There is always only one thing between any one of us and all we desire – discomfort.

If we are up to something big and moving through a transition, starting something new and/or releasing something that no longer serves, we tend to feel excited, anxious, scared, happy and downright uncomfortable all at the same time!  Even though all of these emotions can tend to make us feel a bit crazy, they are perfectly normal.

And, it’s an ideal time to partner with a coach to help you navigate your inner landscape as well as consciously and powerfully put into place all of the new, empowering habits to support you in your new situation.

I only start with a new coaching client after we’ve had a deep conversation and you’ve experienced my coaching. We need to agree that together we are a great fit, especially during the discomfort phase.  Because when you and I align our commitment to doing what it takes to move through the discomfort, then you will get amazing results – all you desire in your new life and work . . . and then some!

Sadly, most people aren’t willing to hang in there through the discomfort preceding the transformation.  Some won’t even start the process.

Navigating transition can often feel like moving through sludge or trying to see our way through fog. With a coach partner at your side, you can move through transition with mindfulness and confidence . . .

I have created a new one-on-one, short-term Mindful Transition coaching program.  Send me an email if you’d like to schedule a conversation to see if we’d be a good fit for your situation.

The conversation will be my gift and you’ll receive huge value even if we choose not to work together further after that conversation.  If you just felt a nudge to talk with me, don’t step over it. Give yourself the gift of emailing me now . . .

ORDER YOUR COPY OF “THRIVING WORK” TODAY!!!

“Ann Strong hits the nail on the head with “Thriving Work.”  I’ve long been a fan of her work and am thrilled that she’s offering her expertise in this book!  You can’t help but be inspired by her words, and implementing her suggestions will make all the difference in your business.”
– Jeannette Maw
Good Vibe Coach and Author of
“The Magic of  Pray Rain Journaling”

“Thriving Work” serves as a guide and companion to moving beyond limiting beliefs, perspectives and habits to more consistently and consciously choosing to live and work from your naturally radiant self:
http://www.annstrong.com/thriving-work-book

As I work with my clients to help them grow their businesses and sign new clients, I find one dominant self-defeating habit that thwarts their outreach, again and again.  For some, they become paralyzed, telling themselves they aren’t ready.  Yet most of us continue to engage in this insidious habit, thinking we are responsible, rather than self-defeating.

We all have way too much focus on ourselves.  Paradoxically, this self-consciousness involves being overly concerned about what others think of us.

Incessantly trying to look good and overextending ourselves, we want to make sure we are doing it right to please the other. We tend to wait to see what the other will do (think “waiting to exhale”) instead of freely flowing in our own rhythm, inspired by our own passion.

The roots of this self-consciousness include feeling not good enough, thinking we don’t yet know enough and insisting on doing things perfectly.

One of my symptoms involve checking email too much.  I’m looking to find out who wants to connect, essentially asking the question, “who likes me now?”  

Another of my symptoms: recently I told my coach, Jeff, that I felt weird because not very many people were giving me feedback after they read my new book.  I realized that what I meant by “weird” was not being sure who I am or if I am good enough if people don’t tell me my book is good, that my book helped them.

Wow!  I am now using an awareness process in which I notice myself looking to the other and then remind myself that who likes me and what people think about me is none of my business.  I have absolutely no control over what another person does or doesn’t do. 

And, if I try to control them, I have lost the beautiful, true power that I do have:

• The power to be me.
• The power to create my life and work.
• The power to fully express myself and my unique gifts (sometimes imperfectly, sometimes messy).
• The power to love and connect with others.
• The power to invite others to participate with me, allowing them to freely choose, rather than trying to twist myself into a pretzel to “get” them to play with me.

The joy of practicing partner yoga with my 10-year-old niece, Hailey: we both had a ton of fun, each fully ourselves without trying to take care of or impress the other.

ORDER YOUR COPY OF “THRIVING WORK” TODAY!!!

“Ann Strong hits the nail on the head with “Thriving Work.”  I’ve long been a fan of her work and am thrilled that she’s offering her expertise in this book!  You can’t help but be inspired by her words, and implementing her suggestions will make all the difference in your business.”
– Jeannette Maw
Good Vibe Coach and Author of
“The Magic of  Pray Rain Journaling”

“Thriving Work” serves as a guide and companion to moving beyond limiting beliefs, perspectives and habits to more consistently and consciously choosing to live and work from your naturally radiant self:
http://www.annstrong.com/thriving-work-book

Last week, I shared with you that Mary McHenry had graciously offered to facilitate a ritual which supported me in more fully receiving, allowing and committing to my stewardship of the body of work known as my new book “Thriving Work.”

