05-2014

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Thrive on Your Core Inspired Path


May 22, 2014 | Issue 05.2014

In This Issue

Note from the Trail
Let’s Redefine Money [Feature Article]
Recommended Resources

Note from the Trail




Hello, Trailblazer!

Did you notice the change I made to the tag line for this newsletter? I replaced the word “Driven” with the word “Inspired.” I liked “Driven” because it meant guided and powered. When you discover, develop, and express your core self, you are guided by it and powered by it. But “Driven” also has a negative connotation of being compelled or being obsessed.

“Inspired” is another word that conveys the two ideas of guided and powered. It’s about being energized with enthusiasm to accomplish something specific or move in a particular direction. I like it, but there may be a better word. If you think of one, will you please let me know?

I’m excited that I will be teaching an upcoming section of the introductory coaching course, called Foundations, through MentorCoach starting in June. The curriculum, which I recently helped update, is a broad, thorough overview of the International Coach Federation (ICF) model of coaching. The course includes training on and partnered practice of several specific coaching skills and competencies, plus guidelines on starting your coaching business.

Over the nearly 8 months of classes, the group will develop a close, cooperative community and the students will see changes in their lives by learning about coaching and by being coached in homework exercises. It’s the first leg of a spectacular journey for people who become coaches.

And we share our stories from the trail! Would you care to join us?


Stephen Coxsey, MA, CMC
Leadership Development Coach

P.S. A very special Welcome! to those of you who have signed up since the last issue went out. I’m glad you’re here! As a subscriber to The Trailblazer, you are part of my Advisory Board. I count on all of you for feedback on what you want to see more of and what you want to see less of in future issues. As you read through this issue, please remember:

If you like what you see, please tell your family and friends.
If you don’t like something, please tell me!

Let’s Redefine Money :::::::::::: Feature Article ::::::::::::

Do you have a hard time charging people money?

Do you believe that if people need your service or product, you’re somehow obligated to give it to them for free?

Do you think nobody will want to buy from you unless you’re the cheapest?

Does dealing with the “money thing” seem unsavory?

I invite you to change your definition of money.

Yes, some people will sacrifice principles in order to chase money. But that’s not because of money. It’s because of the people. Money isn’t a moral agent.

Let’s start with the purpose of money. The basic idea behind money is that it gives us a way to trade our work. You can do things that other people can’t do or don’t want to do. Other people can do things you can’t do or don’t want to do. Before we learn the value of money as children, we learn the value of “I’ll do this for you if you’ll do that for me.”

That has to have existed in human culture before the development of money. Exchange was based on appreciation and gratitude. The person who wasn’t very good at carving bowls really appreciated how well someone else did it. She was willing to trade the fabric she made or do something for that person to show appreciation for the bowl.

Doing something for another person or making something for that other person was a way of showing how much the other person’s work was valued. When the other person accepted the service or the made object in exchange for what they had done, they were showing appreciation for the first person’s work, too. It was reciprocal, simple and easy.

Imagine a person saying, “I honor and appreciate what you made. Please accept what I made in exchange.” Imagine the other person saying, “I honor and appreciate what you made and are offering in exchange. I’m happy to trade.” That’s the idea behind money.

Money became a way of recognizing the value of work. Instead of trading bowls for knives, and then knives for cloth, and then cloth for candles, the bowl maker could trade bowls for money and money for candles. Money made trade easier. Since money could be traded for almost anything, people didn’t need to make a series of trades to get to what they wanted or needed.

That’s it. Money represents appreciation of each other’s work so that we can trade for what we want or need and can’t, or don’t want to, do for ourselves.

Let’s revisit the questions above, rewording them based on our new definition of money as a way of measuring appreciation.

Do you have a hard time asking people to appreciate your work?

Do you think that if people need your service or product, you’re expected to give it to them and they’re not expected to appreciate it?

Do you think the people who least appreciate what you do will be the ones seeking you out?

Does expressing and receiving appreciation seem unsavory?

I know. Talking about appreciation is not at all like talking about money. It probably seems like I tricked you.

Things is, when you bring negative expectations and uncomfortable feelings to the party whenever you think about money, you’re tricking yourself. It’s only money.

All the messy unpleasantness? That’s just a story you tell yourself. You don’t have to believe it!

Question: What do you want money to represent when you think about it?

Application: Try changing the way you think – or talk to yourself – about money by deliberately replacing the word “money” with a word or phrase that shows what you want money to represent for you.

It’s your mind. You don’t have to keep any thoughts around that don’t serve you.

Recommended Resources

Overwhelmed and struggling to find balance?

Looking for a way to start moving forward?

Stuck in your comfort zone?

Sounds like you’re ready for a creative, dynamic, collaborative partnership focused on your dreams and your goals.

Experience the Unique Power of Coaching

Contact me to set up a 30-40 minute complimentary consultation where we design a strategy and help you choose your next steps.

About Steve


Steve Coxsey develops leaders who thrive on a core inspired path. He partners with people who want to bring the best of who they are to their leadership roles in their personal lives, professional lives, or businesses. He helps people cultivate their strengths and natural talents so they can take ownership of their productivity and creativity.

Then they become powerful, breaking free of other people’s boxes and cubicles and living and working in alignment with who they really are. They design their lives around their values, their purpose, and their natural way of being. They tailor careers that use their unique strengths and talents and complement their life design.

Would you like that to be you? Get started with a no-risk 30-40 minute consultation. It’s complimentary, so all it will cost you is a little bit of time. You can schedule the complimentary call using this online tool. You can also call 817-416-8971 or e-mail Steve@SteveCoxsey.com to set up the call.

Click here for more information than you could possibly ever want to know about Steve.

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