Archive for authenticity
Are you Crazy?
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Yes, you read the the question correctly….I just asked, “Are you crazy?” Perhaps you’re not quite sure so read on as I know your answer is forthcoming after you watch the video connected with this post. It’s a video that Steve Jobs, Founder of Apple made years ago. I invite you to watch it…it’s only a minute long and could change your life.
So let me ask you again. Are you crazy? I hope so.
I want to be crazy and I want you to be too! I want you to know who you are with such crystal clear clarity that you remain steadfast in the pursuit of your calling like these other incredible men and women with the names of Einstein, Martin Luther King and Amelia Earhardt.
You have it in you, just like Steve Jobs did. It’s hardwired into your DNA and your job here on earth is to discover it for the sake of giving it back for the benefit of the world. It’s your legacy that you leave behind as you invest in the lives of others. And even though you may not be as “famous” as some of the people in the video, you will be “famous” with those who you touch with your unique gift.
Now take a moment to contemplate your answer to the question, “Are you crazy?” If not, do you want to be? The choice is yours…what will you decide?
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”
[Quote from Steve Jobs - Stanford commencement speech, June 2005].
Your thoughts?
Stop the Madness!
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Are you on a roller coaster going up and down so quickly that it’s difficult to get off the ride? Perhaps the treadmill of your life is going too fast because you are being bombarded by too much coming at you? If you resonate with any of these statements, it’s time to stop the madness!
Since launching The Leadership Collaborative at the end of April, I’ve been out in the marketplace with intention; I’ve been speaking, networking and engaging the field to learn more. And boy am I learning what others in business are facing and it can all be boiled down to one word:
OVERWHELM!
This overwhelm is showing up in many ways; see which of these you can relate to:
- Life changes/transitions are at an all time high—loss of a well-loved pet, moving, personal health issue, graduation, end of school, ailing family member and unexpected financial matters just to name a few.
- Wearing too many hats—trying to run multiple businesses, taking on activities that aren’t aligned with passion or expertise, adding more to the plate without assessing what needs to be let go.
- Mediocre financial results—just getting by, barely covering the expenses, surviving instead of thriving.
- Too much activity—doing, doing, doing without any time to slow down, assess and plan with purpose.
If you can relate to any of these scenarios, let me ask from a place of deep humility and love the question that Dr. Phil always asks… “How’s that working for you?”
My hunch is that it’s not.
Now let me contrast the above scenario with another person I met last week. She decided to make a 180 degree shift from her 20-year career in the judicial system to launching a speaking/training business. She’s following her “lights” and integrating her love of photography into a platform that reconnects others to the core through nature as a vehicle to help them find their passion. She has a book coming out in August, she’s working on her website, promoting her speaking and because of her clarity, passion and plan she has opportunities abounding and she’s getting tangible results.
So why isn’t she overwhelmed? What makes her different that the others I mentioned above?
- She knows herself which helps her to know when to say “yes” and when to say “no”.
- She has a vision which guides her even in the chaos.
- She has a plan to take care of herself and slows down daily.
- She has a strategy and continually revisits it to adjust and stay in momentum.
Here’s the truth: If you want to stop the madness in your own life and eliminate the overwhelm, these four elements are essential and non-negotiable.
So what’s true for you? Are you ready to stop the insanity which is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results?
I’m on a mission to stop the madness! If you’re serious like me, then let me help you take a stand for your heart. Give yourself the gift of a 15-minute free, no obligation call to find out what your one next step is. Contact me to schedule your appointment today. At a minimum, schedule 15-minutes in your own calendar to slow down.
You have everything to gain and nothing to lose.
Photo Courtesy of Photoxpress ©Andrejs Pidjass
Three Key Principles for Sound Decision Making
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Do you have an important decision to make? Are you struggling with making the best one? Or do you have a hard time making most decisions?
Just yesterday I was talking with a potential client and one of her reasons for considering professional coaching is because she struggles with decision making. She’s looking for defined processes that will help her respond when she makes decisions rather than react in the moment or not do anything. What’s her ultimate goal? To find a way to make decisions that is authentic AND that eliminates stress!
Could you us this process too? How do you make sound decisions?
Straight out of the Proverbs here are three key principles for sound decision making:
- Get the facts before answering.
- Be open to new ideas.
- Make sure you hear all sides of the story before judging.
