Happiness – Kristin Koltick http://kristinkoltick.com Peace, Power & Purpose in All Areas of Life Sun, 21 Jan 2018 21:48:33 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.3.23 The Hook. Why people stay in unhealthy relationships. http://kristinkoltick.com/the-hook-why-people-stay-in-unhealthy-relationships/ http://kristinkoltick.com/the-hook-why-people-stay-in-unhealthy-relationships/#comments Sun, 21 Jan 2018 21:01:32 +0000 http://kristinkoltick.com/?p=435 I’ve read a lot about this subject and I’ve witnessed so many of my close friends remain in unhealthy relationships, so I wanted to get to the source of what’s really going on here. What is it that keeps people on the hook of a relationship that isn’t serving them or allowing them to thrive?

Because I’m a woman and have a lot of female friends, my inclination was to look at this issue from that perspective. Women are innately nurturing and therefore, we are predisposed to want to heal, to love and to nourish. However, that assessment doesn’t address why men stay in these very same relationships which are tumultuous and toxic. Men, by nature, are problem solvers. Perhaps the male desire to fix things and make them work was playing a part behind the scenes as a motivator. But I just don’t think that’s the whole story.

In examining the role of our humanness, above and beyond what it means to be a man or to be a woman, there’s a greater force at play here. The ego.

When a relationship isn’t working, many of us tend to experience that as a personal failure. We think that we’re doing something wrong, or that there’s something about us at the source of that unworkability. We may find ourselves thinking that we aren’t good enough, strong enough, successful enough or any other self-deemed inadequacy. The relationship not working becomes our failure. So what do we do with failure?

What happens for us all in the face of failure is that the ego kicks in to protect us from shame, guilt and accountability. The ego exists to save face. And it’s an incredibly powerful phenomenon. Ego is so good at what it does that we’re often unable to even identify our failures. Instead, we automatically project blame onto others for our faults, and we don’t even know that it’s happening. The ego has us believe that we are innocent, and the victim of others’ poor judgment or behavior. The presence of ego invites an automatic defense mechanism. Yet, despite all of that survival responsiveness, deep down our ego doesn’t want us to be powerless. Ego wants control. So defensiveness is also attached to an innate will to exert power and dominance.

Imagine how this plays out in a relationship that simply doesn’t work, for two people who are unable to be with their own failure or get present to the role of their ego. And, in many cases, this failure-ego response is actually the source of unworkability of the relationship. When we experience, albeit subconsciously, the interactions of a relationship that isn’t working as our own failure, the ego is naturally present. We become defensive, attacking our partner without the willingness to self examine, which creates more toxicity within the relationship. And the bigger the problem, the stronger the ego’s need to fix it. It becomes a vicious cycle that neither person is willing to end because the experience of failure and the egoic drive to be powerful are running the show.

If you find yourself in a toxic or unhealthy relationship, what there is to get is that the unworkabilty of the relationship is not your failure. It simply means that who you are doesn’t work for another individual in the context of that relationship and, likewise, who that person is does not work for you. Nothing is wrong. Nothing is broken. There is nothing to fix. It is merely a situation that lacks integrity, in the sense that it’s not whole and complete. It doesn’t fit together as something whole and complete fit together.

Don’t exhaust yourself trying to be someone that does work for another human being and don’t impose an expectation that another individual should become someone else to work for you. We all have the right to be who we are and when we are robbed of that, we experience frustration, anger and resentment. All people have the capacity to transform who they are, but it must come from a willingness within. Transformation will never occur out of forced change. Give people the grace to be who they choose to be and, most importantly, allow yourself that same grace.

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How to Make 2018 Amazing http://kristinkoltick.com/how-to-make-2018-amazing/ http://kristinkoltick.com/how-to-make-2018-amazing/#respond Thu, 04 Jan 2018 02:05:57 +0000 http://kristinkoltick.com/?p=415 We’re just a few days into a brand new year and I thought I’d share my tips and strategies for making this one count. Cheers to a happy and healthy 2018!

