Here's some advice...

Stop giving advice!  Unless...

Has this ever happened to you? You're in the middle of a situation and maybe you want advice and maybe, more times, what you want is an ear...someone to listen, hold space...without vomiting advice all over you. Which, let's face it, is a completely human thing to do! But not always helpful. Take a read and then check out the one simple thing (okay...maybe it's advice) you can do to truly "help" someone...

There are definitely pros and cons here...it's complicated...

There are advantages to getting advice. Perhaps you don't have to solve your problem which can sound really attractive if you're in the middle of something and you're struggling to find a resolution. Boom....someone's fixed it...off you go.  It also makes the advice giver feel pretty important too!  And if things go south? You've got someone else to blame. Sounds like a pretty good deal doesn't it?

But wait...what are the potential pitfalls here? Well, first and foremost...that solution isn't yours and because the solution isn't yours...there's no ownership. If things go south...you're back to square one. Back with a problem that needs to be solved!

What would happen if you went to someone with a problem and they just listened attentively...and you felt it? 

Whether you're a boss, a partner, parent, friend or colleague...listen up! 

It's amazing what can happen when you allow someone to speak without interruption. As they unravel the situation out loud you'll notice that many times they discover their own solution.

What's the benefit of that? This may be underestimated. 

It's THEIR solution so they own it and are more likely to act on it.

It's theirs...whether it works or not, it's either a lesson or a victory for them.  An important step in building confidence and learning to trust oneself.

AND...having said all of this...sometimes people DO want advice!

What are you supposed to do?


Are you ready?

Let's get to it...

Your challenge...


The next time someone comes to you with a problem, whether it's an employee, child, partner, colleague etc. Instead of jumping to advise them (totally human by the way) try this instead:

• Stop.

  • Take a breath and then...

• ASK them:

  • Do you want my advice...or do you want me to listen?

Watch some magic happen. Sometimes all it takes is a silent audience to help someone to come to their own conclusions!

When you give space for someone to talk things out you're helping them more than you think. You're helping them to build their own confidence and trust in themselves, because ultimately...everyone really does have all the skills, strengths and capabilities they need.

Want to learn more about how a few sessions with me can dramatically increase your confidence? Contact me  I guarantee you'll be glad you did!

Warmly,

Ann

Here’s some advice…STOP giving advice…

Is it a setback or...

Is it a setback or a setup?

Let's face it... setbacks are a part of life. Whether it's in a relationship; with your job; your health...with anything that's a part of your life...setbacks can happen. Often when we look back at the setbacks in our lives, or the things that we defined as setbacks, retrospectively, they were actually setting us up for the next thing that we needed to be ready for. They were the nudge that made us take the other fork in the road, maybe kept us longer in one position than we thought we would stay, or conversely got us out of something more quickly than we thought we would.

The gift of 20/20 hindsight is that it tells you...'oh yeah, that was meant to happen, that's why I'm where I am today'.

It's safe to say: Things don't always work out how you may want them to. Just when you thought you were over yet another hump, another one showed up. A setback. 

It's easy in the moment to find the challenges in a setback - "You're so done, if this wasn't happening you'd… You'd rather be…or you wish…etc."

Cue the 20/20 hindsight.  Wouldn't it be so useful if you could magically look ahead and check your rearview mirror? From this vantage point what might you see?  Often, with hindsight, a "setback" is  what became the setup. A "stepping stone" of sorts.  It's usually not obvious in the moment, that's why hindsight seems to be the key. When you're in the thick of the forest it's hard to see actual trees.

There's usually some wisdom to be gained from looking at how you've managed setbacks in the past.  Looking back can be useful because... you made it through. You can see how the setback paved the way for something else. It's about who you became as a result.

Are you ready?

Let's get to it...

Your challenge...

If you're in the middle of what feels like a setback now, here's a way to get some perspective on it.

Think of a setback you had in the past that you now believe was actually a setup for something that wouldn't have been possible otherwise.

