Create #52: Structures: When You Just Can't Get Motivated

1. Announcements/Offers

What are they Saying about 'Explode Your Practice'?
"I have already listened to at least 6 hours and my ability to open my practice has been accelerated by at least 3-6 months. Hearing David's real life advice to coaches has made a huge difference for me. This will take months off my learning curve. I won't have to go through the frustrating trial and error process which costs time, money and clients! Thank you, David!"Jeannie Crowell Oregon, USA jcrowell @ bendcable.com

Get your 'Explode Your Practice' CD set at:

http://www.explodeyourpractice.com/

New York Event: Day of Marketing
I'll be speaking at this event at Columbia University. It's Friday, May 16, from 8 am to 6:30 pm, and Saturday, May 17, from 8 am to 12:30 pm.

If you can make it to NYC you'll hear my speech that people paid up to $2000 to hear last year, plus we can say hello.

My topic? ‘The Four Freedoms: How to do what you love and get paid for it' For more detail on what I'm covering see http://www.internetclients.net/- that pretty much lays it out. Check it out and kindly post on http://www.solutionbox.com/comment if you decided to register ;-)

Register Here

2. FEATURE: Structures - When You Just Can't Get Motivated

For three months I've barely touched work. In fact I've found it hard to leave the house much of the time. And for some people (including me the past few months), lack of motivation can be just the surface. I've recently experienced anxiety and depression, and now a break up. (Yes, yes, all part of the spiritual journey. And - it can all be a bit inconvenient when there are bills to pay, and results you want to produce!)

You may be in a similar place. You may just be feeling unmotivated and wanting some oomph in your life. Or you may be doing well, and want to fly higher.

This article is for you.

I'm feeling motivated and excited right now. And I figure if I can do it coming from the space I've been in, then anyone can do it.

I'll keep it to two simple steps:

Step 1) What do you need for yourself?

Take a look at what's missing for YOU. What are you not giving yourself? What could you add to your life that would fill YOU up? Is it a soothing bath each day? A massage? Doing a good deed? Nurturing touch from a friend? More (or less) time with your partner? Exercise? Or to see an exciting football game.For me, it's setting up a lot of company/social interaction. It's being around inspirational people who are making things happen. It’s exercise and moving my body. It's music, good food, and chai tea ;-) It's doing the inner work. And it's keeping busy so I'm not navel gazing too much on my own in my apartment with my thoughts.

What is it for you? I invite you to make a list right now of things that you might really enjoy; that would fill you up; that would have you feel nurtured and happier.

Step 2) Put the structures in place to have this in your life

Given I don't feel like leaving the house right now, and I'm often not in the mood to set up something supportive, setting up structure in advance can often be the key.

What kind of structure would support you moving forward with your goals? And giving you what you need to soar higher?

For business goals do you need a goal buddy? A coach? More social interaction or fun? Accountability? Inspiration?

For more personal goals do you need more fun? More nurturing? To be in action each day? A goal buddy? A coach or therapist? A filled in calendar?

As you read through the list of structures I've created (am creating) for myself, see what comes to you as something that would serve you:

• joining a men's group
• scheduling time with friends including sleep-overs
• registering for volunteer work
• exercising almost every day (e.g. rollerblading in central park, squash, 5 Rhythms/Sweat Your Prayers, Bikram yoga)
• setting up a buddy for a regular 8:30am call to do withholds (you get 15 minutes each to talk uninterrupted and blurt out the rubbish in your head; or you could do the Morning Pages)
• setting up appointments to work from a café with friends, instead from my home office.
• hiring an awesome coach to help me do The Work
• massage twice a week

***

Action

1) Go to the blog right now and post the top three things that would fill you up; that would have you feel nurtured and happier and possibly more motivated.

2) After that list, post the STRUCTURES you will put in place in the next 7 days to make sure these things happen without you having to keep creating them all the time; they just happen. (Hint: a regular schedule helps, as does committing with a buddy or coach).

* * * *

Enjoy!

P.S. Got a comment on this article? Add it to the blog. I'd love to hear what gifts you're going to give yourself, and the structures you'll put in place to ensure they happen.

