Creating An Effective Toolbox For Success
WHAT'S IN YOUR TOOLBOX?
Think tools are just for builders and construction workers? Think again!
Everyone needs a well stocked toolbox.
Over the years, given the wisdom of life's experiences and much learning, I have assembled my own psychological toolbox. It contains, among other things,
Ideas from diverse schools of thought
Different ways of perceiving
Trust in the wisdom contained in my body
An open mind
An open heart
A creative spirit
Acquiring effective coping tools changed my life. (There's an understatement!) In times of stress, these tools bring me back to center and realign me with my higher self. They lead me to receiving nourishment when I need comfort. They help me find safety within myself and in this world. I now have many practices which reconnect me to divine source when I wander off the path. When worry, stress, self-doubt, or victim thinking fill my mind, it's time to dig through the toolbox and pull out one (or many) strategies that help bring me back into a more natural state of peace and empowerment.
Each of us has a range of coping mechanisms that we employ when faced with stress. Sometimes, a solution as easy as taking a few deep breaths and putting the situation back into perspective can bring us back into balance. Once in a while a brisk walk outdoors brings us a sense of relaxation when we need it most. While at other times a steamy bath, candles, Mozart, and cup of warm tea is what is needed to soothe the body, mind and soul. What doesn't work is continuing to worry about the problem without taking action, remaining in victim thinking, berating ourselves, or ignoring our needs.
Most people have a toolbox of coping mechanisms that effectively get us through life's tougher situations. But if that toolbox isn't very full with empowering tools, then we are unable to cope with balance when a stressful situation arises. Oftentimes, people who use food to cope (anorexia, bulimia, compulsive overeating, binge eating, etc.) do not have many soothing, calming, nurturing tools to alleviate anxiety. The use of food or addiction becomes one of the few ways to reduce the effects of stress from the mind and body.
Whether you're aware of it or not, you have a toolbox. But maybe it's time to inventory the contents. Do your tools help you survive - or do they help you thrive? Are there enough tools to support you as you build the life you want? Take a look at the following two lists and notice how you would go about the business of consciously filling your personal toolbox for success
Some questions to ask yourself:
1) How can I utilize my tools better?
2) What new tools do I need to acquire?
3) Which tools can I replace or eliminate?
INEFFECTIVE TOOLBOX STRATEGIES:
Self-judgement (stupid, lazy, worthless, etc.)
Self-criticism
Poor me
Big fat slob
Self-pity
I can never have what I want
Seeking other's acceptance
Mental chatter
Binge eating
Anorexia and starving
Bulimia
Excessive busyness
Drinking
Drugging
Numbing out
Excessive Sleep
Checking out
Depression
Creating illness in times of stress
EFFECTIVE TOOLBOX STRATEGIES:
Communicating and expressing feelings
Supportive self-talk
Journal writing
Self soothing strategies
Talking to self in mirror with encouraging statements
Releasing anger safely and effectively
Accepting emotions and emotional pain
Voicing emotions instead of stuffing emotions down
Speaking truth instead of hiding real feelings, opinions
Setting written goals
Recognizing accomplishments and successes
Empowering affirmations
Visualization and imagery
Relaxation strategies
Abdominal breathing techniques
Healthy movement, dance, yoga, etc.
Inspirational books, poetry, religion
Emotionally supportive music
Surround yourself with beauty
Add more fun to your life!
Copyright 2005, Dr. Annette Colby, all rights reserved.
Dr. Annette Colby, RD
Nutrition Therapist & Master Energy Healer
Annette@AnnetteColby.com
972.985.8750
"Opening Creative Portals to Success"
For free inspirational newsletter, articles & info visit: http://www.LovingMiracles.com
 Google News Updated : Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:13:38 GMT GM to Invest $500 Million To Build Chevy Cruze - Wall Street Journal
Wall Street Journal - By KATHY SHWIFF General Motors Corp. will spend more than $500 million in the US to build the Chevrolet Cruze, a next-generation compact car. GM announces $500M investment for small car GM to invest $500 million in small car plant Publ.Date : Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:10:12 GMT Microsoft's Photosynth wilts under pressure - Computerworld
Computerworld - By Gregg Keizer August 21, 2008 (Computerworld) Within hours of its launch, Microsoft Corp.'s new photo-stitching service went dark, overwhelmed by demand, the company said Thursday afternoon. New Microsoft photo site spends first day offline New Microsoft Tech Converts Photo Soup Into 3-D Image Publ.Date : Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:28:59 GMT Hillary Clinton's Staff Looking to Avoid Embarrassing Anti-Obama ... - FOXNews
FOXNews - Hillary Clinton's staff is trying to avoid an embarrassing anti-Obama demonstration by her supporters during the floor vote at next week's Democratic convention in Denver. Clinton Will Attend Fund-Raiser for Towns Clinton for VP? She Says Ask the Obama Campaign Publ.Date : Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:15:16 GMT Marlins let one slip away in San Francisco - Sports Network
Sports Network - San Francisco, CA (Sports Network) - Marlins reliever Kevin Gregg's wild pitch in bottom of the ninth inning scored Emmanuel Burriss to send San Francisco past Florida, 4-3, in the finale of a three-game series. Giants walk off on Gregg's wild pitch Giants beat Marlins on wild pitch in 9th inning Publ.Date : Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:33:45 GMT UPDATE 1-Microsoft enlists Seinfeld for ad campaign--source - Reuters Reuters - By Steve Gorman LOS ANGELES, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Comedian Jerry Seinfeld will star in a $300 million marketing campaign for Microsoft Corp aimed at burnishing the image of its computer operating system, a person familiar with the effort said on Thursday ... Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates to star in anti-Apple ads Seinfeld to be pitchman for Microsoft Publ.Date : Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:27:28 GMT IAC Officially Breaks Up - Wall Street Journal