  • Leave the past where it belongs, behind you. We have a tendency to hang on stuff we don’t really need. Experiences and emotional pain are certainly no exception. The truth is that we have no reason to hang onto the things that have hurt us before. If it isn’t happening right now, then it has no real power of us. Forgive. Accept. Close the door. Declare that the past has no place in your present.
  • Unclutter your space. Just as we tend to hang onto past experiences, we also love to junk up our lives with things we don’t need and that don’t serve us. Get rid of anything that isn’t bringing you peace or joy, or that distracts you from your passion and purpose in life. Donate your extra clothes to a shelter. Sell your gaming system and put the cash in your savings account. Clean off your desk at work. Having a clear space allows for better focus and more inner peace.
  • Heal yourself. Most of us are guilty of neglecting ourselves in the form of our mental and physical health. If you’re not 100%, it’s difficult to be effective in any area of your life. Commit to caring for your body and mind. Eat healthy foods, drink water, move your body, meditate, get enough sleep. Do all of the things your body wants you to do, for you.
  • Guard your energy. Toxic people are everywhere and misery loves company. Avoid getting caught up in drama, gossip or negative conversations. Instead, take control of your surroundings and gear the conversation towards positive, uplifting and empowering dialogue. It’s amazing how much power you have to influence how other people think and experience the world.
  • Serve others. We are a self-obsessed society, and in almost all situations, we consider what we’re getting out of it. Take a different perspective and get present to what you can give to others in every waking moment. Help out a coworker, carry someone’s groceries, volunteer for a non-profit or shovel someone’s driveway. When you seek to help others without personal gain, you end up getting more than you give in the form of joy, fulfillment and connection.
  • Be a team player. Remember self-obsession? We really need to work on this one. Whether you’re part of a company, a family, a sports team or just a part of society, being a team player is a critical skill if you want to live powerfully. No man is an island. Take time to listen and consider other people’s feelings and perspectives. Don’t interrupt. Don’t shut down ideas. Don’t criticize. Create a space for healthy, open communication and collaboration. When we work together, anything is possible.
  • Stop complaining. Have you heard of the Law of Attraction? Well, it works, for better or worse. If you speak negativity, you will attract negativity. It’s that simple. Ever feel like you just keep getting slammed by life? It’s probably because you’re complaining, and you’re giving off a magnetic vibe that’s pulling more bad juju your way. So rather than complaining about what’s going wrong, take charge of your life. Control the controllable and think positive thoughts only.
  • Affirm yourself and others daily. The power of positivity is remarkable. Start each day with positive affirmations to yourself about who you are, what you’re going to accomplish and what your life is going to be about. And don’t stop there. You really do have the power to impact the people around you and create a circle of positivity. We all love to acknowledged for who we are.  A genuine compliment goes a long way in making someone feel empowered and confident. So let the good vibes flow.
  • Trust more, not less. Us humans spend so much time being fearful. We’re afraid of taking risks in our relationships, in our careers and in our passions. And, because we give that fear power over us, we actually stop ourselves from doing what we really want to do in our lives. This year, punch fear in the face. Do what you’re afraid of. Trust yourself, trust your instincts, trust the process, and trust others. The worst that can happen is that it doesn’t work out. But you’re tough. You’ll survive. I promise.
  • Get back up. In the face of failure, remember that there is no failure. We fall down. Things don’t go as planned. So what? That’s part of the journey. It’s lessons learned and experience gained. As long as you get back up and keep moving forward, you’ll get there.
  • Live your purpose. You know that seed in your heart that’s been there for as long as you can remember? That thing that makes your heart happy and sets your soul on fire? That thing is your purpose. It exists within you because you are meant to do it. So go do it. Without fear. Without hesitation. Without excuses.
  • Practice gratitude. The simple act of counting your blessings daily energizes you more than you can imagine. Far too often, the amazing things in our life go unnoticed. We are distracted, overwhelmed and exhausted. Take a few minutes each morning to look at all you’ve been gifted.
  • Smile often. Smiling actually burns calories, helps you look younger, improves your mood and creates a space where others feel safe and happy as well. Smiles are contagious and powerful, and universal. A smile can change the world, truly. So smile as often as possible. 🙂
  • Be Happy. Happiness isn’t in in the past or the future. It isn’t found in success or wealth. Happiness is yours for the taking, right now and in this moment. Choose to be happy, regardless of your circumstance. Because, chances are, at this very moment, everything is just fine. And even if it’s not, the next moment is just around the corner.

