Conscious Leaders Salon

Success wi th H.E.A.R.T.™ Principle # 2: Take 10 - manage your (E)nergy over your time

My acronym HEART, includes (E) for energy. Inspired by Jim Loehr's "Power of Full Engagement" and the reminder to manage our energy over our time. The reminder to take (at least) 10 minutes each day for down time to just Be, re-energize and get in touch with You.

Down time to get in touch with your heart and intuition. Time to connect with your authentic self, nature, and relaxation. Time to ignite and maximize your creativity.

This may be 10 minutes to enjoy a slow breath, gaze out the window and just Be. With more time, you can budget in time for yoga, reading, music or a guided retreat.

I am enjoying time at my newly decluttered desk, by the window, to just breathe and enjoy the view.

How are you taking time for you? Please use the comments below to share.

Freedom of Choice! Most fun place you've taken your laptop! Photo share!

For me, freedom is about the power of choice. The right to live a life without oppression, in joy and good health.  The choice to live your life as you choose ... as long as it does not harm others.

While thinking about this I took time to look out the window, and noticed the beauty of the day.  After all, it was "sacred Friday," the day I try to take biz appointments off the schedule, renew and have FUN! Reminded me of some photos I'd recently enjoyed of a friend's office-by-the-sea.

So, I stepped outside to enjoy a moment in the fresh air. It was cooler and less humid than it's been for a few days, so I decided to enjoy the portability of my laptop and head outdoors. Remembering that one of the reasons I am in business for myself is because I want to choose when and where I work. One day, I want my office by the beach, and my laptop on the porch feeling the breeze.

Then I realized I would like to know how others enjoy the portability of their "office." So, share your comments, memories or photos of the most beautiful, creative places you've found to enjoy your freedom of choice while working. While here, I would also like to know what freedom means for you.

You can share below, or on Facebook

Here's to your joy and creativity!
Karen

Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom. - Albert Einstein

The Benefits of e-Coach Membership Programs

For me, it is all about freedom and affordability.  For most, it is virtual, using only the Internet to give and receive coaching.  Often, it involves a membership and little to moderately interactive coaching.  For many, it more resembles an e-Course.

The one thing that was missing for me in those formats was the real-time, authentic connection with a coach.  You know, the one-to-one coaching conversation with the person who listens and responds based on what you are saying and feeling.  The person dedicated to you and your success.  Not simply a virtual group coach, but a personal, private coach.

So, fast forward to March 2009 and a brief look at what I am creating.  I say creating because in true coach fashion I launch the program then let my fabulous members determine it’s growth and form.  I will start with a format that has worked for the few, and see what the many want to create.  Not a novel idea, just coaching in it’s purest form, i.e., listening, responding and letting the client lead.

So, what will my first e-Coach program look like when it gets started this March.  Let me share the foundational offering:

1. Your own Personal Coach: You will have access to me, an experienced ICF certified coach via unlimited email.  And, monthly, LIVE group coach calls.  Real-time. NOT autoresponders.  I read each email and return a personal, private response to whatever you present in each email.
   
2. Flexible schedule (you decide) - If you are like me, you wear many hats and me-time cannot always be the same each day or week.  So, I have created the program so you can spend time with workbook & fieldwork whenever it works for you, e.g., before work, after work, during lunch break, after you put the children to sleep.  Whenever you can put at least 30 minutes of focused attention to sit with the workbook and send me an email.  The only scheduled times are the monthly live group coaching calls.
3. Power of Collective Wisdom and Energy - You may already know that achieving a goal is easier when there is someone to hold you accountable, cheer you on, and celebrate each win - no matter how small. So, you will have access to three forms of members-only group support: 1) the live monthly group coaching calls that I lead 2) online community I facilitate  3) Optional Mastermind circles - virtual or by phone. 
4. Powerful Self-Coaching Tools & Resources - anytime access to self-assessments, recordings of all live calls, daily inspirational email, and the program workbook Art of Life Balance with H.E.A.R.T.™
5. Accountability - If you are like me, I stay on track when someone asks me, "So, how's it going?"  "Have any questions?"  "Can I help?"  To answer these calls I have created optional weekly-check-in forms - which you will receive by email once each week.  You will have the option to reflect on or write your responses and return to me for review and response.  And, if you join a mastermind group, they may also help to inspire you and keep you on track.
6. Affordability - Often times, you tell yourself "I can't afford a private coach" or "Why would I pay for a coach when I have friends and family?"  Well, if you are still questioning your success, struggling with overwhelm or wishing for more, a coach may be just what you need.  Since I know the value of a coach, and the group, I want to share this with you.  In this case, the power of the group makes it possible for me to offer the same quality of coaching tools and services at a fraction of my usual coaching fees. And when I say fraction I mean fraction.  Actually, because I am so excited about the possibility of this program the launch-price will come out to less than $2.00 a day.
7. Terms - You may already know that true change does not happen in less than 21 days, and creating the new, more successful you will take at least 90 days (no matter how wonderful you already are). Most memberships are for 12 months, but since I believe in flexibility and affordability, I created this program in six month modules.  If it is working for you, and you want to move from surviving to thriving, and a life of passion, prosperity and balance, you can renew every six months.  And, if it is not working for you, drop out within the first 30 days for a full refund - and keep the e-Workbook chapters you have already received.

