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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 Site
Make 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.
Interactive-Graphics is a wonderful way to work – whether in a group or individual setting. I’ve been in the overall field for 17 years now – and have worked in all of the four main genres: custom chart work, graphic recording, graphic facilitation and graphic coaching.
As the field continues to expand and generate more and more interest, I find it’s helpful for people new to the field (either as clients or new practitioners) to understand the four main applications of working visually and how they are related … and also profoundly different.
THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF INTERACTIVE-GRAPHICS:
Below is a large wall mural that I use in my Fundamentals of Interactive-Graphics workshop to introduce the four main applications of the work and their distinctions, particularly the level of ‘interactivity’ between them – ranging from very passive or ‘push’ type uses to very interactive or ‘pull’ type uses.
Wonderful World of Interactive-Graphics Chart (four main definitions).
1. CUSTOM CHART WORK
The most static or passive type of work is what I call ‘custom chart work’. Custom charts are the various visual materials one can create ahead to time to convey information to a group or audience. Custom charts can vary from very practical and easy pieces, like welcome posters, models, or agenda charts (like the one below from an old workshop of mine) — to much more elaborate ‘information architecture’ pieces that takes days/weeks/months to complete and deep corporate pockets to commission. See Grove Consultants, XPLANE and Bonfire Communications for companies who play in that space. Generally, custom charts are used to gather and push agreed upon information to viewers (there is usually little interaction or co-creation unless facilitation or interactivity is somehow built into the process to prepare them or to gather pushback or feedback afterwards).
2. GRAPHIC RECORDING OR VISUAL MEETING NOTES
Moving up the interactivity scale, we proceed into the area of ‘graphic recording’. Produced by ‘graphic recorders’ these large, wall-size documents are created live during gatherings and meeting venues – usually the Recorder is silently doing her best to ‘cut’ or ‘cull’ what is being spoken about into an attractive (and hopefully rationally useful) visual summary. This method is best used when the topic is a general and easily tracked nature (graphic recording is not good for highly detailed situations).
Graphic recordings are usually produced to the side or back of a room, off from where the main action is taking place. Having done this kind of work for many years earlier in my career, I am at liberty to call them a ‘bit of a party trick”. Entertaining, fun to produce, and adding spice to an event — they can operate as novel takeaways for event participants and conveners.
Above is an example of graphic recording work, done for a women’s funding conference — it’s the highlights of a talk on branding.
3. GRAPHIC FACILITATION
Next we move into the area of Graphic Facilitation – in my mind the most useful genre for group work. Graphic Facilitation can either be provided by a true Graphic Facilitator (someone who both contracts for and facilitates a client engagement AND takes the visual notes at the same time) or via a Graphic Facilitation team (provided by a lead facilitator and one, or several, Graphic Recorders).
Given the facilitative nature of the work, Graphic Facilitation has a more text-based and functional appearance than Graphic Recording and the charts are ‘co-created’ by the participants in conjunction with the facilitation team. It is by far the most interactive of the genres — with the charts being created in front of everyone’s eyes and through everyone’s words (sometimes through everyone’s markers when participants are invited to get in the mark marking as well!). Usually pre-constructed templates or large wall forms (like the Content map from Grove Consultants behind me in the picture below).
Christina Doing Demo of Graphic Facilitation Using Grove’s Context Map
4. GRAPHIC COACHING
And, last but not least, we come to the specialty niche area of which I’m a pioneering practitioner and teacher – Graphic Coaching (the use of interactive-graphics in coaching and personal growth with individuals, couples and/or families). Graphic Coaching is interactive at its core (like graphic facilitation work) but instead of a group you are working with just one person or partners (or a few people if working with a family group).
Mentee Allison Doing Graphic Coaching with Her Workshop Partner
Graphic coaching can be spontaneous recording of a person’s thoughts or it can be much more constructed – depending on the type of coach, therapist or counselor you are and the process you follow. After many years of doing group facilitation (primarily strategic planning and visioning) and coaching work (I am a CTI trained coach, hypnotherapist and energy worker) – I slowly created my own step-by-step process and suite of visual coaching tools … called The SHIFT-IT Graphic Coaching Process®. Through my SHIFT-IT Certification program I now empower other helping professionals from around the world to use SHIFT-IT with their own clientele.
