Turn Up The Courage http://www.turnupthecourage.com Facilitating Change en Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:47:41 GMT Tav RSS Generator The Courage Files: Ode to Piglet http://www.turnupthecourage.com/the-courage-files-ode-to-piglet.html http://www.turnupthecourage.com/the-courage-files-ode-to-piglet.html Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:58:00 GMT Who would have thought that little Piglet in Winne the Pooh would be a symbol of courage?

Benjamin Hoff wrote two beautiful books about the A.A. Milne characters. The first was called “The Tao of Pooh”. It takes Winne the Pooh and compares him to the “uncarved block” in Taoist philisophy. Pooh just is. He meets life with simplicity and a straightforward attitude. As a result he is able to be sponteneous and is essentially happy. A teacher for all of us!

‘When you wake up in the morning, Pooh,’ said Piglet at last, ‘what's the first thing you say to yourself?’ ‘What's for breakfast?’ said Pooh. ‘What do you say, Piglet?’ ‘I say, I wonder what's going to happen exciting today?’ said Piglet. Pooh nodded thoughtfully.'It's the same thing,' he said.

In the story of Winne the Pooh, we get to know Piglet as a jittery, ‘Very Small Animal’. He seems quite insignificant compared to the other characters — an endearing frightened little thing. In his second book, “The Te of Piglet” Benjamin Hoff shows us how Piglet is actually the one who manages to go beyond his fears and limitations. Instead of regretting his smallness, he manages to apply it for others. He thus becomes a very different ‘Very Small Animal’.


“Poem from Pooh to Piglet”

Animal so shy and small, dreaming you were bold and tall. You hesitate, all sensitive, waiting for a chance to live.

Time is swift, it races by. Opportunities are born and die. Still you wait and will not try; a bird with wings who dares not rise and fly.

But that ‘you’ you want to be, is not You and will never be. No one else will ever do the special things that wait inside of you.

You can be a guiding star, if you make the most of who you are. And the sensitivity, that you are now ashamed to see, can be developed even more, so you can find the key to hidden doors to places no ones been before.

And the pride you'll feel inside, is not the kind that makes you fall. It's the kind of pride that recognises, the biggness found in being small.

I first read this poem in 1993. It touched my heart and has lived inside me ever since.

The poem has a profound message in it. In Benjamin Hoff's words: “ 'Te' means virtue and in the way of Piglet, the first thing we need to do is to recognize and trust our own inner nature, and not lose sight of it. In each of us there is something "Special” and that we need to keep!"

Courage is loud, bold and boisterous. It is also silent, shaky, and hyper-sensitive.

Many people do not quite realise what it is that they bring to the world and spend years trying to be something that doesnt touch on what they really are. It is as though they are blind to what everyone else can see about them. We must make sure that we recognise and own our core gifts that we are born with. This must be prioritised in our life.

The poem also describes a courage that often comes disguised by shaky knees and a lot of dithering. When you are wondering whether to make a brave move, absorb the wise words of Pooh and let your spirit be moved. Find in yourself the Te of Piglet.

]]> Coaching with Sofia: New offers http://www.turnupthecourage.com/coaching-with-sofia-new-offers.html http://www.turnupthecourage.com/coaching-with-sofia-new-offers.html Wed, 15 Apr 2009 07:14:00 GMT During a recession there are always people who thrive. Adapting your career demands a very positive attitude, to be informed and to keep taking inspired action. It is very important to maintain momentum.

See the lastest coaching offers that include something for everyone, at different rates and prices, starting at completely free!

"One of my most rewarding decisions in assessing my career path was deciding to see Sofia at Turn Up The Courage. The techniques used by Sofia allowed me to develop a personal vision, identifying what is important in my life and then transforming this into career roles. Sofia used her great communication skills to listen then transform my thoughts and ideas into set goals.

I was able to confidently move forward in my search for a new career role - working with Sofia to identify new roles and promote my transferable skills – which has successfully led to new caeeer opportunities."

Andrew Douglas, April 2009

Free: Thriving-Careers Coaching Hotline Call

Let your career thrive at all times: weekly hotline call. See a 2-minute introductory video here:

Get answers to your burning career questions, and hear the low-down on the best advice out there:

Crowd-sourced answers from top coaches + current advice customised to those on the call.

Thrive in your career, during the current changing global context…

  • Listen and/or participate: Benefit from the expert-reviewed scoop of crowd-sourced answers to a range of career questions posted each week.
  • The devil is in the detail! Get advice customised to your situation (On a first-come, first-served basis)
  • Gain insights on how to really take yourself another notch along the path of your optimum career.(Just by listening… And participate if you wish)

Cost to you

Nothing

How to get take part:

  • Show up on the call after the simple registration process.
  • There is the option to send your own burning questions to me either to [sofia][at][turnupthecourage][d0t][com] or when you register. Quesions will be answered on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Get involved with crowd-sourcing your own answers to the questions on Path 101 — contribute here

The themes for each call will be announced Monday mornings. See a 2-minute introductory video here:

Where does the crowd-sourcing come in?

Path101 is a new site launched by Charlie O'Donnell. It is about community-powered career discovery. The questions posted are open to be answered by the public and Charlie O'Donnell (CEO of Path 101) has invited a range of coaches (including myself) to participate. See the overview at Path101 Daily

Questions are posted daily and the answers appear on the Path101 website. Answers are also tweeted via Facebook and via Twitter using hashtag #path101daily.

