Perhaps the most important idea that I can offer for the success of ISKCON projects is - leadership.
The key to leadership is for us to accept 100% responsibility for results, with no excuses, no complaining, and no blaming of other people.
The most important thing a leader can do is to lead by example. Be a role model for the devotees around us. Continually ask ourselves this question: “What kind of a temple would this temple be if everyone in it was just like me?”
Whatever our answer to that question, we must ensure that if everyone behaved the way we did, our temple would be a great place to serve.
We need to be open to new ideas all the time. Be willing to try something new and different with no guarantees. Read, learn, discuss, and seek good ideas everywhere. Invite and encourage suggestions and input from all the devotees, and even guests.
Finally, become extremely action oriented. All successful ISKCON leaders and successful temples are on a continuous offensive. They are always open to try new things, always moving forward. They have a sense of urgency and a bias for action.
Let's resolve today to build an exciting, happy, high energy, financially strong and highly Krsna conscious preaching and training ISKCON temples.
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Saturday, July 28, 2007
DO YOU WANT TO BE SUCCESSFUL?
Here are 8 principles that can help you succeed in your life and service.
Take Responsibility
Take 108% responsibility for your life, for what you are, for what you say, for what you do. Absolutely refuse to blame other people for whatever is not working in your life. Always say, "I am responsible." Because you are.
Take Initiative
Don't wait for things to fall from the sky. Don't wait for other people to do things so you can move forward or achieve what you want. Don't wait for Krsna to arrange things for you. Take initiative. Take action, take massive action. Act as if everything depend on you while being aware that results depend on Krsna's sanction. If you want to achieve more, do more. See what works and what doesn't and adjust your approach.
Clarify What You Want
Be crystal clear about what you want. Write it down. You cannot hit the target you do not see. Clarify your dreams into specific and measurable goals. Set deadlines for their achievement. Don't be afraid to desire things. you are a person and you have desires. If desires are unfavorable, it will become clear after some time. But don't be afraid to confront what you want.
Prioritize
Decide what is most important to you in your life and then spend plenty of time on it. Work on your most important goals first. Always ask yourself, "What is the most valuable use of my time - right now?" Make a list of things you need to do every day and then mark them or put them in order of priority. Work on the most important things first, until you complete them.
Think Win-Win-Win
Look for a mutual benefit in all interactions. Ensure that Krsna, the other party and yourself are happy with an arrangement or a deal (3-win approach). Don't be a martyr and don't be an exploiter. Ensure everyone is happy, as much as possible.
Empathize
Sincerely seek to understand other people. Listen to them attentively. If needed, repeat to them what you have heard so you are sure you have understood them well. Make notes so you can capture the most important points. If you understand the needs of others, you will be able to serve them better.
Cooperate
Always try to be in a cooperative mood. Remember that when people come together to do something, there is an added value, simply because they have united. Two brains have more intelligence that one. Four hands can lift more that two. Think of ways how to unite differences, how to be complementary, taking full advantage of each other's strengths and making up for each other's weaknesses.
Renew
Regularly practice self- renewal or renewal in general. Take care of your sadhana, health, relationships, service, responsibilities. Do the needful. Always renew your capacity for doing service. Without taking time to renew your ability to serve, you might end up being without any capacity. If you don't take time initially, you will have to take time eventually. If you don't put the gas in your car, eventually it will stop.
Take Responsibility
Take 108% responsibility for your life, for what you are, for what you say, for what you do. Absolutely refuse to blame other people for whatever is not working in your life. Always say, "I am responsible." Because you are.
Take Initiative
Don't wait for things to fall from the sky. Don't wait for other people to do things so you can move forward or achieve what you want. Don't wait for Krsna to arrange things for you. Take initiative. Take action, take massive action. Act as if everything depend on you while being aware that results depend on Krsna's sanction. If you want to achieve more, do more. See what works and what doesn't and adjust your approach.
Clarify What You Want
Be crystal clear about what you want. Write it down. You cannot hit the target you do not see. Clarify your dreams into specific and measurable goals. Set deadlines for their achievement. Don't be afraid to desire things. you are a person and you have desires. If desires are unfavorable, it will become clear after some time. But don't be afraid to confront what you want.
Prioritize
Decide what is most important to you in your life and then spend plenty of time on it. Work on your most important goals first. Always ask yourself, "What is the most valuable use of my time - right now?" Make a list of things you need to do every day and then mark them or put them in order of priority. Work on the most important things first, until you complete them.
Think Win-Win-Win
Look for a mutual benefit in all interactions. Ensure that Krsna, the other party and yourself are happy with an arrangement or a deal (3-win approach). Don't be a martyr and don't be an exploiter. Ensure everyone is happy, as much as possible.
Empathize
Sincerely seek to understand other people. Listen to them attentively. If needed, repeat to them what you have heard so you are sure you have understood them well. Make notes so you can capture the most important points. If you understand the needs of others, you will be able to serve them better.
Cooperate
Always try to be in a cooperative mood. Remember that when people come together to do something, there is an added value, simply because they have united. Two brains have more intelligence that one. Four hands can lift more that two. Think of ways how to unite differences, how to be complementary, taking full advantage of each other's strengths and making up for each other's weaknesses.
Renew
Regularly practice self- renewal or renewal in general. Take care of your sadhana, health, relationships, service, responsibilities. Do the needful. Always renew your capacity for doing service. Without taking time to renew your ability to serve, you might end up being without any capacity. If you don't take time initially, you will have to take time eventually. If you don't put the gas in your car, eventually it will stop.
Friday, July 27, 2007
STRAIGHTFORWARD
If you want to be straightforward with others you have to be straightforward with yourself first.
If you are too lenient or dishonest with yourself, your straightforwardness with others will create disturbance.
Personal example is the basis of helping others succeed.
If you are too lenient or dishonest with yourself, your straightforwardness with others will create disturbance.
Personal example is the basis of helping others succeed.
THINKING HABITS
If you want to work on changing your bad habits, you can start with your thinking habits.
What ways of your thinking are preventing you from achieving what you want to achieve? How can you think in a more effective way? How can you work on the quality of your thinking every single day?
If you change your thinking, you can change your life.
What ways of your thinking are preventing you from achieving what you want to achieve? How can you think in a more effective way? How can you work on the quality of your thinking every single day?
If you change your thinking, you can change your life.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
COACHING SESSION
Coaching session is a conversation 108% focused on your success. Would that be useful for you?
'NO TIME' EXCUSE
I don't believe in the 'no time' excuse. If something is important to us or there's something we like to do, we will always find time for it.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Coaching Interview
Interview by Gaura Krsna dasa, Bhakti Sastri teacher, Mayapur Institite for Higher Education and Training and ISKCON London, with Akrura dasa (Gita Coaching, London)
Gaura Krsna dasa: What is it that coaching offers other than Krsna consciousness? Isn't Krsna consciousness just enough for our personal improvement or development, to just know the Gita and advance in Krsna consciousness?
Akrura dasa: As far as I have seen, the way we train devotees sometimes tends to make them too dependent on their superiors. Coaching helps devotees become self-reliant, self-responsible, even self-motivated. It helps them become strong sooner. Coaching, from the very start, tries to tap into their own resources, potential, dormant Krsna consciousness, or spiritual intelligence. It helps them take initiative and responsibility from the very beginning.
GKd: Does it not develop too much independence, because we are supposed to be taking shelter of guru, Krsna, devotees, temple president? Is there a danger that people could become too independent?
Ad: Yes, there is a danger that devotees can become too independent. Therefore, Krsna conscious coaching or Gita Coaching must be designed and conducted in such a way that devotees always have a proper understanding based on the scriptures. They should properly understand what is their position and situation; what does it mean to be self-responsible; how they are accountable to their authorities; how dependency on Krsna or Krsna's mercy is the basis of success; how to effectively take help from sadhus, sastras and gurus; and how to "run one's own airplane", as Prabhupada said.
Bhagavad-gita says that we are not the doer, so we should understand that. We are getting the ability to act and achieve from Krsna. We also need Krsna's representatives to help us. We should always remember this and be grateful for this. So we must have good grounding in the sastras. At least in the basics, like the Bhagavad-gita. Gita Coaching is based on the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam.
The fact that we are using coaching skills doesn't mean that we want to deviate. Some of those skills are: listening, asking relevant questions, summarising, giving feedback, giving suggestions, turning problems into opportunities, challenging respectfully. I think that all these things are already in the scriptures. It's just that we are now using them very consciously and intentionally to spiritually advance and to help devotees succeed.
GKd: I can also see that coaching can sometimes slip into counselling. Is this a danger?
Ad: Yes, there is a danger. A Krsna conscious coach has to be skilled enough or aware enough to notice when coaching is slipping into counselling. Counselling deals more with the past, with hurt emotions, psychological problems, or past traumas. Coaching is more focused on the present and the future and on using devotee's intelligence and the mind to his or her advantage. If a devotee needs serious psychological help, he or she has to seek assistance somewhere else.
GKd: It's becoming apperent to me that there are four areas that we have to make sure are included in the process. Firstly, we have to be well grounded in the Krsna conscious philosophy, so that we can apply coaching to that. Secondly, in order to coach others, we have to be properly trained in coaching. Thirdly, we have to actually be coached ourselves, to get an experience of it. And fourthly, we have to implement it and coach others. In order to keep progressing, we need to continuosly be acting on these four areas.
Ad: Exactly. Well said. Coaching is a very systematic process and it requires a lot of self-discipline. We need to prepare for each coaching session. We need to be sure that we know what our client's issues are and be well prepared to deal with them. Pre-work and post-work are highly important. You need to prepare for the session and you also need to make notes after the session and think about ideas how to help a devotee in the next session. Jot your ideas down and bring them to the session to remind yourself. All in all, coaching is a wonderful service. It maximizes serving a particular devotee in a one-to-one situation. It maximizes the benefit and the value for the devotee being coached.
Gaura Krsna dasa: What is it that coaching offers other than Krsna consciousness? Isn't Krsna consciousness just enough for our personal improvement or development, to just know the Gita and advance in Krsna consciousness?
Akrura dasa: As far as I have seen, the way we train devotees sometimes tends to make them too dependent on their superiors. Coaching helps devotees become self-reliant, self-responsible, even self-motivated. It helps them become strong sooner. Coaching, from the very start, tries to tap into their own resources, potential, dormant Krsna consciousness, or spiritual intelligence. It helps them take initiative and responsibility from the very beginning.
GKd: Does it not develop too much independence, because we are supposed to be taking shelter of guru, Krsna, devotees, temple president? Is there a danger that people could become too independent?
Ad: Yes, there is a danger that devotees can become too independent. Therefore, Krsna conscious coaching or Gita Coaching must be designed and conducted in such a way that devotees always have a proper understanding based on the scriptures. They should properly understand what is their position and situation; what does it mean to be self-responsible; how they are accountable to their authorities; how dependency on Krsna or Krsna's mercy is the basis of success; how to effectively take help from sadhus, sastras and gurus; and how to "run one's own airplane", as Prabhupada said.
Bhagavad-gita says that we are not the doer, so we should understand that. We are getting the ability to act and achieve from Krsna. We also need Krsna's representatives to help us. We should always remember this and be grateful for this. So we must have good grounding in the sastras. At least in the basics, like the Bhagavad-gita. Gita Coaching is based on the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam.
