Dare to Be Spontaneous

I dare you to invite your friends or family members over to watch your favorite holiday movie.  Serve up some yummy warm cookies and hot chocolate.

Enjoying the Season,

Cindy

It's Simple!

I dare you to tell the truth. Take time this week to ponder this question for yourself: Where can I simplify my life? You might even be daring and take one step towards a simpler way of life. Once again pondering the simple life, Cindy

The Basics

The simple most basic things in life are often the most important to us.

breathe (breeth) verb, breathed (breeth d) breath-ing (used without object)
to pause and rest before continuing; take rest; to live; to exist

Where in your "world" do you need to breathe? I dare you to pause and rest before continuing.

Breathing,
Cindy

Dare to Dance

I dare you to get a bit silly this week - it's time to dance.  Dance like no one is watching :-).  Dance by yourself.   Dance with a friend.  Dance with someone special.  Dance with your dog.  Just dance!  Dancing is good for the heart (physically, emotionally and spiritually).  Take at least 5 minutes this week and dance.

Check out Matt's dancing video on the youtube gadget to the side of this post.  Search "Dancing 2008".  Click on it and be inspired to dance. Please visit Matt's website and read "All about Matt" (it's an interesting read).

www.wherethehellismatt.com

Dancing just for fun,

Cindy

"I do not try to dance better than anyone else.  I try only to dance better than myself."  Mikhail Barshynikov

"When the music changes, so does the dance." African Proverb

"Go out in the world and work like money doesn't matter, sing as if no one is listening, love as if you have never been hurt an dance as if no one is watching."  Anonymous

"It's the heart afraid of breaking that never learns to dance.  It is the dream afraid of waking that never takes the chance.  It is the one who won't be taken who cannot seem to give.  And the soul afraid of dying never learns to live."  Bette Midler

Are You Still Growing?

Take 5 minutes and read this article from the New York Times "If You're Open to Growth, You Tend to Grow" by Janet Rae-Dupree.

Please cut and paste this link into your internet browser:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/06/business/06unbox.html?fta=y

Tell the Truth as you ponder these questions this week:

Do you believe that your own abilities can expand over time?

Do you live with a "growth mind-set"?

Do you want to have a "growth mind-set"?

How will a "growth mind-set" serve you?

How will having a "growth mind-set" set you free?

Dare to Get "IT" Done!

What's at the top of your procrastination list? Would you like to get that task done now? How much has it been "weighing on you"? How long has it been on the list? Is it something you really want to get done? Give that question some careful consideration.

On a scale of one to 10 (10 being high priority) - what is it's priority? If it's a 5 or above on the priority scale, please see the steps below to get it done. If it's below a 5 on the priority scale, would you be willing to take it off your list and let it go? Chances are that if it's on your procrastination list - it's either something you don't really want to accomplish or there's a step to the accomplished task that is difficult for you or that makes you feel stuck. Here's some tried and true way of getting it done.

Steps to getting "IT" done:

1) Take some time "sitting" with the vision of the task completed. How will it feel to have it done? How will it feel to check it off the list? How free will it feel?

2) What's getting in the way of getting it done?

3) Can this task be broken down into smaller steps? If so, what are the small do-able steps to getting it done? Commit to take 15 minutes in the next two days and come up with the list of small do-able steps. Make a reasonable estimate of how much time each step will take and write it down next to the step on the list.

4) How can I get these small steps done? Are you the kind of person that likes to do the hardest thing first? If so, do the more difficult steps first. If not, do the smaller, more manageable steps first. This will give you momentum to keep towards the goal of completing the task. If you'd like use the parking lot approach (see below). Most importantly, do what works best for you.

5) Is there a small step you can do with a friend? Who can you ask for help with the difficult steps?

6) How can you use your strengths to get around the roadblocks? (see below)

7) Give yourself a reasonable deadline. Set reasonable deadlines for each small step. Ask someone you trust to hold you accountable.

8) Celebrate in a simple way when you've gotten a particularly difficult step out of the way.

9) Plan a greater celebration for when "IT" is all done! Use what you've learned for the next time you feel stuck or feel like you are procrastinating.

