Christina Kunkle’s six steps to
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Personal freedom
e are blessed to live at a time and in a country where our choices are virtually limitless. Each of us has been given the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Yet many women tell me that they feel trapped in circumstances where it seems their choices are very limited, or their voices are going unheard. My mentors teach that “Courage + Self-Discipline = Freedom,” and rather than a final destination, it’s an ongoing journey of spurts, dips and spirals. As my resilience-coaching practice
crosses in to its eighth year, I’m both humbled and honored to experience the transformative freedom of doing what fulfills me every day. Here are six steps to self-leadership that I take time and time again and that have had a major impact on my own sense of personal freedom:
1. Decide
Everything that happens to us starts with a choice. With freedom comes responsibility to lead yourself and create a life by design, not by default. Choose to be the CEO of YOU and create balanced (not toxic) success. What
core values will you choose to guide your thoughts, feelings and actions?
2. Intend
Set a clear intention based on what having more freedom means to you. Perhaps it’s being released from selfcriticism, shadow comforts — like alcohol, food or drug addiction — work that doesn’t fulfill you, financial struggle, fear of criticism, chronic pain or dysfunctional family dynamics. Maybe you declare “enough is enough” and start speaking to be heard, even if you’re the only one listening.
3. Attend
Give your goal the attention it deserves, and put inspired action behind what you say you want. First, grab your journal and write down everything that holds you back or ties you down. Your path will become clear. Armed with a plan, you can confidently schedule that tough conversation, ask for support from trusted friends and family, chop up that credit card, find your tribe of likeminded women or sign up for the See STEPS, Page 11
Thinkstock Photo
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Bloom
Summer 2015