Hitting the Center of the Mark

Newswire - PR / Professional Trainer Joins CenterMark Coaching to Help Businesses Internationally - Coaching/Motivation - ZZXPRZ-PRZOOM - NWT | NewswireToday

2010-01-21T20:50:00.000-05:00

Newswire - PR / Professional Trainer Joins CenterMark Coaching to Help Businesses Internationally - Coaching/Motivation - ZZXPRZ-PRZOOM - NWT | NewswireToday

Professional Trainer Joins CenterMark Coaching to Help Businesses Internationally

2010-01-21T10:20:00.000-05:00

Professional Trainer Joins CenterMark Coaching to Help Businesses Internationally

	/PRZOOM - Newswire/ - Michigan coaching company expands its team with Bill Ulvund as business coach.

	Grand Haven, MI, United States, 2010-01-20 – Bill Ulvund said he wants to improve lives and lifestyles one business at a time. The 48-year-old Boyne City man recently branched out of a partnership with Referral Institute of MI to move toward the next stage of his life’s mission — to inspire business owners and entrepreneurs to grab hold of their potential and begin experiencing more out of life. "Due to the economic situation, many Michigan businesses have suffered over the last few years. The businesses didn’t plan to fail, they just failed to plan. If they had focused on their target, they may have hit the Centermark to success" he said. Ulvund has been supporting businesses in northern MI for more than six years through the largest networking organization in the world, Business Network International BNI. He is one of the most awarded Directors in the Michigan region and has worked to improve over 500 businesses. He has been a mentor and coach to many national and international directors in BNI. His experience and knowledge has assisted them to help thousands of businesses in their regions as well. Ulvund, a former franchise partner and a certified trainer with Referral Institute of Michigan, taught business owners how word of mouth marketing is the best kept secret of marketing and how to maximize its powerful momentum to grow their businesses strong. “What I have realized is that many businesses have a general idea of what it takes to be successful, however they have not learned how to effectively and practically implement those ideas. You can have all the knowledge you need but if you don’t act decisively and timely, you will not see the benefit. Applied knowledge is power,” Ulvund said. “Over the last few years I have been asked to coach many businesses however my focus was on presenting and training businesses. In 2009 most of my trainings and speaking engagements were in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Lansing. When I calculated my mileage I had traveled nearly 30,000 miles helping businesses move to a higher level of productivity and growth. With new technological advances I can now do this via internet and the telephone much more effectively and efficiently.” It was during a coaching session with Mike Harrison, owner of CenterMark Coaching, that Harrison realized what an asset Ulvund could be to his coaching team. “Bill has an extraordinary ability to listen intuitively to business professionals and give keen insight that allows business owners to discover prudent steps that must be taken to achieve success. He listens for the gap and asks powerful questions to get to the real heart of the matter, Harrison said. Ulvund’s mission will be welcomed by many, but it won't be easy. In fact, 80 percent of Americans say they don't have goals, 16 percent have goals but don't write them down, and only 4 percent write down their business and personal goals, according to Ulvund. Yet, people who write down their goals typically earn much more over their lifetimes as people who don't, Ulvund points out a claim from Dave Kohl, professor emeritus at Virginia Tech. Ulvund’s coaching expertise centers primarily around small business owners, executives and entrepreneurs. The business transformation specialist offers a complimentary tele-coaching session to qualified business professionals. "My clients get more focus, balance and clarity for their lives as we create a life and business plan specifically suited for their unique goals, vision and objective,” he said. "The coach's privilege is to hold the plan in front of them as they take steps, gain momentum and ultimately take hold of their goals." Debbra Sweet, who owns Sweet Marketing Solutions and also best selling author Master of Sales, said: “I asked Bill to be one of my coaches during the year of 2007. I have hired other types of coaches and Bill, by far, delivered the most impact when it came to helping me. Bill is exceptionally attentive at listening and delivers systematic, strategic and creative ideas that are easy to implement - yet deliver incredible results. His ability to coach has also increased my credibility as a figurehead. I would hire him again without any hesitation!” Ulvund has coached professionals in a variety of businesses and has helped other coaches achieve greater success and fulfillment in their own practices all over the United States. "Clarifying, prioritizing and planning are a must for the professional who is inundated with voice mail and e-mail requests all the while he or she is trying to serve their current customer base," he said. "My simple systems and strategies help professionals to interact professionally." "The team at Centermark Coaching allows me to serve my clients' dreams and goals with maximum impact," Ulvund said. When asked to define what he really does, his reply was straightforward. “It’s simple, I help people strategically obtain abundant achievement!” On the Net: centermarkcoaching.com

2009-02-17T14:32:00.001-05:00

2009-01-29T20:43:00.001-05:00

2008-08-27T14:07:00.002-04:00

eLifePlans.com Unveils Web-Based Life Plan Community and Professional Coaching

2007-05-15T19:16:00.000-04:00

Personal and Professional Development Company
Improves its Web-Based Life Planning and Goal Setting Tool

Pella, IA — May 15, 2007 — eLifePlans.com today announced their entrance into the personal and professional development arena with their new life plan community and personal coaching services designed exclusively for setting, managing, and reaching personal and professional goals.

Using eLifePlans.com's proven and patent-pending goal-setting and life planning wizard process, individuals can set goals in eight different life spheres, from losing weight, to hitting a sales quota, to buying a house, to sailing around the world, or anything they might desire to achieve, inside a completely balanced Life Plan. eLifePlans.com first helps individuals to create a comprehensive plan by using the eLife Plan Wizard. This Wizard process guides each person through the Life Planning process and speeds the development of a well-balanced Plan. eLifePlans.com then helps individuals to accomplish their goals by providing focus and tracking with user-defined reminders, tips, and recommended Action Steps designed to help the success-minded person accomplish that goal.

"Our goal as a company is to help other people accomplish their goals," says David Bush, CEO of eLifePlans.com. "What's been missing from Goal Setting until now is something that brings all your goals together into a Life Plan and makes goal-setting fun and easy to do. Goal-setting isn't about making a promise to yourself on New Year's, it's about staying focused on the big picture during the dozens of little decisions you make every day. With the help of technology, users can benefit from having their goals and action plans in an easy to find, accessible location whenever they check their email."

Designed for both personal and professional use, eLifePlans.com balances ease-of-use with no-nonsense effectiveness. "We've made goal-setting very approachable for people who've never written down a goal in their life," says Bush. "Meanwhile, we've designed this to be a serious productivity tool with immediate benefits to professionals, employees, managers, and entire corporations."

eLifePlans.com is based on a unique goal-setting method that was refined over several years of live seminars with tens of thousands of participants. eLifePlans.com adapted this process into a Web-based format and then invented dozens of additional features, resulting in a product unlike anything that has ever existed online or offline.

"If there are things you'd like to accomplish, then we believe this is, without question, the best tool available to help you get them done," says Bush. "Calendars and day planners are great for remembering appointments and avoiding schedule conflicts, but they utterly fail to put things into a longer-term context. If you want to accomplish a goal, it takes a comprehensive and structured approach— it takes a plan. eLifePlans.com helps you break down big complex tasks into manageable, bite-sized tasks. Then, after this planning process, we remind you about the things you've asked us to remind you about, and we constantly keep you focused on your longer-term objective, a balanced and successful life."

The best feature eLifePlans.com offers is the innovative client-focused coaching program where a subscriber can work one on one with an eLifePlans.com’s Certified eLife Coach. These “eLife Coaches” are trained professionals who are dedicated to helping individuals develop a strategic eLife Plan and help every subscriber to realize their fullest potential. “Our coaching process greatly differs from other coaching programs that are on the market. Unlike these ‘one size fits all’ coaching programs, eLife Plan coaches start with the client’s personal dreams and ideas and then develop a strategic plan of action to achieve them.”
Offering a superior life planning system, online support and community connecting opportunities, and innovative coaching services, eLife Plans packs a comprehensive package for success-minded entrepreneurs, professionals, managers, and influential leaders.

To contact eLifePlans visit www.eLifePlans.com or call 866-354-3348.

Expanding Territories

2007-04-04T22:45:00.000-04:00

Dear Friend,

Hello. I have expanded my ministry to include personal life and business development coaching and I wanted to let you know of the types of clients I can effectively serve. I also wanted to ask you to partner with me in the development of my coaching practice. In this blog, you will find materials on the nature of coaching, but briefly, as a personal life coach, I confidently:

1) Help my clients set larger, better, more rewarding personal and professional goals.

2) Speak with each client at least weekly to help him or her strategize and take action.

3) Ask more of my clients than they might ask of themselves. It is a privilege for me to help hold the client’s agenda and partner with him or her as an advocate, champion, cheerleader and sounding board.

As you know, I have been a pastor for the last 20 years and I continue to love and enjoy every part of ministry. By adding this coaching service and weaving in the coaching success principles, structures and strategies, I can serve people far more than ever before. I am really excited about this.