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Closing the door on 2017. http://kristinkoltick.com/closing-the-door-on-2017/ http://kristinkoltick.com/closing-the-door-on-2017/#respond Sun, 31 Dec 2017 01:17:46 +0000 http://kristinkoltick.com/?p=409 It’s that time of year again, where we scramble to figure out which areas of our lives need fixing or improved upon, making resolutions to do better. A new year, a fresh start. Anything is possible. And it is.

Yet, I think the piece of this puzzle most of us seem to miss is that in order to create something new, we need to get complete with what’s in the past. Otherwise, we carry it with us, unknowingly, and it keeps us from truly being able to move forward freely and powerfully. It’s kind of like carrying an invisible suitcase filled with bad memories, bad experiences and bad karma. We drag it around, it becomes heavier and heavier, and we don’t even know it’s there, so how can we put it down?

As we step into the final hours of another year passed, I encourage you to take a look at what’s in your suitcase and, piece by piece, lay it down. Is there someone you’ve been withholding forgiveness from? An estranged relationship? Maybe even a nagging grudge with a neighbor or coworker? Have you been struggling with insecurity in some area of your life?  Perhaps laziness or procrastination over starting something or handling something? These sorts of things fester in the background of our thoughts and, if we don’t acknowledge them and their utter lack of power over who we really are and what we are really capable of, they start to become a part of us. We can no longer act separately from that piece of who we’ve become.

Make a phone call. Apologize, even if it’s to yourself for something you’ve been feeling guilty over. Reach out. Declare forgiveness. Declare the past in the past, whatever it is and however painful. Declare that it’s gone and holds no power over you. And, once you’ve laid all of that heavy baggage down, declare a new possibility for yourself and your future. Who you’re going to be. What you’re going to accomplish. What you want your life to stand for.

Here’s a tip. The sky is the limit. 🙂

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Holiday Survival Guide: How to Thrive with Peace & Power this Holiday Season, and always. http://kristinkoltick.com/holiday-survival-guide-how-to-thrive-with-peace-power-this-holiday-season-and-always/ http://kristinkoltick.com/holiday-survival-guide-how-to-thrive-with-peace-power-this-holiday-season-and-always/#respond Tue, 21 Nov 2017 17:09:55 +0000 http://kristinkoltick.com/?p=390 IMG_0449

The holiday season is just around the corner. Or, maybe, it’s been here since October. Either way, this time of year tends to come with quite a bit of stress, obligation and overwhelm. Our kind sentiments and warm, fuzzy feelings get lost in the midst of worry; worry about money, travel, time, energy and just about anything else our minds can conjure up to disrupt our joy. The good news? It doesn’t have to be that way, at all.

I’m committed to living my life in a way that encompasses peace, exudes love and creates power. So I took some time to create a possibility for a truly joyful holiday season within that realm. I’ve come up with some strategies for myself and thought I’d share, in hopes that you all will experience a peaceful and happy holiday, and beyond.

