My Newspaper Fetish

My husband always laughs at me for not liking the feel of newsprint but I don't and hate how it gets all over your hands. What I actually like even less (and this is why I don't read any news) is how hte news is all about what is NOT working and how awful things are. They don't tell you anything good. It is doom and gloom.

No wonder people walk around feeling down!

If you have never tried a newspaper diet, I highly recommend you do.

It will lift your spirits and your hands will be cleaner, too:)

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

EnergyThief

I find that TV and radio often steal my energy. There is constant focus on negatives and what is not working and songs about tragedy and commercials about how many people die of what illnesses and shows about hospitals and death and tragedy. I find I can't turn on the TV without being surrounded by things which are not what I choose to attract to my life experience. It is the same with the radio and the news, commecials and much of the newer music.

Tragedy and fear seems to be the theme they are focused on.

I mostly read self help books, listen to uplifting music and write and read about the positives in my life experience.

You DO get what you focus on. No wonder so many people feel down!

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Wonderful News

I completed my testimony in the trial on Monday and finally am home with no further trips to Florida to testify! YEAH!!!!

I also had an EXTRAordinary weekend with my niece. We did a ton of shopping for her honeymoon and she got a beautiful dress for her rehearsal dinner and picked up things like sunglasses and such for her trip. Also, she got a super bargain of a precious moments wedding figurine for a steal!

We shopped, we talked and I got to see pictures of the wedding preparations and went over the service with her. I am so excited for her!

It was an awesome weekend. She got a massage and I got a facial and we went at fast pace shopping and then slowed it down to relax. It was so much fun.

I was sad to leave Sunday late afternoon to catch the plane to Florida, but I had to go.

I am hopeful my husband, who is still stuck down in Florida, comes home tonight or tomorrow and we can put this behind us.

I am so grateful to have this over and not taking up any more space in my brain and to be enjoying life and my family and can't wait until the wedding!

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

My Weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Weekends are always nice for me to go a bit slower and enjoy longer walks and being with my husband and friends, but this one is going to ROCK!

I am so excited. My niece is coming in and we are going to go shopping to get her clothes for her upcoming honeymoon to Hawaii and I am also going to find something she can borrow to wear at her wedding and also going to pack up some things from my home that she can have in her brand new home!

It is all so exciting! She gets in this PM and my plan was to be with her right until she got on her flight Monday morning, but once again this trial has interferred with my life and my plans. I have to fly to Florida again on Sunday night:(

In any event, I am taking her to get a massage and we are going to shop and chat and enjoy!

I can't wait.

I hope YOU create an EXTRAordinary weekend that nurtures your mind, body and spirit, too!

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Pardon my writing....

I am in the middle of completing 3 books and working on 6 articles and writing 16 manuals! This is a lot of writing at one time - and I love it.

I blog because I enjoy sharing my thoughts and others have said they enjoy reading them.

When I write anything (even a promotional email) I have a copy editor on the team who proofs it and edits it. I tend to write fast and don't edit my work. When I blog, forget it... I do it even faster and edit nothing (as you may have noticed, LOL!).

On one of my blogs I wrote "I have been reading" which would be no biggie to you or me but the attorney for one of the defendant's really has nothing to say to me so in questioning me asked ridiculous questions about articles and blogs - like that has something to do with the fact that the guy he represents stole money from me and others! Then he used the words, "I have been reading" from one of my blogs to say I was currently reading about this trial.

I found this so silly. First of all, like I have time to be reading!! I've been tied up in Florida with this for weeks and if you know me, you also know I don't read the news or watch TV, and I do write about that frequently. I also don't care about this case at all. I can't get my money back and if they go to jail or not doesn't impact my life at all. If it had been edited, it would have said, "I had read"... actually 4 years ago or so, when the FBI closed this company down, one of my BNI buddies gave me a copy of an article that appeared in the Quakertown paper about the company. I really doubt that 4 years later any papers here are writing about this case as it is all being handled in Florida.

So, all I can say is pardon my writing Mr. Attorney! When you have nothing to defend your client with it seems you choose to attack the witnesses. What a weird justice system we have.

Gang, I am certain my blogs will continue to contain grammar errors and spelling errors, so please do pardon me;)

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

My Coach Is Coming To Philly!!

My dream of having the best coach on the planet that I know, come and speak at the Learning Spa, came true! Scott Hallman, the most talented, skilled, brighest and most EXTRAordinary coach I know, is going to speak at the Learning Spa!

I shared a platform with Scott about a year and a half ago at a Joe Vitale event and realized I had to hire him. He had massive marketing smarts and a clear style and is a fast thinker and doer. Scott helped me launch many products and ideas and is responsible for the Coaching Success Library (http://www.coachingsuccesslibrary.com/) design, which I am so proud of.

To hear Scott speak, to me is worth thousands and I am already excited to hear his wisdom.

If you don't know Scott Hallman, you will want to! He charges HUGE fees as a coach and deserves every penny. Spending 40-50k a year to be coached by him is a great investment in your business. If you don't yet have that much extra income flowing in, spend time with him in Philly and come meet me and Joe Nunziata, Paul and Layne Cutright, Jim and Georgia Donovan, Peter Julian, Peter Fogel, Robert Imbriale, Pamela Harper and others, who will help you increase your business and personal success with EASE!

Oh, you can hear many of them speaking here right now:
http://www.terrilevine.com/learningspa/index.html

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Dream Racer!

Earlier this year I realized that so many people want to coach with me and I don't have the time to coach them all yet I have a strong desire to assist them all. One day I was reading my racing magazines (I am an avid race car fan and also a driver!), and I was thinking how coaching and racing are two of my favorite things and I got the hit to combine them! I spent time feeeeeeeeeeeeeeling what would be fun, high value and created a way to price the coaching super reasonable to help people achieve a goal fast!

I am proud of the site, too!

Take a peak when you get a second... or should I say, "race on over"! LOL
http://www.terrilevine.com/dreamracer.html

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Integrity

I believe when you line up your beliefs, thoughts, feeeeeeeeeeeeelings and actions and live from a place of having those balanced at all times, then you will always be in integrity. When something happens that you don't feeeeeeeeeeeeeeel good about or you don't agree with or you aren't comfortable with, your internal senses tell you so and guide you away and towards that which has you feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeling more in alignment.

I notice for myself when I am not feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeling that everything is lined up, something is off balance and I need to make a shift to get my inner energy lined up. This can be agreeing to have lunch with someone I don't really deeply want to be with, but saying yes as a should and so not to hurt their feelings. Then I start seeing that lunch on my calendar and feeling out of alignment about it. I have to get right back into integrity and explain to the person that lunch is off.

Over the past decade I have said more "no's" and learned to live more and more from that which I really, really, want from inside of me.

When I live a life from the integrity of my desires, I always feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeel great!

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

The Gift of Love

Just got back from Florida where I have to go again next week to finish my testimony. I again focused my energy on what is working and in my journaling and readings and writings I noticed I used the word "love" a lot. I don't use this word lightly. I don't for example "love pizza", although heck I do enjoy it! When I say love I say it coming from a place of deep and great respect, appreciation, gratitude and a deep sense of connection to Spirit.

So, what was I LOVING?

Well, first my amazing husband, Mark. We have been together since we are 17 years old (a long time!) and my love is so strong and deep. I can't discuss the trial or my testimony with him as he is also testifying, so after I leave court I simply look deeply in his eyes and feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeel our connection and his love.

I LOVE my work and my clients! When I hear their voices, get their emails, receive their cards and gifts, I feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeel such appreciation for the work I do and who I connect with and feeeeeeeeeeeeeeel deeply blessed.

