What makes a good business or management consultant?

Posted on May 17, 2012 by iCoach

Seems like there should be an easy definition for Business Consultant, but there isn’t. Some consultants specialize in certain functional areas of a company, such as in sales, marketing, or operations and only at certain management levels. Other coaches can help you with many, if not all functions within the company and at any management level. Of course this all depends on his or her experience.

While there are consulting and coaching schools out there that will give a person a certificate, I find it is not as simple as getting certified. You can ask why not? The reason is this, while all schools will provide you with tools and guidance to ask that right questions, and provide a potential business person with methods, structure and documents to become more professional in the consulting field, real world experience is the one key ingredient they cannot provide.

Experience

Let’s face it if you are new to football, or any sport for that matter, and I taught you all about that sport and its rules and regulations, and what a coach does your becoming certified as a coach will do little for you or the team in having success. The reality is this, if you don’t have the experience, or having been engaged in that specific sport your ability to be effective as a coach is marginal. Without experience you cannot be as effective as someone who does have the experience, and your chances of being a success are the same as going to Las Vegas and gambling.

Back to School?

A good Business Consultant is not just someone who can lay out a plan for you from a textbook, but also someone who knows what it’s like to be on the field and play the game. If you have seen the movie “Back to School”, with Rodney Dangerfield you will remember the scene when Rodney (Thornton Melon) is in the classroom speaking to Dr. Phillip Barbay. In a classic textbook environment Dr. Barbay is talking about how business is done, and Rodney (Thornton Melon) chimes in with the realities of doing business by explaining the nuances of what it takes to communicate with all parties involved in the business. Here’s the line from the movie:

Thornton Melon:Oh, you left out a bunch of stuff.

Dr. Phillip Barbay: Oh really? Like what for instance?

Thornton Melon: First of all you’re going to have to grease the local politicians for the sudden zoning problems that always come up. Then there’s the kickbacks to the carpenters, and if you plan on using any cement in this building I’m sure the teamsters would like to have a little chat with ya, and that’ll cost ya. Oh and don’t forget a little something for the building inspectors. Then there’s long-term costs, such as waste disposal. I don’t know if you’re familiar with who runs that business, but I assure you it’s not the Boy Scouts.

While this is a humorous scene, it’s not that far from the truth. The point is this, if you don’t have real world experience, years, or decades of experience, you chances of being effective for your client is slim. Having credentials, or a degree, does not make you an expert in the field. Expertise only comes from experience and the more experience you have the more effective, and helpful you can be.

Other Skills

Another key ingredient to being a good business consultant is the need to also have real life skills of being in the trenches. While we may try to separate our personal life from our business life it is all intertwined. A consultant needs to know more about how a client operates in their personal life to be able to build relationships within a business to have success in that business. So again consulting is not just something you can pluck out of a book or just learn by going to classes, it is something you must have the experience of doing. For a consultant to be good or great, he/she must be passionate about what they do. They not only need the skills, the aptitude, and the experience, but they must truly want to help somebody whether they get paid or not.

One last line from the movie emphasizing the importance of real world experience when Thornton Melon says to Dr. Phillip Barbay: Hard work? Listen, Sherlock! While you were tucked away up here working on your ethics, I was out there busting my hump in the REAL world. And the reason guys like you got a place to teach is ’cause guys like me donate buildings.

So how do you choose a good business coach?

Do your research

Check out testimonials

Check out his or her business history/experience

Call and have a conversation (most coaches will give you 15-30 minutes free to find out if you’re compatible)

Arthur Tassinello is an author, business consultant and motivational speaker from West Palm Beach, Florida. Arthur can help you break through and reach your goals by working with you one-on-one as your personal business coach or as a consultant to your company in sales, marketing or operations. You can find out more about his services by going to: http://www.thecoffeehousecoach.com/ Contact Arthur today so you can start living the life you have always dreamed of, become the best executive you can be and achieve financial success for yourself and your company.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6815254
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12.21.12 “The End or The Beginning”

Posted on March 15, 2012 by iCoach

When you think of the date 12.21.12 does it conjure up thoughts of why the Mayan calendar ends on that date, and the world possibly ending on 12.21.12?  Will it be the destruction of all mankind or the beginning of a new and better world.  And if you knew that your life, all life would end then what would you do with your life beginning today?