How I will add value to the crowd-sourced answers

I will provide a friendly, encouraging space for people to keep thriving in their careers. I will add value to the crowd-sourced outcome described above by:

  • identifying themes and tying up the questions that you are asking with the harvested wisdom already collected on the net via Path 101. — Reducing information overload for you and distilling the collective response. This is my expertise as a career coach and social entrepreneur.
  • Facilitating the wisdom of the crowd — on the call— in real-time. This is my expertise.
  • Help people (you!) courageously live their purpose. This is my expertise

“…Well, Sofia plays a key part in making ECF what it is. Her clear, friendly, encouraging instructions helped us to take the plunge and try something new. Her direction gave me the confidence to actively contribute this year instead of being 'along for the ride'. I recommend her wholeheartedly - I only wish more conferences were chaired by such a supportive, intuitive, welcoming faciliator.” Rachel Collinson

"I quickly learned that Sofia is extremely insightful and has a natural gift for seeing where a person’s energy is. In our first session, Sofia helped me to realise that although I was clear on the impact I wanted to have, I was not happy with the role I had narrowly defined for myself based on my past experience in the accounting/finance field. Sofia helped me to see my past experience as a means of serving a career I could choose based on what would really be fulfilling for me. This opened up a whole new set of possibilities and led to me choosing a graduate program in change agency. I began the program two months ago and I could not be happier with my decision.

In addition to all of Sofia’s knowledge and expertise, she is also very warm and caring. I simply cannot thank Sofia enough for the change she helped bring about in my life and I wholeheartedly recommend her services." Nicolette Lindquist

To register, go to the available dates and regsistration.


Evolution Lounge: Peer Coaching in the Station!

“Coaching meets social art meets urban warrior training”

Evolution Lounge is a new form of group coaching that takes place in public spaces. It involves peer coaching and practical training in getting insights from chaos and from the physical environment. It is about getting answers on the go, from the very city we live in.

Cost

£15 per Evolution Lounge.

To book, go to the available dates and bookings. or flick through the Evolution Lounge Presentation


Private Coaching Sessions With Sofia

Here it is about keeping momentum going. In one month you will get a super booster for your career. You decide how much you want to reinvigorate it.

This is how a typical package to turn up the courage looks:

  • 2 hours: Get to the deeper pattern so that you can navigate the current environment
  • 2 X 1 hours: Take the next authentic steps with courage. Practical sessions.

Cost My rates are £75/hour. [If your budget does not reach that then you might consider the group sessions which I have made very affordable]

Ongoing coaching after 1st 4 months is optional and sessions are booked on a rolling basis, at a 30% discount.

Testimonials:

"It took me a long time to find Sofia. In fact, I spent 3 months looking for a mentor/coach because the mixture of ingredients I was seeking in that person was complex.

I met coaches with a focused corporate approach, coaches with little life experience and those from recruitment backgrounds. I was however not prepared to settle for second best and then I came across Sofia Bustamante.

I had an initial phone call with Sofia – and knew I had found my coach. She had the full range of condiments I was looking for – she is extremely bright intellectually and practically, has high social and emotional intelligence, is well travelled and on the ball. Sofia is a professional who has had experience of many different working contexts and cultures. She is in tune with the real world and has worked with people from all walks of life. She is charismatic and inspiring, and strongly believes that it is possible to follow your ambitions and dreams, even if that has not been possible for whatever reasons in the past.

Sofia has vision and is driven to make her contribution to a sustainable world. Her approach to the world is simultaneously down to earth, entrepreneurial, spiritual and holistic . She is reliable, inputs 110%, keeps her word and has shown enormous commitment to my cause. I can only but recommend her – a rare gem in the coaching world."

Sally Kadir

To book, call Sofia on 07913088975 for an introductory chat. Or drop her a line at [sofia][at][turnupthecourage][d0t][com]

]]> The Courage Files: Today is for Quitters http://www.turnupthecourage.com/the-courage-files-today-is-for-quitters.html http://www.turnupthecourage.com/the-courage-files-today-is-for-quitters.html Wed, 15 Apr 2009 03:00:00 GMT

This is an article that I wrote a year ago but I remembered again. May you enjoy it!

–

We all know the bursting sensation of a new commitment; often euphoric, adrenelin-filled and fueled with the images of the new life, new us, new created world in that “future reality” that somehow we connect with at the time the commitment is born. The buzz that accompanies these instances can be addictive.

And we all know what it is like to break that commitment. Unless an ‘act of God’ occurs and we can, without a shadow of a doubt know that we cannot be held responsible, what usually happens is what i would label as ’some kind of fuzziness’.

I’m also not referring to a moment of revelation where you realize that the committment you made was inappropriate in some way and you have the sense or humility to pull out on time.

What i am writing about is the hundreds or thousands of grey-tone moments where you simply quit and then regardless of what you tell yourself, deep down you know the deal.

In reading the book by Lance Armstrong, this is a strong theme. A man who builds an identity on not quitting. This theme reads through the book like a iron grip of conviction at the most critical points on his races, he proves to himself again and again, and to the people that he has to, that he is no quitter.

Right now in my own life, if some of the intentions i have set for the next few months are going to come together, if i am ever going to take certain ideas forward in a way that i believe i could, i am going to need to know a little more strongly that i am not a quitter. My wish is to develop a practice to rise at 4am, to meditate in this magical part of the day, and to start the day filled with the kind of thoughts and energy that I most want to cultivate. But so far I have not managed to do it with any kind of consistency.

