People who make a difference

Lara Masse, Higher Ground Coaching in Edmonton, Alberta (http://www.highergroundcoaching.ca) is a professional who makes a difference. The spirit of giving is a fundamental belief of Lara’s and is evident through the way in which Lara works with others, and shares her knowledge. The spirit of giving can be so broad, for example, giving can be the gift of sharing your knowledge, talent or skills with others, or providing extra value in what you do. I was grateful to receive the gift of her expertise as she provided valuable guidance on branding and promotional displays for business.

This week, I invite you to seek opportunities to inspire the spirit of giving in your workplace, team or community.

Let’s make it a great year!

Charmaine

Stop Getting In Your Way- do the turn around

Sometimes it is not the people who get in our way that is our barrier, it is us getting in our own way of success. Consulting and facilitating with hundreds of workplaces and teams over the past few years, I have seen this time and time again…people getting in their own way…and sometimes blaming others. One example of getting in our own way is following the negative thoughts and beliefs we have instead of dealing with them, or changing them.

Manage the Inner Critic:

It’s no secret… we all talk to yourself, mainly through the chatter that goes on in our heads. Often the inner chatter is like a movie playing over and over again, mostly without our awareness that it is even switched on. Sometimes it may feel more like a dialogue that is happening in your mind. Once we become aware of our thoughts, it is easier to turn them off.

Inner chatter sounds like this:

“I am not good at that”

“I’m not good enough”

“I know I can’t do that, so why try”

“I’m not smart enough”

These statements and self limiting beliefs that play over in our mind diminish our confidence, and our esteem. These beliefs and thoughts stop us from achieving, discourage us from taking risks, and create detours and distractions from our goals.

Replace the Thoughts- do the turn around

Replace the negative thoughts and chatter with supportive and empowering thoughts. Instead of “I’m not good enough, replace it with “I am good enough” or “I am skilled at this” or “I can and will do this.”.

Once you become aware of the thoughts, you are better able to reflect upon what is triggering the thoughts, and then of course deal with that. Also when you are aware of the thoughts you can easily do the turn around, change the thought from negative to empowering.

If you are in conversation with someone and you find your mind wandering to negative thoughts or beliefs about that person, try doing the turn around and see how it can positively impact the outcome of your dialogue.

Vision Board Your Future

Imagine this… it is one year from now and everything you hoped would unfold in your life has unfolded. You enjoyed a successful year, met your goals and had a lot of fun in the process! A vision board and goal action planner is one tool to help your dreams become your reality.

A vision board is a graphic visual image(s) of your goals, and an image describing your visualization of your goals, dreams and aspirations. A vision board is typically created on a poster board on which you paste or collage images (that you’ve torn out from various magazines or created yourself) or placed in a photo album, binder or scrapbook which is called a vision book. It is a creative way of visually charting your goals, aspirations and future and creating a stronger sense of clarity.

The purpose of vision boards is that when you surround yourself with images/words/symbols and colours that represent who you want to become, your goals and aspirations, what you want to have, where you want to live, or where you want to vacation, the images create a stronger sense of connection with the goal and the end results you desire. It is also said that your life changes to match those images and those desires represented on the vision board.

Sometimes when we reflect upon our dreams, aspirations and goals, they are not crystal clear. The vision board creates that clarity and also etches the image in your mind (like a mental digital photo) along with the corresponding emotion that would occur when you attain your desire. A vision board helps to make your visualized future indelible in your mind.

May your future unfold as you picture it to be… or something better…. Enjoy!

GPS Your Best Life™ Vision Board Workshop

Taking You From Where You Are to Where You Want To Be

Join Charmaine Hammond & Debra Kasowski (authors of GPS Your Best Life ™)

to Dream Big and Live Bigger!

We have scheduled two GPS Your Best Life Workshops for you to choose from - YOUR CHOICE.

Thursday February 25, 2010 OR Monday March 8, 2010

Time: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Edmonton Location: Alb. Teacher’s Association

Vision Board Your Future!

Dream It…Believe It…Achieve It… Live It!

Do you have a difficult time gaining clarity about what you want in life? Discover how you can get a clearer picture about what you want and learn ways in which you can achieve them. Use this simple yet powerful technique to help you visualize and keep focused on what would give you ultimate fulfillment.

$79.99 Share the experience with your friends, bring two friends, and your registration is half price. Register Quickly- Space is limited. Contact Charmaine: 780-464-3828 (Charmaine@hammondgroup.biz) or Debra 780-819-3891 to register.

People Who Make a Difference in Life!

Who are the people that make a difference in your life? The quiet champions that support you no matter what? The colleagues that generously share their gifts of experience? I have decided to start to reflect upon the people who make a difference in our lives.

When you give first and share always, I have found that the gifts always seem to find their way back to you. This week is Kindness Week, I encourage you to reach out and connect with individuals that have made a difference in your life. Kindness is contagious, pass it on!