The fact that we are using coaching skills doesn't mean that we want to deviate. Some of those skills are: listening, asking relevant questions, summarising, giving feedback, giving suggestions, turning problems into opportunities, challenging respectfully. I think that all these things are already in the scriptures. It's just that we are now using them very consciously and intentionally to spiritually advance and to help devotees succeed.
GKd: I can also see that coaching can sometimes slip into counselling. Is this a danger?
Ad: Yes, there is a danger. A Krsna conscious coach has to be skilled enough or aware enough to notice when coaching is slipping into counselling. Counselling deals more with the past, with hurt emotions, psychological problems, or past traumas. Coaching is more focused on the present and the future and on using devotee's intelligence and the mind to his or her advantage. If a devotee needs serious psychological help, he or she has to seek assistance somewhere else.
GKd: It's becoming apperent to me that there are four areas that we have to make sure are included in the process. Firstly, we have to be well grounded in the Krsna conscious philosophy, so that we can apply coaching to that. Secondly, in order to coach others, we have to be properly trained in coaching. Thirdly, we have to actually be coached ourselves, to get an experience of it. And fourthly, we have to implement it and coach others. In order to keep progressing, we need to continuosly be acting on these four areas.
Ad: Exactly. Well said. Coaching is a very systematic process and it requires a lot of self-discipline. We need to prepare for each coaching session. We need to be sure that we know what our client's issues are and be well prepared to deal with them. Pre-work and post-work are highly important. You need to prepare for the session and you also need to make notes after the session and think about ideas how to help a devotee in the next session. Jot your ideas down and bring them to the session to remind yourself. All in all, coaching is a wonderful service. It maximizes serving a particular devotee in a one-to-one situation. It maximizes the benefit and the value for the devotee being coached.
Enabling Process
Coaching is an enabling process. It fits well into the world in which we now live because it is diametrically opposed to a command-and-control approach to leadership.
A coach assumes that devotees have inherent capacities, can learn what they need to learn and, when correctly focused and inspired, will give their best. In many cases, he might out-perform what he and his authority though was possible.
An effective coach helps a devotee to discover the best way of moving forward.
INTERFERENCES
One famous coach gave this formula for performance:
Performance = Potential - Interference
We all have tremendous dormant spiritual potential. Yet due to our conditioning by the modes of nature, we also have the ability to interfere with it. Limiting beliefs is one form of interference. Other internal factors include a negative inner dialogue, confusion, a feeling of being overwhelmed, fear and an inablity to focus. External distractions can include an insensitive superior, an excessive serviceload, a lack of communication and unclear expectations.
Coaching enables you to overcome all these obstacles and move forward.
A coach assumes that devotees have inherent capacities, can learn what they need to learn and, when correctly focused and inspired, will give their best. In many cases, he might out-perform what he and his authority though was possible.
An effective coach helps a devotee to discover the best way of moving forward.
INTERFERENCES
One famous coach gave this formula for performance:
Performance = Potential - Interference
We all have tremendous dormant spiritual potential. Yet due to our conditioning by the modes of nature, we also have the ability to interfere with it. Limiting beliefs is one form of interference. Other internal factors include a negative inner dialogue, confusion, a feeling of being overwhelmed, fear and an inablity to focus. External distractions can include an insensitive superior, an excessive serviceload, a lack of communication and unclear expectations.
Coaching enables you to overcome all these obstacles and move forward.
What Makes Someone Become a Coach?
It's this two-way success partnership that attracts both the coach and the client to coaching. Personal development is a huge part of coaching and you'll find that you'll grow yourself before you start helping others to do the same.
An excellent coach finds out new things about themselves and is on a constant learning curve. Indeed, becoming a coach means a lifelong quest for your personal excellence. And it is this quest that might be your motivation to become a coach in the first place.
Assisting devotees to discover where they want to go and helping them to get there is a tried and tested method that works - which is why there is now such an increase in the popularity of coaching, even within ISKCON.
Coaches share many of the same reasons for entering the profession:
- They like people and want to bring out the best in them
- They want to do something more fulfilling in their lives
- Their family, friends and colleagues previously turned to them for advice and help - They have natural "people" skills
Coaching is all about helping yourself grow and become more conscious and more Krsna conscious. At the same time, it's about helping others to overcome obstacles which are stopping them from reaching their full potential.
Benefits that devotees can have by becoming a coach:
1. Provide accelerated personal growth and understanding of self
2. Elevate consciousness to the mode of goodness
3. Clarify and enhance current roles in devotional service and life
4. Provide Better focus and clarified priorities
5. Provide more options in devotional service and life
6. Sharpen your skills
7. Provide the ability to help devotees make lasting, positive changes in pleasing Lord Krishna and devotees
An excellent coach finds out new things about themselves and is on a constant learning curve. Indeed, becoming a coach means a lifelong quest for your personal excellence. And it is this quest that might be your motivation to become a coach in the first place.
Assisting devotees to discover where they want to go and helping them to get there is a tried and tested method that works - which is why there is now such an increase in the popularity of coaching, even within ISKCON.
Coaches share many of the same reasons for entering the profession:
- They like people and want to bring out the best in them
- They want to do something more fulfilling in their lives
- Their family, friends and colleagues previously turned to them for advice and help - They have natural "people" skills
Coaching is all about helping yourself grow and become more conscious and more Krsna conscious. At the same time, it's about helping others to overcome obstacles which are stopping them from reaching their full potential.
Benefits that devotees can have by becoming a coach:
1. Provide accelerated personal growth and understanding of self
2. Elevate consciousness to the mode of goodness
3. Clarify and enhance current roles in devotional service and life
4. Provide Better focus and clarified priorities
5. Provide more options in devotional service and life
6. Sharpen your skills
7. Provide the ability to help devotees make lasting, positive changes in pleasing Lord Krishna and devotees
What is Life Coaching?
Coaching is a partnership that helps devotees achieve solid results in their spiritual lives. Through the process of coaching, devotees learn more about themselves and their goals, improve their service and enhance the quality of their spiritual lives.
What Happens in a Coaching Session?
The coaching process is designed to make devotees more focused and aware of their spiritual and material choices, and through this helps them to achieve their Krsna conscious goals more quickly.
The process concentrates on where devotees are today, what they want to achieve and what they are willing to do to achieve it. The coaching process depends on the devotee who is coached taking responsibility for taking action, and making their own decisions, not on the coach providing solutions.
In each coaching session, the devotee chooses the focus of conversation, while the coach listens and contributes observations and questions, with the aim of clarifying the devotee’s perceptions and options, in order to move them forward into taking action.
It is the coach’s responsibility to help the devotee discover and clarify what they want to achieve, encourage the devotee to discover more about themselves and their potential, work with the devotee to achieve Krsna conscious solutions and hold the devotee accountable for taking action.
The coaching relationship is built on trust and respect. It is non-judgmental, impartial and totally confidential. The coach and devotee can make a coaching agreement, which helps clarify expectations and mutual responsibilities.
How is Coaching Delivered?
The most important thing in a coaching session is that both the devotee and the coach have committed their full time and attention to the session. The session itself can be delivered face-to-face, by phone or by email. The phone (or Skype) is so far the most popular medium for coaching as distance is not an obstacle and communication is clear.
Why Coaching?
We use the term coaching to differentiate between other types of help, training or intervention. Coaching is not:
Teaching - is a transfer of knowledge
Consulting - is a transfer of professional knowledge, expertise or experience
Therapy - is dealing with problems from the past to improve the future
Coaching may also help a devotee with their professional choices and career, as this may be part of the devotee’s life.
Executive or business coaching is more likely to primarily focus on work, but will also address life issues as a part of this process.
Whether you choose life coaching or executive coaching depends on your own personal circumstances or choices. In either case, you will receive the benefits of focused time and attention, the opportunity to think clearly about what you want to achieve and where you want to go, with no interruptions from other things happening in your life.
Influences
There are many influences on the field of coaching - from the familiar ground of sports coaching to philosophical and psychological models. Other influences include education, consulting, mentoring, training, counselling, leadership and organisational development and personal development.
The field of coaching is constantly developing. Gita Coaching is carefully observing this development and using the available knowledge and tools in serving Krsna's devotees.
What Happens in a Coaching Session?
The coaching process is designed to make devotees more focused and aware of their spiritual and material choices, and through this helps them to achieve their Krsna conscious goals more quickly.
The process concentrates on where devotees are today, what they want to achieve and what they are willing to do to achieve it. The coaching process depends on the devotee who is coached taking responsibility for taking action, and making their own decisions, not on the coach providing solutions.
In each coaching session, the devotee chooses the focus of conversation, while the coach listens and contributes observations and questions, with the aim of clarifying the devotee’s perceptions and options, in order to move them forward into taking action.
It is the coach’s responsibility to help the devotee discover and clarify what they want to achieve, encourage the devotee to discover more about themselves and their potential, work with the devotee to achieve Krsna conscious solutions and hold the devotee accountable for taking action.
The coaching relationship is built on trust and respect. It is non-judgmental, impartial and totally confidential. The coach and devotee can make a coaching agreement, which helps clarify expectations and mutual responsibilities.
How is Coaching Delivered?
The most important thing in a coaching session is that both the devotee and the coach have committed their full time and attention to the session. The session itself can be delivered face-to-face, by phone or by email. The phone (or Skype) is so far the most popular medium for coaching as distance is not an obstacle and communication is clear.
Why Coaching?
We use the term coaching to differentiate between other types of help, training or intervention. Coaching is not:
Teaching - is a transfer of knowledge
Consulting - is a transfer of professional knowledge, expertise or experience
Therapy - is dealing with problems from the past to improve the future
Coaching may also help a devotee with their professional choices and career, as this may be part of the devotee’s life.
Executive or business coaching is more likely to primarily focus on work, but will also address life issues as a part of this process.
Whether you choose life coaching or executive coaching depends on your own personal circumstances or choices. In either case, you will receive the benefits of focused time and attention, the opportunity to think clearly about what you want to achieve and where you want to go, with no interruptions from other things happening in your life.
Influences
There are many influences on the field of coaching - from the familiar ground of sports coaching to philosophical and psychological models. Other influences include education, consulting, mentoring, training, counselling, leadership and organisational development and personal development.
The field of coaching is constantly developing. Gita Coaching is carefully observing this development and using the available knowledge and tools in serving Krsna's devotees.
How To Identify Bad Habits
Be aware of the habits that are not working for you. Many of our habits, patterns, idiosyncrasies and quirks are invisible, causing one renowned author to observe, “We all need an education in the obvious.”
Let’s look more closely at the habits that are perhaps holding us back. We are probably conscious of a few right away. Here are some common ones I have received from my coaching clients:
Not chanting attentively.
Not attending the morning program.
Not reading Srila Prabhupada's books daily.
Not returning phone calls on time.
Being late for meetings and appointments.
Poor communication between devotees.
A lack of clarity about expected outcomes, monthly targets, goals, etc.
Not allowing enough travel time for outside appointments.
Not attending to paperwork quickly and efficiently.
Allowing bills to go unpaid, resulting in interest penalties.
Talking instead of listening.
Hitting the snooze alarm several times in the morning before getting out of bed.
Not spending enough time with family.
Having a fast-food meals Monday to Friday.
Eating at irregular times of the day.
