Discovering Opportunities for Growth and Change

The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers. – M. Scott Peck

Many of our most profound opportunities for growth, change, and progress are lost amidst the daily distractions we use to erase, escape, or elude the feelings that might spark in us some brighter light, some great resolve.

If we are overweight, we bury the uncomfortable feeling of being too big for our bodies at the bottom of a bucket of Ben & Jerry’s.

If we are unemployed, we may fall into a state of despair and confusion. We use avoidance techniques and try to bury the problem by falling into a state of confusion, lack of direction, focus and motivation. We tend to avoid facing the problem head, setting goals. Developing action plans and moving forward. We stay stuck which causes us more worry and despair.

Move out of the sad and avoidance box. Opt to gain clarity, direction, focus. Seek support systems. Career Coaches, Recruiters. Take action on discovering what it is that you want and move forward with even the smallest action each day. Don’t give up. It’s a process that takes time, the right resources and support systems. Consider reinventing yourself. Most important decide what it is you love and go for it.

Many people hide behind a computer building fantasy friendships to avoid loneliness. They   build fantasy friends with people on the other end of a computer somewhere in the world so that the darkness doesn’t swallow them. Turn on the light. Surround yourself with light, positive affirmations and positive energy. Get out there and discover what you want. Get the support you need!

Yet  in these moments, powerful moments the universe provides us as guide posts, street signs, and red flashing lights, we choose behaviors that perpetuate the very condition we are frantic to escape.

Perhaps the reason we are uncomfortable is that we need to change our position. Perhaps we are unhappy because we haven’t gotten over grief, let go of loss, or allowed ourselves to yearn for something more. Perhaps we are unfulfilled because we have run out of room in our lives and need to grow beyond the barriers and borders of what we believe. Perhaps the greatest disservice we do to ourselves is to disregard these opportunities to become the next version of who we want to be.

This week, as you go about your day, watch for the messages the universe is
putting in your path
. Notice the guide posts and red flashing lights that show where you are disconnected and out of alignment with your values, and goals.  Notice the unpleasantness for what it is, pause, and then take another step toward self-awareness, and Move Forward!

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Laughter Is The Best Medicine

By: Carol Giannantonio: Life/Career/Health/Performance Coach

Laughter is a miracle medicine. Research shows laughter is not just an effect, but also a cause—of various physiological responses that can benefit everyone, and perhaps especially people with lupus and fibromyalgia.

Studies have found that comedy can have an analgesic effect. Laughter positively affects mood; plays a role in improving immunity and reducing stress hormones pain, and controls blood pressure & circulation. Particularly migraines and pain. Laughter is like jogging inside…even inside your mind…visualize it watch TV exercise shows. Jogging release pain-reducing, mood-enhancing chemicals.

Our immune system gets a boost from every laughing moment. Immune cell suppressors are decreased.  This gives us more physical energy. It’s healing!

If I’m watching a funny movie in pain, I’m distracted from my pain temporarily; if I’m in the midst of a stressful event in my life, and something funny happens, I am literally removed from that event for the time I’m laughing. There is no pain.

Laughter just as exercise releases endorphins. It shifts our perspective from pain. Laughter is truly the miracle drug – the best medicine.  Laughter allows us to psychologically regroup, compose ourselves, and become stronger to deal with the stress and pain. PLUS, it’s a great companion. It does not make you feel alone. It boosts the mood and lowers the pain level.   Try incorporating humor into everyday life. It will improve your outlook—and improve the way you manage your physical symptoms.

Start a “a joke jar”, watch a funny movie, .read a funny book. A smile and changes your entire feeling. The facial muscle we use when we smile reduces the pain and heightens your happiness level.  The emotions we feel send sensors to our brain and we start playing some very powerful and different tapes in our mind.  We recognize that the old tapes we are playing in our mind no longer work for us. ONLY YOU have the power to replace old mind tapes with new, happy, tapes. Recognize your power, use it and be happy. LAUGH. Notice the different feelings you have. There’s a lot of happiness, healing and positive energy to be found in laughter.

