‘fear‘ is defined by the dictionary as a ‘distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain etc whether the threat is real or imagined.

There has been much written and said about fears. Some people rather not use the actual word, but whether it is fear, anxiety, concern or whatever you choose to call it is likely a combination of physical and/or emotional reactions to something that is happening in your life or that you are afraid will happen. One of the keys to managing fear is the fact that you may be experiencing fear out of something that is not real. As a coach, I find that fears are a huge obstacle for people to achieve success in the goals they set out for themselves.

We have addressed fears in the past, but as we all know habits, good and bad take time to form and time to be transformed. Not to discount that some fears may be rooted in some psychological condition (in which case I would strongly encourage discussing it with a professional in that area) I would venture to say that many of our fears, can be minimized when we are aware of them, their impact in our life and of how to manage them.

Hence, the topic of Debunking Fears. I love to help people achieve their goals. I strive to encourage people to create action plans and to move forward in the direction of their dreams. However, during our conversations more often than not, we find that those dreams are undermined by the presence of certain saboteurs; also known as fears.

You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along. You must do the thing you think you cannot do. ~Eleanor Roosevelt

Another thing I’ve learned about fears is that they come in different shapes and forms. We know that fears may produce physical and mental pain, ruin your health, your wealth, your relationships, may damage your business or career and much more, but how do we recognize these thieves? That ability to appear through multiple personalities, sometimes makes it difficult to confront the reality of what is.

Some ways we might see fear being manifested:

• Overall feeling of inadequacy or inability; hence creating a low self-esteem and poor self-concept. This is very dangerous because these feelings can kill your motivation to achieve your maximum potential.
• “Can’t do” attitude which takes power away from you and transforms you in someone unable to live full, healthy, productive lives. This mentality disables rather than enables you to be in charge of your life because you are always at the mercy of what happens to you, instead of what you create for yourself.
• Creatures of habit; because we have learned some of these behaviors and ways of thinking for a long time, we have nurtured them and allowed them to manifest themselves in our lives, they become part of our nature. We are comfortable within the parameters of the fear and as a result we act and react accordingly.
• Resistance to change; again because some of the mentality has been incubated for so long, we tend to resist to anything that threatens to change what is known to us. The danger is that change often brings opportunity for growth and when we deny ourselves that, not only we might come across as inflexible; but we are also missing out in the prospect of learning.

Bottom line: fears become foundation for your negative way of thinking. Ultimately, when fears rule our lives we tend to hid to avoid change or growth; and we find ourselves in a cage that prevents us from action. We become blocked in our thinking, problem solving and decision making. All excellent reasons for debunking the fears in our lives.

So how do we do it? How do we rid ourselves of these sometimes, lifelong patterns of thinking and behavior that hold us back? Here are some suggestions:

1. Face the fear: recognize it, find it, acknowledge it and come to terms with the fact that it hinders you and that it will not go away by itself.

2. Once you face it; talk to yourself about the truth. If your fear comes from lacking something (scarcity mentality) remind yourself of the things that you have plenty of. You may want to start a gratitude journal and make a point each day to log in something new that you appreciate. i.e. supporting spouse, healthy children, satisfying career, comfortable home, etc.

3. Remember that you are in charge. In her book ‘Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway‘ Dr. Susan Jeffers states that it is natural for all of us to feel fears. However, the difference rests in that some acknowledge the fear and move forward with the goal denying fear access or control. Ultimately, when we take charge, we are sending powerful messages of strength and courage; that builds momentum and next thing we know we are moving to the next step.

4. Connect with your source. Pray, meditate, connect with your higher self knowing and trusting the plan. Recognizing the authority and realizing that there is love and divine wisdom guiding your steps. When things get really challenging, this is a biggie for me.

There is only now, the present. Make a point to deny those self-limiting beliefs further access to your life. Remember that you have achieved before and refuse to be a victim. Make a firm decision to challenge those beliefs reminding yourself that most of the things we fear and worry about, are not real. What is your truth? Are you ready to make a change that will empower you to live a life that is full, productive and successful? Isn’t it time you take the reins of your life knowing that All Is Good?

Your external world is mirroring back what is within you. Your inner self will send out messages or power, control and authority or weakness and helplessness. What message are you sending? Only when you change the tune playing inside of you, will you be able to change what the rest of the world sees in you. How can you face those fears and debunk them? Next week, we’ll talk about practical tools you can put on your toolbox that will help you become a master at debunking fears; one at a time.

