fear Archives - Page 4 of 7 - Lamisha Serf-Walls

5 Indications You Should Hire A Life Coach

April 25, 2014 by Lamisha

I love working with courageous, amazing, freedom-seekers and dreamers who know that life is meant to be wonderful and who are ready to take their life to the next level. There are times when I get the feeling that some people aren’t quite sure when is the time to hire a coach, so I put together a list of 5 sure-fire ways to know you are ready to hire a life coach.

You just feel stuck.-I have heard this from just about every client I have worked with. They are trying to get their business, dream, or life to the next level and they feel like they are chasing their tail. Stuck in a rut, in the mud, or walking in circles, these souls have thrown their hands up and yelled ‘I can’t do it alone’. Lucky for them, they don’t have to and you don’t either!
You feel scattered. – Some of my more creative souls that I coach often come to be because they have so many wonderful ideas, they just can’t seem to figure out where to begin. They get so ‘busy’ moving from one thing to another that they don’t make much progress on any one thing. If this is something you struggle with, a coach can come in and help you untangle the web of ideas and help you take actionable steps to creating and finishing your tasks that will lead your dream and business to another level.
You have made some changes on your own and are ready to take it up a notch. – There are many people who are self-studied personal development lovers (I am one of them) and there is a lot of growth you can do on your own, however at some point there seems to be a plateau of growth that happens. Things have changed and yet there are still blind spots or blocks that need a bit of action and progress. Working with a coach is a great way to work through those blocks that will catapult you into a new level of bliss and growth you may not have been able to reach on your own.
You know there is deeper work to be done. – There are times when you just know that there is deeper work to be done. Work that requires a special person to listen, reflect, and help you transform some of the icky, negative, and fearful thoughts and words into uplifting, gorgeous, and inspiring truths that truly reflect who you are. This often comes at a time when people feel a general loss of direction and they know a loving shift must occur.
You are ready to find your passion and purpose and love life again. -You might feel like something bigger is calling you, but you can’t quite figure it out. Maybe it’s a new career, a new business, or a creative pursuit you have put on the back burner. Whatever it is, you are ready to find it and live the rest of your life, free, happy, and passionate…just like it’s meant to be!

All of the above come with this disclaimer that unless you do the soul-searching, honest, and truthful work that growth and transformation requires, coaching won’t work. There are times when clients tap into emotions, buried feelings, and beliefs that can be uncomfortable, but until you are willing to bring them to light and tell a new story, growth is stifled. Life Coaching is a process and one that will transform your life for the better. So if any of the above indications strike a chord within your soul for your life, business, or your dreams, I invite you to take advantage of the limited time offer I have right now.

New clients can receive 2 months of coaching (4 sessions for $300) at the current rate if you sign up for a 30-minute consultation by May 2nd. Rates will be doubling on May 3rd, so hurry if you want to take advantage of this offer. If you are interested, please contact me as soon as possible as my calendar is filling up fast.

Blissful Breakthroughs & My Truth

April 21, 2014 by Lamisha

The other day I had a personal breakthrough and ‘aha’ moment that resulted in me writing the post below on Facebook with a promise to write a full post on what it really means today.

“I know now more than any other time in my life it is imperative for you to live the most authentic life possible. BE you, EMBRACE who you are, LOVE yourself for ALL that you are, and above all else, be true to you. Don’t be afraid of what others might think or feel or believe about you. It’s not their life, it’s yours. Live it, love it, and encourage others to do the same!”

Part of the work I do involves not only getting to know many clients on a very personal level, but it also forces me to take stock in who I truly am. It allows me to learn, grow, and evolve with each interaction and the most recent evolution has led me to share with you a bit more about who I am.

