Achieving Personal Fulfillment Ezine (sm) "Positive Psychology to the Rescue" (sm) July 2008

Published by Maurine D. Patten, Ed.D., CMC Founder & CEO, Patten Coaching & Consulting www.pattencoaching.com

Please pass this issue on to friends or coworkers. To unsubscribe or change your address, follow the easy Subscription Information at the end.

In This Issue: 1. Preview 2. Feeling Stressed?  Use These Tips To Be Happier 3. Getting into Action 4. Looking Ahead

1. Preview Achieving Personal Fulfillment Ezine explores how to progress rapidly from dreams to action.  It is a free monthly newsletter written by Maurine D. Patten, life/business coach and clinical psychologist.  Using Positive Psychology, topics are presented from the perspective of Maurine Patten and are provided to help you get the results you want.  It will help you manage change, improve your Emotional Intelligence and make better decisions with less effort. Many people are feeling under stress this summer because of the economy and what seems like more than the usual number of weather related "disasters" depending on where you live.  In this issue, you will find several tips I am repeating from one of my 2004 ezines for managing your mood when you are feeling stressed.  Back to Index

2. Feeling Stressed?  Use These Tips To Be Happier Stress is our reaction to people or things going on around us.  Sometimes these things are positive, i.e. a vacation, a promotion, or a special event.  Sometimes the things are negative, i.e. a traffic ticket, someone you care about is ill, or projects at work are not meeting deadlines. How do you manage your mood when: There is too much to do and not enough time to do it in? People around you seem to have time to do fun things and you don't? Things are happening around you that you have no control over? Projects at work are not meeting deadlines, and you are working longer hours? Back to Index

3. Getting into Action Susan Vaugham, MD, a psychiatry professor at Columbia University states in her book, Half Empty, Half Full, that optimists have the ability to feel in charge of themselves.  This does not mean everything will go well.  It means they will not be overwhelmed emotionally when things get hectic or do not go well.  It means it is easier for you to be resilient. When you are not happy about how things are going in your life, you have three choices: Alter Avoid Accept Your choice will depend upon the situation you are in.  I suggest that you choose one of the following three tips to move forward in a positive direction: Ask yourself if you have control of the situation or if you can influence someone who does have control.  If your anser is Yes, often you can alter the situation by problem solving, direct communication, organizing and planning, or time management.  If your answer is No, altering is usually not an option.  There is no point in focusing on things you cannot chage. Know what your top five values are.  Ask yourself what is most important to you.  The more you are living your values, the more satisfied you are with your life.  Saying No or removing yourself helps you to avoid tasks or people that will drain you.  In addition, it is necessary to know when it is appropriate to delegate tasks in a work situation. When you cannot alter or avoid a situation, you may have to accept it.  In this case, you need to build your resistance by eating healthy and exercising, practicing relaxation techniques or meditation, using positive affirmations, building your support system, intimacy, faith, and commitment.  Also, you may have to change your perception of the situation by asking yourself if your expectations are realistic.  If not, is there another way to look at the situation, or redefine it.  You can look for an opportunity to do something else.  See the situation as temporary.  Keep it as specific as possible.  For instance, if your project is behind schedule, be specific about why it is running late.  Make appropriate adjustments.  Realize it is temporary.   Back to Index

4. Looking Ahead When you feel your stress level increasing, remember you have three choices: alter, avoid, accept.  To determine your best option, you also need to ask yourself two more questions:  What do I want to do? What do I need to do? This summer, my hope for you is that you wil use these tips to manage the stress you feel in your life.  They work.  I would be happy to help you make this your most stress-free summer.  Email me at mdpcoach@pattencoaching.com. As a certified Positive Psychology/Authentic Happiness Coach, I can help you experience more happiness in your life.  Email me at mdpcoach@pattencoaching.com.   I enjoy hearing from you. Referrals are always appreciated.  It is how I grow my business - with great people like you. Maurine Patten mdpcoach@pattencoaching.com Back to Index

Subscription Information: Achieving Personal Fulfillment Ezine is a free publication. If you, or someone you know, wants (to continue) to receive the Journal, click on SUBSCRIBE or go to: http://www.pattencoaching.com and click on Ezine Archives. If you do not want to continue to receive the Journal, click on UNSUBSCRIBE or go to: http://www.pattencoaching.com and click on Ezine Archives. Be assured your name and email address are confidential. We do not sell, rent or share our mailing list with anyone.

Contact Information Patten Coaching & Consulting Voice: 630-584-8936 Fax: 630-584-8868 Web: http://www.pattencoaching.com E-Mail: mdpcoach@pattencoaching.com (c) Copyright 2002 Patten Coaching & Consulting All rights reserved.

Distribution Rights Achieving Personal Fulfillment Ezine (sm) is copyrighted, but you may retransmit or distribute it to whomever you wish as long as not a single word is changed, added, or deleted, including the contact information. However, you may not copy it to a web site. Republication of Achieving Personal Fulfillment Ezine (sm) in paper media is encouraged and permitted by individuals, organizations and associations, as long as the issue is reprinted in its entirety, without change, and includes the contact information. With advance permission, we are happy to edit an issue to fit your space requirements. Republication also is encouraged under other circumstances. However, the advance permission of Patten Coaching and Consulting must be obtained in the event that changes in the text are desired.

Mission Achieving Personal Fulfillment Ezine is dedicated to inspiring and expanding your perspective in order for you to move forward in your personal and professional life. Achieving Personal Fulfillment Ezine is a publication of Patten Coaching & Consulting; CEO, Maurine D. Patten, Ed.D., CMC  mdpcoach@pattencoaching.com We would like Achieving Personal Fulfillment Ezine to be as interactive as possible. If you have feedback, comments, topics you would like addressed, or can suggest additional resources to benefit us all, please email us at any time. Send your e-mail to ezinefeedback@pattencoaching.com. Please forward this issue to anyone you think would find Achieving Personal Fulfillment Ezine interesting and beneficial. Your recommendations help us keep growing, and ensure an excellent exchange of information and techniques. Archives You can read previous issues of Achieving Personal Fulfillment Ezine in our archives on our archives page.

About Maurine D. Patten, Ed.D., CMC Maurine Patten is a clinical psychologist and certified life/retirement coach. Her professional career includes: independent business owner (27 years),  Assistant Professor at Chicago State University and consultant for education and business. She is a certified graduate of the             MentorCoach program, a member of the International Coach Federation, and the International Positive Psychology Association. She is experienced in training and management development for large national and international firms. She has a strong background in working with individuals and couples on clarifying and achieving goals. Dr. Patten has training in coaching, Emotional Intelligence, retirement assessment and planning, cognitive therapy and healthy psychology.      She has published articles, made presentations, and conducted workshops about: Creating a Fulfilling Retirement Emotional Intelligence Retirement Reality Check Anxiety and Achievement Stress Management Setting and Achieving Goals Self-Esteem Communication Skills Marital/relationship Enrichment Wellness Issues The Psychology of Happiness

Back to main