Always following the plan?

Are you a planner? 

Having a plan is important...and a word of caution... don't be so locked into your plan that you miss the opportunity that's standing right in front of you. By all means, have a plan, and be open to veering from it.

Sometimes trusting your instincts over the plan is the best decision you can make.

It takes courage to think beyond what feels safe and familiar and, dare I say...expected. It can mean exploring perspectives that others can't see yet, or maybe ever.

But how do you know?

You have to be willing to bet on yourself and with so much external noise and opinions, that can be really tough to do...and oh so worth it.

To walk away from the plan, even briefly, because the plan will always be there, but the spontaneous opportunity might not.

Do you feel like you're locked into a plan that doesn't feel like it's going the way it should anymore?

Ask yourself - Where could going with the flow be advantageous here?  Not just any "flow" either. Paying attention to the thoughts you randomly get when you're daydreaming or zoning out in that meeting.  There's information for you there. The distraction that you ignore may be the very thing you need. The kickstart to a new direction. The spark for the next idea.



Are you ready?

Let's get to it...

Your challenge...

What opportunity is right under your nose?

It doesn't have to be a big thing. It could be the idea that always seems to be bubbling up when you're daydreaming. Or when you're zoning out in that meeting.

It's small and it's persistent and you probably don't think much of it. It's significance doesn't register.

Sounds like a perfect thing to take a chance on. If it's that small and insignificant, yet comes up consistently, what have you got to lose? It'll barely be a blip in your plan and you can handle that. You may even be surprised where that little blip leads you next, because really, that's where it starts. Planting the tiniest seed of an idea, giving it just a little bit of water and seeing where it goes, or maybe where it grows...

So go ahead, make plans and then be willing to trust your instincts.

 As always, you can  Contact me for a chat. I'd love to catch up with you!

Warmly,
Ann

Always following the plan?

Are you looking for clarity?

It's "that time of the year"...one might argue that it's more important than New Year's….the start of September.

Not sure what this may mean for you? Start by getting clear.

Create some space.

Clarity can't enter a mind that's already full. You need to create space first.

Start with a few deep breaths. Not metaphorically, actually do it.

Allow your mind to get quiet, and when you get that insight, no matter how small, make the decision to take one action. You don't have to have a fully formed plan to get going. Sometimes the clarity comes from the action, not before it.

It all starts with a tiny decision.

The decision that you're going to be purposeful. You're going to clear your mind. You're going to allow yourself to trust the insight you receive without arguing with it. All you need is your first step.That's it. That's where it starts.

Once you're on the move, that's often when the next best idea comes.Then the next, and the next...but if you stay sitting there, wondering what to do, you will remain there. Inert.

Making a small decision, and then committing to that decision. That's where it starts.

This doesn't mean you can't change your mind, that you're locked in forever. What it can mean is that you're no longer thinking about what you could be doing. You're actually doing!

It's the doing that presents the options.

• The forks in the road where you get to choose. 

• The distractions that turn out to be opportunities.

• The obstacles that become stepping stones. 

When you stay still, those things can't come your way. All of those things show up when you're in motion.

Are you figuring out your next step right now?


Are you ready?

Let's get to it...

Your challenge...

The start of September. Back to school for some, for others, back to work. For many...back to "regular life".

There's no better time than now to get clarity on that thing, whatever it may be for you.

Remember, if you're figuring out your next step right now, it doesn't have to be a "big thing" just somewhere where you'd like to be a bit more clear.

It all starts with clarity, making sure it's what you want.

• You're going to clear your mind.

• You're going to take that breath.

When you get that insight, no matter how small it might be, you're going to make the decision to take action...because you don't need a fully formed plan to get going. All you need your first step.

And remember, clarity isn't something you find once and have forever. It's a practice. Clearing space. Getting quiet and allowing the insight to come. Then making a decision to take a step, no matter how wobbly it may feel.

You've got this.

Looking for clarity? Contact me 

Cheers,

Ann

Are you looking for clarity?

True or false? Your brain doesn't care...

True or false? Your brain doesn't care...

Your brain doesn't care about what's true, it cares about what you repeatedly do.

This includes how you think and speak to yourself.  You are always listening.

