Modern Hippie Mag » Allyson Spellman

The Game of Life

Allyson Spellman — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 20:00:16 +0000

I am currently in Las Vegas and naturally surrounded by casinos. And with casinos come gamblers: lots and lots of gamblers. Now you may not be a gambler in the sense of black jack, poker, slots, etc. But are you a gambler on life? The definition of a gambler is someone who “plays games of chance whose outcome is uncertain.”

“Life is like a hand of cards. You have to play the hand you’re dealt, you can’t win by folding, and sometimes you must take chances in order to win.” -Mike Conner

There is a difference between playing with chance and taking a chance in order to win. Taking a chance gets you out of your comfort zone in order to take your game to a new level. So in the game of life, are you playing strictly by chance or are you playing with certainty?

If you are playing strictly by chance, you could be settling for less simply because you think there aren’t any options, or that you don’t have the power to do more, be more, and experience more. Circumstances can dictate your outcome because that is “just the cards you were dealt.” It just always seems the odds are against you. The stakes seem too high for you to try a different strategy. Someone else is always holding the aces you desire. The game just isn’t fun anymore.

Are you tired of life just being a toss-up?

But if you are playing with certainty, you’re going to make your own rules, live life on your own terms, and create the circumstances that you want in your life. If you were dealt a “bad hand,” are you going to just fold and give up? Or are you going to keep playing and developing strategies?

How are you looking at your cards? Are you angry at the hand you were deal? Has the indecisiveness of your next move halted the game? Or can you see how you can still win? Can you take those cards and turn them into a winning hand?

If you play your cards right, you can do it. You are a part of the game of life- whether you like it or not. The outcome all depends on how you play.

The cards are in your hands. Only you can decide what to do with them.

I’m betting you can turn those cards into a winning hand.

Originally published as The Game of Life

Allyson

Allyson Spellman is a master goals and success coach and co-founder of HeartCore BootCamp- Empowering Women to Stop Settling. Along with her partner Shanda Sumpter, Allyson continues to help thousands of women all over the globe reach their goals and make lasting heart connections through HeartCore. She is also the co-host of HeartCore Radio on Contact Radio and the host of The Breakthrough Muse Radio Show with Allyson Spellman on Blog Talk Radio. Find her at www.heartcorebootcamp.com to receive 8 weeks of FREE empowerment coaching. Pick up a free HeartCore Jump Start Program at www.2DayJump.com. Follow her on Twitter, @HeartCoreGirls and @Breakthru_Muse.

The Game of Life is a post from Modern Hippie Mag your online resource dedicated to hip, healthy conscious living & environmental sustainability.

Stop Settling, Start Living

Allyson Spellman — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 20:00:43 +0000

Stop Settling, Start Living

Do you notice how often people settle for a “just okay” life instead of an extraordinary life? Or they settle for what they think they can have instead of what they really want? How often do you see people trudging along in their jobs, or the same relationship, and it’s obvious they are not fulfilled and enjoy what they have? Do you see people who want to break out of mediocrity, but don’t know how to do it so they stay right where they are?

Here is an important question… Are you one of these people? Do you see yourself in any of these situations?

I don’t want to see you stop short of true happiness and settle for “good enough.” You were not created to live with this type of standard.

You have too much to give.
You have too much talent.
You have too much to settle.

Why do people choose to settle for less?

Yes, it is a choice. Usually it is out of fear. When fear is the cause, it can be: fear of failure, fear of loss of acceptance, fear of the unknown, fear of being disappointed. Fear often leaves people doubtful that they can have what they truly want.

Sometimes people settle for less because they want to stay within the comfort zone. If you step out, how will it affect you? Will you be putting your loved ones at risk? How is settling for less affecting your loved ones now?

You see when someone settles for less it affects everyone and not just the person doing the settling. If you stop settling, you will naturally become even a better mother, father, daughter, son, sister, brother, friend. It is time to stop settling and start living!

