Smack! Pow!! Splat!!! Eww!!!!!
That's me, killing the dozens of flies in my house this evening. Where did they come from? And when will they go away. It's amazingly unreal how many there are in my house. They're eating the dogs ears, and nothing seems to keep them from coming back. We set traps and captures dozens and dozens of them. We smack every single one we find in the house. We sprayed. Nothing keeps them away. Aghhh!
It was during the latest grueling attack of the flies that I realized I needed to keep up the good karma. Because if I don't, I am sure to come back as a fly. Or even an ant. That's the other pest that is raging war against my house. They're everywhere. And still no matter what I try to do to get rid of them, they keep coming back. I even laid out ant traps right over the entrance to one of the anthills. To my dismay, it didn't work - probably because the dog decided it was going to be a tasty evening treat. Yes, he destroyed it.
I panicked, called the emergency vet. I thought for sure I was going to have a dead dog on my hands. Thankfully, because the dog weighs 70 pounds and he devoured such a small trap, the worst thing that could happen to him would be an upset stomach. I credit this to the good karma coming back to me from taking him on all those runs.
I have long believed that it is important to practice good karma. Even thinking something evil will bring something terrible to you, as was the case with my flies this evening. I know what you're thinking. "What can this girl possibly tell me that I haven't already heard before about karma?"
Well, I'll tell you. Keep it positive, always. Even when things look like poo, it's probably poo. You just need to remember to walk around it. (Don't step in it, silly.) As the old saying goes, "[Poo] happens." That's the PG version of that saying.
I'm sure I had more to say on this point, but nothing else comes to mind. So, I will leave well enough alone. Think good thoughts, do good deeds, and smile to the next person you see. It might be me. And I will have a smile for you!! :)
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Overcoming Obstacles & How to Deal with Difficult People
I chose this topic for my talk this morning in my networking group. Many, if not all, my talks are based on something in or around me at the time. Everyone deals with difficult people, and everyone has obstacles in their personal and/or professional lives. I have learned that these adversities are opportunities in disguise, and they should be embraced and nurtured. This may sound counter-intuitive; so I encourage you to keep reading to gain more insight.
When I started my business in 2007, I was exposed to some amazing books, many of them classic self-development books. One of my favorites is How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie. This book was originally written in 1936 and has been updated several times since then to included some more current stories and teachings. I use it more like a manual than just a book that is read and then put on the bookshelf. When you read this book, you read a chapter, then repeat the same chapter, then go onto the next chapter. I encourage you if you do not own a copy to buy one that you call your own and mark it up. Library books are great, but it is frowned upon when you mark it up. I digress.
My copy of How to Win Friends & Influence People is nice and used. The pages are discolored since I usually carry it in my car and read a sentence or two while stopped at a light. There are plenty of pen marks noting my favorite passages and notes recapping the chapters in the back of the book.
Although this is the bulk of my topic here today, it is not the origin. The origin came from a junk fax received at the office. The topic of the seminar being advertised was "How to Deal with Difficult People". So, my question to the group is this: what kind of difficult people do you encounter in your personal and business interactions? I am not looking for gossip here, just looking for insight from others and to enlighten us that no one is perfect and there are solutions to difficult situations and solutions to deal with difficult people.
If you have ever been married and divorced, you understand difficult people. Well, maybe you don't understand them, but you certainly have encountered them. One person shared a recent situation in dealing with a difficult person where he became the scapegoat in a situation where not all the facts were revealed until late in a business transaction. It is important to remember that no matter how frustrated we become in these situations, there are always two sides to every story. So, my next question I present is: Are you motivated enough to succeed? Are you motivated enough to deal with a difficult person?
The following solutions are techniques from Dale Carnegie's book How to Win Friends & Influence People:
1) The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it. Remember this quote from Buddha, "Hatred is never ended by hatred but by love." This is especially true when your emotions try to take the reigns in a difficult situation. Often our initial reaction to a person or situation is pure emotion, resulting in taking us several steps backward instead of moving forward toward a common goal or solution.
2) Show respect for the other person's opinions. Never say, "You're wrong." Be diplomatic when you are dealing with the other person. Notice I said diplomatic, not political. This is an important distinction.
3) If you're wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically. It's always easy to point the finger at the other person, especially when feelings get involved. It's okay to be wrong; correct the problem and learn from it. Now you can move forward together.
4) Begin in a friendly way. "A drop of honey catches more flies than a gallon of gall." Sweet is good.
5) Get the other person saying "yes, yes" immediately. A Chinese proverb says that he who treads softly goes far. Getting the other person to agree with anything at the beginning of the confrontation can work wonders in dealing toward a solution.
6) Let the other person do a great deal of the talking. Remember that the other person knows more about their business and problems than you do. You ask the questions; let them talk. Just remember to actively listen to their answers.
7) Let the other person feel that the idea is his or hers. It's okay to let the other person take credit for a solution, even it the idea was originally yours. You helped guide them to the answers, and that counts for a lot. Sharing the credit or letting others take credit for a job well done is an amazing feeling.