© 2010 Maria Martinez

Maria Martinez is a Professional Life Coach; she works primarily with individuals seeking to identify areas in which they want to increase their level of awareness and take life to the next level. By providing support and accountability, individuals reach higher and greater goals; balance life at work and at home; and enjoy time doing things they most love. ‘Create the life you want; Start within.’

For more information about Maria Martinez and coaching services go towww.inneractivecoachingonline.com or via e-mail: inneractivecoaching@gmail.comobject>

Does any of these sound familiar?

“When I buy the new car; I will be happy.”

“I can’t wait to meet the man of my dreams; when I get married I am going to be so happy.”

“I can’t take this anymore; when I lose weight I am going to look awesome!”

The philosophy of BE-DO-HAVE, which some say was first introduced by L. Ron Hubbard on his book Conditions of Existence; refers to the attitude and mind shift that has to occur in order for all of us to enjoy the kind of life we want.

For example, I hear people all the time saying “When I get this job, I will be happy” or ‘When I lose the weight, I will feel good about myself” or ‘When I get married, I will feel complete.” There is a conditional type of happiness, joy or satisfaction because we are creating a situation of contingency. “If {X} happens, I will be {fill in the blank.}” Conversely, the BE-DO-HAVE mentality goes as this: “based what do I want to be, I do the things I need to do, and the result is that I have what I want.” So in other words, in order to be, you have to do, and only then you will have. Aha! Now I get it, the reality is that we go about it the opposite way, I will do what I need to do to have what I want, then I will be…happy, skinny, loved, etc.

“Until you make peace with who you are,

you’ll never be content with what you have.” ~ Doris Mortman

When applying the Be-Do-Have mindset, you can appreciate that the do’s will support who you are or who you want to be and this is when personal and professional development come to play. You are no longer waiting for someone to do something for you or expecting someone to show up to give you something that you need in order to complete you. Again, any time you relinquish control by expecting that someone or something else will make you happy, you move away from your sense of power and hence, placing you in the victim’s seat and typically victims are not happy. Another example of how this works: “Since I want to be a nurse (the be), I will enroll in school this fall (the do) and then I will enjoy the benefits of the education and a good job (the have.)” Makes sense?

So, as assertive and intentional individuals it is important that we always have a goal in mind. Some objectives at a personal level could be: to lose weight, to take a yoga class, to learn to drive, to balance the checking account, to learn a new hobby, to start a new sport, to make more friends. On the other hand, professional development can include anything from attending a new workshop or seminar, enrolling in college, learning more about a topic that you may need for a promotion, to sign up for a professional networking group, etc. The bottom line is that any or all of these things may contribute to a powerful you. And the reason why I say powerful is because you will have selected the course and the goal that you want to pursue.

“We are so obsessed with doing that we have no time and no imagination left for being. As a result, men are valued not for what they are but for what they do or what they have-for their usefulness” ~Thomas Merton.

In short, start by being who you want to be. “Act as if” comes to mind…ultimately, who do you want to be? With that vision on hand, do the things that support that vision. Live according to your values and the result will be one that satisfies you. Then you will have and it will all come together because it is about fully realizing your potential and living intentionally. Creating the path to follow, one that will lead you to feel in charge of your destiny. Every time you receive something, you will see how by being who you really are you don’t have to wait on anything or anyone else. It’s all within reach.

If you are stuck trying to figure out who you are, what you want or where you are heading. If you want more from life, but have a slight feeling you have been going about it backwards. Or if you are ready to discover what else is there…how can you be in order to do and have knowing that you deserve to joy and satisfaction in life; Life Coaching might be for you.

© 2010 Maria Martinez

Maria Martinez is a Professional Life Coach; she works primarily with individuals seeking to identify areas in which they want to increase their level of awareness and take life to the next level. By providing support and accountability, individuals reach higher and greater goals; balance life at work and at home; and enjoy time doing things they most love. ‘Create the life you want; Start within.’

For more information about Maria Martinez and coaching services go to www.inneractivecoachingonline.com or via e-mail: inneractivecoaching@gmail.com

We all get stuck at one point or another. Even the most creative, outgoing and resourceful individuals are at risk of finding themselves caught in the dangerous area known as ‘the comfort zone.’

Why do we get stuck? Frequently, we get trapped in the same line of thinking or behaving. Typically, we resort back to what has worked in the past, and we forget that with changing dynamics, it is also important to exercise stretching. And by that, I mean stretching beyond the physical aspect, more of a stretch towards trying new things, considering different opinions and realizing that as life and things change, it is wise to go along embracing and appreciating circumstances. Another reason to stay stuck is because we are afraid of moving in a different direction; we might be fearful of what could happen if things don’t go as planned or if we change it and then things don’t turn out for the better. We get scared of taking chances and a biggie: we ‘think’ that we don’t have time to do anything else.

