Intelligently facilitated and fast-paced, Listen to Your Heart, and Success Will Follow will help you enjoy the rewards that come from doing what really makes you happy! Your instructor and a caring community of students will help you begin designing a life that really works for you. With a complete understanding of your own interests, values, needs and abilities, you'll learn how you can use work to express yourself and share your interests and talents. Your every day will be filled with joy and inspiration, and a greater depth of meaning will be added to everything you do. This course program is skillfully crafted to weave experiential learning with the conceptual presentation, giving you time to experience, understand, and implement each new strategy as it is introduced.

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Wow, What a Great Event!

Syllabus:

All courses run for six weeks, with a two-week grace period at the end. Two lessons are released each week for the six-week duration of the course. You do not have to be present when the lesson is released, but you must complete each lesson within two weeks of its release.

A new section of each course starts on the second or third Wednesday of each month. If enrolling in a series of two or more courses, please be sure to space the start date for each course at least two months apart.

Week One

Wednesday - Lesson 01

This lesson is an introduction into the concept that you can take control of your life and reinvent a lifestyle that's more enjoyable, balanced, and productive. Today you'll get a taste of the powerful tools, strategies, systems, and solutions in this course that will help guide you toward discovering, creating, and implementing your heartfelt desires. This will be your inspiration to begin creating a life you'll love!

Friday - Lesson 02

In this lesson, we'll address the first key toward happiness, which is letting go of the past. We'll discuss how to accept change and turn it into an opportunity by learning how to take control of your life. You'll learn strategies for how to cope with the stress and anxiety that change brings, and we'll go over some tips you can use to guide you in establishing new boundaries and how to honor them.

Week Two

Wednesday - Lesson 03

In this lesson, we'll be examining what choices you've made in the past, particularly in regard to lifestyle, relationships, and career. You'll evaluate these choices and see what worked, what didn't work, and what you would like to have happened.

Friday - Lesson 04

This lesson could be a turning point for you because it's all about getting to know yourself really well. Once you can get clear about who you are (your skills, aptitudes, gifts, talents, passions, desires, needs, and values), you'll be able to strengthen your personal foundation and thus design a high-quality life.

Week Three

Wednesday - Lesson 05

In this lesson, you'll begin finding your way to a place where your head is in harmony with your heart. This place is built upon the solid foundation of your values, special skills, and unique gifts. Today, we'll tap into your imagination faculties to start creating whatever your heart desires. You'll discover how to separate yourself from the "mind-stuff" that keeps you blocked from achieving your dreams.

Friday - Lesson 06

This lesson is about goal setting. Many people have goals but aren't able to manifest them. There's a good reason for that, and today you'll learn what you need to do achieve your goals and them into realities. You deserve to be happy in all areas of your life, and this lesson is the next step in getting there!

Week Four

Wednesday - Lesson 07

In this lesson, we'll explore some tools and strategies you can use to help overcome your fears. Although being fearful is natural, it can also be debilitating. Fear causes many people to live lives they wish they weren't living. By the time, you finish this lesson, you'll understand how to keep fear from preventing you from designing your life to be everything you want it to be.

Friday - Lesson 08

Each of us longs for a heartfelt kind of connection that gives us a sense of belonging—a desire to be seen and heard by others, to know that we matter, to know that someone is on our side, and to feel a connection that touches the heart and makes us feel grateful for someone's presence. In this lesson, we'll focus on the idea that the people you spend time with need to support your well-being.

Week Five

Wednesday - Lesson 09

"Lighten up!" That's what this lesson is all about. We're all becoming too serious. When was the last time you had a really good laugh? When was the last time you laughed at yourself? Today, we'll discuss the importance of humor. We'll go over the steps to reducing the frustrations that develop from too much stress. We'll talk about the value of meditation, time management, and how to create your own health team.

Friday - Lesson 10

In today's lesson, we'll talk about the key to working happily. It's also the key to becoming a more valued employee. An important concept to accept is that we're all really self-employed—we're all responsible for our own personal development. This lesson will guide you toward achieving new skills that will help you rise above the pack.

