May greetings to you!

There’s been a common thread among my coaching clients lately – the value of adding a new community to their lives. It’s even become a theme in my own life.

Last month, I was invited to join a book club. I haven’t been in a book club for over 10 years. What took me so long to join another book club; me, an English Lit major, a lover of books and thoughtful novel discussions? Why such a long lag time?

It could be that I hadn’t taken time to remember how this kind of interaction lights me up. It could be that I’ve told myself, “I’m too busy,” or some other excuse. That’s not really important; what counts is that I’ve finally come back to it.

Community is re-connecting me with a lost passion.

From the first few minutes of our book clubs first organization meeting, I knew I was in the right place; I resonated with the women in the room, especially around our shared love of books. See recommended reading for this month’s book.

One of the most rewarding aspects of this experience has been the fact that the group was initiated by one of my clients. She had come to discover – through the coaching process – that one thing missing in her life was a community of like-minded women. With great intention, she set forth to attract this group, and as a result, she has added great value to her life (and mine!).

Community surrounds her with kindred spirits.

Another client of mine is training for a triathlon, and just found two training partners with whom she meets weekly. The addition of this training partnership has been incredibly rewarding to her. “Without the accountability of meeting my partners,” she said, “I would never get out of bed at 6:00 a.m. to run!”

Community inspires her to achieve new heights.

And yet another client made a pact with her friend to meet six days a week to go to the health club. No matter what, she is in her friend’s parking lot by 8:00 a.m. Their friendship has been strengthened as they work toward their common goal of greater health.

Community keeps her focused on her goal.

So, what communities are missing from your life? Think back to what groups you were involved in when you were young. What activities meant the world to you? Are they still a part of your life, and if not, how would your life be enhanced with the activity added back in?

If you can’t find an existing group to join, consider starting one of your own. Brush aside any fears and focus on the gifts that group leadership will bring you. If it’s the right choice, then the time, skills and resources that you need will show up at exactly the right time.

Or, if you’d prefer, let me create a group for you. Consider the support, structure and additional resources that I could bring as the facilitator. You provide the idea, and I will help you gather the group – locally in the Chicago area, or by telephone anywhere else.

Let’s talk! Send me an email with your ideas for a group.

Wishing you a great month of May.

Maripat Abbott, CPCC
Life Coach

Would you like to recession-proof your mind? If so, then I invite you to join me for a tele-seminar based on Barbara Stanny’s book, Overcoming Underearning®: A 5 Step Plan to A Richer Life, which begins on May 20th.

This 5 session series will help you become proactive during these uncertain economic times rather than reactive, by diving into the inner and outer work necessary to achieve prosperity. There’s no better time to move into a place of power, not fear, around your financial future.

I’ve been personally trained by money expert, Barbara Stanny, to offer this tele-seminar. Your participation in this series will help ensure that the balance of 2009 is prosperous for you.

Imagine joining with a community of fellow prosperity seekers from the comfort of your own home. The only equipment you need is a telephone, a copy of the Overcoming Underearning® book*, and a journal for notes.

In just 5 sessions you will:

• Shift your relationship with money by examining old, limiting beliefs and embracing empowering new ones
• Experience the five-step plan that when followed, has been proven to increase income
• Be guided to create your own personal action plan to earn more
• Tease apart the difference between your truth versus economic truth
• Have email access to Maripat throughout the seminar to deepen your learning

Overcoming Underearning®: A Five-Step Plan to a Richer Life

*Visit Barbara Stanny’s website to order the Overcoming Underearning® book at www.BarbaraStanny.com

**A link to access recordings of all calls arrives in your email inbox after each session, so no worries if you have to miss a class.