Socializing too much on the telephone.
Making travel reservations at the last minute.
Not following through on time as promised, with other people’s requests.
Having mobile phone on all the time.
Controlling every decision, especially the small stuff you need to let go of!
Procrastinating on many things in life.
Now assess yourself by making a list of all the habits that keep you unproductive. Block off an hour or more so you can really think through this process. And plan it so you won't be interrupted. This is a worthy exercise and will give you a strong foundation for improving your results in the years ahead. In fact, these bad habits, or obstacles to your goals, can really act as a springboard to your future success.
Until you clearly understand what is holding you back, it's difficult to create more productive habits.
Another way to identify your unproductive behavior is to ask for feedback.
Talk to people you respect and admire, and who know you well. Ask them what they observe about your bad habits. Look for consistency. If you talk to ten people and eight of them say you never return phone calls on time, pay attention. Remember this - your outward behavior is the reality, whereas your inner perception of your behavior is often an illusion. If you are open to good honest feedback, you can make
adjustments quickly and eliminate bad habits permanently.
Gita Coaching can help you overcome bad habits and develop new, good habits.
Let’s look more closely at the habits that are perhaps holding us back. We are probably conscious of a few right away. Here are some common ones I have received from my coaching clients:
Not chanting attentively.
Not attending the morning program.
Not reading Srila Prabhupada's books daily.
Not returning phone calls on time.
Being late for meetings and appointments.
Poor communication between devotees.
A lack of clarity about expected outcomes, monthly targets, goals, etc.
Not allowing enough travel time for outside appointments.
Not attending to paperwork quickly and efficiently.
Allowing bills to go unpaid, resulting in interest penalties.
Talking instead of listening.
Hitting the snooze alarm several times in the morning before getting out of bed.
Not spending enough time with family.
Having a fast-food meals Monday to Friday.
Eating at irregular times of the day.
Socializing too much on the telephone.
Making travel reservations at the last minute.
Not following through on time as promised, with other people’s requests.
Having mobile phone on all the time.
Controlling every decision, especially the small stuff you need to let go of!
Procrastinating on many things in life.
Now assess yourself by making a list of all the habits that keep you unproductive. Block off an hour or more so you can really think through this process. And plan it so you won't be interrupted. This is a worthy exercise and will give you a strong foundation for improving your results in the years ahead. In fact, these bad habits, or obstacles to your goals, can really act as a springboard to your future success.
Until you clearly understand what is holding you back, it's difficult to create more productive habits.
Another way to identify your unproductive behavior is to ask for feedback.
Talk to people you respect and admire, and who know you well. Ask them what they observe about your bad habits. Look for consistency. If you talk to ten people and eight of them say you never return phone calls on time, pay attention. Remember this - your outward behavior is the reality, whereas your inner perception of your behavior is often an illusion. If you are open to good honest feedback, you can make
adjustments quickly and eliminate bad habits permanently.
Gita Coaching can help you overcome bad habits and develop new, good habits.
Life Coaching in Krsna Consciousness
Over the past five years, I had been using coaching to help devotees improve their sadhana, japa, relationships with other devotees and family members, leadership and management, and skills they need in their service.
Coaching provides structure for exploring what we want to achieve in Krsna consciousness and how we will please our spiritual master and Krsna. It helps us become more focused and self-disciplined.
I have been helping devotees to apply the verses from the Bhagavad-gita As It Is in their daily lives, like those in the Seventeenth Chapter that describe austerities in the mode of goodness. Coaching service helps ISKCON devotees to learn and apply Srila Prabhupada's instructions with enthusiasm and determination in order to achieve maximum spiritual success in this lifetime.
Srila Prabhupada wrote that when a diamond is set in a golden ring, it looks very nice. The gold is glorified, and at the same time the diamond is glorified. The Lord and the living entity eternally glitter, and when a living entity becomes inclined to the service of the Supreme Lord he looks like gold. The Lord is a diamond, and so this combination is very nice.
This is the goal of this blog and of our Gita Coaching service to ISKCON devotees.
Coaching provides structure for exploring what we want to achieve in Krsna consciousness and how we will please our spiritual master and Krsna. It helps us become more focused and self-disciplined.
I have been helping devotees to apply the verses from the Bhagavad-gita As It Is in their daily lives, like those in the Seventeenth Chapter that describe austerities in the mode of goodness. Coaching service helps ISKCON devotees to learn and apply Srila Prabhupada's instructions with enthusiasm and determination in order to achieve maximum spiritual success in this lifetime.
Srila Prabhupada wrote that when a diamond is set in a golden ring, it looks very nice. The gold is glorified, and at the same time the diamond is glorified. The Lord and the living entity eternally glitter, and when a living entity becomes inclined to the service of the Supreme Lord he looks like gold. The Lord is a diamond, and so this combination is very nice.
This is the goal of this blog and of our Gita Coaching service to ISKCON devotees.
DEMONS REPRESENTING ANARTHAS
I found this text today:
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura in his Sri Caitanya Siksamrita describes the demons Krishna killed in His Vrndavana pastimes and the anarthas (unwanted things) with which they may be associated.
Putana (the witch) - the pseudo guru.
Sakatasura (the cart demon) - carrying the burden of a cart-load of old and new bad habits, lethargy and vanity.
Trinavarta (the whirlwind demon) - false pride which comes from material scholarship, which leads to bogus philosophies.
Deliverance of Nalakuvara and Manigriva (breaking the twin arjuna trees) - Arrogant pride which comes from puffed-up prestige, which is rooted in a madness for wealth.
Vatsasura (the calf demon) - a childish type of mentality which gives rise to a type of greediness which results in a wicked type of mischievousness.
Bakasura (stork demon) - Cunning duplicity, deceptiveness and false types of behavior.
Aghasura (the snake demon) - Cruelty and violence.
Brahma-vimohana Pastime (Lord Brahma steals the cowherd boys and calves) - mundane activities and speculative scholasticism.
Dhenukasura (the ass demon) - gross materialistic intelligence, ignorance of spiritual knowledge.
Kaliya (chastising the Kaliya serpent) - brutality and treachery.
Extinguishing the Forest Fire - inter-communal discord among Vaishnavas.
Pralambasura (killing the Pralamba demon) - lusty inclinations; desire for personal gain and honor.
Second Forest Fire - disturbance of religious principles and interference with religious people by those who are atheist.
Brahmanas Performing Sacrifice - indifference toward Krishna caused by pride because of one's status (position) in varnasrama.
Overcoming the Pride of Indra - demigod worship, and the tendency to think "I am Supreme."
Nanda Maharaja Captured by Varuna - thinking that spiritual life can be enhanced by intoxication.
Nanda Maharaja Swallowed by Vidyadhara (the snake) - rescuing the truth of Krishna consciousness from being swallowed by the impersonalists.
Sankhacuda (killing the conch-shell demon and getting the jewel that was stolen by him) - proneness toward acquiring name and fame, and desire for sensuous enjoyment, under the plea of devotion.
Aristasura (the bull demon) - pride arising from indulging in false religions invented by cheaters which causes neglect of devotional service (bhakti).
Kesi (the horse demon) - The feeling that "I am a great devotee and spiritual master."
Vyomasura (the demon in the sky) - associating with thieves and other rascals, and with people who put themselves forward as avataras.
Bhaktivinoda Thakura says: "The devotee who worships the holy name should first petition the Lord for the strength to cast out all these unfavorable tendencies and should pray thus before Lord Hari on a daily basis. By doing this regularly, the devotee's heart will eventually become purified. Sri Krishna has killed a number of demons which may arise in the kingdom of the heart, so in order to destroy these problems, a devotee must cry very humbly before the Lord and admit defeat then the Lord will nullify all contaminations."
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura in his Sri Caitanya Siksamrita describes the demons Krishna killed in His Vrndavana pastimes and the anarthas (unwanted things) with which they may be associated.
Putana (the witch) - the pseudo guru.
Sakatasura (the cart demon) - carrying the burden of a cart-load of old and new bad habits, lethargy and vanity.
Trinavarta (the whirlwind demon) - false pride which comes from material scholarship, which leads to bogus philosophies.
Deliverance of Nalakuvara and Manigriva (breaking the twin arjuna trees) - Arrogant pride which comes from puffed-up prestige, which is rooted in a madness for wealth.
Vatsasura (the calf demon) - a childish type of mentality which gives rise to a type of greediness which results in a wicked type of mischievousness.
Bakasura (stork demon) - Cunning duplicity, deceptiveness and false types of behavior.
Aghasura (the snake demon) - Cruelty and violence.
Brahma-vimohana Pastime (Lord Brahma steals the cowherd boys and calves) - mundane activities and speculative scholasticism.
Dhenukasura (the ass demon) - gross materialistic intelligence, ignorance of spiritual knowledge.
Kaliya (chastising the Kaliya serpent) - brutality and treachery.
Extinguishing the Forest Fire - inter-communal discord among Vaishnavas.
Pralambasura (killing the Pralamba demon) - lusty inclinations; desire for personal gain and honor.
Second Forest Fire - disturbance of religious principles and interference with religious people by those who are atheist.
Brahmanas Performing Sacrifice - indifference toward Krishna caused by pride because of one's status (position) in varnasrama.
Overcoming the Pride of Indra - demigod worship, and the tendency to think "I am Supreme."
Nanda Maharaja Captured by Varuna - thinking that spiritual life can be enhanced by intoxication.
Nanda Maharaja Swallowed by Vidyadhara (the snake) - rescuing the truth of Krishna consciousness from being swallowed by the impersonalists.
Sankhacuda (killing the conch-shell demon and getting the jewel that was stolen by him) - proneness toward acquiring name and fame, and desire for sensuous enjoyment, under the plea of devotion.
Aristasura (the bull demon) - pride arising from indulging in false religions invented by cheaters which causes neglect of devotional service (bhakti).
Kesi (the horse demon) - The feeling that "I am a great devotee and spiritual master."
Vyomasura (the demon in the sky) - associating with thieves and other rascals, and with people who put themselves forward as avataras.
Bhaktivinoda Thakura says: "The devotee who worships the holy name should first petition the Lord for the strength to cast out all these unfavorable tendencies and should pray thus before Lord Hari on a daily basis. By doing this regularly, the devotee's heart will eventually become purified. Sri Krishna has killed a number of demons which may arise in the kingdom of the heart, so in order to destroy these problems, a devotee must cry very humbly before the Lord and admit defeat then the Lord will nullify all contaminations."
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
COMFORT ZONE
No matter how difficult your comfort zone is, you cannot be happy unless you get out of it.
Monday, July 23, 2007
SUPPORT AND CHALLENGE
Two main ways that Gita Coaching serves you are support and challenge.