When I began my business, I thought I had to be ‘business-like’. I compared myself to others and attempted to some degree to emulate their practices and systems. I wanted to be successful and since I was new to the business/coaching game, I opened myself up to learn as much as I could. Even while I was telling my clients to create their own paths and forge ahead fearlessly without having the path laid before them, I was looking in the wrong places for mine. I was walking in circles avoiding the one true path that was my own, the path I am sharing with you now for fear it would scare people away. I thought that by sharing my true essence I would scare away potential clients, business partners, and friends that have known me for years.

So what is all this about? What is the my true essence and who is Lamisha Serf?

photo credit: AlicePopkorn via photopin cc

I am a freedom seeker, lover of life, and a sharer of light and love. I believe we are all meant to have a blissful experience while we are alive and part of that means finding our true calling, purpose, and passion. Life is about growing, evolving, and stepping into our true power, not just physically but spiritually too and before I lose some of you, I am not necessarily talking religiously.

If you were to categorize me you might categorize me as a hippy, hippy-dippy, or a bit woo-woo and as a dear friend so eloquently put it the other day, “Call it woo-woo if you simply like to call spiritual things woo-woo. But if you call it woo-woo because you think it’s weird, I suggest finding a new term. That’s mis-using woo-woo!”-Torrie Pattillo of Holistic Voyage

I use woo-woo as a positive thing meaning all things spiritual. I meditate, use crystals, read books about metaphysics, psychics, and so much more. I pray to the Divine, use affirmations, study the Law of Attraction, set my intentions, and practice gratitude. I have friends and clients who are holistic coaches, intuitive healers, Reiki practitioners, and Angel readers and I love it all! I am fascinated by the Akashic Records, by who I might have been in my past life, and how the body handles energy of all sorts. I read about chakras, have mine balanced, believe in magic, miracles, astrology, and the beautiful cycles of the moon. I am fully aware of what happens during Mercury Retrograde and take special notice of my thoughts when I notice the numbers 11:11 on the clock.

I read all the time. Books on self-development, connecting with my intuition, communicating with loved ones on the other side, and any of the other many New Age subjects can be found on my bookshelf at any given moment.

I love learning, connecting, and helping people break through the blocks that keep them playing small because for far too long, I have done the same. I have allowed my fears of what others might think, my anxiety of who I might lose, and my stress of what lies on the other side of this Truth to hold me back for too long and now I am stepping forward. Proudly.

So what does all of this mean?

It means that there are some things that are going to change around here…with love. I am going to be my true, authentic self and stop hiding the hippy-dippy, woo-woo, tree-huggin’ hippy that I am. You might be reading things with a spiritual twist and if it resonates with you, awesome, if not, no worries.

It also means my work, coaching, and pricing structures are going to change a bit. You see coaching is not just about helping you get from point A to point B…in fact most coaching isn’t about that at all. Many coaches work on a very intimate level helping clients delve into the dark areas they would rather keep hidden from others (and themselves).

It is in these places that healing, reflection, and growth are needed the most and while I have done a bit of that work in my last year of coaching, I have found it to be my sweet spot. I get the most fulfillment out of coaching by creating loving accountability for my clients who are ready and willing to dive into the emotional centers of their souls that house the blockages that keep them from moving forward. I get excited when I can celebrate blissful breakthroughs with women as they open up to their true and authentic selves that shed amazing, illuminating light on their path forward. Through the blockages and breakthroughs I act as a guide and provide the safe space for women to share their deepest dreams and desires while unlocking their fullest potential that many didn’t even know they had.

So, to the fellow freedom-seekers and soul-centered women who are ready to share their gifts with the world, I am here to help you make blissful breakthroughs so you can begin living the life you were meant to live…the life of your dreams. To the yogis, healers, artists, creatives, business owners, and light-workers of the world, your gifts are meant to change the world and I am ready to help you move through the blockages that have you stuck and keep you playing small.

It’s time for you to step into your power and allow your amazing light to shine. Are you ready? Contact me to schedule your 30-Minute Consultation today.

What’s Your ‘But’ Statement?