I am currently working with five coaching clients and my goal is to be working with 15 clients. I do not advertise, but rely instead on my current clients and friends like you, for referrals.

I am most effective in working with the following types of people:
1) The Entrepreneur who wants to plow into new territories, break new ground and desires expansion and growth quickly.

2) The Dreamer who seeks clarity, simplicity and significance in endeavors with his or her personal life, family, business and church.

3) The Leader or Director who needs to take his or her organization to the next level.

Coaching packages run about $600 per month for a weekly telephone session and each client spends about three months with me as they begin to see success. Of course I include e-mails, faxing and brief hot-spot conversations at no additional charge. Each client has access to my direct telephone line.

Will you help? I am asking that you keep me in mind when you run across those who might benefit from my service. Also, if you know someone who you think would benefit from coaching – perhaps even yourself – I am happy to offer a complimentary discovery coaching session to help.

Just call 616-935-9917 or email mike@centermarkcoaching.com to set up that free initial session. I’m thrilled to serve you and your friends!

Most Sincerely with thanks,

Mike

You simply must believe more!

2007-04-04T22:11:00.000-04:00

"You are not here merely to make a living.

You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply,

with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement.

You are here to enrich the world,

and you impoverish yourself if you forget that errand."

- Woodrow Wilson, 28th President of the United States

Why Should I Hire A Coach?

2007-04-04T22:10:00.000-04:00

It’s important to recognize why people hire a coach.

People either want to:

· reach a goal

· make a change or

· solve a problem and they feel a coach can assist them.

They seek a partner to support them with whatever they’re working on and to motivate them beyond what they can accomplish by themselves. Many of my clients place large challenges upon themselves, and by hiring a coach they increase their chances of solving their problems, reducing the risk, and succeeding more rapidly.

Coaching for focus, balance and direction

2007-04-04T22:05:00.000-04:00

How can coaching help you?

You probably have seen the Peanuts cartoon where Charlie Brown is target practicing with his bow and arrows. He’d shoot the arrow and it would hit the fence, then he’d go and draw a target around it. And Lucy says, “You don’t do target practice that way, Charlie Brown. You draw the target first, then shoot the arrow.” To which Charlie responds: “I know that, but if you do it this way, you never miss.”

You might know people who are missing a lot. Missing a lot at home, at work, at church, or at play. It’s like you’re not really living, you’re just existing. Coaching can make a great difference!

I coach busy executives who want to get home in time for dinner with their family.

I coach entrepreneurs who have too many good ideas.

I love to help people gain clarity on what they want to do. I will tell them things no one else will.

I believe it was Will Rogers who said, “Even if you’re on the right track you’re going to get run over if you just sit there.”
It’s great work, and I love it. In fact, I offer a free coaching session to anyone who requests it. Contact me at mike@centermarkcoaching.com

Our Greatest Fear

2007-04-04T22:00:00.000-04:00

Nelson Mandela 1984, Inaugural Speech
Our Greatest Fear

Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate,
but that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.
It is not just in some; it is in everyone.
And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give
other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.

BRINGING CHANGE

2007-04-04T01:02:00.000-04:00

Helping individuals and businesses change is “both absolutely essential and incredibly difficult” according to an article in Harvard Business Review (January 2007). “Human nature being what it is, fundamental change is often resisted mightily” by the people who need it most. In contrast leaders, counselors and coaches who successfully bring change “do eight things right and do them in the right order:

Help people see the need for change; develop a sense of urgency so the status quo seems worse or more dangerous than launching into the unknown.

Connect with others. In business or churches, for example, change comes best when there is a powerful coalition working together – including the organization’s leader.

Create a clear, compelling vision of how things can be different. Change rarely occurs when vision is lacking, blurry, or too complicated.

Remind people about the vision repeatedly. When the vision fades momentum dies.

Identify and get rid of the obstacles that prevent change.

Plan for short term wins on the way to ultimate long-term lasting change. Celebrate intermediate changes when they come.

Don’t stop the process or declare victory too soon. “Premature victory celebrations kill momentum. And then the powerful forces associated with tradition take over.

Reinforce the changes. This involves emphasizing that “this new way is how we do things now.

Have you found your PACE in life?

2007-04-02T22:15:00.000-04:00

PACE

Finding yourself empty at the end of the day? Are you taking time to PACE yourself so that you might have maximum impact? Ask the following questions of yourself and I believe you'll find the energy zone to make the difference you're desiring!

What are my Priorities?

What are my Attitudes towards these priorties?

What will my Commitment be?

How will I keep my Enthusiasm at a continual high?

2007-04-01T22:29:00.000-04:00

A simple man believes anything,

but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.

Proverbs 14:15

The Next Step for you

2007-04-01T22:20:00.000-04:00

National data says that Corporate America spends over 15-20 billion dollars annually on training--but less than 5% of that translates into performance improvement.

So much of the corporate response in trying to build people is about sending them to some kind of skill training or seminar that lasts for X amount of time-- in hopes that people are going to be substantially better simply because of the experience that shoves data and information at them in a one time sit down seminar.

In Personal Life Coaching, we begin with some basic ideas. First of all we believe that everybody's a person of influence and everyone has a great potential to effect their environment for the better.

To get at that potential it takes a partnership and a process. Coaches have some competencies that will add value in the process. We think you have some ideas and experiences—and we come along side of you and help you think about what’s most important for you? What are some "next step" strategies that work for you?

You were never meant to try and do this alone--you were meant to do this with people who really care, people who can really assist you.

Coaching Support…

2007-03-31T23:23:00.000-04:00

Besides helping people change their thinking and their feelings…here are the tangible benefits to coaching with me.

Crystal Clear Vision Plan—a complimentary coaching session can really help you in the life architecting process to begin building a great life…with crystal clear dreams for the future and goals to realize those dreams.

Balanced Life—Coaching supports my clients to move towards a “10” in every area of their lives. Their romantic life, their family life, their career, their finances, their health—in their time—every area of their life. Are you ready to live the live of your dreams with significant balance?

Eliminate Energy Drainers—Every one of my clients receives a permission slip. Permission to do life less than perfectly. Perfectionism and a whole bunch of other isms (pessimism; criticism) are big time energy drainers. I help my clients get rid of them.

Motivating Goals—goals that motivate and inspire…goals that are fun and enjoyable… I relentlessly ask my clients, “why are you doing this…” and if they can’t tell me why, we drop the goal.

Accelerated Action—It’s a privilege to hold my client’s plan in front of them as they move to action—I love cheering them on as they achieve more. Having a coach is one of the best kept secrets of successful people. Wouldn't you love to know the secret of successful action?

Increased Resources—coaching with CenterMark Coaching can free up more time, more dollars and more creative energy that will help you move closer to realizing your dreams. What could freeing up 30 minutes in your day yield for you? Reserve your complimentary coaching session by clicking HERE.

Are you planning to succeed in 2007?

2006-12-09T14:52:00.000-05:00

Dear successful friend,

I want to help you succeed even more in 2007. I know that you’ve got what it takes to accomplish:

* every dream you’ve ever dreamed

* every goal you’ve ever considered

* every intention you’ve ever intended

* every result you’ve every pondered

You just need a little extra—maybe a little bit more accountability—we can all use more encouragement, focus and a lot more…freedom. I am confident with these things and our determined work together—you’ll have more success in 2007. More than you’ve ever dreamed.

That’s why I came up with the BEST YEAR NOW Program with 247Coach.com. It’s a program that will virtually help you fast-forward your success. I know this personally--because when I started using the principles that I now teach and coach around back in 1998, it helped me to discover my strengths and implement strategies that have literally made me sought after coach and consultant in the areas of personal life organization and business development.

That’s why I’m inviting you to a complimentary PREVIEW TELE-SEMINAR on Wednesday, December 13, at 4pm EST.
I’ll send you dial-in information to you when you reply to this email. This is a free call, however space is limited and will be filled on a first come, first serve basis.

What is the BEST YEAR NOW Program? The BEST YEAR NOW Program is all about putting your dreams, goals and visions into motion with a plan that encourages your accountability and inspires to get important things done. You'll become masterful at getting results and have your BEST YEAR NOW!

The BEST YEAR NOW Program at 247Coach.com includes:
-One full year subscription to an award winning life planning online system. The eLifePlans system will provide you with step by step Action Plans for you to begin to pursue your biggest dreams and goals as well as provide you with the ability add your own Goals and Action Steps to customize your plan. (a $110 value)

-One life planning architectural coaching session (a $175 value)

-A copy of the handbook to Life Planning (a $29 value)

-Twelve group tele-coaching sessions with a coach and up to ten success-oriented individuals. Each month you’ll come together with your “dream team” and review successes and schedule strategies to get results (over $1500 value)

-Your own, personal Financial Checklist - Do you feel like your finances are not managed as good as they should be? Your eLife Plan Financial Checklist will help you move through the steps necessary to regain control of you finances to acheive financial freedom. You can also request Expert Advice from me and my team and I will help you get connected to my personal team of experts. (included in the life planning system)

-Friday by Five email accountability. This professional platform has encouraged my clients to review what they accomplished each week and implement planning for the next. This is a must for your success in 2007 ($520 value)

- Monthly Online Webinars - you'll receive access to online presentations on topics such as goal setting, life planning and many other success principles. Join executive and professionals as they discuss life planning with a coach. ($360 value)

- Optional reminder emails on your most important Dreams, Goals and Action Steps - Once you've set up your plan you will have the option to keep specific Dreams, Goals and Action Steps in front of you with the eLifePlans' email reminder system. This will help you stay focus on the items inside your plan.