• As you do, notice what things looked like through your eyes at the time.

• If someone else was in this situation, how would they describe it?

• If you backup a bit more, what might an onlooker have said about this situation?

• If it was a story or someone was writing a blog about it, what would it say?

Get up and go for a walk or just stretch and move for a couple of minutes or so.

Now think about something you're currently facing that feels like a setback.

• Think about the situation from your perspective.

• How might someone else who's involved in this situation describe it?

• Back it up further and notice how a bystander might describe it.

• If you look ahead a few years, how would you describe this situation to someone else?

Sometimes, a setback is an opportunity to progress and grow elsewhere. The opening for the next thing you're meant to be doing, having or being.

When it comes to growing your confidence there's no exception, especially when the setbacks may seem to happen more often than you'd like. They really are the building blocks you require to grow your confidence.  And like any other perceived setback...you'll eventually be able to see clearly from the rearview mirror how all the pieces came into place. 

100% certainty on anything is only guaranteed in the rearview mirror...

Keep going...you've got this!

Want to learn more about how a few sessions with me can dramatically increase your confidence? Contact me  I guarantee you'll be glad you did!

Warmly,

Ann

Is it a setback or a setup?

What's the benefit of that thing you repeatedly do?

What's the benefit of that thing you repeatedly do? 

This is probably the most difficult thing that my clients (and myself!) are asked to do when they are spinning in a pattern of behaviours that isn't getting them the results they want. 

Finding the benefit.


This question can be confronting for sure especially when you’re looking outside of yourself to find the reasons for the things you do or don’t do.  Often the answers are just out of your grasp and with work, you can find them.

I feel you…I've been you... and as humans we don't repetitively do something that doesn't give us some kind of benefit. The key is when you find it, you can look at different ways of getting that benefit, different ways that may open up new opportunities for you rather than keeping you stuck.

Here's the catch… you have to do the work. There's no way of avoiding it. Looking for someone else to give you the answers would be so much easier wouldn’t it!?  It might help temporarily and, because they’re not your answers, you will eventually end up right back where you are. Stuck in the old pattern of behaviour.

Whatever it is underneath that's guiding your behaviours....that's the ticket. Once you figure that out you can actually start to take real action to make changes...if that's what you want.

Like anything, noticing is the first step...the epiphany. What you do next is up to you. Are you going to stay stuck where you are with this new knowledge or are you going to take a step?

You can keep running or you can stop and take a pause and decide:

• That you're going to learn...but you're not going to marinate in it.

• You're going to reflect...but you're not going to let it define you.

You can move forward with the knowledge and choose your next step carefully.

Are you ready?

Let's get to it...

Your challenge...

Habits are strong.  Yes, continuous behaviours are habits too. You have to find the benefit of doing what you're currently doing...or not doing.  There's always a benefit. Humans don't do something repeatedly without a benefit.

Let's say that the behaviour that's getting in the way of doing what you say you want to do is people pleasing. 

• Ask yourself:

  • What are the benefits of people pleasing?  Yes...there are benefits. For example, you avoid confrontation or keep the peace.

• Now ask yourself:

  • How else could I get these benefits?  It may take time, and you can learn skills to get what you want without confrontation.  I think they're called boundaries...

  • See what comes up for you. 

Take an example of your own behaviour and ask yourself these questions.

What else may help?

• What's your "why" for addressing this behaviour?

  • Make sure it's yours. Not something someone else thinks you should do. Your "why” is what will pull you forward. You need to remember why you want to make this change.

• Make sure you have a strategy in place for when things get difficult.

  • It could be as simple as saying: If xxx happens, then I will do yyy - and practicing it so you're ready when the time comes.

Be consistent. Be persistent. The key to success is in taking small steps daily.

Want to learn more about how a few sessions with me can dramatically increase your confidence? Contact me  I guarantee you'll be glad you did!

Warmly,

Ann

What’s the benefit of that thing you repeatedly do??

I've got nothing...again...

