By Melissa Riddle Chalos
A writer for The Life Challenge.

When it comes to recovery, most people assume there’s a singular path. A set of definitive steps that, once achieved, move you further and further away from addiction or depression or whatever issue previously distorted or defined your life.

But that assumption is an oversimplification at best. Certainly, there are programs and processes that have made recovery more possible for those struggling with behavioral and mental health issues:

·      Intervention
·      Detox
·      Inpatient or outpatient rehab
·      Group therapy
·      Family counseling
·      Private counseling
·      12-Step meetings
·      Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
·      Narcotics Anonymous (NA)

For those who are willing and motivated to participate in these (and other) processes improve their chances at a healthier, purpose-filled lives — definitely in the short term and hopefully for the long haul.

But even though the road to life-long recovery has a bunch of similar stops along the way, every person’s path is different because every person is unique. Every person’s story is his or her own. For better or for worse, no one else can tell your story authentically … because it belongs to you.

“I started to forge my own way of taking care of myself in recovery that included diet, that included exercise and included finding community and finding a spiritual path. My spiritual path didn’t have to look like anybody else’s. That awakening really helped me.

As I realized my path had to be my own, my family seemed to realize that at the same time. They would provide support and let me know they were there for me but they also just kind of stepped back and trusted me to find my own path. I believe that trust in me also helped me truly find recovery.” – Lauren S. shares with Heroes in Recovery.

Your story, your path, may have many curves in the road, some screeching halts, a bunch of do-overs and many mistakes along the way. But hopefully, in each of those chapters, you have will always make recovery your priority, never missing an opportunity to grow and learn from your past. Every poor decision, every broken place in the road, gives you an opportunity to fight another day for the life you want.

By choosing to deal openly and honestly with the challenges in your life — addictions or other issues — you are choosing to feel. To acknowledge your emotions instead of medicating them, to work through the uncomfortable places in life and to come out on the other side, stronger, more resilient and fully present in your life. This kind of sobriety takes daily intention, but it doesn’t make you exempt from trouble.

I love the way Rose Lockinger puts it: “Sobriety is a way of life.” she writes, “Since life has ups and downs, happiness and sadness; sobriety will have that as well. There will be times when I experience joy that is indescribable, and there will be times that I experience the depths of despair, because in the end I am human, and in the end, I am participating in life.”

When your recovery story takes a hard or unforeseeable turn, you have choices.

Reach out to get your land legs – When the difference between perception and reality seems hazy, when you can’t trust your instincts because your emotions are raw, it’s time to reach out. Call a friend, your sponsor, a family member — anyone who knows your story and who can listen and support you in a fragile moment.

Reestablish your present reality and purpose – if your past continues to press in on your present, it’s time to — once and for good — let go of it. Whether you’ve followed the 12-Steps or taken other steps to make amends for past wrongs, whether you’ve received the forgiveness you’ve asked for, it’s time to forgive yourself and focus on today. What can you do today? For what are you thankful today? What is within your grasp today? What truth can you live out today?

“One thing to remember is that your passion and purpose are ever evolving, taking new forms as you grow,” writes Shelcy V. Joseph in Forbes. “Be patient, continue to learn, and be willing to take risks when you come across something unchartered or a road less traveled.”

Share and find strength in sharing your story – “The universe presents us with endless opportunities to synchronize our path with our truth,” writes Jeff Brown, author, filmmaker and teacher. That synchronization is important because in telling our stories, we’re not only reminding ourselves that truth is what keeps us grounded, but also in that truth we find strength and purpose. In the telling, there is a certain surrendering, a reminder of the beauty of our humanity. And for those with whom we share, our story plants a seed of hope.

Wherever you are on the path to recovery, remember: it’s your path. It might not look like anyone else’s. It’s your story. Keep moving forward, keep focusing on the next step, and keep sharing it … because it matters.

Author

Ms. Peterson’s mission is aligned with that of RecoveryPride, which is to celebrate sobriety and those who achieve it.

Photo Courtesy of Pexels

Recovering from drug and alcohol addiction is not an easy feat. Often, those recovering feel a lack of control over their lives. Incorporating alternative methods, such as art and music therapies, alongside a traditional rehabilitation approach provides an enjoyable and expressive way for clients to work toward recovery. Not only does it help addicts cope, but it helps build self-esteem.

Being an artist or musician is not necessary. These are judgment-free spaces, and the only thing required is the desire to participate.

