Feeling Inspired?

"All the effort in the world won't matter if you're not inspired."

- Chuck Palahniuk

Excavating your inspiration

One of the things that makes life coaching so effective, is the techniques that coaches use to excavate what it is that inspires their clients.

I use the word excavate because - for so many of us nowadays - that which truly inspires us lies forgotten, buried beneath layers of stress, frustration, anxiety and the general pressures of modern day living.

When I had my first experience of life coaching, I was preparing for major change on all fronts of my life - leaving corporate employment, changing countries, moving house, setting up my own business and moving my children to new schools.

Worst case scenarios

To say I was feeling anxious and stressed was an understatement. Like most people, the way I dealt with the prospect of significant change was to consider the worst case scenarios - what could go wrong, what would happen if things went wrong, who could I blame, what would I do, what would become of me and my family...?

A different tack

My life coach, rather than dwell on all the things contributing to my raised blood pressure, took a very different tack. She asked me what it was in life that inspired me?

This question caused me to reflect on all the times I had felt positive, energized, passionate about life and determined to make a difference.

"I feel most inspired when I am inspiring others through my my leadership, my writings or my actions to empower others," I volunteered to Sharon.

"Then let's consider how all these changes could help you live a more inspired life," said Sharon.

I took a deep breath and felt myself relax as my focus shifted to the things that lifted my spirits.

A 'bring it on' attitude to change

It took less than five sessions with Sharon for me to realise that my worries and concerns had given way to excitement, enthusiasm and a 'bring it on' attitude to the changes that were about to unfold in my life.

Back to you for a moment.

How inspired do you feel by your day to day life? Or is it more a case of reluctantly sticking things out in the hope that better times will arrive at some point?

If you're living an inspired life, doing what you love, being excited about each new day - then I'm delighted for you. That's how it should be!

Going through the motions?

On the other hand, if you're going through the motions because "There's no other choice", "I have to do this for my family", "Life was never meant to be easy," or "One day I'll win the lottery and things will change," then I have to tell you that you have lost sight of - and connection with - what it is that truly inspires you.

All it takes is...

The good news is that reconnecting with your inspiration (and we all have it within us) is not that difficult to do. All it takes is:

• Something to break your state
• A little deep reflection
• Taking some positive action

The 'something that broke my state' was life coaching. I signed up somewhat sceptically at first. Now, as you know I own a company dedicated to training great life coaches as I understand and appreciate the power of their work.

Breaking your state may require taking time out from your day-to-day activities or some other determining event - perhaps even reading this newsletter?

Introspection

Once your 'state' is broken you'll owe it to yourself to do some introspection about what it is that really inspires you, what it is that makes you feel alive and committing to a plan to move your life in the direction of your inspiration.

Action

Then act on your commitment.

You don't have to start with anything too dramatic and scary. You can start with a small but significant step - perhaps write a contract for change with yourself with a number of milestones that will guide you on your journey of change?

As you witness the fruits of your actions your confidence will build, your fear will diminish and before you know it you'll be in a completely different space!

Life coaching?

If you think life coaching could help you take a look at our life coach directory to find someone who can help you excavate your inspiration:

https://www.life-coach-directory.co.za

Good luck!

Till next week...

Warm regards,

Bill.

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New Insights Africa Life Coaching Skills Training - Putting an Extraordinary Business and Lifestyle within reach of Passionate People.

If you think you are Life Coach material why not study, at your own pace and in your own time, with New Insights Africa? If you have the passion, we have the skills, knowledge and support to offer you. Please visit our website.

https://www.Life-Coach-Training-SA.com

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