Want Different Results .... Change Your Actions

Latest article....

http://www.bayareawj.com/want-different-results-change-your-actions/

With Love,
Nikki

24 hours ....

I read an article today (that my insightful boyfriend sent me) that really got me thinking about my life, my finances and most important, what I value most. Something I personally struggle with often is what I call 'financial insecurity'. Although, I've not really examined this fully, I know it comes from a deep place of distrust. And as such, when I notice it rearing it's ugly head I ask for more faith. How does this insecurity rear its ugly head? Typically it shows up through anxiety, restricting myself in various ways, spats of frustration (over seemingly small things) and an inability to stop thinking about my financial welfare. It's time consuming, energy draining and fruitless.

While reading this article today

http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/02/15/george-kinder-three-questions-about-life-planning/
I began to think about what money means to me..... and why I place so much importance on it. What does it really get me? And more important, does it get me the things, people, places, experiences that I most value? In the above article this question was asked, "What would you do if you only had 24-hours left?" The first thing that popped into my head was spend it with as many friends and loved ones as I could gather in that time. Money was not in the equation. Not even close. Now, that doesn't mean I don't value money or think it's important in order to live - it is. We do need money to buy food, pay for our shelter and clothe our bodies. However, it is not the end-all, be-all. That said this world is very focused on material things - nice dinners out, the latest fashions, excursions, pretty homes, exquisite home furnishings, etc.... which make it very hard to keep money in any kind of spiritual perspective. However, when I really think about it I recognize I came into this world penniless and I will leave the same way. What money I do have today came from a source much greater than myself and can be taken at any time, lest I become too attached. We see it all the time - people make a lot of money, become too self-indulgent and in a flash it's gone. I am certainly not here to say what amount of money is right for people to have, however, I do believe that when your foundation is made up of material things versus what could be termed as the spiritual things (values, experiences, love, intimacy) it can crumble at any time whereas the later will sustain and continue giving. When I can see money through this lens I have much more freedom and can see that money is NOT the most important 'thing' in my life - friends, family and experiences (that are often little to no money) are!

When it comes to my final 24-hours I do not want to regret having spent too much time obsessing about money or berating my life because I compared myself to those who had more material items. At the end of it all - I get to take none of those things with me.... I do however get to take love, memories, great conversations and belly laughter with me ..... the things that matter.

Enjoy your life .... and trust that you have EVERYTHING you need, right now!


With love & gratitude,
Nikki

Time Outs

Here's my latest article on Bay Area Women's Journal - http://www.bayareawj.com/recharge-your-life-with-a-time-out/

Love,
Nikki

Crutches ....

Read my latest article on procrastination through using crutches....

Happy reading ....

Love Nikki


http://www.bayareawj.com/procrastination-and-crutches-go-together/

Staying Consistent ....

One of my intentions for the coming year is to be more consistent in my words and actions. Do you ever find yourself complaining to a friend or loved one about how you want to start doing ..... X .... and you wish they would too? AND then, you never do anything about it. I've noticed myself saying over and over I really want to get back to church and I really want to start reading more often.... and then, I never do. I just can't seem to *find* the time to incorporate these things back into my life. And then, to make matters worse, I blame someone else (internally, of course) for my lack of taking action (usually my boyfriend). First of all, it most certainly is NOT his fault and secondly anything (and I do mean ANYTHING) I set my mind to, I can and will accomplish. So, saying that I don't have the time is a lame excuse and not owning the result of my action (or lack thereof) is even lamer!

So, in 2010 I am setting an intention right now that I am going to be a woman of my word. If there's something I say I want (especially if I voice it MORE than once) I am going to take myself seriously and do something about it. Likewise, if I say that there is something I don't want (that I'm currently doing) I'm going to change it rather than talk about it .... only. If I want others to believe in me (and my word) then I need to live by my actions, not intentions.

What are you putting off taking action on today? Stop talking and start acting..... today! ; )


Speaking of which ..... I have a NEW *PILOT* women's group starting on Sunday, January 31st at 6:30Pm in San Francisco. I have 5 more spots open. Contact me SOON if you want to join. The cost is low ($20 per meeting), cool women and a great way to get clear and STAY clear on how you want to design your 2010!

Also, check out my latest article in the SF Bay Area Women's Journal - http://www.bayareawj.com/how-to-keep-your-resolutions-sustainable/


Love & hugs,
Nikki

Looking Forward....

These past couple of weeks have been a time of reflection and planning for me.... what happened last year? What worked? What didn't? What will I do different this coming year? And, what do I want my focus for the coming year to be? All around me I hear the buzz of how to make the New Year your best year yet by becoming more productive, focused, efficient, pro-active and strategic - all of which are excellent suggestions - depending on the goal/s. I know for myself that this will be a year full of exciting changes and new experiences. I also know that I am becoming more focused on what's important to me and how and with whom I want to spend my time. That's a great thing! It means less days feeling like I spun my wheels aimlessly. I am also very aware that in the midst of creating goals and underscoring my points of focus I can lose sight of my most basic need - to stay grounded and 'connected' to my source.

I don't mean to sound hokey but it's very easy (at least for me) to get swept up in work matters and getting things done .... and bypass the fundamentals that help me to stay focused - taking time out to write, meditate, pray, worship and be of service to those who are struggling. It is when I partake in these actions that I am filled up, grounded and better able to 'prioritize' my to-do's.

In the midst of making resolutions let us not forget the basics that will 'always' fuel us and empower us to achieve our goals (at least the ones that really 'matter').

Here's to a *productive* day .....

Love,
Nikki

Remembering 2009

Since we are closing 2009, I thought I'd start a series of questions to help me and hopefully you reflect on this past year. Here's to all the lessons - some learned and some I hope to learn the next time around. And, for the blessings - some apparent and some disguised.

1 My most memorable moment of 2009 was when.... Interesting that when I reflect on this question I can barely reach past last week to find a 'memorable' moment. Does this mean that there weren't any? Absolutely not. It does however, remind me how rapidly things move and change and that what I choose to think about and/or obsess on today will most likely shift in some way by tomorrow and certainly by next week. I would say that the most memorable moment that comes to mind over the past year was when I "knew" that my boyfriend was the "one". I got into my car alone after having coffee with him and said out loud "Really God? Him?" .... and then I smiled because the answer was "YES".

2. The thing I'm most grateful for in 2009 is.... This question makes me realize that I have SO much to be grateful for - far beyond the externals that I regularly take note of (i.e. my health, my friends, Danny, my family, work I love, my home, my car, etc...) What I'm most grateful for over the past year is my willingness to grow. To practice authenticity. To experience being human - falling in love, having my feelings hurt, experiencing pure bliss, feel disappointed, feeling scared, not know the answers and be challenged in many ways..... all without changing the experience with any kind of mind or mood altering substance. Experiencing being human in the raw. And, I owe much of this to all my teachers, mentors, sponsor, coaches, boyfriend and friends that have supported and loved me over the past year. Thank you!

3. The greatest lesson I learned in 2009 was.... There are so many lessons it's hard to pinpoint just one. Every day I believe God is teaching me a new lesson (or at least trying to). These lessons show up in a variety of ways through a variety of sources. That said, if I had to boil it down to the 'greatest' lesson of 2009, I would say that I have come to believe (and live) that anything is possible. That dreams really do come true. Not always in my time (or yours) but they do come to fruition if I will be patient, faithful AND do my part in participating in the process. My lesson is that I am worthy of having my dreams come true - just as YOU are!

4. The thing that I'm most proud of accomplishing in 2009 is.... This question may be the toughest of them all .... I find it much easier to look ahead at what I want to create in the coming days, months or year - not so easy to look back with a pat on the back and an "atta boy". It seems these days nothing is ever really 'finished' - it's all one big process, which makes it hard to feel like any one thing is getting accomplished. That said, I do believe in the importance of and often coach my clients around finding 'something' to acknowledge themselves for on a regular basis. It seems to work as a great confidence and energy booster. So, to honor my own belief I suppose I'd better start drinking my own 'cool-aid'. ; ) So.... I'm proud of allowing myself to fall in love and be vulnerable in a partnership, I'm proud that I've expanded my business by starting a blog, changing my website, working with out-of-state clients and partnering with other coaches, I'm proud that I'm buying a new car by the end of this month that will be all mine and I'm proud that I've run over 3 miles outside for the first time..... to name a few. These are some fun accomplishments to acknowledge myself for - no doubt. However, I think the most important accomplishment over this past year (now that I think about it) has been when I've helped someone to love who they are MORE. That's what truly gives me the most gratification and feeling of 'accomplishment'.


I hope this sparks some thought for you on what you have to remember over this past year.....

More to come - stay tuned.


With love and gratitude,

Nikki