This book will reach and impact far more people than I can ever know. I trust it to go out into the world and do what it is here to do! I had no idea that it would require courage . . .

She had asked me to bring a copy of the book for the ritual.  I imagined that during our ritual I would sign a copy to me, for me as I had been signing the book for so many other people.

And, Spirit had other plans.

Mary felt guided to have me put the book in the river.  Literally.

And, Mary knows me well enough to know that I would probably wouldn’t want to do that.  Which I didn’t!

Looking back, I see the perfection of the guidance.  I had imagined I would sign a copy of the book to me and instead I “baptized” the book and then let it go into the Stream of Life.  

It was no longer about me.  

I trusted Life to take my “baby” where it’s needed.  I put my it out into the world, beyond my control.

One of the many reasons I love ritual so much involves this visceral experiencing.  There I was, standing up to my knees in the cold stream summoning my courage to let my baby go do what it is here to do in the world.  I felt my hesitation.  And then I did what needed to be done.

I trust that the books will reach those they are meant to reach.  I trust that it is beyond my control.

Wouldn’t it make a great story if someone told me one day that they had found my book washed up on shore along Boulder Creek and it had changed their life?!?  And yet, I will probably never know of all the lives that the book changes.  And still, I trust that it is changing lives.

Thank you Spirit.  Thank you Mary.

ORDER YOUR COPY OF “THRIVING WORK” TODAY!!!

“Ann Strong hits the nail on the head with “Thriving Work.”  I’ve long been a fan of her work and am thrilled that she’s offering her expertise in this book!  You can’t help but be inspired by her words, and implementing her suggestions will make all the difference in your business.”
– Jeannette Maw
Good Vibe Coach and Author of
“The Magic of  Pray Rain Journaling”

“Thriving Work” serves as a guide and companion to moving beyond limiting beliefs, perspectives and habits to more consistently and consciously choosing to live and work from your naturally radiant self:
http://www.annstrong.com/thriving-work-book

Last week I told you briefly about a beautiful ritual that Mary McHenry facilitated for me which supported me in more fully receiving, allowing and committing to my stewardship of the body of work known as my new book “Thriving Work.”

Before I tell you more about it, I’d like to offer you my definition of “ritual:” formal communion with the Divine.

Given that the entire book involves accessing more of our own Divinity in, through and for our work, it seems only natural that I would utilize ritual to put the book out in the world.  Yet, that wasn’t always obvious to me.

Once I received the first shipment of books from the publisher, my first thought was “party.”  Which is quite strange because over the years I haven’t really liked parties.  Even the few I’ve hosted myself.  Not surprisingly then, the party idea did not take hold.  In fact, it caused me a fair amount of stress as a “should.”

What a relief when I finally canceled the party and Mary called me to suggest a ritual.  I adore the sacredness, the power and the intimacy of ritual.  The ritual began to unfold from the moment she spoke.

Ah, the comfort of having a guide through the wilderness of new territory . . . If you’re having a growth spurt or growing pains in your business or find yourself in the midst of personal transition, call Mary to facilitate a beautiful and powerful ritual for you and your business. 303.258.3803.

We didn’t plan details.  Mary requested I bring a few things for the ritual including a copy of the book.  The next day, as I was signing copies for folks who had bought the book, I realized I did not have my own “official” copy of the book.  I imagined that during our ritual I would sign a copy to me, for me.

Spirit had other plans.

(To be continued next week.)

ORDER YOUR COPY OF “THRIVING WORK” TODAY!!!

“Ann Strong hits the nail on the head with “Thriving Work.”  I’ve long been a fan of her work and am thrilled that she’s offering her expertise in this book!  You can’t help but be inspired by her words, and implementing her suggestions will make all the difference in your business.”
– Jeannette Maw
Good Vibe Coach and Author of
“The Magic of  Pray Rain Journaling”

“Thriving Work” serves as a guide and companion to moving beyond limiting beliefs, perspectives and habits to more consistently and consciously choosing to live and work from your naturally radiant self:
http://www.annstrong.com/thriving-work-book

Today, I am walking taller, with my heart more open because yesterday I got my butt onto the land alongside Boulder Creek in Eldora, Colorado and listened to Nature.

Pausing along Boulder Creek to enjoy the many gifts of nature . . .

I am still reflecting on the simple, yet profound ritual that Mary McHenry facilitated for me to more fully receive, allow and commit to my stewardship of the body of work known as my new book “Thriving Work.”

