Lamisha Serf-Walls

Authenticity and Intuition

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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?

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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.

image from www.searchquotes.com
image from www.searchquotes.com

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???

November Gift #2-Getting Clear For The New Year

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Earlier this month I decided the theme of November would be Gratitude and Giving.  On my personal Facebook page I am doing the 30 days of gratitude and focusing on the many things I have and experience that I am grateful for.  On my blog, I wanted to focus a bit more on the giving aspect of the month.

So if you weren’t here for the post, hop over here and find out how you can sign up for my newsletter and snag your first free gift.

Today, I want to share with you the opportunity for you to receive your second free gift.  This one is a big one too!

But, before I get there let me share with you where I came up with the idea and why I am gifting this to you.

First of all, I know there are many of you who have thought about working with me and you just haven’t pulled the trigger yet.  Maybe you don’t know if it’s the right thing for you right now or you are unclear about what I can help you with.  Maybe it’s a financial thing, a fear thing, or a just plain I’m not ready thing, but I want to offer you a deal you just can’t refuse…for FREE!!

Second, I have made quite a few changes to my site (with more to come in the near future) and as a thank you for hanging in there with me while I make some much-needed changes and adding a lots of new information, I wanted to offer you something as a token of my appreciation.

We all know 2014 is quickly approaching and I want to help you get started on the right foot.  So, for the rest of November 2013 I am offering a full-length 60-minute Getting Clear For The New Year session for anyone who is interested.  In this session we will discuss the top 3 goals/dreams you have for 2014, figure out the sticky stuff that is leaving you stuck (and how to get out of it), and create simple action steps (key word here is simple) you can do now that will open up a world of opportunities for you.  That’s right in 60-minutes we will define your dream, get you unstuck, and create simple steps to get you moving toward your dream.

Not only do you get to see how I work, you can actually make some serious progress toward your dreams absolutely free.  And if you take advantage of this amazing planning power session, you will also get 25% off the price of regular packages if you sign-up to work with me before the end of the year (sessions don’t have to be used this year to qualify).

To sign up all you have to do is contact me and let me know you are interested in your Getting Clear For The New Year session and brief description of what you want to work on.  I will email you back as soon as possible and get you on the schedule.  I can’t wait to get started!  Do you know someone who might be interested?  Feel free to send them a link to this post and share the love.  I want to help as many people as possible get clear on their dreams for 2014!!

Let me help you re-imagine your dreams for 2014 and help you find and follow your inspiration to get you moving in the right direction.  Let me thank you for following me on my journey, by helping you get jump started on yours.  Aren’t you ready to realize your dreams and enjoy every juicy tidbit that comes along the way?  Let’s get started together!

Inspiration From Monsters and Cavemen…Who Knew?!

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Generally my family and I implement “family movie night” at least once a week as a way to relax and regroup after a long week.  This week we had a bit of a movie marathon and watched Monster University and The Croods, both of which I highly recommend (especially if you have children).  For the most part, family movie night is a chance to get away from whatever may be on my mind from the week before, yet there are times when the movies hit a chord within me so strongly that it sends my mind into a flutter of inspiration.

This Saturday was one of those nights.

Inspiration #1

While watching Monster University I was inspired by the message that we can each use our unique gifts and perspectives to do similar work and it is our unique experiences that make that work not only different, but amazing.

What does that really mean?

Regardless of how many people we feel are doing exactly the same thing that we want to do (only in our mind much better), we each bring our own set of talents, gifts, and experiences to the table.  No one else is better or worse than us, they are just different and different is ok.  In fact, it’s better than ok, it’s great!  Different means we can extend our reach to a group of people others can’t reach simply because of who we are.

This comes up a lot with my clients.  So many people, (myself included) view what other people are doing in the same genre as ourselves as doing it bigger and better that we find ourselves comparing apples to oranges.  Sure you can have two writers who have a similar style, but the truth is each is unique and amazing in their own way.  The same goes for two business owners, coaches, stylists, or whatever your dream might entail. Don’t let the success of another put a damper on your amazing gift.

YOU have a gift that can reach people that the other person can’t, so stand in your power and celebrate the wonderful things you bring to the table!

So the next time you start questioning your dream because you feel like you couldn’t possibly live up to someone you believe is doing it better, remember the little lesson from Monster University.  Better yet, watch the movie and see if you experience the same inspiration I did.

Inspiration #2

I expected the next movie to be more entertaining than insightful, but I couldn’t help but notice some interesting themes.

The first theme is one I have heard and dealt with several times in my lifetime.  Fear of the unknown.  When we fear what we do not know and allow it to stop us from stepping outside of our comfort zone, we become caged birds (or in this case caged cavemen).  We become too fearful of taking risks that we don’t really live and experience the precious gift of life.