Start with finding your passion again. From there, you can create goals and take action. It is all about momentum. Taking action means taking back your power. Doing this will take you from being stuck to being in motion, everyday getting closer and closer toward your dream, while improving yourself and experiencing victories every step of the way. You will enjoy the moment instead of tolerating the moment.

When you decide to stop settling for less, you decide to rise above what life seems to be giving you and start to take all life has to offer- all the possibilities and opportunities. Most of us don’t think about purpose much – or maybe we do, but we think about what we wish our purpose was, “if only things were different.” Instead, we should be focusing on how we’re not willing to settle for less than living that purpose.

So, if you’ve been giving up on what you really want, just remember that what you focus your attention on grows. Once you’re able to focus on what you truly want, and then come up with goals and take action, you will that create exactly what you want most…

Get ready to see what you once deemed “impossible” turn into the possible and become the achievable! You are in for a glorious ride!

Allyson

Stop Settling, Start Living is a post from Modern Hippie Mag your online resource dedicated to hip, healthy conscious living & environmental sustainability.

Your Self-Evaluation

Allyson Spellman — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 20:00:38 +0000

Your Self-Evaluation

Take a moment to look your life. I want you to step back and look at it from all angles. What do you see?

When you visit a doctor for the first time, you usually have to fill out a form that has a long list of health related questions such as:

Do you have headaches?
Do you have trouble sleeping?
Have you experienced a loss in appetite?

I want you to think of me as your new doctor. And I have a list of questions for you.

It is your self-evaluation.

Are you happy with where you are?
Do you like who you have become?
Are your relationships what you want?
Are you having a good day or a bad one?
Do you feel frustrated with your life?
Do you feel satisfied?

Your answers to these questions are important, but what is influencing your answers is even more important. You are going to be amazed at the results once you apply a “medication” that will positively influence your life.

First of all, it is very important to be gut-wrenchingly honest with yourself about the current state of your life.

What do you see on a daily basis?

The way you evaluate your life is through your perception. It is a specific point of view that only you have. No one else sees the world exactly the same way you do.

How are you really seeing your life?

Do you categorize events as either “bad” or “good?” Do you see chaos rather than opportunity? What about scarcity rather than abundance?

The key to success is based on our perception.

Photo by Agata Urbaniak

Have you ever been with someone at the same event and they described it completely differently? Didn’t you both see the exact same thing? It is because every single person has a unique perception.

So many factors come into how and why we perceive things the way we do: our past, our hurts, our disappointments, our expectations. Get really honest with yourself about how you are perceiving things.

Do you see beauty or blunder? What you do have or don’t have? Do you see the miracles or the “just okay?” So much can happen in your life when you shift to a positive perception. The best way to do it is… just to start doing it!

Start writing down the positive things you see and experience in your life every day. Be sure to turn your negative perceptions around! You will start to see so much more abundance in your life.

Your perception needs to be flexible- like a tree in a storm. The trees that never break are the ones that are flexible; they move with the wind. The trees that break are those that are not flexible.

By shifting your perception, YOU will not be broken!

Get ready to see a positive shift in the reality you create each and every day.

Allyson

Allyson Spellman is a master goals and success coach and co-founder of HeartCore BootCamp- Empowering Women to Stop Settling. Along with her partner Shanda Sumpter, Allyson continues to help thousands of women all over the globe reach their goals and make lasting heart connections through HeartCore. She is also the co-host of HeartCore Radio on Contact Radio and the host of The Breakthrough Muse Radio Show with Allyson Spellman on Blog Talk Radio. She is the creator of the powerful goals program Get Your Goals Going. Also find her at www.allysonspellman.com. Follow her on Twitter,@HeartCoreGirls and @Breakthru_Muse.

Your Self-Evaluation is a post from Modern Hippie Mag your online resource dedicated to hip, healthy conscious living & environmental sustainability.

Change or Chaos?

Allyson Spellman — Mon, 31 May 2010 19:00:53 +0000

Are you facing an incredibly challenging time right now? Perhaps it is caused by uncertainty and chaos. Maybe you lost your job. Or you lost a relationship. Or you are feeling a loss of security.

