Dear Savvy Woman,

This morning in my boot-camp workout (http://pacwestathletics.com - they rock!) we ran stair after stair (the Lyon Street stairs, for you locals), eight times in total.  I’ve never done those stairs that many times, bootcamp or not.  And, I’ve never sweated that much at 6am, not as much as I did today. 

I found myself grumbling as Richard, our instructor and the co-founder, announced that we’d be doing a second set of four more.  This was asking too much, I thought.  I was tired going into the morning to start, and my mind started resisting the idea that I would be able to do it all.   I wanted to languish in my comfort zone.  I didn’t want to push myself this morning to go further than I ever had.   Especially running steep stairs - not my strong suit - or so I think.

Turns out, as I’m sure you’re guessing, I did it.  Feigning off a cold and feeling grumpy,  I still was able to push through it and felt better for it on the other side. 

And it reminded me of how I work with clients continually on stepping out of their comfort zones.   Not as you might imagine, either.   Yes, we do take a look at the obvious, such as how they are experiencing dating and relationship, what they’re doing that’s working and what’s not - and that certainly calls them forth out of a comfort zone.

What tends to be more powerful, especially starting out, and is the gas to get the car to drive further to it’s destination, is looking at some of the little comfort zones that comprise their lives.  It’s the time they’re waking up in the morning - just enough time to shower (or not) and hop on email at 9am.   Changing her wake up time to an hour earlier,  ‘Amy’  now takes time to exercise or give herself ‘me’ time for meditation, reading, and setting the intention for her day - and it’s attracting men like magnets to metal.   She feels like she is a new woman on some levels, and that ALWAYS  spills over to every other part.

Over the weekend, Larry and I were invited to a pool party in Sonoma.  I was chatting with a guy, ‘Joe’, about life in San Francisco.  On the topic of dating and relationship, I asked him what he was attracted to in a woman (I’m always SO curious = ), can’t help myself) and he said he didn’t have a type (good answer!).  He did, however, proceed to list a lot of interests of his, and that he’d like his lady to be able to hang with those. 

I had the sense that what might be holding Joe back from a great relationship is that he might be in a comfort zone, if you will.  And this comfort zone is one of the thought that if he meets someone who doesn’t participate in some of the hobbies and interests that he pursues, that they won’t work, he’ll be held back, etc etc.  

Comfort zones.  They take so many forms.  We all have them.  We’re human.

So, my savvy friend, what’s one of yours that comes easily to mind?   Take a step this week to  make a shift - try something out, something new.  They’ll be a payoff on the other side!

From my savvy heart to yours,

Leslie

The Savvy Woman’s Love Coach

www.BeLoveSavvy.com

Dear Savvy Woman,

It must be the full moon.  I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling a little scattered, a little restless.  A little off.  When I feel this way, I tend to hold on to negative thoughts in my head.  Ugh!  

This is when I know I need to turn to some form of inspirtation to shake me & let me step into a more positive perspective.

Recently I discovered this website for Angel cards - and I loved it - so I’m sharing it with you:

http://www.consciousone.com/angelcards.com

Follow the instructions, and find some inspiration.

From my savvy heart to yours,

Leslie

The Savvy Woman’s Love Coach

www.BeLoveSavvy.com

Dear Savvy Woman,

I want to share a fun and savvy, not to mention sassy, resource with you :  www.jillianbisinger.com.

Jill is a fabulous photographer here in San Francisco.  I used her for my photos on my website www.BeLoveSavvy.com.   If you peruse her website you’ll see she also takes amazing pregnancy photos, family photos, and events.

Whether you’re looking to upgrade your online profile or just celebrating the New You, you’ll have a great time listening to blues and chatting with Jill like an old friend as she clicks away - complete with outfit changes and hair checks to expand your options, and confidence.  Not only do you walk away with tons of photos to choose from at a reasonable price, but you feel like a Star for a couple of hours! 

What Savvy gal couldn’t use a dose of that once in a while??

From my savvy heart to yours,

Leslie

Larry and I are hooked on the remake of the series Battlestar Galactica (an entire story in itself – but i’ll save it for another time) and we usually treat ourselves to an episode or two a week.  Sometimes we  O.D. on three or more episodes in one sitting, but, as balance is key in everything, we tend to refrain from gorging too often.

In case you’re not familiar with this show (I really can’t imagine! = )), the gist is that the human race is fighting a war against the Cylons,  trying to save their race, discover earth, and stay alive in this war occurring in various galaxies.   Often they use the tactic of ‘jumping’ to another ‘position’ in the galaxy, or into a new galaxy, to save themselves.  Well, I tell you, I found myself in awe of this ability – to say ‘See ya!’ – and , in a second, find themselves in a new, stronger position. 

Although the cat is now out of the bag (I actually watch this), I’ll let it out further and say that we’ve watched enough  that I find myself joking referencing the show (“So Say We All!”).  Just this morning while in session with my coach, I spoke of a limiting belief that I’ve held on to and found myself saying, “God, I am so OVER this!  I just want to JUMP.” (Thankfully she was both familiar with the BG series, and knew that my comment was in context of the show, not standing on a bridge.)  Wanting to shed this limiting belief that was showing up by way of remaining stagnant and ‘playing small’ (coaching lingo), I wanted to propel myself into a new state by JUMPING, rather than taking the baby steps necessary to work it through, which would result in the same – bring me to a new galaxy.

Savvy ladies, you know what I’m talking about.  I’m most certain you do, because you are a woman. As women, we feel, and give, and desire, and aspire.  Often we get really caught up in the first two, and when the second two kick in or catch up, we want to JUMP.  To new galaxies, a new place.  “John” has been disappointing you – and it’s feeling now three months too much. You’re ready to end it.  How easy is it to want to JUMP, and grab hold of a new “John”, rather than first responsibly and reasonably communicate your needs and desires, directly and authentically, and see what comes of it.  Urrrg…. It can just be easier to JUMP, right?  Find a new guy that might be more ‘right’.  Just move on.

On the show, the mother ship, the Battlestar, often walks this line of reacting by way of positioning for a jump, yet assessing the situation to determine if it’s the correct course of action  - the right time - to perform a JUMP.  If it’s the right thing to do.  They could continually jump, but sometimes they find themselves into stickier situations when they do that, like leaving some of the fleet behind or losing their fuel source changing galaxies. It can be an easy out.

Don’t get me wrong - there’s nothing wrong with making a JUMP.  In fact the JUMPS are what makes life’s challenges worth it.  Unfortunately, we’re not living on the Battlestar and can’t just hit a button to launch us into a new galaxy in a light second.  We need to map out the ‘jump coordinates’ by way of using our awareness, truth, and desires to guide us towards that JUMP.  We need to do some work in order to get to where we want to be.I can say that being in relationship with my husband Larry, is a tremendous JUMP from the dating and relating experiences of mine 4 or 5 years ago.  What occurred before, in between, and after was (and is!)  some ‘work’.   I didn’t stay out of relationship for the past 5 years, I didn’t stop taking risks, I didn’t just sit and close my eyes and fantasize about “Mr. Right” who would appear and be perfect and make my life perfect, and I didn’t look only beyond myself, pointing outward as the reasons and excuses as to why I wasn’t happy in relationship. This JUMP occurred for me (and continues to occur) by practicing my Love Savvy Principles (www.belovesavvy.com/approach).

Here is to exploring the galaxies of our dreams…So Say We All!    From my savvy heart to yours,

Leslie

The Savvy Woman’s Love Coach

www.BeLoveSavvy.com