Greetings,

What gives you a great life and the most happiness?  It’s probably the little things. Similarly small things done consistently (and with great love) can turn into masterful and magnificent things that last and create benefits for many generations.

But where to start? Maybe by getting back to basics, and eliminating the clutter and unwanted from your life in all arenas — environment, workspace, relationships, body, mind and spirit! Clean out the closets and drawers in you house and office, and in your head. Put the right foods in and minimize the stuff you know is not good for you. Get on top of and manage your finances and taxes the way you really want to. Find what’s enough, or more than enough for you in a good way, and let go of the rest.  It’s not all yours to take on.
You can have everything you want (though you may not be able to have all of it at once).  Decide on your priorities for now, and recognize there is always more to come. If you can get life designed around what’s most important to you and most supportive for you, you may find you have the energy to build something really great and important.

And doing that will give you even more energy for living. It will allow you to attract really great people to your endeavors, as our legacy story this issue reveals. And it will give you the opportunity to decide and plan how you want it all to carry on when you are ready to let go of it and move to the next realm of your life, whether on this planet or elsewhere. 

Are you ready to get fully conscious about that? Start simply, and don’t forget to plan for what's ahead ... read on!

Cheers, Dolly

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The Value of Simplicity

It’s often said that the simple things in life are its greatest pleasures: sharing a good meal with family or friends, relaxing in a hammock with a great book, or a leisurely stroll in a beautiful park. Even studies on happiness reflect that the happiest people revel in life’s simple pleasures rather than in rewarding themselves with material goods whatever their income levels or the size of their portfolios.  

Similarly, simplifying, reducing complexity (and chaos) can lead to greater satisfaction. It provides more space and more breathing room (literally and figuratively). Why is that? Maybe, simply put, it’s because we have fewer distractions and fewer things pulling us in multiple directions.

It’s often the simple things that most get in the way, too. Two of them are what we call in the coaching profession our “incompletions” and “tolerations.” Just like our needs and values – which when fully recognized we can effectively address — these simple annoyances are unique to us. So we’re the only ones who can do much about them. 

And like most things, the first step is simply developing awareness of them. So what are they?

Incompletions are essentially our personal business that is unfinished, or that is finished improperly or in an unsatisfying manner. Instead of walking away feeling great, and being able to truly celebrate, these things continue to consume personal energy on some level. Sometimes, at a very small or simple level, but those nagging items can add up to significant disruption because the energy drain continues even when we are not thinking of the incompletion consciously.

Something that is incomplete is not just something planned and yet unfinished; it is also something finished but yet unresolved. It's like a seam that was poorly sewn in a garment sent to the retail store and sold to an unsuspecting customer. The garment was finished, just not well. That incompletion will show up quickly upon the first or subsequent washings of the garment.  It may have looked finished and have been sold as finished, but in fact, it was incomplete. And you may have been meaning to return it to the store for an exchange having discovered the flaw, but the garment is still hanging there in your closet where it catches your attention (and a bit of your energy) every time you see it.

This same experience can be true of relationships, work projects, any area of life. 

When you finish/end something, it may still not be complete. You know if something is incomplete because you think about it more often than is comfortable. In fact, much of what we think about are things that we are incomplete about. It's the mind's way of reminding us to get complete. 

Examples: incompletions may be as simple as the dent in your car you’ve been meaning to fix; that pile of file of financial records you put together that has yet to be delivered to your CPA; a craft project in the closet you finished but never hung up where you planned to display it; or that continuing education program you took, but never followed through on implementing the great epiphanies you had that are sitting in your class notes.

And a toleration? Simply, it is anything you perceive as negatively impacting your life.  Tolerations are things we put up with that don’t give us a good quality of life. As such, they too, are energy drains. They may seem or actually be big things, but more often they are also a collection of small niggling things that you’ve decided to avoid consciously or that have you’re your conscious focus but are nonetheless “under there.” Incompletions may be a form of toleration. Again, yours will be different from anyone else’s, and even if they seem small or nit-picky, if they bother you ... well, they bother you. And they keep you from great things.

