Category Archives: Uncategorized

Life is Like a Camera

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lifecamera

I originally posted this in 2014… Because of the discouragement and confusion I have been hearing from some of my clients, I decided it was worth sending this message out again… May you all choose happiness and joy… it is out there for you…

Recently, a client shared this anonymous quote with me and I just had to share it with you:  “Life is like a camera; focus on what’s important, capture the good times, develop the negatives, and if things don’t work out, take another shot.”  I love the metaphor and vivid reminder that there are always choices and opportunities in life… happiness is really a choice.

What does being happy and successful mean to you?  

Many of you may remember Steve Jobs’ message, “…Don’t waste your time living someone else’s life- follow your dreams and passions…”  And yet, I see many people doing just that- working at a job they don’t like, doing what they feel they “should” as opposed to what they want, feeling stressed, and stuck in a rut.  Sound familiar?

In The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying, Bronnie Ware, a palliative care nurse, recorded her patients’ biggest regrets in a blog:

  1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
  2. I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.
  3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
  4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
  5. I wish I’d let myself be happier.

Deep down, I believe we all know what’s really important in life, but often we get caught up in the “shoulda, coulda, have to’s and must do’s” that society dictates will bring us success.  But at what cost? It saddens me to read that 80% of Americans are unhappy with their jobs! Why waste 40-60 hours a week doing something you hate? Take a good look at your life now. Are you stuck on a treadmill you think you can’t get off? Are you ready to redefine success and happiness and live a life true to yourself?

What’s your dream?

Imagine living a life you love- doing work that’s meaningful where you’re valued and appreciated…sharing work and life with people you care about who are being true to themselves. It’s possible! You can create a life around your passions and dreams.  Sure, it takes courage, perhaps shifting your mindset, or working on self limiting beliefs… and yes, there will be challenges and obstacles, but you always have choices and choices are always better than regrets.

If you’re unhappy or feel stuck in your current situation, if you’re unemployed or underemployed, and you’re ready to see what else is possible, I have a super special offer for you! (details below) Together, we’ll craft a strategy to attract more of what you want, define happiness on your terms, and create your own personal road map for success.  Sound good?

Special Offer- *50% off Career and Life Coaching with Clare!

The first 5 people who respond to this email will receive coaching with me at half my regular (unemployed) rate! Why am I offering to coach people at half price?  Mostly, because I’ve seen it make a difference and I’m committed to helping people find work (and a life) they love; it’s my passion and brings me joy... plus recent research has shown that coaching helps job seekers find work faster by providing emotional support, objective feedback and accountability that keeps their motivation and momentum strong. It’s a win-win!

So, what do you really, really want?  And what are you waiting for?  It’s your life, and you can make it work!  I can’t wait to work with you!

SAVE 50%*
For the first 5 people to respond to this email! Coaching with Clare @ $40/hour!  (Regular rate is $80/hour for unemployed job seekers) 

Conditions:  You must commit to a minimum of 3 months or at least 6 one hour coaching sessions, meeting weekly or every other week and agree to these terms by signing my coaching agreement.  I will send the coaching agreement to all 5 of you ahead of time so you can review it in case you have questions.

Offer Expires: August 25, 2017

The Upside of Procrastination

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The Upside of Procrastinationprocrastination

Instead of seeing procrastination as a terrible thing, I now see it as a tool that helps me learn how I work best. Here are six different reasons why we seem to procrastinate…

and a few tips on what you can learn from (and do for) each.

Reason 1: You are procrastinating because you don’t enjoy the entire task or job.

Solution: One of my life coaches told me several years ago that if I didn’t like doing something, I should “delete it, delegate it, or automate it.” What a great way to look at things! I’m a big fan of ONLY doing tasks I enjoy or am good at. The rest I give to people who are good at it and/or enjoy it. (If you can’t afford to hire someone, try bartering.)

Reason 2: You are procrastinating because you don’t enjoy a PART of the entire task or job.

Solution: If you’re putting off a whole project just because there’s one part you don’t want to do, figure out how you can get away without doing that part. Again, delete it, delegate it, or automate it.  Or, if applicable, ask a friend to do it with you; teamwork helps!

Reason 3: You are procrastinating because you don’t know how to handle the task or job.

