Hi Brooke,

I’ve been a fan of Stephen Covey for years. I created an affirmation, that is really a value statement, over ten years ago. I see it every morning and I’ve never changed it until now. Through the work that we did in August, I now have a new understanding of who I am and the courage to own new vision. The changes may seem subtle but they are not. I’d like to share these changes with you.

Amy’s Affirmation
Before:
I am a happy balanced woman.
I am successful, self-actualizing, independent and strong.
I am inclusive, supportive, enthusiastic and loyal; through these qualities, I express my love for my family, the people I meet, the world I live in and myself.
My family is invaluable and primary to me.
My work does not define me; I define my work. Neither am I defined by my abilities, accomplishments, actions, goals or property. It is I who attach meaning to them.
I am brave, compassionate and bounded by the present.
In all my life, before all else, I seek to love and understand, rise above fear and embrace compassion, fully bearing the responsibility for my life.

Now:
I am a happy, productive woman.
My family is invaluable and primary to me.
I am successful, self-actualizing, independent and strong.
I am inclusive, creative, enthusiastic and loyal. Through these qualities, I express my love for my family, myself, the people I meet and the world I live in.
I am not a journey.
I am someone else’s fully realized, amazing creation.
My accomplishments do not define me, I define my accomplishments. Neither am I defined by my work, abilities, actions, goals or property. It is I who attach meaning to them.
I am brave, compassionate and bounded by the present.
Before all else, I seek to engage and understand, rise above fear and embrace compassion, creating as much as I can from the life I’ve been gifted.

— I’m no longer seeking to be balanced, I am fearlessly stating that balance and comfort is not the holy grail of life – it’s productivity.
— I no longer view self improvement as a way to increase my value. It’s a way to engage. I am invaluable.
— I’ve moved up in the list of who I love. (smile)
— How I earn a living is moving down in the list of things I define in my life. Accomplishments are moving up.
— I’m not waiting for someone else to tell me I’m creative. I’m creative. I’m going to create and I’m doing it because I can.
— I’m done bearing up under the responsibility to improve. I’m grateful for my life and I’m not going to waste it.

So. Freakin’. Beautiful.

I feel like I’ve been waiting all my life to find active coaching. This is SO much more effective than therapy or reading books and making glacially slow progress. Hooray for SCS!