Wall Street Journal - By DAVID BENOIT and KATHY SHWIFF IAC is left as a collection of more than 35 Internet companies -- including search engine Ask.com, dating site Match. IAC: And Then There Were Five Diller's IAC Split May Fail to Boost Investor Returns (Update2) Publ.Date : Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:17:40 GMT My Super Sweet 16: The Miley Cyrus Edition - E! Online
E! Online - Miley Cyrus is about to show up all those spoiled brats on My Super Sweet 16 who think they're cool being flown to their party by helicopter or when they're carried in like a princess by a group of hot dudes. Miley Cyrus to Celebrate Turning 16 at Disneyland Miley Cyrus Sweet 16 Publ.Date : Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:21:48 GMT Increased Website Traffic |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... If you have a daunting task and the mere thought... Read More IntroductionThese days in corporate sector, everybody is talking about the... Read More I am remembering and have a desire to share with... Read More Six steps we can take to reduce our risks for... Read More An recent article in Money Magazine said that "A coach... Read More I think that we're all probably familiar with the fairground... Read More Of the 60,000 people who lived to be over 100... Read More Most of us know that assertiveness will get you further... Read More "There is a time for departure, even when there's no... Read More What's the alternative to making decisions?Allowing someone else, or circumstances,... Read More He was just a teenager, but he was already displaying... Read More In this article we would like to help you explore... Read More Never understimate the power of a well-written word. Tens of... Read More It does make you wonder sometimes, doesn't it? You know... Read More Executive coaching is an investment for you and your business... Read More If you need to put on boots and grab a... Read More I heard a story recently, and wanted to share it... Read More I met my friend when we were in graduate school,... Read More Good posture is seen to have many advantages. From an... Read More Do you ever find that when a friend asks for... Read More I'm a relationship coach and, unlike most, I deal with... Read More Imagine stepping into the gym for the first time in... Read More Use all of your brain to be your most effective."Running... Read More You can either choose to dwell on what happened and... Read More Did you hire a "life coach" to help you sort... Read More
Adsense
websites
How to Crack a Daunting Task!
HR Professional in New Avtaar: HR as a Coach and Mentor
The Enchantment of Tribes to Belong To
Live Healthy - Six Steps To A Healthy Life
What is Life Coaching?
Take a Chance, Win a Prize
The Adventure Attitude
Assertive Communication: 20 Helpful Tips
Change vs Transition
Reduce Anxiety About Decison Making
Success Coaching - What Bill Gates and You Should Have In Common
Dealing Effectively with Midlife Issues
Tips for Writing Great Coaching E-Books
So Why Are They Really Here?
Executive Coaching -The Business Benefits
Could You Be A Workaholic?
Its Story Time! - Find the Power Within, or The Truth About Dogs
Friends?
Poise, Posture, and Performance
How to Solve Disputes with the Helicopter Talk Technique
You Have A Choice
What Is A Personal Trainer
Automatic Brain Works Overtime For You
Business Coaching - Ten Ways of Dealing with Mistakes You Made
Is Your Life Coach Manipulating You? Five Signs to Watch For
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
5 Minute Morning Balance Ritual
"3 Questions, 5 Minutes a Day: Make leaps towards greater... Read More
Progress Reviews: Your Key To Effective Coaching
One of the most effective ways to help your staff... Read More
How Do You Build Momentum in Your Business and Life?
A few weeks ago at a "Leadership from the Ground... Read More
Is Your Life Coach Manipulating You? Five Signs to Watch For
Did you hire a "life coach" to help you sort... Read More
Is The Apprentice Bad For Your Health?
If you know who I mean when I say Kwame,... Read More
Coaching Skills for Peers: Extending Influence
Many people think of coaching solely as a management technique.... Read More
The Executive Coaching Contract
Having found a coach you feel comfortable and excited about... Read More
Personal Development Profiles
Personal development profiles, also known as personality profiles, are a... Read More
How to Make $100,000 Dollars as a Personal Trainer ? Part C for Client!
My name is Greg Ryan. For the last twenty years... Read More
Addiction to Thinking
Randall sought my help because he was stuck being miserable... Read More
Kabbalah Coach: Love the One Youre With
IntroductionEvery one of us came to the planet to figure... Read More
Successful Implementation of Company Wide Coaching Programmes
Ten years ago I was fortunate enough to be heavily... Read More
The X-factor
Would you agree that today most of us have the... Read More
How to Get More Business Without Even Trying
Why are you in business? Hopefully you enjoy what you... Read More
Theres Always Enough Time!
I thought I'd begin this article by stimulating your mind... Read More
Do You See Clearly?
"I don't see how I can just make up my... Read More
Good, Good, Good, Good Intentions
I always do a lot of thinking about good intentions... Read More
Courage and the Agony of Coaching Employees
Coaching employees on sensitive and personal topics like performance or... Read More
Developing Will Power and Self Discipline
Most people admire and respect strong individuals, who have won... Read More
What is Coaching?
Recently, I have received several emails asking me about coaching... Read More
Mid Life Crisis, Life Transitions, & Ontological Coaching
Recently I have been watching a TV show called Blowout.... Read More
Business Coaching - Ten Ways of Dealing with Mistakes You Made
You can either choose to dwell on what happened and... Read More
Im Gonna Die MY Way
My wife says I have the strangest taste in movies.... Read More
Several Red Flags for Spotting a Phony or Scam
The world is full of phonies and scammers these days.... Read More
4 Amazing Tips To Successfully Persuade Anyone
Having excellent persuasion skills is one of the most important... Read More
Coaching |