Perhaps you feel like your world has been turned upside down… And you have no idea how to turn it right side up. You may be wondering… How can anything positive come out of this?

Believe it or not, times of uncertainty open up a new world for positive change.

Photo by Harrison Keely

It is a vehicle for finding a more fulfilling and satisfying way to live.

Chaos presents opportunity.
Chaos is a wake-up call.
Chaos brings perspective.

You can use chaos as a catalyst for change.

It all depends on you. You can move forward in the same way you always have, not because it brings you joy, but because it is easy. It is much easier to stay within your comfort zone. There is comfort in the familiar.

But just because it is familiar doesn’t mean it is necessarily the best. What kind of results have you gotten by staying within familiar and comfortable limits? Are you happy with them?

If you are being shaken up by chaos, then use it to shake up your perception.

All perceived chaos is actually a blessing in disguise. It just takes a unique perspective to find it.

Use chaos to shake up your dreams. Think outside the box. Act outside the comfort zone.

Chaos can fuel change. A thunder storm can either cause destruction and floods or it can feed the most desperate crops and bloom the most beautiful flowers.

How are you going to survive the storm?

Will your life drown in a flood or bloom with change?

Allyson

Allyson Spellman is a master goals and success coach and co-founder of HeartCore BootCamp- Empowering Women to Stop Settling. Along with her partner Shanda Sumpter, Allyson continues to help thousands of women all over the globe reach their goals and make lasting heart connections through HeartCore. She is also the co-host of HeartCore Radio on Contact Radio and the host of The Breakthrough Muse Radio Show with Allyson Spellman on Blog Talk Radio. She is the creator of the powerful goals program Get Your Goals Going. Also find her at www.allysonspellman.com. Follow her on Twitter,@HeartCoreGirls and @Breakthru_Muse.

Change or Chaos? is a post from Modern Hippie Mag your online resource dedicated to hip, healthy conscious living & environmental sustainability.

Your Mess or Your Message?

Allyson Spellman — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 18:00:07 +0000

I had the pleasure of meeting and hearing the amazing Lisa Nichols speak at an event, she is the featured teacher in “The Secret” and author of “Chicken Soup for the African American Woman’s Soul”.

Lisa shared so much incredible insight, but here is something that got me thinking…

“Use your mess to make a message. Instead of standing in your stuff, stand on your stuff.”

iStock image

We can look at what we consider “mess” in our lives and let it stop us. It can dampen our flame of passion and purpose where it is barely flickering under the surface.

But… our “mess” can also ignite the fire of possibility and opportunity.

It can rekindle our passion and purpose.

We can use it to service and encourage others.

That is my story.

Instead of standing in my stuff, I decided to stand on my stuff.

Instead of the stuff controlling my life… I decided to use my stuff, my journey as a vehicle to help others.

You have the capability right now to overcome your stuff. No matter how overwhelming it seems– you have the ability right now to turn your mess into a message.

There are so many amazing stories of people that overcame incredible obstacles and now have a life of true fulfillment. Don’t look at their life stories as just an observer.

What skills and talents do you have?
What common themes keep weaving their way back into your life?
Do you like working with children? Writing? Organizing?

You can make a contribution no matter how small it may seem. Start by gaining clarity around your passion.

You too can create an amazing life.

In fact, you are creating right now by reading this.

Can you imagine people looking at you as one of those amazing stories?

IT CAN HAPPEN.

Your life story can inspire, motivate, and ignite others to make a message out of their mess. Why?

You can open the door to opportunity and possibility.
You have so much to give.
You bring value to everyone and everything.
You story can inspire others to achieve what they never thought possible.

I can tell you this, but the decision to believe it is yours. I want you to believe it with absolute certainty.

Through the mess, find your message.

What will your message be?

