Bridges Edition of 4/8/2005

Welcome to Bridges, a monthly newsletter published by Robin Fogel,
Performance Enhancement and Career Coach. My goal is that this newsletter be filled with practical information that you can use in your work and in your life. If you enjoyed the newsletter please forward it to your colleagues, friends and family.

If you would like to know more about coaching, please email me at robin@coachrobinfogel.com and/or visit my website - www.coachrobinfogel.com

Last month I had the pleasure of working with Paula Molina from the Fashion Fix, a wardrobe consultant, and I have to admit it was a humbling experience. As a coach I regularly encourage clients to let go of something they are holding on to, to make room for something new. Eliminating clutter, be it from your closets or office files, frees up space for something new- new clients, new opportunities. The humbling part of the experience was the realization that I still had a few of those power jackets from the 80's lurking in the back of my closet, you know the ones with the football pad shoulders. I haven't worn them in years but it took an objective outside eye to remind me that they were taking up space. As Paula encouraged me to get rid of items that hadn't been worn in years it felt great and reminded me that I was making room for something new, in my case a new opportunity.

The arrival of spring seems the perfect time to reduce the clutter in our lives, at work and at home. So, how do you know if you are ready for some spring-cleaning? Here are a few clues.

- Do you have a strong reaction every time you approach the piles on your desk?
- Do you regularly have to spend time looking for something you can't find?
- Were you able to find all those papers you needed to file your tax returns?
- Are you hanging on to things you no longer need...just in case?

If you answered yes to any of these questions then it may be time to get rid of some clutter. Start small. The quickest way to sabotage your efforts is to get overwhelmed. If your desk is a mess, start with one section or one drawer. Use the same principle with your file cabinets, start with one drawer or even just a few files. Breaking the project down helps. And really evaluate what you are holding on to, be it files or jackets with huge shoulder pads. If you haven't used it or needed it in years, it is probably ok to let it go.

Interesting Read
Recently a colleague recommended, "Change Your Questions, Change Your Life" by Marilee Adams, Ph.D. Ms. Adams describes a process that she calls "question thinking," a system that stresses that asking the right questions may be more important than having the answers. She explains that our daily thought process starts with questions - What am I going to eat for breakfast? What should I wear to work? The questions we ask either of ourselves or of others can transform the outcome. Shifting our questions can shift our thinking, shift from judging questions to inquiring ones. Instead of asking - what's wrong, how about asking what works; instead of who's to blame, ask what am I responsible for; instead of why is that person so clueless, ask what is the other person feeling, needing and wanting? "The questions we ask ourselves can stimulate curiosity, inspire us, move us into new directions of success- or drive us into inaction and failure."

PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT COACHING

Your company may have an employee who has been identified as a rising star, yet one who could benefit from one on one attention. Performance enhancement coaching allows them to develop specified skill areas faster. Communication, leadership, teamwork, and being better organized are only a few areas that can be developed. Your organization benefits because the employee is ready for expanded responsibilities sooner. The employee benefits and is delighted because you have demonstrated that you value them and think they are a key leader in your organization.

Final Thought
We always seem to strive to have a full life. Yet, it is only when there is an empty space that something new can come in.
-Deepak Chopra

I appreciate your comments and feedback on this newsletter, please keep them coming. If there is a topic you would like to hear more about, email me at robin@coachrobinfogel.com
COPYRIGHT: 2005, Robin Fogel & Assoc., LLC. All Rights Reserved. May be distributed and reprinted in its entirety with copyright, subscription instructions, and contact information intact. However, you may not copy it to a website.