To tolerate means to compromise one’s values, boundaries, and standards for some reason. Yes, the world is constantly changing, and we may need to adjust to new situations, problems and opportunities, some of which may be uncomfortable because they call for us to grow and change. When we decide to adjust to those changes and make a plan of action, it is a choice.  Tolerations, on the other hand are a reaction or a resignation and we often feel “at the effect” of them, rather than in charge or on top of things. Here's a list of 1001 Tolerations from Coachville — see if any of them apply to you.

Think about what you simply put up with — a situation or aspect of a relationship you known in your heart is not good for you. It may not be a big thing. It might be undone dishes, something broken that needs to be fixed or replaced, car that needs cleaning or an oil change, that pile of papers on your desk that needs to be sorted, filed or pitched.  You may be tolerating something in a relationship where you need to set a clear boundary.

Incompletions and tolerations may not be good for us, but they do give us a guaranteed focus — even though it may be a negative one. That focus will get us through the day, but it may also require a great deal of caffeine, upset, complaining, nagging or some other energy draining behavior. So much more can be accomplished of the things that really matter when we are not in that state, but in a more positive, hopeful, optimistic one. Addressing these energy drains raises our standards and improves the quality of life. The resulting energy gain can be used in more productive ways.

Incompletions and tolerations stop us from getting to the things we truly want in life, or at least we say we want. When our minds are focused on these things to eliminate, they sometimes drive everything else and prevent us from getting to that we say we really want. 

So what’s the best way to eliminate what is incomplete or what we are merely tolerating? Simply put, it’s to confront them head on, remembering that the simplest definition of confront is “to face easily and directly.” 

Start with directly, since as we all know simple is not always that easy.

Make a list of 10 incompletions and 10 tolerations (keep going until you have 100 of each if you like — you may find once you start there are a LOT more than you realize). Then start knocking them off one by one — put a checkmark and a little smiley face next to each one when it’s been fully addressed.

Want to up the ante? Employ the “Easy-Hard Paradox” — it makes hard a little easier to deal with. A paradox is a seemingly contradictory statement that may nonetheless be true. The Easy-Hard Paradox goes like this: “when you do what’s easy, it will get hard; and when you do what’s hard, it will get easy.”

It’s like procrastination (often associated with incompletions and tolerations ...) — continue to put off something you need to address and it can become so large and overwhelming as to cause paralysis! Apply the paradox to your list like this:  review it and find the one or two things you resist the most in each category. Make a point to address those first.

Somehow confronting what is hard first often serendipitously allows the easier ones to take care of themselves ...

What’s in the way of doing greater things in your life – creating a truly magnificent life (like the one nature reminds us of) or perhaps creating that amazing legacy project you dream about but think is too big for you to handle?  You might be surprised what you’re capable of when you get some of the simpler things out of the way.  Try this coaching tip and then let us know how we might help you!

(DMG)

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Masterful Synthesizer, Masterful Mobilizer

During the past 20+ years, conversations about the origins and foundations of the coaching profession have taken place in small and large gatherings. Very thoughtful people who were involved in the early self-awareness/human potential movement and the earliest coach training programs have shared their memories and written books about coaching theory and practice.  In particular, we now have the well researched, 693-page doctoral dissertation from Vikki Brock, Ph.D., EMBA, MCC, entitled “Grounded Theory of the Roots and Emergence of Coaching,” officially completed and published in 2008. Brock is a coach who understands the value of legacy and in this work has left humankind a great one. 

Even with all the interviews, research, documentation, books and vivid memories of hundreds of living coaches, Thomas J. Leonard stands out as one of the brilliant pioneers who both popularized and commercialized coaching. Coaches regularly talk about his influence on and within the emerging profession — one focused on helping others be both at choice and their best in any realm or endeavor.

Leonard was a fascinating character and genius of a man, who could be highly collaborative and equally competitive at times. He could be very stubborn, frequently demanding to have his own way or go off to create his own programs and organizations. In his later years, Leonard demonstrated both prolific, generative brilliance alternating with depression and bouts of isolation. His life and work were an example of how exceptional abilities that can flow from personal challenges. 

A financial planner by background, Leonard had a powerful vision for life design and planning that would emerge as coach training, coaching business and coaching organizations. His ability to assimilate and simplify the most complex concepts along with his marketing and media savvy helped create the coaching industry.