If you want to know more about me or my e-Coach program, better yet, if you realize that you've run out of excused for hiring a coach, visit my web site page Conscious Living e-Coach Circle.

I'd love to hear about your experiences with an e-Coach, and why or why not participate in an e-Coach membership.  Your feedback helps to create the optimum coaching program for you and others.  Please share feedback in the comment section , or email me directly (click the email button top left of this page).  And, if you like what you read, tell your friends to come visit.

For now, make it a great day!
And, remember to breathe!

Live Your Life With K.I.S.S.™

This came to me while contemplating much-needed self-care time.  Work was going well, but success was starting to take it's toll. I thought about how busy I'd gotten and how I needed to take time for myself.  Walk the talk of life coaching and balance.

That's when it came to me to combine work and me-time.  Next, my mind was filled with planning a retreat.  Soon, I realized I was thinking too much and needed to take my own advice. Stop, Breathe, Think, then Act.

I took a figurative step away from my mind and a long, slow, deep breath - focusing on the out breath.  As I stayed with my breath and began to relax I reminded myself that I needed to make this simple so it would feel like joy versus work.  That's when this thought came to me, k.i.s.s., which usually means keep it simple stupid.  All the slow breathing and relaxing made me feel light and bright, so the usual k.i.s.s. acronym wasn't doing it for me.  That's when the new one came to me: 

K.I.S.S.™  (Keep It Simple & Sacred)

It came to me and it felt good, so I started to say it more often.  Then I started to include it in my tweets and Facebook status updates.  Folks liked it, so now, I'm using it more often.  Making it my mantra to live and work by.

Practice K.I.S.S.:

Keeping it simple and sacred can mean taking a breath to bring me back to the present moment, talking less and listening more, complimenting versus complaining, sharing hugs (virtual or real), taking imperfect action, letting someone in front of you (on a line or while driving), remembering to say "Thank You" or "I'm sorry" ... not making too much of anything, unless it's joyful.

Walking the talk to K.I.S.S.™ means now that I've communicated my thoughts on this I'm going to keep this simple and end this blog here.  I believe you've gotten the point.

What would be more valuable now, is to hear your thoughts on how you simplify your life and create simple, sacred moments.  Please share your comments below.  And, feel free to make K.I.S.S.™ your mantra.

With joy,

Life Coach Karen

The Conscious Living Coach

www.kdmcmillan.com

p.s. I combined my desire to get back into my friends & photography with this blog.  This photo is from a rainy day with a friend at the Stowe Botanical Garden, N.C.

Visit my web site and sign-up for the simple daily Conscious Living Wisdom quotes delivered to your email.

Creating Life Balance With H.E.A.R.T.™ - 5 Guiding Principles

Balance is not simply a noun, referring to scales and measures, or the remainder.  Neither is it static, a state we achieve or a place we arrive.  It is very much a verb, reminding us of elements in motion working to regain or maintain equilibrium.  Like riding a bike, we maintain our balance by creating momentum and moving forward - keeping upright, staying poised as we travel the paths of our lives ... creating a surplus and abundance. 

When we speak of balance, we are referring to the life elements of mind (mental), body (physical), emotion and spirit.  Like on a bike, if any of these elements is out of balance we have a bumpy ride.  It is important to note that when we speak of balance we are not talking about time or equality.  There is not scale that says each element of our lives gets equal time.

Balance is unique for each of us.  How do you define balance in your life?  How do you know when you are in or out of balance?  And, how do you create and maintain balance?  The answers to these questions are unique to you.  This is most easily recognized when we speak spiritual balance.  This balance is found in traditional religious practice, yoga and mediation, or a walk in nature. 

Five guiding principles for creating balance with H.E.A.R.T.:

1. Honor Thy-self: authenticity,living and Being the real you
2. Energy: energy not time is the key to balance. when considering time, Be in the present
3. Abundance: building wealth with an attractive mind-set
4. Renewal: giving and receiving in balance
5. Trust: yourself, your intuition; transform fears and negative self-talk

My coaching clients that have found success in creating life balance remembered these things.  I have phrased them as affirmations:

• Give myself permission to move at my own pace.  There is no right or wrong.  My commitment to self is the first, best step I can take on this journey.  Be sure to congratulate myself and celebrate this invaluable first step.

• Take time with each step and make it part of your daily practice building – include time to celebrate each little step forward.  You will experience greater success.

• Realize this is my journey, which means I am in the driver’s seat and can go at whatever pace works best for me.  I may not always take a straight course, and this is OK.   Life happens, so I may stop to rest, enjoy the view or take extra time to practice what I learn.  As long as I am committed and moving forward, I am moving in the right direction.

Mostly, this is about creating consciousness in your life.  Being aware, coming off of unconscious autopilot and into awareness.  Living your life with clarity and intention.

Make time to practice being aware without judgment - and, celebrating your choice to take this all important step to intentionally create your life of balance and success.

For now, remember to Stop, Breathe and Think (be aware) before you Act.  Being intentional in all you do.

If you wish to put this philosophy into practice, with coach support, I invite you to sign up for my complimentary seven (7) week e-course.  For each of seven weeks, this coaching will come directly to your email inbox.  Visit www.kdmcmillan.com to sign up.

Creating balance is also about community support.  I'd love to hear your unique perspective on identifying, creating and maintaining balance.  Please share your comments below (click on comment and share your uniqueness)

Life Coach Karen