself For Once?

Begin making the transformation today!

What’s In It For You?

Learn The Value Of Self-Respect
Recognise Your True Worth
Expand Your Life

By learning the value of self-respect, we learn to respect the value of “self”. In other words, we raise our awareness of self-identity; our inner wealth; our uniqueness. Instead of heading down the road to resentment and frustration, we illuminate the path to fulfilling our potential and recognising our worth.

How do we achieve this? Simple – we take a step back from being of constant service to others and examine what it is we’re neglecting in our everyday life. For example, are we letting ourselves be taken advantage of? Are we kidding ourselves into believing that by constantly giving to others through good intentions that we really are doing the right thing? Are we denying ourselves the opportunity to BE ourselves – to live in accord with our core ethics, values and principles? If so, then we need to stand up and start BEING true to ourselves. Result – we strengthen our self-identity to the degree that we better understand our role, our purpose and our value.

INQUIRY: Take a look at some recent occasions when you forsook your own wellbeing to be of service to others. Which of these opportunities could have been better served by you putting yourself first? If a similar opportunity were to arise again, what would you do differently? What would be the benefit to yourself and those around you?

ACTION: For the next thirty days, put these new realisations into practice. In addition get in touch with your core values, ethics and principles - explore what they mean to you and put them into practice also. All in all, learn to feel what it means to be true to yourself and strengthen your resolve in achieving this.

Make A Habit Of Learning To Apply The Fundamentals Of Respect (Part 1)

Visit www.rightlifecoaching.co.uk now for information on how to live a better life!

Best wishes


Simon

Discover The Benefits Of Expressing Gratitude

What happens when we neglect to feel and show gratitude for all the “things” we have in life – both the good and the not so good? We send out a statement that says:” Look at me - I don’t appreciate what I already have, therefore what right do I have to expect more of the same or better?” The result? We receive less abundance and benefit and understanding than we would otherwise deserve … and risk becoming more and more greedy and needy, or resentful and begrudging. The solution? To discover how expressing gratitude for everything in our life is in fact a way of accepting challenge as well welcoming further growth and abundance.

EXERCISE: Wheel of Gratitude

The Good Things In Life

This exercise is about creating a picture of all the “things” you are grateful for and appreciative of in life. Once complete, it will serve to deepen your understanding of where you are right this moment, and where you want to be.

Print a copy of the illustration below. List inside each segment all the things you are grateful for, including both the good and the not so good. Duplicates are allowed, e.g. you may include ‘best friend’ in both Family & Friends and Environment.

Once you’ve completed all the areas, take another look and add anything else that comes to mind.

Taking each area in turn, describe how you feel about the things you’ve listed. How much do they mean to you? What impact do they have on your life? How can they help you now and in the future?

Sample replies may include: Lucky … thankful … grateful … happy … okay …appreciative … average … challenging … valuable … important … lessons learned … could be better … better than it was … close … privileged … excited …

Elaborate on your comments.

What More Do You Want?

Take another look at the illustration and in the space around the outside, list the things you want to improve or develop or add to your life for each segment.

Circle those that are most important to you right now. Describe the impact they would have on your life and environment. What are the benefits and values?

What actions are you taking? What causes are you making? And how much do you have to change your attitude to gratitude in order to help manifest them?

For the next thirty days, turn the above into a plan of action and make it a reality. Get ready to welcome greater abundance, opportunity and growth into your life.

Make A Habit Of Expanding Your Life Through The Expression Of Gratitude

Visit www.rightlifecoaching.co.uk now for information on how to live a better life!

Best Wishes

Simon

"Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others." Cicero

Transform Negative "Reactions" Into Positive "Proactions"

What happens when we let ourselves become dominated by negative responses to life, e.g. destructive behaviour patterns, negative emotions, apathy, etc? We find ourselves getting “worked up,” often to the detriment of our own wellbeing as well as to those around us. The result? We risk becoming increasingly angry and bitter about aspects of our life that we believe we have little or no control over. The solution? To explore the reality behind these actions and emotions, and transform them into positive causes.

Are You?

Too Easily “Affected” By Your Environment?
Guilty Of Feeling Anger And/Or Resentment?
Often Letting Yourself And Others Down As A Result?

