Farewell Vagabond, Hello New Beginnings

The Vagabondage Series:  Wherein Elana Baxter hits the road on the next phase of her adventure!

The time has come to tell you of my travels as I move from this space to another on the continued path of living, loving and learning in the most authentic way possible.

I have said this in previous posts, but it bears repeating: coaching has opened up my world in ways I had never imagined.

When my fingers hovered nervously over the keyboard and I finally sent an email to arrange coaching with the diva of Deva Coaching, I was pining for guidance, perspective, and a kick in the pants.

I got all three and more.

I gained a friend and trusted mentor, as well as a welcome place to share the details of clarifying what I want and how to get there. Along the way, there have been tears (lots of’em!), grins, mind-splitting revelation, 180 degree perspective shifts, greasy lizard brain wrestling and – best of all – laughter.

I am so incredibly thankful.

So, what did I learn?

Here’s a baker’s dozen or so of the gems I’ve unearthed with the invaluable help of my favourite coach:

1.  Ask for it: Ask for help and also for more good stuff to happen. Then ask for more, and accept it graciously.

2.  Start from where you are: Find your footing before trying to build your own version of Rome. Breathe. Leaps and bounds (and even baby steps) need oxygen.

3.  Everything counts: All your abilities, gifts, talents and efforts – big and small. Don’t discount your innate brilliance, or years of experience.

4.  Space rules: Allow space to feel your feelings, incubate ideas, nurture dreams and visions, heal wounds. A life of constant white noise and activity does not a happy ending make.

5.  Kill perfectionism: Focus your intention on things you can control and do, not things you can’t control, make disappear, or clean up instantly.

6.  Everyone has superpowers:  Drop the belief that success comes in a certain type of size, person, or package. Start by asking, ‘why not me?’ then begin defining and acting on your unique version of success.

7.  Be ready: Life will show up whether you like it or not, so why not be prepared? Show up and do your best, always.

8.  Let your values guide you: Your values are the stepping stones along your right path.

9.  Know your power:  You are almost always in a position to choose how you respond to any given situation (unless suddenly dropped from an airplane or similar). That’s a powerful thing. Choose with integrity.

10.  Give credit where it’s due: Pat yourself on the back. Hell, shout out loud! If you’ve accomplished something, given of yourself, overcome a hurdle – no matter how small – take a moment to revel in it.

11.  Ask ‘what now?’ instead of ‘why me?’ Then go forth and make a plan.

12.  Fight back! Practice detachment from the lizard brain’s campaign. Those negative voices are telling stories that aren’t true in order to keep you safe and, often, stuck. Break free.

13. Say yes to saying no: Choose your have-to’s carefully, so you can enjoy more want-to’s.

14. Stop looking for answers: Ask more questions.

I have lived and practiced each and every one of these nuggets of wisdom, so I know they work. And when I stumble, fumble and mumble in any part of my life I can come back to this little treasure chest of wisdom whenever I need.

These are my tools, but you can use them too, if you haven’t already.

Is my time in the sun of self-discovery on the road to self-fulfillment over?  Hell no! In fact, as the song says, we’ve only just begun.

Deva Coaching readers, thank you for reading, commenting and being wonderfully accepting, smart, caring people.

And Sandi. . .

I am forever grateful.

To the road!