8) Try honestly to see things from the other person's point of view. This is very important, if not the most important. There are always two sides to every story if not three or four. Keep an open mind and watch the creative solution finding juices flow.
9) Be sympathetic with the other person's ideas or desires. Here is a couple of quotes to help with this one. "I don't blame you one iota for feeling as you do. If I were you I would undoubtedly feel just as you do." "There, but for the grace of God, go I." These are two very powerful sayings. I encourage you to read and re-read them, maybe even write them down where you can see them every day.
10) Appeal to the nobler motives. I like quotes, especially when they're from a great man like J. Pierpont Morgan. He stated that a person usually has two reasons for doing a thing - one that sounds good and a real one. This is kind of like reality. There are two kinds of reality - real reality and perceived reality. Take note of both.
11) Dramatize your ideas. Be theatrical. Make your ideas sing and dance and go back out to the stage for a second curtain call.
12) Throw down a challenge. I am competitive and this one really speaks to me. This is the quote that I put on a note card and see every day when I get in my car. It is the motto of the King's Guard of ancient Greece. "All men have fears, but the brave put down their fears and go forward, sometimes to death, but always to victory."
In conclusion, I want to quote Napoleon Hill who said that obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the goal. I encourage you not the get distracted by a molehill and start thinking it's a mountain when dealing with a difficult person. Remember that there is always a solution. It may not present itself immediately, but things will always work out just the way there are supposed to. When one door closes, another one opens, usually to something greater.
In business this means you have to ask yourself whether you are flexible in your business plan. Are you making adjustments and updating your plan as you run into obstacles? How about when you achieve success? Continually moving and progressing in business will naturally flow into your personal life. And before you know it, you are living a perfect life.
A perfect life is all in your own definition of perfect. You need to start by defining it, refining it and achieving it.
When I started my business in 2007, I was exposed to some amazing books, many of them classic self-development books. One of my favorites is How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie. This book was originally written in 1936 and has been updated several times since then to included some more current stories and teachings. I use it more like a manual than just a book that is read and then put on the bookshelf. When you read this book, you read a chapter, then repeat the same chapter, then go onto the next chapter. I encourage you if you do not own a copy to buy one that you call your own and mark it up. Library books are great, but it is frowned upon when you mark it up. I digress.
My copy of How to Win Friends & Influence People is nice and used. The pages are discolored since I usually carry it in my car and read a sentence or two while stopped at a light. There are plenty of pen marks noting my favorite passages and notes recapping the chapters in the back of the book.
Although this is the bulk of my topic here today, it is not the origin. The origin came from a junk fax received at the office. The topic of the seminar being advertised was "How to Deal with Difficult People". So, my question to the group is this: what kind of difficult people do you encounter in your personal and business interactions? I am not looking for gossip here, just looking for insight from others and to enlighten us that no one is perfect and there are solutions to difficult situations and solutions to deal with difficult people.
If you have ever been married and divorced, you understand difficult people. Well, maybe you don't understand them, but you certainly have encountered them. One person shared a recent situation in dealing with a difficult person where he became the scapegoat in a situation where not all the facts were revealed until late in a business transaction. It is important to remember that no matter how frustrated we become in these situations, there are always two sides to every story. So, my next question I present is: Are you motivated enough to succeed? Are you motivated enough to deal with a difficult person?
The following solutions are techniques from Dale Carnegie's book How to Win Friends & Influence People:
1) The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it. Remember this quote from Buddha, "Hatred is never ended by hatred but by love." This is especially true when your emotions try to take the reigns in a difficult situation. Often our initial reaction to a person or situation is pure emotion, resulting in taking us several steps backward instead of moving forward toward a common goal or solution.
2) Show respect for the other person's opinions. Never say, "You're wrong." Be diplomatic when you are dealing with the other person. Notice I said diplomatic, not political. This is an important distinction.
3) If you're wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically. It's always easy to point the finger at the other person, especially when feelings get involved. It's okay to be wrong; correct the problem and learn from it. Now you can move forward together.
4) Begin in a friendly way. "A drop of honey catches more flies than a gallon of gall." Sweet is good.
5) Get the other person saying "yes, yes" immediately. A Chinese proverb says that he who treads softly goes far. Getting the other person to agree with anything at the beginning of the confrontation can work wonders in dealing toward a solution.
6) Let the other person do a great deal of the talking. Remember that the other person knows more about their business and problems than you do. You ask the questions; let them talk. Just remember to actively listen to their answers.
7) Let the other person feel that the idea is his or hers. It's okay to let the other person take credit for a solution, even it the idea was originally yours. You helped guide them to the answers, and that counts for a lot. Sharing the credit or letting others take credit for a job well done is an amazing feeling.
8) Try honestly to see things from the other person's point of view. This is very important, if not the most important. There are always two sides to every story if not three or four. Keep an open mind and watch the creative solution finding juices flow.