Begin making the transformation today!

What’s In It For You?

Discover The Reality Behind These “Reactions”
Develop Ways Of Recognising And Countering Them
Master How To Transform Them Into Positive and Proactive Causes

By learning to transform our negative “reactions” into positive “proactions”, we create a far healthier state of physical and emotional wellbeing for ourselves and our environment. In turn, we become increasingly capable and responsible as individuals, and when faced with greater challenges we automatically find ourselves better equipped to deal with them and move on.

How do we achieve this? Simple – first we have to acknowledge what it is that’s encouraging us to react in this way and then turn it around so as to create something more positive. For example, instead of reacting aggressively to a particular comment, we can learn to respond more appropriately by understanding what triggered that reaction coupled with its negative impact on ourselves and our environment. As soon as we’ve got to grips with the cause, we’re able to turn it on its head and understand what it is we need to be or do differently. Another example: instead of responding with a defeatist, “I can’t do anything about it,” try saying, “I understand it’s been difficult in the past, but this time I’m going to look at alternatives.” Result – in addition to becoming far happier and resilient in ourselves, we naturally radiate the benefits of such actions to others.

INQUIRY: Take a look back at some recent situations when you allowed yourself to react negatively or angrily. What triggered this behaviour? What were your emotions and feelings before, during and after? Had you responded in a more proactive manner, what would you have done differently and what would have been the outcome?

ACTION: For the next thirty days, explore the reality that’s causing you to react negatively to your life and your environment. Learn from the above and check in with any emotions and feelings. Get to grips with what it is you need to be and do differently and put it into action. Notice the difference you create within yourself and those around you.

Make A Habit Of Transforming Negative "Reactions" Into Positive "Proactions"

Visit www.rightlifecoaching.co.uk/ now for information on how to live a better life!

Best Wishes

Simon

“Man must cease attributing his problems to his environment, and learn again to exercise his will - his personal responsibility.” Albert Einstein

Give More To Get More

What happens when we allow greed to get the better of us? Typically we end up wanting more of the same - and beyond - convincing ourselves we’re on a roll and that we deserve all that’s coming our way. Once in this routine we can easily find ourselves becoming ever-more dependent, believing satisfaction to exist only in the constant fuelling of our desires. The result? We risk become blinkered to our environment, and think more of feeding ourselves than those around us. The solution? To learn the importance of giving, because in doing so, we’re making a cause that helps others as well as ourselves.

Are You?

Always Taking Whatever Comes Your Way Without Giving Back?
Constantly On The Look Out For More?
Frightened To Give For Fear Of Not Receiving Anything By Return?

Begin making the transformation today!

What’s In It For You?

Discover How Great It Is To Give Without Expecting By Return
Learn The Importance Of ‘Paying It Forward’
Watch Your Life Expand As Your Efforts Return To You With Interest

By allowing ourselves to become consumed by greed, we lose sight of our core values - our focus becomes insular and we seek more and more to be of service to ourselves rather than to others. With such short-sightedness sure to cost us in the end, we must strive to see the reality of our desires and develop ways of being and doing that create benefit for others as well as ourselves.

How do we achieve this? Simple – we start giving to others without making demands that we receive something by return. Examples include spending time with those who are important to us, supporting those who are struggling, and even simply doing what we can to keep our word. More than anything it’s about ‘paying it forward’ through compassion and willing. Result – we become increasingly genuine and understanding as a human being, which in turn reaps benefits for all as a result of the sincerity in our cause.

INQUIRY: Be honest and ask yourself how often you feel greed getting the better of you. What effect has this had for both you and those around you; your family; your friends; and your colleagues? What is the reality that motivates this way of being and doing? What would be the benefits of transforming this into a more selfless way of life?

ACTION: Make a list of the people you should be spending more time with; the people you should be supporting; the promises you need to keep. Get a feel for the benefits you could be creating for those other than yourself - these are all good causes for which you will be rewarded.

For the next thirty days, start putting these into action; call these people; spend time with them; discover what you can do for them. Be sure to come from a place of sincerity or they may feel you’re after something. If at first this feels alien, get curious as to the reasons behind this before transforming them into ways of being and doing. Be sure not to expect anything by return. Instead, build on that sincerity you’ve been bringing to the fore and let it shine through. At the same time, continue re-investing in your life all the benefits that come your way.

