Final Week: Final Call!

Please post one statement that captures your Quarter Two Series: Balance Better experience.

For me, I've found myself more inclined to give as a result of following the 8 Daily To Do's. When I follow the routine of including all 8 "to do's" in my daily life, my weaknesses are exposed and I can be proactive. (For example, I attended my husband's tri-annual family reunion and found myself much more willing to encourage my husband's relatives. I looked for opportunities to pray with them or sit and chat, hug and play games, rather than reading a book by the pool.)

Balance for me is minimizing my weaknesses!

I hope you've been encouraged this quarter. Quarter 3 will include 7 days of assignments each week. You will be most successful if you keep a journal. I am looking for regular feedback. Boot Camp with Becky will be more intensive than the previous 2 quarters which is strategic--if you're going to change your body, mind, soul, and spirit, you're going to have to do some work!

Be encouraged,

Becky

Week Twelve: FINAL ASSIGNMENT-- Psalm 139

If you've been reading the CYL Daily Bible, then you read Psalm 139. This psalm/prayer is such a deep reflection of a person's life who knows who and whose they are!

This week, please journal about these questions: What is my purpose in life? Am I achieving my purpose--even in this quarter/group? Am I running a good race? Do I have the understanding that my past is a part of my purpose? Have I accepted what I can and cannot do? Am I willing to live a life of excellence? Do I know what God has asked me to do and am I doing it?

Or...are you stubbornly waiting, fighting with entitlement, or buried under discouragement? Let's move forward together.

We will read Psalm 139 together to spur us on. Next week, victory stories--and we have many!

Be encouraged,

Becky

Week Eleven: Personality Traits -- Yours and Others

In my personal coaching sessions, as well as in the book, Keep The Change, I give women a personality test to uncover their strengths and weaknesses.

We, of course, all have both. But we get better and stronger as communicators at work, with family or friends when we learn to minimize our particular set of weaknesses. (And I reiterate that we call have weaknesses, so one personality trait is not better than another, just different.)

But knowing your primary personality traits, as well as the traits of those around you can VERY QUICKLY change the way you live and love.

We'll talk about the four traits I refer to as:

Sanguine--fun, happy, but forgetful.
Choleric--leader, charger, but can bowl you over (sometimes insensitive).
Melancholy--meticulous, detailed, but sometimes moody.
Phlegmatic--peaceful, easy-going, but sometimes a procrastinator.

We can change ladies!

Talk to you Wednesday (from somewhere in NYC)!

Becky

Week Ten: Half Way Mark or Almost Done!

Can you believe it? For those of us who are part of the YEAR LONG "Little Changes" Group and have spent the last six months together, we are at the 1/2 way mark. For those who have joined for only one quarter, we are almost finished with our 12 week focus to "Balance Better" using the 8 Daily To-Do's and the premise of change found in my book, Keep The Change:

"Change begins with awareness, it is empowered with admission, achieved with a daily written action plan, and sustained with accountability."

With this in mind, I felt that we need to take a "check up" with any/all who will be on the live call on Wednesday and hear a good report! So bring your "peak" -- the one change that is noticeable, achieved, and sustained over the past weeks or months. I love great reports and because I know you are watching, listening, and counting on me, I have seen some great changes in my own life!

I will bring a short devotional to end our call with the challenge, as always, that it is not too late to change nor is it every time to give up!

Be encouraged,

Becky

Week Nine: Establish Accountability

I almost feel as if I sound like a broken record BUT I am committed to the concept that change--true and lasting change--is best achieved, more easily attained, and ultimately sustained when we are accountable to others.

Accountability includes: support groups, sponsors, mentors, coaches, counselors, spouses who are willing, prayer partners, or even automated ringer/reminders! (A recent Stanford University study revealed surprising results on the power of even subtle accountability -- see my Little Changes Big Results blog this week for more information.)

Who is your accountability partner for (1) weight management--everything from healthy eating to exercise, (2) spiritual growth--including the mastery of daily time alone with God, (3) the taming of your temperament--anger, anxiety, etc., and/or (4) the fulfillment of the dreams God has put in your heart? It might be one person for/in each area or the same person for all, but the power of accountability is to ASSURE you that you are being honest with yourself, achieving your stated goals (rather than sabotaging them), and encouraging you as you reach small victories and pursue the end goal.