That’s why I’m inviting you to a complimentary PREVIEW TELE-SEMINAR on Wednesday, December 13, at 4pm EST. I’ll send you dial-in information to you when you reply to this email. This is a free call, however space is limited and will be filled on a first come, first serve basis.

Also included in the BEST YEAR NOW Program with 247Coach.com: Implementing strategies that include your spouse, partner or team mate Support from a seasoned life planning coach Online goal tracking system with regular reminders for the next step to take towards your success

And of course this is all based upon best business practices and principles used by all the great business and community success leaders:

Jim Collins, Good to Great
Stephen Covey, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
Ken Blanchard, One Minute Manager
Tony Robbins, Awaken the Giant Within
Bruce Wilkinson, Dreamgiver
Brian Tracy, Jim Rohn, John Maxwell and others!

It’s up to you— just come to the complimentary PREVIEW TELE-SEMINAR on Wednesday, December 13, at 4pm EST. You’ll see what I’m talking about!

How do you get the BEST YEAR NOW?

The BEST YEAR NOW Program begins with a conversation with you to talk about your dreams, visions and goals for your BEST YEAR NOW.

The next step is a planning process that helps you make your one-page life plan for the next 12 months.. Once you have your plans in place, you're ready to begin your life plan coaching to assure success for your BEST YEAR NOW. To do so you'll join us at regular monthly tele-coaching sessions to help you move your life plan forward all the while you'll learn to be more effective as life plan architecht. You'll also use our well-developed tools to track your life plan in a way that helps you seize the moments of exceptional performance and superior commitment to your BEST YEAR NOW.

Every step of the way we are working with you to develop your mastery as a life plan architecht as you build and achieve your BEST YEAR NOW. Who can benefit from the BEST YEAR NOW Program at 247Coach.com?

*Busy executives who want to get home in time for dinner with their family.

*Entrepreneurs who have too many good ideas.

*Single parents who want to accomplish more with their children.

*Individuals who want to gain clarity on what they want to accomplish.

*Successful people like you who want to begin their BEST YEAR NOW!

Ok…I’m going to invite you one more time before I say so-long: Please join me for the PREVIEW TELE-SEMINAR on Wednesday, December 13, at 4pm EST.
I’ll send you dial-in information to you when you reply to this email. Oh—and you’ll receive a significant discount by signing up today at 247Coach.com

So, what do you say? Are you planning to succeed in 2007?

Mike Harrison
Personal life and
Business development coach

CenterMark recommends

2006-12-09T13:47:00.000-05:00

I am continuously asked where I received my coaching training. I believe I received very effective training at Institute for Life Coach Training . Please contact them for a complimentary session-- you'll see why I chose to start my career with them!

Here's a greeting from their founder: Pat Williams

Life coaching, as we envision it, encompasses all coaching specialties, i.e. business, corporate, wellness, leadership, or other areas of coaching. Our philosophy of life coaching is that of a whole person, a non-directive, client-centered approach and focuses on client development.

Our training is via teleclass (by phone), there are no charges for travel, hotels, or food. Our program offers choices to prospective students, who are interested in:

Full-time professional coaching with International Coach Federation (ICF) certification;
Part-time coaching;
Incorporating coaching skills into a current profession;
Personal growth opportunity.

In 1998, I recognized many other therapists were frustrated with the profession and wanted to work more in the arena of possibility rather than pathology. The Institute for Life Coach Training grew out of wanting to people to focus on living a more fulfilling life, not just coping.

Our training is based on the best of psychological theories of adult development, human change, positive psychology, humanistic traditions, and systems theory, among others. It is well grounded in applied research. The skills we teach work.

I hope you find our school facilitates your journey toward becoming a masterful coach. We look forward to having you join our community!

Happy Coaching!
Patrick Williams, Ed.D., MCC
Chief Energizing Officer

Check them out today!

Giving THANKS

2006-11-20T12:09:00.000-05:00

Here are some tips in creating your THANKSgiving list! You CAN BE a more generous and more grateful person---by giving THANKS

T-hink about all the great things that happened in 2006 and all the great people who contributed to your joy this last year.

H-ook up with those that your thinking about by sending them a thank you note or invest some time with them over a cup of coffee just to express your gratitude

A-ttitude is everything. Really express your attitude of gratitude in your conversations and watch your positive attitude be caught by them. You could create a culture of gratefulness by communicating a great attitude to others.

N-eed help? Consider talking with your spouse or partner about your desire to be more thankful this year. Or enlist the support of a coach. I'll give you a free telecoaching session to help you--just email me at mike@centermarkcoaching.com

K-indle the fire of thanksgiving by developing the habit of sharing your grateful thoughts continually.

We're grateful for our friends and family who continue to support us in helping people celebrate life, work and balance with us!

Blessings to all,

Mike & Karyn

Life Planning for Coaches

2006-09-23T13:43:00.000-04:00

As a certified eLife Planner™ you will position yourself in the marketplace as an expert in Life Planning and you will be provided unique marketing strategies to generate more high quality clients. To listen to Certified eLifePlans Coach, Mike Harrison’s thoughts on eLifePlans extraordinary planning system for coaches and their clients CLICK HERE.

The next certified eLife Planner™ training is starting soon and includes 6 weekly one hour sessions of group training facilitated by one of our eLifePlans faculty via live tele-conference calls and web conferences (High speed internet connection required) in addition to weekly assignments with our On-Demand Tutorials and Learning Center. This class will fill up quickly, and there is limited space, so register today: CLICK HERE

eLife Planner Training Groups of 3-6 trainees are guided through the 6 week course to learn all of the eLife Planning processes and strategies by an experienced eLife Coach Faculty member who has succeeded in implementing eLifePlans into their practice. During the training you will enjoy the following benefits of the program:

- Understand the importance of Life Planning - Learn about the history of eLifePlans and why it was created

- Learn eLifePlans’ “Six Steps to Success” model to understand why people succeed and fail. This is the process we’ve all been looking for as coaches!

- Create your own personal eLife Plan to implement for personal and professional success (individual session with eLifePlans Faculty Coach included in training)

- Experience a unique learning process while finding out about yourself

- Discover the one thing that all individuals need to be successful

- Discover a quick method to determine a person’s personality style towards planning

- Learn how to increase a client’s performance and ability to succeed using eLifePlans

- Experience hands-on practice and role playing with the eLifePlans system

- Discover how to use planning with different personality profiles and learning styles

- Learn to assess your clients’ willingness to perform the actions they’ve agreed to accomplish and how to encourage them through technology

- Discover how to celebrate and track a client’s personal victories and accomplishments

- Learn about eLifePlans unique marketing materials and professional resources and how they can support you to reach your goals and objectives

- Determine methods to implement eLifePlans and its resources into your business

- Discover how to integrate what you have learned into what you are already doing

- Learn how eLifePlans’ support team can double as your back office

- Receive accountability and encouragement from a partner and coach and be a part of a mastermind group of professionals who all want to succeed
That’s just to name a few of the benefits you’ll receive as you start using the elifeplans.com planning system personally and with your clients! What are the costs associated with the certification training? The certification training cost is $699 and it includes everything listed in the eLife Coach Success System™ (view details here).
JOIN TODAY and receive one month of group coaching for free!

Click here for a complimentary 30 Day Trial eLifePlans account and see what you can offer to your clients!

Editing Audio Clips

2006-09-23T13:38:00.000-04:00

I use IMPACT WEB AUDIO to add music AUTOMATICALLY to all my audio files. It is really cool.

And for only $37--every coach needs to buy this program today!! For a limited time, they're offering re-selling rights to the software at the same price.

So what exactly is "Impact Web Audio"? It's a full featured, desktop application that converts boring audio files into professional, streaming audio files that make a serious impact! Impact Web Audio is the streaming web audio program that Internet Marketers have been waiting for.
With a few simple clicks of the mouse you can quickly, and easily add professional background loops to your audio, transforming a "ho-hum" piece of audio into an overpowering sales machine.
"Impact Web Audio" automatically fades the background loop for you, creating a "front and back" effect that will make your visitors think you spent hours in post-production. But, it's not going to take you hours of course ... "Impact Web Audio" takes this once time-consuming task, and makes it point-and-click easy!

Check it out today: IMPACT WEB AUDIO

Internet Audio for Coaches

2006-09-23T12:14:00.000-04:00

I recommend Internet Audio Guy for all your web-audio needs.

