Champions Series- Become a Champion

It dawned on me more than a year ago. People kept calling and asking to take me to lunch. They wanted advice. The advice they sought ran the gammut. But they all needed an ear- a professional, confidential, reasonable ear. I was honored they chose mine. However, I could easily spend 40 hours a week having coffee and lunch with these good folks- and not making a profitable business out of my work! So, I designed the Champions Series.

The Champions Series offers members a new hot topic each month. We learn together about something new- or something we need to refresh ourselves with. The Champions pick the topics. I run the show. We all win. They also get private consultations with me each month- to talk about whatever they like. Again, a win-win. And, I kept it at the cost of a decent lunch for two. $39 a month.

I'm really proud of the Champions Series. I love it. It works. We've had less than 2% of members drop out over the last year. We'll celebrate our first birthday in October!

In case you are wondering, more details are found below. Champions are all over the United States. Some attend our meetings, most prefer to receive a monthly audio file (via email) with the seminar. We welcome you to learn more!

(This month is an anomoly. We are closed to guests without prior pre-approval due to the nature of our meeting. We'll be doing some mastermind work with members. I pride our group on being particular about members. I guarantee the quality, professionalism and confidentiality of our members and their learnings of others in the group.)

Spahr Consulting
- A life coach for better living
Champions Series

For the price of dinner you can invest in yourself and your business- with other Champions! Finally -a flavor of coaching that fits your needs.

Champions Membership is open to those who are interested in personal and professional growth. A Champion is one who invests in him/herself and recognizes the potential for improvement in all areas.

The Champions Series:
- will introduce you to a HOT topic meeting each month and
- foster you in identifying and achieving your goals in a positive and productive setting.

Fifth Third is the official sponsor of the Champions Series. Thanks Fifth Third!

The Champions Series Meeting will be held Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Fifth Third Bank, 5834 Forbes Avenue in Squirrel Hill
3:30 – 4:30 PM

Champions Hot Seat

Champions will present their business, product or service to the group in person or via telephone. Champions will request the type of help they are seeking to promote their business/product/service. The event will simulate a mastermind group to grow the Champion and his/her specific goals.

Guests must be pre-approved for this meeting due to the nature of the discussions. Call Lisa Spahr at 412.867.9991 with your guest’s details at least two weeks in advance.

The Champions Program offered by Lisa Spahr has made a distinct impact in my personal and especially my business life. I worked with a personal coach in the past and had a negative experience, so I was really hesitant to invest in coaching again. The champions program was a perfect way for me to test the waters, and I am grateful that I took that step. In just two months, I’ve seen a distinct difference in the way I conduct my business. Having a coach keeps my goals front and center, and reminds me that I am accountable. Being in the champions program allows me to have coaching that fits into my hectic time schedule as well as my budget. I also enjoy being a part of a distinct group of achievers!- Beth Caldwell, Executive Director, Pittsburgh Professional Women We Help Business Women Succeed! www.pittsburghprofessionalwomen.com/

Join the Champions Series today.
Membership Includes:
Ø Weekly Electronic Coaching Moments
Ø Monthly Champions Meeting (attend or get the MP3 file)
Ø Invitation to 1 Guest Per Month to Champions Meeting for $10
Ø 15-Minute Personal Coaching Each Month (via telephone)
Ø Exclusive Options to Upgrade Coaching in the Future

If you do not have a Membership Application please visit http://www.spahrconsulting.com/ to download one.

We appreciate the opportunity to work with you and on your business. You can reach us at:
Spahr Consulting, 7731 Abbott Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15221
Telephone: (412) 867-9991, email: Lspahr@spahrconsulting.com



Owner, Spahr Consulting

What people are saying about Lisa Spahr and her coaching programs…..
…In the 6 months that I have been working with Ms. Spahr she has become one of my most valuable professional resources…. She has well exceeded my expectations of a consultant. She provides advice, suggestions, provides options….and allows me to make well thought out decisions. She listens and understands. Only after a few weeks of working with Lisa, I was “blown away” by her interest in my business and the results that she was providing…..

…I worked with a business coach before and the results were not favorable for my business or my view of the coaching process. However, working with Lisa was very different. She has helped me feel more confident in my business and in my decision-making. She brought me out of my comfort zone, which is really hard, to highlight areas of growth, development and potential. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have met her and worked with her.

… I worked with Lisa in April and May and in that short of time, with her help and encouragement, I went from 52% to 90% YTD. It was Lisa Spahr who helped me achieve my goals, but most importantly helped me achieve balance with my family and my work, and I thank her for that.