ADD INTERACTIVE-GRAPHICS TO YOUR OWN TOOLKIT:
As you can see, the world of interactive-graphics is rich … and holds something of value for most process leaders — whether you are a consultant, trainer, facilitator, coach, therapist or manager. Interest in this field is growing in leaps and bounds and clients are increasing asking and aware of the benefits of working visually (greater clarity, more effective use of time and limited resources, reduced conflicts and tensions, etc).
I have extensive experience in all four genres of the work and have successfully trained professionals for over decade, from all walks of life and art abilities. You DO NOT have to be an artist to do this work– and if you are an artist, great! There is room for all to play in this effective, rational/emotional and client-pleasing methodology.
The autumn Interactive-Graphics trainings are right around the corner (including a 3-day workshop Nov. 4-6 in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia, Canada as well as a brand new 9-week online training, starting October 18th). For more information on these plus other training options including private trainings, in-house trainings and SHIFT-IT Certification, click here. Early Birds in effect until September 10th.
Wow, its September … can you believe it! The final cruise ships to Alaska are making their way past my deck and we got our first showers after a glorious summer of sunshine. Change is in the air!
I must admit, I do love fall shopping … cause fall clothes are what we wear here in Victoria B.C. the most (thankfully our winters are generally mild).
XinaMerk Painting 7
Despite the weather I’m continuing to golf … my new pastime to add balance to my life. And, painting continues to flow out of me too … I am SO ENJOYING this new medium of personal expression!
The theme continues to be little swirly, spirit people (hybrids of my graphic recording doodles done over the years in my graphic facilitation work). My guess is the subject matter is also highly influenced by my adoration of the Abraham-Hicks and Ask Theo teachings too. Sometimes I think they or similar energy is flowing through me … I’m as surprised as anybody about what shows up given the spontaneity of how the paintings come out.
Despite the weather I’m continuing to golf … my new pastime to add balance to my life. And, painting continues to flow out of me too … I am SO ENJOYING this new medium of personal expression! The theme continues to be little swirly, spirit people (hybrids of my graphic recording doodles done over the years in my graphic facilitation work). My guess is the subject matter is also highly influenced by my adoration of the Abraham-Hicks and Ask Theo teachings too. Sometimes I think they or similar energy is flowing through me … I’m as surprised as anybody about what shows up given the spontaneity of how the paintings come out.
Given its officially fall, and my autumn Fundamentals of Interactive-Graphics courses are right around the corner (early birds end on September 10th so register now!) … I’ve decided to write this issue’s article on the four main ways of working visually with groups and individuals (giving you lots of visual examples to stir your creative juices and marker hands!).
Mondays, 5pm Pacific (New Weekly Community … join today!) SHIFT-IT Central®
Join our growing SHIFT-IT Community! Weekly support as you SHIFT your work and life for the better. Apply SHIFT-IT, Law of Attraction and Soul Integration to your unique circumstances for satisfying results. Laser coaching, expert guests and leading-edge sharing — all with like-minded souls from around the globe (you are NOT alone). Open to seasoned SHIFT-IT students and newbies alike – first month F.R.E.E.! Register Now
Living the Law of Attraction (online course) 12 Weeks, Sundays, 10-11:30am Pacific, Oct. 3 – December 19th
Now that you have your SHIFT-IT foundation in place – you are ready for the advanced principles and practices. Move your understanding of Law of Attraction from your head to your heart/body … for full impact and maximum results. Deep ‘Trouble at the Border’ processes to heal, re-program and replace your habitual patterns. Plus hot-off-the-press Merkley Maps, including new Self-Parenting templates. Register Now
Fundamentals of Interactive-Graphics
(two options to choose from) * 9-Week Online Course: Oct. 18 – Dec. 15 (Webinars, Mon. & Wed. 12-1pm Pacific)
* 3-Day In-Person Workshop: Nov. 4-6, Victoria British Columbia, Canada
Early Bird Ends September 10th!