Solution: The answer will not drop in your lap. Get help — a friend, co-worker, or family member to teach you how, a book or home study course to show you how, or give it to someone who can do it for you.

Reason 4: You are procrastinating because you simply can’t find the time.

Solution: Schedule future time to do it, or get rid of other tasks to create the time you need. If you still can’t do this, and timeliness is important, then find someone to do it for you.  I put everything on my calendar, in time, so if the day is full, the item goes to an open day.  And I try to space projects out so I don’t have too many going at once.

Reason 5: You are procrastinating because you feel stuck.

Solution: You may just need to jump start your momentum. Give yourself permission to do just one small part of the project. Or do the easiest part first to get you on a roll. This usually creates momentum, and you end up doing a lot more than you intended to! I have some coaching buddies who I’ll call sometimes for a “Do It Now” session, usually 3 hours…we call each other at the top of the hour and say what we’re going to accomplish; then we report back on our progress each hour…again, teamwork works for me!

Reason 6: You are procrastinating because you don’t really want to do what you thought you should do.

Solution: This means you may have the wrong objective or strategy in the first place! Is this something you really want to do, or do you just think you SHOULD do it? Or is it an old goal that doesn’t fit you anymore? Your answer may surprise you. Let the goal go for awhile and see what happens. Maybe this is someone else’s goal, not yours and you now have free time to do something you want to do!
Start Paying Attention!procrastinationchart

Once you start paying attention to which activities you put off regularly, you’ll know sooner when to be stricter with yourself or find help to get those tasks accomplished in a more timely manner. So take a minute and make your list right now of what tasks you’ve been putting off! Don’t beat yourself up about it, just make a note and figure out how to get them done. (Or delete them and find an alternative to help you reach the same goal.)

Hope these tips help you find peace with your procrastination:)

(This is adaption from one of my previous coaches…)

Let Your Passion Bloom

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“Don’t worry what the world needs.  Ask what makes you come alive and do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” -Howard Thurman

Passion is defined as a compelling emotion or intense enthusiasm, but it’s so much more…it drives us and propels us towards life’s larger purpose.  It is where we find our uniqueness and what gives our life meaning.  Often we’re so busy with our “to do” lists, we forget what really matters to us.  As a coach, I have clients who tell me they’ve never thought about who they really are, what they really want or what ignites them.

How can you find your passion?503bf0f9-d71b-49b8-ad5e-5c57f53a91c6

For many, it’s a calling, something they’re drawn to and love doing, and it comes
naturally.  For others, it’s a hint, a feeling, or something you notice that emerges slowly, like a seed that if cultivated, will grow and bloom.  If you’d like to rediscover or unveil your passion, start by answering these 5 questions:

1- What did I like to do as a child?

Did you like to do art projects, read, act, organize others in games?  What did you get absorbed in and get lost in?

2- What could you talk about for hours on end?

What subjects rev you up, give you energy, or get you going on a rant?  What really matters to you?  Justice, family, the arts or science?  What’s your favorite subject?

3- What would people close to you say you were awesome at?

What are you known for?  For me it’s food and just about everyone knows I love to bake!  I’ve been making cookies since I was a little girl and I look for every opportunity to share them with friends, family, and clients.  What is it for you?  Look to your natural strengths and interests; what do others say you’re good at?

4- What could you do all day and never notice the time go by?

What hobbies do you get immersed in so much that you avoid doing your Power Point presentation or accounting paperwork?  Again, it’s food for me and also connecting with people, sharing an idea, a concert, or movie…explore your go-to activities and notice next time you’re happily absorbed in something.

5- If money and time weren’t an issue, and you knew you could only succeed, what would you do?

50b9bde9-67f7-424c-b733-a04ef168cb1aWhat have you thought about doing, or said you’d do when you retire?  Write a book, travel for a year, start a business?  Let your subconscious guide you here and know that your first answers may not show up as a fiery passion…keep asking and listening…the answers will come.

Uncovering your passion(s) takes practice, like anything else.  Start with these questions to help clarify your values and what you want, identify fears and obstacles that might get in the way, and bring those passions back to life!

If you’d like to rediscover your passions, join me on Friday, March 10 from 12:30-2 pm for a Discover Your Passions session in Acton…To register and for details, simply reply to this email by March 8th.

Warmly,

Clare