I LOVE my friends! They know how much being away from my clients upsets my life and my energy and they reach out to me and send me loving energy in a way that I can't describe. I carry an angel with me that Shannon gave me and it makes me think of her love, and card that says "enjoy your journey" that Terri Barbato gave me years ago, that makes me think of her and a "post it note" from my loving friend Besty and on and on. They are with me in my heart each day.

I LOVE writing and coaching and that is my passion and purpose.

Finally, I LOVE living yet when it is time for me to pass, I will have no regrets. Each day I come from love and feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeling love and appreciation. I don't let a minute go by where I am not grateful for the experience of this wonderful life and even appreciate the contrast of life and the energy of others.

I am IN LOVE:)

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Learning Spa!!

I am so excited I can hardly stay still! We finally unveiled the Learning Spa which is going to be THE event for 2006! We designed the perfect way for serious adults who own their own business and want more business and personal success while creating a balanced life to come learn everything they need to know while nurturing their body, mind and spirit!

We have brought together the GREATEST team of experts: authors, consultants, coaches, trainers... I mean the BEST of the best... along with massages, pampering, a beautiful location, nature, great food and EXTRAordinary people!

Please, if you have a business or ever wanted one, take a peak!
http://www.terrilevine.com/learningspa/index.html

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

You Gotta Have Friends!

Each evening I think about things, people and experiences I am grateful for and I often find myself thinking about my friends and how they bless my life. I am so fortunate to have a network of friends who deeply care and give and express love. One of my friends, Shannon, is a friend who shares intimately with me and I hold her shares with utmost confidence. When we go out to lunch or shopping or to a spa we are always filled with laughter.

One time we spent a weekend in Lancaster, shopping, eating, taking in movies and just having fun. We had just completed hours of shopping with heavy packages and carrying those in addition to a large piece of wicker, when we realized we were about a mile from the car! Shannon offered to leave me with the packages and get the vehicle, but I insisted we could walk together and carry the load. We found a short cut but in our way, we found out, was a HUGE pond. Shannon thought we could cross it, until we got close and saw how huge it was! So we walked on, by the highway struggling to get to the car and laughing so hard we had to stop several times. People kept looking at as as they drove by.

Just as we got to her vehicle her cell phone rang and it started to rain - all at once! There we stood, 2 adult women, laughing and laughing in the rain.

These moments of pure fun and joy and a great friend to share them with, fill me up!

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

My Morning Walk

For the past 18 years I have started most of my days with about an hour walk early in the AM. If the weather is good I go to a nearby park and walk a wooded trail and later a parkside trail. I enjoy the silence and listen to the animals and take notice of the sights and sounds (I lost my sense of smell when I had sinus surgery years ago, so that part I miss). During this quiet, I meditate and plan my day and set my intentions and I feeeeeeeeeeeeeeel gratitude and joy for what is working and the great things and people in my life.

On days when the weather doesn't cooperate, I walk on my treadmill and focus on slowing my thoughts down and enjoying my life and being grateful for all that is working and well.

I have noticed that if there is a day when I miss this ritutal I feel out of balance and rushed. By moving my body in connection with my mind I am creating a comprehensive experience of bringing my mind and body and spirit together and feel complete.

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Back From Florida

Well, I am back from Florida after a week! I finally began testifying and then they had to call another witness so I had to leave the stand and wait and wait and wait. I finally begged to come home for a few days to touch base with my clients and students and catch up on my books and business and they agreed. I have to return later this week to complete my testimony.

Having never done anything like this, the entire feeling is very odd. I am looking forward to getting this behind me and hope I don't get called later if the two defendant's appeal. I really feel very ripped off by them and now believe it was an intentional plan to deceive me and others out of significant amounts of money.

Hard to believe people with such low ethics exist and I wonder what drives them and has them able to sleep and how they see their role in life and contribuition to society. Very puzzling to me.

Well, back to work - it is Sunday and I am trying to get caught up!

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Going To Florida

Well it ends up I leave to go to Florida to testify against a vendor who is on trial and as a former customer who got ripped off, I am headed there. I will be gone for awhile so I'll chat about it when I get back.

It feels a bit surreal to me- getting calls from the FBI and now going to meet w/ Federal Prosecutors to prepare to be on the stand as a witness.

I am trying to make this a situation I can get value from and already decided to go with that spirit... a journey and my role is to find value.

Anyway, it feels odd... stay tuned:)

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Worked Himself To Death

We had terribly sad news this week. One of my personal assistants, who I adore and is one of the people I have the highest respect and admiration for, informed me that her husband's nephew died tragically. He was working like mad and recently became a partner in a restaurant (which had standing room only every night!) and he came home late at night and fell asleep with his car running in the garage.

I feel shock and sadness and can't understand how something like this can happen. I have faith in a higher power yet am still baffled by this event. To loose a young life from overwork and exhaustion....

I hold light and love for his family and hope the memories of this young man will bring the family much comfort over time.

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Back from Vacation

Mark and I had a nice few days away. We did end up going to Vegas after all, so he did get to enjoy March Madness in Vegas. I didn't gamble much. Mostly walked, worked out, got facials and massages and read and relaxed! Fully immersed myself in the experience. We had lots of time to chat and cuddle and just be together. One night was a hoot... we went to listen to a great band that later brought up a super great Elvis impersonator and then a guy who did the most amazing Jim Morrison - it was almost freaky!

Back home about 2 in the morning and excited to be back at work with my wonderful students and clients.

Great break and great to return to the work I so enjoy!

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Letting Frustration Go

Technology has not been working quite right these past few weeks. I downloaded a software program that crashed my hard drive and downloaded it on not just on one computer but both of them! So, my software to synch my phone and calendar information that was on these computers that was shot. My microphone for podcasts, shot. Today I found out hours of recordings I did, also shot:(

I began to feel deep frustration and then decided to quickly shift and let go of this. I changed my physical state and my energy and began to relax and to choose another way to feel. I decided to let in peace and ease. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

I am so thankful I learned coaching skills nearly a decade ago as I handle life and chaos in a new and different way from my old pattern. I let go of negative energy fast and allow in the feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelings I want.

This is another reason I want to teach everyone on the planet coaching skills. It is life changing.

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Prosperity

I learned about 10 years ago to live with a prosperity mindset. This means seeing money as something that there is much of and understanding money is a good thing. I don't want money for money's sake. I do want money so I can make contributions to society and to family and to also have the safety net if some emergency occurred.

I like money and believe money is not a bad thing. Money is something the Creator gave us to say, "go forth and enjoy your experience on this planet... soak it all in!".

I find there are many people in a lack mentality and who don't live an abundant life. They have money beliefs which limit them and get in their way... things like, "I am not good enough"... "Money is the root of all evil"... "People with money aren't nice"... Believing such stories keeps them tied in lack. The never have money and even when they get some money, they quickly blow it so they can get right back to their story of their is never enough and they are not deserving.

I look at the world as an abundant place and fully believe in an abundance of money, health, love, joy, friendship, etc. I believe that is why I have a life filled with the abundance of these things. You get what you focus on. If your dominant thought is you are "poor" or you can't have a lot of money, that is just what you will get.

So, my thought for the day is to remind you to shift your story if you want something new to show up and stop blaming the world and others. It is YOU who creates your life experience based on what you think!

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Creating Positive Change

I stopped at a store last evening to pick up something I need for my trip out of town later this week and observed a young child with her parents. The child was acting out and struggling and wanted to run free in the mall and was yelling and creating a major fuss. What was interesting to me, is that of the 10 strategies to effectively change child behavior, these parents had all 10 mixed up - hence the child continued on.

I won't go in to all the details and do cover it in my parent coaching certification ecourse, but here are some of them:

There was no good reason for the child to stop this behavior.
The parents tried to use rewards, which don't change behaviors.
The child wasn't being told what the bad behavior was.

I know from working with parents and children for over 25 years, that you can easily and effortless teach a child to behave well and it stems from helping a child see the consequences for "bad" behavior.