One of the methods that Lance Armstrong uses at the most difficult moments is to do something that, if he carries it to completion will give him the faith to “know he is still in the race”.. and in this case the race against cancer. His action is simply to move.

If I can move, I am not sick

And, regardless of the situation each time he gives his everything to move. As a feeble cancer patient he refused a wheelchair one time and took an hour to walk to know for himself that he was not sick. When he is in remission he gets on his bike and moves. At the hospital he walked around, often against the advice of the nurses and doctors. It is one of HIS ways of building the psychological strength so he can ’stay in the race’

I decided to do something a little less arduous than the 4am rise, to give me the conviction in myself that I am seeking to build. To know that i am still in the race. If i achieve this lesser challenge, I may be ready to commit to the 4am rise. That’s why I made the 30days inspiration-burst commitment two days ago, and so far so good. Each day - write one inspiring thing.

Yet writing today was a challenge. I didn’t manage to get up early and i don’t mean 4 am i mean even 8am slipped by. I was out dancing last night and when a couple of challenging things happened, I found myself at the end of the day, devoid of inspiration.

But somehow by showing up to this page, just appearing in front of it, staring at this blank canvass, just on day 2, the day of failing to rise early, I feel already a rise in confidence. I have known will-power as a young child, and after a long 20-year period of learning the difference between soul-infused will and ego-based will, I am currently working very strongly with this theme. I realise that discipline and will go together. I realise how important small psychological wins can be for people who are in tough circumstances, to build their will and thereby find their inner discipline.

I assume that it is different for each person. When our psychology is threatening to fail you, what are the small-low hanging fruits that you can do that build up the muscle of conviction in your life? What are the practices that energise, by giving yourself a fast reminder of who you are and what you are capable of?

I am left thinking of Lance Armstrong. He discovered that to be a fast cyclist didn’t necessarily imply winning the race. He learnt that winning a race needed more than speed or force alone. It needed a level of mastery in his field. It is this hard-earned understanding that led him to not only beat cancer but to rise afterwards as a better cyclist than before. Only 16 months after being diagnosed cancer-free he rose to win the Tour de France, in the fastest ever time.

What heartens me, is the tough character building that was needed for him to get there. He does not pretend it has been a fairy tale. He tells it like it is. Through his story, we can re-experience the raw beauty of being faced with choices - in the very dirt-reality-deciding moments. He is a reminder of the anti-dote to cynicism: to believe. But we are not stupid. So to give ourselves small quick wins in terms of proof to ourselves is I think dignifying as we are giving ourselves reason to believe. The faith in our capacity is then not blind. We can experience that ultimate immuniser against tough moments in life-Unshakeable conviction. And not in others or luck but in our own self to stay in the race, whichever that race is for us.

]]> The Courage Files: Warriors of Light Keep the Spark in Their Eyes http://www.turnupthecourage.com/the-courage-files-warriors-of-light-keep-the-spark-in-their-eyes.html http://www.turnupthecourage.com/the-courage-files-warriors-of-light-keep-the-spark-in-their-eyes.html Tue, 14 Apr 2009 09:58:00 GMT

The notion of the “Warrior of Light” has guided me through many darker moments when traditional definitions of leadership left me cold.

I now use the expression “Warrior of Light” as part of my “extended bio” on the internet because it expresses what I believe I am. The term comes from Paolo Coelho; an international bestseller — most famous for his book “The Alchemist”.

Below is an inspirational article on a more human definition of leadership in which Paolo Coelho introduces the notion of the “Warrior of Light”. To honour it, I thought I would portray his own human side by showing a video of him in an informal setting where he is singing (to his wife, Cristina) at a party. The song he sings is a classic Brazillian song “Manhã de Carnaval”… it is a sad song about the day after carnival. When he sings it I feel a connection to something very real and beautiful.


“In search of the perfect leader” — an inspirational article by Paolo Coelho

A reader sends me a questionnaire in which he presents the profile of three world leaders who lived in the same period of history, and asks if it is possible to choose the best one using the following data:

  • Candidate A was associated with witchdoctors and often consulted astrologists. He had two mistresses. His wife was a Lesbian. He smoked a lot. He drank eight to ten martinis a day.
  • Candidate B never managed to hold down a job because of his arrogance. He slept the whole morning. He used opium at school, and was always considered a bad student. He drank a glass of brandy every morning.
  • Candidate C was decorated a hero. A vegetarian, he did not smoke. His discipline was exemplary. He occasionally drank a beer. He stayed with the same woman during his moments of glory and defeat.

And what was the answer?

A] Franklin Delano Roosevelt. B] Winston Churchill. C] Adolf Hitler.

So what then is leadership? The encyclopedia defines it as an individual’s capacity to motivate others to seek the same objective. The bookstores are full of texts on this theme, and the leaders are normally portrayed in brilliant colors, with enviable qualities and supreme ideals. The leader is to society as the “master” is to spirituality. This, however, is not absolutely true (in either case).

Our big problem, especially in a world that is growing more and more fundamentalist, is not allowing people in prominent positions to commit human mistakes. We are always in search of the perfect ruler. We are always looking for a pastor to guide and help us find our way. The truth is that the great revolutions and the progress made by humanity were brought about by people just like us – the only difference being that they had the courage to make a key decision at a crucial moment.

