In my work with women, one of the most essential exercises that we do together is peel back the layers of their lives and take a look at what’s working and what’s not working. It’s important to take a look at each layer and if necessary trim the excess so you can live each day doing what’s most important to you in your life. The challenge for most of us is in the “letting go” of what no longer serves us. Sometimes there’s so much debris in our lives that we are unable to clearly see how even just a slight trim in one area could create a dramatic, positive impact.

I, too, have been challenged with this in my life at times. Trimming the excess and making room for new growth is difficult for me as well. I will share with you that the most dramatic, positive change occurred in my life once I took this step. When I created the space to trim the excess “layers” from my life, real change began to show up for me.

How about you? Are you feeling like there are areas in your life that you would like to shed? Are there areas where you could “trim” away some of your time to create the space for something new? Not sure where to start? Here are some typical areas that you can take a look at in your life. (I invite you to sit in a quiet, peaceful place with your favorite cup of tea or coffee for this process):

1. Self-Care – How much time are you allocating to You? In my work with women, I often find that this essential practice is not anywhere in the layers of a woman’s life. It was a huge shift for me to make some years ago, however when I did this, it made a huge impact.

2. Spouse/Partner – Do you schedule regular date nights with your spouse or significant other? I find this one area can slip under the debris quickly and I have to trim back the layers and make space for it.  Also, if you don’t have a spouse/partner and would like that, are you taking some positive steps to bring that love relationship into your life?

3. Family – Are you spending quality time with children, parents, siblings? The key here is quality—really “being” with them. My husband and I schedule “date night” with each of our children and this has created a closer bond for us.

4. Friends – Do you find time to see your girlfriends? Make sure your girlfriends are “nutritious”—they inspire you, champion you and give you those big laughs. I really enjoy taking long power walks with girlfriends and “processing” life along the way.

5. Business/Career – Are you doing work that inspires and motivates you? When you leave your business or work, do you feel energized or drained from the day? This created a dramatic shift for me 8 years ago when I changed the direction of my life and began my work with women.

6. Community – Are you feeling “called” to do volunteer work in your community right now? Or, is it time to “trim” back the layers of your volunteer efforts and let someone else serve? We are nurturers by nature and tend to say “yes” too quickly. I invite you to take a look at this and see what feels right for you moving forward.

Now is the perfect time to do this exercise. Autumn is the time of year to shed what no longer serves us in order to create space for the new growth and new ideas that will arrive in spring. I invite you to create some time in your calendar before the holidays to trim back the layers of your life and peel away what no longer serves you. I think you’ll be surprised at how life embraces you when you give it the space to grow.

Anything is possible.  Everything is waiting for you.
*****

© 2010 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions®, a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur.  She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs.  If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, 2 FREE Reports and FREE MP3 now at  http://www.CreatingTheSpark.com .

In my work with women, one of the most essential exercises that we do together is peel back the layers of their lives and take a look at what’s working and what’s not working. It’s important to take a look at each layer and if necessary trim the excess so you can live each day doing what’s most important to you in your life. The challenge for most of us is in the “letting go” of what no longer serves us. Sometimes there’s so much debris in our lives that we are unable to clearly see how even just a slight trim in one area could create a dramatic positive impact.

I, too, have been challenged with this in my life at times. Trimming the excess and making room for new growth is difficult for me as well. I will share with you that the most dramatic positive change occurred in my life once I was able to do this. When I created the space to trim the excess “layers” from my life, real change began to show up for me.

How about you? Are you feeling like there are areas in your life that you would like to shed? Are there areas where you could “trim” away some of your time to create the space for something new? Not sure where to start? Here are some typical areas that you can take a look at in your life. (I invite you to sit in a quiet, peaceful place with your favorite cup of tea or coffee for this process):

1. Self-Care – How much time are you allocating to You? In my work with women, I often find that this essential practice is not anywhere in the layers of a woman’s life. It was a huge shift for me to make some years ago, however when I did this, it made a huge impact.

2. Spouse/Partner – Do you schedule regular date nights with your spouse or significant other? I find this one area can slip under the debris quickly and I have to trim back the layers and make space for it. If you don’t have a spouse/partner and would like that in your life, are you taking some positive steps to bring that love relationship into your life?

