Lamisha Serf-Walls

Missing Link-Imagination

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I recently took a poll of my Facebook friends to find out what it was exactly that they felt they needed to tackle their ‘ultimate dream’.  I wanted to find out what my potential clients are struggling with so I can create more resources, programs, and content to assist them.  The responses were interesting to say the least because what they were lacking falls into one of three categories: resources (time, money, space), belief in self (courage, confidence), or knowing where to start.  I knew as soon as I read their comments that I was on to something because these were many of the things I struggled with in the last 2 years as I contemplated how I was going to begin my life coaching business.

While all of the responses fell into one of the three categories, most people said the lack of time, money, or space to create their ‘ultimate dream’, was the thing they were missing.  This isn’t all that surprising when you figure how many people are juggling a multitude of responsibilities and are simply trying to keep up with their busy schedules.  From what I gathered, a lot of the people who responded in this way had some idea of how to couragemake their dream a reality, but they only saw one way to make it happen.

Many of the responders also said that they were lacking the courage and confidence to make it happen in addition to the resources.  So before even setting out to achieve their ultimate dream, they were felt like they just couldn’t do it.  It seemed just too big to tackle right now.  Interesting…

The last response came from people not really knowing how to begin.  These are people who know what they want to do, but just haven’t put anything into action to find a way to make it happen.  These may be people who feel like their dream is so far out of reality, they can’t even fathom how to make it happen.  In fact, they may not even allow themselves to think about it too much because it is that far out.

So what do all these people have in common?  They are all using their logic to get them from point A to point B.  They are using their memories, knowledge, current reality, and logical thinking in order to figure out how to make their dreams come true and if they come up against a roadblock, many people tend to give up.  I think I have a better way of doing this.  imagination-11

Instead of looking at the reality of your situation (the responsibilities, bills to pay, kids to care for, schedules to keep up with, the fact that you have never had enough money to travel, or you are too afraid to fail etc.) and using that to find the most realistic way of doing things, I encourage you to use your imagination. Out of the box thinking allows you to be open to other possibilities of how your dream may come to fruition.  Instead of seeing a straight and narrow path to your goal or dream, you see a beautiful web of possibilities with fun stuff all along the way!  It’s there that you begin to feel the magic.

When you tap into your imagination and follow what feels good and right for you, the journey is enjoyable too.  You aren’t constantly taking score of where you are in relationship to where you want to be, but instead are enjoying the little nuggets along the way.  One piece leads to the next and to the next and before you know it you have unlocked your potential to create the ultimate dream regardless of what that entails.

There are an infinite number of possibilities to creating the life of your dreams and by hanging onto the one most likely way (in your mind), you are blocking out all the rest.  The only true limitation in achieving the life of your dreams, is the illusion you can’t do it, don’t have the means, or that it’s just too good for you, because the truth is you can have all you need.

Are you ready?

Feeling The Pull, But Need A Push

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I recently read a book called The Gift of Adversity and in it was a story about how the author (Norman Rosenthal, M.D.) was in a work environment that was just “ok”.  He had a feeling he wanted to do something more, to make a change, and expand upon what he had learned at this given place of employment.  Instead of following this feeling, he stayed and after some time he realized with new management and new structuring, he was essentially being pushed out.  He then remembered the words of a colleague who had been trying to recruit him for another position.

“In order to leave, you need both a push and a pull.  Right now, you have no push.”led by dreams

How many of us can say that about taking that step into the life of our dreams?  Sometimes our dreams pull at us quietly like a young child tugging at our hand to gently guide us into another room to play.  As the pull gets stronger it can feel like a magnetic force pulling us into the future, yet our feet remain planted on the ground.

Why is that?

I think it is because we have settled into our reality for what it is.  We have become friends with our lives as they are and think to ourselves “It’s not so bad.”  But a “not so bad” life also doesn’t mean it’s passionate, exciting, and fulfilling.

I have heard people say they feel guilty about wanting what they want.  Selfish for wanting something more than what they have.  Mothers wanting a moment of peace, feeling guilty when they get it or feeling bad when they decide to do something that will fulfill their deepest desires like writing a book or starting a business.

