Blog 'O The Supercoach

Seriously - it's time to wake up!

2010-01-04T18:44:00.000-08:00

We're so entering a new paradigm of thinking and being. The old ways are falling apart - and I know it sucks sometimes, but overall it's a good thing. If things didn't fall apart - we would have a reason to build anything new.

I'm listening to a guy right now channeling a being named "Adamus". He is saying the same thing. How we're living in a sea of potential, and the key to all of it is to follow our deep passion.

FOLLOW OUR DEEP PASSION. I talked to someone on New Years that was so passionate about many things, yet working in a job that he said "I die a little bit every day when I sit in my cubicle".

Raise your hand if you feel like this.

I know you don't know how to do it. I know you're going to tell me, "but I have to pay the bills". Is it worth killing yourself for? Killing your spirit, your passion, doing something you don't give a damn about for hours each day?

I know that how to get from point A to point B is not always obvious. Many times is just isn't. I can't tell you how to go from A to B - that's your journey.

What I can tell you is this: Decide today that you're GETTING OUT. Just decide. Set a date. Take some interest in doing what you want to do. Start asking questions. Get help. Do what you need to do.

I'm asking for me and for you and for everyone: take an interest in empowering yourself and contributing a passionate vibe to the world. We don't need any more of the "I can't do it" mentality that's poisoned all of us. I know it takes time and patience to break out of it, all I'm asking is that you get up.

Get up off the couch. Start the journey.

Just start.

You're in for quite a ride ; )! I love you all and see the beauty in you.

The Consequences of Truth

2010-01-02T15:55:00.000-08:00

There's a part of all of us that we hide from the world. Some parts we're aware that we hide, and some are so far buried that we don't even know what we're hiding anymore. During my own growth as a person, a soul, a coach, and a teacher, I have come face to face with more of my "stuff" in the year 2009 than I have in my whole life. It's been amazing what I've uncovered, but I tell ya - it's not always been a "roses and rainbows" process.

During the last few weeks of 2009, I started to feel more and more like it's become more painful to hide and repress who I am and how I feel than to express it. When I first started to feel this way, it came with a nice hot side dish of attitude: Hey buddy, if you don't like me *blank* you! Now, of course I realized that I didn't want to stay there, but I still sensed there was something healthy on the horizon. After a lifetime of seeking approval, I finally felt little need for it. I had a confidence and a love for myself that I had never had before.

I look around and notice how hard this can be for most of us. We really do live in a society that does not celebrate truth - in fact we celebrate the illusion most of the time. Sure, things are evolving little by little, but at this point in history there is still more of the b.s. out there than the real deal.

I've noticed in my commitment to truth that it is incredibly freeing to say exactly how I feel while trying to express myself in a healthy and loving way. However, I still notice that it can make people uncomfortable and sometimes trigger their own "stuff" to come up to the surface. I think it's why many of us prefer to not rock the boat rather than say no, express anger, set boundaries or limits, or simply state our own truth. On some level, it must mean that we value the approval from others more than from ourselves.

Remember what they say on the plane? "Put your own oxygen mask on first?" If we go through life trying not to say something wrong, hurt someone's feelings, make someone angry with us, or say no to a person or situation that we know in our bones is not serving us anymore - we exhaust ourselves. When we do what is best for us first, stay true to who we are, and love ourselves - then we can show up in the world in an authentic and loving way. People in your life will trust you even more because they know that if you didn't want to be there you wouldn't, and if don't like it you'll say so.

In starting off a new year, or even a new day, it's important to remember that if you don't take care for yourself and take care of others first, someone is getting the short end of the stick. This is about valuing ourselves and letting the world know that we're valuable - and setting that shining example for others. The truth is, yes - someone may get upset with you if you say how you feel. Someone may not like it when you put up a boundary. Someone might kick and scream if you say "no, I'm tired - you'll have to make your own dinner tonight". That is true.

Is it worth it? Will that make everyone happier if you say yes, while seething and screaming on the inside? If you think your thoughts are not landing somewhere, think again. If you stay true to yourself and you feel good, you feel free, you feel valuable - what will you be sending out then? Trust me on this: the world needs your honesty and love more than your politeness and repressed anger.