February 19, 2014 by Lamisha

If you ever meet me out in public and we start chatting about your career, work, or hobbies, beware! I might just ask you the question I love to ask and found myself asking to almost every person I have worked with in the last 10 years and that question is this:

If you could do anything in the world (and money weren’t an issue), what would you do? (Sometimes the question is phrased differently depending on if I am speaking to someone about their career or just a general hobby.)

It doesn’t matter what answer you give, I will most certainly follow it up with this:

So why aren’t you doing it?

After a string of answers like : “Because I have a family to support.” or “It’s too late.” or “I don’t know where to begin.”

I get to the nitty-gritty of why people aren’t accomplishing their dreams and it goes a little something like this.

“I would love to start my own non-profit activity center for children, BUT I just don’t have the money to do it. I mean I do have bills to pay!”

“I would love to sit in a little cabin in the woods somewhere and write books all day, BUT what if I can’t do it?”

“I would love to open my own bookstore/coffee shop/literary center for the community, BUT I’m broke and I have to keep my crappy job because it’s all I have.”

The truth is we all have a ‘but’ statement and what that is, is the reason we feel we can’t/shouldn’t/will never/won’t accomplish the life of our dreams. For many of us it boils down to dollars and cents. For others, it’s simply knowing how to get started, but I think it’s more than that.

You see, I am finding more and more that your ‘but’ statement (no matter what it is) is really another form of fear. For the person that says they don’t have enough money, they may fear losing what they have on their dream that feels so risky. For the person that just doesn’t know how to start, it could be fear of failure. For the person afraid of whether they can do it or not, it could be fear of ridicule both self-induced and the ridicule of others.

Regardless of what form your ‘but’ statement takes, what it really is, is a form of fear manifesting as an excuse. If you would have asked me 2 years ago why I wasn’t on my path to coaching already I would have told you I didn’t have the money to do it. I couldn’t afford the training programs I thought I needed to succeed. It took a long time for me to even entertain the thought of doing things differently.

Today, I encourage you to identify your ‘but’ statement. The truth is, you probably have more than one, so write them down and face them. Get them out of your head and utilize your amazing imagination to think of all the ways those fears can become irrelevant.

If lack of money is one of your fears, then think of all the ways money can flow into your life. Some examples might be gifts, a raise, a new job, selling old stuff, refunds, rebates, unexpected checks in the mail etc. There are an abundance of ways for money to flow and for your dreams to come true. Don’t limit yourself to the singular road you ‘think’ will lead you to what you desire. There is so much more out there if you open your mind to the possibilities.

The first step is identifying your ‘but’ statement. So, if I asked you about your dreams, what would you say?

” I would really love to _____________, BUT _______________.” Fill in the blanks.

If you are ready to talk more in-depth about your ‘but’ statement and what is really holding you back from the life of your dreams, contact me to schedule your consultation. I would love to hear more about what lights you up and how I can help make your dreams a reality. The truth is, if more people were doing the things they love the world would be a much happier place, so let’s do our part.

Authenticity and Intuition

November 22, 2013 by Lamisha

Everyone who sets out on a new path into a future that is unknown experiences bouts of fear, insecurity, excitement, and a variety of other feelings that come with the territory. It’s normal. It’s expected and it’s sometimes necessary to learn extremely important lessons. Do you know how I know this? Because I have had to learn some pretty big lessons in authenticity and intuition.

You see, when you start something new you might look around to others for their help and expertise in various decisions and choices you are making. Being a newbie in whatever field you are in, it is often suggested to have a mentor to provide guidance and insight into what you are doing. It’s also great to have a second eye on new projects or things that you are working on in order to help you grow your skill set. It doesn’t matter what your dream might be, but if it’s new, there will likely be some growing pains along the way.

But, what happens when you begin outsourcing decisions and opinions to a degree that you lose faith in your own ability to choose what is right and wrong for you? What happens when you lose the little bit of confidence you had to begin with?