Expression Through Art

In art therapy, certified therapists from the American Art Therapy Association teach clients to use creative activities as a safe form of expression. Their goal is not to focus on the aesthetics of the art, but rather the treatment itself and give patients a new nonverbal tool to communicate with. Whether it’s watercolor, acrylic, or oils, painting is a wonderful way for those suffering with addiction to cope. Not only is painting a quiet, soothing activity, it allows an artist to bring out whatever emotions they’re dealing with onto the paper or canvas and leave it there. Because drugs and alcohol can dull a person’s emotions, painting can bring you back to yourself, little by little.

When paired with talk therapy, this becomes a powerful way to describe and communicate feelings. Once those feelings are released, the art itself becomes a tangible object that opens up paths of communication for discussion with the therapist and with peers.

The Power of Music

Music is processed through the entire brain, making it a powerful therapy treatment. Methods range from listening to music to writing lyrics to physically playing instruments and singing. Trained music therapists practice the Iso Principle, in which they take their cues from their patients. This helps them guide clients through their emotions, such as bringing a high energy patient down to a relaxing state through improvising music.

Even with no prior experience, playing an instrument is a great way for patients to try something new in a safe environment. This teaches them a way to manage their stress, fears, and anxieties. Drumming has particularly been proven to help balance and uplift patients.

These techniques promote self-exploration and self-expression in individuals. When done in group settings, it encourages cooperation toward a common goal and improves social skills. Not only that, it has also been proven to help reduce physical pain as well as positively affect heart rate, blood pressure and vital signs.

A supplement to the 12 steps

When paired with a 12-step program, art and music therapy are proven to be incredibly effective. As of 2014, a study found that 36.8 percent of sample programs offered art therapy as a part of their recovery process, while 14.7 percent offered music therapy and these numbers are growing.

The same study also examined how art helps promote the cognitive brain process of valuing choice and decision making, while music therapy enhances a motivation for change. For these reasons, art and music therapy are particularly helpful in facilitating the first step. The act of being creative helps patients come to terms with their disease and creates a positive image of recovery, which in turn opens them up to receiving treatment.

Seeking Help

Confronting the emotions that get tied up in addictions is an intimidating process. It is common for recovering addicts to feel shame and guilt over their past and therefore be unwilling or unable to talk about it. Many times, these feelings get knotted up and buried deep down.

Both art and music therapy provide a safe alternative for facing and unleashing those feelings. It is a powerful coping and recovery method that should not be overlooked.

About the Author: Charles L Watson is a willing writer contributing in the health and addiction arena. If you don’t catch him at a local Detroit Tigers game, you will see him reading updated material from his favorite author Tim Ferriss. Currently he is a freelance writer at http://www.eliterehabplacement.com.

Alternative treatments or holistic care have been getting a bad rap because of misplaced fear. Since we were young, it’s been inculcated in our minds that when we are sick, we always buy branded medicines or go to doctors inside clinics or hospitals. As a result, we view with suspicion any treatment option that doesn’t involve a doctor.

However, conventional medicine is increasing more receptive toward the alternative options. In fact, it’s entered the industry lexicon as complementary and alternative medicine or CAM.

In essence, it remains to be holistic or an alternative if it doesn’t have enough documented scientific basis to support its claims. With CAM, it’s a compromise of sorts as doctors found that conventional treatment options mixed with holistic methods seem to produce more effective results.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), about 38% of American adults and 12% of kids are using holistic treatment for their condition. Surprisingly, the survey said that those who typically try alternative methods have higher education and higher income.

Then there’s America’s obsession with everything organic as part of its effort toward healthier living, which is understandable considering that it has one of the highest rates of children and adults obesity in the world. So they are already exposed to natural home remedies, meditation, exercise, yoga, and massage therapy.

So in drug or alcohol rehab, they are more receptive to alternative treatments to complement the institutional therapies employed by US treatment facilities.

Helping Drug and Alcohol Dependents Cope
The relapse rate in the US is between 40% and 60%. It’s especially crucial during the first year after finishing the treatment program in the rehab facilities. This is when the danger is most high for a recovering patient to go back to his bad habits.
The purpose of alternative treatments is to equip the person with the right tools in order to control the cravings and manage the addiction. Unfortunately, for some people, they are going to be fighting off the urge to go back to the bottle or do drugs all their lives.

While counseling and psychotherapy will help them get to the root of the problem—as most experts agree that addiction is mostly a symptom of a deep-seated issue—holistic therapy will help them manage their physical and mental cravings.
We can all agree that addiction is a multi-layered problem. So it’s logical to also think that it will take a multi-layered approach to control it.

Alternative Therapy Options to Treat Drug and Alcohol Dependence
Several holistic therapies are now employed by the best drug rehab facilities in the U.S. to complement detox, counseling, group therapy, and behavioral modification.