Allyson

Allyson Spellman is a master goals and success coach and co-founder of HeartCore BootCamp- Empowering Women to Stop Settling. Along with her partner Shanda Sumpter, Allyson continues to help thousands of women all over the globe reach their goals and make lasting heart connections through HeartCore. She is also the co-host of HeartCore Radio on Contact Radio and the host of The Breakthrough Muse Radio Show with Allyson Spellman on Blog Talk Radio. She Find her at www.heartcorebootcamp.com to receive 8 weeks of FREE empowerment coaching. Pick up a free HeartCore Jump Start Program at www.2DayJump.com. Follow her on Twitter, @HeartCoreGirls and @Breakthru_Muse.

Your Mess or Your Message? is a post from Modern Hippie Mag your online resource dedicated to hip, healthy conscious living & environmental sustainability.

What Do You Believe?

Allyson Spellman — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 17:00:14 +0000

“What the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” -Napoleon Hill

Do you want to know the #1 reason that stops people from achieving success? This reason produces procrastination, defeatist attitude, and the inability to achieve goals. But at the same time can be used to shatter mediocrity, increase self-confidence, and attain the life of your dreams. What is it?

It’s our belief system.

It is our belief system that determines our every step. Our beliefs guide our thoughts, our actions, our goals, even our relationships with other people.

Your belief system has determined where you are right now. Take a look at your life- your relationships, your job, your finances, your health.

If you want to change your life, change your beliefs!

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By changing your belief system, you can improve any situation. But the key is connecting your head to your heart.

Have you ever said you deserved something, but your actions and thoughts were different?

It is one thing to say something, but it is quite another to mean it and then act on it. You may not know this, but you have been committed to your beliefs. That commitment is reflected in your life right now.

Are you happy with the results?

Do you feel fulfilled where you are standing?

Do you want to change?

The first step is to determine where your belief system is right now. It’s time to be gut wrenching honest with yourself.

What do you believe about yourself in all areas of your life: career, financial, spiritual, social, personal, and health?

What do you believe you deserve in all those areas?

What limiting beliefs are holding you back in these areas?

Why?

Take any limiting beliefs and write them down. Then turn them around into empowering statements. Instead of giving yourself reasons why you can’t, give yourself reasons why you can.

Devote 10-15 minutes every day to repeat and meditate on your new positive beliefs. You will start to imprint them into your subconscious mind. When limiting thoughts come into your mind throughout the day, replace it with your new positive beliefs.

I promise you’ll be amazed with the positive changes that will happen in your life once you replace your limiting beliefs.

I know you can do it!

Allyson

What Do You Believe? is a post from Modern Hippie Mag your online resource dedicated to hip, healthy conscious living & environmental sustainability.

The Choice Is Yours

Allyson Spellman — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 19:00:26 +0000

Have you ever given up on a dream? Perhaps you thought it was too far out of reach… or the journey to get there is so far that you will never arrive. Was it that the vast distance between where you are now and where you want to be cause you to give up before you even began? Chances are, that’s just the kind of thinking that’s kept you from living the life of your dreams.

courtesy stock.xchng, maf5002

It might be a bit depressing to realize that our dreams are a long way off from where we are right now. But the fact is, you won’t achieve your dream life overnight. Rome wasn’t built in day, and neither will your desired life. It’s going to take some time and hard work to fulfill your dreams.

Here is the reality:

The years will keep coming… time is going to march on.You’re going to get a little bit older every day, and eventually, one day, you will die. We are all in the same boat on this one.

But the difference is…

How are you going to spend those years?

You can miss out on life by trying to stay right where you are for the rest of that time. Or you can create and achieve your goals, improving yourself every day and grow closer to the ultimate dream life you desire. Either way, time will keep marching on.

Which choice will you make?

When we look at our dream in its entirety and as a whole, it can be intimidating:

How will I ever do it?
Where do I start?
Is it just too big to achieve?

You have to take it one step at a time.

It’s a lot like that joke: “How do you eat an elephant?”
The answer of course is: “One bite at a time.”

And that’s exactly how you’ll achieve your dreams, too.
One bite at a time.

Goals are taking it one bite at a time.