Think about it! Right now, even today as you read this, an opportunity will come for you to practice this. If we want to live in a world that values truth, it starts with you and me. Go on and tell 'em how you feel. It'll get easier the more you do it - I promise! Let your truth and light shine for all to see today, even if it comes with a hot steaming side dish of a little attitude from time to time. It's okay - we can handle it.

The darkest day of the year

2009-12-21T12:44:00.001-08:00

The solstice is known for it's spiritual power. Today is the day of the winter solstice, the darkest day of the year. It is the day in which we are reaching the contraction point, and getting ready to go back into expansion with more light coming in, and the days getting longer and full of possibility.

Today is a good day to go inside, as it is rich with "yin" energy. Many rituals exist around the solstices, and today is a good day to reflect, cleanse and release.

I'm doing a couple of rituals today, and spending some time in silence and reflection. I have been having a lot of ideas lately, a lot of guidance coming with the intentions I have set for 2010, but something tells me to stay quiet today. Clean my house. Do my laundry. Write. Feel. Later today I will be having a releasing ritual with a friend of mine - as always the power of intention is stronger in a group.

You don't have to do anything fancy today, and I know the world is telling you to run around and get ready for Christmas. I'm telling you that you don't have to. It's actually preferable if you do just the bare minimum today. Go inside and ask yourself what needs to be loved and released for you to become the person you wish to be in 2010. Today is not about making plans, today is about being where you are and addressing what is present in your life now.

Anyway, I must get off the computer now and go about my quiet time. A time for reflection - what are you reflecting on today?

Thinking outside the box

2009-12-20T20:10:00.000-08:00

In the spirit of being real and sharing my stuff with you (hoping that it will inspire), I'm going to share with you something I realized today that, well, makes me feel a little like slapping my head and saying, "um, DUH."

I used to get up in the morning early, I have this whole morning routine I do. In the program that I sell, I call it the Morning Empowerment Routine, or the "ME" time. Yes, pun intended.

For the last few weeks, I've been finding it really hard to wake up in the morning. I got sick for a while, and then there's winter, which makes it a little harder. I find myself not sleeping very well and in the morning opting for more sleep instead of empowerment, which serves me every now and again - but when I keep doing it I really feel it. I *long* to get back to my routine.

For the last few days, I have set my alarm for early with no success on getting my butt out of bed. Really, this time of year it feels the best to me to wake up around 8AM. When I get up then I feel rested, any earlier and I'm struggling through the day.

Point being, I haven't had a regular exercise routine for the last few weeks because it never even occurred to me to exercise any time but the morning. I talk about it all the time to wake, exercise, etc. Today, like a flash it occured to me that I could do it after work.

Oh my god.

This time of year, I find that I have more energy in the evening anyway. By working out at night I can save my mornings for 30 min to an hour of writing, meditating, etc. and not feel rushed. So while in the shower today, I got out and packed my little gym bag and after work, headed over to the nice gym - the 24 hour fitness at Potero Hill. They have a pool and jacuzzi too. Yum.

I went without having to watch the clock, I was full of energy and had a great workout. I smiled, bouncing up and down on the stair-master whilst listening to my crazy workout music - a mix of 80's and heavy metal. I know, I'm super weird.

Now I came home and packed a swimsuit, ready to make this a regular thing until I am back up at 6 or 6:30AM which usually happens during the spring. Tomorrow I'm gettin' in that pool, jacuzzi, and mama might even take a little steam in.

Sometimes we get so locked into our way of doing things we don't even consider that there could be another option. So I invite you to look around at your own life now and ask yourself where you can do more "thinking outside the box". As we get ready for a new year in 2010, it's time to start considering that there's more than one way to do things.

Speaking of this, I just scheduled my first radio show of the year: How to have a KICK ASS year in 2010 - 5 Keys to Reinventing yourself. I've got a new page up on my website that is featuring all the shows, and there's an opt in list if you would like to receive recordings and reminders for the upcoming shows. I've got some amazing guests lined up! Here's a link to the page: http://www.anastasia-netri.com/btrguests.html

Love and Success to you!

My Vision Board

2009-12-18T20:07:00.000-08:00

I've told people to do this, and I took my own down because I didn't really like it, and that was like 6 months ago.