Below are some of the more popular options:
Acupuncture – This ancient Chinese art is based on the belief that our bodies are composed of vital energies known as qis. When those passageways are blocked, it will cause an imbalance, which may explain some of the destructive behaviors of people with addiction problems.

Meditation – This Hindu tradition has a long history as its practice can be traced back to the 1500 B.C. Through breathing exercises, you become one with your mind, body, and soul. It reinforces self-awareness.

Yoga – Meditation is but a part of yoga. This Hindu tradition is even older as it dates back to more than 5,000 years ago. Through a series of stretching and body positions, and meditation, you are supposed to tap into a higher consciousness.

Neurofeedback – It may sound like pseudo-science but some rehab centers swear by its efficacy. Basically, you are going to be hooked to an EEG device to monitor your brain waves. By stimulating some areas in your mind, it will alter some of the waves and, possibly, your behavior.

Massage therapy – While the patient is under the influence, it will obstruct the natural chemical balance in the body. During the therapy, dopamine levels will drop while the level of stress increases. Massage will stimulate your body’s production of feel-good chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and endorphin.

VR therapy – Drug rehab facilities also employ the latest technology to support their treatment methods. While the use of virtual therapy to monitor the level of cravings is not widely used due to lack of studies, it’s being successfully adopted by Chinese drug rehab programs with great success.

Garden therapy – Granted that some patients may find this boring, but garden therapy has been proven to be very effective in motivating the recovering addict. If done right, the patient will be driven to turn their lives around because they’ve been given a newfound purpose—to see their garden bloom and grow.

Pet therapy – The use of therapy animals, especially in children’s hospitals, is already an accepted method of accelerating recovery. Pets elicit a positive reaction from the patient and they always feel good after the interaction. In drug and alcohol rehab treatment, pet therapy operates on the belief that given the right motivation—which is to care for a creature that is helpless—the nurturing side of the patient will come out. Just like garden therapy, you are given a higher purpose and meaning.

Getting Back to the Basics of Healthcare
How young are you when you heard the advice, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away?” Or how about the phrase, “an ounce of prevention is better than cure?” It used to be when we put stock on preventive measures in our approach to healthcare, which by its definition means that you are free from disease.

It’s not clear what went wrong but in the past two decades, however, the concept of natural remedy or holistic therapy has been viewed in a negative light. We should note, however, that most of the alternative methods listed above are very much Eastern concepts. Perhaps, that’s where the doubts lie. While some have been successfully practiced for millennia, all they have are testimonial evidence to prove the efficacy of the methods.

Nevertheless, the best drug rehab facilities in the US have adopted them with great success, which really means that these facilities are not above experimenting with other methods to achieve the same purpose, and that is to wean the patient from drugs and alcohol.

Business has a way of reflecting back what we need to acknowledge. Some times it’s the good stuff being reflected back and other times, it’s areas of opportunity being reflected back.

My personal focus is BEING me and sharing that essence with others.

I’ve received testimonials, dms and reviews from people calling me authentic, compassionate and real. It’s great to hear this feedback since these qualities are the truth of who I am.

Reflections serve as an opportunity to gauge if we are on-course or need to course-correct.

You’d be surprised that most coaches don’t know their own essence. They are trying to build a business from a place of action without the alignment and ease of essence.

Let me know if this sounds familiar…
“I’m not getting consistent Clients.”
“I’m attracting people who aren’t my Ideal Client.”
“I can’t get anyone on the phone with me.”

If this is the message being reflected back to you then something is out of alignment.

Your essence probably isn’t being conveyed. And it’s not your fault, when do you ever hear anyone talking about essence. Never, right?!

Well, not until now, of course.

I’m going to share with you 3 important questions to ask yourself daily in order to uncover your personal essence and create clients with ease and authenticity. Why? Because when you are being the true you, all things come easier.

You might be thinking. What’s a Coaching Essence? And how do I figure out mine?

Over 10 years ago, I learned about something called a “Loving Essence” in Spiritual Psychology. I learned all about my “Loving Essence” and now bring it to my coaching practice. It’s made a huge difference for me in all areas of my life.

It had me thinking, “What about a Coaching Essence?” I know the truth of all of us is loving but when it comes to coaching there’s an essence as well.

There’s something special that you bring to your connections, engagement and interactions. And when you can acknowledge it and align with it, you can become unstoppable.

At a recent mastermind group, it was mirrored back to me that I was hitting a new level of ease in my operations. And I am!

It got me thinking how I have moved from a doing machine to claiming 2018 the year of EASE.
It happened very consciously and intentionally. I caught myself before a massive burnout. Thanks to listening to my body and internal nudges, I was able to shift gears from doing to being.

Check yourself right now. Have you been coming from doing or have you been coming from your being?

