Issue # 55 October 2007

Dear Impish one,
You are the reason for this newsletter. I'm dedicated to
supporting the "imp" in you - especially this month your
Intended Minutes of Power.

You're receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to it,
you're a member of "The Imp Community" online, or a friend
passed it on. Sign up or unsubscribe at the end.

A special welcome to new subscribers! Earlier editions are
archived: here

Are you this month's totebag winner? Check Part 3.

Occasionally I sent emails in addition to this newsletter when
there is something of value to share. Watch for one tomorrow,
Thursday, October 18th. "It's about your happiest, healthiest
life being within your grasp," says The Imp.

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1. Feature Article: Just a Minute!
2. Coaching Q&A: I Want to Finish School!
3. News, Comments, Success Stories, Winners
4. Inspirational Message to Ponder

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1. Feature Article: Just a Minute!

Just a Minute!!

When you hear those words, what tone of voice are you hearing?
Are you are hearing an annoyed "I object to what you’re saying"
by someone eager to give a rebuttal? Or perhaps an impatient,
"Wait. I’ll be with you shortly".

But The Imp has an Inspirational Marvelous Perspective on what you
can accomplish in just a minute.

Very likely you’ve heard of, or read, the book The One-Minute
Manager by Kenneth Blanchard.

Well, let’s see what you can manage in just one minute.

Here are some ideas:

1. Stop and smell the roses. Notice the beauty of nature around
you.

2. Smile and thank the clerk who has just served you. Make a warm
connection with a real human being who is not an ATM machine.

3. De-stress. Close your eyes, focus on breathing slowly and
deeply. Repeat to yourself silently, "In this Moment I choose
Peace." Stretch and resume what you had been doing.

4. Have fun! Tell a joke; read the comics; play with your dog;
bounce on the rebounder and while doing so, think of something
that makes you giggle; slip an Imp game card into someone’s
cubby.
 
5. Visualize a goal - imagine being IN the picture - experience
feeling, hearing, smelling, touching. When the minute is over,
hang onto the good feeling and carry it into whatever you’re
doing.

6. Or go revisit a favorite place in your mind. Sunning on that
secluded beach; sitting in a forest and listening to the silence
(until it is broken by the chatter of a squirrel).

7. Truly listen to what someone is saying. If you really do only
have a minute, after listening intently for that time, kindly
excuse yourself and go back to what you were doing.

8. If you are a smoker trying to quit, resist the urge to light up
and focus on something else for one minute. Preplan what that
"something else" will be. Let the urge pass.

9. Answer that e-mail while you are reading it and save time not
having to search for it later.

10. No time for exercise you say? How many push-ups can you do in
one minute?

11. Focus on being grateful. You’ll have a brighter outlook.

12. Look at something from a different perspective. An artist, a
mountain climber and a railroad builder all look at a mountain
differently. How would an eight year old view the situation; how
would a ninety year old view it?

In just ONE minute there is Power! Use it.

And there are "one minute" places - in an elevator, the bathroom,
stopped at a red light, waiting in line, washing dishes...

The Imp and I would love to hear your ideas to add to this list;
and do let us know how taking "just a minute" makes a significant
difference in your life.

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2. Coaching Q&A: I Want to Finish School!

Q: Frances writes, "I'm a full-time student and working part-time.
Financial difficulties for basic needs are weighing heavily on me
which affects my school work. I quit a stressful job and
sacrificed my life style to return to school. I want to finish
school!"

A: Yes, you are in a tight spot! The first thing that comes to mind
is a "support system". Who are the people you can turn to for help?
Family, friends, school advisor, student services office, community
services organization... reach out and ask.

Without details of your circumstances, I can only provide some
general strategies.

Quick action  - for example: housing arrangements - sharing
accommodation if you live alone. A student loan. Barter.

Cut commuting costs by staying home one day a week and work on
assignments. (When I attended Simon Fraser University,
during one semester with heavy assignments, I missed Monday one
week, Tuesday the next week, then Wednesday, etc. Over the course
of the semester I actually missed very few classes for any specific
course and got notes and other info from a classmate.)

Stress management - a big challenge is coping with the fear
(worry) about your present circumstances. Stress can lead to
illness and that would affect your ability to stay in school.
Worry/fear shuts down the part of your brain needed for creative
learning and puts you into survival mode. So using relaxation
techniques is a high priority.

