Whole Story Coaching

10/16/2011

"There are two great days in a person's life–the day we are born and the day we find out why." – William Barclay

10/02/2011

Stop, listen, what's that sound? Everybody look what's 'goin round...

This is the most important decision in your career (or even your day). It didn't used to be. What next used to be a question answered by your boss or your clients. With so many opportunities and so many constraints,...

08/31/2011

"Renewal is possible as long as life exists." Gabor Mate, M.D.

08/13/2011

What is it that motivates some people to step out of a pattern that no longer works–and then maintain a new, more desirable pattern? Where "are you" on this graph as it relates to something you want to change?

08/05/2011

Kelly Slater, the 10 time world surfing champion describes how he finds speed and “ways through” on a wave. He says that he sees “flat spots” just ahead of where he can optimize his speed to get to the next spot, the next place for vision. Kelly is known for “making” waves and sections of waves where others dare not even try. His insights resonate with my own surfing practice and life. If I can see or even intuit what’s ahead–if I can have a vision for the next right thing to happen, if I can “connect the dots” between where I am and where I want to go, I am empowered, confident and have peace of mind.

One useful and productive practice I have in life that mirrors Kelly’s insights is to have a written, “Life Vision”, that I read and edit regularly. Since, like Kelly’s experience, every wave is unique and different, my life’s vision changes and morphs with the duality we all experience: the unpredictability and flow in life. The only evidence I have that my “Life Vision” practice works, is to look back on my life to assess what I have accomplished. It never ceases to amaze me how I can, and do create my own reality when I make it a dedicated practice.

If you’re interested in a simple template for creating and working on your own life’s written vision, I’d be glad to send it to you. Just send me a note/request at [email protected].

08/03/2011

"We are not conscious of most things until we ask ourselves questions about them." – David Eagleman

08/01/2011

Who and what is on your gratitude short list today?

07/26/2011

"You're not perceiving what's out there. You're perceiving whatever your brain tells you." – David Eagleman – What's your whole story?

07/19/2011

Marc Cohn's "Walking in Memphis" asks, "Do you really feel the way I do?" Deep empathy for self and another...and "other"..."falling in love"...Nothing quite like it.

07/08/2011

I enjoy asking people wherever I shop around town what they would be doing if their "dreams came true" or they became independently wealthy. Invariably they "light up" and get present. And invariably, their answers are different than what they are presently doing. How does one "know" and how does one go about "living the dream?" How do you do/live it?

06/29/2011

Recently, someone asked me what to do about an issue in his life. Coaching is not a "cookie cutter" approach since we all have unique ways of learning and we perceive the world in different ways. I shared with him what has worked for me in a great way for 20 years. I attend a men's group every week for two hours. Our purpose is to share a reference group of people who are interested in learning and growing. We maintain an expanding "container" with a wide birth for discussion including healthy support, rigorous honesty and constructive criticism – even when it's uncomfortable. The idea is to use the group as a laboratory for exploration and discovery in order to see myself in ways I could not – without the minds and hearts of 8 other men. It is a trustworthy, safe place to be seen and heard regarding the issues of our lives. And, it doesn't cost anything besides the time invested. I recommended it to any man or woman who wants to deepen their living experience.

06/27/2011

On those occasions at three in the morning when I am awakened by the story of my current life in the way of worry and concern, I like to do what I call, a "delaminating, onion skin exercise." I isolate each issue and say, "No, I'm not that" – whether it be worry about money, relationship, family or any other restless aspect of my life. One at a time I confront each issue and pretty soon I run out of things that seemed to have been bothering me - keeping me up – and I fall fast asleep into a deep and restful sleep cycle. What I find, time and time again, is a place of pure awareness, pure consciousness. A place of joy, comfort and "all will be well", regardless of what my story had been "saying." We are powerful beings. Let's not let our stories tell us, and "live" us otherwise. Today's the day.