  • Get that image doesn’t mean anything. Absolutely nothing. The energy we put into making our homes look perfect, the Pinterest-worthy projects we do with the kids, the gifts we can’t afford…..all of these things are joy suckers. We do them to impress others, while driving ourselves crazy. And broke. And guess what. No one else cares. No one cares how perfect our wreaths look from the street, how much money we’ve spent on their gift or how many times we’ve snapped at our child before taking over their “handmade” teacher gift. YOU are the only one who cares, and you are really robbing yourself of the opportunity to enjoy this time of year. Want peace? Forget to impress!
  • Presence, not presents. The holiday season can be a tremendous financial strain for anyone who’s already struggling to make ends meet. Even if money is a non-issue for you, you might be missing the mark on making the most of this holiday season. It’s a busy time of year and, when we’re blessed by abundance, it can be much easier to use our wallets than our hearts to make an impact for others. Generosity is an incredible act, and should be acknowledged. But what really moves people is when we share our most precious resource with them, our time. Instead of spending a fortune on presents, gift the people you love with your presence. It will go a lot further than you can imagine. Take them out for coffee or lunch. Join them for a yoga or pottery class. Grab tickets to a comedy or music show that they’d enjoy. Spend time and love instead of money and see what opens up in those relationships!
  • Get creative. Don’t get me wrong. Pinterest is remarkable source of inspiration and handmade gifts are a fantastic way to limit your holiday spending. But there’s something to really get before you go down this road….Pinterest does not have to equal pressure. By all means, seek ideas. But making gifts, even with the kids, should be an enjoyable and satisfying way of sharing a piece of you with someone else. Allow yourself to create something without the concern of how it will turn out or be received. If it comes from the heart, it will be felt that way.
  • Commit with care. We tend to overcommit ourselves throughout the year, but even more so during the holidays. In our quest to make the most of the season, to be productive and meet expectations, we say we will do things we simply don’t have the time (or interest) for. Time is our most valuable resource and so we should give it with love, but wisely. This year, try your best to avoid making commitments of this nature. Instead, commit only to things that will bring real value to you and the people around you. Once you’re committed to something, honor your commitments with care and contentment.
  • Forget about food. Health & wellness are important aspects of a powerful and effective life. However, food is also an important part of holiday tradition and is often an expression of love. Let go of the need to maintain a rigid nutrition plan and simply allow yourself to be in the moment, enjoying food freely without the worry of guilt.
  • Get complete with 2017. We’ve all experienced things this past year that have brought discord or disappointment. Perhaps you’ve been slighted in some regard. Perhaps you’ve lost something or someone important to you. Or, perhaps, things just didn’t go as planned. The truth is that it doesn’t matter. Nothing that’s happened has anything to do with who you are or where you’re going from here. Accept that what’s happened has happened, and be willing to move forward without resentment or regret.
  • Create possibilities instead of resolutions. With a new year comes the pressures of getting it right this time around. We resolve to do things differently, or better, in the year to come. The problem is that we are setting ourselves up for failure and, with failure, comes the sense of defeat. And we give up. Instead of making a resolution to do this or not do that, try creating a possibility for 2018. In the realm of possibility, there is no failure or shortcoming. It’s merely about what is possible through action. And the cool thing about possibility is that it’s always possible. What are you going to create for your life in 2018?
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Authenticity is the Key to Happiness. http://kristinkoltick.com/authenticity-is-the-key-to-happiness/ http://kristinkoltick.com/authenticity-is-the-key-to-happiness/#respond Sun, 12 Nov 2017 22:05:38 +0000 http://kristinkoltick.com/?p=347 When you’re a child, being authentic comes naturally. You don’t know how to be any other way. But as we grow, we are shaped by our experiences and by the ideals and expectations placed upon us. As we try our best to conform and appease, we lose sight of who we truly are. Sometimes, we forget altogether.

