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Living the Creative Life: Issue 97: Who Do You Want to Become?
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Sharon Good
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Feb 25, 2008 11:47 PST
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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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February 2008 ~ ~ ~ Issue 97
In this issue ~~
* Opening Notes
* Feature Article: WHO DO YOU WANT TO BECOME?
* Action Challenge
* Wise Words
* Bookshelf
* Upcoming Classes with Sharon
- In NYC: Coaching Classes at NYU
- In NYC: What to Do When You Don't Know What to Do
~ Teleseminar: Life Purpose Institute Coach Certification Training
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OPENING NOTES
Now that the new year seems a distant memory, it's time to think about
our next steps. The glow of our resolutions is beginning to wear off,
and we need to evaluate what we're really committed to.
One way that I assess my next steps is by looking at what's next in my
own development. As much as I love getting comfortable with what I'm
doing, there's a part of me that craves challenge and is always looking
for the next opportunity to stretch.
I hope you enjoy this issue's article and that it spurs you to think
about new ways to determine what *your* next steps might be!
Creatively yours,
Sharon
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WHO DO YOU WANT TO BECOME?
Growing and changing is a natural part of our human development. We know
this. When we're thinking about what's next for us, though, we tend to
look back at our history to see what the next logical step is. But we
may have dreams and passions we want to pursue that are not a linear
outcome of what we've done before, so they don't feel doable. What do we
do then?
Instead of creating our future out of our past, we can look at who we
want to become. Usually, when we're looking toward our future, we think
about what we want to *do*. But what about looking at who we want to
*be*? Life is not just a string of accomplishments. It's a process in
which we gain knowledge and experience and develop who we are.
When I was younger, I didn't think much about who I was becoming. I knew
I wanted to be an actress from the age of 14, and I didn't care why. I
pursued that path without further thought until I was in my 30s and
found myself on a path of personal and spiritual growth. The question,
How can I best serve? began to creep into my mind. While I realized
that actors perform an important service, it wasn't the right kind of
service for me anymore.
My next step was a foray into the world of publishing. I had no
background in this field, but it was an opportunity to develop my
writing skill and publish books that brought valuable tools and
information and heart-warming stories into the world. It was a huge
challenge to run a business and be responsible for bookkeeping and
marketing and inventory. I grew tremendously and was proud of the books
we published, but eventually, it ran its course and a new opportunity arose.
After 7 years of publishing, I happened upon an article about life
coaching. We were still in the thick of publishing, and I certainly
didn't need another career, but it kept tugging at me. After completing
what turned out to be our last book, I enrolled in a coach training
course. I loved it! This wonderful new profession - my new "best way to
serve" - continues to allow me to have an even more direct, positive
impact on people's lives. In working with my clients, as well as
teaching and writing, I learn and grow every day.
In looking back, my career path makes a lot of sense. My acting
experience has helped make me a better teacher and speaker. I continue
to write and publish self-help materials that support my coaching focus.
But as I began each new career, I had no idea why I was drawn to it or
what it would bring. I only knew that I needed to step into a new
challenge that would develop who I was as a person and a professional.
As we move to each new stage of life, a new sense of purpose is revealed
to us. The things we did and who we were become a size too small, and we
need to break out and seek new direction. It may be the logical next
step from what we've been doing, or it may be a radical change. Either
way, our new path calls on us to be willing to let go of the comfort of
the old, familiar ways and open to learning new skills and new ways of
being.
In the words of Shunryo Suzuki-Roshi, a 20th century Japanese Zen
priest: "In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the
expert's there are few." Although you may have decades of life
experience behind you, approach your new stage with beginner's mind.
By letting go of relying on what you already know - about life and about
yourself - you'll discover wonderful new aspects of yourself that will
move you forward in your development, as well as your accomplishments,
and open new worlds. And down the line, when the time is right, yet
another new and mysterious path will be revealed to you!
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ACTION CHALLENGE
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Make a list of at least 10 adjectives that describe who you want to
become in the next 5 to 10 years. Take one of these adjectives. What
steps can you take in the next month to become more of that? In the next
year?
