Coaching Information

Creating Supportive Environments


I'm writing this on my laptop in a Cosi café in Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C. The reason I am here has nothing to do with me or my business, but the reason I can continue to be successful in my work is because I have set myself up to do so. How? By creating supportive environments. In this case, the laptop, the appropriate software, and the ability to connect to the Internet, as well as the support of my husband, all contribute positively to my accomplishment of the task: writing and submitting this column on deadline and without stress.

Creating supportive environments is imperative to your success as an entrepreneur. It goes without saying that if you have environments that will support you and your passion, it's going to be much easier and more enjoyable for you to do your work. I'm going to touch upon the environments that I believe are most essential to your success and well being.

There are many environments in your life, and most of them intertwine. Being aware of these environments will ensure that you have a hand in creating them, and not allow them to be created for you by tolerating those people, situations and things that you shouldn't. Important areas of your overall environment include your home, office/work space, body, energy, nature, which all impact your mental, spiritual, and emotional environments.

In your outer environment, your home is one of the most important. Your home should be a sacred place for you, a place where you feel safe, taken care of, and content. Clutter and chaos in the home should be kept at a minimum, but your bedroom and your work space in particular should reflect calm. I know sometimes it just isn't possible to stay on top of it all, but if you make a consistent effort to divide and conquer - and ask for help! - over time you can make a huge difference in the quality of your home environment. As bonus, you'll create space for other more appropriate and wonderful things to enter as well!

If you have a list of things that are broken, need replacing, or just need to be tossed, then start doing this today. Pick three things that are in your home right at this moment that you can either toss or give away. Then do so, and feel the space clear.

Nothing blocks creativity more than clutter in your office or work space. To be honest, I write that sheepishly thinking of the paper piles on the floor surrounding my desk at home. What I need is a real desk and real filing cabinets (I'm working on about a 2x3 table with milk crates to hold my files), but I've put purchasing them on hold while we finish the rest of the house that was unfinished when we bought it. We are very close to the end and I have picked out the furniture I want, and just that simple decision is freeing a lot of mental stores.

If you have clutte up much needed space in your head! Other times you'll enjoy some real breakthroughs. I highly recommend engaging in this practice. I have been journaling all my life, but the practice of Morning Pages really does help the creativity flow - besides that I believe that every life that is worth living is worth recording.

Your assignment then is to purchase a journal or notebook, or create a new file on your computer, and start tomorrow writing three pages of whatever comes to mind. Make this a daily practice and watch what happens.

Another huge part of perfecting your inner environment is living with integrity. Do what you say you will when you say you will do it. Most people make a solid effort on this front. Some people struggle, and I will admit to working hard on this principle in my personal life, although I seem to have this nailed in my professional life. My "excuse" is that I have so many things going at once that I don't always remember or have the time to do what I say I will when I say I will do it (like send thank you notes or run to the bank to deposit a check). So I have created a system that makes it easier for me to keep my word, which is very important to me. I created a list each day of the things I must get done, and I do my very best to complete the list. I don't always succeed, but I've gotten much better at it than I have in the past. The list also makes me aware of when I need more time to deliver and therefore I can let any appropriate person know that ahead of time, keeping my integrity intact.

Making an effort over time to create supportive environments for the things that are most important to you will open doors and opportunities that you might never have received otherwise. You deserve to be supported in your work and your life, so choosing to allow those people and things into it that bring out your best is not only a gift to yourself, but also a gift to the world.

copyright 2004 Alicia M. Forest and EntreMoms.com?