Here's an excerpt from their website:

"State of Art Recording Studio" Package with instructional DVD & CDROM

Designed for public speakers, voice over talents, authors, singers, songwriters and any one who needs to record their voice for CD, CD-rom or web distribution. Make profits by recording yourself and selling that audio to the world.

Included in the package is everything you need to make your laptop a portable recording studio. We show you step by step in our installation CD how to hook it up, and tips on how to get a professional recording on the very first day!

You will never need to go to the studio again for recording your voice! Less expensive than a typical session at a professional studio!

Easy to use and setup! Digital quality! Make your MP3 or CD audio files for duplication, presentations or for streaming audio on the web!

This system is Windows XP PCs and Laptops only.

Mike Stewart will save you hours and dollars when you buy his bronze package. I'm serious. I spent hundreds of dollars and hours trying to put together a system that would work. I failed until I came into contact with Mike Stewart at www.internetaudioguy.com

I use a free program called AUDACITY to record all my audios--but get your microphone and editing from Mike Stewart!!

"Coach the Coach" Coaching Packages with CenterMark Coaching start as low as $99/mo. Contact me TODAY!!

Google Alerts

2006-05-22T16:21:00.000-04:00

I'm sitting with fellow coach Kathy DeYoung of www.joyousjourney.net who just told me that she uses GOOGLE ALERTS to collect information regarding about life coaching. Sounds like a great research tool to me. I just enrolled using the words: Life Planning.

More information to come

Coach Approach

2006-02-18T13:41:00.000-05:00

I liked this from Gary R. Collins' Newsletter:

AN EXERCISE FROM MARCUS BUCKINGHAM
Marcus Buckingham’s latest book The One Thing You Need to Know is not about coaching but it has a number of great ideas for coaches. Consider this exercise for yourself or your clients:

Stop right now and recall an event or project in which you struggled. Pick an event where things did not work out like you had hoped.

What parts of this project were within your control?

Looking back, what are things that you did not do that you should have done?

What actions did you take or what mistakes did you make that you would avoid if you were starting all over?

Have you made these mistakes before? Is this part of a pattern?

If so, what is causing you to struggle in these situations? Are there things that repeatedly bore you, frustrate you, inhibit you, or drain your energy?

Do you lack the ability to see what needs to be done, the passion to keep energized, the clarity of vision that can drive you forward?

In contrast, what invigorates and keeps you going?

Buckingham concludes: “Your sustained success depends on your ability to reflect on events [or projects] such as these, to use them to identify those things that weaken you, and then, as efficiently as possible, to cut these out of your life.” To reach and sustain success: As much as possible, “discover what you don’t like doing and stop doing it.”

Would you like support for your dreams and goals? Contact CenterMark Coaching

What is the eLife Plan Challenge™?

2006-02-08T20:05:00.000-05:00

The eLife Plan Challenge™ is a personal and professional development program that hundreds of individuals (just like you) have taken to improve their success in every area of their life. The program Challenge™s you create your very own personal, online life plan to help you clearly identify what it is that you want to be, do and have in life. Once your plan is complete, you'll continue the eLife Plan Challenge™ by taking on the bigger task of implementing your plan over the next 12 months to accomplish the dreams and goals you've established .

As an eLife Plan Challenge™ participant you recieve a membership to my eLife Plan Challenge™ Success Club and a 1 year subscription to eLifePlans.com, the world's best online Life Planning and Goal Setting Technology. This technology is combined with an exclusive Success Club made up of all my eLife Plan Challenge™ participants. These are like minded individuals who desire to live an abundantly successful and significant life and realize all their dreams and goals just like you.

As a member of this elite Success Club you'll receive the following:

- Your complete personal eLife Plan account (1 year subscription to eLifePlans.com)

- A complimentary eLife Planning and Coaching Session with a Certified eLife Coach. During this session we will help you refine your eLife Plan to help you gain back the focus, direction and balance you've been looking for using my patent pending, online eLife Planning and Goal Setting system, eLifePlans.com.

- Step by Step Action Plans for your success. The eLifePlans system will provide you with step by step Action Plans for you to begin to pursue your biggest dreams and goals as well as provide you with the ability add your own Goals and Action Steps to customize your plan.

- 'Monday Morning Motivation Call' - every Monday morning I record a 4-7 minute motivational and encouraging message for you to listen to on your MP3 player or personal computer to help you retain your motivation to realize your dreams. You can access all of my recorded shows and MP3 downloads 24 hours a day and 7 days a week inside a members' only web page or you can sign up to have these broadcasts delivered right to your MP3 player.

- Online Webinars - you'll receive access to online presentations on topics such as goal setting, life planning and many other success principles.

- Optional reminder emails on your most important Dreams, Goals and Action Steps - Once you've set up your plan you will have the option to keep specific Dreams, Goals and Action Steps in front of you with the eLifePlans' email reminder system. This will help you stay focus on the items inside your plan.

- Your own, personal Financial Checklist - Do you feel like your finances are not managed as good as they should be? Your eLife Plan Financial Checklist will help you move through the steps necessary to regain control of you finances to acheive financial freedom. You can also request Expert Advice from me and my team and I will help you get connected to my personal team of experts.

- Weekly motivational emails delivered right to your inbox.

- Life Planning resources and Book of the month recommendations!!!

- Personal support and plan consultation from the entire eLife Support Staff

- 10% Discount to our One-On-One and small group Coaching and Consulting Packages - in addition to the Success club we also offer personal one-on-one coaching and small group coaching packages to Success Club members and you'll receive 10% of the retail cost. For more information on these packages please contact us at 616-935-9917 or send me an email at mike@centermarkcoaching.com.

Are your ready to take the
eLife Plan Challenge™?

Take the eLife Plan Challenge

2006-02-08T19:49:00.000-05:00

Can I ask you a couple of questions? What would your life look like one year from today if today you created a plan to accomplish all of your biggest dreams and goals, and you implemented the plan? How much more successful could you be with a plan to chart your course? I think we'd all be kidding ourselves if we didn't say that we'd have more success and happiness in life if we created a personal plan for our lives and followed it. If you have big goals and dreams to achieve and you're looking for something more out of life than what you have currently, I'd like to invite you to take my eLife Plan Challenge™. This eLife Plan Challenge™ is a personal and professional development program that will help you bring focus, direction and balance to your life and help you to accomplish your biggest dreams and goals. Please continue to read below about the details of the program and I look forward to having you take the eLife Plan Challenge™ and become a member of my Success Club.
To your success,
Mike Harrison, your eLife Coach

Steeler's Coach supports win

2006-02-05T23:08:00.000-05:00

The Pittsburgh Steelers finally gave coach Bill Cowher some Super Bowl satisfaction.Moments after the Rolling Stones rocked a Ford Field filled with Terrible Towels, Willie Parker broke a record 75-yard touchdown run, sparking Pittsburgh's 21-10 victory Sunday over the Seattle Seahawks.

Standing rigidly on a lighted dais, with his hands clasped firmly on opposite sides of a lectern, he told reporters: “They'll never remember the teams that lost the Super Bowl, but they will remember who won it.”

You too can win with a great coach supporting you in your dreams, plans and goals. Contact www.CenterMarkCoaching.com

Brian Tracy said...

2006-02-05T23:02:00.000-05:00

All successful people men and women are big dreamers. They imagine what their future could be, ideal in every respect, and then they work every day toward their distant vision, that goal or purpose.

For coaching support around your dreams, visions and goals for life, contact www.CenterMarkCoaching.com

Stephen Covey wrote...

2006-02-05T22:59:00.000-05:00

I am personally convinced that one person can be a change catalyst, a "transformer" in any situation, any organization. Such an individual is yeast that can leaven an entire loaf. It requires vision, initiative, patience, respect, persistence, courage, and faith to be a transforming leader.

For coaching support with vision, courage and becoming a transforming leader contact www.CenterMarkCoaching.com

Hiring a Life Coach

2006-02-05T22:41:00.000-05:00

Got problems? Hire a coach
By Ellen Goodstein • Bankrate.com
What's a cross between a psychologist and a mom, is less expensive than a shrink and doesn't apply guilt? A personal coach.

Most people think physical fitness when they hear the word "coach," but life coaches are more like a personal trainer of attitude. They help their clients put together a step-by-step plan of action for achieving success -- in the workplace or in their personal life.
Coaching can help people create more satisfaction in their jobs, find new jobs, start new ventures, get a better handle on their fears and anxiety and get out of their own way, says Barbara Walton, Ph.D., past president of the International Coach Federation, the largest worldwide organization of professional coaches.

Coaching might sound like therapy, but it is not, says Walton.

"Therapy focuses on healing pain and dysfunction, most often arising from the past, which hamper emotional functioning in the present. Coaching is forward moving and future focused. It focuses on thriving. Therapy focuses on surviving," she says.
What is coaching and what can it do for you?Coaching helps you be the best you can be, explains Mark Weinstein, founder of Peak Life Habits, an executive and personal coaching firm in Albuquerque, N.M. A coach offers feedback, insights and guidance from an outside vantage point.