Whoa. That can be scary or exciting depending on where you're at right now.

The things you say flippantly. The self depreciating comments. All of it becomes your foundation. Your truth. Your default mindset.

This is why I do the work I do. Helping you to shift your life, one thought at a time. Tweaking the way you automatically go in the direction you go. Especially when things aren't going well.

It's the little things that add up to transformative change.

Why does this work?

Because you do so many things in patterns across all areas of your life, making a small tweak in one area, will automatically translate to another area. That's where the power is. The bang for your buck.

Sometimes it's as simple as replacing an assumption with the question: "What else could this be?"

Or, when your busy mind starts thinking of all the things that could go wrong ask: "What do I want instead?"

Two simple substitutions that, over time, can make an incredible difference in how you look at your world. How you experience your life.

Here's the caveat, you have to want to change and change takes work. It's easier to just stay the way you are, think the things you do, put up with what you put up with.

Change. It's worth it.  You're worth it.


Are you ready?

Let's get to it...

Your challenge...

Let's start small...because small is doable.

For the next week or so, take one of the suggestions I've given you above.

If you tend to go into doom thinking and worrying about the worst case scenario then I invite you to ask yourself the question. "What do I want instead?" This will help for a couple reasons. The first one is the fact that you're interrupting your thought pattern by asking yourself a question. This will naturally lead your brain to automatically search for an answer.

If you tend to make assumptions, then I invite you to ask yourself the question: "What else could this be?" Again, asking yourself the question in and of itself will interrupt the trip down the road of making assumptions. It will also help you to find another possibility.

Which one are you going to practice?

As always, you can  Contact me for a chat. I'd love to catch up with you!

Warmly,
Ann

True or false? Your brain doesn’t care…

The minute you believe it's possible...

The minute you believe it's possible...it suddenly becomes more probable.

As humans, we tend to overcomplicate things. We can allow past experiences to cloud our perspective. We listen to the voice of fear in our heads, and we allow ourselves to be stopped before we get started. 

Possibilities start with the belief that something is available to you.

If you've read any of my blogs for any length of time. You know, I love Henry Ford's quote "Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right". I still hold that one in high regard because it's true, your mindset directs everything: 

• Where you place your attention.

• The things that get filtered out.

• The things you allow in.

It just makes sense. If you think you can't do something, you're going to find all the evidence to support that and likewise, if you think you can, you'll find the evidence that supports that too. 

Although it sounds simple, shifting your mindset is not easy and....it's doable.

I can't help but think about possibilities when I look back at my own experiences, specifically in this past 11 years as an entrepreneur and the things that have come to pass. Without the belief that they were possible, well, they wouldn't have happened.

It wasn't an overnight shift. It happened bit by bit. Noticing how I looked at things, or thought about things and then consciously deciding how I ultimately wanted my world to be. I definitely don't have it all figured out. It's still something that I have to consciously work on at times. Thankfully, most of the time, I can be in a more optimistic, resilient state of mind, and because I'm human, that's not always the case.

The idea that believing something's possible makes it more probable may sound too simple and it's true. You cue that part of your brain - the reticular activating system (RAS) -to start noticing the things that will help you make that thing more probable. It starts filtering your world so that you see more opportunities to make that thing happen.

My wish for you is to build your optimism.

Like anything else, you need to consistently practice. For optimism, we get a chance every single time something comes our way. We tend to filter in 1 of 2 directions: How am I going to look at this? Negative or positive? That's where it starts.The gateway. Making the decision that you're going to opt for an outcome that's more hopeful. This is not toxic positivity. This is how you build resilience. Bad things happen and we get the opportunity to reframe how we want to move forward. Not by ignoring them, or avoiding them, rather being able to move through them more seamlessly.

So where are you at right now? What's your baseline? You need to know where you're starting from in order to know where you want to go.

Are you ready?

Let's get to it...

Your challenge...

It's never a "one and done".

If you want lasting change, the magic ingredient is consistency. Showing up. Doing the work... especially when you don't feel like doing it. When it's easier to default back into old patterns.

The magic sauce is to show up every day and start again. To revisit what your knee jerk reaction is and ask yourself: "Is this still how I want to show up?" and course correcting when necessary. Sounds simple. I know it's not.

