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Living the Creative Life: Issue 93
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Sharon Good
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May 28, 2007 14:48 PDT
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"Living the Creative Life" is published every 6 to 8 weeks. You are
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LIVING THE CREATIVE LIFE
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For Creative People
and Those Who Want To
Live Their Lives Creatively
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May 2007 ~ ~ ~ Issue 93
In this issue ~~
* Opening Notes
* Feature Article: WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE A CHANGE?
* Action Challenge
* Wise Words
* Bookshelf
* NEW BOOK: "A Journal for Tortoises"
* Upcoming Classes with Sharon
- In NYC: Coaching Classes at NYU
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OPENING NOTES
Every spring, when the weather gets better, I get out and walk around my
neighborhood. And every spring, I notice changes: old shops and
restaurants are gone and new ones have sprung up in their place.
There used to be a time when life was pretty predictable, but no more.
We all have to deal with change on a daily basis.
Change can be disconcerting, especially when it comes so fast and
furious. I hope you'll find the tips in this article useful for helping
you navigate the waters of change in your life!
Creatively yours,
Sharon
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WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE A CHANGE?
There are many times in our lives when, by choice or necessity, we make
a change. The change may be an exciting one or a challenging one. Either
way, we're creatures of habit, and often change can take some effort.
In today's world, change is a given. It's often thrust upon us, whether
we like it or not. Many of us change jobs every 2 to 3 years, if not
more often. The store that we've shopped at consistently for decades
suddenly closes, and we need to find new outlets. With each change, our
routines are thrown into upheaval, and we need to adapt.
There are also times when we *want* to make a change. We may know we
want the change, but not what direction it should take. Even if we know,
maybe we don't know how to go about it, or it's scary. With the constant
change we face these days, we may simply be in "change overload."
With so much change out of our control, it seems we need to be ready to
change directions at all times. When it's possible, choosing change
before it's thrust upon us, and preparing for the change, can alleviate
much of the fear and uncertainty.
Here are a few steps you can take when change is on the horizon:
* Find the passion.
Perhaps you hate your job, but you don't know what else you could do.
Finding something you're passionate about is great fuel for change. If
you're going toward something that's meaningful and exciting to you,
you're more likely to weather the ups and downs of change.
* Tap into your courage.
Any change, whether chosen or imposed, takes courage. You're moving into
new, unknown territory. Even if it's an exciting change, there will be
unknown factors and new challenges. Remember, courage is not the absence
of fear, but the ability to face the fear and move ahead anyway.
* Get clarity and focus.
It's important to be clear about the change you want to make and the
direction you want to go. Many people want a new career, to move to a
new location, or to enter into a new relationship, but they're not clear
about what that will look like. If you're not sure what you want,
chances are you'll be more frightened and even reluctant to take steps
in the direction you think you want to go. When you've done the
soul-searching and the research, and you're clear about your direction,
you're much more likely to move forward with confidence and motivation.
* Be willing to take a calculated risk.
Any change requires some risk. In order to swing to the next trapeze,
the trapeze artist has to, at some point, let go of the first one. I'm
not advocating taking a blind leap. If you do your preparation and feel
confident that you're moving in the right direction, it's easier to take
a well-prepared leap of faith.
* Create a new habit.
When we do something repeatedly, we create pathways in the brain,
similar to the ruts that wagon wheels make in dirt roads. When you make
a change, you're creating new pathways. Left to our own devices, we'll
generally default to the familiar "ruts." Creating new habits takes
conscious, repeated effort. You need to become conscious about
reinforcing the new habit, and then do it over and over until it becomes
the new default path.
* Be willing to change yourself.
Many people want big changes in their life, but they don't want to
change themselves or their lifestyles. If you want your life to change,
you need to look at what you need to *do* differently and how you need
to *be* differently, in order to bring that change into your life. You
need to, as they say, "be the change you want."
* Be patient and persistent.
Change takes time. It may be awhile before we achieve our objectives. We
may fall back into our old, familiar habits before the new habits take
hold. Keep up your efforts on a regular basis for however long it takes.
If you "fall off the wagon," dust yourself off and get back on track.
* Let go of the past.
To make a change, you need to create out of who you're becoming, rather
than who you've been. Your change may not make sense -- becoming an
actor after spending time and money on law school isn't logical, but it
may be exactly what your soul is calling you to do. Keep your eye on
your vision, rather than your history.
* Try new things.
Be willing to experiment. Each experiment may not succeed, but you'll
learn from each one and have more clarity about where you really want to go.
* Create a safe haven.
If you have a lot of change in your life, it's reassuring and grounding
to have at least one area that remains constant. For me, it's my
apartment of 30 years, which has been my anchor through many career
changes. For you, it may be your job, your family, your friends, your
hobbies or your spirituality.
* Just start.
You don't have to know where you're going to take the first steps. Once
you get on the path, new pathways will open up to you that you couldn't
see when you were standing at square one. It's helpful to start out with
a game plan, but give yourself the freedom and flexibility to explore
those new opportunities, rather than rigidly sticking to your plan.
