Getting the Most from Being Coached

The coaching relationship is a partnership rather than a service that is done "for" you or "to" you. Because of this, you can get the most from your coaching dollars by being the best client you can be.

Below is a list of qualities you can apply or develop in yourself that can help you get the most value from being coached.

~flexible

~open-minded

~has the ability to withhold judgement while brainstorming freely

~allows herself to be pulled forward by the synergy she has created with her coach rather than waiting for the coach to push

~follows through on commitments or is willing to take an honest look at why he didn't follow through

~enthusiastic

~has picked a compelling challenge for herself

~curious, adventurous thinker

~speaks up when he has a concern or wants the coaching to go in another direction

~clear about her values and is willing to take the time to build her personal infrastructure to support them.

I'm eager to hear from those of you who fit this profile! Your trial session is complimentary; email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com or call 610-385-3766.

Thanks,
Susan

P.S. to Locals: It was great to see so many familiar people and to meet new ones at the Boyertown Wellness Fair on Saturday! I'll also be exhibiting and demonstrating Reiki at the Healthy Lifestyles Expo in Pottstown on Friday, April 17. Contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com for more information.

***All of Susan's creative4life posts are copyright of Susan Cleaver.**

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What Motivates a Patron to Buy Art? Here's What Stirs My Heart

Inspired by a recent visit to my favorite craft show (OJR Friends of the Arts), I'm sharing with you what motivates me to choose the particular pieces I buy there.

~The piece calls to my intuition.
~It expresses the artist's unique style and essence.
~The item may have an original twist on a well-loved theme or design element.
~It has an interesting combination of materials, textures, and colors.
~The piece has a certain earthiness to it.
~The item has a loose, flowing design that suggests a movement of energy.

At a show of this kind, I typically buy jewelry, clothing, and pottery. However, I look for these qualities in any art form, including books and performing arts, where some of these qualities tend to be more metaphorical.

I believe you should create according to what stirs your heart as a top priority, but I thought this list from an artist/patron's viewpoint might be helpful. I'd love to see your responses to the list in your comments!

Thanks,
Susan
scleaver@dejazzd.com

P.S. for Locals: Don't miss the free Wellness Fair this Saturday, March 21, 2009, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Boyertown Area Sr. High School! It's presented by the Boyertown Area Community Wellness Council. Bring the whole family; there's something for everyone.

I'm on the planning committee, so I can tell you it's going to be bigger and better than ever this year! Stop by and see me; I'll be exhibiting, giving brief Reiki treatments, and teaching a short workshop on "Embracing Imperfection."

***All of Susan's creative4life posts are copyright of Susan Cleaver.***

Top Ten Tips on Gratitude

Here's the countdown....

10. Look for opportunities to express gratitude. The opportunities can be large or small. I like to write "thank you" in the memo line when I'm writing checks, especially for personal services such as massage.

9. Re-frame negative situations by looking for the "jewel in the mud," and being grateful for it.

8. Over-deliver with added value for your patrons to show your gratitude for their support of your work.

7. Show gratitude to and for yourself! Your creative expression is unique. It not only deserves your thanks, but it flourishes as a result.

6. Write thank-you notes when they are least expected. These are the most meaningful kind, and the most fun to write!

5. Start a "Warm and Fuzzy" file, and fill it with the expressions of gratitude that come to you from others. Look through it whenever you're having an "off" day.

4. Use sincere gratitude to prevent creative blocks and to raise your energy.

3. Avoid "when, then" thinking, such as "When I'm accepted by a gallery, then I'll be happy." Be happy and grateful now, and you'll greatly improve your odds of having more to be grateful for in the future.

2. List the things you are grateful for...with a twist. Here's what works best for me: I date my list for one month from the day I'm writing it. I mix in things that have already manifested with things that are on the way, but I write them all as if they are already here. These two strategies make it much easier to get used to the idea and feeling of the items being true. After all, in a month, they could be, right?