Statistically over 87% of your facilitation, coaching, training and consulting clients are visual thinkers – learn powerful visual skills to boost the effectiveness (and fun!) of your process work with groups and individuals. This 9-week online or 3 day in-person professional skills training thoroughly covers custom chart work, graphic recording, graphic facilitation and graphic coaching (the four main applications of working visually with groups and individuals) so you can add these powerful tools to your own consulting, facilitation, coaching and training offerings. Register Now(Combo with SHIFT-IT Coach Certification available too)
The Biz and Life Accelerator SAVE THE DATES: Oct. 18 -June 20, 2011 (1st & 3rd Mondays at 2:30-4pm pacific) Plus 2 In-person Retreats (Nov. 19-20 Redondo Beach with THEO and May 6-7 Victoria, BC). . . mailing invites to advanced students next week!
Very excited about this new elite coaching program. This 9-month mastermind is for solo practices and small businesses at or desiring the 50-300K range. Take a quantum leap in your biz and life development, not to mention your bottom line! Biz building instruction coupled with deep inner manifestation work (the unique one-two combo that has resulted in my own success). Two 2-day retreats (L.A. and Victoria B.C.), twice-monthly online instruction plus 7 private tele-sessions (only way to get private coaching with me now). Launch begins with advance student invite– watch your home mailbox for special invitation!
I spend a lot of my work time helping individuals, groups and organizations figure out what they want and how to go about getting it. A key ingredient in that recipe is creating a compelling and engaging Vision. Identifying one’s desires then painting a sensory rich picture of that compelling destination as a preliminary step to manifesting it.
Why Having a Vision Is Crucial:
All of us are busy, busy people and we operate in busy, busy worlds. Pushed about by many competing forces, demands, wants and desires. Creating a Vision, whether you are a large company or an individual, helps to stabilize, ground and guide us. A vision brings clarity, focus and alignment — synchronizing your time, efforts and energy towards what you really want (rather than just creating by default or helter skelter).
Tips to Create an Uber-Powerful Vision:
Below are tips for creating powerful personal visions. The emphasis is on creating personal visions (for individuals, couples or families) but the same basic principles apply to corporate and organizational visions too.
Determine the Timeframe You Want to Manifest By
Define What You Really Want
Use Present Tense Language
Do Your Inner and Outer Work
Be Fine In The Meantime
Map Your Vision and Date It!
1. Determine Your Timeframe:
Begin with determining the time frame of your vision. When do you want the things you desire to manifest by? What time frame makes sense or feels intuitively right for you? A few days or weeks? 3 months? 6-months? A year? Two years? Three? Five? Ten? More? Determine the length of time that feels right for you to be operating in. Remember, you can tweak it later if you need to. And, pay attention to any resistance you have to settling on a specific time frame or deadline— there is interesting information to gather/reflect on if this is happening for you.
2. Define What You Really Want
Here’s where the fun begins. You get to sort it out with yourself (and/or your partner!) about what you really, really want. This is where you brainstorm about all of the many things you would like to be, do or have and prioritize them — getting them down to seven main components. Why seven? Cause seven is the number that researchers know works best for our human brains. We work best in chunks of information (that’s why most phone numbers are a max of 7 numbers). Hint: a really great way to brainstorm about your Personal Vision is to complete this sentence: Wouldn’t It Be Nice If ________________. Brainstorm about 20 answers and see what comes out, then cluster into common themes.
3. Use Present Tense Language & Be As Specific as It Still Feels Good:
Once you’ve determined the seven areas of your vision (can be less, can be more), write summary statements in present tense language and be as specific as possible. Normally this means beginning your statement with “I have” or “I am” and using numbers and other tangible descriptors where possible.
For example, if one area of your Vision involves improving your finances, your statement might read: “I Have Easily Doubled My Net Worth to 500K”. A statement around relationship might read: “We Have a Satisfying and Enjoyable Partnership That Lovingly Supports Both of Us” or “I Have a Great Relationship with My Body and Am At My Ideal Weight of 140lbs / Size 8″.
If you find that when you get very specific about what you want and your mood changes (i.e. you become grumpy, irritable or grouchy) … then pull back on the specificity and write a more general statement … wordsmith until you find the right level of detail for you. It’s just a sign that you have bumped into your resistance and need to back off a bit for now. (my full SHIFT-IT Graphic Coaching Process® addresses this phenomenon and how to effectively work with it).
4. Do Your Inner and Outer Work:
Once you’ve created a Personal Vision with about seven components to it, you will most likely need to do both some inner and outer work in order to manifest it.