Oh, I've been trying and I know that that never bodes well...efforting.  Trying to muscle through. Forcing. All of this doesn't work for me. How about you? 

It happens...

What's cool about it this time?  I can see the pattern now. The pattern that has repeated itself for many, and I mean many years now!!

The ebb and the flow, the ease and effort, and then? The dip. The empty space in between. I'm not a fan of this part, although I absolutely recognize it as part of my process. Ugh...

My third book "The Confidence Recipe"  http://tinyurl.com/5n6m7uf6 was recently published.  You would think that I'd be over the moon. I'm happy about it for sure. The accomplishment. The final product.

And, like most people? The achievement isn't the prize.

What do I mean by this?

It's the climb to the mountain top. The path taken that scrapes your knees and grows you in ways you wouldn't have grown otherwise. The process, the journey, whatever you may call it. Once you're at the top? You look around and then...

For me? I start looking for the next thing and feel anxious if I can't see it right away.  Maybe you can relate?

What do you do?

I've decided that today I'm giving myself some grace. Answering a question from a  page out of my own book...it's definitely easier said than done, and yet it's necessary. To pause, reflect and savour.

Grace...allowing yourself some time before you jump to the next thing.

Where could you use some grace today? Where could you slow down and savour where you are, right here, right now?

To be okay with doing absolutely nothing. To phone it in. To take a break.


Are you ready?

Let's get to it...

Your challenge...

Find a situation where you're just not feeling it. You know what it is.Then...give yourself some grace.  Ask yourself:

• Will pushing harder help?

• If I take a break, what will happen?

• What if I slow down and savour where I am, right here, right now?

My guess is, the world won't fall apart!

Give yourself some grace...see you next week!

Want to learn more about how a few sessions with me can dramatically increase your confidence? Contact me  I guarantee you'll be glad you did!

Warmly,

Ann

I’ve got nothing…again…

Any regrets? It's never too late...

Can we talk about regret?  Possibly the most bitter pill to swallow... 

Maybe not the most exciting topic to talk about and probably the one I come up against fairly often in my work. Thankfully it's usually helping people to recognize that if they don't do something, whatever it is, then regret can be a result.

The regret of inaction, the not doing of the thing that's pulling at their heart. They get to realize that they: can apply for that job; start that book; reinvent themselves; work on their dream; or do whatever it is that they're holding back on.

Or it could be things like: having that tough conversation they've been putting off; finally saying no; setting a boundary; standing up for themselves etc. 

Let's face it... no one looks back and says "oh I'm so glad I didn't (you can fill in the blank here)" ...nope... that's never what happens. It's the looking back and thinking "Ah shit...I wish I'd done that" or, maybe worse "I should've done that". Those are the words of regret. Woulda...shoulda...coulda... But you didn't. 

One thing all of these people tend to have in common is a story they're hanging on to that tells them they can't do something. These stories are often related to long ago things that no longer exist that created self-doubt. This self-doubt that's holding them back contributes to a sense of fear and prevents them from taking that first step into the unknown. Sigh. If this sounds all too familiar...you are not alone!

Don't let this be you! It's not too late...you're not too old, too young, too...
Or maybe for you...you're not enough...you don't deserve it...
none of this is true!

YOU have time. You're reading this now. What is it that you have deep down in your heart that you're yearning to do?  What are you holding back on?

Because of our natural tendency to have a negative bias, the voices of self-doubt can be so much louder than the voices of self-confidence.

Do you find yourself looking over at someone else who's doing that thing you want to do, and feel empty?

Is it time to take another look at that thing that keeps coming up?

As you know, I recently published my third book http://tinyurl.com/5n6m7uf6 and the number of conversations I've had since with people who've told me about "their book", the one in their heart or the one that's already written but not "out there" are too numerous to count. The reasons vary but the sentiment is there...they're already regretting not doing it yet.

Maybe it's not a book for you. You know what it is. It's never far from your heart. Whatever you're thinking. By delaying it, what are you gaining? 