Week Six

Wednesday - Lesson 11

Sometimes you need to find a new job in order to be happy. If this is your situation, there are some things you can do to make the process more effective and increase the possibility you'll find the work you want. Once you've completed the exercises in this class and you've spent some time reflecting about what you really want from your work, you're ready to take a proactive approach to finding the ideal job. This lesson will assist you in this process.

Friday - Lesson 12

By taking this course, you'll be setting in motion a new way of living. You'll start to notice that the quality of your life improves dramatically as you spend your time and energy on what really matters to you. Your confidence will increase, peace of mind will take over, and you'll feel empowered to live life on your own terms. This lesson will inspire you to get started now and live the life you were meant to be living!

This course includes a knowledgeable and caring instructor who will guide you through your lessons, facilitate discussions, and answer your questions. The instructor for this course will be Cynthia Christianson.

Cynthia Christianson, M.A., coaches and teaches personal development courses individually and also at the college level. She has over 25 years experience in designing and teaching programs related to self-improvement. Her articles have been published in magazines for parents and on a popular Web site for women.

Requirements:

Internet access, e-mail, and the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser.

Student Reviews:

"A fantastic course... This was a very enlightening course and one which people can personally relate to. The material learned was extremely useful and you could utilize it immediately! Thank you!"

"A fantastic course...will there be a sequel? This was a very enlightening course and one which people can personally relate to. The material learned was extremely useful and you could utilize it immediately! Thank you!"

"An empowering course!"

"Before I was half way through the course I found my thoughts and direction changing. I've always been interested in art and design; all the excercises kept pointing me in that direction right from the begining - quite a wake-up call. I'm very happy now doing what I've always loved to do. Thanks so much !"

"Cynthia has such a warm style that is so very perfect for the class. Thanks for the excellent delivery of material. You are the best!"

"Cynthia - I have enjoyed your course soooo much! Thank you for giving me the tools to get my life back!"

"Cynthia, I just want to say that I am enjoying this class very much. I am getting so much out of these lessons. Taking this class and doing the exercises is my best SELF-ishness I can do for myself right now. By doing these lessons, I already feel more self-confident. Thank you for offering this class."

"Cynthia is amazing. She anticipated everything I needed and wanted to know, and then some. I loved how she related to us--she would use examples from her life and experiences and I found that to be extremely helpful and comforting. Within the first few lessons I stumbled upon the "eureka" moment I so desperately needed, yet didn't expect. I am a new person after completing these lessons, a much happier person. I feel like I have control of my life now and that I'm on track toward accomplishing big things. It's amazing what the right instructor can do. I am forever grateful to Cynthia, she has helped me make my life worth living again. I recommend this class to everyone. There isn't anyone who wouldn't benefit from Cynthia's vast knowledge and compassionate coaching. Wonderful! THANK YOU SO MUCH!"

"Cynthia, Many Thanks! Thanks for the kind words. You have guided us through this course with obvious passion and joy. I realize I have grown as a result of taking this class. Keep up the good work."

"Cynthia, of all the study I have undertaken in recent years this has been one of the most enlightening courses. You have taught me to look at myself and my world with new eyes and there has been so much to learn. I have no doubt that I will be spend considerable time revisiting the material. I looked forward to every lesson and found myself reflecting on the material throughout the week. The daily affirmation has made a difference. Thank you so much. I had no difficulty in listing at least twenty ways my life has changed."

"Cynthia provided friendly, encouraging, and knowledgeable answers to questions and student submissions. Feedback was helpful. This course exceeded my expectations, I will be recommending it to people I know."

"Cynthia's style and encouraging approach made the course easy to follow and helped make the process a lot less difficult to undertake. I enjoyed the references to the supporting resources which reinforced the messages and knowledge and have gained much through her works. An exceptional person and instructor!"

"Cynthia, thank you for sharing this course with us. In the short time we have been together, my life has done a complete turnaround. I feel blessed to finally figure out what I want to be when I grow up and now have a plan to get there. Thanks for the guidence and encouragement."

