“Sometimes the cards life deals you are …

“Sometimes the cards life deals you are …

the gift cards for the future.”

Tellman Knudson

I recently coached two people with very similar problems.  As a result of life threatening health issues, they have discovered a new perspective that can really help people. In both cases, what they learned came from personal and tough health situations.  They researched, experimented and learned so much that they were able to heal what seemed to be impossible situations.

Now other people want to learn from them.  But they are afraid. And we couldn’t figure out why they couldn’t share what they had learned and experienced and worked for them. One of them has written a book and was paralyzed to move forward. Why not share what they know has worked with others? Especially when so many people were asking for help.

Then finally we discovered it. It was a quirky thought, but enough to stop them.

Since they took so much responsibility for their own life and healing – they thought that by sharing it – they would have to take responsibility for the people that took the advice.  And that was just too much pressure.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

When they realized that they were simply a facilitator (which means “to make easy”) or navigator of helpful information and that it was up to the person to take the responsibility and choose what they wanted to use or not – it was so freeing.

You will soon hear about these two people – they have broken f r e e of a limiting belief.

What is the quirky belief or thought that is keeping you stuck?

Life dealt you some cards – are you turning them into gift cards?

Decide to be successful no matter what life throws you.

And if you want to begin to train your mind to clear this stuff consider spending two days with Michael Stratford and I – you will not look at life the same again.

http://www.goldenpathways.ca/mq.htm

How to Become “Unhookable”

I love this word – “unhookable”. Maybe it is because I spend so much of my professional and person life helping people and occasionally myself : ) get unhooked.

When we are unhookable – we are able to communicate in a way that people can hear us. We can even say the most difficult things or have differing viewpoints and people can hear us. We can get to the heart of the matter.

How does the “unhookable” leader succeed?  There are two parts:

The first is the ability to use the right words, they are assertive versus passive or aggressive and they use enrolling language.  The language makes it safe to respond and encourages seeking a solution or taking action when appropriate.

The second part is more complex. “Unhookable” or Q Leaders keep emotions and judgement out of the equation and then can access their intuition and insight in their response.  The right words come to them. They are cool, calm and collected.  We call it “dynamic free”. They are able to give an insightful perspective that changes the situation no matter what is going on around them.

When we are “hooked” these options are not available to us even if we know other ways to say things. We are so busy overreacting, defending or trying to suppress our emotion that our ability to ask the right question or respond in a masterful way is unavailable to us.

We can get hooked by things like:

1. A provocative email
2. A poor decision
3. The appearance of hopelessness or helplessness
4. Criticism
5. Other peoples decisions
6. Not being heard
7. The list is endless . . .

In the past most communication programs focused on the “right” words and formulas.  While this is very important the skill is not very helpful if we can’t remember them in the moment or if we do not have the confidence to say what needs to be said.  Eliminating the fears and inhibitors to masterful communication will make us unhookable and allow to access and share insight in ways that people can hear us.

By now there may be some of you that would like to learn, be reminded of or upgrade your skills.  Maybe you would like to be able to have clean communication that takes the situation to a better place. It sure beats dead ends, defensiveness and hard feelings.

I am very excited that such an opportunity is available. Michael Stratford and I are offering a two-day workshop Golden Pathways Retreat and B&B in Peterborough on November 18 and 19th.

Masterful Questions and Leveraging Feedback are two core skills for every leader or business person no matter your role.

We can help you unhook.  Get the rest of the details here http://www.goldenpathways.ca/mq.htm

I look forward to hearing your stories of how you have become unhookable and the amazing results that this brings.

PS: Watch a short 3 minute video and get all the details on this site.  You will know whether this is the workshop for you.

http://www.goldenpathways.ca/mq.htm

A personal invitation from Cora Whittington

I am really excited to invite you to an opportunity to help you become more masterful in your communication.

I know that the time frame is short and I also know that there are people seeking exactly what we are offering.  The perfect participant will know that this is what they need and want and the dates will be available to them.

Watch a short 3 minute video and get all the details on this site.  You will know whether this is the workshop for you.

http://www.goldenpathways.ca/mq.htm

Here is just some of what you will get for your ROI

• Masterful questioning skills that get to the heart of the matter
• The end to unproductive communication that wastes time and energy
• A more harmonious and productive workplace where people actually seek feedback
• Reduce interpersonal conflict
• And you will be more calm, confident and patient in your leadership

Here is what you need to know

Date: Oct 28^th and 29^th 2010

Place: Golden Pathways Retreat and B&B Peterborough, ON

Time: 9:00 – 4:30

Special pricing available for groups

http://www.goldenpathways.ca/mq.htm

Overcoming “Reality” With Presence

Last night I had the privilege of attending a private open house of the new Crossroads Safehaven for Abused Woman.