All three of these key principles center on seeking additional information. This is difficult work but it is essential. It requires you to “pause on purpose” in order to gather the additional insight necessary to be proactive and respond instead of reacting.
John Maxwell, leadership expert and author says, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Practicing the “pause on purpose” and using these principles for decision making will enhance your ability to be an effective leader of your life.
So what do you need to do differently so you can “pause on purpose”? What needs to happen so you use three key principles in your decision making process?
What do you think? Post your comments at the blog after you’ve had a chance to practice these skills. Together I can support you in your struggles and join you to celebrate your wins.
“Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to decide.”
Napoleon Bonaparte
Photo Courtesy of Photoxpress © Sophia Winters
Do you know who you are?
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“Possessing information about yourself is not the same as truly knowing yourself. Self transformation is always preceded by self-acceptance. And the self you must accept is the self you actually and truly are–before you start your self-improvement projects.”
David G. Benner, Author of The Gift of Being Yourself
Your success in the world is contingent upon knowing who you are. It is critical to achieving your goals and having the impact you desire. Building your self-esteem by discovering and knowing yourself allows you to be more confident, open and comfortable with who you really are and this self-knowing leads to self-acceptance allowing you to give more to your families and the world.
So how do you come to know all of who you are?
I recently found an assessment tool that you can use to gain feedback from others about your personal brand identity. It’s a powerful tool called the 360 Degree Reach which you can use free for 15-days.
I imagine you’re wondering if you really want to have others feedback about you. Yes, it’s extremely vulnerable to ask others for input. If you come from the perspective that not everyone is out to get you and in fact they may have good feedback to give you, it can help give you the courage to take this next step.
I was inspired to do this as a result of reading a recent Daily Workplace Inspiration received from Os Hillman. Here’s what he shared:
Someone once said, “Success is when those who know you the best are those who love you the most.”
Years ago a self-assessment toll was developed by Joseph Luft and Harry Ingram called the Johari Window. The Johari Window helps you realize where you are in your ability to know who you are and for others to know who you are. Real transparency in communication takes place when those we associate with us know who we are after we discover who we really are. See if you can identify what category you might fall among these four:
Transparent Life: The transparent life is the life we should desire. I know who I am and others know me. There is nothing hidden. I have come to know who I am as an individual and basically people get what they see in me.
Bull-In-The-China Shop: This person is blinded to the things that others recognize about him. The solution to becoming a transparent person is to get feedback from those around us about our blind spots in our personality. We must ask for the feedback and be willing to respond to their input.
Aloof/Hidden Secrets: This person lives in a secret world. They don’t allow others to know about themselves. They know themselves but are fearful of letting others know. Those around them do not know them either. What do others really about you? Have you allowed yourself to get close enough to others to share who you really are inside?
Hidden Potential: This is a combination of Bull-In-A-China Shop and Aloof/Hidden Secrets. It is the saddest of all conditions. These people don’t know themselves and others don’t know them either. This means both parties have to invest the energy to communicate and get feedback from one another.
How about you? Why not take a step to find out who you really are in the lives of others. It could change your life.
Photo Courtesy of Photoxpress © brunoil
Embrace Today
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Where are your thoughts focused? Are you noticing what’s not working? Do you pay attention to what still needs to be done or what you still don’t have?
These are good places to look because it helps you choose your activities, supporting changes that intentionally move you in the direction of what you want. This is what will make your dreams become real.
The problem is that it’s a one-dimensional approach toward life. You are not just a “human doing” you are a “human being”. When you keep your internal focus zoned in only on the changes needed, you lose sight of what’s present here right now.
Ask yourself these questions to bring fullness to your life today:
- What’s good?
- What’s working”
- What can you celebrate?
- What strengths can you embrace?
As you consider this insight, remember that your life is like a coin. One side is about being in action while the other side is about slowing down to connect to your internal core. Both sides of the coin are essential to allow all of who you are to thrive and flourish at home, work and more.
So, it doesn’t really matter whether you have been on the doing side of the coin or you’ve been resting in the being side. Play with the coin, flip it and decide to embrace what’s here today as you let this present moment inform you of what’s next.
Your thoughts? Post your comments at the blog and share the wisdom.
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is God’s gift, that’s why we call it the present.” Joan Rivers
Photo Courtesy of Photoxpress © angelo.gi
