I hope the New Year is off to a great start for everyone! Most of us start the New Year with a burst of goodwill and eagerness to try on new behaviors, but then we go back to our routines and our very full lives, and it's challenging to achieve our goals. Here are some tips to help you make some small changes for larger impact:

1. Create a compelling vision that will motivate you to "keep your eyes on the prize" and off your obstacles. Commit to goals you really want to achieve, and don't listen to the "shoulds" from your inner critic.
2. Manage your inner rebel. This is the voice in your head that bucks authority and being told what to do like an angry teenager. It's unfortunately very easy to let this voice run your life! Be aware of your thoughts, and have a constructive inner dialogue with yourself when the rebel voice says, "No way, I'm not going to do that" or some other obstinate message.
3. If your body is signaling you to rest, listen! Timely retreat is sometimes the best strategy for getting things done.
4. If any task seems daunting, ask yourself what you need to make it doable. What kind of resources do you need to tackle this big job? If you absolutely had to get it done, how would you accomplish it?
5. Start in small steps. If you haven't gone to the gym in weeks, don't commit to going every day! Begin with two or three times a week, and reward or acknowledge yourself when you do go. This will give you more energy than berating yourself for not going, or striving for too high a goal.

I hope incorporating some of these strategies helps you have the best year yet! Scroll down to the GOOD NEWS section to read about others who have changed their behavior for powerful results!

These people decided to take action in their lives, and leave their comfort zone enough to make some powerful changes. Some used coaching and/or therapy to assist them with their challenges. Each one had to face their fears, try on new behaviors, and trust their strengths. As you can see below, their efforts were rewarded. I also love to hear from former clients or others about their good news too! I only mention ages because many of my clients feel they are sometimes "too old" to have things happen for them.

• A man in his early fifties working as an educator had been grieving the death of his first wife for several years. To help him through this challenging time, he reached out to old friends and former classmates. Through these contacts, he created a great support system and developed a wonderful long distance relationship. When his new sweetheart wanted to move closer to him to deepen the relationship, the ideal one year position opened up to allow her to do this!
• A stay-at-home mom in her late thirties began working part-time as a career coach. She also wanted to re-enter the corporate training field. Through networking, she was able to secure interesting training opportunities that would also allow her to maintain work-life balance.
• An executive coach and organizational consultant longed to integrate some of her artistic work and creativity into her career. She created a vision for the type of clients she would like to coach and work with. She attended innovation and creativity conferences and networking events with her vision in mind. She is now working with her ideal type of client using more of her creative talents and new processes!

If GOOD NEWS can happen for them, it can happen for YOU!

INDIVIDUAL COACHING: Explore what coaching can do for you! For people new to coaching, I always offer a complimentary session designed to help clarify and move forward to the career, relationships, and lifestyle you truly desire! Coaching can help you gain clarity about your goals, provide accountantability and structure, and help you move through your obstacles and fear toward success. Coaching will help make the changes you want so you live a life that reflects your values and priorities! Click on the link under my picture to access my website, with a coaching video from a television spot I did for WCVB Boston Channel 5 Chronicle Magazine and detailed New York Times and Boston Globe articles profiling my work, and testimonials from satisfied clients.

LET'S FALL IN LOVE TAPE: To order this entertaining and informative cassette-tape, please send a check for $18.00 to Suzanne Blake 7 Noon Hill Street, Medfield, MA 02052. Please include your current mailing address. Tapes will be mailed 3-4 business days after receipt of payment.

WOMEN'S RELATIONSHIPS/CAREER GROUP: Would you like to increase your relationship and career success and expand your existing knowledge and skills? This goal-oriented coaching group is designed to help women move forward to their relationship and career goals with support and action steps. Participants receive coaching in the group, and in between sessions. A new group will begin THURSDAYS in January, 2006. Please contact Susan Shamus at (617)332-3844 or email Susan at sshamus10@aol.com.

HE'S JUST SO INTO YOU CLASS! : For women only! **Brookline Adult and Community Education Center. After this fun and interactive workshop, you will feel great about your most attractive qualities and more energized in your relationships! This workshop takes place Tuesday, January 31 7-9:30 PM at Brookline Adult Education. Call 617 730-2700, or visit http://www.brooklineadulted.org, or email the office: bacep@brookline.mec.edu to register.

A NEW YEAR, A NEW ME: **The Fun Club - Start the New Year off right with practical tools and techniques to achieve your personal and professional goals in 2006! Clarify your direction, vanquish your inner critics and take more actions towards what you really want! Thursday, January 26 7:00-9:00 PM in Wellesley, MA. Please email: Babzie123@aol.com for information and registration. $20.00 for Fun Club Members, $25.00 for non-members.

I hope you have enjoyed this newsletter. Please forward a copy of it to anyone you think may also benefit from reading it. I appreciate your support, and ask you to please forward the entire newsletter. Please do add, change or delete any part. If you would like to be added to the subscription list, please use the space provided in "joining our mailing list" and follow the easy instructions.