Choose a way to represent your pain. Make a list of jokes, put them in a box or jar, pick one out when you need it. Writing, drawing or doodling also helps. Once it’s outside of you, you can shape it. You can take control of it .You can then turn it into a joke. Discover what makes you laugh: Comic strips? Funny books? Old movies?  A certain sitcom? Late night talk shows? Jokes? Once you know what makes you laugh, incorporate it into your daily life.

Notice the difference it makes. Engage a buddy in it by emailing each other a joke a day. The more laughter the better. Surround yourself with love and laughter. The feelings will amaze you

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Want to Create A SUCCESSFUL Business? Ask yourself these 10 Questions.

As  a Life, Relationship and Business Coach, I’ve given guidance to many business owners and entrepreneurs over the last 10 years. .

Are you an entrepreneur? Do you aspire to be one? Do you own a business? Do you lead a team in Direct Sales or Network Marketing? Are you a sole-preneur and own a home-based business? By answering ‘yes’ to at least one of these questions, you definitely want to read on!

Based on my coaching, interaction and experiences with these individuals, I formulated what I believe to be the 10 most important questions any entrepreneur wants to ask him or herself on a regular basis to create the results he or she desires.

So, here they are! They are in no particular order. They are all mportant and relevant questions to ask yourself if you are seeking positive change and improved results.

Question 1: Where am I going with my life today? The answer to this question will give you a good indication of the direction your business is going.

Question 2: How do I define success as an entrepreneur? Success is a process, not a payoff. The price to pay for success is time, money, energy and mental and physical action. As a  Life/Business/ Relationship Coach, I have witnessed many entrepreneurs operating from fear: fear of failure, success, commitment or rejection. Success requires faith and focus on the end result.

Question 3: Do I treat my business like a business?  Most people who say they own a business treat it more like a hobby. Treat your business with the respect it deserves.  Your business is a reflection of how you treat yourself and ultimately how others see and treat you.

Question 4: Do I set goals or do I set goals and achieve results? Achieving the results you want is far more important than being a goal-setter. To achieve results requires you willingness to change. If you have a poor self-image you cannot outperform it unless you are willing to change it.

Question 5: Do I have clear intentions? As a Business Coach, I ask entrepreneurs if they have a clear vision for their business. Do you have a business plan and marketing strategy? Do you have a brand- What services do you provide, who are you and why people should hire you! Most important, do you put service first above everything else, including the money.

Question 6: Do I have ‘broke’ thoughts and beliefs? If you do, your subconscious mind will assist you to create events that reinforce those thoughts and beliefs. This is the basis for how the Law of Attraction operates in our lives. When your talents can bring you money and you feel undeserving, you will sabotage your success.

Question 7: What are the telepathic messages I am putting out there? Many entrepreneurs send mixed messages: e.g. ‘I am open for business but I don’t feel worthy so don’t give me the money,’ or e.g. ‘I am open for business but don’t call me because I don’t want to feel overwhelmed.’

Question 8: What is my relationship with money? As Life, Business and Relationship Coach we often discuss the clients’ relationship with money. If you live in fear, lack and worry you are blocking financial success. As entrepreneurs, we are paid for the value we provide. Be willing to constantly expand, grow, unfold and re-invent yourself as the CEO of your life and business. This doesn’t mean ‘better’ than you were yesterday; it means being and giving more of who you are to the world.

Question 9: Do I have gratitude for who I am and do I accept where I am right here and now? Gratitude and acceptance of what you have and what is in this moment are the two greatest catalysts for positive change. Understand that prosperity isn’t about the money. It is an experience, a way of feeling, thinking and being.

Question 10: Am I willing to adopt a new Permission Structure? As a Life, Relationship and Business Coach I witness time and time again, clients who refuse to give themselves permission to succeed. Reinvent yourself by changing your permission structure. Give yourself permission to be successful, to be powerful, to thrive and to flourish! Your greatest power you can exert is choice!

Take time going over these questions. Be willing to answer them with honesty! Know where you are today, so you can create positive changes for you, your life and your successful business tomorrow!