As I toured the facility, we were told that the windows were bullet-proof and the steel shutters come down for a lock-down when necessary.  I naively asked how often that would be thinking maybe 2 or 3 times a year and was told that it could be weekly.  She told us that gangs are moving into town and it may not be just one angry person that is on the doorstep. The fund raising team had the WHY but they had more than that.

I couldn’t help but admire the vision, hutzpah and commitment of the leaders. Throughout the campaign they seemed to be free of victim or needy energy. They raised over 4 million dollars in a tough economy and a town where were several large fund raising ventures were active. There were huge roadblocks and listening to the stories and the gambles that the board and staff took to pull this off is amazing.

I have known the Executive Director Lynn Zimmer for many years and have always noticed her presence.  Presence is hard to describe but for me it is a feeling of confidence, hope and possibility that I get when she talks. The words may help but it is the feeling that has to be congruent.  Lots of people use the words and you don’t get the essence of presence.

The thesaurus uses words like dignity, charisma, aura, authority, poise to describe presence.

In the 9 agilities of a Q leader, presence is an ability to spontaneously respond to the needs of the moment with the fullness of being. It is to be unhookable with a presence of ease and grace. It is to be unhookable by the pull of reality.

Last night I noticed that many members of the team attracted to this project had presence. Like attracts like.  That made a huge vortex of positive energy that people wanted to be part of.  And the impossible became possible.

What is your presence like?

The cool thing about applying quantum theory to presence, is that when you change one energy system in the field everything changes.  And that initial change can be you. After all it is the only thing that you can change

If you would like to explore what inhibitors may be keeping you from relating from presence, send me an email with a couple of available times and we will set up a complimentary session to discover how you can increase your presence. http://www.goldenpathways.ca/contact.asp

Congrats again to the Crossroads Safehaven Campaign and if you still want to help ~ Lynn says there is a list of things they still need at http://www.ywcapeterborough.org/

I would also love your comments or experience with presence. Please leave them below.

I’ve Always Wanted To…

My friend and colleague Penni Wild is applying to be considered to host an Oprah Winfrey show. Penni and I took our coaching and teacher training programs together.

She needs votes.

So watch her clip and  if you are inspired please vote.

Here is the link and her message.

http://myown.oprah.com/audition/index.html?request=video_details&response_id=13322&promo_id=1

Help me get over the top in votes!

Please!  Be sure to HIT THE GREEN “VOTE” button – views don’t count.

Go vote NOW!  The window for voting ends at midnight, July 3^rd.

What If I Am Wrong?

Last weekend I was moved by a most powerful story.  Michael Stratford told our group about a particularly low point in his life when everything was going wrong and he felt that his life was not worth living.

He found himself on a ledge 30 some floors off the ground, deciding that his life was not worth living and intending to jump.

But three thoughts kept him from doing it.

The first was – Did he want his son to have the stigma of having a father that committed suicide?

The second was – Did he want people to have to clean up the mess as he splattered over the concrete?

And the third was – What If I am wrong?  Maybe life is worth living…

He came down from the ledge and checked himself into a mental institution.

While there he completed a 10,000 piece puzzle. He did not do it in the traditional way where you do the outside edges first and then put the easy parts together and then do the sky last.  He picked one piece and built the puzzle around it one piece at a time.  He was putting his life back together one piece at at time.

When it was complete, he decided that he was not crazy and called his therapist.  Since he entered the institution voluntarily he checked himself out.

The contribution that Michael has made to this world is phenomenal. He is a master coach.

He has coached and trained thousands of coaches and professionals.  And these people are making an amazing difference in the world.  He has a quirky view of the world that is refreshing and inspiring. He has attracted the partner of his dreams after two wrong turns. He is attracting the resources to live the life of his dreams.

I know that I wouldn’t be the same person or coach if he hadn’t decided that he was wrong.

Ask yourself the question…

What if I am Wrong?

Wrong about myself and what I am here to do?

Wrong abut whether I am “good enough”  ” smart enough” “competent enough” to …?

Wrong about my child who has lost their way?

Wrong about anyone?

Wrong about the environment?

