Volume 4, Issue 18 | December 13, 2008
www.shift-it-coach.com | [email protected]

Welcome to your December SHIFT-IT e-Zine.

1. A Note From Christina
   
2. Events Calendar
3. Early Bird and Last Chance Sale
4. Feature Article: Integrate Both Your Left and Right Brain
5. Recent Blog Entries
6. More Links & Resources
   
   

Dear %$firstname$%,

Hmmmm, I find myself writing the e-zine again while in transport.  This time I’m typing away in the Alaska Air Lounge in Seattle, enroute to Phoenix, Arizona (ok, if you check the photo closely you’ll see I’m actually ‘Twittering’ away, but hey... writers need social breaks too!).

Writing on the Run: Alaska Air Lounge in Seattle

By the time you actually read this... I’ll be sitting in a meeting room in the historic Biltmore Resort. 

I’m looking forward to seeing the hotel, which is a landmark dating back to 1929 with a Frank Lloyd Wright inspired design (one of his protégés did it). 

I’m down here for my final retreat of the year with my biz coach and my six entrepreneurial buddies.  Getting feedback on my plans for my SHIFT-IT training program that I’ll be launching in 2009.  I’m really excited about these new offerings – they have been years in the making.  From the comments I’ve been getting from some of you... you are excited about what’s coming too.  Cool! 

I have loved my graphic recording / facilitation career but I’m really chomping at the bit to follow my creative muse – getting the graphic way of working even more out in the world.  I have a feeling that this is going to be a very interesting and expansive chapter in my life.  And, as a worldwide integration shift is going on, I’ll have plenty of company as other folks emerge into their next level of creativity and service too! 

Christina Merkley,
The SHIFT-IT Coach

Jan. 5 – Feb. 23: (100 Level): The SHIFT-IT Virtual Coaching Group: World affairs have you down?  Ready to SHIFT your attitude, mindset and energy for the better?  Get crackin’ with this beginning level, 7-week coaching group (via webinar technology). Precisely clarify your Personal Vision and Action Plan.  Identify and bust through your self-sabotage, perceived barriers and negative beliefs. Create the next chapter of YOUR life’s journey!  Join like-minded and supportive participants from around the globe (all from the comfort of your home).  Includes introduction to Law of Attraction principles, plus my innovative SHIFT-IT maps (dis-count if you already have them!).  Early Bird Sav-ings Ends December 16th: More Info

March 1 – May 17: (200 Level): Merkley’s Manifestation Mastermind: Ready for your next level of manifestation and law of attraction support? This intermediate experience is for past SHIFT-IT alums (Home Kit purchasers, Group Coaching participants, or Private Retreat attendees).  Now that you have a strong foundation established, you’re ready for the deeper vibrational processes.  Plus ‘physical world’ sessions on internet marketing, web technology, virtual team creation, etc.  12-week webinar program (no travel – all calls recorded.)  Early Bird Sav-ings Ends December 16th:  More Info

May 2009: The Graphic Coaching Clinic. My first ever fundamental skills training exclusively focused on "graphic coaching" - using visuals in coaching, counseling and personal growth settings. Coming Soon!

SHIFT-IT® Tools Training. Be empowered to use my SHIFT-IT® Process and Tools with your own clientele.  Coming Soon!

EARLY BIRD AND LAST CHANCE SALE:

Ends Tuesday, December 16 … just a few more days!

PRACTICAL, EFFECTIVE and CREATIVE COACHING
TO SHIFT YOUR LIFE FOR THE BETTER

Ready for your life SHIFT?  If you have been watching my work for a while, intending to gift yourself a “SHIFT-IT” experience... now is a great (and aff0rdable) time to act.

Old favorites are about to disappear, new favorites are in the making – AND significant pr1cing changes are about to happen as the shift from 2008 to 2009 occurs. 

See what’s on sale, what’s leaving forever, and what’s coming around the bend.  Treat your creative self to a gift she really wants!  (or he for the creative men on my list... we know you are out there!). 

Click Here to Visit the “Early Bird & Last Chance Sale” Now

I knew this week that I wanted to write something about the visual approach.  Something about the importance of our creative sides and ‘art’ in general.  Something about the INTEGRATION and importance of both sides of our brain – the rational AND the creative. 

Mural at Victoria Airport – My Wink from the Universe

All these thoughts were swirling in my mind, as I made my way from my parked car to the departure doors of the airport (yes, I’m traveling again... last trip of the season thankfully!).

I checked in for my flight then turned around to see a huge new art installation staring me in the face:

I laughed out loud and grabbed my camera to take a shot.  A physical sign of the internal stuff I was trying to articulate. 

A Creative Identity Sneaking Up on Me:
I’ve been working in the ‘creative world’ for about 15 years now.  I didn’t start out as a ‘creative’, its taken me about that long to really own and appreciate that side of myself (even if others identified me in that way long before). 

