Stefanie Zizzo

Five Steps to Greater Clarity

admin — Thu, 10 May 2012 13:50:05 +0000

If you missed my 5 Steps to Gaining Clarity, Confidence and Direction in Your Career and Life webinar this month, here are some of the highlights:

The five main steps I reviewed were

Self Awareness

Knowing yourself – what your needs are, what makes you who you are, how you are known to others and how you define things like happiness, success and fulfillment is your first step in gaining confidence and direction.

How do you define happiness?

Direction

Choosing which direction you want your life and career to take is often a daunting process. To get you started, first clarity your intentions. Intentions are what you want to be, do or have that is within your control. An example? To be more present, to become an integral part of my community (do), to achieve greater health (have).

What are your intentions?

Exploration and Action

Thinking and reflecting are important first steps designed to help you see what you want to explore. The strongest type of explorating is taking action. Step into what you think you may want to do. How? Try a new activity, volunteer on a project, shadow a professional in your field of interest. The idea is to immerse yourself in the experience, to test the fit.

What will you step into and explore?

Why You Stop

At some point in this process of gaining clarity and direction we may start to doubt our progress and choices or we may feel overwhelmed. One way to overcome these obstacles and challenges is to shift your thoughts. First pay attention to them. Are they filled with “yeah but” and “what if” or “I can’t”? List the thoughts you are having about this process of transformation and change that are both negative and positive. For the negative thoughts, see if you also have a corresponding positive thought about the same issue – that is where you can keep your focus.

What is the dominant thought that stops you in your tracks?

Momentum and Commitment

Our goals and vision are achieved with greater ease when we are able to incrementally work toward them in a consistent way. One way to maintain momentum is to build your support network. Learn what support you need and seek it out. When asking for support, be sure to be specific about what you most want/need.

What support do you most need?

There is much, much more to each of these 5 Steps, this just scratched the surface. If you would like to go deeper…

Purchase my self-study workbook: The Journey From Comfort to Possibility – http://www.stefaniezizzo.com/workbook-journey-from-comfort-to-possibility. This takes you through all of the 5 steps in much greater detail with information, questions and action steps to keep you moving forward.
Schedule a coaching consultation – if you are ready for personalized one-to-one assistance around any (or all) of these 5 steps. Contact me at stefaniezizzo@yahoo.com or 919-744-9722 to schedule

Never Say Never

admin — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:07:43 +0000

So…many of you who know me, either personally or from these posts, know that dessert (or sweets) is something I place high on my list of things I love and thought I could not do without.

Nomatter what diet or eating plan I have participated in over the years, I always included sugar as something I was “never” going to give up!

Well…never say never. Several weeks ago I decided to start a new eating plan, one that I hope I will stick with the rest of my life. It is plant based and does not include sugar. This is the first time in my life that I have not had sugar every day. The most interesting part? I am OK without it! This is huge for me as I never thought that was possible. Will I ever have it again? Maybe now and then, but I now don’t feel I need it to the extent that I did before.

What in your life do you feel that strongly about? The thing you say you will “never” give up or “never” do?

What would be the benefit to you if you did let it go or try it?

When do you feel most alive?

Stefanie Zizzo — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 18:11:29 +0000

This is one of the questions in my Journal of Possibilities and a very important one. Aliveness is what you bring to any experience you have.

I thought I would take a moment to share some examples from my own life of what makes me feel most alive.

I feel most alive when my senses are heightened

This can include tasting and savoring every morsel of a delicious meal, taking in with my eyes a gorgeous garden or other natural scenic vista, enjoying the scent of fresh flowers, enjoying the feel of soft fabric on my skin, listening to the sounds of crickets and birds in my backyard and watching wildlife go about their daily routine.

I feel alive in my work when I am engaged with others. When I am working with my clients one on one, delivering a seminar to a group of people eager to learn and having a deep conversation with likeminded colleagues.

I also feel most alive when I am playing. Whether it’s laughing with my husband and friends, creating a painting or new space in my home, or traveling to a new place.

When do you feel most alive?

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Rejuvenate Your Passion

admin — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 14:16:53 +0000

In a recent seminar of the same title, when I asked particpants what prompted them to be attracted to this topic, here is what they shared..

They are in dip
Wanting to be happier – more possibility
The word rejuvenate
No more excuses!
Job change with some fear
Wanting to better understand passion
Lost – feeling “should be happy” but something missing
Wanting different, better options for their life

Do any of these resonate for you?

In the seminar we talked about the difference between highs, contentment and dips. We all go through cycles in our lives – from the dips in mood, energy and focus to feeling satisfied with what we have achieved, what we have and where we are t0 feeling excited, energized and driven. All of these cycles are necessary.

The dips allow us time to reflect, renew and recharge – perhaps deciding where we want to go next.
The feeling of contentment allows us to appreciate what we have, who we are and what matters most.
The feeling of a high allows us to take action and forge ahead toward a new goal.

Too often, I believe we are chasing the high feeling like we are missing something “out there”. What we wind up missing is the opportunity to take time to reflect, to be more present and to be excited about the whole journey.

New Hobby

admin — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 18:34:15 +0000

A few months ago I had a whim to start crocheting again. I had learned how to crochet maybe 15 years ago but did not love it at the time so I let it go. Of course I had forgotten how to do it so I watched a video on YouTube and re-learned in a matter of minutes. A few days later my first crochet creation was complete and I was very proud!

My First Crochet Scarf

Fast forward to today and I have completed many projects, some I have given as gifts, some I am enjoying wearing, especially my slippers…

Crochet Slippers

For me, taking up a new hobby makes me think, gives me something creative to focus on, gives me a goal to work toward. All of that combined infuses new energy into my life.

What about you?

What new hobbies have you started lately?

Which are you interested in trying out?