Wanting to walk my talk, I got a fire under me to do a vision board for the year 2010. A few weeks ago I made a list of things I want to have by Dec 1st, 2010. It was a long list that got me super excited thinking about it, not just about "having the stuff", but because the "stuff" represents all the crap I've let go of, and all I've embraced. Only when I've done this will I have these things, and I know I was looking forward to the woman I would be called to BE to manifest these cool situations and yummies in my life.

This morning, I sat down at my computer and searched google images to find pictures that represent nearly every one of these goals. It was super easy, and each picture I saved, put into a MS Word document, and sent it online to Kinko's (I only have a B&W laser-jet and no color printer). For a total of $3.50, I went and picked up the pages later on, got my posterboard, sissors, and glue stick - and had a ball with this.

I have a picture of Tim Ferris on there, and so far he's taking up most of my attention because he's so friggen hot.

I have a pic of lots of other people, a colorfully decorated home, travel, love - it's all on my vision board. I spent some time and care on this one and I couldn't be more pleased with how it turned out. I put it on my wall where it will be the first thing I see in the morning.

Good morning Tim my darling, nice to see ya.

This costs $3.50, maybe a total of $8.00 with the materials - and brings so much clarity, I feel like the tools are all coming in place. I've done so much inner work this year - and I feel today as though I'm feeling really aligned. It feels so good.

I know you're going to do it when you're ready - and I'm not going to preach to you about creating your vision board. All I can tell you is this - this is a piece that really helps when you say to yourself, "This isn't cute anymore."

Another great thing I got out of "The 21 Day Consciousness Cleanse". Thanks Debbie, you're on the board too.

How much of a bad ass are you when people have pictures of you on their vision board?

The Ego Defined

2009-12-17T20:25:00.000-08:00

I have struggled with this as I've started down the "spiritual" path a few years ago. Hearing about the ego wants, ego desires, how they are not who we are and all of that. Most of my spiritual friends "lovingly detest" their egos, and don't own it as part of themselves. It's almost gotten to be embarrassing, and again - something to be shamed.

Then there's the talk of the healthy ego by the intellectuals - this back and forth thing that no one really seems to understand.

It really confused me.

Certainly it serves some purpose, or it wouldn't be here, right? Somehow making my ego my enemy didn't seem right. However, I didn't know what to do with it. Since then I've been trying to find some kind of an answer that fit.

A few days ago, I found myself in another breakthrough state, down very low and feeling in crisis. I've been thought this enough times that I know something is coming - it still doesn't make the pain suck any less - but I know there's purpose in it and it'll come to me eventually. This belief and knowing I think is why I tend to not have to wallow in the pain for too long before coming out of it with some kind of new realization about life, myself, the world - like I've peeled back yet another layer and I'm getting deeper into these parts of myself that I've never seen, and learning to love and accept myself more every day.

In the midst of this last crisis, I watched "The Shadow Effect", Debbie Ford's fabulous movie for the 4th time, and crying hysterically all the way through. I ended up ordering her new book "the 21 Day Consciousness Cleanse", not really knowing much about it but feeling called to read it.

I'm on page 40, and I know exactly why this book is in my hands right now. It's truly amazing. There's so many wonderful things she says in this rich and juicy 40 pages, but I wanted to share one excerpt that she wrote about the ego. This completely makes sense to me, unlike any definition that I've ever heard:

"Your ego's job is to create an outer shell so that you can know yourself as a unique, individual expression. Your ego is your unique human expression. But if you are not aware of the workings of the ego, it will take over your entire consciousness like a cancerous tumor. When you remain blindly rooted inside your ego structure, your connection to your higher power is clouded over. It still exists, but the channel throughout which you can experience it becomes blocked by the confines of your ego's wall, the constrictions of your ego's grasp.

In other words, it is the outer persona, the shell of your human ego, that blinds you from seeing this very resource hidden within.

When you are completely identified with the shell of your individual self, your ego, you are blind to this divine state of consciousness, this light that is sometimes called God. This is one of life's great paradoxes, because to be a human being is to have an outer shell, an ego presence. You need your ego's persona to distinguish yourself from others. It's only when you fail to recognize that your outer shell is just one aspect of who you are that you shut the door on God's light."
From Debbie Ford's book: The 21 Day Consciousness Cleanse

So this makes sense.

