Here are some favorite items in my toolkit that I use on a regular basis:

~ A journal. I’ve filled I don’t know how many journals through the years. The benefits to journaling are endless, though many people resist using this valuable tool. I use a good-sized sketch book, no lines, plenty of white space. If you’re open and honest in your journal, it will take you places you never expected to go, clarify issues you’ve wrestled with for some time, and open you up to ideas or answers that you didn’t realize you had.

~ A long walk. I’m a faithful walker regardless of the season. Walking is easy, invigorating, and mind-clearing. I walk morning, noon, or night; at home or anywhere I happen to be. To me, an ideal weekend getaway is somewhere we can park the car and not use it for the entire weekend. A typical walk often allows me to connect with nature and, if I’m lucky, several friendly dogs and their owners.

~ Books, books, books. I think I could live in a library. As long as I have a book (or two) at hand, I’m never bored. Books entertain, educate, and inspire. They can expand your thinking, build your confidence, and give you a whole new perspective on a variety of topics. What can’t be learned by reading a good book?

~ Solitude. I begin most days of the week with quiet time. It’s a ritual that I absolutely love. Initially, I struggled to actually sit still long enough to experience quiet time. I literally couldn’t stay seated more than a few minutes at a time! My habit of “doing” was so strong that I fought the practice of solitude. Now, if I go more than 2 mornings in a row without it, I feel the pull to return.

~ Pens, pencils, markers, watercolors, pastels. See “journal” above:-).  I have a thing for stationery. Tablets, post-it notes, clipboards, flip charts. They all require writing tools to make your mark and to doodle. So my toolkit includes quite a collection of writing instruments; the more colors, shapes, and sizes the better.

~ Anchor words. Simple and rich. Highest and best choices. Alignment. Authenticity. These are some of my favorite anchor words. Just like it sounds, anchor words help ground you in how you want to live, what matters most, what you value in life. For me, anchor words provide a quick and easy measuring stick for what appeals and what doesn’t appeal. Anchor words are a constant in my toolkit.

So there you go; a sampling from my lifestyle toolkit. As with traditional tools, the purpose of these tools is to enhance one or more aspects of my life and to achieve desired outcomes. If you think about it, you probably have a toolkit as well. If not, maybe it’s time to build one in support of the life you would like to create.

Much success,

Julie

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It includes being, doing, or having whatever is smack-dab on target. It, whatever “it” may be, is so just-right that you feel the rightness deep within.

Soul recognition applies equally to the big, flashy, or grand and to the small, ordinary, and exquisitely simple aspects of life. It’s all a matter of perspective; it’s about whatever is perfectly right for you in any given moment.

Soul recognition is your internal GPS monitor. It’s always available as you navigate life. The question is — are you listening? Are you following your inner wisdom or are you overriding it?

Determining whether you live with soul recognition or not is actually quite easy. Do you experience more peace or more turmoil in your day? Do you have a sense of flow and well-being most of the time or do you more often feel stuck, fearful, or agitated? Do you frequently have thoughts of gratitude or is your mind filled with negativity and complaints?

The more positive, healthy, and whole your life feels to you, the more you are living with soul recognition. The more angst, upset, and discontent you feel, the less you are living with soul recognition.

When you allow soul recognition to be your guide, your “yes is yes” and your “no is no”. You no longer compromise yourself, your values, or your best choices. Life has a sense of ease and purpose. You take good care of yourself and positivity is reflected in all facets of your life.

Soul recognition generates only what is right, good, and beneficial to all. It’s not selfish or self-indulgent even though it feels liberating and fantastic. It’s simply you being you. The best “you” possible. The you that you are intended to be. No more, no less. Consistent and true.

Everything is subject to soul recognition. No exceptions. It’s our choice whether or not to heed it. Like all good things, for most of us it takes time to cultivate soul recognition due to years of living from a place of “should”.

That’s okay. Start today. Start with your next decision. Simply begin to ask yourself questions like, “what do I really want”, “what am I feeling”, “what is most aligned with who I really am or how I live my life”, etc.

These questions will get you on track and raise your awareness. They will, bit by bit, lead you to a place of soul recognition. Once you begin to live from that place, all kinds of things will begin to shift. Circumstances will flow in a new and more organic way. That’s the gift of living with soul recognition.