A long time ago, in my unconscious, I changed the word “leader” for the expression “warrior of light”. What is a warrior of light?

Warriors of light keep the spark in their eyes.

They are in the world, are part of other people’s lives, and began their journey without a rucksack and sandals. They are often cowards. They don’t always act right.

Warriors of light suffer over useless things, have some petty attitudes, and at times feel they are incapable of growing. They frequently believe they are unworthy of any blessing or miracle.

Warriors of light are not always sure what they are doing here. Often they stay up all night thinking that their lives have no meaning.

Every warrior of light has felt the fear of joining in battle. Every warrior of light has once lost faith in the future.

Every warrior of light has once trodden a path that was not his. Every warrior of light has once felt that he was not a warrior of light. Every warrior of light has once failed in his spiritual obligations.

That is what makes him a warrior of light; because he has been through all this and has not lost the hope of becoming better than he was.

That is why they are warriors of light. Because they make mistakes. Because they wonder. Because they look for a reason – and they will certainly find one.

]]> The Courage Files: Lessons From Failure http://www.turnupthecourage.com/the-courage-files-lessons-from-failure.html http://www.turnupthecourage.com/the-courage-files-lessons-from-failure.html Mon, 13 Apr 2009 09:58:00 GMT

It never rains, it pours. The Inner Wealth Seminar did not get 1 booking. Not one. It is unusual for the things I do, and I take it as a reflection of this last month — April, which left me bruised. I believe very strongly that our outer world mirrors our inner world. After the initial disappointment, it became a great opportunity to look at the learnings, and also the inner workings of my mind and have a check-up ;-) Here is what I found.

The Importance of Comedy in Failure

My friend David Pinto has written a book about failure. When I shared the news that I was going to cancel the seminar, we ended up seeing the funny side and toyed with the idea of putting together an event on failure. You would only be able to come if you have failed at something. The idea would be to have a good chuckle. We entertained ourselves with the question: if no one showed up — would that mean the event is a failure or a success? We ended up in stitches — tears of laughter. Wonderful.

But aside from the relief that humour brings, some of the lessons learned can be uncovered through it. The joker is part of a family of archetypes that tap into humour as one of the keys that can unlocking the missing piece of the puzzles, that are perhaps difficult at first to see.

I always think things happen for a reason and a quote that guides me immensely is “Wherein you stumble — therein lies your treasure.” The harder the lesson — the more potentially valuable the wisdom.

Why Write About Failure?

Firstly, I thnk that there is a fine line between writing as though one were in a self-confessional laboratory and sharing enough details so that the lessons learned are more accessible to people. I am aiming for the latter!

Secondly, I am taking the time to communicate my challenges, as I am not over them yet. As I write some of the darker aspects here, they have already gone as I write them But I do want to be explicit about what I have needed to learn.

Now if ever I need to be very strong and really live my practice so that I do not go into flight or fight syndrome and I do not miss my own lessons!

It is very unusual for me to be so open about my situation. What I notice is that it is my relationship to any challenge that is critical. So if I can get this right… this can be an excellent means of being a role model. It is my desire to be more real than ever in my approach as a human being that aims to help others to navigate stormy seas. Gone must be the glass cases or pedastals. They keep us apart and in delusion. And yet if I make mistakes, I can also be an excellent example of how not to do things :-) So long as I am transparent — the lesson remains clear to see.

The focus of this article is not on what I did actually gain during this time — which is viewable separately and in particular here

The Call

Sometimes a challenge emerges which proves to be more testing. How do we respond? And at what point do we actually respond? What helps us to face what we need to face and rise to it?

What can help us to access amazing powers within us?

I found an old article that I wrote called "Today is for quitters" which delves into this.

And when we do not respond that well, what can we learn about ourselves, that can get us back in the race? What have you learned about you?

The Details Of My Challenge

I could dress it up in many nice ways. But I want to avoid obfuscating the issues.

I took a risk that didn't pay.

I effectively took 6 months out of earning income in order to write, and banked on some joint projects emerging towards the end of it (which did not). While my time was not wasted and I am very glad for the experience, I have as a result accumulated more debt than planned and do not have a book to show for it nor the projects that had been on the horizon. Ouch.

After the inner wealth seminar bombed, I realised that I was out of synch with what is needed. This presented itself as both a work/personal and financial challenge and is still present as I write. Hence the desire to ‘harvest the wisdom’ as I go along.

Good Fight vs Bad Fight

I am by nature a super positive person with very strong intentions to change the world. So I thrive on finding ways to succeed despite the odds. Another favourtie quote has been “If life gives you lemons, make lemonade!”

Another favourite quote of mine has been “If life gives you lemons, make lemonade!” But I do believe in picking the good fight. And this has felt like it is not the Good Fight.

But I do believe in picking the good fight. And this has felt like it is not the Good Fight. Having debt is something that I have often had; it has enabled me to me to do the work that I love to do in the world. But this last debt has stretched me beyond my own comfort zone, at a tricky time in the global context :-)

The seduction: why I ignored my own instincts

I got seduced by other people's story of what I could be doing and what I could be.

“You should write your bigger thesis that underlines your work…” While this advice has definite merits, and was backed by people I value greatly, the timing of it was not right for me. And no one was to know that but me. I weighed too heavily the advice of people that I admire.

Interestingly, my instinct said not to take this risk.