Today the person who made a difference in our life is Bob Hooey, known as Bob The Idea Man Hooey. I met Bob through CAPS (Canadian Association of Professional Speakers) . Bob practices give first and share always, and is so very generous with his innovative ideas, and creative solutions!

Find Bob at http://www.ideaman.net

Let’s make it a great week!

Your best life!

When you hear the phrase Your Best Life, what resonates for you? Think about your best life in terms of family and friendship…what does that look like. How about your best life, in terms of work or business? When thinking about the future…what does your best life look like?

My colleague Debra Kasowski and I are writing a book GPS Your Best Life - Taking You From Where You Are To Where You Want To Be.

In January 2010 Debra and I hosted Align Your Passion, Purpose & Power for 2010, featuring NY Times Best Selling Author Janet Attwood, who wrote The Passion Test. Sharing the stage with Janet was a privilege as was witnessing the excitement in the audience as they worked through the Passion Test to discover their true life passions and purpose.

We look forward to providing you tips and strategies to live your best life! Until next time… let’s make it a great year!

Charmaine

Act to Achieve in 2010

2010 is here, with lots of exciting projects on the horizon. What is your most memorable event or experience in 2009? What is your big audacious goal for 2010? Action is one of the most important ways to make your goals become your reality. Without clarity on the goal, and action towards the goal, you may find it difficult to achieve.

Need some tips on staying motivated and taking daily steps towards your goals?

1. Keep an IMA- inspired mental attitude. Your mindset and attitude are essential ingredients in motivation. When you associate with likeminded and positive people, your IMA increases. You will feel energized and want to work toward your goals.

2. Seek ways to make a difference- at home, at work, in your community! When we strive to help, support, and give to others, we set the ball in motion to receive. Look for opportunities to pay it forward. You will be rewarded in many folds. Give of yourself first!

3. Health - Eat a healthy breakfast. Be more conscientious of the foods you choose. Exercise for strength and tone. Ensure that you get enough sleep every night. When we physically take care of our bodies, our minds work more effectively and we have the physical energy to take the steps to maintain motivation.

4. Mindset - More confident and more accepting of one's self. You possess great amounts of knowledge and you have an expertise to share with others. Mentor someone and watch them grow.

5. Focus on gratitude. Celebrate successes. Keep track of your strengths, talents, and accomplishments. Write down what you are grateful for each day.

6. Schedule some “Me” Time. Listen to your favorite music. Clear your mind by spending some time gardening. Visit a friend. Go for a picnic in the park.

7. Know what makes you tick. When you are aware of your internal motivators, you can seek out situations and people to support you! As well, know what zaps your energy and motivation and either complete those tasks/responsibilities first, or better yet, avoid them if you can.

8. Getting Unstuck! When you are feeling stuck, or it is difficult to get motivated, simply choose one task to do, or one step to take. No matter how small the step, you are moving and that is what counts!

9. Empty Nest Phase- Time to renew one self. Renew relationships or build new ones. Start doing some of the things you have put aside due to family obligations or work. Children are more independent. Return to past favorite hobbies or try new things. Take a course. Travel. Go golfing. Take time for yourself.

10. Share Your Experiences and Feelings with a Trusted Friend. When we share our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors with others, we begin to realize that we are not the only ones experiencing these events in our life.

By: Debra Kasowski & Charmaine Hammond

Authors of GPS Your Best Life-Taking You From Where You Are To Where You Want To Be.

Haiti Relief

This past weekend I had the honour of participating in a fundraising event for Haiti Relief at La Piazza Dasee (http://www.dasee.ca) in Edmonton. The organizing group put this incredible event together in only two weeks. Local businesses donated gifts for the silent auction that raised money for Haiti relief, and the Government of Canada matched the amount raised. Being there for four hours volunteering with many others was wonderful, the energy was high and in addition to businesses, musicians, and individuals giving their time and expertise, people connected and met new friends through this event. “Nothing great has ever been accomplished without enthusiasm”. (Ralph Waldo Emerson). Kudos to Piazza Dasee, the event planning team, local businesses, volunteers and every person that came to the event or supported it in some way. Together in partnership we can Make a Difference!

Wrap up the Event

I can’t believe that three weeks ago was our event with the incredible Justin Hines and Janet Attwood. The Align Your Passion, Purpose & Power for 2010 event was a success! Justin Hines performed a concert for the VIP Ticket Holders and Sponsors- it was fabulous. Justin’s music is inspiring and reminds us of the importance of living authentically, staying true to your values, and connecting with others in a meaningful way. Janet Attwood walked us through The Passion Test, and facilitated the audience in discovering their true passions. As people connected with their passions, there was excitement to continue exploring the steps to live their passion. Janet has a unique ability to facilitate connections with people in a powerful way. I presented my signature story, Igniting Resilience. It was an honor to share the stage with Janet.