Life Tip 14

Rife With Resolutions

As December rolls to a close, do you find that the idea of making New Year's resolutions seems to be looming large? Perhaps it's time to consider how to have 2008’s resolutions usher in the time for meaningful changes in your life:


· Not making a serious commitment-if you made a pact with a relative or friend, would you not honor it? Time to make a non-negotiable commitment to yourself!

· What is your plan of action? - it IS necessary to plan the specific steps you'll take in order to reach your goal.

· Fuzzy focus- concentrating on all that you have to get done as opposed to how much you've accomplished, then getting overwhelmed and not finishing the task, project, etc.

· Not being part of a formalized schedule- try making an actual appointment with yourself in order to get the job done.

· Procrastinating- need I say any more? We all know about this "time thief"!

· Take time to really think about the people and/or things in your life that are unsatisfactory - figure out why you are keeping them in your life.

· Flexibility-this can be a tricky one! Rather than having too much wiggle room to rationalize why this resolution isn’t working, try to earnestly “tweak” it to have it mesh with changes in circumstances.

And remember, taking action is the catalyst for change!

Life Tip #13

It’s A Dog’s Life?

If "every dog has its day", perhaps it makes sense that Adam Katz, a Southern California dog trainer, decided to share what he thinks
humans could learn from dogs:

•Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

•Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be
pure ecstasy.

•When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

•When it's in your best interest, don't bark.

•Let others know when they've invaded your territory.

•Take naps and stretch before rising.

•Run, romp and play daily.

•Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.

•If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

•When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by &
comfort them gently.

•Thrive on attention and let people have contact with you.

•Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

•On hot days, drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree.

•When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

•Be loyal.

•No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing
& pout...run right out & make friends.

•Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

And remember, taking action is the catalyst for change!

Life Tip # 12

Winter Wind-down?

As the days get shorter and the nights colder, it can be a time to reassess, not just dig in. If you're feeling like you're in a rut or disheartened by things in your personal or professional life, consider these tips:

•If what you're doing isn't working, try taking a break from all the activity. A "mental health day" can allow you to relax and look at things more objectively.

•Are your goals and values aligned? Inconsistency between these two can lead to stress, discouragement, self-sabotage and procrastination.

•Write down 5 things you've been promising/fantasizing/putting off doing. Make a commitment to do 2 of them within the month.

And remember, taking action is the catalyst for change!

Life Tip # 11

Intolerable Tolerations

Tolerations are those situations and/or individuals who drain your energy, drag you down, and usually take up a good percentage of your time.

Take a few minutes and think of the things (both large, small and miniscule), that you are presently "putting up with", rationalizing, or gritting your teeth over.

When writing these down, time to ask yourself:

•Who or what generally takes the joy out of life?

•Why am I tolerating so much?

•What benefit do I get in not eliminating these tolerations? Try to make a list that enumerates both “Pros” and “Cons”.

•Choose 5-10 tolerations, when eliminated within the next 30 days, will begin to improve your quality of life (start with the smallest and work your way up).

•For those tolerations that may presently be unalterable, perhaps they can be viewed differently, i.e. choose to accept them, explore possible alternatives, re-categorize and re-frame them in a more positive light.

And remember, taking action is the catalyst for change!

Life Tip #10

LETTER TO A FRIEND

Pretend to write a letter to a friend in a year from now. As you
look back over the past year, it is with a sense of accomplishment
and satisfaction, both personally and professionally. You are
extremely excited about all that has transpired in the past 12
months.
Your letter begins: "This has been an incredible year for
me…"

• What were the highlights of this past year?

• What proactive steps did you take to get to that place?

• What were the obstacles you had to overcome?

• What, or who, did you have to stop "tolerating" or “putting up with” in your life to reach this level of success?

• *What has been the underlying theme(s) for the entire year?

• Are there any unfulfilled goals that you’re still determined to accomplish?

• What sage and compassionate advice would you give yourself?

And remember, taking action is the catalyst for change!

Life Tip #9

How to Get An Energy Boost (or at least stop the energy drains on your
life!)

• Be selective, delegate and don't over-commit.

• Learn to say "No".

• Establish a support network which enhances and enriches your
life.

• Re-frame problems as opportunities that promote creative
solutions.

• Envision and set goals for a bright and exciting future.

And remember, taking action is the catalyst for change!

Life Tip # 8

LETTER TO A FRIEND

Pretend to write a letter to a friend in a year from now. As you look back over the past year, it is with a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, both personally and professionally. You are extremely excited about all that has transpired in the past 12months.

Your letter begins: "This has been an incredible year for me…"

· What were the highlights of this past year?

· What proactive steps did you take to get to that place?

· What were the obstacles you had to overcome?

· What, or who, did you have to stop "tolerating" or “putting up with” in your life to reach this level of success?

· What has been the underlying theme(s) for the entire year?

· Are there any unfulfilled goals that you’re still determined to accomplish?

· What sage and compassionate advice would you give yourself?

And remember, taking action is the catalyst for change!