I felt strongly that I should not take time out to write, but that I should get on with my deeper purpose in a very active way. However, as I allowed my ego to be flattered I fancied myself as writing the ultimate social technology handbook and a thesis on change to go with it. Suddenely my instincts became an ‘inconvenient voice.’

The ‘inconvenient inner voice’ is crucial to execution of any plan. Or rather, we need to ensure that we integrate the wisdom in that voice. That we do not try rather to drown it. I remember being in a survival training session of a project I got involved with which would have involved going on missions around the world in order to protect species or endangered peoples. It was a hugely ambitious project called Earth 2000. As part of it we were being taught self-defense techniques, all of which I have forgotten completely but what I do remember is one line that the trainer said, with much gravitas. “Out of everything you learn here, the most important thing to remember is this: if you are ever in a situation and you have an instinct that you should not go ahead with something or someone, then do not ignore that voice.” It was the way he said it that rang true for me.

When we end up in a tricky spot, we can usually locate that point in time when the invconvenient voice first made itself heard. It is good to recognise, what led us to ignore it. Decision Analysis does not judge the outcome of a decision. It judges the quality of the decision made at the point of decision, which we can improve if we desire, as we reflect in hindsight and transform the way we operate henceforth.

Not properly managing risk

Once I set forth, I inadvertently let go of properly managing risk. The parallel in the current accusations toward the finance industry does not escape me!

When I realized that the risk was not paying off, I didnt respond quickly.

I was burying my head in the sand to some degree; it strikes me that this is incredibly strange human behavior on the surface which only makes sense when you delve into the mind and emotions of the person; into the programs they have running there.

Overestimation

I relied on being superhuman

I identify with someone who is emotionally very strong. Doesnt mean that I am not emotional or super emotional, but that I can process emotions very quickly and very deeply and move on from things that happen very quickly. My friend David once said “Sofia has the ability to go through hell and survive it and that is very useful thing to have in a team” this still make me laugh. But I am not super human! I needed more support form myself.

I took bigger risks (last summer) than I am actually comfortable with. That would be OK if I recognized the need to strengthen my practice so I could stay true to myself. I underestimated what was needed.

An old familiar fear rose its head once again. I did not like it when i saw it. I stopped my video diary blogs as I did not want to share this old fear.

Honest Truths

When it came to offering services to help people, I was out of touch with where people are at.

I ignored this and tried to present something that I wanted to believe would benefit people. I ignored friends of mine who were doubtful about how I was wording things and about my approach in general.

Despite returning from my writing experiments with renewed conviction in January, over the course of the month of April, I realized that something was not right. My situation was harder than I had anticipated.

I was not picking up on the context that people are in; I did not have the granular intelligence that is essential to putting a plan into action. I was now rushing everything and as a result I felt more and more out of synch with myself. As a result I ignored feedback from peers and some sublte but important signs as to where people were at.

The bookings reflected this process. At the end of April, after the madness of a conference I was facilitating at, and all the preparations for the workshops, I returned and felt as thought I had come back to earth with a hard bump.

Breakthrough!

After we decided to cancel the seminar, and after I got back from 3 days working at the E-Campainging forum, I crashed. I rested a lot and soon went deep into my personal practice. Something fundamental needed to shift. I cleared more and more of my blocks. Using The Work, questioning my assumptions and gradually sensing this huge open space in my mind. Something was lifted off my shoulders.

Authenticity, courage, empty vessel, sensitivity, timing; these themes darted about in my mind. I felt a huge rush of energy.

One afternoon towards the end of my days off, I went for a quick bath and as I relaxed the new vision suddenely came rushing to me. I felt new decisions forming in me as as i lay in the water. I ended up lying there for several hours, only to exit because someone else needed to use the bathroom ;-)

How I Choose to Respond Now

My new vision has led me to arrive at new decisions. This time they are quite subtle. The more practical ones are stil in formation, in a kind of incubation, so I will share them once they are clearer. But here is what has emerged:

  • I choose to increase, not decrease the authentic expression — started (by this article)
  • I choose to be transparent, despite the failures.. and despite successes :-)
  • I choose above all to strengthen my personal practice — as much as is needed to stay in my relaxed, creative self. — started
  • I choose to stay true to my aim not only in the overall goals but also in the way I carry them out. More so than ever. —started. feels like a homecoming

My deeper purpose has not changed. The new vision relates to how I put it into practice, and thereby lead by example. To be a guiding light in terms of how to BE and DO in this world.

  • To keep this FUN. — not quite started!
  • To pace myself: thinking big is still fine. But start small. — started! (Reduced the workshop offerings.)
  • To be open to what truly serves people right now; letting no technique or approach be precious. — a work in progress
  • To keep close to the essence of my gifts: building on what has always worked. — done (back to core elements in my coaching)

Practical notes:

  • I will continue with the 100 Day Reality Challenge; go back to my personal video diary; sharing my progress
  • I will also take explicit steps to connect again with the people that I serve; to be present to what is actually happeining now in the marketplace. —started (engaging with Path 101 and initiating the Career Coaching Hotline Call)
  • I will put more hours per day in doing The Work, in meditating and in visualizing what I intend to create. — absolutely in progress!

I have a new project which is percolating and which I will share soon enough :-) There are some things that I think deserve the incubation that comes from beings silent until you actually take action. Because in this way your word is then true. It is a lesson I am still learning too. So I will keep quieter about my intentions till they have enough ground to then share out.

