Coaching Moment #164 $1,000 Gift

Coaching Moments used to be exclusively for my coaching clients and Champions members. We've now opened them up to share them with you via this blog. Coaching Moments are shared each Friday and meant to encourage you on your path to greater enjoyment and/or success- whatever you happen to be reaching for. They remind us to think about our paths, our decisions and our priorities. Hopefully they make you think about something and refocus. Enjoy.

#164 $1,000 Gift


Imagine you had $1,000 given to you today. The gift stipulates that you can only spend the money on other people or charities. You cannot spend it on yourself or on things that directly benefit you. Where would you give your money? How would it be distributed among the people or causes that are important to you?

Now, when is the last time you spend time/money with those people or charities? Remember you don’t have to wait for a gift of $1,000 or to make a sizable donation to make a difference.

Write Your Volunteerism and Charitable Contributions into Your 2010 Goals

This year for Christmas I gave the pot away. I took all of the money I would have spent on gifts for people- gifts they’d likely not remember 2 months later- and donated it to my favorite charity. Each person on my gift list received a holiday card with a note inside describing where their gift cash went.

It felt great to do that. It also had the bonus of freeing me up from not having to join the stampede at the mall or fret over gift-giving this year. A win-win.

As you write you goals for 2010, I encourage you to include your acts of charity. It could be a donation, decide how much and when to stick to it. It could be volunteering your time or family’s time, note how much time per week or month and what tasks you’ll likely be doing. Also, make sure to write about and share why this is important to you. How does it enrich your life to give to others? That after all, is probably the most important lesson you can pass on to your friends, family and colleagues.

Be giving in 2010. Give what you can. Map it out now so you have some direction... and simply to start the year off right.



Happy holidays.

Don't Forget Your Favorite Charities...

Pic: Louie B (a shelter dog) pretending to earn his kibble.

I'm a huge animal lover! I always have been. I remember getting bit on the face as a child by a dog and telling my mom it was my fault for sneaking up on him. I still have the scar from that incident. But, I never once stopped supporting animal related causes. I suppose I'm a die-hard.

Each year at Christmastime, my dear friend Tara and I contribute money in each other's names to animal-centered organizations. I do the same for my mother at Mother's Day and on her birthday.

No matter what cause you feel close to, don't forget about them during times like these. We all seem to be a little more generous around the holidays. This year is slightly less-so due to economic concerns, but it shouldn't mean that our most loved charities have to bear the brunt of it. I'd rather pick up one less "gift" and contribute more in times like this.

Please consider making a donation in your loved ones honor or memory this holiday. It will make a greater difference that you know.

Happiest of holidays,
Lisa