Holiday Stress Management 1.0

 

 1 Finding its True Meaning…not a time for evaluation nor criticism. I must share with you that it is not humanly possible not to think about all those memorable times with loved ones whom you have shared past holiday seasons. There are regrets perhaps and for some a happy time and for some of you ,sadness. Think of, if you can a happy, surprised, good surprised moment you recall or something totally silly or funny about this holiday if you just have to return to the past. A meditative moment has been noted to reduce stress. It’s Hannakuh and Christmas and Kwanzza and so much more to celebrate about.  So go ahead and deck the halls for goodness sake!

Perhaps there’s a special bulb you have made for the Christmas tree….a song that you like though you can’t really carry a tune…if you can handle a comedy live show ..definitely attend….we all could use a laugh or two… invest time in helping others or visiting someone less fortunate than you. I will leave it up to you to find your meaning for such a holiday celebrated by many throughout the world in their own way.

 2 Logistics: Travel, Budgetary, and Social Arrangements:  plan Ask yourself if it’s going to be stretch or strain on your budget about the  purchase of gifts? So you’re in that unemployment boat that millions find themselves this holiday season, so what? Don’t give up, keep looking for that job! However don’t accept any factitious and or real credit cards! It’s not your money. Do shop for bargains …they’re out there? Plan months ahead for that holiday plane or train or bus ticket? Travel safe? Check your tires and an overall check-up of your car?  Get ample rest before and after your trip or holiday vacation.

 3  Get physically and emotionally ready: Am I ready for this. Holidays are not immune of past events and moments in one’s life that are not always happy times. Keep in mind that you will most likely cross family and friends and past admirers during this time. Try  keeping those times separate. Not a time to evaluate though you are approaching the end of another year. Give praise and gratitude ..there’s much to be simply thankful for. Find a gym or a yoga class ..exercise is so important for relieving stress. Eat lots of veggies and fruit. Get and give lots of hugs but stay away from the common cold and all other communicable viruses if possible.

4 It will come and go…. Visualize what would blow your top off? Don’t go there then. You do have the ability to dummy down some of those in the past memorable stressful experiences.

 5 Most importantly: Find time for self….take a break from all the hustle and demands placed upon oneself during this particular time of year  (find a good book to read)  take an impromptu walk/ stay away from the tv/ stay away from big crowds/drink lots of water and juice….minimize your alcohol content(take it from me…alcohol does not alleviate stress!)….give thanks often no matter what your faith or religion happens to be….take a nap in the middle of the day… stay away from last years holiday experience… perhaps I didn’t cover anything that would truly help you alleviate what’s placing so much stress in your life but at least for the moment you were forced to tread somewhere beyond yourself to a world of possibilities when it comes of thinking and getting ready for one if not the biggest holiday seasons of the year!

 Lastly, don’t drink and drive….find a designated driver or hide the keys.  Remember, it’s not always about you or me or where and how quickly we need to get there.

 Oh, by the way…an early Happy New Year  to you all !

 Curt Canada- Board Certified Coach at FindingYourZenith in Washington DC coaches clients in areas of  personal, workplace, and leadership development and change  f2f and via  Skype and web-conferencing.

Holiday Stress Management 1.0

Holiday Stress Management 1.0.

Why Your 30 Second Pitch Is So Important?

Why Your 30 Second Pitch Is So Important?.

Why Your 30 Second Pitch Is So Important?

 

 

 Have you mastered how to give or present a 30 second pitch that will get you noticed ? What you do and what you have to offer or sell is an important  networking skill!. I can tell you firsthand that it takes an extreme amount of invested practice to get it right. However if you want to know the truth this article is about pitching as in Baseball. I’m talking about the duel between  CC Sabathia and  Justin Verlander  possible MVP Pitcher for the Detroit Tigers. It’s all about Baseball for the next three weeks so don’t even talk to meet about “Roll Tide” or the “Thundering Herd” for that matters whom would never fit into the same sentence or conversation.

 Verlander is absolutely hot … (12-1 after the All Star break) well you know what I mean…a definite over 20 something game winner. It wouldn’t be fair for me to reveal which of these teams I truly follow because it would skew and dampen your interest in the game that’s about to begin later this evening around 8pm EST. You got to be jumpin out of your seat because economically and socially the Tigers and the folks in Detroit can revel in excitement even though each team will have to make it through the ALCS playoffs to get to the World Series. I really hope you’re into sports because if not I have probably lost you from the start!

I got to get out of here so I can get ready to watch some Baseball with my friends somewhere in downtown Washington DC but before I go let me share what I really do…

 I coach and consult women and men seeking to increase performance and succeed in matters important in their personal and professional lives using industry assessments, feedback, and client-focused collaborative dialogue.

 What am I pitching here? Enjoy the Baseball Playoffs!

Curt Canada works as a coaching consultant in Washington DC helping clients manage their time, be more successful, increase their level of performance,  adapt to sudden challenges they face in the workplace and at home.

 

Life Coaching Tips : Day After East Coast (DC) EarthQuake!

 News report after news report yesterday afternoon talked of unexpected surprises, disorganization, disorientation  and personal disbelief. I happened to experience this natural phenomena while sitting in my living room awaiting a friend who had promised to move some furniture with me. A few buildings and storefronts lost a few bricks and mortar and the National Cathedral lost architectural stones.  Think about it, 5.8 is a cause for reflection.

 Where were you? What you were doing? and what were you thinking about at that moment will be etched in your mind for sometime. It’s the unknown occurrences despite our prepardness or lack thereof that brings out our real strengths and resiliency.

 I noticed just minutes after this happened as I walked outside a perfect day with very few clouds in the sky, very sunny with low humidity and a stark quiet-like peacefulness around me. I began to notice an errie feeling standing on the sidewalk below my feet.

Gosh it must have felt very strange from the wobbling back and forth effect I experienced in my apartment. What are your thoughts and experiences from yesterday’s event?

 Quite frankly, I am most thankful because it could have been worse. Could it be we needed some diversion away from taxes and increased healthcare cost and unemployment and republicans and democrats and youth gangs and back to school and family and relationship squabbles and foreclosures.

 Life Coaching Tips for you…

* So much to be thankful for….Give thanks

*We possess more than we think we have…think about it…Say Hello to more    people… give someone a hug today

*We do care about this planet…how will you begin helping Mother Earth adapt and adjust

* Life is special… Show it !

 * I am so much like that other person…you are as in being human

 * I held it together emotionally…it’s ok to show your emotions/ communicate your thoughts

 * Nothing is constant….always changing …the Earth actually moves… slow down a little and experience being still….meditation in the moment works wonders and  has  shown to be healthy!

 * It will happen again…..you will not be ready for it…and that’s ok

 * Seek assistance if you are feeling a little more stressed than normal

 * Get back on the bike… forge ahead…create and build ….share your experience

Surprisingly enough we made it through an event most of us have never expereinced in our lifetime.  Perhaps this article should have been titled ” Time for Reflection.”

                                             Curt Canada MSW provides life and career coaching in Washington DC at FindingYourZenith .