Issue # 12, February 2004

Dear Impish one,
You are the reason for this newsletter. I'm dedicated to
supporting the "imp" in you - your Inner Magnificent
Potential; your Incredible Mental Powers and your
Inspiring, Magical, Playful inner child.

You're receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to it,
you're a member of "The Imp Community" online, or a friend
passed it on. Sign up or unsubscribe at the end.

A special welcome to new subscribers! Earlier editions are
archived: http://www.theimplady.com/theimpjournal/archives/

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1. Feature Article: "What Do I Write About When I Feel Like a Failure?"
2. Coaching Q&A: "How do I stay focused to get things done?"
3. News, Comments, Success Stories, Winners
4. Inspirational Message to Ponder

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1.Feature Article:
"What Do I Write About When I Feel Like a Failure?"

Uh-oh, Bev, the moment you formed that question, you found your
answer. Write about feeling like a failure.

Oh. (Gulp!)

Feeling... like a failure. Feeling. Allowing the feeling.
Observing it. Discouraged. Timeline not met. Frustrated. Oh,
so-o-o frustrated! That didn't work. Back to square one.
("Hello, Edison, may I join the club?")

Then a quiet inner voice is saying, "You'd only be a failure if
you give up." And I know that long ago I made the decision that
quitting was not an option.

Take a break. Stop pushing the river. Be good to myself. Have
some fun! The challenge will be there to tackle from a fresh
perspective. Persevere!

Now my particular 'failure' (this time) was not getting
StartingLifeOver.com online by January 1st of this year. I
won't bore you with the details of unexpected delays and
technical problems. Totally unexpected. From today's
perspective, so ridiculous I just have to laugh! (As I write,
it is still not online.)

What self-talk do you have when 'feeling like a failure'?
Are you berating yourself? If you find yourself focusing on
'personal shortcomings', STOP!

Honor your feelings. Have compassion for what you are experienc-
ing. Your feelings will transform. I've previously mentioned
Arnold Patent's Spiritual Support Group Handbook which contains
a very effective Feelings Exercise. The handbook is free to
download at http://www.arnoldpatent.com/handbook.pdf.

What keeps me going despite the obstacles? A compelling vision!
Now I just realized I've never fully shared this vision with
you. And it needs to be a shared vision. So I shall be developing
a Vision page for the website. I'll let you know when it is
completed. Because it really is about YOU!

I went back to the Public Library for a book I'd read several
years ago. "Unstoppable: 45 Powerful Stories of Perseverance
and Triumph from People Just Like You" by Cynthia Kersey. She
also has a website http://www.unstoppable.net.

So what 'secrets' do these unstoppable people 'just like you'
have in common?

1. A purpose, a goal, a passion, a dream.
Keep it in front of you with all sorts of reminders. Be creative
in finding ways to keep it compelling.
Neuro-Linquistic-Programming (NLP) includes wonderful techniques
that can help. I took a number of courses at Erickson College in
Vancouver, Canada. During one course, in December 1999, I
created an "Imp" collage which is on my wall to see every day.
A search online will provide you with lots of information about
NLP.
And share your passion with others!

2. See 'failure' as simply a learning experience. Mistakes are
inevitable. There is no success without the willingness to take
risks.

3. See the 'big picture', the long term outcome. Be patient!
Kersey says, "There are no fast-food outlets serving up our
dreams."

4. Keep on keeping on. If you don't give up, you can't fail!

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2.Coaching Q&A:
"How do I stay focused to get things done?"
Maureen from Black Creek, B.C. asks,
"I seem to have too many things on the go. I can look
busy and yet not seem to get anything done. I have too many
ideas. Help! How do I stay focused to get things done?"

Answer: First of all, Maureen, you've hit on the key - staying
focused. Since you don't seem to get anything done, are you
willing to stop for a day and not try to get anything done?
(If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get
what you always got.)

Instead, take a day to gain clarity. (Call a "time out".)
Meditate and/or journal and ask yourself a few questions.
Listen for the intuitive answers.

Which of these activities are obligations? Which are 'shoulds'?
Which reflect your passions and dreams? Which are most
important? Which are urgent? Urgent and important or urgent
but not important ? (What does THAT tell you?) Which are things
only you can do and which can you delegate?

Are your priorities now clearer? Write out your priorities -
for the next year, the next month and for tomorrow. Have a
priority for EACH day.

In the delightful book, "Time Management for Unmanageable
People", authors Dr. Ann Mcgee-Cooper and Duane Trammell define
'contamination' of time - losing focus - not getting full
benefit from either your work or play times. Mind wandering?
Feeling guilty because you 'should' be doing something else?
When you become aware that you are contaminating time, decide
what is the most important thing to be doing right now. (It
might not be what you think it is! Maybe you need a play
break so that you can go back to a task refreshed and able to
focus.) Reclaim time that was being wasted!

Another thing that can help you be more productive is having
systems in place, being organized. For example, a filing system.
Rather than keeping track of a lot of things in your mind,
(a great way to lose focus), keep files. Once you have put
something in a file, stop thinking about it until it is time to
focus on it. Then get out your file and have the information
you now need. (Better than rummaging through a pile of papers
on your desk.)

What is your energy level? How are you taking care of yourself?
Do you recognize the point at which you stop being productive?
When is it time to refocus on something else?

I'd love to know how helpful these suggestions are for you.

Dear Reader,
You are encouraged to ask a question that will be
answered in this column. What issues are you grappling with?
Feeling stuck? Ask for Bev's perspective.
Fresh Input equals More Possibilities for you.
When your question is used, you'll receive a set of whimsical
"Imp" notecards. Go ahead! Send your questions to:
Contact Bev

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3.News, Comments, Success Stories, Winners
Each month in 2003 there was a winner of an Imp t-shirt. I will
be re-ordering t-shirts in the Spring. If you'd like to wear
the phrase "Imagine Magnificent Possibilities" (along with the
Imp's lopsided grin) on your chest let me know. Anyone who
pre-orders a t-shirt will save 10%. No need to pay until your
t-shirt is ready to send. The final price will depend on the
numbers of t-shirts ordered. The last batch sold for $19.95
including shipping and handling. Let me know the sizes you
require - for yourself and as gifts. Children's sizes included.
Shirts are 100% quality cotton, short-sleeved.

The Imp continues to jaunt around the world. Latest destination:
Belize, with my sister, Gwen. Will he show up on the guest map
there? He'd love to show up where YOU live! To check out where
the Imp has been and to request a set of game cards go to
http://www.theimplady.com/theimpjournal/where-in-world.htm
Catch the spirit of "The Imp"!

There are more ideas from Dr. Ann Mcgee-Cooper and Duane Trammell
included in "The Imp" Journal theme 'Indulge in Many Pleasures'.
To order your copy of the book just go to
http://www.theimplady.com/theimpjournal/order-journal.htm
or in B.C. at these fine stores:
http://www.theimplady.com/theimpjournal/popups/where-to-buy.htm
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4.Inspirational Message to Ponder
The Imp encourages you to write the quote on a card, read it
regularly, and then journal about your thoughts, insights,
feelings and, especially, actions.

"The hurrier I go the behinder I get." (anonymous)

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Please share this "IMPressions" newsletter with your friends.
Just hit the forward button on your e-mail program...

Look for your next newsletter in mid-March.

Warmly, "The Imp and I", Beverley ;-)

Beverley Howden, M.Ed.
"The Imp Lady"
Author, Speaker,
Personal Empowerment Facilitator,

1-250-897-0992

 

The Imp is the delight of my life starting over in 1993.
My other website is www.StartingLifeOver.com

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