"Cynthia, Your class has been so great! You are a wonderful teacher and coach. I expecially appreciate how you answered each of us individually with great thought. My life has become increasingly abundant with this class. I will miss it, but I will be referring back to these lessons often. I'm heading to the hot tub to celebrate my success."

"Dear Cynthia--This is the first class I have ever taken online and it was a great learning experience for me. It taught me so much about myself and as a result, I am going to journal each and every day to keep my soul in order. I have struggled with my self-esteem all my life and this class has taught me how to cope with things--I have so much to be thankful for--my story of my life has taken a new turn and I know I can finish my own journey with more happiness. Thanks so very much for all the resource information for future reference and a wonderful class."

"During this course I did a ton of writing that resulted from delving into my inner thoughts. I'm a stronger, more confident person from doing this. The guidance from this course was excellent. Thank you for helping me learn how to live a better life."

"Excellent course. Highly recommend for those who desire so much more from their lives."

"Excellent course! Made me re-evaluate my core values and goals in order to reorient my life toward finding a more satisfying career and work/life balance. Thanks again for such an insightful course."

"Fantastic course with great interaction from the instructor. Best on-line class I've taken! Learned a great deal which has helped me change and will continue to apply the techniques I learned as I go through life. Awesome!"

"Good Course!"

"Good course and I know as I apply it more it will increase in benefit. Thank you for a very helpful class."

"Great class. Lots to think about. I will definitely refer back to the material in order to keep myself on track with my development and goals."

"Great course, great instructor. I enjoyed every minute of it. I didn't want to see it end! Cynthia is very good at what she does. She is supportive, gentle, and wise."

"Hello Cynthia, Thank you so much for a delightful and eye opening course. I thoroughly enjoyed it and have put into practice many of the techniques and steps you have suggested. I hope to achieve all that I have longed to do, and will not make excuses for myself anymore, but rather set one goal at a time and work towards what I really want out of life. Thank you so much!"

"I absolutely loved this course, I really needed this and would recommend it to everyone I know. It was very self enriching,and I feel I could never find another class such as this that will affect my life for years to come in such a positive way. The instructor most definitely gives you the impression that she truly lives by her words. I loved it."

"I am glad I took the opportunity and time to get to know myself more completely so that I can go out and do the next right thing, whatever that is. I look forward to it with great anticipation. Thanks for the encouragement and direction you have given me for the past 6 weeks."

"I appreciate the valuable information I have learned in this course. I loved the way the instructor addressed each topic to be discussed. Big Thanks!!"

"I enjoyed this class very much. The coursework will continue to help me throughout my life in different circumstances."

"I found this class extremely thought-provoking. It came at a most opportune time. Six weeks is not nearly enough time to do all the work envolved to make this really successful. I am starting over with a friend, we plan to meet and discuss what we did in class and how out thinking has changed. This class was sugh a positive light in a sometimes very negative world. Thank you for a new beginning."

"I have benefited by taking Listen to your Heart and Success will Follow in a variety of areas. Socially, it has encouraged me to interact with other people…Emotionally, these 6 weeks, have improved my feelings from helplessness to those of hopefulness and wonder. Intellectually, I have been stimulated by new ideas, thoughts, words, and encouragement of others who've written their insights and lessons, sharing their gifts. My health awareness has definitely been raised, listening to my heart telling me what I need to be whole and well….This course has been a life preserver for me. I'd truly forgotten that I could swim. Thank you. Thank you."

"I have enjoyed your course so much.. I have been tossing around retirement. I have a few more days to figure out if I want to leave teaching after 35 years and go into something different..but everything comes back to teaching. I love to innovate, plan curriculum, do workshops,and be creative... Thanks for all your help and I hope more people take your course."

"I have learned so much from this course! I believe it has given me the hope and courage to change my life! THANK YOU!"

"I have really learned a lot and I have been been able to do some beneficial self reflecting. Your course is informative, thought provoking and inspirational! I am seeing a very positive change in how I think about things because of the seeds you have planted. Thank you so much for developing and offering the course. I particularly appreciate that you left all the discussion areas open so we could move through the course at our own pace and still have the opportunity to post our thoughts/results and get your feedback. You are a gift, Cynthia! Thank you for sharing your life experience and your perspectives with us."

