Soul-Centered Success ™

September/October 2004

An e-zine for the driven professional who wants it all without sacrificing self or soul.

Written and Published by Jill Berquist, PCC

Certified Coach and Founder of Berquist Coaching Services, LLC

NEW: Visit us on the web at: www.berquistcoaching.com

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"I Listen to My Body's Messages: 
My body communicates with me and I now listen to its messages. I am willing to get the message.  I pay attention and make the necessary adjustments.  I give my body what it needs on every level to bring it back to optimal health. I call upon an inner strength that is mine whenever I need it. "
 An affirmation from Inner Wisdom, by Louise Hay
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I.  Topic:  Creating Soul-Centered Success™ Part 4 - Watch Your Wellness
II.  Messages from the Masters
III. Coach's Top Picks
IV. News
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I. Topic: Creating Soul-Centered Success- Watch Your Wellness

As a reminder, as part of my Six Keys to Creating Soul-Centered Success™, last edition we discussed the 3rd  key, which is Managing Your Mind. This edition, we will hit key 4, which is Watch Your Wellness

As another look to the whole picture, here's how the six keys fit together:
1. Declare Your Dream, 2. Inspire Your Environment, 3. Manage Your Mind, 4. Watch Your Wellness, 5. Soar Your Spirit, and 6. Align Your Actions

Now, let's get on with the 4th Key:  Watch Your Wellness.

So, you may know what you want, (Key 1), have your environment set up to support you, (Key 2), and even have a handle on the gremlins in your head that try to get in the way (Key 3).....but if you are not getting what you want or as directly as you'd like, an issue like wellness could be a factor.  If in all of your accomplishing, you are not paying proper attention to your self-care, energy and overall health, it can really slow-down your plans. Literally.  Running, reaching, doing, striving, adrenalizing--whether you claim it is centered around the negative or positive, will not enable you to achieve your highest-level dreams.  Working harder than ever before, with the uncertainty of the employment world these days, and sheer demands at work and in the home, it is easy to find yourself in that frenetic pace. There’s the race to keep up, stay knowledgeable, produce, be valuable, climb the ladder, while, by the way, keeping our families thriving by our own and sometimes others’ standards. We also want the success that includes time to kick-back and enjoy other aspects of life! As important as we know it is, tending to wellness just doesn’t always make the list.   We may know lack of self-care can cause greater issues with health like anxiety, depression, insomnia (which can all be related), reduced immune functioning, and therefore increased risk for viruses, other infections and possibly more serious illnesses over time, yet there is more to consider. If you’re not motivated by all that, neglecting your wellness keeps you from realizing your dreams. Why? Here are two of several main reasons:
 
1) You Can Just Burn-Out
Wellness 101. The body needs recovery, rejuvenation and care to keep expending the incredible amount of energy we all do to maintain our lives. Whether you are an independent business owner, a sales associate, consultant, a full-time parent or executive----burn-out is prevalent.  It is too easy to get caught up on the gerbil wheel of getting ahead, while trying to maintain some version of a life.  The first thing that goes by the way side for many people can be meals! Maybe it is skipping breakfast to rush to the office, or get the family going in the morning. Then there is skipping lunch due to too many back-to-back meetings. Combine this with trying to leave work before the building cleaners come, and meals, or any breaks for that matter, go out the window fast. Speaking of windows, fresh air? Who has time? With basic things like food and sleep hanging in the balance, fringe items that nourish us like enjoying a breath of air, pursuing a passion, friends, laughter, or even moments of quiet, are completely out of the question.
 
2) You Are Saying You Are Not Worthy (less concrete, but ever so true!)
Okay, here's the attraction issue. Maybe not overtly, but on some level, not caring for your wellness sends a message to the universe that you are not paying proper attention to yourself.  What have we learned about attracting what we want? What we think and the emotion behind it, is what determines what we get! If you act (even unconsciously) like your wellness, body, and health is okay to take for granted, a message of unworthiness, then the universe (along with opportunities, other people and energy in general) will not line up to prove you wrong. You will reap what you are sowing.  The bigger dream goodies will not flow your way.
 
On the flip-side, among the numerous benefits to watching your wellness are:
 
1) You will have greater focus and productivity at work
2) You will be more relaxed, less stressed and more present at work, in relationships and in all areas of life
3) Your creativity will be enhanced
4) You can give more to others
5) You have extra energy to pursue your personal desires or thrive in a transition
6) You will be able to fight illnesses off better as your immune system will be better, and will feel good
7)  You can unhook yourself from an adrenalized lifestyle
8)  You are sending a strong message that value yourself, and those around you will act in kind
9)  You will be in-tune with your body, and able to access your intuition more directly
10) You will be more fun to be around
11) You will have more energy for friends, family, and will be able to make the time
12) You will be able to think more clearly about your life and what you want
 
Who wouldn't want more of this? Here are some suggestions that you could explore right away to get the watch on wellness in motion.
 
