Issue: Vol. 1, No. 6 |
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Date: June 8, 2007 |
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In this Issue
> Feature Article:
What I Wanted to Be When I Grew Up
>Teleconferences and Programs:
Looking for 48 Fearless, Fabulous Female Wannabes
> Andrea's Bookshelf:
Making Your Dreams Come True |
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A Note from Andrea
 Your Life Is Ticking Away
I was reading The Boston Sunday Globe last weekend, and in the career section read about the website deathclock.com, where you can plug in a few pieces of personal information such as your date of birth and a couple of health habits in order to generate the “actual” date of your death.
This may seem gloomy, but in anticipation of my birthday this past Tuesday I wondered if my “half-cooked” assessment had been correct. Do I really have as many years ahead of me as behind?
Good news! I’ve entered the data a couple of times now, and my appointment with the beyond isn’t scheduled until I’m at least 93… maybe I’ll even reach 97, if I get my diet under control!
Evidence enough for me that time is on my side, and I’ll fulfill all the dreams I’ve been hatching this past year. But I’m not letting grass grow under my behind. I want to enjoy it being real as soon as possible, not in the knick of time! Get thee gone, Grim Reaper!
How about you? Do you want the life of your dreams now, or can you be satsified with the years slipping by without taking any action on them?
This week, I’m seriously considering your dreams and how to make them come true.
Teleconferences, Workshops, and Programs
Looking for 48 Fearless, Fabulous Female Wannabes
Are You Afraid You’ll Never Show Up for Your Ideal Life? Time Is Running Out!
Get a grip, grab some clues, and go the distance to create your Fearless, Fabulous Life… your unique plan to achieve the life of your dreams.
The Fearless, Fabulous Project is a positive and affirming 90 day, life assessment and change program for women in midlife.
Gain clarity about what you want, eliminate the obstacles, generate powerful focus, create your personalized Life Map, and execute your plans with confidence and passion.
“At this transitional time of my life, the Fearless Fabulous Project reconnected me to my soul… physically, mentally, and spiritually. I am bubbling with excitement and wonder about the future, not fearful one bit.”
—Rachel Egan, Business Owner, Worcester, MA, www.rachelegan.com
The Fearless, Fabulous Project rocks out in early July, and there are only 48 spaces. Sign up now through June 22, and enjoy “early bird” savings of $100.
Learn more about The Fearless, Fabulous Project at www.fearlessfabulousproject.com.
Andrea’s Bookshelf
Making Your Dreams Come True
by Marcia Weider
As president of Dream University and author of “Making Your Dreams Come True,” Marcia’s mission is to enable people worldwide to pursue their dreams. Do you have a dream?
This book is a good solid primer in sitting down and really putting your thoughts and ideas to paper. In particular, I enjoyed the “Sliding Glass Door” exercise as a motivator to get to the mental landcape of possibilies.” It all starts with identifying your purpose and building your Passion Pyramid.
I connected with Marcia’s approach, as she is a big advocate of “projects” as a means for moving toward your dreams. Setting dates for completion creates real and tangible commitment. She is joyful in her work, and encourages us to pursue our dreams to join her in enjoyment and accomplishment in life.
Another fun concept is her WOW commitment: What action step will you take take “Within One Week” to move your dream forward? That is a very sublte but effective prod to action.
She includes a complete Making Your Dreams Come True Workbook section at the end, bringing together all of the concepts and worksheets introduced throughout the book.
Read customer and publisher reviews for “Making Your Dreams Come True.”
Feature
Five Different Professions
(Or…What I Wanted to Be When I Grew Up)
 During my late twenties—when I was frustrated that I wasn’t getting anywhere near what I thought I should be doing for work and I didn’t have an intimate relationship —my mother would remind me, “Whatever is happening is the trip.” I was a pretty flexible, if impatient person, so this philosophical interpretation of my slow-moving ride made some sense.
Another thing she said to me that didn’t really resonate for several years was, “If you weren’t living this life, Andrea, you’d simply be living a different one.”
When it Feels like Something is Missing or Off
Many of us had very different itineraries in mind when we started out than the trip we’ve actually taken. In some cases, we discovered new journeys or more rewarding possibilities along the way.
But if you feel that somehow you seriously veered off from your original intentions and goals, you can often make subtle or small mid-course or mid-life corrections that produce profound results.
And there is great richness and meaning to be found in the “evidence” of how we’ve spent out lives so far. By evidence I mean the collection of experiences and accomplishments you have enjoyed up to this point in time. The road taken and the detours are more deeply connected than you might think.
Dreams or Choices?
We may or may not feel good about the detours, but our original dreams are still tucked away in there. And those early dreams are a very good source of information when we feel stuck or dull in our current every day lives. So let’s play a game. Let’s look at experiences that possibly weren’t explored as fully as we might have liked.
If you weren’t otherwise engaged in your present life, what three to five other professions would you like to pursue or wish that you had? Similarly, go back to your childhood and think about what you fantasized you might become when you grew up. What did you want to pursue immediately after you finished school?
I want you to take a minute or two and list what first comes to mind. Don’t edit yourself. It doesn’t matter how fanciful or unrealistic the fields may seem. And write your list down, so you can fully appreciate this exploration.
- What was/is it about these jobs/careers you’ve just written down that excites you or speaks to your passions?
- Do any of these possible “other lives” offer something that you feel is currently missing?
- How do these interests play out in your current life? Is there evidence that they do exist in some form? Can you think of ways to incorporate these specific interests more fully into your current life?
How has this exercise changed your perspective about changes you might be contemplating? Do you need to make a few subtle shifts or do you need a complete life redesign? Sit with your newly discovered self-knowledge for a while and see what ideas occur to you.
Looking for Evidence of Passions
As an example, here’s what I dreamed about long ago: Jazz singer, Chef, Actress, Archeologist, Magazine Editor
- I sing while I’m out on my walks and in the car.
- I adore cooking and trying new recipes… especially when I can show off for friends and at special events.
- As a writer, I love telling the stories of others and by doing that I take on a bit of their experience.
- As a coach, I help people uncover information about themselves to better understand their motivations and desires.
- My corporate work involves creating and producing publications, and I’m still a design junkie.
My dreams and preferences have always showed up in some form in my life, no matter what I was doing for employment or where I was living. But last year, I did make a concsous choice to change specific aspects of my life (home, relationship, job), so that I could more fully express and enjoy myself.
If you decide to make changes to acknowledge your passions and joys, consider enlisting the help of a coach. With unconditional support, focus, and help in seeing what has been—and, more importantly, what is to come—you can quickly and efficiently create the Fearless, Fabulous life of your dreams.
© 2007 Andrea R. Williams
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Andrea Williams, personal and small business success coach, is the creator of the Fearless, Fabulous Project, a 12-week, step-by-step discovery and rejuvenation process to help you gain clarity and commitment about what is most important to you. If you're ready to pump your life with more fun & fulfillment, check out Andrea's coaching programs and FREE resources now at www.FearlessFabulousLife.com, and sign up for “Fearless, Fabulous Female,” her free ezine on personal reinvention at midlife.
About Andrea
Personal and small business development coach Andrea Williams is creator of the Fearless, Fabulous Project, a 12-week, step-by-step discovery and rejuvenation process.
Coaching female boomers, creatives and entre/solopreneurs, Andrea reaches core issues quickly, promotes others’ inspirations/aspirations, and provides unswerving support for life improvement… today!
Andrea also offers teleclasses, workshops, and other resources to help individuals and groups achieve greater self-awareness, success, and satisfaction. Learn more now at www.FearlessFabulousLife.com.
Nuts & Bolts
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