Technorati Profile

Life Tip #7

Practicing Xtreme Self-Care

Do you care for your own needs as well as you care for the needs ofothers? Do you feel over- burdened and under-appreciated? If so, this(abbreviated) checklist can be helpful:

•Give up the need to be perfect-being human is a hard enough job!

•Ask for help-why think others can (should) read your mind?

•During stressful periods, do more, rather than less, for yourself.•Make a commitment to have personal "time off".

•Cultivate a strong support system-family, friends, colleagues, which include those who are non-judgmental "good listeners".

•Laugh out loud as frequently as possible!

And remember, taking action is the catalyst for change!

Copyright © 2007 Adriane Schuster All Rights Reserved

Grumpy Grown-Up Syndrome

Life Tip #6

Recently, while doing a good deal of traveling, meeting many different people, I was horrifyingly struck by the prevalence of:

Grumpy Grown-Up Syndrome (commonly known as GGS), a serious medical condition caused by eliminating humor from life.

• Laughter is the only cure known to ward off GGS, as it lessens
  muscle tension, lowers blood pressure, stimulates internal organs, brain and immune system.

• The medical profession wholeheartedly endorses belly laughs,
  chuckling, guffaws, smiling, and engaging in (believe it or not!), silly behavior whenever humanly possible.

• For GGS sufferers, it is advised to "lighten up", learn to laugh at yourself and with (not at), others, share jokes, funny stories and give yourself permission to be playful and have fun!

• There are NO adverse side effects to this advice.

And remember, taking action is the catalyst for change!
Adriane Schuster. M.A. M.F.C.C. Life/Business Coach

The Emotional Starvation Diet

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Life Tip #5


While diet and weight are often synonymous, it’s also possible to address the issue of love or attention malnourishment. Are you putting yourself and others on a "starvation diet" when it comes to acknowledging your own and others' accomplishments, attributes, talents, etc? If so, there’s no time like the present to whet your appetite!

· What kind of interactions have you created (both positive and negative), for yourself with those around you?

· How often do you TELL your loved ones, friends, co-workers,etc. why what and what you appreciate about them?

· Make a point of complimenting 5 people who you do appreciate, buthaven't actually acknowledged (it can be someone close to you oreven a helpful clerk).

· Contact them in person, by phone, or email. What was their reaction? How did it make you feel?

· Now (this may be the hard part!), acknowledge 5 things for which youcan give yourself credit, write them down, and keep adding to this list.

And remember, taking action is the catalyst for change!

Adriane Schuster, M.A. M.F.C.C Life/Business Coach
Copyright © 2007 Adriane Schuster All Rights Reserved

The Top Ten Goal Setting Goofs

Life Tip #4

To successfully achieve your goals, an essential ingredient is being clear-sighted about what will motivate you to love your life (or that aspect of your life), when those milestones are reached.

While goal setting is often a lofty idea, it can be all too easy to fall into these common traps:

• Too wishy-washy – if you are serious about your goal(s), commit it to writing, remembering that a goal not written down is merely a wish!
• Too easy or too difficult-allows you to rationalize why you didn't follow through (this does not mean you cannot be flexible and "tweak"the goal if necessary).
• Whose goal is it anyway - your own, or one suggested by others? If it's not one you truly believe in, this is a sure way to sabotage yourself!
• Viewing setbacks as failures, rather than lessons learned along the way-this perspective can be particularly helpful in refining goals.
• To remove a "bad" behavior, what will you substitute? – be crystal clear about this and be REALISTICALLY prepared for a great deal of practice and perseverance.
• Broadcasting the goal to others who are not necessarily supportive opens you up to ridicule and readily being undermined.
• Not examining the underlying fears - if one behavior is changed, knowing (whether consciously or not), that other things will also be altered.
• Honestly enumerating ALL the things that are hindering you from -this can be particularly helpful in refining goals.
• Warring goals- this may particularly happen with short term vs. long progress - try using the "S.M.A.R.T." method:

S = Specific

M = Measurable

A = Attainable

R = Relevant

T = Timely

And remember, taking action is the catalyst for change!

Adriane Schuster, M.A. M.F.C.C. Life/Business

CoachCopyright © 2007 Adriane Schuster All Rights Reserved

(If interested in re-printing this, or any other Tip, please contact me through "Comments").

The "Dirty Dozen":13 Obstacles Separating You From A Superior Life

Life Tip #3

Do any of these 13 particularly resonate with you?

1. Perfectionism-remember, just being human is hard enough! Perfectionism can be the source of terrific stress, as well as keeping you from doing or experiencing things that might not be 100% "right".

2. Focusing on the future-forgetting that, like it or not, you actually do live in the present. Is this future orientation preventing you from doing or enjoying things in the "here and now"?

3. No boundaries-always saying yes when you really want to say, "No!" Do you find you're regularly ceding control of your time, energy and personal needs in order to please others?

4. Champion of complaints-not taking the responsibility for asking for what you want. Do you find yourself becoming angry or whining when others can't discern your needs or somehow mind-read what you would like?

5. Letting the past define you- allowing the loose ends and unfinished business of your past dictate and control who and what you are today.