3. The Personal Touch

As you may already know from the above article, things have been pretty rough. And - out of the ashes rises blah blah blah. I've learned a lot about what I want/need in relationship and what serves me. I've set boundaries for myself, even when it was very difficult to do so. I've set up strong structures in my life to take care of myself. And I'm exploring who I am - and how my thoughts work (yes, it's pretty trippy - highly recommend http://www.thework.com/ ).

Fortunately - the last 3-4 weeks have been a major turn around. I'm excited about business again, and getting stuck into things. My purpose is becoming clearer, and I'm feeling connected with it: Helping people share their gift with the world, and to get paid for it. And ultimately - to help people be free in all aspects of their life. And I'm intrigued by this thing called 'service' - it's popping up in a lot of different areas. I'm absolutely thrilled to have been voted into the http://www.transformationalleadershipcouncil.com/ , and I feel it's calling me to play a bigger game.

I'll probably do quite a bit of speaking this year and next, and spoke last week to a class at Columbia University which was great. Time soon to get back to the book and ensure the message gets out to the world.

I'm having a few tentative dates, and enjoying my wonderful friends. Also exploring my vision to live with other people after a long time being solo. Life is good!

Lots of love,
David

'August Rush' - and your purpose

FUN INVITATION
I just watched the movie ‘August Rush’, and loved it.

Further, I had a very deep insight afterwards that affects and supports my coaching, my marketing, and my purpose. I encourage and challenge you to watch the movie in the next 7 days, and post any insights you have about your purpose – what you’re up to in the world - at this link:

http://tinyurl.com/3k4xto (or click 'add comment' below)

(If you’ve seen it recently – then feel free to post now!)

ONLY ONCE YOU’VE WATCHED IT…
Once you’ve watched (or re-watched the movie), then listen to MY insight here:

August Rush - 3 minute audio


And I hope you’ll post your own insights. I found the movie very moving, and hope you do to.

David

MM #93: How Do I Write My Coaching Agreement?

1. Announcements/Offers

What People are Saying About 'First Fifty Clients'?

Simply Brilliant!!!!!

I listened to the disc for the first time on Monday and have already booked 45 people for exploratory sessions. I may have to extend my goal to 100 people in 100 days. I never knew I could inspire people to take advantage of a free session. You have motivated me into action and I wish to thank you for this. " - Loretta Digger, UK

Visit First Fifty Clients

Brief Note From David
Hi guys, quick note to say I've been traveling the last 3 months - California, Australia, and my brother's wedding in the Cook Islands. Now that I'm back in New York I'm feeling more business energy gradually flowing in my veins, and turning my attention back to how YOU can fill your practice with clients. So stay tuned to more from SolutionBox. Cheers,David

2. FEATURE: How Do I Write a Coaching Agreement?

The CoachStart™ Manual includes a special bonus that you can use in your coaching business – an actual Coaching Agreement with my policies and procedures included! This is a great tool to get you started as you create your own personal coaching agreement. Below I have given you some ideas to craft your own Coaching Agreement. Please note that I am not an attorney, so I recommend that you get legal advice and not to rely on this agreement for legal protection. Let's begin.In your Coaching Agreement with each client, you'll want to specifically detail what your client will receive, what you expect of them, the fees, and what they can expect from you. The following sections are important:

Coaching Sessions

Here you should lay out how many sessions you will have each month and the type and length of each session. Identifying extra services including e-mail availability, extra check-in calls, referral opportunities, etc. These bonuses in the Coaching Agreement add value and let your clients know you are available to them when needed.

Expectations and Self-Coaching

I expect each of my clients to e-mail me a Self-Coaching Form before every session. In the Coaching Agreement, I detail the value and importance of this document. The Self-Coaching Form will make each session more productive, efficient, and will DOUBLE the value they receive from your coaching sessions! Basically the Self-Coaching Form includes what they learned this week, what actions they completed, what actions they didn't, etc. Think what questions you ask often in your coaching sessions and create your own form.

Rescheduling and Billing

Be very specific on whether or not sessions are cancellable and give them time-specific rescheduling options. Billing should always be in advance. It's a good idea to offer discounts for paying multiple months in advance, such as a 25% to purchase 3 months of coaching. After six months, I offer coaching options of just one session a month with e-mail support.

