growth

Just a little bit of fertilizer!

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The other day I had an interesting conversation with my son Nate.  He has a sweet outdoor space in California where he grows herbs, roses, and other lovely plants!  This kind of space is at a premium in California!!

He talked with me about how he had found these amazing plant vitamin stakes that could enrich the plants on a regular basis according to their size.  As we chatted, he told me how– when he had extra vitamins –he would pour them on an old, fruitless Rose bush.  To his amazement this rose-bush began to produce fresh buds!! Who would have imagined that this old bush could be revitalized!!

Then I said–Nate!!! there is a spiritual truth in this!!!  As Humans, our spirit longs to be connected to our creator!  As we navigate our lives we can invite Him in or we can choose to make it on our own!  What every individual will find is that after a long season without “fertilizer” –God’s word and His presence we will feel and look dried up–fruitless!

However, as we begin to pour fresh vitamins into our souls–the Word of God, Worship, and powerful teaching~ we will begin to be , encouraging, and fruit-filled. It’s a natural consequence to being connected ( fertilized) by God!

Starving? dying? fruitless?  Spend time with the One who can fill your soul! Bear fresh fruit! be revitalized again! It’s time, my friend~ 🙂

Ouch!

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pruners-600px_nancyteaguegrowinginfullness

I had the privilege of being raised on a 54 acre apple ranch.  We had lots of fun hiding in apple bins, engaging in crazy rotten apple fights, and climbing trees. But being raised on a ranch also involves a lot of hard work: picking apples, clearing  poison oak from around the trees, and dragging pruned apple branches into large piles.  I’m sure I was a whiner and complained often about all the “hard work” in those formative years.

Dragging the pruned apple branches was always interesting to me as I would watch my father cutting off so many branches in each tree; leaving the tree looking a little oddly shaped.  He would explain that without cutting back the limbs the trees would only produce tiny apples and lots of them.  But if he annually cut away, pruned the branches the tree, it would produce healthy apples that would be larger, better tasting, and would have better color.  Dad was right, as Fall rolled around, those trees that had been pruned produced the best apples in the orchard.  Those pruned trees would have filled out again looking healthy rather than being oddly shaped, and they produced apples longer into the season than those that had been left to fend for themselves.

This principle is also very real as we walk out our lives as Christ followers.  Scripture says in John 15:2  “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”   Pruning can be a very personal experience as God works with us to produce good fruit.  Pruning can mean that God will remove things in our lives that produce no fruit: Pointless or destructive habits, unproductive relationships, activities that sap our energy, or even areas where we’ve allowed a foothold of pride.

As unpleasant and confusing as pruning often is in hindsight we will be grateful because as Fall turns to Winter and then welcomes Spring you will reap a fresh harvest in your life for which you will be incredibly grateful.

imagesHere’s a simple prayer:

“Lord, I want to give you all of the Glory through my life – but I must admit, I don’t like to see you coming with the pruning shears, nevertheless, help me to trust you more–that you are the Master of the Orchard, the Lord of my life, and the One who Loves and knows me best. So come, by the Holy Spirit, and work in my life so I can be a more Fruitful Branch in your Kingdom.”

FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES ( Prunes).   Hebrews 12:6     🙂

Hebrews 12:6

My Life/Business Coaching Interview~

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Recently, I was invited to be interviewed on Life Coaching.  I have had so many people ask me what I do, and why I do it.  I thought this interview gives an answer to those questions!

Thanks for taking time to read! 🙂

Life Coach InterviewQ1.)How did you get into life coaching?

  A1.) I was a pastor’s wife for 16 years before I was trained and certified as a Ministry/Life/Business Coach.  As I look back I can see that I had been a “life coach” for most of my early ministry years in church ministry; I’ve always enjoyed helping people navigate the challenges and changes in their lives! It was my experiences as a ministry leader that helped me see the need for leaders to have someone to process their challenges and dreams with; a safe place to land.  Without it, many leaders end up isolated.  Being trusted to be that “safe place” for numerous women in leadership over the years is something I treasure.

Q2.) What’s your favorite part about being a life coach?

