Lamisha Serf-Walls

And the Winner Is……

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Thank you, to everyone who entered the Inspired & Unstoppable giveaway!  I am so happy that I am able to share one of my favorite books with you all and am able to pass a bit of inspiration onto one lucky winner.  I love sharing inspiring and motivational resources with you and am so excited to send a copy off to the winner of my first official giveaway!

So, without further ado, the winner is…….

Jean H.

Congratulations!  For those of you who didn’t win, I still encourage you to read the book as it is one that will change all your thoughts about success, inspired action, and truly living your purpose from the heart.

Are you still wondering how you can live more from the heart and accomplish those BIG dreams you have swirling in your head?  Well you are in the right place because I am an expert at untangling the overwhelm and helping you create clarity and implement action steps to get to where you are going.  Contact me now to sign up for your consultation session for more information about how I can help you begin to live the life you once dreamt.

So Many Ideas…Where To Begin?

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In the past few weeks I have had several conversations with potential clients about their dreams and the multitude of ideas they have flowing through their minds at any given moment.  With so many ideas and so much creativity, they are finding themselves paralyzed and unsure of what to tackle first.  It is sort of like seeing your to-do list with 15 different things on it and not really knowing where to begin, so you just don’t do anything.

Have you been there before?

I think it is something that happens to many of us when overwhelm sets in.  Just taking that first step can be scary and is enough to cause you to ignore it and procrastinate even more.

So where do you start?

I find it much easier to start with the small stuff and use that to build momentum for the bigger things.

But what if it all feels like ‘big stuff’?

That is a valid question considering when we first set out to accomplish our dreams, they can often feel like huge mountains to get over, but if you can take a step back for a moment and look at the bigger picture, you might be able to make out a tiny first step.  If you still are having trouble, hiring a coach or chatting with someone about your ideas can help put your thoughts to rest a bit more so you can take the first step.smallsteps

The truth is, what you do in that first step matters less than the fact that you just begin.  When I took the leap to begin my coaching practice, my early first steps entailed a ton of research.  I looked at coaching programs, various coaches, credentials, coaching philosophies, and even contacted two coaches to talk to them about the work they do.  Some of my other small steps included just writing down all of my ideas, coming up with a name for my website, and getting a bare bones website up and running.  Some of those steps took mere moments to complete while others took upwards of a week or more, but every time I sat down to work on it, I felt like I was making progress and that led to more momentum.

Still need help deciding what those first steps might be?  Check out the examples below.

  • You want to start a website, but are unsure of how to set it up or if there will be any interest.  Small step:  Set up a FB page first.  It’s easy to do and you can build your community there before you launch your site.
  • You have some artwork, crafts, or handmade jewelry that you want to sell, but the idea of setting up an Etsy account makes you break into a cold sweat.  Small step: Find a local craft fair to sell your stuff through or talk to your friends and family members about what you are making. You can also set up a FB page for your crafts and sell it that way.
  • You want to become a yoga instructor, write about yoga, and open your own yoga/meditation center, but you aren’t sure about how the yoga training works, how much it costs, and are overwhelmed with the idea of doing it all and question whether you can.  Small Step: Ask one of your yoga instructors some questions about their training experience and how they did it.  Pick their brain regarding some of your ideas and utilize the vast amount of experience and info they can provide to you.

The truth is no matter how many dreams/goals you have accomplished, there are always going to be more, so take it step-by-step and start small.  And if you find yourself at a loss for where to begin and what to do to get started, feel free to set up an introductory coaching session with me.  I am happy to chat with you about untangling the web of ideas you have in your head that might be keeping your paralyzed.  In fact, I love helping clients break their big, bold dreams into bite size steps that result in a big win!  Let me help you do the same.

If you are interested in what coaching can do for you please sign up for your introductory session here.  Also, don’t forget that my very Inspired Giveaway will be ending TOMORROW so head over here to sign up for your chance to win a copy of Inspired & Unstoppable by Tama Kieves.

 

 

When You Have The Case of the “Have To-s”

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In the past few weeks, I have noticed more and more people have the case of the “have to-s”.

The case of the “have to’s” is a feeling that there is so much to be done and so little time to do it.  It’s brings a sense of obligation, but not necessarily motivation to complete certain tasks.  It is the feeling you might get when you go to a job you hate and do work that you just have to do to get paid.

Yuck!

We have all been there and many of us are there more frequently than not even when we are doing things to help build our vision for the future.  I know this because I have been there.

In the past few weeks, my list of “have to-s” seems to have grown.  I have emails to send, calls to make, articles and blog posts to write, and appointments to schedule and when the momentum gets moving so quickly and I find myself struggling to catch up, I feel drained, uninspired, and just plain blah!

Have you been there?

busyI’m sure you have.  Heck, you might be there right now, but I assure you, you don’t have to stay there forever.  I have found a few things to help a bit when you find yourself dreading all the things you just have to do.

