Look, almost everywhere you turn there's a new personal coach telling you that they're the one for you.  And while the demand for personal/life coaches is on the rise, this is not a one-size-fits-all kind of industry.  

Here are some great tips on choosing the RIGHT coach for you

1. Don't pick a coach you like. You're not looking for a friend or a date.  You're looking for someone who you will respect and who will be an unwavering stand for your success in life.  Attractive people often attract more clients.  Don't fall for the hotties unless you're clear it's their coaching that you're digging!

2. Interview different coaches before you choose.  Many will at least offer a phone consultation.  This is an opportunity to say what results you want and to find out more about their approach. Make sure you say what it is you expect and ask YOUR important questions-- if religious background or lifestyle are important to you- just ask.  Better to know now. 

3. Be practical. Pick a coach whose availability matches your schedule and is either nearby or accessible by skype/phone.  This is an investment, but make sure you can afford it. 

4. Specialist or General? Determine whether you want  a specialist coach or a coach that empowers you in all areas of life. Both are valid choices.  Again, the phone consult will likely support you in determining this. 

5. Any Perks?  Some coaches offer follow-up calls or offer additional services you might not be aware of. Just ask!

I started my private practice as a psychotherapist. Looking back I can see that | took that route because I wanted a reputable qualification to provide credibility.  I wanted a title that would demonstrate to clients that I was credible and trustworthy.  Here's what I discovered.  While I had a credible "title", and build a successful practice, I was constantly limited by conventional paradigm of counselling psychology and I was often questioning my own authenticity-- I knew I could provide more for these people.  In the field of psychology, symptoms are grouped together and so are treatments. It is a very useful approach for many people and in my professional opinion there are limitations. While of course therapists are generally committed to customizing their treatment plans to the client, they may be looking through a narrow lens. E.g. Jenny has symptoms of anxiety.  I will choose from these various treatments of anxiety.  But what gets missed is the whole of the person.  The individual, who has a body, mind and spirit. Plus therapists are a part of a regulating body that ensures that their treatments are within a pool of approaches.  These are highly tested approaches but again, potentially limiting.

I should mention that at the time, I separately offered Reiki and Inuitive Healing treatments- but never to the same clients. I had my counselling clients and my Reiki clients. Keeping the two separate drove me nuts. I had so much to offer both my counselling clients and Reiki clients and yet because I kept my services in these two boxes, my clients were only ever exposed to what they signed up for.  I thought I'd created a mind-body practice.  I had actually created a counselling practice and a Reiki practice- totally different and totally NOT my vision.  What I really wanted to was to great a practice that empowered women from the perspective on mind-body-spirit. 

Then for the last 4 years I trained myself as a transformational coach and from that, I made a profound discovery. There is no version of me or my business that will reach EVERYONE; I'll never be satisfied trying to fit my self-expression into a conventional box. On the other hand, if I am unapologetic about MY TRUTH, then I can empower others to be THEIR TRUTH.  And that can't come in a box.  I am an expert in causing people to create lives they love and to love the life they live.  I'm no longer willing to simmer in the limitations of therapy and counselling, and I'm no longer willing to treat clients any other way but individually.  As a coach I have the freedom to customize my sessions to meet the needs of the client, without the parameters of psychological terminology. 

I also have a coach.  I have a couple coaches actually! Anything that's really important to me, I make sure I have a coach to empower and enable me to reach beyond what's predictable.  

Do what's right for you.  Find your match in whatever way make THE difference for you.

Michelle Bacso 
     

4 Roots 4 Rapid Growth: What Roots? What Growth?
By Michelle Bacso, MA(C)

Dreams lived. Hearts Fulfilled.  That is what I have given my life to.  What I’ve discovered is that the single-pronged approach doesn’t work. We get some results, but we aren’t fulfilled. Or we do what we love, but we’re broke. Or work is great, but my marriage is broken.  Or I love my family but I hate my body.  It’s time to align your entire being. It’s time to love your life. It’s time to stop putting your life in the someday category. Someday is now. While I do offer a comprehensive 12-week program on this very idea, I want to share with you some basic information about the 4 Roots that when given the right essentials and care, you begin to rapidly grow as a human being.   

