Janie Behr Life Coach

Assertive Communication
”Janie is a dynamic and informative speaker. She draws on personal experience to provide your group with an engaging, stimulating and powerful presentation. Janie has a unique approach that unlocks the potential within your group or organization.” Charla Sadowski

• Do you have trouble saying no, even when you really should?
• Do you feel like people walk all over you?
• Do you have trouble keeping your temper under control?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you might find learning about assertive communication very helpful. In my assertive communication seminar, we teach that assertiveness is the ability to honestly express your opinions, feelings, attitudes and rights, without undue anxiety, in a way that doesn’t infringe on the rights of others.
To be assertive allows you to “stand up for your rights”. Convey sensitivity to the other person. Show that you understand their feelings and confront conflicting behavior.
In my webinar I will define four basic communication styles and give you tips on how to express your ideas and stand up for yourself in your professional and personal life.
Healthy boundaries define us from one another and help us develop a sense of self. People with healthy boundaries have a better understanding about separating and autonomy.
There are times when we all need to say “no” in order to maintain comfortable boundaries. If you can’t say no then saying yes loses its meaning. I encourage you to check your beliefs and social conditioning to expand your boundaries.
Assertiveness Communication

• The Balancing Act for Professional Business Women
• The Key to a Successful Business is about Relationships
• Learning to Live with Glaucoma, there is no such thing as Dis-abled
• Empty Nest Syndrome
• Time Management
• Stress Management
• Building Meaningful Relationships, and more

7 Powerful Tools to Make Lasting Change

Your emotions and feelings protect us, and give our lives richness. If emotions become overwhelming they can also be the cause of undue stress, and erratic behavior. Journaling can help balance and regulate your emotions and feel more comfortable and directed in your emotional life. Every day provides emotional conflict. Knowing how and when to release your emotions makes the ongoing feelings easier to cope with.

Powerful Tools to make lasting change

• Design your plan to make change
• Uncover automatic thoughts and change old patterns of thinking
• Lean skills to relax and cope with demanding and stressful situations
• Examine and change core beliefs that can keep you feeling stuck
• Use mindfulness to develop a clearer picture of the present moment.

Journaling helps you to understand the processes of your emotional system and how to think clearly about your feelings as they happen. As a result, you’ll experience a greater sense of flexibility within yourself and an ongoing confidence in how to live with your emotions.

Seven essential Skills of Emotion Management

1. Distance yourself from your emotions
2. Define what your emotions mean to you
3. Release blocked and conflicting feelings
4. Regain focus while experiencing overwhelming emotions
5. Use structure and organization to clarify feelings
6. Regroup after an emotional set back
7. Maintain your new skills and incorporate them into your life.

These are some of the ways to apply these skills to your life.

• Journaling
• Mediation
• Yoga
• Walking
• Mindfulness

The quality of your life is the quality of your relationshps

“Some of the biggest challenges in relationships come from the fact that most people enter a relationship in order to get something. They’re trying to find someone who’s going to make them feel good. In reality, the only way a relationship will last is if you see your relationship as a place that you go to give, and not a place that you go to take.”  — Anthony Robbins

Life begins with a relationship. Like it our not, we are all interconnected with each other, right from the beginning. Who we become is brought out of our earliest relationships. So, good or bad we reflect those relationships.

Our relationships become the basis for our learning when we are young and sometimes keep us from learning and growing as we grow older.

Scientists have long understood that healthy humans are intensely social. Humans invent ways to connect with other humans — even if, for many, we relate vicariously through pseudo social relationships provided by watching television or listening to talk radio.

The important thing to realize is that relationships are a healthy contribution to the quality of our life. It is worth the investment of time and energy to improve the quality of as many of our relationships as possible.

No matter what your past has been like, you can only begin where you are now. The good news is that you have a tremendous amount of influence to improve the quality of future relationships. The only place we can start to cultivate great relationships is with ourselves.

Saturday, was my first book signing at Borders on Shelbyville Road in Louisville. It was so exciting and I felt such a sense of accomplishment.

