“And… ACTION!” The director shouts and people start to speak, move … DO! This is what most of us think of when we hear “take action”. Doing. Being busy. We all know that nothing changes without some kind of action, but some actions don’t look like “doing” at all. Like creative thinking. Like strategic planning. There is a huge difference between the kind of action that is “busy work” (that makes you look like you are being productive) and the…
I’m here in California snuggling with my 3 month old grand daughter, Emilia. As I sink my nose into her neck, deeply inhaling that oh-so-sweet baby smell, I am deeply grateful to finally hold her in my arms. My heart is filled with joy! It was a 5 hour plane ride to get here. Traveling in the “time of Covid” is quite an adventure. Like every great adventure: It involves taking risks; opening yourself up to new experiences and possibilities,…
By Matthew Gordon-Martin Focus is a word that I’ve heard constantly since the age of 5. If you are like me and have an inner rebellious spirit, then it is the word that you’ve deviously made your enemy. If not, then its the word you’ve been playing with off and on, maybe as a friend who you engage with whenever it suits you but not a best friend who’s integrated into all aspects of your life. I was taught that focus…
By Brandon Clarkson of Helen MacMillan Coaching We’ve all got to that point before, that realization that things feel stagnant, unmoving, unchanging. Nothing feels inspiring – with your motivation and energy levels suffering as a result and it’s usually a creative’s biggest roadblock. I’ve personally felt like it for weeks, maybe even months. As soon as Covid hung up its coat and promised that it was here to stay, I could feel all the energy I had for life slowly…
When life gets blurry, we have to adjust our focus. Clarity is the act of refining your focus in order to determine your next steps and ensure they take you where you want to go. Clarity isn’t necessarily certainty, it’s the complete knowledge of what is in the present. Your intentions for every aspect of your life — from relationships to careers — are more profoundly molded based on just how clear you are with what YOU want! So, how…
I hosted a call on zoom last Saturday which was meant to be an informational call about our new coaching program: Project Me First. I had planned to open the call by sharing a short personal story of how I came to understand that all change begins within, and why the inner work we guide people through in the Project Me First program is important. It was an epic FAIL. At least that’s what my MIND told me. I ended…
“If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present.” ― Lao Tzu What is “Presence”?We define presence as being fully aware of what is happening with yourself – and whoever or whatever you are interacting with – in the present moment. Having all of your attention and awareness focused on what is going on in any given moment…
“You can’t change what you can’t see”. That’s why all change begins with awareness. Awareness is consciousness and it requires presence. Being fully present expands our awareness and, the more aware you are, the more choice you have – to keep things the same (if you like it) or make a change (if you don’t). It’s actually quite challenging to be fully present in each moment. Our mind is masterful at distracting us from being fully here and now by…
Yesterday, I spent the entire day in bed watching movies and playing games on my iPad. I listened to a whole book in the morning (fiction). I skipped exercise class. I didn’t run my client payments that were due. I told myself. “It’s ok to take today off and rest”. “You work hard”. “Relax and take it easy”. “You deserve this!”, as I massaged the growing tension and pain in my right hip and lower back. This morning, I sat…