To support you, your coach:
- Thinks of you, speak to you and work alongside you
- Has faith in you and your potential
- Wants the very best for you
- Sees you in terms of your vast potential, rather then your present behaviour or activities
- Helps you move beyond the doubts and fears that hold you back
- Helps you develop new, empowering paradigms, beliefs and attitudes
- Assists you in going from where you are to where you want to be
- Provides a framework for self-observation, self-evaluation and improvement
- Builds on and engages your strengths
- Clarifies where you are in life and where you want to be
- Opens up possibilities
- Focuses on what you want to achieve
- Helps you to learn new ways of doing things and discovering new values and purposes
- Supports you in believing in yourself as an eternal living being, servant of Krsna, so that you can unlock the door to your spiritual creativity and potential
- Starys with you every step of the way, inducing you and encouraging you, keeping you strong when you falter and celebrating your victories
- Works with you to achieve your best possible life
- Believes in you and I will demonstrate my belief by taking you and your life issues seriously
- Encourages you to believe in your innate goodness and in your ability to serve Krsna and his parts and parcels
- Consistently feeds your faith so that it will grow and flourish
- Assists you in defining a plan of action for achieving your goals and desires and keep you on track towards achieving them
- See you as a person who is healthy, strong and capable, because ultimately you are
- Together with you, examines every area of your life that you choose and look at what's working and what isn't, so that you can clear the way for your success
- Helps you develop unbreakable determination and learn how to eliminate the doubts and limitations that hold you back
- Helps you become mentally fit and agile, think like a natural optimist, expect to succeed and handle setbacks effectively
- Helps you clarify your desires, dreams and ambitions into precise goals
- Helps you get motivated to take dynamic action
- Helps you achieve the mental strength and flexibility, performing at your best, competing against yourself to surpass your personal bests, and being happy and enthusiastic to do so
To challenge you, your coach:
- Has high expectations of you
- Helps you to see how the one of the obstacles that hold you back is the way you see yourself
- Questions your current ideas and beliefs in order to find a better way
- Uncovers and eliminates destructive behavioural and thinking patterns, in a supportive and inspirational environment
- Requires courage, determination and commitment from you
- Demands motivation and effort from you
- Induces you to reach beyond what is easy and comfortable, towards the dreams and goals that bring true, deep fulfilment and spiritual advancement
- Requires sincere and serious commitment from you
- Asks you for action, not excuses
- Give you assignments, exercises, and challenges, and asks you to set aside time to work on them; expects you to meet them
- Asks you to push yourself forward and advance in Krsna consciousness
To support you, your coach:
- Thinks of you, speak to you and work alongside you
- Has faith in you and your potential
- Wants the very best for you
- Sees you in terms of your vast potential, rather then your present behaviour or activities
- Helps you move beyond the doubts and fears that hold you back
- Helps you develop new, empowering paradigms, beliefs and attitudes
- Assists you in going from where you are to where you want to be
- Provides a framework for self-observation, self-evaluation and improvement
- Builds on and engages your strengths
- Clarifies where you are in life and where you want to be
- Opens up possibilities
- Focuses on what you want to achieve
- Helps you to learn new ways of doing things and discovering new values and purposes
- Supports you in believing in yourself as an eternal living being, servant of Krsna, so that you can unlock the door to your spiritual creativity and potential
- Starys with you every step of the way, inducing you and encouraging you, keeping you strong when you falter and celebrating your victories
- Works with you to achieve your best possible life
- Believes in you and I will demonstrate my belief by taking you and your life issues seriously
- Encourages you to believe in your innate goodness and in your ability to serve Krsna and his parts and parcels
- Consistently feeds your faith so that it will grow and flourish
- Assists you in defining a plan of action for achieving your goals and desires and keep you on track towards achieving them
- See you as a person who is healthy, strong and capable, because ultimately you are
- Together with you, examines every area of your life that you choose and look at what's working and what isn't, so that you can clear the way for your success
- Helps you develop unbreakable determination and learn how to eliminate the doubts and limitations that hold you back
- Helps you become mentally fit and agile, think like a natural optimist, expect to succeed and handle setbacks effectively
- Helps you clarify your desires, dreams and ambitions into precise goals
- Helps you get motivated to take dynamic action
- Helps you achieve the mental strength and flexibility, performing at your best, competing against yourself to surpass your personal bests, and being happy and enthusiastic to do so
To challenge you, your coach:
- Has high expectations of you
- Helps you to see how the one of the obstacles that hold you back is the way you see yourself
- Questions your current ideas and beliefs in order to find a better way
- Uncovers and eliminates destructive behavioural and thinking patterns, in a supportive and inspirational environment
- Requires courage, determination and commitment from you
- Demands motivation and effort from you
- Induces you to reach beyond what is easy and comfortable, towards the dreams and goals that bring true, deep fulfilment and spiritual advancement
- Requires sincere and serious commitment from you
- Asks you for action, not excuses
- Give you assignments, exercises, and challenges, and asks you to set aside time to work on them; expects you to meet them
- Asks you to push yourself forward and advance in Krsna consciousness
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Become A Diligent Servant
All successful devotees work hard. They start earlier, they work harder, and they stay later. They develop the reputation for being amongst the hardest working devotees in their services.
If you want to call a successful devotee, phone the office before normal serving hours and after normal serving hours. The successful devotee is usually there when the other devotees arrive and is still there when they leave.
And here's the useful key: serve all the time you serve. When you serve, don't waste time. When you get in early, put your head down and get started immediately. When devotees want to talk to you, you excuse yourself and say, “I have to get back to my service.” Don't drop off your dry cleaning, phone your friends, socialize or read various things.
Serve all the time you serve. Resolve today to become the hardest working devotee in your center. This will bring you to the attention of the devotees who can help you advance faster in Krsna consciousness.
Caution: Beware working yourself to death and annihilating others in the process. Beware of working hard for a lot of external success, money and followers, but internally they drying up. Being diligent doesn’t mean self-destruction and destruction of others.
If you want to call a successful devotee, phone the office before normal serving hours and after normal serving hours. The successful devotee is usually there when the other devotees arrive and is still there when they leave.
And here's the useful key: serve all the time you serve. When you serve, don't waste time. When you get in early, put your head down and get started immediately. When devotees want to talk to you, you excuse yourself and say, “I have to get back to my service.” Don't drop off your dry cleaning, phone your friends, socialize or read various things.
Serve all the time you serve. Resolve today to become the hardest working devotee in your center. This will bring you to the attention of the devotees who can help you advance faster in Krsna consciousness.
Caution: Beware working yourself to death and annihilating others in the process. Beware of working hard for a lot of external success, money and followers, but internally they drying up. Being diligent doesn’t mean self-destruction and destruction of others.
Leadership Challenges
"So you big managers now try to train up more and more some competent preachers and managers like yourselves."
- Srila Prabhupada (Letter to Karandhara, Bombay, 22 December 1972)
***
Over the past 25 years, while serving in ISKCON as a leader and serving other leaders, what I have observed as a biggest challenge for ISKCON leaders is - offending devotees. To me, this has been the main reason why our leaders and managers have lost their positions and even fallen down. In our attempts to get things done and be efficient, we become blind how we treat others, and we make tons of offences. The sum total of those offences is the cause of our falldown.
To me, why some devotees get leadership positions is not only because they have good qualites and skills, but also beacuse of their conditioning of having an irresistible urge to control. So Krsna mercifully gives them some span of control because they would have hard time working under anyone. This might not always be the case but I think is often the case. In order to protect themselves from offences that might come from this controlling tendency, they need carefull guidance and assistance.
I spoke with some senior devotees about succession. It seems that many of our senior leaders are realizing that they don't have much time left in this world, so they want to train successors. But what does that mean? How this will manifest practically?
To me, one of the greatest lacks in ISKCON leadership is lack of desire and action of ISKCON leaders to help new leaders succeed, to help train and develop new leaders. I believe that investing time and energy in training, coaching and mentoring new leaders will pay off enormously. I think we have some examples of it in the world. You might know what they are.
I heard that some initiatives and efforts are there but it seems they are highly insufficient. We need much more investing in our leadership development, improvement and effectiveness.
Spiritual leadership is an extremely difficult service, but if we regularly and intentianally invest in its development, it might get better and better.
So, what's the solution? I suggest this: make leadership development a top priority. This means invest time, energy, money and people in it. This means that in each leader's organizer, planner or diary, leadership development is on the top of his or her daily to-do list. And then do something significant every day in this area.
"Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura said that the position of a Vaisnava can be tested by seeing how good a touchstone he is - that is, by seeing how many Vaisnavas he has made during his life." (Cc Madhya 24.277)
Similarly, we may say that the leader can be tested by how many leaders he has made during his life.
- Srila Prabhupada (Letter to Karandhara, Bombay, 22 December 1972)
***
Over the past 25 years, while serving in ISKCON as a leader and serving other leaders, what I have observed as a biggest challenge for ISKCON leaders is - offending devotees. To me, this has been the main reason why our leaders and managers have lost their positions and even fallen down. In our attempts to get things done and be efficient, we become blind how we treat others, and we make tons of offences. The sum total of those offences is the cause of our falldown.
To me, why some devotees get leadership positions is not only because they have good qualites and skills, but also beacuse of their conditioning of having an irresistible urge to control. So Krsna mercifully gives them some span of control because they would have hard time working under anyone. This might not always be the case but I think is often the case. In order to protect themselves from offences that might come from this controlling tendency, they need carefull guidance and assistance.
I spoke with some senior devotees about succession. It seems that many of our senior leaders are realizing that they don't have much time left in this world, so they want to train successors. But what does that mean? How this will manifest practically?
To me, one of the greatest lacks in ISKCON leadership is lack of desire and action of ISKCON leaders to help new leaders succeed, to help train and develop new leaders. I believe that investing time and energy in training, coaching and mentoring new leaders will pay off enormously. I think we have some examples of it in the world. You might know what they are.
I heard that some initiatives and efforts are there but it seems they are highly insufficient. We need much more investing in our leadership development, improvement and effectiveness.
Spiritual leadership is an extremely difficult service, but if we regularly and intentianally invest in its development, it might get better and better.
So, what's the solution? I suggest this: make leadership development a top priority. This means invest time, energy, money and people in it. This means that in each leader's organizer, planner or diary, leadership development is on the top of his or her daily to-do list. And then do something significant every day in this area.
"Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura said that the position of a Vaisnava can be tested by seeing how good a touchstone he is - that is, by seeing how many Vaisnavas he has made during his life." (Cc Madhya 24.277)
Similarly, we may say that the leader can be tested by how many leaders he has made during his life.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Eagle
Once upon a time, there was a large mountainside, where an eagle’s nest rested. The eagle’s nest contained four large eagle eggs. One day an earthquake rocked the mountain causing one of the eggs to roll down the mountain, to a chicken farm, located in the valley below. The chickens knew that they must protect and care for the eagle’s egg, so an old hen volunteered to nurture and raise the large egg.
One day, the egg hatched and a beautiful eagle was born. Sadly, however, the eagle was raised to be a chicken. Soon, the eagle believed he was nothing more than a chicken. The eagle loved his home and family, but his spirit cried out for more.
While playing a game on the farm one day, the eagle looked to the skies above and noticed a group of mighty eagles soaring in the skies. "Oh," the Eagle cried, "I wish I could soar like those birds." The chickens roared with laughter, "You cannot soar with those birds. You are a chicken and chickens do not soar."
The eagle continued staring at his real family up above, dreaming that he could be with them. Each time the eagle would let his dreams be known, he was told it couldn't ’t be done. That is what the eagle learned to believe. The eagle, after time, stopped dreaming and continued to live his life like a chicken. Finally, after a long life
as a chicken, the eagle passed away.
The eagle lived and died as a chicken because this is all he though he was.
