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| | Home | Coaching | Products | Retreats | Programs | Newsletters | | Resources | FAQ | Testimonials | About Helen | Contact Helen | Copyright © 2005 - 2008 Better Than Ever Coaching. All rights reserved. Address: P.O. Box 391, Brewster, MA 02631 Telephone: (508) 896-5779 Click here to Contact Helen |
Newsletters - June 2008
| Better Than Ever Coaching |
*****************************************************
What Could Be Better?
Written by:
Helen F. Kosinski, ACC, MBA - Professional Coach
June 2008: Volume 3, Issue 6 / ISSN # 1935-4827
*****************************************************
This Month: Are You Too Comfortable?
- Feature Article
- What's Next for You?
- Resources
- Reader's Corner
- Special Event
- What's New!
*****************************************************
Hi,
Comfortable, relaxed, lazy, slothful, content… Does this describe any area
of your life? Maybe you feel that way about the relationship you have with
your significant other? Or, maybe you immediately think of your job when
you read these words.
You’re probably thinking, "What’s wrong with that?" Nothing!
I’m just curious – have you ever thought about what triggers you into
shaking things up? Is it one event, or does it gradually build up and then
‘poof’ you’re on to something new? How does being too comfortable
play into your decision to take action? This month’s newsletter will give
you some clues as to whether you’re too comfortable and the pros and
cons of being in this comfy state of being!
I hope you have a Better Than Ever month!
All my best,
Helen
P.S. Please be sure to check out the Special Event section – my friend,
Diane is doing the 3-Day Breast Cancer walk!
P.S.S. Don’t miss the What’s New section – it has some very exciting
news about my very first product!
*************************************************************
Feature Article: Are You Too Comfortable?
*************************************************************
The lazy days of summer are upon us here in the United States! Is your
life lazy? Before you get defensive, please take a good hard look at what I’
m really asking you. I’m not suggesting that you’re a lazy person – I
imagine that you’re not and if you’re like the rest of us, you are constantly
in the mode of ‘doing’. Here’s what I’m really asking: Are you too
comfortable?
Personally, I find when I am too comfortable in some aspect of my life, it
can make me lazy. As I write this, I’m realizing this is one of the things
that happened in my last technology role as an Auditor. I’ll spare you the
details, but it’s safe to say that there were certain types of audits I could
practically do in my sleep. I had become a bit of an expert in one type of
auditing, but along with this status came a comfort zone. The work was
easy. If I didn’t know the answer to a question, I knew where to find it. I
was compensated well for the work I did. And, I was working for a
company that was very well respected.
Sounds good, huh? To be honest with you, I know that in this situation I
DID get too comfortable. And, at times, I know I was not doing my best
work. How about you? Are you too comfortable?
Are you wondering how to tell if you’re too comfortable? Here are a few
clues:
As you look at this list of clues, do you see yourself? As you begin to
recognize yourself, are you starting to come up with excuses or ‘yeah buts’
as to why you want to stay in your comfort zone? It wouldn’t surprise
me… It’s cozy and nice in your comfort zone. Your comfort zone is a
safe haven. Who wouldn’t want to stay there? But, I would like to suggest
that your comfort zone can:
What can you do to venture outside of your comfort zone? The list couldbe quite long, but here are a few suggestions to get you started:
1) Try something new. This can be something simple such as taking a
new route to work or experimenting with a new dish at the Chinese
restaurant. Or, it can be something you’ve always wanted to do, such as
taking a painting class or learning how to journal.
2) Be curious. For example, when you meet someone new, don’t focus on
telling him/her all about you. Instead, find out as much as you can about
this new person. What do they do for a living? How do they spend their
free time? Where did they grow up? What’s their favorite topic to talk
about? After the discussion, think about anything that was of interest to
you and do some additional research. For example, maybe the person
you just met is a Nuclear Medical Technologist. Having no idea what a
Nuclear Medical Technologist does, you do some research on the Internet
to find out more about this field.
3) Stretch yourself. As you look at where you are currently in your comfort
zone, think about what would be a real stretch for you? In my previous
auditing role, I decided my stretch would be to finally figure out ‘what I
wanted to be when I grew up’. And, stretch I did…right into a brand new
career! I love the career I chose! Parts of this new occupation, utilize my
natural talents, but I’m not coasting, I’m not bored and I’m constantly
learning something new! Your stretch doesn’t have to be as dramatic as
mine. For example, perhaps, you don’t usually speak up at meetings. A
stretch for you, then, could be to make at least one comment in each
meeting you attend for the next week. In this situation, a big stretch might
be signing up to do a presentation for your team.
Breaking out of my comfort zone was both exhilarating and scary, which
turned out to be the powerful combination I needed to catapult me
forward! Are you ready to break out of your comfort zone and start to
create the BEST YOU?