Whether you are stuck at a personal or professional level, staying within the comfort zone works because it is what we know. We tend to revert back to that area where we feel like we know what we are doing and where we see ourselves as in control. Even once we reach ’status quo’ we prefer that versus experimenting with the ‘unknown.’

Nonetheless and after validating that all those reasons are normal and expected to some degree it is also advisable to consider that in order to produce a different outcome (a.k.a. get unstuck) you are probably going to have to try something new.

Move out of your comfort zone.
You can only grow if you are willing to
feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new.
Brian Tracy

Here are three good reasons for expanding out of that comfort zone:

1. Experience Growth- by stretching out you will find that you will reach more, every new challenge you take will bring growth along

2. Discover New Opportunities- the more doors you knock on, the more possibilities you will discover. As you stretch and grow, you will develop new strengths, will add tools to your toolkit and with those in hand, you will start to discern that there are many other avenues to pursue

3. Learn More about Yourself – every step you take will build your confidence. The more you do, the more you will realize that you can accomplish, in fact you might surprise yourself when you start taking challenges and new risks

They all go hand in hand, but are you ready to step out and take the challenge. It is simply about agreeing to move forward to reaching and achieving more. Granted, it might be uncomfortable at first, but trust me, it will get easier as you go along. And better yet you are worth the opportunity to feel realized. It might have been a long time since you embarked in something new, but this is it. This is your time. Seize the opportunities, capture the essence of knowing that there is more out there and go for it. Stretch out and experience what’s beyond the comfort zone.

If you are stuck in the comfort zone; if you are not sure on how to move forward with your plans. If you know that there is more out there for you but are uncertain on how to go about it, Life Coaching might be for you.

© 2010 Maria Martinez

Maria Martinez is a Professional Life Coach; she works primarily with individuals seeking to identify areas in which they want to increase their level of awareness and take life to the next level. By providing support and accountability, individuals reach higher and greater goals; balance life at work and at home; and enjoy time doing things they most love. ‘Create the life you want; Start within.’

For more information about Maria Martinez and coaching services go to www.inneractivecoachingonline.com or via e-mail: inneractivecoaching@gmail.com

Life is too busy. Life is complicated. Life is full of obstacles… If I had a penny for each time I’ve heard these statements, I would be a millionaire. Granted, I too have at one point or another complained about the complexities of life and how busy I often am. Truth is that we tend to over commit ourselves. At the end of the day we are frequently tired and exhausted and with little to no energy to do something for ourselves.

This week is Simplify your Life week and when I learned that it prompted me to think about my own life and schedule. Work-life balance and simplifying lifestyles in order to enjoy more of what we want, is repeatedly, one of the subjects of my coaching conversations.

Why? Because on the quest for the dream; we have stepped on what I call virtual treadmill sometimes from 8 to 10 to even 12 hours per day. That intensity of activity is sometimes necessary; but the point is how long can you do it? How much time will go by before you start feeling the symptoms of stress, fractured relationships, damaged health (such as in excessive weight gain/loss) and even more serious illnesses or injuries. Also, because in that process, you may lose focus of what matters to you, of how to live in line with your true values and of the fact that the key to life after all, is balance.

So, my proposition for you is simple :

Simply: Set the intent.

Make a deliberate commitment to simplify your life (remember the why)

Simply: Prioritize.

Take a pen and paper and write down your top 3-5 priorities. Your future decisions as to how to proceed should link directly related to these priorities.

Simply: Learn to say No.

Goes along with your priorities. If this activity/decision is not going to contribute to those elements you have established as priorities, then you will have to say no. Think about the benefits

Simply: Not all you.

Learn to delegate (and be happy with it) or to get as much help as possible. There are tasks at work and at home that are probably driving you crazy and that can surely be completed by someone other than you.

Simply: Praise yourself.

Start noticing when things are changing; are you feeling better, resting more, have more time for family meals? Take note and appreciate them.

Simply: Don’t beat yourself up; it’s a process.

Remember that giving up some items on your agenda might be difficult at first. This is a process and ultimately, you need to remember that persistence will pay off. Revisit your plan often and adjust as necessary.