… I attended your session and we spoke about motivation and staying on target. I've been reading your blog ever since, and wanted to touch base with you to tell you what an impact you've had on me. Thank you for being such an inspiration.

What’s Wasting Your Time?

Imagine I told you that you could go on your “dream vacation” but you had to leave in 1 hour. Aside from wanting your bags packed appropriately, what would you spend your hour doing?

You wouldn’t believe the things you can get done in a crunch. And, each one has to be weighed by how high a priority it is. The lower ones, they fall of the face of the earth in that next hour. (Fantastic!)

When you are about to do a task I encourage you to ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I really need to do this? If yes, what purpose does it serve?
• Does it need to be done today or can it go on the schedule next week?
• How does doing this task make me look GREAT? (Hint, if it doesn’t you may not need to do it)
• Can someone else do it? Better? Cheaper?
• What have I done in the last hour for myself?
• What have I done in the last hour towards achieving my goals?

You’d be amazed at how many things can drop off your “to do” list and never have an impact! Let them go! Feel relieved and rewarded with some extra time on your hands to do important or worth-while things.

Bonus challenge: Make a list of worth-while activities and why they are worth-while. When confronting a task, check to see if it’s on your list. Ask yourself the questions above and drop it if you can. Then, do a worth-while activity to celebrate your “harnessing your time!”

She’s Gone and Lost Her Mind! The MAD Offer!

We’re Celebrating 2 years in Pittsburgh, as a full-time coach! (I always use “we” because I never get anywhere alone- there is always a team behind all that I do.)

Last year we sent whacky fliers with a photo of me when I was a few years old! The flier served as a thank you to our clients, friends and supporters. If memory serves, there was a little goodie in each bag also.

In celebrating this year, we’re making a most outrageous offer! I hope you are sitting down!

Pay what you think the session is worth! You read it right. Pay what you think the session is worth! Some restaurants are doing it, why not us too? Heck, we’ll try anything in the name of fun for ourselves and our clients!!!

The caveat: You must be a current or former Champion Member or coaching client to take advantage of this offer. And, you must call/email me before 4 PM on July 24, 2009 to make your appointments. You can have 1 or 2 1-hr sessions with this offer. All must take place in July or August. There are no reschedules allowed.

The loophole: (to keep it fair and FUN) You can become a “current Champion Member” by signing up for the Champions Series ($39 a month) at our website (www.spahrconsulting.com) by July 24, 2009, 4 PM. (See, we wouldn’t let you miss this chance!)

Everybody is talking about this offer! How on earth can she do it? Well, we’ve modeled it to be manageable, creative and above all else- a THANK YOU to our clients, friends and supporters for an amazing 2 YEARS! So, we’ll worry about the unaddressed details over the next month! YOU deserve this.

A Life Coach's Contribution to Wellness Programs

How can a life coach help my company and our employees?

As health care costs rise companies are reaching out to employees to take a greater hand in their health and related costs. Costs are expected to rise 6.8% this year and 40% of employers surveyed reported that they’ll ask employees to do more cost-sharing.1 Alternative avenues to increase health and wellness are being sought at the company level to lower health care costs while increasing employee heath and education.

Top-tier companies recognize the benefits of healthy and happy employees therefore they are inviting nutritionists, personal trainers, smoking cessation coaches and others into the workplace for the benefit of both the employee and company. These experts are being packaged in Wellness Programs and other benefits packages offered by the company for free or at a significantly reduced cost to employees. And, it’s working. The Pittsburgh Business Times reported that for every $1 that a company invested in wellness programs they received $1.65 in benefits returned.[1] Wellness programs not only save companies and individuals money (an estimated $1,476 per person), they yield additional benefits such as lower rates of absenteeism, improved morale and increased productivity.[2] When employees thrive and take ownership of their health, well being and overall success, everyone wins- including the companies employing them.

Life coaching is ideal for wellness programs and other benefits packages because it covers multiple facets of an employee’s life. Life coaches work with people on areas such as wellness and health, decision-making and relationships, workplace development, home-life balance and overall achievement in various areas of their life. Coaches have been used by leaders and executives for many years but are becoming more popular with the mainstream as they become more affordable and services are more widespread across the country.

