Harness Your Power: Focus on Progress

There have been times on the path to my dreams that I didn't see major progress.  I have wondered, "Am I headed in the right direction?"  Yet, when I would look a bit closer, I could see bits of progress.  Small ones--but I could count it as progress nonetheless.

Take my coaching practice.  I met some coaches and knew in an instant that I wanted to be a life coach.  It started with taking a course in California.  Coming home, I created my business card.  I began telling people that I was a life coach.  A few people expressed interest and I took them on as unpaid clients. 

I'd coach in my lunch break and in the evening.  I coached in my car so I could have privacy.  (My clients didn't know because I was on the phone and highly professional).  I did whatever it was I needed to do to get myself launched.  After months of free coaching, I realized I had a gift.  Clients were expressing delight at the inner and outer changes they experienced.  I determined a fee.  The next client came along and I charged them some money for my work. 

At last, after months and months of focus, I was a paid life coach.  But, I was just at the beginning of building a coaching practice. 

It was a slow start.  It took patience--patience with myself and with life.  Yet, day by day, as I kept my focus, progress did come about.  There were many days that felt like literally nothing was happening.  But in the days with no visible developments, I was making inner strides forward.  I gained confidence and clarity about my calling.  I researched so I was prepared to have an intake form and a way to keep track of the sessions.

I share this to encourage you.  Go for your dreams.  Stay focused on your heart's calling.  You know what your passion is and you should never give up on it.  Don't get discouraged if you aren't moving as quickly forward as you thought you would.  Everything grows and unfolds in the perfect time.  Your part in the process is to be dedicated, disciplined and enjoy each step of the way.  Give yourself credit for every sign of progress and growth. 

Delight in the smallest movements forward.  Track them and smile.

My new book, Clarify Your Purpose and Live It, makes an excellent and reasonably priced Christmas Gift for the ones you love.  It is a "life-changing" book as someone told me today.  It can literally help you find a whole new level of purpose and meaning to your life if you read it and do the exercises.

Here's the link if you want to buy it on Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Clarify-Your-Purpose-Patricia-Omoqui/dp/0982912900/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1291144319&sr=8-2
With love,

Patricia Omoqui, The Thought Dr.
http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Keep Stepping Forward

Tonight I wrote close to 40 of my daily Food For Thought emails.  I've written over 1,000 of them in total the past few years.  It takes focus and persistence to do this every week for several years.  (My years of playing basketball taught me this type of self-discipline.)  I'm happy to write the emails.  I've written these emails during dark, difficult days.  I've written these emails during bright, exciting times.

I share this personal experience with you only to encourage you: follow your dream, offer your service and live your purpose no matter the highs or lows you are experiencing. 

I know it can feel challenging to keep going, especially in those days you feel stuck or you see no visible progress.  I've been there.  I still have those days.  But, I love the path I have chosen and I wake up each day and do my best. 

Sometimes my best is just one tiny move forward.  Other days I find myself running forward quickly.

Consistency is essential to fulfill your dreams.  So, keep at it!  Take that next little step to which you are guided.  If you can take a few more, then go for it! 

Your efforts will add up and pay off!

Believe in yourself.  Stay focused on your dreams.

With Love,
Patricia Omoqui, The Thought Dr.
http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Step - by - Step Adds Up!

Is it just me?  Or, is time moving really fast these days?

I find that a day seems to go by as fast as a few hours.  A week feels like it was only a day.  I often sit and wonder how I will ever be able to make the progress my heart yearns for.  It appears there just isn't enough time for everything I want to accomplish.

I have concluded that daily baby steps taken on my desires ADD UP!  There are times when it feels like the little moves forward make no difference.  I look ahead and the destination I am aiming for still seems so far away.  Yet, with determination and passion, I stay focused and keep moving forward, doing whatever I possibly can each day to progress.

Keep taking your daily baby steps toward your dream.  Don't give up.  The effort you are putting in is worthwhile!   Enjoy the entire journey.  Each step provides essential learning for your soul's development.  Be exuberant and joyful as you experience life.

Here are a few quotes I found that I thought might uplift you:

“Don't wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what. Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident and more and more successful.”  (Mark Victor Hansen)

"Progress always involves risk; you can't steal second base and keep your foot on first base.” (Frederick Wilcox)

"Never discourage anyone...who continually makes progress, no matter how slow."  Plato

Keep moving forward! 
I'm moving forward with you,

Patricia Omoqui, The Thought Dr.
http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/

Harness Your Power: Acknowledge Growth

Almost every morning when my kids come down the stairs I say to them, "Did you grow last night?" They love this attention as we laugh and measure arms and legs, fingers and toes to see signs of growth. It's a fun way to connect.

Though I don't notice visible growth every morning, it is amazing how every few months they seem to need new shoes or longer pants. They are growing so quickly! I continue to tell them, "You aren't allowed to grow up so fast!" But they always echo, "No, mom, we have to grow up!" So much for a mother's plea ( ha ha).

This week I took a look at myself and began to see that compared to a year ago I have grown and matured so much. Ok, yes, I do have a few more grey hairs...but, I'm really referring to my inner progress.

My ability to relax into each situation I encounter is so better than last year. I used to struggle and feel tremendous inner tension when my husband would travel to Nigeria on business. I'd count the days while he was away and feel the weight of having to take care of everything on my own. Now, however, I just stay in each moment. I actually am enjoying the freedom while he is away and everything has a way of getting done as it needs too -- the kids get taken care of, my weekly articles get written, my clients get seen and somehow the house stays fairly neat.

My inner calm has deepened. It is a relief to have made this progress. The suffering that comes from fighting with life is exhausting. I find that I am more energetic and upbeat than ever. I wake up with a sense of joy. I find myself in awe of the beauty I'm surrounded with and the fantastic ways the Universe demonstrates support for me.

I wanted to take time to celebrate and acknowledge this growth. (Believe me, I know there are plenty of more ways I can stretch and grow!) It has come with continual dedication to a process of inner healing and transformation. Each time spent in meditation, each affirmation said, each moment of being willing to let go of the past and the future -- it is all paying off. I continue to say a prayer each day, "Show me the way to complete and total healing."

I can't take credit for it all. In fact, most of it has happened on its own. The right learning partners show up for me. The best challenges come my way to stretch me a bit further. Because I am willing this healing process continues in the most amazing ways. I am grateful that the most essential thing I've had to do is simply remain open hearted and willing to heal.

Enough about me. How are you? Take time to notice your own growth! Can you see the way you've changed since last year? Are you wiser, kinder and more carefree? Notice and be sure to find ways to enjoy this progress!

I'm here to celebrate with you.

With great love,

Patricia Omoqui

http://www.patriciaomoqui.com/