Make A Habit Of Giving More To Get More

Visit

http://www.rightlifecoaching.co.uk/ now for information on how to live a better life!

Best Wishes

Simon

Allow The Opportunity To Trust In Yourself

What happens when we allow our self-limiting beliefs to form barriers that prevent us achieving what we know is right for us? More often than not they end up doing exactly that – keeping us pinned in so as to prevent us winning and moving forward. Take a look at these as examples; “I’ll never get the chance to make it up to them,” or “I’ll never be offered that job,“ or “I’ll never get them to listen to me.” The result? Our attitude forms a level of expectancy that regularly manifests into reality – something we can have few qualms about. The solution? To allow ourselves the opportunity of winning by at least giving ourselves a chance.

Are You?

Often Held Back By Self-Limiting Beliefs?
Beaten Before You’ve Had A Go?
Wishing You Could Smash Through And Win?

Begin making the transformation today!

What’s In It For You?

Move Away From All This Negativity Into A Place Of Growth
Discover The Benefits Of ‘Allowing’ Opportunities To Unfold
Learn How To Develop Trust And Belief In Yourself

By shifting ourselves into this state of ‘allowing’, we unconsciously open our hearts and minds to the possibility of manifesting exactly what it is that is right for our life. Sometimes that means looking at what it is we need to achieve and taking the relevant action; other times that means simply developing trust within ourselves and our environment – in other words, ’allowing’ the opportunity to unfold. While the former can be perceived as the more practical and ‘hands-on,’ it is often the latter that conspires to have us intuitively taking the right action even when we’re totally unaware of it.

How do we achieve this? Simple – we throw all judgments and self-doubt to one side, and open ourselves to the possibility of winning. For example, here’s how we would turn around the aforementioned situations; “… I will create an opportunity to make it up to them,“ and “… I will be offered that job,” and “… I will find some way of helping them listen to me.“ Ultimately it’s about going one step further than simply developing a positive mindset – it’s about believing in what is right for our life and trusting that we and our environment will manifest this accordingly. Result – we smash through and leave behind those self-limiting beliefs, enabling us to advance forward and expand our lives and our horizons.

INQUIRY: How often are you held back by a lack of self-belief and optimism? Without this thought, how much better would your life be? What more could you create and achieve?

ACTION: For the next thirty days, ‘allow’ yourself the benefit of feeling positive and abundant regarding your goals and determinations. If at any time you feel gripped by self-limiting beliefs, shove them aside and step into a place of creativity and opportunity. Open your heart and mind to the possibility of winning. Practice how it feels. If necessary, release attachment to outcome and simply trust in yourself and your environment. Notice how much more positive you feel. Continue putting this into practice and experience your life moving forward with opportunity and abundance.

Make A Habit To Allow The Opportunity To Trust In Yourself

Visit

http://www.rightlifecoaching.co.uk/ now for information on how to live a better life!

Best Wishes

Simon

Life-State - What Is It?

Essentially our lifestate is the moment-to-moment strength we have when dealing with everyday life. One moment we can be up, the next we can be down. For example, let's say we're in a rush to reach somewhere important and hit some traffic - for many of us that means our lifestate becoming one of anger - then we glance across at an Aston Martin joining the lane next to us - envy - the phone rings and it's someone form work informing us a tricky problem has just been solved - relief - steadily the traffic begins to disperse and for a few moments we let ourselves feel almost happy - then the phone rings again - this time it's our partner telling us our child has fallen ill at school and needs picking up - once again, our lifestate is on the move, and so it continues moment by moment.