I grew up in a home where excellent grades were the expectation. I was smart and my father studied with me every night, so I had no innate problems in meeting that expectation. But somewhere along the line, I developed the formula that being smart and accomplished was the only way to be “right” in the world. As a teenager, I rebelled against that notion, in part because it felt inauthentic to me. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to be smart or accomplished, but rather that it was being forced on me by my father. The free spirit, anti-authoritarian in me wanted to be different from my dad and from my siblings. I wanted to find my own way.

I was a troubled student in high school, as I navigated my way through self-discovery. I resisted the expectation of me to be smart and accomplished by making stupid decisions and being assigned to regular afternoon detention. But that path wasn’t leading me any closer to happiness. I felt lost and lonely, like no one knew the real me, including myself.

As I grew into adulthood, I searched even further for me authentic self. I traveled, I wrote music and poetry, and, for awhile, I felt free. I felt connected to my inner voice. I felt free. But it wasn’t long before the pressures and expectations of life crept in again. What was I going to do with my life? I should choose a career, find a husband, settle down. All of those societal and religious standards began to shift me away from self-expression and back into a place where I felt imprisoned, suffocated. It was no longer ME making decisions for my life, but the concern about disappointing people, judgement, or looking bad. I went to college, got married and had a child. I started a business. I did all of the things that were expected of me. Only still, I wasn’t happy.

I love my child more than anything in the world. He has been my one constant, my light and my hope in all things. But even my role as a mother was dictated by guilt, fear and image. I wasn’t free to be who I really was, even with my son. 

I was in the business of sales and recruiting, which you can imagine, requires one to project a constant image of desirability. I had to eat a certain way, look a certain way, act a certain way and portray a certain life at all times, in order to attract new clientele and build a team of coaches. It became such a constant compulsion that, once again, I found myself completely disconnected from the voice within. I couldn’t even remember who I was beneath the unceasing demand to maintain such an image. In the midst of growing success, wealth and freedom, I was anything but free.

Eventually I shut down. I rebelled, like I had back in high school. I left my marriage, I checked out of my business and I isolated myself from friends. I needed to take time to rediscover who I was and who I wanted to become. And I did.

I spent the majority of the past year getting present to who I truly am and who I want to be, apart from the expectations imposed on me by anyone else or by society as a whole. And in doing that, I’ve found that my life has become so much more workable, fulfilling and free. It hasn’t been an easy journey. I’ve been forced to really confront myself and discover all of the ways I’ve been living without authenticity. It’s been overwhelming and scary, at times, but what was there for me on the other side is freedom and power, and true happiness.

If you’re seeking a more fulfilling and free life, I invite you to take the following steps toward living empowered by authenticity.

  • Challenge yourself to face your fears. Fear isn’t real. It’s a concept that exists only in our minds. Yet it holds us back from living the life we truly want. It keeps us from following our heart and pursuing our passions. Acknowledge that fear is an illusion and do whatever it is you’re afraid of. Let go of your reasons, excuses and validations and just do it.
  • Forgive yourself. You are human. Welcome to the world’s least exclusive club where membership requires imperfection. We all fall short, make mistakes, hurt people, cause harm. We don’t mean to. We are simply survivalists who often slip into a self-obsessed existence. We all do. So whatever guilt or shame you’re carrying around, know that you’re not alone. You aren’t wrong or bad or awful in any way. You’re human. So forgive yourself, truly, and move forward freely.
  • Forgive others. Playing the blame game or being the victim can feel powerful. We get to be right and make someone else wrong. The reality is, however, that holding onto to resentment against others is actually an incredibly powerless approach to life. We are essentially saying, in our victimhood, that we have no control over what happens. False. We may not have been able to control what happened, but it’s over. It doesn’t exist anymore, except in our thoughts. You’ve spent enough time allowing someone else’s actions dictate your effectiveness and happiness. Forgive, forget and be free.
  • Spend time with yourself, alone. One of the most harrowing things my coach challenged me to do was to spend five minutes a day looking at myself in the mirror. Not to put on makeup or do my hair, but simply to be with myself. Initially, it was difficult. I saw flaws, imperfections in my skin, grey hairs, tired and unfamiliar eyes. But as the days went on, I began to see myself as a beautiful, powerful, unique individual. I challenge you to spend this kind of time getting to know, or create, yourself.
  • Create hope. We live in a world that often feels hopeless. We are surrounded by bitterness, hatred and violence. We experience disappointment constantly. What there is to get is that hope is something that exists within us and independent of the external world. Just as we have the power to dissolve fear, we also have the power to create hope. Our minds are ours to do with what we please. Despite whatever hardships you’ve faced, and despite whatever you’re up against now, there is endless possibility for new and good things for your life. Create it. Believe in it.

