Are You Wondering If You Are Living in Your Strengths?

If you are effectively living in your strengths then chances are you are happy. If you are living in areas in which you are weak, and perhaps wondering what on earth your strengths are, then you could definitely find more happiness by finding out your strengths. When you are clear what your strengths are, then you can figure out how to use them. When are using your strengths constructively every day, you will find more satisfaction with yourself and with your life. Let's look at the first step, finding out your strengths.

An easy way to figure out your strengths is to take the Gallup's StrengthsFinder. The StrengthsFinder can be accessed online by purchasing the book Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham & Donald O. Clifton, Ph.D. A code allows you access to the StrengthsFinder assessment. After taking the assessment, you will be given your top five strengths. While there are other ways to determine your strengths, this is an effective, focused, straightforward way.

Once people get their strengths, they sometimes dismiss them because their strengths seem so obvious to them. The situation is almost like our health. When we have it, we are fine. It is only when we lose our heath that it becomes a concern. If you have your strengths and are living in them, you are fine. Now you have words to describe who you are. Once you have your strengths, you now can sit with them to more fully understand who you are.

Once you more fully understand who you are, you can figure out how to live your life to suit you. A great example of living his strengths in the short term is Alex, my 18-year-old step son, who just returned from a convention in Anaheim. He is very strategic. He used that strength to plan each day at Disneyland. This strategy included having two time-stamped and time-limited fast passes for working the lines on different rides. He also went on all of his preselected choices at least once. He was definitely the leader of his group of Disneyland attendees.

A long term example is a few years ago, when a client of mine was hired for all of his strengths. However, over time he grew uneasy about his work. It turns out that through reorganizations and new bosses, his job had morphed away from his strengths. What to do? Go back and figure out how to use more of his strengths. The process of just coming to the conclusion of looking to use more of his strengths brought relief.

What does this mean for you? If you are looking for greater satisfaction and more happiness, look to your strengths. When you are living in your strengths, you will find yourself resonating with life. You may even be delighted by how much fun it is to do something and notice how long you enjoy being involved. It is then you will understand the importance of living in your strengths.

Caron MacLane coaches people to fully use and live in their strengths. Caron's clients begin when they are unclear how to proceed and yet are motivated to move forward in their lives. They are frustrated with their lives and would like things to be easier. She takes people full Circle through their strengths to live the lives of their dreams.

In living your strengths, you become fully you. If you are ready to live the life of your dreams through your strengths or for more information, click on her website http://www.caroncirclecc.com/ You can also contact her directly at Caron@CaronCircleCC.com.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Caron_MacLane/86059

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2788554

Make Your Life Magical - Not Work

How often have you wanted to upgrade a certain area of your life, only to find it too much "work"? Most people set personal and professional goals, and then are stunted in their achievement of those goals.

Let's look at some ways to make things easier, in the flow and more magical.

1) DECIDE what you want. You can't get what you really want if you don't know what you want. This sounds simple, but when I ask clients, they're often vague saying things like: "I want to have better relationships, I want more interesting work." This simply is not compelling or clear enough to move you forward.

2) ASK for what you want. This may be literal, like asking for a raise, more time with your spouse, or to be treated with respect. However, it's also spiritual. State what you want in the affirmative. No pleading, whining, or sense of not deserving. Let's say you want to earn $70,000 a year or more. You would write and say a statement like: I am so joyful and grateful that I easily receive $70,000 or more a year in salary, happy gifts and welcome suprises!

An additional idea for asking is to write what Noah St. John & Denise Berard call Afformations. In their Book of Afformations, they explain that the brain is a question answering, solution seeking "machine." So, simply asking afformitive questions brings positive answers and results. Here are a few samples: "Why do I enjoy the huge benefits I bring to others through my wild abundance? Why is it so easy to talk about money to my spouse? Why has God given me the power to obtain great wealth? Why is money such a wonderful gift to me? Why does money come to me so easily?"

3) BELIEVE that what you want is on the way. If you've ever planted anything, you know that you simply water, give sunlight and wait. You believe that the seeds you planted will become a flower, plant, vegetable or fruit. It can take days or weeks before the first sprout. The time frame didn't stop you from believing it would happen. The same is true for getting what you want.

4) FEEL the feelings. Again, it is essential that while you envision what you want, you feel joy, gratitude, excitement, love, peace, passion.

5) DO! As you get guidance, opportunity and insight, do what you know to do . Enjoy the process.

6) RECEIVE! This is part of the process. Receive what you wanted. It often turns out better then what you wanted. Give thanks, put some of what you received back into the flow and start again!

NOW let's play with these magical steps. Take a look at the playtime renewal below.

Summertime - Playtime with Renewal!Take a look at the areas listed below. See which statements are true for you and the statements you'd like to be true for you. Now use the magical steps you just learned in the information above and apply the steps to what you want. Please be sure you write me with your results!

1) BODY -

* My is beautiful and exactly how I want it.

* My skin is beautiful.

* My teeth look great.

* My posture is great.

* I look and feel at least 10 years younger than my age.

