Holiday gratitude and joy. But I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that Thanksgiving is already here and Christmas is around the corner. Jeez, where did the year go? As I stand in thanks for all the blessings this year, I can’t help wonder about how freakin’ many of us are affected by the “Me too” campaign. It’s a shame we even have such a campaign. As a cute blond working in corporate America (professional sports then hollywood) I, too, can say “me too”. I’ve moved on. And it made me stronger. You come from a place of power when you stand your ground and say “No means NO” all the while thinking, what is he going to do….fire me? If that’s the case then I say “SO WHAT” this is not a place I want to work. Knowing there is something better and safer for me.

Where do we go from here? How about teaching our daughters and sons that they can say no and mean it. And we treat people how we would want to be treated ourselves. I can’t think of a better way to instill this message than by having our kids work with 1200 lb horses. Very empowering!

Or how about this. Start your own company like I did. I highly recommend being your own boss and serving other women to achieve their goals. 2018 will see the start of “Me Too” workshops here at Begin Again Ranch. Contact me for more info, or wait for the next posting. Wishing you blessings and joy of the holiday season.

Blessings of the season to you and yours from all of us at Begin Again Ranch.

A potential client called the other day to discuss her son.  According to her, the problem with him was he rarely wanted to join in with family activities.  Only doing so “because he had to” and not because he wanted to.  These were not “let’s all go to the mall” outings.  These were group activities with other families and community events.  Brandon (name changed) preferred to sit in his room or out under a tree and read!  Oh the horror!!!  What was wrong with him?  Can I fix it?

In answer to the questions…..Nothing and No. Nothing is wrong with him and he doesn’t needed to be “fixed”. Brandon is an introvert. Plain and simple. Does this scenario sound familiar to you? It certainly does to me. Give me a cup of herbal tea, a good book and a cat in my lap every day and twice on Sunday. I am an introvert and I’m not ashamed.

After a long day of work and/or caring for the family, would you rather (a) go out to a loud, perhaps crazy networking event (because you “should”) or would you rather (b) stay at home and sit outside and watch the stars come up? If you chose a) you’re an extrovert and recharge your energetic battery by being with the energy of others. If you chose b) you’re an introvert and recharge you energetic battery by being alone or with one or two special friends.

Being an introvert does have it’s drawbacks. There are more extroverts in the world and they tend to get heard more, promoted faster, recognized for accomplishments quicker. Mostly because they are louder….promote themselves and their ideas first…and thrive in the ‘look at me atmosphere’ of corporate and entrepreneurial America.

If you are an introvert entrepreneur I can teach you the tools you need to be successful in an extrovert world. Contact me to discuss your options. In the meantime, here is a networking tip that has worked for me:

(Introvert tip #1)
Going to networking events is inevitable if you are a small business owner. If you are an introvert too after you get your glass of Chardonnay (or club soda in my case – more about this in the next blog) and stand next to your favorite potted plant (always a “go to” for me). Scan the room and find someone who looks as uncomfortable as you feel. Mozy up to them (no walking up with gusto – that’s for extroverts and will likely freak out the person you want to chat with) say something like “these events always freak me out. mind if I chat with just you for a bit?” And there you have it. A new comrade and possible new client. Easy Peasy! Even for an introvert≥

While doing my “looking back” exercise at the end of 2014 I realized (not for the first time) that a recurring theme is presenting itself for me to learn from and grow. It has showed itself several times over the course of my life. Grammar school, high school, my corporate job, and now again in my own business. This trigger, in a simple explanation, is the feeling of no longer “belonging” in my mind because my friends, boss, mentor, did not consider me first for something (an excursion, a business trip, a teaching position) therefore, I was not “first” and, again, therefore, not needed…..I no longer belonged.

My former response had always been….”OK, F them…..their loss…..I’m fine without…..yada yada” and I pushed it aside and continued on. This most recent trigger really threw me for a loop as it was the 5th year anniversary of my TBI and I was feeling broken as well as not belonging. So what have I done? After having my pity party I have stopped…..meditated about it…..asked my herd and have realized and embraced the knowledge that what I was seeking was external validation. I am now seeking my personal/professional validation from internally. It is what I think that matters. If I’m OK with ME then that is all that is necessary.

So for 2015 I am going to be more cognizant of looking for outside validation. When that happens, and it will, I will embrace it, let it go and look inside myself for the validation I need. I will admit that the occasional validation from a colleague, friend, client will be most appreciated and acknowledged. But I will look to myself and my fabulous herd of wisdom horses for my own validation.