Right now you’re probably deeply contemplating this question, with thoughts of: who you are as a person, what you are doing personally and in business, possibly how your relationships would be different, what’s really important in your life, and more than likely what will you do with only a few months left to live. The reality is none of us know how much more time we have left on this planet, but we rarely take the time to change those things in our life that aren’t working.  And we don’t take the time because we believe that we will live, figuratively speaking, forever and of course thinking that any minute might be our last might paralyze us.  Then of course is the fact that making any change will take effort, which is very uncomfortable and no one likes to be out of their comfort zone.  So just let’s leave things as they are and perhaps they’ll change on their own.  Well of course things will change, but do you want change to happen to you, or do you want to be in control of those changes?

If you really knew your life was going to end next week, or next month, or one year from now I’m sure there are things that you would want to change beginning right now, but would you?  As I mentioned, change is uncomfortable, doing things differently is uncomfortable, and no one likes discomfort.  So if things aren’t working for you at home, or at work, or with any of your other relationships, or with loosing weight, or exercising, or going back to school, or any other thing what are you waiting for?  Why would you want to live with that discomfort more than taking the time to make those changes necessary so the rest of your life is comfortable?

When do you begin to take personal responsibility for your actions and your life?  Isn’t it time to use what you have learned to make a change to better yourself and to be an instrument in helping make this world a better place to live?  Now is the time when you put the pieces of the puzzle together, to see the whole picture, so you can experience life the way it was meant to be experienced.  You, we, are indeed at a point of no return, whether we believe our lives will end tomorrow or decades from today.  You and I must be a change agent for improving our environment, standing up for civil liberties, and going beyond paralyzing fear and judgment to do something better, something different.

In short, the time is NOW, not just to decide what matters the most, but also to take action.  In not deciding you have, of course, decided.  So, Do Not Procrastinate and put it off until tomorrow—do it right now.  Your life, and the lives of others are depending on you.

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5 Steps to “Thinking out of the Box”

Posted on March 15, 2012 by iCoach

If you’re in business you should know that there are 100’s of things you need to pay attention to in your business, from operations, through sales, marketing and administration.  I have spent 40 years in business, within several industries, dealing with all departments at the mid and executive levels, and I can tell you that all basic business practices are the same and the #1 reason so many businesses fail, beyond the usual of under capitalization is this.  They don’t take the time to pay attention to all the details in every dept., which can amount to thousands of things to do, and they don’t know what “thinking out of the box” means.  So how do you pay attention to everything?  You hire the right people and dissect everything.  And while I’d love to help you with all of it today, that is impossible, so I’ll start with a basic that most people and businesses don’t get and almost no one talks about and that is this.  How to think out of the box.

So what does this really mean?  As they say “you only know what you know” and “you just don’t know what you don’t know.”  Since you can’t know everything “How do you begin to think differently?”

First, we have 2 systems that drive us, or that we operate from, which is scientifically proven, and written about in a book called, “Thinking Fast and Slow”, by Daniel Kahneman.

Through decades of tests it is proven that our brain has 2 systems, or 2 ways of acting.  The first is called System 1, this is our FAST automatic or reactive system. It’s the fight or flight instinctive part of us.  And while system 1 is very beneficial to our survival it doesn’t help us think logically.  As an example if you were driving down a road and suddenly a deer jumps out from the side of the road, System 1 would have you swerve and slam on the brakes without you giving any conscious thought to it at all.  If we used System 2 our reaction would be so slow that we’d probably run right over the deer, no swerving and no braking, until it was way too late.  Now when it comes to figuring out complex problems in math, science and so forth System 1 is of little help, except when it comes to solving simple problems such as what is 2 + 2, or other data we have learned and memorized.  So now you get some idea of the benefit of System 1.  Quick, responsive, but it can have us act irrationally.

