Here is a list of Top Ten things Thomas created that have impacted me most:

1. The Top 10 Factors Which Contributed To My Success available at http://www.andreajlee.com optentjl.html

This top ten list was one of first I ever read within context of all material available in coaching world. I remember getting a huge 'wow' from it, and earmarking it as pretty special. And yet when I read it again now, I realize how little I really understood it...much less lived it. So now, when I re-read it, which I do from time to time to inform businesses I'm currently building, and help navigate waters I'm in, I make a point of reminding myself that this list will probably bear reading for next 10 years, it's that full of wisdom. Right now, I'm spending lots of time with item number 3. Next year? I guess we'll see. Which item rocks your world?

2. "Eliminate delay."

Graphical version here: http://www.coachingnuggets.com/eliminatedelaygif.gif

Lots of people really don't like this item, comprised of a simple two words. Yet when people ask me "how did you manage CoachVille with such a small staff," "how do I increase my company's productivity/profitability?" "what do you do differently now, compared to before you worked with Thomas?" or even "how have you achieved happiness you have, Andrea?" - eliminate delay - is answer in all cases, and it was one of Thomas' favorites. It seems like a simple message, but it took me more than a year to integrate, and my hunch is very few people really understand it. Key staff at CoachVille 'got' it and thrived, and others just couldn't grasp it and left with a case of burnout.

3. 12 Proven Strategies to Becoming Financially Independent available at http://www.aperfectlife.com/new/financiallyindependentpdf.pdf

This is one of those 'must-print,' 'must-frame' items. And considering Thomas was an ex-financial planner, 12 strategies are wonderfully, inspiringly BIG, not dreary at all . (If you didn't click link because you wanted to avoid a lecture on money, give it a chance.) I particularly enjoy tone of this one...simple, wise, inspiring...just like heart of man himself.

4. Cyber Skill #29: Using Instant Messenger available at http://www.certifiedcyber.com/vanilla/29instantmessenger.html

Instant messenger has literally changed my life. As someone who builds online businesses, it still amazes me how many companies have yet to take advantage of savings in time, money, energy, productivity and profitability that IM can bring. (Is one of them your company? Why?) In this lifetime, because of impact that using Instant Messenger has had on my life, I will not commute to work another day; I will have less than 10% amount of flu, cold, other sicknesses, than general population; I will get much more done in same amount of time...whether I'm working or catching up with my friends on other side of globe. It may surprise you to know that in 2 years of managing CoachVille for Thomas, I only ever met him 3 times...the rest of time...we Instant Messaged.

Title: Too Stuck to Pray Author: Margaret Paul, Ph.D. E-mail: mailto:margaret@innerbonding.com Copyright: © 2003 by Margaret Paul Web Address: http://www.innerbonding.com Word Count: 784 Category: Spiritual Growth, Emotional Healing

TOO STUCK TO PRAY By Margaret Paul, Ph.D.

Prayer is a powerful way to open heart when you are stuck in anger, fear, self-judgment, resistance or depression. When you can sincerely pray for spiritual help in opening your heart and taking responsibility for your own feelings and needs, help is there. Spirit will find some way to support you when you really desire help. Spiritual help may come through words that pop into your mind, through images, feelings, dreams, or through other people - but it will come.

However, what if you are too stuck to pray? What if you are in resistance to opening to spiritual help, or what if you don’t believe in prayer or in God?

There are many other ways of opening heart, but none of them will work unless your intent - your deepest desire - is to learn about what is loving to you and take action in your own behalf.

There are only two intentions we can choose in any given moment:

• To protect against pain and avoid responsibility for our own feelings with some form of controlling or addictive behavior - anger, compliance, resistance, withdrawal, alcohol, drugs, TV, gambling, food, and so on.

• To learn about loving ourselves and others and to be willing to take loving action in our own highest good.

When our intention is to protect against pain, then even prayer can be another way to avoid responsibility for ourselves. Prayers with intent to control rather than learn will not be answered.

When our deepest desire is to take responsibility for our own well-being, then many things, including prayer, will help.

If you want to move out of your stuck place and prayer just isn’t your thing or you just can’t get yourself there, you may be able to open your heart if you: