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Ready to Make See Christina’s SHIFT-IT Blog for the latest in personal planning, visioning and Law of Attraction – all in her trademark visual style!
Testimonials View MYM SiteMake Your Mark Graphic Facilitation - see Christina's other site on her history as a graphic facilitator and graphic recorder. Strategic planning and visioning with various Fortune 500 companies, entrepreneurs, governmental and not-for-profit organizations. |
 Breakthrough, Proven Methods That Shift Your Life from Stuck to Flowing - Now! “Finally, I Can SEE How to Get From Where I Currently Am to Where I REALLY, REALLY Want to Be – So I Can Easily Create What I MOST Want in Work & Life… whether it’s a soul satisfying career or business, enhanced relationships or a big boost in prosperity, energy and fun! Its not fun being dissatisfied and a bit or a whole lot frustrated
On our life journeys, we run the risk of getting stuck “at the crossroads” --- you know things (perhaps a lot of things) ARE NOT how you’d like them to be … and you have SO MUCH more in you … … but instead of getting help to finally make a breakthrough, its seemingly easier to procrastinate, deny and tragically waste This doesn’t need to happen because … THE WORLD NEEDS a CONNECTED YOU …
My SHIFT-IT work is for you if:
All of this is doable and more! YOUR BEST ANSWERS ARE INSIDE OF YOU As you may have noticed, or been told … I am a “Graphic Coach” … meaning I use innovative graphic methods to literally draw your best thinking out of you.
Because Graphic Coaching is THE single most effective method I have found to help you SEE how you create your reality and then teach you how to SHIFT what you are doing, so you get different, better results. The vast majority of people (especially the clients I attract)… are Visual Thinkers … Research States That Up To 87% Of The Population Are
…and using graphics helps my clients more easily SEE and REMEMBER their deep inner wisdom... People Retain Around 65% Of What They SEE And Only 15% Of What They HEAR. The Use Of VISUAL LANGUAGE Promotes LASTING IMAGES And RETENTION Of IDEAS.
… my SHIFT-IT Method helps you … DISCOVER WHAT YOU WANT When you combine coaching and deep reflection, with graphics, you create a one-two-three punch that works on a profound (and lasting) level.
There is a big difference between settling for what you need versus DISCOVERING what you really want deep down inside. Many people don’t recognize what their heart truly desires (or believe that they can have it) without a little outside help. See, I believe that deep down inside, you already have YOUR answers and know what you want and what is best for you …which is exactly why I created the SHIFT-IT system. To let YOU take control. Let me explain a little more about what SHIFT-IT is all about. HERE’S THE SHIFT-IT MODEL The letters in “SHIFT-IT” are an acronym that stands for the 7-part journey listed below:
For more detailed information see The SHIFT-IT Graphic Coaching Process®. SHIFT-IT is an intensive thinking experience … a place for you to step back from your day-to-day activities and ponder the larger picture of your life. It is a highly reflective and personal experience … conducted by writing your way through 17 visual tools (called Merkley Maps). Step by step you map out your past, your current crossroads, your desired future --- and you identify and transcend the baggage that is keeping you stuck. With understanding and new beliefs and attitudes, your actions fall smoothly from you – with a sense of excitement and ease (rather than viewed as hardship or things you ‘have’ to do). You WANT to do them and you start attracting the resources you need to get things done - beautifully!
The results? Renewed clarity, focus and momentum for the things that are most important to you – both professionally and personally. You figure out what you really want. You work through your resistance to having it (the all important ‘Trouble at the Border’ section). So you can move forward with consistent and aligned action –-- smooth sailing. With pure energy, the things you want are magnetized to you in record time. Viki Viertel, The Business Buddha, www.thebusinessbuddha.com Patricia Jocius,www.dealingwithdisasters.com,
Emergency Preparedness Consultant / Graphic Facilitator, Sunnyvale, CA As you progress through the SHIFT-IT system you will...