3. Family – Are you spending quality time with children, parents, siblings? The key here is quality—really “being” with them. My husband and I schedule “date night” with each of our children and this has created a closer bond for us.

4. Friends – Do you find time to see your girlfriends? Make sure your girlfriends are “nutritious”—they inspire you, champion you and give you those big laughs. I really enjoy taking long power walks with girlfriends and “processing” life along the way.

5. Business/Career – Are you doing work that inspires and motivates you? When you leave your business or work, do you feel energized or drained from the day? This created a dramatic shift for me 8 years ago when I changed the direction of my life and began my work with women.

6. Community – Are you feeling “called” to do volunteer work in your community right now? Is it time to “trim” back the layers of your volunteer efforts and let someone else serve? We are nurturers by nature and tend to say “yes” too quickly. I invite you to take a look at this and see what feels right for you moving forward.

Now is the perfect time to do this exercise. Autumn is the time of year to shed what no longer serves us in order to create space for the new growth and new ideas that will arrive in Spring. I invite you to create some time in your calendar before the holidays to trim back the layers of your life and peel away what no longer serves you. I think you’ll be surprised at how life embraces you when you give it the space to grow.

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

*****

© 2009 Joy Chudacoff
 
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions(tm), a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur.  She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs.  If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, 2 FREE Reports and FREE MP3 now at  http://www.CreatingTheSpark.com .

His excitement and enthusiasm got me thinking about how Smart Women are life-long learners.

Discovery of a new concept, idea, or perspective is powerful and also serves as a confidence builder.  Take a moment and reflect on the last time you learned something new.  Were you excited?  Did you feel a certain spring in your step that day?  As children, we begin with elementary school, continue our journey through high school, college, and then sometimes on to a specialized field of study.  And then what?  At that point, we may believe that we are finished with learning.  You get that feeling of “I’ve arrived!”  But have you?

I make a commitment each year to discover new learning environments.  I explore places where I can continue to grow and learn both personally and professionally.  I do this for two reasons.  One, I want to learn about new ideas so I can be at my best for the women I serve.  Second, (and most importantly) I value being a woman who is a life-long learner.  My children know that “mom still goes to school” because I value learning.  I have found interactive adult learning environments to be fun and interesting.  For example, I continue to deepen my coaching skills through the Hudson Institute where I received my professional certification.  I also look for spiritual retreats—a place to be with others who value the renewing of the soul.  And, as an entrepreneur, I’m always attracted to new ways of marketing and growing my business in order to take it to the next level.

The other great benefit from these adult learning communities is the people enrolled.  It is an environment of positive thinking people who have an energy and desire to “grow” themselves.   It becomes a creative space for a room full of people who are life-long learners.  I see this in my Women’s Success Circles.  Everyone is so excited to be together, to offer support, and to share what has worked for them and what hasn’t.  I have met some life-long friends in these environments.

How about you?  Have you been in any new learning environments recently?  Have you made any new “discoveries?”  Think about hobbies or areas that hold interest for you.  I have a client that is enrolled in a professional cooking school one full day per week.  Go online and search your areas of interest.  I bet you will find many resources for discovering something new that’s in your local community.

As a busy woman, you may be thinking that time and money are obstacles to your continued learning.  It’s essential for you to create the space for something new in your life.  I invite you to think about what you must let go of in order to make it happen.  If money is a challenge, think about all of the ways learning can become affordable.  Local community colleges are typically inexpensive.  The public library costs you nothing and it is full of new ideas!  On the time challenge, there will never be a “perfect” time to enroll in a course so… just do it!

I’m leaving today for a 3-day conference on new marketing tools for business.  I’m very excited to “discover” new concepts and ideas; not only for myself but also for the women I serve.  I know that I will meet new people who will inspire me.  Think about what holds an interest for you right now in your life.  Consider how you might feel when you begin to make your own new “discovery.”

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

© 2008 Joy Chudacoff

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?
You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:
Joy Chudacoff is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions, a
Certified Professional Coach and Motivational Speaker. To read more
articles by Joy and learn more about her Success Circle workshops,
teleseminars or keynote topics, please visit her website,
www.SmartWomenSolutions.com or contact Joy at
Joy@SmartWomenSolutions.com.