One day, the egg hatched and a beautiful eagle was born. Sadly, however, the eagle was raised to be a chicken. Soon, the eagle believed he was nothing more than a chicken. The eagle loved his home and family, but his spirit cried out for more.
While playing a game on the farm one day, the eagle looked to the skies above and noticed a group of mighty eagles soaring in the skies. "Oh," the Eagle cried, "I wish I could soar like those birds." The chickens roared with laughter, "You cannot soar with those birds. You are a chicken and chickens do not soar."
The eagle continued staring at his real family up above, dreaming that he could be with them. Each time the eagle would let his dreams be known, he was told it couldn't ’t be done. That is what the eagle learned to believe. The eagle, after time, stopped dreaming and continued to live his life like a chicken. Finally, after a long life
as a chicken, the eagle passed away.
The eagle lived and died as a chicken because this is all he though he was.
Dear Readers,
This blog is designed to inspire us to develop a Culture of Constant Improvement within our individual lives, families and communities.
Through this we may strive for excellence in our duties in devotional service and thus please Krishna, Supreme Lord and all living entities.
In different articles, interviews, life stories, examples, quotes and news, we would like to give you ideas and tools how to constantly improve whatever you do in your service or institution, your family and your personal quest for perfection in devotional service.
Holy men, scriptures and spiritual teachers give us wonderful personal and historical examples of excellence for the human being, who has such a wonderful opportunity to attain perfection in this valuable human form of life.
These timeless principles may be applied today for the good of all. That's why we want to focus on them in this blog.
We wish you all success in your sublime endeavour to achieve spiritual and professional excellence in all your thoughts, words and deeds.
Through this we may strive for excellence in our duties in devotional service and thus please Krishna, Supreme Lord and all living entities.
In different articles, interviews, life stories, examples, quotes and news, we would like to give you ideas and tools how to constantly improve whatever you do in your service or institution, your family and your personal quest for perfection in devotional service.
Holy men, scriptures and spiritual teachers give us wonderful personal and historical examples of excellence for the human being, who has such a wonderful opportunity to attain perfection in this valuable human form of life.
These timeless principles may be applied today for the good of all. That's why we want to focus on them in this blog.
We wish you all success in your sublime endeavour to achieve spiritual and professional excellence in all your thoughts, words and deeds.
Do What You Love To Do
Prabhupada wrote in one letter:
"The point is to be engaged in doing something for Krishna, never mind what is that job, but being so engaged in doing something very much satisfying to the devotee that he remains always enthusiastic."
This is one of the great secrets of success, at least while we are still conditioned by the modes of material nature. Find out what you really like doing, what you have a natural talent for, and then to throw your whole heart into doing that very, very well. Many successful devotees have found a field where their natural strengths and abilities are exactly what is required to do the service and achieve the desired results.
You can also find a field in which you can do be totally absorbed. A service or area of endeavor that completely fascinates you, that holds your attention, that is a natural expression of your unique talents and abilities. When you are doing what you love to do, you can have a continuous flow of excitement, energy, and ideas to do it better and better.
Here are two questions for you. Number one, if you got a million dollars, tax-free, tomorrow, would you continue to do what you are currently doing? Number two, would you stay in your current service? These questions simply ask you what you would do differently if you had all the time and money you needed and you were free to choose your service or occupation.
Successful devotees, if they got a million dollars in cash, would continue doing what they are doing. They would perhaps do it differently or better or somewhere else. But they love their service so much that they wouldn't even think of leaving it or retiring.
One of the greatest responsibilities of your life, when you are surrounded by so many different choices of service, occupation and activity, is for you to find out what it is that you really love doing for Krsna and then to dedicate yourself to that field. And no one else can choose it for you.
"The point is to be engaged in doing something for Krishna, never mind what is that job, but being so engaged in doing something very much satisfying to the devotee that he remains always enthusiastic."
This is one of the great secrets of success, at least while we are still conditioned by the modes of material nature. Find out what you really like doing, what you have a natural talent for, and then to throw your whole heart into doing that very, very well. Many successful devotees have found a field where their natural strengths and abilities are exactly what is required to do the service and achieve the desired results.
You can also find a field in which you can do be totally absorbed. A service or area of endeavor that completely fascinates you, that holds your attention, that is a natural expression of your unique talents and abilities. When you are doing what you love to do, you can have a continuous flow of excitement, energy, and ideas to do it better and better.
Here are two questions for you. Number one, if you got a million dollars, tax-free, tomorrow, would you continue to do what you are currently doing? Number two, would you stay in your current service? These questions simply ask you what you would do differently if you had all the time and money you needed and you were free to choose your service or occupation.
Successful devotees, if they got a million dollars in cash, would continue doing what they are doing. They would perhaps do it differently or better or somewhere else. But they love their service so much that they wouldn't even think of leaving it or retiring.
One of the greatest responsibilities of your life, when you are surrounded by so many different choices of service, occupation and activity, is for you to find out what it is that you really love doing for Krsna and then to dedicate yourself to that field. And no one else can choose it for you.
See Yourself As Self-responsible
Accept complete, 108% responsibility for everything you are and everything you will ever be. Refuse to make excuses or to blame other people for your problems or shortcomings. Stop complaining about things in your life that you're not happy about. Refuse to criticize other people for anything. You are responsible. If there's something in your life that you don't like, it's up to you to do something about it.
You are always self-responsible. You are always the president of your own "personal services corporation", no matter where you might be serving at the moment. When you see yourself as self-responsible, you develop the success mentality, the mentality of the highly self-responsible, self-starting individual. Instead of waiting for things to happen, you make effort to make things happen. You see yourself as the leader of your own life. You see yourself as completely responsible for your spiritual advancement, your physical health, your financial well-being, your career, your relationships, your home, and every element of your existence. This is the mindset of the truly excellent person.
Self-responsible devotees are intensely result-oriented. They take high levels of initiative. They volunteer for assignments and they're always asking for more responsibility. As a result, they become the most valuable and respected devotees in their centers. They continually prepare themselves for taking more responsibility. And you can do the same.
Here's a question for you: if you were president of your center for a day, or if you were completely responsible for results where you serve, what one change would you enact immediately? Whatever it is, write it down, make a plan, and begin on it today. This decision alone could change your life.
You are always self-responsible. You are always the president of your own "personal services corporation", no matter where you might be serving at the moment. When you see yourself as self-responsible, you develop the success mentality, the mentality of the highly self-responsible, self-starting individual. Instead of waiting for things to happen, you make effort to make things happen. You see yourself as the leader of your own life. You see yourself as completely responsible for your spiritual advancement, your physical health, your financial well-being, your career, your relationships, your home, and every element of your existence. This is the mindset of the truly excellent person.
Self-responsible devotees are intensely result-oriented. They take high levels of initiative. They volunteer for assignments and they're always asking for more responsibility. As a result, they become the most valuable and respected devotees in their centers. They continually prepare themselves for taking more responsibility. And you can do the same.
Here's a question for you: if you were president of your center for a day, or if you were completely responsible for results where you serve, what one change would you enact immediately? Whatever it is, write it down, make a plan, and begin on it today. This decision alone could change your life.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Develop A Clear Sense Of Direction
This is where you take your Krsna conscious dreams out of the air and you crystallize them into clear, specific, written goals. One of the greatest discoveries in human history is this: you become what you think about most of the time.
The two factors that determine what happens to your life more than anything else are what you think about and how you think about it — most of the time.
Successful devotees think about their devotional goals most of the time. As a result, they are continually moving toward their goals and, Krsna willing, their goals are moving toward them.
Whatever you think about most of the time grows and increases in your life. If you're thinking and talking and visualizing your Krsna conscious goals, you might accomplish far, far more than the devotees who usually think and talk about their worries and problems most of the time.
Here's an exercise for you: take a sheet a paper and write the word “My Krsna Conscious Goals” at the top, with today's date. Then make a list of ten goals that you would like to achieve over the next twelve months. Write your goals in the present tense, as though a year has passed and you have already achieved them. Begin each goal with the word 'I' to make it personal to you. For example, you can write “I chant...” “I have...” “I preach...” “I rise...”
By making a list of ten goals for the year, you will have moved yourself into the top three percent of adults in our society, who have clear written goals. The sad fact is that 97% of adults have never made of list of goals in their entire lives.
Once you have a list of ten goals, go back over it and ask this key question: “Which one goal on this list, if I were to achieve it right now, would have the greatest positive impact on my spiritual life?”
Whatever your answer to that question is, circle that goal and make that your number one most important goal for the future. Set a deadline. Make a plan. Take action on your plan, and then do something every day that moves you toward your goal.
From now on, think and talk about that goal most of the time. Think and talk about how you can achieve that goal. Think and talk about all the different things you can do to make that goal a reality.
This powerful exercise will stimulate your creativity, increase your energy, and unlock your potential for goal achievement.
The two factors that determine what happens to your life more than anything else are what you think about and how you think about it — most of the time.
Successful devotees think about their devotional goals most of the time. As a result, they are continually moving toward their goals and, Krsna willing, their goals are moving toward them.
Whatever you think about most of the time grows and increases in your life. If you're thinking and talking and visualizing your Krsna conscious goals, you might accomplish far, far more than the devotees who usually think and talk about their worries and problems most of the time.
Here's an exercise for you: take a sheet a paper and write the word “My Krsna Conscious Goals” at the top, with today's date. Then make a list of ten goals that you would like to achieve over the next twelve months. Write your goals in the present tense, as though a year has passed and you have already achieved them. Begin each goal with the word 'I' to make it personal to you. For example, you can write “I chant...” “I have...” “I preach...” “I rise...”
By making a list of ten goals for the year, you will have moved yourself into the top three percent of adults in our society, who have clear written goals. The sad fact is that 97% of adults have never made of list of goals in their entire lives.
Once you have a list of ten goals, go back over it and ask this key question: “Which one goal on this list, if I were to achieve it right now, would have the greatest positive impact on my spiritual life?”
Whatever your answer to that question is, circle that goal and make that your number one most important goal for the future. Set a deadline. Make a plan. Take action on your plan, and then do something every day that moves you toward your goal.
From now on, think and talk about that goal most of the time. Think and talk about how you can achieve that goal. Think and talk about all the different things you can do to make that goal a reality.
This powerful exercise will stimulate your creativity, increase your energy, and unlock your potential for goal achievement.
DANGER
So just imagine that the Pandavas, they had their wife, Draupadi. She is incarnation of goddess of fortune. And friend, Krsna, who is always protecting them. But still, there are so many dangers. This is the instruction, that because Krsna is protecting you, you cannot expect that you'll be out of danger. Danger you must meet, because then you'll know that this material existence is full of dangers. Padam padam yad vipadam. This we always remember. We should not be so fool that "I am living very now comfortably." No, sir. You are in danger. That is said by Krsna. Duhkhalayam asasvatam. You do not take this material existence as comfortable at any moment. Then you'll not be able to make progress in spiritual life. As soon as you think that "I am very comfortable here," then you are spiritually fall down. That is maya.
- Srila Prabhupada
- Srila Prabhupada
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Dream Big Dreams
Allow yourself to dream. Allow yourself to imagine and visualize the kind of spiritual life you would like to live and the kind of results you would like to achieve for Krsna. Successful devotees begin with a dream of something wonderful and different from what they have achieved so far.
