Making Our Dreams a Reality
By Kim Breyley, Middlefield Post
January 25, 2012
How are you doing with those New Year’s resolutions? Are they already failures that merely feel like distant dreams? Do you have other lofty goals, but they’re accompanied by big fears and what seem to be unconquerable barriers? Lori Gorrell, a life coach and licensed seminar teacher, has some encouragement for all of us who struggle to realize our goals and dreams. Recently she conducted a seminar on“Going for the Goal” with some of the staff at the Middlefield Post. During this activity participants were encouraged to review their individual goals and then analyze why those aspirations might still be only dreams and not realities. Lori encouraged the group to explore reasons and obstacles that take place in our lives to cause unfulfilled dreams. She explained that when we are approaching the invisible line that divides our vision from becoming a reality, we are often listening to a deafening and defeating inner voice, one that she likens to a monkeyon our shoulder. This “monkey” overwhelms us with self-limiting thoughts and prevents us from making our goals a reality. Christina Porter, copy editor for theMiddlefield Post, and published author, says of the meeting, “What I most enjoyedabout the session with Lori was the new perspective that she gave me on goals.Viewing them as a promise to myself, and realizing the importance of them will make it easier to stay focused and continue on the road to achieving them. I now know that I need to be aware of my thoughts and limit those which are self-defeating, to take things one step at a time instead of always trying to leap, and to realize, acknowledge and celebrate my achievements.” I found the exercise of “Life’s Intention Inventory” an extremely valuable tool, and will use this guide to set personal and professional goals. I believe it will provide accountability and focus that will enable me to forge into the future on a well-defined path. Others in the group said, “Lori is compassionate and nonjudgemental; she has a way about her that puts you at ease.” The seminar gave them a better focus on setting their goals and a better clarity of the steps to achieve them. The group left motivated to apply the tools Lori gave them to both their personal and professional lives; and expressed a want for her to come back to reinforce and build upon the foundation laid. When Lori was asked, “Why do you feel what you teach is something people often can’t do on their own, and how does a life coach center and help one to realize life’sgoals?” Lori responded, “I support my client to see their very best qualities and their most important intentions in life, and use this to create goals that have meaning and relevance. As a coach I work with people to look at what is preventing them from achieving their goals and dreams, to tell the truth about what they have just seen and then, take action. Why people often don’t move forward on their own is because they are having really interesting internal conversations about why they shouldn’t or couldn’t. When someone is having that conversation, they don’t see above, beyond or around it. The coach encourages the client to look at those conversations or reasons, to see if they are real or perceived. The coach is there to help the client take the lid off the box and have a good look inside. Are the contents still useful or do you need to clean out the box and take a different action(s) to reach your goal? What is important here is that the coach has no judgment about the conversations or the reasons and with the support of the coach, you will be able to more clearly see what actions to take. “This process is important for individuals, as well as businesses, organizations and even small groups. Barriers to reaching goals come up in many different situations… think of a PTA group, a Board of Directors or even a church committee where there has been an impasse. There are tools and skills available to work through these situations with ease and they are similar to what I use with individuals.”
True Colors has been in existencesince 2009. Lori had been overworking for corporate America for many years. She says that her life was full but she always knew something was missing. In 2007, she found answers through a professional coach who continues to mentor and coach her on a personal and professional level. It was then that she knew her life’s calling was to support others through coaching. Lori offers personal coaching as well as seminars and workshops for businesses and organizations to enhance communication, build effective teams and bring ease in times of change. She holds a Master of Science in management as well as a Bachelor of Science in business administration. Lori is on facultyat the Academy for Coaching Excellence as a licensed seminar leader and is a member of the International Coach Federation. Lori resides in Parkman Township with her husband John. To contact Lori Gorrell call 440-391-4771 or e-mail lori@truecolorscc.com or truecolorscc.com.