Termination and Non-Refundability

This is where you again remind them of the importance of their investment and that the agreement can be cancelled only at the end of a billing cycle. I prefer to allow cancellation at the end of a particular month - so they aren't thinking every session "should I keep going or not?"Some coaches don't give refunds - I certainly didn't. I want the client to have a huge stake in the relationship, and to MAKE the time worthwhile.

Liability

Again - you should seek legal advice on this section. I'll just raise a few of the issues that can come up in a worst case scenario:

- client changes career, new career doesn't work out, client sues you

- client takes action at work and gets fired, client sues you

- client turns out to have a history of mental illness and you were playing with fire, client harms self or others, client or family sues you

- client starts a new business which fails, client sues youFor more information on liability check with a lawyer. Also, see if you can get liability.

And

- International Coach Federation members can get professional insurance here. ***

This was drawn from The CoachStart™ Manual, which can be found together with hundreds of dollars in free bonuses here.

Action

1. Write out what your monthly coaching service will include.

2. Describe what you expect of your clients.

3. Describe what your clients can expect of you.

4. Share your thoughts and ask questions at the blog!

* * *

Enjoy!

P.S. Got a comment on this article? Please add it to the blog.

MM #92: Your Speaking Process

1. Announcements/Offers

How Did These Coaches Set Up Their Businesses So Quickly?

You can save yourself the hundreds or thousands of dollars you may have paid a mentor coach or training school. After personally mentoring sixty coaches and founding a coach training school, I've compiled everything I know about starting a successful coaching practice in one easy-to-follow Manual.

And it's wonderful to see such huge results like this:

"I can't think of a better investment or more profitable long term step for an aspiring coach to take other than purchase and devour the CoachStart Manual. I used this guide as my Bible when commencing my coaching business and my first 12 months generated revenues over 6 figures....well in excess of my plans and expectations. For a fast start to your business I strongly recommend its use, you'll gain confidence and turn your dreams into reality."

Ken Wright, US

www.TheWrightCoaching.com

"I've already recouped the costs of the First Fifty Clients and the CoachStart Manual in coaching fees in 3 weeks."

Eddie Smith

Houston, Texas

www.lifecoachingtoday.com

So, let's get started! Get your CoachStart Manual in the next 5 minutes at http://www.coachstart.com/, and start building!

Visit a 6 Figure Coach

Last year we had a fantastic call with Ken Wright. You can find more about this coach, who made 6 figures in his first year of coaching, here:

http://www.thewrightcoaching.com/

(And you can sign up for his newsletter, "Tips to Lead the Wright Way", on the front page, bottom right)

---

2. FEATURE: Create Your Speaking Process

Here's a simple process to print and post up on your wall. Add some deadline dates too:

1) Pick a sexy sounding topic that you care about.

(Hint: solve a key problem for people)



2) Pick four key tips or solutions around that topic.



3) Draft an outline for your speech.

(Hint: powerpoint is a simple way to keep you on track, but don't put your whole speech on it, just bullet points)



4) SET A DATE and invite your friends to hear your speech - before you even have it ready.



(Hint: they'll give you written testimonials at the end, and verbal suggestions to improve it)



5) Put together an impressive looking bio with picture of you.



6) Join the National Speakers Association and go along to local meetings.



(Hint: find out who fields requests for speakers, and let them know you'll handle any free request to speak, just for the experience)



7) Call your local public service groups (e.g. Rotary, Zonta), and get on their roster.



(Hint: negotiate in advance a testimonial letter from every single speech. You'll sometimes get an offer of a paid speech out of your free speeches.)



8) After 3 speeches, quote a $200 or $500 fee per speech.



(Hint: if people baulk, you can always drop your price)

***

If you would like the full chapter on speaking to get clients or if you would like to see the other chapters included in The CoachStart Manual™, you can find them here.

Action

1. Print out the steps above.


2. Add your deadlines next to each step.


3. Post it on your wall


4. Get started on your first step and post at the blog what you will do by when, for accountability.

* * *

Enjoy!

P.S. Got a comment on this article? Please add it to the blog.

Create #51: Set Awesome Goals for 2008

1. Announcements/Offers

What are they Saying about 'Explode Your Practice'?