Getting it done,

Cindy

Parking Lot

You are the parking lot attendant. It's your job to move all of the cars out of the parking lot. Move out one parked car at a time. Each step is a parked car. If it's a larger step - commit to moving one car out of the lot a week. If it's a smaller step - commit to moving one car out of the lot each day. Celebrate once all the cars are out of the lot. Your job is done :)

Signature Strengths

If you'd like to take a signature strengths inventory - visit www.authentic happiness.org. Register and take the VIA strengths inventory. It's a quick 240 multiple choice questions. It gives you a ranking of your top strengths. As a coach, I like to encourage my clients to use one or more of their top 8 strengths with tasks they find difficult to complete. It really helps to tackle a difficult task with one of your strengths. For example, creativity, playfulness and sense of purpose are 3 of my top strengths. When I'm stuck, I use my creativity to figure out how to make the task fun and meaningful. Believe me - this approach really works.

The Girl Effect

I dare you to watch Girl Effect of Youtube (See youtube on the side of the posts and search Girl Effect). Change starts with a girl. Think about that. What kind of changes do you want to make in your world? Is there a girl within your sphere of influence that needs you to invest in her? Is there something that you want to do on the global front? I dare you to ponder these questions. Sit with them. What step can you take right now? Please tell a girlfriend what change you want to make and why - it will help hold you accountable to action. Take the first step. Remember change starts with one small step.

For more information about Girl Effect, please visit www.girleffect.org or become a fan of Girl Effect on facebook.

Ancient Wisdom

Ancient Wisdom tells us that it is important "to know the smallest things and the biggest things, the shallowest things and the deepest things."

Take 5 minutes (the undistracted kind) for yourself 4 times this week. Reflect on the following questions. What are the smallest things in my life? What are the biggest things in my life? What are the shallowest things in my life? What are the deepest things in my life?

After doing these reflective exercises - picture something in your mind's eye that represents something that is BIG and Deep (ie. an iceberg, an oak tree). Write it down on a post-it or find a picture in a magazine. Stick the post-it or picture somewhere that will remind you to keep your focus on what is big and deep in your life (ie. bathroom mirror, dashboard, refrigerator, bedside table). You could also write this "something" on an index card and carry around with you in a pocket for the next week as a constant reminder of what's important to you in this life.

Begin to let go of what is small and shallow stuff in your life. Be creative - find ways to remind yourself daily to focus on what is BIG and DEEP in your life.

Renewable Energies

I dare you to fill your tank...As women, we invest in others, all day, every day. Is it time to invest in yourself?

Take 15 "undistracted" minutes for yourself within the next 2 days. Think about what gives you life (gives energy) and what drains your energy. Make two lists. Make the "drains my energy" list first - write down at least 10 things that are a drain on your system. Then, make your "renewable energy" list - write down 10 things you do that give you energy. Be honest with yourself. Make a commitment to do at least one thing that gives you energy each day for the next month.

I double dare you - Post your "renewable energy" list in a place you will notice it each day (ie. car dashboard, bathroom mirror, bedside table). Do something for yourself each day that gives you energy - Make this a daily ritual.

If you are having trouble coming up with your renewable energy list, email cindy@lessdrama.com - I've got lots of ideas.

Let's Play Truth or Dare!

When was the last time you played Truth or Dare?

The coaching process helps you to focus on the good truth for your life and allows you to let go of the lies that play tricks on you and keep you from moving forward.  As a coach, I love to challenge my clients in ways that move them closer to their best self.  

Sign up to play truth or dare Less Drama Queen style...wedareyou@lessdrama.com

Each week you will receive an email designed to challenge you in new ways to live out the good truth for your life.  We DARE you to live the life you want today!

IN Process!

I'm in process...moving forward.  I want more for this blog - so I'm out scouting...I will be back soon with contemplations of a Less Drama Queen.  Thank you for your patience.  

It's Becoming On You!

be·come [bi-kuhm]
verb, be·came, be·come, be·com·ing.

1. to come, change, or grow to be (as specified): She became contented.
2. to come into being.
3. to be attractive on; befit in appearance; look well on: That gown becomes you.
4. to be suitable or necessary to the dignity, situation, or responsibility of: conduct that becomes an officer.
5. to become of, to happen to; be the fate of: What will become of her?


When I think about "BECOMING" I imagine a door. It's not just any door. Its simple yet ornate structure welcomes me. I am in awe. It is inviting me to pass through into its chamber. The entry way seems long but I think I am ready. I have stood here at a distance many times before today just contemplating going in this way. I really do want to go. My internal struggle begging the question "What keeps getting in my way?"

