Words of Thanks from Coach Colette

In honor of the season and Thanksgiving holiday, I thought I'd share my thoughts on people and things for which I'm thankful.

• I am thankful for my family - especially my parents who have given me love, encouragement and support throughout my life. The dinner I'm cooking only scratches the surface at my love at gratitude to you both.
• I am thankful for my friends - many of whom are not "local" to my area. But know that I'm glad for our connection.
• I am thankful for my health - I've felt a few more "creaks" in the joints; but overall, thanks to the body that enabled me to travel the country this year -- often on less sleep and nourishment than it deserved!
• I am thankful for my talents and abilities - touches on the core mission of my company to help others recognize their greatness -- I'm glad for my skills (including those I've not yet surfaced).
• I am thankful for my business - a vehicle to help fulfill my life purpose.
• I am thankful for my home - even when I'm stir crazy on those "in-office" days, I'm aware of how lucky I am to have a warm safe place to live.
• I am thankful for all the "right" people with the "right" energy I've met - along the way, on the journey ...

AND ...

I am grateful for the opportunity to express these thoughts and share positive energy with YOU!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you and yours!

Coach Colette LIVE on Strictly Business Radio, 3 PM EST

Today at 3:00 PM EST, I'll be having an on-air conversation with Anna Banks, host of Strictly Business Radio, a program designed to create awareness about entrepreneurs of small to mid-sized businesses and to promote employment and business opportunities nationally.

In the month of November, the program has focused on Social Enterprise -- the New Heroes. Today, I'll be chatting with Anna about the challenges, opportunities, successes, missteps and motivations of this passionate group of leaders and the organizations that they create and grow.

Listen ONLINE today at 3:00 PM EST, and call in with your questions to: (718) 766-4021.

Talk to you later today!

Coach Colette Gets Canned on December 16th!

OK, now that I have your attention, let me tell you about an exciting career and social networking event on Tuesday, December 16, from 7:00 - 10:00 PM called Get Canned.

Get Canned is a charitable, social networking event to help you expand your contacts and discover your next professional opportunity in 2009. It will be held at e l e m e n t, a funky venue in lower Manhattan.

Being laid off, or 'getting canned,' rarely has a positive side to it; but, Get Canned takes a positive spin and embraces the theme - collecting canned goods for the Food Bank for New York City in place of a cover charge to attend the event.

Coach Colette is IN!

I'll be on hand in the Elevation Lounge to answer your questions and offer complimentary laser-coaching sessions. Get the guidance and support you need to face (and embrace) your career transition! One lucky raffle winner will win a FREE CAREER COACHING PACKAGE!

You CAN do it – I did!

Nearly six years ago, I found out that my position would be eliminated because of a company merger. Ironically, that was my second "downsizing" experience within 13 months! The way I saw it, I had two choices [now I know there were many others too!]:

1. Attempt to find another job

2. Attempt to sell my skills on the “open market” as a consultant

What did I do? I leveraged my contacts and skills, and chose the latter option. I’ve spent the past six years building my consulting and coaching practice to the level it is today. Come to Get Canned on December 16 to learn how you too can transition into success in 2009!

Healthy mind -- healthy body -- healthy career!

Equinox Fitness will have personal trainers onsite to answer your questions and help plan your 2009 fitness routine. They're donating a FREE MEMBERSHIP pass to the raffle!

Join me on Tuesday, December 16 at element for Get Canned!

Register TODAY and stop by to say hello. Don't forget to bring two non-perishable canned food items for FREE admission!

Can You Flip the Script to be More Positive?

I'm not sure if I mentioned that I was invited by Diane Danielson founder of the Downtown Women's Club to be a guest blogger on the womensDISH blog. My latest post is called Flip the Script: How To Stay Positive in Challenging Times.

