If you are having a challenging time right now then this Full Flight post is for you! To find out what Jedi mind trick I use when I feel like A) crying or B) screaming (I’m not joking fyi) click on the ‘Find Out More’ link below (if you aren’t reading this on the blog), and Happy belated Valentine’s Day too! Whether coupled up or single I hope you had a wonderful Valentine’s weekend.
As it was pouring rain we later headed to the mall to spend some time at the Lego and Disney stores (our first time) Oliver and Will were pretty excited. At the food court we all choose something different to eat for lunch. Rainy our new homestay student from China (a girl, who I must say picked the perfect name given our local weather conditions lol) opted for Chinese noodles and rice. No surprise there as my Western cooking probably takes some getting used to.
Not a particularly exciting day but wonderful to be healthy and out together.
FYI for those of you who aren’t connected to me on social media you may have not heard about my trip to Savannah, Georgia. The coaching conference was wonderful, I met some super women who are doing amazing things in their coaching work (there were legal coaches, health coaches, career coaches, relocation coaches, divorce coaches, grief coaches, relationship coaches, and other ‘hybrid’ coaches like me…I never knew there were so many different coaching niches!…
…and of course it was a pleasure to meet and learn from Master Coach Susan Hyatt (pictured with me below). She is a dynamo and her upbeat work has been featured in Oprahs’ magazine and on national TV. Susan announced during the conference that in the near future she will be having her own life coaching TV show showcasing her and her real life clients- amazing! She is also known for her 5 star retreats and the next one she is planning will be on the high seas. She will be sailing with her retreaters on the Queen Mary 2 from NY to Southampton followed by a tour of Highclere castle (Downton Abbey!!!). Not a bad way to travel right?!
Susan and I at the Clear Coaches conference Savannah, Georgia
The Clear Coaching Crew
As mentioned it wasn’t all smooth sailing upon my return partly due to being sick but also due to well, life.
Ken our first homestay student departed and the first week my son Will really missed him (he was his Lego and Minecraft buddy), our new homestay student (Rainy) arrived, Oliver had a few after school meltdowns due to my absence and other changes, we took over the dog sitting of my parents dog which added to the household mayhem, I had more than a few tech headaches re: getting my first ever webinar up and running (tentative launch date is end of March) and ooooh lucky me …I started in on my business taxes.
Fun times!
Not.
Amidst all this I had a few bright spots though and by bright spots I mean meeting with some of my dear clients. Most of whom are going through challenging stuff (as we do) and last week I had the opportunity to share two of my coaching ‘hacks’ (aka Jedi mind tricks) with one of my lovely clients, which gave me the idea to share them with you (and indeed if you are or have been a client of mine you may recall these).
Jedi Mind Tricks (aka Coaching Hacks) For Trying Times
As said, in my coaching work a use a variety of tools and philosophies and there are a few phrases /hacks / mantras/ Jedi mind tricks (whatever you want to call them), that I regularly touch on and use myself during difficult times, two of which I will share with you today.
The first is the question;
“Is the universe happening ‘TO’ you or ‘FOR’ you?’
When things get challenging for me I try to operate from a position that the universe is friendly, which means it is unfolding FOR me, and that whatever is transpiring is all good (even if I don’t understand it to be at that moment) and that if plans don’t work out it means there is something even better coming down the pipe.
Personally I think about how, when originally faced with my son Oliver’s diagnosis (Fragile X & Autism) I thought it was such a bad thing but now with the benefit of time I realize in many ways it was one of the best things to happen to me and that Oliver as he is, is the best thing to ever happen to my husband and I.
I would not be a life coach right now if it weren’t for his diagnosis. I wouldn’t have travelled, or made the friends I have made or met my amazing clients (who I learn so much from) or stretched myself in new ways if it weren’t for his diagnosis. Oliver’s unique needs made me organize my life in a completely different way (in a way which has benefited my entire family I might add), take more risks and has deepened my empathy….and FYI- Oliver is 100% perfect as he is, and he and his brother bring our family so much joy…
…(BTW we are ALL100% perfect warts and all!).
The other statement I love and share with clients is instead of ‘Why me?’ i.e. ‘Why did I get a son with special needs, poor me’ etc. (a victim mind set if there ever was one) I flip it around to…
‘Try me’ …
…because I can take it! and it is only when the sh*t hits the fan that we grow as people. We don’t grow when the sun is shining and the champagne is flowing and we remain untested. We don’t mature as humans if we hide our light, build up walls and play small.
So if you are having challenges in your life right now keep those two phrases in mind and see if they can help you shift your perspective a bit;
’The universe is happening FOR you’ (not to you) (Which means lots of good stuff is headed your way my friend!)
and…
’Try me’ (not ‘Why me?’) (Lose that victim mind set!)
How about you? Do you have any phrases / mantras / exercises to help you during trying times?
If so I would love to hear them so be sure to comment in the comment box on the blog.
That is it for today, enjoy the rest of your week and thx for allowing me space in your in box, and if you know someone that might enjoy this post feel free to share (sharing is caring peeps!).
xo
Eliz
ps a few more photos from pretty Savannah if you are interested.
Parlour at the Historic Inn I stayed at – Eliza Thompson House
Local bookstore
Me at Forsyth Park in front of its famous fountain
Beautiful old buildings with lots of wrought iron
A grand front porch on this house
Fellow coach Nicole and I. Nicole’s work is around hitting the reset button after loss.
Local ferry
Southern gothic church