Issue #48 January 2007
Dear Impish one,
You are the reason for this newsletter. I'm dedicated to
supporting the "imp" in you - especially this month your
Intention to Make 2007 Purposefully
wonderful!
You're receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to
it,
as a member of "The Imp Community" online, or a friend passed
it on. Sign up or unsubscribe at the end.
Are you this month's totebag winner? Check Part 3.
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1. Feature Article:
Goals That Glow, Goals That Goad
2. Coaching Q&A: One Step Forward,
Three Steps Back
3. News, Comments, Success Stories, Winners
4. Inspirational Message to Ponder
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1. Feature Article:
Goals That Glow, Goals That Goad
You know what New Year Resolutions are notorious for - not
being
kept! So what can you do differently when you aspire to make
changes in your life?
Interestingly, 'goal' comes from an Old English word meaning
'obstacle'. At times it does feel like reaching a goal is the
hard work of overcoming obstacles. But we don't set goals unless
we aspire to a desirable end result. The word 'aspiration' comes
from the Latin word for 'inspire'.
Which do you prefer - obstacles or inspiration?
Goals that glow inspire us. Goals that goad make us feel like
we
are being prodded!
I love this quote from Creating Money: Keys to Abundance
by
Sanaya Roman and Duane Packer:
Whenever you feel a heaviness, a resistance, or a reluctance
to
continue, it is a sign that you are not following your highest
path. Your higher self speaks to you by making you feel joyful
when you follow your higher path, and resistant and heavy when
you don't.
If you are forcing yourself to do things according to a list
of
'shoulds', you are not listening to the deeper part of your being.
Your soul rarely says, "You must do this, you should do that."
Your souls says, "Isn't this delightful? Doesn't this bring you
great joy? Wouldn't you love to do more of it?"
The reasons WHY you create goals is as important as HOW you
are
going to achieve them.
One survey found 53% of the people felt they were living
their lives
in a way that pleased others more than themselves!
Ask yourself these questions, ponder them, use them journal
writing:
Whose life am I living? Are my goals truly my own?
Instead of New Year Resolutions, get inspired and develop
goals
around your dreams! What long ago dreams can you reawaken? Make
a list of all your dreams - the little special ones, the huge
mind-boggling ones.
""O-o-oh!"says The Imp, "Include the wild ones!"
What do you REALLY want? You need an insatiable hunger or
passion
for a goal to glow. You need a compelling reason to be able to
stick with it through thick and thin.
Goals that glow have a deeply rooted emotion attached to
them.
Remember the acronym S.M.A.R.T. goals? (Specific, Measurable,
Attainable, Realistic. Timed)
One big problem.
They don't include a strong emotional attachment.
Ask yourself, WHY am I doing _______ ?" What is IMPortant to
me
about it? When you get an answer, ask again, "What is IMPortant
to me about that?" Do this until you discover your underlying
values. It is your values that will keep you motivated. It is
your values that have a deep emotional attachment.
So rather than have S.M.A.R.T. goals have the B.E.S.T. goals.
Fabio Marciano uses this acronym for goals that are Believable,
Energizing, Specific and Timed. It's emotion that energizes!
Treat Goals that Glow and Goals that Goad differently.
If the goal goads and is not truly your own, drop it! May be
tough to do but it is in your own best interest.
"Uh,oh", queries The Imp, "and what if the goal that goads is
your
own?"
1. Why should I do _____ ? That's an easy one to answer.
We all seem to know our 'shoulds'!
2. Why am I refusing to do this? Instead of saying you can't
do it,
assume there's a part of you - your authentic self - refusing. Your
authentic self won't do it because doing it feels, somehow, like
a violation. You need to persist with the idea that your authentic
self is refusing until you unearth a false assumption. Once you
understand the assumption is false, you're no longer blocked.
This question requires digging. (and perhaps the perspective
of
another person to recognize the assumption as false.)
3. Why would I love to do this? Usually, this will connect
you with
your original passion for the subject.
4. Why would I NOT love to do this? This let's your authentic
self
refuse 'shoulds'!
For Goals that Glow use The Law of Attraction and an Action
Plan.
If you are not familiar with the Law of Attraction make it a
top
priority to learn all you can about it! See the movie "The Secret".
http://www.thesecret.tv
Read Law of Attraction:The Science of Attracting More of What You
Want and Less of What You Don't by Michael J. Losier.
Visualize the end result. Creative Visualization
by
Shakti Gawain
is a great little book.
For your plan of action you need a Project Management System.
Check out http://www.wishcraft.com to
download Barbara Sher's book
Wishcraft in pdf format. You'll love Chapter 6 on Brainstorming.
If you'd like a Chart with a system for breaking down your
goal into
objectives, tasks and timelines
with
"Project Management System" in the subject line and I'll send you
a PDF file.
Keep your goals in front of you - the old card on the mirror
idea.
New! Keep an 'Imp Pillow' in your pocket during the day and under
your pillow at night. I've created wee "Dreams to Reality" Imp
Pillows and written a simple system for using your pillow with The
Law of Attraction. It works!
If you would like an Imp Pillow ($7),
with
"Imp Pillow" in the subject line and I'll arrange a way for you to
get it. For subscribers, I'll include free shipping and handling
if you order by January 24th.