  A2.)I love seeing leaders win!  I love seeing leaders reach goals they never thought they could, get healthier than they ever imagined, grow in their relationships deeper than they thought possible, and lead with confidence. Being a trusted adviser while a leader walks through the many changes and seasons of life is truly amazing. I have a card file that I name the “why I coach file”—in it there are many, many cards that I have received from my clients; the statement on most of them that I love the most is “I just never imagined that I could ________, but I did it!!”

Q3.)What is the biggest misconception about life coaching?

  A3.)Well, there are a few.  One, that coaching is just “talking”.   Coaching is an intentional on-going conversation and exploration of the life and goals for a leader.  Coaching keeps a finger on the pulse of those life accounts that the leader has expressed to have key importance in their lives. The coaching conversation is about action and results.

The second misconception is that Life Coaching is a modern word for counseling.  Truly there are times when I know it’s time in a session to remove my coaching hat and put on my counseling hat; sensitive issues, losses, etc.  But Life Coaching is about “how” to move through those challenges.  A counselor is a better fit for those dealing with deep challenges.

The third misconception is that it is the Coaches role to tell their leaders what they should do; to drive the direction that I think would be best. However, this is not the case.  My role as a Life Coach is to help leaders discover their best direction and then empower them to begin to make needed changes.

  Q4.)How do you incorporate God or biblical principles into your life coaching?

  A4.)I love how Proverbs has so many rich nuggets of wisdom that relate to our lives, I like to use them regularly in helping leaders consider fresh ideas.  Most of my coaching over the past 12 years has been among those who have a strong faith, yet my coaching has spanned across every denomination and non-denomination so I am extremely careful not to coach from my personal biases.

That being said, I have loved the freedom of sharing our faiths with one another and getting the privilege to pray at the end of our sessions.

 Q5.)What is the biggest benefit that your clients rave about after working with you?

 A5.)1..“Having a third-party insight and the voice of wisdom speak into your reality is priceless!”

2.  “Having someone wise and caring outside the organization who believes in you, will speak honestly with you, hold you accountable and help you see where your own emotions or fatigue are blocking you, all combine to create success in being the best version of yourself that you can be. “

3.  “Coaching with Dianna has given me a new level of confidence! She always reminded me to ask, “What is God saying to me right now?” and thoughtfully answer. Even once coaching ended, I still think through how to be intentional in my different life accounts. She helps you identify what your life dream is, and cheers you to go after it and find practical steps to get there!

  Q6.)In order to get the most from life coaching, what advice would you give someone looking to become a coaching client?

A6.)I feel it’s key to assess whether or not you are ready to make fresh changes in your life, coaching is not something you can be pushed to do, it is something you choose to engage in for your own benefit.  Are you in a place of honesty and do you feel committed to taking steps, even baby steps, to move toward fresh goals, are you willing to be kept accountable for the Action Steps you’ve committed to?   A personal readiness and commitment is key to a successful coaching experience.

It’s important to find a Life Coach that you feel you can connect with. Some folks want someone who is firm and directed while others may want someone with a stronger relational connection.  The Coaching relationship is an important one so it’s key to find the very best fit for you!

 Q7.)What current projects are you working on?

A7.)My husband and I have just completed creating an online tool for the leaders we coach. The tool is key to helping church and business leaders create coaching cultures within their organizations.  We are very excited about the growth possibilities for them!

I am starting a book for women discussing key elements we need to navigate the many seasons and assignments we encounter in our lives.  I coach so many women in numerous life transitions, some very overwhelming: aging parents, empty nest, menopause, illness, new marriage, career change, etc

How can we walk through life changes without losing ourselves in the process?

 Q8.)Any final thoughts about sharing life coaching with my blog readers?

 A8.)One of the greatest values of engaging in a coaching relationship is the opportunity to gain greater momentum in each key account in your life: faith, family, finances, health, personal/professional planning, and priority management.  Just like in sports; an athletic Coach takes raw talent and intentionally trains towards a goal.  A Life Coach will help draw out those deep longings in your heart, those goals and dreams you’ve allowed to go dormant, and will help you to see the possibilities in a whole new light!

Life Coach Interview: Dianna SalciccioliLIFE COACH BIO: Dianna Salciccioli

Dianna Salciccioli is a Professional Life/Ministry/Business Coach. She was a Ministry Coach with Ministry Coaching International for 9 years before founding Coachwell alongside her husband, Greg, in 2011.  Dianna was originally trained and certified by Building Champions as a Ministry Coach, and continued her training with Ministry Coaching International until establishing Coachwell.