When - as with the example above - we allow our environment to control our lifestate, we invite all manner of consequences ... We become dictated to by events ... We become attached to outcomes ... We become dependant on externals. In other words, when things are going well we're "happy", or so we believe, but when things are going not so well we're "unhappy". And when things get really tough, what do we do then? Hide ourselves away by doing something we shouldn't? Perhaps we rush out and get drunk, start smoking again, have a fling, change jobs, give someone a piece of our mind, lash out, go on a spending spree, etc. Typically these are reactions, albeit some more spontaneous than others. That's not to say they're inherently wrong per se - that's down to each individual's circumstances - but neither does it say they're right. What it does say is that we're allowing ourselves to suffer when our lifestate is low and we're kidding ourselves that the only way to escape all this is by seeking happiness outside ourselves. In other words, we tell ourselves the best way to beat the bad stuff is to reach out and grab some good stuff. And so the cycle continues ...

What's the solution? To make the determination to strengthen our lifestate and win in every moment no matter what. We achieve this by making fundamental changes to our way of being from the inside out. It's no good changing our environment - that will only lead to greater dependance. Instead, we must make the change from within. Everything we need is there already - all we need do is tap into it and take ownership and responsibility for each moment of our life. Only then can we move forward with true spirit and determination. That's not to say it's easy. Far from it in most cases, but the benefits are exponential. We even begin to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth - that's when we really know we're winning!

There is no short-cut to achieving change as sustainable as this - it builds over time. Yet it begins with the determination to win. I started this very same journey back in 2004 and have created a module specific to helping create this change. It provides genuine insight into how we can cut through the negative habits and patterns in our life to create a far greater existence for ourselves and others. Contact me on simon@rightlifecoaching.co.uk for more information.

INQUIRY: Look back over the last few weeks (and months if you prefer) at all the incidents that have sent you reeling from one emotional state to another - both good and not so good. How did you cope with them? Did you let them dictate to you, or did you claim ownership and win no matter what? What could you have done better?

ACTION: For the next month, beware of when you're allowing your environment to control you. Watch out for when you let the negative side of things get you down, and for when you cling to something positive in the hope it will make you feel better. If you find yourself bouncing from one lifestate to another then make a note of it - this means you're making steps in the right direction. When you're ready, contact simon@rightlifecoaching.co.uk to learn how to build on this and create a lifestate strong enough to withstand all challenges.

How To Stop Being Judgmental Of People And Situations

Personally, I find this a really difficult habit to break, because it’s so easy to judge a person or situation when I’m unsure of what’s really happening, e.g. a friend doesn’t call when they say they will, someone you’re meeting doesn’t turn up and you’re unable to contact them, you make a negative assessment of someone (or a situation) based on third party information, and so on. How easy is it to slander like this? All too easy, I think, because it’s human nature. And we can let it escalate by casting our mind back over all the occasions when this same person or organisation disappointed us before. Yet, how do we really know what’s going on behind the scenes, or what that person is going through, etc? In most cases we can’t, so we make a guess, otherwise known as a judgment. And all too often these are negative and slanderous, yet they’re often dumbfounded.

INQUIRY: How do we go about transforming this? Is it a case of getting in the routine of recognising when you’re doing it, and stopping it before it continues, i.e. letting go of the judgment and getting on with things?

For the next seven days, make a determination not to judge people and situations. That doesn’t mean adopting a carefree attitude, instead it means either releasing the whole process altogether, or replacing it with compassion and understanding. Have a look at where the other party is coming from? What are they going through?

Letting Go Of Providing An Answer For Everything

This is one of those really irritating habits that appears all too often, both when we pretend to know the answer (feeding our ego), and when we think we’re being helpful but know deep down we’re probably better off keeping quiet (another ego thing).

It’s definitely something I’ve been guilty of for years, and am only now beginning to quash. And I have to say that when I recognise it appearing, I get greater satisfaction in either remaining quiet, or saying something along the lines of “I don’t know.”

There’ll be more added to this shortly …

INQUIRY: How many occasions can you think of when you provided an answer, knowing it wasn’t the right thing to do. Were they with your partner, a friend, a colleague, or even someone you barely new? What would you do differently next time? Would you share the moment with them by just listening? Would you openly tell them you didn’t know the answer? Or would you do something else?

Let Go Of Attachment To Outcomes

I have to be honest and say I’m experimenting with this one, and because I’m currently no longer analysing things, I’m not yet sure where it’s leading me. All I do know is that I feel a lot “lighter, and less stressed. It’s a strange feeling, but one that feels right. In fact, it feels as though the attachment element was breeding worry and concern, and that by removing it, I’m placing trust and faith in the right outcome manifesting itself at the right time.It really is a strange feeling, and one that people I’ve been meeting of late are identifying with. Perhaps it’s a stepping stone to something.

