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Dear Bj,
Happy 2004!
Please accept my warmest wishes that this will be your
best year ever. In this issue, we'll explore ways to make
that happen.
After a short break that featured the holidays, a nasty
cold and starting a PhD program, we are back on track
with a weekly ezine packed with insight and ideas. And speaking of ideas, thanks for the great feedback
about the candle issue. While not strictly about
counseling/coaching, it fit my desire to spread as much
light and warmth as possible. I'm so glad you enjoyed it
and I'm hoping you passed it around.
This week, we'll be talking about making promises
to yourself, getting a fresh start, the closing date of my
special offer and the upcoming class at Unity of
Washington DC.
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Promises, Promises |
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Why do you think the average resolution lasts for
roughly
3.7 weeks? (How are yours coming along, by the
way?)
Is it because the average resolution-maker is a
weak-willed, gutless wonder?
Here's a hint — NO IT'S NOT!
Like any major life decision that is based on external
expectations, resolutions usually go by the wayside
because they are not supported by a strong foundation
of understanding and a coherent plan.
It's all fine and good to vow that you will quit swearing,
or make friends with the gym, or my personal favorite
— "be nicer." But what I want to ask is
HOW? There are very specific reasons why
you have the habits have. On some level, they
work for you. Not in the 'gee, I'd like more of
this way', but in the 'this is familiar to me and, frankly I
don't know how to do it differently' way.
Do you know how your habits work for you, or how
to
shift them to get the outcomes you desire? I'm
going to
have to guess no, or you'd have done it
already! And forget about "I tried it and it didn't work".
That just means "it" (whatever you tried) was not right
for you. Don't give up!
First, let's acknowledge that getting to this point in your
life is a major accomplishment and, in many ways, it
speaks to how strong and resourceful you are.
Second, why not resolve that you will develop a clear
understanding of what you actually
want instead of the habits you are
tempted to throw resolutions at. As you know, if you
don't know where you are going, it's tough to get
there.
Third, do me a favor, make sure that whatever plan you
put into place is positive,
measurable and specific. Without these elements, the
change you desire is not likely to stick.
If you need help figuring out how to make and
implement
a plan that really works, give me a call.
And lastly, promise me that you will spend more time
in
2004 appreciating what is great about yourself and your
life and that you will take positive, powerful steps to
make it even better. I promise to do the same!
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Making Way |
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Speaking of fresh starts —
Does your
environment support you in making powerful, positive
change? Or, is there a bunch of stuff in your
way?Do you maybe have a bit of a clutter
problem? You are not alone!
Okay, let's hear it, what is the number one source of
clutter in your space?
For many of us, it's paper. Piles and piles of wood pulp,
just lying there, mocking us!
If paper is your issue, I'll bet you've had the kind of
experience I have. You swear that you will vanquish the
pile and forever live a clutter-free life in a
fire-code
safe home only to find yourself just shifting the pile
from
place to place. Oh, the shame.
Not to mention the inconvenience and unsightly mess.
There have even been times when my "I'll get to it soon"
pile ended up stuffed into a crevice somewhere, only to
explode onto the floor during a frantic search for that
vital document that was needed yesterday or
when the
directions to a party I really wanted to go to turned up
missing. Can you relate?
If so, the solution is easier than you might
imagine..
First, it is important to understand what clutter
represents. In her terrific book, "Lighten Up! Free
yourself from clutter", Michelle Passoff suggests that
clutter is:
-
A mass of unlike objects
- Unfinished business
- Unconfrontable issues in life
- Hanging onto or dishonoring the
past
- And the biggie — Indecision
Does any of that sound familiar?
Well there are good reasons you might have trouble
escaping the clutches of clutter. For one, space only
gets cleared when you are clear about what you are
clearing space for in your life. (still with
me?)
And for two, we don't generally get trained in decision
making or clutter clearing in school! We certainly don't get an
education in healthfully dealing with the past.
That is, until now.
