Reminder! Global Teleconference Event Tomorrow, May 3, 2011!

Photo (c) iStockphoto.com/Jeff Irving

Global Spring Cleaning Party via Teleconference Line!

Autumn Cleaning Party for Folks in the Southern Hemispere!

Tuesday, May 3, 2011, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm Eastern

Cleaning by yourself isn't much fun! Call in at the top of each hour (7, 8, and 9) to support others and be supported.

During our breif calls, we'll declare to each other what we'll be working on for the coming hour and what we accomplished in the previous hour.

I'm not charging to host this event and no RSVP is required. Your only expense is whatever your long-distance carrier normally charges you for calls to the 712 Area Code in the US. The teleconference service itself is complimnetary.

Here's the number to call:

712-432-3973, PIN Code 7280202

Questions? Contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com, 610-385-3766, or by using the comment button below.

We'd love to have you on the calls!

Thanks,

Susan

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Check These Out!

Hey Guys and Gals,

Please see the new comments from my hubby and me for the 3/29/11 post. It's a good example of how having people you resonate with in your immediate environment is beneficial!

Thanks,
Susan

Time Frustrations

Hi Everyone,

Please be sure to check out the comments on the 11/22/10 post about parameters and other time-planning issues! What are your issues and solutions around this topic? Curious minds would like to know! :-)

Thanks,
Susan

Carol P, The Environment Maven!

Hi Everyone, Please be sure to check out the comment from Carol P, a response to my 3/29/11 post. Carol had a major environmental challenge at work that she single-handedly overcame! 'Very inspiring! Thanks, Susan

Personal Alignment: The Journey to Authenticity

Photo (c) iStockphoto.com/Daniel Halvorson

The old saying is true...you can't compare apples to oranges. Especially if the oranges hide under the cloaks of apples!

So, as we wrap up our first quarter of Audacious Self-Care, let's take a look at authenticity as our final topic about "The Possible You." Many folks think of showing authenticity as a very risky way to live [as do some oranges, apparently :-) ].

The perceived risk is usually a fear of not being accepted as we are...leaving us feeling vulnerable. But the bigger risk is continuing to hide behind a mask (or an apple skin!) This type of recluse is likely to feel scattered and lonely. After all, how can you develop meaningful relationships when it's difficult to know yourself, let alone letting others get to know you!

The solution sounds simple, but it may take some time change old habits. Here's what we need to do:

Personal Alignment

We are aligned when our thoughts, feelings, values, speech, and actions match.

I like to think that that's why the cookie man below is smiling!

Photo (c) iStockphoto.com/Alasdair Thomson

Before we start our new Audacious Self-Care topic for April, May, and June, I want to share a quote to close out our topic about "The Possible You." It's from a book by David Heller called, "Children on Happiness."

"The secret of happiness is kindness...not just toward other people but being kind to yourself too." ~~Michael Y., at the age of 10

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2011: The Year Audacious Self-Care with Coach Susan

For April, May, and June, our topic is...

Take a Look Around: Your Personal Environment

Photo (c) iStockphotos.com/PeskyMonkey

It took me many years to see that decluttering and organizing in my home and office are actually a form of self-care! The condition of our personal environments affects us in ways that I knew nothing about 20 years ago.

The time and energy it takes to develop better habits in this area are welcome exchanges for the the time and energy it costs us to even be in a messy environment, let alone trying to function in one! The Feng Shui experts are really onto something. Your personal energy is affected by the energy of the space you're in.

Please comment on your experiences with various spaces and their quality, size, color, mood, level of organization, and other characteristics that affect you!

This is the interactive part of The Audacious Self-Care Community! :-)

Please respond now while you are here. Most folks have a lot on their plates and will forget to respond if they put it off.

And speaking of interactions, have you ever thought of the people around as part of your environment? Their moods and energy levels can affect you negatively or positively. Don't get caught up in the negativity that others may be bringing to the space. Be careful about who you spend time with.

If you can't escape an obnoxious co-worker, for example, do what you can to limit contact. You may also want to sit down and have a frank conversation with him or her. They may not realize how negatively they're coming across. Let them know in the most civilized way you can that you will no longer be one of their targets.

Also, do whatever you can to avoid picking up the negative energy of other people. My husband is rarely affected by negative energy. His secret? "I just put up my s*#t shield!" he says. It's a great bit of imagery...in part because of the lightness and humor it brings to your own energy! Humor solves many problems!

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Here's a quick review of what we'll be talking about over the course of The Year of Audacious Self-Care:

First Quarter: "The Possible You"

Second Quarter: "Take a Look Around: Your Personal Environment"

Third Quarter: "Boundaries and Bridges:Your Interactions with Others"

Fourth Quarter: "Audacious Self-Care through Contribution and Stewardship"

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As you can see already, each section builds upon the ones before it, and there will be some overlap. I love this picture below because it represents the interconnections of the topics...after all, we do live in a holistic world!

