Articles by Liz Sumner, Life Coach (WonderfulCoach.com)

Browse published articles attributed to Liz Sumner, Life Coach (WonderfulCoach.com), with full-archive search.

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By Liz Sumner, Life Coach (WonderfulCoach.com)Apr 11, 20031 topic

Lessons From The Bathroom Sink

All the great philosophers must have been plumbers. The work seems to lend itself to powerful insights. Plumbers unstop the blockages and get everything flowing. They plunge the depths and get rid of all the crap. Who better to pass along pithy rules of life?nnI tackled a leaky sink the other day. I'd been tolerating the drip for months. It took me so long because I didn't know how to go about starting. I'd made halfhearted attempts to ask at various hardware stores but I did

Primary topic: Happiness

Happiness

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By Liz Sumner, Life Coach (WonderfulCoach.com)Feb 24, 20031 topic

One + One = A Zillion or Why I Like Partnerships

I went to a yoga workshop the other day. At one point we were instructed to find a partner for a few exercises. After overcoming my shyness with strangers I paired up with my neighbor. We tentatively began trying the moves together, being careful to make sure each other was safe and sound. It wasn't until we both really went for it-- leaned in opposite directions with our full weight, that we were counterbalanced enough to hold the position. It was the doing our own piece of

Primary topic: General Self Help

General Self Help

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By Liz Sumner, Life Coach (WonderfulCoach.com)Mar 15, 20041 topic

How To Leave Your Dead End Job

This is for everyone who is sticking with a job that no longer fits. Maybe it was right for awhile, for a certain time and place in your life. But not anymore. When was the last time you jumped out of bed with excitement about what the day would bring?nn"But I love the people I work with." n"It's so convenient." n"The money's pretty decent, consideringâ¦"nnI've heard all the excuses. Hell, I've made them. You know that job is sucking your soul and it's time to leave. The onl

Primary topic: Career Development

Career Development

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By Liz Sumner, Life Coach (WonderfulCoach.com)May 21, 20031 topic

Being Committed

A number of years ago at my first personal growth seminar, the wise group leader asked if I had problems with commitment. I clearly remember my thought processes. "Commitment? I'm not sure I understand what that means. Oh well, it's probably not important."nnThat was a pivotal realization for me. I subsequently learned what commitment means and how it shows up for me. Maybe this is on my mind now because I'm coming up on a significant wedding anniversary-- my first. That aspe

Primary topic: Happiness

Happiness

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By Liz Sumner, Life Coach (WonderfulCoach.com)Jan 29, 20031 topic

Wishin and Hopin

I like a good challenge now and then. A couple of weeks ago I took on Mother Nature in a test of wills. I attempted to clear two feet of snow from my driveway through the power of positive thinking. I also used deep breathing, relaxation techniques, and openness. When those didn't work I tried crying and begging. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't seem to fix my plow guy's truck and get him up my driveway. After five days of misery, helplessness, and another eight inches o

Primary topic: Happiness

Happiness

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By Liz Sumner, Life Coach (WonderfulCoach.com)Jul 2, 20031 topic

No Place like H.O.M.E.

A few years ago I was having dinner at a Hollywood restaurant with several of my husband's childhood friends-- one of whom was a movie producer who owned the restaurant, and another was some big deal in the music industry. I gave meaning and importance to their glamorous titles. I decided that they were better than me because they had money and celebrity. In that rarefied air I felt oversized, underdressed, and at the same time puny and invisible.nnI can still feel the outrag

Primary topic: Empowerment

Empowerment

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By Liz Sumner, Life Coach (WonderfulCoach.com)Feb 4, 20111 topic

Exquisite & Working: A Recipe for Life

What if everything in your life was exquisite and working? What if you didn't tolerate anything that wasn't-- you fixed it, replaced it, or got rid of it. What if you only had around you things that pleased you? Everything else gets tossed, returned, or given away.nnI have a sense that putting up with crap is responsible for a lot of life's misery. How much energy does it cost us to tolerate and ignore the irritants?nnOf course not everyone has the same priorities. I don't ne

Primary topic: Happiness

Happiness

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By Liz Sumner, Life Coach (WonderfulCoach.com)Feb 4, 20111 topic

