You know that person in your life – a co-worker, a friend, a family member – who overreacts to things, and insists on taking you along for the ride?

Whatever happens to them, they will add a layer of drama to it in the form of anger, sadness, or something else, and then dump it in your lap. They may even deliberately push your buttons to draw you in and get you involved!

How did their drama become your problem? How do you keep from getting sucked in?

In this episode, Debbi and Athena talk about reactionary people, why and how they do what they do, and six ways you can handle them effectively (but with kindness) while keeping your own mood positive and your day on track.

Recorded August 2, 2017

• For more information on Debbi’s life coaching services and personal growth seminars, go to Committed2Growth.com

• To visit Athena’s online shop, go to DogAndCatParty.com

• For easy-to-follow instructions on how to rate, review, and subscribe to our podcast on iTunes, go to the Find Us On iTunes page on the Motivation and Encouragement podcast website.

 

In Episode 30, Debbi and Athena looked at accountability partners – one of the most effective (and fun) ways to transform yourself from a goal avoider into a goal achiever.

Since then, they’ve been putting this technique to the test, acting as accountability partners for each other. They even put some money on the line!

Find out what they learned and how you can use these lessons to increase your own chances of success.

Recorded July 21, 2017

 

Take a moment to do a quick mental inventory of your goals - nothing formal, just whatever pops into your head when you stop and spend a minute thinking about it.

What comes to mind? That ten (or more) pounds you need to lose… Looking for a better job… That project in the back yard… Getting back into a sport/musical instrument/hobby you used to love…

It goes on and on. Things you’ve been meaning to start on for months, even years, but never seem to get to. Or projects that got started, only to be abandoned and never returned to because you got sidetracked by “life”.

The problem? Life is always going to be there, ready to interrupt your best-laid plans; and your good intentions alone are simply not enough!

So maybe you need a new strategy.

In this episode, Debbi and Athena look at accountability partners – one of the most effective (and fun) ways to transform yourself from a goal avoider into a goal achiever. They’ll tell you how it works, why it works, and how they’re putting this powerful technique into practice themselves.

Listen and find out how easy it could be to get a new start on your own goals in a way that studies have shown to dramatically increase your chances of success!

 

Recorded June 23, 2017

For more information on Debbi’s life coaching services and personal growth seminars, go to Committed2Growth.com

 

We all want a happier, more positive life. Too often, though, we try to get there by buying something: new clothes, the latest tech, a big vacation, a new car. Once that shot of adrenaline wears off, though, we’re right back where we started – but with less money in our pocket or, even worse, a higher credit card balance.

In this episode, Debbi and Athena talk about their own experiences and give you some easy-to-use techniques that you can put into practice today, right where you are, without spending a dime. These simple but profound changes can immediately begin to transform how you feel and how you interact with those around you.

Recorded June 15, 2017

 

For more information on Debbi’s life coaching services and personal growth seminars, go to Committed2Growth.com

When something goes wrong, do your thoughts and judgments about yourself go immediately to the negative? Do you knock over a glass of water in a restaurant or trip on a crack in the sidewalk and feel like it’s really Life reminding you that you just can’t win?

In this episode, Debbi and Athena talk about how we can avoid taking the little bumps and bruises life hands out to all of us and turning them against ourselves. Their stories and tips will help you avoid the mental traps that can bring you down, and show you how you can choose a more forgiving, more enjoyable life for yourself and those around you.

Recorded May 23, 2017

For more information on Debbi’s life coaching services and personal growth seminars, go to Committed2Growth.com

Is there somebody in your life – a romantic partner, friend, family member, co-worker – that’s just no good for you?

In this episode, Debbi and Athena talk about the toxic people in our lives and how to deal with them.

• What are the signs you’re dealing with a toxic person?
• What’s the difference between a toxic and an abusive person?
• Do you contribute to the toxic dynamic?
• Taking control of the conversation with a toxic person and ending it on your terms.
• Knowing when to take a break from somebody – and deciding if, when, and how to re-engage with them.

Recorded April 19, 2017 

For more information:

• Debbi’s life coaching services and personal growth seminars: Committed2Growth.com

• Athena’s book, Bring Him Closer, 7 Easy Steps to Meeting the Man of Your Dreams Using the Law of Attraction, and upcoming online course: BringHimCloser.com/courses

Do you hate to fail or make a mistake?

Today Debbi and Athena talk about why failure is actually good for you and makes you a better person. After all, if we didn’t fail, nothing would ever be invented or improved; Thomas Edison failed thousands of times before inventing the light bulb, but he didn’t give up!

They also remind us that we should go easy on ourselves if we “fail” or make a mistake. Remember, if you don’t make mistakes, you don’t learn and grow.

 

Recorded April 19, 2017

We've all been there: broken-hearted, alone, and feeling like we're never going to get over it.

In this episode, Debbi and Athena talk about the things that hold us back and give you 5 tips - and a killer quote from a Hollywood icon - to help you get moving forward again.

Recorded November 28, 2016

The internet has made meeting people to date easier than it’s ever been. Whether you’re looking for a lifetime relationship or something more casual, just open an app or sign into a website and a world of potential partners is waiting to be explored.

But with all this technology at our disposal, why is dating still so confusing? Why do we find ourselves so often left with disappointment and hurt feelings? Are we doing something wrong?

In this episode, Athena and Debbi guide you through the pitfalls of modern dating, bringing a woman’s point of view to issues that every single person faces, including:

• Deciding how soon to have sex
• Dating vs. hooking up: knowing what you want
• Strategies for not getting your feelings hurt
• Dealing with beliefs about sex we learned growing up
• How men and women react to sex and dating differently
• “Why didn't he call?” Things that make a man want to stick around - or not
• Being honest with yourself vs. judging yourself

This episode will give you some of the tools you need to make dating more fun, more fulfilling, and more true to your own needs and values.

Note: This episode deals with mature subject matter that may not be suitable for young children.

Recorded January 24, 2017

For more information:

• Debbi’s life coaching services and personal growth seminars:

Committed2Growth.com

• Athena’s book, Bring Him Closer, 7 Easy Steps to Meeting the Man of Your Dreams Using the Law of Attraction, and upcoming online course:

BringHimCloser.com/courses

Recorded February 24, 2017

When was the last time you had to deal with a really, really uptight person? Someone so rigid in their thinking that it made them difficult to be around or work with? Maybe it was a friend, significant other, boss, or co-worker. Or maybe *you’re* that person.

Inflexible ways of thinking and behaving can limit our effectiveness at work, undermine our friendships, and keep us from being truly close to our loved ones.

In this episode, Athena and Debbi look at uptight thinking, where it comes from, what it costs us, and how to deal with it in others and in ourselves. Along the way, they share stories about Disneyland anxiety, flammable Pop Tarts, and dangerous avocados.

Recorded January 25, 2017

For more information:

• Debbi’s life coaching services and personal growth seminars:

Committed2Growth.com

• Athena’s book, Bring Him Closer, 7 Easy Steps to Meeting the Man of Your Dreams Using the Law of Attraction, and upcoming online course:

BringHimCloser.com/courses