The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.  ~Hans Hofmann

At the end of the day, it’s all about you. About what you want and what you deserve. What are you willing to do to get there and what do you need to let go of in order to achieve it? Remember my statement that it is all about balance. You need not to let go of most things completely; unless they are dangerous or damaging. You may also find critical to do something for others as you feel it is your duty. Let me tell you that people will find their way, they will find the solution even if you are not there to do it. And yes, sometimes people will feel angry or disappointed, and they will show you but you need to go back to your vision and mission statement for your life and remember what matters to you and the commitments you agreed to make in order to make it there. Ultimately, when you simplify your life you give yourself permission to recapture time for yourself and your loved ones and to do the things you truly love; isn’t it all worth it?

If you are stuck trying to figure out the right formula for balance; or if you know you need to establish new boundaries for your life and don’t know where to start. If you are caught in the midst of a complicated life and have reached a point where you crave a more simplistic lifestyle; life coaching might be for you.

© 2010 Maria Martinez

Maria Martinez is a Professional Life Coach; she works primarily with individuals seeking to identify areas in which they want to increase their level of awareness and take life to the next level. By providing support and accountability, individuals reach higher and greater goals; balance life at work and at home; and enjoy time doing things they most love. ‘Create the life you want; Start within.’

For more information about Maria Martinez and coaching services go to www.inneractivecoachingonline.com or via e-mail: inneractivecoaching@gmail.com

“The only constant thing in life is change” I don’t remember when was the first time I heard that, yet I clearly recall that I did not like it at first. Now I realize that I was not alone and that that feeling of resistance towards change is a natural reaction. As humans we tend to like the known and predictable. Why do people resist change? Why is it so hard to accept that change can be good?

I believe that it is important to recognize that change is inevitable; things around us will change whether we like it or not. Being able to adapt to the changing circumstances not only will allow us to be more flexible and understanding to those around us, but will also place us in a position of choice where we are actually learning from the situation and open to see what is good about it. On the other hand, some of us often associate change with a loss. Whether we are losing knowledge, status, or a privilege; change creates a need to do things in a different way and very often; we don’t like it. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard the phrase “if it ain’t broke, why change it?” and truth is I don’t promote change, just for the sake of changing. However, over the course of life I’ve also come to appreciate the fact that whenever I’ve had to change something in my life; it has been a learning experience:

• First of all, I learn about myself; what’s in this situation that makes me anxious or nervous? What skill set do I need to adopt that will enable me to manage this well? What do I not have that I need in order to manage?
• I also learn about the surroundings and environment. Why is this change being proposed? What was happening before that necessitated a change? What is going to be different as a result?

When I look back, I know that I have resisted some changes in my life. Nonetheless, every time I overcame a challenging situation, I discovered that I had the strength and the wisdom to do it. I learned that I had a great level of untapped potential and when I freed myself to see the truth of the situation; I was able to grow and to actually enjoy the end results.

Tips to adapt to change:

1. Analyze your beliefs around the situation; are there any self-limiting beliefs preventing you from seeing the good here?
2. Focus on what you are able to do. You might not have all the tools or skills needed to implement the change but go to those that you do have; and start planning how to get the ones you need. i.e. more training to get the certification? getting up earlier to make it according to the new schedule?
3. Don’t anticipate the worse. Believe that most people act in good faith and stop worrying about things that may not happen, ever.
4. Assess the situation carefully; if after analyzing the situation carefully you realize that you are not up for it; you may need to remove yourself from the situation. Still, you will come out victorious as you are in control of the decisions you are making.
5. Remember that there are always choices; if nothing else you have a choice over how you react to the situation and whether you allow it to affect you in a negative way.
6. Take action. Action is the best course of action when facing a change. Staying stagnant (not doing something is the same as agreeing to staying stuck) will not resolve the situation.

So, how do you manage change now? Do you resist? Do you fight, get angry? Or do you stop for a second and analyze the true impact and significance of the change? I think that one of those powerful concepts here is to understand what is causing the resistance. We might be afraid. Afraid of not being good enough, of not having what it takes. Maybe not being confident about our ability to survive the change is that causes the rejection to change. Either way, when confronted with change I’d say that before reacting in any way; it is advisable to come to terms with our own feelings, values and behaviors and see the change as an objective, neutral party. When some of that emotional is removed and we can see the situation with clear glasses; we can typically walk away with a better concept or ourselves and with a positive outlook about the future. In essence, remember that you are not a victim of the circumstances, you have a voice, you have options and you can embrace the change knowing that at the end you will grow becoming a better you. Get out there, embrace change and show everyone that you have what it takes. You can do it!

If you are struggling with changes in your life; if you are not sure whether you have what it takes or don’t know how to take the next steps; life coaching might be for you.