Imagine for a moment that you have no limitations on what you can be, do or have in spiritual life. Just for a moment imagine that you have all the time, all the money, all the education, all the experience, all the friends, all the contacts, all the resources and everything you need to achieve anything you really want for Krsna. If your potential was unlimited, what kind of a spiritual life would you want to create for yourself and those dear to you?
Practice “back from the future” thinking. This is a powerful technique used regularly by high performing men and women in various fields. It has an amazing effect on the way you think and on what you do.
Here's how it works: Project yourself forward five years. Imagine that five years have passed and that your spiritual life is now perfect in every respect. What does it look like? What are you doing? Where are you serving? How much money are you giving to Krsna? What kind of a lifestyle would you have if your spiritual life was perfect in every respect? Create a vision for yourself for the long-term future.
The more clear you can make your vision of spiritual advancement, health, happiness, and prosperity, the faster you will move toward it and the faster it will move toward you.
When you create a clear mental picture of where you want to go in life, you become more positive, more motivated, and more determined to make it a reality. You trigger your natural creativity and you start to come up with ideas to help make your vision come true. You always tend to move in the direction of your dominant dreams, images, and visions.
The very act of allowing yourself to dream big Krsna conscious dreams actually raises your determination and induces you to be more enthusiastic. Dreaming big dreams can improve your spiritual self-concept and increase your confidence in Krsna. There is something about dreams and visions of the future that is exciting and it stimulates you to do and be better than you have ever been.
Here's a great question for you to ask and answer over and over again: what one great Krsna conscious thing would you dare to dream if you knew you could not fail?
If you were absolutely guaranteed of success in any one thing in life, large or small, short term or long term, what would it be? What one great Krsna conscious thing would you dare to dream if you knew you could not fail? Whatever it is, write it down and begin imagining that you have achieved this one great goal already. Then look back to where you are today. What would you have done to get to where you want to go? What steps would you have taken? What would you have changed in your life? What would you have gotten into or gotten out of? Who would you be with? Who would you no longer be with?
If your life was perfect in every respect, what would it look like? Whatever it is that you would do differently if you had no limitations, take the first step today.
The number one reason why people never succeed is because it never occurs to them that they can. They never dream. As a result, they never try. They never get started. They continue to go around in circles. But when you begin to dream big dreams about your spiritual success, you begin to change the way you see yourself and your life. You begin to do different things, bit by bit, gradually, until the whole direction of your life changes for the better.
Dreaming big dreams could be the starting point of your success and becoming a serious, sincere, and successful devotee.
Imagine for a moment that you have no limitations on what you can be, do or have in spiritual life. Just for a moment imagine that you have all the time, all the money, all the education, all the experience, all the friends, all the contacts, all the resources and everything you need to achieve anything you really want for Krsna. If your potential was unlimited, what kind of a spiritual life would you want to create for yourself and those dear to you?
Practice “back from the future” thinking. This is a powerful technique used regularly by high performing men and women in various fields. It has an amazing effect on the way you think and on what you do.
Here's how it works: Project yourself forward five years. Imagine that five years have passed and that your spiritual life is now perfect in every respect. What does it look like? What are you doing? Where are you serving? How much money are you giving to Krsna? What kind of a lifestyle would you have if your spiritual life was perfect in every respect? Create a vision for yourself for the long-term future.
The more clear you can make your vision of spiritual advancement, health, happiness, and prosperity, the faster you will move toward it and the faster it will move toward you.
When you create a clear mental picture of where you want to go in life, you become more positive, more motivated, and more determined to make it a reality. You trigger your natural creativity and you start to come up with ideas to help make your vision come true. You always tend to move in the direction of your dominant dreams, images, and visions.
The very act of allowing yourself to dream big Krsna conscious dreams actually raises your determination and induces you to be more enthusiastic. Dreaming big dreams can improve your spiritual self-concept and increase your confidence in Krsna. There is something about dreams and visions of the future that is exciting and it stimulates you to do and be better than you have ever been.
Here's a great question for you to ask and answer over and over again: what one great Krsna conscious thing would you dare to dream if you knew you could not fail?
If you were absolutely guaranteed of success in any one thing in life, large or small, short term or long term, what would it be? What one great Krsna conscious thing would you dare to dream if you knew you could not fail? Whatever it is, write it down and begin imagining that you have achieved this one great goal already. Then look back to where you are today. What would you have done to get to where you want to go? What steps would you have taken? What would you have changed in your life? What would you have gotten into or gotten out of? Who would you be with? Who would you no longer be with?
If your life was perfect in every respect, what would it look like? Whatever it is that you would do differently if you had no limitations, take the first step today.
The number one reason why people never succeed is because it never occurs to them that they can. They never dream. As a result, they never try. They never get started. They continue to go around in circles. But when you begin to dream big dreams about your spiritual success, you begin to change the way you see yourself and your life. You begin to do different things, bit by bit, gradually, until the whole direction of your life changes for the better.
Dreaming big dreams could be the starting point of your success and becoming a serious, sincere, and successful devotee.
Friday, July 13, 2007
CONCENTRATE SINGLE-MINDEDLY
The ability to concentrate single-mindedly on your most important Krsna conscious task, to do it well and to finish it completely, is one of the keys to great success, achievement, and happiness in Krsna consciousness.
How To Overcome Your Fear of Coaching
I got this text from Neil Asher from New Insights. Although it is about coaching, it can be applied to any area.
***
You would love to be a successful coach, wouldn't you? With a thriving practice?
You know you want more clients. You know you should probably contact a prospective client and give them your pitch.
But, not yet...
Maybe you should do more research, take more classes on coaching, or clean your house.....anything but make that dreaded contact. Your heart starts racing and butterflies roam your stomach as you think of picking up the phone.
What Are You Afraid of?
To overcome your fear, it helps to figure out where your fear is coming from. I had a conversation with a client who wanted to expand her coaching business. But, something was blocking her. To get to the root of her fear I had her think what it would be like if she had tons of clients. I asked, "In your worst-case scenario what are you afraid will happen?" She began with a few general fears like 'fear of success'. I kept asking her to get to the bottom of it.
Some answers included being afraid someone will find out she is a total sham, selfish, insensitive, or completely useless to them. Sounds dramatic, but when we really get down to it - we are ALL afraid of exposing ourselves to the public. (Just imagine speaking in front of 300 people, and you'll get the
idea!)
How about you? What are you really afraid of? What is holding you back? Another way to word the question would be, "What do you spend your life trying to avoid hearing?"
Now that the fears have names you can deal with them. I told my client she needed to understand that at some points in time she probably will be selfish, insensitive or useless. We all are - sometimes. There will also be many times she will be the opposite. Time to stop avoiding these things, and confront them!
I suggested she find someone to say the things to her that she was most afraid of hearing, so the words would lose their immobilizing effect. Do you have anyone who could do that for you? (Note - in the actual recording of this session, I did this for her!)
What Are You Committed To?
Are you committed to making a difference in people's lives, or are you committed to protecting yourself? When I asked my client that question the light dawned as she understood she was just trying to protect herself. What a breakthrough!
The great news is, when we realise we have been committed to protection, we can create a new commitment to guide our actions. For example, how about replacing it with: a commitment to contribute to people's lives? Whenever your fears come up, remind yourself of your new commitment, and ask yourself: "Coming from this new commitment, what action would I take now?"
Bernie's Example
I got a call from my good friend and colleague Bernie, who said he had just done an acting audition which wasn't his best performance. He wanted to ask for a second audition, but that was unheard of! He'd been walking around in fear for 20 minutes, trying to decide what to do.
I asked: "What are you committed to?" Suddenly the light went on, and he realised he was committed to giving his best. He went back in there, requested a second audition, and blitzed it!
So how can you apply this in your coaching? Remind yourself what you are committed to. Tell yourself: "despite the wacky things I am feeling in my body I am going to do it anyway!"
And...
Share Your Commitment
Your commitment gains even more power when you let others know about it. I asked my client if she knew anyone she would like to coach, and gave her the assignment to be honest with her prospective client. To speak the things which were holding her back and be willing to share her fears too. She is on her way to a thriving practice, and you could be too just by:
1) Creating a new commitment
2) Sharing that commitment with your prospective clients
So what actions are appropriate for you now? With whom will you share your commitment? How many of your prospects are you going to call? I invite you to write down 5 actions right now and commit to doing them this week. I look forward to hearing the results!
***
You would love to be a successful coach, wouldn't you? With a thriving practice?
You know you want more clients. You know you should probably contact a prospective client and give them your pitch.
But, not yet...
Maybe you should do more research, take more classes on coaching, or clean your house.....anything but make that dreaded contact. Your heart starts racing and butterflies roam your stomach as you think of picking up the phone.
What Are You Afraid of?
To overcome your fear, it helps to figure out where your fear is coming from. I had a conversation with a client who wanted to expand her coaching business. But, something was blocking her. To get to the root of her fear I had her think what it would be like if she had tons of clients. I asked, "In your worst-case scenario what are you afraid will happen?" She began with a few general fears like 'fear of success'. I kept asking her to get to the bottom of it.
Some answers included being afraid someone will find out she is a total sham, selfish, insensitive, or completely useless to them. Sounds dramatic, but when we really get down to it - we are ALL afraid of exposing ourselves to the public. (Just imagine speaking in front of 300 people, and you'll get the
idea!)
How about you? What are you really afraid of? What is holding you back? Another way to word the question would be, "What do you spend your life trying to avoid hearing?"
Now that the fears have names you can deal with them. I told my client she needed to understand that at some points in time she probably will be selfish, insensitive or useless. We all are - sometimes. There will also be many times she will be the opposite. Time to stop avoiding these things, and confront them!
I suggested she find someone to say the things to her that she was most afraid of hearing, so the words would lose their immobilizing effect. Do you have anyone who could do that for you? (Note - in the actual recording of this session, I did this for her!)
What Are You Committed To?
Are you committed to making a difference in people's lives, or are you committed to protecting yourself? When I asked my client that question the light dawned as she understood she was just trying to protect herself. What a breakthrough!
The great news is, when we realise we have been committed to protection, we can create a new commitment to guide our actions. For example, how about replacing it with: a commitment to contribute to people's lives? Whenever your fears come up, remind yourself of your new commitment, and ask yourself: "Coming from this new commitment, what action would I take now?"
Bernie's Example
I got a call from my good friend and colleague Bernie, who said he had just done an acting audition which wasn't his best performance. He wanted to ask for a second audition, but that was unheard of! He'd been walking around in fear for 20 minutes, trying to decide what to do.
I asked: "What are you committed to?" Suddenly the light went on, and he realised he was committed to giving his best. He went back in there, requested a second audition, and blitzed it!
So how can you apply this in your coaching? Remind yourself what you are committed to. Tell yourself: "despite the wacky things I am feeling in my body I am going to do it anyway!"
And...
Share Your Commitment
Your commitment gains even more power when you let others know about it. I asked my client if she knew anyone she would like to coach, and gave her the assignment to be honest with her prospective client. To speak the things which were holding her back and be willing to share her fears too. She is on her way to a thriving practice, and you could be too just by:
1) Creating a new commitment
2) Sharing that commitment with your prospective clients
So what actions are appropriate for you now? With whom will you share your commitment? How many of your prospects are you going to call? I invite you to write down 5 actions right now and commit to doing them this week. I look forward to hearing the results!