That's why I show up every week giving you these nudges. Subtle sometimes, and not so subtle other times. Because I know that there are so many possibilities for you that are just there beyond your grasp and the minute that you believe that they're actually possible it's going to change your life.

Not in a giant swoop or whoosh, because that's not really how it goes. Rather step by step, little by little, you can make these changes.

I'm here to support you.

As always, you can  Contact me for a chat. I'd love to catch up with you!

Warmly,
Ann

The minute you believe it’s possible…

How do you feel about change?

You can't change everything, that's a fact. Yes, of course, you can change the way you look at it. Your attitude towards it. Your mindset around it. Those are within your span of control, and in order to change anything, it starts with the acknowledgement that change is necessary.

It begins there.

Let's face it, you can walk around with blinders on thinking everything's fine, and maybe it is in your world. Sometimes it's a loved one who points something out, a coworker, or a friend. Someone who notices something that's stopping you from being or living to your full potential. The calling out.

That's great. It's great to have somebody call something out...and if you're not in a state of receptiveness and readiness, then essentially nothing's going to happen.

I see this with potential coaching clients all the time. Someone said something to them and now they're in front of me. Not quite knowing why they're there. When we get to the bottom of it, the two elements of a successful coaching engagement are missing: Desire and readiness. The desire to make a change and the readiness to start working on it.

They're there, but not for the client. They have someone in their life who wants them to make this change, they're ready to see them change. But the person in front of me is not there yet and without that, there's no point moving forward.

It's not a judgement, it's an experienced observation of facts.This is where they are. Unless someone comes with their own desire to make a change, with the acknowledgement that it would be beneficial for them, then really, nothing's going to happen. It's wasting time for both of us.

This applies to anything. If there's not a sense of readiness and the willingness to embrace something, then what's the point? The results aren't going to be sustainable.

How about you? Where are you at right now?

We're past the middle of August..creeping into September. I know, you know this.

This is when people's thoughts often turn to change, to starting something new, or perhaps revisiting something that they've put on the shelf for a while.

Which one applies for you? Or maybe for you it's something else?


Are you ready?

Let's get to it...

Your challenge...

This one's really simple.

Ask yourself:

• Is the desire to do this thing there for me? Do I want to make this change?

• Do I want to do this for me or does someone else want me to do it?

The answer to this question is going to direct your next steps.

If it's not for you, that's okay. Figuring that out is a really good step to take. If it's for you, then proceed to the next question, which is:


Am I ready to do the work?

You can have all the desire in the world, but if you're not ready to do the work, then there's no point.  It doesn't mean never, it just means not now. It's all about timing. That's okay. It's making sure that you don't let go of that desire because of all of the "other things".

If you have the desire and you're ready to go, I'm here for you.  Let's get started.  

As always, you can  Contact me for a chat. I'd love to catch up with you!

Warmly,
Ann

How do you feel about change?

Who's driving the bus?

Who's driving the bus?

Your mindset is driving the bus...and we all know how driving can become an "autopilot" activity.

We can lose track of our default settings. You know, how we typically respond to things without even thinking. We seem to forget that like anything else, your mindset is changeable.

And change is uncomfortable.

It's acknowledging that where you are, the things you're doing, are not getting you what you want. And by "what you want" I'm not talking about physical, tangible things. I'm talking about, an enjoyable life, one where you have more joy, contentment and happiness. Where more often than not, you're able to appreciate where you are at this check point.

It really is my mission to help individuals to understand that their experiences are directly influenced by their mindset. To notice that what they're experiencing is a direct result of their own beliefs. It's being aware of how you typically look at things and not being surprised when things turn out the way they do. This is not a criticism. It's reality. Not blame. We're all doing the best we can with what we have.

But if "what is" isn't good enough for you anymore, then that's when it's time to take a peek. To really start to notice what your default is. What your settings are, so that you can make a conscious decision to change.

Because you know what?

This doesn't have to be as good as it gets.

Let this be a check-in point, a "way station" where you make the call. Moving forward, I want more of this - you fill in the blank - not, "I want less of this". I want more of this. See the slight variation there in language. When you focus on what you don't want, you're missing out on the most important thing, what you DO want.