For a more personalized approach to living powerfully and authentically, contact me for one on one coaching!

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Transformation Over Change http://kristinkoltick.com/transformation-over-change/ http://kristinkoltick.com/transformation-over-change/#respond Sat, 04 Nov 2017 21:31:39 +0000 http://kristinkoltick.com/?p=357 If I asked you what you’d like to change about your life, you may respond with something like “my career”, “my finances”, “my marriage”, or “my confidence.” But how would you go about creating that change. Find a new job or work harder at your current position? Begin counseling? Read a self-help book? We have a tendency to do things that we think will fix our situation, as if it’s broken. We try to create change by doing more and more things. Rarely though, do these things actually impact our circumstance in any meaningful way. If they do, we usually end up with an entirely new set of problems. That’s because change isn’t actually what we need. Change is something that happens to us and around us. It’s external. And as much as we change the world outside of us, we remain the same; feeling overwhelmed, dissatisfied, and inadequate.

Creating something powerful in your life requires something distinct from change….Transformation.

Transformation is what occurs when you make a shift in who you are; how you think, act and experience the world. It is only in transformation that you find the source of living by design. So how do you transform yourself? For starters, we need to really get that transformation is not a goal or destination. It isn’t final. It’s an unceasing process, a path of constant growth and awareness. There is no right or wrong way to transform your life, so long as your commitment is to be the best version of yourself and to experience life as freely, joyfully and powerfully as possible.

Here are my suggestions for living a life of transformation.

1. Be accountable. Such a simple concept, yet such a challenge for us human beings. We are consumed by fears of failure or looking bad, so we make excuses and find justifications for every mistake we make. We weave a tangled web of lies, exaggerations and pretexts just to avoid being accountable. Then we make ourselves feel bad, guilty, defensive or even angry. It doesn’t need to be that complicated. It really doesn’t. Consider that all people make mistakes, all the time. You aren’t bad or wrong for missing the mark. There is tremendous power in simply acknowledging it, apologizing for it and moving forward.

2. Say what you mean and mean what you say. There is no freedom in obligation. Many of us live in a state of constant overwhelm because we over-commit ourselves. We say yes when we mean no, and then we hate the world and the people in it for being obligated. We immediately start creating reasons, or excuses, to get out of the things we say we’ll do because we are strapped for time, low on energy and downright cynical. We dismiss our commitments without regard for the impact it has on others, or we fulfill the demands and take out our frustration on those who carry no real blame. It’s a cycle of  mental and physical exhaustion that never ceases. If you want to transform your life, get off of the hamster wheel. Only commit to things you feel called to do and honor your commitments. You’ll feel energized and find a renewed sense of passion.

3. Create your disposition. It’s easy to blame our circumstance for our mood. It’s easy to blame our mood for a thousand other things like meanness, laziness or apathy. Can you see the loss of power here? The truth is that we are always in control of our disposition and, by extension, our corresponding actions. In the face of any life occurrence, we can actually choose to be whatever we want to be. So choose something like content, joyful or grateful and see how the world around you begins to change.

