May 2013

Dear Ones,

I love the month of May! The weather is finally beginning to feel warm again and flowers are blooming all over. We took a little initiative last weekend and threw open the windows and doors to do some spring cleaning.  Initiative is that belief that you can take action and accomplish your goals.There’s an e-book that I hope you will read, enjoy, and apply. It’s all about Putting POWER behind Initiative.  Let me know if you’d like a copy by sending me a note at lisa@VanAllenCoaching.com  Give the tips a try and then let me know if they helped you create initiative by posting a comment on my Facebook page at http://www.Facebook.com/TheBizDoctor Another reason I love May – It’s my birthday month!!  This year I’m hitting another one of those milestone years and wanted to do something special for YOU.  Read on to find out about the gift I’m sharing and all the special offers! Blessings! Dr. Lisa’s Birthday Bash!! It’s my birthday this week and I want to give YOU a gift!  Below you will find a link where you can get F.R.E.E. access to a special e-book entitledPutting POWER behind Initiative, an excerpt from Your Belief Quotient.  I hope you enjoy this gift!I’ve also created special pricing based on my birthdate for some of my best products and services.  This offer isn’t going to last much longer than the cake and ice cream… so grab yours NOW!   Offer 1:  The Better Beliefs – Better Business Coaching Clinic Does your business or career need a shot in the arm? Or better yet, a full diagnostic on what is working, what could work better, and where you want to focus your time and effort to generate more cash and fewer hassles? Apply to join the Better Beliefs – Better Business Coaching Clinic.  This three month Coaching Clinic provides you with all the best tools in life and business coaching: · Two individual sessions with Dr. Lisa per month · Monthly group coaching and masterminding sessions · Private access to materials, videos and audio recordings · Ongoing support in the Better Beliefs Community group on Facebook · A signed copy of Your Belief Quotient and the Belief Quotient Workbook $1800 to-$2100 - Birthday price: $1559.00 http://www.mcssl.com/store/drlisavanallen Questions about this offer?  Call me at 319-551-1414   Offer 2: Urgent Care for Your Life & Business Mastermind Group This group is specifically designed for clients who have been through coaching with Dr. Lisa who want to reconnect and revitalize their life and business.  Urgent Care is a six month mastermind group for entrepreneurs and executives who are committed to practicing the skills they learn, creating a community that thrives on testing and proof, and is willing to share and receive support and accountability. ·         Monthly group coaching and masterminding sessions ·         Private access to materials, videos and audio recordings ·         Ongoing support in the Better Beliefs Community group on Facebook ·         A signed copy of Your Belief Quotient and the Belief Quotient Workbook $899 - Birthday price: $599.00   http://www.mcssl.com/store/drlisavanallen Questions about this offer?  Call me at 319-551-1414   Offer 3: “Clear!!”  Teleseminar Teaching Series That’s what you hear in the ER when a heart is being jolted back into proper rhythm.  That’s also the name of Dr. Lisa’s new study group.  If your heart or soul are blocked with negative emotions, if the life-blood of your work or business is stuck because you can’t seem to get past self-sabotage, if you want freedom and clarity in your life – then “Clear!!” is for you! “Clear!!” is an 8-week program of group Clinic calls and online support. $299.00 - Birthday price: $159.00   http://www.mcssl.com/store/drlisavanallen Questions about this offer?  Call me at 319-551-1414   Offer 4: Presale:  Combo pack of Your Belief Quotient & The Belief Quotient Workbook Scheduled for release in June 2013, order your presale copy of the companion workbook to Dr. Lisa’s award-winning book Your Belief Quotient . The workbook is a digital download of all the exercises in the book and additional new material designed to help you end self-sabotage and Build Better Beliefs. Presale and Birthday price: $25.59 http://www.mcssl.com/store/drlisavanallen     Offer 5: Your Belief Quotient: 7 Beliefs that Sabotage or Support Your Success (paperback) A signed copy of my book and entry into the Better Beliefs Community on Facebook $17.99 - Birthday price: $15.59 http://www.mcssl.com/store/drlisavanallen —————————————– Want to give me a present… “like” my page at http://www.facebook.com/TheBizDoctor!

I was tagged!

I usually use this blog to write about subjects related to building better business by building better beliefs. The articles I post also are usually fairly short. This post is more personal and longer – because I was tagged! I was prompted by another blogger to respond to a series of questions. I hope you enjoy getting to know me a little better!  And maybe it will prompt you to do the same… In fact, if you’re reading this – You’ve been tagged!!

