19/03/2019 by Lisa McDonald Leave a Comment

Spicing Up Your Habits

It’s been a little while since I posted. That’s because in the past month I’ve been spending some really focused time working on my upcoming book. It’s taking longer than I anticipated, and is certainly providing lots of opportunities to learn along the way. (Click here to learn more about my book).

Today I’m back in the office after an enjoyable couple of weeks away in Western Australia with my husband and son. It was wonderful to be able to spend time visiting family and friends, relaxing with diverse travel and leisure activities. It provided a great break away from my book writing , and other regular habits and activities.

Variety is the Spice of life

Visiting different places and doing different activities, can be a great way to reinvigorate the mind, body and spirit. It shifts your focus away from habits and towards the unfamiliar. In doing so it creates space for freshening up your perspective.

While we were in Perth, we visited the impressive Sculpture by the Sea event https://sculpturebythesea.com/cottesloe/ at scenic Cottesloe Beach. Every year sculptors/exhibitors spend months planning and creating their artistic piece, which is then displayed for all the public to see. (It’s a free event.)

Weird or wonderful?

Whether an art piece is weird or wonderful, good or bad or not, is in the eye of the beholder. Each piece offers the observer the opportunity to interpret the art themselves.

How we judge the art is based on our own internal measuring sticks, the library of references in our mind. This library is created through our own memories, experiences and emotions, and what we have learned from others. The mind uses it to filter the information we see, hear and feel. It shapes the way we think, feel and act, and therefore our results.

Tweaking your habits to create new results

When you’re dissatisfied with your results, it’s a sign that you need to tweak your library of references and change what’s limiting you. A holiday is a great way to start the process of tweaking your references. But you will likely need to do other work to identify these references in order to retrain your mind and body by implementing different habits. With persistence and consistency, your results should begin to change. If not, further work may be required to achieve success.

Do you have an important decision to make or goal to achieve? If you’d like some help to shift your perspective and habits so you can achieve different results, I’d love to help you. You can find out more by clicking here: to book a chat with me.

21/01/2019 by Lisa McDonald Leave a Comment

Running Away From A Problem Only Increases The Distance From The Solution

“Running away from a problem only increases the distance from the solution.”
– Anonymous

Just as the above quote says, running away from a problem is just a strategy for avoiding the problem. And the problem with avoidance is, it doesn’t resolve the situation. If it’s a big enough issue, it will present itself at some other time, or continue to pop up again and again. It may be in the same shape or form, or it might be different.

Three common examples of things that people run away from are making decisions, confronting what they think and feel, and taking action to implement their decision. All very normal But all stand in the way of making progress.

Problems can eat away at you

Unresolved problems have thoughts and feelings attached to them. They sit in your mind ad body, shaping your actions an outcome, whether they are conscious and unconscious. They can eat away at you, undermining your confidence and resilience. If the issues are big enough, then can seriously affect your health, relationships, finances and every other area of your life.

Getting closer to the solution

Rather than avoid the problem, the solution is of course to deal with it. This requires a willingness to confront the problem. To be honest with yourself, to confront the issues and to take actions to move you forward. It doesn’t mean that it will be comfortable or easy. However it is necessary to get closer to the solution. Otherwise it will hold you back and you won’t be able to breakthrough.

Have you been running away from a problem? Is there a decision or action that you’ve been avoiding which is causing you pain, discomfort or holding you back? It could be around your career/business, having a child or not, or any other area of your life. If this sounds like you then you must set a very clear intention that you actually want to resolve the problem. You must commit to taking action and start implementing. You also need to be flexible enough to keep adjusting. Things may happen differently than you expect, and it’s likely you’ll have to try new things.

Just keep stepping forward. Keep going until you’ve succeeded in your desired outcomes.

Warm regards

Lisa

PS If you’re tired of running away from the problem or have an important goal you want to achieve, click here to book a chat with me.. We’ll talk about your situation and see if we’re a match.

08/01/2019 by Lisa McDonald Leave a Comment

Creating A Successful New Year

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Welcome to a fresh new year, another 365 days of opportunity to achieve the life of your dreams! I am excited to be back and hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year holiday period.

How was last year for you? What were the struggles and triumphs? Did you achieve your key goals?