*************************************************************
What's Next for You?
*************************************************************
What is one step you can take this month to break out of your comfort
zone? What will it take to actually take that step? What will it feel like to
leave your comfort zone? How will you celebrate this forward movement?
Would you like to share what happened when you broke out of your
comfort zone with our readers? Please send an e-mail to:
mailto:Helen@BetterThanEverCoaching.com with a brief description and
I’ll include it in a future issue of ‘What Could Be Better’. Please let me
know if you’d like to remain anonymous.
*************************************************************
Resources
*************************************************************
-- Articles --
Adapt or Die (The Perils of the Comfort Zone) by Theo Pistorious
http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Pistorius2.html
Break Out of the Comfort Zone by Geoffrey Faivre-Malloy
http://ezinearticles.com/?Break-Out-Of-the-Comfort-Zone&id=9387
The Comfort Zone Factor by Daniel Belcher
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Comfort-Zone-Factor&id=792543
Finding Your Dreams by Leaving Your Comfort Zone by John Seeley
http://www.selfgrowth.
com/articles/Finding_Your_Dreams_by_Leaving_Your_Comfort_Zone.
html
Five Ways to Expand Your Comfort Zone by Skye Thomas
http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Thomas16.html
The Mental Game Traps of the Comfort Zone by Dr. Patrick J. Cohon
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Mental-Game-Traps-of-the-Comfort-
Zone&id=656841
On a Leash? Break Free From Your Comfort Zones! by Deon Du Plessis
http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Plessis28.html
Positioned For Success – The Refined Art of Taking a Chance by Josh
Hinds
http://ezinearticles.com/?Positioned-For-Success---The-Refined-Art-Of-
Taking-A-Chance&id=28972
Stretch Yourself and Live Life! Come Alive! By Jim Francis
http://www.selfgrowth.
com/articles/Stretch_Yourself_And_Live_Life_Come_Alive.html
Note: Mention of any of the above resources does not
indicate endorsement.
*************************************************************
Reader's Corner
*************************************************************
Listening really was a hot topic! Here’s another very
important point about listening from Larry B., one of
our readers:
Listening compassionately is a very valuable suggestion, Larry!
It can make all the difference in the outcome of the conversation. Thank
you for sharing your wisdom with our group!
*************************************************************
Special Event
*************************************************************
My friend, Diane Murphy, is training for a remarkable event. She will be
walking in the Breast Cancer 3-Day event in Boston, which is a 60-mile
walk over the course of three days, August 15-17. Diane knows how this
disease affects everyone. She is a 14-year cancer survivor who
attributes early detection for saving her life. And, she also lost her Mother,
at age 46, to breast cancer. Please visit Diane’s special website:
http://08.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/BostonEvent?
px=1822060&pg=personal&fr_id=1182 for more information and/or to
support Diane as she raises money for breast cancer research,
education, screening and treatment.
*************************************************************
What's New!
*************************************************************
I’m very excited to announce my very first product! My new e-Journal,
Grow Your Gold: Inspiration to Increase Your Self-Worth, is now
available! This 60+ page e-Journal is chock-full of:
which gives you an opportunity to read, reflect, write and implement plans to make the changes you want to make to enhance your life. If you’d like
more information, please visit: www.GrowYourGold.com
*************************************************************
You don’t have to leave your comfort zone alone, I will be happy to
accompany you on this exciting journey! Please send me an e-mail
(mailto:Helen@BetterThanEverCoaching.com) to set up a 30 minute
complimentary telephone meeting.
Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter. It is published
every month, except for a combined issue in November/December
and July/August. To cancel or change your subscription, please
refer to the link at the very bottom of this newsletter.
Do you know someone who would enjoy this newsletter? Please
send the entire issue intact and unaltered to them! Thank you!
To subscribe to this free newsletter, please send a blank e-mail
to mailto:Helen20-192607@autocontactor.com. When you receive
the confirmation e-mail, please follow the instructions to
complete your subscription. As a special Thank You for
subscribing, you will receive Three FREE Success Journal Secrets
to Creating a Better Life!
Your privacy is important to me. I do not give out or sell my
subscriber list to anyone.
Please send any questions, comments or insights to me at:
mailto:Helen@BetterThanEverCoaching.com or P.O. Box 391,
Brewster, MA 02631. Or you can give me a call toll-free at:
(888) 294-5779.
Be sure to visit my website at:
http://www.BetterThanEverCoaching.com for more information.
*************************************************************
Better Than Ever Coaching
Partnering with Professionals to
Confidently Navigate Change
*************************************************************
Copyright © 2008 Better Than Ever Coaching.
All rights reserved.
*************************************************************
What Could Be Better?