Change can be both exciting and challenging. Try some of the strategies
above. Be patient and persistent. In time, you'll surely get to enjoy
the fruits of your work!
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ACTION CHALLENGE
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In what area of your life would you like to make a change? Take some
time to write or journal your vision – the new reality you would like to
create. Now, look at the article above. Which of the strategies is most
challenging for you? What can you do to strengthen yourself in that
area? Where can you find support?
WISE WORDS
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"We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are."
~ Max De Pree, "Leadership Is an Art"
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0385512465/sharongoodlifeco
"People can't live with change if there's not a changeless core inside
them. The key to the ability to change is a changeless sense of who you
are, what you are about and what you value."
~ Stephen Covey, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People"
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0671708635/sharongoodlifeco
"Each of us is born with two contradictory sets of instructions: a
conservative tendency, made up of instincts for self-preservation,
self-aggrandizement, and saving energy, and an expansive tendency made
up of instincts for exploring, for enjoying novelty and risk -- the
curiosity that leads to creativity belongs to this set. But whereas the
first tendency requires little encouragement or support from outside to
motivate behavior, the second can wilt if not cultivated. If too few
opportunities for curiosity are available, if too many obstacles are put
in the way of risk and exploration, the motivation to engage in creative
behavior is easily extinguished.
~ Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi,
"Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention"
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0060928204/sharongoodlifeco
"Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an
experiment. The more experiments you make the better."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
BOOKSHELF
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"Between Trapezes: Flying Into a New Life with the Greatest of Ease" . .
. Gail Blanke
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=1579549284/sharongoodlifeco
"Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain: How a New Science Reveals Our
Extraordinary Potential to Transform Ourselves" . . . Sharon Begley
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=1400063906/sharongoodlifeco
"Thinking for a Change: 11 Ways Highly Successful People Approach Life
and Work" . . . John C. Maxwell
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0446692883/sharongoodlifeco
"Making a Change for Good: A Guide to Compassionate Self-Discipline" . .
. Cheri Huber
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=1590302087/sharongoodlifeco
"Why Courage Matters: The Way to a Braver Life" . . . John McCain with
Marshall Salter
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=1400060303/sharongoodlifeco
"The Courage to Create" . . . Rollo May
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0393311066/sharongoodlifeco
"The Courage to Be" . . . Paul Tillich
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0300084714/sharongoodlifeco
"Identifying and Managing Project Risk: Essential Tools for
Failure-Proofing Your Project" . . . Tom Kendrick
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0814407617/sharongoodlifeco
"Smart Women Take Risks: Six Steps for Conquering Your Fears and Making
the Leap to Success" . . . Helene Lerner
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0071467548/sharongoodlifeco
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NEW BOOK – "A JOURNAL FOR TORTOISES"
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For those of you who are familiar with my work on "Being a Tortoise in a
World of Hares," I've created a new product to add to the mix. "A
Journal for Tortoises," published through Café Press, provides pages to
write your innermost thoughts, while being uplifted by inspirational
quotes.
For more information and to view a sample page, go to:
http://www.goodlifepress.com/Tortoise.html
To go directly to my shop at Café Press, go to:
http://www.cafepress.com/beingatortoise
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UPCOMING CLASSES WITH SHARON
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FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ALL CLASSES, please visit
www.goodlifecoaching.com/Classes.html.
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FOR THOSE IN NEW YORK CITY . . .
COACHING CLASSES AT NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
* Career Coaching:
Summer 2007 semester: 2 Saturdays, June 30 and July 14, 9 am – 5 pm
For information and registration links, go to
www.goodlifecoaching.com/Classes.html.
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Sharon Good is a Life/Career/Creativity Coach, Workshop Leader and
Author. Her books include "Managing With A Heart: 222 Ways To Make Your
Employees Feel Appreciated," "The Tortoise Workbook: Strategies for
Getting Ahead at Your Own Pace," and "Self-Publishing Basics."
Sharon is available for one-on-one coaching for:
* whole life balance using the Whole Life model
* successful career and life transitions with the Life Purpose Process©
* support in achieving your goals and dreams
* guidance in writing or publishing your book
* developing your creativity
* enhancing and integrating spirituality in your daily life
For a **FREE INTRODUCTORY COACHING SESSION**, contact Sharon at
212-564-2073 or sha-@goodlifecoaching.com.
For further information, see her website at http://www.goodlifecoaching.com.
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Sharon Good / Good Life Coaching Inc.
Life, Career and Creativity Coach
Certified Life Purpose Process© Consultant
"Being a Tortoise in a World of Hares"
400 West 43rd Street
New York, NY 10036
sha-@goodlifecoaching.com
www.goodlifecoaching.com
www.beingatortoise.com
www.goodlifepress.com
"Making your dreams a reality through partnership"
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(c) 2007 Sharon Good. All rights in all media reserved.
For reprint rights, contact sha-@goodlifecoaching.com.
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