Weinstein coached Bruce Malott.
Malott was struggling. He was 47, a partner in an accounting and consulting firm in New Mexico and seemingly successful. Yet, he was unhappy personally and professionally.
"I was going through a devastating divorce and having trouble focusing at the office," says Malott. He sought out the services of Weinstein who helped him to get back on track. Under his guidance, Malott began to make changes in his behavior, set priorities and communicate with his partners. The impact of coaching is difficult to measure in dollars, but I know it's made a big difference, Malott says.
"Most people know what needs to be done, but struggle with the execution. Coaching holds you accountable. With Mark's help we are way more productive than ever before," says Malott.
"People seek out coaches because there's something in their life they want and they don't have," says Weinstein.
"It could be a certain position in their career or a certain quality in a relationship. It could even be a certain level of fitness that they are always on the verge of hitting but somehow always missing the mark."

A coach will help you identify habits that are impeding your success as well as sidestep the obstacles that seem to get in the way of what you want.
Procrastination is one bad habit that commonly gets in the way. We have probably all used the expression "someday I'll do this" or "one day I'll do that."
Weinstein says he guides his coaching clients to make someday into now.
"We make a plan of action, even for something as simple as cleaning your desk. Instead of someday, we make a commitment in our conversation that by next Thursday, this will be done."
How to find the coach for you
Coaches come from many backgrounds -- psychology, business, education, law -- and specialize in everything from finance to personal relationships.
To find the right coach for your needs, Joy Leach, owner of Professional Resource Initiatives and life coach for over 20 years, recommends interviewing a few coaches before hiring one.
"Coaching is a two-way process and needs to be a good fit for both coach and client to be successful," says Leach, co-author of "A Practical Guide to Working with Diversity."

She recommends the following:
Interview several coaches. There is generally no charge for an introductory session.
Look for stylistic similarities and differences to help you determine your compatibility.
Ask questions about their typical time frame of coaching, their specific coach training, their experience as a coach, the number of individuals, organizations and situations they worked with as well as the number of years in the field.
Get referrals from previous clients or ask for examples of how the coach has helped other clients reach their goals.
Find out what specific expertise or specialized skills the coach would bring to the relationship.

"You want to find someone you can build a partnership with, someone with whom you can easily relate," says Leach.
Currently there are no state licensing requirements for coaches.
"Coaching is like a lot of other professions, it's up to the individual or group hiring the coach to look into their credentials," says Daniel Martinage, executive director of International Coach Federation, whose organization credentials coaches and accredits coach training programs.
"Find out whether and where the coach received training and how many hours of experience they have coaching," suggests Martinage. "Take the time to find the right person for your needs. You want to be clear about what you're looking for and be sure the person you hire fits your bill."

Cost of success
Hiring a coach can be pricey. Fees range from $200 to $800 a month depending on the coach and on the number of sessions held per month.
Coaching usually begins with either a personal interview or phone interview that assesses needs, defines the scope of the relationship and sets priorities for actions.
"Usually, clients and coaches talk once or twice a week in the beginning," says Walton. "Some people go every other week. It depends on how you choose to set it up."
The coaching relationship can last anywhere from 30 days to a year or more depending upon the goal and the individuals.
"It usually takes about three to six months to achieve sustainable change without slipping into the habits of the past," says Walton. "It's very individual. Change is certainly possible to do in 30 or 60 days."
About 80 percent of coaching is done by phone and is therefore not limited by geography says Leach, who practices from Santa Barbara, Calif.
"Phone coaching supports people's lifestyle. They can 'meet' with their coach and not lose any time traveling. It can be done on a lunch hour or between other appointments. The focus can be complete because there are no distractions on the phone," she says.
Another benefit is that you can work with someone anywhere in the country -- or the world, says Leach.

Practice makes perfect
If you hire a coach, be prepared to work.
"Homework is a big part of the work we do in coaching. Whether it's buying a book, writing a memo or cleaning your desk and developing a plan for keeping it clean -- there's work to do," says Weinstein, an adjunct professor of marketing at the University of New Mexico.
"I'll often say, 'For this week, write a memo about falling through the cracks -- listing everything that's not getting done -- and begin to work on a program of action on how to change that, including prioritizing tasks. Then the next session we will go over the plan.'"
"It may seem basic, but if no one is holding you accountable, it often doesn't get done."
Could some people have done the same thing without a coach?
"Certainly some people could and do accomplish great change without a coach. But having a coach makes it easier, more fun and cuts the time it takes to accomplish the goal," says Walton.
"I've seen transformations that are amazing."

To find out more about coaching you can log on to the International Coach Federation Web site.

Reprinted from http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/advice/20050107d1.asp

For Customized Coaching Packages visit: www.CenterMarkCoaching.com

Life Planning

2006-02-05T22:39:00.000-05:00

Great planning quotes HERE

Integrity Day February 6th

2006-02-03T21:48:00.000-05:00

How It Works: CenterMark Coaching sponsors a bi-monthly Integrity Day and the next one will be held on Monday, February 6th. Email me for more information. Simply respond that you're planning to "attend" (call- in), then: Pick your project(s) for the day. It might be one big thing, several small things, or getting started on something major.

Call in at the scheduled time. You'll be joining 5-10 others who have the same goals as you do - to get those items checked off their "to-do" list. The call will last from 4-7 minutes, with me as your coach. During the first call, we'll meet each other and state our goals for the next two hours. Then, hang up and get started! At the end of those two hours, call in again. This time, you'll report on your progress, sharing your wins/results, and what your plans are for the next hour.

There's a lot of energy on these check-in calls. You'll be surprised at your results. Then, hang up and continue working. We continue this for four calls, with the last call being a wrap-up call. That's eight hours of work, with four short "check-in" calls to keep you motivated and going to completion.

Join us for all four calls, or only one or two if that's all you need to get your tasks completed. It's fun. The cost is only $29* And it works! * Your long distance charges will apply

Examples of projects:
Catch-up on email, letters or other correspondence
Make/return phone calls
Start/finish that overdue report
Catch-up on your documentation
Design a brochure
Update your website
Plan a major project
Start a major project
Get your desk cleaned off
Get your files organized
Re-arrange your office
Catch-up on your record keeping/accounts payable/accounts receivables
Review new product brochures for possible purchase
Research a service you're seeking
Brainstorm new product/service ideas to implement
Find a Virtual Assistant
Learn that new software program
Handle a multitude of "little things"
Add your items to this list!

Hitting the Center of the Mark

2006-02-01T20:01:00.000-05:00

How does CenterMark Coaching Support it's clients? Besides helping people to expand their thinking and their understand their feelings…here are the tangible benefits to coaching with CenterMark:

Crystal Clear Vision Plan—a complimentary session helps people to start the life architecting process and to begin building a great life…with crystal clear dreams for the future and goals to realize those dreams.

Balanced Life—Coaching supports my clients to move towards a “10” in every area of their lives. In their romantic life, their family life, their career, their finances, their health—in their time—in every area of their life.

Eliminate Energy Drainers— I often give out permission slips to my clients: “Permission to do life less than perfectly.” Perfectionism and a whole bunch of other “-isms” (pessimism; criticism) are big time energy drainers. I help my clients get rid of them.

Motivating Goals— CenterMark Coaching can help people create goals that motivate and inspire…goals that are fun and enjoyable… I relentlessly ask my clients, “why are you doing this…” and if they can’t tell me why, we drop the goal.

Accelerated Action—It’s a privilege to hold my client’s plan as they move to action—I love cheering them on as they achieve more. Having a coach is one of the best kept secrets of successful people.

Increased Resources—coaching with me can free up more time, more dollars and more creative energy that will help you move closer to realizing your dreams. What could freeing up 30 minutes in your day yield for you?

My Favorite Quotes of Winston Churchill

2006-01-06T21:34:00.000-05:00

It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead.
The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time.

It's not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what's required.

Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them
pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened.

Personally I'm always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught.

Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.

We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.

The greatest lesson in life is to know that even fools are right sometimes.

The power of man has grown in every sphere, except over himself.

Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.

If you are going through hell, keep going.

It is always wise to look ahead, but difficult to look further than you can see.

Kites rise highest against the wind - not with it.

Never, never, never give up.

The human story does not always unfold like a mathematical calculation on the principle that two and two make four. Sometimes in life they make five or minus three; and
sometimes the blackboard topples down in the middle of the sum and
leaves the class in disorder and the pedagogue with a black eye.

What Kip taught me...

2005-12-27T18:22:00.000-05:00

1. You can be the boss and still have fun at work.
2. You can be the boss and still laugh until you cry with your co-workers.
3. You can be the boss and tolerate bad attitudes if you just love people.