As a life coach, I have personally helped people and businesses do the following[3]:
Organize space and tasks to be more productive – thus increasing revenue
Build better relationships with coworkers, managers and clients- strengthening reputation, increasing repeat business, optimizing working relationships and increasing revenue
Examine and identify areas lacking optimal productivity- thus increasing productivity
Increase confidence, decision-making and leadership abilities- to better serve the company, product or service and/or career elevation
Ensure that employees are thriving in both home and work arenas- a holistic approach to health and wellness achievement
Become more healthful (specifically losing weight and quitting smoking)- longevity and strengthening quality of life

Life coaching options for your company and employees may include:
A resident life coach for employee accessibility one or two days a week (in-house)
On-call coaching (by appointment) for employees during or after work hours
Monthly life coaching seminars at the office (30-60 minutes)

Financial options may include:
Company pays 100% of coaching
Company and employee share in the cost of coaching
Employees pay 100% of coaching (company provides the introduction, resource materials and perhaps meeting space)

[1] Pittsburgh Business Times. With heath care costs on rise, workers will have to shell out. February 22-28, 2008.
[2] Pittsburgh Business Times. Focus on wellness saves medical claim costs, survey finds. October 19-25, 2007.
[3] Please see my testimonials for more information as to my work with individuals and companies.

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

176.2

Luckily, I'm not one to discourage easily. In three weeks since my last post not one ounce has budged. I am thankful to not have added one however.

Why has my weight stayed the same?
I haven't worked as hard as I should have on the food front. I only made better choices a handful of times and allowed my cravings to dictate my eating schedule and menu.

What have I done well these last three weeks?
I have hit the gym 5 days each week for at least an hour. Its a habit I'm enjoying. I enjoy it most because it represent my taking ownership of my choices and my body. It feels good to work out. And, it feels great to turn off the phone to do so. No one interrupts my gym time. Not even me.

What do I have to focus on in the next three weeks?
1. Consistently hitting the gym
2. Adding an online training partner and coach to do the best I can with my fitness routine
3. Dedicate myself to eating well (healthful) each day for this next three week period to prove the power of doing so

I'm feeling better already. Although the weight hasn't budged I am seeing benefits of taking the control for my figure and health back.

And, I have another incentive. I'll be at the Inaugural Ball on January 20th. I'll be seeing all of my friends from the DC area. I want to look good for that event too.

Here's to your health!

Lisa

2009 Resolutions

Its just a few weeks away. 2009. Tell it what you expect of it now. Don't enter it blindly.

What do you want to accomplish in 2009?

What are your personal goals? Financial goals? Spiritual goals? Career or business goals? Heck, I even have goals for home projects. I work them into the budget and give them time lines.

What is the benefit of having goals?

It helps give structure to your life. And, most of us need and thrive on good structure. It gives us purpose and direction.

How do I stay on track?

Have all of your goals written down and review them weekly at first, then when you are on the right path, monthly. Share them with others in your life and have discussions about them. Invite others to share their goals with you. Recognize that your goals were made because they were important to you so stick with them. Don't let another year go by to find them on the list with little progress. You control the success of your goals.

Happy Goal Setting. I hope that 2009 is your best year ever!

Trim the Fat.... its long overdue

I try to navigate around all of the negative talk- recession, lost jobs, no money.... yadda yadda yadda. It does little good to hear it. And, even worse, to hear it frequently is enough to make sure your will is up to date and check your supplemental insurance fine lines.

Make no mistake, I'm far from the "safe zone" as I have 2 of 4 family members being laid off this year (in manufacturing and labor positions). But, I don't think that surrounding yourself with this type of discussion does anything positive to move you and your family forward.

Winners don't wallow. They assess, pick up, and move on.

Now, on to the point of my blog. Get your firing gloves out. Not the ones for pottery. The ones that you wear when you have to let people go. Its unpleasant but necessary. Especially necessary now, if you ask me. You should have done it long ago but you thought you'd let them slide. Slide no more.

Take a hard look around and fire the people who shouldn't have been on the payroll to begin with. They don't do their work well. Their position is obsolete. They have no productive place in your shop.

Recognize your responsibility. You have a responsibility to keep your business profitable or afloat during hard times. You have a responsibility to your employees to give them a decent, safe, and positive work environment. Now, they have a responsibility to you. They have the responsibility to show up, do well, and take their job seriously. If they don't do that- get rid of them. If out of 8 hours you can only see 2 hours of production- you have a responsibility to investigate that. How can that be positive and productive for your business- and for your harder working employees?

Now, I'm not advocating firing from the hip or haphazardly. There is a right way to do it and many wrong ways. You also have the responsibility to ensure people know what gets them fired- and what keeps them on. And, you have a responsibility, in my opinion, to train or retrain them to see if you can keep them on. But, if not, let them go and show your respect for your business and your harder working employees.

We can all cut the fat- in our work and home lives. Its a necessary element to growth and productivity.

Get firing. If you can't do it, hire someone who can and will.

Happy Holidays. (insert tongue in cheek here)

Massage Get One.

A quick note today.