© 2011   Carol Giannantonio Coaching and Consulting Services. All Rights Reserved. You may not copy, reprint or use this article without the consent of the author.

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Use You

Use your Brain Power and Positive Affirmations to Achieve Your Goals

As a Life, Business and Career Coach, I guide clients to make positive changes in their lives and careers. By using my brain based method of coaching – I ask deep thinking questions to expand and open your brain to new thinking, to forming new hard wiring, new mind maps and create new habits that positively transform your life and get the results you are looking for in the least amount of time.

Here are 5 powerful brain techniques that use positive affirmations to achieve your goals. When you engage your mind by using positive affirmations, it stimulates the brain to absorb and treat these affirmations as reality. When they are embraced and repeated constantly, the subconscious mind reacts my making it a reality around all you do.  Try these 5 simple steps and achieve your goals in the least amount of time. Plus, you will form new ways of thinking, boost your happiness, increase your confidence and achieve success!

1. Meditation

Integrate your affirmations with meditation, for faster and more powerful results. The combined usage of positive affirmations and meditation provides the best results if done just before you go to bed. By repeating your affirmations over and over before you sleep, you are allowing your subconscious to work on it throughout the night as it does not rest.

2. Visualization

Visualization is another technique for enhancing your affirmations. Incorporate a visual image to each affirmation. Visualize each affirmation as current reality. This process quickly increases the effectiveness of your positive affirmations.

3. Using Your Vision

40% of your mind is used for vision, and by writing down your affirmatioins and leaving them in places where you can see them easily, it acts as a constant reinforcement and reminder. Leave these lists in areas where you are able to constantly look at them, such as on the refrigerator at home, or on your desk at work on your bathroom mirror, on your night stand, in your car. Some folks record them and play them constantly. This truly helps you embrace the concept, live in the vision, reach your goals and achieve a great sense of happiness and positive thinking in all you do. Staying positive is the key to all success. ,

4. Include Greater Details

Be as clear and detailed as possible for all your affirmations so your subconscious mind knows exactly what you want to achieve. The greater the detail the more power you add to reaching your goals

5. Use Positive Words

Always use the present tense in your positive affirmations. This gives it the power of now, enabling the subconscious to act on it faster to match it with the reality around you. Use positive and stronger terms such as ‘will’ rather than ‘might’ and you will see that it makes a difference!

These are 5 techniques, if used every day they will help you achieve results much quicker and more effectively. You will increase your self confidence, build you self esteem and feel positive about yourself in mind, body and soul. Your happiness levels will soar. You will be a magnet attracting positive energy, positive people and positive results!

Please share your success experiences with me along with your positive affirmations…Keep smiling .stay in action and be happy! Please share you success stories with me along with your favorite positive affirmations. Need help, contact me at carolgcoach@aol.com. Your success is my reward. Smile, Step forward, stay positive and success is yours!

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Ten Action Steps to Happiness

Everyone wants happiness However happiness is different for everyone. Happiness is in the eye of the beholder. We all have our own special vision of happiness.

No matter what your vision of happiness is, these ten action steps can certainly set you off in the right direction.

1. Achieve
“Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

2. Face the Challenge
“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goals.” -Hannah Moore

3. Power Up Your Attitude
“The problem is not the problem; the problem is your attitude about the problem.” -Anonymous

4. Trust Your Determination
“The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man’s determination.” -Tommy Lasorda

5. Accept Change
“Change is the essence of life. Be willing to surrender what you are for what you could become.” -Unknown

6. Believe to Succeed
“Success is simple. Do what’s right, the right way, at the right time.”
-George Sheehan

7. Aim for Excellence
“Excellence is in the detail. Give attention to the detail and excellence will come.” -Perry Paxton

8. Envision the Future
“Only He who can see the invisible can do the impossible.”
-Unknown

9. Do what you Love
Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you’ll be a success.” — Albert Schweitzer, humanitarian

10. Embrace Life
“Go The Distance To Reach Your Dreams” -Carol Giannantonio

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