System 2 is the SLOW, logical part of us and the opposite of reactive System1.  It’s the thinking part of our brain that allows us to use what we have learned to solve more complex mathematical computations, or in figuring ways to investigate and prove theories.  It’s when we can rationally think through a problem, allowing us to make sensible, coherent decisions.  Where System 1 can handle very easy, simple situations, System 2 can have us work for hours solving a problem, theorizing, and elucidating on the potential outcome.  System 2 can keep us out of trouble by allowing us to deliberately act not letting the reactional, and emotional System 1 take over and do things we wish we had thought through.

So what does this have to do with “Thinking Out of the Box”?  Well as you can see if we use System 1 it would be difficult to find alternative solutions, because System 1 is so reactive.  Unfortunately while we, as individuals, might use System 2 wisely in solving business problems we too often use the reactionary, emotional System 1 when others give us advice or give us solutions we haven’t thought of.  Why?  Because we don’t want to be thought of as stupid (Why didn’t I think of that?), or wrong, because we always want to be right, don’t we.  However, if you live in being “Right” all the time you are closed off to learning and therefore you remain in “The Box”.

So here’s your solutions:

First, accept another way of thinking, or input, from others.  It opens the door to you moving outside the box you are in.  Take the time to do some research about your subject or the problem your trying to solve.

Second, talk to someone outside of your business, someone who knows little, or nothing about your business to get a different or unique perspective.  Why?  Because they don’t think like you do.  There perceptions aren’t based in the knowledge you have and therefore will have a different and perhaps a unique view.  Talk to experts in your field and others in your industry to get their perspective.  Listen intently and do not discount anything they say because you believe you have, done that, tried that, whatever that is.

Third, write them down, ask more questions, go deeper, and explore, discuss, and dissect their perspective, the possibilities, and the opportunities.  So how much time, credence, and credibility do you permit, enough for you to either achieve that “aha” moment, or when you truly believe you have exhausted all possibilities.  Then it’s okay to begin making some decisions.

Fourth, take all the input from your research and from others, that has been dissected and assessed, and make several plans.  Plan “A”, “B”, and “C”.  Once all plans are in place be sure that you have the time and resources to compete each plan, and have a method to monitor the results of each plan.  Try one at a time giving each plan a reasonable amount of time and to measure the outcome of each.

Fifth, make small adjustments as needed to refine the process and/or the message.  Be patient and allow the process or program to run as you intended!  We all want instant gratification, but stick to the plan, which may take weeks or months.  And never radically change the program mid-stream, it’s a sure way to waste time, money, and resources.  Not everything you do will work as intended, that’s why you plan, evaluate, test, evaluate and test again, and then execute the final plan.  And know that with all things you must continue the process as the world and your business is fluid and ever changing.

In closing remember this:  If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.  And most of the time we don’t think it through because we are impatient to find success.  What we are doing is reacting to what we believe we perceive and making a decision before we have completed all the steps.  Thinking it through could be as little as a few minutes, or it could be days or weeks, but don’t over analyze, and don’t try to make it perfect.  Perfect is only a perception.

Reinventing the wheel is good and necessary, if you don’t you’ll be stuck in the Stone Age with Fred Flintstone.  Innovate, plan, and execute!

Recap

Step 1 – Accept that You Don’t have All of the Answers.  Research your Subject or Problem

Step 2 – Seek Input from Others outside and inside your industry.  Listen and don’t prejudge any ideas

Step 3 – Ask questions, explore, discuss, and dissect the ideas until you get that “aha” moment.

Step 4 – Make several plans and be sure you have the time and the resources to complete the testing process.  Then test and evaluate, and test and evaluate, and test and evaluate – It’s ongoing!

Step 5 – Make small incremental adjustments, so the plan doesn’t radically change.  Implement a final plan and then monitor, and change as necessary.

If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. 

Innovate, plan, and execute!

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Do You Take Responsibility for Your Actions?

Posted on February 27, 2012 by iCoach

It seems that no matter what happens in the world, whether it’s in ‘Your World’ or the world around you, few of us take responsibility for what we do.

As an example Congress makes decisions that affect us everyday, yet when it comes to owning what they do and did they are always blaming outside forces.  It’s always someone else’s fault.  I did my job, but someone else F%#! it up.  The banks, the realtors, the economy, the corporations, the lobbyists, the President, and the list goes on, and on, and on.  It’s way too easy to plead innocence, I tried, and “I was deceived”.  Yes people lie for many reasons, however each of us is a factor, and things just don’t happen in a vacuum.