Dreams are not selfish.  They are natural, beautiful, and amazing.  They are the reasons we have all the wonderful technological advances we have.  A dream is just a thought fueled by passion and desire.  Dreaming is what kids do without being taught to do so.  They have wide open imaginations that exist in surround sound and technicolor.  Ask a child what they want to be when they grow up and you will get a multitude of magical answers.  It’s refreshing when you think about it because they think without limits.  They want to flying superheroes by night and comic book authors by day.  They want to save the world and everyone in it, never once thinking if it is possible.  We could learn a lot from them.

So if you have your pull (and I assure you, you do), where is your push?  For me it is knowing my full-time employment will be ending in a few months.  The picture in my head looked a little different when I first thought about how my dreams would manifest.  But who am I to question the push?  It is here and by golly it is exciting!  Am I a little uneasy in the not-knowing?  I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t.  Of course I am!  But I am also excited to see what will come of it and have faith that it is all going to work out.

If you feel the pull, but need a little push to get you going, send me a message and we can get you started with a free coaching session.  Let’s explore the amazing possibilities of what your ultimate dream could become.  Are you ready?

 

Inspiration Round-Up

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While I haven’t been very good about keeping up with my schedule of posts, I wanted to share with you a few things that caught my eye in the last week that really inspired me.  My hope is that they will inspire you to keep moving toward your goals and your dreams and maybe even dust off some of your old-it will never happen dreams.

The first is a video I saw on Facebook this morning.  It is a video of a teen who has overcome OCD and Turrets Syndrome through music.  His voice is amazing, his passion is palpable, and I promise it will make you cry tears of joy as your heart expands for the courage of this young man.  May we all be so courageous to keep moving forward no matter what seemingly difficult situation we encounter.  Check out the video here and feel free to share it!

This next post was delivered to my inbox at exactly the moment I needed it.  It helped me realize that regardless of the struggles I may go through in building and maintaining my business, that doesn’t negate who I am as a person.  Tiffany Han is a no-nonsense kind of coach and she is quick to share her ups and downs and I am so glad she did.  She has been in business far longer than I and shares how she deals with programs that might not sell like she had hoped.  This post reminds me that we all go through some less than desirable stuff and that it is how you deal with it that is most important.

My last inspirational post comes from my client Erin McNaughton who I have been working with over the past few months.  In our time together she has accumulated a ton of progress, momentum, and what I call “wins” that are literally catapulting her into the life of her dreams.  She recently took a trip to Costa Rica for an amazing business/entrepreneur/spiritual retreat that from what I understand was inspiring, uplifting, and transformational.  A trip she likely wouldn’t have considered before our work together.  Last week, she posted about some of her experiences and musings that remind this life coach of how important it is to take risks and enjoy the journey to wherever you are going.  Check out her Wanderlust post, her post on Falling Love With Experiences, and her piece titled Paradise Within Paradise.  I hope they leave you inspired, motivated, and ready for your own exotic adventures be they literal or figurative.  Also, if you happen to be looking for an incredibly talented copywriter who can get to the very core of what you want to say and create a beautiful tapestry of words contact Erin.  She really has talent that can’t be taught.

I hope this inspiration Round-Up is enough to get you away from your Monday Blues and sends your mind into the clouds as you imagine your life fueled by your passion and covered in joy!  Remember, life is meant to be experienced and enjoyed.

Be Easy…You’re Still Learning!

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When I was initially inspired to become a life coach, it came at a time when I felt a push to help people do what they really wanted to do, not what they felt they had to do.  In a weird sort of way I was coaching without realizing it and while the different jobs I had that allowed me to talk to people about their “office jobs” or other obligations, I was actually living my purpose, just in a different way.

Since beginning my “official” business (all of a month ago), I have come to realize the coaching piece is what comes naturally to me.  Asking the right questions.  Getting to the core of the issue.  Helping clients take that next step etc. has all been easy, but I am learning a lot about other aspects of running an online business.  And like many of my clients who are just stepping into what they were meant to do, I often find myself getting frustrated or impatient about what I don’t yet know.