The “inner work” is in believing or allowing that your Vision is possible and more specifically, possible for you! You can vision until the ‘cows come home’ but unless you believe your vision is possible for you, you won’t manifest it. Some people have blocks that prevent them from believing their Visions are possible. I call this phenomenon “Trouble at the Border” — the psychological and energetic border between where you currently are and where you desire to be. This border is connected to problematic beliefs, attitudes, and outlooks that you picked up somewhere along your path (and in the path of your genetic or tribe). It is possible to break through these patterns. But you’ve got to be prepared to discover and shift them in order to become a true and genuine match to what you desire.
The other work to be done is “Outer Work”. Often times Visions can seem far away and unobtainable, perhaps even a little overwhelming. The thing to do is break the gap down into smaller units —begin to figure out what you can do, in the now, to make movement towards your Vision, even if it’s seemingly small. While thoughts and beliefs systems are very important (inner work) good, old fashioned ‘Outer Work’ or actions is an important part of the equation. Roll up your sleeves and start to take actions on what you presently can – that is aligned with the Vision that you have created for yourself. Trust that your next steps will emerge after you’ve implemented your immediate ones.
5. Make Peace with Your Meantime:
Visions can take time to manifest, especially if you’ve chosen a longer time frame or have layers of resistance or mixed beliefs. Take heart that visioning is a lot like gardening. You plant a seed, weed, water and wait — with a ‘but of course’ attitude. Of course the seed will sprout and eventually mature … that is just the way nature does it.
In gardening, it is counter-productive to pick at or dig up something you’ve just planted. The same goes for visioning. Don’t pick at your Vision. Trust it and let it be. Don’t get frustrated when it doesn’t instantly materialize. Know that everything has a natural incubation or gestation process. Lightly do the action steps that are immediate in front of you. Allow life to gracefully unfold.
Just the other day I ran into a friend of mine (Hi Andrew!) who had done visioning work with me about two years ago. With a twinkle in his eye he told me about how his Vision has slowly but surely snuck up on him and that he is now living that reality. “That vision stuff we did sure worked”, he said. You can have that experience too. Be fine ‘in the meantime’ and trust that things are working even if the results aren’t quite visible … yet. Visioning is powerful mojo!
6. Map Your Vision and Date It:
Magnetism Map Example
So, I invite you to map your own Vision out. As a pioneer in Graphic Coaching I’ve devised a handy template (The Magnetism Map) to help you easily (and enjoyable) create your Personal Vision. This productive visual tool is one of 14 that make up my custom SHIFT-IT Graphic Coaching Process®.
In the spirit of summer visioning (these last hazy days of summer is a perfect time to do personal visioning work) I’m gifting you access to my Magnetism Map e-booklet and map. This 34 page booklet gives you complete, step-by-step instructions so you can have the power of my Magnetism Map working for you just like Andrew and hundreds of my other friends, clients and colleagues.
To download your complimentary Magnetism Map … my summer gift to you, just click here.
P.S. Additional SHIFT-IT Support:
FYI, if you’d like expert support to further help you with the manifestation of your Personal Vision … including the Trouble at the Border resistance work, check out these additional SHIFT-IT services and products:
SHIFT-IT Online Group (7 week online course, includes full SHIFT-IT Kit … next one starts tomorrow morning!)
SHIFT-IT Central (low fee weekly support group for new and returning SHIFTers)
SHIFT-IT Coach Certification (for coaches and therapists who want to use the SHIFT-IT Coaching Process® and suite of 17 visuals tools with their own clientele).
Graphic Facilitation of Corporate
Strategic Planning Retreat
This week I provided graphic facilitation services for a fav corporate client – returning after 6 months to help them with the next phase of a long-term strategic planning project.
They delightfully came to my town – a beautiful harbor side hotel just a few blocks from my home studio … my commute was a short sunny walk!
Me in Graphic Facilitator Mode
I purposefully don’t do a lot of traditional planning meetings any more (focusing instead on my SHIFT-IT Coaching and Interactive-Graphics mentoring) … but these folks are so great that I said ‘yes please’ when they asked. And they didn’t disappoint … was an intellectually challenging and fun meeting (with Canadian humour flying fast & furious … had to quickly remember how much they like to tease and play to keep up!).