6. Believing your own excuses-not owning up to (and accepting) those areas in which you do not excel, or are not educated about, or really don't like (or want) to do, therefore rationalizing why you're not doing them.

7. Vague goals- "A goal not written down is merely a wish". Time to stop being wishy-washy and create a viable plan and commit it to writing.

8. No support (or supportive) systems-feeling alone or not cared for or understood by those around you. Time to seek out new friends, join organizations, get professional help, etc.

9. Rewarding energy drainers-both people and situations. Re-think your schedule (or lack thereof), simplify and de-clutter both your personal and professional environment.

10. Lack of priorities-not having decided what the most important things for you are, and often not accomplishing or experiencing those things.

11. No back-up plans-being deficient in time, money, energy, etc. insures that you make decisions based on what you're lacking-a sure way to make mistakes and miss opportunities. What things can you eliminate that would lessen what you're lacking and start building from that point onward?

12. No role models- imitation is indeed the highest form of flattery. Find someone who's doing/acting/practicing what it is you want to accomplish. Observe, read about, and familiarize yourself with what they do and be sure to ask lots of questions.

13. Not doing it daily- behavior is indeed hard to change, so practice, practice, practice! Incorporating the new behavior into your daily routine WLL provide your desired results.

And remember, taking action is the catalyst for change!

Adriane Schuster, M.A. M.F.C.C.Life/Business Coach
Copyright © 2007 Adriane Schuster All Rights Reserved

(If interested in re-printing this, or any other Tip, please contact me through "Comments").

Seven Scintillating Scenarios for Shoring Up Your LSQ (Life Satisfaction Quotient)

Life Tip #2

Have you lately been thinking of a "life make-over", or envisioning a life-style which will enhance the excitement, purpose and true enjoyment into your life? What signposts should you consider when seriously pondering significant changes and transformations?

1. Enlarge your future- your past is just that-the PAST. Rather than dwelling on negative situations previously experienced, re-frame them with an eye toward what was learned and how these lessons can be instructive now and in the future.

2. Engage in lifelong learning-not only formal education, but on-line learning, reading, joining groups and clubs whose ideas and information is different than yours.

3. Exercise a zest for life-exuberance is its own reward and always engaging to those around you. Being physically fit and maintaining a healthy lifestyle will indubitably add to a positive outlook.

4. Refuse to accept the minimum- strive for excellence (NOT perfection,) improvement and vibrancy in all areas of life (especially those that are often challenging!).

5. Make contributions beyond yourself-research does attest to greater life satisfaction when people are connected to being part of a community, volunteering, engaging in spiritual self exploration, etc.

6. Step outside your comfort zone- taking risks, thinking "outside the box", geared toward new goals, ambitions, and achievements.

7. Up your FF (Fun Factor)-revel in a sense of unbridled joy using humor and playfulness whenever possible; create an atmosphere which celebrates the off-beat, wacky and ridiculous.

And remember, taking action is the catalyst for change!

Adriane Schuster, M.A. M.F.C.C. Life/Business Coach
Copyright © 2007 Adriane Schuster All Rights Reserved

Nine Notable Happiness Tips

Life Tip #1

Positive psychology, with its emphasis on "learned optimism", offers a great perspective about how to maximize joy and focus on theupbeat. If you're interested in positively altering your worldview, begin with these suggestions:

1. Invest in relationships: It's no mistake that this is "numero uno"on the list. Nurturing relationships are essential for emotionaland physical health, help you through difficult times, providelifelong support and comfort, and yes, joy.

2. Eliminate the idea of perfection- being human is hard enough! Give yourself a break and appreciate the things you do well and admire in yourself.

3. Happiness is a state of mind, not the state of one's bank account. While no one would extol the virtues of poverty, it IS true that money alone cannot buy happiness. Learn to view setbacks and difficulties as learning experiences, actually taking advantage of these situations.

4. Engage in work that is satisfying and meaningful. If this is notalways possible, give yourself "fun" breaks during the day and engagein relaxing and interesting leisure activities.

5. Shamelessly pursue joy! It's not accidental that the "pursuit of happiness" is written in the U.S. constitution as an inalienable right. Focus on the things that make you happy and do them. Talk the actual talk of feeling positive, optimistic and outgoing-ness because going through the motions can actually propel these emotions.

6. Energize and vitalize by exercising (releasing endorphins in thebrain really do increase feeling happy), eating healthy and not skimping on sleep. Embrace novelty and do something different whenever possible.

7. Organize and de-clutter your environment: Being in control of your time eliminates feeling overwhelmed and allows for the setting and attaining of goals. De-cluttering the home and work environment helps to simplify one's life.

8. Be helpful and grateful: Doing altruistic deeds does make you feel better about yourself and relieves mental and physical stress. Savort the wonderful, interesting and unusual people and events in your life.

9. Focus beyond "me": One's family, faith, community, etc. provide asense of higher purpose and satisfaction than constantly focusing ononeself.

And remember, taking action is the catalyst for change!

Adriane Schuster, M.A. M.F.C.C.
Life/Business Coach
Copyright © 2007 Adriane Schuster All Rights Reserved

(If interested in re-printing this, or any other Tip, please contact me through "Comments").