  • Take A Break– What??? Yes, I know that your list is as long as your leg and you just don’t have time to take a break, but I assure you, you need it.  When things get moving so fast and your head is spinning and you are struggling to complete any one task, you need to take a break.   Take 5 minutes and get some fresh air.  Close your eyes and do some deep breathing exercises or take a little walk.  Whatever you do, just get away from it for a moment so you can come back refreshed.  It doesn’t sound like a lot, but it does wonders!
  • Change Your Language– Instead of thinking of the things on your list as obligations and things you have to do, reframe them to things you get to do!  The words we use have energy in them and “I have to go to work today” feels heavier than ” I get to go to work today”.  While you might not think that going to work is a very uplifting thing, there are many benefits you get from going to work, i.e. a paycheck.  So, if nothing else, think of the money you ‘get to earn’.  A simple change in your words can help change how you feel…true story!
  • Passion First– Something I talk about in my newsletter this month is passion vs productivity (if you haven’t signed up for my VIP List, you totally should).  Sometimes keeping your inspiration alive is as simple as starting your day with something that feeds your soul.  This might be a task you do for your side biz or a bit of writing or craft work.  Whatever it is, start the day with something you LOVE to do.  It can help your day flow better and turn your ‘have to-s’ into ‘want to-s’.
  • Simplify and Be Easy– A question I have had to ask myself many times is, do I really need to do that right this second or have I just set up an unrealistic expectation of myself?  Chances are if you are wanting to do 100 things in 24 hours and still sleep and eat etc. you might have overcommitted yourself.  Simplify things a bit.  So what you wanted to blog 5 days a week and you only have time for 2 this week because you are working on another project.  The world isn’t going to end, your readers aren’t going to leave you, and I promise things will be ok.  Let some things off your plate and make some doodle space for yourself.  Life is far too short to just be busy for busy-sake.

So there you have it!  A few tips to help when you are fighting off a case of the ‘have to-s’.

***Have you signed up for my Very Inspiring Giveaway yet?  If not, do so here!  I promise this book will change your life and will be one that uplifts and inspires you.  Only a few days left to sign up!!***

An Inspiring GIVEAWAY !!!

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I am so excited about today’s announcement/giveaway that I can hardly stand it!  I have been planning it for a few weeks now and have finally taken the time to get everything set up for one lucky winner to receive something incredibly inspiring.

As you may know I am an avid reader.  I read blogs, books, magazines etc. and when I come across something that is particularly interesting or inspiring I like to share the love and give you all a heads up.  The thing about my reading habits is, I very rarely read the books again even if I decide to keep them on hand in my personal library.  Well, that is about to change, because in December I read a book that I assure you, I will be reading at least 2 more times this year alone because it had such an effect on me the first time.

This book was not only inspiring, but I felt like I was reading about myself and my own journey.  I felt like the reader knew exactly what I was going through in figuring out how use my gift and be successful in doing so.  This book reminded me that I didn’t have to fit into a box and follow in the “successful” footsteps of another because my path is mine and mine alone.  I am the paver, the keeper, and the creator of my path and when I follow my heart, my intuition, and my soul all the ‘hows’ I feel like I am missing are revealed.

When I finished the book it seemed like it was all I could think about.  I was recommending it to all kinds of people via Twitter and Facebook and I then I thought “Why not give a copy away?”

Since I love this book so much, I will not be giving away my copy, but will purchase an additional copy and send it to one lucky winner.  Have you guessed the book yet???

The book is:  Inspired & Unstoppable: Wildly Succeeding in Your Life’s Work! by Tama Kieves.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is venturing into finding, living, and creating the life of their dreams by following their passion.  This is a book that will change how you view success and inspire you to tap into your heart to follow your intuition every step of the way.

I can’t wait to send the lucky winner their very own copy.  Will it be you?  The giveaway ends a week from today and I will announce the winner on January 29th. Enter the a Rafflecopter giveaway today!

Good luck!!!

**NOTE: This giveaway is simply a gift from me to you.  This is in no way a sponsored post and all the above comments regarding the book are my own opinion from having read the book. **

Have Fun Friday: Playful Exploration

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Happy Friday Dreamers,

I hope this week has brought you lots of progress, joy, and a ton of fun, but if you find yourself lacking a bit in the fun department, this post is for you!

Too often we fall into a pit of productivity with an undying need to produce and check items off our to-do list and in doing so we find our energy is lacking, inspiration has taken a hike, and the things we really WANT to do, quickly fall by the wayside.

I know this, because I was falling into that same pit this past week.  As the week wore on, my motivation grew less and less until I just couldn’t find the energy to even look at my to do list or do some of the stuff I have been excited about for the last few weeks.

So, what do you do when things feel so ‘meh’ and you need to jump-start your battery?

Have a little (or a lot) of FUN!medium_4555697070

When was the last time you went out exploring?  Took a class that peaked your interest just because. Been to the movies lately?  What about taking the family to the park or on family expedition for a hike to explore the great outdoors?  When was the last time you did something to shake up your day?

I can tell you it’s been far too long since I have been to the movies or taken a hike.  I haven’t even taken a stroll around my neighborhood in quite some time, so I think some FUN is in order for this fantastic Friday.  Don’t you?

So put away your to-do list and your calendar.  Turn your phone off and leave your tablet at home and go out and have good old-fashioned, no technology, no distractions, explore the world FUN.  Be playful, have fun, and connect with yourself, your family, your spouse, and nature for goodness sake.  The work will still be there when you get back and I promise, you will get more done in less time when you return simply because you gave yourself a chance to breathe.

As for me? I am going to switch up the scenery a bit and bust my son out of daycare early to go on what he likes to call a “magical adventure” to places unknown.  I may not know where we are going, but I know wherever it is, we are going to have fun.

Enjoy your weekend dear dreamers and as always thanks for reading!

P.S.  If you haven’t signed up for my VIP List, please do so today.  Next week I am announcing some service changes and will be giving away a very inspiring gift to one lucky reader and if you are on my VIP list you get first dibs on new stuff so you don’t want to miss out!

photo credit: stitchin.thyme via photopin cc