The proven structure of strategic planning underlies the coaching work I do with individuals and is a bedrock of my custom SHIFT-IT Graphic Coaching Process® — you apply strategic planning and visioning to your own personal life. I also add a big dollop of belief and energy alignment work to effectively help you manifest what you now want.
If you are currently at a transitional time in life and/or standing at a crossroads … gift yourself the time to thoughtfully map out your options and create a personal vision and plan for your next chapter. I run online coaching groups attended from the privacy of your own home (via easy conference call and webinar technology) twice a year. Our next SHIFT-IT Online Group starts tomorrow morning! — easy online registration gives you instant access and the supportive companionship of like-minded (and hearted) people from across the globe mapping their own conscious SHIFT.
Mondays, 5pm Pacific (New Weekly Community … join today!) SHIFT-IT Central®
Join our growing SHIFT-IT Community! Weekly support as you SHIFT your work and life for the better. Apply SHIFT-IT, Law of Attraction and Soul Integration to your unique circumstances for satisfying results. Laser coaching, expert guests and leading-edge sharing — all with like-minded souls from around the globe (you are NOT alone). Open to seasoned SHIFT-IT students and newbies alike – first month F.R.E.E.! Register Now
Level 1: SHIFT-IT Online Group (starts tomorrow, still time to join!) 7 Weeks: Saturdays, 10-11:30 a.m. Pacific, August 21 – October 2
There is a massive energy shift currently occurring on our planet – can you feel it?! Are you responding to its call to SHIFT your life and Become Your Next Self? This powerful 7-week online program provides expert guidance and support on your journey to a more authentic and satisfying life. Draw your new vision. Soften and erase your limiting beliefs, self-sabotage and resistance. Manifest what you most desire. Join supportive like-minded people from across the globe. Includes SHIFT-IT Home Retreat Kit® with suite of 17 visual maps with suite of 17 visual maps. Register Now
Living the Law of Attraction (online course) 12 Weeks, Sundays, 10-11:30am Pacific, Oct. 3 – December 19th
Now that you have your SHIFT-IT foundation in place – you are ready for the advanced principles and practices. Move your understanding of Law of Attraction from your head to your heart/body … for full impact and maximum results. Deep ‘Trouble at the Border’ processes to heal, re-program and replace your habitual patterns. Plus hot-off-the-press Merkley Maps, including new Self-Parenting templates. Register Now
Fundamentals of Interactive-Graphics
(two options to choose from) * 9-Week Online Course: Oct. 18 – Dec. 15 (Webinars, Mon. & Wed. 12-1pm Pacific)
* 3-Day In-Person Workshop: Nov. 4-6, Victoria British Columbia, Canada
Statistically over 87% of your facilitation, coaching, training and consulting clients are visual thinkers – learn powerful visual skills to boost the effectiveness (and fun!) of your process work with groups and individuals. This 9-week online or 3 day in-person professional skills training thoroughly covers custom chart work, graphic recording, graphic facilitation and graphic coaching (the four main applications of working visually with groups and individuals) so you can add these powerful tools to your own consulting, facilitation, coaching and training offerings. Register Now(Combo with SHIFT-IT Coach Certification available too)
The Biz and Life Accelerator 9-Month Elite Mastermind, Oct.-June (invites coming soon!)
Very excited about this new elite coaching program. For serious SHIFTers, this 9-month guided mastermind is those with solo practices or small businesses with goals or realities in the 50K-500K range. Take a quantum leap in your personal and biz development, not to mention your bottom line! Internet marketing instruction coupled with deep inner manifestation work (the unique one-two combo that has resulted in my own success). Two 2-day retreats (L.A. and Victoria B.C.), weekly online huddles (instruction and masterminding) plus private coaching. Launch begins with advance student invite-only application process – watch your home mailbox for more details in a few weeks!
This week my team and I launched a new program at SHIFT-IT Coach, Inc. The new program is called SHIFT-IT
Central® and its weekly time is Mondays at 5 pm pacific.
It’s a low-fee weekly program for new and seasoned SHIFTers … a supportive community to learn and effectively apply SHIFT-IT, Law of Attraction and Soul Integration principles to your evolving journey.
Given the amount of group and training programs I’m now leading, the nature of how I work has to change — I just don’t have the bandwidth I used to, to do private one-to-one coaching, even though I LOVE IT. This program enables people who are not in my higher end mastermind, The Biz & Life Accelerator (launching soon), and even those who are – a fun and affordable way to have ongoing access to me for one-to-one attention and SHIFT-IT intervention.