Want. It starts there. One tiny, firm step at a time.

It's making the call that this isn't good enough anymore. You're making a change.



Are you ready?

Let's get to it...

Your challenge...


If you've read this far, I'm guessing, that maybe you have something or somewhere in your life where you want to make a change, where something isn't good enough anymore.

It takes courage to face something head on.

• That's the first step, acknowledgement.

• Then comes the work.

A lasting change needs consistent and persistent work until it becomes a habit. Rewired into your brain, so that eventually, you just do it by default. You shift your settings.

One consistent, unshakable step at a time.

You've got this.  I've got your back.

Ready to start driving the bus? Contact me 

Cheers,

Ann
*Confidence *Mindset *Performance Coach *Author 

Who’s driving the bus?

Do you have limiting beliefs? It's a trick question...

We seem to categorize our beliefs into two buckets:

• Limiting beliefs.

• All other beliefs.

Here's the thing...all beliefs are limiting. That's their job.

They filter out any information that seems irrelevant or that doesn't support them and, wait for it...they tend to draw our attention towards things that support them. The point being that maybe what we call "limiting beliefs" are beliefs we no longer hold and...that's okay! That's growth

It's very likely that you have some beliefs that you're hanging on to that aren't actually yours. Your entire life you've been influenced by others. That's pretty normal, and when some of those beliefs are stopping you from growing, or aren't resonating for you anymore it may be time to pay attention a bit more. What belief are you hanging onto that's no longer useful for this phase of your life?

We're not meant to have the same beliefs we had as children, or the previous versions of ourselves. With wisdom and experience our beliefs will change. It's being open to this concept, allowing yourself to change an opinion or viewpoint that no longer represents the person you are now.

It's acknowledging that was then, this is now. People change. Their accompanying beliefs can too.

We usually don't question our beliefs until we come to a crossroads, perhaps where the beliefs that we have are conflicting with the direction we want to move towards. That's usually when the questioning begins. This can feel uncomfortable because if you believed in something, a concept, or an idea and all of a sudden you're questioning it, it can be confronting.


Are you ready?

Let's get to it...

Your challenge...


This is not about throwing your beliefs out the window. It's an invitation to start noticing which ones aren't resonating anymore. Sometimes growth and change are going to rattle those beliefs.That's the time to ask yourself: Is this belief still true for me? Listen to the whisper.

When a belief becomes a roadblock to your desired growth, maybe it's time to let it go.

Questioning your beliefs? Contact me 

Cheers,

Ann
*Confidence *Mindset *Performance Coach *Author 

Do you have limiting beliefs? It’s a trick question…

It's time...

It's that time...

It’s July, the peak of summertime here in Ontario. I'm wondering, have you taken a break yet? 

Even though the thought of taking a break can make me a little itchy, I know that a break would be useful. As you know, my latest book "You Wouldn't Be Here If You Hadn't Been There."* just came out and it's been busy!

However, I remind myself, I can still find some time to take a pause, recharge, and reset.

How about you? Have you taken a break yet?  Even a pause can be useful.

Pausing to check in with yourself. When you’re constantly on the go, it can be easy to forget about taking time for yourself.

What does a pause look like?

From taking an actual vacation to finding moments in your day; a pause is a chance to step back, catch your breath, and reset.

Why does taking a pause matter? There are so many benefits:

• Stepping away from something gives you a chance to get a new perspective on it.

  • Something as simple as getting up and going for a walk can be enough to refresh you and provide you with insights into a problem. Insights that you would never get if you stayed focused on it.

• It can recharge your batteries.

  • When you charge an actual battery, you plug it in. But you’re not a battery! In order to recharge your human batteries you need to unplug. Disconnecting even briefly can leave you feeling refreshed and re-energized.

  • You can gain momentum by slowing down and taking a break. New ideas come in those moments when you’re doing something else.

• If nothing else, taking a break of any length can serve as a reset. A new baseline to move from.

So what can you do?

Are you ready?

Let's get to it...

Your challenge...

If taking an actual vacation is out of the question for you...remember It's still summertime, the perfect opportunity to pause, step back, and reflect. Take advantage of it.