All the best,

Julie

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In fact, I simply refuse to buy into that assumption. What would be the benefit? Where’s the appreciation, the joy, the fulfillment in life if we allow ourselves to be so easily drawn to the negative?

No matter what difficulties you may be facing, doesn’t it make sense to move in the direction you truly desire to go? Doesn’t it make sense to focus on the positive, life-affirming, “life will be what I decide to make of it” direction?

I often share with clients that our work together is like a “treasure hunt”. That’s right. Their life is filled with buried treasure and we’re going to discover it. We’re going to dig in, ask the important questions, sift and sort answers, and find the hidden nuggets for a better career, business direction, creative pursuit…whatever aspect of life they’re seeking to enhance.

We all have buried treasure to unearth. It takes time and effort, and yes it has it’s ups and downs. That’s life. Just because you can’t readily see your options, talents, or best next steps (all forms of buried treasure) doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Of course they do.

We all need to do our part and find those answers, those fresh ideas, and those just-right choices in our lives. It’s our job to seek and find the treasure that exists for us.

If you desire it, there’s a reason. If it’s on your heart, there’s a purpose. If it’s part of your destiny, it’s not going to simply disappear. Ultimately, you can’t ignore, avoid, or reject what you’re really meant to be doing with your life. To do so is to invite more stress, heartache, and other unwanted distractions into your life.

Spring has just arrived in this corner of the world. It’s a time of rebirth, renewal, and fresh beginnings. It’s the perfect time to decide to embark on a treasure hunt.

Begin your days expecting to be blessed, to notice what’s working, and what opportunities present themselves. Close your days by reviewing what you learned, what positive progress you made, what good effort you put forth toward finding your best life answers.

If you agree that you have treasure yet to excavate, start today. Choose to find the positive, respond in the affirmative, and commit to make the most of what you’ve been given.

Happy Spring,

Julie

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Are you willing to open your mind and allow some timeless truths to percolate? Are you willing to stop distracting yourself, to recommit every time you get off track, and give yourself some encouragement as often as necessary? Are you willing to do what everyone else has done who has achieved their dreams? If so, here are some important keys to stepping out and making something new and better happen.

1.  Start where you are.  That’s the only thing you can do. It’s the same for each of us. We are where we are and it’s our starting point. Whether your desired destination involves 100 action steps, 200 hours of research, 300 decision points…whatever it may be…it doesn’t matter. You have to start somewhere and you are where you are.  So why not start there?

2. Use what you have. You have ideas, probably lots of them. You have experience in one or more areas. You have a brain! You have choices. You have some level of education or special knowledge. You have 24 hours every day, a portion of which you can designate toward your goal. If you’re reading this, you have access to a computer which opens up all sorts of information sources. So why not use what you have and see how far those assets can take you?

3. Do what you can. Be gentle. Ease into the ‘doing’; establish your preferred rhythm. Do what you can today and then stop. Tomorrow, do the same thing. Recently I encouraged a client to aim for responding to two job openings per week so that within a month, he will have applied for at least eight opportunities. The other day on my daily walk, a woman was crisscrossing her way slowly down a very steep incline. I admired her willingness to do what she could to begin an exercise program. So what about you? Are you willing to simply do what you can?

It’s common to feel stuck, incapable, or disadvantaged in one way or another. None of us sail through life with everything always going our way. It typically takes a combination of time, effort, money, and other support to create our dreams and live a fulfilled life. However, you can stack the odds in your favor if you start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can. Go ahead; you can do it.

Best,

Julie

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However, as an avid reader and student of personal development I now understand and have (slowly!) accepted a different truth. And that truth is that I’m responsible. I’m the issue. And I have options to change things up. At first I thought, WHAT? How am I the cause of these hindrances in my life? I certainly don’t WANT these barriers. I want things to go smoothly, to be positive, and if possible, I’d like things to be relatively effortless too!

As is often the case, when the student is ready the teacher(s) appear. It seems like every article, book, or workshop that came my way was repeating the same message:

If you’re experiencing blocks, it’s you.

Get Out of the Way!

Okay, I wasn’t sure I liked this message but the more I considered it, the more I accepted it. It took time and it took effort but I persisted. I observed what went well for me and what didn’t. As often as possible I looked at my role or my attitude in different situations.