"I have thoroughly enjoyed this course. I was able to really search inside myself and find some real answers that I otherwise wouldn't have known how to find. I don't have my dream job yet, but I have taken a part time job, and it's a start to get my foot in the door. I defininately feel stronger, more confident, healthier, and a lot smarter about extreme self care. Thank you for this course."

"I hold a Master’s Degree, but I must honestly say that this course has been of greater value to me than all the courses I took in both my undergraduate and graduate programs! This course deals with life and how to live it to the fullest. We only go around once. Let's make the experience as satisfying as possible!"

"I loved this class!!! I wish it wasn't over! I have learned so much more than I expected to. Cynthia is awsome!! In each lesson, every possible angle was addressed. Thank you so much, Cynthia."

"I loved this course!!! Thank you for being a great teacher and communicator. I took this course to get motivated in life and since this course I have started my own private dog training classes and I am more motivated to make a change in other areas. Thanks, you're the best!!!"

"I love this course. I enjoyed it so much I didn't want it to end. The material is extremely interesting and highly useful. There should be more courses like this. I'm grateful the instructor chose to share this knowledge. I'm certain it has enriched many lives. Thank you!"

"I'm so glad I took this course. I really learned a lot and my life has really improved."

"I not only would recommend this course to others, I already have. This course was much better than I anticipated."

"I really enjoyed Cynthia's participation in the discussion area. She made valuable comments and suggestions in response to our postings and gave the members of the class lots of encouragement. The discussion area is great and I found it very much enhanced my enjoyment of the course and what I got out of it."

"I really enjoyed the class. It helped me to gain focus on my new job (how to be a better employee) and in my personal life (organizing, getting rid of clutter). It's probably things that I have heard or read many years ago, this was a good course for me at this time in my life. I enjoy the discussion area and hearing from the others. Thank you."

"I really enjoyed this course. I'm sure the things I have learned will continue to come in use later on in my life!!"

"I really enjoyed this course, it taught me strengths that I have not used and it reminded me of my strengths I need to use more often. Thank you for all the insight and the support!"

"I really enjoyed this course, it was all that I hoped for and more. Previously I have enrolled in courses and they have not been what I expected, from course description advertised. It was a very uplifting experience as well as practical and I would recommend it to anyone wanting to improve the quality of their working life and life in general. Thank you for a wonderful course."

"I really learned a diffrent vision of success. I really learned a lot about myself through the assignments. I took my time to really gain all I could from this class. It truly is right on with all it teaches. Thank you for this time to grow myself."

"I really loved this class. I highly recomend IT, and an experience I wouldn't change for anything else. I have learned so much about myself that I feel extremely happy. The instructor was great and always trying to help everyone. THANKS A LOT!!!"

"I thank Cynthia so very much for this course. I not only learned many new things and new ways to look at situations, but just as importantly, I was reminded of things--important things--that I had forgotten to practice. This information is invaluable and I will re-read the lessons, ponder the questions, search for my answers and share this knowledge with those around me."

"I thoroughly enjoyed the course. Cynthia provided excellent comments and suggestions. I learned many life-enhancing skills that I am already using!"

"I thought the instruction was very good and has great insight into this course's subject matter."

"I thought this class was great! Because I am a college student who will be graduating in December, I can use all of these tools to make sure I choose a career path that is right for me!"

"I truly enjoyed taking this class. I was excited to go to the next lesson to see what I would learn and even re-learn. I highly recommend this course and will definitely look back at the lessons often to help keep me on the right track"

"I truly enjoyed this course! I would find myself counting the days until the next lesson was released. It proved very beneficial, as well as enjoyable. Thank you. I'm sure this is not the last course I take through your online program."

"I will highly recommend this class and instructor to anyone desiring personal growth in their life in any way."

"I would recomend this course for anybody. By doing this course I was able to better organise my work time, find more time to spend with family and friends and become content with my life."