Dianna has spent years as a mentor to women and teens as a pastor’s wife.  She understands the challenges and celebrations of Ministry life as has been a valued support to many ministry leaders.

Dianna is passionate about helping leaders clarify their passions, dreams big dreams, and trust in God’s heart for them as they bravely press forward to live a life full of legacy.

www.coachwell.com

But–I’m so disappointed!!!

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“The wounded Oyster mends his shell with a Pearl” Anonymous

disappointment 

Disappointment is a part of life.  You cannot dodge it, you cannot prevent it, but you can deal with it in a productive and successful manner.

 It took Hershey four attempts to launch Hershey Chocolate.  Henry Ford was not a winner the first time, and Thomas Edison had more disappointments then successes! However, they all succeeded because they had the fortitude to stick it out and deal with the disappointment effectively.

 Disappointment can be a major cause of business or relational failure because we may quit too soon.  We may have difficulty weathering the setbacks, walking through structural changes, or we simply get hurt or offended.  Setbacks and conflict can create disappointment killing your prior ambition.  You may simply have a huge urge to walk away!

 One of the biggest challenges with disappointments is that we can become bitter and offended; even see ourselves as a “victim of circumstances”.  These emotions will cloud our view of the situations, others, and ourselves. It’s a vicious trap and one to avoid!

 In my life I have found that I am most disappointed when my expectations for a person, project, or experience are unreasonably high!  When the situation ends up much different then what I had in my mind and my hopes are dashed!  It’s tough to return to my “visionary” thinking!

 So how do we navigate disappointment without allowing it to rob us of our mental and emotional health?

 Balancing our expectations is probably the key.  When working with others we will have conflict and at times, find ourselves offended. Expect it. When conflict arises have a plan in mind to address it , learn from it, and resolve it.  Without a plan you will simply leave yourself open to be wounded.

 Business will have ups and downs.   In the DISC Profile I have a high S, which means I like things nice and STEADY!  I get scared when things feel “uncertain”.  I am learning that business and projects have seasons to navigate.  If we don’t anticipate these seasons we will be left discouraged!

 Most of all, disappointments are a great opportunity to grow, to learn greater trust,  to forgive, and to see life from a fresh perspective~~

Pretty sure my opinion of “disappointment “ is not FUN, but at my ripe old age            ( LOL) I have learned the value of hindsight.

We are told in scripture that God promises to never leave us or forsake us, that He  uses all situations for our good, and that He has a plan and purpose for our life,  so if we believe Him then  disappointments can create growth IF we navigate them with grace.

I am still a learner, how about you?

🙂

The Difficult In~Between.

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January is such a huge month for making resolutions for change.  Working at an athletic club I see the building swell with members starting January 1 and then watch a dramatic drop-off about the tail end of February. Why is this?

It is caused by the Difficult In~Between!!

So often we can recognize a need to make changes in our lives, we can imagine the goal accomplished; picture our success.  However, making a lasting change in behavior is rarely a simple process, and usually involves a substantial commitment of time, effort and emotion. The problem comes when we begin to challenge ourselves to take the needed steps toward the goal.

Whether the goal is weight loss, money management, becoming organized, a stronger marriage, or any other area we may find ourselves needing to grow; we still have to take regular “new” steps to reach our goal.

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For greater success in getting through the “Difficult In-Between” here are a few simple tricks:

1. Put your plan in writing. Place it somewhere that you can see it regularly.

2. Start with small do-able steps.  Break your goals down into small “manageable” wins!  As you gain success in the smaller steps you will be encouraged to continue.

3.  Work on one key goal at a time. Many times people run into problems when they try to change too much too fast.  As your new behaviors become a habit, try to add another goal that takes you closer to your overall change.

4.  Grab some accountability! Everything is better with a buddy.  Find a friend, family member, or co-worker to join you on your journey. Having someone with whom you can honestly share your struggles and successes makes the goal less intimidating. 🙂

5.  Celebrate every win!!  Take note of your successes; don’t skip over or minimize the fact that your efforts matter!

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Change can be hard~~ but so worth the effort!! 🙂

“Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.” 

~Jim Rohn