One quote that stood out to me came from the teenage daughter as she was talking about her dad’s philosophy on staying safe:

“That wasn’t living!  That was just…not dying!  There’s a difference!”

How many of us have lived in this way before?  Merely surviving a life that may be uncomfortable and not all that great, but too fearful of what could go wrong in the future to take that step to do something bigger.

Surviving isn’t thriving.  Living a life with your dreams tucked down in your soul never to see the light of day isn’t living life to it’s fullest and I assure you it is not what you were given this precious time to do.

You were meant to love life, explore, and experience it.  Feel it, devour the juicy tidbits of amazingness.  To identify your gifts and share them with the world.  You were meant to be happy!  So if you aren’t happy right now, is it because you are fearful of stepping outside your comfort zone?  Fearful that the next thing might be worse than now?

What if it isn’t?  What if it is bigger, better, and more amazing than you ever dreamed?  Would one single, scarey step be worth it?

Another theme that came up was the idea of “following the light to tomorrow”.  Essentially it means to just keep going.Light

When things get tough as they sometimes do, remembering your dreams and why you started to begin with can help you just keep going.  Continue moving forward toward the light of tomorrow with your dreams alive and you can do anything.  Just keep going.

So, if you aren’t living the life of your dreams and you are too worried about others doing something better than you, are you ready to take the step to move forward?  Ready to live your gifts and share them with the world? Ready to do more that just merely survive?

If so, contact me to find out more information on getting ready to make 2014 the best year yet!  I want to offer you a chance to get a head start on your dreams and to make some big things happen next year.  If you are ready, I have a special treat for you!!! Send me an email today to find out more information on your FREE session and if you choose to work with me after our free session and get started this month, I am offering packages at a discounted rate (to go along with my gratitude and giving theme).  You don’t want to miss this!!!

When You Just Want To Give Up…And A Free Gift

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For some people, a life coach is thought of as a personal cheerleader who is always happy, always inspiring, and always pushing you to turn that frown upside down even when things feel difficult.  The thing is, life can feel difficult sometimes and if life can feel that way, so can your dreams.

While I like to think I am in some ways a motivator and an inspirational voice to my clients, sometimes things just feel impossible.  I know that.  I get it.  I have experienced it.

Who hasn’t been in that space where you doubt why you started this journey to begin with.  When life keeps throwing curve balls your way and you aren’t sure which side is up, how can you do anything other than lose faith in your dreams???

It happens.  It sucks, but it happens.givingup

Our current reality is what we see and feel every day.  Each time we punch the clock, check our account balance, or ponder how to find time to do that thing we really need to do to make progress, reality is staring us in the eye.  Heck, sometimes it’s jumping up and down saying, “You can’t get rid of me!!!” And it is during those times that our inspiration hits rock bottom.  The Dream Crusher starts in on us telling us things that just aren’t true.

“You’re a fraud!”

“You will never write that book.”

“You just aren’t meant to do that.”

“You aren’t smart enough, strong enough, pretty enough, clear enough, professional enough…”

You get the idea.

It is in that moment you want to just give up altogether.  You think about throwing in the towel and raising your white flag because it all just seems too hard!!!

If you are in that place right now, I want you to know that you are not alone.

Every successful person in the world has at one time or another (likely many times), felt like they were never going to get there.  They have had their Dream Crusher sweep in and steal their dreams, leading them to believe it just isn’t meant to be.  They have heard the same voices and wanted to throw in the flag.  They have wondered why they keep going and have thought about just quitting altogether.

Only they don’t.

Instead, they take a step back.  Breathe a little, regroup, revise, revisit plans, and allow their inspiration to return.  They meet with friends who believe in their vision.  They sleep.  They go for walks.  They get some exercise and by golly they get back up and keep going.

They remember why they had this dream to begin with.  They remember how far they have come to make it happen.  They remember the passion and drive that brought them to where they are today.  But most of all, they remember the faith they had to get started in the first place and remind themselves that while they don’t have the answers now, they don’t have to have it all figured out at once.  It’s going to happen.  In fact, it already is happening before their very eyes.  They are learning what kind of strength and fortitude they truly have.

And so can you.

So if you are ever find yourself just wanting to give up, just breathe, relax, and remember why you started to begin with.  Your vision, your power, your purpose, your passion is why you started and those are the things that will keep you going.

For those of you looking for some concrete practices on keeping your dream alive, sign up for my mailing list (so you get first dibs on product launches, new offerings, and free stuff) and snag your free copy of 20 Ways To Keep Your Dream Alive.  I promise you won’t be sorry you did!