Ottawa Women's Coach

We have finally come out of the incredibly frigid weather of the past few weeks and Ottawa looked alive today. People were out walking and enjoying what we consider here mild weather. It was wonderful to walk without freezing to death. Later, I was at Chapters and I saw through the window someone I have not seen for over a year - walking her golden retriever and my first instinct was to tap on the window to attract her attention. But being a grown up in a quiet book store, I refrained - and I regret. I have often said it that in the name of "adulthood", we lose our spontaneity and miss golden moments. Me who consider spontaneity one of my best qualities, I caught myself doing the unthinkable. Me the coach.

Well, more work to do to remember that if I don't hurt myself or someone else, I can afford to look silly and even endure the glare of more mature grown-ups.

Do you feel you have lost your spontaneity, your capacity for play? When was the last time you dared being silly? Playing with the kids, with your dog or doing cartwheels just because you felt like it?

Where ever you are enjoy your weekend and catch the golden moments as well as a few sun rays.

Marguerite Tennier, M.A.
http://www.canadascoach.com

I sit at my desk and for the past fifteen minutes I have watched the sky progressively lighten up on the horizon. What a beautiful time of the day to just take the time to be. Even for a non early riser like me, this quiet time of the day is pure bliss.
Is your day going to be a never-ending threadmill or do you take the time to be and see the miracles in nature? Today, take a few minutes to stop your race. Stop at noon. Go for a short walk. Even if you only walk to the park across the street. Listen to the birds or bring a walkman and listen to some salsa. Enjoy the rays of the sun on your face. See the miracle that you are. Take a few deep breaths before you get back inside for the afternoon. Grab a healthy lunch. Acknowledge yourself for changing your routine. Have a great weekend.

Don't forget to take the free Goal report on my website and to subscribe to the free monthly newsletter.

Marguerite Tennier, M.A.,
The coach who wants to change the world,
One Man at a Time
http://www.canadascoach.com

I read yesterday that Donald Trump had a "first class wedding". I agree that in terms of expenses, you can't do much more. Do you have a First Class life? How do you define a First Class life? Is it in terms of dollars or other monetary currency? How about emotionally? Do you have a first class life emotionally? If not, how would that look like for you? Do you have First Class integrity, the kind of life that is aligned with your deepest values? Do you have First Class relationships, the type where you can be yourself and are respected? Do you have a First Class career, doing the work you feel passionate about?

I would love to have all the money in the world. Yet I have lived through experiences that have proven beyond the shadow of a doubt that money is the proverbial cherry on the cake. It's not the whole cake. While it can provide the means to evade reality, money cannot buy health, physically or mentally; it cannot buy peace of mind, it cannot heal relationships or a broken heart nor can it replace caring and nurturing; it cannot replace work you love, or lack of meaning in your life.

I wish you the cherry AND the whole cake too.

Marguerite Tennier, M.A.,
The coach who wants to change the world,
One Man at a Time

http://www.canadascoach.com
Get your free Goals report: http://www.FreeGoalsReport.com/quiz.asp?id=619

"Only believe those who believe in you." Marguerite Tennier,

Get your free Goals Report at:
http://www.FreeGoalsReport.com/quiz.asp?id=619

That's what the mindfulness chime feels like. A small burst of joy. I have experienced it all day today on my home-office computer. Everytime I hear the sound,(every 15 minutes) I have not necessarily thought about breathing, but it brings a smile to my face each time. Try it.
P.S. A smile of joy is even better than a deep breath.

I have officially started recruiting other life coaches who want to participate with me on a project I envisioned in the Fall. Go see http://www.probonocoachingcanada.com. I would be most grateful if you would help me circulate the information from one sea to the other, in corporations, HR departments, associations, etc. I sent out the recruitment call today and already four coaches (CoachU graduates) have indicated interest.

I will keep you posted.

Marguerite Tennier, M.A.
http://www.canadascoach.com

If you find it a challenge to stop and breathe during your workday and you have speakers on your computer, you can go to
www.mindfulnessdc.org/mindfulclock.html and download the Mindfulness chime on your computer. You can set it to remind you to breathe every hour or every 15 minutes -

It may startle you at first - set your speakers on low volume -
Just don't do what I did which is forget I set it and ...well wonder where that ring came from.