Blessings of the Goddess to you for 2015. May you identify, accept and overcome your own life triggers. Come on out to the Ranch and we’ll support you on your own journey.

Herd Support

I have recently returned from a trip to Allentown, Pennsylvania where my sister, bother-in-law and I transitioned my Dad from his home of over 25 years to an apartment at an independent living facility. It was definitely a roller coaster of emotions as we spent 2 days organizing and purging the house and determining 1) what he wanted to take with him and 2) what would actually fit in the new apartment. The two did not always agree with each other.

The process could have been much more difficult than it was. Dad was pretty much disconnected as Claudia and I went through his accumulated life and had the extremely uncomfortable (at least for me) task of purging/throwing out/placed for donation of all his precious things. Yes, precious. Even though he had not seen many of them for decades. I tried to keep in mind that for him, we were ripping his life possessions apart and throwing things away….throwing away parts of his life. I can’t imagine what that must have felt like. I get nauseous thinking about what I will do when it is my turn to purge my own life accumulations.

Yes, there were outbursts. Like when he was looking for “important papers” that we could not find and a folder of paperwork came flying by my head as he threw it from the dining room into the kitchen where I was throwing out gunk from the refrigerator. “Jeez Dad – totally unnecessary!” Then I reminded myself how difficult this must be for him. Having people make decisions on what to throw away….your life…..your things….knowing full well that you were turning the page on what will probably be the final chapter of your life’s book.

As I am writing this, he is adjusting to life in Traditions of Hanover in Bethlehem, PA.  He is 15 minutes away from my sister, he has the important pieces of his life with him and he is relatively content.  So remember this if and when you have the opportunity to support your parent(s) as they go through is final transition…..it takes courage to Begin Again.  Wishing you love and light……Terri & the herd.

As we know, starting a business of your own takes risk and courage.  As a small business owner I have realized that I have taken risks my whole life.  In my early thirties I left everything and everyone I knew (including my boyfriend) and moved across the country to California.  (Yes he did follow me and we have been happily married for 21 years).  Just a few years ago I left the corporate world, pursued and received my certification as an Equine Gestalt Coach, moved us again to 6 beautiful acres in Colorado and started my own Equine Assisted Coaching business.

You don’t just start a business and immediately you are successful, at least not for most of us.  My biggest hurdle has been the need to educate the public on what I do.  I attend as many trade/health shows as I can.  I am in 3 different Chamber Leads groups and I speak whenever invited.  Making your business successful takes passion, courage, tenacity and commitment.  Every single day do something that benefits your business.  For me, right now that means getting consistent with posting on social media.  It does not mean that I must post, tweet, update my status every day.  I have attended many social media classes and am now seeing which one speaks to my business best.  Currrently that is Google +.  Research shows that Google+ is the up and comer for business social media.  I am updating my profile, and posting least once a week.  I also recommend using www.KeywordSpy.com. This site helps you determine what the best key words in your industry are to enhance your SEO (Search Engine Optimization).

Another great tool if you are looking to create a logo is to use www.logotournament.com  I just completed my contest and received over 100 logo designs from all over the world.  You put up a monetary prize, receive new submissions, and rank them over a few days.  You can even work with your top favorites designers to tweak their submissions and when you pick the winner you own the rights to the winning rendering.  My winning designer was from Indonesia.

In my business, I also have the added “challenge” of recovering from a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) 5 years ago.  I have not let my occasional processing glitches stop me.  I have surrounded myself with supportive family, friends and colleagues.  And for me, TBI stands for To Be Inspirational.  Enjoy your journey.  Smile a lot!  Be passionate and love life.

Terri Mongait, EGC is a Transitions Life Coach and offers Equine Assisted Counseling at Begin Again Ranch^® in Sedalia, CO.  Partnering with her horses, she takes her clients from merely surviving to joyfully thriving.  She will help you identify, accept and overcome the obstacles on your life’s journey.  Terri and the horses give everyone experiencing a life transition the opportunity to achieve a full life through equine interaction and coaching.  She also works with small businesses and offers full and half day Team Building experiences.  Let her help you and your team work better together and reach new heights.  You can reach Terri at 909-489-9654, terri@beginagainranch.com,  www.beginagainranch.com 

Recently I was contacted by a national Blog Radio Station.  They told me that they were looking for someone to interview regarding Life Coaching and since I uniquely work with horses I was a perfect candidate.  The initial chat was very friendly and the person from the show appeared genuinely interested in what I do and how I do it.  We chatted for about 45 minutes, concluding with her telling me how perfect I was to interview and it would be a wonderful opportunity for me to get exposure.  Then she mentioned the nominal cost involved and how unusual it was to be offered national, third party endorsement for such a cost.