How often do you get a massage? Never. Oh, you are missing out.

Massage is good for the body, mind and soul. I go every 4 weeks. I'd like to go every week.

If you've never had one and are hesitant- have a foot or hand massage. Or, have a chair massage fully clothed.

There are all different types of massages and they focus on different parts of the body. For instance, a great hair shop normally gives clients a good scalp massage when washing their hair. If you've ever had one of these you know it! It feels great.

Try a massage today. Book a long-overdue massage. Your body, mind and soul will thank you for it.

Perhaps a great gift idea for you and your loved ones.

Phone Etiquette

In a conversation at a networking meeting last week someone brought this subject up, again. Phone etiquette. Do you realize how important it is?

How many times do you have to ask, "what?" when someone speaks to you on the phone? Sometimes the way they answer allows you to see their messy desk and dash across the office with their phone in hand. They are speaking so quickly you have to ask what language they are speaking in. Or, you are tuned in to the fact that they hate their job. You can hear that in their voice too.

Have a training for your staff on communications. Include telephone etiquette and express why its important.

Basic tips:

• Speak slowly and clearly
• Repeat and confirm critical information (phone numbers, credit card details, dates and times of appointments, ...)
• Be pleasant and polite
• Don't allow your personal life in your phone voice or conversation with a client or potential client
• Follow the Golden Rule

Why is phone etiquette important?

• You and your company will be judged by how someone answers and is treated on the telephone
• Clients call you. Clients are revenue. Upset clients. Upset revenue.
• You have an opportunity to promote you, your business, your product and your philosophy when you interact with someone on the telephone- use it to your advantage
• You have a responsibility to be a good steward in the community and here is one of many chances to do that. Treat people well and they will do the same for you.

Schedule that training today. Get company input. Reward great phone etiquette. Make 2009 your year to shine.

Foodie Fundraising - Women's Initiative

I am blogging today instead of Friday as I'll be too full of Turkey to do anything (not really, it just sounded good).

I'd like to remain on my thankful thoughts this week by sharing with you an extraordinary new initiative that I'm honored to be a part of... Foodie Fundraising. Foodie Fundraising features my book World War II Radio Heroes: Letters of Compassion (2008).

Foodie Fundraising is a new site and project by Debra Dion Krischke. She is passionate about supporting women worldwide- as am I. She has created Foodie Fundraising to feature several gift items that can be purchased with the goal of giving some of the purchase price to women's initiatives worldwide.

I encourage you to visit Foodie Fundraising at http://www.foodiefundraising.com/ and shop for the holidays. Also, pause for a moment to imagine the lives that so many women are living - often without the necessities and luxuries that we've become accustomed to. Imagine living one day without clean water. Imagine living without electricity. Or worse, imagine dreaming about a life free of violence toward you or your children.

What are you most thankful for?

176.2

"What on earth is 176.2," you ask? My weight.

I am doing something wild and brazen- as is often the case with me in case you don't know. I am planning to blog every third Monday about my battle with weight- which I intend to win (another thing about me you might not know- I hate to lose).

So, here is our starting point. I say "our" because I am often asked by people how I managed weight loss in the past. So many people, women and men, are on that journey to better health and self-esteem. I encourage you to join me. Comment on your own journey as we go or just check in and use me as your partner on the journey. I'm here to win. I'm also here to help you win.

First, a little history. I was always a fat little girl. My mom was always the slender gal she is today. People often commented on how we didn't appear to share the same genes even though our faces look the same. She put me on diet after diet during my pre-teen years. Nothing worked. Maybe it was the candy she'd give me as she found it hard to deny her only child the sweets other children were getting. (Ironically, I don't like desserts. I'm not a chocolate fan. And, sweets are far from my caloric problem areas.) I recall many a day crying at home on my bed after school because of people making fun of me at school. But, those days are far over. Let's move on.

At the age of 12 I lost 50 pounds in 3 months. I played tennis everyday, however badly. I ate junk (you can do that at 12) and took up other bad habits (which I won't mention here). I entered high school with high self-esteem (although I still felt fat at 130) and tons of positive attention (not sure that was what I needed, but it was the case nonetheless).

As I grew into my 20's the weight slowly came back. In college I was probably 180 or so- but I still felt great and didn't have any self-esteem issues.

It wasn't until 32 my weight became a crisis again. My new doctor alerted me that I had high blood pressure. What? Me? No! My weight was now at 213 (according to his scale) and 209 according to mine. :) I had a big problem, pardon the pun.

So, over the next two years I dropped 62 pounds. I was down to 151 and felt fabulous. Blood pressure was no longer an issue.

