![]() Volume 3, Issue 10 |
Oct 5, 2007 | ||||
TABLE OF CONTENTS |
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For several years I’ve had a foot in both my worlds (one in my SHIFT-IT work and one in my work as a strategic planning facilitator and change management consultant). Last Friday I fulfilled my last group job – working with over 70+ teachers on a school change project. From now on I’m referring leads for graphic facilitation and graphic recording work to my new Preferred Partners Network (some of whom are listed on my makemark resources page). So I can bring all of my heart, soul and attention to my SHIFT-IT graphic coaching and law of attraction practice.
In January, due to expressed interest from my past SHIFT-IT clients, I’m launching “Merkley’s LOA Mastermind”, a six month tele-group program for people who want to seriously boost their understanding of Law of Attraction (LOA) and sky-rocket their manifestation results. I’m beginning the planning and curriculum development process of this right now – so details will be released in upcoming e-zines and on the blog. So stayed tuned if this is of interest to you.
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Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 2007: MEETING GRAPHICS 101 WORKSHOP (level 1): Introductory graphic recording and graphic facilitation skills for facilitators, consultants, trainers, coaches, managers and other process leaders and assistants. Foundational basics for the beginner. No art skills necessary. Possibly one space still left. More Info. Nov. 2-3, 2007: GRAPHIC BOOTCAMP (level 2): More advanced instruction and experiential practice. Offered right after MG 101 for those traveling from afar. Lots of at-the-wall drills. Demos. Template construction. Recording and facilitation practice. Advance icon library. Plus business and sales instruction- how to market the benefits of working visually. Possibly two spaces. More Info. Ongoing: Private Mentoring and In-house Trainings: One-to-one graphic recording and graphic facilitation training for yourself or for your company/group. Come to me or I come to you. More Info. |
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1. Follow Your Bliss: I did a general arts degree (English/Sociology), back when the naysayers said a BA was useless – because I liked to read, write and think about cultural influences (skills I continue to use 20 years later). I left Canada and went to an alternative grad school (CIIS) in San Francisco, on Ashbury Street no less, because I was fascinated by the Organizational Development & Transformation program there that allowed me to explore and create as no other program of the day would (despite warnings from more conservative friends and family that I would kill my chances of an honorable corporate career and stereotype myself as a flake or weirdo). I studied graphic recording and graphic facilitation, hypnotherapy, coaching, voice dialogue, energy work, law of attraction and many other unique methodologies beyond my business and change management interests because I was authentically attracted to these wonderful areas. Not because any one else thought they were valuable or worthwhile but because I did ( in fact my banker / lawyer ex thought I was ‘Dharma’ to his ‘Greg’ and pretty much pooh poohed my choices). I guess what I am saying, is that it is not always easy, and you may face pressures from others and from yourself – but in the long run do follow what YOU like to do and what you are naturally attracted to. There is more than one way to be successful in this world. You do not have to follow standard, traditional routes to be a success. Its an abundant world with lots of ways for you to connect with others who share and value your unique interests. 2. Develop A Feeling Good Vision: Your main work at the beginning stage of things is to find the ‘feeling place’ of what you want. Imagine yourself in a life that feels good to you. Having abundance, success, relationships and whatever it is that rings your particular bell. Way back in grad school, over a decade ago, I began to formulate a vision of having a cool, creative company where I would work deeply and personally with people. Where I could live my values and employ my skills in my woman owned business – where people would come to me (instead of me having to constantly travel). Where I could combine head with heart. Masculine with feminine. The yin with the yang. I didn’t have all the particulars worked out, but I did have the general feeling state of what I wanted to create – and from there the details worked themselves out. Now, a decade later, I am living the reality of what I once dreamed. 3. Take Aligned Action and Pace Yourself: 4. Train, Process-ize and Product-ize: I’ve trademarked that process and have created useful tools and products around it – so more clients can access my work and so my work is made easier ( I love using my tools with my clients – now I can easily send them SHIFT-IT maps and booklets – so we move quickly and more efficiently through the process and the keeners can work as fast as their own pace dictates). There was a significant upfront investment in time and resources to create my products – it was a lot of work! However I am still tickled with my tools and the responses they get and it is wonderful to have reached that ‘coasting’ energy on the other side of the hill. And, in addition to creating a new process and related products, I have also opted to ‘train out’ my older, base skills (graphic recording and graphic facilitation). What started as a small 1.5 hour skills session several years ago has grown into a very satisfying alternative revenue stream for me via my workshop series. I have always enjoyed training and mentoring others in these rare skills and now I get respectably acknowledged and paid for it, by folks all over the world who travel to me. Its really a wonderful win-win collaboration. This might be something that you can do too, as you shift from one area of work to another. What knowledge have you accumulated over the years that others might be interested in obtaining? What tricks of the trade, contacts and recourses, business development, and mentoring support might you be able to provide in work that you have done for years that you no longer want to grow for yourself? Makes a nice segue as you transition from one world to another. 5. Learn About The Law of Attraction: I’ll admit that I was a little miffed and put off at the time – thinking she wasn’t being very understanding or supportive. She gave me some literature (Abraham-Hicks on the Science of Deliberate Creation), which I promptly stuck in a box and forgot about for a while. But in time, and certainly now with the hindsight I have, I am eternally grateful for the intervention she played out on me. The Law of Attraction, par none, as been THE most important learning I have ever done. It has literally changed my life and now the lives of people who are attracted to work with me. In Closing: So please don’t think that transforming and SHIFTing IT is always a bed of roses. It hasn’t been for me and I don’t want to leave you with a false impression of it always being easy. But I also don’t want to leave you with feelings of pessimism either – as I would do it all over again if I had to (just perhaps with a little more finesse now that I have my LOA skills to smooth things out and pre-pave the way!). © 2007 Christina L. Merkley WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this blurb with it: Christina Merkley, "The SHIFT-IT Coach" and creator of the SHIFT-IT Graphic Coaching Process® is a Visioning and Strategic Planning Expert specializing in Graphic Coaching and Law of Attraction techniques. Based in charming Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, she works deeply with individuals, partners and groups in defining and getting what they really, really want. For more information visit: www.shift-it-coach.com |
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Besides the Blog, there are plenty of articles to read in the Ezine Archives. Browse past issues here. |
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Private SHIFT-IT Coaching: |
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The SHIFT-IT HOME RETREAT KIT |
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In this innovative kit, I walk you through your past, present and desired future, so you can plot out your directions and strategies. You also pinpoint and flip the negative beliefs, assumptions and mindsets that stand in your way - to stop sabotaging yourself and your dreams. SHIFT-IT has already helped hundreds live life by design, not by accident. Learn how it can help you too! |
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Association of Web Entrepreneurs |
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Visit the Association of Web Entrepreneurs today and learn from the top industry experts on the Internet (including yours truly)! Membership includes over 30 educational programs, a resource library, monthly expert teleseminar (audio and transcript), discounts off many products and services, free promotion on their Blog, connection to a global network, and much more! Click here now and get their free eReport, 10 Mindsets Web Entrepreneurs Must Have To Succeed! |
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About Christina, The SHIFT-IT Coach: |
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Copyright © 2004-2006 Christina L. Merkley. All rights reserved. |