Blaming others, is this the way you want to act?  With a reaction that usually puts the culpability in someone else’s lap.  Are you always going to play the victim?  When do you finally own up to your part in this world (your world), in this life (your life)?  Everyday you have a choice and those choices are all on you.  No one can do anything to you, but I not sure that you get that.

Let’s start with a really tough one.  How about Bernie Madoff?  Sure it’s easy to see that he took advantage of many people, and manipulated and lied to get what he wanted.  But weren’t there signals along the way.  You know the line of “If it’s too good to be true it is too good to be true”.  If we really got into the details of each case where someone invested with him there was probably a tell tale sign telling them that something was amiss.  Of course, I know there are times when we are too trusting and innocent, however you made the choice and you need to take some responsibility for perhaps not doing a more thorough investigation, etc., etc.

Let’s take a simpler case.  You purchase a car and you sign all these leasing or loan documents, and you don’t read all the fine print and you rely on the salesman to tell you what’s in them.  Then sometime down the road you realize that there is an early termination clause, you say, the salesman never reveled to you.  Do you take responsibility for this, or do you go on about how he/she deceived you.  Certainly it’s easier to blame someone else than take responsibility isn’t it.

In 2000 I decided to be a day trader.  Things were going along very well for months, where I was making anywhere from a few hundred dollars a day and more.  I thought I had the formula, but then the tech stock debacle happened, where over a weekend all tech stocks lost 50 to 90% of their value.  Yes, I lost everything and I was devastated.  I cried, I kicked myself and I blamed Wall Street.  Should I blame the Wall Street?  I could, I mean they did have a hand in it, but how was I responsible?  Well, first I didn’t have enough day-trading experience!  In hindsight I see that had I had more training, more knowledge, put in place some safeguards, not have been invested only in the tech sector and not have margined all of my holdings things could have been different.  But they weren’t and just like in the movie “Perfect Storm”, I was as responsible as the other factors that led to my losses.

While we can debate these situations all day, my point is that we have choices and as the law states, “Ignorance of the law is no excuse”.  You see if you go to court pleading you didn’t know and could get away with that, everyone would plead the same and then we wouldn’t need the courts, would we.

If you haven’t gotten the point, you are most likely a person who claims, “I’m a victim”, most of the time, aren’t you.  We, you and I, have a brain and it is incumbent upon us to use it.  There are no more “copouts” of “I was in a rush”, or “she/he should have told me”, or any other damn thing you can think of that excuses you from taking, at least, some responsibility.

I have my lessons and you have yours.  Do you recognize them?  Will you recognize them?  Take a hard look at how you act, take ownership, understand your actions, forgive yourself and others, learn your lessons, and move on.  Now use what you have learned to help yourself and others, continue to trust, take your time to think, and use caution.  After all it is up to you, isn’t it?  Don’t allow the “Perfect Storm” to get you!

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Do You Really “Think Out of The Box”?

Posted on February 6, 2012 by iCoach

5 Key Elements that can lead to Success by “Thinking Out of the Box.”

What does ”Think Out of The Box” really mean?  As they say “you only know what you know” and “you just don’t know what you don’t know.”  Since you can’t know everything “How do you begin to think differently?”

The first step is researching everything about your subject.  So how much is that, well it’s just enough for you to get to that ‘aha’ moment.  When something you are reading takes your thinking about something in another direction.

Second, talk to someone outside of your business, someone who knows little, or nothing about your business to get a different or unique perspective.  Why?  Because they don’t think like you do.  Your job is to listen intently and not discount everything they say because you believe you have tried that, whatever that is.  It is time to explore, discuss, and dissect their perspective. Looking for another ‘aha’ moment.

Third is to try alternatives until something clicks.  Yes there are experts out there that will tell you to do this or do that, but it may not be exactly right for you. Perhaps using a variation of their suggestion.

Fourth, don’t give up so easily, make sure you have a way to monitor your results and give it enough time… be patient!

Most time we don’t think at all.  What we are doing is reacting to what we believe we perceive and making a decision before we have had the time to think it through.  And thinking it through could be as little as a few minutes, or days, but don’t over analyze, and don’t try to make it perfect.

