Listening is a skill that needs to be nurtured and refined. What and who do you listen to? How do you filter out the clutter and focus on the important?

I recently had a “lesson in listening.” Many clients were asking for the same thing without asking for the same thing. What I ‘heard’ was the need for hope, inspiration and direction. As a result, I created a monthly teleclass called Happiness is an Inside Job on the 3rd Thursday of each month. And, to ensure everyone could take advantage of this, I offer it at no cost. Why? Because I ‘heard’ what you needed, and believed that I, in some small way, could provide useful tools and techniques that give you what you wanted… without knowing that is what you wanted.

But wait! (…as the famous TV infomercials shout). If one free teleclass is good, then two would be fabulous! So I created an additional teleclass series called FOCUS. On the first Monday of each month I will be focusing on one word, and we will discuss ideas, concepts and perspectives surrounding the power of Focus. Each month we will be focusing on a different word, so check in each month for the Focus word of the month.

When we give something our attention, the result is typically greater than we expected.

Join me for either or both of these free teleclasses next month. Click on the links above for more information.

Listening to the right messages is a good thing and it’s free!

Once I was willing to look inward and admit how I contributed to the demise, I actually found it very freeing. I learned that it is much easier to change my perspective than it is to change someone else’s behavior. What a concept!

What acts of courage are you living today?

Now that I understand the distinction, being humble is much easier to accept. Being humble is not thinking less of ourselves, it is thinking of ourselves less.

My intuition (and that’s the most important!) tells me 2012 will be dynamic – and I am so ready! What will 2012 be for you?

I look forward to 2012 as it is a new beginning. Regardless of what the year brings, there is always to opportunity to discover more about myself.

As Emily Dickenson said long ago, “Dwell in possibility…’

Susan

Susan

Suddenly I realized how I was sabotaging my effort. That was the aha moment. I was so focused on the ‘lack’ of results and every other aspect about the class that there was no way I could benefit – I didn’t have the space for that because I had filled the space with negative.

Tuesday, I tried a new approach and attitude. I arrive early to class, had a smile on my face, said hello to some people and did one minute of deep breathing before the class began.

Did I enjoy the class? That might be a stretch (no pun intended) however, it was much easier to get through. Each time I looked in the mirror, I smiled. Each time someone caught my eye, I smiled.

Today is a good day!