External

The physical world is distinguished as an essential element of where our choices exist, and where they do not.  Separate from perception, we can see how actions relate to results.  When I eat more fat, more fat is absorbed by my body.  When I applied for jobs based on my interests, I was asked to interview for jobs that were interesting to me.  When I look into people’s eyes, I can see more people looking into my eyes.  The external world is our access to seeing what we have created, as lived!  No guessing, no interpretation. It is, or it isn’t.  I have two arms and green eyes. I do not have a cat. This is a powerful opportunity to be grounded in reality.   

Mental

The mental, or cognitive world is our most critical access to having power and peace of mind.  Most of the time, we are puppets to ourthoughts.  Our thoughts feel like “the real me”, and we are compelled to react fully based on what our thoughts tell us.  The good new is that you already know your thoughts are full of it most of the time. Your thoughts will tell you to sleep in, that most people are judging you, and I bet your thoughts say terrible things about others too.  If our thoughts were on loud speaker, most of us would be mortified.  Why?  Because they’re automatic reactions, not the truth.  How many times have you snapped at somebody and then almost immediately said, “that’s not what I meant”.  And you really didn’t mean it! And notice, in other areas of life, you do believe your thoughts.  They are the ones keeping you from finishing that project, fulfilling that dream, and creating those fabulous relationships. 

Relational

How we relate to others and how we relate to ourselves is embedded in our emotions.  This is closely tied with the mental world, however, new levels of freedom and joy are available to us as we expose, honour, and process the emotions that are tied to our relationships. Getting in touch provides a real opportunity to find your authentic voice in the world, and to begin singing your song.      

Spiritual

Let it in.  I invite you to be in the discovery of spirituality like you’ve never known it before.  It is time to shed assumptions, presumptions, fears, and foes, and access the part of you that is greater than your self.  Whether you connect to a religion or not, discover what's beyond you. The fundamental approach is to connect to the interconnectedness, connect to the whole.  All is you. You are all.  At that level of awareness, you can surrender yourself as a single purpose and live from your greater good.  At the level of divinity, you will begin to accept your natural healing abilities- physical, mental, and emotional.

What now?
I invite you to spend a full day contemplating each of these roots in your own life.  Observe where you've obtained self-mastery and where you have a loss of power or fulfillment.  Begin taking yourself on! If you want to know more about the 12-week comprehensive program: 4 Roots 4 Rapid Growth, contact me.

Sending you a massive wave of love.

The mind is a beautiful servant and can enslave us in any given moment. Cognitive mastery comes with the constant balancing act of acceptance and choice of one's thoughts. 

Step One: Awareness

Awareness of our thoughts is critical.  Until we are aware of them, they hold power as if they are who we are.  But let's face it, our thoughts are usually ANNOYING! If you're like me, you probably don't want to be aware of them at all! It can be disheartening to discover just how distorted your thinking really is.  Example: How often are you CERTAIN you know what another person actually meant by what they said or did? "He was basically trying to say I'm an idiot." Sound familiar? Then there are the fleeting opinions, comparisons, and probably some dirty thoughts too!  Fairly funny and rarely reflective of what is actually important to you.  "Oh yeah, she's obsessed with me".  Being aware of our thoughts puts a big spotlight on our inauthenticities—they’re loud and hardly enlightened. Do not overstep this critical phase of awareness however--it  is essential for accessing our power to choose our thoughts!

Much love to you my friends,

Michelle Bacso

Michelle Bacso specializes in cognitive mastery, empowerment, and energy healing.
Visit www,LovingLifeGuidance.com

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With so many quick fixes out there, many are looking for EVIDENCE before they invest trust, time or money into their wellness.  When it comes to self-healing, rest assured that you ALREADY have the evidence.  Don't believe it?  Have a look!


