Off the Comma Newsletter January 2024 |
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Happy New Year! Although I don't adhere to traditional holiday celebrations, I did take the time to rest and reflect on the events of the year, and the last three months have been filled with... less, from a work perspective. I was fortunate to travel a LOT each of these three months, while the time of year brought my business into a dormant season.
I struggled with writing this newsletter because I've felt I have nothing of value to report. I guess you could say I'm sitting on my own comma of sorts. Especially as the new year dawns, I'm seeing so many of my colleagues introducing new offers, new programs, exciting new events, happenings and accomplishments. Meanwhile, I'm still in winter mode and slowly emerging into the possibility of the new year ahead. I have to remember that even if what I have to offer isn't of value to everyone, it's always of value to someone. I also need to remember that my life has proven that my activity is very cyclical and my "output" doesn't define my value and worth as a human being. Most importantly, I want to honor my commitments to myself and to others. And I committed to this quarterly newsletter. As I continue to grow my community, I want to always make sure to connect with you, share with you, invite you into conversation, and continue the work in areas small and large. Read on for more thoughts and some reminders. However you celebrate your new year, I hope it is filled with possibility and inspiration for you and those you care about. ~ Paul |
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The new year ahead is a blank slate, yet there are some things in the works that I am pleased to acknowledge: |
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| | Collaboration & Partnering I will continue to grow my coaching and consulting practices, while refining my audience and service offerings. I will also continue to work with my training partners to support their platforms, as I have done in the past. In addition to my own practice and platforms, I also partner with other organizations to support their coaching and training initiatives. Check them out: MOHR Retail, UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education. | | |
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| | Board Membership & Service I will be joining the board of the Sacramento chapter of International Coaching Federation (ICF) as Director of Strategic Partnerships. In this volunteer role, I will work to expand connections between the Sacramento coaching community and other groups, organizations and constituents in the area. | | |
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| | Board Membership & Service I will continue in my 6th year as board member for New Jersey Orators, where we teach the art of public speaking to school age youth in communities of color. I'm so proud of the work all our volunteers do and the impact it has on young people in New Jersey and surrounding communities. Please donate to support this organization! And watch for our 39th Annual Fundraiser Event, coming in May! | | |
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| | Passions And I have more plans to travel abroad, including destinations like Brazil, Japan, Africa and wherever else the universe wants to take me. I will continue to strive to do the kind of work that supports my deep need to explore and discover other places in the world. Wanna see one of the things that contributed to my travel inspiration? Check out the link below. | | |
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| | Doing Dry January? While you’re looking to find a sober coach, embark on a journey this January of transformation with Janey Lee Grace and the Sober Club Accredited Coaches as they share their heartfelt stories, pivotal moments, and incredible benefits of embracing sobriety. This empowering, easy read, offers a holistic approach to well-being through sobriety, proving that abstaining from alcohol is not a loss but a profound gain. Each coach unveils the secrets of their successful transition with a unique perspective, sharing insights, wisdom, practical guidance and heartfelt encouragement. It goes beyond saying NO to alcohol, inviting you to say YES to a life filled with joy, vitality, and purpose. Look for my contribution and download the FREE PDF! | | |
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| | Coach Training I'm a huge fan of training and a huge advocate for coaching! I was trained by Cami McLaren's Transformative Coaching Essentials program in Sacramento, back in 2021. Her next cohort is currently enrolling and will start in June. If you are considering being trained as a coach, or know someone else who is, check out this information and call me to talk about it! The experience was truly transformative for me. Not only did I become a practicing coach, it changed how I view and live my life! | | |
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Give the Gift of Purpose this Year Are you tired of searching for the right gift for your loved ones? This year, do something different for those you care about. Give them the gift of growth, development and discovery. The gift: Two life coaching sessions for $299! Help your loved ones get off their comma and start the new year off with renewed clarity, focus and possibility! Great for someone who’s challenged with: Something is holding them back from a goal Has ambitions they’re afraid to pursue Has been craving change Has relationships they want to improve Is carrying a burden they want to let go of Feels trapped in a cycle of repetition Is questioning their relationship with bad habits, alcohol or other vices Feels impatient, anxious or incomplete Is longing for new ways of doing, being and living in the world
Call me if you'd like to discuss this more. Contact options at the bottom of the email. 😀👇 |