On another note, I've seen that over and over someone will judge their very desires as "desires of the ego", and not follow them because the desires may include money or fame or something. I don't feel this way personally.

I believe that within these desires is a desire for evolution and growth. If someone has a desire to be a famous actor, and judges this as a "ego desire" - they may be missing out on the greatest growth opportunity of their lives. That very journey will cause you to discover strength, power, vulnerability, courage, etc. You'll have to love and accept yourself more, come out of your comfort zone - all of it.

Sometimes it's hard to differentiate between the desires of the ego and the desire of the soul. I say, if it feels good and doesn't hurt anyone - then it's your soul for sure. Money and fame can be used for amazing things in the world - so there's no need to deem these things as "egoic". Ultimately, it's learning to co-exist with our ego self and our higher self, seeing them both as a valuable part of who we are.

Do with this what you will. Have a wonderful day - love yourselves and each other.

It's been since AUGUST?

2009-12-09T16:51:00.000-08:00

I looked at my last post and it was in AUGUST. My goodness, where did the time go? I know where it went - to all the inner and outer work I've been doing over the last few months.

Kinda wish I'd been blogging about it more.

Well, today's a new day.

Being that you're reading the blog 'o the "SuperCoach" I'm guessing you're wanting something kinda inspiring today. So I'll do my best to give it to ya.

When I search my mind for the most inspiring thing I can think of is this:

You have something that you really want to do in life. You have something that is calling you.

The only reason you're not doing it is because you have a head full of beliefs (LIES) that say you can't. That's it. If you're aware of that or not - if there's something you want to do, be, and have - and you don't - that's the reason.

I know you've been doing affirmations and they have not always "worked". You're still feeling scared, still not trusting that everything will be okay, and still seeing limits as opposed to opportunities.

I know, it happened to me. It's still happening to me. "Unlearning" all the stuff we've learned can take some commitment. However, it doesn't have to be "hard".

Put some attention on forming new beliefs, that's where all of the stuff you have going on in your head and in your life begins. If you're trying to change your behavior and not your belief that got you there in the first place, you're going to go back to the belief every time, in the form of "self-sabotage".

Call me or visit my website today to set up a session with me, and I'll show you HOW to do this, with actual scientific methods that work!

The world needs you to come alive. For God's sake, do it.

It's a new day, a new chance

2009-08-31T10:20:00.000-07:00

Today is a new day.

You have a new chance today.

What happened yesterday does not matter. You can turn it all around today. You have the power to decide, at this moment:

Who do you want to be? What do you want to do? What do you want to have? What do you want to experience?

Every day life gives us a new chance, in every moment. Let go of your excuses. The only need you have for the past is the learning it has given you to use in THIS MOMENT.

Did you know it takes the average smoker 7 attempts to fully quit smoking for good?

I know you've tried before and fallen back into your old patterns. I have too. Keep getting up, every time you do you're different. What you know is different, what you've experienced is different, your levels of awareness are higher this time.

You can do it. You CAN. Anything is possible, and don't let anyone tell you differently.

Especially yourself.

Focusing on the Solution, not the problem.

2009-08-12T23:18:00.000-07:00

I know this - well, I talk about it all the time. And I am proud to say that I do practice this, but it seems that every now and then I'll come out of my comfort zone (ok, that's like ALL the time) and I'll bump up against some new thing that brings up my stuff and I'll have to remind myself of the truth - again and again.

It's no secret, that's me actually practicing what I preach - which is to get support, remind yourself of the truth, and practice. Today, I had watched a movie with a friend called Zeitgeist: The Addendum. Really excellent movie -very well done and each base covered. So I think.

I found myself getting worked up, see the movie and you'll understand. However, on the way home I found myself quite angry and thinking thoughts about the world that are just not making me feel connected or loving in any way. Then, like a flash it hit me:

If you want to lift people up, you must lift yourself up. Focus on opening yourself, be part of the solution, not the problem. It was like the Marianne Williamson quote I just read last night "When you let your own light shine, you unconsciously give others permission to do the same."

With this thought, feelings of love rushed over my body. What a gift that knowing how I can be a loving activist, an inspiring motivator, and all the while holding myself and the people I see in love - recognizing the potential of us all, and appreciating the beauty.