Is today gonna be that day? The day that you decide that the bitterness of regret down the road creates more fear than actually taking a step? That day.

Are you ready?

Let's get to it...

Your challenge for the next week...

Have you heard of Diana Nyad*?  There's a movie out right now called "Nyad" and I found it so powerful that I wanted to share the three things she said once she completed her marathon swim from Cuba to Florida.

• Never, ever give up.

  • Not starting is giving up.

  • What's one thing you can do now to start the ball rolling?

• You're never too old to chase your dreams.

  • Truth.

  • Maybe this isn't what's holding you back. Take a moment to find your excuse.

• It takes a team!

  • Are you trying to do it on your own?

  • Start to hang out with people who've done what you want to do...or are a few steps ahead of you.

What lies between fear and regret? Inaction. So get started...call out your excuses, and find your team!

Is today going to be "that day" for you? 

Want to learn more about how a few sessions with me can dramatically increase your confidence? Contact me  I guarantee you'll be glad you did!

Warmly,

Ann

My new book/journal "The Confidence Recipe"  is now available and I can't wait for you to experience it!! Buy it!!  http://tinyurl.com/5n6m7uf6

Why work with me?  As a Confidence Coach, I help you to be intentional in all of your interactions. Especially those where there's no "do-over".  Contact me  Let's get started!

Diana Nyad*  https://diananyad.com/

Any regrets? It’s never too late…

You're doing it right...really!

You're doing it right!

No matter what “it” may be…

How often, especially when you're learning a new skill...do you look around you to make sure that you're "doing it right"?”

I remember those days...and I still get those little nudges every now and then, usually when I'm new to something and building my competence. I  don't know about you, but I still catch myself checking around me to make sure I'm in line with others who may be doing a similar thing to me. Sound familiar? If so, you're in good company !

The thing is...competence automatically breeds confidence. Unfortunately, you may not have enough time before you have to do that thing to be completely confident...as if there's such a thing...  Because confidence comes from doing, and if you're not doing because you're waiting...well, you can see how this can create a conundrum!

I received some really useful feedback when I was new at a skill and concerned that I wasn't  "getting it right". The person I was working with turned to me and said "don't compare your insides to someone else's outside". Right there in that moment what they essentially were saying to me was...don't think I have it all figured out ...I just look like I do. That didn't land with me for a long time. Eventually, I realized it was true. Most people tend to feel the same way... they get nervous and look at someone who looks as cool as a cucumber and think they've got all figured out. They don't!

Let's talk about you...where are you checking behind you, ahead of you, beside you, looking to see who's doing something like you and checking to make sure you're doing it 'right'?

When you're building competence it's useful to have some sort of template to follow, and, eventually it's going to be time to bust out of that and really create your own flavour, so to speak. Easier said than done because fitting in is so ingrained in our DNA. We're wired for it. Damn.

Think about it... how does innovation happen? The surgeon follows the path initially and then comes up with a new technique that changes the whole face of that procedure. That's innovation. Someone trusting their own way of doing something and putting it out there. Yup, knees are gonna be skinned, that's what happens. And without taking those chances to skin your knees a bit you're going to end up with the same old, same old, and that's not good for you, or anyone else. We need innovators. We need your unique style of doing things!

So this is a friendly reminder that you're on track...you're doing OK and we want to see your way of doing it!

Is it time to create your own recipe of what you bring to the table? 

Are you ready?

Let's get to it...

Your challenge for the next week...

Think of somewhere in your life right now that you're holding back from truly showing up. Trust the thing that came up for you.  You know it...that brain of yours doesn't give you random shit.

Some things to consider as you ponder that thing that you're holding back on:

• Time and experience definitely help you to feel more competent and ultimately...confident. Fact.

  • How long have you been waiting?

• Take a moment to look ahead, even just a year or two.

  • If you keep on sitting on this thing, how are you going to feel?

• The answer to the above question?

  • Most often, the response is REGRET. Sit in that.

• What's really holding you back?