9) Be sympathetic with the other person's ideas or desires. Here is a couple of quotes to help with this one. "I don't blame you one iota for feeling as you do. If I were you I would undoubtedly feel just as you do." "There, but for the grace of God, go I." These are two very powerful sayings. I encourage you to read and re-read them, maybe even write them down where you can see them every day.
10) Appeal to the nobler motives. I like quotes, especially when they're from a great man like J. Pierpont Morgan. He stated that a person usually has two reasons for doing a thing - one that sounds good and a real one. This is kind of like reality. There are two kinds of reality - real reality and perceived reality. Take note of both.
11) Dramatize your ideas. Be theatrical. Make your ideas sing and dance and go back out to the stage for a second curtain call.
12) Throw down a challenge. I am competitive and this one really speaks to me. This is the quote that I put on a note card and see every day when I get in my car. It is the motto of the King's Guard of ancient Greece. "All men have fears, but the brave put down their fears and go forward, sometimes to death, but always to victory."
In conclusion, I want to quote Napoleon Hill who said that obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the goal. I encourage you not the get distracted by a molehill and start thinking it's a mountain when dealing with a difficult person. Remember that there is always a solution. It may not present itself immediately, but things will always work out just the way there are supposed to. When one door closes, another one opens, usually to something greater.
In business this means you have to ask yourself whether you are flexible in your business plan. Are you making adjustments and updating your plan as you run into obstacles? How about when you achieve success? Continually moving and progressing in business will naturally flow into your personal life. And before you know it, you are living a perfect life.
A perfect life is all in your own definition of perfect. You need to start by defining it, refining it and achieving it.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Oh, Those Summer Nights
Summer lovin', had me a blast.
No, this post isn't about Grease, but those summer feelings were strong in me tonight. It was one of those next-to-prefect nights. And it goes something like this...
Well, it actually started this afternoon with the delivery of the most amazing flowers to my office. Even with Nick gone working for nearly three weeks in another state, he managed to send me flowers for the very first time. It was amazing! Come to find out, he had been working on this exhibition of love for awhile and accomplished his task with the help of my aunt. The event left me on cloud nine for the rest of the day.
Several hours later, I got the call. The call that he's coming home.
There are not words to describe the feelings swimming inside me - joy, love, excitement, anticipation. I guess there are words. So, after completing the last few pieces of work for the day, I took myself downtown for dinner and farmers market to celebrate my next to last evening alone.
After enjoying a tasteful salad from Pluto's and getting a bagful of fruits, I was walking back to my car when I decided to take a side route to view the veteran's memorial in the downtown city plaza. My cousin Janice was telling me about how hard she was working to get Uncle Gary Wilson's name on this veteran's memorial. To my delight, there was his name. I quickly snapped a picture of his name - Gary Edward Wilson - and sent to off to Janice and to my dad.
The evening continued.
I didn't get home until after 8pm. I had been wondering how I would manage to get a workout in. Once I got home, I immediately changed into my running clothes, grabbed the dog and headed out for a short 2-mile run. Sometimes it's not the distance or the speed of your run, just that you got out and ran. That was the case tonight. Lotus and I took off down the street toward the trail I affectionately call "Lotus Trail".
Even though the run was a short one, it definitely was sweet. There's something about summer nights that makes me smile. Well, at least kept the smile going from the afternoon's delivery.
The things that stuck out during this evening's run touched every sense. At the beginning of the run, I could smell the many barbecues that were going on in the neighborhood. Oh, the sweet smell of barbecue sauce! As we got going on Lotus Trail, I could feel the temperature variances as we got closer to the water then move away from it as we were going back up the hill. It was a breath of fresh cool air, then warm patches of summer love. Heading up the first hill, the smell I got a whiff of was definitely not barbecue; well, maybe barbecue of a different sort. It was of fire. No, there was no fire currently burning. The field nearby had recently burned, and I could smell the remnants of burning grass. My thoughts immediately turned to Nick.
I could just about taste the summer air by now. There's something so tasty about running late in the evening during the summer. Between the temperature difference in the air and the barbecue smell, I literally felt like I was eating up my run. What a great feeling! Then, during mid-taste I hear a bird in the distance, squawking overhead. Perhaps he was looking for his dinner, or eying the dog splashing in the recently filled ponds down below.
By the time I was on my way back, the sun had set behind the coastal range. The colors of the sunset reminded me of the big beautiful colors of the bouquet of flowers waiting to be brought home from the office tomorrow. There was deep burgundy, bright red and vibrant yellow. With the vision of the sunset in front of me, and Lotus pulling me up the hill toward home, I thought once again, "Oh, those summer nights."
No, this post isn't about Grease, but those summer feelings were strong in me tonight. It was one of those next-to-prefect nights. And it goes something like this...
Well, it actually started this afternoon with the delivery of the most amazing flowers to my office. Even with Nick gone working for nearly three weeks in another state, he managed to send me flowers for the very first time. It was amazing! Come to find out, he had been working on this exhibition of love for awhile and accomplished his task with the help of my aunt. The event left me on cloud nine for the rest of the day.
