23 January 2020

“The process of attaining self-knowledge
both softens and strengthens us and serves
to help us love and appreciate life and other people”
~ Bud Harris, author of the book Sacred Selfishness:
A Guide to Living a Life of Substance.

Dear Renée!

You will have likely heard me talk about the importance of self-care in the past. 

I’m a strong believer in putting yourself first to ensure your well-being.  The airlines recognize it.  That’s why they always recommend you put your own oxygen mask on first, before helping others!  The consequences of not doing so could be deadly to you and to all the others you may have been able to help had you put your mask on first. 

So is it selfish to put yourself first? 

I know when I do not take care of myself, especially when I do not get enough sleep, I’m not able to function much less give to others.  It is only by looking after myself first, am I able to give and serve others to my greatest potential.  That is why I declare every Friday to be “Self Care Day”. 

How do you look after yourself first?

Taking the LEAP with you!

A New Look at Selfishness

Modern culture prizes selflessness and abhors selfishness, in effect setting the two against each other.  “The alternatives are either to love others, which is a virtue, or to love oneself, which is a sin,” wrote social scientist and philosopher Erich Fromm, in his essay titled “Selfishness and Self-Love.”

We are taught at an early age to give, to share and only then to receive.  Many fights ensue on the playgrounds as these lessons are learned. 

While no one would argue with the notion of considering others, it is worthwhile to re-examine our beliefs around being selfish.

• Do we really aspire to be without concern for ourselves?
• Or is it important to value and love ourselves, to think for ourselves, to have a life of our own and to be able to love others without losing ourselves?
• Are we really expected to sacrifice ourselves completely for our family, our spouses and/or our children? 

But how do we differentiate between valuing ourselves and egotistically indulging ourselves?

The answers lie in self-knowledge.

Keep reading to learn more...

 
Quiz: How Well Do You Take Responsibility For Yourself?

How many of you remember Rowan and Martin’s Laugh In in the late 60’s and early 70’s? I know, I’m dating myself! I remember it well, especially as it was the one show my family would watch together every week. 

In the show, comedian Flip Wilson created and played a character named Geraldine, who excused her outrageous behavior by claiming “the devil made me do it.” My father and I would often be heard jokingly mimicking this line whenever we were up to no good. 

Poor Geraldine, she pretended to be helpless and ineffective because she wouldn’t take responsibility for herself. In his book, "Grow Up! How Taking Responsibility Can Make You A Happy Adult", Dr. Frank Pittman wrote, “Finding the responsible thing to do is the lifelong quest for grown-ups.”   While this may sound like the death knoll for the adult who is a “kid at heart”, it is important to take responsibility for our decisions and the choices we make. Our lives and those we love are simply easier when we do, particularly when we learn from our mistakes. 

How well do you take responsibility for yourself?

Click here to take a quiz and find out!

Challenge Question...
Where can you take more responsibility in your life?

Although self-responsibility may not always be easy, the results are empowering and life-affirming. If you have any questions or if you’d like to talk about your responses to this quiz, don’t hesitate to contact me.

ThinkUp Positive Affirmations

I love this app! I’ve been using it at least once a day, and some times several times a day! 

The free app allows you to choose positive affirmations available in their library or to use one of your own. You record and listen to your personal affirmations frequently and consistently to train your brain to set a positive mindset, engage the laws of vibration and attraction and increase self-esteem. Very powerful!  Everyone I’ve recommended this app to loves it.

Click here to learn more about ThinkUp Positive Affirmations and why I love it so much!

FREE GIFT
If you know it's time for a change in a specific area of your life, but you aren't sure how to make it happen, this is for you - Courage, Risks and Reward: Taking a Chance to Change Your Life -  a 5-part Coaching Program compliments of The LEAP Network! Click here to download the program.

COMPLIMENTARY REINVENT STRATEGY SESSION

Join me in a one-hour complimentary strategy session to help determine how you can move forward in getting unstuck, and gain momentum to move in the right direction for you.

During our session we will go over one or two exercises and determine the one next step you can take on your own after the call to keep the momentum going. Click here to schedule your session

Renée Blasky is the Founder and CEO of The LEAP Network Ltd.

She wasn’t always the risk-taking entrepreneur that she is today. Through several important life experiences, including being an "expat" for the vast majority of her life and sailing an ocean, she learned the importance and benefits of risk-taking and how to embrace risk rather than fear it! Renée also realized capturing life’s fulfillment meant giving back to others. So, she started her second business: The LEAP Network in order to share her experiences and expertise with entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs.  This includes "trailing spouses", stay-at-home parents or elderly care givers who have sacrificed their careers due to circumstances beyond their control.  Renée coaches existing entrepreneurs on ways to monetize their passion, revitalize their businesses and take action to grow their businesses.  She coaches those  who have sacrificed their careers, either by choice or by uncontrolled circumstances, to eliminate frustration, boredom and loneliness while becoming more fulfilled and happy!  By helping them start their own online businesses, they can get their identity back, boost their self esteem and once again be financially independent!

Learn more about Renée and The LEAP Network by visiting her website here: www.theleapnetwork.coachesconsole.com.

You can also send an mail directly to Renée at:  rkblasky@theleapnetwork.co (not “.com”)

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