Archive for April, 2009

Do you assume the best?

I have been thinking about assumptions lately and how much they can impact our relationships. While I would like to think of myself as a positive person who is slow to judge, I also tend to over-analyze almost everything! Often I find myself creating elaborate meanings for things that happen without getting information directly from the source.

What happens in your own relationships when you make assumptions? Besides causing you to feel upset and frustrated, they can cause a lot of disconnection too.

And you know what it feels like to be on the receiving end of assumptions. Think about the last time someone made an assumption about something you said or did and it was far from what you intended. How did you feel?

My article in the Tranquil Parent this week is all about how to improve the quality of your relationships with a simple practice: “Assuming positive intent.” Give it a read!

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Who are you being?

Our culture is focused on doing. From to-do lists to getting things “done”, our value is often measured by our productivity. The Industrial Revolution (think job specialization and assembly lines) began a new era of technology and progress. And the good old “work ethic” was born!

While this has brought us incredible innovation and knowledge, we  have also created a society of people who are disconnected from nature, from their own bodies and from each other. We are busy and we are stressed.

As a Personal Coach, I often see clients who are excited about discovering their life purpose. One of the most inspiring aspects of my job is supporting women as they get crystal clear about what they are commited to in their lives!

Unfortunately, we have learned that our purpose is all about what we are doing.

Because of this misconception, we believe that our purpose is our job (teacher, doctor, designer), or the roles we play (mother, daughter, friend) or the actions that we take (feed the homeless, care for sick people, save the world).

But what happens when you can’t get the job that you dream is your ultimate purpose? What happens when your kids leave home? What happens if you can’t save the world?

I truly believe that your purpose is not what you do but who you be. You see, everything that you do is informed by who you are being. When you are clear about your motivations, your values and your gifts and strengths, you can infuse your life with a purposeful being-ness.

And you might notice that you slow down a little, shift your perspective from getting things done to making meaningful connections, and find more fulfillment in your life!

If you want to discover more about your life purpose, join me for the Living On Purpose Coaching Group. The next one starts at the end of April!

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