Life Coaches Blog

Inside my little hut in Wat Pa Don Hiay Soke.

After spending the night in a small little hut, sleeping on the hard wooden floor in absolute darkness, I woke up to a small challenge. Paiboon had some errands to run in downtown Udon Thani, and I was to drive him in a 20 year-old Nissan Sunny.

The 20 year-old Nissan Sunny that belonged to Wat Pa Don Hiay Soke.

I was a little nervous; it’d been a while since I’d driven a manual. This old car had a very stiff clutch and kept stalling while I was practicing in the monastery grounds. Plus, what little I’d seen of traffic in Thailand had already convinced me that driving in Thailand is pretty much insane! It was a real miracle that we managed to go in and out of town without stalling the car at any time.

Earlier this year, my friend Paiboon the monk asked me to visit him in Thailand and enroll in a 10 day meditation retreat. The retreat seemed like a real challenge, but what really enticed me was the chance to stay in a Buddhist monastery – how many people get a chance like that? So I booked my flight and made my plans: I was going to spend 18 days in Thailand in meditation and monasteries.

Falling Sick

But 2 days before my flight to Thailand on the 1st to see Paiboon in his forest monastery, I started to feel a little sick. A part of me was wondering whether or not I should cancel the whole trip, but another stronger part of me was all for it. On the 1st of December, I finally touched down in Udon Thani, Thailand, and met my dear friend Paiboon for the first time after nearly a year. And I started my journey with a running nose, sore throat and diarrhea.

Whew! After coming back home on the 18th, it’s been 4 busy days of catching up with work, friends and family. If there’s one thing I realized 18 days away from home, there’s nothing more important than the people you love.

The other thing I realized, only when I got back, is how late I’m going to be for people’s Christmas presents and cards But never mind that, I want to share with you a way to send a Christmas card that not only lifts someone’s spirits, but also helps them grow as a person.

It’s actually very simple, and first appeared 2 years ago in my post Give Someone a Magical Christmas. All you have to do is include and complete this magical phrase in your Christmas card:

Who you are makes a difference to me because…

Junming, who you are makes a difference to me because of your continued support and strength, you inspire me to do better in my own life.

Hi everyone! I’m back from my 18-day stay in Thailand – it’s been a heady mix of staying with monks, simple living, 10 days of silence, lots of meditation and the blaring sights and sounds of Bangkok.

I’ve just had my first long hot shower in 18 days, and I’m going to take a short nap on the first bed I’m going to lay on in 17 days.

It’s been an eye-opening trip, with some very enlightening moments as well as some very difficult ones. Paiboon is doing well, very well and I was very happy to have visited with him. Will update all of you soon.

Paiboon & I in the forest monastery in Udon Thani.

Don’t ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. Come alive with the always inspirational Wake Up Tiger. Rawr!

The most productive people are the ones with the least on their minds. Catch this introductory video to GTD by founder David Allen on Lifehacker.

It’s wonderful to be grateful and recognize the blessings in your life. But it’s a whole other level when you take action on that gratitude and go out of your way to say, “Thanks. You were an important part of my year. You matter to me.” This holiday season learn how to give the gift of appreciation from Christine Kane.

We really do get to choose how we define ourselves and how to get there. How you define your personal identity can give you tremendous power or rob you of it. Liz Strauss asks who are you really?

How To Make It Easier To Get Things Done

If those personal development tips and tricks could make me more productive, happier and more fulfilled, why wouldn’t I use them the moment I put those books down?

What’s the secret to stop procrastinating over making your life better and actually start doing it?

Why Go On When Life Is Meaningless?

We were just finishing the chicken wings when we got to this scene near the end of the movie (spoiler alert if you haven’t already seen it!). I loved it because it highlights the key to the question; why go on if you feel life is meaningless?

Igniting The Fire Within

How do you lead a life of fulfillment instead of disappointment?

By focusing on your human needs. Not human wants, like a brand new iPod, but human needs, and here is a method that helps you live a life of fulfillment and ignite the fire within.

You’re probably already aware that confidence plays an enormous role in business success. When you exude confidence, you naturally attract others. People listen to you, follow you, and even buy products from you. Displaying confidence assures people that you know what you’re doing.

Even people with the highest levels of self-esteem feel unsure of themselves at times. Consider how difficult it is to be confident when you first start a new job and you don’t know exactly what you’re doing, you don’t feel fully comfortable with the routine, and you haven’t developed strong relationships with your co-workers yet. You probably don’t appear very confident.

There are a few simple tricks though that can help you boost your confidence at work, even when it’s down in the dumps. Whether you’re new to a job or just suffering a momentary fit of self-doubt, give these tips a try:

What is robbing you of your joy? What is causing harm to you rather than benefiting you? If it is not benefiting you and those around you, then it is taking away from you. What is bringing frustration to your life?

It could be something as easy as your attitude or it could be something tougher like a deep rooted pain or hurt you experienced years ago, but never dealt with. If it is a deep rooted issue that troubles you today, allow me to suggest that you pick up the phone and call a counselor who can help you get passed that.

Maybe you are not dealing with a deep rooted issue. What is it then that is not benefiting your life? Could it be drugs, alcohol, or gambling? Could it be hatred, anger, bitterness, or unforgiveness? I encourage you to be honest with yourself right now and examine your life. You know exactly what is and what is not benefiting your life. You do not need someone to tell you.

Awareness, as mentioned is of utmost concern when effecting change. When we are living our lives in a state of true awareness wherein we are truly conscious of our actions, we can free ourselves from reactive, self-defeating behavior and realize our personal best.

Unfortunately, although we may think that we make conscious decisions, in reality our unconscious mind often impacts our behavior and when it does our actions are not truly under our control. We can learn to recognize the unconscious, that part of our mind that has great power over much of our actions without us even being aware of its existence. In doing so, we can diminish its power over us.

Are You Sabotaging Yourself?

As an example, try simply noticing that voice inside your head that gets very chatty whenever you are about to make a decision, especially an important one that could result in change. Is it telling you that you’re nuts to consider what you are thinking of doing? Does it say that you failed once before and will probably do so again?

Contrary to a widely held belief that people do not change, I submit to you that people do change and often in dramatic, life-altering ways. I say this with full confidence as I have witnessed it happen time and time again. Creating positive change in your life is totally possible. You can change yourself and thereby your life.

When you are fully committed to making changes in your life, it will happen. That commitment, based on a deep desire for growth, is half the journey. Once you have made that choice, one made with total awareness and a honesty of your present reality, you are free to move forward towards a better or even new you.