Today is the last day of 2007. Man, didn't it sneak up on you quickly! Everyone I've talked to lately couldn't believe how fast this year seemed to fly by.

Quick, before you go out for New Year's Eve party, here are 3 questions I'd like you to answer.

1) What are your Top 10 Accomplishments in 2007?

Get a piece of paper, or open your journal, and write down everything you've accomplished this year, in both your personal and professional life. It doesn't have to be anything grand, either. We often tend to discount or forget our own accomplishments, even though what we have accomplished may be very obvious or significant to others around us. If you can't find more than 10 things that you are proud of, ask a friend or a loved one. You will be pleasantly surprised and feel so proud of yourself!


2) What are you ready to let go?

It's hard to move forward when you are still attached, mentally and emotionally, to the past. What are you still holding on to that you would like to let go, in order to start the New Year with a clean slate? Maybe it's an old relationship, a painful experience, anger and resentment toward someone or toward yourself, self-defeating beliefs and behaviors, personality traits that no longer "fit" who you are now (or who you would like to be), or toxic people you no longer wish to associate with. Write them all down on a piece of paper.

Here's what you do with the list: say an affirmation stating your intention to release them, send forgiveness, love & blessings to everyone you wish to let go, and then burn (or shred) the paper as a symbolic closure. Rituals like this are very powerful. Trust me, you will feel much better afterwards.

So many people have asked me lately about how to release their past relationships, hurt, negative emotions, traumas, fears, etc. Over the years I have tried many things, and have come up with a combination of methods that work effectively. I will be offering a Teleclass on this issue very soon, so stay tuned.


3. What do you intend to be, do and have in 2008?

Without intention and goals, it's like driving without a set destination. If you don't know where you want to go, even the best GPS in the world can't help you. Research shows that when you write down your goals (instead of letting them floating in your head), your odds of actually achieving them increases by 70%. So, get your pen and paper out and write down your New Year's Intentions. What do you intend to attract into your life in 2008? Think about every areas of your life when you set your intentions -- personal development, career, health, relationships, family, finance, spiritual awareness, fun, community involvement, etc. Write them down and post that piece of paper by your computer or somewhere you can see every day.

That's it for now. We will talk more about goal-setting and keeping New Year's Resolutions later.

Now, go ahead and party the night away! After a year of hard work, you deserve a big celebration!

I just came back from an hour of workout at the gym, and I'm ready to P-A-R-T-Y! We will be celebrating New Year's Eve with our neighbors for our 3rd Annual “House Crawl” (a Scottish New Year's Eve tradition “hogmanay” where friends and neighbors welcome the new year by visiting friends and neighbors, sharing kisses, whiskey, and shortbread). Last year we had 9 families and our house was the last house to ring in the New Year. Let me tell you, it was absolutely a blast! I can't wait for this year's party.

I hope you and your loved ones have a wonderful and fun-filled New Year's Eve, and Happy New Year!!!

Labels: goal-setting, holidays, intention, letting go, making changes, New Year Resolutions, personal development, transforming limiting beliefs, vision

I just found out that my blog was added today on Blogged.com, with a rating of 8.6 out of 10, based on their professional editor's review. :-)

Since it's just added, there is no reader's review yet. Would you like to be the first one to write a review?

Labels: Blogging

The Carnival of Healing #118 is posted on Lessons from a Recovering Doormat. This Carnival is a weekly round-up of personal blog posts on the topics of holistic health, wellness, spirituality, and self-empowerment.

Daylle did a fabulous job hosting the carnival. What's special about this week's edition is that she sprinkled empowering "I am willing to" New Year's Resolutions among the posts. She wrote, "People often make New Year’s resolutions but lose their resolve fast when they’re not prepared to make lifestyle changes. Last week I addressed why new year's resolutions can hurt you. There are many articles in this Carnival that can help you make the lifestyle changes that can help make resolutions that stick. In the spirit of making New Year’s resolutions that can lead to healthy lifestyle changes, I’ll include a resolution I think is valuable with each topic. I find that a more realistic way to get started on a new habit is to declare that 'I am willing to try to….'".

Great point. You'll see plenty of examples when you read the Carnival. So, hop over to Daylle's blog now to read all the wonderful posts in this week's carnival.

