by Erin Owen | Jan 21, 2013 | Ezine
Most of us are holding off on making a change in life.
Why? We’re waiting.
Subconsciously, you too may have decided to wait until something happens.
What is it that you’re waiting for?
Are you waiting…
- To feel better?
- To retire?
- To get laid off?
- To get in better shape?
- For work to slow down?
- For your children to leave the nest?
- To come into money?
- To sleep better?
- For permission?
- To know “enough”?
- To have “the right” credentials or past experience?
- To have more energy?
I have a little secret to tell you…
That may not happen anytime soon.
And how does it feel to know that you might wake up in the exact same situation you’re in (or worse) a year from now, or five years from now, or decades from now?
Maybe it’s time to acknowledge that you’ve been waiting, and that it’s time to let that go.
Maybe it’s time to give yourself permission to not need someone else’s permission.
Maybe it’s time to take one small step toward something better… CARPE DIEM!
There is only full week left in January to schedule your New Year’s Resolution Strategy Session with me. More details here.
by Erin Owen | Jan 14, 2013 | Ezine
Recently I’ve been reading how New Year’s Resolutions are a waste of time. Nonsense!
Riding the fresh wave of energy that comes out of the turn of the new calendar year is a super smart way to re-energize your most important goals.
Read on for 3 Quick Tips to help you Show Up the Naysayers and Create a New Year’s Resolution worth Shouting to the World…
1 – Line it up!
Make sure the wording of your New Year’s Resolution AND its supportive actions directly support what you want most in life.
If you don’t really like to eat vegetables, then find another way to get healthier. If you don’t really want to work harder, then resolve to find a way to work smarter. If you’re craving more time with good friends, then don’t create a resolution that has you working out 4 times a week by yourself.
When your thoughts, words, and actions support your vision, you are more likely to get the results you want.
2- Make it ZING!
The words “get in shape” sound so flat and boring. Much different from “Feel sexy, fit, and fabulous everyday so I can boost my energy, attract my perfect mate, and invite into my life even more prosperity.”
“Find more meaning in life” sounds like a great intention, but what exactly does that mean? Try something more specific and inspiring like “Spend two fun hours with good friends at least twice a month and watch at least one inspiring TED talk at least once a week.”
3 – Join a Band!
I don’t actually mean pick up an instrument and join a band, unless that is actually your desire. I mean, don’t go it alone! You’re more likely to be successful if you have someone encouraging you and ideally even doing “it” with you.
Being a member of a band, rather than playing solo, helps build in (1) accountability – so you actually show up at the gym, (2) creative inspiration – you have someone else to bounce ideas off of and also suggest alternatives when you feel stuck, and (3) shared rewards – celebrate by giving virtual and actual high fives and pats on the back.
One woman who I met with by phone for a New Year’s Resolution Strategy Session commented that I really “nailed it” when I helped her clarify and move forward with her goals, and another man commented how “motivating and inspiring” it was to receive my support during this special one-hour coaching session.
I can’t wait to give you my undivided attention and support you with my warm and wise guidance!
There are only two full weeks left in January to schedule your New Year’s Resolution Strategy Session with me. More details here.
by Erin Owen | Jan 7, 2013 | Ezine
Last Monday, on New Year’s Eve Day, I arrived at yoga with an empty tank…
And I mean that both literally and figuratively.
The red light was on next to my car’s fuel gauge.
And, since earlier in the morning my husband and I had had a disagreement about scheduling and time commitments, I was feeling totally drained.
My stomach hurt from the worrying, and my two boys who are truly a delight were driving me crazy because I had no reserves to tap.
Lucky for me, I was headed to yoga class where I knew I would fill up my prana tank. (And I could easily fill up the car’s gas tank on the way back home.)
The practice of yoga—including pranayama (most simply defined as focused breathing practice)—is my most important platinum practice. In an ideal world, I would wake every day at 5:30 AM and practice for two hours.
But then there’s reality. So, my goal is to practice for 5 minutes a day. And lately I’m grateful that I’ve been getting in three or four 90 minute practices each week.
With my year-long focus in exploring the yogic principle of Ahimsa (non-harming or non-violence), I thought I’d share with you that practicing yoga is just one way to be at peace. And, being at peace is just one of the numerous benefits of exploring yoga.
Here is what is written on the wall at a nearby yoga studio:
Peace.
