Among the many people I’ve coached, most recently I’ve enjoyed fitness professionals. Why? Well, I remember the first time that I used a personal trainer. She introduced herself, took a few notes, and then proceeded to march me around the gym like a robot. When I faltered at getting the specified number of reps, she barked “Suck it up – keep going!” When I asked a question, she looked somewhat annoyed before answering. And when I expressed disbelief that I had what it took to reach my fitness goal, she agreed!

Well, I did reach my goal, thank you very much, but it was with another trainer. 

She wasn’t a bad person, she just lacked some key life coaching skills that got in the way of communicating with her clients. So, when I coach with personal trainers, I imagine all the clients who will have better experiences than I did!

The reason I bring this up is that I just had an article published in PFP (Personal Fitness Professional magazine) called “Life Coaching 101.” It feels great to get the word out there about how powerful coaching is, and especially to personal trainers who can really make an impact with this knowledge. What made this project even more fun is that my friend and colleague, Shelby Murphy, took over as editor of the magazine this year, so I got to work with this amazing woman.

If you want to scoop up some life coaching tips for yourself, click here for the fre*e online version my article: http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/rbpublishing/pfp_200809/index.php?startpage=28.) Enjoy!

This summer, I chose not to blog. I made a conscious decision that I would focus on spending time with my two teenage daughters (which I deliciously did) and coaching my existing clients. Come the beginning of school, I told myself, it would be my time to focus on ME, to rev up my business and move in the directions that called to me.

School began, and I happily set off on expanding my coaching business. That is, until last week when my oldest daughter got sick and had to be picked up only minutes before a client appointment. This can’t be, I inwardly railed. I had that line in the sand. Summer – time with the girls. Fall – time for my business. School had started and clearly my daughter hadn’t read the fine print (all in my brain) about how this was supposed to work!

As I drove to school, frustrated at this breech of agreement, it suddenly dawned on me. By setting up my unreasonable expectation (when school starts, it’s time for ME), I had unconsciously become rigid and drawn a line that couldn’t bend with life’s natural circumstances. Not only that, but I realized that my upset was not because I now had to adjust some work plans (my client was fine with the change). My upset was because of my negative thoughts about my plans being changed. Once I realized that, I was able to let go of the negative thought and felt better in an instant.

As you go through your day, notice what expectations you have set up (consciously and unconsciously). What happens when they’re not met? What would happen if you let go of your vision about how something is supposed to happen and instead embrace how it really does happen? Are you willing to trade in your “plan” for a little more peace?

This is our playground, a place to discover where the extraordinary lies within the everyday moments of our lives.

My life is a constant adventure of finding “pearls” in my own backyard. On this blog, you’ll find moments you may recognize within yourself—places where you tend to autopilot and miss out on life, and those delicious moments of awakening to the beauty and joy of life. These moments can happen daily, at any time, and the “ahas” that result are the precious wildflowers strewn on our path.

Whether we’re choosing tomatoes at the local farmer’s stand or sitting in traffic, everything offers an opportunity. As Eckhart Tolle says, “Your inner purpose is to awaken. It is as simple as that. You share that purpose with every other person on the planet—because it is the purpose of humanity.”

So join me—let’s see what pearls we can right now, at this very moment…