This Saturday the Carnival of Healing is coming to Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul to kick off the New Year! If you have written any posts about holistic health, wellness, spirituality, and self-empowerment, I'd love to include your posts. Please submit your post to the carnival submission page. See you at the Carnival on Saturday!

Labels: awareness, Blog Carnivals, Blogging, Carnival of Healing, goal-setting, healing, health, making changes, New Year Resolutions

My dear friends, colleagues, clients and business associates:

Happy Holidays!

The holidays are a time of joy & celebration, a time to honor old traditions & create new ones, a time to review the past and plan for the future, and a time to express gratitude to everything & everyone who has made a difference in your life.

I thank you for all of your support, friendship, and your confidence in me. Thank you for your participation in my Teleclass, workshops, private coaching, and feedback for my monthly e-zine, etc. It's been my privilege to serve and work with you. It has been a gift to me, and I'm truly thankful. Please do not hesitate to contact me, if I can support you in any way.

May your holidays and the New Year be filled with joy, love, peace, abundance and blessings. When you are busy wrapping up beautiful gifts for your friends and loved ones, I hope you also give yourself some of these gifts...

Give yourself the gift of time... to be with your thoughts, to daydream, to smell the roses or watch the sunset, to laugh and play like a child, to do something you love, or do absolutely nothing at all.

Give yourself the gift of compassion and loving kindness... to love and accept yourself just as you are (including all the imperfections, or what I like to call the "quirky qualities"); to allow yourself to learn & grow from trial and errors; and to forgive & release yourself from your past "mistakes" (Remember, there are no mistakes, because you've made the best choice you could at each given moment).

Give yourself the gift of love and respect... to honor yourself, your values and your needs; to give yourself permission to say no once in a while; to put your self-care as a top priority; to stand up for yourself and speak your mind; to expect the same level of love & respect from others.

Give yourself the gift of dreams... to believe in yourself and your ability to achieve anything you desire; to listen to your heart and trust the guidance of your own intuition; to have the courage to take the first step and every step thereafter until you reach your dreams.

May your holidays and the New Year be filled with joy, love, peace, abundance and blessings! Happy Holidays from my family to yours....

Love & Blessings,
Hueina
Beyond Horizon Coaching, December 2007

Labels: gratitude, holidays

Check out this amazing movie A Silent Night. Turn off your email, cell phone, BlackBerry (tell the kids you need a time-out for yourself), and enjoy 5 minutes of pure heavenly peace.

I hope you find peace within you, not just for tonight, but every time you make a point to be still and look deeply inside.....


Twas The Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Labels: awareness, healing, holidays, inner peace, inspiration, spirituality

Note: This is an article I wrote last December, and the message still rings true. Enjoy!


Review Reflect, Rejoice and Re-Focus
© copyright 2006 Hueina Su, Beyond Horizon Coaching

The holidays are upon us and you are probably happily preparing for all the festivities and traditions you and your family will enjoy. However, before you close the book (and your office door) for the year, there are a few things you should do to ensure your personal & professional success in the coming year.

Review
Look back on what has happened this year -- any major milestones in your personal life, career, business, or family life. Or, perhaps there were milestones experienced by your family members or close friends that had an impact on you. Leaf through your calendar, photo albums and/or correspondences with others (don't forget emails) to jolt your memory. Also, think in terms of different areas in your life, e.g. personal development, education, career, family/parenting, marriage/relationships, friendships, spiritual growth, health, finance, community involvement. What were the major events and/or changes that occurred this year?

You can make this a holiday tradition for the whole family. Sit down and review the year together, by looking at family albums or home videos, or simply by talking about all the experiences you've shared this year.


Reflect
Once you've reviewed the major events/changes, reflect on the impacts they had made in your personal and/or professional life. What were you most proud of this year? What were your biggest wins/loss? What were you most grateful for? How have these things/people changed you and your life? In what ways have you grown, personally and professionally? What lessons did you learn? What would you do differently next time? What do you need to do to put the past in the past? What do you need to let go in order to move forward?

Make sure you highlight all your achievements and positive changes, no matter how trivial they seem to be. We often have the tendency to focus on our shortcomings, mistakes and what we didn't accomplish. However, in order to build on our strengths and experiences, keep ourselves motivated, and attract more future success, we need to focus more on our strengths and accomplishments. Remember, whatever we focus on will expand. This is why some people say, you can't afford to have negative thoughts.