They are the stepping stones to getting to your final destination. When taking a road trip, you don’t just jump into a car and drive without a map or direction. Why do we do this with our lives? We spend more time planning a vacation than we do our lives.

Are you ready to commit to creating a plan for your life?

The choice is yours.

We can’t battle time. But we can decide how we are going to spend that time. Our time spent here on earth is represented with 2 dates on a tombstone: birth and death. Between those dates lies a dash. That dash represents your entire life.

Tell me, how full will your dash be?

Allyson

Allyson Spellman is a master goals and success coach and co-founder of HeartCore BootCamp- Empowering Women to Stop Settling. Along with her partner Shanda Sumpter, Allyson continues to help thousands of women all over the globe reach their goals and make lasting heart connections through HeartCore. She is also the co-host of HeartCore Radio on Contact Radio and the host of The Breakthrough Muse Radio Show with Allyson Spellman on Blog Talk Radio. She is the creator of the powerful goals program Get Your Goals Going. Find her at www.allysonspellman.com or visit www.heartcorebootcamp.com to receive 8 weeks of FREE empowerment coaching. Follow her on Twitter, @HeartCoreGirls and @Breakthru_Muse.

The Choice Is Yours is a post from Modern Hippie Mag your online resource dedicated to hip, healthy conscious living & environmental sustainability.

The Discipline of Success

Allyson Spellman — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:00:46 +0000

“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.” – Jim Rohn

Why does self-discipline and success go hand in hand? It is the giving up of immediate pleasure and satisfaction for a higher and better goal. Discipline requires a choice: Either instant gratification or restraint in order to achieve something much better. Discipline is like exercise, the more you practice it, the easier it gets and the more it holds greater influence over your life.

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Self-discipline is the ability to stick to actions, thoughts, and behaviors that lead to success. It helps you focus your energy on achieving goals and to persevere until they are accomplished.

Many people hate the term “self-discipline” because they think it leads to a limited life. I think it gives you a life full of limitless possibilities. I find self-discipline absolutely empowering! Why would you want something else to control you?

C’mon- who is in charge?
You or a chocolate chip cookie?
You or your TV?
You or your pillow? Sleeping in can be enticing, but could you be doing something more productive?

Take back your power.

Now if you’re thinking it sounds easier than done, you can always start small. I know you can do one thing today to improve yourself and practice self-discipline. I guarantee you can.

Need some ideas?

You could read a motivational book rather than veg out in front of the TV.
You could choose something healthy for dinner instead of greasy fast food.
You could go to sleep earlier and wake up ½ earlier to start your day off with some exercise.
You could start spending 15 minutes every day filing or throwing away that mound of paper on your desk that keeps growing.

There are so many things you could do today to improve yourself. Don’t be discouraged if they seem small. These small positive choices are going to compound over time. Isn’t the road to success paved with small victories? With anything in life you want to be good you must consistently practice.

You can make choices today that are either going to compound positively or negatively over time. Which do you want? I want to challenge you to think before you act.

Do you want a life full of instant gratification or meaningful achievement? Do you want to fulfill momentary desires or the ultimate desires for your life?

You can keep your eye focused on what is right in front of you…or you can keep your eye on the prize.

Allyson

Allyson Spellman is a master goals and success coach and co-founder of HeartCore BootCamp- Empowering Women to Stop Settling. Along with her partner Shanda Sumpter, Allyson continues to help thousands of women all over the globe reach their goals and make lasting heart connections through HeartCore. She is also the co-host of HeartCore Radio on Contact Radio and the host of The Breakthrough Muse Radio Show with Allyson Spellman on Blog Talk Radio. She is the creator of the powerful goals program Get Your Goals Going. Visit her at www.allysonspellman.com to receive 8 weeks of FREE empowerment coaching. Follow her on Twitter,@HeartCoreGirls and @Breakthru_Muse.

The Discipline of Success is a post from Modern Hippie Mag your online resource dedicated to hip, healthy conscious living & environmental sustainability.