I bet that there are a number of things you say you want in your life or career.  I know I certainly have spouted off long lists at different times in my life. Perhaps you have said to yourself or out loud, I would like to:

• Be fitter and healthier
• Earn more money
• Have my professional life align with who I am and my values
• Start a business
• Write a book, paint, play music
• Create a beautiful atmosphere in my home environment
• Speak my truth
• Build wealth
• Cultivate more faith and trust/deeper spiritual life
• Be more adventurous
• Have richer relationships
• <insert your own desires…>

These are all lovely. I’ve spoken many of them aloud myself at one time or another.  I hear many of the people in my audiences and communities say these with gusto as well.  Then something interesting happens…

Read more … Are You Committed or Just Interested?

So often someone will come to me with a deep desire to create something new in their life, their business, or their career.  They can clearly articulate what is not working for them and they can also tell me what they really want to see happen for them.  Then after being swept up in a tide of possibility and excitement they utter the words, “Well, maybe it’s just not the right time right now.”  Then like a bird falling from the sky they just give up.   Can you relate to this feeling?

That’s why in today’s Q&A I want to talk about the question: What if it’s not the right time?  and How will I know when the time is right?

I could write pages on this but I’m a woman who likes to cut to the chase.  So, the short answer is – there is no “right” time. 

There is no mythical, all the stars are aligned, the sun is out & shining, you are blessed with unlimited time & money– RIGHT time.

There is only now.

I’m also a practical person so I realize you can’t do everything you’ve ever wanted to do or start every project you want to start right now.  If you did, then you would be mired in overwhelm and would’ve needed to attend the teleclass I did a few years back entitled “Are you trying to cram 10lbs of poop into a 5lb bag?”.  It’s impractical and sets you up for failure.  There is a reason time exists (even if  some believe it to only be an illusion)… that is to prevent us from having to do everything simultaneously.

So if there is no right time and there is only now and you can’t do it all right now, then how do you know whether to make the commitment to move forward on something or not?

If you really want something, you’re tired of settling for the same-old, and you simply want to come alive,  then you make a decision, make a commitment, and take that one baby step forward.  Not tomorrow, not next year, not “someday” but today.

You can wait for a better time or a right time.  People will say to me, well, maybe I’ll be ready to start coaching, to start changing what really needs changing in three  months or six months.  You know what happens?  Three months, six months, a year pass by and nothing has changed.  So, you see you’ll be older in <insert your favorite excuses in terms of time frame here> whether or not you decide to take action.  You’ll be waiting around forever for that elusive right time and then realize that you never did the things you most wanted to, you never lived the life you were meant to live, or you never had the impact you wanted to from your professional life. How sad is that?  I don’t know about you but not only is that a painful trail of regret personally, but it also leaves the world bereft of the gifts that only you can offer.

So, take some time and reflect on the changes you’ve been wanting to see … maybe some more free time, more adventure, more freedom, a new career, living more authentically, more success… whatever that is for you, and then ask yourself:

When am I going to make the decision to make this desire a reality?  If not now, then when?

If you need support from someone who can be your guide and help you create a plan that actually works, contact me anytime for a complimentary chat.

The energy of commitment is so very key to succeeding your own terms.  Frankly it is a necessary element to almost anything you wish to create in this lifetime.  Why, then does commitment seem to be hard or elusive for some people?  Why do people say they are committed but then back away never following their words with action?

My friend and colleague Jennifer Longmore of Soul Journeys recently started an inquiry about commitment on her Facebook Fan Page. Specifically Jennifer asked:

Commitment seems to be the one energy that we struggle with, and yet the one energy that breeds success….so what are we really afraid of: success or commitment?

That got me to thinking that while the energy of fear – of success or commitment itself can be at work, I believe it is something more.  You see I think most people either make an excuse about commitment like “I’m not disciplined” or “I’m not good at commitment” because they are living from their past experiences.  Frankly this excuse is a total copout that can be transformed if you are willing.  Or, you avoid committing because you feel you need to “give up” something in order to do so.  This feeling of lack is what prevents you from committing. Of course paradoxically commitment yields far more if only you would take that one step.

Think about it – we associate commitment with giving things up:

• Committing to a marriage/partnership equates to giving up the freedom of being single.
• Commitment to getting healthy feels like giving up food you love or giving up physical comfort rather than gaining what you want (remember diet has the word “die” in it).
• Commitment to a goal means you have to invest time taking action toward that goal (and therefore give up doing something else with it).

While this may be true…commitment often means a trade-off on where you choose to invest your time and energy, if you choose your commitments consciously this is a joyous trade-off that yields great benefits!  My friend and colleague Chris Silvey said it well:

If we focus on our commitments, success is just a natural byproduct….and there’s less significance attached : )

Again, choose your commitments wisely. Make sure they reflect what you really want instead of what someone told you that you should want.  If you do that, there is nothing to worry about.  If you choose from your heart and your passions you will experience so much joy and fulfillment in the journey (even over the rough patches) knowing you are “on purpose” that the idea of lack will fade to black.

What is your experience with commitment?  Does it come easy for you? Or, do you struggle with making or keeping your commitments?  Would love to hear from you in the comments…

Anyone who knows me knows I am a crazy University of Tennessee Lady Vols Basketball fan since I was a kid.  This morning I awoke to the exciting news online that Pat Summitt won her 1,000th game and sits alone at the top as the winningest coach in the sport, men or women.   In the post-game video she exhibited once again the sheer level of class and excellence she brings to what she does.

This woman demonstrates what it means to be comfortable in your own skin and sustain success.  In her speech to the crowd last night she talked about the importance of having a vision and talking about that vision.  What inspires me most is knowing that back in 1975 when she won her first game and it wasn’t popular to be a champion of womens’ athletics she had a similar strength of vision.  Over the decades she has committed to doing the work it takes to develop herself, her players, and all the people around her into better human beings first as well as excellent basketball players and coaches.  How many schools can boast a record of 100% graduation rate of its players who complete their eligibility?  A holisitic approach to excellence that shines on in those she has touched on and off the court.

So whether you love womens’ basketball or not and even if you don’t like Tennessee (as my friends who razz me when I’m decked out in my orange), take a moment and listen to the lessons driven home in her speech:

• You succeed because of the people you surround yourself with (so surround yourself with high quality people).
• Be grateful and show it.
• Express how you feel to those who have impacted you (she thanked family, fans, players, coaches, and so forth).
• Bask in your vision and tell everyone about it.
• Work hard, consistently. Be committed to doing the work to make your vision a reality.
• See the bigger picture and set a strong foundation.
• Savor the moment.
• Never compromise who you are. Show up fully and passionately and do it with high degree of integrity and class.

That’s what I’ve seen and heard not only in this momentous video but from watching interview after interview over the years. From the first time I heard her speak in the early 80′s in the dark basement of my parent’s home when the networks broadcast only a few games a year to today when you can catch games live on the Internet and bask in your favorite team’s stories.

So, what is your vision?  Are you spreading the news?