All Things Anne Wondra

Live Like You Mean It - a great theme for Wisconsin tourism...and life coaches

The new Wisconsin Tourism logo and theme were announced this week, Live Like You Mean It.  I like it!   Sure it's been used by others before.  So what.  The point it, it's positive and proactive.  LIVE like you mean it!  Think about it.  Get off the couch.  What are you doing with your life?  What's on your "Live like you mean it" list?  What are you reading that makes you feel something?

There will always be complainers among us.  It's Marty's Gold Brick Theory again, If you gave everybody a gold brick, somebody would complain they had to carry it to their car.... 

Here's the thing, we each get to choose the kind of energy and attitudes we want to put more of into our life and the world.  And which ones we want to hang around with.  Which 'side-affects' do you like better? 

As for me, I see great opportunity and positives with the Live Like You Mean It theme.  The tie-ins to fitness, wellness, travel, making a difference, community, living with intention are all there.  We can make the most of it.  If you're ready to play, ready to live with more energy and purpose and focus, borrow the theme for yourself.  And maybe even find a life coach to help you start if you're not sure how to.  That's what we do:  help people live like they mean it.  Find one in your area or start on my home page.

The gift of life is yours; it is an amazing journey...and you get to determine the quality of it.  - Five

Live like you mean it....  Can't hurt; might help. 

What brings you JOY?

Two quick things today.  

First, think about what brings you JOY and allow your response to guide you.

Follow the muse...and start at Starbucks.  Seriously.  There is a new gift item on their shelves.  It's a small hardcover book with a 5 on it and it's called Where will you be five years from today?   The cover band--that could easily make a bookmark--says the following:

The greatest day

of your life is the one on

which you decide your life

is your own.  The gift of life

is yours--it is an amazing

journey--and you get to

determine the quality of it.

Live the next five years on

purpose.  Now is the time.

Imagine the possibilities.

Go places, have adventures,

make a real difference, do

what you love.  Follow your

dreams, they know the way.

Start the conversation.  The book is a great starting place.  Get a goal partner and help one another.  What's a goal partner?  And how do you find one?  Ask me  and I'll tell you.

I started this business with a five-year plan after a Franklin-Covey class called What Matters Most?   At minimum, the book at Starbucks will get you thinking and PLAYING with joyful possibilities.

The second FUN thing is NEATO PENS!  I love beautiful pens.  Nice Pens bring me JOY.  And I discovered the Colorado Pen Company this week.  If you're like me, you'll enjoy this site like a kid in a candy store.  Check it out.  Talk about a perfect gift playground for pen lovers. 

Take care.  Enjoy!

Anne Wondra - Muse and Life Coach

 

 

 

Lessons from Border Collies - Find yourself some work to do

We can learn a lot from animals.  Take border collies, for example.  These are working dogs, used to herd sheep.  An interesting thing about border collies:  Even when they don't have any sheep to herd, they are driven to find themselves some 'work' to do. 

My in-laws have a border collie.  Her name is Reba.  When my father-in-law was alive, his daily routine included a trip out to 'the property' where he had a 10-acre plot of land with a big garden.  Reba was his constant companion.  Whether she made it her work to herd him or keep the rabbits away, I'm not sure.  I just know Reba was always at his side.

When my father-in-law passed on, Reba found herself a new project...my mother-in-law.  Once again, Reba is a constant companion, always at my mother-in-law's side.  Reba will go walking no one else who might take her away from her 'charge.'

The lesson here?  We are each responsible to find ourselves some work to do.  If we are self-employed or have an employer, we have some defined work to do.  For those who are not employed right now?  Find yourself some 'work' to do, whether it's paid or unpaid.  If a border collie can do it...

Today, there are many good, able-bodied, intelligent, talented, creative people, with time on their hands, available to make a positive impact in their neighborhoods and in their communities.  You don't need permission to gather with your neighbors and make your neighborhood a clean and safe place.  You can contact your local United Way and find out where your talents could be used to help others.  You can follow your own passions, inspirations, causes of the heart, and be with people who share your interest.

Opportunity knocks in job loss.  It's not all about the money.  It's also about use of time and attitude, and living with intention.   Find yourself some work to do, paid or unpaid, something positive and constructive you and others can do with you time and abilities and connections and creativity.  Besides, who would you rather hire?   Someone you knew perhaps from a community project you both worked on?  Someone who sees possibilities in challenges perhaps?  Someone who chooses to be positive, and does something constructive with their in-between time perhaps?  Who would you rather hire?  Choose to BE that person.  The benefits far outweigh the alternatives.

On the lighter side, here's a Just for Fun page and a youtube clip of a talented border collie.  Find a way to make work feel like playing.  Enjoy.

 

Intention: Coaching available to Everyday People

Everyday people need coaches too, not just executives.

The  average hourly rate for coaches is $205; For now mine is $75. 

My intention is to make coaching available to everyday people--because I was and am one of those everyday people coaching made a difference for.   In times like now particularly, people need to see possibilities and opportunities and receive support in their strides to appreciate the NOW.

In a world of technology, traffic, and ready information, people still feel alone, energy-drained, unappreciated, and starved for affirmation and support to help them see opportunity, focus on what matters, and ENJOY living.  

And yes, we are tired of being sold to.  We want someone who sees us and what's good about us; the parts we've lost touch with, the essential elements of who we are and why we're here. 

Some have an employer who will fund coaching as a training or professional development investment.  (Never hurts to ask.)  Some prefer not to have their employer involved. 