If you are a business owner, you can invite your employees to do this end-of-year review together. By recounting what you've shared and accomplished together, you will strengthen a sense of community and team spirit. When you feel like you're part of a team and your contribution is appreciated, you will most likely work harder in the future.


Rejoice
Give yourself a pat on the shoulder for whatever you have accomplished this year. Rejoice in your growth and the blessings in your experiences. If you've had a particularly difficult year, it might not be easy to feel grateful or blessed. Sometimes, the hardships and challenges we encounter in life prove to be blessings in disguise. It's not always easy to look at the challenges from a positive perspective, but when you do, you'd feel much more empowered and in control.

So, do try to see the positive in every situation. I think the challenges are placed in our life to "stretch" us and make us grow. I always comfort myself with "It could've been worse" and "Whatever didn't kill you would make you stronger". Somehow, when I consciously focus on the positive things and be thankful for them, I'd find more strength to carry on. It's an affirmation for myself that "all is well" and everything will work out in the end, just like it did before.

Count your blessings. It's the quickest way to get you out of foul mood and negative thoughts. If you believe in the Law of Attraction, you know you need to stay in the more positive emotions and increase your vibrations, in order to attract the positive things into your life. Counting your blessings will definitely help you get into more positive emotions.


Re-focus
Now that you have reviewed the events, reflected in the lessons and rejoiced in the blessings this year has brought in your life, it's time to re-focus your intention and plan for a new year. Remember, New Year's Day is just around the corner. If you can spend an hour or two before year's end to write down your goals, and create an action plan (or at least the first few action steps), you will have the advantage to jump start the new year with a clear intention, well-defined goals, and a game plan you can implement right away.

If you're a visual learner, you can make a "dream board" by arranging pictures & words on a poster board that represent the desired outcome you want when you achieve your goals. You can also write a letter, or in your journal, describing in details your life 3 or 5 years from now, when you've achieved your goals. Write in present tense, as if you're living the life right now. Describe in as much detail as you can. You can also use daily affirmations to remind yourself of your intentions and the positive changes you want to make. Affirmations on tapes or CDs can be very beneficial in shifting your negative beliefs.

When you have the "big picture" (end result) in mind, you can then design a step-by-step action plan to achieve your goals. Make your goals as specific as possible and set up a few "benchmark goals" to help you measure your progress. Brainstorm with your family, friends, colleagues, mastermind group, mentor and/or a professional life coach. You do not have to have the entire action plan written down right away. For now, just get clear about what you want to achieve, and decide on the first few action steps. If you need help with goal-setting, you can take the free goal-setting quiz and get your Free Goals Report on my website, or contact me directly for a complimentary consultation.

Also, don't forget to sign up for my next free Teleclass "The 5 Master Keys to Keeping Your New Year Resolutions". Joining a mastermind group or a coaching group will also keep you accountable, give you support, and help you stay on track. I have two coaching groups starting in late January. If the time doesn't work for you, you can invite your friends to form a group. Just email me your preferred time and we'll work it out.

Then, you can finally close the book on this year, knowing you're prepared for the new year. Give yourself permission to sit back & relax, and fully embrace the joy the holidays has to offer. You deserve it!

Labels: awareness, coaching, commitment, empowerment, focus, Free Teleclass, goal-setting, holidays, making changes, mastermind, New Year Resolutions, success

I just found out about something cool that Xerox is doing.

Holiday season is a time to give thanks to everyone who has made a difference in our lives, and our troops certainly deserve at least a warm holiday greeting from us. If you go to this web site, www.letssaythanks.com , you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq. You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to some member of the armed services.

How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!

Please send a card, and tell everyone about it. It is FREE and it only takes a second.

Labels: giving, gratitude, holidays

I hope this finds you well. We have a snowy day today here in New Jersey, and the schools in my town are closed. It's quite beautiful, when you don't need to travel. Guess I'm one of the lucky ones.

If you missed the Joyful & Stress-less Holiday Teleclass on Tuesday, you can access the Teleclass recording here.