1. Please comment on this post if you are grateful for it! :-)

Thanks,
Susan

P.S. for locals: Please see my 2/27 post for details about the Boyertown Wellness Council Health Fair, coming up on Saturday, March 21, or email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com for more info. I hope to see you there!

***All of Susan's creative4life posts are copyright of Susan Cleaver.***

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Values, Vision, and Vitality Equal Results

Here's one way I propose to look at the manifesting process, using a nautical analogy....

Values
The value that guides your vision will serve as a beacon throughout the process of manifesting that vision. For an example, let's use "helping others to help themselves" as the value. And let's say that where you are now is the shore you're currently on concerning making something happen that will align with that value.

This value gives us the compelling purpose and motivation for developing the vision.


Vision
The vision is the vehicle that will get you to the far shore, which is the manifestation of the vision. An example of a vision guided by the value above might be starting a non-profit organization that extends loans to micro-businesses in third-world countries.

Keeping the vision aligned with the value contributes to the integrity of the project. It also inspires others with the same value to support the vision.

Through the vision, you can articulate your desired results in a way that others can understand, imagine, and get behind. In computer terms, it's like putting your idea and desire into a PDF so everyone can see it easily. Next, we can partner the vision with vitality to assure the feasibility of the project.


Vitality
What resources will it take to make the project work? Vitality is the bridge for the vision to cross. This bridge must be engineered with a firm foundation consisting of self-care, financial responsibility, leadership, patience, trust, flexibility, and sustainable energy.

This foundation will help you maintain your passion and enthusiasm, and it will help you align with the Law of Attraction. Vitality will also contribute to the integrity of the project by allowing you to actually move on it, and not just daydream about it.

In the case of our example above, vitality will assure that the organization can be founded, funds can be secured and managed, and enthusiasm can be sustained.

What? You don't see yourself as a visionary? Let your values give birth to your image, and let vitality carry it to fruition!

I'd love to hear about your experiences with this model!

Thanks,
Susan

P.S. to "locals": Details will be available soon about the largest-yet 4th Annual Boyertown Wellness Council Health Fair! It'll take place on Saturday, March 21, 2009, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Boyertown Area Sr. High School.

I'll be facilitating a brief workshop on "Embracing Imperfection," demonstrating Reiki on willing participants, and hosting an exhibit table about coaching and Reiki. Order forms will be available for a special discount on my products. I hope to see you there!

***All of Susan's creative4life posts are copyright of Susan Cleaver.***

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"Why Is She Telling Us This?"

This is my last decluttering update; I have finally reached 100 hours! I started on July 10, 2008, so I don't get any points for speed. I'll take credit for persistence, though!

You may be wondering, "Why is she telling us this?" I had two reasons for tracking my progress on my blog:

• For accountability (A special thanks to my hubby, Stew, and my good friend Mary Beth for heading up the accountability squad!) I also wanted to show you how much accountability helps on a project like this or most any other type. Just be sure your accountability buddies are people who are going to be positive and supportive, especially if the project is a creative one.
• As a demonstration of how you might use a similar method to break down a big project. Through my monthly updates, I've hoped to give you a bird's-eye view of how this can be done, along with the foibles and doubts I had along the way.

What about sustainability?

I spent a little time toward the end of the project setting up a plan for that. I didn't want my organizing efforts to go the way of yo-yo dieting.

I'm a member of www.Coachville.com, and they have a great program called "The 100 Day Challenge." I signed up for the one that started this week to work on maintaining what I did during my own "100 Hour Challenge." The program also gives me a fresh way to approach continuing to improve my home and office environments.

When you're planning a change for yourself, remember to figure in a way to maintain the results you'll attain. We all know how frustrating it is to slip backward. So...go for it, and follow through on the follow-through! :-)

To your success,

Susan

P.S. Contact me for a complimentary exploratory coaching session by phone or in person at scleaver@dejazzd.com or 610-385-3766. I look forward to hearing from you!

P.P.S. Thanks to all who attended my workshop at McCormick Chiropractic in Pottstown, PA, last night. It was fun!