Perhaps you can find a second-hand copy of the book "Not to Worry:
The Phenomenal 6-Day Anxiety-Relief Plan" by Mary McClure
Goulding and Robert L. Goulding.

Having a study group can make it easier to stay focussed on study-
ing rather than worrying.

If you are spiritual and feel comfortable doing so, ask others to
pray for you and with you. One wonderful resource is Silent Unity
at 1-800-669-7729.

Are you determined to be a straight A student or is a passing grade
OK? (When I was working on my Master's degree at age 50, most of my
classmates, in their 20's, were stressed out high achievers getting
sick. My priority was to take care of myself - no sick days - and
make passing grades.)

How flexible is your school program? Can you drop some courses to
be picked up later? Can it be done part-time and allow more time
to earn income?

Re-evaluate if you really need school. Is accreditation,
licensing, or a degree required to practice in your field? There
may be other options to enjoying the same field of work without a
degree. 

Barbara Sher's books are wonderful for helping you find the
quickest way possible to get what you want. In "Barbara Sher's Idea
Book" she writes, "And you can do almost anything you love without
lots of money. Honest."  Her book "Wishcraft" is available online
to download free. Go to http://www.wishcraft.com

For people who are making the decision to change careers and
considering going back to school, the book "Starting Over: How to
Change Careers or Start Your Own Business" by Stephen M. Pollan and
Mark Levine, explores other options besides going back to school
on a part-time basis.

They also include a section on finances looking at both your fixed
expenses - rent, telephone, etc - and your variable expenses. They
include a long list of questions related to choices for variable
expenses. Examples: take the bus rather than drive? Buy staples in
bulk? Wash clothes in cold water and line dry?

There are many books about The Law of Attraction. You can learn To
attract more of what you want into your life and less of what you
don't want. Three I like are:
"Ask and It is Given" by Esther and Jerry Hicks
"Law of Attraction" by Michael J. Losier
"Excuse Me, Your Life Is Waiting" by Lynn Grabhorn

I hope these ideas help you, Frances, with finding workable ideas of
your own.

The Imp and I would love to hear how you conquer this challenge,
Frances. Warmly, Bev

An added comment about sacrificing a life-style: Loral Langemeier
writes, "If you want to sit around counting pennies and live a
smaller, have-to life, then focus on your debt." Her Wealth Cycle
and Cash Machine systems are about expansion, living a bigger,
better life. She has written several books. The one I have is
"The Millionaire Maker's Guide to Creating a Cash Machine for Life".

If you are interested in having a copy of any of the great books
I mention, here is my direct quick-link to Amazon:
http://www.theimpjournal.com/gotoAmazon

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! E-mail me your question:
with "Coaching Question" 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

Watch for a special mailing tomorrow (Thursday, October 18)
with oodles of free bonuses related to your personal growth.
Occasionally I send out extra mailings to my subscribers when I
think it is a resource you would like and would benefit from.

Thanks to Jackie H. for letting me know about
http://www.laptop.org/
Their mission is to provide a means for learning, self-expression
and exploration to the nearly two billion children of the
developing world with little or no access to education.
Check it out!

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

Did you know The Imp Journal provides a step-by-step plan for
personal growth with 23 weekly themes? And online bonuses!
Check out the bonuses and more benefits at
http://www.theimpjournal.com

This month's totebag winner is Janet Mallow. Email me, Janet,
with your snail mail address and your totebag
will be on its way to you promptly.

The Imp chimes in, "Janet, if you'd like to tell us a little
about yourself to share with other subscribers, we'd love to do
that!"
 
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4. Inspirational Message to Ponder

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.
It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this
emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and
stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead. His eyes are closed."
Albert Einstein

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.

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I mention a lot of great books. If you are interested in having
a copy for yourself, just use my direct quick-link to Amazon:
http://www.theimpjournal.com/gotoAmazon

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Who do you know that would enjoy this issue of "IMPressions"?
Just hit the forward button on your e-mail program...

Look for your next newsletter in mid-November.
Warmly, "The Imp and I", Beverley ;-)

Beverley Howden, M.Ed.
"The Imp Lady"
Author, Speaker, Personal Empowerment Facilitator
1-250-897-0992

The Imp, the delight of my life, came to me during the bleakest
period of my life. If you're rebuilding your life or reinventing
who you are, check out my other website
http://www.StartingLifeOver.com