  • Often the answer to this one, in addition to all of your excuses, is the underlying fear and lack of confidence. Oh boy do I see you!

I want to tell you (and maybe myself too?!)  that within you is a storehouse of confidence. Maybe you've lost track of it, but it's there for sure and reconnecting with that confidence is possible. It can be a way of fast tracking your confidence for the thing you're waiting on. For real!

What's stored away that you could reconnect to? 

Want to learn more about how a few sessions with me can dramatically increase your confidence? Contact me  I guarantee you'll be glad you did!

Warmly,

Ann

You’re doing it right…really!!

Possible or impossible?

Possible or impossible? It depends...on you and your mindset.

Once you consider something possible...it suddenly becomes more probable.

Truth.

Time and again I have seen this play out with myself and others. 

A few years back I considered publishing a book*.  I didn't know where to start.  Then I "happened" to run into someone with a marketing background, asked them a couple of questions and the next thing I knew, I was connected with a graphic artist and the journey began.  One dream. One question, and the momentum began. The momentum grew and the connections seemed to start appearing.  Truly, once you consider something possible, it does become more probable. For real.

The simple act of allowing yourself to dream, or believe that something is possible, actually opens the door to making it a reality.

Your conscious mind, you know, the one that tends to chatter at you and have all kind of opinions, is actually the director of what goes on behind the scenes. It's like dropping a pin in your navigational app. It sets your direction. The unconscious mind then takes it from there. It starts to scan for ways to make that thing happen for you.

You can call it woo woo if you’d like and, respectfully, you’d be wrong.

Ever have an experience where you purchased something, let's say a new red car. What happens next? All of a sudden, all you see on the roads around you are red cars. What happened? Did everyone else all of a sudden decide to purchase a red car? Nope. Those cars have been there all along.

What changed? You. Your reticular activating system (RAS) took what you were focusing on and created a filter for it. Essentially, your brain started to sift through all the information around you and presented only the pieces that were important to you. All of this happens without you noticing, of course.  Your brain is now noticing what was already all around you.

This happens in all sorts of situations. What you're focusing on sends that brain of yours scanning for things to help you get it.

This is how dreaming about, or believing that you can have or achieve something, can work. Once you make that decision, your brain will scan to find opportunities for you.  

Be skeptical. And then try it!

Any possibility starts with the willingness to believe and then taking a small step...

Are you ready?

Let's get to it...

Your challenge for the next week...

What goal have you been putting on hold because you think it's impossible?  Maybe it's time to take a closer look?

• Take some time to dream. Yes, dream.

  • What's your dream? 

  • Believe it or not, you're limited mostly by your attitude and how you look at things.

• Now start  thinking of your goal.

  • Get really clear.

  • The more specific you are the better.

• What result do you want to achieve?

  • Make a movie in your head of how you would like it to look.

  • Include lots of sensory details: sounds, sights and feelings.

• What exactly are you waiting for?
  

  • Make a list of the reasons why you think you have to wait.

The reasons may be varied but often, the theme is: It's not possible now. The idea that there's going to be a perfect time may be the biggest lie you're telling yourself. Life will continue to happen, like it always does - with zero guarantees. 

What if you challenge your list? Yes, question it.

• What's one thing you could do right now to move you one step closer to that ultimate goal?

• Take one step, it could be asking someone you know who has already done this thing to chat with you;  or it could be to look it up on the internet and see what's already out there.

Any possibility starts with the willingness to believe and then taking the first small step...

Not sure where to start? Contact me Let's get you started!

Want to learn more about how a few sessions with me can dramatically increase your confidence? Contact me  I guarantee you'll be glad you did!

Warmly,

Ann

Possible or impossible> It depends…on you…

All it takes is a spark to start a fire...

All it takes is a spark!

Picture one tiny spark. There's so much potential in a spark. One can ignite an entire forest fire, or start generating heat from a wood stove. That's powerful.

Now think of a  "spark" of an idea.

