I never knew. Until this morning. Seriously. I’ve heard of it, but it never resonated with me. I just couldn’t see that I had a “fear of success.” I had only seen my fear of failure.

This morning I saw it. Yesterday, doors of opportunity opened. And I freaked out and ran! By using food, I attempted to hide. I now see I use it often, as a way to avoid success.

It’s so weird. It was there, and I couldn’t see it.

Thank goodness for unwelcome patterns. They point the way. They show us exactly where we need to look if we want to create more freedom.

I’m on a quest. A quest to live fully and reach my potential.

Coaching has given me the tools to know what to do when a pattern shows up that I don’t like. I make adjustments and relieve the pain. Like a chiropractor.

In this case, I found the thought “I can’t handle this.” Then used Byron Katie’s The Work to dissolve the thought.

I no longer live with the pain. I see I no longer have to.

. . . . . . . .

Coming TRU

Any unhealthy patterns stand out for you?

They mark the spot for growth.

Look closely for the thoughts that are creating the actions. Sometimes it’s buried deep, and you need help finding it. Hire a coach, if necessary.

“Work the thought” using The Work and dislodge the belief. When you do, you’ll automatically change the pattern, too.

No, you don’t need to live with the pain either.
. . . . . . . .

Private Coaching

I just needed help with one thing. One thing that wasn’t working in my life. And that inquiry opened the door to a world of tools I never knew I was missing… but I was. Badly!

You’ve probably never tried coaching before. It’s not like “years of therapy.” It’s more like 8 sessions, and you’re done. You will have the tools you need. Phone, Skype or in person. Try a complimentary session and see… my hunch is you too will discover an amazing world you never knew you never knew.

My special summer rate is $65/session (Reg. $75).

She was exhausted. Her body and her spirit said so, but she had homework to do after a long day of school. So she “pushed through” to finish, instead of listening.

I believe this is how it starts for most of us, the disconnection with our body. It was required to make the honor roll. And we learned it well. So well, we hardly see that we still disconnect. Many of us are still pushing. To make the grade. To get the promotion. To “do it all.” But that faithful body, it’s still talking.

I recently watched a naturopathic doctor ask the body, not the person, where it was deficient. And the body told her.

Because it knows. Reconnection. All it takes is the time to listen. And honor. (Before it’s too late.)

- – - – - – - -

Coming TRU

Your body, what is it asking for today?

It’s on your side. And will speak the truth. In love.

It’s that kind of friend.

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Writing TRU

I am now a weekly writer for the free local newspaper, The Mountain View News. The Right Brain Business Coach to the community with my new column Living TRU. CLICK HERE to read the initial feature. I’m SO excited! A new way to reach the people looking for me.

I was approached this week about being an “expert coach” at a conference. As we talked, I openly discussed the process of reinvention that I’m in. He said he was looking for someone who could confidently speak in public. I said I was working on it.

Following the call, I felt regret. I was afraid I had not framed my answers in the best light. The “right light” “to get the job.” The only thing I had considered was honestly answering his questions.

It’s been a few days, and I haven’t heard back. So I’m making up stories. Stories that hurt. “Stories,” by the way, are the things we make up in an attempt to understand things.

My morning journal time helps me sort things out. What should I have done? Here it always becomes clear.

What are my values? In other words, what do I value? Authenticity. Honesty. Yes, definitely! In myself and in others.

I have a client who recently quit her corporate job. She reminded me how she sacrificed her true self to make it work. She left exhausted. She’s not going to do that again. Nor will I! No hiding. No apologizing. No regrets for being me.

As I am me, the right people will be attracted.
As I am me, the right opportunities will come.
As I am me, the right path will unfold.

I was created to be me.

- – - – - – - – - – -

Coming TRU

And you were created to be you.

Stay true. To what’s most important. To your values.
Also for the people you were born to touch.

Authenticity draws them.

Your purpose is a lot bigger than you think.

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Right Brain Business Plan travels

Would you like to host a Right Brain Business Plan class? I am creating a 3-day version that runs Fri thru Sun. If you’d like to offer it with your other classes, or if you’re part of a group that could benefit, let’s discuss. The only stipulation is that it be taught in person. I’m happy to travel. Booking for 2013. Email: Lori@LORiKOOP.com

ART CENTER Class
I am scheduled to teach Free to Create again this summer at Art Center at Night.

“If you have a longing to create, it was placed there. On purpose. Aren’t you curious? Discover why it’s there and what to do about it. It might be what you were made to do.”

CLICK HERE for more info.

. . . . . . . .

FIND THE REAL YOU Pilot
Time to leap again. Anyone want to come with me?

This course is about self discovery. The Real You. And what you’re here to do. Gain clarity, confidence and commitment. To live fully.

We’ll be meeting for 6 weeks, beginning in May. Cost of $95 includes art materials. Email if you’re interested in participating. We will decide on a day and time together. (FYI – next time I’ll do a Skype class to include my far-away friends.)

I noticed I was grabbing a snack in front of the tv at night.

Then I noticed I was fantasizing about the future a lot.

Then I realized I never stopped, all day every day.

Hmmm. I was running. Avoiding the present moment. The present moment is where feelings are. And I obviously didn’t want to be there.

It’s natural to avoid pain. If it doesn’t feel good, we run. We don’t want to hurt.

But I didn’t like my behavior (or behaviors) and wanted to change. To do that, I’d have to go to the present moment and look at what was really going on. What was I thinking and believing? Because these thoughts were causing me to feel, then act a certain way.