It comes full circle, really. A suggested exercise that I give to the participants of my program is to put up a sign (an 8 X 10 sheet of paper and a marker in big letters) with something that you will see when you first wake up in the morning that you can't miss, with what you wish to be the first thought of your day.

Today mine said "I see the love & beauty in the world today". It took all day, but sho' nuff - that's where it ended up. I love how this stuff works ; ).

Get shiny today gorgeous - you have a lot of light inside of you ; )!

The Dreaded To-Do List Dilemma - To do or Not to do?

2009-07-09T20:11:00.000-07:00

Every different person has a different to-do list experience. It works great for some, and does nothing for others. There are some people that actually get frustrated and overwhelmed by their never ending to do list. Most people have had that experience at one time or another. Especially if you have a busy life with a lot to do. Oh, wait - that's nearly EVERYBODY.

I'm going to share with you what works for me, and has worked for dozens of others. I invite you to try this on for yourself for a couple of weeks and see how it works for you. When you get a system, a way of doing things that works, then you get things done. You take important action. When you take this action, you see results - and you stop doing the same things over and over. To remind you of Einstein's definition of insanity: One who does the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result.

1. First step is to do a "data dump", meaning - go ahead and put it all down on the list. Anything you can think of that you're needing to do.

2. Take the list and divide it into categories: business, home, personal (just you), and social (including friends and family). Now take everything on your list and put it into the appropriate category.

3. Start with the home list. You may have things on there like "fix drain" and "clean carpets" or "take that stuff to goodwill, finally". Begin with the first thing on your list. Compare the first and the second thing on your list, and ask yourself what's more important? The drain or the carpets? Take whatever wins, put it at the top. Then, take the next thing on the list and keep proritizing. Always go with your first instinct. Try to do this quickly, and trust that your first answer is the right one.

4. Repeat this with all of your lists. When you get to the one on business, I invite you to first categorize that list with "things that will bring immediate income" and "things that will bring income later". If what's on that list doesn't fit into those categories, get it OFF the list.

5. Once you get your list prioritized, take the first 1 or 2 things in each category- and immediately put them into your calendar. Even if it's 3 weeks out, just get it off that list and into your calendar. This is the secret to how that list will help bring you energy, and not drain it.

6. Put the remaining stuff in a drawer and don't even look at it. Each week, pull the list out and add whatever is new, re-prioritize and do it all over again. You'll get really good at this, especially once you see how great this works. This is something you can do in about 15 minutes, and then you don't have to fiddle around every day wondering what you should do, and wasting time with what's not immediate.

It's no good to have "write a novel" on your list if you never schedule time to write. It almost becomes a burden having it there, seeing it over and over knowing that you want to write but you're not doing it. If you put in 15 minutes 3 times a week to write, even if you just sit there, you are training yourself. You're now matching intention with action, which is the only way you'll see results!

I invite you here to try something different - test it out for yourself. This is one of those "success" habits that can help you get where you want to go - and in a more relaxed way. Starting now to form habits like this will set you up for a more successful and easy going life, starting today!

The Purpose of Goals

2009-05-28T12:55:00.000-07:00

The entire purpose of your goals is the step it's causing you to do today. The purpose of your goals is the awareness you must attain, the lessons to be learned, the power inside to be remembered in order to manifest the goal you desire. It's not about getting the carrot, it's about the muscles you must build in order to catch it.

This is why we desire. If you get this now, that it's not about the end result but the path along the way, you will save yourself the disappointment that comes with thinking a carrot will bring you peace. Peace not only will bring the carrot to you easier, you won't get attached to it - and you can see what it really means to be free.
-ME (Anastasia Netri)

The Dark Side of People Pleasers

2009-05-06T08:45:00.000-07:00

This is from Debbie Ford's Shadow Blog. I thought it was so profound that I wanted to post it. To get on her list please visit http://www.debbieford.com/.

Before I share Debbie's Words, I want to tell you a little story.

I went to go see a sneak preview of her movie "The Shadow" last week. AMAZING. This is a "hole" in the self help industry that I have seen for a long time, and it is a relief for someone to be talking about embracing the gifts in our dark qualities.