***All of Susan's creative4life posts are copyright of Susan Cleaver.***

The Holistic Nature of Coaching and Being Coached

During my coach training, there was a brief exchange (between the coach who was leading the class and one of the students) that made a lasting impression on me. The student said that she'd heard a lot about the high-quality ways of living that many coaches had carved out for themselves. She wanted to know if that was the "real deal," or just a legend floating around the virtual halls of Coach U.

The student wasn't talking about earning a lot of money and using it to "buy" a lifestyle. For coaches, it's more often the opposite. We design great lives for ourselves with the same skills we teach to clients. Any increase in income is a byproduct of that.

The leader said yes, it was absolutely true, AND that it doesn't happen overnight or without effort and commitment. I loved that answer; it was honest and encouraging. And now, several years of effort and commitment later, I see myself growing into that answer more and more all the time.

Coach training is a great two-for-one deal. You learn how to polish up your own life while learning to help others do so! Another one of my teleclass leaders called the training the best personal development training around. I agree; you learn it, you live it, you love it, and you facilitate it for others.


O.K., So What's in it for the Client?

A lot! Coaches who walk their talk in this way have many treasures to share with our clients, both on a practical level and an energetic level. Some clients sense this upon meeting the coach. Sometimes they express it directly to their coaches..."I hired you because I want what you have!"

Again, we aren't talking about material things here. When a client says that, she's referring to a certain energetic spark that they want to align themselves with.

Even when a client hires a coach for other reasons, such as dealing with a job transition, the smart client will soon open up to the more holistic nature of coaching. He will allow his coach to work with him in other areas because he sees how crucial it is to his success. (Just as he wouldn't expect a shade tree to produce only leaves without its other components in place.)


Why Coaching Is So Effective

So here's the thing.... All endeavors have that holistic, yin/yang thing going on. It's a law of nature. The difference with coaching is that we are one of the few fields that leverage that law by recognizing and utilizing it for our own highest good and that of our clients.

Questions and comments are welcome and appreciated!

Thanks,
Susan

P.S. Contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com or 610-385-3766 to set up a complimentary exploratory session by phone or in person!

P.P.S. for "Locals": Remember to register for my complimentary workshop, "Trade Up to a Healthier Habit," by calling my host, McCormick Chiropractic, in Pottstown, PA, at 610-705-0201. The workshop is on Tuesday, 2/17/09, from 6:30 pm to 7:00 pm.

***All of Susan's creative4life posts are copyright of Susan Cleaver.***

Organizing Report and Inspiration

For those of you who are naturally neat and organized and wondering what all the fuss is about...you'll be glad to know this is my next-to-last decluttering report!

For the Rest of Us....
I reached my goal yesterday of completing 20 hours of decluttering since my last report on 1/5/09! That gives me a total of 90 hours since 7/10/08, when I set the goal of 100 hours. It's taking a lot longer than I thought, but I'm getting there!

As I've mentioned before, I'm living and working in the spaces I'm clearing, so there have been times that I felt like I was on a treadmill with the decluttering. Picking up the pace a bit this month has helped a lot, though. My husband and I are seeing clear evidence of my organizing efforts (and so is the Goodwill Store donation center)!

Inspiration for the Journey...
...from Michelle Passoff's book, Lighten Up! "Every time I took a quantum leap in my growth, I noticed that I would clean physical clutter.... I thought it was curious that I responded in this way to personal expansion, so I decided at one point to conduct an experiment to see whether if I reversed the process and cleaned clutter first as a way to foster growth if it would work. It did! And, it was fun. I began to make a game of exploring the relationship among oneness with myself, harmony in the world, and my physical environment."

So there you have it. That's what all the fuss is about!

Cheers,
Susan

P.S. Valentine's Day is quickly approaching. See last week's post for details about my "Cupid's Bow" Couples Coaching Special, a fun, one-time experience especially for the Month of Love!

***All of Susan's creative4life posts are copyright of Susan Cleaver.***