I felt bad as these parents were frustrated and also showing anger towards each other. If only they had the parent coaching assistance to set limits on bad behavior!

Got my passion for making sure that more people have these skills burning...

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Always Coaching

This weekend I had the joy of seeing my sister and her family and going to my nieces wedding showers and well as my nephews play! In addition to having fun, laughing and being in awe of what a fabulous singer and actor my nephew is, what I loved most was the connection with family and excitement of the upcoming wedding!

It was interesting that during a shower game where we each had to write a recipe for a successful marriage, I wrote from my coaching perspective things like: respect, honor, feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelings, no judgment, etc. It is such a part of who I am and how I think.

The profession of coaching has such impact on clients and on us, as the coaches! How lucky and blessed we are to do the work we love, love the work we do, make a fantastic living while serving others and improving our own lives!

I am thankful for my wonderful family and for my wonderful way of making a living in this world.

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Computer Weirdness

Computers really baffle me! I love them and hate them. The latest is my computer microphone picks up the strangest buzzing in the background for no reason. I tried a few mics and the noise is always there. It is so frustrating.

Then yesterday my computer stopped backing up so the tape drive isn't working and today my antivirus program isn't working and my hot synch for my treo is adding all kinds of bizarre files.

Can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em!

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Project Moving On The Launch Pad

I've been telling you about the secret project and now I can share more! I was so impressed with Peter Julian that I partnered with him and we are creating something so revolutionary it will totally change the industry of personal development forever! Nothing comes close to what we are getting ready to share.

The excitement is building and even though I can't show you or offer you the product yet, I want you to be one of the first ones to know about it. I posted a ton of information so you can feel the excitement and know more, too. Check this out:
http://www.terrilevine.com/secretproject.html

I hope you'll get jazzed with me as this project is so awesome I can't sleep at night!

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Trial

About 8 years ago I hired a company to create a virtual university for http://www. ComprehensiveCoachingU.com and they took my money (a lot of it!) and never did any of the work. They would just keep meeting with me and having calls with me and sending me work plans. I gave them a full year of this nonsense and then got pretty upset.

They then asked me to sign a new contract and wanted MORE money for the job!

I never got my money back and found out their company was in trouble with the FBI and that the folks were on trial in Florida.

I have been reading local papers about the trial and these folks seem criminal in their actions.

I was contacted several years ago by the FBI as they seized the computers and documents of this company and my emails showed up and my contract.

Now, the FBI wants me to testify in this case. I don't have a choice as they served me with a summons. The deal is that for me, the past IS the past and I don't live there and don't spend time or energy focused on what is NOT working.

What a way to suck my energy and take me away from serving people! They wanted me to come now and to miss my niece's bridal showers and I don't care if they come arrest me, my family comes FIRST always!

Society loves to focus on the past and my choice is to focus on the present - Rachel's showers. I'll be feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeling what I want to feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeel even if I am testifying!

I choose to feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeel peace and to know all IS well!

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Spring!

I love spring time and even though we've only had a few warm days so far in the Philly area, I took full advantage of them! I put down the top on my convertible, went to the park and got in about an hour walk feeling the sun, enjoying the fresh air and listening to the birds. Not much greenery yet but man I soaked in nature!

We are expected to have another cold front (back in the teens!) and I am so glad I took advantage of the warm weather. I try to get out every day and walk in the park or walk in my area with my dog, Sheba, just to feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeel at one with the Universe and make the connection with the beauty of the world.

We are blessed to have this wonderful planet we live on!

Terri Levine

http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Summing Up Last Week

Last week was so typical of life with chaos at every turn. I met new people, got new clients, found an awesome place for Learning Spa, connected with new friends, spent time laughing and playing with friends and family and had relaxtion time with Mark. I worked out... worked on my books... finished up 3 products and started 2 more... developed a new program... invited people to speak at Learning Spa... taught for University of Masters... worked on my podcast... handled getting complete with someone... hired a new software company for my database and marketing... got excited about my niece's upcoming bridal shower... heard sad news about another family member... called my great nephew to wish him a happy birthday... spent a night at a friend's home... read... did BrainSpeak... got served with papers from the FBI to testify in Florida against a vendor who ripped me off almost 8 years ago...

So, it was up and down and here and there... just got to love it! Life is chaos and chaos is life... hang on for the ride and enjoy what it brings... I appreciate being alive and even the downs. Here's to more UPS this week:)

Terri Levine

http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

What Blind Dates Have In Common With Success...

Hello everyone,

I just received this interesting note from someone who joined my coach training program and I thought what she wrote of her experience was so poignant and happens to us all - but we just don't talk about it - that I thought it should be shared. Her letter is below:

Dear Sharon and Terri,

I just wanted to tell you both that I really appreciated your group coaching call today. When I found your website, I KNEW this was the right program - it's "touchy/feely" (hands-on) which I love! But as soon as I signed up, I went into the fear of I made the wrong decision. I had gotten caught up in a fear of - did I make the right decision - will I have the "right" credentials when I'm done, etc.... I have done some more reading about who you both are and I realize that its just my fear. A fear of being "duped".

Its happened before, recently. I know I haven't been. I know you guys are really who you say you are and are helping each of us immensely. I have all the faith in the world that you and Terri are genuine and this is a very special and unique opportunity. My energy is shifted and it feels SO good!!! I thank you for the opportunity to bring up that fear and work through it. Thank you for the wonderful mentors who I could go right from the training call to talk to and discuss my fears. My mentor helps me get back on track.

I'm just extremely grateful for this opportunity. The above was probably rambling, but I needed to share. I know this is the career I am passionate about - I know its my life purpose.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Christine
(New Life Coach)

I wanted to share Christine's letter as we thought many of you may be going
through the same challenge.

It's important to know that when faced with new directions we all experience fear. Mostly it's fear of change or of the unknown. We want to protect ourselves from possible pain. This is all healthy. What is not healthy is being halted or stopped by fear. When we focus more on what can go wrong, we often miss out on major life shifting opportunities that are just waiting for us to take a step towards them.

Think about going on a blind date - just as an example. Sure, you can think
about all the ways it could go wrong. But maybe you will get more out of that blind date than you expect. Maybe it will teach you something great about yourself. Maybe it will help connect you to the real person of your dreams or a new hobby or perhaps you will just laugh all night long. If you let fear stop you from ever going on dates then will your love life ever improve? Will Miss or Mr. Right be able to find you if you're hiding in your living room behind your TV? No! In order for our lives to change for the better we have to take the "risk" and open ourselves up for opportunity.

We have to be willing "participants" - not sit on the side lines.

If we've been let down in love or even feel very "duped" by love - is that a good enough reason to never love again?

If we've taken some opportunities in the past in business that haven't worked out for us the way we expected, then does that mean we should never be open to new opportunities ever again? Does that mean that every new opportunity will have the same result?

No - of course not.

Those that are "lucky in love" or "lucky in life", are different from others in one respect: they just make themselves open to new opportunities and they act when something comes along that has potential for greatness. They never know any more than you if that opportunity will be great - but they can be sure that nothing will change unless they do something different and try it.

Here's another nugget to ponder - FEAR looks tall and scary when it is in front of us. But something magical happens when we step in front of it.

Looking back...fear looks ridiculous and silly and we wonder why we were afraid of it in the first place.

So today...where will you be standing? In front of fear, feeling stuck and terrified or looking back at it and smiling?

***If you haven't signed up for the next coaching call do so here:
http://www.coachinstitute.com/coachinginstituteorientation.htm

***Or fill out your application for the Apprentice Program that Christine is
on:
http://www.coachinstitute.com/vip-program-application.htm


Helping you to move forward in life,

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com/

It's In YOUR Mind

I will tell you upfront I didn't always have an attitude that was positive. In fact I worried a lot about the future, and was great at thinking about all the problems I "might" have. I changed this attitude when I learned the Law of Attraction and how thoughts create what we exerience. It took almost a full year for me to shift this on a deep level where I think this way naturally and focus on thinking and choosing the thoughts I DO want and only choose to feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeling good! I am human so at times, sure, I mess up. I don't need to get it perfect. I am human.