© 2010 Maria Martinez

Maria Martinez is a Professional Life Coach; she works primarily with individuals seeking to identify areas in which they want to increase their level of awareness and take life to the next level. By providing support and accountability, individuals reach higher and greater goals; balance life at work and at home; and enjoy time doing things they most love. ‘Create the life you want; Start within.’

For more information about Maria Martinez and coaching services go to www.inneractivecoachingonline.com or via e-mail: inneractivecoaching@gmail.com

So far, we’ve talked about 4 of the keys to unlock your potential; the last one of these series is also directed to your inner self and it has to do with your attitude. Attitude is definitely one of those things that we have control over. When I speak attitude I refer to your views and perceptions about the world that surrounds you. I firmly believe that while you cannot control some of the things that happen around you, you can control how you react to them.

With that in mind, I’m big in promoting being positive. A positive attitude can permeate everything you do. I’m sure you have heard the phrase attitudes are contagious. So why not start your day with a little positivism. When you start your day with an optimist view towards life, you are more likely to see good things happen to you. You have probably heard about the movie and book The Secret. In that book, many experts such as Jack Canfield, Lisa Nichols, and Bob Proctor talk about we have the ability to transform our reality by virtue of changing the way we think. When we think good thoughts, we can start to move away from pain or misfortune and into strength, power, peace, health and abundance.

And it is worth mentioning that while reading a book about positive thinking will not change your life it is certainly possible that as you start to look around you and appreciate the good things, you will be less prong to focus on the negatives. Take a breath every morning and look around you, notice all the good things that surround you and express your appreciation. I believe that there is always worse off than we are, and thus I thank God for absolutely everything in my life. I’ve stopped to appreciate even the simplest things that I have as a reminder to myself that I have everything I need and more. With a positive and thankful attitude, we are inviting more good things to come our way.

Napoleon Hill (author of Think and Grow Rich) refers to affirmations as a great way to increase confidence, and when we are confident we know we are in a good place. Examples of affirmations are:

• I know that I have the ability to achieve the object of my definite purpose
• I have no fear
• I am happy
• I know where I am going in life
• I am loved
• I am respected
• I am appreciated
• and so on,

As we wrap up these series, I’d like to leave you with some strategies on how to implement the 5 keys to success:

1. Choose to be in the driver’s seat of your life; this is something that nobody can take away from you.

2. Accept that it is OK to be powerful; despite power having a bit of a negative connotation; being powerful allows you to be in charge of your life; thus putting you in a place where you can help others as you see your own dreams come true.

3. Use the positive affirmations: write them in index cards, on your screen saver and make bookmarks out of it. Do whatever it takes to send yourself an empowering message

4. Seek development; always. Today I’ve shared multiple resources with you; make a point to read, listen to audio tapes, attend workshops and seminars or enroll in school; there is always something new to learn and

5. Be thankful; the art of appreciative inquiry allows you to focus on the good things around you instead of the bad ones; focus on the sunset, or the opportunity to play with your child, or having coffee with your girlfriend, or the fact that you have a job. If you pay attention, each day is full of good things waiting to be noticed.

I hope that you have enjoyed the information I’ve shared with you over the last 5 weeks. Here, I have summarized for you many of the lessons and techniques I’ve personally implemented in my life as well as those I recommend to my clients. Remember that you have what it takes to be Powerful. You have all the talent, charisma and motivation to conquer; it’s all there…within.

Maria Martinez is a Professional Life Coach; she works primarily with individuals seeking to identify areas in which they want to increase their level of awareness and take life to the next level. By providing support and accountability, individuals reach higher and greater goals; balance life at work and at home; and enjoy time doing things they most love. ‘Create the life you want; Start within.’

For more information about Maria Martinez and coaching services go to www.inneractivecoachingonline.com or via e-mail: inneractivecoaching@gmail.com

We have talked about taking care of  yourself, taking risks, and be prepared as the first three keys to unlocking your potential and achieve success. The next key (4th in the series) talks about how being prepared.

Despite the uncertain economic climate, I think we are living powerful times for women in business. Just last week I saw this article on CNN.com that refers to a ‘mancession.’ In it, Patricia Sellers explains that out of 7 million jobs that were lost during the recession, 3 quarters belonged to men. Further, the male unemployment rate is at 9.8% compared to 8.1% for women. Some of the factors involved have to do with the fact that men are mostly affected by the decline in construction and manufacturing while the expansion of health care and education is helping women.