Written by:
Helen F. Kosinski, ACC, MBA - Professional Coach
June 2008: Volume 3, Issue 6 / ISSN # 1935-4827
*****************************************************
This Month: Are You Too Comfortable?
- Feature Article
- What's Next for You?
- Resources
- Reader's Corner
- Special Event
- What's New!
*****************************************************
Hi,
Comfortable, relaxed, lazy, slothful, content… Does this describe any area
of your life? Maybe you feel that way about the relationship you have with
your significant other? Or, maybe you immediately think of your job when
you read these words.
You’re probably thinking, "What’s wrong with that?" Nothing!
I’m just curious – have you ever thought about what triggers you into
shaking things up? Is it one event, or does it gradually build up and then
‘poof’ you’re on to something new? How does being too comfortable
play into your decision to take action? This month’s newsletter will give
you some clues as to whether you’re too comfortable and the pros and
cons of being in this comfy state of being!
I hope you have a Better Than Ever month!
All my best,
Helen
P.S. Please be sure to check out the Special Event section – my friend,
Diane is doing the 3-Day Breast Cancer walk!
P.S.S. Don’t miss the What’s New section – it has some very exciting
news about my very first product!
*************************************************************
Feature Article: Are You Too Comfortable?
*************************************************************
The lazy days of summer are upon us here in the United States! Is your
life lazy? Before you get defensive, please take a good hard look at what I’
m really asking you. I’m not suggesting that you’re a lazy person – I
imagine that you’re not and if you’re like the rest of us, you are constantly
in the mode of ‘doing’. Here’s what I’m really asking: Are you too
comfortable?
Personally, I find when I am too comfortable in some aspect of my life, it
can make me lazy. As I write this, I’m realizing this is one of the things
that happened in my last technology role as an Auditor. I’ll spare you the
details, but it’s safe to say that there were certain types of audits I could
practically do in my sleep. I had become a bit of an expert in one type of
auditing, but along with this status came a comfort zone. The work was
easy. If I didn’t know the answer to a question, I knew where to find it. I
was compensated well for the work I did. And, I was working for a
company that was very well respected.
Sounds good, huh? To be honest with you, I know that in this situation I
DID get too comfortable. And, at times, I know I was not doing my best
work. How about you? Are you too comfortable?
Are you wondering how to tell if you’re too comfortable? Here are a few
clues:
- You’re bored.
- Sometimes you get sloppy.
- The work is really easy.
- You're coasting.
- You're an expert in something, but you're not continuing to learn
about the topic.
As you look at this list of clues, do you see yourself? As you begin to
recognize yourself, are you starting to come up with excuses or ‘yeah buts’
as to why you want to stay in your comfort zone? It wouldn’t surprise
me… It’s cozy and nice in your comfort zone. Your comfort zone is a
safe haven. Who wouldn’t want to stay there? But, I would like to suggest
that your comfort zone can:
 | keep you stuck | |
| prevent you from doing what you really want to do | |
| stop you from being the BEST YOU! |
What can you do to venture outside of your comfort zone? The list could
1) Try something new. This can be something simple such as taking a
new route to work or experimenting with a new dish at the Chinese
restaurant. Or, it can be something you’ve always wanted to do, such as
taking a painting class or learning how to journal.
2) Be curious. For example, when you meet someone new, don’t focus on
telling him/her all about you. Instead, find out as much as you can about
this new person. What do they do for a living? How do they spend their
free time? Where did they grow up? What’s their favorite topic to talk
about? After the discussion, think about anything that was of interest to
you and do some additional research. For example, maybe the person
you just met is a Nuclear Medical Technologist. Having no idea what a
Nuclear Medical Technologist does, you do some research on the Internet
to find out more about this field.
3) Stretch yourself. As you look at where you are currently in your comfort
zone, think about what would be a real stretch for you? In my previous
auditing role, I decided my stretch would be to finally figure out ‘what I
wanted to be when I grew up’. And, stretch I did…right into a brand new
career! I love the career I chose! Parts of this new occupation, utilize my
natural talents, but I’m not coasting, I’m not bored and I’m constantly
learning something new! Your stretch doesn’t have to be as dramatic as
mine. For example, perhaps, you don’t usually speak up at meetings. A
stretch for you, then, could be to make at least one comment in each
meeting you attend for the next week. In this situation, a big stretch might
be signing up to do a presentation for your team.
Breaking out of my comfort zone was both exhilarating and scary, which
turned out to be the powerful combination I needed to catapult me
forward! Are you ready to break out of your comfort zone and start to
create the BEST YOU?
*************************************************************
What's Next for You?
*************************************************************
What is one step you can take this month to break out of your comfort
zone? What will it take to actually take that step? What will it feel like to
leave your comfort zone? How will you celebrate this forward movement?