Several hours later, I got the call. The call that he's coming home.
There are not words to describe the feelings swimming inside me - joy, love, excitement, anticipation. I guess there are words. So, after completing the last few pieces of work for the day, I took myself downtown for dinner and farmers market to celebrate my next to last evening alone.
After enjoying a tasteful salad from Pluto's and getting a bagful of fruits, I was walking back to my car when I decided to take a side route to view the veteran's memorial in the downtown city plaza. My cousin Janice was telling me about how hard she was working to get Uncle Gary Wilson's name on this veteran's memorial. To my delight, there was his name. I quickly snapped a picture of his name - Gary Edward Wilson - and sent to off to Janice and to my dad.
The evening continued.
I didn't get home until after 8pm. I had been wondering how I would manage to get a workout in. Once I got home, I immediately changed into my running clothes, grabbed the dog and headed out for a short 2-mile run. Sometimes it's not the distance or the speed of your run, just that you got out and ran. That was the case tonight. Lotus and I took off down the street toward the trail I affectionately call "Lotus Trail".
Even though the run was a short one, it definitely was sweet. There's something about summer nights that makes me smile. Well, at least kept the smile going from the afternoon's delivery.
The things that stuck out during this evening's run touched every sense. At the beginning of the run, I could smell the many barbecues that were going on in the neighborhood. Oh, the sweet smell of barbecue sauce! As we got going on Lotus Trail, I could feel the temperature variances as we got closer to the water then move away from it as we were going back up the hill. It was a breath of fresh cool air, then warm patches of summer love. Heading up the first hill, the smell I got a whiff of was definitely not barbecue; well, maybe barbecue of a different sort. It was of fire. No, there was no fire currently burning. The field nearby had recently burned, and I could smell the remnants of burning grass. My thoughts immediately turned to Nick.
I could just about taste the summer air by now. There's something so tasty about running late in the evening during the summer. Between the temperature difference in the air and the barbecue smell, I literally felt like I was eating up my run. What a great feeling! Then, during mid-taste I hear a bird in the distance, squawking overhead. Perhaps he was looking for his dinner, or eying the dog splashing in the recently filled ponds down below.
By the time I was on my way back, the sun had set behind the coastal range. The colors of the sunset reminded me of the big beautiful colors of the bouquet of flowers waiting to be brought home from the office tomorrow. There was deep burgundy, bright red and vibrant yellow. With the vision of the sunset in front of me, and Lotus pulling me up the hill toward home, I thought once again, "Oh, those summer nights."
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
When one door closes...
Have you ever heard the expression, "When one door closes, another one opens?" Or maybe you've heard this one, "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade?" Either one you choose, something good always comes from something bad.
I am a firm believer in this saying; although I did not come to be a believer easily. When you're stuck in the middle of something hard, you're feeling depressed and sad with apparently no light at the end of the tunnel. Well let me tell you something about this feeling; it will pass and there is definitely a light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes you have to work hard, even very hard to get to the light.
Oops, did I say that dirty little four-letter word?
Yes, I said, "Work."
Time to get to it. Or, should I say, time to look at things a little differently, from a different perspective. Many times we, or I, have a hard time seeing the other perspective. I often times used to see only my point of view, until one day, there was no more to see. I felt like I had lost my way. I was conducting business and talking with people, but wasn't really moving forward. I felt surrounded by things out of my control. As one who likes to be in control, this was hard to deal with.
Help! What do I do?!
After much self-loathing and pondering the why and how could I be feeling this way, a cloud was lifted. I started to feel like myself again. I began to see the light at the end of the tunnel. With this one ounce of light, hope, positive perspective, I was ready to go to work.
That was it - perspective. Looking at things from a different point of view, from the other person's vantage. Maybe their perspectives were subconscious; they didn't know what their point of view actually was.
A week has gone by since I first had my perspective changed. In the past, I would feel defeated by what I heard. Instead, I felt growth and armed with new knowledge that I am not stuck with my self-loathing and depression. I could now use this knowledge to grow more and more every day in my pursuit of happiness. And today, I used this 'weapon' of perspective to gain the upper hand again. At least the upper hand in my perspective, which is all I need to move forward to the light of success and happiness.
Not only has another door opened for me in this rather dark time, but a couple of windows are opening too. I encourage you to find your next door and crack open a window too.
I am a firm believer in this saying; although I did not come to be a believer easily. When you're stuck in the middle of something hard, you're feeling depressed and sad with apparently no light at the end of the tunnel. Well let me tell you something about this feeling; it will pass and there is definitely a light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes you have to work hard, even very hard to get to the light.
Oops, did I say that dirty little four-letter word?
Yes, I said, "Work."
Time to get to it. Or, should I say, time to look at things a little differently, from a different perspective. Many times we, or I, have a hard time seeing the other perspective. I often times used to see only my point of view, until one day, there was no more to see. I felt like I had lost my way. I was conducting business and talking with people, but wasn't really moving forward. I felt surrounded by things out of my control. As one who likes to be in control, this was hard to deal with.
