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January 2003              Linda K. Liebold          www.CoachToSuccess.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tackling Your Tolerations Whether you are a manager, an entrepreneur, someone in-between jobs, or a parent who stays at home, you most likely put up with a lot of tolerations in your life.  We all tend to tolerate certain people, situations, unmet needs, unfinished business, other people’s behavior, and even our own behavior. Often, we don’t even realize what we’re tolerating unless it’s something so big that we are forced to pay attention to it.  Whether it’s a full email box, a cluttered desk, an unpaid bill, or a cobweb you can’t reach, tolerations drain your energy. To help you understand tolerations and how they affect your energy level, here’s an example from my coaching workshops.  First, I hold up a Styrofoam cup and ask someone from the audience to share a few things he or she is tolerating.  Each time a toleration is mentioned, I take a pin and poke a hole in the cup.  I then take a pitcher of water, explaining that the water is energy.  I fill the cup up (making sure there is a container underneath the cup!).  I’m sure you can guess what happens to the water. It very quickly drains out of the cup. This visual image illustrates how tolerations drain our energy: the more tolerations, the less energy.  Awareness and Action  When my coaching clients ask how they can get rid of their tolerations, I explain that they must first become aware of them.  They need to make a list of their tolerations and then determine a way to address each one.  Their choices are to:  1) fix the toleration themselves; 2) hire it out; or 3) let it go.  Next, they must decide which specific actions they are going to take in order to eliminate their tolerations and state when they will take that action.  Below are some of my personal examples:  Toleration Fix it myself. Hire it out. Let it go. Specific Action & Deadline Cluttered Office Fix it myself. Spend 30 minutes each morning organizing my office for the next 3 mornings. Schedule 10-15 minutes daily thereafter. Computer not working  properly. Hire it out. Call and schedule “computer doctor” appointment by 2/7/03 Daughter’s messy room. Let it go. Close her door immediately so I don’t see it.
Are there things in your life that are draining your energy?  The chart below is divided into six major categories to help you create your personal list of tolerations.  The categories include:  Work; Home; Relationships; Body, Mind & Spirit; Money; and Other (in case you come up with something new.)  Go ahead and complete the chart.  (Don’t feel limited by the number of rows in this chart.  You may want to create your own on a separate piece of paper.) Toleration Tackle List Toleration Fix it myself. Hire it out. Let it go. Specific Action & Deadline Work                                   Home                                   Relationships                                   Mind, Body, Spirit                                   Money                                   Other                                         After completing your list of tolerations, review it carefully.  Believe it or not, by simply completing the chart and becoming aware of your tolerations, you will feel a sense of relief.  Then, each time you remove a toleration from your list, you will feel a sense of accomplishment and a burst of energy.  You will make room for something that is a priority -- something you really want to do and is important to the quality of your work and life. Free Tele-Workshop:  Tackling Tolerations After reading this article, are you ready to tackle your tolerations?  Join others in a FREE One-Hour Tele-Workshop: Wednesday, February 19, 2003 from 1:00 – 2:00 pm EST where you’ll begin to create a life that is free of tolerations. During the workshop, you will develop a list of tolerations and determine ways to eliminate them.  By getting rid of the things that weigh you down, you will create more space in your life for the things that lighten you up and make you happy.  Share your experiences and toleration tackling techniques with others participants.  This free workshop conducted by telephone is scheduled February 19 from 1:00 – 2:00 pm EST.  To register, contact:  Linda@CoachToSuccess.com.  Once registered, you will receive an email confirmation and an audio-bridge number to call the day of the event. Want to learn more? Are you interested in learning more about this topic and others like it?  l will be happy to talk with you about creating custom on-site workshops and teleclasses for you and your group.  Contact me at Linda@CoachToSuccess.com New Tele-Workshop starting in February What’s Next?  A 4-Week Tele-Workshop in February Mondays, 1:00 – 2:00 pm EST, February 3-24, 2003 If you are interested in changing jobs or transitioning to a new career, consider signing up for Linda’s Tele-Workshop entitled What’s Next?  It is a four-week, highly participative series of telephone conference sessions. Assessment tools such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and the Strong Interest Inventory will help you understand with better clarity: who you are, what you like to do, what motivates you, and what you want to do next. By the fourth week, you will design and begin implementing a plan of action. Each participant will receive the book Reinventing Yourself by Sandra Davis and Bill Handschin. Register early. This Tele-Workshop is limited to 16 people. Date: Mondays, February 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th from  1:00 – 2:00 pm EST  (four one-hour sessions) Cost: $199 Registration Deadline: January 27, 2003 To register, contact:  Linda@CoachToSuccess.com.  Once registered, you will receive an email confirmation and an audio-bridge number to call the day of the event. For more information click here. Coming Next Month… The February issue of Leadership & Life Tips will feature the first in a series of articles on career pathing and planning. Free Coaching Session If you would like a complimentary, 30-minute, no obligation coaching telephone session, send an email to Linda@CoachToSuccess.com. Share Your Tips If you would like to share your own tips and recommended resources, please send them to: Linda@CoachToSuccess.com and they will be included in an upcoming issue of Leadership & Life Tips.  About the Author Linda Liebold, M. A., is an executive, career and life coach. She has 25 years of experience as  a consultant, manager, trainer, speaker, and facilitator.  Since 1984, she has headed Liebold & Associates, Inc., a strategic planning, marketing and  communications consulting and coaching company. She has worked with hundreds of  individuals in over 60 organizations nationwide. She is affiliated with Coach U,  Coachville and the International Coach Federation. She is certified in  administering the Myers-Briggs Type Inventory (MBTI), Strong Interest Inventory, and other personality, management, team, and individual assessments. For more information click here. Recommended Resources  McGraw, Phillip C., The Life Strategies Workbook, Hyperion, New York Richardson, Cheryl, Take Time for Your Life, Broadway Books, New York St. James, Elaine, Simplify Your Life and Simplify Your Work Life, Hyperion, NY ****** ------------------------------------------------------------- © 2008 Linda K. Liebold All rights reserved. Feel free to forward this ezine to others. Reproduction for publication is approved, provided the copyright information is included along with the following attribution: From CoachToSuccess.com, an e-zine by Linda K. Liebold, M.A., 410-544-3655 , Email: Linda@CoachToSuccess.com and website: www.CoachToSuccess.com   ------------------------------------------------------------- Leadership & Life Tips is a monthly ezine featuring professional and personal strategies for success.  Each issue offers thought-provoking and practical tips, tactics, and resources to motivate and empower you to  be the best that you can be in your career and in your life. If you wish to subscribe please send an email to subscribe@CoachToSuccess.com, or to unsubscribe please send an email to unsubscribe@CoachToSuccess.com.