Of course, I was super emotional that night, so I CRIED and CRIED as this movie was bringing my own shadows up. I also had hormones raging about, which added 50X the emotion.

I got the pleasure of meeting Debbie Ford after the movie. However, because I was such an emotional mess, the minute I looked at her I started crying - AGAIN. I suppose I felt some deep need to explain to her what was wrong, so I opened up my mouth and before anything else came out I said, "Um, HI. I'm Anastasia. I started my period this morning."

AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

Good thing we had just been talking about embracing the inner idiot. Mine was up and running the show. I felt so disconnected from everything else I said after that, completely horrified that I just told Debbie Ford I started my period. She seemed to take it well.

I subscribed to her "Shadow Blog" - and I recommend this to everyone. Here is one post from it that I LOVE:

After basking in the light for so many months while writing The 21-Day Consciousness Cleanse, I decided to dip back into the dark side to shed some light on one of the toughest masks that must get broken if we are to break free from the wounded ego's grip. In my last book, (Why Good People Do Bad Things) which has been released this month in paperback, I explore the masks that we wear that keep us from being authentic and standing in our power. For the next few weeks, I will share some of these masks so that you can explore some of the behaviors that might seem nice, good, even royal but that ultimately undermine our happiness and success. So buckle up because they are straight to the point, no holds barred and meant to pierce the denial that keeps us trapped in our human personas.

People Pleasers are one of my favorite types because, even though this behavior is often rooted in sheer selfishness, people pleasers are actually good down to their core, and their need to please others generally helps someone else. True People Pleasers are usually people who were wounded in adolescence -- shamed until their needs no longer seemed important to them -- and learned at a young age that to survive with the least amount of stress thrown at them, they should try with all their might to make others happy. People Pleasers are prey for the predator types and feel deeply ashamed that they are just not always worth the space they take up in the world. Their feelings of unworthiness, and the fear that they are nothing without someone else's love or approval, leave them with a driving need to prove their worth to others.

People Pleasers are the ones with a warm smile on their face and the word prey stamped on their forehead. They are driven to capture your love by doing, overdoing, and then doing some more. They will give until there is nothing left of themselves and covertly feed off the one they are giving to in a less than healthy way. They may take the form of the love buyer, buying gifts and spending money that they don't have, in order to gain love. Their food is the adoration of others, and although they may look like they are giving, they are actually taking.

People Pleasers are always seeking the validation of others for all that they do. Unfortunately, their deep feelings of inadequacy rob them of actually hearing how important and appreciated they are to their receiver. When People Pleasers are acting from their emotional wounds, their self-sabotage comes from their inability to hear what another might truly want from them. Looking through their own filter of "How can I please you?" cuts them off from hearing, listening to, and being in touch with appropriate behavior, thereby cutting themselves off at the foot.
The shadow of People Pleasers is their deep shame that they are nothing without you. "You" is whomever they happen to be attached to at the moment, together with the deeds they are doing on "your" behalf to prove how necessary they are.

Driven by feelings of uselessness and insignificance, it's the People Pleaser's challenge is to admit that they have been using the guise of giving as a way to feed their own sense of belonging and importance. By allowing themselves to feel the hidden emotions that they suppress through the act of giving, they begin to recognize how in need they are of their own charity. Once the People Pleaser surrenders to the fact that their job is not to please another, they can focus all of their attention and energy on the one person they do have the power to please: themselves.
If this mask fits you and you feel a bit angry, just take a few moments to breathe into the feelings.

Allow yourself to search for and discover all the joy, energy and self-esteem that you have given away as a result of trying to please another. Make a commitment from this day forward to catch yourself when you are saying yes when you mean no and when you are giving even when you have nothing left. I assure you that you deserve better and that you will find true love, authentic love when you realize that you were born worthy and that nothing can take that away from you.

With love and blessings,
Debbie Ford
http://www.debbieford.com/

If Worry Worked, I'd Weigh 115 lbs and Be a Multi-Millionaire

2009-04-24T09:42:00.000-07:00

I believe that people are sent here to learn particular lessons in each lifetime. I know for me, part of what I'm here to learn in this life is trust and balance. I also believe that the way that we learn these lessons is by overcoming the opposite experience.