SELF DISCIPLINE
Self-discipline means self-mastery, self-control, self-responsibility, and self-direction. The difference between successful people and failures is that successful people make a habit of doing the things that failures do not like to do. And what are those things? Well, the things that failures don't like to do are the same things that successful people don't like to do either, but successful people do them anyway, because they realize that these are the prices that they must pay for the success that they desire.
Successful people are more concerned with pleasing results. Failures are more concerned with pleasing methods. Successful people do things that are goal-achieving. Unsuccessful people do things that are tension-relieving. Successful people do things that are hard and necessary and important. Unsuccessful people prefer to do the things that are fun and easy and which give immediate enjoyment.
Successful people are more concerned with pleasing results. Failures are more concerned with pleasing methods. Successful people do things that are goal-achieving. Unsuccessful people do things that are tension-relieving. Successful people do things that are hard and necessary and important. Unsuccessful people prefer to do the things that are fun and easy and which give immediate enjoyment.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
SMART LEADER
To me, a smart leader surrounds himself with people who will complement his weaknesses. He is still in charge, he makes final decisions, but he admits that in some areas he is not as good as others and therefore he engages them and gives them full support and credit.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
OVERCOMING PROCRASTINATION
One of the best ways to handle procrastination has two simple steps.
First, decide on the outcome you want. For example, "Finish a chapter of my new ebook" or "Call ten potential coaching clients and offer a free trial session".
Second, ask, "What is the next action I can take to achieve this?" Not all the steps, just the first one. Then do it! Then decide about the next step, and do that one.
Make the steps small enough that they don't intimidate you. Write them down. Every day do one or more of the steps, cross it off, and go to the next step. Each time you cross off one of the tasks, you'll know you are getting closer to the goal.
Action: What is one thing that you are procrastinating? Right now, write down your desired outcome and the first small step o its achievement, even if you cannot do this first task immediately. Keep that peace of paper handy and the first moment you have free, do that first step and cross it off (or tick it), and identify the next step and look forward to doing it.
Make this simple process a habit and your procrastination will be a thing of the past.
First, decide on the outcome you want. For example, "Finish a chapter of my new ebook" or "Call ten potential coaching clients and offer a free trial session".
Second, ask, "What is the next action I can take to achieve this?" Not all the steps, just the first one. Then do it! Then decide about the next step, and do that one.
Make the steps small enough that they don't intimidate you. Write them down. Every day do one or more of the steps, cross it off, and go to the next step. Each time you cross off one of the tasks, you'll know you are getting closer to the goal.
Action: What is one thing that you are procrastinating? Right now, write down your desired outcome and the first small step o its achievement, even if you cannot do this first task immediately. Keep that peace of paper handy and the first moment you have free, do that first step and cross it off (or tick it), and identify the next step and look forward to doing it.
Make this simple process a habit and your procrastination will be a thing of the past.
I KNOW
As you read this blog, don't say, "I already know that." but ask, "Am I actually doing it?" Three most "dangerous" words in English language are "I know that".
Monday, July 9, 2007
KING
My dear heroic King, please keep yourself always equipoised and treat people equally, whether they are greater than you, in the intermediate stage or lower than you. Do not be disturbed by temporary distress or happiness. Fully control your mind and senses. In this transcendental position, try to execute your duty as king in whatever condition of life you may be posted by My arrangement, for your only duty here is to give protection to the citizens of your kingdom.
- Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.20.13
- Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.20.13
The Proper Role of Leaders
By Bhakti-tirtha Swami
In ancient times, communities expected from their political leaders to have a spiritual connection. A society did not choose a king who was merely a good warrior or politician, but one who also understood the science of caring for the people and who could communicate with higher spiritual realms.
Righteous kingmakers or priests would monitor such leaders to ensure proper behaviour. But today, we are surrounded by cheaters and the cheated, and everyone is running for sense gratification.
Because ALL leaders - not just spiritual leaders - serve as representatives of God, the actions of those who take unfair advantage of others can have enormous impact. In our families, for example, parents should be channelling divine energies to their children. Unfortunately, all too often this does not happen.
Leaders should never consider themselves as proprietors of those in their charge. Ownership implies that we have a right to do with our property as we will, and it can serve as justification for all kinds of exploitation and abuse. But if we view ourselves as caretakers, coordinators, catalysts or carriers of the vision, and if we treat others in loving, supportive ways, we will not engage in such exploitation.
In ancient times, communities expected from their political leaders to have a spiritual connection. A society did not choose a king who was merely a good warrior or politician, but one who also understood the science of caring for the people and who could communicate with higher spiritual realms.
Righteous kingmakers or priests would monitor such leaders to ensure proper behaviour. But today, we are surrounded by cheaters and the cheated, and everyone is running for sense gratification.
Because ALL leaders - not just spiritual leaders - serve as representatives of God, the actions of those who take unfair advantage of others can have enormous impact. In our families, for example, parents should be channelling divine energies to their children. Unfortunately, all too often this does not happen.
Leaders should never consider themselves as proprietors of those in their charge. Ownership implies that we have a right to do with our property as we will, and it can serve as justification for all kinds of exploitation and abuse. But if we view ourselves as caretakers, coordinators, catalysts or carriers of the vision, and if we treat others in loving, supportive ways, we will not engage in such exploitation.
Saturday, July 7, 2007
RE-TRAIN YOUR MIND
If you want to be successful and happy, first you have to accept that you are responsible for the way you think, feel, will and act. You are responsible how you react to different people that you meet and how you react to various events that happen in your life. And you must understand that your attitudes and actions have consequences.
My experience with the devotees I coach is that as soon as they take responsibility, their life changes in many positive ways and they start making progress in various areas.
My experience with the devotees I coach is that as soon as they take responsibility, their life changes in many positive ways and they start making progress in various areas.
DAILY QUESTIONS FOR YOUR SUCCESS
I have tried this simple yet powerful process with one of my good friends and colleagues. Whenever I used it, it brought improvements to various areas of my life.
Write down several questions that cover the most important areas of your life, like sadhana, service, relationships, self-renewal, finances, etc. Questions may be something like this:
Did you chant your rounds attentively today?
What services have you done for Krsna today?
Did you read Srila Prabhupada's books today?
Did you glorify Krsna today?
Did you take care of your body well today?
Send the list of your questions to someone you trust and ask him to ask you every day or so. These questions will be like your daily compass. They will help you assess whether you live by your values.
Try it and see how it improves the quality of your thinking, your actions and ultimately, your results.
Write down several questions that cover the most important areas of your life, like sadhana, service, relationships, self-renewal, finances, etc. Questions may be something like this:
Did you chant your rounds attentively today?
What services have you done for Krsna today?
Did you read Srila Prabhupada's books today?
Did you glorify Krsna today?
Did you take care of your body well today?
Send the list of your questions to someone you trust and ask him to ask you every day or so. These questions will be like your daily compass. They will help you assess whether you live by your values.
Try it and see how it improves the quality of your thinking, your actions and ultimately, your results.
WHY IS ASKING IMPORTANT?
Asking is just common sense. When people ask us for our input, listen to us, try to learn from us and follow up to see if they are getting better, our relationship with them improves.
This seems simple and obvious — so why don’t WE do it?
Here are a few suggestions:
• As a leader: Get in the habit of asking key co-workers for their ideas on what needs to be done. Thank them for their input, listen to them, learn as much as you can, incorporate the ideas that make the most sense and follow up to ensure that real, positive change is occurring.
• As a coach: Encourage the people you are coaching to ask questions, listen to the answers and learn from everyone around them. Be a great role model for learning, then ask the people you are coaching to learn in the same way that you are. As a coach, I find that my clients can learn a lot more from the people around them than they ever learn from me.
• As a friend and family member: Ask your loved ones how you can be a better partner, friend, parent or child. Listen to their ideas. Don’t get so busy with work that you forget that they are the most important people in your life. Improving relationships doesn’t have to take a lot of our time. It does require having the courage to ask for important people’s opinions and the discipline to follow up and do something about what we learn.
Who do you need to ask? What is your first question?
(Adapted from the Internet.)
This seems simple and obvious — so why don’t WE do it?
Here are a few suggestions:
• As a leader: Get in the habit of asking key co-workers for their ideas on what needs to be done. Thank them for their input, listen to them, learn as much as you can, incorporate the ideas that make the most sense and follow up to ensure that real, positive change is occurring.
• As a coach: Encourage the people you are coaching to ask questions, listen to the answers and learn from everyone around them. Be a great role model for learning, then ask the people you are coaching to learn in the same way that you are. As a coach, I find that my clients can learn a lot more from the people around them than they ever learn from me.
• As a friend and family member: Ask your loved ones how you can be a better partner, friend, parent or child. Listen to their ideas. Don’t get so busy with work that you forget that they are the most important people in your life. Improving relationships doesn’t have to take a lot of our time. It does require having the courage to ask for important people’s opinions and the discipline to follow up and do something about what we learn.
Who do you need to ask? What is your first question?
(Adapted from the Internet.)
COACHING PROCESS
As we start with coaching, we are embarking on a journey together and my intention is to help you be the best you can be ― both spiritually and professionally. As your coach, I will:
- Think of you, speak to you and work alongside you
- Have faith in you and your potential
- Have high expectations of you
- Want the very best for you
- See you in terms of your vast potential, rather then your present behaviour or activities
- Help you to see how the one of the obstacles that hold you back is the way you see yourself
- Help you move beyond the doubts and fears that hold you back
- Help you develop new, empowering paradigms, beliefs and attitudes
This journey will require courage, determination and commitment from you. In return, I will give you my full commitment. If you choose to work with me, taking the dynamic steps that we will discover together, your life might significantly change in many positive ways.
You will sometimes be challenged and I will demand motivation and effort from you. There may be times when you will feel like giving up, but if you stick with the process, you will feel a sense of advancement, achievement and relief. You will have a thrill of liking your life in a new, exciting way. You will feel the profound satisfaction that comes from reaching beyond what is easy and comfortable, towards the dreams and goals that bring true, deep fulfilment and spiritual advancement.
My pleasure will be to support you in believing in yourself as an eternal living being, servant of Krsna, so that you can unlock the door to your spiritual creativity and potential. I will be there for you every step of the way, inducing you and encouraging you, keeping you strong when you falter and celebrating your victories.
As your life coach, I will work with you to achieve your best possible life. And here is how we'll do it:
- First, I will believe in you and I will demonstrate my belief by taking you and your life issues seriously.
- Second, I will encourage you to believe in your innate goodness and in your ability to serve Krsna and his parts and parcels. I will consistently feed your faith so that it will grow and flourish.
- Third, I will assist you in defining a plan of action for achieving your goals and desires and keep you on track towards achieving them.
Coaching will move you forward vigorously, and it requires sincere and serious commitment from you.
I will ask you for action, not excuses.
I choose to see those I coach as people who are healthy, strong and capable, because ultimately they are.
I will give you assignments, exercises, and challenges, and ask you to set aside time to work on them. I will expect you to meet them.
Together we will examine every area of your life that you choose and look at what's working and what isn't, so that we can clear the way for your success.
