Success Tips for Life

Relationships as Islands

I picked up my copy of Anne Morrow Lindbergh's, Gift From the Sea, and noticed I bought it in 1996.  Her words and ideas, originally written in 1955, are still spot on.  I marked a particular passage and as I re-read it, the wisdom of it touched me again.

"The only real security is not owning or possessing, not in demanding or expecting, not in hoping, even.  Security in a relationship lies neither in looking back to what is was in nostalgia, nor forward to what it might be in dread or anticipation, but living in the present relationship and accepting it as it is now.  For relationships too, must be like islands.  One must accept them for what they are here and now, within their limits - islands, surrounded and interrupted by the sea, continually visited and abondened by the tides.  One must accept the secuity of the winged life, of ebb and flow, of intermittency." - Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Marketing & Business Coach Stephanie Ward is the author of the FREE special report “7 Steps to Attract More Clients in Less Time” grab your copy, plus free monthly business building tips, at: http://www.fireflycoaching.com.

Opposing Reality

Consider this excerpt from Byron Katie's book, A Thousand Names for Joy: Living in Harmony with the Way Things Are.

"Life is simple.  Everything happens for you, not to you.  Everything happens at exactly the right moment, neither too soon nor too late.  You don't have to like it - it's just easier if you do.  If you have a problem, it can only be because of your unquestioned thinking.  How do you react when you believe that the past should have been different?  You scare yourself stuck, because what you resist persists.  You get to keep your stressful world, a world that doesn't exist except in your imagination; you get to stay in the nightmare.  It hurts to oppose reality, because in opposing reality, you are opposing your very self." - Byron Katie

Marketing & Business Coach Stephanie Ward is the author of the FREE special report “7 Steps to Attract More Clients in Less Time” grab your copy, plus free monthly business building tips, at: http://www.fireflycoaching.com.

The Inside

Have you ever noticed how often we think about things outside of ourselves?  We worry and wonder about what other people think about us.  We think about other people and how they are doing.

But how often do you consciously inquire as to how you are feeling at any given moment?  I was re-reading Eckhart Tolle's book, Practicing the Power of Now (his new book, A New Earth is also a must read - http://www.eckharttolle.com) and one section really struck me.  Here's what he said:

"Make it a habit to monitor your mental and emotional state through self-observation.  'Am I at ease this moment?' is a good question to ask yourself frequently.  Or you can ask, 'What's going on inside me at this moment?'  Be at least as interested in what goes on inside you as what happens outside.  If you get the inside right, the outside will fall into place."

Only having to get the inside right sure seems a lot easier, and more peaceful, than spending time trying to make everything on the outside right.  So why not start tending to your interior and see what happens?

Life & Business Coach Stephanie Ward is the author of the FREE special report “7 Steps to Attract More Clients in Less Time” grab your copy, plus free monthly business building tips, at: http://www.fireflycoaching.com.

Recipe for Instant Peace

I've created a recipe for instant peace that works for me.  It's quite simple and just requires that you pay attention and remain aware of your thoughts.  Here it is:

Ingredients:

* One part of staying in the present moment (the now)

* One part of minding your own business

* One part of positive thoughts and words (eliminate the negative thoughts and words)

Mix all ingredients and serve on a plate of gratitude. 

To enjoy this recipe, simply notice when you are feeling anxious or stressed and ask yourself these questions: 1. Is this my business?  2. Is this happening right now?  3. Is this a positive or negative thought?  Once you get clear about this, remind yourself of at least one thing that you are grateful for to supercharge your peaceful feeling.

Enjoy your peace!

Life & Business Coach Stephanie Ward is the author of the FREE special report “7 Steps to Attract More Clients in Less Time” grab your copy, plus free monthly business building tips, at: http://www.fireflycoaching.com.

Scarcity versus Abundance

I recently read an amazing book that touched me deeply.  It's called The Soul of Money by Lynne Twist (http://www.soulofmoney.org). Deepak Chopra said this about the book: "This is the right book at the right time.  To anyone who wants to transform their lives and the world, I give this book my highest recommendation."

There are many valuable concepts in the book and one that stood out for me was the the myth of scarcity and three examples she gives about this. 

3 Toxic Myths of Scarcity:

1. There isn't enough

2. More is better

3. That's just the way it is

My challenge to you is to be aware of when you find yourself thinking these thoughts and try to see things from a different perspective.  Imagine that:

There is enough, more isn't always better, and we do have a choice!

Wishing you abundance!

Life & Business Coach Stephanie Ward is the author of the FREE special report “7 Steps to Attract More Clients in Less Time” grab your copy, plus free monthly business building tips, at: http://www.fireflycoaching.com.

Showing Up

Woody Allen said that 80% of success is simply showing up. How often are you not showing up? Being there psychically is one aspect of showing up, the other is to show up and be present with your thoughts, mind, and heart. Showing up is a way to respect others and yourself. Think about how you can show up and connect with the opportunities that you have right now!

Life & Business Coach Stephanie Ward is the author of the FREE special report “7 Steps to Attract More Clients in Less Time” grab your copy, plus free monthly business building tips, at: http://www.fireflycoaching.com.

Don't Wait to Be Happy

I keep hearing from people around me that WHEN X happens THEN they will be happy. What usually happens is that when X does happen they have a new list of requirements for happiness and instead of enjoying the moment they are off to the next conquest.

Why not be happy right now, whatever the circumstances? The present moment is a gift, enjoy it. I agree with Barry Neil Kaufmann, happiness is a choice. This is the title of his fabulous book and I recommend it highly http://www.option.org/hiac/.

Life & Business Coach Stephanie Ward is the author of the FREE special report “7 Steps to Attract More Clients in Less Time” grab your copy, plus free monthly business building tips, at: http://www.fireflycoaching.com.