"Loved the Class! I made a career change! Going back to college at 48 to become a teacher in the fine and performing arts--my past loves that I should never have left!! Thanks!"

"My life has changed and I want to thank you. I used to have problems at work with the gossips. I would listen and get upset. They would take me down to their level and I never enjoyed that. Five weeks ago I walked away when this group was gossiping and they have not gossiped around me since. I find that I get more completed in a day and am happier, healthier and maybe more ethical to not be a part of that group. [According to an old] Spanish Proverb, "Whoever gossips to you will gossip about you." How true this really is!"

"Oh, I just don't know how to thank you enough for providing this course. I've printed out each assignment and lesson and I've kept a notebook so I can redo lessons again and again as I need them for the future. I've been saying to myself for months...what am I supposed to learn? What am I supposed to change? But I didn't have a clue. Now I know. Change what I was willing to accept and only accept the good. Period. A saying just popped into my head. I used to tell people this when I was in my 20's, but I haven't said it for years."If something in your life is making you miserable, just get rid of it". Seems so simple that I don't know why I lost it. Here's a huge hug and kiss to you and your course. Need someone to write wonderful things for you, just ask me. My life is getting so much better."

"Overall, I found this course very interesting and eye-opening. It really did motivate me to do things I've been to afraid to do. I appreciate the feedback I got from the instructor, and found it very helpful."

"Thanks Cynthia, the class was super! I have knowledge to last a lifetime."

"Thanks for helping me explore my life and for your great insight."

"Thanks for offering this course. I can already feel how it's positively impacting my life. I look forward to taking future classes taught by Cynthia."

"Thank you, Cynthia, for a heartfelt and inspirational course! You are a great coach and teacher!"

"Thank you, Cynthia, for this course and everyone for participating in these discussions. I am truly enjoying all of this. I hope I am adding something here for someone else to enjoy!"

"Thank you for doing this course. I feel a lot happier and a change in myself since taking it. You can know that your efforts have changed at least one person's life a great deal, and I really thank you for that. I will miss our interactions."

"Thank you for leading this online course. It was an interesting venture and brought me closer to clarifying my passions.Thank you again for all of your insights and expertise."

"Thank you. I enjoyed the course and felt the instructor was helpful, insightful and interested in the students' progress."

"The course was excellent. Cynthia is very knowledgeable and aware. I found the exercises very valuable to get to the "heart." It will take me some time to incorporate all of the information. I have a great start to my new life!"

"The instructor and course are very meaningful and can be of great help to anyone with self development."

"The instructor was super and always responded to the discussion area, as well as, putting a message before every lesson. I felt this was encouragement as well as support. I am sorry to have this course end. I am glad I chose this online course first. Because of this instructor and course material this has inspired me to take more online courses."

"The lessons were filled with many thought-provoking topics and assignments. I felt that having 2 lessons a week, did not always give me time to fully explore each lesson (even with the extra 2 weeks). I think Cynthia does an excellent job communicating with the class and answering questions."

"This came along about the same time that I'd been figuring out some of the principles for myself! I was afraid it was going to be too simplistic to be of benefit, but it was a welcome comfort and guide. The precepts of this course have buoyed my resolve to "Build My Dreams.” Thank you for the support when I was afraid I'd start wavering. Now I'm stronger than ever!"

"This class has really helped me in understanding what I want to achieve in my life. I have started working on my goals and have balanced several areas in my life. I have recommended this class to several of my friends. This class has helped me tremendously."

"This course has helped me look at the positive side of life. I looked forward to each class and would highly recommend the course! Thanks!"

"This course has made a difference in my life. I did not ever think of putting myself first any time and now it feels good to be good to myself. It feels good to forgive myself of past failures and to look to the future in a positive way. Thank you Cynthia for helping me get a life."

"This course has made a positive impact on my future."

"This course has provided purpose and meaning as well as the confidence to further follow the goals previously set. Thank you."

"This course helped me greatly in looking at my life and taking steps to change for a better life. The instructor gave useful examples to assist in the learning process which is a change from the many self-help books that I have read. I am satisfied with the lessons and feedback."