I've been worrying all of my life. I worry incessantly about EVERYTHING. Over the last few years, I've been doing a lot of inner work and it has paid off. I worry much less than I used to. However, if I'm not careful and I stop doing my "practices" such as meditation, affirmations, and mirror work, I can very easily slip into a cycle of worry and it becomes difficult for me to stop.

Recently, I've had an issue with food. Everything is changing so fast that I found myself using food for comfort. Food can be an excellent comfort, but I must admit that I overdid it a bit. I found myself having put on a few pounds because of it. Once the weight started to come on, I then would get into a thought pattern every morning when I would first wake up (Ladies, tell me if you can relate).

It would go something like this: Ok, today's the day. Today I'll drink lots of water and eat salad and watch my calories and I'll work out for an hour and I'll do that everyday. Then I'd look at the scale and my mood would be highly dependent on what the numbers said.

One morning I found myself aware of my thoughts instead of identified with them. I stepped back and noticed that I can't remember a morning where some similar thought process wasn't there. Even before I put on the weight, I was still basing the fact that I felt good upon what I looked like. I realized this had probably been going on every day for the last 20 years or so.

I sat with this for a while, quite astonished. Then all of the sudden, I had the thought: What if I just stopped worrying about my weight, and what I looked like? I mean, what if I just STOPPED? Funny enough, my brain gave me an instant answer, revealing the thought behind the worry: If you stop worrying, it will get out of control.

In that instant, I became aware that this was the BIGGEST LIE ever. Worry actually didn't work - because if it did, I would never have gained weight. Worrying about money doesn't work either. I realized the truth right there and then: If worry WORKED, I would weigh 115 pounds and be a multi millionaire.

This is the illusion of control. Our minds tell us that by worrying, we are "doing something about it". Our minds tell us that if we let go that we will no longer have control and everything will fall apart. Even though all spiritual teachings tell us that our source of power is in LOVE and TRUST, we are not conditioned for that.

I would love to say that with that realization I have stopped worrying completely. Well, I haven't. One of my quotes that I say often is "The realization puts you at the base of the mountain, not the top. The realization is where your work BEGINS." There is a "reprogramming" that has to happen, and it takes time and practice. The more I'm okay with that, the less "work" it seems to be.

Here's some strategies I use to help me keep from letting worry get the best of me. Only you know what's right for you. If any of these help you then put them into practice. I encourage you to find whatever works for you and remember to keep up with it. I speak from experience that the minute I let my practices go, life just seems be much more difficult than it needs to.

1. Breathe
I know it's a cliche, but that's because it's true. Stopping for a minute or two to just breathe, and during that time allow in a thought like this "It is safe for me to let go and trust. All is well." Can you imagine if you had that thought over and over while breathing deeply? This is how you reprogram your neuropathways, cells, and nervous system to be calmer. From this place, there's nothing you can't handle.

2. Do some affirmations
I love affirmations. All affirmations are is thoughts, consciously introduced into your mind. Remind yourself of what is true, who you really are, and be sure to say "I love and completely adore myself" at least once, twice, or 400 times a day.

3. Take a walk
While on your walk, get into your senses. Feel your feet on the ground. Smell the air. Look around and notice the beauty. Feel the air on your skin. Listen to the sounds. This is presence, and no worry can survive here for long. Even 5 - 10 minutes of this is so relaxing and grounding. Go on, turn off the computer and go now for a 5 minute walk, doing those things I just mentioned. Then email me and tell me how amazing it was!

Every cell in your body is conditioned for thoughts, not just your brain. This is why most changes take LOTS of practice. Every time your cells regenerate, they are different depending on the state of your mind, body, and emotions and thoughts. When you practice something over and over again, in about 5 years you have nearly an entirely new body. Depending on what you've been thinking and feeling over the last 5 years, you could have a body that keeps you in a state of ease, because it's programmed that way. Isn't that fabulous?

Copyright 2009 Anastasia Netri
Would you like to use this article in your publication? Feel free! Just use the "About Anastasia Netri,CLC" with it, and do not change the article in any way. Thank you!

About Anastasia Netri, CLC
Anastasia Netri is a Certified Life Coach who specializes in Work and Life Balance for Home Based Business Owners. She is passionate about helping people who have had the courage to start their own business learn the skills necessary to be more successful in their business, work less and do more, have more free time, and take better care of themselves.

