Today’s post is about three things – creating powerful environments, accountability, and identity.  Yikes!  Sounds a bit heavy, but keep reading.  It’s all gonna be good in the end, I assure you.

Okay gang, let’s see if I can keep my commitment.

One of the gals in my Women Making an Impact Mastermind group is Sandra Martini.  You’ve probably heard of her as she’s quite the savvy solution for business owners.  Recently  she threw down the gauntlet – a 30 day blog challenge which starts today.  That means that we are to write 30 posts in a 30 day period.

Since I’m such a challenge driven-chica….I thought I’d play.  I actually love writing, but have not been making time for it.  I always want to go all “Anne Lamott” with my work, so it’s much like the artist with their canvas versus using the blog for article distribution and marketing purposes.  So Sandy’s challenge is just the the thing I’ve needed to get in gear and start writing.  Her idea is that in 30 days, we will have created a new habit.  How cool is that?

This experiment brings to mind two very important coaching points.  It’s far easier to be successful if you have created for yourself a powerful environment than trying to use your will power.  I liken it to going to a personal trainer who won’t put up with you whining that your legs are getting sore or that you can’t possible do another push up.  Ya see, we give up on ourselves way too easily.  That’s why having the environment of the blog challenge is a great thing for me to get the results I want.

The second piece to this success tip – having accountability!  Just like going to the gym (or in most cases NOT going to the gym) when we are on our own and no one expects us to show up or keep our commitments, it’s way too easy to push deadlines, slack off, get distracted, and ultimately…lose site of the very thing we want.

But Sandy has set up a community and a contest, and I’m going a step further and publicly proclaiming my desires.  That’s a HUGE kick-in-the-pants-to-keep-on-track strategy and I suggest you do that in some area of your life or business.

This all leads me to the real meat of the post today.  It’s 09/09/09.  My friends who are familiar with feng shui have shared that this is a very auspicious day.  (Don’t you love that word!  It means “favored by success, prosperous, or fortunate.”)  It’s auspicious because in numerology, the number 9 is about endings and completions.

That’s what I really wanted to talk to you about today.  My big question to you is this – What do you have to let go of in your life, in your business, with  your health, with your habits or beliefs in order for you to make the rest of this year really be what you want it to be for yourself?

Here’s an example of what your list could look like-

Disorganization and clutter- email – lack of focus – trying to do it all by myself – lack of exercise – lack of putting myself first – spending money – no plan for investing – working too much – poor eating habits – being surrounded by emotionally unavailable people – playing small and safe.

What is it for you?  This is where the rubber hits the road as they say.  I challenge you to take time today and do an inventory of all the ’stuff’ you need to let go of, and then build time into your calendar to make it happen.

And here’s one thing to know…the physical stuff is easy!  Anyone can clear clutter or organize a closet.  It’s those pesky emotional and relational things that can hold us back.  If you are living with a partner who drains  you, or have clients who don’t value you, it takes courage to either cut them loose, or have better boundaries.  But I want to tell you that I am here, cheering you on because I know it can be done.  And if you feel like you need a bit more support – you can check out our InnerGuruExperience and get the tools you need.

So what’s it gonna be?  How are  you going to design your life as we roll in to a new year?  I’m encouraging you to choose higher!  Why don’t you post on the comment section what you are giving up so we can hold that for you?

Here’s to the NEW you……