Help! What do I do?!
After much self-loathing and pondering the why and how could I be feeling this way, a cloud was lifted. I started to feel like myself again. I began to see the light at the end of the tunnel. With this one ounce of light, hope, positive perspective, I was ready to go to work.
That was it - perspective. Looking at things from a different point of view, from the other person's vantage. Maybe their perspectives were subconscious; they didn't know what their point of view actually was.
A week has gone by since I first had my perspective changed. In the past, I would feel defeated by what I heard. Instead, I felt growth and armed with new knowledge that I am not stuck with my self-loathing and depression. I could now use this knowledge to grow more and more every day in my pursuit of happiness. And today, I used this 'weapon' of perspective to gain the upper hand again. At least the upper hand in my perspective, which is all I need to move forward to the light of success and happiness.
Not only has another door opened for me in this rather dark time, but a couple of windows are opening too. I encourage you to find your next door and crack open a window too.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Life Multiplies Itself
It has been many days since I last wrote. It has been an interesting and trying few weeks. I have shied away from writing, fearing what I really wanted to convey would not come through in my words. However, as is life, there comes a time when one knows that it is time to press on; time to get out of our comfort zone. In order to proceed to the next level, get uncomfortable. Once the journey into the unknown begins, the creative juices start flowing and a new comfort zone is discovered. We grow to the next level of our being.
Each of us has the sixth sense to know exactly what we need to do. Choosing to listen to our own senses is uncommon. When I feel the sense to move to a greater project or a new venture, there is sometimes a hesitation to move. It is this hesitation that prevents me from achieving great success faster. I used to feel bad about this. Now I realize the hesitation is allowing me the time to tap into my sixth sense - the sense to know that what I am doing is the right move.
What happens when I am stuck?
I can't meditate. I can't seem to get out of my rut. There is enormous stress from every angle, every aspect of life. I keep pushing through the pain and the suffering. All the while knowing exactly where I want to ultimately end up, yet not making the moves and taking the risks to get going on getting there.
The time is now. If not now, when? I am tired of being sick and tired. I am tired of business as usual.
There are more than enough resources available to get me to my goal. The motives just need to be big enough to get us on the path to achieving our successes. Wallace Wattles states that there are three motives for which we live; we live for the body, we live for the mind, we live for the soul.
The motives are simple, not easy; unless you do things in a certain way. I am hereby professing to do just that.
"The universe is a great Living Presence, always moving inherently toward more life and fuller functioning."
Believing in the great Living Presence gives me great courage to continue on my path. There are, of course, a few kinks to be ironed out. By changing my thinking about these so-called obstacles, I know that regardless of what appears to be, I can change the appearance and the outcome by changing my thinking. To think what I want to think is to think the truth.
My reality is health and abundance. There may be times when I 'appear' unwell or poor, but a change in my thinking releases my doubts and fears about remaining as such. I therefore recreate what I want to be - healthy, wealthy and abundant.
Life multiplies itself. By always becoming more, I continue to create more for others. If I want health for myself, I inherently create more health for others around me. It is my purpose to harmonize with the purpose in All. I desire to perform every function - physically, mentally, and spiritually - to the capacity of which I am able without any excess. I do not wish to take away from others but to inspire and help others grow.
I believe so strongly in achieving my goals that I must overcome the laziness that prevents me from stepping out of my comfort zone and into unknown territory. I proclaim to not take to the easy way but make the tools go to work for me. Instead of recreating the wheel, I am going to let the wheel propel me forward toward success. I have an unwavering faith that my goals are already achieved. I just have to let life multiply enough times to take me there physically.
I am attending the 'University of Freedom' studying to get a degree in Wealth, Health and Happiness.
To be continued.
Each of us has the sixth sense to know exactly what we need to do. Choosing to listen to our own senses is uncommon. When I feel the sense to move to a greater project or a new venture, there is sometimes a hesitation to move. It is this hesitation that prevents me from achieving great success faster. I used to feel bad about this. Now I realize the hesitation is allowing me the time to tap into my sixth sense - the sense to know that what I am doing is the right move.
What happens when I am stuck?
I can't meditate. I can't seem to get out of my rut. There is enormous stress from every angle, every aspect of life. I keep pushing through the pain and the suffering. All the while knowing exactly where I want to ultimately end up, yet not making the moves and taking the risks to get going on getting there.
The time is now. If not now, when? I am tired of being sick and tired. I am tired of business as usual.
There are more than enough resources available to get me to my goal. The motives just need to be big enough to get us on the path to achieving our successes. Wallace Wattles states that there are three motives for which we live; we live for the body, we live for the mind, we live for the soul.
The motives are simple, not easy; unless you do things in a certain way. I am hereby professing to do just that.
"The universe is a great Living Presence, always moving inherently toward more life and fuller functioning."
