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Dear Susan,
Can you believe it's already October, 2003? They do
say time flies when you're having fun. Well I'm
certainly having fun so far this year, and I hope you
are too!
This month's newsletter is about Passion. If you've
been with me for some time, you'll know that I write
about this topic from time to time--each time I aim to
do it with a different spin. The reason is simple--so
many people are confused about what this powerful
seven letter word really means. Even worse, many
don't think they have a passion.
My wish for
you is that your life is filled with passion--boundless
enthusiasm for the things you do, the people you love,
and the life you live. For those of you who could use a
little support, that's what I'm here for, so read on...
| Why it's important that your career nurture your soul: The work-body-spirit connection... |
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There is a wonderful book I often recommend to
individuals seeking self-improvement and/or positive life
change called The Four Agreements, by Don Miguel
Ruiz. Drawing from ancient Toltec wisdom, it offers
philosophies, ideas and thought-provoking concepts
that while easily understood, are less easily
implemented. Enlightened and inspiring, it shares simple
truths that lead us to reflect on and question the
complex relationships between our beliefs and
attitudes, attitudes and behaviors, and ultimately,
behaviors and the outcomes of our actions.
The principles presented throughout this amazingly
uplifting book are so basic, yet the implications so
profound, that I also bought The Four Agreements 48-
card deck-a beautiful artistic representation of the
principles, one per card. I've made it a daily ritual to
randomly select one card, one principle on which to
reflect throughout the course of my day.
This morning, wisdom was shared by the
words: "Always do your best, but don't overdo! When
you overdo, you deplete your body and go against
yourself, and it will take you longer to accomplish your
goal." My immediate thought was, "how so very true."
You see:
80% of Americans don't like
their jobs
Americans are working longer hours and spending
more time than ever at work related events and
activities
Insurance companies are reporting an increase in claims
resulting from work-related stress, and stress-related
illness
"Work-life balance," it seems, is for most of us,
determined by an already broken scale. Our
traditionally strong work ethic, to which we owe the
amazing strength of our country, when set against the
backdrop of modern day technological advancements,
now results in a clear challenge. The result? We can
do much more, and therefore, we do much more-and
we do this, despite our boredom, lack of interest and
the associated risks to our health and well-being.
The work-body-spirit connection then, becomes clear-
deplete your energy and mental resources working long
hours at a job you don't enjoy, and your body and spirit
soon suffer for it. Opportunities for both advancement
and career success have never been so great, and yet
family, marriage, and our mental and physical health are
all increasingly in distress.
It is no wonder then, that Americans across all age
groups are in rapidly increasing numbers, beginning to
seek out the help and support of career development
professionals who can help them determine how best to
work in a career that will allow them to love what they
do for a living while growing personally and
professionally, and how to shift priorities so that they
might eliminate the stress associated with a work life
that it grossly out of sync with one's values, talents
and interests.
The Four Agreements »
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| Healing the work-body-spirit connection... |
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People who suffer from an unhealthy work life:
- Feel dissatisfied and/or bored at work most of
the time
- Dread Monday mornings, and loudly proclaim
TGIF every Friday
- Would immediately quit if they hit the lotto
jackpot today
- Resent that it interferes with their personal
lives
- Call in sick more often
- Suffer from a greater number of stress-
related symptoms and illnesses
- Tend to stay where they are, only because
they mistakenly feel there is no alternative
- Often find their stress doesn't remain isolated
to work, and that it soon begins to impact other
equally important areas in life such as family, friends,
and dating/marriage relationships
On the other hand, those who have successfully found
a natural fit for their values, interests and talents:
- Adamantly state that they would continue to
do whatever it is they do even if they were not being
paid for it
- Are happier with their lives and therefore,
experience less stress-related symptoms and illnesses
- Remain actively cautious about overdoing it,
but in this scenario it's because of the drive and
motivation they have to create, to perform their role,
to deliver a service, or whatever it is they do
- Have managed to fix the scales, and therefore
benefit from a healthier work-life balance
Reversing the deleterious effects of an unhealthy work
life, as with all great accomplishments in life can, and
often does begin with a single step. Sometimes the
greatest challenge is simply making the decision to
pursue change.
So, what can you do? Whether you can relate to one
or all of the above symptoms of an unhealthy work life
begin to heal your work-body-spirit connection by:
- Reflecting on your current job to identify what
you do/don't enjoy
- Asking yourself if you feel unhappy most or all
of the time, and inspecting other areas of your life to
better understand how your unhealthy work life can
and most likely is having a negative impact there as well
- Considering whether a job (different company,
same industry) or career (different job, different
industry) change is appropriate
- Identifying the specific skills and achievements
you carry forward and can offer in a new role
- Getting help if you are having difficulty figuring
out what to do alone
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| "If you don't take control of your life, don't complain when others do"-Beth Mende Conny |
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What you do for a living can and should have a positive
effect on your life. Why not evaluate the choices you
are now making and decide to nurture your body and
spirit by pursuing work that provides a natural fit for
your strengths, interests and talents. These can be
the most important steps toward halting a cycle of
stress, and initiating an uplifting cycle of physical well-
being, mental health, and personal and professional
growth.
Have a great October!!
Susan
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| OCTOBER SPECIAL OFFER... |
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I and the United Coaching Association are proud to
present our third full day of FREE teleclasses. This
time, the theme is BALANCING YOU. Read on for
further information about this tremendous offer...
What Is Balancing You Day? Our third day-long
university of Telephone Seminars. We have seminars
to help you start, market, run your dream business, or
increase profitability. There are seminars to help you to
attract more abundance, enjoy life to the fullest,
create more success, improve your thinking skills, rigger
you into action, manage your career, think out of the
box, and show you what balancing you is all about.
"Balancing You" is a day devoted to increasing your
energy and sprits so you can tackle the issues that are
keeping you from living a balanced today, not someday,
when things around you slowdown. Whatever you
want to achieve. Whatever dreams you desire but
have pushed to the side. "Balancing You" Is Your Day
to:
* Slow down and reenergizing; * Get clear and
focused; * Create a game plan for a balanced life.
When Is Balancing You Day & How Much Does It Cost?
Balancing You will take place on October 15th between
8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The Telephone Seminars are at
no charge. They are our gift to you. Telephone
Seminars are a great way to gain knowledge and new
ideas from the comfort of your home or office. All
seminars are 55-minutes long, and are packed with
information you can use immediately. Review teleclass
offerings and get registered!
Click here for free teleclasses... »
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| PASSION |
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"You do your best when you are enjoying the
action or doing it in a way that will not have negative
repercussions for you. You do your best because you
want to do it--not because you have
to do it. Not because you are trying to please the
judge, and not because you are trying to please other
people."
Don Miguel Ruiz, The Four Agreements
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