As many of you know, I started my career in Organizational Development... becoming a ‘graphic recorder’ and then a ‘graphic facilitator’ – using interactive visuals to help groups see their environment, dialogue and make decisions.  I then progressed into taking those skills into coaching and self-actualization via my SHIFT-IT work.  In short, for years I’ve used a creative method to help people think and feel effectively.  Kind of a marriage of both sides of the brain – for my clients and for myself. 

Battling Cynicism:
Inevitably, when a new organization or group was interested in working with me, I would have to go through a ‘cynicism phase’.  As my work is visually-based, I would have to counter the ‘pretty picture’ worries that a new and inexperienced client would have.  Sure, they had heard raves about this effective way of working, but since they hadn’t experienced it personally yet, they were worried about it not going over well and being seen as frivolous or silly (particularly with their peers and bosses). 

When I did the actual meeting, at the first break, my formerly concerned client would, like clockwork, come up to me and express their relief and pleasure about how things were going and how folks were responding – ‘wow, I’m so glad, this is really going over well... people are LOVING this.  I gotta admit I was a little skeptical, but this visual stuff really works doesn’t it!?’. 

Of course, I was glad that they were feeling pleased and assured.  But I was also saddened when this habitually happened.  Isn’t it sad that people are so concerned about the ‘artistic’?  That its value is subtly and not so subtly maligned as being ‘not serious’, ‘soft’ or ‘wimpy’. That people feel they are taking a risk by doing something that the deviates from the straight and narrow norm.

It’s Time for Integration:
Working in over 800+ groups over the years, I can unequivocally say that we are crying out for different, pleasant and more enjoyable ways of interacting, thinking and making decisions.  The one-dimensional way of being isn’t going to serve us any more (if it really ever did).  Is it really fair (or wise) to expect people to check large portions of themselves at the door when they enter work. 

Work has typically been viewed as masculine, linear, rational, logical and action oriented (at least in the typical North American business setting).  It feels like a shift is now occurring where the feminine, circular, feeling, creative and being sides can now come in too – and be equally valued and appreciated.  As societies and a world, we can’t afford to reject whole sides of ourselves and our populations much longer.  We need to find a way to integrate the fullness of who we are.  We need to move into ‘yes/and’ and away from ‘either/or’ games. 

A Bit of a Soapbox, But Hey:
Ok, I went on a bit of a rant there.  But in talking with my current clients, there is an awakening occurring.  People are attracted to new ways of doing things.  They are attracted to the creative.  To the visual.  To the heart and feeling based.  And they are willing to pay for it too - handsomely. 

The linear is not being thrown out. Its valued and cherished. But other things are now being added in. In our work lives and in our personal lives as holistic people we need the full deal.  Our world and its current problems needs an integrated approach to find new ways of being and new solutions. 

How Do You Fit In?
So, you are reading this e-zine.  You are attracted for a reason. Chances are, you have a role to play in this big shift that is occurring in our world.  What is calling out in you?  What wants to be expressed through you?  Why are you attracted to me and my work... what’s the allure? 

© 2008 Christina L. Merkley

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this blurb with it:

Christina Merkley, "The SHIFT-IT Coach" and creator of the SHIFT-IT Method® is a Visioning and Strategic Planning Expert specializing in Graphic Facilitation and Law of Attraction techniques. Based in charming Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, she works deeply with individuals, partners and groups in defining and getting what they really, really want. For more information visit: www.shift-it-coach.com

Looking for more rich, SHIFT-IT content? Check out my blog for recent ramblings, resources and general interest features:

• A Note From Christina
• Events Calendar
• Early Bird & Last Chance Sale
• Faith in the World, Yourself and Your Instincts

Besides the Blog, there are plenty of articles to read in the Ezine Archives. Browse past issues here.

Click Here to Read SHIFT-IT Blog

Ready to bust out of your status quo? Want to take things up to your next level? Curious how to really apply those Law of Attraction principles you have been hearing about for REAL effect?

Let's work together - by phone or in- person (in my charming Victoria BC studio). I'll get you to see and understand how you are currently creating your reality and bust you through the barriers, self sabotage and limiting beliefs that keep you stuck and locked in your status quo. Through our powerful work together you will systematically attract what you really want (better work, improved relationships, healthier body, enhanced prosperity - whatever it is that you want and need to shift for the better!). See testimonials from my many satisfied clients.

Info on Coaching Options

Can't travel to me? Want to experiment with the SHIFT- IT work on your own? Now Graphic Coaching tools right at your fingertips. Conduct your own SHIFT-IT Graphic Coaching Retreat® - from the privacy of your own home. Your life isn't a dress rehearsal. In fact, its happening right NOW. Is it going the way you want it to? Do you know what you next want? Are you sure you can do it? Get organized and confident with the step-by-step SHIFT-IT Graphic Coaching system.

In this innovative kit, I walk you through your past, present and desired future, so you can plot out your directions and strategies. You also pinpoint and flip the negative beliefs, assumptions and mindsets that stand in your way - to stop sabotaging yourself and your dreams. SHIFT-IT has already helped hundreds live life by design, not by accident. Learn how it can help you too!

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