I spoke to 4 or 5 people in the past two days who are not my coaching clients and not my playmates in business and ALL of them came from worry about the future and filled the conversation with what is not working and what their problems are and compliants and what might go wrong. I listened to their negative self talk, their inner beliefs, their fears and felt pained for them. To live in this energy must be depleting and tiring and draining. I want for people to know that in our short life experience we get to choose what we want to feel and be and do and have. I say to my client's all the time, "How do you intend to experience the rest of your life?"... just to remind them in each nano second we have the choice to think what we desire.

I realized how blessed I am to have learned coaching skills so that I am not stuck in a place of negative energy and also realize the contrast I felt when engaged with people who haven't yet evolved and don't live by Law of Attraction. Just grateful I am on a different path and journey and I send them love and light to find an easier, freer and better feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeling way.

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Women and Business

As a woman business owner I read alot of information and articles about women in business. Having come from a corporate male dominated environment in a "high power" position and giving that up to have a life, I know what women in business want. In my experience coaching over 300 women in business, we want to create businesses that reflect our life missions and purposes and we want flexiblity and balance in our lives. We want more connection and more time to do yoga, or take walks, or play with our kids, or clean our homes, or whatever it is we do.

Women are starting home based and other businesses at a rapid pace and are great in business! They do lack some key business fundamentals that typcially our male counterparts have been taught that we have not accessed.

I have a deep passion to help women succeed in their businesses and do what they love and love what they do while serving the world. I want for them to succeed and make money and to have a viable, solid business. My goal is to be sure women have the necessary tools and skills to be super successful.

I decided to teach what I know to women in business or those who want to be or MIGHT want to be in business. I hope you'll come out and learn from me. My passion is to share my resources and knowledge with you so you can do more of what you want and get paid well for doing it while making a valuable contribution to society through your business. If you want to learn from me, please join me by going to:

http://www.terrilevine.com/successfulWOB.html


Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com/

Do YOU Want To Be Part of My Podcast?

My podcast is in production and I am looking for two types of people/companies to come play with me. If you are a part-time or full time coach, who is a woman with children who is a coach, and have built a successful coaching business, you might be the star of my next show! If this is YOU, please send an email to Terri@TerriLevine.com telling me about you and your coaching career.

If you have a business that would appeal to people who are interested in hiring coaches or you are a coach who would like to reach my podcast audience, we currently have openings for sponsorships. Sponsors can either have me endorse them for up to 90 seconds on my show, or can have a professional voice over give their commercial or can give their 90 second commercial themselves. You'll reach a large targeted audience and will be my sponsor for a full month!

For details send an email asking about sponsorship to Terri@TerriLevine.com.

Come play!

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Stop the Certification Madness

I am constantly amazed at how coaches get trapped into thinking they need to have some initials after their names to draw clients to them or for the coach to believe they are a great coach. I know coaches who get great coach training and are not only the top coaches in the industry, they are the real money making coaches, and none of them give a hoot about what it says after their name. I am really tired of the coaching industry taking the focus away from learning coaching skills and learning the skills to be a highly paid coach and making it about getting some silly initials after your name!

One of my clients said she just puts, MSU after her name, for Make Stuff Up! That really is the essence of saying, it doesn't matter! I have been coaching for nearly a decade and work with Fortune 100 companies, clients around the world and over 2,000 coaching clients and not ONE ever asked about initials. They ask where I got my training and they want to know what I am an expert at and how I can help them - THEY have the right focus and ask the right questions.

Michael Port and I were speaking recently and he agrees with my view and he said in the 3 years he has been coaching and the 500k of income he has generated as a coach he has never been asked about his certification and he has none and is one of the greatest coaches on the planet and makes a great income, too!

Coaches, stop procrastinating with your careers and get real. Consultants don't need inititals, we need great training and knowledge of how to sell what we do.

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Live Events!!

I have had a great few days coaching clients, writing, doing phone seminars and interviews and working both ON and IN my business! The next two days with be spent with some of my super star Field Trip clients doing a live two day event where they will get high level training and kick their butt (with love, of course!) coaching. I so enjoy this balance and love when live energy comes together and connects. I am so excited and looking foward to this that I barely slept a wink last night and woke up at the crack of dawn! Let's rock and roll!

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Late Night

I like to wake up early to take my walk and spend some time planning my day and enjoying silence before the pace of the day picks up, so I wake about 6 AM. By about 9 PM I am not so lively. Last night I got my second wind as I enjoyed 2 calls with Pamela Harper from University of Masters. On the first call we spoke about my upcoming classes with University of Masters which I am super excited about! Then, later that night she interviewed me about the field of coaching, some of my secret information about coaching and I got to meet and experience some new folks associated with University of Masters. What a treat and I had no problem keeping my high energy.

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Getting Ready For Field Trip!!

Over the past 3 years I have conducted my favorite live program called "Field Trip" where very special business owners come together to learn my secrets and be supported by me for a full year. Part of the joy of working with this group is about the people who I get to know and support and the live experiences we have together to share and grow. This week, most of the Field Trippers come together here in PA, to continue their learning and growth. I am thrilled as I look foward to taking these folks to the next level and can't wait for this gathering. I spent much of the weekend gathering supplies, reviewing the agenda and just feeeeeeeeeeeeeeling and pre-paving this experience. I will be away from the office Thursday and Friday with this group and no one else will have my attention during that time. I cherish this opportunity and am blessed to have such wonderful business people to spend 2 days with. What an honor!

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Weekend

I really enjoy the weekends as Mark and I have much more time to spend together. Sometimes we spend our time doing errands and other times we do nothing at all. This weekend is going to be a nice blend. Today I am working out and then taking my good friend, Shannon, to Philly for Tea for her birthday. Then, Mark and Shannon's husband, John, are meeting us for a drink and then we are going to a great Italian joint in Philly. Shannon loves chocolate, so part of her birthday celebration is going to another Philly hotel for their hot chocolate stations after dinner.

Saturday we have our usual errands and then we are going to watch some movies and relax.

Sunday is our lazy day and later that night a bunch of us are going to Philly for a Chinese New Year dinner celebration.

What a great way to rest and replenish. I am doing things I love with people I enjoy and having the thing I love most in life - lots of time with my husband.

Create an EXTRAordinary weekend!

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Private Movie Theater

Yesterday my nephew and I went to see the Chronicles of Narnia. He has seen it many times and wanted to see it again and I have been looking foward to seeing it. We were the only ones in the entire 22 theater movie plex! It was so weird. So, there we were in our private theater enjoying the movie, sharing popcorn and soda and chatting.

It was really cool and the movie was awesome.

Next time I go to a movie I want it to be private:) There was something so cool about being the only ones in the entire 22 screen theater. Like it was part of our private space or something.

Cool beans and a great movie and great company!

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Family Fun

Today I have taken off to be with my nephew who is visiting during February break. Last night we went to dinner and chatted about all kinds of things and connected. We then came home and watched TV and had some laughs playing "judges" on American Idol.

Today we are going to see the Chronicles of Narnia, which he has seen 3 times I think and I am anxious to see. Then we have a few places to stop and we'll connect with Mark for dinner and hang out together.

It is awesome to see my wonderful nephew develop and grow and mature and to get to know him more deeply.

I am grateful for this time and for having a business that I can take time away from to be with family.


Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Back to Working Myself Happy

We had an awesome weekend away and we had time together to relax, rest, and re-connect. When we got home last night I felt excited to be coming back to work today. I remember so well the days in "corporate" where I dreaded going back to work and would feel depressed when vacation was over. It is evidence that I am working myself happy, when I feel energized and excited to be with my clients today and feeling great about getting back to work.