Every now and then, stop and take a look around, take in the scenery. Check-in with all of your senses. Really. Track through your body, and maybe notice your breath or balance. Listen to the sounds around you, near and far. Notice the picture unfolding around you and take in the details. All of it. Savour it. Put it into your mental bank account and then withdraw it anytime you need a quick break.

Just like Ferris Bueller said…"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it”.  And, you don't want to miss it!

As always, you can  Contact me for a chat. I'd love to catch up with you!

Warmly,
Ann

* My new book: "You Wouldn't Be Here If You Hadn't Been There." is now available. Find it on my “Books by Ann” tab.

It’s time… Pause. Recharge. Reset.

When someone says this...resist the urge to run!

When someone says to me, "if I were in your shoes", my tendency is to smile, nod, and politely listen in order to avoid what I really want to do, which is run.

I want to run because when someone's offering advice, framing it that way, they're really not thinking about me at all.

They're projecting, which is what we do as humans. We think back to our own experience that seems familiar to the situation in front of us. We reflect on what did and didn't work for us, our regrets and successes, and then we feel compelled to share that with someone else. It happens in seconds. All from a place of goodness, that's for sure. But usefulness...

Hey I'm always opening to listen to other people's experiences. I think that's what makes the world go around. We can learn from each other, but also learning to trust that deeper knowing that you have inside, that's based on all your years of experience, knowledge and doing. That's the part that can get missed, especially if you're in a situation that feels uncomfortable and you're looking for a way out. Wanting someone else to provide a solution is a natural response.

Trusting that you really do have the wisdom you need. Because you do, and because no one is ever going to be in the same circumstances you're in. Ever. It's pretty much impossible because of who YOU are. Your experiences, which go way back. You are the accumulated version of all of that. That's why even if a situation seems the same, your experience of it and response to it will be, yours.

So listen to the advice. Acknowledge it. Make your call. You may even take the advice if it feels right. That's ownership.

Are you ready?

Let's get to it...

Your challenge...

One thing we'll never be able to avoid is other people's opinions, and that's okay.  It's about remembering your own agency, your ability to make a sound choice.  Especially for those more challenging decisions.

If you're in a position right now where you're sorting through a dilemma, something that feels difficult and you're getting a lot of advice thrown at you, you may need some reminders:

• Listen to and acknowledge the advice.

  • Remember, it's probably coming from a place of goodness.

• Consider a few perspectives.

  • If you're going to listen to one person, you may as well listen to a couple!

• Gather the opinions and advice.

  • Then get quiet and reflect.

• Trust yourself, your instincts.

  • They're there for a reason.

You've got this. I've got your back.

Ready to have a conversation? Contact me 

Cheers,

Ann

When someone says this…resist the urge to run!

In case you're wondering, this might be about you.

In case you're wondering...this might be about you.

I sometimes hear from people who feel like I've written something directly for them and it always makes me smile...because my goal is for people reading this is to feel seen. To identify with the things I talk about. To find a nugget in my blog that opens up a new possibility for them. A little "aha" that creates a shift in perspective. To finish reading feeling a bit better, maybe more resourceful than when you started.

Or maybe for you, you feel uncomfortable, a nerve has been touched and now it's at the forefront of your mind where you can't avoid it. That can happen too.

If you open my blog and it feels like the timing was exactly right...it relates to something going on in your life right now...I'm achieving my goal.

Because, every time you open one of my blogs you're going to be reading it from your perspective. What's going on in your world. It all depends where you're sitting, what lens you're looking through at the moment...your interpretation.

So if you finish reading one of my weekly blogs and you feel like I wrote it just for you, I'm so happy that I provided you with some food for thought right when you needed it.

I'm happy that it resonates, because if it does, it may mean it hit something that you need to think about, to explore a bit and who doesn't like exploring?

Like I said, I'm so glad that what I write resonates with you. Thank you for showing up and reading every week. I appreciate you.

If my blogs resonate with you, you're going to want to get your hands on my new book: "You Wouldn't be Here if You Hadn't Been There..."  Coming out very soon! I'll send a special email when it's available.

Until next week...


Ready to have a conversation? Contact me 

Cheers,

Ann
*Mindset & Performance Coach *Author 
www.steppingstonecoaching.ca

In case you’re wondering, this might be about you.