Now after quite awhile of paying attention and being willing to observe, I realize here are some of the ways I was getting in my own way:

1. Making things difficult. Ugh. I have a pattern of making things more difficult than necessary. When I say “yes” when I really mean “no”, I make things difficult. When I take too much ownership of situations, I make things difficult. This insidious little habit can wreak havoc if I don’t periodically ask myself, “How can I do this more effortlessly?” or “Is there an easier way to get the same result?” or “Is this really my issue to resolve?”.

2. Procrastination. As far as I can tell most of us procrastinate, some more habitually than others. Procrastination is tricky because it often comes dressed as “busyness”, perfectionism, or other seemingly positive cover-ups. If you’re like me, you know when you’re procrastinating. It starts to become irritating because we really do want to move forward and we are getting in our own way by procrastinating!

3. Listening to my inner critic. When she’s on a roll, my inner critic can needle and nitpick, fill my mind with snarky comments, and ruminate about the past, second-guess the present, and attempt to derail the future. I frequently talk with clients about the inner critic, because he/she is alive and well in most of us. Learning to identify, hush, and majorly minimize our inner critic is key if we want to get out of the way.

4. Thinking/controlling too much. This may sound counter-intuitive but too much thinking can get in our way. Likewise, spending our energy attempting to control or change people or situations gets in our way. For best results, we need to do our part and then allow life to unfold. Things will emerge if we let them. Yes, plans can be helpful and committing to a direction is essential, but excessive thinking and controlling creates blocks. If you want to get out of the way, try letting go!

So there you have it. A snapshot of some of my life lessons when it comes to getting out of the way. This may be new thinking for you. But maybe, just maybe, if you begin to pay attention you’ll see some eye-opening examples of how you are creating many of the speedbumps and roadblocks in your life. There is another option and it’s choosing to get out of the way!

Much success,

Julie

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Nobel Peace Prize winner Albert Schweitzer was devoted to religion, music, and education. Apparently he also knew a thing or two about the link between happiness and success

When I recently came across the above quote it made me smile. I’ve been sharing this sentiment with clients for years. I often say that finding genuine career satisfaction (or happiness in any aspect of life) is an “inside-out” job.

You MUST do the inside work, the excavating of your authentic self, before you can find the outside fit. The internal needs to drive the external; not the other way around. Although many would say otherwise, happiness isn’t as much about the economy, your boss, your 401(k) balance, or any other external factor as you think. It’s about you.

If you have yet to find your purpose, your passion, or whatever sparks a deep and abiding sense of joy, my guess is that it’s time to re-evaluate your starting point. It’s time to look within. It’s time to adopt the inside-out approach. This approach will yield many positive benefits including:

1. Clarity ~ real, meaningful clarity about who you are and who you are not, what you enjoy and what you do not, what you value and what you do not. This is personal to each of us and is priceless in achieving happiness and success. Not surprisingly, it is only found by looking within.

2. Consistency ~ as clarity increases, it becomes much easier to consistently make better lifestyle choices. It’s up to each of us to go inside, draw upon our true desires, and act with consistency. When we repeatedly make choices that align with who we are, life begins to become more  meaningful, happier, and more successful.

3. Confidence ~ confidence always comes from within. When we habitually make our highest and best choices (because we have clarity), our confidence builds. When we are confident we can go a little further and be a little bolder.

So if you’ve been focusing on and struggling with life’s external factors, whatever they may be, you’re not alone. If you’ve been thinking you’ll be happy when you’re “successful”, but fretting about how and from where your “success” will materialize, you’re not alone. Maybe, just maybe, it’s time to consider the inside-out approach. Go within, do the work, and watch your world begin to shift for the better.

All the best,

Julie

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Consider the following:

~Extraversion and Introversion are not about friendliness, popularity, or public speaking savvy. Those attributes are common but inaccurate measures of these two personality preferences.

~The preference we each have for Extraversion or Introversion is actually an indication of what naturally energizes us.

~Extraverts are typically energized externally by action and “doing”. Introverts are actually energized internally by thoughts, ideas, and what often appears as simply “being”.

~So, when an Extravert has had a long day, it’s helpful for them to get moving, to get out and about, and to interact with people. Extraverts get their batteries recharged with lots of people and activity…often, the more the better! The thought of being alone to a tired Extravert is usually unappealing and feels even more draining.

