Gear Up for Success! Laurie Geary, Life Coach

	Gear up for Success!
	<The 8 R's of RESPONSIBLE RISK-TAKING>>
	>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> GEAR UP FOR SUCCESS! "Tips, Techniques...and Tasks" - a weekly newsletter designed to support you in getting IN GEAR to create the life you want today! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Issue #119 <The 8 R's of RESPONSIBLE RISK-TAKING>> May 10, 2002 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> brought to you by Laurie Riddell Geary, M.Ed., PCC. Coaching you to get your life IN GEAR by making shifts, finding balance, accelerating your growth, and mapping the best route to your chosen destination:a life filled with passion and purpose! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> : 1. Welcome! 2. a POEM: <RISKING> 3. Weekly Article: <<The 8 R's of RESPONSIBLE RISK-TAKING>> 4. Recommended Tasks 5. Recommended BOOKS 6. Upcoming local WORKSHOPS 7. SUBSCRIPTION information >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>. 1. WELCOME Welcome to <GEAR UP FOR SUCCESS: TIPS, TECHNIQUES & TASKS> I would like to welcome all my new subscribers! Over 500 people subscribe to my newsletter and I really appreciate your forwarding it to all your friends and colleagues. Your recommendations help me growand develop as a coach, trainer, and writer. Anyone can subscribe by going to my website www.ingearcoaching.com or by simply emailing your subscription request to me at laurie@ingearcoaching.com Thank you so much for all your support! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 2. a POEM: RISKING... If you want to feel secure, do what you already know how to do. But if you want to grow, go to the cutting edge of your competence, which means a temporary loss of security. So whenever you don't quite know what you are doing, know that you are growing! (Author unknown) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 3. Weekly Article: <<THE 8 R'S of RESPONSIBLE RISK-TAKING>> Whenever we take a risk we learn something. Whether it's a small or a large risk, a physical risk or an emotional risk, when we risk we move out of our comfort zone into our learning zone. The more conscious we can become of the risks we take, the more beneficial our learning will be. Life is all about risk. It is actually impossible NOT to risk: if we try to stay in our comfort zone eventually some external event will occur that will create change. This is a universal principle: "the more fixed and stable something becomes, the greater the chance for instability." If risk (change) is going to happen anyway, why not be more in control of what happens? Let's choose the risks we want to take rather than letting chance events create a potential crisis! We can learn how to be more effective in our personal and professional growth through responsible risk-taking. Follow <<THE 8 R'S of RESPONSIBLE RISK-TAKING>> 1 - READINESS How does one best prepare for responsible risk-taking? The first step is to CLARIFY the RISKs) you want to take and then create an ACTION PLAN including all the STEPS to take and set up DEADLINES for completion Then ASK (and ANSWER) these KEY QUESTIONS: What is the desired/expected OUTCOME for taking this risk? What will success look like? What are the PROS & CONS for taking this risk? What would be the worst possible consequence for taking this risk? Could I handle that consequence? What would be the best possible consequence? Could I handle that? Who are my SUPPORT SYSTEM? Who will encourage and motivate me? Whom should I avoid (non-supportive people)? How will my risking impact the people around me? How will I handle their responses? Do I have the CHARACTERISTICS of a "smart" risk-taker? How can I develop good risk-taking characteristics? What SKILLS/EDUCATION do I need to learn? What INFORMATION do I need? TIMING: Is this the right time to take this risk? Will I regret it if I don't take this risk now? How will I feel later not having taken this risk? What will interfere in my taking this risk? How can I reduce or eliminate any OBSTACLES to risking? How can I MOTIVATE myself to take this risk? What's my "gut" feeling/INTUITION about taking this risk? Can I create an ENVIRONMENTt that will motivate/encourage/inspire/support me in risking? How can I build my Personal Foundation/SELF ESTEEM to support me in risking? What can I learn from my RISK HISTORY? i.e. the risks have I taken over my lifetime. What strengths have I developed to risk now? Do I want to build in a SAFETY NET for risking? i.e. if I move out of my comfort zone, can I return to it if I don't like the perceived outcome? 2 - REHEARSAL Another way to prepare for responsible risk-taking is to find ways to rehearse or practice the risk ahead of time. eg. if you are planning to risk giving a speech you can rehearse in the following ways: WRITE out your speech; get feedback from a friend/professional on how to improve it. ROLE PLAY your speech: practice giving your speech to a selected audience VISUALIZE success in giving your speech. TAPE RECORD or VIDEOTAPE your speech; get feedback from a professional HIRE a COACH and/or IMAGE CONSULTANT to help you be most effective in giving your speech. Use AFFIRMATIONS to create the successful words that will draw you towards your goal. 3 - RELAXATION Knowing ways to reduce the stressful feelings (fear, anxiety, disorientation...) of risking will increase your chances of success. There are many techniques that you can learn and practice for best relaxation: Diaphragmatic Breathing: practice breathing before and during risking. Deep Muscle Relaxation Systemmatic Desensitization: a method for reducing anxiety in small, incremental steps. Meditation: There are many different methods of meditating to achieve relaxation. Use tapes or workshops to help you learn your favorite method. Yoga Massages/Facials Hot Baths/Hot Tubs 4 - RISK MUSCLE The more you risk, the easier it gets. Like weight lifting which increases your muscle strength over time, taking small and large risks over time will build your risk strength. Acknowledging your efforts at risking will help you grow, as will taking the time to reflect back on all the risks you have taken in your lifetime. Ways to build your risk muscle include: Take your Risk History - What risks have you taken in your life? what did you learn? what strengths have you developed? what risks do you still want to take? Take small risks each day - each week - each month: set up a plan to build your risk muscle by taking small/large risks over time. Be accountable to yourself! Ask others how they see you as a risk taker; ask them to help you continue to build your risk muscle. 