What a blessing to be doing work I love with people I love and really deeply serving others through my work.

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Getaway!

Tomorrow, my husband and I are going away to our favorite hotel in Philly to spend a quiet weekend alone. We have dinner plans for Friday and then plan to listen to music and relax in the lounge. Saturday we'll use the gym and then read by the indoor pool, do some swimming, use the jacuzzi and veg:) We'll probably take a long walk to China Town and grab some dinner there and then find a nice place to sit and chat and hang out. Sunday we are having brunch and then going to several museums and then Sunday night we are having dinner at a Cuban restaurant we've always wanted to try. Monday my sister and 2 of her children might take a train to Philly so we can all go the museums, have some lunch and spend time visiting. Then, Mark and I will have dinner at a noisy, fun, funky place in the city and my sister and her children will take the train back to my home, outside Philly, where they are staying for a bit.

Man am I looking foward to this!!!!

My favorite weekends are the ones alone with my husband;)


Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Loving My Work

As the author of Work Yourself Happy you may have guessed that everyday I get to do what I love and love what I do.

I deeply LOVE my work and I also love the people I get to work with. My clients and support team are awesome and I am blessed to have them in my life.

It is a delight to see my clients grow and build a business or create more success in their personal lives or at work or in their health and wellness goals or relationships or with their mates and children. I so enjoy watching my clients shift from worry and stress to easy, effortless systems and lives.

I happen to make a great living doing what I do, but even if I did not, I am too passionate about this work, and would keep on doing it even if the financial rewards were small.

I also am so glad to be surrounded with great teammates that support my work and assist my clients. In corporate America I didn't get to choose the players and now I have the wonderful benefit of selecting top people who are fun to work with.

I am appreciative each day that I do get to Work Myself Happy!

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Relationships

I was noticing how friends and family talk a lot about what is not quite right in their relationships with their children, parents, mates, co-workers and their family and friends. I was silently listening thinking about how I focus on postive aspects of what IS working and what IS right about all the people I experience, even ones that might pose some "difficulty".

I asked a few questions (of course, the Coach in me could not stay quiet!) and as I did I saw each person begin the gentle shift that comes from coaching. One of my closest friends said, "I am not sure what you just did or how you did it, but 10 minutes ago I was really pissed at my sister-in-law and all of the sudden I am finding her silly ways just that, silly"...

Ah, the power of coaching and simply asking the right questions. I am blessed to know these tools and have them to coach myself and my clients and the side benefit of observing others and assisting them by living as a coach is soooooooooooooo rewarding to me.

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Car Show

Every year my husband and I attend the car show in Philly and I enjoy seeing the new cars and wondering around. We went yesterday even though we had 16 or so inches of snow on the ground, and it was a great time to go, as it was empty and you could really get in and see many cars.

He is looking for something bigger than his current car and we stumbled over to Maserati... WOW... what a freaking car! While he was looking there I saw a small, convertible Maserati and loved it.

I have been waiting for the new Bentley to come out in a convertible for over a year and it is coming shortly and for about 1/2 of that price of that car, I can get the Maserati. I am confused now!

We are going to drive the Maserati's on Saturday. I have already driven the Bentley and know it's an awesome ride.

Mark would rather I get a "cheap" car but he knows that won't happen as I have a passion for fast, exotic cars and as a race car driver, expensive cars are my thing!

So, we are going to drive the Maserati's on Saturday.

Kind of cool playing with some new toys.

Everytime I spend a lot on something for "me" or "us", I make a donation to a favorite charity so I feel like I am giving and getting and it makes it more fun. I have the charity all picked out and now I have to see if I pick out the car, too!

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Winter

The buzz today is that we are expecting a HUGE snow storm so everywhere I went people were talking about it and rushing to get groceries. I was calmly thinking about it and how beautiful it might be and how I was NOT going to rush to get food, knowing we won't starve and will be out and about again!

Interesting how the weather forecast alone can send people into a panic and add more stress and take them away from living in the present:(

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Getting My Husband To Eat Veggies

I have been primarily vegetarian for many years. Sometimes very strict, sometimes vegan, and sometimes I eat meat IF my body seems to crave it. I always listen to what my body is asking for.

My husband, Mark, would love to have chicken, fish or meat most of the time for dinner. I almost never have time to cook up a dinner and he comes home from work late, so we grab something and make it up real fast or he brings something in.

When he is out for an evening on business or with his friends, I make eggplant or spaghetti squash a lot. I am trying to get him to eat this tonight!

Everytime I think of this I laugh. My squash will have some garlic and onion and cottage and mozzarella cheese, spices and bread crumbs and be baked like a casserole. Mark's will have all of that plus MEAT sauce:) before I bake it.

I know the one time I made it without meat, the poor man was starving all night.

Anyway, the recipe is awesome and it is such a healthy food and easy to prepare.

I say YUM!

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

The Flow of Life

I have always found my life to have a flow, or certain rhythm to it. Fast, up beat and then sometimes quiet and off tempo. I noticed this week, I was feeling like the flow was set to high speed and so much was happening at once... great contacts, many friends, lots of social events, family functions, weather changes, craving hot foods, working out more hours than ever and wishing I could walk for hours...

So, today I decided to turn down the pace knob a tad. I did yoga instead of weight lifting and I had time to read and meditate built into my morning. I also noticed that so far, my clients are speaking slower (or I am hearing slower!) and that this change of pace is giving me thinking time.

Interesting to notice and be aware and observe and then take some action from this place.


Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Technology

A few weeks ago I got Dragon Naturally Speaking 8 and was loving it. 7 never worked well and 8 was working so well I was writing several new books while speaking in it!

And then:(

Explorer started closing over and over again.

Then Word.... then my computer was freezing.

And of course what came next was the BIG crash:(

Back up and running but not with Dragon. I think I'll try to use it just on my laptop and see how that works.

I have chased the dragons off my desktop for now.

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Keep Alert For New Project

I know I have mentioned the project I am soooooooooo excited about and have been working on behind the scenes with Peter Julian. We are both amazed at how this is coming along and believe when you have access to it, you will expand what you know in an instant and find you feeeeeeeeel totally different. I have been learning so much and having a great time playing with Peter and we are working on this like nuts and hope to get it to you in the late Spring.

I just am so amped up about it, I had to let it out a bit!

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Momentum

This has been an awesome and an amazing week! I have been busy working on the secret project that I mentioned earlier, and really enjoying the time I am spending working on this and putting my focus there. It's interesting to me that I often coach clients on how to keep momentum and I am using the same skills that I coach my clients to use when working on a project. To keep the momentum each day, I look at my vision for this project, and I read it and I think it and I see it and I feeeeeeeeeeel it and I get passionate and excited about making it happen!

When I do something that I feel this excited about I choose to put my energy there. It is easy and effortless and fun to spend my time on a project that has great value, and that I believe will impact others in a big way. As this week closes out, I am grateful to be working with people and on projects that I absolutely feel connected to am excited about bringing forth.

This weekend, I will have a lot of time to relax and rejuvenate will be spending much of my time with clients, friends and family. This gives me the time that I need to be away from my business and enjoy the company of others, and the experiences of life and allows me to be truly focused on those experiences and breathe them in, and rejuices me for Monday!

What are you going to do this weekend so that you create a weekend, which is extraordinary and you feel passion for?