Coaching is often about the personal side of success--our beliefs and world view about ourselves and those we work with.  We are masters in the roles we play.  And underneath, many still perceive themselves to be frauds and afraid of being found out.  We don't see our natural beauty or the talent we take for granted.  Our spirits are wounded, and we are trying to find our greatness and why we are here.  That's how I help.

I'm a farmer's daughter and I understand that a cost of living increases don't come for everyone each year.  And I have that business, entrepreneurial spirit with a mix of spirit, business, human resources, and education in my background.  And I have a heart, common sense, and a sense of fun.  And I'm a muse--all about art and soul and living well, a playful spirit. 

I choose to work with those who are changing and growing, or ready for a change; desiring to become more sure of themselves, confident, and beautiful in who they are, ready to step forward with intention. 

So no more excuses.  Are you ready for more?   Wellness Incentive coupons  are gifted to each new VIP News Notes member, and  I offer classes, group coaching, and home-study options to fit needs and budgets. 

Properties of Money to remember

Money is meant to flow, like water in a stream.  We exchange money for something of value.  And when we feel the exchange is fair, and we genuinely ENJOY and APPRECIATE the service or item or privilege we've received in exchange for that money, we FEEL GOOD about spending it.  Think about when you've really enjoyed spending money.  What did you buy?  Even paying your bills.  Do you appreciate the electricity you use every day?  How about the use of your phone or car or the internet?  Money is meant to flow.  And it can flow TO us just as easily.

Money likes being paid attention to.  Pay it GOOD attention.  What we resist, persists.  And what we think about, we bring about.  How many ways can you and a friend think of to have more money flowing to you?  Easily, enjoyably.  And spending money?  Easily, enjoyably.

Money is an exchange of value.  Feel good exchanging money for something you value.  Appreciate, and enjoy the benefits of it.  I want learning, personal growth time with a coach to be one of those exchanges you feel really good about. 

Thrive on the Details

Thrive on the details, to enjoy immensely the details you notice, was last week's Laws of Attraction tip. 

 An interesting thing happens when one decides to enjoy and act on the seemingly inconsequential details they notice:  Much bigger things stop from becoming issues or problems.  Take the example of the New York Police Department.

"The New York Police Department's resources were hard-pressed fighting major crimes like murder, arson, extortion... But they undertook a small-details oriented policy shift:  More attention on the petty issues pushing everyday life in the city....'guality-of-life' crimes."  The result:  "Paying attention to petty crime made the city more attractive to live in and also dramatically reduced major crime." 

How did it work that way?  Like this.  One of the petty crimes they started paying attention to was subway turnstile jumpers--people who would jump the turnstily instead of paying the 25-cent fee.  Very petty, right.  Spending valuable police time arresting someone for evading a 25-cent subway fee.  Except that when the police made the arrest, they also ran the fingerprints against outstanding crimes.  And guess what.  A lot of the petty crime turnstile dodgers were also wanted for much more serious offenses.  Word spread quickly, and the subway became a safer and more attractive place, as did the rest of the city.

We all know individuals who deliberately and continuously "push the envelope" or "test the limits" of rules, laws, policies.  In some circles, such behavior is encouraged and rewarded.  Schools and and bullies come to mind.  How do you feel about such behavior?  A detail to pay attention to, or not?  Something to nip in the bud, or ignore?  What bigger problems could be avoided or elimated by paying attention to the details? 

This week's law of Attraction is Tolerate Nothing.  When we put up with something, it costs us.  And unnecessary costs are unattractive.  What are you tolerating?  And what unnecessary costs are you adding to your life?  To join Saturday's call, register here and get a Tolerations Worksheet to get you started.

A Woman's Worth

Welcome to an amazing 7-week series for women, especially women who desire to lead.  The summer series starts August 13 and uses the classic Marianne Williamson title, A Woman's Worth as a backdrop.  It evolves, as do participants, and includes resources for continued personal growth.  If you or someone you know is looking for a meaningful class, or if you are a woman in transition, reassessing her worth and value, consider this one and join me. 

The series will be offered in the fall as a teleconference starting October 8...meaning your girlfriends in other states and elsewhere can participate by phone.  The beauty of technology.

To growing into, and living out of, our greatness. - Anne :)

Self-discovery is a sacred path.  Life enjoyment, finding JOY in living, is its purpose.

28 Laws of Attraction for Life and Business

What makes a person attractive? 

What elements attract YOU to want to work with someone, be with or around someone, to do business with one person rather than another?

The author of The 28 Laws of Attraction, Thomas Leonard, was a financial planner by profession, who disliked many traditional aspects of sales.  His clients also wanted more from him than help with their finances.  His principles of attraction made him successful and sought after. 

Thomas' material is well-known to coaches.  This is his first (and only) consumer resource.  And I'm excited and delighted to share it with positive people who are ready to grow and evolve, both personally and professionally! 

The conference calls are on Saturday mornings at 9:30 (CST). 

At the least, print yourself a copy of the class schedule for your copy of Thomas' 28 Laws of Attraction.

Enjoy life.  - Anne

 

Steps on the Leadership Mountain

Notes from Paul Wesselmann at Marian College, April 5 2008 | www.PaulWesselmann.com

SEEK COMFORT  - We all have comfort zones.  When we want to GROW, it's essential to step out of our comfort zones. 

Real learning can only take place when we have the RIGHT BALANCE between COMFORT and CHALLENGE.

If people don't FEEL SAFE, they can't grow.  If students (or employees or clients or children) don't feel safe, they can't grow.

How to get Someone Else to pay for what You Want

Start with what you want.  Then figure out who would benefit from your getting it, and who has easy, ready funding resources to invest.