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Happy New Year

Posted on December 31, 2011 by iCoach

Happy New Year to All

Did you ring out the old and ring in the new with another New Years Resolution.  Well, this New Year is like any other and is simply the dates on the calendar changing again.

While you may have decided to make a resolution again this year to change some aspect of your life, or your whole life this can be done at any time, and on any day regardless of the date on the calendar.

Somehow we believe that the beginning of a New Year is the time to make the changes necessary to have this year be better than the old year.  It’s a time when we resolve to make minor or major changes, yet you will still need to make adjustments during the year to reach your goals, to make those changes you deem necessary.  So part of your New Years resolution is to know that you will need to make changes during the year, not just at the beginning.

Obviously, in order to make those changes, the first change you must recognize is what you need to change in you.  So often the change you want is for those around you to change, and then your circumstances will change.  However, the change you seek is not external to you it is within you.  It is not about others changing it is about you changing yourself and by doing that your circumstances, and those around you change.

The reason you seek change is because you are desperate to break the cycle that you have been in that is uncomfortable and just not working.  You seem to be pulled into this vortex of reoccurring negativity, because you have become pessimistic and don’t believe that certain changes are possible.  It’s almost like you’re swimming in this vast ocean at night and you can’t get your bearings.  You’re so lost that you can’t decide whether you want to meet your fate of being swallowed alive by the sea, or if you want to see the lights on the distant shore and muster the energy to swim to safety. Are you going to allow your emotions to take over your life, or will you let your logic, experiences, and your intuitive self make those changes necessary to have a fulfilled life.  The fulfilled life I’m speaking of is where you’re healthy and happy, where you have great relationships with everyone, where you’re financially secure, and where you’re connected spiritually to a higher source.

If the New Year is the only time you believe you can make resolutions it’s time to make a resolution to make a plan for the rest of your life, not just for a few weeks or a few months at the beginning of the year, and then to slip off into oblivion again.  It is time to always maintain an optimistic view, to summon the strength and courage to change, and make an effort to remove yourself from that black hole and step into the light.

Your life matters, all life on this planet matters, and it is time for you not only to contribute to your life by making those internal changes to make your life better, but to help lift this planet and its inhabitants from the turmoil, stress, and strife that is around us to a place of love, forgiveness, compassion, and giving.

Remember you do not have to do this alone for there is support all around you if you just ask and that includes asking God. As they say, “Ask and you will receive”, for there are many who will help you make those changes in your life that will produce miracles, if you let them.

If you feel that you cannot get the support you need from those around you I am here to help.  This is what I do, this is my passion to be a resource to anyone and everyone who needs assistance. You know, and you can feel, how life and the energy on this planet is changing.  You know that we must come together as one to live in harmony and prosperity so please join me in being a positive force in everyone’s life. Change your attitude, change your outlook, seek to make peace and to forgive others, smile and be an optimist and give yourself and others the gift of a beautiful life.

With blessings and love and wishing you a very Happy New Year!

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The Human Element

Posted on November 16, 2011 by iCoach
Occupy Wall Street

Standing up for our Human rights.

“Of all 117 elements in the universe we are the one element that changes everything, we are “The Human Element”. So says the Dow Chemical co.

Why do I like that statement so much?  Because it is absolutely true.  And while other elements can take on different forms we are the only element that can choose whether we evolve or change.  But are we evolving or changing for the better?  Have we learned anything from our history?  Or are we going to be forced into making the changes necessary to see all Humans not just surviving, but thriving?

Time, after time man has faced the same or similar circumstances, yet we continue to make the same mistakes, travel the same path and then expect a different result.  Or is it that the few, mighty and wealthy individuals seem to chart the course for all of humanity because they possess the power to blatantly exploit others with their need for control and greed?

We continually see those in power, whether politicians or corporate denizens exploiting others to achieve their lone goals with total disregard for how they affect the planet and other humans, as if they could escape all the environmental damages caused by their inconsiderate actions.  Why do they believe that they can getaway with the mistreatment of other humans, and causing physical, and financial difficulties through their greed?