Reaching your goal is not a do-it-yourself-project! Recruit
help.
A Coach, a Buddy, a Mastermind Group. They will be invaluable with
creative problem-solving, accountability and so much more!
Build into your plan some time for pampering, fun and
rewards.
The journey is not about tedium, rigidity or dullness.
Obstacles or Inspiration? Both. When you meet obstacles, deal
with
them AND refocus on your goal, your vision as quickly as possible.
GLOW!
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2. Coaching Q&A: One
Step Forward, Three Steps Back
This topic seems appropriate for the beginning of a new year.
It
was first printed in Issue #14, April 2004.
Debbie writes, "I've been trying for some time now to 'start
my life
over' and get things under control... emotionally, financially,
spiritually. However, it almost seems like for every step I take
forward, I usually end up three steps back. What is the deal?"
"Ive tried positive thinking, meditating, praying until I'm
blue
in the face but I just can't seem to get a proper footing. Lately
I've been hearing a lot about DNA activation, chakra clearing, etc.
Is there anything to these theories? Do you believe in psychics and
'channelled' information? I'm feeling totally lost... any advice?"
Thanks."
Dear Debbie,
How frustrating for you!
Something very fascinating could be going on here. I went back to
take a look at a book I've owned for over 10 years, "Leadership and
the New Science" by Margaret Wheatley. Wheatley uses 'new science'-
quantum physics, chaos theory and evolutionary biology - and applies
them to issues of work, life and people.
Wheatley asserts that disequilibrium is a necessary condition
for a
system's growth. In other words, your three steps back are part of
the process of personal growth.
Trust yourself as far as the avenues you are exploring. There
is more
than meets the eye when it comes to 'energy' - just the stuff the
Universe is made of!
I have never visited a Pyschic. I've read a number of books
that are
said to be channeled. Creating Money: Keys to Abundance
by Sanaya
Roman and Duane Packer is channeled. "The Law of Attraction" is
channeled by Esther Hicks
http://www.abraham-hicks.com
Another aspect of your situation is the role of core beliefs.
Each
of us has core beliefs about ourselves that operate at an unconscious
level. One possibility is that you are self-sabotaging your efforts
due to a core belief. When you are able to bring such beliefs into
your conscious awareness, then you have choices. Counselling or
Coaching can help you discover and explore the underlying dynamics.
What is YOUR question? What challenges are you facing on your
journey
to greater self-empowerment? When your question is answered in this
column, you'll receive a complimentary 40-minute coaching session by
phone or a set of whimsical imp notecards.
Client names are changed to protect identity and maintain
confidentiality. Go ahead! Send your questions to:
with
"Coaching Q&A" in the subject line.
Your question will be answered promptly.
No waiting until the next newsletter.
Do you really have what it takes to live a life of Inspiration,
Magic and Passion? To find out, take The
Imp's Quick Quiz and
apply for a complimentary 40 minute phone consultation.
http://www.theimpjournal.com/quick-quiz/
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3. News, Comments, Success Stories, Winners
Thanks to those of you who have already responded. I'll get
back
to you in early February after I return from a holiday. The past
week was crazy-busy! (The reason this newsletter is late.)
The first topic mentioned is my dream that the Imp websites
each be
a "Community". HOW would YOU like to participate? Send your comments
to
with "creating
community" in the subject line.
The second topic is about one way to participate: My links
page
will soon have a place where your website can be listed. And I'd
appreciate a reciprocal link on your site.
with
"subscriber link" in the subject
line.
A similar organization is at
http://www.kiva.org
They are using the power and low-cost of the Internet to facilitate
small loans (as little as $25) from people like us to low-income
entrepreneurs in the developing world. We can help the poor to buy
a sewing machine, livestock, etc., empowering them to earn their way
out of poverty.
The Imp is all about the Incredible,
Magnificent Potential in every
person on this planet!
Interested?
with "Giving Programs" in the
subject line.
There are 3 ways to win a "Live a Life of Inspiration,
Magic and
Passion" tote bag.
1. Request game cards and mark your location on The Imp's guest
map. It's fun! There's only one rule to this game - don't get
caught doing it!
http://www.theimpjournal.com/where-in-world.htm
2. During the first 2 months as a new subscriber.
3. When you purchase The Imp Journal: Guided Journal
Writing for
Personal Empowerment, Vol.1
This month's winner is "cowgirl" Connie R. Contact me with
your
postal address, Connie, and I'll have your totebag in the mail
promptly.
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4. Inspirational Message to
Ponder
The Imp encourages you to write the quote on a card, read it
regularly, and then journal about your thoughts, insights,
feelings and, especially, actions.
"Make it plural", says The Imp, "Yup, I've chosen two again
this
month."
"Each of us has a fire in our heart for something. It's our
goal
in life to find it and keep it lit." Mary Lou Retton
"You will never change your life until you change something
you
do daily." Mike Murdock
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Please share this "IMPressions" newsletter with your friends.
Just hit the forward button on your e-mail program...
Look for your next newsletter in mid-February.
Warmly, "The Imp and I", Beverley ;-)
Beverley Howden, M.Ed.
"The Imp Lady"
Author, Speaker, Personal Empowerment Facilitator
1-250-897-0992
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