How often do you waste time waiting for the whole picture when in actuality you have way more than you need to get started?  It's easy to underestimate how you can exponentially change your situation by taking that first step. By lighting the match...

You have that spark in you! Sometimes it's hard to see because a spark can be really small. 

If you're on the cusp of doing something that feels big. Ask yourself:

What's holding me back right now? Where could I use a "spark"?

Often it's one of two things:

• Not knowing what you want clearly enough...your intention.

• Or knowing what you want and letting fear stop you from taking action.

I see you. I've experienced both of these situations, multiple times and still do, although less often now.

Want to find your spark?

Are you ready?

Let's get to it...

Your challenge for the next week...

Don't know what you want clearly enough?

Let's talk "specificity":

• If you get too specific:

  • You can rule out the things that are immediately available to you.

  • The low hanging fruit.

• If you keep it too general:

  •  There's nothing to pin down or anchor to.

  •  You're up in the clouds and it's hard to see the actual thing you want.

You're looking for the goldilocks place - specific enough that you can picture what it could look and feel like when you get it - but not so broad that starting is impossible. This leaves wiggle room for changes as you move along, and enough structure to get you going,

Know what you want and not taking action?

• How does this show up?

  • Often as overthinking which can result in talking yourself out of it - sometimes before you even start!

• Perfection.

  • It's usually the driver behind overthinking, and nothing puts the brakes on something like thinking that you have to have it done perfectly. There's no such thing as perfection.

How can a spark help?

• A spark is tiny. 

  • It suggests taking the smallest possible step.This makes it doable.

• It's powerful.

  • Because it's so small you can accumulate results very quickly. 

  Need help finding your spark? Hit reply...let's connect!

Want to learn more about how a few sessions with me can dramatically increase your confidence? Contact me  I guarantee you'll be glad you did!

Warmly,

Ann

All it takes is a spark to start a fire…

Already lost the plot?

Already lost the plot? It's easy to do!

Too early? I don't know. It's the time of year when it's super easy to get caught up in everyone else's ideas, goals, resolutions, plans... 

So I'm thinking it's probably NOT too early to stop and check in with yourself, before you get sucked into someone else's vortex. If you're not careful, it can be really easy to get caught up in other people's ideas of what you should or shouldn't be doing for the new year.  Influence can be sneaky that way. If you find yourself getting caught up and have lost the plot, it's time to stop and get clear on what YOU want.

This is where self-confidence makes a difference. Being confident enough to step away from others opinions.The noise.

Confidence is a skill and it takes practice. Connecting to and hearing your own voice. Taking those steps even when other people might disagree. All of  this is part of growing the skill of self-confidence. That's why you're here. You're not here to follow someone else's idea of who you should be, or what you should be doing. You're here to acknowledge and celebrate you and your ideas.

Here's the thing: If you're not clear on your goals and plans, it's gonna be really easy to get sidetracked by what someone else thinks is good for you. You know...the "you should do this" or "you're going to like this" ...

It's one thing if you're in a business and you have to have goals and plans similar to your colleagues.That's not what this is about.

This is about you and your own personal plans, resolutions, or goals.  Taking the time to decide for yourself what you want to do, how your year is going to shape up. Owning it.

This is another reason why boundaries are an integral part of growing your self-confidence. Confident people are really good at setting personal boundaries. They're not afraid to say no to things that are not aligned with their own purpose, their own best interest AND it's not always popular! This can often be the toughest part of growing your confidence (it was for me!), wanting to fit in. Growth starts when you get to the point where, rather than fitting in, you get comfortable in your own skin and trust your own instincts.

How about you? Have you lost the plot?

Want to get back on track?


Are you ready?

Let's get to it...

Your challenge for the next week...

Think about a situation where you've gotten off track.  

• Find your own voice.

  • It's hard to hear your own voice when there's a lot of external noise.

  • Take some time to get quiet with your own thoughts.

  • What does your inside voice say?

• Change your perspective.

  • We tend to hang around like-minded people. 

