STIR UP THE MAGIC IN YOUR LIFE

Amazing things happen when we start to follow our dreams. Our lives begin to open up and evolve in ways that are even better than we imagined. Unexpected ideas, opportunities, or solutions seems to appear just as we need them, making our journey feel more effortless...and more exciting.

I call this magic.

Magic isn't about coincidences or luck. It's about taking those first few steps along a path that inspires you-- and then welcoming the new possibilities that inevitably follow.

Let me tell you about Carrines, a client of mine who has stirred up some great magic in her life lately.

Carrines came to me with a dream of owning and operating her own Bed & Breakfast Inn. She described her vision perfectly and it was easy to picture her in a beautifully decorated inn, helping guests feel completely satisfied. Working as an office manager for many years, Carrines had developed a gift for making a business run smoothly and efficiently. Now it was time to think about running her own show in an environment she'll love.

Like many clients I work with, Carrines faced several obstacles. To achieve her goal, she would need to increase her monthly income and create a financial reserve that would provide the security and confidence she needed to leave her current job. She'd also need to save for a down payment on a Bed & Breakfast, and become more knowledgeable about the B & B industry.

So where's the magic, you're wondering?

The magic began as soon as Carrines took some steps towards her goals.

To increase her monthly income, we explored ways for Carrines to leverage her office management skills by offering professional organizing and bookkeeping services to small businesses. She'd work on the weekends, or an occasional evening to service her new clients, while keeping her full-time job.

Excitement grew as Carrines saw how she could use her existing talents in new, more challenging ways. When she started mentioning her new endeavor to a few business contacts, two quick offers came in. Her income soared, and an unexpected "door" opened up. Seeing the opportunity to earn much more in her new self-employed role, Carrines decided to take on more clients and leave her full-time job. Owning a Bed & Breakfast is still in her future, but she's found a faster, much more thrilling way to get there!

That, my friends, is magic.

Another "surprise" happened when Carrines' found out a neighbor could introduce her to some relatives who owned a B&B in a nearby town. This would give Carrines some firsthand knowledge about owning and operating an inn, and a chance to 'sit in' for the owners occasionally.

I often notice that other long-held passions start coming alive as we build momentum towards reaching a goal. It's part of the unexpected magic. Besides wanting to own a B & B, Carrines was longing to find a way to deeply inspire and motivate people. The joy she was experiencing from the success of her new business led to a perfect solution. She's now organizing a support group for divorced women, great way for her to inspire others.

I have no doubt that things will continue to come together in remarkable, juicy, and unexpected ways for Carrines--even better than she and I could plan. It's the universe's way of rewarding her, I believe, for courageously following her dream.

Are you ready to start your own adventure and see what kind of magic you'll stir up? Don't let obstacles hold you back. Take a few steps forward and you'll see that those obstacles are just chances to discover some perfectly unexpected solutions.
**A big thanks to Carrines, proud owner of Open Door Organizers for allowing us to share her story.

Copyright 2001
Barbra White, MBA, Personal & Business Coachnwww.bwcoaching.com