Additionally, as you may know women are traditionally paid less than men (statistics show 22% on average) hence, it is more cost effective for companies to keep women on payroll.

In fact, the upshot is that reportedly this is the first time in history, women are neck and neck with men in the labor force. Women held 49.9% of 131 million U.S. jobs in late 2009 and those numbers are expected to go up. So, why is this important; the increasing power of women in the workforce will definitely have a long-run impact on institutions, the social contract, and the look and feel of work itself.

With that background, it makes sense that we seek to become as polished and prepared as possible. Personal and professional development are top items on my agenda, and has proven to be a direct connection with success.

As you can see, all the keys I’m discussing in this series involve you as an individual. What do you want? Where do you want to be? See? it’s all about you. Whether you embark on a journey to advance at an internal personal level or you want to pursue additional tools to become better prepared on the workforce; if you ask me it is all worth it. When you seek development, you are acknowledging that there is room for improvement. And although I always tell people, that we are perfect the way we are; most of us have that desire and drive to do and do more. One little concept comes to mind. “Be-Do-Have”. The philosophy of BE-DO-HAVE, which some say was first introduced by L. Ron Hubbard on his book Conditions of Existence; refers to the attitude and mind-shift that has to occur in order for all of us to enjoy the kind of life we want.

For example, I hear people all the time saying “when I get the house, I will be happy” or ‘when I lose the weight, I will feel good about myself” or ‘when I get married, I will feel complete.” Conversely, the BE-DO-HAVE mentality goes as this: “based what do I want to be, I do the things I need to do, and the result is that I have what I want.” So in other words, in order to be you have to do, and only then you will have. Aha! Now I get it, the reality is that we go about it the opposite way, I will do what I need to do to have what I want, then I will be…happy, skinny, loved, etc.

With that Be-Do-Have mindset, you can appreciate that the do’s will support who you are or who you want to be and this is when personal and professional development come to play. Another example: Since I want to be a nurse (the be), I will enroll in school this fall (the do) and then I will enjoy the benefits of the education and a good job (the have.) Makes sense?

So, as assertive and intentional women it is important that we always have a goal of self-development in mind. Some objectives at a personal level could be: to lose weight, to take a yoga class, to learn to drive, to balance the checking account, to learn a new hobby, to start a new sport, to make more friends. On the other hand, professional development can include anything from attending a new workshop or seminar, enrolling in college, learning more about a topic that you may need for a promotion, to sign up for a professional networking group, etc. The bottom line is that any or all of these things may contribute to a powerful you. And the reason why I say powerful is because you will have selected the course and the goal that you want to pursue.

Of all the things that can have an effect on your future, I believe personal growth is the greatest. We can talk about sales growth, profit growth, asset growth, but all of this probably will not happen without personal growth.
– Jim Rohn

Being in control of your life and destiny starts with a deliberate decision of choice. Like the other keys; being in the look out for self-development options will allow you to feel secure about yourself, will tell others that you are on the quest to be the best you can be and better yet; it will amaze you by showing you all that you are capable of.

If you are stuck in your pursuit of self-development. If you know you can be more, if you want more but are not sure how to move forward Life Coaching might be for you. Call today for a complimentary coaching session and experience Coaching!

© 2010 Maria Martinez

Maria Martinez is a Professional Life Coach; she works primarily with individuals seeking to identify areas in which they want to increase their level of awareness and take life to the next level. By providing support and accountability, individuals reach higher and greater goals; balance life at work and at home; and enjoy time doing things they most love. ‘Create the life you want; Start within.’

For more information about Maria Martinez and coaching services go to www.inneractivecoachingonline.com or via e-mail: inneractivecoaching@gmail.com

The third key to success is to be prepared. I think that way too often we are so consumed with ‘doing,’ that we forget what it is that we really want. We engage in relationships when what we really want is security. We settle for jobs we no longer love, when what we really want is to be independent. In order to reach more, it is important that every day, we show up prepared.
In his book, Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill describes the importance of knowing what we want in order to achieve it. Clearly, the key is to have a very specific and clear picture of what we want. As we pursue goals that are in line with our purpose, then it is expected that ‘all your thoughts break bounds; and your mind transcends limitations.’ Napoleon Hill is one of the leaders of the ‘thoughts become things’ mentality. You may have seen the website “tut.com” in which you can sign up for daily messages from the Universe. Nonetheless, there too you will see the message of ‘thoughts become things, choose the good ones.’

