NYC Life Coach, Julie Melillo

The word "gratitude" is a bit syrupy and sugary, isn't it? Sort of like smiling for no reason, it can feel forced. Try this exercise as an alternative way to get a nice happy buzz of happiness: 1) What is something good you have in your life? 2) What if that good thing never happened? (Imagine that you missed out on meeting your significant other, or you didn't get into college, or you never got the job you have now, etc.) When I picture my life without say, having a house to grow up in, or without having my parents in my life, or without meeting my husband, or never having met great friends, or having things go down a horrible path, it makes me feel SAD initially, but then I'm overwhelmed with feeling GRATEFUL. Sometimes you don't realize what you have until you lose it -- how about you imagine losing it, so you can appreciate it, now. It's funny how you almost have to carve out a negative space in which to fill it with something positive. Letting sadnes

I found this interesting blog on the topic: http://www.bakadesuyo.com/be-lucky-its-an-easy-skill-to-learn-8 Be lucky - it's an easy skill to learn: * Unlucky people often fail to follow their intuition when making a choice, whereas lucky people tend to respect hunches. Lucky people are interested in how they both think and feel about the various options, rather than simply looking at the rational side of the situation. I think this helps them because gut feelings act as an alarm bell - a reason to consider a decision carefully. * Unlucky people tend to be creatures of routine. They tend to take the same route to and from work and talk to the same types of people at parties. In contrast, many lucky people try to introduce variety into their lives. For example, one person described how he thought of a colour before arriving at a party and then introduced himself to people wearing that colour. This kind of behaviour boosts the likelihood of chance opportunities by intr

"Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world." -Albert Einstein "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy," -Martin Luther King Jr. "Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in an eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand -- and melting like a snowflake." M.B. Ray "You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore," - Christopher Columbus "Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." - Confucius "This above all: to your own self be true," -William Shakespear

THE MAGIC SECRET... The magic secret to a great life? I notice something about my clients who are happy and successful. They 1) Identify what isn't working. 2) Realize what is in their power to control. 3) Take action to change what is in their power to change. In a nutshell, take responsibility and take action. Spoke to a client today who changes around anything that isn't working, to create a life that works. It's a courageous way to live that is more difficult in the moment, but more rewarding in the long term. He's had several successful businesses and built up several lives, only to tear apart pieces of those lives that weren't working, to re-create them for the better. THE MINDSET THAT WORKS... The difference in mindest is this: 1) I don't like this -- what can I do to change my life for the better? I will commit to doing everything I can." Versus... 2) "I don't like this -- it's his/her fault. Poor me. Oh well, I guess I have to accept t

I was quoted in this article! Give it a read. http://www.bettyconfidential.com/ar/ld/a/why-women-are-afraid-to-just-say-no-to-guys.html?pageID=2 The same can be said for you, too. “Having the wrong men in your life just makes it more difficult to find the right man, since that time is being wasted,” says Julie Melillo. “It feels difficult to reject the wrong people at first, but doing so creates a beautiful blank space in your life for a new relationship to grow with the right man!” Step 2. Then, we have to be honest with ourselves and what we want. “Ask yourself, ‘What do I really want?’ That might be a relationship, something casual, or marriage,” says Julie Melillo. “Getting clarity on life goals makes it much easier to cut out approaches that aren’t working. If you’re going on dates because you’re bored, that’s a clue you need/want to build up other areas of your life. Make more girl friends, expand your social life, try new events and classes or work on your fitness or career.” 2.

Being forced to stay indoors for a day can be a great thing -- you can journal, brainstorm, read, and re-align with your goals! Any goal, including fitness, starts in your mind: if you can picture the result you want, you'll be able to achieve it faster. So a rainy day is a great time to relax and visualize the outcome you want. What will you look like wearing your favorite jeans again? How will it feel to be healthier? What will you enjoy about creating a great new career? How will your ideal relationship impact your life in positive ways? *Use a rainy day to focus in on what you want to achieve -- It's a great time to create your strategy. *Write a list of what is working/what is not working. And find solutions you can start doing this week. *Brainstorm all of the things you want in life in regards to getting healthy, improving your career, etc. Write a list of your goals, and place this list in a prominent place in your home. *Create a "visual snapshot" of what you

Trouble sleeping? This impacts your focus to achieve your goals during the day! Some sleep tips: 8 Sleep Tips! Trouble sleeping? This impacts your entire day :( 1. Write in a journal an hour before bed to vent any worries that may otherwise keep you up at night. 2. Exercise earlier in the day to help your body feel tired. 3. Unwind with stretching, drinking a cup of decaffeinated tea, taking a warm bath or doing deep breathing. 4. Create a sleep routine, starting by dimming the lights an hour or so before bed. 5. Keep your bed as a sleep sanctuary. Keep work-related tasks away from your bed. 6. Purchase a comfortable sleep mask, ear plugs, and hang a heavy curtain to keep out light from the street. 7. Go to bed an hour earlier to help your body recharge from any slept debt you may have. 8. Try supplements such as Melatonin or Valerian, but ask your doctor

I wrote this little children's story today, for adults to illustrate an important idea. THE MAN WITH THE UMBRELLA AND THE GIGANTIC STEAK THAT ALMOST KILLED HIM by Julie Melillo There was a man with an umbrella afraid of the rain. He carried it always each day the same, day or night, cloudy or bright. Walking without it, he just didn't feel all right. The dark fabric blinding his face from the sun, he grew pale and without a trace of wonder or joy. He kept his umbrella open always and held proudly facing the sky, just in case. And it's true, when a single drop fell, he stayed dry and would yell "Look at me! I'm as dry as can be!" Since the open umbrella always stayed glued to his hand, protecting him from the sky. But under his black tarp, he missed life's art. The clouds swirling above, doves, and he never met the eyes of another on the street, remained starring at his feet, so he never fell in love. He couldn't run, he never had fun, night or day, dry

Here is a video if you don't like to read! :) Break through your barriers. You know what you want! Maybe you've wanted it for years. You've done great, but there are still areas lingering that are frustrating. Why can't you seem to break through those last few barriers? Here's how: 1) Observe 2) Analyze 3) Decide 4) Act. It's basically the life coaching process in a nut-shell, and you can do it for yourself. 1. Observe -- Look at the world (or yourself) as a scientist would. See it through several different perspectives. What is happening? Why? Once you feel that you understand it, take the perspective of another key player. Talk to more people and get their perspective. What is the conventional wisdom on this topic? What is a radically different way to see it? To understand things better, challenge your own thoughts and beliefs about this topic -- is there a completely different way to see things? Experience confusion!! Stand on your head and look at the world