3. The Placebo Effect
Perhaps the most evident proof of self-healing is the infamous placebo effect.  Numerous studies have shown miraculous healing of chronic disease with the use of placebo medications.  Or think about how often your cold symptoms improve before they could have possibly taken affect.  Did you know that most Ginger Ales don't even contain ginger?  Read the ingredients and ask yourself why many believe this sugar water is in anyway more medicinal than Sprite?  Perhaps the belief of effectiveness is as/more important than the actual effectiveness. Imagine if you believed in your own power to self-heal!

2.  Our Body's Parental Wisdom.
If you deny your needs, your body shuts down.  When you crash with a cold of flu, you are forced to acknowledge your basic needs.  Often this means resting the mind as much as the body, and very quickly you bounce back.  If you bounce back into the same habits of self-destruction, guess where you'll end up-- back in bed, and you'll likely call that having a poor immune system.  Consider its just poor listening skills!  Your body is like the parent who  gives you the punishment that matches the crime!  Generally best to listen and follow the wisdom your body has to offer!    

1. The Body is Designed to Heal
When left to its own domain, the body continuously works to heal itself.  WE put things in the way.  Smoking, drinking, stress, and self-hate are common barriers to the body's natural healing process.  You can test this!  Start paying attention to the time it takes to heal your cold, blister, scrape or injury.  Take note of your diet, your exercise, your sleeping schedule, and your stress/anxiety level (which includes any stress about 'needing' to get better).  Add in a method of energy cleansing, such as reiki, chakra meditations, traditional yoga practice, and/or acupressure.  You will be amazed at how quickly your body heals when it is left clean and clear! 

Michelle Bacso specializes in cognitive mastery, self-healing, and evoking personal power.  Visit www.LovingLifeGuidance.com

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Consider this: Self-Doubt is an Addiction.  That voice in your head, the one that sounds something like:

I can’t… But what if… I’m in over my head….I’ll look like a fool….Maybe I shouldn’t… Maybe I should have…. I’m not ready… If only I was….   THESE ARE THOUGHT-ADDICTIONS! 

Every time you indulge in one of these thoughts, you are intoxicating your personal power and drowning your effectiveness.  Want proof?  It’s in your results.  Look at what you have.  You know you deserve it.  There is no doubt about it.  Is the same true about what you don’t have?  Take an honest look.  You may ‘think’ you deserve more money for example, but consider there is self-doubt around what it would take for you to create more income.  For example, why haven’t you asked your boss for the raise you really want?  Or why haven’t you tripled your number of clients in the last year?  Did you hear your self-doubt addiction come up right then? 

Why would we even entertain this addiction? Like all addictions, there is a pleasurable response or payoff.  What is the payoff of self-doubt? You take fewer risks and avoid uncertainty, and this amount of safety is enormously comfortable.  And this is fine.  It’s just not what you really want.  What do you really want?  Whatever it is, it doesn’t stand a chance without risks, uncertainty, and action.  So let’s begin.        

Quitting self-doubt is just like quitting an addiction or any other habit.  The first step in overcoming this addiction is admitting you have a problem! If you’ve ever been addicted to drinking, smoking, coffee, or sugar, you’ll know that the beginning is the toughest.  Every time you resist the temptation, you are a little stronger in doing so.  Ironically, it is self-doubt that often has us surrender to our addictions/cravings.  However, treating self-doubt as an addiction itself is incredibly powerful, because you are dealing with the truth:  That thought is not you, just as a chocolate craving is not you. 

Notice the thought. Look at it and call it out.  The good news is, laughter is the best medicine for withdrawal symptoms.  It’s actually hilarious how much power we give to these thoughts and how often we unconsciously let them create our limits.  So please, don’t fret about this self-doubt addiction.  See the thought, give a good chuckle, and say, There is no room for self-doubt. Today I choose what I choose. Today I proceed anyway! 

Unleash Your Power!    