On a personal note, I believe that by creating goals and determination driven with the right intentions, you’re more likely to release your attachment … have a think about this and list anything that comes to mind. How much has your perspective changed?

INQUIRY: List some goals and determinations (or whatever you prefer to call them), and ask yourself how attached you are to the outcome. Is it natural for you to attach yourself to the outcome? If so, look at the intentions behind one or two goals you want to achieve in the next few days … if those intentions are good, then have a go removing your attachment … just “let it be.” How does it feel?

Coming From The Heart

This is a topic I never would have approached in earnest a year ago, let alone at any other time in my life. Neither is it something that’s easy to share with just anyone – but I know it’s the right thing to be doing, so I’ll open it up with some questions and see what happens. I know that for those of you who connect with it, then great, and that for those of you who don’t, then that’s great too. This isn’t a lecture – it’s an observation shared.

INQUIRY: Ask yourself this one question: when you do or say something that comes from the heart, how does it make you feel? E.g. saying those three little words to your partner, taking care of your family, applying yourself to your work, etc.

Have a think about what all this means to you.

How much does it inspire you to develop and strengthen what you have?

ACTION: List all the words you associate with “coming from the heart.” What do the enable you to create and achieve? Make a list, then get out there and begin expressing them. If you feel uncomfortable, then push yourself just that little bit extra … see where it takes you, and what difference it makes.

Here are a few pointers: sincerity … honesty … trust … authenticity …

The Benefits Of REALLY Listening

How many times have you been interrupted by someone before you’ve had the time to finish what you’re saying? Quite a few, I bet. How does it make you feel? Ignored … annoyed … perhaps even furious at times? And how many times do you do the same by return? Ah, now you see, the boot’s on the other foot!

So why do we do it? Probably a whole host of reasons; we’re impatient; we like the sound of our own voice; we’re not really interested in what the other person has to say; and that’s just to begin with. If all our conversations were like this, then how much good would come of them? Not a lot. So what’s the answer? How about listening for a change? And letting the other person finish? How do we do that? We forget about ourselves for a moment and really pay attention to the person who’s speaking – not just their words, but their meaning, their emotion, and where applicable, their body language.

INQUIRY: How often do you get annoyed by others who interrupt you as described above? And how often are you guilty of the same by return? What are you creating when you give someone the opportunity to speak fully.

ACTION: This week, pay special attention to your conversations. Call a halt to interrupting people when they’re speaking. Notice how it feels. In a polite and courteous way, encourage those who normally interrupt you to do the same. Again, notice how it feels.

Gratitude Pt I

This is something I’ve again struggled with for years - taking too much (and too many people) for granted. Don’t get me wrong – it wasn’t a case of being dismissive of others and their support, not at all – it was more a case of not realising how “lucky” I was. I think more often than not I was grateful on the inside, but perhaps chose not to express it. Either way, my perception on this has totally transformed in the last year or so, and now I’m grateful for everything in my life. I even have gratitude for the challenges ahead, knowing that some will be easier to embrace than others, but knowing at the same time that each of them is an opportunity for growth.

Having discussed with various people the value of expressing gratitude, I’m aware of how much confusion – and sometimes distress – it causes. For some, it’s very difficult – illogical even - while for others it’s straightforward and easy. Think, for a moment, of how you feel toward your parents, your friends, your environment. Which of these sit uncomfortably, and which sit easily?

INQUIRY: Grab a piece of paper, and on one side list all the things you’re grateful for in your life. Now turn it over and list all the things you feel you should be grateful for. How much of a discrepancy is there?

ACTION: Have a look at these lists every day for a week, and express your gratitude for each and every thing on there. If you’d like to do it through prayer, then that’s great. If you’d like to do it through thought, then that too is great. Perhaps if there’s a particular person you feel gratitude toward, then how about finding a way to express; perhaps through one of the above or something more tangible like a phone call or email. Whatever you do, make a note of how it feels. And where is this gratitude coming from?