If you have got this far — you deserve a medal :-) Thank you for reading. Let me leave you with the heartening words from Paolo Coahlo's ‘Warrior of Light’ poem. May you find and connect strongly with the warrior of light in your own heart.

Warriors of light keep the spark in their eyes.

They are in the world, are part of other people’s lives, and began their journey without a rucksack and sandals. They are often cowards. They don’t always act right.

Warriors of light suffer over useless things, have some petty attitudes, and at times feel they are incapable of growing. They frequently believe they are unworthy of any blessing or miracle.

Warriors of light are not always sure what they are doing here. Often they stay up all night thinking that their lives have no meaning.

Every warrior of light has felt the fear of joining in battle. Every warrior of light has once lost faith in the future.

Every warrior of light has once trodden a path that was not his. Every warrior of light has once felt that he was not a warrior of light. Every warrior of light has once failed in his spiritual obligations.

That is what makes him a warrior of light; because he has been through all this and has not lost the hope of becoming better than he was.

That is why they are warriors of light. Because they make mistakes. Because they wonder. Because they look for a reason – and they will certainly find one.

]]> Inner Wealth Seminar: Cut Through Illusion and Create Wealth http://www.turnupthecourage.com/inner-wealth-seminar-cut-through-illusion-create-wealth.html http://www.turnupthecourage.com/inner-wealth-seminar-cut-through-illusion-create-wealth.html Fri, 20 Mar 2009 07:36:00 GMT It is time to deal with the financial challenges as if we had capacity to influence — our own situation as well as that of the collective. The future is in our hands and it is also in our mind. This seminar is aimed at creating a sane way of being, right here, right now, so that we are ready and able to act with power and balance. It is brought to you by Turn Up the Courage and The Citi-Zen Foundation

This 4-page presentation describes the Inner Wealth Seminar. Just use the arrows in the box below to flick through at your leisure.


Flick through the presentation above to find out more about the 3-day seminar.

]]> Multi-Million Dollar Dreams or Nightmares? http://www.turnupthecourage.com/multi-million-dollar-dreams-or-nightmares.html http://www.turnupthecourage.com/multi-million-dollar-dreams-or-nightmares.html Thu, 19 Mar 2009 08:45:00 GMT
Hidden Spring

Something happened that led me to realise I must do something to address the insanity in the way that people are responding to the financial changes afoot. It was a moment with friends when I realised how easily perception flips from constructive to destructive and how people are simply unaware of their potential influence in what happens.

A muti-million dollar client of a friend wakes up every morning wondering if this is the day he wil lose all his wealth. It is not the first time I come across this phenomenon. I remember hearing that 70% of the wealthiest people of Switzerland felt finanically insecure. And this was before last year's prominent global changes in our financial systems. I don't think that money is his real issue. If it were, what figure do you reckon would bring these individuals real inner security?

I notice that despite my income being irregular since 2001 when I left the corporate world, I have a deep sense of trust in my financial future. It has enabled me to take larger risks than a lot of my contemparies and as a result I am able to do the work I love. I rarely look for work, it seems to find me instead. I notice that solutions come when one is in a certain mindset. And that you can create an upward-spiral of events just as if you are in the wrong mindset, the opposite can happen.

I rarely look for work. It seems to find me instead

With the current changing markets, I have found a role that I feel called to play: to help people navigate the uncertainties with a solid state of inner security, accessing their intelligence and creativity in the moment, wherever they are. Responding to what is happening from a place of power, assuming there is a solution and acting boldly.

I did not always have this capacity but I have learnt to cultivate it.

So I am starting by launching a seminar. I decided to partner with The Citi-Zen Foundation as its founder - Andy is committed to developing a robustness of character that I believe is essential for the times ahead.

People who know me will be aware that I am an avid practitioner of The Work of Byron Katie. She is described by Time Magazine as ‘a spiritual innovator for the new millenium’. She is a very strong example of someone who is able to respond intelligently to reality and her deceptively simple process called "The Work' enables other people to do so. I highly recommend it and will be incorporating The Work into the seminar. This, with Andy's meditation structures will enable people to access a lazer-like clarity of perception — otherwise known as sanity :-) I was speaking with Carole Mckenzie yesterday who described it simply as direct perception. I.e just seeing the bare facts without adding the drama.

With the coaching tools we will be able to show people how to respond very powerfuly to their reality. This will enable them to access the real source of inner wealth.

I cannot express enough how much I believe that if we collectively learn to respond without the baggage of our unclear mind, then we can achieve miracles together. So let's start with us, and then work out ways to enable this to scale up. Why not start with you? Do share any ideas you have about spreading and acting on constructive visions. I think this is very important work as it aimed at the root cause. We need to be practical and help each other to do so. Our future depends on it!

“if you believe you can or if you believe you can't you are right” Henry Ford

If you would like to join us for the 3-day Seminar you would be most welcome. I truly believe that through the tools we offer and the time you invest in learning them with us, you will leave no longer suffering the uncertainties like many people are now doing, as you will know how to manifest what you intend. You will become more attractive in the wholesome sense of the word, and be able to enjoy how things unfold this year; you will be a source of power for others.

Click here to book or flick through the Inner Wealth Presentation to find out more.