WISE WORDS
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"The highest reward for a person's toil is not what they get for it, but
what they become by it."
~ John Ruskin
"There are no great limits to growth because there are no limits of
human intelligence, imagination, and wonder."
~ Ronald Reagan
"Growth demands a temporary surrender of security."
~ Gail Sheehy
"I began to have an idea of my life, not as the slow shaping of
achievement to fit my preconceived purposes, but as the gradual
discovery and growth of a purpose which I did not know."
~ Joanna Field
BOOKSHELF
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"Who Am I?: The 16 Basic Desires That Motivate Our Actions and Define
Our Personalities" . . . Steven Reiss, PhD
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0425183408/sharongoodlifeco
"I Think, Therefore Who Am I?" . . . Peter Weissman
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=1425702937/sharongoodlifeco
"Driven: How Human Nature Shapes Our Choices" . . . Paul R. Lawrence &
Nitin Nohria
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0787963852/sharongoodlifeco
"Who Are You?: 101 Ways of Seeing Yourself" . . . Malcolm Godwin
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0140196099/sharongoodlifeco
"The Temperament Discovery System" . . . David M. Keirsey, Richard
Milner, Vince Wood
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=1885705042/sharongoodlifeco
"Are You Ready to Succeed?: Unconventional Strategies to Achieving
Personal Mastery in Business and Life" . . . Srikumar S. Rao
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=1401301932/sharongoodlifeco
"Transitions: Making Sense of Life's Changes" . . . William Bridges
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=073820904X/sharongoodlifeco
"Passages: Predictable Crises of Adult Life" . . . Gail Sheehy
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=34547922X/sharongoodlifeco
"The Second Half of Life: Opening the Eight Gates of Wisdom" . . .
Angeles Arrien
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=1591795729/sharongoodlifeco
"Second Acts: Creating the Life You Really Want, Building the Career You
Truly Desire" . . . Stephen M. Pollan & Mark Levine
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0060514884/sharongoodlifeco
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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:
Spring 2008 semester: 2 Saturdays, March 8 and 29, 9 am - 5 pm
* CREATIVE MARKETING TOOLS FOR COACHES:
Spring 2008 semester: 6 Mondays, April 7 to May 12, 6 - 8 pm
For information and registration links, go to
www.goodlifecoaching.com/Classes.html.
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WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO
So many people are dissatisfied with their jobs or careers. They'd love
to get out but they don't know where to go or how to get there. Learn
how to uncover new career possibilities and take the first steps in
finding a career that will make you happy.
Investment: $25
Location: 92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Avenue, NYC
Date and time: Monday, May 19, 7 - 9 PM
To register or get further information, please contact the 92nd Street Y
at 212-415-5500. Register online at www.92y.org (course # T-LP5SP55-02).
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TELESEMINAR . . .
LIFE PURPOSE INSTITUTE COACH CERTIFICATION TRAINING
The Life Purpose Institute offers a short-term, focused coach
certification program in the format of a 17-week teleseminar. In this
program, you'll learn 18 Coaching Skills and the 7-Step Model for
Clarity and Results, a powerful toolkit for helping your clients achieve
clarity on their life and career goals. In a small group setting (6 to 8
students), you'll practice coaching with the support of your instructor
and receive personalized support on preparing your unique marketing
strategy for your coaching business.
Sharon Good is a Senior Instructor for the Life Purpose Institute. She
will be starting a new teleseminar class on Wednesday, February 27. The
class meets weekly for 17 weeks from 6 to 8 pm Pacific time (9 to 11 pm
Eastern time).
For additional information, and to sign up for a free introductory phone
class, go to www.lifepurposeinstitute.com or phone 858-484-3400.
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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 Processİ
* 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
* mentoring and practice-building for coaches
For a **COMPLIMENTARY INTRODUCTORY PHONE 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, CC / Good Life Coaching Inc.
Life, Career and Creativity Coach
Certified Life Purpose Processİ 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) 2008 Sharon Good. All rights in all media reserved.
For reprint rights, contact sha-@goodlifecoaching.com.
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