If it was a difficult year in some shape or form, or you didn’t achieve one or more of your key goals, then I hope that this year is better for you. Either way, it’s time to be grateful. Grateful for all the things you DO have in your life, and all those things that you are grateful that are NOT in your life. It’s time to review, reflect and learn from the past your. Then to transition into the new year.

A Fresh Year

It’s a fresh NEW year, with a fresh book of experiences for you to fill over the next 12 months. This transition into the new year has created a culture over the years of setting resolutions. If made with careful consideration, resolutions can help reinforce permanent changes. However, most New Years resolutions are made in a heightened or inebriated state, which often lacks a degree of commitment. And, as a result they often never gets started or fall away within a short space of time.

So NOW is the time to set the stage for THIS year. To connect and energise yourself for the year.

A Fresh Vision

Take some time to create a fresh vision for the year. Clarify your intentions, then formulate them into specific goals.

Goals are more outcome focused than resolutions, giving you attainable milestones and time frames. When they are set in a more conscious and committed way, your goals can keep you motivated. Especially if they’re aligned with your highest values and aspirations. Years ago I created my SMARTIES Formula for goal setting. It provides a checklist of 8 essential aspects of goals setting, which you must include to set really successful goals. Click here now to get my SMARTIES Formula for goal setting,

Which areas of life do you most want to create results in this year: health, relationship, family, finances, business/career, leisure, community or other?

2019 Strategic Goal Setting Workshop

January is a great time to reflect on the outcomes you want for 2019, to write your goals and to start taking action. That’s why over several years I’ve run a Strategic Goal Setting Workshop: Life Review & Planning Workshop. Originally it was a full day where you had to travel to participate. Last year was my first live online workshop to assist you in reviewing, goal setting and taking action on your goals in 2019. And I’m excited to say that I’m running my live online workshop again this year.Having the live online format means I can:

Offer it to you at a fraction of the price of my previous offline workshop held in Melbourne,
And … still have the personal connection that made those workshops so special. Click here to find out more ...

Achieving Different Results This Year

To support you in achieving your goals this year, I’ll be continuing to share tips, tools, and insights into how you can make this a more successful year.

If you’re serious about creating different or better results this year, then it’s up to you to take action! What next step will you take to succeed this year?

Wishing you every with creating more of the life and success you desire this year.

Warm regards
Lisa McDonald

PS If you haven’t had a look yet at my program Click here and find out more

19/12/2018 by Lisa McDonald Leave a Comment

Come Back To The Heart of Christmas

During the Christmas season it’s so easy to get caught up in the busyness of the season and to get distracted by issues, obligations and stories. Today I’d like to encourage you to put aside the trappings and commercialism of the season for a moment, to come back to the heart of Christmas and to share your good will with others.

Connecting To The Heart of Christmas

Christmas is one of the most celebrated events around the world, and is a busy time for many people. Too often though, people loose sight of the big picture. Instead they get caught up in busyness, obligations and inflated expectations. That’s why it can be really beneficial to stop for a moment and to reconnect with what’s important.

Below are the lyrics and music video for Matthew West’s beautiful song, “The Heart of Christmas”. Take a few moments now to watch and listen to the music video of Matthew West’s song, and to connect with the heart of Christmas for you. Click here

Lyrics:

I’m going to make a wish this Christmas
I’m going to say a little prayer
Im going to stop here for a moment
Before the moment disappears

The World’s in a hurry this December
The city street’s a shopping mall
I wish we could slow down and remember
the meaning of it all

Wherever you are no matter how far
Come back to the heart, the heart of Christmas
Live while you can, cherish the moment
The ones that you love, make sure that they know it
And don’t miss it, the heart of Christmas

Let’s make it feel the way it used to
Let’s find the wonder of a child
You can see the magic all around you
Come on and open up your eyes

Well you can find it in the warm embrace of your family
Or call up a long lost friend
You can even find it in the eyes of a stranger
When you reach out a helping hand

In this shadow of a feeling
It’s the star that lights the way
You will find you need an angel
The heart of Christmas has a way

I’m going to make a wish this Christmas
I’m going to say a little prayer

Wherever you are, not matter how far
Come back to the heart, the heart of Christmas
Live while you can, cherish the moment
The ones that you love, make sure they know it

