coaching

SOMETIMES YOU JUST NEED A GOOD OLE GENERIC ASPIRIN

I am not glaucoma medicine, a cure for gastritis, hemorrhoids, or heart disease. I am more like aspirin – an amazing generic (i.e., all-encompassing, comprehensive, nonproprietary) healing substance with therapeutic and protective capabilities. While it is true that, like aspirin, I have no specific healing ‘niche’ (other than my superpower of disappearing your general ‘aches and pains’ or reducing your ‘fever’ or inflammation), it does appear that I have been proven to be very useful in a wide variety of pretty serious situations that you may encounter (and I seem so basic and simple, don’t I?).

Aspirin is one of the most widely used medications in the world with an estimated 40,000 tons of it being consumed each year… and it’s a generic medicine! Hmmm, it’s a lowly generic AND that widely in demand? Popular wisdom would say that’s not possible. They (whomever ‘they’ are) tell us that we have to market to a very specific niche or we’ll fail. Guess that’s not true when you actually have something that can be used by almost anyone at sometime and by many people, all the time. That’s me… my ‘active ingredients’ are extremely powerful in a multitude of life-disturbing and life-altering situations and can be used for both tough, specific issues and little, annoying challenges.

Some folks use aspirin ‘long-term’ and/or at low doses, to help prevent serious problems. I can be used the same way. Taken daily, aspirin can keep your blood thin and running smoothly… I can keep your mood elevated and your life running smoothly.

Aspirin is on the World Health Organization’s list of the most important medications needed in a basic health plan… I like to think that I am also that valuable to humanity. What I have for you is connection, compassion, conversation, queries, community and coaching. Or you can use me for advice, accountability, finding answers, moving into action and/or sharing your ideas and opinions. I exist to inspire you… to motivate and empower you and to make YOU feel good about YOU! And I do all that while we’re all having FUN!

I am What Do I Say? What Do I Do? – How you use me is up to you, but USE ME.

OBSTACLES, INFLUENCE AND CURIOSITY, OH MY!

By Sandye Linnetz

I was asked some very interesting questions today in preparation for a radio interview. So interesting that I thought I’d share them – and my answers – with you. You could say that this was my personal “What Do I Say?” for today. I’m generally so busy asking questions that just allowing myself the time to ‘ponder’ the answers (particularly because they were my answers) was quite the thought-provoking exercise for me, so…

If you’re ready for a little ‘workout’ yourself, consider how you might answer them (and feel free to share; either here or in the Facebook group). Here they are – very slightly paraphrased and followed by my answers:

Question #1: When faced with obstacles what keeps you going?

I’m a master re-framer with a ‘glass is full’ attitude about life! I expect miracles, so I find them. When I wake up in the morning I don’t tend to worry or ‘wonder’ about what the day will bring, I’m far more likely to design it and step into my creation! When I make up stuff (as we all do), I tend to make up really good stuff! Obstacles are learning opportunities and I love puzzles, games and problem solving. How can we not stop going when the game is on?

Question #2: Other than a coach, who has influenced you the most?

Easy question (though there are multiple answers). I’ll go with: my mother. Fifty plus years ago I remember her telling me that she had a great idea for a business. She believed that most people were hungry for someone to listen to them, and since she was a good listener, she should set up a phone line just for people to call in and talk… and she’d listen. People, she told me, want to talk about themselves; what they think, how they feel. Everyone wants to feel heard and be visible. Although she never took it on as a business, she did practice it ad infinitum. She’s that woman who makes new best friends wherever she goes. She loves people and loves to hear their stories.

That idea sat in the back reaches of my spirit for years – didn’t even realize that I was actually creating a business in line with what she had taught me as a child.

Question #3: How has curiosity played a role in your business/life?

I don’t claim to have all the answers, I only promise to seek them out! And that urge to know something, my natural curiosity, leads me to astounding people, places, ideas and opportunities. Curiosity compels me to find out – both if what I think is so, is actually so, and, if it isn’t, what is?

Many things in life delight me, none so much as learning something I didn’t know and didn’t even know that I didn’t know! Learning is a huge turn on for me and curiosity is the door to learning. My favorite curiosity quote comes from the amazing wit of Dorothy Parker: The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity!

SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION: THE GAME THE WHOLE WORLD CAN PLAY

SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION: THE GAME THE WHOLE WORLD CAN PLAY

By Sandye Linnetz

Six degrees of separation is for real! It’s pretty astounding (and kind of overwhelming) to think about being just 6 connections (well, more like 6.6 connections) away from ANYONE and EVERYONE on the planet. Our social networks connect the whole world. Of course I’m including those on the internet like face book and linked in, but I couldn’t leave out clubs, teams, schools, religious organizations, book clubs, sewing circles…

I know you’re tempted to prove this for yourself and connect with the Pope or Lady Gaga right now, and based on the research, you probably can, but please wait three minutes and read on…

“…the oft-cited report that people are separated by “six degrees of separation” and (we) find that the average path length is 6.6.” http://research.microsoft.com/apps/pubs/default.aspx?id=70389

Our lives are filled with social networking opportunities, and the more you participate, the more you connect. There is an assumption here that, like me, connection is something that you value.

I did my ‘Google research’, and the results suggest that Facebook use (e.g. belonging to – and participating in groups like What Do I Say? What Do I Do?) actually provide us with the opportunity to develop and maintain real social connectedness and relationships. Even more important to me is that this connectedness has been associated with lower depression and anxiety, better general health and an overall greater satisfaction with one’s life.

That, by the way, is one of the main reasons that I started the What Do I Say? What Do I Do? group; it’s a forum for connecting and sharing. When you participate – and invite others to do so with you – you are growing your circle and theirs (and mine!). It’s both engaging and fun to post a question or situation that others may also be anxious to address.

I’m a mindset and accountability coach. It’s my passion. I’m all about engaging with you on any level. Whether you have a serious concern like “What do I do when my child is about to make an obviously bad decision?” or a seemingly frivolous one like “My friend has an annoying habit of belching in public”, you can bet your karma that you’re not alone in the inquiry! That’s why we post ‘out loud’ and request opinions – or coaching – from others.

Okay, I’m done for today… go connect with the Dalai Lama.