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Life? How’s it working for you?

Hello Everyone,

I recently realized, that I got caught-up in the Facebook time-warp, and lost focus on Coaching.

So, I’m back and found myself asking myself…”How’s Life, Nicole?”

And for all my coachees, family and friends, I submit the same question to you.

Use the attached assessment (.pdf) to guage the Quality of Your Life. 

I look foward to your shared thoughts and comments.

Assessment: Quality of Life 100

Retreats and Retreat Coaching!

Hello Readers!

I’m steadily Journeying Ahead and hope you are making progress on your Journey as well.

Since my last post, I’ve taken time to Retreat – Relaxing, Reflecting, and Re-energizing.

I’ve had the opportunity to ask several women over the course of a month if they take advantage of Retreats?

Some have said, “yes”, others, “no”, and still others have asked what’s a retreat.

re·treat
Pronunciation: \ri-ˈtrēt\

a place of privacy or safety

a period of group withdrawal for prayer, meditation, study, or instruction

an act or process of withdrawing

I decided to Retreat! on Tybee Island, GA for 7 glorious days.

What I Value In a Retreat:

I value the ability to take time away from my busy life to allow my thoughts, ideas, hurts and hopes to flow freely.

I value being in a calm – safe place with a facilitator who (at times) creates the questions that allows me to search my heart and mind for the answers to where I am, where I’m going, where I want to be.

I also value being in a peaceful setting that allows the creation of ‘an escape’ without escaping the group (balconies, porches, etc.)

I also value the comfort level and skill of the facilitator to be confident and ‘okay’ with silence and can discern when to move forward and when to stay present to the experience.

As a coach I know how powerful silence is and how is brings clients to a place where they want to be at their own pace.

I most value retreats that not about education or teaching but more about a facilitator handing me a flashlight to view where I am and where I’m going and the choices of paths beyond.

Tell me…do you retreat?  If so, why, how, how often and have you ever been to a Facilitated Retreat?

To Learn More about Journey Ahead Retreats… http://www.journey-ahead.com/retreats.htm

Until Next Time!

Nicole

Country Girl in the Big Apple!

“I survived” is the only thing that comes to mind as I write about my experience in NYC.

I went to NY on a buget – a very tight budget.   I used Frequent Flyer Miles to get there and arranged to stay with the daughter of my mom’s friend; she lives in Queens.  My only cost was food and the training course that I was there to take ($1500) plus odds and ends.  5 Days in the Big Apple!

The training course was in the Empire State Building which I thought was cool….at the time.

While staying in Queens, I was about 17 miles from the Empire State Building.   My class started at 9am each day (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday).

Leslie, the friend I was staying with told me how to take the bus and the subway to get to my destination and added I should leave at 7am to get there in time.    At the time I didn’t know it was only 17 miles but alas I set out on Monday morning to take the 111 or 113 bus to the Jamaica Center Subway Station, where I was to catch the E train, get off that at a certain point and catch the F train which would put me out very close the Empire State Building and from there I would walk…hungry, tired and frustrated, I would walk.

And yes, it took over an hour and half to arrive.

Take  A Look at the Maps I used daily to figure out where I was going and what I was supposed to do.

http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/busqns.pdf

http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/submap.htm

Although I had never used public transportation before, each day I set out to meet the challenge.

Sometimes I got lost (daily) but at the end of each day I could look back and say, “I did it!”

All this is to say, even when faced with the most frustrating and trying experience we can rise above the emotions, put on an attitude of confidence and do what needs to be done.

I’m back in NC now and will never again complain about traffic or a simple 15 minute drive to work.

Now, Go Be Confident!

Me Time!!

Do you know and believe that you are:

precious
fearfully and wonderfully made
of infinite worth
the most important person in your life

Have you carved out a portion of your day just for you?

A time (even if it’s 30 minutes) totally, fully committed for yourself – mind, body and soul?

To be who you want to be, who God created you to be requires you to spend intimate time with yourself, for yourself and on yourself.

It’s time you make an appointment with yourself!

I challenge you to carve out a portion – a small (or large), of your time this week for you and only you.

Enjoy Life – it’s the only one you’ve got.

Nicole

12 Areas of a Perfect Life

This women pictured above looks like she’s taken the time to relax, focus and meditate.

 

You might not have a mountaintop in your back yard but I encourage you not just let this be just another post you’ve read.    Print it out and tape it to your bathroom mirror so are reminded of your Journey.

 

Take some time over the next few days to relax, focus and ponder the question, “How are these areas of my life?”

 

Rate the following areas of your life 1-5 (5 being best)

1. Love—relationships and family
2. Freedom—money and financial independence
3. Happiness—pleasure and joy
4. Vitality—self-care and energy
5. Richness—lifestyle and quality of life
6. Ease—personal operating system and approach to life
7. Success—business and career
8. Connectivity—community and networks
9. Advancement—evolution and development
10. Grace—awareness and spirituality
11. Synergy—communication and collaboration skills
12. Self-expression—creativity and experimentation

Once you’re done taking an honest assessment choose 1 or 2 areas to improve upon over the next month or so. Remember, this is a Journey, not a sprint.