Wherever you are, not matter how far
Come back to the heart, the heart of Christmas

Spreading Goodwill

Some people find Christmas a difficult time, and find it hard to be merry. Take a few minutes now to consider someone who finds it hard to be merry, or is going through a tough time. They may be someone you know well, an acquaintance or someone you’ve just come into contact with. It might even be you …

Here’s a way you can spread your own goodwill at Christmas:

Come back to your own heart
What loving goodwill message is within your heart
Picture someone who find’s it hard to be merry;
In your mind, connect with them.
Send a prayer or wish to them, sharing your own heart felt message

Remember spreading love and goodwill shouldn’t just be confined to social, cultural or religious celebrations. So … connect with your heart … spread your love and goodwill … all year round.

You can take steps today to connect with the heart of your Christmas. Then, spread your goodwill with others.

Warm Regards

Lisa

11/12/2018 by Lisa McDonald Leave a Comment

Christmas Stories – How Oprah’s Worst Christmas Became Her Best

Christmas is one of the most celebrated holidays in the world. It can touch many people, from children through to adults, throughout the years. Consequently it can be the source of many memories. Each story of an event is affected by the way you see, think and feel about about what happened. For some the memories are happy and positive, while for others they are unpleasant or painful.

Whatever you experience in life, you have the ability to shape your own story. In today’s post, I share Oprah Winfrey’s story about how her worst Christmas became her best. And, some of the ways in which that story affected her.

Oprah’s Story

It was Christmas Eve and Oprah was 12 years old. Her mother took her aside and told her that they wouldn’t be having Christmas that year. Oprah’s initial response was to asked about Santa. Her mother responded by telling her that there was not Santa. There wasn’t going to be any gifts for her or her young sisters.

Her Worst Christmas Story

In truth, Oprah had already started to become aware that there was no Santa. However, this was her first realisation that they were poor. Her initial reaction was of guilt and shame. Then, she began thinking about the story she would share with others. Normally on Christmas morning all the kids would play out doors with their new toys, and show their neighbours what they had received. Knowing that she wouldn’t have any new toys to show, Oprah considered whether she would hide out in their house or say she was sick the next morning. It was going to be her worst Christmas ever.

A New Christmas Story

Late that night, some nuns came to the house with food, and toys for her and her young sisters. Oprah was very touched and grateful – someone had noticed them! Additionally, this wonderful act of kindness had gifted her with a new story to tell. Oprah had recognised that it transformed her story, from her worst Christmas into her best .

The Power of Oprah’s Story

Oprah never forgot that earlier experience and how she felt. Years later she was building a house which was not going to be ready for Christmas. She asked herself, “what would be the next best way to spend Christmas?” She reflected back on her childhood experience. The answer that came to her was to give other children that same experience, of being noticed. She decided to go to South Africa and to give food, clothes, toys, and soccer balls to some of the poorer villages. Oprah re-framed her story, which enabled her to experience the joy of giving to these kids.

Your Christmas Stories

If your life has been touched by Christmas then it is likely that you have your own stories to share. Aside from Christmas (which many people in the world don’t celebrate), your life has been impacted by many things. Take a few minutes now to reflect on some of your best and worst stories from your life, and how they have impacted you.

Here are three powerful questions to ask yourself:

What experiences you are grateful for?
Do you have any stories that you need to transform into more positive and empowering ones?
How could you share that same experience with someone else?

Empower Yourself And Others

As a 12 year old, Oprah had a powerful experience. She could have chosen to focus on negative aspects of her story, or she could focus on the positive aspects of her story. By choosing to focus on the positive, she got to feel grateful and empowered. You have choices too.

Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, your experiences can be powerful. Your stories of these events are flavoured by how you think and feel. Consequently your stories shape your life. They also have a ripple effect, flowing on and impacting others. Carrying around negative stories increases stress and conflict. It also reduces your self-belief, drains your energy and keeps you stuck in the past.

Instead, learn how to re-frame your stories into more positive ones. If you’re finding it difficult to re-frame your story, and would like some help, please click here to book in a free chat with me.

Remember, your stories and choices shape your life. Just like Oprah Winfrey, you can re-frame your stories to support you and the life you want to live.