Please, please, please brainstorm this week WHO the people are in your life who walk with you to the finish line!?

I consider myself one of those people, but the more direct contact you have with your accountability partner (phone calls to responding to blog assignments) increases your ability to achieve your goals in a timely manner.

Be encouraged,

Becky

Week Eight: Month at a Glance

Playback Dial-in Number: 1-218-486-8703
Playback Access Code: 801097

Be sure to use this telephone number and access code, and not the previous Dial-in Number and access codes associated with the conference call itself.

Be encouraged,

Becky

Week Eight: One Month At A Glance

We have spent a great deal of time assessing our interior lives, but we can't forget that maintaining balance in all areas of our lives is our end goal this quarter.

After coaching numerous women this week, I realize that most of us are entering a transition time as we float into the summer.

Let's consider that Memorial Day Weekend is the 'turn of the CALENDAR page" that signals that we are entering into summer with an opportunity, if not a mandate, to live by a new rhythm. Whether we have kids or family reunions, change of job status (from part-time to full-time or full-time to part-time), I want to ask you (and me) to lay out a JUNE calendar that reflects our time and travel commitments. (Note: this will also allow you to plan ahead for eating right and exercising regularly.)

Make notes on this month-at-a-glance calendar that will prompt you to grocery shop, pack for travel, protect your quiet time, go the gym or exercise, visit the sick, volunteer, attend church for special events, or attend weddings, etc. Find a calendar (free, online, or one you normally use) and lay out the month--30 days of a plan that brings peace to your mind and heart, energy to your body, food for your soul, and fun with your family and friends.

Let's do it by the week's end--okay?

Be encouraged,

Becky

Week Seven: Don't Buy The Lies

During this quarter, I'm seeing so many of us expose the lies we've believed for what they are: excuses, reasons for relapse, self-pity, or nagging entitlements.

Similar to last week's Automatic Negative Thoughts, this week, I'm going to ask you to answer the following questions (found in Keep The Change). We each face different challenges, but we're all vulnerable to believing lies rather than the truth about our lives--so don't think you're alone!

1. Do I believe that I can change without accountability?
2. Is there something in my life I'm hiding from those close to me?
3. Have I lied about something recently?
4. What does my behavior say about what I believe?
5. What does my body say about what I believe?

Take your time answering these questions and make them specific to your own life.

Be encouraged (and I mean that sincerely),

Becky

Week Six: Capture Your Daily Reality

Okay everyone, this is the wrap up week for WHY WE JOURNAL!

From the chapter in Keep The Change, "Capture Reality Daily," we will review what happens when you journal:

1. You tell yourself the truth.
2. You harness your pain.
3. You tame your temperament.
4. You protect your mind.
5. You unwrap the strategy that will change your behavior!

Let's talk about it!

Be encouraged,

Becky

Week Five: Detail Your Day, Define Your Dreams

Wow--I'm fired up! I'm reading a new business book called SWITCH and it is all about change. It's premise includes this--if you have a path to follow, you are more likely to change sooner and more efficiently than if you do not have a path or plan!

In the CYL Daily Journal, you are asked to journal on 4 pages a day. Why? Because if you follow a pattern every 24 hours hours, you build consistency and honesty into everyday!

Let's get fired up together on this week's Wednesday call. (And if you need to "weigh in on Wednesday", do it!)

Be encouraged,

Becky

Week Four: Talk to God, Listen to God!

This area of my life--the spiritual--determines how well-balanced the rest of my life will be: physically, emotionally, and mentally. After about 7 years of being a Christian who was too busy, too tired or too lazy to pray, I realized that UNLESS I made time for God in every day, every day was going to be chaotic.

On our call this week, I will just give you my favorite quotes on why talking to God and listening to God can be the best part of everyday!

Don't miss it!

Becky

Week Three: Forgive and Give

I call this page in the CYL Daily Journal (the Emotional page which has 2 daily entries: forgive and give), "the 12 steps in 2 steps." Why? The progress of the 12 steps is to walk you through dependence upon God for your addiction and eventually serve or sacrificially give back to others who are hurting.

