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Articles & Publicity>
EWN Newsletter: "Go Big" in 2008!
1 Dec 2007
As 2007 comes to an end, I would like to suggest to all of my associates to "Go Big" in 2008! My mission is to help women do what they love and love what they do; to truly be passionate about their work and their lives. One of the things I love most about my work as a professional coach is challenging clients to "go big" when pursuing their passions. Going big means letting yourself go for what you really want. It could be making a dramatic career shift, launching your own business, moving to your favorite vacation spot, volunteering in Africa, adopting a child (all things my courageous clients have done!). The specifics are not important – it's the energy behind the action that matters. You know you're going big when you feel really excited and really scared. It's knowing exactly what you are meant to do even if you have no idea how you'll do it. Here's how to help yourself go big in your own life…
Getting clear: The most basic and powerful question we use in coaching is "what do you want?" The answer becomes the guiding force for our actions. We often get tripped up by this question because we've convinced ourselves that we don't know what we want, we don't deserve it, we're too old, it's too risky – the list goes on. Going big means asking and answering from your gut.
Supersize it: I regularly ask my clients to fantasize about what they want. I might say, "On a scale of 1-10, what would be the 42?" - the ultimate. It's often impossible to go big unless you imagine what you want without restriction – if time, money, support and resources are all available to you. Think about what you will regret not doing before you die. When we let ourselves go to the ultimate, we can then strategize from the place of what we actually want.
Bring fear along for the ride: Fear is a natural part of going big. It's tells us we are actually doing something powerful and meaningful. One of the best ways to manage fear is to let it be part of the process rather than trying to avoid it. When I work with clients, I actually teach them how to disconnect from their fear so that they can hear it, learn from it and continue to move forward. Ask yourself "what am I really afraid of and what can I do to help myself with this concern?" Often we need support, assistance, different beliefs or different habits. Our fear can actually teach us how to make going big easier.
Taking action: Once we know the big thing we want, it's time to take action. My preference is to get into action right away by simply focusing on your first step. If you're starting a business, ask someone to be your first client. If you're planning a move, schedule a trip to look at property. Coming up with a specific action with a specific deadline is crucial. I recommend starting with steps that can be taken within a week's time and getting support and accountability from someone who cares. It's also important to break your goal down, set yourself up for early success, consider how you can make the process easy and fun and build in reward and celebration. With faith and commitment, your big dream will become your reality…and you will be transformed in the process!!
COURTNEY PARKS, MA, CPCC 2008 © Courtney Parks
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