Believing in the great Living Presence gives me great courage to continue on my path. There are, of course, a few kinks to be ironed out. By changing my thinking about these so-called obstacles, I know that regardless of what appears to be, I can change the appearance and the outcome by changing my thinking. To think what I want to think is to think the truth.
My reality is health and abundance. There may be times when I 'appear' unwell or poor, but a change in my thinking releases my doubts and fears about remaining as such. I therefore recreate what I want to be - healthy, wealthy and abundant.
Life multiplies itself. By always becoming more, I continue to create more for others. If I want health for myself, I inherently create more health for others around me. It is my purpose to harmonize with the purpose in All. I desire to perform every function - physically, mentally, and spiritually - to the capacity of which I am able without any excess. I do not wish to take away from others but to inspire and help others grow.
I believe so strongly in achieving my goals that I must overcome the laziness that prevents me from stepping out of my comfort zone and into unknown territory. I proclaim to not take to the easy way but make the tools go to work for me. Instead of recreating the wheel, I am going to let the wheel propel me forward toward success. I have an unwavering faith that my goals are already achieved. I just have to let life multiply enough times to take me there physically.
I am attending the 'University of Freedom' studying to get a degree in Wealth, Health and Happiness.
To be continued.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
16 Weeks to Success
Six weeks ago, I began a journey to success.
Many successful entrepreneurs do not become 'overnight' successes over night. It is the journey that really creates the success. After many frustrating nights of 'not making it', I decided to take a new approach in my journey.
I ran my first marathon at age 30 and have run 2 to 3 marathons since then; that's 7 marathons in 3 years. An amazing feat some would say. It's actually pretty amazing to me, too. I mean that's at least 24 weeks of training, and last year, it was 33 weeks of training. Ugh! My body was beaten, broken and tired by the last marathon. But the point is, I did it. After completing those three marathons last year, I decided that I would complete a business marathon.
I started this 'business marathon' at the beginning of 2011. I guess it's a kind of New Year's resolution. This resolution is my training, and I am going to complete it, just like I would complete the training for any one of my marathons. Okay, so how do I begin? Good question!
Because I am not at the point I want to be at in business, I decided to take something that I know and translate it into business. I know how to train for marathons. So I thought, why don't I take what I already know about marathon training and track my progress like I would my marathons.
First step, write out a 16-week 'training' schedule. Writing down my goals is key to acquiring the success I want to achieve. And to keep me on track, I coined the training as "16 Weeks to Success: In Health, Fitness and Business." I wrote down my top 3 goals in each of these categories - health, fitness, business - and then broke it down by what I needed to do in each of the 16 weeks.
Second step, I knew I had to track my results. So, I decided to track my goals and actual results in a journal and share my successes and failures with my coaches and business partners.
Thirdly, I have realized that this is not much different than my marathon training. Every Sunday I sit down with my journal and write the goals for each week that I had set at the beginning of the year. In successive weeks, I sit down and write down the results from the previous week and my goals for the upcoming week. This is such an important task - I started thinking of this Sunday night task as a CEO meeting to get me started for the upcoming week.
Just like in marathon training, there are peaks and valleys in this business marathon training. For instance, at the end of week five, I did not sit down and write down my results for week five and my goals for week six. Instead of going into week six with a firm grasp of what I needed to do, I was heading into the week without any goals written down. I had to hunker down and try to hit my goals (whatever they might be) for the week. This created confusion; yet the desire to succeed was greater than ever.
The results at the end of week six were outstanding. Without going into details, I will say that I powered through the week and completed my journal entries on Sunday. On the fitness side, I completed a 10-mile run on Saturday. More than half-way through the run, I wanted to quit. I started telling my coach how much pain I was in and that I was not enjoying myself. Then, I started thinking about my success journey - 16 Weeks to Success. And I remembered that this is typical in marathon training. In the middle of the training schedule, I almost always feel the need - aka want - to give up, and it usually hits in the weeks four to six. I knew that once I could make it through these tough weeks, I would make it to the end of the 16 weeks.
So, here I go. I made it through week six. And I am excited about my upcoming success. I am even more excited about the journey and sharing it with others.
Many successful entrepreneurs do not become 'overnight' successes over night. It is the journey that really creates the success. After many frustrating nights of 'not making it', I decided to take a new approach in my journey.
I ran my first marathon at age 30 and have run 2 to 3 marathons since then; that's 7 marathons in 3 years. An amazing feat some would say. It's actually pretty amazing to me, too. I mean that's at least 24 weeks of training, and last year, it was 33 weeks of training. Ugh! My body was beaten, broken and tired by the last marathon. But the point is, I did it. After completing those three marathons last year, I decided that I would complete a business marathon.
I started this 'business marathon' at the beginning of 2011. I guess it's a kind of New Year's resolution. This resolution is my training, and I am going to complete it, just like I would complete the training for any one of my marathons. Okay, so how do I begin? Good question!