Since that time, the pounds have snuck back on. I dropped the ball. I started to eat badly, often. I ignored the gym pass I pay a fortune for. And, I was convinced my fiance was just washing our clothes in hot water. :)

Today's Renewed Determination. I have toyed with renewing my determination to loose weight for a few weeks now - probably more like a few months. But, the kick in the pants you need sometimes comes at odd times that do or do not correspond with your desires. It's here now.

My clothes don't fit the way I want them to. I am feeling bad about my body (which hasn't been the case since I was 12). And, I have a wedding in almost 6 months. So, here goes....

Goal: I will lose 30 pounds (146.2) in 6 months (May 24, 2008).

I will chart my progress on this blog.

I will achieve this goal by hitting the gym 5 days per week for at least 45 minutes per workout (not counting arriving, parking, changing, chatting....). I will make better food and beverage choices starting today: nothing fried, more fish, more veggies, more raw food, less sugar, less bread.....

Join me friends. Let's make this holiday season about our health and well being. Its not going to be easy but its going to be one of the most rewarding things we can do for ourselves.

Yours truly at 176.2
Lisa

Creating Your Plan for 2009

Now is the time to lay out your life map for 2009. Here's an quick step version of how to do that.

1. Spend some time in thought- what do you want to accomplish in 2009, why, and what are the small steps to get you there
2. Write down your goals, rationales for those goals, and timelines for the small steps
3. Tell everyone about your goals. Share your written plan with them so they can support you. Encourage them to have a plan and encourage each other.
4. You must hold yourself accountable to the steps and timelines- or find someone who will hold you accountable (remember, this is your life- don't cheat yourself out of another year)
5. Review your goals daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annually (depending upon how they are written)
6. Forgive yourself for minor missteps and get back on the plan immediately (we all eat a little chocolate while on a diet)
7. Reward yourself for the milestones you achieve
8. Repeat as necessary

My plan also includes data on my status; what did I accomplish this year; what attributes do I have that allow me to achieve my goals; what am I thankful for; what are my 5 year and life's goals; etc..... This is more like a report or guide versus a single piece of paper. I run my life rather than let life run me. This guide helps me do that.

Happy 2009!

Reading to Guide You

Clients and friends often ask my advice on reading materials for various outcomes. Here are my general thoughts.

I highly encourage you to be a active member of any national or international groups in your profession. Pick only one and become a part of it. Make sure they deliver at least monthly news from the field (peer reviewed ideally)- what is working, what's not, and what is on the cutting edge. Remember that your education shouldn't stop at any point in your successful career. You should be at the height of up-to-date knowledge in your field, know the key players well, and contribute to the information sharing.

As a business person I subscribe to Inc., Fast Company, Entrepreneur, and Forbes Magazines. I subscribe to a few others but have to confess that they don't excite me very much. Forbes, is in fact on the lower side of enjoyment for me, but I love the Executive Women issues that come out seasonally.

Read for education, inspiration, enjoyment for the field and to break away from the normal day-to-day stuff. Your brain needs it. Your business needs it.

Oh, and for pleasure, I subscribe to Cooking Light and Real Simple. They just make my life better.

I encourage you to comment on your own reading lists (books, blogs, magazines, etc...).

Happy Reading!

What is Your Formula?

I hear it often. "Lisa, how did you do that?" That question is one of the pivotal keys to my becoming a life coach. I wanted to help others "do that"- whatever that was for them.

People are often disappointed with me when I can't answer them the way they want. They are looking for a course that I took, a book I read, an experience I had- that they can replicate to do the same thing. It just doesn't work that way.

Its like asking a painter how they paint or how they become inspired. Its a really hard question to answer.

Or, asking the engineer to explain how they are doing their work- it would take hours, days and maybe weeks. If they give you the broad answer you might be unhappy- you want more- yet you don't want to spend the 4+ years in education that they did learning their trade.

I often say, "that's just who I am and what I do". That isn't good enough for them. They want more. I understand that.

The truth is it comes naturally for me- because of my formula.

I get paid to give advice. And, I'd like to say that I think my advice is spot on at least 90% of the time. How do I derive at such advice- that is successful? Well, the answer is in my formula. We all have one.

The formula includes my 18 years of formal education, the dozens of various courses I took outside of that; my 23 years work experience (yes, I've been working since the age of 12) for small shops and large corporations; my upbringing and background; my voracious learning, observation and reading; my methodology for decision making and processing; the company I keep; my beliefs; my values; my creativity; ..... you see where this is going. Who I am is how I work. A simple answer doesn't exist to "how I do it".

What's your formula? How do you do what you do?