                                            ~Michelle Bacso
                                                     www.lovinglifeguidance.com

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When the going gets tough, the tough gets POWER.  I'm not talking about the kind of power that has others shaking in their booties.  I'm talking about the kind of power that has you DANCING in your booties!  The kind of power that has you inspire others to kick those shoes right off! 

But let's face it. Some days we feel about as powerful as dish rag, and on those days, we're about as useful as a dish rag too.  And then one day, leads to a raggety week, and then pretty soon, you're wondering what happened to that vibrant human being you used to call you?  Or maybe you're dreaming about the fully alive person you've only ever dreamed about! 

I work with a lot of people who have instantly enhanced the quality of life through embracing their personal power.  Here are 3 tips to get you started!

1. VISUALIZE POWERFUL YOU.  Imagine yourself going through your day-to-day conversations and tasks, except being fully POWERFUL.  What's different?  What do you specifically do or say differently?  Where in your life would you really like to be more powerful, and imagine that.  How does it feel?

2. PRETEND TO KNOW YOU'RE POWERFUL.  Some of us need to see it to believe it.  If you don't know yourself as powerful yet, that's okay!  Pretend you're powerful in a situation that would seem completely unreasonable to be powerful in!  The truth is, there is only your perception and constraints in the way of you ACTUALLY BEING POWERFUL in all areas of your life.  Pretty soon, you won't be pretending!!  

3. CHEER FOR THE POWER IN OTHERS!  Get out there and manifest a world of people living powerfully.  How powerful is that!?!

~Michelle Bacso

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Too often I meet wonderfully inspired individuals who want the benefits of mediation but can't make it work in their life. Concerns around time, difficulty, and focus seem to get in the way. FACT: Meditation can be fast, easy, and profound.  Here are 3 simple and powerful meditation techniques that people of all levels of experience can enjoy in less than 5 minutes!

3. Lost Your Senses? 
Set a timer for one minute. For one minute at a time, focus on each of your senses. This is an exercise in awareness. Notice the thoughts that come up without judgment and then return to focus.

2. Mr. Golden Sun
As the sun shines down on your, surrender to the gift of healing that the sun has to offer. Soften your face, open, your heart, and say THANK YOU with every cell in your body.

1. Connecting through Heart Beat
Sit or lay quietly. For five deep breaths, exhale with a big sighhhhh, each time surrending deeper into your internal silence.  As your mind becomes quieter and your muscles relax, listen/feel for your own heart beat. As you do, feel gratitude for this miracle.

Enjoy this blog?  Visit www.LovingLifeGuidance.com and click "Like" so that you can receive more tips and tools to assist you on your journey towards mind-body connection. 

Sending you love and courage,

Michelle Bacso

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 I can't turn off my brain! 
I keep re-living it over and over!
My mind works against me!
I can't get it out of my head!
It keeps me up at night!

Any of this sound familiar? 
Here are LovingLife R&HG's top 3 ways to stop thinking too much. 

3.  Observe Your Thoughts
Start paying attention.  What are you actually thinking about?  You might notice that your thoughts aren't quite as dependable or as necessary as you might have thought.  Often we notice a lot of repetition and even lies!  Think about it, how often have you judged someone (or yourself), and then later admitted to not believing that at all?  Observing your thoughts takes practice but you have to find the light switch in order to turn it off. 

2. Hang on to Helpful Thoughts
Your mind can be your ally, but it needs some guidance.  Start noticing which thoughts are helpful, and which ones are not.  You'll notice that the helpful ones don't need to spiral over and over.  For example, if your spouse is late coming home, unhelpful thoughts might be: "He always keeps me waiting. He's cheating on me. What if he was in an accident?"  A helpful thought is: "I will wait until "this" time before I try calling his cell"; or, "Maybe I'll do something I love while I wait".  Do you see the difference? 

  1. Find your Energetic/Spiritual Vehicles and Start Driving! 
Yoga, Meditation, Reiki, Accupressure-- all great examples of connecting the mind with body and spirit.  Such practices allow you to become the master of your thoughts instead of letting your thoughts run you.