This has been such an inspiring weekend.

A Sunday School session where I substituted for the usual teacher became an opportunity to use my coaching skills to have a really deep discussion of the ripple effect, the choices we make and their consequences, their highlights and challenges and prayer needs, and what we can learn from Jesus' reinstatement of Peter on the beach after He resurrected. It was also the perfect opening to affirm the youths and get them to think of how they can use their gifts and God-given potential to serve others.

At the end of the session, one youth asked "When are you teaching again?"

I chose to take that as positive feedback.

I have also found it easier to no longer hide behind my p/t job when asked what I do. The more people I tell about my coaching biz, the more real my biz seems to me. It's like I'm speaking it into existence and strengthening its reality.

And the funny thing is: no one doubts what I say. They take me seriously when I say I have a biz. What a senior said to me in secondary school years ago in her autograph is so true -

Believe In Yourself, And Others Will Believe In You.

So all the negative stuff I've ever told myself - that I can't do this, that I'm not experienced, that I'm not good enough - it's just me inside my head.

Once I chose to start believing in myself and putting my value out there and increasing that value everyday, good things started to flow my way.

One lady said she might have to come and see me and get some coaching.

A guy I met two months ago at a seminar called me up on Friday night and said he wants to start a business but keeps having mental blocks about it and putting it off. An email I sent him (which he didn't reply to) came up at him and he took it as a sign that he is meant to reconnect with me. He is now ready to begin coaching and asked about my fees. We've made a time to do a needs assessment over the phone and to see if we're a good fit to work together.

A gentleman for whom I have the highest regard asked today if I would like to lead a Bible study for our group, because he believes I have something to contribute. He and his wife are involved in an encouragement ministry with people in search of healing, and they travel thousands of kms to visit with congregations of all denominations all over AUS. What an inspiring individual.

Who knew the subject of personal development was so rich, deep and satisfying?

Since my Intake Weekend with TCI and the recent Breakthrough to Business Success workshop, I've had the mantra Add Value...Add Value...Add Value...looping inside my head.

It definitely represents a raising of the bar for all aspects of my life.

Instead of asking what can someone do for me, ask how can I add value to that person.

That alone opens up the mind to all sorts of creative possibilities.

I can think of so many ways to pay it forward:

• taking on pro bono clients (doing, and want to take on more to accelerate my training)
  
• teaching students who are at the critical 13-20 year age range
  
• talking to school mums (who are generally concerned about their kids and are also at the season of life when they want to return to some form of paid work)
• writing articles about it (doing)
• showing a genuine interest in others and creating that friendly reciprocity (see Influence: The Power of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini) that will give me an opportunity to share what I'm learning and doing
  

The Diploma schedule is full on, with webinars almost every night, triads every week, lots of reading and study in between, and of course the one-on-one coaching, which in due course I plan to make a one-to-many model for sustainability and better use of my energy and focus.

Right now, I just want to pay my dues and get as many hours of coaching under my belt as possible.

I know I am making decisions that will determine the quality of my life, my relationships, my purpose, my work, my finances - everything - so I have to find a WHY that's so huge it'll be the thing that pulls me through when the dark times and valleys come.

And what bigger WHY than because I am the daughter of the King: created in His image, so loved that He sent His one and only Son to die for me, so blessed by people I love and people who love/like me and support what I do, things I enjoy and opportunities to grow, expand and serve.

Created in Christ Jesus to do good works and to sow my talent and multiply it many times over...that's me!