It’s a common misstep, and I was experiencing it myself. My mindset was all kinds of wrong. I had the misunderstanding that I had to do more in order to create more in my life and business. It makes sense but wasn’t giving me the inner or outer experience I was intending.

So I had to slow down, create some space and just listen within.

And these 3 questions came forward.

Who am I being?
What is it I truly intend to express?
How can I serve?

These questions are very similar to questions people ask themselves on the spiritual path. What’s beautiful is that they can be used for your business as well. In fact, you want to get clear on questions like this because they help you connect to the deeper reason behind your expression.

These questions supported me in dropping from my head to my heart, relinquishing ego’s grip on my expression and reconnecting me with my true essence.

The truth of who I am is a spiritual being having a human experience. I’m here to express the possibility of using your life’s challenges for self-actualization and actualization of others and the planet. I serve by sharing my truth and expression with others through my writing, videos and content creations. These creations are intended support others in stepping into the highest version of themselves.

Your essence is your truth beyond the human condition. It’s what has always been and always will be. And when you connect with your essence and live, express and share from it, you coaching business takes on a whole new meaning. It becomes less about outcomes and more about experience. Outcomes are important but they don’t define your essence.

Leverage your essence and experience the loving to a whole other level.

I love bringing my essence to ALL I do into this world be it relationships, business, marriage or my coaching partnerships. Let Your Essence Lead the way.

How might focusing on your essence support your life or business?

About the author: Tommy Zimmer is a writer whose work has appeared in print as well as on this website and others. His work covers a variety of topics, including politics, economics, health and wellness, addiction and recovery, and the entertainment industry.

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), major depressive disorder affects over 16.1 million adults in the United States. This represents 6.7 percent of people who are eighteen years old or older. The ADAA adds that this condition typically begins in a person’s thirties and is more likely to occur in women.

Another depressive disorder is persistent depressive disorder (PDD), a condition that occurs for a minimum of two years. It, too, typically begins when people are in their thirties. Although PDD affects 1.5 percent of the U.S. population annually, or around 3.3 million adults, only 61.7 percent of those struggling with it seek treatment.

Depressive disorders are complex conditions. Some can be the end result of dealing with difficult situation after difficult situation. You might find it difficult to figure out ways to handle these situations. You might experience anxiety and depression because of them. Some people use alcohol and drugs to cope with anxiety and depression. But using such substances often makes the conditions worse and can create addictions.

Drug and alcohol use is common and often begins at a young age. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey on drug use, 13.3 percent of twelfth graders, 9.4 percent of tenth graders, and 5.8 percent of eighth graders used illicit (illegal) drugs other than marijuana in 2017. Some of those who struggle with substance abuse might have to turn to a top rehab center in California. It may help to turn that person’s life around.

While drug use can occur at any age, the teenage years may be a big turning point. According to researchers, rats exposed to alcohol as adolescents displayed changes in their DNA that reversed the operation of specific genes. The researchers hypothesize that adolescent binge drinking can create similar molecular changes in human offspring.

Given such dramatic, long-lasting results, abusing alcohol and drugs is not a solution to combat stress. It might end up leading someone to a top rehab center in California because of such abuse. But while it may seem tough to overcome stress and difficulties, there are other ways to make life easier by turning tough times into more positive ones. Here are some ways to cope with difficult realities:

1.) Learn from your mistakes. According to University of Exeter psychologists, it can take 0.1 second for the brain to react to stimuli that have caused errors in the past. Using this early-warning signal in the brain can help prevent us from making the same mistake twice. Using previous errors and learning from them can be just what you need to start doing things differently.

2.) Look for the positive in the negative. In an article published in Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, researchers Tabitha Kirkland and William A. Cunningham explained that a balanced response in the amygdala can relate to happiness. The amygdala is the region of the brain related to emotional processing and other functions. This research indicates that people who are happier are not blind to negativity or naïve. Instead, they realize the good and the bad in the world as they respond to it.

As negative things happen in life, you may become more grateful for the positive things you experience. Recognizing the positives could prevent you from dwelling on the negative side of life and constantly seeking other things.

3.) Try to eliminate negative thoughts. Susan Reynolds and Dr. Teresa Aubele, writing in Psychology Today, say that having positive thoughts can provide many benefits. Such benefits include improvements in analytical, thinking, and creative skills and can contribute to the growth of nerve connections.

Conversely, consistently negative thinking could reinforce new neural connections, alter your perception and memory, and affect your relationship with your environment. While it can be a challenge to think positively, following the advice in this article might help produce more positive thoughts.

4.) Exercise regularly. You might be exhausted when you come home from work and not want to do anything. But exercising can make a huge difference in how you feel physically and mentally.

