Life Coach Lynn Sennett-Schlossberg

New Year's Resolutions: 10 Tips

2006-01-03T13:29:00.000-08:00

"Habit is habit and not to be flung out of the window by any man, but coaxed downstairs a step at a time."
Mark Twain
US humorist, novelist, short story author, & wit (1835 - 1910)

Happy New Year! January 3rd -- the day most of us begin our post-Holiday routines...time to roll up our sleeves, get focused, create the motivation to go for it! What is your New Year's Resolution?

Most resolutions have to do with starting or quitting a habit. Habits are created by repetition and reinforcement over time -- the same is true for changing or stopping a habit. Often, habits give us comfort and relief from stress; and we often perform these habits ritualistically and unconsciously.

Here are 10 tips to help you change that habit!

1. Declare in writing & aloud your resolution...repeat it many times a day

2. Put the resolution on post-its and post on your mirror, computer screen, dashboard of your car, on your refrigerator …

3. Have a clear picture of the results in your mind's eye, feel the feelings of good health, happiness and the bliss of accomplishment. Use this image every time you see your resolution.

4. Break down your resolution into smaller goals -- creating a map to your goal. Taking one step at a time -- moment by moment -- day by day. If you begin to feel overwhelmed, break the steps down to smaller steps and smaller time periods.

5. Create and use new, healthy rituals that are both comforting and stress releasing.

6. Give yourself healthy rewards when you move down the steps towards shifting the habit.

7. Ask a Buddy or professional to help you stick to your resolution

8. Remember that a slip is not a slide -- get back on track after slips! Don't beat yourself up -- declare your resolution & see your success!

9. When you feel a craving for the old habit, tell yourself you can stave off the craving for 10 minutes – then, go for 20 minutes -- then, go for an hour. Do not give up!

10. Muster up enthusiasm (= energy) towards your goal and believe, know and intend that you can do it!

Good Luck!

Lynn Sennett Schlossberg, MA
Life Coach
Phone: 774-222-2223www.lifecoachsennett.com

Problems: Obstacles to Reaching our Dreams

2005-12-09T12:14:00.000-08:00

Problems can be obstacles to reaching our Dreams. Problems in life are a given and avoiding or denying them will only cause heartache and hardship. Often we are ashamed of our problems and this shame can destroy the path to success. Acceptance and openness are paramount. Most problems are solvable or at least manageable. I have observed that the following elements must be present in order to effectively solve problems:

1. Positive Mental Attitude
2. Energy
3. Motivation
4. Insight
5. Inspiration

Although I've listed these concepts in a linear progression, they actually interact with each other more in a circular fashion. You can start with any one and the others will be affected. Think about solving problems as you might a tangled ball of yarn...find a piece of the yarn and slowly, patiently unravel the tangled ball one loop and one knot at a time.
A positive mental attitude is essential to the process of overcoming problems. Listen to your thoughts -- notice your feelings as you contemplate the problem. Negative thoughts create negative, self defeating feelings and those feelings in turn cause more negative thoughts and those thoughts cause more negative feelings -- this is a vortex that chips away at self-esteem causing feelings of failure and defeat. Change your thoughts and you will change your feelings. Change your feelings and you will lift your spirits. Affirmations, visualizations and meditation are powerful tools to help change your thoughts. Use uplifting images, music, literature, movies -- whatever it takes to help you transform your thoughts. Enlist a friend or professional for encouragement until your attitude becomes positive. Bust those negative thoughts. Watch them float up and out of your head like a cartoon balloon – pop that balloon – watch it blow up. Replace those negative thoughts with more powerful, affirming thoughts.
A positive attitude has a powerful affect on your energy level: Negative thoughts = low energy; Positive thoughts = high energy. So, shifting your attitude will shift your energy. And, if you can lift your energy level, you will have the clarity, motivation, and focus that you need to solve your problems. Again, you will have the "willpower" to take care of yourself if you have a positive mental attitude and the motivation.
Motivation is what drives you towards reaching your dream or goal. Concisely write down your dream – describing it in detail. Draw or find a picture of the goal; give yourself a reasonable time frame in which to attain it. In order to focus your heart, mind and spirit on your dream you must concentrate -- this leads back to thoughts and feelings. Juggle each of these concepts and notice how they interconnect. When your energy, motivation and attitude begin to transform you will have what you need to untangle your problem -- working day by day and minute by minute until you solve, cope with, and accept your issues.
Insight is a valuable tool to help solve problems. I do not necessarily believe you have to analyze issues ad nausea. However, it is important to have a basic understanding about the origin -- the where, how, when or who of problems. This will help unearth feelings and thoughts regarding your problems as well as your dreams. Think of insight as perspective. Consider the expression "you can't see the forest for the trees.” When you are too close to the trees -- your focus is too narrow – you need to step back and objectively look at the big picture. Sometimes we need a guide to help us with perspective. This guide, counselor, coach or minister can help you see more clearly. However, it is essential to listen to your own heart as you work with this guide. Make sure the descriptions or the help given is something that resonates as the truth. You will know when something rings true when you feel goose bumps (the chills), a sense of relief and calm, or the ah-ha factor.
Inspiration is the Holy Grail that holds all these ideas together. Turn to your Spiritual Source for support, love, strength and direction. That Spiritual Source is the Holy element that is personal and true for you. And, be grateful to your Source -- for your life -- for your gifts. Know and believe that your gifts and talents were meant to be fulfilled. Perhaps, Life is about unraveling the obstacles to expressing our gifts; and, perhaps Life is about learning and perfecting our gifts and talents in order to share them with others. I believe we contribute to the Beauty, Sanity and Peace of the world by fulfilling our Dreams. Do not let problems stand in the way of adding Beauty to the world even if your problems are monumental, life threatening and everlasting. If you are alive – you have a gift. Have courage – turn to your Spiritual Source and to your loved ones – and know that your gifts have meaning and purpose.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read this piece. I appreciate your time and attention. If these words have meaning to you – use them for yourself or for helping someone you care about. My Life Coaching services are available via telephone and in person. If you’d like to hear more about my work, please give me a call.

Lynn Sennett Schlossberg, MA
Lynn@LifeCoachSennett.com
www.LifeCoachSennett.com
Phone: 774-222-2223

Dreams

2005-12-05T13:45:00.000-08:00

As The Rolling Stones sang in Ruby Tuesday, "...lose your Dreams and you will lose your mind..." Achieving our dreams/goals and solving our problems make us not only happy, but sane.

Typically, what stands in our way? Could be: fear; insecurity; lack of support, motivation, & inspiration; or, an unclear picture of our Dreams.

This Holiday Season, commit to supporting the Dreams of a friend, loved one, or co-worker. A simple, "you can do it -- I believe in you," can work miracles.

My Dream is helping people make their Dreams come true -- What is your Dream?