Its Deep and Effective Work And, don’t be like some people and let the graphics and the attractive look of this work fool you, it way more than “pretty pictures” --- SHIFT-IT is deep and compelling work, and … "Awesome! That is the one word that describes the services that Christina has provided for me. Since I started working with her as my coach, I've bought my partner out to gain full ownership, have been stabilizing my growing business with improved systems (and growing profits) and have taken more time out for the fun things in life (golf, fishing, Vegas!). When i first heard about her and this visual stuff, i was skeptical and wondered if it was 'blowing on tea leaves'. Not now, I'm a true believer. The graphics bring clarity and focus and give me a high level map of my corporate direction. I highly recommend her and her Shift It! Process to anybody who is serious about success and defining (and getting!) what they really, really want.” Robert Kemp, CEO, Raging Creations Ltd / ZenMed.com, Victoria, BC. … its also enjoyable, creative and fun … it works to uncover and dislodge your faulty programming, beliefs and negative mindset --- so you can ATTRACT more of what you do want and less of what you don’t. And, given the above language (attract, beliefs, programming, etc) … you might already sense that … SHIFT-IT is Loaded with Powerful Just ask Matt from Junior Attractors, he knows personally just how critical Law of Attraction principles are for success, after I introduced them to him via SHIFT-IT, he’s used them to attract a life as an LOA teacher for youth. “I’M DOING A BIG GRATITUDE DANCE FOR CHRISTINA RIGHT NOW, AND SO ARE THE YOUTH WHOSE LIVES I NOW EFFECT BECAUSE OF HER TEACHINGS!” Matt Ashdown, www.juniorattractors.com And, Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero from Red Hot Copy fame...
Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero, www.redhotcopy.com
Given my background in Visual Thinking … I’ve also been very pleased to find that visuals and LOA are a particularly powerful blend. … as you map your past, present and desired future … …and go through the other SHIFT-IT Process® steps … … you come to SEE how you are getting what you are getting –-- --- and how with a strong SHIFT of focus and attention, you can instead create what you REALLY want. Through The SHIFT-IT Graphic Coaching Process your thoughts and feelings become VISIBLE (your current point of attraction), as do your ANSWERS on how to accept, allow and receive what you desire. Its very powerful stuff! Tim Clark, VP of Engineering / Director of R & D, Julie Halsey, Manager, Leadership Development, WELL … LET’S SEE SOME OF THESE MERKLEY MAPS! As you have read, SHIFT-IT is a very hands on, creative and experiential process. Over the 7-stage process there are 17 different visual moves you can make --- what I’ve dubbed the “Merkley Maps” (visual templates that you fill in with your own intimate thoughts and feelings). While you won’t get the real depth of the process without truly going through it yourself, you can get a taste of it by looking at how other people have gone through it and by checking out their filled in maps …. … to do so, CLICK HERE to check out my online SHIFT-IT Portfolio (thanks to the folks who have so graciously agreed to share their maps with us!)
As you can see, the visual way of working is enjoyable, attractive and effective – it just resonates with certain kinds of people (visual learners and people who are open to creative and spiritual ways of working). I often get asked about my methods and how they were created, so let me share with you a bit about… MY OWN SHIFT-IT JOURNEY and THE POWER OF THE APPLYING VISUAL THINKING TO PERSONAL GROWTH
In the mid-1990s, after obtaining a master’s degree in Organizational Development & Transformation from The California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco (renowned for its holistic approach) I worked for the boutique consulting firm The Grove Consultants International (pioneering change management firm specializing in ‘Group Graphics®) – traveling extensively across North America and Europe on consulting gigs.
Eventually I transitioned into creating my own independent practice (Make Your Mark, LLC) --- and along the way extensively studied coaching and hypnotherapy and other depth psychology methods (light body / energy work, voice dialogue, spiral dynamics, integral theory, family constellations). As far as corporate consulting careers go, I was living a very successful existence .. however it all came to a head on … THE DAY I RECEIVED MY In 2001, on September 11th (grateful that a scheduling conflict had kept me away from the Newark airport on that fateful day) I had what I can only describe as a ‘spiritual wake-up call’. The events of that day had a profound effect on me and came with a very strong insistence that I must break away from the organizational work that I was no longer deriving any personal meaning from and instead use my talents to work deeply and spiritually with smaller groups and individuals. In 2002, in response to the inner call I had received loud and clear, I left the United States and returned to my home town – Victoria British Columbia – on a quiet, peaceful island off the west shore of Canada – to begin my next life shift. During that long and rainy first winter back, SHIFT-IT as an integrated, step-by-step process was born. For years i had been experimenting with the graphic approach with individuals (with the little off time i had) – but now i finally had the time to really shape and mold those experiences into something solid. The ‘SHIFT-IT’ name came to me one morning as an ‘inspirational download’ – from that non-physical place that whispers good ideas to us. And shortly after that, the first Merkley Maps were sketched. Intuition and inspiration lead … I just followed the guidance of my Inner Being.