Would you like to share what happened when you broke out of your
comfort zone with our readers? Please send an e-mail to:
mailto:Helen@BetterThanEverCoaching.com with a brief description and
I’ll include it in a future issue of ‘What Could Be Better’. Please let me
know if you’d like to remain anonymous.
*************************************************************
Resources
*************************************************************
-- Articles --
Adapt or Die (The Perils of the Comfort Zone) by Theo Pistorious
http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Pistorius2.html
Break Out of the Comfort Zone by Geoffrey Faivre-Malloy
http://ezinearticles.com/?Break-Out-Of-the-Comfort-Zone&id=9387
The Comfort Zone Factor by Daniel Belcher
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Comfort-Zone-Factor&id=792543
Finding Your Dreams by Leaving Your Comfort Zone by John Seeley
http://www.selfgrowth.
com/articles/Finding_Your_Dreams_by_Leaving_Your_Comfort_Zone.
html
Five Ways to Expand Your Comfort Zone by Skye Thomas
http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Thomas16.html
The Mental Game Traps of the Comfort Zone by Dr. Patrick J. Cohon
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Mental-Game-Traps-of-the-Comfort-
Zone&id=656841
On a Leash? Break Free From Your Comfort Zones! by Deon Du Plessis
http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Plessis28.html
Positioned For Success – The Refined Art of Taking a Chance by Josh
Hinds
http://ezinearticles.com/?Positioned-For-Success---The-Refined-Art-Of-
Taking-A-Chance&id=28972
Stretch Yourself and Live Life! Come Alive! By Jim Francis
http://www.selfgrowth.
com/articles/Stretch_Yourself_And_Live_Life_Come_Alive.html
Note: Mention of any of the above resources does not
indicate endorsement.
*************************************************************
Reader's Corner
*************************************************************
Listening really was a hot topic! Here’s another very
important point about listening from Larry B., one of
our readers:
- ‘I think all your points on listening are correct
and accurate. However, there is one aspect that
has helped me over the years, and that is
compassion. Not many people truly listen with
authentic compassion for what the other person
is saying. As you so well pointed out, they
are too busy thinking of a reply and filtering
out only what is meaningful for them (the listener).’
Listening compassionately is a very valuable suggestion, Larry!
It can make all the difference in the outcome of the conversation. Thank
you for sharing your wisdom with our group!
*************************************************************
Special Event
*************************************************************
My friend, Diane Murphy, is training for a remarkable event. She will be
walking in the Breast Cancer 3-Day event in Boston, which is a 60-mile
walk over the course of three days, August 15-17. Diane knows how this
disease affects everyone. She is a 14-year cancer survivor who
attributes early detection for saving her life. And, she also lost her Mother,
at age 46, to breast cancer. Please visit Diane’s special website:
http://08.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/BostonEvent?
px=1822060&pg=personal&fr_id=1182 for more information and/or to
support Diane as she raises money for breast cancer research,
education, screening and treatment.
*************************************************************
What's New!
*************************************************************
I’m very excited to announce my very first product! My new e-Journal,
Grow Your Gold: Inspiration to Increase Your Self-Worth, is now
available! This 60+ page e-Journal is chock-full of:
| information | |
| stories | |
| exercises | |
| questions | |
| resources |
which gives you an opportunity to read, reflect, write and implement plans
more information, please visit: www.GrowYourGold.com
*************************************************************
You don’t have to leave your comfort zone alone, I will be happy to
accompany you on this exciting journey! Please send me an e-mail
(mailto:Helen@BetterThanEverCoaching.com) to set up a 30 minute
complimentary telephone meeting.
Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter. It is published
every month, except for a combined issue in November/December
and July/August. To cancel or change your subscription, please
refer to the link at the very bottom of this newsletter.
Do you know someone who would enjoy this newsletter? Please
send the entire issue intact and unaltered to them! Thank you!
To subscribe to this free newsletter, please send a blank e-mail
to mailto:Helen20-192607@autocontactor.com. When you receive
the confirmation e-mail, please follow the instructions to
complete your subscription. As a special Thank You for
subscribing, you will receive Three FREE Success Journal Secrets
to Creating a Better Life!
Your privacy is important to me. I do not give out or sell my
subscriber list to anyone.
Please send any questions, comments or insights to me at:
mailto:Helen@BetterThanEverCoaching.com or P.O. Box 391,
Brewster, MA 02631. Or you can give me a call toll-free at:
(888) 294-5779.
Be sure to visit my website at:
http://www.BetterThanEverCoaching.com for more information.
*************************************************************
Better Than Ever Coaching
Partnering with Professionals to
Confidently Navigate Change
*************************************************************
Copyright © 2008 Better Than Ever Coaching.
All rights reserved.
*************************************************************
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