Here it goes:

Where were you born?

I was born at McClellan Air Force Base in Sacramento, California. My father was a pilot and my mom (until my birth) was a security clearance clerk on the base. They met when my dad needed his security level updated.  He asked mom out and she said yes – after checking him out!  Mom was also a part time model, Dad was a very dashing flyer — I’m blessed with good genes!  Six weeks after I was born we moved to Bainbridge, Georgia, the first of many, many moves I would make in my lifetime.

Were you named after someone?

Thankfully not my first name! My father wanted to name me for his grandmother, and as much as I adore what I know about her, I wouldn’t want to go through life as Estelle!  My middle name is Isobel, after my Scottish grandmother. One thing I thought was interesting is that both my names, Lisa and Isobel, are derivatives of Elizabeth which means “consecrated to God.”  Guess I got a double dose message that I belong to Him!

If you have children, how many do you have?

I don’t have any biological children.  I helped raise Erin, who we call my little sister. I was her legal guardian when she was little.  I got married 2 years ago and now have four step-children: Duke’s son Dacen (23, who lives here in town) and his former wife Barb’s three kids: Brandon (who is 25 and lives with his wife Noelle in Denver), Michael (22, who lives in a small town near us), and Kimmi. Kimmi is currently 19 and lives with Duke & I.

How many pets do you have?

Roscoe is a nine year old Lhasa Apso (a quieter, slightly larger Tibetan version of a Shih Tzu).  I like to say we rescued each other after my last dog passed away. He has all of us very well trained, including making sure the couches and chairs all have blankets and pillows just the way he likes them.  Seriously!

What was your worst injury?

I was in a car accident in 1982 in which I broke my neck. I was very fortunate, as it was a fracture of my C-4 vertebrae. If the break had been any worse I could have been paralyzed or killed. I was in a brace for 18 months and had lots of physical therapy. I feel blessed that I haven’t had any problems with pain or arthritis in my neck.

 Do you have a special talent?

There are a couple things I can do that I believe are special talents. First, I’ve been singing on stages since I was 8 years old. I love   performing music – especially with a band or orchestra. I’ve been privileged to professionally sing opera, jazz, pop/rock, and Christian music.

My other talent is for figuring out how to make things. I love designing jewelry, clothing and fiber art canvases. I sold my jewelry online    for a while to supplement my income. Now I design for gala events I attend with my husband.

What’s your favorite thing to bake?

I LOVE chocolate and turtle brownies are a favorite. I also love cookies and really enjoy baking them during the holidays.

What’s your favorite fast food?

I stopped eating fast food a couple years ago for my health, but I still love a great bacon cheeseburger. A local restaurant where I live makes a terrific one with barbeque sauce – YUM!

Would you bungee jump?

Are you kidding me??  I had to work to get over a fear of falling that was so bad I had trouble getting on escalators and stairs. Watching movies where someone leans over a balcony or cliff makes my stomach lurch!

What’s the first thing you notice about people?

The first thing I notice about people is their eyes. They say they are the window to the soul. I believe that. I can usually read people pretty well, and the eyes convey a lot of emotion people hide from their faces.

When was the last time you cried?

I feel silly, but I cried a little when I saw the latest Budweiser commercial where the man raises a Clydesdale, lets him go to work, and then gets to see him in a parade. When the full grown horse got loose after the parade and ran down the street to greet his friend… well, I’m getting misty-eyed even now remembering it! Watch it yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPG7PcI67dE

Any current worries?

I’d like to say I don’t worry, but the truth is that I’ve been feeling stressed about my book launch. After working on Your Belief Quotient the last five years, its finally ready to be released to the public! http://www.amazon.com/Your-Belief-Quotient-Beliefs-Sabotage/dp/1452566356/ref=sr

Name 3 drinks you drink regularly.

I love chai tea – the spicier the better.  I also enjoy diet root beer. I’m learning to drink lots and lots of water every day… It’s not easy, but it’s helped with weight loss and other health issues.

What is your favorite book?

Asking me to choose a favorite book is like asking a mother to choose her favorite child. I love so many for different reasons. I love reading the Bible because it inspires, challenges and directs me.  I read several novels and non-fiction books every month, but go back to several over and over again:

The Prosperity Bible which includes Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill and other titles similar to that amazing book.

