[Think As Inc.] August 2007 Newsletter http://ezezine.com Your life is a business. You have a: MISSION: the reasons you live your life; BRAND: the message you project to the world; PRODUCT LINE: the skills and qualities that are your unique assets; BOTTOM LINE: your financial picture; CLIENT BASE: professional, personal, and don’t forget, yourself. Your life is YOUR business, and you are its CEO. IN THIS ISSUE Something to Think About: IDENTIFYING BIG CHANGES Something to Do: FINANCING BIG CHANGES Inspirational Quotes: TS ELIOT News and Upcoming Events IDENTIFYING BIG CHANGES I read an interesting article on change in Fast Company magazine that featured two fascinating assertions: 1) 90% of people would rather die than make big health changes; 2) it is easier to make radical changes rather than small incremental changes. I don’t have scientific studies of my own to confirm or dispute these hypotheses, but they give much food for thought. Are there big changes that you want to make? Think of your career, your health, your relationships, your finances. What are the biggest changes you want to make in these areas? Do you want to go from accounting to acting (or vice versa as a client of mine did)? Do you want to drop 50 lbs? Do not think of what would be realistic at this point. Just think big. Are there areas where you can’t even think big, even for this exercise? What is stopping you from making those big changes? Do you not know where to begin? If you know but just don’t do it, why not? What is it that you get by not making the change? What would you get by making the change? Is the former more appealing than the latter? Don’t judge your answers. Just ask to get better clarity on yourself and your desires. Brainstorming on all the possible big changes, what are the ones you must do now, the ones you can wait on but definitely want and the ones that you could take or leave? All goals, but especially big ones, need to be prioritized. While you can work on more than one and it can even be helpful and complementary, sometimes there just isn’t the time, money or energy to pursue everything. So, really, what is the biggest, most meaningful change you want to make now? FINANCING BIG CHANGES A popular excuse for not making a big change is money. You don’t have enough money -- career coaches, personal trainers, whatever support you need for the big change costs more than you have. You need the income you have – you don’t have any left over to save for the big change and you certainly don’t have the option of quitting to focus more time on the big change. However, although money is a legitimate obstacle, there are solutions. It comes down to the math: how much do you need and where will you get it. Think Robin Hood. Take from one place to give to another. Look at your discretionary income after the fixed bills are paid. Can you shave off dollars from dining out, entertainment, travel, clothes? Can you find cheaper phone service, insurance, groceries? Raise your income. Can you get a second job and use the proceeds for the big change? The holidays are coming up so think weekend shifts at the neighborhood store, overtime for filling in for colleagues, or offering your services to the neighborhood (e.g., babysitting). Remember that you need your energy for the big change. This job is just for money so pick something you know you can do in which you won’t get too invested. Challenge your assumptions. Still don’t have enough? Have you really separated out discretionary income or are non-essentials still in there? Cable TV is not an essential when you are questioning all expenses. Are you sure you need this money? Can you take a group class rather than a private trainer? Are you sure you have itemized all expenses? When you are trying to find the wasted dollars, you need to take a microscope to your spending – analyze every bill for 90 days; keep a cash-spending log. There are gaps between what you actually spend and what you think you spend, so be willing to challenge your memory and actually look. INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE If you haven’t the strength to impose your own terms upon life, then you must accept the terms it offers you. - TS Eliot NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS I am performing with two separate improv groups in September and October. I am a big believer that improv teaches life lessons (listening, trust, spontaneity) so if you are interested in learning more, see a show firsthand: Tues, September 18, time TBD but probably 8p, Gotham City Improv http://www.gothamcityimprov.com/ Short-form improv, which is game-focused (like Whose Line Is It Anyway) Fri, October 26, 7p, The Magnet Theatre http://www.magnettheatre.com/ Long-form improv, which is scene-focused If you wish to unsubscribe to this newsletter, please email cenizalevine@yahoo.com with the Subject: Unsubscribe TAI All information is copyright © Caroline Ceniza-Levine 2007 www.thinkasinc.com