What are you waiting for?

What Works for You?

Stefanie Zizzo — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 16:16:01 +0000

This months article focuses on learning what works for you, then using it to have a life that is more effortless.

I thought I would give you some examples by sharing what works for me.

What works for me in my business is structure. For me that means scheduling everything, planning, getting ahead in writing, having a sounding board when I am working on a new idea and writing slowly in chunks.

One ingredient in my success formula is challenge. When a trusted friend or collegue challenges me to do something that I don’t (at first) think I can do or am a little fearful of doing, it infuses me with just the right energy and courage to try it.

Two examples of this: A good friend and mastermind partner Meri Rafetto of Real Living Nutrition and 3Tomatoes asking me to write my first article about 5 years ago. My first thought was “I don’t like to write and I struggle with it”. She believed I could do it and gave me a deadline for a publication she was seeking it for. Well, I took her up on the challenge and wrote something. Much to my surprise it was easier than I thought! That started me writing an article a month, and then blogging.

Another personal example is my personal trainer at the gym challenging me to run. My first response “I can’t run” She gave me one of her looks that said volumes so I said, “OK, I’ll try”. Much to my delight, not only could I run (well, jog) but I liked it! Now I include jogging into my weekly workout schedule.

Challenge (from those that have my best interests at heart and believe in me) clearly works for me! When I focus on what works for me, I accomplish more, build confidence and achieve greater success.

What works for you?

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Modify What You Have

admin — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:27:44 +0000

We were ready to purchase a new sofa since the one we have was not very comfortable when my husband suggested we modify our current one instead. We took a look at why we found it uncomfortable and realize it was the back cushions (they were too low and wide) and decided to create two new ones that were higher and firmer. We did just that and now have a “new” sofa that is much more comfortable and for a fraction of the cost ($30 for fabric)!

I tell this story because it reminds me of many areas of our lives. Say you are unhappy in your career. What if you were to examine what you don’t like about it and change what you could? You may still want to make a bigger change to a new career entirely, yet changing some aspect of what you have now can give you some breathing room while you prepare for your larger transition.

I am an advocate of having the best experiences we can right now, not just waiting until we have achieved what we truly want. When we make small modifications with what we have it allows us to do that and it gives us more choice and influence over our life.

What modifications will you make?

Inspired to Action

admin — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:29:58 +0000

Thought I would share some of what was discussed in my Inspired to Action: Making Commitments and Building Momentum seminar.

Do you have a vision for your career and life?

Your vision is the big picture of what you want for your life. It sets the framework and foundation for the creation of your goals. You vision can be a word, a statement, a narrative or a vision board. Choose a method that resonates for you.

Not sure what your vision is?

One strategy to gaining some clarity of your vision is to begin with your goals. What are they? Why are they important to you? What is the bigger picture of what you are wanting to achieve with this goal?

What goals are aligned with your vision?

Your specific, tangible goals are what make your vision a reality. Ideally your goals will be things you truly want to accomplish rather then feel you “should” accomplish.

What will be your first steps?

Sometimes your first steps are easy to understand, sometimes they are not. When they are unclear, a strategy is to list all of the steps you believe you need to take action on to accomplish your goal and work backward from there. Ask yourself what would have had to come before these tasks in order to get to these tasks.

What will be your Commitment Step?

This is the one step, one action that really gets you in motion. Not on the fringe, but plunging in. It’s the one step (large or small) that in your mind is your total commitment, your serious move.

How will you maintain momentum?

One way is to create accountability with a support system. Be accountable to someone (ideally more than one person) to report your progress, someone who will support you in achieving these goals. This could be a friend, partner, colleague, or life coach, those you feel are your motivators, people in your life you trust, who cheerlead you on.

If you would like help in creating your vision and goals and maintaining your commitment and momentum, contact me for a free consultation at 919-744-9722 or stefanie@stefaniezizzo.com

Stepping in to the New Year

admin — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:24:53 +0000

As I step into the new year, I always evaluate where I am, who I am and what I have accomplished before I create my goals for the coming year.

Here are some of the questions I use to evaluate my life and work:

How am I different than I was this time last year?

This time last year I was very focused on business building. I was excited about possibilities for the new year and spent many hours planning. While I am at a similar place this year being excited about taking my business forward, I am also taking more time to be creative and social which gives me greater balance.

What lessons did I learn?

Through various events that took place this year, I learned greater balance and self care, patience and resilience.

What have I been resisting?

How much my connections, my family and friendships matter to me. Of course I always valued my relationships but often put work (or my to do list) first since accomplishment is also what matters to me.

As an introvert, it is often very easy for me to be content by myself which is nice but not all I crave. This past year I spent more time with family, more time with friends and our neighbors and more time with groups of women and even got my husband in the mix with some couples nights.

As you step into the new year, how would you answer these same questions for yourself?

Dessert First

admin — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:28:03 +0000

I love dessert and often will eat it first as part of my meal This is especially true at holiday time. The thought of eating dessert first also got me thinking about “dessert” in another context – as anything that brings us that sense of in the moment joy.

Joyful activities are often put on the back burner while we handle all of the “important” tasks we must finish first (eating our meal before we get to our dessert). Does that make sense? Certainly. But is there any harm in putting some joy first? A joy-filled activity can be a short one that can fit into your busy life of “main meal” activities.

Just like eating dessert, moderation is what we are aiming for. Do I usually eat a whole slice of cake before my meal? No. Do I savor one piece of dark chocolate (or one holiday cookie) while I’m preparing my dinner. I often do! One piece of chocolate – or 15-20 minutes of a joyful activity can bring a new focus to your other tasks, it may even help you feel better about them!

What would your life be like if you occasionally (or more than occasionally) ate “dessert” first?

Happy Holidays!!

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