4. Let go of grudges. You’ve heard the expression that resentment is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. That statement couldn’t be more true. Holding onto grudges is emotionally draining and physically toxic. The stress of emotional baggage can have very real effects on your body and mind. And truth be told, has little to no impact on whoever you’re holding that malice over. Resentment means you get to be right about staying angry, about living powerlessly, about being a victim. Guess where that leads. Nowhere. So let it go. Not for the other person, but for your own freedom. Make a call. Write a letter. Or simply affirm to yourself that you’ve suffered long enough and wish to move forward free of that weight and it’s impact on your life. Declare yourself over it.

5. Stop being obsessed with yourself. Tony Robbins says that the root of all suffering is obsession with self. When you sink into self obsession, meaning that your thoughts are consumed with you, it’s very difficult to feel empowered. Let’s face it, most of us aren’t overly confident with ourselves, so self-obsession shows up as relentless thoughts about our failures, shortcomings and inadequacies. It includes thinks like martyrism and self righteousness. It may even be that little voice telling us that we do so much and aren’t appreciated. We spiral further and further down a rabbit hole that only leads to self loathing, bitterness and ineffectiveness. Where real power and joy exists is in the world around us, and in who we be to others. So get out of your head and start focusing on who you can be to someone else, just for the sake of someone else and without regard for what reward or acknowledgement you may get out of it. Get involved in a charity or fundraiser, befriend someone who’s lonely or take on some random acts of kindness. Stepping outside of your “self” will provide an incredible amount of fulfillment for you. I promise.

For a more personalized approach to powerful living, schedule a free consult with me!

 

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5 Steps to a Healthy Relationship http://kristinkoltick.com/5-steps-to-a-healthy-relationship/ http://kristinkoltick.com/5-steps-to-a-healthy-relationship/#respond Sat, 04 Nov 2017 18:56:10 +0000 http://kristinkoltick.com/?p=353 Relationships are hard. And sometimes we make them even harder without realizing it. Think about it. There’s a lot of risk in allowing someone to get close to our hearts. Where there’s risk, there is survival and the mechanisms that kick in to protect us from pain and suffering. It is, however, entirely possible to step outside of survival mode, get present to the people in our lives and thrive in our relationships. Here are five easy steps to finding power and joy with the people in your life.

1. Let go of expectations. We all cling to certain standards of how we want people to think about us and act toward us. We want to feel valued and cared for. The problem with that is that there’s no universality in what that looks like from one person to another. We cannot reasonably expect another person to be exactly what we want them to be. Imposing our expectations onto others is not only unfair, it’s disempowering to both people involved. It sets us up for perpetual disappointment and frustration, and creates a constant scenario in which we view the other person as falling short or being wrong. Having a healthy relationship demands that we accept and embrace people for who they are, without resignation or resentment.

2. Communicate with purpose. Everyone wants to be heard, to be validated and, most of the time, to be right. Often times, communication becomes accusatory and counterproductive. The key to healthy communication is to have intentionality; that is an intention for the conversation. And here’s a hint….the intention should be to resolve the issue at hand, not to drag it out and make someone feel bad. When you express your concerns to someone, be mindful of how your words, tone and body language may be received by them. Be kind, patient and clear about what you need from the conversation. Take time to hear their perspective rather than interrupting or simply waiting for your turn to speak again. Remember, the goal is to complete the conflict and not to make things worse.

3. Be willing to let go of being right. Being right, as I stated above, is important to all of us. It’s justification for our not-so-elegant behavior, for our negative feelings and for our opportunity to hold a grudge. Taking a stance to be right, however, holds no real power. If we are right, inherently we are making someone else wrong, and that creates a space for all sorts of negativity in the relationship. Whenever conflict arises, it’s best to take the approach that no one is right or wrong, and that there is simply something that needs to be worked through. After all, any relationship between two people is a partnership, with common goals. Work together, not against each other.