Below is my Visual Bio, and for more information on my story and the development of SHIFT-IT see the About Page.
Since its inception, I’ve facilitated SHIFT-IT
Sheri McConnell, www.sherimcconell.com, And, as you might be getting a sense of, I’m very proud of the SHIFT-IT Process and my personal journey to create it --- its been a real labor of love and a joy to perfect over these years … and it works like a charm! So much so, that I want you to … EXPERIENCE SHIFT-IT FOR YOURSELF RIGHT NOW Via My Special Focus on Me Map and eBook If you are ready to get going on your own SHIFT-IT journey, you can --- via my gift to you --- a free Merkley Map called “Focus on Me” that helps YOU examine the current crossroads you are standing on. With the “Focus on Me” map, you will do a survey of your immediate life – in eight main areas (health, finances, career, environment, family/friends, relationship, fun & recreation and personal development) … … you see just how satisfied (or not) you are in your current life and identify the key areas YOU most want to SHIFT. With this tool you’ll skip right to the heart of the matter --- in your own life. With this initial awareness, you’ll light an ignition spark that revs your own engine into higher gear … launching you on your own personal SHIFT-IT journey.
Don’t worry, you DO NOT need to be an artist to use the Merkley Maps (you don’t even have to draw a stick figure if you don’t want to!) … NO ART ABILITY NECESSARY
“FOCUS ON ME” VIDEO To further aid you in completing your own “Focus on Me” map … check out this 7-minute video where I work live with my client Alan on his ‘Focus on Me’ map. It’ll give you even more insights and understanding about graphic coaching.
EVEN MORE SHIFT-IT OPTIONS FREE ARTICLES, BLOG AND EZINE: I’m known for my generous style. I know I’m fulfilling my life purpose with my SHIFT-IT work, so I want to help as many folks as I can. I get visitors from all over and world, and I know many people who visit can not always afford or are not yet ready for my special one-to-one help. So, I offer plenty of free and complimentary resources on this site. For lots of helpful, ongoing, SHIFT-IT information see blog, e-zine archives and articles.
SELF-COACH PRODUCTS AND SHIFT-IT TELE-GROUPS: Great lower fee ways to experience my facilitation guidance are through the SHIFT-IT Home Retreat Kit (where the process and my most common guidance is documented for you) or by participating in one of my popular in-person and tele-groups (where you work step-by-step through your own Kit in the company of like-minded (and kind hearted) people – our global tribe of “SHIFTers”. The SHIFT-IT Home Retreat Kit and SHIFT-IT Coaching Groups
45 MINUTE SHIFT-IT STRATEGY SESSION: Not a group person or not disciplined enough to work on your own? Ready for some one-to-one work but don’t want to commit to a longer coaching package? If so, then my 45-Minute SHIFT-IT Strategy Session is for you. Using your Focus on Me map as a starting point, we clarify your Desired Vision and build a concise plan of immediate next steps and actions. Strategies, ideas, recommendations – you get it. Directed in laser fashion on you and the particulars of your circumstances. Tailored, focused, effective coaching to give you a powerful kickstart. See 45 Minute Strategy Sessions PRIVATE, ONE-TO-ONE, DELUXE COACHING OPTIONS: I know many people can’t afford to work with me directly over longer periods of time, that is why I have created so many free and lower fee options to assist.
Nothing beats the opportunity of working directly with each other – to drill down and apply my rare expertise to your particular situation. A very valuable experience. And, what about those underlying interactive-graphics skills … ??? GRAPHIC RECORDING & GRAPHIC FACILITATION SKILLS TRAINING: Many professionals (consultants, facilitators, trainers, project managers, teachers, mediators, coaches, etc) are very intrigued by the visual techniques I use. While I don’t yet specifically train others in my custom SHIFT-IT Process yet… I DO OFFER beginner and advanced mentoring in the amazingly handy skills of Graphic Recording and Graphic Facilitation – via public and private trainings.