Photo (c) iStockphoto.com/Andrew Johnson

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Reminders from my last post....

Upcoming Spring Events, Both LOCAL and GLOBAL!

LOCAL EVENTS

The Healthy Lifestyles EXPO

Friday, April 15, 2011, from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm

Montco West Campus in Pottstown, PA

This event is complimentary, thanks to several sponsors from the community!

'Hope to see you there...stop by my table to say "Hi"!

For more information, contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com or 610-385-3766.

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Stress-Less Evening Friday, April 29, 2011, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm

Douglassville, PA

This is one of my most popular events...at a recession-friendly fee of $25 per person, prepaid, for two hours of pure pampering!

Contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com or 610-385-3766. I'll need your check by Wednesday, April 20, 2011.

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GLOBAL EVENTS

The fee will be waived on an exploratory coaching session for each of the first three people who contact me by Wednesday, May 13, 2011 to set up an appointment! The actual appointment day can be as late as Tuesday, May 10, 2011. Contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com or 610-385-3766. You may be invited, but never pressured, to continue with more sessions at my regular, recession-friendly fees.

Photo (c) iStockphoto.com/Warchi

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Global Spring Cleaning Party Via TeleConference Line

May 3, 2011, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm Eastern

We'll be checking in at the top of each hour, 7, 8, and 9, for a few minutes to declare what we're working on how we did in the previous hour. And we celebrate all victories!

Expert Karen Kingston says that Americans are THE worst clutters in the world! She says we put it everywhere...in sheds, basements, attics, closets, garages, spare rooms, and on and on! So I hope that readers from all over world will call into our party and support us here in the US!

And for those of you who live in the southern hemisphere, there is never really a bad time to get rid of things that are clogging up the energy in our homes, studios, and offices. I hope you'll join us!

I'm not charging to host this event (after all it is a party!) Your only expense is whatever your long-distance carrier charges you to place the three short calls to the US. The teleconference service itself is complimentary. Here's the number to call: 712-432-3973, PIN Code 7280202.

No RSVP is required. If you have questions before the party , you can contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com or 610-385-3766. (Hint: If I've totally confused you, look back on my post from March 8, where I've explained it a little differently.) I hope you can make it! This is the only kind of party where I can clean my home during the party instead of before it! :-)

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***All of Susan's creative4life posts are (c) Susan Cleaver.***

***Active member of the TriCounty Community Network in South Eastern PA,

http://www.tcnetwork.org/ ***

Perfectionism, Procrastination, and Fear

Photo (c) iStockphoto.com/alle12

What a motley crew: Perfectionism, Procrastination, and Fear. While they look very different from the outside, they're all wearing the same neon green long johns underneath! Fear is the leader of this trio of impostors.

When we try something that's outside of our comfort zone, Fear sends Perfectionism and Procrastination out first to force us to stay stuck while Fear hides in the shadows. Fear has been around for a very long time. Fear is desperate to protect us against everything from saber-toothed tigers to jay-walking in Manhattan.

This Fear character can't discern between the first day in court for a new lawyer and his prehistoric counterpart who is hiding from a woolly mammoth! So, fear is working incognito, pushing Perfectionism and Procrastination right in your path.

Fear hopes that we won't even have a clue about the reason for our difficulties. And we end up blaming ourselves!

Let's look at Perfectionism. First it will con us into thinking that perfection is a worthy, even honorable goal. But how can that be true when it keeps us barely crawling toward our goals? (Not to mention that perfection is impossible to attain!)

Procrastination, on the other hand, makes us feel bad about ourselves, and we start looking for ways to "fix" that. And taking time for fixing slows us down even more! Ugh!

Photo (c) iStockphoto.com/Joe Potato Photo


Let's get to the bottom of the Fear. Let's dust it off and take a closer look. Is this Fear from limiting beliefs from the past? A past experience that we don't want to risk repeating? A worst-case scenario that we don't want to manifest? What are the odds for this scary scenario actually happening? How would you cope if it did?

Pick a situation in your own life and apply the questions above to it. Please put your answers in the comments section! Your responses will deepen the meaning of the questions for all of us (including you!) Please answer now, while it's fresh in your mind. In other words, don't procrastinate! :-)

Making mistakes is our only bridge to competency, and of course there is no bridge to Perfection at all. And even if there were, no one would ever make it to the other side, due to Fear and Procrastination!

All my best,

Susan

Upcoming Spring Events, Both Local and Global

Local:

The Boyertown Area Community Wellness Fair is on Saturday, March 26!

Contact me for more information at scleaver@dejazzd.com or 610-385-3766.