“Paint Your Walls Green, Six Keys to Unlock the Power of Positive Change”, is the true story of my personal journey after being diagnosed with advanced-stage glaucoma. I faced a whole host of subsequent chal- lenging obstacles, including becoming completely blind in one eye and partially blind in the other, step by step, I began redefining my life as I  learned to live in my new set of circumstances. When I made some different personal choices and simple changes, I began to experience the power of positive change. This is the first of many book signings in the future. I just started writing my second book.
I will be signing copies of her new book PAINT YOUR WALLS GREEN. Check her website for details. www.janiebehr.com

“Wow, What a story. I immediately went to your website and purchased your book. I read the sample chapter and I really think that other women-no other people- would be inspired by your book. I can’t wait for the book to be deliv- ered” – Kay Lorraine

I will personally donate a portion of the funds from every copy of her book sold at this event to the Glaucoma Foundation.
For more information please visit www.jblifecoach.com or contact Janie Behr at janie@jblifecoach.com

Your sight in the beginning stages of glaucoma

Over 3.4 million Americans age 40 and older suffer from visual impairment, and 2.25 million are women. In fact, of the four leading causes of blindness in older Americans- age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataract, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, the rate of women’s cases outnumbers the men in all four categories. Women are more prone than men to AMD in particular, which destroys central vision, with 1 million of the 1.6 million cases diagnosed to females, according to the Vision Problems in the U.S. report by Prevent Blindness America (PBA) and the National Eye Institute. Cataract, a clouding of the eye’s naturally clear lens, affects 20.5 million Americans age 40 and older.

Almost 13 million of those cases are women. Glaucoma, a disease that causes the degeneration of cells that make up the optic nerve, continues to plague the population. Close to 60 percent of glaucoma cases are women. Diabetic retinopathy, where blood vessels in the retina can break down, leak or become blocked, affects more than 5.3 million Americans, with women making up over 2.8 million cases.

I am very familiar with the affects of glaucoma. I was diagnosed with advanced stage glaucoma in 2003. I lost complete sight in one eye and partial sight in the other.

The total number of eye disease cases is steadily on the rise. The increased longevity of our aging population is one attributable factor. As the life expectancy rises (now at 76 years of age), the natural progression of low vision occurs. And because women on average tend to outlive men, the numbers of visual ailments increases. Obesity, also on the rise in the U.S., is a major contributor to diabetes, therefore increasing the rate of diabetic eye disease. PBA has dedicated April as Women’s Eye Health and Safety month and encourages women to make their own health a priority. Many women may feel they need to put the health of their children and spouses in front of their own, but need to be reminded that they are just as important. Scheduling eye appointments for the entire family, including themselves, is one way to make sure women are getting the care they need.

Besides early detection, Prevent Blindness America offers other ways for women to keep their eyes healthy: Eat Healthy and Stay Fit- The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that the risk of cataracts can be lowered by eating 3½ servings of fruits or vegetables a day. Green leafy vegetables especially contain loads of nutrients for the eye. Pairing a healthy diet with exercise will reduce the risk of obesity, leading to diabetes. Take Supplements- Antioxidants have been shown to actually reduce the progression of some eye illnesses, including AMD. Vitamin A, riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamin C and zinc are good sources to help maintain eye health.

Quit Smoking- Besides the typically known side effects of smoking including cancer, lung disease, etc., it also increases the risk for eye diseases. Wear UV Eye Protection- When venturing outdoors,

Prevent Blindness America recommends wearing brimmed hats in conjunction with UV-rated sunglasses (labeled: absorbs 99-100 percent of UV-A and UV-B rays). UV rays are extremely dangerous for the eyes.

Know Your Family History- Genetics plays a key role in eye disease. Research your family’s health history and notify your eye care professional of any eye diseases that run in the family.

Sam and Sophie

Surround yourself with positive vibrations.