5 - RESERVES In order to be best prepared for risking you need to develop reserves to support you to ensure success. Time: Do I have the time to take this risk now? when will the right time be? What deadline do I need to set? Energy: Am I emotionally/physically healthy? Have I had enough sleep? Support: Do I have enough support from my significant others/colleagues? where can I find more support? Money: Do I have enough financial resources to take this risk now? How will I find enough money to risk? Self Esteem: Do I have the confidence in myself to risk now? How can I build my self esteem in order to feel more ready to risk? 6 - ROLE MODELS It helps to have role models who have successfully risked. Role models can show us the way to risk responsibly; they can motivate and inspire us to risk By identifying their risking characteristics and their strengths, we can learn how to emulate them. Make a list of your favorite risk-taking role models. Why do you admire them? what can you learn from them? how can you emulate them? 7 - REDUCE BLOCKS There will always be obstacles in our way that keep us from successfully risking. It is important to become aware of what those blocks might be, and especially identify your blocks. Then find ways to reduce or eliminate your risk-taking blocks. Some Risk Blocks: Attitude: Attitude is everything! What you say to yourself determines your behaviors. Become conscious of your internal self talk: keep and increase your positive self-talk; reduce or eliminate your negative self talk. Fears: Fear may be the biggest block of all: fear of failure, fear of success, fear of rejection, fear of change, fear of the unknown. Learn to identify, then face, your fears. Feel the fear and risk anyway! Needs: Identify, clarify, and then find ways to meet your needs once and for all! You cannot risk if you have unmet needs. Habits: Our habits can keep us stuck and unable to risk change. Find ways to change your habits to help you risk to grow! Tolerations: Tolerations are the little and big, things that drain our energy so that we are unable to take the risks we want to take. Find ways to reduce your tolerations to clean up/clear up your life...to create the space for creating the life you want through risking. Environment: Your physical environment influences your actions, thoughts, and feelings. Create an environment that will support your risking; create an environment that will grow you! 8 - RISK & ReEVALUATE Finally comes the time to take that RISK! You have prepared all that you can and you are ready to go over the Edge. Once you have stepped out of your comfort zone you must find ways to stay out there in the learning zone and resist the temptation to go back. Maintaining your commitment to risk takes courage and patience. You must trust in yourself to handle the risk and its consequences; you must trust in the risk-taking process; you must trust in the universe. Then, once you have completed your risk, you need to acknowledge yourself for risking; find ways to celebrate! ReEVALUATING what happened will maximize your personal/professional growth. Ask yourself: what did I learn? What next: next steps? next risk? By following the 8 R's of RESPONSIBLE RISK-TAKING I believe you have your best shot at creating the life you want: finding fulfillment, finding your passion, achieving your potential. Look for much more information on the risk concepts in this article check out back issues of my newsletter at my website: www.ingearcoaching.com. Also contact me (at my website or email: laurie@ingearcoaching.com) to purchase the new book: A GUIDE TO GETTING IT: SELF ESTEEM which includes my chapter on RISK-TAKING AND BUILDING SELF ESTEEM and/or my workbook: RISK TO GROW! CREATE THE LIFE YOU WANT THROUGH RESPONSIBLE RISK-TAKING. (copyright: 2002 - all rights reserved. Laurie R. Geary) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 4. Recommended TASKS: a. Take one risk each day to build your risk muscle! What will your risk be today? b. Call or email me for a complimentary half-hour COACHING session to support you in taking responsible risks to create the life you want. Voice:617-494-1422; email: laurie@ingearcoaching.com c. Read one of the books listed below >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 5. Recommended BOOKS: RISKING, by David Viscott http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0671664093/gearupforsuccela FEEL the FEAR and DO IT ANYWAY, by Susan Jeffers, http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0449902027/gearupforsuccela WOMEN & RISK, by Nicky Marone http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0312071159/gearupforsuccela check out my booklet on experiential activities for trainers which includes 75 of my favorite activities learned from years of working as an instructor for Outward Bound Professional Development Programs. <<GAMES & INITIATIVES for NETWORKING, ENERGIZING & TEAM-BUILDING...and just plain FUN!>> To order email me (laurie@ingearcoaching.com) or go to my website (www.ingearcoaching.com)* >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Are You a Coach? Have You Joined Coachville Yet? Coachville is a new membership-based site for coaches, created and run by Thomas Leonard, the person who "birthed" coaching. For a lifetime fee of $79, you will get a ton of resources, classes, forms, etc. Best of all, your finger will be on the pulse of what's cutting-edge in coaching. Join now by going to http://www.thomasleonard.com/coachville/default.lasso?id=452827 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 8. UPCOMING WORKSHOPS: BE A PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL COACH Boston Center for Adult Education 6:30-9:30 pm EST *Tuesday, June 4, 2002 CAREER OUTPLACEMENT I have recently become a consultant for the well-known outplacement agency Lee Hecht Harrison. As a consultant/trainer, I lead two-day seminars on Career Transition Search (CTS) which includes self assessments, setting a professional objective, creating a personal marketing plan, developing a resume, networking, and other job search methods, interviewing and negotiating skills, and much, much more. I have become an expert career coach! Anyone who finds themselves needing to transition into a new job or who wants to build a new business should contact me for a complimentary career assessment coaching session! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 9. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION Please forward your copy of this newsletter to anyone you think might enjoy reading it. I appreciate your support. I just request that you keep the broadcast intact... nothing changed, added or deleted,including subscription information and my contact and copyright information. Thank you! For back-issues of my weekly broadcast go to my website @ www.ingearcoaching.com To subscribe or un-subscribe go to www.ingearcoaching.com/newsletter

Gear up for Success!