Because I am not at the point I want to be at in business, I decided to take something that I know and translate it into business. I know how to train for marathons. So I thought, why don't I take what I already know about marathon training and track my progress like I would my marathons.
First step, write out a 16-week 'training' schedule. Writing down my goals is key to acquiring the success I want to achieve. And to keep me on track, I coined the training as "16 Weeks to Success: In Health, Fitness and Business." I wrote down my top 3 goals in each of these categories - health, fitness, business - and then broke it down by what I needed to do in each of the 16 weeks.
Second step, I knew I had to track my results. So, I decided to track my goals and actual results in a journal and share my successes and failures with my coaches and business partners.
Thirdly, I have realized that this is not much different than my marathon training. Every Sunday I sit down with my journal and write the goals for each week that I had set at the beginning of the year. In successive weeks, I sit down and write down the results from the previous week and my goals for the upcoming week. This is such an important task - I started thinking of this Sunday night task as a CEO meeting to get me started for the upcoming week.
Just like in marathon training, there are peaks and valleys in this business marathon training. For instance, at the end of week five, I did not sit down and write down my results for week five and my goals for week six. Instead of going into week six with a firm grasp of what I needed to do, I was heading into the week without any goals written down. I had to hunker down and try to hit my goals (whatever they might be) for the week. This created confusion; yet the desire to succeed was greater than ever.
The results at the end of week six were outstanding. Without going into details, I will say that I powered through the week and completed my journal entries on Sunday. On the fitness side, I completed a 10-mile run on Saturday. More than half-way through the run, I wanted to quit. I started telling my coach how much pain I was in and that I was not enjoying myself. Then, I started thinking about my success journey - 16 Weeks to Success. And I remembered that this is typical in marathon training. In the middle of the training schedule, I almost always feel the need - aka want - to give up, and it usually hits in the weeks four to six. I knew that once I could make it through these tough weeks, I would make it to the end of the 16 weeks.
So, here I go. I made it through week six. And I am excited about my upcoming success. I am even more excited about the journey and sharing it with others.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Shotguns and Rodeos
This past week has taught me a lot about life, my family and shotguns.
Last week, I lost my grandfather - who lost his long battle with cancer. He was a prominent physician in the area; so prominent that very few didn't know him personally or know of him. He was a great man.
His death brought the entire family together for a week's worth of activities. Some of these family members I see so infrequently that it was a blessing to see them and spend time with them, despite the exhaustion that came with all the visits. One of these visits included a trip to my aunt and uncle's ranch south of town near Butte Community College - to shoot clay pigeons.
I have never shot a shotgun before and hadn't the slightest clue about what I was doing. Fear ran through my veins as shotgun ammo was placed by my teacher in the pockets of my sweatshirt, but only briefly. I knew I would be faced with the question, "Sara, you ready?"
So, I stepped up and said, "Yes! Let's do it." But I needed a lesson from my teacher. Nick had taught me how to climb a rock wall before, so I knew he could help me with this next venture.
After a short lesson from a great teacher, I grabbed the shotgun and called out, "Pull." I honestly don't remember if I hit the first pigeon. Pretty sure I missed. But it didn't matter. I did it. I shot the shotgun.
"Pull," I sang out again. This time it was a hit.
Several rounds and close to 200 clay pigeons later, we called it and headed into the house for some turkey chili and family visiting.
The next day would bring the last day of this hectic and emotional week of hanging with the crazy family. It was rodeo time.
In our family, we have a resident rodeo star. There is nothing this 15-year-old can't do, especially when it comes to goat-tying; she is the international goat-tying champion.
Three of us made the drive to Cottonwood to watch Courtney ride three different horses and claim her spot to Challenge - not knowing much about rodeo, this is a big deal. The couple of hours we spent at the rodeo, I was reminded of gymnastics and track meets when I was in high school. Suddenly, I felt very old.
So what did I take home from the crazy family induced week full of visiting, food, drink, shotguns and rodeo?
I learned that life is too short not to take risks and chances. It may be exhausting, but the results are worth the effort expended. All I need to do is remind myself to breathe, eat well and keep pushing to that point just beyond my comfort level. Keep reminding myself, "Pain is in the vicinity of victory." Just like in running; the finish line seems just too many steps away.
I have never not finished a race, and I don't plan to quit now. I am forging a new path to victory to create a legacy that may be worthy of my late grandpa and even my younger rodeo queen cousin.
Last week, I lost my grandfather - who lost his long battle with cancer. He was a prominent physician in the area; so prominent that very few didn't know him personally or know of him. He was a great man.
His death brought the entire family together for a week's worth of activities. Some of these family members I see so infrequently that it was a blessing to see them and spend time with them, despite the exhaustion that came with all the visits. One of these visits included a trip to my aunt and uncle's ranch south of town near Butte Community College - to shoot clay pigeons.
I have never shot a shotgun before and hadn't the slightest clue about what I was doing. Fear ran through my veins as shotgun ammo was placed by my teacher in the pockets of my sweatshirt, but only briefly. I knew I would be faced with the question, "Sara, you ready?"