Psychology professor Michael Otto says that there is a direct link between exercise and mood. “The link between exercise and mood is pretty strong,” Otto states. “Usually within five minutes after moderate exercise you get a mood-enhancement effect.” Physical fitness can thus alter your mood as well as your body.

5.) Avoid making definitive statements. You might be familiar with making statements utilizing words such as always, worst, ever, never, and other similar words. When you do so, you are making definitive statements about your life, statements that might not be true.

Writing in Forbes, Travis Bradberry notes that “Do you really always lose your keys? Of course not. Perhaps you forget them frequently, but most days you do remember them. Are you never going to find a solution to your problem? If you really are that stuck, maybe you’ve been resisting asking for help.” It’s true we might make statements that are conclusive and definitive many times. It’s also important to recognize they are not often true.

Throughout life we will face challenges. They could be monumental in stature or relatively minor in the long run. They might lead us down paths we never expected or into situations we never envisioned for ourselves. But remember, many are only temporary. They are not permanent and do not represent the full makeup of your life.

If you begin to take steps toward a better tomorrow, there is no reason why that should not become a reality one day. In the end, try to take some time each day to be grateful for the things you have. Recognizing the positives in your life may help springboard you into a better future.

Roxane is a Recovery and Grief Empowerment Coach, who shows women in recovery experiencing loss how to be empowered by their grief so that they can move beyond loss rebalance, reclaim and renew their lives without relapsing. Women who are ready to move beyond the victim consciousness to the creator consciousness. She offers encouragement and guidance in all areas of their life in order to ensure best possible outcomes. Roxane’s own life experiences and training have given her the empathy, passion and desire to support others in their recovery and grief journey.

Roxane uses a self-empowering, client-directed and personalized approach that promotes ownership and involvement in the recovery process. She follows the philosophy of meeting an individual where they are at in their journey. She listens carefully to the individual in order to create a coaching program that is tailored to each individual based on their needs and beliefs. In her Recovery Coaching, she applies and uses a holistic approach, which focuses on mind, body and spirit. This integrates the social, emotional, spiritual, environmental, occupational, intellectual and physical dimensions of wellness.

Roxane is currently offering powerful Coaching Sessions that will assist women in being empowered by their grief and moving beyond loss so they can rebalance, reclaim and renew their lives. Roxane lives in San Diego, California and enjoys the beach, hiking, reading, fitness, photography, and spending time with family and friends.

Empathy – a deep appreciation for another’s situation and point of view

It is imperative that a Recovery Coach has the ability to empathize with their clients, whether the client is an individual with a substance use disorder (SUD) and/or their concerned significant other (CSO). Empathy builds trust, respect, and creates a safe environment for the client. It also invites relationship and creates an important bond from the start.

Showing empathy towards a client doesn’t mean we condone their behavior, we just understand their reasons. A client will most likely see the insincerity so it’s critical that empathy is genuine or it could damage the relationship.

Care should be taken to not confuse empathy with compassion. Compassion allows one to sympathize with another individual, but doesn’t allow one to necessarily understand their feelings. Empathy allows one to act compassionately towards another individual, there by making them feel at ease. It has the effect of helping and individual not feel alone.
One can display empathy by using reflective listening, which involves careful listening and reflecting back to the individual what you heard them say. Empathy goes both ways, so opening up to your client will allow them to display empathy as well. Another crucial way of displaying empathy is by withholding judgment.

The internationally known Psychologist, Daniel Goleman, lists 3 distinct categories:
Cognitive Empathy, means that we can understand how the other person thinks; we see his point of view. this makes for good debaters, sales people and negotiators.
Emotional Empathy, refers to someone who feels within herself the emotions of the person she’s with. This creates a sense of rapport.

Empathic/Compassionate Concern, means we not only understand how the person see things and feels in the moment, but also want to help them if we sense the need.

If one feels they do not have enough empathy it is possible to build up their empathy.
Marcia Reynolds, Psy.D. wrote in Psychology Today that we have the ability to boost our empathy. She also states that we have the ability to empathize anytime we want. We just have to practice.

Empathy is clearly an important skill. It inspires us to help others and is crucial in building strong relationships. What do you think, is empathy essential? Comment below.

References:
“Empathy” — Who’s Got It, Who Does Not, by Daniel Goleman, Psychologist
Giving Your Empathy a Boost, by Marcia Reynolds, Psy.D.