~When an Introvert needs to recover from a long day, it’s helpful for them to retreat. It could be reading, spending some time alone, or engaging in any gentle pastime they enjoy. Immersing themselves in a bit of solitude is sure to recharge an Introverts’ battery. To a tired introvert, the thought of mingling in a crowd will most likely sound undesirable and exhausting!

~The good news is that there isn’t a right or wrong, better or worse, desirable or undesirable aspect to our individual preference for Extraversion or Introversion. Just like you were born left- or right-handed, you were born with a tendency to be either an Extravert or an Introvert.

What matters is that you know your preference and manage your energy accordingly. For any of us to enjoy life and achieve what matters, we need to be vibrant, balanced, and energized. So give it some thought, determine your preference, and then nurture your unique style.

Much success,

Julie

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If you’re like many people, you may have passed on resolutions altogether. Or perhaps you set out with great enthusiasm but already feel your motivation waning. Regardless of your specific situation, consider a new way. A better way. An easier and more effective way.

Here are some new perspectives on ‘resolutions’ and on making them happen:

~What if instead of hard and fast resolutions or goals you set priorities or intentions? A bit more relaxed, equally compelling.

~What if instead of pushing yourself or striving to accomplish your priorities or intentions, you lean into them? Gently, consistently, effectively.

~What if instead of only acknowledging big segments of progress, you measure yourself based on any reasonable effort you make toward those things that matter most?

~What if instead of feeling down because you haven’t taken enough action or worse yet, listening to your inner critic’s belittling comments, you celebrate any forward progress?

~What if  instead of abandoning your priorities or intentions at the first sign of slippage, you reconsider and refine your approach and then allow yourself a second chance? Or a third, fourth…

This isn’t simply about semantics or wordplay. This is about reframing what you really want to achieve in a way that is positive, actionable, and most importantly, sustainable.

It’s still early in the year; you have time to shift your perspective. After all, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. I don’t know about you, but I’m always open to any new framework that increases the ease in my life and yields the quality results I most want.

Happy New Year,

Julie

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Like most of my favorite things in life, this ritual is simple and impactful. You’ll need something to write on, something to write with, and a block of quiet time. If you have those 3 things you are good to go.

Now think back over the past year and the many things that occurred. I find it helpful to do this with each of the following aspects of life:

*Personal Wellness* ~ It all starts with you. What did you do this past year to improve your well-being? Did you invest in yourself physically, mentally, or emotionally in some positive ways?

*Creativity* ~ We all have a creative nature. Did you indulge your creativity in 2011? Creativity is actually quite diverse, so think in conventional and unconventional terms!

*Spiritually* ~ You don’t have to be ‘religious’ to anchor yourself in your spirituality. I personally love the saying, “We’re not human beings having a spiritual experience, we’re spiritual beings having a human experience.” Did you nurture and strengthen your spiritual self in 2011?

*Leisure* ~ I hope you had lots of fun and plenty of downtime in 2011! How did you spend your leisure time this past year? Did you try a new activity, enjoy a special destination, or regularly immerse yourself in a long-term favorite past-time?

*Right Relationships* ~ As the year comes to a close, did you spend quality time with those that matter most? Did you enter into any new, positive relationships? Perhaps, you made the healthy choice to move away from a relationship that wasn’t affirming?

*Livelihood* ~ Since most of us need to generate an income, it’s priceless when doing so is meaningful and soul-satisfying. We all have a ‘best fit’ career match. Did you take steps to identify and pursue your ideal career match in 2011? Or did you appreciate the fact that you’re already blessed with a career that fully aligns with who you truly are?

As you reflect on each facet of your life in 2011, jot down key words, actions, and gaps. Be gentle. This isn’t about judging yourself harshly for having fallen short. Rather, use it as an opportunity to give yourself credit for any and all positive steps. Even being aware that we made minimal or no progress in a given area (but desire to) can be useful.

Now you have a fairly holistic review of 2011. At the same time, you have opened your mind to some opportunities for 2012. Wherever you see or feel a gap, you have an opportunity. You’ll probably want to set aside another block of time to note some intentions for 2012 in each area. It should be rather easy to review each lifestyle aspect again and think about where you want to step it up in 2012.

Studies show that written goals are significantly more likely to be accomplished than unwritten goals. You’re worth the extra effort to put your 2012 intentions in writing and once you do, you’ll be ready for all that 2012 holds for you.

Sending you warm greetings of the season and wishes for an even better 2012,

Julie

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