Goals! By Brian Tracy

The Firestarter Sessions by Danielle LaPorte

Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver

All the books in The High Church series by Susan Howatch

All the books in The Highlander series by Diana Galbadon

And of course… I really like a new book:  Your Belief Quotient: 7 Beliefs that Sabotage or Support Your Success!

Would you like to be a pirate?

Um, no.  I take two long, hot showers every day and feel bad when I speak sharply to people. Living in a boat with the unwashed and earning my living with a sword does not appeal.

What are your favorite smells?

I use a hair conditioner called Pure Abundance (by Aveda) that I love, love, love the scent.  It has jasmine, sandalwood and other organic ingredients. I also really like a meditation oil a friend gave me scented with Nag Champa. And I love the smell of my husband’s cologne!

Why do you blog?

I feel passionate about sharing a message of hope and practical information on how to live without self-limiting beliefs. My life changed radically when I began putting certain principles to work and I feel compelled to share what I have learned and been given with the world.

What song do you want played at your funeral?

Rather than a funeral, I’d like to have my family and friends have a Celebration of Life. I’d like the music to be upbeat and inspiring. The list keeps changing, but would include a number of Christian tunes like Matt Redmond’s 10,000 Reasons (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtwIT8JjddM), Gungor’s Beautiful (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyPBtExE4W0), Brooke Frasier’s C.S. Lewis Song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wo-e2BjICCY) and some secular songs like Katie Perry’s Firework (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGJuMBdaqIw).

What is your least favorite thing about yourself?

Physically, I really dislike my flabby upper-arms.  It’s going to take a lot of work to get them in shape once I get the rest of the weight off (at this writing I’ve lost 40 pounds over the last couple months!).

When it comes to my character I really dislike my tendency to look for the easy way out instead of jumping in and doing the hard thing that will help me achieve my goals. I’m shifting my beliefs about initiative and taking immediate action whenever opportunity shows up.

What is your favorite hobby?

I recently discovered silk fusion, where you bond silk fibers to create beautiful pictures or wearable art. I’m just finishing my first canvas and love all the layers and textures I’m creating.

What do you look for in a friend?

I need my friends to love me for who I am and encourage me to more of who I was designed to be. I look for someone who is understanding and patient with my inconsistencies and creative tangents. My closest friends share my deep faith and remind me of God’s love and grace.

Name something you’ve done that you never thought you’d do.

I never thought I’d get married again. My first marriage was tragic. I spent several years healing from that and becoming very content with being single. When I realized I wanted to get married again I resisted because I was afraid of losing myself and my freedom. Then I realized the right man would love who I am and what I am called to do. Duke was that man!

What are your favorite things to do?

Well, from my answers above you already know I love to read, create, and sing. My husband and I attend as many rock concerts as we can. I also enjoy cooking when I’m not limiting my calories.

Any pet peeves?

Intolerance and rudeness make me very angry.

What was the last thing that made you laugh?

Duke makes me laugh every day. He can be so goofy and then turn around and be so quick-witted. I am married to a man who skips, makes up word games in the car, and can carry on an entire conversation in movie dialogue. He is hyperactive and so uninhibited! The last time he made me laugh out loud is pretty disgusting as it had to do with blowing his nose when he had a nasty cold.  I won’t go into more detail – it was disgusting. Funny, but disgusting!

Now it’s your turn!  Directions: 1) Tell everyone who tagged you (that would be me) 2) Answer the same questions I did 3) Tag more Bloggers

Sustaining Faith

For several months, the community where I live has been agonizingly stretched with the tension created when fear tries to erode faith. Two little girls were abducted while out riding their bikes on a sunny July day. The police searched, the families made pleas, churches prayed, businesses put up posters and thousands of people held hope in their hearts that the girls would be found. Yesterday their bodies were found dumped in a wildlife conservation area 30 miles from home.

Questions pour out of our hearts when something tragic like this happens. How could anyone be so evil?  What is wrong with our community that this could happen? How do we keep our children safe? Why were our prayers unanswered? Why would God let two innocent children suffer? Fear seeking to erode faith.

Faith clings to truth when fear throws confusion in our faces. Faith knows that Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Collins were and still are loved. Faith believes they are in a better place. Faith expects that justice will be served. Faith holds the families as they grieve and helps parents around the area know how to protect their children without adding to their fear.