Things that leaders taught me

2005-12-27T18:17:00.000-05:00

1. Attitude determines your altitude
2. Between knowledge and behavior; sandwiched right in the middle is how we feel. And that's attitude.
3. I was born an original...I don't want to die a copy.
4. Peak to peak principle--which tells me that I never quit when it's tough...I ride the valleys out to the next peak.
5. I can choose my response.
6. I can do anything well when I decide to do it well.

Three things Bill taught me

2005-12-27T18:14:00.000-05:00

1. If you want to beat a dog, you can always find a stick. But you have to ask yourself, "do I really want to beat a dog?"
2. Your feelings are real but they might not be right.
3. That my wife gives the best hugs. (I knew that by the way.)

Three things a magician taught me

2005-12-27T18:13:00.000-05:00

1. There are only three tricks: make something appear; make something disappear; or make something change.
2. You can only pay attention to the major movements and all minor movements are concealed.
3. Hold an audience's attention and they will hold you in their hearts.

Three things my dad taught me

2005-12-27T18:11:00.000-05:00

1. When you put your feet to the side of the bed, you will feel like getting up when they hit that cold floor.
2. Never compromise your integrity.
3. Do all you can, when you can.

Three things Fred taught me

2005-12-27T18:09:00.000-05:00

1. Give the fan what the fan wants
2. Give people enough rope and they will either make awesome knots or make a noose
3. People WILL do what they WANT to do

Three things that David taught me

2005-12-27T18:07:00.000-05:00

1. Act in charge, when you're in charge
2. People you meet might become your friends someday--or your enemies.
3. Never be satisfied with being satisfied.

How to go about planning your BEST YEAR NOW

2005-12-27T17:44:00.000-05:00

Notes that I'm making for my first CD in the BEST YEAR NOW program:

I would block out about three hours in my schedule in which to plan. I'd select a time when I'm at my best.
I would have pen, pencil and paper ready.
I'd have my calendar (planner) with me.
I would take along my favorite music CD's--the music that inspires and energizes me the most.
The night before my planning session--I would make a list of all the things that disturb me in my life. I'd list: things I'm tolerating; things I'm doing to waste time; things I'm not doing that I want to do; things that are broken; things that are lost; things that need to be acquired, accomplished or abolished in my life, etc.

At my planning session:

I would start my planning session by spending some time mediating and talking to God about what He wants me to accomplish in the BEST YEAR NOW.
I would think about what I want to be remembered for when I leave this earth. I'd think about what I would want my family, friends and coworkers to say about me when I'm gone.
I would list my roles. (ie., citizen, child, spouse, parent, manager, volunteer, etc.)
I would list those things that I value most. (ie., family, marriage, love, honesty, hard work, etc.)
I would record my "disturbed list" in a quadrant manner: MUSTS; IMPROVEMENTS; STEPS; and OBSTACLES.
I might put my dreams and goals in "I know I am successful when..." formats.
I would clarify each dream, goal, action step assuring that they are SMART.
I would prioritize each dream, goal, and action step by date.
I would schedule all my steps in my planner.
I would enlist an accountability encourager.

THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS...

2005-12-22T09:55:00.000-05:00

PERFORMANCE ANXIETY
from Gary R. Collins newsletter: December is a month for Christmas performances ranging from professional concerts with major orchestras and massive choirs, to simple programs by little kids in tiny churches or classrooms. While some performers come alive before audiences, others quiver with anxiety and stage fright. According to Monitor on Psychology (December 2005), psychologist Jon Skidmore has developed ways to help performers reduce anxiety, enjoy themselves on stage, and perform better as a result. These suggestions apply to counselors and counselees:

· Learn to calm yourself. Breathe deeply. Tense and then relax different muscle groups. Practice this before going on stage.
· Think of the stage as a place of fun, to relax, to play, to be yourself.
· Focus on the moment, the music, the speech, the flow of what you are doing. In this way you can ignore distracting issues like who might be present or what others will think.
· Review your performance constructively, getting objective feedback, celebrating successes, thinking of ways to do better next time.
· Expect that you will make mistakes. No performance is perfect. Learn from mistakes and move forward. It helps, as well to watch others perform to see what they do and what they can teach you.

BEST YEAR NOW

2005-12-12T15:27:00.000-05:00

What is the BEST YEAR NOW Program?

The BEST YEAR NOW Program is all about putting your dreams, goals and visions into motion with a plan that encourages you with accountablity and inspirational insight. You'll become masterful at getting results and have your BEST YEAR NOW!.

The BEST YEAR NOW Program includes:
One full year subsription to life planning software (a $110 value)
Life planning architectural coaching session (a $175 value)
Twelve group tele-coaching sessions (over $1500 value)

Save more than $500 dollars today. For more information: CLICK HERE

Also included in the BEST YEAR NOW Program:
Implementing strategies that include your spouse, partner or teammate
Support from one of our seasoned life planning coaches
Online goal tracking system
Based upon best business practices and principles

How do we help you get the BEST YEAR NOW?
The BEST YEAR NOW Program begins with a conversation with you to talk about your dreams, visions and goals for your BEST YEAR NOW. The next step is a planning process that helps you make your one-page life plan for the next 12 months..

Once you have your plans in place, you're ready to begin your life plan coaching to assure success for your BEST YEAR NOW. To do so you'll join us at regular monthly tele-coaching sessions to help you move your life plan forward all the while you'll learn to be more effective as life plan architecht.

You'll also use our well-developed tools to track your life plan in a way that helps you seize the moments of exceptional performance and superior commitment to your BEST YEAR NOW.

Every step of the way we are working with you to develop your mastery as a life plan architecht as you build and achieve your BEST YEAR NOW.

Who can benfefit from the BEST YEAR NOW Program?

*Busy executives who want to get home in time for dinner with their family.

*Entrepreneurs who have too many good ideas.

*Single parents who want to accomplish more with their children.

*People who want to gain clarity on what they want to accomplish.

*People like you who want to begin their BEST YEAR NOW!

Christmas Coaching

2005-12-02T17:58:00.000-05:00

Trying to put together your plans for Christmas Shopping?

Holiday plans need a plan?

Working through family and relational issues?

Looking to really realize your new year resolutions?

You are a perfect candidate for coaching! When do you want to begin?

Check out Christmas Coaching Packages at discounted fees at CenterMark Coaching

Have you got a life plan?

2005-10-24T22:36:00.000-04:00

You can begin your life plan today...take a look:

Write down your goals, make plans to achieve them, and work on your plans every single day.

The starting point of great success is when you sit down and decide exactly what you really want, in every area of your life. Your ability to set and achieve goals will determine your success and happiness more than any other skill you can ever learn.

I have coached people in goal-setting and goal-achieving strategies for nearly 20 years. I’ve helped individuals transform their lives from dissatisfaction and discontentment to fulfillment and great success.

By following the practical, proven process of goal setting and goal achieving using the eLifePlan technology, you will be able to accomplish vastly more in a shorter period of time than you have ever imagined before. The speed at which you move onward and upward will amaze both yourself and all the people around you.

The eLifePlan Technology Helps You To:

· Build a solid plan with a list of all your dreams and goals

· Create the action steps you need to take in order for you to achieve your dreams and goals

· Gain the clarity of knowing exactly what you want and how to get there

Watch an eLife Plans Demo (2:30 min)

FREE 30-DAY TRIAL for all new accounts. Cancel within 30 days and your credit card will not be charged.

Follow The Steps Below To Get Started:

Step 1: Register at eLifePlans.com to create your eLifePlan account.

Step 2: Complete the eLife Planning Process. Select Dreams from our dream library in eight different categories:

·Career/ Business
·Education
·Family/ Relationship
·Financial
·Health
·Pleasure
·Public Service
·Spiritual
·Create your own

Step 3: Establish due dates for each Dream to determine their priority.

Step 4: Create the Dreams (Goals) and Action Steps to be completed to move closer to your Dream.

Step 5: Implement your plan daily, review it regularly and …Realize Your Dreams!

How Does It Work?
Once your account is created and complete you will be reminded by eLifePlans to review your plan via email reminders at regular intervals based on your preference (daily, weekly, monthly or quarterly).

Within your eLifePlan you’ll be able to categorize your dreams into nine different categories (Career/Business, Education, Family/Relationships, Finances, Health, Pleasure, Public Service, Spiritual and Other) and prioritize them based on the due date you select for each of them.

To help you keep track of each Dream or Goal you create you can select additional email reminders (optional) to be sent to you when the due date you’ve selected for a particular dream or goal is nearing (i.e. day of, week prior or month prior).

Included with your eLifePlan is an on-line Financial Life Checklist to help you organize your financial life to ensure you have the appropriate finances to achieve all of your dreams.

Once completed, your eLifePlan can be easily accessed 24 hours a day using your email address and password by logging on to your account from our website.As an elife coach, I can show you how to begin your life plan. Contact me today!

Testing pictures

2005-09-14T21:26:00.000-04:00

We're having difficulty with pictures on this blog site. So this is a test...only a test. (I always wanted to say that!!!)