"David, thanks so much for creating Explode Your Practice™. I've listened to all the libraries, and my coaching practice is booming as a result! I have: 21 new exploration sessions booked 9 new clients my website appearing in all major search engines, and I've started coaching international clients! Daniel Midson-Short Australia www.lifestylerevolution.com.au

"I have already listened to at least 6 hours and my ability to open my practice has been accelerated by at least 3-6 months. Hearing David's real life advice to coaches has made a huge difference for me.

This will take months off my learning curve. I won't have to go through the frustrating trial and error process which costs time, money and clients! Thank you, David!"

Jeannie Crowell
Oregon, USA
jcrowell @ bendcable.com

Get your 'Explode Your Practice' CD set at:

http://www.explodeyourpractice.com/

---

2. FEATURE: Set Awesome Goals for 2008

(Reprinted from a past article as it's so good!)

Welcome to the New Year! Did you ever want to be one of those people who makes resolutions or sets goals every year and actually sticks to them?

My friend Peter Hegarty has made 3 resolutions every year for the last 15 years, and completed every one!!! Imagine if you had set and achieved 45 extra goals for your life!

But that's pretty 'out there'. This article isn't for those of you who easily create three resolutions every year, create a plan for achieving them, and put it into action without effort.

No - it's for those of us who WANT to make some changes to our life, and are JUST ABOUT to do some goal setting, and were waiting for the push that comes from this very newsletter. Well here it is!

And you'll be glad to hear I'm not going to bust your chops about goals. I'm clear that many of us don't set goals because we don't want to set ourselves up for 'failure'. It's a bit confronting. Well - welcome to the 'easy flow' method of goal setting.

I'm going to simply invite you to create three goals that will make a difference to your life, and then to put them up on your wall. If you don't complete them - what have you lost? You're no worse off. And if just picking some goals and putting them on your wall is enough to tip you over the edge and cause some results, then you've discovered a very easy way to make changes!

My 3 Step Goal Finder™ Method

So let's get started. Here's my easy 3 Step Goal Finder™ method:

1) Firstly pick an area of your life that you really would love to polish up. (Not SHOULD polish up, but would LOVE to polish up). Common areas are relationships, career, finances, health & fun/lifestyle.

2) Then set a resolution or goal that would put a smile on your face when achieved, and write by when you would like to have it. (A stretch is OK, but keep it doable.)

3) OPTIONAL: Repeat this process until you have 3 goals. (Note: You can skip these steps and simply pick something that you know in your heart you want to do.)

Your goals should be specific (i.e. will it be clear when you've reached it? A goal like 'feel better' about myself is hard to measure. While a goal like 'lose 10 pounds' is very clear.)

***

Action: So what calls to you...

• A healthy toned body?


• A clear financial plan?


• 30% increase in income?


• Starting your own business?


• Feeling free, expressed, and in love with your partner?


• Back in communication where there has been a rift?


• Two weeks in Peru?


• To sing in public?


• Learn a language?


• Own your own home?


• A job you love where you're truly making a difference?


• Find a life partner?

* * * *

1. Decide on your one to three targets.

2. Now that you have one to three targets, they need to see the light of day! So write them down in big letters and put them up where you'll see them every day. You might even like to get creative, and use paint, and/or find a picture that motivates you.

3. I also highly recommend telling at least three people, to make it real. If it feels appropriate, ask for their support (e.g. to call you once a week to ask how it's doing). Of course - it's hard to beat getting your own coach; at the minimum you show yourself you're serious

(I just hired a nutritional counselor for 3 months myself)

4. You can also clarify your top 3 goals in the next 10 minutes at the Free Goals Report:

http://www.FreeGoalsReport.com/quiz.asp?id=45

This is a test version of what can be on your site. If you want a customized Free Goals Report for your site you can register here:

Goals Report Client Stream

5. Post your goals at the blog for the world to see!

Enjoy!

P.S. Got a comment on this article? Add it to the blog

---

3. The Personal Touch

I write from the Harbin Hot Springs cafe, CA, on this rainy foggy day.

Feeling comfortably tired and peaceful, I reflect that the last three months have been some of the most intense of my life. Feeling tired and 'down' almost every day was worrying and uncomfortable. And when I stopped sleeping three weeks ago I had a choice: take sleeping pills to smooth it out, or 'go natural' and face every scary, icky, tense, exposed screaming feeling that comes up.