So, I stepped up and said, "Yes! Let's do it." But I needed a lesson from my teacher. Nick had taught me how to climb a rock wall before, so I knew he could help me with this next venture.
After a short lesson from a great teacher, I grabbed the shotgun and called out, "Pull." I honestly don't remember if I hit the first pigeon. Pretty sure I missed. But it didn't matter. I did it. I shot the shotgun.
"Pull," I sang out again. This time it was a hit.
Several rounds and close to 200 clay pigeons later, we called it and headed into the house for some turkey chili and family visiting.
The next day would bring the last day of this hectic and emotional week of hanging with the crazy family. It was rodeo time.
In our family, we have a resident rodeo star. There is nothing this 15-year-old can't do, especially when it comes to goat-tying; she is the international goat-tying champion.
Three of us made the drive to Cottonwood to watch Courtney ride three different horses and claim her spot to Challenge - not knowing much about rodeo, this is a big deal. The couple of hours we spent at the rodeo, I was reminded of gymnastics and track meets when I was in high school. Suddenly, I felt very old.
So what did I take home from the crazy family induced week full of visiting, food, drink, shotguns and rodeo?
I learned that life is too short not to take risks and chances. It may be exhausting, but the results are worth the effort expended. All I need to do is remind myself to breathe, eat well and keep pushing to that point just beyond my comfort level. Keep reminding myself, "Pain is in the vicinity of victory." Just like in running; the finish line seems just too many steps away.
I have never not finished a race, and I don't plan to quit now. I am forging a new path to victory to create a legacy that may be worthy of my late grandpa and even my younger rodeo queen cousin.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Fear of Success
What is your greatest fear? For some, it's death. For many others, the fear of standing up and talking in front of others is far greater than death itself. How about the fear of starting something new? Fear of failure? Fear of success?
It is this last fear that drives me to this venture - posting my comments, my vision and my progress for all to see. For me, it is a fear that lay dormant until I come face to face with my success. I enjoy success; it brings me happiness and joy. Success puts food on the table and keeps the electric on for another day. Although with success also comes the pressure - the pressure to continue that success. I am now viewed differently because I have done it once before; therefore, I am expected to continue succeeding. Sometimes the pressure is just too much! I am face to face with my fear again.
And I retreat. I am too scared to continue.
All this fear is creating more fear and more barriers to take down later down my road to ultimate success - the place where I've said, "I made it!" So, how do I conquer the fear of success? By continuing to succeed.
I once heard a speaker say from stage, "Pain is in the vicinity of victory." In other words, in order to obtain victory, I have to endure pain. Nobody likes pain; why would I be any different? I am scared of the pain I will endure on the road to victory.
Because ultimately, I like victory. I want to be number one. I want people to say, "Look that's her, that's the famous woman."
Work is involved in any victory. Nobody climbed to the top of any endeavor without putting in the effort and making sacrifices. Overnight successes are not made over night. There is work involved, hard strenuous and painful work. But I don't like pain, and I am unfortunately 'ambitiously lazy'. I fear the pain again. Help!
It's time to get over it! It's time to embrace success, time to massage it, time to make it my own. So, here I go. There's plenty of room at the top, and I intend to take my rightful place.
Pain - here I come. Victory - you are mine! I put aside my fears by working through, around and over my obstacles.
"A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes." - Mohandas Karamchand Gandi
I am young, strong, powerful and successful.
It is this last fear that drives me to this venture - posting my comments, my vision and my progress for all to see. For me, it is a fear that lay dormant until I come face to face with my success. I enjoy success; it brings me happiness and joy. Success puts food on the table and keeps the electric on for another day. Although with success also comes the pressure - the pressure to continue that success. I am now viewed differently because I have done it once before; therefore, I am expected to continue succeeding. Sometimes the pressure is just too much! I am face to face with my fear again.
And I retreat. I am too scared to continue.
All this fear is creating more fear and more barriers to take down later down my road to ultimate success - the place where I've said, "I made it!" So, how do I conquer the fear of success? By continuing to succeed.
I once heard a speaker say from stage, "Pain is in the vicinity of victory." In other words, in order to obtain victory, I have to endure pain. Nobody likes pain; why would I be any different? I am scared of the pain I will endure on the road to victory.
Because ultimately, I like victory. I want to be number one. I want people to say, "Look that's her, that's the famous woman."
Work is involved in any victory. Nobody climbed to the top of any endeavor without putting in the effort and making sacrifices. Overnight successes are not made over night. There is work involved, hard strenuous and painful work. But I don't like pain, and I am unfortunately 'ambitiously lazy'. I fear the pain again. Help!
It's time to get over it! It's time to embrace success, time to massage it, time to make it my own. So, here I go. There's plenty of room at the top, and I intend to take my rightful place.
Pain - here I come. Victory - you are mine! I put aside my fears by working through, around and over my obstacles.
"A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes." - Mohandas Karamchand Gandi
I am young, strong, powerful and successful.
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