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| Category: Life Coaching |
Date published: December 17, 2003 |
From Striving To Thriving
by Helaine Iris
 Helaine Iris © 2003
?The difference between what we do, and what we are capable of
doing, would solve most of the world's problems.? Mahatma Gandhi
A few months ago I wrote an article about a client of mine who's
been struggling to grow her business to the next level. She's an
extremely talented and creative professional with a potential
gold mine of a business.
She's been determined to uncover and embrace her limiting
beliefs eagerly accepting coaching to challenge herself to the
next level professionally and personally. She put new structures
in place to build a strong foundation from which to grow her
enterprise.
She's been striving to achieve her goals, yet she feels
exhausted.
Last week, when she ?hit the wall? and was about ready to throw
in the towel I asked her, ?What if you stop striving and started
thriving? How might you feel different??
There was dead silence on the other end of the phone. After some
time she replied with a burst of relieved laughter, ?Now THAT
would truly be empowering.?
She then went on to declare how this coming year of her life
would be about thriving instead of surviving and striving.
This gratifying interaction got me thinking about the
distinction between striving and thriving and how they are and
feel different from each other. Webster's Dictionary defines
strive as 1. To make great effort; try very hard. 2. To be in
conflict; struggle; contend; fight. Versus the definition of
thrive. 1. To prosper or flourish; be successful. 2. To grow
vigorously or luxuriantly.
Making a mental shift can be the first step in how you
experience your life. Distinguishing what you don't want will
create a contrast that allows what you do want to rise to the
fore. Once you're clear about what you want, you can then
prepare and devise the structures to support you and begin
implementing the shift.
Are you striving or are you thriving? How would your life be
different if you could make this profound mental shift?
Here's the process my client used to make the shift in her life,
why not give it a try?
1. She called for a ?time out?. She put her life on pause for a
moment and reflected. She became aware that despite the apparent
forward movement in her life, there was still something out of
balance. She was tired of feeling stressed. She acknowledged
what she was feeling and began to verbalize it.
2. She let herself imagine what it might be like to be thriving
in her life instead of struggling. She detailed the various
areas of her life and painted a clear picture of what her life
would be like next year at this time.
3. Then she reassessed her projects: what she did want to take
forward with her, and what did she need to let go of in order to
prioritize her time according to her values and purpose?
4. Next, she looked at the tasks she thought she ?had? to do to
succeed versus what she ?wanted? to do. Much to her surprise,
she found they were the same tasks; with this reframe, she
realized she liked the tasks as they were an essential part of
her professional expression.
5. Finally, she resumed her activities and strategies, but this
time with a very different outlook. She now approached her same
life and tasks with a renewed sense of excitement and focus.
Today, she's thriving. Her energy has increased and her stress
level has decreased. Now, she has a bigger problem, business is
rolling in. It's a pretty great problem to have.
It's YOUR life...imagine the possibilities!
About the author:
Helaine Iris is a certified Life Coach, writer and teacher that loves her life. She works with individuals, and self-employed professionals, who want to thrive in their business while crafting a life that's in absolute alignment with their highest ideals, deepest values. For a solution focused complimentary session visit her website http://www.pathofpurpose.com or call her 603-357-8546 or email her helaine@pathofpurpose.com
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