There’s no doubt that Steve Jobs was an original. He refused to compromise on his vision, and our world is forever changed. He defied the “normal” and moved toward the “natural” - a state of cooperation with his inner driving force. He was unapologetic for his relentless commitment to excellence. Following that inner muse moved him far beyond the status quo.
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Nov 1, 2011
Unreasonable Expectations
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Oct 27, 2011
Welcome Power
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This week I hit the trifecta! Not the horse races though. I took a new step beyond the ego’s rat race and into greater clarity. While visiting with a chiropractor friend he surprised me and said, “I want to offer you a gift.” Based on what he saw, he described me as a “kidney personality” according to the work of Bob Cooley, author of The Genius of Flexibility. He went on to describe a simple stretch I could do that would mechanically support my personality type. In a matter of seconds I was completely energized. During our discussion he also shared some of the characteristics of the kidney type. The one that stood out the most for me was “detached.” That certainly struck a chord!
Shortly after that I called my sister to wish her a happy birthday! She’d thrown herself a party with the special needs class that she teaches at school. “It felt really good to take care of myself and celebrate with my class. You know, she said, “I have a really hard time saying ‘thank you.’” We both laughed since this is certainly a family trait. In fact, we both admitted that we still squirmed when some one thanked us for doing something.
The third call was the most amazing of all. Talking with my friend and master web designer, Roger MacRae, helped me with another piece to the unworthy puzzle. He asked me if I said, “You’re welcome” when people said thank you. I don’t very much. From those two simple words, I got to see all the ways that I deflected people who said, “Thank you.” In fact, it was a way to dismiss their thanks, detach from others and play small!
Here’s a challenge I’ve accepted, and hope you will too: Look for opportunities to say “You’re welcome” and notice what happens when you validate someone’s thank you.
Sep 30, 2011
Breaking the Chains of Negativity
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Do you find yourself annoyed when others are negative? Here’s a great way to look in the mirror and unmask your naysayer once and for all! Ironically, when you point that finger at another, three point back at you!
Take the Paper Clip Challenge:
Get a box of paperclips and keep it handy. Every time you catch yourself having an old fashioned negative thought, “I’m too fat, too thin, too old, stupid, lazy, etc. take a paperclip out and start connecting them together. It’s an easy fun way to see how how fast you put yourself in “negative bondage.”
I did this experiment with senior management of a large corporation during a strategic retreat. During one 15 minute break, each of the executives was given their box and asked to be totally honest about their thoughts. Several came back with all 100 draped around their necks and amazed looks on their faces. One gentleman said, “I thought I was one of the most positive people I know.” “Not so,” he said with a smile.
It’s hard to be happy, joyful or prosperous when you are weighed down with the chains of negativity. The first step in releasing them is to catch yourself in the act.
You’ll be amazed at how many negative conversations you have inside your head! The paperclip visual becomes a great starting point and reality check for your negativity levels. Once you’ve caught yourself in the act, congratulate yourself. Awareness is a HUGE key to positive change.
Once you’ve had some fun with the negative, you can do the same exercise to catch yourself in the act of thinking something positive. Positive focus will help you build the habit of looking on the bright side, no matter how dark it seems.
The key in both these challenges is one of directing your mind. True leaders are flexible. They have the ability to course correct with accurate information and the willingness to take risks.
Here’s a great chance to take a stand for yourself and Lead by Design℠ rather than default!
Good luck, and keep me posted!
Sep 25, 2011
Angel with a Cowboy Hat
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Angels come in all shapes and sizes. This week an unlikely angel with a white cowboy hat showed up at the Calgary Airport. My friend and radio talk show host Debbi Dachinger and I landed and found out that our ride had gotten side tracked with a flat tire. After we worked our way through immigration, our angel approached us in the concourse. With ease and grace he answered our questions with a big smile and an even bigger heart.
The moral of this story: angels are all around us. All we need to do is breathe when the flat tires of life happen, open up, and watch the miracles occur.
It’s all good. And when stress comes nipping at your heals, expect an angel to be close behind.
Sep 13, 2011
Dare to Let Your Light Shine
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You’re an original. You’re brilliant. So how come you still have those financial, relational, or health challenges?
Great question! Here’s a simple way to begin moving beyond those challenges. I call it Shining your Light into the Darkness.
If you’ve been in the dark about an issue a long time, a spotlight would blind you. So does a great big audacious demand that you change. That sets you up for failure. Just think of the last time you made a New Year’s Resolution. Big change means big resistance. Here’s what I’ve learned about facing my challenges head on:
- Trying harder doesn’t do it.
- Blaming others doesn’t do it.
- Ignoring it doesn’t do it.
- Guilt tripping doesn’t do it.
- Doing does it.
With that being said, What one small action can you take today to let your Light (love) shine onto your challenge?
There’s a reason it’s a cinch by the inch and hard by the yard. There’s truth to the saying that what we resist persists. Our beloved brain is wired to be suspicious of change as a signal for impending danger. Baby steps toward your goal are under your brain’s radar. Baby steps, strung together, open the door for you build new habits without catching your ego’s or brain’s attention. Success sneaks up on you!
So next time you’re down on yourself, shine your Light onto the situation! Get strategic, and take that single next step that puts you closer to your goal. String those small steps together, and you’ll find yourself well on your way to the other side of your challenge.
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.” Chinese proverb