If you are willing to do your part and to stick with the coaching, then you will:
- Develop unbreakable determination and learn how to eliminate the doubts and limitations that hold you back
- Become mentally fit and agile, think like a natural optimist, expect to succeed and handle setbacks effectively
- Clarify your desires, dreams and ambitions into precise goals
- Be motivated to take dynamic action
As we work together you will achieve the mental strength and flexibility, performing at your best, competing against yourself to surpass your personal bests, and being happy and enthusiastic to do so. The more spiritually strong and determined you grow, the more you'll be able to push yourself forward and advance in Krsna consciousness.
- Think of you, speak to you and work alongside you
- Have faith in you and your potential
- Have high expectations of you
- Want the very best for you
- See you in terms of your vast potential, rather then your present behaviour or activities
- Help you to see how the one of the obstacles that hold you back is the way you see yourself
- Help you move beyond the doubts and fears that hold you back
- Help you develop new, empowering paradigms, beliefs and attitudes
This journey will require courage, determination and commitment from you. In return, I will give you my full commitment. If you choose to work with me, taking the dynamic steps that we will discover together, your life might significantly change in many positive ways.
You will sometimes be challenged and I will demand motivation and effort from you. There may be times when you will feel like giving up, but if you stick with the process, you will feel a sense of advancement, achievement and relief. You will have a thrill of liking your life in a new, exciting way. You will feel the profound satisfaction that comes from reaching beyond what is easy and comfortable, towards the dreams and goals that bring true, deep fulfilment and spiritual advancement.
My pleasure will be to support you in believing in yourself as an eternal living being, servant of Krsna, so that you can unlock the door to your spiritual creativity and potential. I will be there for you every step of the way, inducing you and encouraging you, keeping you strong when you falter and celebrating your victories.
As your life coach, I will work with you to achieve your best possible life. And here is how we'll do it:
- First, I will believe in you and I will demonstrate my belief by taking you and your life issues seriously.
- Second, I will encourage you to believe in your innate goodness and in your ability to serve Krsna and his parts and parcels. I will consistently feed your faith so that it will grow and flourish.
- Third, I will assist you in defining a plan of action for achieving your goals and desires and keep you on track towards achieving them.
Coaching will move you forward vigorously, and it requires sincere and serious commitment from you.
I will ask you for action, not excuses.
I choose to see those I coach as people who are healthy, strong and capable, because ultimately they are.
I will give you assignments, exercises, and challenges, and ask you to set aside time to work on them. I will expect you to meet them.
Together we will examine every area of your life that you choose and look at what's working and what isn't, so that we can clear the way for your success.
If you are willing to do your part and to stick with the coaching, then you will:
- Develop unbreakable determination and learn how to eliminate the doubts and limitations that hold you back
- Become mentally fit and agile, think like a natural optimist, expect to succeed and handle setbacks effectively
- Clarify your desires, dreams and ambitions into precise goals
- Be motivated to take dynamic action
As we work together you will achieve the mental strength and flexibility, performing at your best, competing against yourself to surpass your personal bests, and being happy and enthusiastic to do so. The more spiritually strong and determined you grow, the more you'll be able to push yourself forward and advance in Krsna consciousness.
WHAT IS A COACH?
A Coach is your success partner who:
- Assists you to make lasting positive changes in your life in the areas of spiritual practice, health, relationships, service, career, finances, etc.
- Supports and encourages your spiritual and professional growth
- Assists you in achieving your goals
- Helps you discover your natural gifts and talents, so that you can use them as a basis for defining and achieving your life’s mission
- Keeps strictly confidential any information about you
- Does not impose ideas on you, but helps you to use your initiative and creativity to find your own best way forward
- Assists you to make lasting positive changes in your life in the areas of spiritual practice, health, relationships, service, career, finances, etc.
- Supports and encourages your spiritual and professional growth
- Assists you in achieving your goals
- Helps you discover your natural gifts and talents, so that you can use them as a basis for defining and achieving your life’s mission
- Keeps strictly confidential any information about you
- Does not impose ideas on you, but helps you to use your initiative and creativity to find your own best way forward
WHAT IS COACHING?
Coaching is a personal development and achievement process that:
- Assists you in going from where you are to where you want to be
- Provides personal support committed to your development and success
- Builds on and engages your strengths
- Clarifies where you are in life and where you want to be
- Opens up possibilities
- Focuses on what you want to achieve
- Helps you to learn new ways of doing things and discovering new values and purposes
- Questions your current ideas and beliefs in order to find a better way
- Provides a framework for self-observation, self-evaluation and improvement
- Releases your potential through a process of uncovering and eliminating destructive behavioural and thinking patterns, in a supportive and inspirational environment
- Assists you in going from where you are to where you want to be
- Provides personal support committed to your development and success
- Builds on and engages your strengths
- Clarifies where you are in life and where you want to be
- Opens up possibilities
- Focuses on what you want to achieve
- Helps you to learn new ways of doing things and discovering new values and purposes
- Questions your current ideas and beliefs in order to find a better way
- Provides a framework for self-observation, self-evaluation and improvement
- Releases your potential through a process of uncovering and eliminating destructive behavioural and thinking patterns, in a supportive and inspirational environment
WELCOME TO GITA COACHING!
Our service is helping people to learn and apply instructions of the Bhagavad-gita As It Is with enthusiasm and determination in order to achieve maximum spiritual success in this lifetime.
Bhagavad-gita As It Is says:
“Some look on the soul as amazing, some describe him as amazing, and some hear of him as amazing, while others, even after hearing about him, cannot understand him at all.” Bg 2.29
Gita Coaching is based on a principle that every one of us has an amazing potential, which is presently not fully utilised. Gita Coaching service will assist you in releasing this potential, for your own benefit, and for the benefit of the people around you.
Bhagavad-gita As It Is says:
“Some look on the soul as amazing, some describe him as amazing, and some hear of him as amazing, while others, even after hearing about him, cannot understand him at all.” Bg 2.29
Gita Coaching is based on a principle that every one of us has an amazing potential, which is presently not fully utilised. Gita Coaching service will assist you in releasing this potential, for your own benefit, and for the benefit of the people around you.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
YOUR SPIRITUAL COACH
Your spiritual coaches can see more in you than you can see in yourself at times. Such a coach sees you not only as you are, but also as you can be. He has a vision for you that was probably bigger than any you have for yourself. He isn't blind for your shortcomings or flaws, but he doesn't focus on them. Instead, he helps you believe in your ability and potential for spiritual growth. He inspires you and helps you to see possibilities for your spiritual life that you might not see otherwise. Because your spiritual coach has credibility in your eyes, you gave sanction to his visions.
Then your self-talk might follow: "Yes, that is possible for me. I can do that. I can be like that."
Your beliefs about what's possible change, and you begin to act differently. Spiritual coaches are so unshakeably convinced that we have spiritual potential in us, and their vision of what is possible for us is so clear and powerful, that they wind up convincing us, too.
Then your self-talk might follow: "Yes, that is possible for me. I can do that. I can be like that."
Your beliefs about what's possible change, and you begin to act differently. Spiritual coaches are so unshakeably convinced that we have spiritual potential in us, and their vision of what is possible for us is so clear and powerful, that they wind up convincing us, too.
SPIRITUAL COACH
The Swami was like our spiritual coach, and we were his team. The coach accepts his boys as they are, but he trains them. They come to him as juvenile delinquents, but as they work out on the basketball court, they become something better. Similarly, Swamiji let us work out our unruly feelings without inhibition, as he brought us together in the mahamantra.
After the game is over, the boys are shiny with sweat, drinking Cokes in the locker room, joking adolescents. The coach allows it, but he is in control. We too were sweating and excited after the kirtana performance. We were wild, and Prabhupada allowed it. He let Gargamuni say, "Swamiji, I was in so much ecstasy I thought I would cry!" He watched as Umapati cracked a joke to Hayagriva, but then spoke things that quieted us. We listened to him and relaxed.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami, Prabhupada Meditations
After the game is over, the boys are shiny with sweat, drinking Cokes in the locker room, joking adolescents. The coach allows it, but he is in control. We too were sweating and excited after the kirtana performance. We were wild, and Prabhupada allowed it. He let Gargamuni say, "Swamiji, I was in so much ecstasy I thought I would cry!" He watched as Umapati cracked a joke to Hayagriva, but then spoke things that quieted us. We listened to him and relaxed.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami, Prabhupada Meditations
FRESH CHALLENGE
Our leaders should be careful not to kill the spirit of enthusiastic service, which is individual and spontaneous and voluntary. They should try to always generate some atmosphere of fresh challenge to the devotees, so that they will agree enthusiastically to rise and meet it. That is the art of management: to draw out spontaneous loving spirit of sacrificing some energy for Krishna. All of us should become expert managers and preachers.
Srila Prabhupada
Srila Prabhupada
INTUITION
"If you are actually sincere, the correct intuition will come."
- Srila Prabhupada (Lecture 760805BG.PAR)
- Srila Prabhupada (Lecture 760805BG.PAR)
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
POTENTIAL
Bhagavad-gita As It Is says:
“Some look on the soul as amazing, some describe him as amazing, and some hear of him as amazing, while others, even after hearing about him, cannot understand him at all.” Bg 2.29
Gita Coaching is based on a principle that every one of us has an amazing potential, which is presently not fully utilised. Gita Coaching service will assist you in releasing this potential, for your own benefit, and for the benefit of the people around you.
“Some look on the soul as amazing, some describe him as amazing, and some hear of him as amazing, while others, even after hearing about him, cannot understand him at all.” Bg 2.29
Gita Coaching is based on a principle that every one of us has an amazing potential, which is presently not fully utilised. Gita Coaching service will assist you in releasing this potential, for your own benefit, and for the benefit of the people around you.
COACHING
"Come to the edge, he said. They said: We are afraid. Come to the edge, he said. They came. He pushed them and they flew.”
- Guillaume Apollinaire
- Guillaume Apollinaire
ACCEPT IT!
The first step in dealing with any difficulty is to accept it. If you resist it, it only gets harder. Second step is to try to deal with it as if you are an expert in these kind of issues.
Monday, July 2, 2007
UNDEVELOPED WINGS
One day, a small opening appeared on a cocoon; a boy sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then, it seems to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and could not go any further. So the boy decided to help the butterfly: he took a pair of scissors and opened the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily. But it had a withered body, it was tiny and with shrivelled wings.
The boy continued to watch because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would open, enlarge and firmly expand, to be able to support the butterfly’s body. Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a withered body and shrivelled wings. It never was able to fly.
What the boy, in his kindness and his goodwill, did not understand, was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening, were God’s way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings, so that it would be able to fly once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.
Sometimes, struggles are exactly what we need in our life. If God allowed us to go through our life without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as we need to be in order to fulfil the mission of the human form of life. And that is self-realization.
So what is better - to help others or to help them help themselves?
The boy continued to watch because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would open, enlarge and firmly expand, to be able to support the butterfly’s body. Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a withered body and shrivelled wings. It never was able to fly.
What the boy, in his kindness and his goodwill, did not understand, was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening, were God’s way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings, so that it would be able to fly once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.
Sometimes, struggles are exactly what we need in our life. If God allowed us to go through our life without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as we need to be in order to fulfil the mission of the human form of life. And that is self-realization.
So what is better - to help others or to help them help themselves?
IDENTITY CRISIS
A number of devotees I coach have an "identity crisis". They are not sure who they are and what is their role in ISKCON. Gita Coaching helps them clarify what they want to be, do and have in their lives.
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