I'm proud to say I took the latter path, and at one point had a friend with me for 36 hours straight as I felt every feeling that came up. Beyond Ouch!

For a guy who's biggest fear is being exhausted and going into an anxiety loop at the same time, it was a wild experience to have nights with 90 minutes and even 20 minutes sleep. There were several times that were it not for my guide pointing out that craving a sleeping pill was my mind trying to protect me, so I could avoid the feelings, I would have definitely popped that Ambien that kept (falsely) promising me blissful sleep. For the conclusion to this experience, a list of things I learned (plus late night rambling brain dumps and my 'Warrior' post, see my personal blog.)

WARNING: It's uncensored, unedited, and a rawer sharing than you are used to from me. If this or swearing offends then don't read it. Personal Blog: www.KoalaJuice.com - the first post on this is called "Awakening Through Pain".

On lighter topics, Kristina and I have spent two weeks at OneTaste in San Francisco, deeply enjoying our new community of friends. We plan to move here in June (Mill Valley in Marin County) and perhaps be part time residents of this unusual community.

I fly to Australia Feb 10 (and joined by Kristina March 5) for a little business, a new visa, and my brother's wedding! Returning April 2 to San Francisco, and then doing Byron Katie's 9 day training school of 'The Work' in Los Angeles. We'd love to go to Sandy and Nicole's wedding in Bali in May, but not sure how all that traveling will sit with us.

Love David

California Sues Federal Goverment over emissions

As Bush seems to stand in the way of environmental responsibility, California sues! Go Arnold.

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-me-epa3jan03,1,6968553.story

MM #90: Global Warming: The Results are IN! (Special Issue)

Note: This edition is a 'Special Issue' because it's not on the topic of building your coaching or other professional practice. And, it's going to both the 'Mentor Monthly' and the 'Create a Life You Love' subscribers.

I mostly quote from Time Magazine - as it's a bit more credible than me ;-) Anything not in quotes is from me.

“Our current respons to global warming is like jumping
out a 20 story window and counting each floor as you go saying
'so far, so good' ...." - Anonymous

Conclusions

The Earth is heating up. Humans are contributing to it. Projections are bad to catastrophic. We're seeing scary effects already. If we stopped all CO2 emissions today, we're still probably screwed. Yet we're making it worse. Any serious debate is largely over. Even in the face of uncertainty, it's smart for us to take BIG action steps. The U.S. - as the biggest offender - must take action, instead of blocking action.

Is Global Warming really happening?

In 2007 the U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has finally stopped hedging: "Warming of the climate system is unequivocal".

These findings have been endorsed by the Royal Society of Canada, the Royal Society (UK), the Russian Academy of Sciences, and a dozen other leading scientific bodies.

But are humans really causing it?

The above U.N. report stated there is "very high confidence" that humans have played a significant role by overloading the atmosphere with carbon dioxide (CO2). The report concluded that while the long-term solution is to reduce CO2 levels, for now we're going to have to dig in and prepare, building better levees, moving to higher ground and abandoning vulnerable floodplains altogether.

Hang on...don't ancient examples of global warming suggest that it's occurrence in our time may be natural as well?

"Although this is certainly possible, it appears unlikely. While the causes...in earlier instances...remain unknown, scientists agree that the current rise in levels of greenhouse gases is largely of human origin." - Time Magazine

But isn't there a lot of debate?

"For years, popular skepticism about climatological science stood in the way of addressing the problem, but the naysayers - many of whom were on the payroll of energy companies - have become an increasingly marginalized breed." - Time Magazine

And again, there are dozens of leading scientific bodies which have finally reached a consensus - not an easy thing in any field!

But if I have any doubt, I shouldn't do anything yet, right?

As above, there is no serious debate anymore. But even if there was, wouldn't just the chance that thousands of credible scientists are right, be reason to act - just to be safe? Call it an insurance policy. Here's an 8 minute argument for acting that has had 3 million views on Youtube!

Well, OK. But will the effects be that bad?

Well let's see. Floods. Droughts. Fires. Hurricanes. Sea level rising 20 feet. War. Species becoming extinct. More disease. Yes, it looks like they will be that bad.

But won't it take hundreds of years for it to get serious?

Ummm....Hurricane Katrina?

