Catalyst News
Eva Dahm, MA, CPCC
June, 2002
Dedicated to your growth and exploration.
Expanding Moments:
"We have confused religion with spirituality,
the container with the process. Religion is the
outward form, the container, specifically the
liturgy and all the acts of worship that teach,
praise and give thanks to God. Spirituality is
the inward activity of growth and maturation that
happens in each of us.
"Spiritual growth can happen anywhere, anytime
when we are living consciously, reflecting on
our experience. When our senses are shut down,
when we live on automatic pilot, we miss the opportunity
to grow. …To be spiritually mature is to
grow in an ever-deepening sense of compassion,
lessening our fear of change and of the differences
between us." Rev. Dr. Lauren Artress, Walking
a Sacred Path
Do you love nature and are concerned about its
destruction? Do you value diversity and want more
equality for women? Do you volunteer for one or
more good causes? Do you care about psychological
and spiritual development? Are relationships important
to you? Are your finances and spending under control?
You may be a "Cultural Creative." There
are 50 Million Americans (1/4 of the U.S.) who
fits into this group. While previously splitting
off from the other social groups, Cultural Creatives
have just begun to realize that they are not alone.
This group can have enormous leverage to carry
us into a new renaissance. Check out The Cultural
Creatives: How 50 Million People Are Changing
the World by Ray and Anderson.
WONDERING: Ever wonder if all the guys in jeans
with a white vans and a lots orange cones are
part of a huge plan to get America to slow down?
Lessons about Learning
I recently participated in a three-day golf academy
with intensive professional instruction. Incidentally,
I recommend a professional coach/instructor or
group lessons for anyone who is learning or improving
in any area-tennis, foreign languages, computer
software, etc. The learning curve is greatly accelerated,
and you aren't just developing bad habits. Great
confidence builder, too.
We had three days of intense lessons and practice
and even videos analyzed. We were each given specific
changes to make in our grip, stance and swing.
Our instructor said all we had to do is practice
the new swing for 21 days and it would become
a habit. Whew, twenty-one days! Seems daunting.
Seems to me I recall that it takes a lot fewer
days to break a habit than to start a new one-unfair
as it is.
I noticed how I wanted to perform perfectly.
I was putting all kinds of pressure on myself.
I also was aware of wanting to please the instructor
and earn his praise. But I am working with my
life coach to let go of perfect and pleasing and
change to honesty and authenticity. For me, purposefully
shifting gears from perfection to just having
fun was a huge help. It shifted the experience
and honored my value.
Then I noticed how differently I was learning
versus a few years ago. For example, I did a wild
and crazy happy dance when a ball went like I
wanted. (I kind of ignored it when it didn't.)
Deciding to have fun and laugh at the results
was crucial. I also spent some quiet time writing
notes about the tips I had heard so I would have
a written reminder and experience the act of recording
the pointers to improve recall.
One of the problems with changing your golf swing
is that is makes your game worse for awhile (not
better!) as you are adjusting to the changes and
teaching your muscles new memories. So evaluating
your success based on the path of the ball is
not the best measure of progress. No cause/effect
here. Puzzling!
I slowed down and took my time to think about
what I was doing before I moved. I discovered
if I moved at my usual pace, the old habits and
actions occurred. Slowing down gave my body a
chance to be aware and change.
I also discovered that I needed to work up to
the full swing with some quarter and half swings.
After this progression, a full swing was more
on target.
We spent three days going over everything from
the grip to the body position and elements of
the swing. The instructor explained that the basics
are crucial. Even the pros spend time doing drills
like the ones he taught us to ingrain the basic
skills in their bodies.
Ask Yourself about Learning and Life…
1. What habit do you want to change or begin?
Need to alter your evening ritual? Have trouble
remembering? Can you create a visible reminder
(post-it note or pill bottle, for example) to
insure that you will floss your teeth or take
a vitamin for at least three weeks to create this
new habit?
2. When do you feel pressure to be perfect or
to please others? Are you honoring YOUR values
when you act this way? How could you quickly and
easily shift this behavior?
3. How do you learn best? Does it help to have
some humor? Do you need frequent breaks? Do you
need quiet time alone with the materials? Do you
need to take notes or listen and not take notes?
Do you need to ask questions?
4. Do you look at immediate results and judge
if you have been successful or failed? Maybe like
a golf swing, the improvement will only show up
WITH TIME. Sure is true in relationships.
5. Do you move slowly enough for the situation
or do you rush through your life like a parade
on fast forward? Do you have time to evaluation
and CHOOSE in your life?
6. Do you allow yourself to work up to your best
game? Start your diet slowly by cutting down on
sweets and then breads and potatoes rather than
starting cold turkey and radically denying your
body anything but poultry and green foods.
7. Do you take time to look at the basics of your
life? Are you gripping your life too hard to let
it be what it will? What's you body's position
in your life? Are you relaxed and open, slouched
down with heavy shoulders, or leaning "into
the wind" of your daily events?
Creating an Authentic Life from Your Own Inner
Wisdom
I am fortunate to spend my time coaching individuals
and groups who then create the life or career
changes they desire. A coach for all my life,
my purpose is to be a catalyst-an element that
slows or speeds up a reaction. I rely on my own
intuition and listen for my clients' wisdom to
guide their journey.
If you want to achieve a goal, I will hold you
accountable. If you want to slow down and enjoy
your life, I will remind you to be present to
your successes and lessons. If you are searching,
I will walk beside you and help shine the light.
You have the inner knowledge to create the life
you secretly dream of. Let's explore together.
If you, a friend or a family member are interested
in making changes in your life or career, I'd
love to coach with you. Call or email me for a
free sample session, so we can get to know each
other. Also you can check out my web site soon
at www.coachcatalyst.com.
Eva Dahm
Coach Catalyst
630-369-9824
evadahm@coachcatalyst.com
|
