The last month or so I was fairly stressed by technology challenges – emails going astray (without notification), internet connection difficulties, phone line inexplicably being diverted to my new assistant Korryn (at least she had a chance to meet more of my clients!) and lots of hanging on the end of the line with help desks.

I confess I was quite irritated. When it came time to write my monthly ezine I wondered about what to write about. As I thought about the concept of how our mind leads us to joy or misery I realised how negative my thoughts were towards technology – and how much grief that was causing me! So I am practicing my new belief about technology (which has a very reduced expectation at the end of it!).

Writing each month is great – it challenges me to live my truth! Love it.

Thats my thought for now.

Cheers, Gay

This is the prone version of this Brain Gym Movement – life can only be better after a little lie down in a busy week!

So, start by lying down and notice how you are feeling. Relaxed and welcoming of the future – or something else?

With your legs relaxed out straight, bend one leg and bring it up so your ankle of your bent leg rests somewhere above your knee on your thigh of your straight leg (wherever is comfortable). Place your hands on your hips and turn your head so you are looking in the direction of your bent leg. Breathe out and relax into this posture, feel your hips open and your back relax. after a few breaths swap sides.

Finish by noticing any changes, I often find when my hips are tight so are my thoughts, this relaxes both. Try it!

*c Brain Gym – Created by Paul and Gail Dennison and a trademark of Brain Gym International www.brain gym.org

I find this a great way to relax and refocus when I am over or under focusing. Hope this makes your week easier!

First notice how your eyes, neck and shoulders feel.

Then, focus on something about eye height, keep your eyes on this object during this whole movement. Now cross your arms over your chest and place your hands on your shoulders, slide your hands down your arms about a hand span, until you reach a little dip on the outside of your upper arms.

Push firmly into the centre of the dip – yes it will likely hurt a bit as it is a acupressure point – and rub it while gently turning your head from side to side and nodding at the same time. You will feel like one of those little noddy dogs in the back of a car! Keep your eyes focused while your head, neck and shoulders relax.

Notice any changes, people usually report this relaxes their eyes and shoulders and helps the mind become quiet and focused, try it and see!

*TM Visioncircles – Created by Paul and Gail Dennison and a trademark of Brain Gym International www.braingym.org

what a month or so of technology hassles! akkkk! and then my darlin’ kelly is going back to the UK – however the wonderful thing about the virtual world is that her colleague Korryn will be taking over her role. Last week we all met and made some future plans one of which is to make available a weekly booster – so check me out on Wednesday – barring any more technology hiccups you should find a little something to help you through the week.

now, back to my weekend!

Enjoy, Gay

I have a confession to make, I haven’t been following what I know. It is so irritating when you get that – ‘yup, i shoulda…’ feeling!

The dreaded black hole of time sucked me in. You know the one, way to much to do, technology issues to deal with and just STUFF!

In the end with my unexpected but wonderful move to my own premises last year and all that entailed I have not been following my own marketing advice. Outcome? An unreliable number of people for my next Marketing with Heart workshop =(

Oh well, just another example to me of how powerful – and essential – the program is!

Last session I discussed this with my current group and committed to take myself through the program again. I do it most years and often double whatever area I focus on ….. so I am excited to start! Without it I could not do the work I love with my clients!

Don’t dja love those reminders from the Team?

See yah,

Gay

I was discussing prioritising her busy work today with a client and we came up with a simple visual for us more easily distracted folk…

She has tried the more usual managerial methods of ***’s, numbering and even the grid urgent/important, not urgent/ important, urgent/ not important and not urgent/not important to little effect.

We discussed the old story about rocks, pebbles, sand and water. For those who haven’t come across it here it is:

Imagine a container in front of you. Now fill it with rocks. Is it full? Maybe. It does seem so but try fitting in some pebbles.

Sure enough you can get quite a few in there as well. NOW is it full? Yes, it seems so. What about if you add some sand to the container?

Sure enough there is a bit more room. Must be full now. No! Still room for some water.

But what happens if you try to work in the reverse and fill up the container with water and sand first – you probably won’t get many pebbles or rocks in at all.

In this story the water and sand signify the little things that fill our time up while the rocks and pebbles signify the  big important stuff of life. And the moral of the story is obviously if you always try to fit in the water and sand first, there will never be room for the pebbles and rocks.

What a great visual that is, I can almost feel that container and how much I could fill it with each of those substances.