I recently completed a 12 month Mastermind experience where we focused on blowing up and scaling up in our online business. It was my largest investment at the time that had me teetering between staying small and playing bigger. I knew I needed to play bigger. I also knew that just another course, program or product wasn’t going to do it for me. I had reached a point of being intentional in my business. I was clear that success in my business was on me, but I wanted to grow alongside a coach and colleagues that were working on similar goals as me. In service to grounding this experience for myself, I have written out my 5 favorite finds.

1. Bigger Thinking
One of my greatest learnings in recovery and in business is that my mind can only take me as far as it can go. I mean that my mind is limited by what it thinks it can and can not do based on previous experience. However, when you are growing a business, you haven’t hit particular milestones yet to know what you are actually capable of achieving. Therefore, it’s incredibly important to have a coach and colleagues to support bigger thinking. When I see what other’s are capable of creating for themselves, it makes it much more possible for me. It doesn’t mean that I have to aspire to other people’s goals, but it does show me that bigger thinking is possible for me as well. Most recently, I had a break-through around a five-figure launch. I had to have the experience of thinking bigger and executing that bigger intention to know that it was possible for me as well as other people. Bigger thinking is imperative to growing a business. I believe bigger thinking happens in creative collaboration with others. Now that I have thought bigger once, I can think bigger again!

2. Container for growth
Picture a container as time and space provided for creation. You will either like short containers to take quick and big action. Or you may be someone who enjoys a larger container where you have room to grow into the connection and experience. I enjoy process and experience and therefore tend to create and participate in larger containers. I noticed a shift in my creative perspective when I started to look at offers as containers for growth. When I have 6-12 months to create and be in in creation with others, magic happens for me here. I get to know myself and others on a deeper level. Deeper connection leads to more flow and ease in my business. Within in the container, I recognize my personal responsibility to myself, others and my business. I am responsible to myself to take action and create results. It’s important to take into consideration what container of growth you enjoy. A Mastermind offers a larger container for connection, creativity and courage.

3. Create and collaborate with others
For someone who has survived off of self-reliance for many years, learning to be supported by others has been a sticking point for me. However, a Mastermind is a perfect opportunity to allow and receive more abundance.. I have received more connection, more creative ideas and more support around follow-through then working in silo by myself. There is something to be said for being in creative collaboration with other creative beings who intend to express, serve and actualize as well. There is a particular collective energy that happens when you bring a group of focused entrepreneurs together to think bigger, plan bigger and execute like never before. It’s important to be in the energy of innovation and that’s precisely what I experienced when working within a Mastermind.

4. Theme calls from other experts 
You don’t have to be an expert in everything. How could you? What’s beautiful about the Mastermind experience is that you bring leaders together to share their own expertise into the group for the betterment of the group. We all have unique gifts and talents and these talents get to be shared within the group. Within in a Mastermind, you have skills beyond those for which you are often known. Writing, speaking, organizing, structuring, delivering, packaging, presenting, initiating all have a special place within the group. Plus, Masterminds often include guest experts that come to share their speciality with the group making the Mastermind and intentional ground for learning, growing and applying to your personal business. I liked being able to learn from many people in one container instead of having to buy a bunch of different courses or products to receive the same information. Plus, it was way more intimate learning from experts in such a personalized way.

5. Accountability partners
Probably my most profound find was working with an accountability partner. I didn’t realize the benefit of an accountability partner until it was gone. While working with an accountability partner, my numbers were higher than when I did not. Having a weekly accountability partner supported me in showing up more than when I show up just for myself. The extra layer of accountability made me push just a bit more and a bit more of pushing in an online coaching business makes all the difference. Doesn’t matter if you meet weekly, bi-weekly or monthly with an accountability partner. It just matters that you meet. Knowing that I was going to show up for a weekly check-in had me hitting higher goals for myself. Proof is in the pudding, when I have accountability in place, my numbers are higher.

I had such a great experience and was so pleased with the results that I signed up for Round 2 of the Mastermind. Furthermore, I have decided to create my own Mastermind for recovery coaches or recovery-based businesses that want to engage online marketing strategies. It’s going to be a 7 month container of support and accountability starting in September 2017. If you are interested in participating, complete the following APPLICATION.

Starting your business requires a similar skill to your recovery process.

Exercise:
Who do I need to be to actualize my dreams?
If this feels like a stretch, looking to someone you admire who has leadership skills, has started their own business or just operates in a way that resonates with you. Think of that person and imagine what they must be thinking to get out there, share their passion and purposes and get visible. Really put yourself in their shoes, see out of their eyes, breathe through their lungs and connect to what they are feeling, thinking and seeing as they share themselves with the world.

Qualities to consider when starting your business:

Be Definite
When I decided to become a coach, I got super clear and definite of my choice. I never waved and I still don’t waver. I’m definite in my energy and what direction I’m moving. I don’t know all the answers. I don’t know how it’s going to look. I don’t know all the strategies but I do know I’m going to follow my joy, calling and purpose.