4. Be willing to walk away. This is a tough one, particularly for us ladies. Walking away means giving in, surrendering, being weak, letting someone else win. Only it doesn’t mean any of things, not actually. There are times, in the midst of conflict, where you reach a stalemate. Whether you’re both tired, frustrated with the conversation or preoccupied with outside stresses, there is a point when you need to get that nothing productive is going to come from continuing the conversation at that moment in time. If it’s an important issue, you can come back to it when emotions have settled and you’ve both cleared your heads. If it’s something small and meaningless, it’s better to just let it go altogether. But walking away can be a healthy, empowering thing for a relationship when the communication truly has gotten beyond any effectiveness. Just do it with kindness, intention and clarity. Tip for the guys, this is not an excuse to get out of conversations on a regular basis!

5. Accept apologies, even when they aren’t verbal. You’re hurt. You’re angry. You’re frustrated. You feel betrayed, disappointed, overwhelmed. I get it. We all have those moments, and we have a tendency to want to linger in them. Remember, we get to justify our unsavory thoughts and actions when we remain in a place of victimhood. And the price we pay for that is happiness, empowerment and freedom. Let. It. Go. If someone apologizes for their fault, accept it and move on. No ifs, ands or buts. If someone doesn’t offer you a verbal apology, let it go anyway. Some people have a hard time with saying they’re sorry. But they will express their remorse in other ways, if you pay attention. Things like compliments, small favors, extra attention or an unusually happy disposition can be indicative of guilt. So accept their attempt at rectification and let them off the hook. It’s simple, everyone wins.

 

For a more personal approach to your relationship struggles at home, work and beyond, schedule a free consult with me!

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The Secret to Success http://kristinkoltick.com/163-2/ http://kristinkoltick.com/163-2/#respond Tue, 24 Jan 2017 23:04:17 +0000 http://kristinkoltick.com/?p=163 Three years ago, I decided to take the plunge and become an entrepreneur. It’s been one of the greatest decisions I’ve ever made, but it hasn’t always been easy. Building a business takes sacrifice, risk and effort. It takes courage. It takes gumption. And although anyone CAN do it, not everyone WILL.

Often times I have men and women join me on this journey of entrepreneurship with wide eyes and excitement. But after a few months, or even a few years, they haven’t seen the success they hoped for. They get discouraged and pull back, or even quit altogether. It’s heartbreaking, because I know how close they’ve come to making all of their dreams come true, only to give them all up.

Being a girlboss certainly comes with its challenges. Learning to be self-motivated and manage my time. Learning how to be a leader, mentor and motivator. Learning business and computer skills. Learning to create systems and trainings so that my team can duplicate my success. And learning when to let others fall, because you can’t want something for someone more than they want it for themselves.

But the most valuable lessons I’ve learned about being a successful entrepreneur are the two things I want to share with you. In order to do something others can’t do, namely live a life of complete freedom, you have to be willing to do something others won’t do, and do it consistently. As far as I’ve been able to gather, there are just two secret ingredients to success: Consistency and Fear.

Consistency. Becoming an entrepreneur has less to do with making some grand gesture and much more to do with consistently doing small things, day after day. (Check out “The Compound Effect” by Darren Hardy) Small things add up over time. Success is the sum of your efforts, so resolve to do a few things each day that will get you closer to your ultimate goal.

Fear

Fear. Let me just clarify that by fear, I actually mean Facing Your Fears. Learning to push through your fear and step outside of your comfort zone is absolutely critical to becoming successful. If you allow yourself to be held back by the fear of failure, of what others think or say about what you’re doing, about not measuring up, or about anything else, you will never achieve your dreams. Success requires courage. And it requires total faith in yourself. Perhaps you’ve heard the famous quote by Henry Ford, “Whether you think you can or can’t, you’re right.” If you don’t believe it’s possible, then it’s not. But if you have faith, the sky is the limit to your success. So step out in faith and do what scares you!

If you’re ready to get started on your very own journey to success or want to know more about joining my team of entrepreneurs, fill out this application and I’ll be in touch!

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