How about instead of trying to determine if a task was important, urgent, not important, not urgent (all the nuances of that make my brain hurt…) or even trying to figure out if it is a 1, 2 or 3, or even a *, ** or ******* we just  assigned a R, P, or S to it.

We thought it was brilliant. I immediately reassigned my to-do list as Rock things, Pebble things and Sand stuff. I left out the water. It happens anyway.

And it felt immediately easier.

Try it! Let me know what you think!

That’s it for now…

Cheers, Gay

I was reminded today that over 90% of people never write down their goals. 90%! I was shocked… then I remembered that only too recently I was one of those people.

Why not? I guess partly because I wasn’t sure what I wanted, partly because I doubted I could get it even if I was sure and partly because I thought it a waste of time…

….and now several years into regularly writing, reviewing and achieving my goals (or something better) I think of all that energy I wasted!

Now it is true that sometimes I haven’t gotten what I wanted. Sometimes I did but didn’t quite get the results I expected and instead went down a major learning path filled with challenges. Whichever way it has gone looking back it has been soooo worth it!

and each time I write my goals down I get better at it, more clear about what I want and more in tune with my highest expression.

then I thought of a young friend of mine who is having a bit of a tough life at present. He wrote down a few big wishes, just roughly, and stuck them on the wall. You know he made all of them. And some of them seemed absolutely impossible. Just imagine if he dared himself to dream really big about his whole life, perhaps his tough time would pass just a little more quickly.

I think this months ezine will be on goals and goal setting. It will be out end of the month.

Have a great January!

Gay

This email came from my Action Plan Coach Colleague and friend Geoff Kelly, I think it sets a perfect note at this time of year when we are reflecting on the past and beginning to be ready for the new and thought you might enjoy it!

I wish you a wonderful and refreshing holiday break and an joyous and abundant New Year!

Warmest regards,

Gay

With Gratitude and Best Wishes…

About 10 years ago I heard some words that changed my life from Canadian achievement scholar and expert Bob Proctor:

“When you set goals, don’t worry so much that you’ll need to live up to them. Focus on setting goals that are worthy of you. Make them goals you would give your life for…because whatever you are doing now, you are expending your life on it.”

I find it helpful to collect and reflect on the wisdom of people who have achieved much in life. I’ve attached a brief selection of these on the next few pages, as you might enjoy reflecting on them too as you prepare for next year. These are people and words that have changed lives and changed history. If we reflect and act on their wisdom, we can expect no less of ourselves. I hope you and your family have a safe and happy Christmas and New Year, and that you make 2010 your most fabulous year yet. I’ll look forward to sharing that journey.
Best wishes
Geoff Kelly

“If you want to know your past – look into your present conditions. If you want to know your future – look into
your present actions.”
Chinese Proverb

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”
Albert Einstein, 1879-1955, Physicist

“Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you help them to become what they are capable of
being.”
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 1749-1832, German Poet and Novelist

“You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”
Martin Luther King, Jr., 1929-1968, Civil Rights Leader

“You are what you repeatedly do. Excellence is not an event – it is a habit.”
Aristotle, 384-322 BC, Greek Philosopher and Scientist

“Let us become the change we seek in this world.”
Mohandas Gandhi

“What the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”
Napoleon Hill, Author of Think and Grow Rich

“The first step to becoming is to will it.”
Mother Teresa

“Start by doing what’s necessary, then what’s possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”
St. Francis of Assisi 1181-1226, Founder of the Franciscan Order

“Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus.”
Alexander Graham Bell, 1847-1922, Inventor

“It is no use saying, “We are doing our best.” You have got to succeed in doing what is necessary.”
Winston Churchill, British statesman

“The most difficult thing is the decision to act; the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do
anything you decide to do.”
Amelia Earhart, Aviator

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never
forget how you made them feel.”
Maya Angelou, Poet

“We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for
something and that this thing must be attained.”
Marie Curie, Physicist

“The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire.”
Ferdinand Foch, Military strategist

Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to
lose. You are naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”
Steve Jobs, CEO Apple Computers

What I will do to make 2010 my best year ever:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________

And if you want to subscribe to his newsletter, Leading Minds, the online newsletter for leaders who want others to support their ideas simply go to http://www.kellystrategicinfluence.com.au and enter your name and email address in the subscription box.

December 16th, 2009

Great party last night for clients and friends of Create. It has been such a fantastic month or so – finding new premises, developing the Create concept and then finally the celebration of this new space!