The power behind this message is comprised of three elements: 1. clear definition of purpose, 2. persistence and 3. burning desire. It is said that success is an attitude and that as you think and act success; you will attract success. Here too is important to mention that even ‘perceived’ failures bring opportunities with them, hence we should not be afraid of failing. I know that that particular frame of mind requires a lot of work at least to get it going, nonetheless, I am convinced that no one is ready to accept anything from life, until she believes she can acquire it. There has to be a true sense of belief and not mere wish or hope, which as described earlier, represent a status of victim and hopelessness. Remember, every failure provides the potential opportunity of an equivalent success.

So, having said that how do you go about being prepared? One of the quickest ways to achieve, is to set goals. I know that much has been said about setting goals and you have probably heard tons on this subject. My approach to setting goals is to shoot high. My coach told me once that there is magic in going for the greater goals; she said that there is plenty of competition and focus on the little ones, so she told me, go high; higher than you think you can.

In reality, we all set goals to some extent; the problem is twofold: first, we don’t stick with them because we don’t think about them long enough, I ask my clients to write them down. When you see them in writing and you revisit them often, it is higher level commitment. The other issue with goals is that give up too quickly. Nobody said that it will be easy; again requires commitment, dedication, passion….that is why it is important that you shoot for what you really want. Every time you make a decision to go deeper into your definition of what ‘you want’ or as you go about exploring what will it take, you are moving forward to being prepared. Prepared to achieve, prepare to receive and this is a key to unlocking your potential.

With your goals set up; with that clarity and determination; you must trust yourself. You need to know that each day you are moving in the direction of achievement. You should stop and celebrate each victory and remind yourself that no matter how difficult; you can do it.

‘Before something happens in the world, it must happen in your mind’  ~Anthony Robbins

See? When you set out your goals (yes, I live by goals- I’m a coach!) you are setting out your road map. All the possibilities are part of that map, all the alternatives, all the shortcuts and the rest areas, all the scenery and all the traffic jams. It is all taken into account and your plan is set knowing that you have what it takes to get there. That is what I call being prepared.

As you see your own success grow, with every little baby step and victory, goal setting will becomes a habit …and little by little your life gains momentum and goes from strength to strength….increasing your reaching muscles and at the same time giving you greater levels of confidence. Being prepared is paramount before taking any new responsibility; before making any new decisions; and the best part is that you can start where you are now as long as you have clarity, purpose and passion. Continue on your quest to discovery of ways to unlocking your potential. When you discover all you have within you and start using those assets as means to get you to your destination; you will experience success in everything you do. But if you are stuck and uncertain on how to unlock your potential, life coaching might be for you.

© 2010 Maria Martinez
Maria Martinez is a Professional Life Coach; she works primarily with individuals seeking to identify areas in which they want to increase their level of awareness and take life to the next level. By providing support and accountability, individuals reach higher and greater goals; balance life at work and at home; and enjoy time doing things they most love. ‘Create the life you want; Start within.’

For more information about Maria Martinez and coaching services go to www.inneractivecoachingonline.com or via e-mail: inneractivecoaching@gmail.com

Key #2: Take Risks

Have you ever been concerned about aging? becoming disabled, changing careers, asserting yourself, losing weight, dying, change, public speaking? I’d venture to say that most of us have experienced at least some level of concern or worry about the ‘what if’s’ of life.

One of my favorite authors of all times, Dr. Susan Jeffer on her book, Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway, says that although it is natural for all humans to experience certain levels of fear when facing challenges or new situations, some push forward despite the uncomfortable feelings while others, stay stagnant afraid of failure, afraid of rejection, afraid of whatever outcomes.

You have probably heard the phrase “the only constant thing is change.” And that is because whether we like it or not, and whether we approve or not, changes will happen all around us. The one thing that can help with dealing with changes is first to acknowledge that change is opportunity and that taking risks are a sure way to move forward with life.

Taking risks very often implies getting outside of that comfort zone and seeing what else is out there and understandably, experimenting or being ‘out there’ is not comfortable for everyone. Experts agree that in order to minimize those fears the best recipe is to do things that will enhance your ability to ‘handle’ life. This is where the concept of taking risks come to play. If you are in a place where you don’t know how to move forward, there is possibly a hidden (or not so hidden) fear behind it all.

When it comes to taking risks, one of the neat things I’ve learned is that as long as I move forward with a goal or an action step, I feel victorious. Problems often come when there is lack of action, which feeds the insecurity which end up making you feel powerless. Instead, think that there is always a level of discomfort when you enter new territory. That is completely understandable and is important that we honor ourselves by acknowledging that.