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Low self-esteem

Working as a parent coach, I am often amazed at how many children have low self-esteem. I deeply believe that parents mean well, and want to help their children create high self-esteem for their lifetimes. High self-esteem comes from being listened to, respected, and acknowledged. I have been coaching many parents to focus more on their children and to be truly present with their children. In our busy society today, parents are often distracted while thinking about their work and life's stressors. They interrupt their children either verbally or by being preoccupied in their own minds with their own thoughts. To be a better parent, it is important that you master the skill of deeply tuning in, and listening fully with your heart. Children long for connection and to be heard. Today, I have been thinking about the people that I have been coaching to become better parents as well as those that I have been teaching to become coaches to those parents. I very much want to impact the way children in our society are raised, and truly hope that parents will create time each day to deeply tune in, connect, and fully be present to one of the greatest gifts on this planet, their children.


Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Businesses To Watch

Today I found out that The Coaching Institute became a "Business To Watch" and has been rated as the Delaware Valley's top rated business coaching center! I am doing my happy dance:)

I have so enjoyed building Comprehensive Coaching U and then expanding that program to become the program at The Coaching Institute and now we have been recognized as a "Business To Watch".

While I am happy dancing, I thought I'd share this news with you right away.

I am so proud of the work we do at Comprehensive Coaching U and The Coaching Institute and of the fine folks that work with me each day to make these programs rock. My heart feels warm and I know that others are seeing the value in our programs, too. And that my friends, is what it is all about!

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

My Health Has Improved!

Several years ago, I had a sinus infection that lasted for 9 months - yes, 9 full months! I was in bed, on tons of medications and very ill. I had sinus surgeries and I improved but never regained my energy nor my voice, fully.

Last year I began to have problems with my larynx and esophagus and had trouble keeping down food (including water) and would loose my voice many times a day. I had low energy and felt sick all the time. I went for three 4 medical procedures and began to take 7 prescription drugs and didn't improve at all.

I was seeking more energy and to eliminate my health issues. I mentioned this to one of my coaches and he connected me with a simple 5 Step Health Program built on common sense and leading medical research.

I began to see and feel the possibility of creating a healthier life and a life where I did not have to mask my symptoms by filling my body with damaging drugs.

As I researched health conditions of others, I came across some shocking facts from the US Department of Health and Human Services. I won't list them all here, but some of them thatgot my attention:

Diabetes affects 10 million people in the US alone - including my husband:(

High blood pressure affects 2 million people in the US

Heart disease is the #1 cause of death

Cancer is the #2 cause of death

and over 50% of us have chronic digestive disorders

I started on the 5 Step Program and found that when I came to step 3- cleansing my body to get rid of built up toxins that create disease and illness, I began to have some dramatic changes and began to feel better.

When I moved to step 5, a few months ago and matched the right treatment of natural supplements, I woke up one day feeling like I used to and have never looked back! I am eating things like chocolate and tomatoes and having some coffee and citrus fruits and red wine, which I was unable to tolerate for a year.

I then encourgaged my husband Mark to try products for his diabetes. His numbers, in not yet 60 days, have come down and because all the products are natural, there are no harmful side effects that come with traditional drugs, so we both feel confident about our decisions in using these products (and there are clinical studies and listings in the Physicians Reference Guide, too!).

Today I am celebrating that I am feeling rid of my health issues and feeling youthful and full of vitality and believe I have eliminated my debilitating diseases.

What I did to get started was to take a health assessment and if you want to do the same (there is no cost, no obligation, just a free service to spread the health), visit http://www.terrilevine.com/4minhealthassessment.htm.

I want for you and your families to have more energy, to eliminate health issues and to create the lives you desire filled with health and well-being.

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Busy Weekend

What a delightful weekend! Friday we signed an agreement for a large expansion to our home, adding on much needed additional office space, meeting space, and a conference area. We are also putting in a private living quarters for my father, so we all have more space and privacy. That night, Mark and I went to dinner to chat about the week and just relaxed and took our time enjoying the night out.

Saturday we met our good friends Elaine and Steve in NJ and had lunch out and caught up on post-holiday events and exchanged our holiday gifts. It was a lot of fun being with them and we laughed a lot - and we ate a lot, too!

Mark and I came home and did some errands and late that night we munched on some Chinese food and then watched TV and cuddled.

I love the weekends as we have alone time and also special time with our friends and family. Sunday, we went to brunch (that is our weekly ritual and my favorite meal of the week) and then relaxed in front of the TV until it was time to meet up with some more friends for a meal where the chef cooks in front of you and does a really funny show while he cooks.

We chatted with them in the parking lot for ages as we had so much to share none of us could pull away to our cars.

I reflected last night on how restful and peace filled the weekends are and wondered if that is why I am always so ready to go on Mondays! My former coach, Sharon Teitelbaum sent me a wonderful book she authored, "Getting Unstuck Without Coming Unglued" and I read the entire book before bed. It was awesome and she is an extraordinary coach.

This morning I went back to eating light and healthy after that weekend filled with so much food. I planned a super long workout today as it is to be almost 60 degrees in the Philadelphia area today! I don't want to miss out on that, so after I hit the weights I am going to walk in the park.

I am looking foward to another amazing week with my clients and my coaching students. I am listening to my silent affirmations from my Brainspeak program right now and really feeling amped up.

Go create an extraordinary day, too!

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Working on Something Major!!

I am really excited and wanted to share some news! I have been working (secretly) with my partner, Peter Julian, on a major breakthrough that will change the world of coaching and self-help forever. It's been a super busy time and for the past months we've been underground developing this and are coming closer to launch.

I don't have time frames yet and when I do, I'll post them here for sure. If you want to be notified directly, just let rachel@coachinginstruction.com know and she'll add you to the project announcement list.

This is really awesome and I am out of breath working on it almost around the clock because I am so excited!

If you aren't doing something that juices you, I encourage you to go for it now!


Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

What's missing?

I know that with me, by the end of January I have to remind myself what New Year's Resolutions I've made. It always seems that when we start the New Year we're all excited about our goals for the year. Then we get overwhelmed with other things and our gung ho attitude starts to fade. Face it; we all lead busy lives. But that shouldn't keep you from your goals for 2006.

So how can you go about fixing this problem? What's missing for you? What do you need to do for your business? What goals have you made for yourself? What's not working? The end of January is a good time to reassess your New Year's Resolutions.

What resolutions are working for you and what's not? Which ones are unrealistic? Set time frames for each resolution. Do you have new ideas that you can add? I suggest you give your resolutions a "make over". By the end of January you should have a pretty good idea of what changes need to be made. Don't let your New Year attitude fade!

Here's a tip for you: Are you looking back on your revenue from 2005 and trying to figure out what happened...what went wrong? Are you continually searching for ways to find out what's missing in your business but seem to come up empty handed? I have a product that might be of interest to you. It's called The Coaching Success Profit Generator - and this software program does just that; generates profit in easy steps. I highly recommend this to all coaches who are looking to improve their businesses in 2006. Perhaps this is just what is missing from your business? Read more about it here: http://www.terrilevine.com/software.htm or email me at terri@terrilevine.com

Check out some of my other business building products at: http://www.terrilevine.com/products.htm

What's missing in your business? In your life? What are YOU going to do about it?

Take action and get moving on "making over" your resolutions.

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com/

Want to avoid the feelings of stress in the future?

Try these tips:

1. Get up 15 minutes earlier every morning so you aren't in a rush and can relax before leaving the house. You can eat your breakfast at a leisurely pace.


2. Exercise daily to unwind


3. Eliminate the words "ought" and "should" from your vocabulary and make your goals things you really want to do


4. Skip the daily news - it's full of negative events


5. Drive slowly and enjoy listening to music while you drive


6. Meditate or sit quietly for a few minutes every day


7. Schedule plenty of time between appointments so you don't feel rushed


8. Learn to say no or to delegate. Don't be a control freak - not only does this annoy those you're trying to control but it sets you up for big time stress!

Life is filled with changes and challenges, many of which you can't control. How you respond to these changes and challenges *is* in your control. Your attitude can determine a situation or you can allow the situation to control your attitude.

