WORK IN PROGRESS
(Life, Me, You, This Newsletter) Vol. V, Issue20, October 15, 2001

><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>>><<>>

Dear Readers,

I have justed learned that my mother died rather
suddenly today (October 5). I am sure you will
understand that I will not be able to write a new Work in
Progress for October 15, since I am scurrying to make
plane reservations and do all the things that are needed
at a time like this. Given that my subscription list has
grown so hugely since the beginning days of the e-zine, I
hope that you will enjoy a re-run of the second issue,
published back in 1997.

Wishing you and yours Light, Life, Love and Peace,

Diana Robinson

><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>>><<>>

Vol. I, Issue 2, October 1997

COACHING - TODAY'S DEFINITION
Partnering people so that they can focus their time,
energy and attention more fully on what is truly important
to them.

><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>>><<>>

LESSONS FROM LIFE
Some years ago I was writing a book (long forgotten and
not related to coaching). I lived in a rural area in
Connecticut and needed to check a reference source
that was not easily available. I had been told that the
library in the nearest town, where I did my shopping, did
not have books on my somewhat specialized topic, and
so did not consider checking there.

One day I was driving to the grocery, heading away from
the library. This was a regular routine - dry-cleaners,
drug store, grocery, home. Suddenly, and totally on
impulse, I changed my plans. I U-turned and drove
straight to the library. Inside I looked for the card catalog
(yes, it was that long ago!) but was headed off by an
elderly volunteer who asked how she could help me. I
named the book I was seeking. She hesitated, then went
to the returns counter. There, where it had been
returned so recently that it had not yet been moved from
the counter, was the book I sought.

The lesson? I believe it is to avoid "chaining" our
behaviors. By chaining I mean always following behavior
A with behavior B and then behavior C. If I had stuck to
my usual routine, instead of being open to spontaneous
change, I would have greatly delayed my writing
progress. When we chain our activities, not only does
life become boringly predictable, but also we prevent
ourselves from being open to that quiet voice, intuition,
sudden impulse, or whatever you choose to call it, that
may be based on some awareness of which we are not
even fully conscious and which leads to our greater
good.

I'm not saying that ALL habitual behaviors are bad.
Habits may enable us to go on "automatic pilot" while
doing routine tasks, and so free the mind for more
creative thought. Unfortunately they can also narrow our
perceptions to a point where we forget to open them up
again when the routine task is over. Many writers and
philosophers have suggested that society encourages us
to go through life semi-asleep. If we can wake up and be
alert enough to respond to the impulses and impressions
around us then life can become new again, and we
improve our chances of finding exactly the book... or
opportunity... or person... that represents our next step
forward. If not, we may never know what opportunities
we are missing.

How much are you bound by your routines and habits?
Do you leave yourself open to spontaneous moments?
If not, why not? What might happen if you did?

><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>>><<>>

TIME TIPS
Have you ever found yourself reading a magazine article
for the third or fourth time because whenever you put the
magazine down you lose your place? This can be an
infuriating waste of time. I used to mark my place with
those tear-out cards, but they'd just fall out. One way to
avoid the problem is to tear out the pages as they are
read. If the article is of great interest, then it can go into
a clipping file, if not, then into the recycling bin. The
magazine stack gets smaller much more quickly.

A friend does the reverse with catalogs. She tears out
pages containing items of interest, puts them in the
accompanying envelope, and discards the rest of the
catalog. No more leafing through the pages for the
umpteenth time trying to find whatever it was that she
had intended to order. Only what is of interest gets
saved for future attention.

><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>>><<>>

Who do you know who might benefit from this issue of
Work in Progress?. Just click on the link below to find
an easily completed form to enable you to send the
entire newsletter. (And never fear, we do NOT collect
the addresses that to which you send it.)
http://lists.webvalence.com/broadcaster.sender.fcgi?request=form&news=WorkInProgress&ed=D20011015

><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>>><<>>
Copyright 2001 Diana Robinson, Ph.D. Work in
Progress may be reproduced in its entirety only,
including this copyright line. Disclaimer -The contents
herein are solely the opinions of Work in Progress
owner, and should not be considered as a form of
therapy nor advice. There is no guarantee of validity or
accuracy. If expert assistance or counseling is needed,
services of a competent professional should be sought.

To subscribe to Work in Progress send a blank e-mail to
workinprogress-On@lists.webvalence.com.
To unsubscribe, send a blank e-mail to
workinprogress-Off@lists.webvalence.com
To offer feedback e-mail Diana at
Editor@ChoiceCoach.com or visit her web site at
www.ChoiceCoach.com ><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>>><<>>
Copyright 2001 Diana Robinson, Ph.D. Work in
Progress may be reproduced in its entirety only,
including this copyright line. Disclaimer -The contents
herein are solely the opinions of Work in Progress
owner, and should not be considered as a form of
therapy nor advice. There is no guarantee of validity or
accuracy. If expert assistance or counseling is needed,
services of a competent professional should be sought.

To subscribe to Work in Progress send a blank e-mail to
workinprogress-On@lists.webvalence.com.
To unsubscribe, send a blank e-mail to
workinprogress-Off@lists.webvalence.com
To offer feedback e-mail Diana at
Editor@ChoiceCoach.com or visit her web site at
www.ChoiceCoach.com