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December 2004

Welcome to the first issue of Onwards and Upwards, the newsletter from Straightforward Coaching.

My aim is to make this ezine as readable, entertaining and thought-provoking as possible, so any comments, suggestions or constructive criticism would be very welcome.

If you enjoy this newsletter, please take the time to subscribe to it (you can unsubscribe at any time) and do forward it on to anyone you think may enjoy it.

Claire Bradford

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Feng Shui your address book!

It's the time of year again for many people to write Christmas cards (or perhaps you are more organised than me and did it weeks ago - we received our first one at the end of November this year!) and I was having a discussion with some friends about how difficult it can be to go through the Christmas card list and decide whether or not to send to those people whose only correspondence for the past few years has been an annual card.

In her TV series, Life Laundry, declutter expert Dawna Walter employed a strict 'use it or lose it' regime. When her clients longed to hold on to something for sentimental reasons, she insisted that the object was out on display or used regularly. Otherwise, she argued, it's just sentimental clutter.

I believe that this approach can work with your Christmas card list (or, if you don't do Christmas, with your address book). In short, if you don't use your friendship, it's just sentimental clutter. After all, the very act of sending Christmas cards should be done out of love, not duty.

Go through your list or your address book and identify those cards you have been sending purely in the name of reciprocation for years. Once you have a list of names, spend some time reminiscing about the relationships you had with these people. Go through old photo albums and diaries, if it helps.

Look into your heart and explore whether you wish to hold on to this connection. If not, let it go in a spirit of love and thanks. Maybe write a letter of appreciation and acknowlegment of your former relationship, maybe just don't send them a card, but do whatever you decide to do, do it with a positive, grateful attitude (and remember, it doesn't mean you have to never see them again). If you do want to re- establish a connection, explore the basis on which you would ideally rebuild your friendship, and act accordingly. Then, writing your Christmas cards should be the guilt-free joy it's supposed to be!

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Some food for your relocation thoughts...

During a session the other day, one of my clients was talking about her nagging temptation not to follow a relocation dream because of the fear of everything familiar changing.

This reminded me of a passage I'd recently re-read in Mark Forster's excellent book Get Everything Done and Still have Time to Play, which talks about change being inevitable. In it, he talks about inaction being just as much a catalyst to change as action, and he gives the example of dirty dishes: if we do the washing up soon after eating, by our action we transform the dishes into clean, usable items for the next meal; however, if we choose not to do the washing up, our inaction also changes the state of the dishes and they become encrusted and increasingly difficult to get clean.

What is your inaction potentially costing you?
Which changes do you dread and which do you welcome?
If you choose to stay where you are, is there a way of turning that decision into a positive action rather than a fearful inaction? What needs to change?

More about relocation coaching...

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Free weight loss support conference calls

I hold a free teleconference call every month for those who are seeking to lose or maintain their weight. It is informal and fun and designed to be a supportive resource which will complement other weight loss regimes/diets etc.

In this month's call, we looked at Christmas preparations or plans you could make to help with weight goals and what gift you could give yourself for Christmas to honour your good work. Some ideas that came up were:

:: to go for quality over quantity with food
:: schedule in some winter walks
:: think of tasty, healthy alternatives to traditional nibbles (think nuts and fruit over Quality Street etc!)
:: throw yourself a party or go on a special night out doing whatever it is that you love best

Do please join us on the next call on Thursday 6th January at 10am or 8pm.

More details about the teleconference call...

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Follow up Links
Get Everything Done and still have Time to Play

About Straightforward Coaching

Claire Bradford, of Straightforward Coaching, is a life coach who specialises in relocation and weight loss. For a complimentary consultation session, giving you the opportunity to experience coaching and decide whether it is right for you, please contact me.


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