In Conclusion Again, welcome to the SHIFT-IT methodology and thanks for stopping by. Feel free to roam and return repeatedly to this site for continued inspiration on your own evolving path. I hope to meet or work with you myself one day – if that is meant to be. In any event, get out there and find and create your own passionate life – our world can never get too many connected and happy people in it!
P.S. Further Questions? Feel free to browse the site. Hopefully I have answered all questions you might have, but if not, feel free to email us - inquiries@shift-it-coach.com. P.P.S. Remember to download your FREE 43-Page ‘Focus on Me’ e-Book. It’s the best way to immediately dive into your own SHIFT-IT Journey … All Rights Reserved. |
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"Christina coached me into clarity, and forward movement, in life and in my business coupled with a new level of understanding of what makes me tick, and how the Universe and I work in synchronicity! Thank you Christina for being so kind and helping me get clear of the things that were in my way...I use your Flip It technique everyday! My business is positively booming now, and I am convinced it would be stalled if we had not worked together. Life is a lot clearer these days, and I have your guidance to thank, you are a truly gifted coach. In Gratitude!"
"Christina graphically captured my life's emotions, experiences, and desires that helped me pictorially see my past, present and wished for future. As a developing graphic facilitator, my SHIFT-IT Retreat not only helped with my thinking about my own practice and life but gave me the opportunity to witness Christina’s work and techniques up close --- I loved it so much that I have built a gorgeous retreat room in the Santa Cruz mountains, so I can do Graphic Coaching work with others”. 
“How has my life been after coaching with Christina? It has been a 360 degrees head spin thanks to her. In 2005 I had a vague idea of where I wanted to go in life, but I didn’t know how to get there. Christina has believed in me since day one. Her SHIFT-IT process made me clarify my dream and helped me figure out that with the correct approach, I could get there. Christina was the first person to open me up to the world of spirituality and taught me the fundamental teachings that I have now expanded upon in the work I do with youth. I am doing a big Gratitude Dance for her right now, and so are the youth whose lives I now affect because of her teachings!” 
"After coaching with Christina Merkley, all I can say is, 'Wow!' If you haven't noticed, there are coaches EVERYWHERE. It's not easy to know if they are a good match or not. But because Christina is so entrenched in the Law of Attraction in a very real and human way she was able to reflect and shift my energy unlike I've ever experienced before. (And she does while keeping her sense of humor which is one of my key values.) I learned that when you are in emotional alignment, it's easy to live the life you want. Everything after that just flows... What a freeing experience!" 
“I’ve employed Christina Merkley as my coach on-and-off since 1998. Six months after she led me through a vision exercise where I imagined myself on the cover of a magazine, the real thing happened when I made it into Java World. Since then I’ve been covered in MIT Tech Review, The NY Times, Popular Science, and Motor Magazine and was nominated for a 2003 Corporate Award sponsored by the World Tech Network. Yeah, you could call this work effective! Now I’m working with her again to take it up to the next level.” 
“I’d say about 75% of the visioning work I did with Christina in ’99 has come to fruition (new career direction with a substantial increase in salary, increased responsibility and respect, closer relationships with family, more opportunities to travel for work and pleasure and many material objects (new car, wardrobe, etc.)). She’s my ‘discovery guide’ … helping me define and accomplish the things that matter to me. I just flew up to do some more work with her as new goals are emerging and my desire to integrate my material and spiritual sides is becoming stronger. My SHIFT-IT Retreat was profound and seeing Victoria B.C. for the first time was an added bonus. I’ll be back.” 
"Coaching with Christina was truly a life-changing experience. I was stuck at the time and the SHIFT-IT Process helped me to understand what steps to take next so I could move forward and reach my goals. Not only do I still use my maps on an annual basis for my personal and professional planning, I recommend her services and products to my clients because I know they will benefit from such a visual coaching experience. The maps just make the growth so much more concrete and more effective. Thank goodness Christina does what she does!” 