Wrong about … you fill in the blank.

Answering this question will free you.

It is so easy to get hooked by so-called “reality” – we can’t see the possibility in the situation.

Please comment below and share your thoughts and your stories.

Sneak Peak

Michael and I will co-creating a new project.  So far it is in it’s infancy and I will let you know soon.  I will tell you that it came in the answer to me holding the question “What if I am wrong?” and the second one “What is my major league game?” (maybe a good topic for another post )

Stay tuned.

Life is Worth Living…

Serenity

Sometimes after a coaching session I offer a deck of inspirational cards for the client to pick one.

Often it is almost creepy how accurate and poignant the message is in relation to the topic that we discussed.

This card has come up a few times in the last while so I thought I would share it with you in hopes of it giving you a message as well.

I took this photo on our property and thought it was appropriate to include.  http://www.goldenpathwaysbb.com

Enjoy!

Serenity

Serenity bestows inner peace, tranquility and calmness of mind.

When you feel serene, you are your own person, for nothing and no one can bother, upset or influence you.

You are like a calm, clear lake – beautiful and peaceful to be with.

Your quiet radiance brings hope and support to those who come from within your aura.

You attract respect and love from others, for all are calmed by you.

As you become deeply serene and still you connect to the higher powers of the Universe for divine guidance and your path in the life becomes smooth and flowing.

Quietly ask you angel to hold you in serenity.

Affirmation

I am serene and still.

Invitation

There are a couple of seats left in the workshop this weekend – http://www.gameurbuilt4.com or watch Michael Stratford on You Tube http://bit.ly/aBSPy5 We would love to have you.

99 Years of Marriage

On June 7th, David and I were married 35 years.

Last Monday we invited our maid of honour (my sister Adrianna and Peter) and our best man (Murray and Sandy) for a romantic getaway at the Sir William Mackenzie Inn in Kirkfield. It is a lovely place steeped in history.

Adrianna and Peter are married 30 years in July and Murray and Sandra are married 34 years in October – hence the 99 years of marriage among the 6 of us!

Our kids (28-30-32)  made us a basket of memories with songs, news, technology, prices of 1975  that we opened at the inn.  The most touching was a list of 35 Things That Stand Out During Our Part of Your Last 35 Years.

They listed their memories. Here are few items from the list:

• Supper in the field with dad
• Family meetings
• Orange couch and floor (definitely the early 80′s )
• Putting wood in the basement
• Barn Reno’s (parties at the Whittington’s)
• Tongue twisters – Animals of North America
• Height measurements in the doorway
• Sam, Gerty and Jan – our first cows
• If you are going to HOOT with the Owls at night you can SING with the birds in the morning
• Our first Car – the moving couch, then the Unbird, chanting “Daddy’s keys, Daddy’s car”
• Identifying tree and leaf types
• Building the cabin in the woods
• 4-H Calves: Dacor, Cinnamon, Ambria, Amber, Canadian
• Annual first day of school picture with our tree (we planted a blue spruce when each child was born)
• Sunday picnics at the river
• Playing games as a family

They ended with “Thank you for teaching us the importance of family. We will remember all of these times and lessons as we begin to start our own.”

David and I are blessed – with our children, each other and now our grandchildren.

Thanks kids for reminding us all that it is the little things that are part of everyday life that  make a difference.  The list was not full of gifts and expensive holidays – it was more about everyday  living and being who we are. A good reminder for all of us.

Clear Your Fear

Are you afraid of your brilliance?

I have to be honest.  I am.

Or I was…

One of the benefits of being a coach mentor in the coach school that I was trained in is … (this means I coach three new coaches every session)

Is that I can partake in the advanced coach training sessions and I get to keep working on my stuff.

It is interesting how the last class we as a group stumbled on this and how many people had this fear,

It seemed that it was very common to have that fear in the pit of our gut and at the same time – a calling to do more, be more, take a risk.

I have talked to several people who have great ideas bubbling inside of them – even inspite of themselves.

Fear is soooo paralyzing and soooo easy to clear when you use the Pure Awareness techniques.

When the fear is gone, then your intuition, your clarity and your wisdom can kick in.

If you need a little help…

Consider attending this Plrkshop! (where it will be fun and safe to clear your fear!)

Watch this video http://gameurbuilt4.com

Or give me a call 705-745-4006

Clear the fear,

Cora

Are You Playing the Game That UR Built 4?

I would love to have you come play with us…

Next Page »