I realized today that I am not alone and neither are you.   learning

Not only did I again get a few newsletters delivered right to my inbox with the “how-to” instructions on things I don’t yet know, I also had a chat with a good friend who was going through a similar situation.  (By the way, I highly encourage you to sign up for the free newsletters of your favorite blogs because you can get really great information for free and often in the exact moment you need it.  Keep an eye out because I will have my own newsletter available soon.)

Here’s what I realized:

  • You don’t have to know everything at once in order to begin.  Simply take the tiny steps and follow your inspiration and you will likely find the resources, money, opportunities, connections etc. just come to you right when you need them.  It’s the magic of leading with your inspirational foot.
  • It’s really not fair for you to compare your journey to anyone especially if they have been doing it longer.  They too had to find the answers and figure it out so don’t fret when you find you business Facebook page doesn’t have as many likes as your mentor (ahem, I might be coaching  myself here), or that it is taking a bit longer to find the right publisher for your book.  Keep doing what you love and following your inspiration and you will reap the benefits.
  • This is part of the journey and while we often believe we set goals only to achieve them, the journey should be fun.  If it’s not what’s the point.  So stop worrying and find the joy in learning, growing, and evolving into the new, happier, dream-livin’ YOU!
  • Last but not least, you don’t have to do it alone.  There are coaches, guides, mentors, and ample resources out there for you to access.  We live in a time where all the information we want is accessible to us, so use it.  You don’t have to reinvent the wheel to get to where you want to be.  Let’s come together in community and help each other out.  Together we can do more anyway right?

Be easy with yourself and enjoy the process of learning your craft whatever that may be.  And if there are things that really take the joy out of your journey, pay someone else to do it if you can.  Don’t allow a little accounting, website snafu, or other frustration get the best of you.  There are people in the world following their dreams doing the exact thing you don’t enjoy, so why not let them?

And remember, you don’t have to know it all, be it all, and do it all this very moment, so take a break and give yourself a break!

Do you want to see how I can help you find the resources, money, opportunities, and connections to make your dreams a reality?  Contact me to set up a FREE coaching call, I would love to give you a bit of guidance.

Following The Breadcrumbs To…Coaching Business Jumpstart

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I am constantly amazed at how the exact thing I need appears in the strangest of ways.  When I was pondering someone to design my logo for me, I saw a note on Facebook of the exact person I was thinking of designing a logo!  When I was looking for advice on building a website, I stumbled upon the exact steps I needed to do so.  And just a few weeks ago, happened yet again!

A few weeks ago I came to the realization that I needed some assistance on the business side of things for my coaching practice.  I had all the ideas about what I wanted to do and how I wanted to do it, but my execution was a bit off.  Not only that, but I realized quickly that I didn’t even know what I didn’t know.

I didn’t go the traditional coach-training route and felt like I might be missing some of the core business advice that I needed in order to make my business thrive.  (I realize my business is only a month old, but I’m an overachiever 🙂 ) So, as I simply thought about what it was I needed, I received the answer in my inbox and it was another example of how you can obtain the resources, time, people, connections, and anything else you need to help bring your dream to fruition simply by following the inspirational nuggets along the way.

It was like the business/branding angels had hand delivered (or typed as it were) the exact program that would help me know what I didn’t know and make it work for me.  And since I am all about feeling my way through my dreams, I allowed my gut to guide me and before I allowed my Ego to get the best of me, I took the leap. (I’m getting pretty good at that!)

Over the last week or so I started working my way through the self-study program and it has been incredibly helpful!  I am still learning all I need to know about you lovely potential clients out there and crafting new packages, programs, and resources that will help me help you better. (Stay tuned for that.)  And because I am all about passing along things I love and other inspirational tidbits, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to share this information with you.

If you have a business (even if it isn’t a coaching business), you can also benefit from this program as it helps coaches and other business owners really own their expertise and speak the language of their clients/customers so they can serve more people, get more clients/customers, and help their business take off.

If you are interested in finding out more please feel free to shoot me an email or ask in the comments as I am an ambassador and affiliate for the program so, should you decide to purchase the program from the link below I do receive a small commission.

** Please note:  I do not typically advertise programs and will never advertise a program I have not tried and strongly believe in.  This just happened to be just the thing I needed for my business and I am taking this opportunity to share it with you.  Also, I was not paid to write this post, but am paid a small commission for anyone that signs up for the program using the link below.**

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