Faith gives us the strength to take the next step on the path toward purpose. Faith is a choice. Faith is a belief that is applied not out of ignorance, but with determination that tomorrow will be a better day.

Whatever challenge you are facing, hold on to faith!

 

The Cycle of Abundance

[Excerpted from Your Belief Quotient: 7 Beliefs that Sabotage or Support Your Success]

Abundance is the belief that there is more than enough. In an abundant universe, you have plenty of time, money, health, energy and wisdom. Abundance is the knowledge that you can give it all away and there will still be enough for yourself. Abundance expands with heartfelt gratitude and humility.  At its core, an abundance mentality springs from a healthy sense of personal worth and builds on one’s personal and spiritual values.  Dr. Stephen Covey coined the phrase “abundance mindset” in his best-seller The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. According to Covey, an abundance mentality is “a paradigm that there is plenty out there and enough to spare for everybody.”1

Nature gives us wonderful examples of abundance, particularly in the growth cycle of trees and flowers. After a period of dormancy, a fruit tree bursts into blooms and is covered in an abundance of flowers. Wind and rain might buffet the tree and destroy many of the flowers. An average of 75% of the flowers will fall, but those buds remaining will eventually grow into fruit. A fruit tree is not designed to have every flower pollinate and grow into fruit. The tree does not have the resources to sustain every flower. The larger and stronger the tree’s branches and internal supports, the greater the capacity it will have to bear more fruit.  Once the tree bears fruit, every piece of fruit contains seeds, and every seed contains an incalculable number of trees and fruit.  This is abundance!

Leif Nilsson Studios

This illustration fits the human experience of abundance well. We also go through periods of dormancy. These periods are times of quiet growth and strengthening. During dormancy, a fruit tree rests and its sap slows. It is the perfect time to prune away dead branches and treat any disease.  As humans, we need time to pull back and reflect on what needs pruned away. We need time to heal and refresh. The end of dormancy comes after the tree has been exposed to chilling temperatures and the weather begins to warm. People awaken and grow as they warm up to new ideas and opportunities. Tree growth during the spring is dependent upon the quality and quantity of sunlight, water, and soil. Our growth as individuals is equally dependent on how we feed ourselves: body, mind and spirit. Abundance requires preparation. Once those flowers begin to emerge from the branches, only the most resilient survive to become fruit. The initial beauty of the petals fall away as the fruit emerges and ripens. The intoxicating sweetness of fully matured fruit arrives after being warmed by the summer sunlight.  Wind, rain, and heat are metaphors for the challenges we must face to grow and be prepared for abundance.  Once we begin to bear fruit in our lives, we witness firsthand the ever expanding cycle of abundance.

I go into the detail of the growth cycle of fruit trees for a purpose:  Abundance does not magically appear.  There are myths circulating that we can engage in wishful thinking and expect abundance to appear.  This is simply not true.  That is not to say that abundance, when it occurs is not surprising.  Manifesting abundance can seem magical, but it is always the result of a cycle of preparation. It is my intention to help you understand how to be ready to receive abundance in your life. Your beliefs about abundance are crucial to your success in life and business.

5 Better Beliefs about Excellence

I made an important discovery while interviewing and surveying people for my book Your Belief Quotient: 7 Beliefs that Sabotage or Support Your Success. What I learned was many executives, entrepreneurs and other leaders have really screwed up beliefs around Excellence! I can understand why: Excellence is essential for success in the workplace. But creating that excellence day in and day out takes its toll. Self-criticism, perfectionism, and a host of negative beliefs set in. Instead of focusing on the negative beliefs, I have outlined 5 Better Beliefs about Excellence. Read through, and then select one belief to focus on in the coming week. Write it down and post it somewhere. Check in with yourself and create better beliefs about your own Excellence!

1.      Excellence is a process, not an outcome. 

Excellence is based on realistic, clearly defined goals, not on unreasonable aspirations.  When pursuing excellence, we recognize that it is a journey and not just a destination.  Focusing on the process of becoming excellent will yield better results because it allows for course corrections and new information.

Better belief:  “I am moving toward excellence every day.”

2. Excellence is a reflection of character, not achievement.  Instead of being driven by an unhealthy need to achieve perfection, excellence comes from a healthy sense of self confidence.  Excellence brings a sense of personal satisfaction and is not dependent on external recognition.  Perfectionism is ego driven, always needing to be fed.  Excellence is founded on a grounded sense of self.