Will it take a total collapse of our systems, infrastructure, and climate to force the changes so the playing field becomes level?  It seems that as smart as the 1% believe they are, they too will become trapped in their own webs, sooner, or later.  It is amazing that even in the face of the dire need for a total revamping of our government, more control of financial institutions, curtailing spending, and overhauling of energy systems to decrease fossil fuel usage we continue to make the same choices.  We continually refuse to step out of the box with new thinking, by exercising new procedures, and with the true understanding that we must be our brother’s keeper.

The question is no longer why are we where we are, but how will we change, now, to avoid the seeming catastrophe that awaits us, and create harmony on the planet.  Until everyone sees that we are made of the same stuff, the same “Elements”, then we will continue to face the same dilemmas, have unrest, and major discord.  And while I may be calling out that 1% that “Occupy Wall Street” and “Occupy Oakland” and other groups speak about, it is more.  The other groups who make up the 99% are the police who blindly follow the orders of the elite to squash their brethren.  Why are they protecting the very people who have been at the root cause of our financial dilemma?

Without morals, without integrity, and without regard for another “Human Element” we are doomed.  The point is that we, each and every one of us, have the opportunity to live within, and in integrity at each and every moment.  It is a choice to be honest, fair, compassionate, and loving.  To want the best for all Humans, to not lie, cheat or steal from your fellow man.  Live your life holding dear to you the messages of Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa, Jesus Christ, and so many others in creating equality and peace.

You, we, everyone one of us on this planet deserve food, water, shelter, and love at a minimum.  Be a part of “We Are One” and do your part now by living your life with compassion, understanding, and integrity.

Will you do that starting today?  Will you pass this message on to others and show your support for us, “The Human Element”?

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Manifest Destiny

Posted on September 29, 2011 by iCoach

Manifesting Your Destiny

Manifest Destiny

Here’s a concept of how we are influenced and how we can have things come into being.

“Manifest Destiny.”  as many history buffs know was a heavily influenced American policy in the 1800s. The idea was the driving force behind the rapid expansion of America into the West from the East, and it was heavily promoted in newspapers, posters, and through other mediums. While this phrase was not itself an official government policy, it led to the passage of legislation such as the Homestead Act, which encouraged Westward colonization and territorial acquisition.  It also played an important role in American thought.

John O’Sullivan, an American newspaper editor who was writing about the proposed annexation of Texas, first used the term Manifest Destiny in 1845.  He stated that it was America’s  “Destiny” to overspread the continent. The editorial suggested that through expansion, the United States could become a recognized political and social superpower.  America had, in fact, O’Sullivan argued, been uniquely chosen for the task of expanding westward, driving out the wilderness and establishing civilization.

The Westward expansion of the United States did not, of course, begin with Manifest Destiny.  The Louisiana Purchase of 1803, was probably the first major step.  The government saw the appeal in acquiring more land, as a result, a policy pursuing aggressive expansion was actively pursued.  The idea of Manifest Destiny was merely a component, and one, which captured people’s imagination.

O’Sullivan’s editorial added fuel to the fire with this catchy phrase. Numerous government campaigns painted the allures of the West for prospective settlers, and promoted programs, which could help people, acquire and hold land in the West.  With the discovery of gold and other valuable minerals, a tide of Easterners started to pour into the West, supported by their belief in their right and duty to expand.

This idea of Manifest Destiny was also behind American political actions overseas. Although the term ceased to be used in a political context in the early twentieth century, the far-reaching impact of it was clear.  A section of the editorial reminded Americans that they were uniquely positioned to spread democracy throughout the world, and this concept clearly played a role in twentieth century American foreign policy.  Many historians use the term “Manifest Destiny” to refer to the period in American history which was marked by rapid expansion “from sea to shining sea” through annexation of the Western half of the continent.

The concept of Manifest Destiny was a creation of John O’Sullivan, and from his creation it became intention, and from that intention people paid attention to it and so it became real.  Yes, you do manifest your own destiny, so why not manifest exactly what you want?

You have the power and the energy to create what you want.  Have you ever heard of the butterfly principle?  Edward Lorenz stated this “A butterfly, flapping its wings in one part of the world, could affect the weather on the other side of the globe.”  May sound silly, however it is true.  Whenever there is any action, no matter how minute, it generates motion and energy, which touches and affects everything and all of us.