]]> Evolution Lounge: Urban Guerrilla Peer Coaching http://www.turnupthecourage.com/evolution-lounge-urban-guerrilla-peer-coaching.html http://www.turnupthecourage.com/evolution-lounge-urban-guerrilla-peer-coaching.html Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:21:00 GMT Wow — this is a week of launches! And I am thrilled to announce this one — nearly 4 years since it began in the very funky Dusseldorf airport, the Evolution Lounge is coming to London!

This pretty 4-page presentation describes the Evolution Lounge. Just use the arrows in the box below to flick through at your leisure. To book, go straight to the available dates and bookings. Or feel free to read the story behind Evolution Lounge.


Flick through the 4-page presentation above or to book, go straight to the available dates and bookings.

]]> The Story Behind Evolution Lounge http://www.turnupthecourage.com/the-story-behind-evolution-lounge.html http://www.turnupthecourage.com/the-story-behind-evolution-lounge.html Tue, 17 Mar 2009 07:14:00 GMT

Evolution Lounge is a form of peer-coaching, guerilla-style taking place on Wednesdays in London. “Guerilla-style”, because it happens public spaces — usually associated with stress and craziness. Why? So that we can practice transforming chaos into answers in a very real setting; in the streets, on the go.

Evolution Lounge helps us to access the wisdom available from everyone and everything present. It establishes the collective as coach.

Being Your Own First Customer; How it Was Born

It was 2003 and I was isolated, having recently moved to the industrial part of Germany. I had just been on the 2003 Pioneers Of Change Summer School. I came back and sorely missed being with others who sparked me. I missed that kind of community - of others who were experimenting and searching.


Evolution Lounge 2003

I also wanted to find a way to get insights about my life more quickly, using the very sources of stress rather than having to go to a desert island or a retreat. :-) An idea began forming in my head.

I brainstormed with my then business partner Helga Brueggemann. We came up with the idea of peer-coaching with a very special twist. What's more, it was to be carried out in places of high stress; rush-hour chaos. Yes! We wanted to jump into the eye of the volcano, as these kinds of places reflect the state of mind and reality that people experience on a daily basis. And it is in these spaces that The Evolution Lounge comes to life and can give you answers

We even had to import noises into one of them so as to try to create a realistic amount of chaos. On one occasion a bunch of Hells Angels passed and I wished they had stayed - they would be the perfect oral backdrop.

It has since been run in some wacky places and we have demonstrated it at conferences. We even had to import noises into one of them so as to try to create a realistic amount of chaos. On one occasion a bunch of Hells Angels passed and I wished they had stayed - they would have been the perfect oral backdrop.

We ran it weekly for on year in Dusseldorf Airport. Helga has continued to run it in Germany and is writing a book on her experiences with it since then.

The Twist, and The Blessing of the Elders

I am also very heartened that some of my own ‘elders’ have given it their blessing.

Helga shared with Otto Scharmer, one of the creators of the U-Process how we had been implementing a form of presencing in the Evolution Lounge without realising it. She reported that he was duly impressed. You see, in the Evolution Lounge we actually demonstrate and guide the collective into presencing together. Many processes indicate that you need to cultivate intutition but this process actually shows you how. The twist is that we do it collectively in a very direct and explicit manner. From a state of ‘presence’, you experience your environment and each other in a different and magical way.

The beauty of this collective presencing experience is that the collective can now realistically be coach-facilitator. Direct perception and signalling of energetic states during the exercise means that the group is tuned in to itself and can more accurately pinpoint where and how to intervene in each person's case.

We actually demonstrate and guide the collective into ‘presencing’ together. From a state of ‘presence’, you experience your environment and each other in a different and magical way.

I invited George Por to try it out as he was in the process of leading an inquiry into the similarities of The World Cafe and the U-Process. We ran it in the Tate Modern in London and after his experience he encouraged me to think about cultivating a community of practitioners of this method, along the lines of the World Cafe community. He offered to be one of the stewards of this process and I had one of those moments when it seems like I am being called to somethign deeper. I was not ready to do it then but 1 year later, it feels right to engage others in seeing where this can go!

Filming and Capturing it.

I have had offers of support to capture the process as we run it. I really look forward to this as it is quite difficult to explain a process like this in words! By documenting it, the Cookbook of Social Technologies starts to come into being.

Open-Source Toolbox — the Emergence of a Social Technology Cookbook

Which brings me to the next point. I will be writing about this a whole lot more but essentially I believe that we need to help each other to become better at moving forward in face-to-face situations - together. And so we need to share more of the tools that can help us with that. I have been in an open conversation with a number of individuals such as Jeff Archambeault, tav, Mamading Ceesay and Servane Mouzane about enabling more people to have these kinds of tools. The ideas is that people have tangible experiences and then share how it worked and the tools that they used. This way, our common set of tools evolves. The evolution lounge is one tool that is being thrown in to the toolbox. Let us evolve it and create different forms so that the open-source toolbox grows, and there is a mass increase in capacity to collaborate better with each other.

To book, go to the available dates and bookings. or flick through the Evolution Lounge Presentation

]]> Lilou, Making it Real, and The Challenge of Being Transparent http://www.turnupthecourage.com/lilou-making-it-real-and-the-challenge-of-being-transparent.html http://www.turnupthecourage.com/lilou-making-it-real-and-the-challenge-of-being-transparent.html Wed, 25 Feb 2009 18:57:00 GMT

Meeting Lilou Mace in London and her wonderful idea of bringing the 100 Day Reality Challenge to young people who are in difficult situations. Very exciting how this could help them! I also talk about how scary it can be to be transparent about the reality of moving ideas to action and of making things happen.