"This course is absolutely wonderful. It provides skills and techniques to help students recognize and evaluate their own personal needs, values, personality traits, etc. so that they can develop a better quality of life on a professional and personal level. I highly recommend this course. It would benefit anyone, whether they are unhappy with their current job, seeking new job opportunities, or just wanting to enhance their way of life. It is inspirational and is full of profound insights. Students can use the exercises and activities learned in this course time and time again long after the course is completed to help them continuously re-evaluate where they are in life and keep themselves on track to acheive their best life possible"

"This course is very well presented for anyone wishing to develop self awareness and/or explore human potential. The online setting is easy to use and the instructor is responsive. Go ahead and try it, but be prepared to change! You cannot take this course and stay the same as you are now!"

"This course promised to be about change and indeed it fulfilled this promise. I found the materials interesting and thought provoking,the quizes helpful and the discussions aided understanding. Cynthia's feedback was especially important in providing the support and guidance I required as I came to terms with material in the course"

"This course provides good tips in living the life you want by listening to yourself and not others."

"This course should be required, beginning in the 6th grade, and should be re-taken every three years until we die. I will refer to my course materials over and over in the future because it has changed my life so trememdously that I'll never be able to adequately express how. It just made me a better person and I am re-learning how to put ME first."

"This course was enjoyable and required me to open my eyes and examine my life. While painful at times, the soul searching paid off and has pointed me in new directions. I hope to see more classes by this instructor."

"This course was excellent! Content was superb, exercises, assignments and discussion are all very good. You certainly packed a lot of information in this course. It provided good assessment tools and is something that can be referred to often. I commend you on your efforts and send out a HUGE thank you for offering this course. I hope you will be providing more courses!!"

"This course was fantastic and Cynthia is excellent in her insightful answers!! Thank you!!"

"This course was very enlightening and helped me to think about very important issues in my life, that will be beneficial not only in my career search but my life in general. I highly recommend this course, especially to those who have a lost sense of being. Thank you, Cynthia, for this course and your input to the discussion area (very helpful)."

"This course was very helpful in fine-tuning goal setting and defining what is important to you. It was very specific and detailed and if you follow the course I feel you will benefit tremendously. I will use the tools given in this course for the rest of my life."

"This has been a wonderful and enlighting journey.I want to thank you for your dedication and time you have spent to help others. This has given me a higher positive perspective and I have reached a greater level of understanding myself."

"This instructor is very good. She should be encouraged to teach a part 2 to this class or a different class. Many can benefit from her skills!"

"This is a great course to identify all the different areas of your life that add up to total a complete picture of happiness. Highly recommended."

"This is a life changing course with one of the best instructors I have had."

"This was an excellent course. I thoroughly enjoyed it because it was so informative."

"This was an excellent course, it was eye opening and really makes you look at how you arrived at your current situation and makes you focus how you can get back on track. I would highly recommend this course to anyone seeking happiness. Nice job instructor!"

"This was a very helpful, eye-opening, and uplifting course. Practice and daily use of these lessons could only prove that you can have the life you want and live from your heart."

"This was my first online class. I'm glad it proved to be such a positive experience and am looking forward to doing this again. Cynthia knows her stuff! She made me take a good, hard look at myself without being judgmental. Once I could "see" myself, I began to acknowledge my strengths and weaknesses, work on the self-esteem issue, and now I can say that I really like who I am. It's a great feeling and I never would have seen myself in this positive light if it weren't for this course. Thank you!"

"What a wonderful and amazing course! Cynthia is a positive, supportive instructor who really encouraged me in a clear and approachable way that was helpful to me. Her answers to me and to the other students in discussion really showed that she practices what she teaches, and that it works. I have to admit, I was skeptical when I first took this course that it could be as good as the reviews, but on completion, I would highly recommend it to others and already have!!! Thank you, Cynthia for your spirit, and for your commitment to your teaching. I am all the better for it!! And, like others, I hope to see more classes on ed2go taught by you in the future!!!"