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Speaking Engagements In October, I was invited to speak on behalf of The Sober Guys at the @af.ter_party launch event for my colleague Andy Blackman. This event was designed to bring awareness to the alcohol-free lifestyle and all the benefits that it brings. In November, I was invited to be part of a panel discussion at the Sacramento ATD annual conference. My coaching colleagues Lisa Laughter, Amy Shuman and Katie Kanowsky and I spoke to an audience of talent development/training professionals about coaching, ICF and how the professions overlap. Travels, Journeys & Discoveries While work was otherwise slow these past 3 months, I was enjoying my personal life and focusing on life, learning and new experiences. I was able to fulfill my ongoing and ever-growing dream of world travel. Why does this matter? Because we all need dreams and we all need to prove our capability to envision, intention, enact and fulfill these dreams - no matter how small or large. So, I spent my Q4 of 2023 doing just that! October: Spent the entire month abroad in the United Kingdom and parts of Europe. Traveling like a local and spending time with generous friends abroad, too many to mention here. I did this... November: Only a few weeks after returning from the UK, I flew back across the ocean to visit Ireland for a week with a friend. We packed a lot in and this trip not only exposed me to another country, but also connected me with a part of my ancestry and opened my mind and heart to an expanded view of history and human conflict. Look for the weekly recaps of these 2 trips on Instagram. December: I spent time in Atlanta visiting a friend and enjoying the company of people whom I care about. While there, I also spent time sitting with my own discomfort about not knowing what life will bring next. One of the greatest challenges with sitting on a comma for me comes when I can't "see around corners". When I'm in those seasons where I don't know what's next, and when I can't "force things to happen", it creates a great deal of conflict within me. I used to fight and struggle with it. Now, I am practicing pausing, acknowledging, observing and being patient. |
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Some exciting news! The Off the Comma podcast reached 1,000 total plays in 2023! I still remember that fateful day, April 9, 2021, when the universe set this plan in motion. The calling is as real today as it was then. I invite you to take a listen to the 25 episodes from season 1. Season 2 is already underway and I look forward to how it continues to grow. Episodes come out four times a month. If you haven’t already listened, here’s where you can find the podcast: YouTube • Apple • Spotify And, can I ask a favor...? I’d like to reach more audiences, attract more diverse listeners and help more people be inspired by YOUR stories! I’d also like to attract more people interested in sharing their stories and coming on the podcast, as well. Here’s my ask: Follow the podcast on all 3 channels, if possible Turn on notifications Watch for a new release each Wednesday Listen (even if on faster speed) Like, comment (on the podcast platform), share it (even if it’s to your own email or text) Watch for the social media posts each Wednesday and Friday and do the same: like, comment, and share.
Together we can help spread positivity, normalizing feelings about being stuck and help others challenge the system that fuels our self-limiting beliefs! Send potential guests my way via email or text! |
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The Important Questions: We are fortunate to have many people who are willing to share advice, tips, wisdom, and expertise in our world. I can’t begin to calculate the value of all that I have learned in my life. I also know the value of asking questions. The wisdom is and always was inside each of us. We simply have to tap into it and trust our inner wisdom. So here are a few questions for you as you enter the new year: What are you most looking forward to this year? What would you like to start or create? What would you like to carry forward and continue? What would are you ready to put down and leave behind? What are you most eager to grow in yourself? What would you acknowledge and celebrate yourself for? What will you allow yourself to reflect on when things are slow?
Tell Me Your Stories Do you have an interesting story about sitting on a comma that you’d like to share? Tell me about it! With your consent, I might share some of your inspiring words on social media or other formats where it can help people feel more connected. We won’t use any identifying information about you unless you specifically ask us to! Click here to share Social Media I invite you to connect with me on social media and interact with my content. I especially like it when you share your own experiences and stories. That really lights me up. Find and follow me on the following platforms and you can find ALL of these links on my Linktree. Linkedin: Paul Briley Instagram: @off_the_comma and @blueeyedpisces70 (personal) TikTok: @off.the.comma and @paulinsac (personal) |
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I believe in the power of lifting others up. In starting and seeding my own small business, it has been very important for me to work with other solopreneurs, small business owners, and startups. As I do in my podcast, I want to use this section to “boost” other creators, causes, organizations, and platforms that hold meaning for me. This edition, I'd like to acknowledge Eloise Samuels, the President and a Founder of New Jersey Orators (NJO). For 39 years, NJO has tirelessly created opportunities for young people of color by developing the art of public speaking, literacy/appreciation of literature from the African Diaspora, and civic engagement. Her relentless commitment to this non-profit, all-volunteer organization models perseverance for us all. Along with the amazing volunteer coaches and board members, Eloise and this organization truly have far-reaching impacts. I'm proud to serve with her! |
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