  • Talk to someone you wouldn't normally talk to.

  • Go for a walk and let your mind wander.

• Remember a time...

  • There's nothing like going back to an experience you've already had, to help you with a current situation.

  • Ask yourself to recall a time when you felt clear and focused and knew what you wanted. Wait for the memory to come.

  • What tools did you use in that particular scenario that helped you to get clear and focused?  These are clues for you.

What's different now?

Maybe you got an insight you weren't expecting. Stepping away and turning inwards can sometimes do that. 

Now what?

Want to learn more about how a few sessions with me can dramatically increase your self-confidence? Contact me  I guarantee you'll be glad you did!

Warmly,

Ann

Already lost the plot? It’s easy to do!

Yep! It's that time of the year again...

If you’ve been following me for more than a year, this may look familiar…

I have an elaborate process I go through this time every year.  I review the previous year and get ready for the one coming. I'm offering you a significantly abbreviated version. It’s time well spent…

Oh...and if you've been following me and reading these blogs I want to say a big thank you...I'm grateful for you.

"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end." Semisonic

Simple, yet such a powerful way to sum up how life goes. Sometimes in order to move on, you have to leave something behind.

This is a great time of year to reflect: Say goodbye to things that are no longer useful; recognize things to keep; and, to welcome new possibilities. 

New beginnings, cleaning the slate, starting over...just a few of the ways some people refer to a New Year. While cleaning the slate and starting fresh may sound appealing, there are probably more than a few things you want to hang on to. 

This practice won’t take a lot of time and, you may be surprised by what pops up for you. The key here is to let what bubbles up be the answer, no second guessing... trust your brain! Then get curious after.

Are you ready?

Let's get to it...

Your challenge for the next couple of days…

Keeping in mind the past year take some time to explore these questions …you're definitely going to want to grab a piece of paper and something to write with...

• What am I ready to leave behind?

  • What better time than the end of a year to ask yourself this question? You carry so many things with you year over year, maybe it's time to leave behind the things that are keeping you stuck, or holding you back. Perhaps its a relationship you've outgrown, a habit or feeling that you’re done with, an attitude, or even a tangible "thing"?

  • Just notice what comes to mind for you.

• What do I want to keep?

  • While setting new goals is always exciting, it's important to remember some of the stuff that you already have that's pretty great. Stuff you want to keep. Relationships, health, friendships, work, useful practices that you do etc.

  • Or maybe something new that you started this year that you want to carry forward? 

• What do I want to add or have more of in 2024?

  • While "adding" always sounds good, you may already have some things in your life that you just want more of - family and friend time, me time...you get the idea here.

  • Maybe you want to start a new thing? Perhaps it's about having more choices in a current situation. Whatever surfaces for you, take note.

• What have I put on hold that I am now ready to look at?

  • There’s no perfect time to do that thing you want to do. What if you considered taking one step towards it now?

  • The time will pass whether you do or don’t.

  ...and maybe most useful?

• What have I discovered about myself this year?

  • Every year brings an opportunity for growth.

  • Maybe you've reconnected with a forgotten part of you?

  • Spend some time pondering "what did I discover about myself?".
    
    

Now take a moment. Breathe. Notice what you're feeling right now. Maybe you feel proud when you see how the year unfolded. Maybe you've found a gap that you'd like to address. Food for thought.

No matter what surfaced for you, you now have some information you didn’t have before. You get to decide whether you do something with it or not. Something for you to mull over in the coming days. That's the point - to get you thinking.

Wishing you a Happy New Year and Happy New Beginnings!

Want to learn more about how a few sessions with me can dramatically increase your self-confidence? Contact me  I guarantee you'll be glad you did!

Warmly,

Ann

PS If growing your self-confidence is on your list for the new year, I have a new book/journal coming out in January entitled “The Confidence Recipe” perfect no matter where you are on the self-confidence scale. It’s a chance to check in on your self- confidence - your current default - and grow from there.

Yep! It’s that time of year again…