Plus, given the community nature of this forum, you also receive the precious experience of listening to others be coached and witnessing their evolutionary journey.
For years, I have had the deep privilege of being allowed to witness my clients’ amazing emotional and vibrational work. I have often wished that others with similar themes and circumstances could have overheard the private work we just did— as it would be so helpful (not to mention efficient!).
First, to see that they aren’t alone, weird or unusual (unfortunately a condition that can plague some of us) and secondly, to piggy back off the insights, ahhas and breakthroughs that happened.
A Helpful New Protocol:
In order to coach as many people as possible on the SHIFT-IT Central calls, I’ve created a “SHIFT-IT Statement” protocol – to help clients summarize and direct their SHIFT-IT topic and the results they desire. Law of Attraction is all about where you choose to focus your attention and the results this has. The trick is to place your focus on what you DO WANT — not on what you don’t (although the “don’t” is a starting place and something you don’t want to push at or reject … it’s something you want to make peace with at the same time you are reaching for more). Those of you, who are familiar with these concepts, also know that it’s often easier said than done!
The new protocol, that each person who comes onto SHIFT-IT Central to be coached uses, starts with a simple sentence that declares the area or category that they want their shift in (i.e. work/career/right livelihood, prosperity, environment, relationship, body/weight, family, health, personal growth, fun & recreation, friends, etc.). Then a second succinct sentence that describes the nature of the SHIFT in this area/category that is desired.
SHIFT-IT Statement:
The area/category of my SHIFT is:
___________________________.
My desire is to SHIFT-IT from
__________________________ to
___________________________.
Some Examples:
Here are some examples to put the format in context:
The area/category of my SHIFT is work. My desire is to SHIFT-IT from being negative and dissatisfied with my current job to being self-employed doing what I love and being prosperous.
The area/category of my SHIFT is physical environment. My desire is to SHIFT-IT from the area I currently live in that I have outgrown to living in a location where I am happily connected with nature and a nice community and have lots of space to have horses and my other interests.
The area/category of my SHIFT is my body. My desire is to SHIFT-IT from the extra weight I have been carrying to being back in a body that feels good, sensual, healthy, strong and energetic.
The area/category of my SHIFT is relationship. My desire is to SHIFT-IT from a disconnected relationship to a connected, fun, team-feeling where we come home happy to see other and glad we are together.
The area/category of my SHIFT is financial. My desire is to SHIFT-IT from the worry and insecurity I often feel about my finances to security, stability and calm. To have financial abundance, prosperity and plenty.
The Statement Is a Good Starting Place:
These statements are a good starting place but they are only the beginning of the true SHIFT-IT work. Through the SHIFT-IT Statement my client’s mind has begun to define and clarify the area they want to focus their SHIFT-IT work on and the result they desire. My job as their SHIFT-IT Coach is to get them to continue to focus (and vibrate as) the shift they desire … through all the various tools in my palette and tricks up my sleeve that I possess (storytelling/vignettes, wouldn’t it be nice ifs, virtual reality, soul integration work, etc.). All the fun stuff that I adore and that is so helpful for SHIFTing clients off of what they don’t want and onto what they do.
What I deeply appreciate and love about the work, especially when done in a group setting, is that different people require different things … so it keeps things fresh. The approach or processes that worked for one person may not work at all for another – in fact they can be almost antagonistic depending on where the person is on the emotional scale. So it keeps me on my toes and tuned into what each particular client needs, on their subject, at that particular juncture in time. My experience, intuition and connection with my own guides and the guides of my client (they are always whispering, nudges or giving me flashes of inspiration about what to do) moves us along — and it’s a total co-creation with the client … as their guidance system is what directs the whole process and ultimately tells us whether we have been successful or not.
For more exposure to these principles and to play with your own SHIFT-IT statements and energetic shifts, drop by SHIFT-IT Central for some great support and community. The first month is totally free … so you can feel out whether this is a vibrational match for you. New members are welcome at any time plus you receive immediate access to the audio library of previous calls and bonus materials. Hear you soon and I look forward to working directly with you and your desired SHIFTs!
It’s been a beautiful run of weather here in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada – sunny and warm … just as I like it!