Let me back up a bit.  I had been revamping my marketing plan and had just cancelled 2 print ads I had running for a year.  I had asked Spirit to bring me new, better marketing opportunities…hence my excitement at the radio interview.  I signed up for 1 interview and schedule my phone conference with my scriptwriter for the following Monday.  I was excited.  I have done 2 local radio interviews that were an hour each so I was sure a 1/2 hour interview would be a piece of cake.  Then, on one of my community facebook groups someone posted how awful these people were, it was a total scam and do not be taken in by them.

Needless to say I was shocked.  Is my judgement impaired (because of my traumatic brain injury)?  Was I taken advantage of?  Did I just throw away hard earned money that is supposed to help grow my fledgling business?  What did I miss?  I sat with this for a few days and tried not to freak out.  I went ahead with the appointment with my scriptwriter and it was lovely.  He was interested, asked great questions and it was a wonderful conversation.  I received a copy of my press release just a few days ago and am quite please with it.  My live interview is scheduled for tomorrow, Monday, April 21 at 10:00am mountain time. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/closeuptalkradio

My takeaway from this is I am very glad I trusted my intuition.  I don’t know what transpired with the person who shared the scathing warning, but that has not been my experience.  So far, I am very pleased with Close Up Talk Radio and I’m looking forward to my live interview.  I am most proud of myself for not reacting and trusting ME!  

Such a wonderful beginning to 2014!  So far this year (2 short months) I have attended a successful Healthy Living Expo,  been contacted by Re-Entry Rehab in Lakewood to find out more about my services, joined a coaching Mastermind group that keeps me on task, expanded my services by now offering phone coaching to anyone not able to come out to the Ranch and work with the horses,  have 2 new clients this week alone and have been contacted by 2 out of state facilities to learn more about what I do.  Thank you Goddess and Spirit for the abundance in my life.  May 2014 be especially good to you too.

Here it is the end of 2013 and Begin Again Ranch has been very busy improving our business and our offerings to clients.  First of all I have been successful in registering the trademark “Begin Again Ranch”, which means no one else can use that mark in connection with Life Coaching and Equine Assisted Recovery.  I continue to learn more about branding and am embracing the need for constant improvement.  I have also learned more about videos and slideshow presentations  and have really enjoyed joining and participating with 2 Leads Referral groups here in Castle Rock and Castle Pines, Colorado.  It is getting easier and more enjoyable to educate the public on how profound Equine Assited Recovery is for people.

For the next few weeks I will look back on what was successful in helping our clients and how can I improve for next year.  I have started to get workshops and appointments on the 2014 calendar and I am very excited to meet new clients and help support all those in need of recovery.  We’ll be hunkering down a bit for the winter months and will be enjoying my 1-on-1 time with the herd.

In gratitude for all your love and support.

Namaste,  Terri & the herd

Well I just realized that it has been about a month since my last posting.  Apparently I’ve been very busy (and forgetful).  I enjoyed the wonderful opportunity of travelling to PA for my niece’s wedding.  It was great to see all my family.  We were sitting around on the deck the day after the wedding and at one point I was having trouble following the conversation.  My brother stopped and said  “OK everyone dial their intellect down a notch so Terri can follow”  That was supposed to be funny.  My reaction was wow – that hurt.  I realized that it was his way of dealing with my occasional processing issues.  It makes him uncomfortable and he does not know how to handle it.  I will point out here that he flew across the country to be with my husband, Peter, when I was in ICU.  They played “good cop, bad cop” with the hospital staff to get the answers they needed for my treatment.

When I accepted that Chris said what he said because of his discomfort I was able to laugh with everyone and move on.  No attitude.  Instead I gave loving acceptance.

So it is how you deal with things that come up with family and friends.  You can be “oh crap, I’m broken and they are making fun of me”  OR you can be “wow, they must really be uncomfortable with my issues.  How can I help them understand and thereby help me”

Life is short, we are still here.  Let’s do what we can to be positive and enjoy!  Hugs and blessings.

Terri