A Spoonful of Chocolate

Once upon a time there was a beautiful princess who was on a diet. She really wanted a spoonful of Hershey's syrup from the can in the refrigerator. But no, that wasn't allowed. So she had some carrot sticks instead. Then some celery. But that didn't satisfy her desire. So she had some more carrots. And then a peanut butter sandwich. And another one. And then she ate the entire can of chocolate syrup.nnnWhat's your spoonful of chocolate? Have you been denying yourself somethi

Primary topic: Happiness

Happiness

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By Liz Sumner, Life Coach (WonderfulCoach.com)Feb 4, 20111 topic

When It Was Fun

When did it stop being fun to try things we're not already good at? There must have been a time when it was okay to experiment, before self-criticism paralyzed us with its withering attacks. It's so unfair to expect perfection the first time out. Wouldn't it be great if performance didn't matter and we could just have a good time?nnI've never been much for sports. I was a fat little kid and missed the skill-building years. As an adult I've continued to avoid the games at comp

Primary topic: Happiness

Happiness

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By Liz Sumner, Life Coach (WonderfulCoach.com)Feb 4, 20111 topic

Resolutions That Work

What usually happens to your resolve in the New Year? Does it disappear before the pine needles are even vacuumed? Do you spend more energy on excuses than on execution? Can you even remember your intention by Valentine's day? nnTry something different this year. Take some time to think through your plan before jumping into action. Here are some guidelines that can help.nn1. Downstream SelfnImagine a vital, successful, and grateful you five years in the future looking back an

Primary topic: Goal Setting

Goal Setting

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By Liz Sumner, Life Coach (WonderfulCoach.com)Feb 4, 20111 topic

Cross It Off Your List

This is for people who can't seem to get everything done. Those of you who efficiently take care of every detail ahead of time don't need to read any further. nnAs a recovering procrastinator I have a great deal of experience with To Do lists. I've embellished them with multi-color highlighters, experimented with assorted list-making software, anything to keep from actually doing the tasks. Along the way I've learned a few tricks you may find helpful. nn1. Make the ListnDon't

Primary topic: Time Management

Time Management

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By Liz Sumner, Life Coach (WonderfulCoach.com)Jun 27, 20061 topic

Making Lemonade: Starting A Business After Ending A Career

What do you do when the money tree starts sprouting lemons? nnItâs increasingly common these days to find middle-aged, mid-level managers suddenly faced with huge shifts of circumstance. Down-sizing, bubble-bursting, plant-closing, and consolidating are just some of the forces creating a class of sudden solo-preneurs.nnAt 50-something you face particularly difficult job-hunting challenges. Your salary range is high. Your network is decent after so many years, but jobs at yo

Primary topic: Career Development

Career Development

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By Liz Sumner, Life Coach (WonderfulCoach.com)Jun 24, 20061 topic

Well Loved: How to Get Rid of What You Don't Want

Iâm appreciating used things. I got a great gas barbecue on Freecycle; a practically new John Deere lawnmower for $50; a beautiful Le Creuset cast iron shelf from a friendâs basement, a lovely leather purse from the thrift shop. They feel like blessings. I get all the joy of something new plus an extra kick of getting it for nothing or practically so.nnIâm typing this on a computer I bought used thatâs sitting on a desk I got at a yard sale. Come to think of it, I als

Primary topic: Empowerment

Empowerment

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By Liz Sumner, Life Coach (WonderfulCoach.com)Apr 13, 20051 topic

Patriots

Mid-way through our recent trip to Italy, my husband, Michael, got bronchitis. We had to take it easy to conserve his energy. After 4 days recuperating by the seaside we decided to venture into Pietrapertosa, a small mountain village in Basilicata. To get there by bus we had to go through Potenza-- a sprawling, non-charming city that Michael had wanted to avoid at all costs.nnAll the connections worked well. As we rolled our duffels down the cobblestone street people kept poi

Primary topic: Happiness

Happiness

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Articles by Liz Sumner, Life Coach (WonderfulCoach.com)

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Articles by Liz Sumner, Life Coach (WonderfulCoach.com)