* I eat healthy food and exercise regularly.

2) MY SPIRIT

* I see beauty in everything.
* I am well connected to spirit, which is my energy source.
* I feel overwhelmingly grateful.
* I have strong intuition and follow my intuition.
* I have a sense of God's presence around and through me.

3) MY HEART
* Each of my friends love me and are unconditionally positive with me.
* I ask for what I want and need.
* My heart feels joyous, loving & at peace.
* I protect myself from energy vampires and nasty, negative people.
* I am lighthearted and enjoyable to be with.

4) MY SELF CARE
* I am on the top of my "to do" list.
* I keep a pace that is comfortable for me.
* I enjoy my own company.
* I eat well & exercise regularly.
* I've looked at other areas of self care and added those enriching things into my life.

5) MY HOME
* I love being in my home.
* My home nourishes me.
* I have beauty inside and outside my home.
* I feel good welcoming others into my home.
* I feel safe, secure and happy in my home.

6) MY FAMILY
* I enjoy my partner, we are happy, kind and supportive of one another.
* My children are well balanced, socially skilled, compassionate individuals who take responsibility for their actions at an age appropriate level.
* I love being with my family.
* I have worked through issues from my family of origin and forgiven the past.
* I live in the present moments with my family.

7) MY WORK
* I love my work.
* My work is fulfilling, creative and enjoyable.
* I am amazingly well trained, highly competent and productive in my work.
* I am well regarded in my field.
* I enjoy my workspace.

8) MY FINANCES
* I have $100,000 in savings or liquid investments.
* I have insurance to take care of my health, loved ones & the things I own.
* My net income is increasing annually.
* I am taking advantage of the 8th wonder of world...i.e. compounding interest on sound investments.
* I have a sound financial plan for retirement.

Copyright 2007, Iris Fanning. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. www.irisfanning.com [http://www.irisfanning.com] Reprint Rights: You may reprint this article as long as you leave all of the links active, do not edit the article in any way and give author name credit.

Please visit our website and sign up for your FREE weekly newsletter. Simply click to opt in or out. Visit: [http://www.irisfanning.com]

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Iris_Fanning/38387

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/629334

Seth Godin | Advice that Changed My Life

I Need a Break

Work and family demands or the weather can get us to thinking about getting away from it all! Unfortunately, many people go away on vacation and return feeling tired and stressed. Here are some things to consider:

1. Stay home - If you really need a rest, you could just plan to take time off from your job and not go anywhere. You likely have reading, movies and hobbies that never get touched because of busyness and staying at home can offer you a cost-free opportunity to enjoy them.
2. Consider the timing - Deciding to go on a trip can be expensive but if you are willing to shop around, there are times that will offer you savings. Flying mid-week is usually less expensive than on weekends. Off season also costs less and there are always airline sales that offer discounts at various times throughout the year.
3. Set a budget and allow for extras - Travel often costs more than expected, especially if you have delays or need transportation that you hadn't expected. My cousin used to say that there isn't any point in buying a boat if you can't afford the gas to run it! Make sure you have access to extra funds before you leave just in case!
4. Think about travel options - When I went to Boston a couple of years ago, I decided to travel by train to Philadelphia and then to Lancaster. I loved it! Try taking a ferry, boat or even bicycle during part of your adventure.
5. Read reviews about accommodations - There are so many choices when it comes to finding a good place to stay and this can be confusing. I don't always look for the most popular tourist areas because most places have good transportation options. Also, remember that when I go away, I am going for a rest. I look for clean rooms and good customer service as priorities.
6. Under pack - You likely don't need as many clothes as you think. Leave room in your luggage for items that you might want to bring home with you. You can always purchase something there. And it is a good idea to pack a smaller suitcase or an extra bag inside your suitcase in case you need it. It is usually less expensive to pay airlines for an extra bag than an overweight one.
7. Allow for delays - Life happens! Weather, mechanical problems and other uncontrollable incidents can result in your flight being cancelled. (That is why you might need extra funds for a hotel stay or meal).
8. Treat airports like malls - You can sit and complain about having to wait or you can enjoy your time. I often purchase birthday cards, get my hair done or order a nice meal while I am waiting for connections. It's actually not very different from visiting a mall in my home city.
9. Plan rest days. I usually plan one day with a tour or outing followed by one day of rest. Most of my trips are ten days which allow two for travel, four for enjoying the surroundings and four for self-care.
10. Consult with "locals" - Staff at the hotel or in retail stores will tell you where they eat and shop. These are usually non-tourist sites that offer excellent bargains and lots of nice surprises.

The secret to a good break is in the planning. Investing a little time up front will likely result in lots of smiles and memories for years to come!

And now I would like to invite you to claim your Free Instant Access to a complimentary list of 10 Steps to Making Your Life an Adventure when you visit http://lindahancock.com

From Dr. Linda Hancock, Registered Psychologist and Registered Social Worker

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Linda_Hancock/152728

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/10127673

MOST AWESOME ADVICE EVER............ "OUR ONLY LIMITATIONS ARE THOSE WE SET UP IN OUR MINDS."