The other thing I’ve learned (and this is neater even that the one above) is that we ALL experience a level of fear. Even famous artists, politicians and sport figures; at some point will feel that little butterfly in their stomach when there’s something big at stake. Again, what makes the difference is that some do not allow the fear or the feeling of discomfort from jumping in and doing it.

So if you are in a stagnant stage of your life; it is a good time to realize that “if you always do what you’ve always done, you will always get what you’ve always got.” It is time to step out of that comfort zone and take some risks. You can always start small; what matters is that you move forward. There is always that little voice telling you not to, but you have to learn to ignore it and push forward anyway. Think of the benefits. Think of how your life would be different. Start to create a vision where you are comfortable stepping into new situations; without fear, reservations and in full control. It is possible. Start with one step (or even baby step) today.

If you are stuck and unsure how to move forward; if you need an accountability partner or someone to help you find the vision and to create a doable plan that will help you achieve your goals; life coaching might be for you.

© 2010 Maria Martinez

Maria Martinez is a Professional Life Coach; she works primarily with individuals seeking to identify areas in which they want to increase their level of awareness and take life to the next level. By providing support and accountability, individuals reach higher and greater goals; balance life at work and at home; and enjoy time doing things they most love. ‘Create the life you want; Start within.’

For more information about Maria Martinez and coaching services go to www.inneractivecoachingonline.com or via e-mail: inneractivecoaching@gmail.com

Fist key- Take good care of yourself

Being a personal coach does not come as a surprise that I would talk about self care as the first step in unlocking one’s potential. I strongly believe that us women tend to wear so many hats and to fulfill so many roles, that often our own needs and desires are put in the back burner. It took me a while to realize this, however, once I understood the importance of taking good care of myself; I was able to see that if I am not well, other things around me will fall apart; conversely when I am at my best, I am in a perfect position to love, accept and to give in a way that makes me happy and those around me feel it.

The problem may lay in that for different reasons, we are conditioned to believe that we have to be ‘all things to all people. And during that process, sometimes we lose the connection between what we are and what we want. We see the sacrifices we do for others as an expectation that needs to be met, and even more, we find pleasure and comfort in doing that as if meeting everyone else’s need before ours, was our duty.

To say that we take good care of ourselves, it also means that we are in touch with our inner feelings. So often, I speak to women who feel like permanent victims of life. Whether they came from a dysfunctional background, they married the wrong person, their children do not listen, or they cannot get a  handle on their weight; it is often someone else’s fault because if they did not have to suffer from the abuse, or deal with the bully husband or work the long hours that prevent them from exercising and eating healthier, their lives would be perfect. Well, the problem with that theory is that after a while, we start attracting to ourselves more of the negative stuff. People around us get tired of hearing us complain and before we know it our relationships and our self-esteem suffer because nobody wants to hear constantly how much of a martyr you are.

“In dealing with those who are undergoing great suffering, if you feel “burnout” setting in, if you feel demoralized and exhausted, it is best, for the sake of everyone, to withdraw and restore yourself.” Dalai Lama

So, how do you express that kind of love to  yourself? How do you take such good care of yourself so that mind, body and spirit are a reflection of a full, satisfying life. A life that meets your expectations and needs and that provides a safe laboratory for playing and having fun, for enjoying yourself in what you do without feeling guilty, victimized or alienated?

1. Realize that there are being well is your responsibility

2. Understand the benefits of better self-care: less stress, better health, improved relationships, increase productivity and enhanced self-esteem

3. Other ways to take good care of yourself include: exercising, eating nutritious meals, getting enough rest/sleep, walking out away from unkind relationships, refusing to be abused, surround yourself with people and things you love, dress in ways that make you feel great, and block ‘me’ time’ every day, among others.

In short, taking good care of yourself is a key to unlocking your potential as it will empower you to do whatever you want to do in life; will give you freedom and a sense of a better you; and those things, will without a doubt improve your quality of life.

Stay tuned for Part II of the Series: “Keys to Unlock your Potential and Achieve Success.” Next week on the blog…If you are stuck trying to unlock your potential and are highly motivated to achieve success; life coaching might be what you need.

© 2010 Maria Martinez

Maria Martinez is a Professional Life Coach; she works primarily with individuals seeking to identify areas in which they want to increase their level of awareness and take life to the next level. By providing support and accountability, individuals reach higher and greater goals; balance life at work and at home; and enjoy time doing things they most love. ‘Create the life you want; Start within.’

For more information about Maria Martinez and coaching services go to www.inneractivecoachingonline.com or via e-mail: inneractivecoaching@gmail.com