]]> The 100 Day Reality Challenge Hits South London http://www.turnupthecourage.com/the-100-day-reality-challenge-hits-south-london.html http://www.turnupthecourage.com/the-100-day-reality-challenge-hits-south-london.html Tue, 24 Feb 2009 02:23:00 GMT Changing Reality
by h.koppdelaney

I just met Lilou Mace at her fab gym in central London. It was great to meet her — she is absolutely the same off camera as on camera. Before I knew it I was recounting my whole life story. It had not been my intention but she is a great listener - genuine and warm. We spoke about the need for leaders to be more authentic than ever. That gone are the days when as coaches/mentors we can sit far apart from the people we are helping. Today it is about being real. Apart from the pleasant experience of meeting a super-positive woman who is on a mission to help millions of people to live their dream, a new idea was born out of our conversation. Here is how.

Lilou described her own challenges and how she is responding to them with huge zest and how the support from the Co-Creating Our Reality community is tangible during these kinds of times. Lilou was made redundant just last week and already she has bounced back. She mentioned her desire to contribute; to be present to the current economic reality in London and the rest of the world.

We discussed the need to carefully balance two distinct capacities:

  • being present to “what is”; not living in denial
  • hearing the call to our future — being able to respond to ‘what is’ with inspired action.

There are people who, despite their benign intentions, act as vessels for fear. So we must act as vessels for trust and courage. Hence we cannot deny reality. But we do not have to add more drama to the reality.

We must act as vessels for trust and courage.

I spoke of my own vision, of how our communities can tap into vast resources at a personal and community level, building trust and collective capacity to respond. I shared with Lilou my challenges in getting the tools to do this out to lots more people. I also spoke about the project in Brixton that is focused on youth. Lilou was very encouraging and said "Sofia, really own your love for your work, and go out there and do it. Its amazing what happens when the commitment to your vision is stronger than your personal fears about making it happen" It's just what I needed to hear at this moment as I dither about whether my strategy is exactly right, and whether people might think I am just bothering them when I speak about community building. Thanks Lilou!

The New Idea

In Brixton, South London, a few of us have been working in different ways with young people who have been identified as being “at risk”. As I spoke of them to Lilou, she perked up with the idea that it would be fantastic to invite some young people into The 100 Day Reality Challenge. They could record their challenges as they make changes in their lives. We can pass them many links to the videos/teachers that have inspired us. Lilou could do a video for them… It could be the seed for many other young people to take up this challenge. The idea was born!

Lilou already offered concrete support and so now I am going to go back to my partners at Melanin Partnership about our next steps. I am very excited! Imagine young people from one of the tougher neighborhoods of urban London, taking up a challenge to alter their concrete reality in 100 days, sharing their ideas/challenges/feelings/realities and dreams. I am about to launch a set of peer-coaching/community collaboration tools and so there will be a context of support for young people to make their dreams a reality. And far from it being us helping them from a distance, we will be there as a community in the thick of it together.

Do I believe it is possible? Oh boy yes! Do I have doubts? Yes! And is that going to stop me? Not if i have anything to do with it :-)

]]> Transparency, Creativity and Personal Social Responsibility http://www.turnupthecourage.com/transparency-creativity-and-personal-social-reponsibility.html http://www.turnupthecourage.com/transparency-creativity-and-personal-social-reponsibility.html Sun, 25 Jan 2009 14:00:00 GMT ]]> First Video of The 100 Day Reality Challenge http://www.turnupthecourage.com/first-video-of-the-100-day-reality-challenge.html http://www.turnupthecourage.com/first-video-of-the-100-day-reality-challenge.html Fri, 23 Jan 2009 18:57:00 GMT ]]> Video Announcing Re-launch of Turn up the Courage http://www.turnupthecourage.com/video-announcing-relaunch-of-turn-up-the-courage.html http://www.turnupthecourage.com/video-announcing-relaunch-of-turn-up-the-courage.html Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:57:00 GMT ]]> Turn up the Courage Blogging Comes to Life http://www.turnupthecourage.com/turn-up-the-courage-blogging-comes-to-life.html http://www.turnupthecourage.com/turn-up-the-courage-blogging-comes-to-life.html Tue, 08 May 2007 00:10:00 GMT Changing Reality
“life, or something like it” by the half-blood prince

I am also now blogging!

For the last few months I have held back on the newsletter and have been wanting to start blogging but had not got round to initiating this. As is so beautiful when one sets an intention without needing to know HOW it will happen, along came along the perfect opportunity to do this in community.

I will be sending a newsletter out again in the next couple of months but in the meantime feel free to check out this blog that I am contributing to. It is great to be contributing to a blog with a few other committed people. It feels like we pass the hosting stick around. See how we do:

Idea for your community?

52 weeks in the year and more than 52 people in this network. So each person can agree to host the blog for one week of the year. Sharing, inspiring or informing. All are valid contributions to a community.

This concept emerged out of the vibrant community: IMAGINE Network

So, a few of us (myself included) have agreed to host this process, inviting people into it; cultivating the community. Ie we are editors but it is a very open system anyone can be an editor if they register on the blog and if they dont want to they can always send posting to us and we will upload it for them. I really have to acknowledge Frauke Godat from the We Are What We Do organisation for her incredible drive here.

Here is the link to the Imagine Blog. And here is the link to my own entries on this blog.

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