Marguerite Tennier
http://www.canadascoach.com

"Executive coaches are not for the meek. They're for people who value unambiguous feedback. All coaches have one thing in common. They are ruthlessly results-oriented."
Fast Company Magazine

Most people will answer no. We all like to believe that we are perfect or at least close to it. And the more difficult to live with usually have the least insight into their behaviour. One way we can be difficult to live with is in how we handle our moods. If you are in charge of people, do your employees fear you? Do they avoid you? Do you glow in the knowledge that people are scared of you, that they won't disagree with you? What about your family? Do they have to walk on eggshells around you? Do you, overtly or covertly discourage feedback on how they perceive you? Do you justify your bad mood on your stress, your fatigue, etc.

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you can change and become someone who can manage your moods and improve your relationships at the same time. Emotional intelligence is a set of skills that you can learn to practice to make your life (and the life of those around you) less stressful and definitely more pleasant.

If you recognize yourself and want to know more about how coaching can help, sign up for a free coaching session during this month's coaching day, on Friday, January 28, 2005, between 9 a.m. and noon.
Marguerite Tennier, M.A.
http://www.canadascoach.com
marguerite@canadascoach.com

"Emotional Health has become a necessity not an option. There's a direct relation between compassion and humanity and the retention of talent." Tim Sanders, author of Love is the Killer App: How to win business and influence friends

Why don't one time training events or workshops work to help people make meaningful change? They are usually conducted by technically qualified people. They cost a lot, at least in business settings, especially when they are offered to top management. The answer is: those "events" don't work because change is hard. Period. Experts in change, Prochaska, diClemente & all. authors of Changing for Good, report that "only one in five people who decides to make a change succeeds the first time". We can learn what the skills are during a workshop. Learning to implement those skills in our work or personal life takes time, because changing is a process and a process happens over time. Our ways of being in the world and of responding to people and events has formed over years. By the time we realize we could benefit from some new learning, we are usually at least over 30 (until then we think we know it all). More realistically, we are often over 40 or even 50. That's why coaching is way better than workshops when it comes to changing ingrained beliefs, attitudes and behaviours. As you all know, coaching is also better to make a golf champion!

Marguerite Tennier, M.A.
The coach who wants to change the world,
One Man at a Time

http://www.canadascoach.com

If you are not certain how EI coaching can help, email and ask for a free consultation.

2005 is already six days old. How do you want this year to be? Instead of making a resolution, what about choosing a theme for this year. A theme could be your health, building a community, career improvement, family, self-care, learning. Whatever subject you choose as your theme, I suggest you make a small scrapbook or a collage to remind you. Once the theme is chosen, you can use it to assess all the decisions you make concerning that subject. Keeping a journal is an easy way to keep track of your progress as well as the challenges. Committing to writing in your journal will keep you from letting the many distractions of life take over.

Marguerite Tennier, M.A.
The coach who wants to change the world,
One Man at a Time

http://www.canadascoach.com

A client has given me a motivational mousepad. Every month, I can peel and find a new calendar and inscription. January's message is:

"The Sky's the Limit - It may take courage to embrace the possibilities of your own potential, but once you've flown past the summit of your fears, nothing will seem impossible."

Coaching challenge: Catch yourself when you are able to admit to yourself some of the fears that are keeping you stuck and WRITE IT DOWN. Denial is powerful and it's easy to dismiss the truth, find excuses and return to your public persona.
If you write down what you are afraid of you will be a step further to conquering the fears. One thing is certain. Denial will not get you what you want.

Marguerite Tennier
The coach who wants to change the world,
One Man at a Time

http://www.canadascoach.com

I wish you a year filled with joy. As I witness the devastation in Asia after last week's earthquake, it makes me so grateful for everything I have and often take for granted. My health, a warm house, the car, more food than I can eat, friends, my daughters, alive and healthy, running water, central heating, etc., etc., etc.

I invite everyone to participate in the relief effort. Most of us in the Western world can forgo one luxury, whether it's a pack of cigarettes, a lunch out or a monthly haircut. Every little bit counts. Don't know where to send your contribution? I will send mine to the Red Cross and feel assured it will be well used.

Marguerite
http://www.canadascoach.com