Be Committed
I’m committed to learning and growing. A commitment to the paradigm that life is for learning has proved me well in my recovery, life and now business. Just like life is for learning, business is for learning too. I know that learnings and growth will be part of my process so I’m not surprised by learning, I welcome it. I’m committed to my growth and I want to grow. Therefore, I look for ways to grow versus ways to stay small.

Be Expressive
Expression is the final phase of recovery that I talk about in my 3 phase approach to healing. I find the expression phase so critical. I love that in business you can express yourself. When I started my business I approached it through expression. I’m going to use my business to express my voice, share my truth and demonstrate my recovery. I just wanted to have fun. I engaged all the learning from this view of having fun and expressing myself.

Be Intuitive
Business offers much practice in intuition. It’s so easy to fall prey to shiny-object syndrome because there is so much to learn. I strongly encourage you to stay connected to your intuition. There have been many opportunities for me to say yes to another package or program with a coach. However, I always check-in with myself and intuition and only say yes to things that will support my next move. You don’t want to get too far ahead of yourself and just be signing up for program after program. You really want to be intentional with your steps and choices. When you follow your intuition, you will see amazing results. It’s not about saying yes to every opportunity you have, it’s about listening to what’s the next best thing for you. I love using business to strengthen my intuitive muscle.

Have Endurance
Don’t hear many coaches talk about endurance but it’s very important. Slow and steady wins the race. It also offers the opportunity for you to grow faster. Drop the expectations of what your business or process is supposed to look like and remember to stay connected to why you are doing this. Your why is going to drive you when things are going as planned. I tend not to put a lot of pressure or expectations on myself. I more want to see what I feel like creating and work from there. Dropping the expectation has offered some space for creation. It’s not about getting a certain point, it really is about enjoying the process along the way.

Allow Receiving
Starting a business really challenged my ability to receive. However, it’s been one of the best gifts I’ve gotten from my process. My receiving muscle is certainly expanding and growing. When I started off, I thought I was just going to coach people and have a small business and would be happy with that. As I have grown in myself and now grown in my business, I want to be of service in a bigger way. I want to live my potential and expression in a big way. Not to strengthen my ego but live from my Authentic Self. The more I open my heart to receiving the more people I serve. I used to feel over-responsible, over-commitment, over-invested. However, my receiving muscle is growing and this is all changing.

These qualities have supported me in starting my business and also growing within my business. Which one do you relate to the most?

Dylan assists individuals in recovery to live a healthy authentic lifestyle while pursuing their dreams and goals! He is a certified yoga teacher, personal trainer, recovery coach, and food addictions coach. He is also a spoken word artist. Dylan loves to see individuals using their recovery as an example of what’s possible in the world and he would love to support you in your possibilities!

Dylan Lundgren / dylanplundgren@gmail.com / 561.293.1685

Ayo! Who’s in recovery in the house? You might not be able to tell from this post but I am not an extrovert by nature. Quite to the contrary my friends. I am an introvert. Recovery from addiction taught me what it means to experience freedom; and to express myself authentically! This has not come naturally to me so I would like to pass on to you some ideas concerning this practice. If you feel dull in sobriety, disconnected, depressed, or just a general lack of vitality, I think you’ll find the content useful.

Physician and psychotherapist Alexander Lowen once said “feeling is the inner life” and “expression is the outer life.” Wow. Deep. I think anyone in recovery would agree that in order to get or stay sober one must bring forth certain things from within; whether they be feelings, words, thoughts or actions. Many of us have seen the negative effects of trying to hold onto things that are screaming to get out. Consider the words of Jesus, “If you bring forth what is within you, you will be free. If you do not bring forth what is within you, it will destroy you.” Amen. I am proposing that the practice of authentic expression has just as much to do with a joyous life as it has to do with the principles of recovery.

I don’t know about you but I am not trying to recover just for recovery’s sake. Oh no no no no no. Aside from escaping the hell that is active addiction, I want to experience freedom and authentic expression; without substances. The problem with addiction (okay, there are many) is it’s a sham; a personal and cultural lie. It may promote a sense (read: illusion) of authenticity at first but eventually leads us down the rabbit hole of despair. At this point, our sense of individuality is lost and we become “addicted” or an “addict.” This no longer has to define us in recovery though. It can serve as a reminder of who we have been and point to who we are becoming. Don’t get me wrong. Recovery is a blessing! It is also a foundation; and without a building, a foundation can feel pretty empty!