Forgiveness is not an option if you want to honor God and live with a clean heart and conscience. It is also the hallmark of a Christian. It is something that God wants us to exhibit, embrace, and exchange regularly with those who have hurt us.

And giving is an activity that forces you to think about others in such a way that frees your own heart and mind (from worry, self-centeredness, fear, self-pity, etc.).

Of course, to ignore or resist these emotional healing activities only delays recovery, peace, and transparency.

We'll discuss these 2 action steps on our call. Your assignment this week will be to identify (1) anyone you need to forgive or ask to forgive you, and (2) consider how you might "comfort others in the way that you have been comforted."

Be encouraged,

Becky

Week Two: Eat Right and Exercise Regularly

The majority of us want (or have) to lose weight. Women, new studies report, need to exercise up to one hour a day if they want to maintain their ideal weight unless they will be very intentional about their eating plan. In other words, exercise will burn calories and improve your cardiovascular system, but it can only help you reduce IF you are eating to fuel your body. Otherwise you will be exercising just to burn the excessive calories you might be eating on any given day.

If you are 20 or more pounds overweight, you must seriously find and implement an eating plan that is right for you. Height, genetics, activity level, personality will all impact how fast you burn calories or how quickly your body shape might change...but eating right and exercising regularly must go hand-in-hand as a way of life if you desire to weigh the same all the days of your life.

My encouragement to you today is:

1. Get a Plan and Work it.
2. Get an Accountability partner and check in daily or weekly.
3. Talk to your family about your goals and needs.
4. Keep a food and exercise journal. (It doesn't lie.)

Does a healthy body matter? Does a fit person have a better quality of life? How can you move from obsession with fitness into a balanced, disciplined life.

Let's talk about it this week.

Be encouraged,

Becky

Week One: The 8 Daily To Do's

With a fresh start, I'd like to ask each of you to reflect upon how you might live a balanced life this quarter. The way I've been able to do this over the past decade is to give myself a 8 "things" to do each day that I KNOW lead to balance, health, and peace (in a crazy, troubled world)!

If you have never seen/done the 8 Daily To Do's, I've posted them on the banner so you can see them ALL QUARTER LONG. Knowing them is one thing--doing them is another.

Wednesday I'll give you my "pep" talk!

Be encouraged,

Becky

April 1st, 2010 -- Take an Inventory

Welcome new and old coachees!

This week, please take an inventory of your life physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally.

Where are you today? Where would you like to be on/by June 30?

1. What do you weight today __________ ? (If you lose 1 pound a week, you'll weigh 12 pounds less at the end of June!)
Please weigh in weekly--on Wednesdays!
2. What little change do you KNOW will have the biggest result in your personal life if you make it? __________________
3. Do you need to make any amends to start this quarter with a clean heart and mind? If so, with whom? ____________
4. What dream in your heart will not go away? ________________________________________
5. What is your greatest gift that you can give away? _________________________________ (time, skill, friendship, art, etc.)
6. How long would it take for you to clean your closet? _______________________________ Are you willing to do that before our first call on 4/7/10? Please give any clothing away that you no longer wear or need.
7. Do your sleep habits need to improve? Are you getting 7 hours of sleep minimum? Will you plan for your sleep this quarter? Circle YES or NO. (Note: Sleep deprivation creates many problems; if you need to watch less TV, do it!)
8. If you struggle to spend time daily with God, would you be willing spend 20 minutes daily with Him this quarter? If so, how and when will you do this? If you need a Bible reading plan, please read 1 CH of Psalms and Romans daily.
9. Do you have anything that you or others might say (or have said) is an addiction? If so, are you willing to go to a support group weekly (includes Weight Watchers, AA, SA, etc.)? If so, please research where groups meet regularly in your church or community and attend one meeting before our first phone call.
10. Do you have a friend who would be your accountability partner during this quarter? (They don't have to be in our group, but they must be willing to check in with you every 24 to 72 hours to ask you these or other predetermined questions every week!) Who might be that person for you? __________________________ Please call and ask them if they are available/willing before our first phonecall.

This is just a start! We are going to get serious about bringing balance into every area of our lives! Okay? You don't have to post all these answers, but it would be great if you did! At best, please print this and fill out during this week and before our first Wednesday noon call on 4/7/10 (Free Conference call info to follow.)

Be encouraged!

Becky