I was prompted to write the post because of the national economic and employment situation. I'm concerned that the heightened media coverage may be making some of us get over-anxious and miss out on new, positive opportunities. It can be challenging enough to flip the script on our own negative "self-talk" [tips for which I share in the post]; let alone to override the media. As I admitted on the DISH, I have minimized the amount of news coverage that I watch as one strategy (the former die-hard-CNBC junkie did get a small "fix" today!).

As you may know, I've been working on incorporating the Strategic Attraction TM approach into my business and personal spheres. To help me, I've created a daily task in Outlook that includes positive affirmations that encourage me to accept the positive energy and blessings that are available to me.

Incorporating new behaviors like flipping the script often takes time to "stick" because it takes practice. And, because we're human, sometimes we'll slip up [the Coach admits to feeling cranky about an hour ago]. The trick is to not beat yourself up and cause more anxiety because you think you "should" be getting better at it.

I like that I have multiple tools and mantras that I can use to re-center myself when I do feel a bit off balance or blue. What do you do? Post your ideas or tweet me! :)

Share Your 2009 Goals, Get FREE Assessment

The holiday spirit has inspired me a bit early this year. Since I know there may be some who'll be looking for low (or NO) cost gift items, I've decided to participate in the Esculon GIFT FEST, a blog holiday carnival in which bloggers offer FREE gifts and FUN contests. What does that mean for you?

Well, if you complete our Online 2009 Professional Growth Survey and share your professional goals for next year, you'll receive a FREE Competent Advantage TM Assessment. AND, I've decided to offer you EITHER a Career Self-Assessment OR a Business Assessment -- depending on what your goals are.

So, if you're focusing on improving your Career, then you can get a FREE Career Self-Assessment to help plan your 2009 strategy. If you're thinking about launching or expanding your "side hustle" into a business, then you can get a FREE Business Assessment to help identify your 2009 priorities. Instructions on how to receive your FREE assessment are at the end of the Professional Growth Survey.

Does it seem a bit early to be thinking about next year's goals? It really isn't (especially for those of you who will be having year-end performance review conversations). By the time the holidays really get here, you'll likely be focusing on other things. Take some time to plan for yourself NOW.

I also thought it would be cool to create a community of support -- your own group of online cheerleaders -- and keep track of what we'll all be working on next year. So, you can also share a quick response about your 2009 professional goals in the poll below.








Click HERE to take the full, online 2009 Professional Goals survey. Post your goals or tweet me @Coach_Colette.

Date Smarter in 2009 - Online GIFT BAG EVENT Starts Today!

So, you may be intrigued – how can an online GIFT BAG EVENT help you date smarter in 2009? As a work-life coach, I know how important it is to have both aspects of our lives in balance. You may recall my post and podcast during the sumer on the challenges of urban dating -- it's an adventure!


Well, I’m excited to let you know that I’m participating in a fabulous event with Donna Sozio, author of the hilarious (but practical) dating advice book Never Trust a Man in Alligator Loafers: What his Shoes Really Say About his True Love Potential. As seen on the Tyra Banks show, she’ll teach you how to sum-up a man in 30-seconds just by looking at his shoes!


In our fantastic online GIFT BAG EVENT there’s over $5,827 worth of fun & fabulous prizes for savvy women like you to win including a Complimentary 30-minute Competent Advantage™ Phone Coaching Session!


It’s so easy to enter!

1. Buy a copy of Donna’s hilarious dating advice book Never Trust a Man in Alligator Loafers from Amazon.com from Nov. 3rd – 10th 2008.


2. Go to www.DonnaSozio.com/GIFTBAG


3. Enter your name, email address, and your Amazon.com receipt number

That’s it! You’re entered to win over $5,827 in premium GIFT BAG SWAG!

***PLUS*** If you purchase a copy of Never Trust a Man in Alligator Loafers and register, you'll receive over $800 in fun, stylish coupons and discounts on gorgeous jewelry, fashion, and more! So, you’ll look great on that first date!

For a complete list of prizes visit: www.DonnaSozio.com/PRIZES.

DON’T WAIT – take the first step to dating smarter in 2009! Register for the GIFT BAG EVENT TODAY!