About The Author

Alicia Forest is an EntreMoms? Expert, coaching Moms who want to become Entrepreneurs by building a successful business from home, by their definition of success. If you'd like more tips on how to create supportive environments for your success, please visit www.entremoms.com and sign up for Alicia's free EntreMoms? Success Newsletter. You are free to re-publish this article as long as this bio box and copyright remain intact.

alicia@entremoms.com


MORE RESOURCES:

UT The Daily Texan

Huskies Coaching Search | Texas Tech coach Mike Leach meets with UW
Seattle Times, United States - 16 hours ago
Among the latest of the "lots of people" UW has discussed the job with, sources said, is Texas Tech coach Mike Leach, whom sources said flew to Seattle on ...
Leach nabs Big 12 coaching honors RedRaiders.com
Texas Tech coach Mike Leach interviews at Washington Fort Worth Star Telegram
Reports: Texas Tech coach Leach travels to Washington ESPN
Dallas Morning News - AHN
all 234 news articles


Anderson, USU in talks over coaching spot
Salt Lake Tribune, United States - 3 hours ago
Sources say that Andersen wants the job, and is excited about the opportunity to be the man to replace outgoing coach Brent Guy. His main question involves ...
Aggies close to naming coach Logan Herald Journal
all 7 news articles


Marshall Goldsmith, America's Leading Executive Coach, Launches ...
MarketWatch - 7 hours ago
Marshall Goldsmith, bestselling author and America's top-ranked CEO coach, announced the release of a landmark 'virtual coach' program, The Marshall ...


Financial Post

Hurricanes seek spark with coaching change
Washington Business Journal, DC - 4 hours ago
The Carolina Hurricanes have fired head coach Peter Laviolette, the team said Wednesday, and turned to a pair of familiar names to salvage what’s been a ...
Fans mixed on Canes coaching change WRAL.com
Paul Maurice back coaching in Carolina Sault This Week
Over .500 'Canes to make coaching change Sportsnet.ca
News & Observer - DetNews.com
all 447 news articles


CollegeOTR

Auburn coaching coverage: What's on tap
Press-Register - al.com, AL - 54 minutes ago
LB coach James Willis was in Mobile. DC Paul Rhoads was flying to south Florida. OL coach Hugh Nall was in Texas, or on his way to Texas. ...
Tommy Tuberville May or May Not Be Fired This Week Associated Content
Tommy Tuberville Reportedly Leaving Auburn FanHouse
Tuberville Era Expected to End BamaMag.com
ArkansasSports360.com - WHNT
all 311 news articles


TSN.ca

Notre Dame Coaching Search Rumormongering
Bleacher Report, CA - Dec 2, 2008
Like many hot coaching prospects, Kelly used the mention of his name for several open jobs to leverage against his athletics director to get what he needs ...
Rules for selecting head coaches Observer Online
Coaching Seat Only Gets Hotter For Weis After 38-3 Loss To USC AHN
Charlie Weis, Totally Honest, Tells Recruits He'll Be Coaching the ... FanHouse
Sebastian Sun - CollegeOTR
all 561 news articles


USU football: Coaching search near end
Salt Lake Tribune, United States - Dec 2, 2008
By Tony Jones Posted: 3:43 PM- The process to replace Brent Guy as Utah State's football coach appears to be nearing a conclusion. ...
Wyoming selects first in coaching go-round Deseret News
Looking at possible coaching changes in the coming weeks Block U
Monson: Andersen's the man for USU football Salt Lake Tribune
Deseret News - Deseret News
all 11 news articles


Staten Island Advance - SILive.com

Sources: USC offensive coordinator Sarkisian interviews for ...
Long Beach Press-Telegram, CA - 16 hours ago
By Scott Wolf, Staff Writer USC offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian interviewed for the head coaching vacancy at the University of Washington, ...
HAZELTON DECIDES TO LEAVE USC Staten Island Advance - SILive.com
all 51 news articles


Renner Relinquishes Coaching Position
Springfield Connection, VA - 1 hour ago
Renner, who has coached high school football in Fairfax County for more than 20 years, cited his son Bryn’s collegiate football career and the travel ...


GamecockAnthem.com

USC Coaching Search Updates 12-02-08
GamecockAnthem.com - Dec 2, 2008
Will they hire a new QB or WR coach? Read inside for the latest on the chances and evaluations of emerging candidates for those positions. ...

Coaching - Google News

home | site map
© 2006