After I’ve had some time to integrate, I would love to share more with you next week.

Until then, I encourage you to get out into nature in whatever way feeds you.  Allow the elements to restore, recalibrate, reawaken, remind and reinvigorate you.

ORDER YOUR COPY OF “THRIVING WORK” TODAY!!!

“When it comes to working ‘for’ yourself, you need a realistic guide to working ‘with’ yourself.  Ann Strong’s book, “Thriving Work” provides spiritually-grounded practices to help us astonish ourselves and the world.”
– Tama Kieves
Author of “This Time I Dance: Creating the Work You Love”

“Thriving Work” serves as a guide and companion to moving beyond limiting beliefs, perspectives and habits to more consistently and consciously choosing to live and work from your naturally radiant self:
http://www.annstrong.com/thriving-work-book

During a LinkedIn discussion for business coaches who coach entrepreneurs, I came across the question: “What is the single most important skill for business owners?” 57 coaches had already answered the question with replies like focus, marketing skills, leadership, emotional intelligence and seizing opportunities.

Hmmm, I pondered, “Is there truly a single most important skill?”  And then I realized what foundation is essential for every one of those 57 skills.

The most important “skill” for business owners:
A life-long commitment to peeling away all the limiting beliefs, perspectives and habits that get in the way of naturally growing your business from your full, radiant self.

The sunflower does not ask, “What is the most important skill I need for me to do my business here on the planet?” It simply does its business because it isn’t encumbered with human beliefs, perspectives and habits that keep it from naturally growing into its best self.

The less limiting beliefs, perspectives and habits we have, the more we naturally focus, market, lead, play well with others and seize opportunities.  

What daily practices do you engage in to consistently and consciously peel away all that stands between you and your natural brilliance?

The most important “skill” for you as a business owner involves whatever daily spiritual practice most supports you in peeling away the limiting beliefs, perspectives and habits stands between you and the best of you.

ORDER YOUR COPY OF “THRIVING WORK” TODAY!!!

“When it comes to working ‘for’ yourself, you need a realistic guide to working ‘with’ yourself.  Ann Strong’s book, “Thriving Work” provides spiritually-grounded practices to help us astonish ourselves and the world.”
– Tama Kieves
Author of “This Time I Dance: Creating the Work You Love”

“Thriving Work” serves as a guide and companion to moving beyond limiting beliefs, perspectives and habits to more consistently and consciously choosing to live and work from your naturally radiant self:
http://www.annstrong.com/thriving-work-book

“Whether we are just starting our business or taking it to the next level, our human nature tends to cause us to doubt and/or second-guess ourselves.  The most potent remedy is counter-intuitive.  Instead of striving for “perfection,” committing to imperfect vulnerability, expression and aliveness naturally evokes radiant clarity and confidence.” *

Last week I watched a powerful TED Talk, a 20-minute video by Brene Brown, about whole-heartedness and vulnerability.  I’ve since watched it again and haven’t been able to get it out of my mind.  

For those of us in the business of helping people create their best lives and best work, the most powerful thing we can do ourselves involves fully engaging in the messy process of creating our own best lives and work for ourselves, too.  Which requires vulnerability.  Which makes most of us squirm.

Take a deep breath, give yourself permission to squirm and gift yourself 20 minutes to watch this powerful video:
Brene Brown: The power of vulnerability

ORDER YOUR COPY OF “THRIVING WORK” TODAY!!!

“One part business coach, one part poetess, one part priestess, Ann Strong has given us a transcendent new type of business book.  She guides the reader with a gentle hand and deep wisdom, and the powerful integration of practical business and spiritual insight.”
– Suzi Pomerantz
Executive Coach and Author of “Seal the Deal”

Growing your coaching business is easier and harder than you ever imagined.  Read “Thriving Work” so that you don’t have to learn it all the hard way!
http://www.annstrong.com/thriving-work-book

*Excerpted from my just released, “Thriving Work: 90 days of daily practice for transforming you and your coaching, consulting or healing business.”  Copyright 2011.

Today, as I pause for a moment to integrate the wonder of just having published a book, Thriving Work, I share this short, powerful meditation from the “Thrive” chapter with you:

FLOURISHING

Clear Mind.

Open Heart.

Strong Body.

Radiant Spirit.

Excerpted from my just released, “Thriving Work: 90 days of daily practice for transforming you and your coaching, consulting or healing business.”  Copyright 2011.

ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!!!

“Thriving Work” serves as a guide and companion as we commit to our own transformation and partner with our clients in their transformations.
http://www.annstrong.com/thriving-work-book

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 . . .