It does not mean to be
in a place where there is
no noise,
trouble or hard work.
It means to be
in the midst of those things
and still be calm in your heart.
When you practice yoga, you not only cultivate peace in your heart, but you fundamentally change your view of your life and the world around you.
The world around you may stay the same—busy, noisy, demanding.
But after you’ve been on the mat for a few minutes or more, the world seems more manageable.
And when you’re feeling this way, you are able to be in better control of your time and energy—and this is essential to being your best and performing at your optimum level in everything you do.
In the first chapter of my book Refuel Recharge and Re-energize, I write about the idea of taking time each day to quiet your mind and how important that is.
Yoga helps you to quiet your mind.
And in the sixth chapter of my book, I write about cultivating more yin to balance all the yang in our modern world.
Yoga helps you to cultivate more yin, in essence to feel more balanced and in control.
After practicing yoga last Monday, I came away feeling that everything was going to work out just fine, and that all the things I was worrying about really didn’t matter that much in the bigger scheme of things. I felt relieved, relaxed, and at peace in my heart—and was happy to go home to my family.
If these ideas of refilling your tank and being better balanced intrigue you, then I invite you to join me this coming weekend for one of these workshops:
Saturday, January 12, I’ll be at Blue Banyan in the Mt. Airy neighborhood of Philadelphia, offering a delicious full practice of yin (relaxed) yoga poses and an engaging and enjoyable dialogue about how the yin yang framework can help you achieve better life balance, as well as suggestions on how you can practice these ideas at home or at the office. Join me at 1:30 PM, but call 267.974.6527 to register first. And find more details here.
Sunday, January 13, I’ll be at Yogawood in Collingswood, NJ (just 15 minutes from Center City Philadelphia), sharing yoga-inspired wisdom and practices to help you feel more in balance, more relaxed, and in control of your time and energy. Join me at 1 PM, but sign-up first here.
And if you’re not available to join us, or are not in the area, and would like to have a conversation about how you could further explore these ideas in your own life, or make them part of your New Year’s Resolution, then I invite you to meet with me by phone, Skype, or Facetime, for a one-on-one coaching session. More info here.
by Erin Owen | Dec 31, 2012 | Ezine
One of the best things I’m going to be celebrating tonight for New Year’s Eve, is just how awesome my clients are!
I raise my glass to the following clients* and their accomplishments in 2012:
JANET
She wrote this to me in her holiday card:
“Thanks for all your support over the year and especially this past year that was so difficult for me. You helped me figure out how to deal with my new life situation with my aging mother and you helped me make my dream come true; to be a professor at Penn. It’s going great and I just love it!”
DAN
In spite of an incredibly challenging schedule, he successfully integrated several mindset, breathing, yoga, and meditation practices, resulting in a lower average golf score, finishing his work projects ahead of schedule and under budget, and generally enjoying life more.
MIMI
During our work together, she realized she wanted to sell her business earlier than planned so she could pursue a new career path in her 60s. She identified and groomed a successor, and in her holiday card she shared “I am moving closer to my goals each day and am halfway through my [certification] program.”
KATHERINE
Prior to working with me, Katherine had no new business revenue and was doubting her decision to leave the corporate world and start her own business. Now she is in discussions with one of the largest television networks in the U.S. about doing her own show! An amazing shift in less than a year.
ALAN
On the verge of shutting down the business he had spent 6 years building, he worked with me to clarify the overall vision he had for his life and realized he neither wanted to continue in his business “as is” or go work for someone else. After laying out the terms for what he wanted, and letting go of his fears, he successfully secured a large investor in his business, along with an equity partner to handle all the operational details that caused him stress.
MARVA
Marva had dedicated 25 years of her life to her children’s healthy growth and development, and began working with me to turn much of that energy inward to her own personal evolution. In just 6 months, she cultivated and consistently practiced an inspiring set of platinum practices that resulted in her losing 25 lbs, boosting her mental & physical energy, negotiating a better equity deal in her business partnership and shifting her role to focus more on her passions and strengths, traveling domestically and internationally to places she’d always wanted to visit, and more.
ELLEN
Over the course of our work together, Ellen has consistently impressed me with her ability to fully embrace the ideas of “letting go of the shoulds” and “feel the fear and do it anyway.” Within 10 months, she quit her day job and started her own company, moved her primary residence from the suburbs into the heart of the city, started a new romantic relationship, and started challenging herself in amateur martial arts competitions.
