The Trailhead 

From Patt Osborne, AdventureCoach.

"Climb Mountains, But Bring a Good Guide"

                                 

 

 

 

Welcome to the January issue of The Trailhead!

Each month, you will receive some practical tips on ideas such as eliminating stress, finding your passion, clearing clutter, and maybe even some travel tips and more. Also look for helpful resources including book titles and websites. In addition, don’t be surprised when you find a call to action. I am a coach, after all! I hope you find some useful tidbits. If you decide to take me up on one of the monthly challenges, email me and tell me about it. I would love to hear what you are up to! If you know someone that you think may find something of value in here, please forward this newsletter on. And remember…the adventure begins at the start of The Trailhead!

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In this issue:

Resolution Redux

Challenge at the Trailhead

Upcoming Events

On the Trailhead Bookshelf

Resources

Resolution Redux

Happy 2004 to you! I like to think of January as the month to look back and celebrate our accomplishments from the past year then wipe the slate clean and start anew. Exciting times!

This time last year, my January newsletter topic was ‘Bag the New Years’ Resolutions and Focus on Success" (see www.adventurecoach.com and click on the "previous newsletters" link if you want to read it) My advice today is the same as it was then. Bag those resolutions! Get ‘em outta here! Like clock work, when another year rolls around, we often drag out our list of abandoned resolutions from the year before and attempt to recycle them or we make up some brand new ones. You know the ones I mean: lose some weight, work out more often, clean out that Fibber McGee closet (I’m dating myself!), increase the savings and finances, etc. etc. And as I said last year, that despite our very best intentions, those resolutions usually fall with a resounding thud long before the spring thaw and we’re left feeling like deadbeats. I think that lack of success happens for a couple of reasons: one, because we have resolved to do something that is a "should"-something we don’t really want to do but we have decided (or have had decided for us) that it’s something we must do or we’ve made a list of uninspiring resolutions that feel simply too overwhelming and non-motivating. Those kinds of resolutions are not fun and they just don’t make us feel good.

A few mornings ago, I heard best–selling author and lifestyle expert Cheryl Richardson speak about New Year’s resolutions on Good Morning America. She and I share the same opinion…bag ‘em! Yet, she offered a refreshing and doable alternative if you are one of those folks whose resolution-making gene is inherent and just won’t quit.

Here’s my spin on Cheryl’s plan:

Choose ONE priority-one area or thing in your life that YOU have decided needs the most time and attention. (Make sure it’s something that gives you a wonderfully positive feeling as you envision being successful with it.)

Set an internal goal- look at how you need to grow in order to achieve this priority. Maybe you’ve tackled this challenge before and failed miserably. What will you want to change about yourself to be successful this time? It might mean becoming more disciplined or changing a negative attitude to a more positive one. It could mean building your courage muscles to face a fear that has previously held you back or simply becoming more honest with yourself and others.

Design an action plan-what steps will you take each day or each week to head yourself in the direction you really want to go? After deciding what that one priority is; the one priority that really sings to you, ask yourself what personal quality will you have to develop to help you in your success? Will you want to become more open-minded? More courageous and fearless? Better able to set boundaries and say no? More adventurous?

Once you’ve created an action plan and have begun to develop the quality you want to help you reach your success, here’s how you continue:

Get support-tell a close friend or family member what you’re up to and ask for their support. When we have that ongoing support system with someone we trust who is cheering us on and keeping us accountable, our path to success is much easier.

Handle the roadblocks ahead of time- Often, we already know what obstacles keep us from doing or having what we really want. If we can anticipate them ahead of time instead of as they occur, we can develop a plan to overcome them easier and keep that path to success free and clear.

So, what about YOU? Are you the consummate (or closet) resolution-maker? Or are you the one who starts the New Year wiping the slate clean…no resolutions just ready to rumble? No matter who you are and how you enter the New Year, I challenge you to get rid of that long list of changes that will turn you into the "perfect person" and instead, choose the ONE thing to focus on this year that will really make you happy and enrich your life.

Challenge at the Trailhead:

In addition to focusing on that ONE thing, why not take a stroll down memory lane to revisit your accomplishments of 2003? Take it a step further and keep a running list of those accomplishments. Then read over them from time to time…you’ll feel great!

Upcoming Events:

October 21-26, 2004: Join Coach Deb Martin (www.portagecoach.com) for our 3rd annual Adventure Coaching Retreat at Maho Bay Camps on beautiful St. John in the US Virgin Islands.

Click on my website for more information regarding this retreat. Also see more info. for 2004 retreats and getaways.

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This Month on the Trailhead Bookshelf:

(Some good ones to curl up with and escape the winter’s chill)

Stand Up for Your Life by Cheryl Richardson- in this helpful tome, you will learn some new "inner life skills" to further improve your life.

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown- A smart and quick-moving murder mystery thriller

Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier- The story of a wounded and disillusioned Confederate soldier intertwined with the heroic story of Ada, the woman he loves. (And check out the excellent film!)

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Trailhead Resources:

www.maho.org- the new website that features the destination of our upcoming adventure retreat on St. John in October.

www.portagecoach.com- the website of my partner in crime while in St. John. Take a look at her freeing thoughts on resolutions in her latest newsletter.

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I wish you a wonderful new year designed creatively by YOU!

Warmly,

Patt

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To schedule a complimentary 30 minute coaching phone session, email me at patt.adventurecoach@verizon.net or call 609-953-0027

Visit my website for more coaching info. www.adventurecoach.com

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Please forward this newsletter on to any friends or colleagues who you think may find it useful. Be assured, I will never sell, trade, or give your information to anyone, at anytime, period!

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