While exercising at the gym yesterday I took a look around and noticed so many different body shapes and sizes. One thing remained the same: the faces. Wherever I looked everyone appeared SO serious, and to be frank, unhappy! As if no one was having a good time and they were making a job out of it! Think about your body. The number of different movements and expressions it can make. Granted, lifting 50 lbs for 12 reps might not be YOUR ideal expression but come on. The clock’s running out. Do you really want to spend your well-earned time frowning, especially while doing something to improve yourself? I don’t!

Often times, our foundation in recovery gets filled up with actions but our vitality and expression gets discarded in the process. “Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater” as the saying goes.

Here are three strategies for cultivating a practice of authentic expression:
1) Shake your Body – a great way to start the day is to bounce in place for a few minutes
2) Use your Voice – sing, shout, express vocally (in a safe space lol) whatever wakes you up
3) Write Freely – whether it’s journaling, blogging, or other, write without censoring

These may seem very odd and they are! They are designed to break the habitual patterns and responses in our nervous system. When I was at the gym yesterday, I noticed I was letting the collective vibe affect my attitude so I decided to amuse myself and make grunting sounds while I lifted. My attitude then shifted. Authentic expression can be as simple or ridiculous as that; provided it’s not harming anyone.

Authentic has been described to me as a decision “made from the heart.” What’s one way in which you can authentically express yourself today?

Here are the 5 most common hang-ups I hear from people who are trying to start their recovery business.

1. I think I need a website. The truth is you don’t need a website to start your business. Don’t fall in the trap of spending lots of money on your website because the truth is that your brand and niche will evolve. However, if you feel that you would like one then do something very basic. You could have someone create a basic site for you or you could start with a landing page. Do get some basics in place like business cards, phone number and website or landing page. So don’t get caught up on a website, do move forward with basic business tools so that people can contact you for your services.

2. How do I pick a niche? Don’t get caught on niche. Niche is a funny thing. You hear people say that you have to have a niche. And the reason that is has more to do with creating clients. You can’t create clients if you have no focus. People will not know or understand who you serve so you have to clearly communicate who that person is and what problem you solve for them. This will make referrals easier when someone understands your niche. Recovery is a broad spectrum so being clear on who your person is is important. Is this person just starting out, are they in long-term recovery, are they male only, are they living in sober living homes, you get the point. The more clear you can be the better. Be open to your niche changing. And this is why it’s important not to spend a lot on a website because what your niche was starting off is not always what your niche will end up. Don’t buy into your niche staying stagnant, do know that your niche is going to evolve and grow as you continue to evolve and grow.

3. Do I pick Sole Proprietor or LLC? So many people want to know if they should do a Sole Proprietor or LLC (limited liability company). Don’t let someone make this decision for you. I have lots of people ask me what they should do and I always redirect people to an attorney and accountant. Perhaps you have access to people like this and perhaps you don’t. Make sure to do your own research when making this decision. I was able to talk this through with my husband. I personally started with Sole Proprietor as I was getting my feet wet. However, now I’m all in with my business and will be moving into a LLC. Don’t let someone make this decision for you. Do make yourself informed and understand more about this so you can make the best choice for yourself and your business. No need to be intimidated by this process. It’s all learning and growth. No one know’s this information until they learn it so you can learn it too.

4. What gives with Liability Insurance? This is another one of those not so sexy parts of the business. When I first started I had liability insurance as a Counselor and a Coach because I was just starting off and didn’t quite know what the business would look like. However, now I just have the Coaching Liability insurance through Westminster Group. I was provided this information from Recovery Coaches International which is an association for recovery coaches. I suggest you check out their site if you haven’t before. They have profiles of coaches there and you could certainly connect folks. I have a profile on the page as well and have had people contact me and ask questions before. Don’t worry if you don’t know much about liability insurance and how it works. Do inform yourself and get liability insurance.

5. How do I figure all of this out? Mentor coaching is really important part of the process. When I worked in a non-profit treatment facility we would get together everyday M – F and talk through new intakes, client’s behaviors and discharges. When you work alone you don’t have that level of support with your clients. The truth is that we are often working with people who have a lot of challenges and it is important to be supported through those challenges. Since starting my business in December of 2014, I have had 8 different coaches: mentor, business, marketing, health and spiritual coaches. It’s important that you continue to do your inner work to be able to support others in doing their inner work. Plus it’s important to be supported through your business as well. There’s a lot of moving parts here and having your own coach or coaches is part of the process. Don’t expect your business to take off without support. Do know that having your own Coach is going to expedite the process for you.

So today we talked about common don’ts and do’s around website, niche, business set-up, liability insurance and mentor coaching. These are the most common hang-ups I hear about for folks wanting to start their recovery coaching business.

Remember that everyone learns along the way.