I like what I see from the outside. I wonder what is waiting for me inside? What is this anticipation I feel in my soul? I'm getting excited. I'm getting closer to becoming what I really want. Have others come this way before me? Can they help me on this path of becoming? Is there some magic incantation I must recite? "Open Sesame!" No, silly, that's not the way doors open in real life. There must be a key to unlocking this door. I will find it!

We are always in the process of BECOMING! As a Less Drama life coach I believe it's important to be intentional about who and what we want to become.

Have you taken the time in this New Year to think about what it is that you want to become? Which door will you open? Door #1, Door #2 or Door #3?

Here are 5 simple steps to finding the key
that unlocks the door:

1. Explore, discover & clarify what you really want to BECOME! Take the time to be still, to reflect and to ask yourself the question - What do I really, really, really want to BECOME next? You are worth your time. Make an appointment with yourself this coming week to wonder, dream and contemplate.

2. Believe you can BECOME it!
What negative self-talk is getting in your way from you BECOMING what you want? The truth is you can become it. You are creative, resourceful and whole. Believe it!

3. Develop and implement your "BECOMING" action plan!
Map out the route that will help get you where you want to be! Make a realistic timeline for "arrival". Remember to take small steps. Don't get discouraged by the roadblocks - find the detour and get there!

4. Make sure to have accountability!
Tell someone you trust (your partner, your bff, or your life coach) about your BECOMING. Ask them to help hold you accountable to walking through with your plan.

5. Celebrate your BECOMING!

What's On Your Playlist?

What are you listening to these days? Do you have a favorite playlist on your Ipod? I do. I'm listening to it right now as I write. Are you like me - do you like to listen to it over and over again or do you mix it up? What music is on your playlists? Take a look at the titles of my playlists. I've got playlists for my many moods and special events in my life. I love putting a playlist together for a family member or friend (when it's time to celebrate them, when they are in need of comforting words, or simply because we are having them over for dinner). There are memories in my playlists. Trisha Yearwood and Jack Johnson must rate - they've got their own playlists. Who knew you could tell so much about a person by what they listen to?

I'm writing about playlists today because I've been thinking about the voices we listen to in our heads. What gets your "airtime"? What messages/thoughts are we sending ourselves? What messages do you cling to with all of our heart? What do you think about (or "listen" to) when you are doing the mundane (like taking a shower in the morning)? Does truth get airtime or are you shuffling through the lies?

As a coach and someone who is learning to walk down the road of freedom, I know how important it is to pay attention to what messages are playing in our head. These messages are propelling us forward, keeping us stationery or even worse moving us backwards. How do we make sure we are listening to truth and silencing the lies?

Step 1 - Take inventory of what's on your playlists.

Is it truth? Are they lies (they may be subtle)? Pay close attention. What voices do you hear? What are they saying? Identify the negative messages. Search for the truth. Ask yourself who's influencing my playlists? Can the messages be trusted?

Step 2 - Download new music.

Find your truth. If it's not on your playlists now - decide what is true and healthy and what will motivate you towards the positive. Put it on the list. What voices do you still need to hear from? Which voice on your playlist is the most important? Know what your good and true voice (yes, you do have one) is saying - listen closely for it. If you need to ask a trusted friend for some "fresh" music, do it. Once you have found your truth - it's on to step 3.

Step 3 - Play it over and over again! Give it the airtime it needs. Make sure to learn these lyrics.

Write it down on a post it or 3x5 index card. Make a collage or vision board that highlights this truth. Plaster it everywhere - the bathroom mirror, your bedside table, your dashboard, your desktop. Make it known. Is it a quote? A poem? A song? Is it your truth - will it help you thrive? Ask a trusted friend or coach to help reinforce it. Keep giving it airtime. Send yourself an email/text message with that truth for your life daily. There are many ways to reinforce the good and truthful message. Make sure your playlist is loaded with truth.

Step 4 - Delete the old files.

Don't give the lies airtime. Silence them. Don't reinforce them by listening to them. Stop them in their tracks. When you hear them (and you will from time to time) - tell them to go play elsewhere. Tell them to get lost. Tell them they are useless to you. Tell them you've found your truth and you don't need them anymore. When they persist - call that trusted friend - ask for "truth" reinforcements.

Step 5 - Enjoy that peaceful, easy feeling.

Relish in the truth. Live by it. Be free.

Please note: Every once in a while a "virus" attacks or the old files mysteriously appear - if this happens - go back to step 1 and repeat.