In this issue
	Sophfronia's Novel Now Available Welcome and News Quote of Note The Walk Redefined Join the "Walk 2005" Coaching Group

Welcome and News

Well, I'm back after being out of commission for a couple of months. The time has been well-spent--I've been getting lessons in everyday joy and my instructor, Tain Elijah (pictured at left), is an excellent teacher. He was born on July 29 and in honor of his birth, I'm asking all my subscribers to pass along this issue of "Living the Dream" to five friends or family members. I want to share with everyone some of what I'm learning from Tain. He came along just as I was beginning work on my Walking the Walk program. As you'll read in the article below, Tain has challenged me to walk my own walk, and I believe my program will be a zilllion times better because of him. You too will benefit when I launch my "Walk 2005" coaching groups in January. It's a new way to go after your goals and succeed at those New Year's resolutions--and to get the best of coaching at an affordable price. I hope you'll join me. Read on for details. By the way, the holidays are just around the corner. Instead of spending hours at the mall looking for the perfect stocking stuffers, why not give the gift of coaching? I've included here a page of Creative Coaching Plans gift certificates, good for one coaching session. That's a $100 value. Just use the following link, print them up on some pretty paper and you're good to go. Consider it my gift to you: less time in the stores means more time with your family. And that's a very nice thing. Welcome to the members of the Redlands, Calif. chapter of the For You Network, Metro Y Change in San Diego and the Boston Chapter of the National Black MBA Association. I'm back on the speaking circuit and I had the pleasure of addressing these groups last month. Thanks for having me, and I'm glad you're here. Now let's get growing! Best wishes and be well. Sophfronia Creative Coaching Plans Gift Certificates »

Quote of Note

"When you can do the common things of life in an uncommon way you will command the attention of the world." George Washington Carver »

The Walk Redefined

There was a morning in September, just after I had started working with clients again, when I couldn't get Tain settled. He was fussy and crying during a time when I could usually get him to sleep or sit quietly. A client was about to call and I had no babysitter scheduled to be my extra set of hands. I felt totally exasperated and I kept looking at the big picture and wanting to cry. "How am I supposed to do this?" I thought. "How am I supposed to help others balance work and family when I can't do it myself?" I wasn't walking my walk. Heck, I couldn't even get on my feet! Today I'm working with clients, traveling for speaking engagements and getting my newsletter published again. So what changed for me between then and now? First of all I had to sit quietly and really think about what I was doing. It occurred to me that I was not without tools, I was not without resources. I thought about what walking the walk meant and how I could apply it to my life. A bit of self-coaching was in order. Step by step, here's what I did: 1.)I realized I had to have compassion for myself. I was beating up on myself and that was getting me nowhere. Plus, I'm the type of person who thinks I have to do everything. A coaching buddy helped me to challenge that assumption and realize that I didn't have to work right now if it was really too much for me. Somehow that thought made things easier--I kept working because I wanted to, not because I felt I had to. Speaking of my buddy, I also knew that 2.)I needed help and I had to be more diligent in asking for it. I set up an agreement with my niece to come by for a few hours each week to watch Tain while I worked. I let my husband know when I wanted to exercise so he could look after the baby while I went out. I also signed on for a support group for coaches, and classes that would help me focus on my business. At first I thought I wouldn't have time for such things, but it occurred to me that I needed this group and the classes now more than ever! Then 3.)I added items to my schedule one at a time, beginning with foundational activities--simple but necessary activities on which I could build up my life. At first I was lucky if I could figure out how to get a shower each day. Funny as it may sound, that was my first goal--to get a shower daily. Next my goal became to get outside with the baby once a day. After that I worked on eating properly. Answering my e-mail came next, then planning for my speaking engagements. By then I felt like I was back in the flow, but there was one more thing I had to do--4.)Be grateful for the life I was living. I take the time to just watch Tain smile. I've taken the phrase "have to" out of my vocabulary. Now if my son is fussy and wants to be held all morning I don't think, "I have to hold him." Instead I think, "I get to hold him." Everything I do, I know that I have choices, so I don't feel stuck. That's exactly what I want for others so-- surprise!--I am now walking my walk. All these lessons will go into my program with the added bonus of me being more passionate about it more than ever because I am living what I'm working on. I can't wait to share the program with you.

Join the "Walk 2005" Coaching Group

In 2005 I'm making a commitment to coaching more people who can't afford one-on-one coaching, but want the benefits of having a coach. How will I do it? By coaching groups over the phone! It's easy--everyone calls into a teleconferencing bridge line for each session. It's fun--you get to tackle big issues and it will be easier to get things done when you have to check in with the group every other week. You'll get real value-- the materials and personal attention you get in the group would cost $350-$500 if you were to retain me individually. My first group, Walk 2005, will focus on succeeding at your New Year's resolutions--turning them from "shoulds" into real action and real change in your life. I have room for only ten people in this group, so sign on now or you'll have to wait until April for the next group to start. For details and sign up instructions, go to this link. Join me and we'll make 2005 the year of a new you! Copyright 2004 Sophfronia Scott. All rights reserved. More on the "Walk 2005" Group »