Enjoy the Journey!

 

Sincerely,

 

Nicole

New York, New York!

In less than 24 hours my daughter and I will be at the airport heading to New York City!

I’ve decided to invest in some training for myself and will be taking the MCT: Microsoft Certified Trainer Certification class at NetCom which is located in the Empire State Building (cool huh?).

http://www.netcominfo.com/courses/506/Train_the_TrainerCTT__MCT_training.html

Although I’m not going as a vacation I’m hoping to see some of the sights while we’re there.

We’re actually very excited about this trip and I hope to come back with a more clear understanding about what I want to do with my life :>

I’ll tell you all about it when I return!

Definately Journeying Ahead!
Nicole

WTF?

What’s the Future???

Well heck, that’s why it’s call the future I suppose.

One month from now my ‘job’ at Microsoft officially ends. It’s so hard to believe.

I look at the office with new eyes; I’m going through a mourning phase I think. Journeying Ahead, yet still looking over my shoulder at what’s being left behind.

I’m so proactive and like to plan out everything. I make lists and keep a calendar and just like to know what’s coming up.

Well – for this part of my life I feel like the slate is totally clean and I have no plans.

It’s unsettling at times because there is so many possibilities.

By the end of the year I hope to be debt free (besides my house(s)) and I don’t/won’t have to slave at a job. I’ve kept up with the Jones and it wasn’t fun. So, now… I’ve got so many choices and it’s overwhelming.

My 18 year old daughter has encouraged me to just try different jobs and see which ones I like.

That’s just how I feel – like a teenager who just graduated high school with their whole life ahead of them and trying to figure out what they want to do.

It’s been a very long time since I’ve had so many options and much less responsibility.

Therefore, I am going to develop that side of me that can calm down, take a breath and enjoy this incredible opportunity.

It’s not about a Job anymore, it’s about a Passion!

Until Next Time,

Nicole

Is FREE a bad 4 letter word?

Beginning my new business has been exciting and challenging.

One thing that surprises me most is how people respond to ‘free’ offerings.

Perhaps folks are leary, perhaps they don’t have time, perhaps they think Free means “not of value”.

I think I’ll try a different tactic and charge a nominal fee for products and services I’d otherwise offer Free.

I’ll let you know the results of this little test.

Nicole

Reduction In Force = I have no job :>

For those of you wondering I’ve been at Microsoft just over 13 years and it’s been a blast! But alas, all good things come to and end for another good purpose! I believe that!

I’ve just completed the 1^st week of my 6 week ‘job search’. The Job officially – officially ends on 9/2/2008 (22 days before my 40^th birthday).

I’m a People Person and want to work with & help people… ‘realize their dreams’, ‘maximize their potential’, and ‘enhance and enrich the quality of their lives’.

Unfortunately (or fortunately) I don’t have extensive background in those areas to put on a resume. So, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking, and thinking, and thinking some more …oh and blogging!

I’ve taken:

2 career/job assessments **
1 TTI D.I.S.C. assessment **
1 TTI Personal Interests, Attitudes and Values assessment **
1 Spiritual Gifts Inventory **
1 Relationship Assessment **
**More information available on my website

All of the assessments tell me what I already sense – I’m a People Person! I like people. I want to work with people to help them grow!

So, with no degree and limited experience I’ve decided to work on getting some knowledge, certifications and training.

Three areas I’m thinking of pursuing:

1.  Continue working with Target Training International, Ltd., using training, coaching and assessmentsto become a :

a. Certified Professional Behaviors Analyst (CPBA) – more below
b. Certified Professional Values Analyst (CPVA) – more below

2.  MCT (Microsoft Certified Trainer). I already have my MCSE and MCSA Certifications so I just need the train the trainer class(es).

3.  Certified Life Coach which requires me to have an additional 60 client/coaching hours (I do offer free & paid Life Coaching!!) and 10 mentor coach hours.

4.  Continue to pursue my Competent Speaker and Leader designations from Toastmasters (Fort Mill, SC).

 

Whew!

In the meantime I am continuing to reach out and assist those who are ready to Journey Ahead via Assessments, Coaching and Personal & Professional Workshops.

Once I’ve gotten some of these skills securely under my belt I think I’ll be marketable and be able to find a fullfilling career that energizes me – maybe even at Microsoft (but I’m not moving to Seattle!).

If you have any questions, comments or thoughts, please feel free to contact me.

Nicole – Journeying Ahead one day at a time

Certified Professional Behavioral Analyst (CPBA) & Certified Professional Values Analyst (CPVA)

Target Training International, Ltd., the leader in product development and research in the area of behavior and values and the creator of the first fully validated computerized Behavioral Assessments. The credentials of Certified Professional Behavioral Analyst(CPBA) signifies achievement of the highest level of professional excellence in the use of the DISC and Values instruments produced by Target Training International, Ltd. Certification is awarded based on proven application experience and by passing an intensive three-hour examination on each of these instruments as well as the analysis and interpretation of the DISC and Values Assessment Reports.