When we think of CoachU, the International Coach Federation, Coachville and the International Association of Coaches, we recognize Leonard's vision behind them. He was a synthesizer of ideas, the creator/developer of his own businesses who also launched organizations for others.  He was stunningly systematic and organized to build all this during his too short lifetime. He knew the direction he was headed and even stated that all his legal affairs were in place. He did have a will that was written when he was in his thirties.

And yet, for all his ideas, designing, creating, planning and implementing, he neglected one extremely important step for the enduring benefit and completion of his extraordinary legacy: Thomas died suddenly at age 47 without an updated estate plan, defined succession plan or outlined exit-plan. He did not clearly delineate either the people to receive his companies or the process by which that would be determined. Truly a "cobbler’s children have no shoes” example for this man with a planning background, it is a focus too often “left until tomorrow” by too many of us — and that can limit the ultimate the impact of one’s life and work for the greater good. 

Many people were shocked and saddened to lose Thomas Leonard. The sudden void created by his death, along with the confusion, chaos and grief associated with settling his complex estate caused additional pain and years of disruption between his family and colleagues.  There are profound lessons and reminders for us here — and an important part of legacy development.

It’s never too early to have the conversation about your wants and desires for all you have created in business, in life. This is an important part of life and a gift to your family, friends, colleagues at the time of your worldly demise; and these activities ultimately define the shape the impact of your life and work can have.

Do we actively avoid issues that cause us to reflect on the finite nature of our own lives? Or are we just so caught up in the day to day, the dramas or enjoyment of life, or juggling too much to stop long enough to consider what our personal, long-term impacts might be ... want we consciously want them to be?

Thomas Leonard’s legacy has been a profound one because of his creative and attractive genius. We can only wonder how it would be playing out now if his creations had not been mired in complication and confusion in the time after his passing. Fortunately, he had committed collaborators willing to breathe life back into them, like his incredible friend Dave Buck and the amazing Susan Austin and Andrea J. Lee who have helped continue the work.

What are the full life planning conversations you’ve had, or not? What impact do you truly want to have with your life, in your various relationships, with your business, or your worldly possessions? What sort of legacy or legacy project might that all combine to create, if you consciously explored it? 

When might you get to that? Check this out to help you get going with it …

(EBC)

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Send us an e-mail about someone you know who is living or building a legacy. We’d love to feature their story. Maybe it’s you?!

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Want to Know More About Coaching - And Whether It's Right For You?

Click here to download a copy of our free report “About Coaching & Coachability Profile.” It will give you the info you need to decide.  Check out some of out other great programs on that page, too. You may find something there to help you get started ...  

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CREATING LEGACY STUDIO

• The Studio is your opportunity to explore the concepts of legacy in your own life, work or business. We focus on how to take practical action to get a full life and fulfilling work, give your best gifts — and make a significant positive difference in an enduring way that brings you great joy.
  (Come on, you know you want to change the world ...)
• If you miss the live show, you can listen to the recording on the Creating Legacy Studio page on BTR. Download past shows in& mp3 format for listening in your preferred player.
• See more info about the Studio on the Creating Legacy Network website, where we post the updated schedule and call in information.&
• Tune in, turn on and take part!

OVERCOMING UNDEREARNING® & ACHIEVING FINANCIAL MASTERY

There is still time to register, but do it today - class starts this Thursday!!

Not ready to create your legacy? Maybe you're ready for our newest program:  A 5 Step Plan To A Richer Life! - based on the fabulous book by Barbara Stanny.

Wealth is not what you make, it’s what you keep ... and how wisely you spend.

Financial Mastery is what leads to Financial Independence — where you can separate your ‘business’ from your ‘profession,’ and do work you love whether or not it provides you an income. That definitely gives you the freedom to develop a legacy project and live a magnificent life.

During this 5 week teleseminar you will:

• Learn how to dig deeper to uncover the blocks & barriers that are keeping you from reaching your goals
• Engage in intimate and eye-opening discussions with plenty of time for questions
• Come away with a personal action plan for earning the money you deserve
• Have a lot more fun in the process than you ever imagined.
• Leave with new resources to support you in creating real wealth — after all, that’s what also allows you to make a greater contribution in the world ...

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