I am looking forward now to a little time off over Christmas to solidify my goals for next year for Create and for myself. Create was born from a BHAG – big hairy audacious goal put in place last year during my 2009 planning. I really did not expect to see it actualise so soon.

Be careful what you wish for! It can happen.

Enjoy!

Gay

BTW – This is me with Kelly, my new receptionist and solve-all person. Getting Kelly on board has been great. Thanks Kelly, for everything!

I am so busy setting up my new clinic – and combined with the acceleration of this time of year I need to remember these to stay sane!

Enjoy!

10 TIPS TO SURVIVE THE SILLY SEASON (GOOD FOR ANY TIME OF YEAR!)

by Gay Landeta

These ideas are not rocket science… they may be things you already know or I may have shown you to help you deal with your life…. play with them.

Some may work better than others and playing with them may remind you of others you know that you can add to the list. One great way to develop resilience is to keep finding great ways that help you to deal with the dross of life.

1. Use the Dennison Re-patterning Process when life feels to overwhelming. This is a fundamental part of Brain GymR and helps to refocus and re-organise our system to keep-on keeping-on in a relaxed and playful way. If you don’t know it learn it! It really is useful.

2. Let go of those roles that are keeping you stuck. Our roles, the hats we wear, create such expectations for us. Many of them bad! And especially at this time of year. Remember to step outside of them and figure out what you WANT to do and let go of what you SHOULD do.

Should’s do not bring us happiness in the end, nor do they ultimately keep the peace or make anyone else happy. Why? Because we often end up resentful and maybe even bitter. Find a way to make peace within with your ‘obligations’ and your needs.

3. Go for a swim in the sea. Salt water is very cleansing for our energy system and those ozones by the seaside contain a serious feel good factor. If you can’t get to the sea fill the bath and add a good handful or two of sea salt. Or put a big handful of sea salt in a soft flannel and rub it all over under the shower. You may be amazed at how squeaky clean you feel after. Gets rid of all that stale energy.

4. Keep communicating. This sounds simple but many of us give up communicating when we get busy. It becomes too hard. Recognise when you are finding it too much to talk and take a breath and initiate conversation with someone, anyone! That conversation may be about something important to you or just to connect and let others in.

Most of us need contact with another person everyday to help keep us sane!

5. Keep relaxed by keeping moving. Sounds a little weird but we do stay more relaxed with some movement in our life. It isn’t easy for many of us, including me, to remember to move, but it does make a difference. Try to include something everyday in your life.

6. Remember that your senses, especially smell and sound, are great tools to utilise in helping you to relax. Nice smells and calming music are used by all the 5 star spas all over the world to help you to relax in their environs. Take a tip and use it at home.

7. Have a rest. Sleep is important. And if it is getting scarce then power naps may be the answer. My mother (a mother of 5 who worked full time) got me addicted to these when my boys were small. Close your eyes for 5, 10 or 20 minutes. No longer. Allow yourself to completely relax during this time. When you keep it this short you do not get the duh feeling of a long afternoon nap. You just wake feeling refreshed and ready for action.

8. Keep up your nutrition, especially your minerals. We think that vitamins are important but for many of us it is all those trace minerals that are lacking. Our ancient soil is pretty mineral light and our bodies can get very depleted before any symptoms show. Talk to your local health food shop and get a good supplement if you are feeling tired or out of sorts. And, if your digestion is not what it should be then make sure you take them in a liquid form.

For those who are not sleeping, especially if you are a worrier and having some muscle cramps then consider magnesium, it can be a miracle mineral. (note this is not a prescription – talk to a qualified nutritional counsellor before undertaking any intensive vitamin or mineral therapy).

9. Make sure you own your choices. Once you decide to do something commit to it. While I understand this is hard, not committing is harder – why? Because if something goes wrong we start to regret our decisions or wish we had done something different. Hindsight is always 20/20.

If we own the decisions we make then we know they were the best we could do at the time. Otherwise we would have done something else.

10. Learn to recognise when you feel great and when you don’t. And when these are normal ups and downs (we all need these to know when we are happy if nothing else!) and when they are not. We all will have times when life conspires with too much and we are beyond our ability to cope.

When you can’t cope and what you are trying doesn’t help seek help. Don’t waste your life being out of whack. It is far too precious.

Have a wonderful holiday season!

cheers, Gay