Do the tough stuff

2005-09-10T11:55:00.000-04:00

Thinking positively is tough stuff. It's not easy--that's why many people don't do it.
Thinking on purpose is tough [period].

Thinking you're a failure. Easy.
Thinking you're a loser. Easy.
Thiking you can't. Easy.

The tough stuff is thinking you're a success. Because you are.
The tough stuff is thinking you're a winner. Because you are.
The tough stuff is thinking you can. Because you can.

Do the tough stuff.

Great Quotes for Sailing

2005-09-04T18:21:00.000-04:00

I've compiled the following quotes to give to my cruising companions. Enjoy!

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
--Mark Twain

To reach a port, we must sail - sail, not tie at anchor - sail, not drift.
--Franklin D. Roosevelt

No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars or sailed an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit.
--Helen Keller

Thought is the wind, knowledge the sail, and mankind the vessel.
--August Hare

One ship sails east and another sails west
With the self-same winds that blow.
Tis the set of the sail and not the gale
Which determines the way they go.
As the winds of the sea are the ways of fate
As we voyage along through life,
Tis the act of the soul that determines the goal,
And not the calm or the strife.
-Ella Wheeler Wilcox

"He that will not sail till all dangers are over must never put to sea."
-- Dr. Thomas Fuller (1608-61)

I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning to sail my ship.
--Louisa May Alcott (1832 - 1888) US novelist

I don't know who named them swells. There's nothing swell about them. They should have named them awfuls.
--Hugo Vihlen

It is not the ship so much as the skilled sailing that assures the prosperous voyage.
--George William Curtis (1817 - 1862)

But when I said that nothing had been done I erred in one important matter. We had definitely committed ourselves and were halfway out of our ruts. We had put down our passage money--booked a sailing to Bombay. This may sound too simple, but is great in consequence. Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, the providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way.
--William H. Murray

The key to all strange things is in thy heart..../ My spirit has come home, that sailed the doubtful seas.
--Countee Cullen

Avoid destructive thinking. Improper negative thoughts sink people. A ship can sail around the world many, many times, but just let enough water get into the ship and it will sink. Just so with the human mind. Let enough negative thoughts or improper thoughts get into the human mind and the person sinks just like a ship.
--Alfred A. Montapert

Come, my friends,
T'is not too late to seek a newer world.
Push off, and sitting well in order smite
The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds
To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths
Of all the western stars, until I die.
It may be that the gulfs will wash us down:
It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles,
And see the great Achilles, whom we knew.
Tho' much is taken, much abides; and tho'
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
--Alfred Lord Tennyson

When defeat comes, accept it as a signal that your plans are not sound, rebuild those plans, and set sail once more toward your goal.
--Napoleon Hill

Up anchor! Up anchor!
Set sail and away!
The ventures of dreamland
Are thine for a day.
--Silas Weir Mitchell.

There is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.
-- Water Rat, Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows

I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving: To reach the port of heaven, we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it - but we must sail, and not drift, nor lie at anchor.
-- Oliver Wendel Holmes

There was a great difference in boats, of course. For a long time I was on a boat that was so slow we used to forget what year it was we left port in.
-- Mark Twain, Life on the Mississippi

Red sky by morning,
sailor take warning.
Red sky at night,
sailor's delight.
-- Anonymous

Raise your sail one foot, and you get ten feet of wind.
-- Chinese Proverb

I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way.
-- John Paul Jones

A wet sheet and a flowing sea,
A wind that follows fast,
And fills the white and rustling sail,
And bends the gallant mast.
-- Allan Cunningham, A Wet Sheet and a Flowing Sea

When in doubt, let it out.
-- Anonymous

To desire and strive to be of some service to the world, to aim at doing something which shall really increase the happiness and welfare and virtue of mankind - this is a choice which is possible for all of us; and surely it is a good haven to sail for.
--Henry Van Dyke

On life's vast ocean diversely we sail,
Reason the card, but passion is the gale.
-- Alexander Pope, Essay on Man

I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving: To reach the port of heaven, we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it, but we must sail, and not drift, nor lie at anchor.
--Marjorie Holmes

A strong nor’-wester ’s blowing, Bill!
Hark! don’t ye hear it roar now?
Lord help ’em, how I pities them
Unhappy folks on shore now!
--The Sailor’s Consolation

A sailor without a destination cannot hope for a favorable wind.
--Leon Tec, M.D.

I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.
--Louisa May Alcott (1832 - 1888)

We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.
--Bertha Calloway

It is time to be old
To take in sail.
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Instead of sailing off into the sunset, he hopes to sail into the next century.
--Dave Anderson

Never in my life before have I experienced such beauty, and fear at the same time…
-- Ellen MacArthur

A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.
-- William Shedd

If one does not know to which port is sailing, no wind is favorable.
--Seneca

You are uneasy; you never sailed with me before, I see.
--Andrew Jackson (1767 - 1845) US president (7th)

You got to be careful if you don't know where you're going, because you might not get there.
--Yogi Berra

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod one night
Sailed off in a wooden shoe ~
Sailed on a river of crystal light,
Into a sea of dew.

"Where are you going, and what do you wish?"
The old moon asked the three.
"We have come to fish for the herring fish
That live in this beautiful sea;
Nets of silver and gold have we!"
Said Wynken,
Blynken,
And Nod.

The old moon laughed and sang a song
As they rocked in the wooden shoe,
And the wind that sped them all night long
Ruffled the waves of dew.
The little stars were the herring fish
That lived in the beautiful sea ~

"Now cast your nets wherever you wish ~
Never afeard are we";
So cried the stars to the fisherman three:
Wynken,
Blynken,
And Nod.

All night long their nets they threw
To the stars in the twinkling foam ~
Then down from the skies came the wooden shoe,
Bringing the fishermen home;
'Twas all so pretty a sail it seemed
As if it could not be,
And some folks thought 'twas a dream they'd dreamed
Of sailing that beautiful sea ~

But I shall name you the fishermen three:
Wynken,
Blynken,
And Nod.

Wynken and Blynken are two little eyes,
And Nod is a little head,
And the wooden shoe that sailed the skies
Is a wee one's trundle-bed.
So shut your eyes while mother sings
Of wonderful sights that be,
And you shall see the beautiful things
As you rock in the misty sea,
Where the old shoe rocked the fishermen three:
Wynken,
Blynken,
And Nod.
--Eugene Field

It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters in the end.
--Ursula K. Leguin

Stones

2005-08-21T22:28:00.000-04:00

We all have them. Stones. No, I am not talking about kidney stones, silly. I'm talking about the little pebbles of hurt, perhaps even larger stones of fear, and even gigantic ones of guilt. Stones.

What do we do with these stones? Great question. We TRY to do nothing with them...hoping that they'll just lay there at our feet. However, those blasted stones don't just stay there.

They come up in our innocent discussions. We start talking about something--anything-- and woops, we just slip and we toss in a stone. It get's tossed right into the middle of our conversation before you even knew it. And if the hearer is sharp (like a trained coach :) ) he'll hear the hurt. He'll sense the fear. Ouch! He'll catch those guilt-dripping words of war.

Stones find their way into our conversations.

However, there are stones of greater value. You and I have other stones...more positive stones: stones of passion, of mission, of purpose. These stones find themselves falling into conversations just like the others. And a trained listener can hear them drop--one after another.

It would be nice to just carry positive stones with us...but that wouldn't be real...that wouldn't be authentic. We are whole people. Guilt, fear, purpose and mission... it's us. To try to cover up any of the stones leaves us plastic and false.

So what do we do with these stones? These stones that continue to come up in our conversations and wake our sleepy nights? Well certainly don't do nothing! Do something!

For guilt seek forgiveness.
For fear take courage.
For purpose... passion and mission...grab ahold with all your might.

And as one who has been hurt by others throwing stones, may I ask, for goodness sake, don't hurl that rock at anyone!

Everything Changes

2005-08-13T20:31:00.000-04:00

Life is happening so fast any more. Yesterday---zoom--there it went. Where do we recover lost time? We don't.

I'm helping a client who is trying to get ready for the arrival of a baby. Time is of the essence. Will she be ready? Yes, as we coach together.

Who do you have to help you with everything that changes. You might want to consider a coach.

It's my privilege to be a coach.

I get to help people reframe their relationships for good!
I get to help people discover their destinies and missions for life!
What a great job.

What would be the most helpful to you? I'd like to know how I might help you today...because, everything changes.

A tribute to Les Ralya

2005-07-19T20:59:00.000-04:00

a tribute to Les Ralya
My neighbor, Leslie Ralya died last week. He was a pretty steady guy. He was the good kind of neighbor. The kind who waves when you pass by, mows one more strip of the lawn then he needed to, and returns the kid's soccer ball back to my yard without any complaint.
I went to his funeral today and I guess I found myself grieving him more than I thought I would. I always am surprised at myself at funerals... I guess.
I am surprised on how much of a loss I feel. I wish I would have taken more time to get to know the people who have passed from this world. I would have loved to know Les more! I would have loved to know Gord (my friend who died from pancreatic cancer last December) more! Our time together is WAY to short.
Even as I write this I'm thinking about people who I would like to know more...because our time is way to short.

