Vlog: Believe

I've been discussing my motto:  Dream.  Imagine.  Believe.  Achieve.  I've talked about dream and imagine.  Today, it's believe.  

The definition of "believe" is "to accept or regard as something that's true."  

So, how can believing help you get unstuck and go for your goals?

Well, you can start acting as if you already have it, made it, did it.  Your dream has come true.  Don't throw your money around just because you imagine yourself as a millionaire or successful businessperson.  That could get you into a lot of trouble.  You need to pay the rent, you need to act responsibly.  But you can visualize yourself as being successful.  You can believe that it will happen.  

Why is belief important?

• If you don't believe in yourself, no one else will.  And you may need people's help to follow your dreams.
• Belief breeds confidence that you need when t  The road gets rough.  You'll most likely face barriers along the way toward your dreams, but with confidence, you can overcome them.  You need belief for that.
• If you've seen others do something you know it can be done.  To believe that you can do it is key to doing it yourself.
• Belief inspires you to take action.  You know you can do it so let's get going.  And you won't give up until you succeed.
• It helps you form a positive attitude.  Attitude is everything when going for your goals.  You need to have a positive attitude to accomplish anything.  To achieve anything.  

Achieve is the final portion of my motto.  Dreaming, imagining, and believing can lead to achievement.  

• You may fail repeatedly but belief keeps you going, trying again.  You know this is what you are meant to do.  Help people, for example.  That was me.  I've tried lots of stuff--I wanted to be a psychologist and play therapist.  I didn't do it.  But, years later, I've found coaching.  I've always wanted to help people, ever since I was very young.  Nothing else clicked, but coaching did.  And tutoring English as well as an off-shoot.  I am helping people.  It doesn't matter that I didn't go for the masters and doctorate.  It matters that I kept looking for what was right for me; the way in which I could help people best.   And, I've found it.  It took awhile, but I found it.  And that's okay.  Your true self--your true calling--may take awhile to come forth, but it will.  Give it time.  Then work for it, embrace it, love it, enjoy it.

What are your dreams?  Do you believe in yourself and your ability to achieve them?  

Vlog: Dream, Imagine, Believe, Achieve

Happy Monday!  I hope your week is starting out well.

Today, I'd like to talk about my motto:  Dream, Imagine, Believe, Achieve.  

"Dream" is defined as, "something that you have wanted very much to do, be, or have for a long time;" or "a strong desire or purpose."  

That's one of my jobs as a coach--to help you make those dreams a reality.  Or close to it; as close as you possibly can come to that dream.  You may have to make some adjustments in your dream depending on your abilities or the nature of your chronic health issues, but you still can do a version of your dream.  Yes you can!  Is there something you've wanted to do, be or have for a very long time?  What is it?  If you can dream it, you can do it!  That's what Walt Disney said.  I'm here to help you make that dream come true.

"Imagine" is defined as, "to form a mental image of something not present."

Now, imagine that this dream is actually happening.  You're making a mental picture of exactly what you want to be doing.  You're doing it!  You're right there.  What will happen?  How does it feel?  What does it look like?  Who's there with you?  Dream it, then imagine it.  I can help you with that as well.  Imagine that you're actually there, doing what you'd love to do, being at the places you'd love to be, accomplishing the things that you'd love to accomplish.

"Believe" is defined as, "to accept or regard something as true."

You've got that image in your head of what you want to do.  Now, believe you can do it. Yes, believe you can do it.  And, I'm also here to help you in that endeavor--to believe in yourself.  Only you can do it, but I'm here to be your cheerleader, I'm here to be a part of your support system, that person who believes in you.  Now, you have to learn to believe in yourself.

"Achieve" is defined as, "to get or reach something by working hard, to become successful, to reach a goal."

You've made it!  You've reached your goal.  You've succeeded.  How would that sound to you?  How would that feel to you?  To have somebody say--to have me say--in our sessions, "You did it!  You're here!  You've made it!"  That can happen.  And I would love to be able to say that to you.  In order to achieve these things, these goals and dreams, you need to take action.  You can't just sit there and say that you want something or that you wish something would happen.  You need to take that action.  You can dream, of course; dreams are wonderful.  I did a lot of dreaming when I was younger, and still have some dreams.  But, in order to make them reality, you have to take that action.  