Better belief:  “I am confident in my ability to be excellent in all I do.”

3. Excellence allows for learning from mistakes, not harsh criticism. Excellence is willing to risk failure and does not avoid situations that may expose a lack of mastery.  Perfectionism is haunted by the voice of the relentless inner critic.  Excellence has learned to silence the inner critic and make an objective examination of progress and results.

Better belief:  “I am learning and growing in joy.”

4. Excellence sees others in a supportive role, not an adversarial role.  Perfectionism constantly compares and almost always comes up short in the comparison.  Excellence enjoys healthy competition, and is unthreatened by others.

Better belief: “I am working and collaborating with others who support my pursuit of excellence.”

5. Excellence is willing to wait for mastery to be achieved and does not expect immediate results. Excellence is not demanding, but allowing. Excellence adds peace and joy, not frustration or anger.  Excellence focuses on a specific area of mastery and accepts that there are areas where excellence should not be a focus because of a lack of aptitude or interest.

Better belief:  “I am getting better every day at the things I am working on.”

By focusing on one of the better beliefs above for several days, you can shift your mindset and create Excellence without the pain and negative emotions you’ve experienced in the past.

I’d love to hear back on how things shift for you. Post your comments here, or contact me directly at lisa@vanallencoaching.com.

Get my “10 Keys to Increasing Initiative” — F.R.E.E.!!

I have great news! My book is nearly ready to go to the publisher! I am celebrating – and I want you to celebrate with me! The only way I could get this huge project done was to take LOTS of INITIATIVE. I’ve learned quite a bit about taking action, and I’d like to share that knowledge with you. I’m offering a short excerpt from my book Your Belief Quotient: 7 Beliefs that Sabotage or Support Your Success. It’s called the “10 Keys to Increasing Initiative”. I’ve set it in a short workbook format so you can immediately take action and move forward in your life and business!

To get your copy, simply fill out the form below. You will receive the “10 Keys to Increasing Initiative” in a PDF file via e-mail. Please let your friends and colleagues know about this offer — I’d love to get buried with requests for this material!

Blessings!

Lisa

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Excellence

“We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.”  ~Aristotle

Excellence is seen as a requirement for success in today’s culture.  Somehow to simply do a good job is not enough.  Average has been branded as mediocre and very good is barely enough.  The problem with this thinking is it creates unrealistic expectations.  No one can be great at everything all the time.  Comparing ourselves to a certain standard of excellence can be beneficial and challenging in a healthy way.  Comparing ourselves to others can be defeating and discouraging.  There is a quote that has been floating around social media:  “Don’t compare someone else’s highlight reel to your behind-the-scenes bloopers”.   It is time to rethink our definitions and rebuild our beliefs around excellence.

In researching The Belief Quotient it was surprising to discover the high number of people who believe they strive for excellence but how few of these people believe they ever achieve it.  Digging deeper we found skewed perceptions about mediocrity, excellence and perfectionism.  Many of those we interviewed believed that if they were not the best in their field, they were not excellent and therefore were mediocre.  This definition of excellence is based on comparing yourself and your work to others.  The weakness in this method of defining excellence is that the measure is a moveable object and very subjective.  Excellence needs to be based on an objective measure, goal or target.

We also talked to a number of people who believed that excellence means perfection.  These folks analyze their efforts and scrutinize for any possible flaw.  Praise for their work is discounted because they can always find something that could be better.  They cannot claim excellence because perfection is an impossible goal.

Rebuild your beliefs around excellence by focusing on these statements:

1. Excellence is a process, not an outcome.

2. Excellence is a reflection of character, not achievement.

3. Excellence allows for learning from mistakes, not harsh criticism.

4. Excellence sees others in a supportive role, not an adversarial role.

5. Excellence is willing to wait for mastery to be achieved and does not expect immediate results.

Anne Lamott says it well:  “Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life, and it is the main obstacle between you and a shitty first draft. I think perfectionism is based on the obsessive belief that if you run carefully enough, hitting each stepping-stone just right, you won’t have to die. The truth is that you will die anyway and that a lot of people who aren’t even looking at their feet are going to do a whole lot better than you, and have a lot more fun while they’re doing it.”

(Excerpt from The Belief Quotient, due out this summer!)