I have yet to be lucky enough to eat at Dooky Chase’s restaurant in New Orleans. Her speedy comeback after Katrina was legendary. I wanted to take a moment to share the link to a wonderful piece from The Newyorker:

http://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/new-orleanss-queen-of-creole-cooking-at-ninety-three

Your Next Step

Enjoy! And support female restaurant owners and chefs!

I know, I know – personal development coaches are supposed to be upbeat and write motivational posts, right? But we’re ordinary people, and sometimes our lives aren’t going all that well either. The past couple of months have been a roller coaster. Just as my biggest client disappeared into the sunset, I was offered my absolute dream opportunity. I love the project, the students and my colleagues. Of course, there’s a little glitch in the payment process, but, oh well.

I found the perfect jacket last week. The zipper broke immediately.

The four and a half trip home from a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend turned into seven hours of bad traffic. I slept through the dinner ordering part of the trip. I had the perfect turkey sandwich in my bag.

Everything seems to have slowed down or gotten stalled of late. After three attempts, I’ve still not been able to finalize two meetings. Even my cat litter delivery is mysteriously delayed.

What’s going on here? I’m torn between feeling like I’m trapped on a roller coaster and feeling like I’m slogging in the mud. And slogging. And slogging.

What’s Next?

Well, as the old saying goes, there’s got to be a pony in here someplace.

I’m feeling less than cheery now, but I remain optimistic. I know that, with a little patience, a lot of hard work, and a lot of faith, everything will turn around. I have the resources to hold on. I have friends to listen to my weep and gnash my teeth and kick and scream. Each morning, I set an agenda and do at least a little bit to reach my goals. No, life is not always wonderful – I don’t care what anyone says. Sometimes life just isn’t much fun. But there’s always room to change or create something new or wait something out. Persistence. Perseverance. Grit. I have friends who have gone through multiple rounds of cancer and still have wonderful lives. Some have lost loved ones. Some have gone bankrupt. It seems to me that, deep inside, they knew that somewhere in that pile of manure there really was a pony. And they were right. And so am I.

And What Does This Have To Do With You and With Coaching?

Everything. When I look for a coach, I want someone who doesn’t think everything is wonderful all the time. I like working with a coach who has had some hard times. Why? Because they’ve survived. Because they know how I’m feeling when things aren’t going well. Because they know how to help me turn things around. That’s what makes them good. That’s what makes me good.

I know as sure as I’m writing these words that when I feel like one foot is over the cliff and the other is on a banana peel, something magical is about to happen. I know how to wait out any sense of impending doom – and I help my clients do the same.

So, yes – I believe in positive thinking and intentions and affirmations. And I also believe that sometimes compassion, common sense, support, and a good plan are better. So, if you’re feeling down, find a good partner and a couple of shovels. I promise – there’s a pony in your future.

Saturday, February 28  10:00 AM – 4:30 PM

190 Marlborough Road Brooklyn NY (between Beverly and Albemarle Rds., Q train, Beverly Rd.)

This creative, interactive workshop is perfect for you if…

• You are lost in your own life

• You feel stuck and don’t know which way to go

• You want a change and are frustrated by not knowing how or what

• You are overwhelmed by too many choices

• You feel stymied by obstacles and don’t know how to get around them

By the end of this full day workshop, you will have developed:

• a clear, powerful personal vision

• concrete goals broken into easy-to-accomplish steps

• an action plan of what you will immediately do differently

• an expression of your vision that you painted yourself

You get the following (and much, much more) from this workshop:

• A detailed workbook that takes you through each step of your new plan

• A personally signed copy of Dr. Susan R. Meyer’s newest book, “Fifty Over Fifty: Wise and Wild Women Creating Wonderful Lives (And You Can Too!)

• All art supplies needed to create your Vision Painting

• Membership in a special, private Facebook group to keep you motivated and moving in the right direction

• A one-on-one personal, follow-up coaching call

Of course, we’ll be providing continental breakfast, lunch and snacks as you spend the day with like-minded women in a beautiful historic Victorian half a block from the subway station.
Bring a friend! Take advantage of the early bird discount from $249 to $150 if you register before January 31st.

Add to cart

Here’s where to find it:

http://booklocker.com/books/7733.html

or Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/FIFTY-OVER-Women-Creating-Wonderful/dp/1632634953/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1415227073&sr=1-1&keywords=Fifty+Over+Fifty%3A+Wise+and+Wild+Women+Creating+Wonderful+Lives

or Barnes & Noble

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fifty-over-fifty-dr-susan-r-meyer/1120629498?ean=9781632634955

Happy New Year to all!