In this Teleclass, I shared many specific strategies to manage time & reduce stress during the holidays. I'm sure you will find many tips you can be use anytime of the year, not just during the holidays.

You can listen online, or download the MP3 to your own MP3 player and listen at your own convenience. I often listen to audio books or Teleclass on my iPod while I'm driving, exercising, or waiting in line. With the holidays approaching, you'll probably have plenty of opportunities to listen to this recording while standing in line. :-)

I'd love to hear what you learn from this Teleclass. Please feel free to email or call me, if I can support you in any way. Have a wonderful weekend!

Blessings,
Hueina


P.S. My private coaching fees will go up in January 2008. I'm offering all my current coaching clients to renew their contracts before 12/31/07 to keep the current rate (for 3-month or 6-month programs only). If you have been thinking of working with me, and would like to qualify for the current coaching fee, NOW is the time to set up your initial coaching consultation (session via telephone, by appointment only). NOW is the time to design an action plan for your 2008 goals. Email or call me today!

Labels: coaching, Free Teleclass, goal-setting, holiday stress, Resources, stress management, time management

Joel at So You Want to Teach? (a blog for teachers) wrote a post about how to avoid burnout. He searched the bloggosphere to find some great articles on this topic (see below), including a post of mine "7 Keys to Avoid Burnout".

• The Simple Dollar is a great place for some practical, common-sense advice about personal finance. Trent writes about Dealing With Professional Burnout Without Quitting Your Job.
• WebWorkerDaily has a good article about How To Cope With Job Burnout.
• Vandelay Website Design shows us 12 Ways to Avoid Blogging Burnout.
• Collective Creatives shows us How to Recover & Recharge from Creative Burnout.
• Agile Ministry shows us visually in an article entitled Leadership: Balance or Burnout?
• BootStrapMe shows us 20 Tips To Avoid Burnout.
• Intensive Care For The Nurturer’s Soul sends us 7 Keys To Avoid Burnout.
• Rags Studio shows us How To Avoid Burnout.
• Andrew Shim tells us 10 Tips To Avoid Burnout For Home Business Owners.

Based on the tips in these articles, he then compiled a list of 65 things you should do right now to avoid burnout. You might find some tips to be common sense (e.g. get some help, take a break, be realistic, learn to say no, slow down), but it's worth reading to remind yourself once again of these principles that could make your life less stressful. Go ahead and try some of these tips NOW.

65 Things You Should Do Right Now To Avoid Burnout

1. Stop now! Not tomorrow, Not soon
2. Make a list of the items that you do at work that you enjoy
3. Make a list of the items that you dislike doing at work
4. Spend a week or two doing only the tasks you enjoy
5. Hand off some of the burdens
6. Compress the periods where you do the things you don’t like
7. If there are strong interpersonal issues and you work in a large organization, request a transfer to another area
8. If the situation is truly untenable, work on preparing your resume to move on
9. A job that makes your entire life miserable is not worth it, no matter what
10. Get some help
11. Reach out of yourself
12. Hibernate, Sleep, Take a serious break
13. Start a side job
14. Choose a topic that you’re passionate about
15. Set a realistic schedule
16. Plan ahead
17. Celebrate you accomplishments
18. Have a long-term focus and avoid focusing on current problems
19. Don’t spread yourself too thin
20. Limit the time you spend on statistics
21. Accept guest posts if you need more content than you can produce
22. Build a network
23. Use designated times for email
24. Find things that motivate you
25. Take a break
26. Dump it all out
27. Escape for a while
28. Read a book
29. Take a walk outside
30. Set up a “busy schedule” and stick to it
31. Schedule down time
32. Squeeze in walks
33. Avoid overwhelm by making lists
34. Put your perfectionism on the shelf
35. Get support
36. Eat at least one meal a day with family or friends
37. Set up accountability
38. Build in consequences
39. Eat right
40. Set up email filters
41. Turn off email and the phone for set hours
42. Play hard
43. Know your own “Relax” buttons
44. Watch your estimations
45. Lay down the law
46. Prioritize by your core values
47. Put intensive self-care as a top priority
48. Practice the 3D Principle (Do it, Delegate it or Dump it)
49. Learn to say no
50. Learn to let go
51. Avoid multi-tasking
52. Slow down
53. Ask who’s the boogey man?
54. Listen!
55. Ditch things that aren’t important but restore your dream fully
56. If your dream cannot be restore fully. Look towards God for refinement
57. Lastly, you need to have someone to talk to if you need to talk!
58. Don’t lose sight of your principles
59. Stretch yourself
60. Be realistic
61. Learn how to communicate effectively
62. Manage your time
63. Don’t blame yourself (or others)
64. Enjoy the ride
65. Read 25 Tips For Less Stress