Let me help! I'm so
dedicated to staring
down the clutter monster that, every year I burn my old
paper in an end-of-year tradition I like to
call "karmic cleaning." Drop me an email and I'll reply
with a nifty little description of how you can make that
exercise work for you.
In the meanwhile, learn to sort your mail the Bj-way.
It will keep your files in order, your desktop clear(ish)
and your
head from twisting off your neck when you need to find
an
important sheet of paper.
- Open your mail over the trash bin
- Immediately throw out all unnecessary envelopes,
inserts and special offers you will never use
- Organize a filing system that keeps similar documents
together (I can help with that too!)
- Create a 'reading' basket or folder in a place where
you are likely to find yourself resting with time on your
hands. The couch is good, or forgive the indelicacy,
wouldn't it be better to replace the newspaper during
your bathroom sit-downs with stuff you really need to
read? Wherever it is, make sure the basket is emptied
weekly.
- Pass on magazines you've finished to friends,
libraries, the gym, doctor's offices, etc. You get the
paper out of
your space and you get to feel good about
distributing resources.
And when you are ready to make a plan for ridding your
heart, mind and environment of everything that weighs
you down and keeps you from living fully, be in
touch. I've coached many people, just like you in
making way for happier, healthier lives that they
love.
Find out how... »
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Deadline for 50/50 Offer |
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Time is running out!
You don't have long to take advantage of the
opportunity to spend 50 minutes and 50 bucks to get
your one burning issue sorted out.
Once you've made the call, you will be on your way
to a
happier, healthier 2004 with less stress and greater
ease.
What could you possibly be waiting for?
More importantly, what is it costing you to not
find relief? -
Lost sleep?
- Strained relations?
- Stress at work?
- Wasted time and energy?
Who needs that? Certainly not your wonderful,
intelligent, thoughtful self!
Call now because the 50 minutes of
powerfully insightful, potentially life-changing coaching
for the low price of $50 deal is running out at the
end
of
the month.
In this session, you will get great insights, and either find
a solution
or an action plan for moving forward, free of the issue
that never seems to go away. Satisfaction
Guaranteed. I can be reached at 1.866.821.9386 to
make your appointment or drop me an email at
bj@bjcounsels.com.
You will be glad you did. And so will everyone you send
this email to!
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Groups! |
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Momentum is building.
The Strong Women/Wise Choices group is
getting off the
ground. There has also been a great deal of interest in
building a couple's group around my popular relationships
class: BEing in Relationships™.
I'm thrilled!
Email me, or call 1.866.821.9386 if you'd like information
about joining these groups.
The group experience is powerful and
motivating. I hope you'll join us!
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Refer Me! |
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If you're thinking, "I know someone who could really use
Bj!" please let them know about www.bjcounsels.com
and my services.
It's quick and easy.
Click How to refer Bj below and you will be taken
to my
referral page that has all the information you need, plus,
a handy, downloadable tipsheet that features more
detailed information about the people and issues I like to
work with best.
Thank you very, very much.
How to refer Bj... »
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New Class Starting Now |
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Here we go!
Beginning January 13, 2004, I'll be teaching a great
new
class at Unity of Washington DC.
You Choose!
Discover 5
Powerful Strategies for Growing Happiness and Reducing
Fear
Together, we will:
- Identify the costs of fear on your health,
happiness
and success
- Learn to identify, evaluate and make
practical shifts away from fear and toward
self-mastery
- Practice new patterns that lead to a
happier,
healthier you
The class will be highly interactive, packed with
valuable information and a whole lot of fun.
Guaranteed!
Join us for 5 Tuesdays, at 7th & A Streets NE, in the
lovely sanctuary of
Unity of Washington DC. We'll start promptly at
6:30pm and end at 8:30pm.
Unity presents classes on a 'love offering' basis which
means you pay what you can. Handouts will be
available, but you may want to bring a notebook to
capture the many insights and inspirations we'll uncover!
I'm excited to see you there!
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See You Next Week |
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The new year, and indeed every
moment, is a wonderful opportunity to make a fresh
start. I wish you good luck and great
choices.
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