What happens is you lose the connection with your intuition and your authentic self, which can be detrimental to dream and your wavering confidence.

But wait a minute Lamisha, didn’t you say that it’s okay to ask for help and assistance when we are reaching for our dreams and that we don’t have to do it alone???

Yes I did say that and I still stand by that statement, BUT it is also important to stay true to who you are and to stay connected to your intuition. Advice, insight, and assistance are all fine and good, but when it doesn’t feel right and goes against who you are, take note. Whatever the suggestion is might not be what is right for you in that moment.

I don’t expect my clients (or myself for that matter) to know everything there is to know in order to accomplish their dreams, but I encourage them to listen to their intuition and use it as guidance for the choices they make. Does that mean that if a suggestion is scary they don’t do it?

Not necessarily. It can take some work to learn to differentiate between fear and intuition, but once you figure it out, you can begin feeling your way to the future life of your dreams.

It also doesn’t mean you won’t ever have to experience challenging lessons along the way. Sometimes our intuition will lead us to exactly what we need to learn and experience, so take it as a gift and a lesson.

I guess what I am saying is to trust yourself. Believe in your dream and trust that the path will light up for you and the steps, advice, inspiration, and action steps on your path will come when they are meant to. If it just doesn’t feel right and you feel like you are creating someone else’s idea of your dream, then that’s not for you. Take a step back and remember what your dream is and set the intention on being open to the steps that will keep your dream authentic for you. We all have experienced those “gut feelings” now and again, so tap into your intuition and I assure you it won’t lead you astray.

Your Dream Is Ready…Are You?

November 20, 2013 by Lamisha

Many times in coaching, I come across people who might need my help, but they just aren’t ready to take action. Some of them have absolutely no clue about what they want to achieve and are merely moving from one day to the next trying to survive (and not just financially either). These people are going through their days doing the things they are “supposed” to do (ya know working, paying bills, taking care of their family etc.) and while they feel like something might be missing, they have done very little to figure out what that is. They might be fearful of what is waiting on the other side or simply have forgotten what it feels like to dream again. These are the people who do such a magnificent job living in the moment for what it has to offer, while not thinking too far ahead.

Then there are the dreamers, the visionaries, and the self-development seekers. These are the people who are always working toward something. They have an idea of what they want but may not know how to get there. They are excited for what the future may hold, but they are stuck in fear, anxiety, or lack the confidence to move forward. These are also people who feel that something is missing and are ready to find out what that is. They dream, they envision, they imagine, and more often than not they have stars in their eyes for that moment when they finally feel like they are living their purpose and enjoying the journey of growth and evolution.

Both of these groups are stuck in one form or another, but the latter group feels the pull to move forward into the unknown. They are willing to risk leaving their comfort zone in order to see what else is out there. They are ready for that first step and many times that first step begins when they reach out to me to find out how this coaching thing works. Their interest was sparked just enough to make them wonder and imagine what they can accomplish with a little help.

Have you ever thought about what category you fall into? Both groups have their strengths and regardless of where you may fall, you too have a wealth of potential that you can use in this life.

The question is, when you feel that pull and you wonder what might be missing…are you willing to take the steps to figure it out?

Here is what I have learned since taking the leap of faith into my dreams.

If you feel like you were meant to do something more than what you are currently doing…you are probably right.
Taking the leap is far more exciting than scary
All it takes is a simple, tiny step to get the momentum rolling
Once you are on the path, the pull gets stronger and the inspiration that follows will remind you to just keep going

Will you take that step? Are you ready to drop the excuses, let go of the fear, and dive into your heart’s desire? If so, I would love to chat with you. I am still offering a free full-length 60-minute session to get a jump-start on 2014. Not only is this an amazing opportunity to make progress on your plans for 2014, but it is also a great way for you to see what it is like to work with me with no obligation on your part other than an open mind. Sign-up by contacting me here and we can get your session scheduled ASAP. Seriously, what do you have to lose???