Month: July 2011

The foundation of my new book Thriving Work involves devoting ourselves to daily practice for replacing old, out-dated habits with new, more life-affirming ones. Chapter four focuses on the transformative power of commitment.  Immersed in these ideas for months now, it’s not surprising that last week, I became intrigued by a blog post about doing something new every day for 30 days.

The author of the blog seemed to be doing this as a way of life.  For 30 days he would run every day.  For the next 30 days he gave up sugar.  For the next 30 days . . . well, you get the idea.  What caught my attention: taking one picture a day for 30 days.  That sounded like fun to me.  As I was contemplating if I wanted to make this commitment, I saw and captured one of the most amazing pictures I have ever taken.

Did I happen to glimpse this breath-taking photo opportunity because I was considering taking a picture a day for 30 days? What powerful learning around the idea that “what you focus on expands . . .”

In the early morning light, I happened to catch a glimpse of this incredible spider web in my back yard. That was about a week ago.  If this is what I’m able to do when I’m thinking about committing to something, imagine what I could do when I actually commit to it and practice for 30 days!!!    

I am so excited that I cannot contain myself . . .

My new book, “Thriving Work: 90 days of daily practice for transforming you and your coaching, consulting or healing business” is now available for purchase!!!

“Thriving Work” serves as a journey to your best self and partnering with your clients on their journeys to their best selves . . .

I used the principles in this book to get the book written and published in 7 months – after ‘trying’ to get it written since 2002.  Even more miraculous for me, I used the principles to meet the guy I’ve wanted to meet for my entire life (51 years) and to create an amazing relationship with him!

My clients have used the principles to:

• sign clients
• move to their dream locations
• create their businesses the easy way, rather than the overwhelmed, over-doing way
• raise their fees
• coach their clients through transformation as they are transforming their own lives and businesses . . .

I want you to buy the book so that you, too, can use these principles to bring your Big Dreams into reality!  And support your clients in bringing their Big Dreams into reality!

The first books off the press will be available to ship the first week of August.

To thank you for your support and for pre-ordering the book today, I will send you an autographed copy, with shipping as my gift and with a discount for ordering additional copies for your clients, colleagues and friends.

Discount to order copies for your clients, colleagues and friends, too:
$39.94 for every two copies (off the retail price of $21.95/book)
Write the names and addresses for additional copies in the ‘Comments/Special Delivery Information’ box on the order form.

To read more about the book, download a free chapter, obtain the coupon codes and order books today, visit:
http://www.annstrong.com/thriving-work-book

I so appreciate you being part of the Thriving Coaches community.  You are my inspiration and reason for writing!

Here’s to your journey to your best self and thriving business . . .

Author Matthew Kelly has written several excellent books with a focus on helping people make choices that move them in the direction of becoming the-best-version-of-themselves.

In his book, “The Seven Levels of Intimacy,” he asks readers to ask themselves each day before putting something new on their schedules, “Is this going to help me become the-best-version-of-myself?” And to also ask each morning, “How can I help my partner become the-best-version-of-himself/herself?”

How would your life transform if you asked yourself those two questions each day?

My personal favorite at the moment is his children’s book, “Why Am I Here?”  I’d love to have this book read over and over to every child on the planet!

How can you help a child today make choices that move them in the direction of becoming the-best-version-of-themselves?

To celebrate Independence Day, my sweetheart, Gary, and I decided to go up one of the foothill trails just outside of Denver at dusk to get the bird’s eye view of fireworks displays across the Denver metro area.

When we got to the trail parking lot, I was surprised to see people set up in the parking lot.  They had clearly decided the parking lot would be their vantage point to see whatever fireworks they could from there.  Since neither of us had been on this particular trail before, we debated if maybe these folks knew something we didn’t.  Should we watch from the parking lot, too?

Both of us felt we wanted to see what we could see from a higher perch.  So, we took a ten-minute hike up the trail and found a ridge that allowed us to see most of the metro area from Boulder in the north to Highlands Ranch in the south. We could see an area probably 50 miles wide and 35 miles across.

The view was incredible.  We saw maybe 20 major fireworks displays and dozens of minor ones.  The view encompassed more than either of us expected. We had a delightful evening.  As we came down the trail, I looked to see what the folks in the parking lot might have been able to see.

What are your “fireworks” if you become willing to get out of the parking lot of life?

I was startled to realize that they could maybe have seen a quarter of what we saw.

Then, I realized how often in life we tend to cut ourselves short that way.  We almost didn’t take a ten-minute hike to have an unparalleled experience.

How often do we not do what it takes to get out of the parking lot of life?  How often do we settle for the parking lot, rather than venture up the trail – even a little way up the trail – to experience what we set out to experience?

In what area of your life might you commit to getting out of the parking lot?  What is your first step up the trail?

Feel free to post your commitments, first steps and insights in the comments section.