Anastasia has been an entrepreneur for 14 years and owned many different types of businesses, including a medium sized corporation with over 20 employees that she sold for six figures at the age of 29. She has owned a home based business for over 5 years. Through her years of experience, she has learned how to successfully balance work and life, and shares this through her one on one coaching and group programs.

She is certified through CANA, and has received training through the Coaches Training Institute in San Rafael, CA. She has also studied with countless private teachers and coaches through the years, and brings her own wisdom, experience and skills to effectively serve her clients to live a life of passion, purpose, and success.

Visit her website to get your free report "3 Reasons Why Home Based Business Owners Procrastinate More than People with Jobs!" Click Here to Visit Website

3 Ways to Create More Free Time

2009-03-16T17:28:00.000-07:00

Effective time management is something that eludes most of us. As a culture, at least in America, being "stressed" and "overwhelmed" has become entirely too commonplace. Healthy balance between work and play in someones life is rarely seen.

As I work with more and more Home Based Business Owners, the same challenges continue to come up again and again. I hear phrases like, "I'm bad with time" or "I tend to procrastinate a lot". I also hear these quite often: "I work too much, and I'm not sure where the workday ends" as well as "I don't seem to have very much free time". Most people got into owning a home based business because they wanted more freedom, and in many cases they wind up in a different kind of prison.

A very effective first step to creating more free time is to identify the time wasters in your life. Creating this simple awareness can cause things to turn around very quickly. Most patterns in our lives are there because we're running on auto-pilot. When you begin to notice a pattern, it's just a matter of time before you will know exactly what you need to do to shift it. The first most common time-waster is living and / or working in a sea of disorganized clutter. Did you know the average person spends one hour a day looking for something? That's seven hours a week, and 28 hours per month. Many people think it takes a lot of time to get organized, but the reality is that is takes MORE time to be disorganized. Clean up a bit, file some papers, and you could literally get back 28 hours per month. That's a good chunk of free time.

Another major time-waster is electronic boxes. Computers, TV, Blackberries, Video Games, etc. I'm certainly not saying these are all bad, I'm all for a some mindless entertainment on occasion. However, OVERUSE of these things has become the main problem. Entertainment is one thing, distraction is another. The question is, are these things robbing you of time you would rather be spending doing something else? Where could you draw the line on your electronic box use and replace it with something more fulfilling? Check in with yourself and see what you come up with, it just might surprise you.

The third and biggest time-waster of all is carrying around your schedule and to-do list in your head. I see this much too often, and I notice that this a huge energy drain. This can cause feelings of being overwhelmed, stressed, and completely unable to relax. I speak from experience! I always have 27 thing on my to do list, and I have found that writing it down and prioritizing it is an amazing way to relax. It no longer is swirling around my mind. When things are laid out in this way, it's easy to schedule what needs to be done and have more time to do other important things in my day, like take a nap!

People generally forget that we only have a certain amount of hours in the day. It's important to remember that in order to say yes to something, we will have to say no to something else. We cannot keep piling things on. Decide what you would like to have more of in your life on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis. Write down what these things are, and then ask the question, "What must I say NO to to make room for these things?" This is a great way to create more free time, fun time, and time with loved ones in your life. Keep your eye on what's important, it easy to get lost in the details.

Anastasia Netri is a Certified Life Coach who specializes in Work and Life Balance for Home Based Business Owners. She is passionate about helping people who have had the courage to start their own business learn the skills necessary to be more successful in their business, work less and do more, have more free time, and take better care of themselves.

Anastasia has been an entrepreneur for 14 years and owned many different types of businesses, including a medium sized corporation with over 20 employees that she sold for six figures at the age of 29. She has owned a home based business for over 5 years. Through her years of experience, she has learned how to successfully balance work and life, and shares this through her one on one coaching and group programs.

She is certified through CANA, and has received training through the Coaches Training Institute in San Rafael, CA. She has also studied with countless private teachers and coaches through the years, and brings her own wisdom, experience and skills to effectively serve her clients to live a life of passion, purpose, and success.

Visit her website to get your free report "3 Reasons Why Home Based Business Owners Procrastinate More than People with Jobs!" http://www.havebalanceinlife.com/