Got Goals? Stay motivated by focusing on your values and intentions!

We are all values-driven, meaning we seek to live a life that is aligned with our most important values.When you set a goal, make sure achieving it will be an expression of your deeply held values.First, identify your highest values.Then, determine how each of your goals will be an expression of your values.

For example, if your goal is to own a home this year and you highly value relationship, personal growth, and leadership, consider all the ways owning a home aligns with your values:Will it enhance your relationships?How does owning a home support your personal growth?Will achieving this goal provide opportunities for leadership?By tying the goal to as many values as possible, you add strength to your motivation.On the other hand, by doing this exercise you may discover that the goal does not align with your vision of your true self!You may also get a clearer picture of goals you do want to attain. Read more of Values-driven motivation – Mindfulness & Goal Setting

March 8 is International Women’s Day. 

According to the Pan American Health Organization (a division of the World Health Organization), “Some 80 percent of home health care in the Americas is provided by women, but this critical work is neither recognized nor remunerated.”  In fact, they say, “this invisible work is rarely even recognized as a skill.”  Their statement to the world could not be stronger:  “If the women of the world went on strike and suspended their community work in health for just one day, the consequences would be catastrophic for global welfare.”

Ready to extend a helping hand?  The Courageous Heart Program is a Coaching problem designed just for women in the helping professions: Nurses, Therapists, Educators and anyone else who makes her living by giving.  The program is now being offered in a small group setting.  Learn more HERE, and help a woman you know take care of herself so she can continue to make a difference in the lives of others.

And make a virtual “toast” to these women – tell us about them and the light they shine in the world!

This coming Wednesday, we’ll be talking about Creativity and Play in the face of life’s challenges, large and small. Here are some quotes to get you thinking about the topic……

     “You are led through your lifetime by the inner learning creature, the playful spiritual being that is your real self.”  ~Richard Bach

“The Paleolithic hunters who painted the unsurpassed animal murals on the ceiling of the cave at Altamira had only rudimentary tools. Art is older than production for use, and play older than work. Man was shaped less by what he had to do than by what he did in playful moments. It is the child in man that is the source of his uniqueness and creativeness, and the playground is the optimal milieu for the unfolding of his capacities.”  ~Eric Hoffer

“Always leave enough time in your life to do something that makes you happy, satisfied, even joyous.  That has more of an effect on economic well-being than any other single factor.”  ~Paul Hawken

Phoebe Chongchua, Editor of LifeFitMagazine.com, spoke with Brook around New Year’s about Setting Intentions.  You can listen to the interview here and learn some strategies to gain clarity, joy and meaning in your life!  Self Improvement never seemed like so much fun!

If you are ready to re-vision your life and need some coaching, you can experience Brook’s work by listening in on Ring In 2009!  Any day is a good day for personal growth!

Thinking of making New Year’s Resolutions? Think again.

The most popular thing to do at New Years (besides drinking champagne) is probably to Make Resolutions. You tell yourself, your friends and your family (and if you’ve overdone it on champagne, perfect strangers!) that next year you’ll do it DIFFERENTLY. Next year, you really are going to lose those extra 20 pounds, even if you have to starve yourself to do it. For a time you stick to your plan. You diet, you join the gym and you lose some weight. Somewhere between Valentine’s Day and June, you lose your momentum. Summer rolls around and you beat up on yourself for not sticking to the diet and you dread putting on a swimsuit. Somewhere between Thanksgiving and Christmas you realize you really did eat that whole plate of cookies and you swear to fast until New Years so you don’t end the year without losing a single pound! Now it’s New Years Eve and you hate the sense of failure to meet your “resolution”, so you try to muster up some confidence to try again next year. (Maybe this contributes to the amount of champagne consumed on New Year’s Eve!)

Instead of making resolutions, what if you Set Intentions for 2009? Read more of Don’t Make Any Resolutions Till You Read This!

Here’s what one participant said of yesterday’s class – Wring Out 2008!

“I love the call!  I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it.  I felt like I wanted to spend much more time on the different portions of the exercise.  So, today, I’m going to go through it all again, be more present and go slow where I feel the need and fast otherwise.  It was really cool to hear what others had to say.  I’m Really looking forward to the next conference call.  Thank you so much!”

Did you participate in Wring Out 2008?  During the tele-class there was limited time for sharing, so here is your opportunity! 

What are you most relieved about leaving behind from 2008?  How are you changed by the experience of forgiving, accepting and releasing?  What insights or lessons will you carry forward into the New Year?  Be the Change!  What are you celebrating about 2008?

I’m glad you’ve found my blog!  Here you’ll find inspiration and guidance for everyday mindfulness.  As a life coach, I work with clients to develop positive patterns of thought so they can get the results they want out of their lives.  My goal here is to provide readers with some of the same tools.  This blog will help you create a life that matches your inner truth, goes beyond ego struggles, and rests more peacefully in the present moment.  I’ll address relationship issues, spirituality, a mindful approach to social and environmental issues, career issues, health and wellness and simply staying present in your daily life.  Enjoy!