Vickie's Viewpoint

It always fascinates me what we accept as fact, how these “facts” have power over us and why we tolerate them. We never stop to think that all we need to do is change our minds.

The Sizzling Story

The scorching summer heat in Phoenix, AZ can be absolutely miserable. Everywhere you go you hear people complaining and rearranging their whole life around the temperature.

Well several years ago when I moved here from 70-degree, year-round San Diego, Calif., I had to start practicing what I was preaching. I thought about all those years I lived in Denver, Colo. and never thought much about the cold and snow. So why was I letting the heat rule my life now? I made a decision back then to change forever my thoughts about the heat to, “I will not let the weather disturb me in anyway.”

I realized the power of my thoughts and what I had really done on a summer afternoon a couple of weeks later. I caught myself standing in the sun talking to a client for about 20 minutes. When I got in the car and turned on the radio the announcer said the current temperature was 114 degrees. What fascinated me was I never noticed the temperature.
I am sure there are others — landscapers, construction workers, and joggers – here in Phoenix who know the secret to tolerating the heat. I am proud to be one of them.

To find out more about the power of thought contact Vickie Champion for a complimentary coaching and consulting session.

Not many small business owners realize there are different methods of motivation. Some get responses quickly but are short lived and others are the foundations of a healthy, strong business.

There are Three Ways to Motivate Yourself and Your Employees. You can be…

1 Motivated by Fear

This is the ability to prompt yourself or your staff to action because you fear what will happen if you don’t.

2 Motivated by Profit

Profits and wealth fuel this desire by you and your staff.

3 Motivated by Purpose

You and your staff are motivated because you believe what you’re doing matters and you want to get better at it.

There are appropriate times to use all three. The key is to know what each method can accomplish and when to use it effectively. Watch for my future blogs to understand each method in detail.

Other related quiz and blogs by Vickie Champion you might be interested in are:

How Ready Are You to Get Your Dreams?

The Many Disadvantages of Being an Entrepreneur

or check out the entire Running a Business section.

You can also contact Vickie Champion for a complimentary coaching and consulting session.

As a business and life coach, a topic that comes up in coaching sessions is “when is it the right time to purchase an item.” Do we buy before we need it?

Buying Before we Need it

If we buy before we need it, there is a good chance we have a lack or fear mentality. An example of this would be a business buying a piece of equipment before offering the service to any of their clients. Or running to the grocery store and buying extra groceries for your visitors before finding out what they like to eat.

Ask yourself these questions first…

• Am I afraid I won’t be able to find it when I really do need it?
• Am I afraid I won’t be able to get it on sale?
• Am I afraid I won’t find the brand, style, color, etc. I like?
• Am I afraid I will run out?
• Am I afraid what others will think if I don’t?

Whenever we buy in a lack or fear mentality, there is an extremely good chance we wasted the money. We will rarely use the item, eventually give it away, sell it or throw it out.

Other related quizzes and articles by Vickie Champion you might be interested in are:

Quiz-Do You Need to Change Your Relationship with Money?

Five Eye-Opening Facts You Need to Know About Impulse Buying

Nickel and Diming Your Money Away

or check out the entire About Money section.

You can also contact Vickie Champion for a complimentary coaching and consulting session.

Most of us forget to trust our “intuition” or “gut instincts” with simple things like finding a boy/girl friend. It usually means the difference between having a difficult relationship that is more stressful than it’s worth or finding a relationship that is pleasant, low-maintenance and amazing.

Whether you’re on your first date or have been dating for some time, one of the easiest ways to detect a great relationship is to pay attention to the flow. Below are some simple ways to know if you’re heading for a difficult, ho-hum or disastrous relationship.

12 Signs Your Date is NOT Perfect for You:

When you…

1    Often play phone tag.

2    Notice your date doesn’t want to know more about you.

3    Observe there is no flow to the conversation. At times you have nothing to say or talk about.

4    Have difficulty getting on the same page, which leads to little misunderstandings.

5    Avoid discussing certain subjects, like having kids. Or you find yourself telling little white lies because you’re afraid of the response.

6    Are concerned about what your date will think of you if you tell the truth and are yourself.

7    Can’t get yourself to bring up certain questions.

8    Have a hard time getting your date to answer your questions.

9    Find your date getting upset when something changes or isn’t flexible.

10 Or your date forgets the details about your next get together.

11 Have an uncomfortable feeling inside when he or she compliments you.

12 Don’t feel good inside anytime during or right after the date.

As a life coach, I’ve noticed if you observe some of these “intuitive” signs, there is no way you can change yourself or your date to make it work. No matter how hard you try, the relationship is what it is. Essentially, you’re not listening to your “intuition” and you are trying to “make do” with someone other than your perfect date. Your perfect date, by the way, is still waiting for you while you’re ignoring your intuition! So keep looking! You will save a lot of headaches and time if you do.

Other related quizzes, articles and blogs by Vickie Champion you might be interested in are:

Quiz-How Often do You Listen to Your Intuition?

All About Being in the Flow

Events Flow Easily When we Listen to Our Intuition

or check out the entire About Intuition section.

You can also contact Vickie Champion for a complimentary coaching and consulting session.

Maybe you have become really clear of the life you want for yourself and you are ready to take steps to make it happen. Or maybe you see how the life you have is eroding with each overdrawn account, lack of savings and by living paycheck to paycheck. Are you ready to get serious about ending your money problems?

Signs we’re ready to get answers and end our problems with money are when we are willing to…

1  Listen and learn from others how to get out of debt, save more, invest wisely, and earn more money.

2  Treat our relationship with money with the same respect as any other relationship and stop saying “it’s not that important.”

3  Redefine the word “budget” from a form of discipline to a “spending plan,” a tool that gives us more choices and control over how to use our money.

4 Stop complaining about our money problems and start talking about our dreams.

5 Start taking action!

Other related quizzes and articles by Vickie Champion you might be interested in are:

Quiz-Do You Need to Change Your Relationship with Money?

The Miracle Cure for Money Issues

or check out the entire About Money section.

You can also contact Vickie Champion for a complimentary coaching and consulting session.