Connect the Dots

Do you ever get the feeling that your life is filled with a jumbled mix of events, challenges and experiences? Is there any connection to each of these things? Lately, I have been asking myself if I can see connection to all the things I choose to do in my life.

There are some basic themes that I am well aware of. But, sometimes there are little things in my life that I am not sure exactly why I placed them there.

One thing I have found helpful is to really look at all the things I have brought into my life and question if I see any “themes” presenting themselves. Is my life connected, or is it filled with relationships and tasks that don’t necessarily have meaning?

Lately, I have seen more connectedness to my choices even when I did not really think some of them out. This past week I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by a volunteer position that I took on with the Junior League. I wondered why I had made a choice to be a co-chair of a committee that requires a fair amount of work when I am a single mom and self employed. (What the heck was I thinking?) While I was lamenting this, a quick insight popped in and I realized that the program I am helping organize with Junior League aligns with my higher life purpose.

The program that I assist with is called, Especially Me. It is a self esteem program for girls ages 9 to 12. My purpose with my career is to help women who are struggling with relationships and career and want a balanced and empowered life. The Especially Me program is designed to help empower young girls with information about puberty and their own abilities to make positive choices. So as I connect my dots, it helps me to accept and engage in this volunteer position.

It is a great question to ask oneself if all the tasks, roles and relationships in your life, align with your values, purpose and desires. Asking yourself what your motivation is behind activities and events is a powerful way to discover if you are engaging in things that matter to you.

What dots connect for you? And are there some meaningless meandering dots that simply don’t fit and could be removed?

While being a volunteer for Junior League isn’t always my favorite thing to do (sorry to my fellow volunteers!) I can’t help forget the face of a 10 year old girl this summer when she handed me proudly a homemade gift she made at the conclusion of our Especially Me class. She was a great reminder that I am connecting my dots and making a difference not only to her, but to my own values.

See what momentum you have created. Do the dots connect? If so…celebrate and enjoy! If not…make the changes that lead you to living a life of your own choosing. If you don’t connect the dots, no one else will.

Sandra Wood is founder and owner of Inner Path Coaching, LLC. She coaches women who are struggling with relationships and career and want a balanced and empowered life.

Technorati Tags:Life Coaching, Life Choices, Life Purpose, Junior League, Especially Me, Womens Empowerment, Self Esteem

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What Most Life Coaches Won’t Tell You

I have spent my entire life being the kind of person that says things she probably shouldn’t say, who often talks too much, and discloses much personal information. However, with that flaw, has come a great gift, I am willing to talk about things that many people hide and pretend don’t exist.

What most Life Coaches won’t tell you is that they struggle profoundly with all the same life issues that their clients do. Most Life Coaches have amazing gifts in awareness, intuition and practical approaches to everyday problems. THAT is great! However, it doesn’t mean that they don’t struggle with depression, self judgment, relationship problems or financial issues of their own. I have always felt open to my clients in sharing my experiences, but I never wanted to convey many of my struggles for I did not want them to think I was incompetent.

As I sat with a young client of mine earlier this week, she shared her reluctance to end our coaching sessions as she was unsure of how to keep the positive momentum going without coaching. I realized that it was important for me to help her continue to create support in her life. I offered her a lower coaching rate to work with her budget, to help her keep the feeling of support in her life. As I sat and talked with her, I realized that I had not created the same thing for myself.

One of the gifts of being a coach is that you have an opportunity to grow in all the ways that you see your clients growing. I used to think that I had to be perfect and have a complete handle on all the things my clients presented me with. Well……this was unrealistic and I put far too much pressure on myself with these thoughts.

After meeting with my young client, I started to re-evaluate the support I have in my life. I realized that I had neglected myself. Independence and self sufficiency is a powerful tool and important for us all, however learning to create support that works takes tenacity and a deepened sense of self appreciation and love.

Frankly, it takes a ton of tenacity and an intelligent mind to stay in the field of personal growth in general. For me, I am allowing myself the freedom to truly let others know that while I think I am amazing at what I do with people, I am still challenged in my own life.

I know for me, being honest about my imperfections and the pitfalls of being a coach is a way for me to embrace my challenges while not hiding them from those that truly do care. And perhaps this actually helps others realize that we ALL are imperfect, we all struggle, and that sharing how we deal with our challenges is the most helpful thing of all.

Sandra is founder and owner of Inner Path Coaching, LLC. She coaches people though life challenges and inspires individuals to travel their inner path where healthy change and balanced living is achieved.

Technorati Tags:Life Coaches, Depression, Personal Growth, Self Growth

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