Continues to be a great season full of golf, painting (see photos for latest two), and preparing for the fall SHIFT-IT and Interactive-Graphics courses (both in-person in Victoria BC plus first-ever online option).
We also launched SHIFT-IT Central® this past Monday A low-fee weekly program for new and seasoned SHIFTers … a supportive community to learn and effectively apply SHIFT-IT, Law of Attraction and Soul Integration principles to your evolving life. This is a drop-in coaching program with audio archives … new members may join at any time (first month complimentary).
XinaMerk Painting Number 6
In order to coach as many people as possible on these calls, I’ve created a “SHIFT-IT Statement” protocol – to help clients summarize and direct their SHIFT-IT topic and the results they desire. Law of Attraction is all about where you choose to focus your attention and the results this has. The trick is to place your focus on what you DO WANT — not on what you don’t (although the “don’t” is a starting place and something you don’t want to push at or reject). Those of you, who know this, also know that it’s often easier said than done! Sooooo, today’s article is How to Craft Your SHIFT-IT Statement –something you can do on your own or when you join us at SHIFT-IT Central
Mondays, 5pm Pacific SHIFT-IT Central®
Join our growing SHIFT-IT Community! Weekly support as you SHIFT your work and life for the better. Apply SHIFT-IT, Law of Attraction and Soul Integration to your unique circumstances for satisfying results. Laser coaching, expert guests and leading-edge sharing — all with like-minded souls from around the globe (you are NOT alone). Open to seasoned SHIFT-IT students and newbies alike – first month F.R.E.E.! Register Now
Level 1: SHIFT-IT Online Group 7 Weeks: Saturdays, 10-11:30 a.m. Pacific, August 21 – October 2
There is a massive energy shift currently occurring on our planet – can you feel it?! Are you responding to its call to SHIFT your life and Become Your Next Self? This powerful 7-week online program provides expert guidance and support on your journey to a more authentic and satisfying life. Draw your new vision. Soften and erase your limiting beliefs, self-sabotage and resistance. Manifest what you most desire. Join supportive like-minded people from across the globe. Includes SHIFT-IT Home Retreat Kit® with suite of 17 visual maps. Register Now
Living the Law of Attraction (online course) 12 Weeks, Sundays, 10-11:30am Pacific, Oct. 3 – December 19th
Now that you have your SHIFT-IT foundation in place – you are ready for the advanced principles and practices. Move your understanding of Law of Attraction from your head to your heart/body … for full impact and maximum results. Deep ‘Trouble at the Border’ processes to heal, re-program and replace your habitual patterns. Plus hot-off-the-press Merkley Maps, including new Self-Parenting templates.
Fundamentals of Interactive-Graphics (two options)(both online and in-person) Professional Skills Training (details soon) Mondays, 5pm Pacific, Starts August 2nd (details soon)
Statistically over 87% of your facilitation, coaching, training and consulting clients are visual thinkers – learn powerful visual skills to boost the effectiveness (and fun!) of your process work with groups and individuals. This 9-week online or 3 day in-person professional skills training thoroughly covers custom chart work, graphic recording, graphic facilitation and graphic coaching (the four main applications of working visually with groups and individuals) so you can add these powerful tools to your own consulting, facilitation, coaching and training offerings. Register Now(Combo with SHIFT-IT Coach Certification available too)
The Biz and Life Accelerator 9-Month Elite Mastermind, Oct.-June (invites coming soon!)
Very excited about this new elite coaching program. For serious SHIFTers, this 9-month guided mastermind is for solo practices and small businesses with goals in the $50-$500K range. Take a quantum leap in your personal and biz development, not to mention your bottom line! Internet marketing instruction coupled with deep inner manifestation work (the unique one-two combo that has resulted in my own success). Plus great new like-minded friends and collaborators. Launch begins with advance student invite-only application process – watch your home mailbox for more details in a few weeks!
Each of us has it … that leading edge in our life that calls us forth … that image and feel of our ‘A’ life beckoning us into Becoming Our Next Self.
It’s Different for Everyone:
What I love about the ‘A’ Life is that it’s different for everyone. Each of us gets to define what ‘A’ means for us. Might be buffing up your personal life – so you have more closeness, love and harmony in your relationships. Or, might mean adding more creativity, zest and spontaneity to your work life. Or kicking back and relaxing more (sometimes manifestation is about less not more!). Whatever ‘A’ is for you … it’s compelling and kind of nagging at you to emerge.