To my dear readers:
Not all of my clients experience such awesome results. There are no guarantees. And there have been some spectacular duds over the past 9 years of coaching private clients. But, this past 18 month stretch has seen some pretty extraordinary shifts among the clients in my practice. I sincerely hope it continues for everyone in my tribe!
Dearest clients:
It is my honor to witness your transformations and to be a part of your path. When you breakthrough to perform at a higher level, I know the benefits you experience have a ripple effect that positively influence us all. Thank you for your trust, your willingness to experiment and try new practices, and for believing in yourself!
And don’t miss out on my New Year’s Resolution Strategy Session special. This is your opportunity to receive my warm & wise guidance and undivided attention for a full hour for just $66. During our time together on the phone, you will create and successfully move forward with your New Year’s Resolution. Sign up now and get started on the right foot in 2013, focused and with a clear path to bring your dream to life.
Only $66 if you Sign-up and Pay by Friday, January 4, 2013
(A savings of more than $70!)
NOTE: All strategy sessions must be scheduled between January 1 and January 31, 2013.
Happy New Year to All!
Erin Owen
Performance Breakthrough Coach
*Note: Some of the names and identifying characteristics have been changed to protect my clients’ privacy – that is, until they decide to shout their excitement to the world and toot their own horn!
by Erin Owen | Dec 24, 2012 | Ezine
For some of you, today holds no special meaning.
For others, it’s the eve of the religious holiday that celebrates the birth of Christ.
And for others, it’s the eve of a special day that brings you together with family to celebrate tradition and exchange gifts with those you love.
However you view this day,
I invite you to consider giving yourself the gift of
Peace and Ahimsa.
Ahimsa is a Sanskrit word.
And it’s one of the yoga practices called “yamas” that teach us how to be in the world.
They’re a bit like ethical guidelines.
Depending on the translation,
Ahimsa means non-violence or non-harming or kindness toward all living things.
I’ve been thinking about writing on this topic of Ahimsa for the past month.
And then out of the blue came the tragic school shooting in Connecticut.
So, it’s time.
In my little world, my biggest teachers and reminders of Ahimsa
are my children, Ian and Miles.
I’m pretty sure they were sent to me to teach me
Patience, Infinite Love, and the importance of Being Fully Present.
But one of my biggest challenges as a parent of two young, energetic boys,
is not losing my cool.
So, I’ve committed myself to dedicating the year 2013 to further exploring Ahimsa.
Not only in terms of learning how to stand firmly in non-violence as a parent,
but also in terms of how I engage with the world.
I want to further expand my commitment to ethical treatment of animals.
I’m not vegan, though I’ve tried to walk that road before.
But, what I can do is become even more aware of how the farmers I buy my meat from treat their animals.
This is why I’m a big proponent of buying local through Fair Food, CSAs, farmers markets, and the like.
This past year I learned about the horrific slave labor conditions in most clothing manufacturing around the world, and so I’m open to exploring different ways of purchasing items from companies that provide a living wage and decent working conditions for their employees.
One way I do that in Philadelphia is by shopping at SaVa, a sustainably-minded clothing manufacturer that designs, cuts, sews, and sells its clothes all in my local area.
What I struggle most with, though, is limiting my children’s exposure to violence.
A majority of boys’ mainstream toys have some element of fighting to them,
and commercial television is so full of guns and fighting that it’s troubling.
For now, my husband and I sound like a broken record with our mantra of “don’t play with toy guns or toy tanks or toy bombs…”, and when our kids watch TV it’s almost always something on the PBS Kids Sprout channel.
Hopefully these messages at home, combined with a peace-oriented curriculum and culture at my older son’s Quaker school, will somehow balance out our culture’s obsession with guns and violence.
And, lastly, is it possible to find a middle ground between the right to bear arms and the prevalence of automatic weapons? I’d like to think so.
In what other ways are you exploring Peace and Ahimsa?
What ideas do you have for me?
If you too are interested in committing yourself to the yama of Ahimsa in 2013,
for yourself and for the world around you,
please let me know.
Namaste,
Erin Owen
Performance Breakthrough Coach
P.S. “Namaste” means “I bow to you,” or as I like to say at the end of my yoga workshops “the light in me acknowledges, celebrates, and dances with the light in you.” Namaste.
