April is Stress Awareness Month

April is Stress Awareness Month - how is your stress level?

http://psychology.about.com/b/2010/04/09/april-is-stress-awareness-month.htm

Blogging again?

I was trying to blog every day, but I guess I just don't have enough to say? Or maybe I use up all my words at work and have none left by the end of the day.

Actually, I just want to write something interesting, or relevant, and some days (like today) I have nothing interesting or relevant to say. At least, nothing that I want to share with the cyberspace world.

So there it is, blogging again (sort of)...

Next time, I'll have more to say.

Where did the day go?

Today was one of those days where I was running around all day, helping others and never had a moment to myself. Generally, I don't mind helping others, since that is one of my strengths. But sometimes it is important to stop and smell the roses. To take time for myself. To relax. To chill. Maybe just a few minutes to listen to my iPod, read a book, or surf the internet. Well, it is 11:59pm and I am just now winding down. I have a stack of things to do (read the newspaper, pay bills, do work) but that can wait for tomorrow. I think I'll take a few minutes to read before bed instead. Better late than never - it is now 12:02. Oh well, tomorrow is another day.

The Value of Blogging?

I haven't blogged for quite a while. Almost 2 years. I never really blogged much anyway. I don't feel like writing every day. But I always make time to read my favorite blogs every day. Today I decided to try to write daily in addition to reading the blogs. I want to write so I can stay accountable to learning, growing, and marketing my business. I'll try to impart something of value in my posts - a business or counseling tip I learned, a challenge to myself, or just a funny or interesting story or fact. This is my commitment to myself for 2010. Join me in the journey.

Money Breakthroughs in Counseling

I just finished listening to a call on Money Breakthroughs by Carey at Coach Tools To Go. I often listen to conference calls on business, coaching, or counseling to get ideas for growing my counseling business. As a business owner, I recognize the importance of profit, income, and value for services provided, but as a counselor, it can be hard to charge clients who are struggling with financial difficulty.

A few things I learned from tonight's call:
1. If I make more money, I can give more money away.
2. People value things they pay for. For example - I would take better care of a car that I bought with my hard earned money than a car that I was given to use for free.
3. Don't give away too much for free - limit availability, don't go over time. The service will be more valuable to the client and I will be a better counselor if I am not burned out.
4. Offer disappearing benefits (time sensitive), limited benefits (number of people), and payment plans to increase value and encourage clients to make a commitment to services they need. We often wait until the last minute before we make a decision.
5. Outsource - find college students who will intern for free or low cost in exchange for mentoring.

I want to help my clients by offering them a valuable service. They will be more committed to the process if I value it also - by charging what it is worth, giving my best hours to the business, ending sessions on time, offering payment options, and mentoring. These are my money breakthroughs for 2010.

Too Busy? Take Time for Yourself.

Our lives are busy. We are constantly running here and there, taking care of work, kids, parents, friends, pets, neighbors, etc. But often we forget to take care of ourselves. When that happens we can become stressed or depressed. Learning self-care techniques can help us manage stress and improve our moods. We are all familiar with the our instructions every time we fly in an airplane – “put on your own oxygen mask first before helping others.” This is helpful advice that should be applied in all areas of our lives. We need to take care or ourselves first in order to be able to help others.

“But I don’t want to be selfish – isn’t taking care of myself selfish?” Taking care of ourselves is actually healthy. We need to remember to pay attention to all areas of our lives – our physical health, mental health, spiritual health, financial health, intellectual health, etc. Our bodies, minds, and souls need to be nourished and protected so that we can operate at optimum capacity to serve and help others.

“I’m too busy to take care of myself – I can’t abandon my responsibilities. How will everything get done?” We all have 24 hours in our days, but there will always be more to do. If we practice self-care we will be more relaxed, able to concentrate, and more efficient, so we will actually be able to accomplish more, not less. Self-care increases our capacity to give and serve.

How do we take care of ourselves?

1. Develop healthy eating habits.
2. Get consistent sleep.
3. Commit to regular exercise.
4. Relax. Set aside 15-30 minutes every day for relaxation. Take a bath, pray, take a nap, draw a picture, write in a journal, read a book, talk to a friend, pet your cat or dog.
5. Breathe deeply.
6. Listen to music.
7. De-clutter your house and your life. Take 15 minutes a day to pick up a room, sort through some papers, or make a goal/priority list.
8. Laugh as much as possible. Watch a funny movie or television show. Read the comics or a joke book. Listen to a friend tell funny stories. Laughter is good medicine.

What are the benefits of taking care of ourselves? We will be more relaxed, confident, stronger, and more content. We will feel less stressed, have improved concentration, and a greater sense of peace and direction. We will have more energy, and will be able to accomplish more with less. We will also be a great example to others. For more ideas or assistance with self-care and stress management, contact me at jamathurman@lifechanginggrowth.com.

Permission is granted to reprint this article in your newsletter or magazine as long as the following information is included: "Jama Thurman is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Professional Life Coach working in Manassas, VA, helping adolescents and women who are stressed and depressed find peace and purpose. For more information about counseling and life coaching, please email jamathurman@lifechanginggrowth.com or visit www.lifechanginggrowth.com."

Where Somebody Knows Your Name

Today I took my car into the dealer for an oil change. As I walked in, the technician greeted me with a smile and said, "Hello Ms. Thurman, how are you?" Wow - I had not been in to the dealer for over 5 months, and he still remembered my name! He said he is good with names, but what a great feeling that brings, in our crazy busy world, that someone knows and remembers us. When my car was finished, I went to one of my favorite Chinese restaurants, that I haven't been to for a while. I used to be a regular customer, but now am only able to go about every 3-6 months since I no longer work in the area. I walked up to the register and the cashier greeted me and remembered my regular order. Again, it felt good to be acknowledged and validated as an important person.

So what is the lesson here? Yes, these people were just doing their jobs, and providing good customer service. But maybe we all need to notice one another, to remember one another. How wonderful to be able to brighten someone's day with a smile and a personal greeting. Who knows if it might just carry them through a difficult time. What if we can give them hope and encouragement when it seems like no one cares?

I want to live my daily life and provide excellent "customer service" to everyone I come into contact with. I want to greet each day with a smile and an encouraging word for those who pass my way. I want to be somebody who knows your name. Anyone want to join me?