We've been hoping that "the glacial pace of nature would give us decades ore even centuries to sort out the problem. But [nature] can move with surprising speed....global climate systems are booby-trapped with tipping points and feedback loops.....the slow creep of environmental decay gives way to sudden and self-perpetuating collapse." - Time Magazine

But what if we take a bunch of action, and it turns out thousands of leading scientists were wrong? Or it was a plot by thousands of greenies to make money from scare tactics?

Then we might feel pretty silly. And the economy might take a hit. Oh no! Compare this to the option of not taking action because you're waiting for everyone to agree, and the entire Greenland ice shelf melts.

Which course of action seems the most responsible to you?

The U.S., Asia, and the Rest of the World

"The U.S. is home to less than 5% of the world's people,

yet it produces 25% of the CO2 emissions on the planet"

- Time Magazine

174 nations have ratified the Kyoto treaty to reduce carbon emissions. (And I'm a little teary that the second-last developed nation to hold out, Australia, finally ratified it December 3, 2007).

The U.S. has not ratified the treaty, along with Afghanistan, Iraq, Brunei, and Tajikistan.

The explosive growth in China and India is scary - way scary - and in 50 years they'll be the ones with the biggest impact. China and India seem willing to make moves, but Time Magazine says "they feel Washington must take the lead."

"Bush has called for a new international accord to fight climate change to be in place by the end of 2008. But most of the measures he supports involve voluntary , not mandatory, emissions controls, rather than the laws with teeth scientists are calling for. ...Bush explicitly rejected mandatory caps on emissions." - Time Magazine

This breaks his 2000 campaign promise: "We will require all power plants to meet clean-air standards in order to reduce emissions of...carbon dioxide within a reasonable period of time." George W. Bush

What can you do? 5 easy things:

1. Change all your light bulbs to energy savers (CFL's) - you'll save money over the long run. Order them today.


2. Move your thermostat down 3° in winter (wear a sweater!) and up 3° in summer.


3. Call your utility company and ask for a free or low-cost energy audit.


4. Turn off electronic devices you're not using them, and unplug devices from the wall (yep - standby power accounts for


5. Take public transport (and trade your car for a hybrid)

Conclusions

The Earth is heating up. Humans are contributing to it. Projections are bad to catastrophic. We're seeing scary effects already. If we stopped all CO2 emissions today, we're still probably screwed. Yet we're making it worse. Any serious debate is largely over. Even in the face of uncertainty, it's smart for us to take BIG action steps. The U.S. - as the biggest offender - must take action, instead of blocking action.

ACTION

If you're not yet convinced that action is required:

1. Watch 'The Most Terrifying Video You'll Ever See' (8 min)


2. Read 'How to Talk to a Climate Skeptic', and The Royal Society's guide, to get your biggest questions answered.


3. Post your conclusion (or remaining questions) on the blog here. (Hint: If you like to debate - that's the place to do it)

If you believe action is required:

1. What can we, as a 70,000 strong SolutionBox community, do to impact the issue? Post - in bullet point form - the top 5 actions you think we should or could take. Post on the blog.


2. Invite everyone you know to participate in this discussion by forwarding this newsletter with a personal note, or inviting them to the blog.

Cheers,

P.S. Got a comment on this article? Please add it to the blog.

Announcements/Offers

How Did This New Coach Make 6 Figures in ONE YEAR?

"I can't think of a better investment or more profitable long term step for an aspiring coach to take other than purchase and devour the CoachStart Manual. I used this guide as my Bible when commencing my coaching business and my first 12 months generated revenues over 6 figures....well in excess of my plans and expectations. For a fast start to your business I strongly recommend its use, you'll gain confidence and turn your dreams into reality."
Ken Wright, US
www.TheWrightCoaching.com

You can save yourself the hundreds or thousands of dollars you may have paid a mentor coach or training school. After personally mentoring sixty coaches and founding a coach training school, I've compiled everything I know about starting a successful coaching practice in one easy-to-follow Manual.

And it's wonderful to see such huge results like this:

"I've already recouped the cost of the CoachStart Manual in coaching fees in 3 weeks."
Eddie Smith
Houston, Texas
www.lifecoachingtoday.com

So, let's get started! Get your CoachStart Manual in the next 5 minutes at http://www.coachstart.com/, and start building!