Your Whispers or Shouts:
In one of my SHIFT-IT maps … called the S.E.L.F. Inventory … I have my clients list out their ‘evolutionary whispers’. The things that evolution is whispering or shouting into their ear about what is next for them – what they really want to be doing (even if they don’t yet know how to go about it or the information is somehow confusing or perhaps nerve wracking to them). Sometimes evolution has built up quite a voice so the whispers have progressed into shouts. The question is … are you listening? Do you have the guts to follow your gentle yet increasingly insistent impulses?
Questions to Ask Yourself:
It’s easy to identify these evolutionary whispers – every one of my hundreds of clients has been able to do it, in a matter of minutes. I’m always blown away by the elegance of how evolution works through us, when we are brave enough to take note.
To uncover your own evolutionary whispers ask yourself these quick questions … and allow your answers to come forth easily (have pen and paper ready to jot your wisdom down!):
What Am I Here To Do?
What’s Next For Me?
What Do I Really, Really Want to Do?
If Time, Money or Ability Were No Barrier (because they aren’t!), What Would I Pursue?
Who Is My Next Self?
What Does My Soul or Higher Self Want Me To Be, Do or Have?
What Feels Joyful to Me?
What Must I Do, Be, Have So My Song is Sung This Lifetime?
Make Space and Room:
Gone, gone, gone.
Ahhhhh,Good Riddance!
One of the signs I personally have when I’m in ‘up-level’ mode is that I start chucking out stuff … my surefire sign that a new level of my self is on her way.
I am a naturally organized person and tend to fall on the sparse or minimalist side. I like to be surrounded by things that make me feel good, so if something doesn’t ‘cut it’ … it’s gone. (just went through a purge last week … couldn’t believe the pile of stuff that got chucked or relocated out of my office). Made room for my new painting easel (and the life that comes along with it!).
When my clients tell me that they just did a big purge or that they are spring cleaning … then I know our coaching work is having an effect at a deep, somatic level. In order to create your ‘A’ level life, ya gotta get rid of B, C, D or F stuff! That old stuff is just no longer a vibrational match to the person you are in the process of becoming.
If you understand the power of creating space and room for your next life … and find organizing or letting go of stuff a challenge, I recommend the ‘From Clutter to Order’ work of Alison Marks (she’s another of my old grad school friends doing cool work in the world).
Listen For Your Next Impulses (and act on them!)
After clearing room, you will have calm and space in which to listen for your ‘marching orders’. Your Higher Self knows what she or he is doing. It’s beaming directions to you all the time however you have had so much noise interference (your old stuff manifestations) that the lines of communication have been clogged.
Now that you have a sparser space, what are you able to hear, sense or feel in it? Back to those impulses that you listed out. After you clear some space, you will get intuitions and senses about what is next for you (or things will start showing up!). Is there something you want to get? Something you want to do? Somewhere you want to go? People you want to meet? Experiences you want to have?
An ‘A’ life is built by listening and acting on those impulses … one after the other in a calm and faith-filled way. Unlike the clutter that gets built up, our intuitive wisdom comes in easy, doable steps — when we create the proper conditions for it. Impulses come one at a time. They are easy and doable (not overwhelming … that is another side of you talking!).
The trick is to act on the impulse you are getting. When you do your next impulse (the next clue or guidance) will reveal itself … kind of like breadcrumbs (or gold nuggets!) along the murky forest path. Your job is to follow your guidance one step at a time. To trust it and to trust yourself and know, even if it might now always seem evident, that your steps are leading you to your ‘A’ level … to the life of your Next Self! It’s a fun and magical process that I take much delight in, in myself and in my SHIFT-IT clients.
Support to Manifest Your ‘A’. Life:
To aid you in creating your ‘A’ life I’ve crafted two new programs. SHIFT-IT Central, a new weekly support forum open to everyone on Monday, August 2nd, – seasoned SHIFT-IT clients and newbies alike. And, the new 9-month (like a baby!) Biz and Life Accelerator launches soon with invite only application process to my previous clients and mentees – watch your mailbox!). Both great ways to be in wonderful community as you Become Your Next Self.
