Issue #58 January 2008

Dear Impish one,
You are the reason for this newsletter. I'm dedicated to
supporting the "imp" in you - especially this month (this
year!) your Intention, your Motivation, your Power to
create the life you want.

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:  http://www.theimpjournal.com/archives

Are you this month's winner? Check Part 3. For 2008 the prize is
a wee Imp "dreams to reality" pillow including a booklet on
"The Law of Attraction" to guide you. (Keep your Imp Pillow in
your pocket during the day and under your pillow at night.)

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1. Feature Article: Taking a Step a Month
2. Coaching Q&A: How Can I Find the Energy and Motivation to
Tackle My New Year's Resolutions?
3. News, Comments, Success Stories, Winners
4. Inspirational Message to Ponder

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1. Feature Article: Taking a Step a Month

I regularly read a Health column in the North Island Mid Week
local newspaper written by Ingrid M. Pincott, a Naturopathic
Doctor. (She once pointed out to me that her initials spell
"imp"!)

She gets patients in January wanting help with their new year's
resolutions concerning their health. Dr. Pincott's suggestion is
to break it down into 12 steps - one a month to focus on.

Here is the example of her patient, Simone, and what she chose to
focus on:
January - a complete health assessment.
February - Cleansing and Detoxification
March - an "activity" program (NOT calling it "exercise".)
April - a yearly retreat - 3 to 7 days alone to ponder one's
life (physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually) and make
plans.
May - Meal Planning
June - Dental Health
July/August - music and creative arts, relaxation and family fun.
September - body, "structural" support assessed by a chiropractor.
October - Music
November - Financial Planning/ Retirement Planning
December - Spiritual Principles

What ideas does this inspire in you? Does it make reaching goals
and making change more do-able?

Dr. Pincott adds at the end of her article, "Simone and I had
fun with this program!

It helps to have coaching support through such a venture!
Contact me for a complimentary coaching session if you wish to
explore having support for a 12 month focus. Email
with "12 month focus" in the subject line.
Tell me a little about what you'd like to achieve in 2008.

Your 12 steps may look very different from this example. I know
mine will. I've blocked out time on Friday morning to meditate
and focus on my priorities for this year. In the last two months
I've gathered a lot of information about goal setting and feel
that I need to approach it differently this year.

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2.Coaching Q&A: How Can I Find the Energy and Motivation to
Tackle My New Year's Resolutions?

Teresia LaRocque, a certified Business Coach, is this month's
Guest Coach. See her bio at the end of her answer.

Q: Everyone I know is gearing up to tackle their new year's
resolutions, but honestly, I just can't get excited about mine.
It just feels like a giant "to do" list. How can I turn my
attitude around and find the energy and motivation to really dig
in and meet my goals?

A: So many people use their new year's resolutions as a way to
push themselves through the things they really don't want to do-
like losing weight.

The single biggest goal-setting mistake is choosing goals that
don't naturally inspire you. If your goals are really a list of
things you "should" do, you're going to have to work extra hard
to make them happen.

Why? Because your goals make you want to run and hide! If it
doesn't light you up inside, cross it off your list.

Set goals that encourage you to live a life you love! In other
words, create goals that are about the experience, not the result.
Instead of resolving to lose 15 pounds, resolve to live a more
active, energized life. Feel the difference?

The secret is to translate your "should-do" goal into an
intention that reflects your personal values. When you live
according to your values, the goals take care of themselves.

Reaching your goals shouldn't be a struggle. Stop pushing your-
self so hard and take time to reconnect with your inspiration.
Make a commitment to reorient your life around the things that
energize and nurture you. I promise, your quality of life will
improve.
- Teresia LaRocque

Teresia has an e-book, "A New Approach to Goal Setting: Step-by-
Step Self Coaching Guide to Live the Life You Truly Deserve"
Check it out at http://www.teresia.com/products/index.html
Scroll down and look for the orange cover.

Teresia is a certified business coach who helps self-employed
professionals. She can be reached at http://www.teresia.com
She is also the co-founder of an online community for self-
employed professional women. http://www.sassyandsavvywomen.com

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

Introducing Sara Blum, first Member Profile! Sara writes:

What a good idea to get to know each other! I hope to inspire
others to follow their dream.

In 1986, I was a working single mother with one son. I wanted to
buy a house but the prices in Vancouver (BC, Canada) were not in
my ballpark. I wasn't prepared to move my son away from close,
extended family.

One day, there was a Real Estate Weekly on my porch. Not the
usual Vancouver one. It was advertising property up coast. It
occurred to me - even if I couldn't own a house in Vancouver, I
could someday buy one on the "Sunshine Coast".

I felt so much better, I couldn't believe it! I wrote down my goal
to own a house on the Sunshine Coast by the time I was 50. I
wrote about the lifestyle I wanted including travel and meaningful
work. I dated the page, put it in a drawer and forgot about it.

I reinforced my new attitude by taking personal development
courses. I went back to college and became a counselor, program
developer and facilitator.

I had a relationship with a nice man who had two children. We
bought a house in Vancouver, our children grew up and left home.
He and I grew apart and separated.

I then became my father's caregiver. When my father died I was 56,
completely on my own and it dawned on me that I was ready to
follow my dream. I did my research. Powell River seemed like the
best place to re-settle.

Love at first sight! I've been here 2 years. Amazing opportunities
have come my way for meaningful work. Kind people have invited me
into their homes and their hearts. My dog, Boychik, adds more joy.

I travel to Scotland every year to visit my son and grandchildren,
visit friends in Belgium, and this year I'll travel to Romania
with two cousins to where our grandparents came from.

I'm thankful I trusted the Universe to guide me to this wonderful
community and the life I dreamed of. Sara Blum

You're Invited to be our next Member Profile. Email
with "member profile" in the subject line.
Guidelines:
What is IMPortant to you? Your Interests? Motivation? Passion?
What is an Inner Magnificent Part of you yearning to express?

There are 3 ways to win a wee Imp "dreams to reality" pillow
including a "Law of Attraction " booklet to guide its use.

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!
http://www.theimpjournal.com/order-journal.htm

Remember the composer, Henry Mancini? Well, if your email address
has "mancini" in it, you are this month's winner of a wee Imp
Pillow! Contact me with your snail mail address and I'll have
it mailed to you promptly.

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4. Inspirational Messages to Ponder

"In the absence of clearly defined goals, we become strangely
loyal to performing daily acts of trivia." - Author Unknown

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

This month I'm reading two books that are definitely changing my
life for the better! "Happy for No Reason" by Marci Shimoff
and "Inspiration: Your Ultimate Calling" by Wayne Dyer.

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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-February.
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
When you purchase this program before the end of January 2008,
two complimentary coaching calls are included.

Facing health challenges?
Life too stressful?
Concerned about the environment?
Seeking a deeper spirituality?
Explore a comprehensive program that will alleviate concerns and
offer dramatic answers.
It's so much in line with all "The Imp" stands for!
http://www.consciousplanet.net/theImpLady