So, what do you have to do?  It's a lot of hard work, it could be a steep road ahead to make those dreams come true, but you have it in you.  I am a chronic health issues coach.  If you have chronic health issues, you are tough.  You know what it's like to work hard, because you have to work hard every day to even get out of bed in the morning, perhaps, and do the things you need to do to stay mobile, to stay healthy.  It can be very difficult.  If you can handle that, you can handle making your dreams come true.  Because they're awesome things that you want to do!    

So, set out to do anything that you need to do to make it happen.  As long as it's safe; as long as you've done your research; you're doing something that isn't dangerous for you.  It could be risky, but as long as it's not dangerous, it's worth going for--as long as you do the homework, as long as you do that research, as long as you can do this, and do it properly and safely, there's nothing you can't do.  You may have to make some adjustments here and there, but really, if you can dream it, you really can do it.  I fully believe that.

So, that's what I'm here for.  I'm here to guide you as you go for those dreams, and do the best that you can to make them happen--or something close to it.  I've talked about this before.  Say you want to be a basketball player, but you use a wheelchair.  You can still play wheelchair basketball.  So, go for that.  There are all sorts of things you can do, and I'm here to help you, or as close to it as you can.  They say, "Close, but no cigar?"  Well, you don't need that cigar.  Close is good!  If you can't do something exactly the way you want to do it, you can still do a form of it.  If you want to be a dancer, but you're in a wheelchair, you can still wheelchair dance!  If you want to be a scientist, you can be a scientist.  If you want to travel the world, you can travel the world.  You can do anything you set your mind to.  

And, I'm here to help you do just that.  To believe in yourself and make those dreams come true.  I can't do it for you, but I can cheer you on, and I will--the whole way through each coaching session.  If you work with me, I will be in your corner 110%, and help you through that journey of taking that dream and making it a reality.  

So, now you know a little bit about my motto.  I hope that you will consider working with me.  My email address is amy@acnlifecoach.com.  If you have any questions about this post or my coaching, just let me know.  Or you can comment below.  

Take care!  Catch you back here on Wednesday!

Live Life on Your Own Terms

A few weeks ago I had an unpleasent encounter with a lady at the grocery store; the one who remarked, "You forgot to grow."  Recently, on a trip to Bryce Canyon National Park, I was admiring some artwork in the hallway at the visitor's center when a man greeted me with a nod and smile as he walked by.  A minute later he returned and gently placed his hand on my shoulder.

"I had to come back and tell you . . .  you have had many struggles, right?" he asked and I nodded, a little wary but not much.  "But you don't let it stop you."  Then his voice cracked and he broke down.  "I think that's great."  Then he walked away.

On the one hand it was awesome that he noticed that it is very hard sometimes to explore the world, put a smile on my face and join in on outings and activities even though I'm tired,  or go out hiking when I've got these short legs and balance issues while my husband, Jim, and our exchange student, Naja, have long legs and an easier time of it.  The elevation at Bryce is a killer for me.  I get so out of breath up there, and not just from the breath-taking views!  I appreciate when people notice that I'm there, I'm trying, I'm doing.

On the other hand, it feels weird sometimes to be singled out as special.  "Oh, you're so brave." "You've got such guts."  You don't let anything stop you."  "You do so well despite your challenges."  I'd love it if they would just smile and say hi sometimes and leave it at that.  It would be nice to be treated like anyone else.

But the fact is, I do have issues.  I do need help on the hills and narrow paths when I explore.  If I didn't get help, I may possible trip on the slightest blip on the path and go tumbling down a mountainside, whereas others would be able to rebound and recover, or may not even notice that blip in their path at all. 

We each have our own path to take in life.  It is important to choose the one that suits us best as individuals rather than going along with the crowd.  Accept and decline help graciously when appropriate.  Follow your own path; don't let others choose it for you due to their own stereotypes or limited views, or even those who think, heck, you can do anything and convince you that you should try death-defying feats.  Listen to your gut.  Live your life on your own terms.