Labels: being mindful, conscious choice, getting support, health, Intensive Self-Care, learn to say no, letting go, making changes, productivity, stress management, work life balance

My posts were included in several blog carnivals. Check out these wonderful carnivals!

Post Name: The Balancing Act: My Radio Interview
posted at:
Carnival of Family Life


Post Name: Deadly Conversations
posted at:
Mom & Women Entrepreneurs Carnival #3
Success and Abundance Mindset Carnival
Carnival of Leadership Development
Carnival of Career and Job Advice


Post Name: The 212 Degrees Attitude
posted at:
Carnival of Healing #113: Healthy Living
Carnival of Business and Entrepreneurship #1
Live the Power Unlimited Volume 9
Brain Blogging 22nd edition
Blog Carnival of Personal Power
Carnival of Small Business Issues
Personal Development and Happiness Carnival


Post Name: The Gift of Receiving
posted at:
Carnival of Work at Home Moms and Dads #7
Let's Play Nurse at Change of Shift (a nurse's blog carnival)
Carnival of SAHMs


Post Name: Waiting to Exhale
posted at:
Healthy & Fit Family Carnival at Babylune

Labels: Blog Carnivals, empowerment, personal development

What is your Exercise Personality? Ross Andersen, PhD, director of exercise science at Johns Hopkins' weight management center, argues that you can maximize your exercise results by choosing the right type of workout that best suits your unique personality.

Take this Exercise Personality Quiz at Prevention magazine site to find out which type of workout best suits your personality. (see a list of all quizzes at the Prevention site)

By the way, here is my test result. It's pretty accurate for me.

---

Your Personality Type: SPONTANEOUS

Life is a game, and your strategy is always changing. While you aren't much for rules, you'll follow them if they're simple and help you have fun.

Your Exercise Rx:
Short but sweet activities that allow you to accumulate exercise time throughout the day may be a good choice, says Ross Andersen, PhD, director of exercise science at Johns Hopkins' weight management center. Spontaneous types also tend to do well with games.

Best Choices

• Short walks throughout the day
• Taking the stairs
• Bike rides
• Hiking
• Tennis
• Racquetball
• Squash
• Basketball
• Frisbee

Leisure Activities
Your first priority is to work regular exercise into your week. But also think about using your leisure time to burn off a few extra calories. Here are some extracurricular activities for your personality type:

• skiing
• playing in a softball or volleyball league

Obstacles

Different personalities don't just take to different activities; they have to contend with different obstacles too. Here's what you might find in your path, as well as ways to get around it:

Your biggest enemy is an idle mind. Even short workouts can turn torturous if there's nothing to occupy your brain.

Solution: Watch TV or listen to music while exercising, or grab a workout partner to talk with.

---

How about you? Take the quiz now to find out about your Exercise Personality and what types of workout would work best for you. I'm curious if you also find it accurate for you.

Labels: awareness, fun, health, Intensive Self-Care

My friend and fellow life coach Julie Nathanielsz sent me this. A friend and colleague of hers, Cindy Kirchhoff has just declared December 1st to be National Just Be Kind Day.

Cindy says:

Inspired by wonderful projects such as Angels Anonymous , I'm sponsoring a day of kindness. It's simple; it won't take much effort or time on your part; it has the potential to change the world, if even for one short day.

On December 1st, be kind. That's all! Just be kind. Let the driver in front of you get into traffic, slow down, thank the stressed cashier, over tip service personnel, smile, be patient, forgive, put yourself in the other guy's shoes and understand.

Let's see, think I'll call it "National Just Be Kind Day." Please pass it on to others.

Cindy Kirchhoff
cindy@livinginrhyme.com

So, please spread the word and enjoy being extra kind on December 1st. And, please remember to be kind to yourself, too!!

Labels: compassion, giving, inspiration, love