1) Get caught up on a Dr. appointment at the bottom of your list; Make the appointment today.
2) One-up moving your body movement: If you don't, try walking a couple times a week to start. If you exercise, change your routine or advance it a level.
3) Take some breaks during the day--stretch and breathe. There are so many simple ones you can do at your desk or at home.
4) Have at least three meals a day and try some healthy snacks in between. For beginners: If you are a non-luncher or at-the-desk-luncher, decide 2 days a week you actually take a real lunch, and move up from there. It can be done!
5) If you want an exercise or work-out plan--first decide what type suits your interest and lifestyle the most. Visit a gym, take a class, have one trainer session or peruse videos, just take the first step to explore it.
6) Take an energy inventory and decide what is currently in your life that drains you, and what restores you. Plug up as many drains, and eliminate distractions that bring you down. Enhance any energy boosters, for example, spending time with positive people that love you, fun times with family or friends, or time for singing, listening to music, writing or any form of expression.
7) Make time to be with nature--walking, gardening, playing.
8) Give yourself a work cut-off time each or certain nights of the week--block it out in your calendar and guard it.
9) Catch a nap when you can--how decadent!
10) Show affection and your frolicking fun side to your partner or kids
11) Pamper your self with a massage or energy treatment
12) Take a few minutes to breathe, journal or meditate once or twice a day
13) Watch what you put into your body. What is the biggest need for you right now? Eating less sugar? Drinking more water?
14) Work on slowing down in all areas. You will find you listen better, assume less, and get things right the first time.
15) Let go of a negative emotional trap that drains you like a grudge, resentment or judgment.
16) Rent a few classic comedies and laugh until the purple cows come home

> Take Action

Which one of these Watch Your Wellness tactics speaks to you? Maybe your body knows. As a mother of an infant, mine is screaming for more time to stretch and more time to be silent. I'm working on it!  How about for you--maybe leaving your office for lunch once a week is just the place to start. If you are a multi-tasker, make the date with a friend. Double the results!

II. Messages from the Masters

" To bring out the best in yourself and enjoy your life to the fullest, nothing is more important  than learning to open to, and accept, the nourishment of your soul. As you open yourself to your soul, a calming sense of peace and connectedness develops within you.  This peaceful feeling deepens your level of thought, releases the innate healing powers of your body, reminds you to be grateful for all the gifts of life, and broadens your perspective, so that you can be at peace with the way things are. "   -- Jack Canfield

" I've been working in the stress management field for over a decade, and have met some extraordinary people. I can't think of a single person whom I would consider to be inwardly peaceful who doesn't carve out at least a little quiet time virtually every day. Whether it's ten minutes of meditation or yoga, spending a little time in nature, or locking the bathroom door and taking a bath. Quiet time to your self is a vital part of life. It balances the noise and confusion that infiltrate much of our day. When I set aside quiet time for myself each day, it makes my day seem manageable. When I don't, I really notice the difference. "  -- Richard Carlson

III. Coach's Top Picks

The Power of Full Engagement, Managing Energy, Not Time, Is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal -- By Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz

This book explains a philosophy and program that originated with an approach these two men used for years with athletes. From this, they developed a Corporate Athlete Training System(R), that helps professionals maximize their whole life energy for greater performance, as well as health, happiness and life balance.  Some really good gems here and some compelling cases many will relate to. To me, this one is of the best on this topic for the corporate audience, yet has a great mass appeal.

IV. News

> Berquist Coaching Services is proud new sponsor of the radio show Hire Frequencies which is currently in the Boston market, now debuting in the Hartford area on Sunday, 10/10/04, Beethoven Radio, 1290 AM, at 11:00 a.m.  Dan King and Dave Abrams are lively hosts with great topics on careers, employment and the business of life!  Tune in, and tell me what you think!

> Stay tuned also for my Creating Soul-Centered Success™ Circles coming soon!
From the comfort of your own home, yet with the synergy and support of the circle, you can tap into a model for creating exactly the type of fulfillment you are seeking. Together, we can explore the six keys of attracting the type of personal success you deserve and desire. More details will follow.

 

BERQUIST COACHING SERVICES, LLC

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact us at
jill@berquistcoaching.com

Or call (860) 659-5829

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jill Berquist, PCC, is founder of Berquist Coaching Services, LLC, and a Human Resources professional for over fourteen years--ten of those years with a leading global management and technology consulting firm. As a Career and Executive Coach, Jill works with managers, professionals, executives and entrepreneurs on various issues, from business and career transition, to creating life-balance and realizing one's vision. Jill's mission is to help others achieve success on their own terms, supporting them in an effortless and enjoyable process of attracting work and life fulfillment.

Jill is also founder of The Incredible Coaches Circle, a group of professional coaches, trainers and consultants who specialize in producing results through people. Collectively there is a great diversity of specialties, yet they all have in common the desire to unleash and maximize their clients' strengths, creativity, passion and results. The Circle supports and grows the members and their businesses, and is a vehicle for collaboration on organizational projects.  Call 860.659.5829 to explore the unlimited possibilities.

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Copyright 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 Jill Berquist, PCC
Berquist Coaching Services, LLC
All rights reserved

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