What to do living through the negativity that is overwhelmingly taking over our country

Today our world is full of stories about scarcity. What can you do? The answer is clear, surround yourself with positivity. Easier said than done, right? Believe me, it is as easy as socializing with positive people, at the grocery, the drug store, work or walking down the street. My wonderful, loving dogs, Sam and Sophie bring so much joy to everyone they meet.  It is amazing how much positive energy they create. My children live out of town, so I travel with my dogs often. When I am at the airport with them, they are wagging their tails and happy to meet everyone. People can sense happiness and positive energy. Occasionally, I take them to a close by retirement home, and the older folks smile and get energy from petting and playing with Sam and Sophie. They bring light wherever they go. Most of all they bring light, love, companionship, comfort, and smiles to my heart everyday.
Where to find them? That is actually an easy question since they are everywhere. That’s right, even the person right beside you at this very moment could actually give off the positive aura that could inspire you to lessen the negative vibration surrounding you or even within you. Awareness is the key to finding this magical tool.

This energy is contagious and spreads fast, so

It is safe to say that making yourself acquainted with positive people, places and things. I love gardens, as I said earlier my dog, children, and gratitude.  Check out my website if you want to find out more about living in a positive world regardless of the circumstances.

So you see I understand first hand how positive energy can drive away negativity. This sense of positivity is very important to keep alive in the world today. Sometimes you will find yourself less motivated and be looking for that spark to get back on track. However, that spark won’t come to you….you have to find that yourself.    Once you surround yourself with positive vibrations, you will again feel the rhythm in your life regain its equalibrium. Everything will become clear and you will see the same task with a positive attitude.

I

I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk
I fall in.
I am lost … I am helpless.
It isn’t my fault.
It takes me forever to find a way out.

II

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe I am in the same place
but, it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

III

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in … it’s a habit.
my eyes are open
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

IV

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

V

I walk down another street.

Janie in her garden

Let us look forward to the Spring not backward on the winter which has past. Passover is the festival of freedom and I long to feel free from the oppression of storms and hard times and to breathe again the air of hope and promise as our ancestors did on the short of a distant sea..One of the lessons of this long hard winter, has been the importance of family and the strength of fith. How many of you shared your homes, or shared stories with friends who shared their own, to care fo family or friends who were without power for the week and had nowhere else to go. It was a trial but it was also a reminder of how much we count upon each other. how much we care about each other, a truth which we seldom truly know until we are tested.

Let us look forward to the Spring, not backward on the winter which has past. Look forward and start planning for your Passover or your Easter. If it is your custom to gather with family and friends around your table on these holidays, think about inviting someone new to share this holiday with you. Lets all be aware of the wonder of a circle of love that binds us all.

I am so excited…my new book is on the bookshelves and I have my first book signing April 3. Whoo Hoo….Its been along time coming.

I just want to share a brief overview of the six keys, as I think they can help improve everyones life. If you are more interested you can sign up for a free seminar on my website www.janiebehr.com

I will blog in detail about one key a day. I would love to hear your feedback.

The Six Keys are:

Thoughts-We are in complete control of every thought and its our responsibility to choose thoughts that keep is in peace and happiness rather than anxiety.

Emotions-This key is an introduction to the bio-chemical changes that occur in out brain and body with every single emotion. Learning to manage one’s thoughts and self-talk with help to manage the emotional bio-chemical released in the body. Many have discovered that eliminating or reducing chronic negative emotions such as anger or depression can dramatically improve major health issues.

Speaking- This key explores the impact of spoken words on our thoughts and emtoins. By paying attention to what we are saying and what is being said to us we can dramatically change out mental state, out health and success of all future efforts.

Actions-Every action either forms or reinforces neural pathways–nerve, connections in the brain and body and triggers the biochemicals of our emotions.

Physical Environment-This section was inspired by the changes I made in my home.(Paint my walls green) and what a difference the changes in my home decor  has made in my creativity and productivity.

Relationship Environment- In the same way, we also tolerate people in out life that make us miserable. In this section I talk about positive ways to minimize or eliminate relationships that are damaging to us.

Please comment on the six keys! I also have a new group called Positive Power on Linkedin

Janie Behr, Paint Your Walls Green, Six Keys to Unlock the Power of Positive Change

Book Signing
Saturday, April 3, 2010 @1:00pm

Borders Book Store
4600 Shelbyville Rd.
Louisville, KY 40207