Everything in the universe is energy and you and I can use this energy for the good of ourselves.  As we know, what you intend is what you will go about doing and that intention is built into the fabric of life.  It is everything from a blade of grass to a tree to all animal and human life and I do mean everything.

Let’s consider minor things such as an apple seed.  Do you believe that an apple seed has an intention?  Well it must have intention or it wouldn’t become an apple tree and have more apples with seeds.  The intention of these plants never waivers, they become what they are intent on becoming.  An acorn becomes an oak tree; a seed of grass becomes your lawn, and so on as it is for every living thing.  All DNA, your DNA has intention built into it.

So starting today go and Manifest your Destiny!

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Get SMART

Posted on September 27, 2011 by iCoach

Get S.M.A.R.T!

Getting Smart

Are you SMART?  I guess we all think we are, but I’m really not talking about your intelligence. What I’m talking about is reaching your goals the SMART way and that usually takes change.  As the Greek philosopher Hippocrates said, “The only permanent thing is change”. Our ability to welcome or accept change is an important ingredient when it comes to achieving our goals, as well as our capacity to grow and learn.

As a Coach I find that although most people start off with sincere intentions, however very often those “sincere” or good intentions fall by the wayside. Why? There’s an old adage: “If you fail to plan, then you have planned to fail”.  Without a solid plan and strategic tools your goals will often fail to materialize.

One of the many tools that I use in my practice – and one that you might find useful in helping you achieve you goals is called S.M.A.R.T. I hope these S.M.A.R.T. tips help you achieve your goals.

Specific – Measurable- Achievable- Realistic – Time limited

Specific – Your goal should be clearly defined. Have a specific date to accomplish it by and know what action you will need to take.  An example would be the desire to be healthier. Is ‘healthier’ specific? Not really. A specific goal would be to join a health club and/or lose 12 lbs. When you are specific, your goal has a much better chance of being accomplished.

Measurable – Ask the question “How will I know when it is accomplished”?  The number of times you plan to visit the Health club or how many pounds you plan on losing are measurable goals.  Measuring your progress helps you to stay on track to reach your goal.  “Wow, “I lost 3 lbs this week” – “I’m right on target!”

Attainable – It is wonderful to set high goals, but be realistic about them.  Setting goals that are difficult to attain can be very disempowering.  Good example: “I will lose 12 lbs within 3 months”.  Bad Example: “I will lose 12 lbs by next week”.

Realistic – To be realistic, you must believe it can be accomplished, because you have done it before, or have the ability and tools, or you have someone who knows how to accomplish what you want to do.  Have you done anything similar in the past?  What components are needed to reach your goal?

Time limited – Without a time frame, your goal enters that nether land of ‘someday’.  Since you’re probably not Peter Pan setting a specific end date prompts your unconscious mind to ‘get to work’.

Now be SMART and put these S.M.A.R.T. tools to work for you.

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Making a Quantum Shift in 21 Days

Posted on September 24, 2011 by iCoach

I have recently created a series of videos called “How to Make a Quantum Shift” in your life in just 21 days”.  So what does that mean?  Does it mean better health for you?  Does it mean improving your relationships?  Does it mean learning how to have financial success?  Does it mean having a better understanding of your spirituality?  Does it mean how to use your wisdom for the betterment of mankind?  Well, Yes!  It is all of the above.

My task was to pack into your 21-day challenge as much meaningful and useful information as possible.  So you might ask why did I do this?  I did this because it’s my passion to be a leader in helping others succeed in life. And my definition of succeeding in life is to have harmony and wealth in every facet of your existence.

The series will focus on 5 key areas, they are Your Health, Your relationships, Your Finances, Your Spirituality and Your Mind. For this challenge to be of value to you it is very important that you complete viewing all the videos. Then take the challenge so you can realize results and make that Quantum Shift.

I hope you’re up for the challenge, I mean, really why wouldn’t you be?  Who knows what you’ll learn.  As they say when the student is ready the teacher will come.  So here I am.  I look forward to helping each, and every one of you to grow and find new successes in every area of your life.

To View Video click on the link below:

21 Day Challenge to making a Quantum Shift

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