A short time ago I was asked to be a presenter teaching True Colors® for a non-profit organization. I was quick to respond with an astounding YES and I remember saying "that is really when I am in my element!"

It has taken me a while to get here, but with a lot of hard work and more than a few bumps in the road, I can now say I am blessed to do what I love and to be in my element is a dream come true for me! A feeling of freedom comes along with being in your element. Your stress levels lower and you experience feelings of bliss, gratitude, pride but most importantly, fulfillment.

So just what does it mean to be in your element? When you are in your element you are in a natural, comfortable situation or environment. Being in your element means to be doing something you fully enjoy, with a high level of competence and comfort. It means to be doing something you are extremely familiar with. It usually means you are good at what you are doing, you may even be an expert. There is little, if no struggle. Everything flows with ease and things seem to simply fall into place. But most importantly, being in one's element means spending your time doing something you enjoy so much that you could do it all the time. It is being in a space where time stands still, and not wanting to leave that space. You may even be willing to do it for free, to teach it to others.

The definition of element refers to any of the four substances that compose the physical universe. They are air, water, fire and earth. Each of these elements are represented in the four colors used in True Colors® being, Green, Blue, Orange and Gold.

At the end of my workshops I always ask my clients, "What do you know now that you didn't know before learning your True Colors®?" The best compliment I ever received was when one of the participants answered "For the first time in my life I am OK with who I am!" WOW! Teaching True Colors® allows me to show others how they can be in their element. True Colors® is a simple, fun and  very effective personality assessment that reveals to you what your natural gifts and talents are. Knowing your True Colors® will expose your values and you will understand your annoyances and frustrations. You will come away with a better understanding of who you are, which of course helps you to understand others and why they behave the way they do. Having this knowledge allows you to make wiser decisions when it comes to your education, career and relationships. Wiser decisions leads to being in your element!

 Are you in your element? Do you know what your element is? What would it take to get you there? 
 
*For more information on how you can discover your True Colors®, visit the True Colors® tab!

July 17, 2013 6-8 PM
I am thrilled and honored to be presenting Discover YOUR True Colors® for Success Personality Assessment at the Spina Bifida Association of Arizona Young Adult group this coming Wednesday, July 17th from 6-8PM! They are dedicated non-profit organization to help promote the prevention of Spina Bifida as well as enhancing those that are affected.

To learn more about this group please be sure to visit and "Like"
their Facebook page @ https://www.facebook.com/SpinaBifidaAZ. Be sure to visit their website http://sbaaz.org/ to see how you can help and support this wonderful organization!
 
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Have you experienced times in your life where you felt as if your dream
was just too difficult to reach? Maybe you feel your ideas are far-fetched, or
you are not worthy or capable of such elaborate dreams? Perhaps you've had fearful thoughts such as the work being too hard, you don't have the support you had hoped for or there seems to be obstacles at every turn. 

If you give up now, you will never know just how close you are to reaching your goal. Having tried your best only not to succeed is not as bad as giving up. Giving up is where the real failure lies. All the work you put into making your dreams a reality and the regret you feel by giving up will weigh heavier on you than had you gave it your all and simply not succeeded.

So don't give up now...give that ax one more swipe. You are inches away from your diamond mind!

Do you have a need to control others? 

Often, people who feel the need to control others are not aware they are doing so. See if any of the following behaviors seem familiar.

Most people who try to control others have deeper issues such as selfishness, codependency and even narcissism. Most suffer from very low self-esteem. Their words and actions are typically perceived as bossy and can make others feel suffocated, less than, mistrusted, distressed and even threatened! They very often talk badly of others when not around in an attempt to isolate you from that person. There is a constant need to "one up" every situation. No matter what others have done or said, the controller has done it or said it better!

Controllers have a need to dominate a conversation, not letting others speak. They don't like to listen, they like to know they are being listened to. They don't like a lot of questions, because they don't have control of what questions are being asked. Often controllers will "cry wolf" and make claims of pain or injustice as a way of gaining attention and placing blame where it does not belong. They are very good at playing mind games. It should not surprise you to know they complain of not having many or any friends. 

Trying to control others is from of manipulation. Most "control freaks" do it as a way to get attention. It is a way for them to attempt to influence others in a devious manner because they feel unable or inadequate to get what they want from an
honest more effective approach.

Many times controllers feel others around them are the controllers and can't see controlling behaviors within themselves. They can have tempers and throw hissy fits and can come across as a bully. They don't want you to challenge or disagree with them. It's the old "my way or the highway" attitude. 
 
Most people who like to control are not real good at paying others compliments. It would take the attention away from themselves, which is exactly what they don't want to do. They may however, be very good at pointing out your flaws and weaknesses. Controllers don't usually have a lot of friends. They are jealous people who like to criticize others instead of praising them, all in an effort to make themselves look better. But keep in mind they can be very generous in an attempt to impress you; which is just another form of manipulation.

When it comes to being around controlling people, learn to trust your  instincts, accept them for who they are and if you don't remove them from your life completely, establish clear boundaries. You don't have to give too much detail, which is just more ammunition for them to manipulate you with, but be cautious not to get caught up in their web of influence.

If you are the controller, like the puppeteer, I invite you to let go of your need to control others and instead worry about pulling your own strings. Allow and accept others to be who they are. What would it feel like to let go of the need to manipulate and quit causing stress to others? How wonderful it would feel to let others to live their life as they wish. You can't tell someone else how they should feel. You have no control over that. 

Would you be willing to get to the source of your pain and to let go of your need to control and to stop pushing other people away? Work with a coach or a counselor to stop this behavior. Address your need to control and you will discover healthy, successful relationships are based on giving and receiving, and not who is in control.