So my tribute to Les Ralya is this: Les, you taught me that you were worth knowing...more. And you helped me make a change in my life today. I'm going to get to know people more. Because our time is way to short.

I hope to see you in the next world, my friend, we'll catch up on the details then.

Honesty is the best policy

2005-07-10T20:14:00.000-04:00

My son Blake gets the honesty award for today! He asked me if he could talk with me privately while we were eating an all-you-can-eat breakfast at Big Boy. An hour later, as we left for home, he acknowledged something that he did over three months ago--something that he knew was wrong.

He choked out his confession and then, with a strained voice, he began stating what he planned to do to make restitution. WOW! I didn't even have to give him any suggestions.

So for the entire afternoon, he drafted and rewrote his confession notes, asking advice on spelling and grammar every once in awhile. He even went farther in his admission than I thought was necessary...but he was convinced that he wanted to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

I hope more young men will be like Blake. I am proud to be his dad. So as long as we are being honest in this posting, I'd like to be honest right now as well and say that I want to be just like him when I grow up.

2005-07-06T21:04:00.000-04:00

F A M I L Y
Just got back from a F A M I L Y Vacation. It was wonderful. The kids played on the beach, we did brats and dogs on the grill, drunk a lot of ice tea and lemonade, and roasted marshmallows over a warm fire.

We reconnected with each other around the table for cards, games and meals. We renewed our bodies with lazy naps on the hammock. We rejuvenated our souls, minds and spirits as we read books. IT WAS GREAT.

We traveled to Illinois to see my dad and siblings for the fourth of July. My aunt and cousins even made it from Savannah, GA. It was good to see them again. The weather was a bit wet because of the rain, but we had a good time. Made it back into town for the local fireworks show.

In all the enjoyment of reconnecting with family I still find myself wondering why people talk about the things they talk about, why do they talk the way they do, and how should F A M I L Y talk be different than C O - W O R K E R talk? It seems to me that family talk should offer a deeper, more fulfilling conversation than co-worker talk. But then again, that just leaves me wondering.

Listening

2005-06-23T18:31:00.000-04:00

Listening

I'm appauled at how many people don't listen! At times I wonder if there is an epidemic of hearing loss. It's stunning. I just know that if we could just stop and replay all the conversations we've missed over the years--there would be less strife and conflict!

We may hear each other, but we're not listening to each other. One of the reasons I believe this occurs is because we're always hearing with our agenda and our understanding in our minds. I have to say this is EXTREMELY frustrating to me.

As a coach I've been trained to listen at a number of levels.

Coaches are trained to listen to the content of the message. What is being said? What is the person saying? What are the words used?

Coaches are trained to listen for the meaning of the message. How are the words being said? What is the person trying to communicate? Where is the message coming from? What values, what desires?

Coaches are trained to listen with discernment. How do you get discernmen? You ask questions. You ask for clarification. You ask for meaning? You ask, "are you saying this? or are you saying that..."

Conversations are one of the best gifts we can offer people. And the only way to be conversational...is to start listening.

SO PLEASE...PEOPLE...START LISTENING TO ONE ANOTHER!

Detour Signs

2005-06-16T23:11:00.000-04:00

Detour Signs

There are detour signs on my road. I heard last year that they would be working on my road. I think they are going to add another lane for traffic. The detour certainly seems to be inconvenient. I have to find different ways to get to the same destinations. I have to turn left out of my driveway instead of right. Hmmm, why did I always turn right before?

The detour is not the best way to my destination. However it's working for me. I get where I want to get to...eventually.

When the detour is removed, that means that the lane expansion is finished and I can return to my old pathways. However, they will be new, faster, able to handle more capacity pathways.

Perhaps the detour is worth it...afterall? I guess it's like when I was in high school. I wanted to GO to work. I didn't WANT to be detoured through college. However the way to my destination required the detour. I am certainly able to handle more capacity now, more than before. I did receive new information...and increased my speed for processing thought.

It IS THAT WAY with every detour. The change allows us, if it's a good change, to be reNEWed, and increases our ability to handle new things, greater things...processing faster.

Well, I say bring the detours then. And let's take those signs that we see along the road as signs of GREATNESS!

Cheers!

39 years old

2005-06-06T18:00:00.000-04:00

39 years old
Sunday is my 39th birthday. I was reminded of that when my wife told me not to buy a pair of sandals at Meijers this morning. She wants to buy them for me...I get it. We now start the process of "do not ask, do not tell" as she secretly corrals the children to the local five and dime for a gift buying escapade. What fun!

39 years old. Are you supposed to feel something at 39? Or is it at 40 where you start feeling that things are different. I remember feeling different at 25. I was no longer a kid, however I wasn't mature enough to be an adult...that was a difficult spot to be in...and as I remember, not such a great time. Change and confidence came with hard labor. At 25, I had a lot to prove.

39 years old. Wow my 25th birthdday seems like yesterday. Is it possible that 14 years have passed so quickly? I remember being 14 as well. That was an awkward stage of life. My fingers don't even want to type my quirky thoughts about being 14.

39 years old. I guess I feel the same way about 39 as I did 14 or even 25 for that matter. I'm excited about what the future will hold, yet still I find myself kind of feeling unqualified for the year ahead of me. What if I don't do 39 perfectly? What if I make as many mistakes as I did at 14...and at 25. I can probably count on it.

39 years old. I've received at least one birthday gift every year for 39 years. I am so grateful! I still have the fly fishing pole that my dad bought for me. I remember the little red wagon at my second birthday, only because I have an old black and white picture of me sitting in it. At least 39 gifts...for 39 years. I'm wondering what this year will bring? I love getting gifts. I love giving gifts. The best is to give a gift and get a gift.

Therefore, I've decided to give myself a gift this year for my 39th birthday. Here is the birthday gift to myself at 39 years old: Permission. Permission to live the next year not perfectly. At 14 I wanted to do life perfectly. At 25 I pressured myself to do life perfectly. At 39 I have the acceptance and serenity...and thanks to a selfish birthday gift...I have the permission to live it not perfectly.

Here's to at least 39 more years of living--and permission to live not perfectly.

People matter

2005-05-26T20:53:00.000-04:00

People Matter

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.
If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.
The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.
People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.
People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.
Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.

-Kent M. Keith

Vacations are the best

2005-05-24T09:10:00.000-04:00

Vacations are the best!

Even the coach needs to take personal time away from regular duties. The joke that goes around is that the coach is always on vacation...so,why does he need a vacation? Ok, the joke does have some merit. I mean what a great job! I can coach from the convenience of my home office. I can brew my favorite coffee and sit in my easy chair while I coach my clients.

However, it's best to take a break before you break! So I'm on vacation! Woo hoo!

On Sunday night we traveled to see some great friends in Butler, IN. We watched my favorite hockey team, THE FURY defend the Colonial Cup for another season. They beat the Fort Wayne Komets, 4-1 in the series.

On Monday we traveled back home, so that our kids could get back to school today.

Today, the plan is to relax, hang out with my wife and help make her day great. Perhaps I'll go preview the new Star Wars film before my boys go to see it.

Well, she just walked in with a cup of jo from JUMPIN' JAVA and a cinnamon roll made by Cindy Stevens from our BNI Group. Make it a great day!

Integrity Day

2005-05-19T21:43:00.000-04:00

What a success!
I've decided that because Integrity Day was such a great success for those who were involved, I will be hosting it every other month on the first Monday of that month.
Dates for coming up 2005/06
August 1
October 3
December 5
February 6
April 3
June 5
August 7
October 2
December 4

How can you hit it if you don't draw it?

2005-05-19T21:17:00.000-04:00

Hello, I’m Mike Harrison, with CenterMark Coaching -- helping people hit the center of the mark.

You probably have seen the Peanuts cartoon where Charlie Brown is target practicing with his bow and arrows. He’d shoot the arrow and it would hit the fence, then he’d go and draw a target around it. And Lucy says, “You don’t do target practice that way, Charlie Brown. You draw the target first, then shoot the arrow.” To which Charlie responds: “I know that, but if you do it this way, you never miss.”

You might know people who are missing a lot. Missing a lot at home, at work, at church, or at play. It’s like you’re not really living, you’re just existing. Coaching can make a great difference!

I coach busy executives who want to get home in time for dinner with their family.

I coach entrepreneurs who have too many good ideas.
I love to help people gain clarity on what they want to do.
I will tell them things no one else will.

I believe it was Will Rogers who said, “Even if you’re on the right track you’re going to get run over if you just sit there.”

It’s great work, and I love it. In fact, I offer a free coaching session to anyone who requests it from my website—www.centermarkcoaching.com