Welcome to my inaugural newsletter! I am honoured you have chosen to receive this, and welcome your feedback. This month, I chose "setting and getting your goals" as the feature article, because it is timely. (For those who attended my goals workshops this month, this will be a refresher for you. If you did attend a workshop, I would love to hear your powerful positive statements!)

This newsletter is for you- let me know what you want to read here. I invite your suggestions and feedback. If you would like to contribute some tips, websites, books, quotes, successes you've achieved- please send them to me. This is all about you, and helping you turn your dreams into reality.

If it is your goal, Write it down! Statistics show people who write down their goals have over an 80% higher success rate of achieving them. Start a Goals journal. Make sure they are SMART goals- specific, measurable, achievable, results-oriented and time-limited. Create a plan in small doable steps with timelines- for example, if your goal is to lose 60 lbs in a year, break that down to 5 pounds a month. It seems much more doable and easier to stay on track. It also gives you reasons to celebrate along the way! Write down your compelling reason for wanting the goal. Write it with passion, with feeling, with energy, so you are really clear on why getting the goal is important to you. Your compelling reason will keep you focussed on why you want the goal.

Visualize what it is like having achieved your goal. Visualize you are living it- taste it, feel it, smell it, see it, revel in it. Create 1 or 2 believable, powerful positive statements per goal that will keep you on track. Make them juicy enough to excite you and keep you motivated.

Start a daily routine. Each morning review your goals, your compelling reasons and say aloud your powerful positive statements. Visualize your goal already obtained. Write out one step you can take today to achieve your goal. Then do it! No excuses- make your goal a priority! Repeat your power statements throughout the day. If you do mess up, no worries! Get back on track and carry on! Acknowledge your accomplishments at the end of the day, and celebrate your successes along the way!

Enlist support! Find a buddy, join a group, hire a coach. Make sure your buddy is in tune with your goal, and will support you in a positive way. A coach can help you identify thoughts, feelings and beliefs that are holding you back, as well as hold you accountable for your actions.

For most of my life I told myself I wasn't athletic and couldn't run. I hadn't ran since school because I honestly believed I couldn't. 2 1/2 years ago a friend encouraged me to take a learn to run clinic with her, with a goal of completing a 5 km race. I had a lot of negative self-beliefs and talk going on. I am a slow runner, and was at the end of the running group, which was humiliating and frustrating to me, and to me affirmed I couldn't run. Then I would give myself a pep talk, and say it wasn't about where I placed, but that I did it- that it was me doing my personal best, not in comparison to others. I would give myself credit for getting out there and doing it. "Just do it" became my mantra, and it worked! I stayed committed to following my schedule, completed the clinic and the race- and had fun in the process! That year I completed 3 10 Ks as well. Then last year I completed 2 10 Ks, a 12K and a half marathon (21 K)! That's the pic you see (above)- me completing my first half! It took working through my limiting beliefs and fears, taking daily steps toward my goal and staying committed to my plan. (The running coach that encouraged me when I was at the back of the pack helped big time too!)

"Motivation is when your dreams put on work clothes". Ben Franklin So- put on your work clothes! It's time to begin the journey!

I would like to thank Davena Tarkanen for the beautiful picture she provided for this month's quote of the day. If you have an inspiring or wonderful picture you would like to share, please email it to me.

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I have a Special on right now, to help you get a head start on your New Year's goals. ***Buy one month of coaching and get the second month free!*** Offer expires February 29, 2004. Call for a sample coaching session to see if coaching is for you. What have you got to gain?

Create an incredible day!

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