It is much better for your stress levels if you can learn to control your attitude so you and your emotions and stress levels are not at the mercy of every outside influence affecting you.

There are many self-help books, tapes and videos as well as live classes and programs to help stressed people deal with it and control it... if you are reading this and you are a stress-ball... you have no excuse! Go get help!

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Stressed? What to do about it...

It may sound like a cliché, but techniques such as meditation, relaxation or even exercise does help reduce stress levels.

We're always reading stress advice for career people... but thinking about the lady who emailed me who wasn't sure if she was stressed made me think how this group in our community is so often overlooked.

So, this advice is for the stressed stay-at-home mom... the unsung heroines of our community (or heroes if the stay-at-home parent just so happens to be Dad!)

Take your mind away from what you are doing. Read the comics, take a walk. Take deep breaths. If you're a stay at home parent, take your children to the park, walk slowly and breathe in the fresh air. Find some time of the day to sit and soak in a long warm bath with a good book. If you can't get to a aerobics or exercise class of some kind (that has a creche), buy a video and do it at home. You have to have some special "you" time - this is not being selfish. If you are not feeling 100%, you are not going to be able to give 100% to your family - so you HAVE to take care of you first if you want to be able to take care of others.

It will take some practice but you need to relinquish the "need" for a spotless house - you have children - any mother will tell you, children and a permanently spotless house just don't go together unless you have a full time house-keeper! Train your children to pick up after themselves.

If you're house proud, sit down and make a list of the things you feel must be done to make you happy re your house and then schedule the tasks for the week, making allowances for interruptions along the way. Schedule in children time. Schedule in all the things you have to do. Now somewhere in that schedule, find at least half an hour just for yourself - possibly later in the evening when the children are in bed, or maybe you can get up a bit earlier before everyone else - but it's imperative you find time just for you. Buy one of those soothing meditation music tapes, put it on softly, lie on the sofa with your eyes closed and just listen and relax.

You might like to try a herbal remedy - St John's Wort is excellent and can be found on most vitamin shelves in the stores. Check with a naturopath for their recommendations.

Most of all, enjoy the time you have with your children... blink and they'll be grown up and gone!

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Am I stressed?

You don't know? Actually, that's not as silly as you might think. I was once asked "How can I determine what is true stress or if I just overreact to everything. Or does it not matter as long as a person feels stressed no matter what the source?"

This poor woman went on to confide that she felt overwhelmed most of the time. She was a stay at home mom, with 3 kids, ages 12, 3, and 1yr. She said she felt stressed by everyday tasks and events - things that she thought other people wouldn't react to. She also confessed to being something of a control freak and liked things a certain way. She liked a tidy house, but was stressed by having to keep it tidy all the time and also stressed if she didn't do it.

Actually, I think that last part is something most of us can relate to! But back to her stress...

True Stress is that state of overwhelm which affects you physically and mentally and renders one incapable of functioning without that sense of panic and urgency, an inability to relax. Her need to control and have things "just so" was exacerbating her problem. Mind you, not all stress is bad. Stress is your body's response to any change in its inner or outer environment. Even good things, such as a promotion at work or a new baby in the house can create stress. It's when you are faced with one stress period after another, with no time to relax in between, it can affect your physical and mental well-being.

Anyhow, if YOU don't know if you're stressed or not, here are some common symptoms of too much stress and not enough relaxation.

• Fatigue
• Sleeplessness
• Irritability, anxiety or depression
• A change in appetite
• Headache, backache or chest pain
• A noticeably negative attitude
• Numbness
• Feeling overwhelmed or out of control
• Poor concentration
• Little things bothering you
• Frequent crying
• Muscle spasms
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty controlling your temper

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

2006 and the State of Your Self-Image

I receive a lot of email about my articles on self-sabotage, grumpy people, combating stress, etc. and a common theme which runs through all the emails is that a lot of people carry around a poor self-image. Ever heard that expression "You ARE what you think!"?

It is as a result of a poor self-image that we believe we don't "deserve", and because of this, we subconsciously sabotage our own happiness.

Typical behaviors associated with poor self-image include:

• negative self-talk about ourselves


• jealousy/envy


• feelings of guilt


• poor health


• inability to give affection


• inability to receive affection


• inability to give compliments


• inability to receive compliments


• not asking for what we want or not taking into account our own needs


• being highly critical


• we compare ourselves with others


• lack of confidence in ourselves


• pessimism

You can start to overcome these things with practice.

You can start simply, for example, next time you receive a compliment, just say "thank you" and smile. Don't try and put the compliment down or turn it around or poo-poo the compliment giver! Just accept their compliment with a simple thank you!

Some people just burn up inside when somebody says something nice to them! For them, accepting a compliment gracefully and appreciating it is a real challenge. Getting them to BELIEVE it is the hardest part - know why? It's all that negative self-image getting in the way. Because they think they're lousy, no-good, useless wastes of precious oxygen, they think everyone else thinks the same and if they don't, its because they don't know them well enough and they should think the same! Good grief!

And practice giving others compliments.

Whatever your shortcomings, know that we are all human and one of our human traits is that we are not perfect! We all have shortcomings! We don't go around advertising our short comings, and the wise amongst us try to overcome our shortcomings, living lives of continual self-improvement. So stop with the negative self-talk and when you find yourself thinking poorly of yourself, stop yourself and replace the thought with something positive and uplifting. Acknowledge the good things about yourself. Hang around happy people. Don't accept abuse from anybody. Use positive affirmations about all areas of your life. Listen to uplifting tapes and read inspirational books.

You ARE worthy! And that applies regardless of what or who you are... I don't care if you're old, ugly, unemployed, beautiful in a plastic-surgeon-junkie kind of way (conceited), rich and selfish, poor and miserable, in jail, made mistakes... IT DOESN'T MATTER! Some things, like appearances and age, are simply superficial, other things (mistakes we're ashamed of) belong to yesterday and have no place in your thinking "today". Even axe murderers are only punished ONCE for the same crime... how many times do you punish yourself - in thought or deed - for the same mistake?

Here's a nifty trick to make all this easier... picture in your head how you want to be, not how you are now.

I wish you all a HAPPY and successful 2006!

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Think Before You Quit

This is one of those times of the year when people start looking ahead and thinking, "Oh my God! There is NO way I can spend another year doing this job!" And thoughts of new careers start filling their heads.

Well, no matter how strong the temptation may be to just up and walk out of your job, have a good long think before you do it. Quitting suddenly without a plan is not recommended. Even though your work position may be impossible to live with a minute longer, you may find being unemployed, with all that entails, even more stressful. Picture it... the long, boring days ahead with no regular income... and looking for work is stressful in itself, particularly if you live in a high-unemployment area.

It doesn't take long for depression and feelings of hopelessness to set in. Believe it or not, most of us are simply not equipped to adapt easily to being unemployed. We are not trained to handle the social and financial adjustments required. Do you have a car loan? Mortgage? Family to support? Any other debts or financial obligations that require you have an income? If you do - don't just quit and walk out!

So, what should you do if your work situation has become so intolerable that you'd consider just walking out the door, never to return? Well, first, consider just what it is that is making you so miserable. Is it the job itself? The department you work in? Your immediate supervisor? Work conditions? Overall morale? Any particular person or people? Now think what can you do that might improve this? Is it possible to transfer to a different department? Apply for a different job? Is there a H.R. Manager you can speak to about your concerns/problems?

If you've tried the "sensible" things like this and nothing can be done or has been done, what do you do next? Avoid acting in the heat of the moment. If your emotional and or physical health and wellbeing is at serious risk where you are, then start looking for a new job elsewhere with a new company. This, in itself, has been known to buoy depressed spirits... you have something to look forward to, and it can make 'hanging in there' more tolerable knowing that it's not permanent.