I looked in my head and found the thought “I didn’t do enough today.” I even heard myself saying it out loud. It was a solid belief, and I beat myself up with it regularly. It took my enthusiasm and hope, and left me feeling inadequate, incapable, and defeated.

I knew deep down it wasn’t true. That I was a hard worker. But that acknowledgment was far from my mind. Because it was filled with the other thought.

I decided to sit down at 5 pm every evening and write what I had accomplished. To find the evidence that clearly supported the better feeling, productive thought “I did my part today.”

That thought makes me feel peace. And with enough evidence, the old thought will vanish. Along with the behaviors I don’t want.

. . . . . . . .

Coming TRU

Become “the watcher” of your own life.
Be curious about yourself and your actions.
Not judgmental. But interested.
Your actions point to your beliefs.

If you see a behavior you’d like to change, look closely and ask WHY? Behaviors are indicators of what you’re thinking. And believing. Question those thoughts. By yourself or with a coach. Find better feeling thoughts and collect evidence.

This is how you create your best life.

Lately, I have been putting myself out there.
Letting the Wind carry me. Then
doing the things that present themselves.
Things that don’t feel comfortable.
But feel TRU.

My feet are barely touching the ground.
Do I really want to fly? Can I trust the Wind?

Last night the HUGEST moth showed up in my bedroom. Right before bed. I couldn’t catch it. It was too dark. I might have hurt her. She flapped frantically all night trying to save herself. If only she knew I’d let her out in the morning, she could have calmed down and rested. As she was safe. And cared for. It was only a matter of time.

The easiest thing would be to pick my feet up.
The hardest thing is to pick my feet up.

- – - – - – - – - -

Coming TRU

Trust more.

Share the effort.

Do the discomfort.

And find your TRU life.

- – - – - – - – - -

Random

I went to City National’s first ever small business conference called Insight One20, downtown LA. Seth Godin was the keynote speaker. It was time to meet.

I delivered a hug. And planted a seed. It felt so TRU.

And random. Just as this journey had begun.

Just because.

I felt it.

For those of you who make things, you know it’s easier to make the reproduction. The copy. The first, the original piece, requires your whole creative heart.

Imagine. YOU are on the Artist’s work table. Being formed to perfection. Everything given in just the right amount, arranged in just the right order. For what you are here to do. A result that feels exactly right to your Maker. You are an original!

When I look around and listen to The Critic, I lose that confidence.

When I listen within, I stay clear and calm. The Truth is there. And it reassures me…

There are not too many coaches.
There are not too many artists.
There are not too many actors.
There are not too many anythings.

Because I was created with MY purpose. Specific and unique to me. A complete package. To do MY work. My way.

- – - – - – - -

Coming TRU

Everyone is on their own track. Doing what they feel called to do. When you look around and compare, your eyes leave your path. And you can stumble. Even fall.

Instead, keep focused. Looking to The Real You for guidance. Direction.

It has NOTHING to do with anyone else. And how they’re doing it.

It’s about staying TRU. And doing what YOU were created to do.

. . . . . . . . . . . .

The Right Brain Business Plan class is at full capacity, actually over capacity, with 17 people. Everyone aligning what they were born to do.

It’s TRU-ly what I’m here to do!

In school, if I got homework, I would do it. Even if I didn’t want to. The due date focused my energy. And I delivered.

I decided to give myself an assignment. To get me off the fence and into action. Action that scared me. But that I wanted to take.

“Teach a pilot class of the Right Brain Business Plan.”

I found the dates, the times and the space. And invited you! Assignment set. I was leaping.

Leaping to my death. Seriously! That’s how it felt. All my fears and doubts started to bubble up. I looked around and compared myself. What was I thinking?!!

Then, I talked to friends. I talked to myself. I kept walking. One small step at a time. And I got back to truth. And the reason I wanted to do it.

I was reminded jumping feels bottomless at first. SCARY as heck!! But,

It’s in the free fall that you can discover your wings.

Your TRUest self.

And the highest high!

. . . . . . . .

Coming TRU

Fear creates blocks. Resistance to jump. Stagnation.

It IS scary. But it IS possible to overcome.

This is what I did. You can do the same.

To get off the fence. And into ACTION!

Where the adventure begins.

And you discover you CAN fly!

. . . . . . . .

Right Brain Business Plan Pilot

It begins tomorrow in Sierra Madre. There might be a spot open in the 6:30 to 8 pm class. Maybe it’s your opportunity to get off the fence. Email if you’re interested.

FYI: In April, I will begin guiding private clients over the phone.

I’ve noticed lately I label myself.

I’m an introvert.
I’m not a speaker.

And I’ve heard others.

I’m not a runner.
I’m not an artist.
I’m not a business woman.

A label creates reality.
I limit my actions as I call myself an “introvert.”
I limit my confidence when I say I’m a “non-speaker.”

When I drop the label, I open the possibility.
In my own mind. And in the universe.
Of becoming everything I was designed to be.

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .

Coming TRU

Label with care.

Like an artist, you too are creating.

. . . . . . . .

TRU Deliveries

In case you missed it, something TRU delivers every other week now.

“Turn Your Passion into a TRU Business”
A FREE TALK.
At The Center for Wellbeing, 31 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.
Sierra Madre, CA 91024. Phone: 626-355-2443.
(Click image to enlarge)