Achieving Personal Fulfillment Ezine (sm)

"Positive Psychology to the Rescue" (sm)
September 2007

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

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In This Issue:

1. Preview

2. What You Need Before You Are Motivated

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 email 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.

It is wonderful to feel motivated.  Energy level is high, and it is easy to focus on what you are doing.  However, there are times motivation is low.  You find yourself doing other things than what needs to be done.  You begin to feel frustrated.

This issue focuses on what you can do to increase your motivation.

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2. What You Need Before You Are Motivated

When you are motivated, it makes the task at hand, whatever it is, easier to accomplish.  Your energy level increases, and you feel enthusiastic about what you are doing.  There is a sense of excitement about what you are doing which makes it easier for you to focus on the task.  

In contrast, you may have had times of feeling unmotivated.  Maybe it had to do with going to work, completing a class, meeting someone for lunch, or doing the dishes.  Sometimes it is a fleeting feeling; other times, it might last for days or weeks.

While different people are motivated by a variety of things, there are three decisions you can make that will help you be fully motivated. 

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3. Getting into Action

Decide to:

  1. Be self-disciplined.   When you are self-disciplined, you build self-respect.  This self-respect, in turn, builds trust in your own ability.  When you trust yourself, you are more confident and less anxious about what you are doing.  When you are calmer, it is easier to focus on a task.  If things get difficult as you move forward, you will have the patience to persevere. 
  2. Eliminate any limiting beliefs about yourself or your goals.  Motivation comes from thoughts.  You can only pursue what you think you deserve.  Negative, self-doubting or undeserving thoughts are limiting and drain your energy.  They must be removed because they can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. 
  3. Focus on the long-term result or outcome you want.  For instance, when you are thinking about what you want, asking yourself, "How do I get what I want?" is not helpful.  This is a question about the process or the action steps required to get what you want.  This question inevitably slows you down.  Instead, if you ask, "What outcome or result do I want?" you will clarify what you need to do.  Focusing on the result you want helps you to break your goal down into manageable steps. 
If you find it difficult to make one or more of the above decisions, the following options are small, beginning steps you can take to move you in the right direction:

  • Choose behaviors that match your words.
  • Learn to say "no" to yourself when necessary.
  • Visualize attaining the results or outcome you want in color (not the steps it takes to get there); notice how you  feel, look and sound.
  • Decide to over overcome the discomfort of short-term frustration or pain by focusing on the long-term results you want.
  • Believe in your ability to learn and change.
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4. Looking Ahead

As you think about specific areas of your life in which you want to feel more motivated, which decisions are easy for you to make and which are more of a challenge?  Remember, a challenge is an opportunity for you to become the person you want to be.  My hope is that you will be motivated to do the things that are most important to you.

Coaching increases your self-awareness, confidence, and motivation.  It holds you accountable as you practice your new behaviors and become the best that you can be.

Let me know how I can help you stay motivated.  I look forward to hearing from you, mdpcoach@pattencoaching.com.

Maurine Patten
mdpcoach@pattencoaching.com

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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.

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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.

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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/business coach. Her professional career includes:independent business owner (26 years),  Assistant Professor at Chicago State University, and consultant for education and business. She is a graduate of the MentorCoach program and a member of the International Coach Federation. 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, cognitive and family therapy and health psychology. She has published articles, made presentations, and conducted workshops about:
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Creating a Fulfilling Retirement
  • Anxiety and Achievement
  • Stress Management
  • Setting and Achieving Goals 
  • Self-Esteem
  • Communication Skills
  • Marital/relationship Enrichment
  • Wellness Issues
  • The Psychology of Happiness
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