If you are really suffering, you needn't be 'fussy' about what new job you take if it means having something to go to when you leave. And maybe that is not such a bad thing either, to take a less stressful job for a while, as a filler, to rebuild your strength and give you time to assess where you're going.

And don't forget there are employment laws in place designed to protect not only yourself as a worker, but also the employer. You may, for example, have signed something saying if you leave you will give x number of days written notice. You may stand to lose pay and other benefits if you just walk.

When the temptation to just quit arises, ask yourself if you will manage to live on your savings, because unemployment benefits are not made available to those who quit their jobs. What real benefits do you stand to lose by just walking out the door? How will this affect your family? What are you going to do with yourself? Might seeking the services of a Career Coach be helpful to you in your situation?

Before quitting, try to rectify whatever it is that is making you so miserable and when that is impossible, take the necessary steps to seek new employment. If, while waiting for a new job, things become unbearable, consider taking a part time job somewhere, or a lesser qualified position just so you have something to go to and an assured income to tide you over until you find a 'better' position. But remember, even when doing this, once the initial sense of release and freedom has passed, how will you feel about yourself, your new temporary position, and smaller income?

Get yourself a Career Coach who can counsel you and help you make the necessary adjustments, or speak to a career counselor.

Nobody "has" to stay in a job that makes them miserable, but just walking out the door is not necessarily the answer. As with most things, even quitting your job requires careful planning.

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Simplify Your Life

If you're like most people, you probably toyed with the idea of some new year resolutions a week ago. Did you? I admire you if you had on your list things like: get healthy, quit smoking; work on work/life balance, etc. I'll admire you even more if you STICK to it and succeed!

Sometimes the reason we do NOT succeed, even with our most heartfelt desires, is because we are not physically or mentally "ready" and able to. We are tired, stressed, overwhelmed or plain burned out. Well, I'm not... don't know about you!

When people tell you to work on your stress levels they talk about work/life balance, taking extraordinary self-care, learning relaxation techniques and so on… however, a simple, cost-free method to help reduce your stress almost immediately is to simply SIMPLIFY your life.

Sounds easy, but it involves change - for some reason, any form of change just freaks some people out! You'd think you were asking them to sacrifice a limb! By simplify your life, I mean clear away the clutter. Get rid of that and you get rid of the "overwhelm".... and voila! One less thing for you to "stress" about!

So, where do you start? Start with a list. List those activities and "responsibilities" that really ARE necessary and unavoidable... like having to go to work every day, or feeding your children. On the other hand, having to do the breakfast dishes immediately before going to work is something that can go in the unnecessary column. Get the idea? Nobody is going to die, become ill or lose their job if your kitchen isn't spotless every morning after breakfast.

And remember, just because you've always done something or done it a certain way, doesn't mean you have to always do that something or do it that certain way! You ARE allowed to change! In fact, change is compulsory... your body changes every day whether you like it or not!

Remove any unnecessary activity that forces you to feel stressed about having to keep on top of it all. Even if you are not particularly overwhelmed with activity just now, but you are putting aside your own goals and dreams simply because there are not enough hours in your day as it is... Something has to go to make room for the new.

Think honestly about your priorities and start clearing your plate of all the non-essential clutter that has accumulated over the years. Is there an activity around the home or office that could be delegated so you have more time to do other things? Check every activity you are involved in every week - is it done out of habit or is its purpose still necessary? Can it be delegated or modified in some way, or perhaps totally scrapped?

Identify those areas in your life that are complex, time consuming, money consuming or maybe just emotionally or energetically draining in some way, then think of some ways in which you can simplify each of these complex areas PERMANENTLY.

When you simplify your life, you will feel better for it. You'll be refreshed and energized. Less stressed. More efficient. You can slow the pace down and stop and smell the roses! You will be more fun to be around. You will have more time to work on the things that really count, spending quality time on the activities and people that really count, and have time for yourself and your dreams and goals.

In short, you will have a life, not a "to-do" list!

Here's to a successful 2006!

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

A Little New Year Humor

The following was donated to my newsletter some years ago... I came across it and remembered some of the sour faces I'd seen at the shops earlier... seemed to me that some people needed to start the year off with a smile and a laugh... it might not bring instant fame and fortune, but it will make dealing with whatever awaits you in 2006 a lot easier! So, look in the mirror - if you look like you've just sucked a lemon, read on...

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt and a flat tyre.

The darkest hours come just before the dawn. So if you're going to steal your neighbor's milk and newspaper, that's the time to do it.

Don't aspire to become irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted.

Never forget that like everyone else, you are unique.

Never test the depth of the water with both feet.

If you think nobody cares whether you're dead or alive, try missing a couple of mortgage payments.

Before you judge someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you judge them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes!

If at first you don't succeed, avoid skydiving.

Have you ever lent someone $20 and never seen that person again? It was probably worth it.

If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.

Some days we are the flies; some days we are the windscreen.

The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put it back in your pocket.

A closed mouth gathers no feet.

Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.

When we are born we are naked, wet, hungry, penniless, and we get smacked on our behinds. From there on in, life gets worse.

And on that note, I wish you ALL a Happy and prosperous 2006 and whatever life throws at you, find something to smile about!

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

Stretch Yourself in 2006

For no special reason, other than perhaps it's the start of yet another new year, I had a think about all the many wonderful people in the world who, for one reason and another, never realize their full potential.

If you've lived your life so far not realizing your potential, maybe 2006 is the year you should look at yourself in the mirror and discover just who you are and what you are really capable of!

Have you ever thought to think about the boundaries and labels that define your life and your work? There may be geographic boundaries, socio-economic boundaries, industry boundaries, ethnic boundaries. You may be wrapped in the labels of wife, boss, father or employee. You may be believing what your parents or other people in your life have said you are. If their opinion of you hasn't been flattering, this has been keeping you down... maybe it's time you proved them wrong and started living up to your full potential!

Today's world is filled with amazing opportunities. Stretch your boundaries and labels to discover new ways of thinking and being. Stretch for your success.

Here are three easy ways to begin to stretch yourself:

1. Meet someone new every day. Make a point of saying hi to five total strangers every day!


2. Read a publication from a different industry. You don't have to buy them, you can read them for free at your local library.


3. Drive a different route home from work.

Do something differently, just for the heck of it. It really will make a difference. Try it!

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com

How is 2006 going to be different for you?

Have you set any goals? Have you dreamed big dreams and visualized wonderful outcomes? What bad habits have you decided to do away with? Have you strategies in place to combat these habits? Have you decided to incorporate fun and relaxation and YOU time into your calendar this year?

Once you get back into the swing of things at work, it's easy to make excuses for not finding 'you' time. It's busy, busy, busy. Again, everyone wants a piece of you. Before you know it, you're feeling stressed again and this year is little different to last.

Let me put it like this... if you suddenly came down with a serious illness and your life depended on you slowing down and taking time to smell the roses, you'd find plenty of 'you' time! But why wait until that happens? Do something now!

Just can't relax? Take your mind away from what you are doing. Read the comics, take a walk, or file papers. Take deep breaths. Listen to soothing music.

Try these tips to avoid feelings of stress in the future:

1. Get up 10-15 minutes earlier every morning so you aren't in a rush and can relax before leaving the house.


2. Exercise daily to unwind. Even 5 minutes here and there counts. Get a dog and walk it in the evening.


3. Eliminate the words "ought" and "should" from your vocabulary and make your goals things you really want to do. Think about "wants" this year!


4. Skip the daily news - it's full of negative events.


5. Drive slowly and enjoy listening to music while you drive.


6. Meditate or sit quietly for a few minutes every day.


7. Schedule plenty of time between appointments so you don't feel rushed.

What ways can you think of, that will work for YOU, that you can make 2006 better than every year that has come before it?

You are important. There is only one of you... that makes you rare and valuable! Take care of yourself!

To Your success in 2006!

Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com