The Healthy Lifestyles EXPO will be in Pottstown, PA, on Friday, April 15.

Contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com or 610-385-3766.

Both local events mentioned above will be complimentary, and I'll have a table at each!

The Stress-Less Evening will take place on Friday evening, April 29, to wrap up our three months of "The Possible You"!

One of my most popular events...at a recession-friendly fee of $25 prepaid for two hours of pure pampering! Contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com or 610-385-3766. I'll need your check by Wednesday, April 20, 2011.

Global:

A complimentary coaching session by phone is available for the first three people who contact me to set up a time by Friday, April 8, 2011! Appointment dates for the actual coaching call will close out after Tuesday, May 10, 2011.
Contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com or 610-385-3766.

The Complimentary Dig-In Day via Teleconference Line will be on Tuesday, May 3. This will be the Kick-Off Event for our Second-Quarter Topic for our Year of Audacious Self-Care: "Take a Look Around: Your Immediate Environment." We will be improving our home, office, or studio environments. Here's how:

*We all call in at a specified time.*

*We each declare specifically what we will do in the coming hour to improve our immediate environments.*

*We hang up and do it!*

*We call in again, report our progress, offer support, and declare our task for the next hour.*

*During the last call, we report our progress again, address concerns, and celebrate!*

Again, the Dig-In Date Is May 3. Here is the call schedule:

7:00, 8:00, and 9:00 pm Eastern

Save the Date! In my next post I'll be supplying the phone number and PIN Code.

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

***Active member of the TriCounty Community Network, based in Pottstown, PA;

http://www.tcnetwork.org/.***

Photo (c) iStockphoto.com/Joe Potato Photo

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The Possible You: Life-Long Learning

Life-Long Learning: A Valuable Investment in Yourself!

Photo (c) iStockphoto.com/William Britten

Many of us are very stingy with ourselves when it comes to life-long learning. There are several reasons for this:

~We have financial constraints.

~We have time constraints.

~We don't feel worthy, or are afraid of failure.

~We fear it will obligate us to then go to work in that field, or at least use what we learned somehow.

Photo (c) iStockphoto.com/Janne Ahvo

~ We think we're too old or too young.

For this last one, I remember a great story mentioned by Julia Cameron in one of her books on creativity. It goes something like this: One friend says to another, " I'd love to learn to play the piano!" Friend #2 says, "That's great! Have you signed up for lessons yet?" Friend #1 says, "Oh, no, of course not! I'm too old to learn to play the piano. It could take years to get really good at it!" Friend #2 says, "Well, you'll be 70 in 5 years, right?" Friend #1 agrees. Friend #2 says,"And how old will you be in five years if you don't learn to play the piano?"

Coach, author, and speaker Cheryl Richardson, knows that most people are too hard on themselves about learning something new unless they have clear plans for how they'll put the new skills to work. In one of her workshops, she said the best advice she could give them in that moment was for everyone to give themselves permission to try anything new that they wanted, regardless of whether they would they would use it again or not.

Often, our intuition is what's nudging us toward a new experience well before we know why. I wouldn't want to miss an opportunity like that!

But what about the time problem? Take a look at what's on your plate right now. Is there anything you've been doing out of habit that perhaps has perhaps worn out its welcome? That's one place to look for extra time.

Take a look at what activities you could delegate or just pain dump! Does that sound a little audacious? Good! Try making a Not-to-Do List and see what you can get off your plate.

And there are lots of ways to get around the financial restraints. Don't forget about libraries, book swaps, used book stores, and sites you trust on the Internet! And of course, I hope you'll start with this site and join in on some of the complimentary and low-cost things we have going on in the Audacious Self-Care Community!

Please leave a comment, question, suggestion, or success story in the comments section of creative4life! I want our community (both local and global!) to be as interactive and inter-developmental as possible.

Thanks,

Susan

P.S. The next global event aside from the blog are the 8 complimentary hours of Hot- Line Coaching by me, on Wednesday, March 16, from noon to 8:00 pm Eastern! Just call at the top of one of these hours for a session of approximately 30 minutes. (First to call, first to be served at the top of each hour.)

Your only responsibility is to pay any long-distance charges from your phone service provider. So, if you're on an unlimited long-distance plan that includes Pennsylvania...even better! The Hot-Line Number is 610-385-3766. This type of exploratory session is a $35 value!

P.P.S. The next local event is Audacious Self-Care presented as a 4-week class that I'll be teaching for the Boyertown Continuing Education Program. There will be four 1-hour classes on Monday nights, starting March 14, from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. For details, contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com or 610-385-3766. It's reasonably priced and definitely fun!

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

***Proud and active member of the TriCounty Community Network at

http://www.tcnetwork.org/.***

Photo (c) iStockphoto.com/William Britten