This past weekend, the kids and I went back home to visit my parents and go to the country agricultural fair. We prepared cookies, crafts, drawings, Lego, photography, and flowers to be entered into the bench show, all with anticipation of winning 1st, 2nd, or 3rd prize. What a frenzy we were in! We had just met the deadline. Phew!
The event kicked off with a parade and good ole' candy tosses. Before the parade got started, I ran into someone I knew and we started to chat. After I was done visiting, my son turned to me and said,
"Mom, I think we should move to a small town.
Everyone knows each other; it is just like being a celebrity!"
Although, I do not plan on moving anytime soon, his comment spurred a whirlwind of thoughts in my head leading to this blog post. Brilliant!
To showcase your talents and abilities, why not start in your own backyard? Often, these are the people who know you or know of you but do not always know what you do or what skills you possess. When you start to bring this to people’s attention, they will take notice and also want to support your efforts. You may have heard of a campaign "Shop Local". The “Shop Local” Philosophy can start with you! Start advertising or writing articles for your community, whether it is in your local area, town, city, or province or state. Give back to your community by getting involved in a local charity or supporting fundraising efforts. People will get to know you and your work and the word will spread just like coming from a small town. You will be a celebrity in your own backyard!
When you start to branch out into the great big world, sky’s the limit! The backyard will be “the comfort zone or give you a safe feeling of home” and you will slowly and steadily begin to stretch into new areas and new beginnings.
No matter where you come from or where you head to,
you can always look back to where you started and feel like a celebrity.
We won several prizes and the kids had a blast. My daughter came home with a Blue Ribbon for her age category. Great memories!
Share your story of getting known and remembered in your community.
Have you ever wondered what would have happened if you only asked for what you wanted and needed? Life is kind of like a high school dance from the movies. You sit along the walls of life waiting for opportunity to come and ask you to dance. However, when opportunity arises, you may feel uncomfortable as you reluctantly reach for out toward it. The dance may seem awkward at first but slowly you develop a rhythm. The dance is light and you are swept off your feet. Why? Because others around you have supported you, all because you got up and met opportunity instead of sitting down.
I use this analogy because I have seen time after time, myself included, where you have the opportunity to ask for help and you stop. You stop just as you start to pick up momentum. The music that is playing in your head of chatter starts saying things like this:
"Why would they want to help me?"
"They are so influential and accomplished. I am out of their league."
"You are just going to make a fool or yourself. They will probably laugh."
"They do not have the time of day for me."
Think just for moment. What is the answer right now, without even asking. You are correct if you said a resounding, "NO!" You have not even asked. Your odds improve when you ask for what you want but there is a technique to asking. Sometimes you have to ask more than once and in a different way.
Here is some ways to ask for what you want:
1. ASK the right person or persons. Just like a business meeting, you want the right people at the table at the right time for the right issue at hand. You need to ask a person who already has the knowledge you need or knows someone who can help you.
2. ASK with confidence. You need to be fully present when you ask with no distractions. Believe you can get what you are asking for.
3. ASK knowing the answer is YES. Be prepared and do a little bit of research related to your question. Create win-win scenarios whenever possible. When each person benefits, the likelihood of getting a "YES" is high.
4. ASK with specifics. Be clear and specific in what you ask for. You do not often need to give a rundown of the past 6 months in detail. Time is precious so you need to highlight important facts and ask specifically for what you want. The more clarity to your question, the more likely you will receive a "YES".
There are 3 details I want you to remember: People may be waiting for you to ask them because of their own fears and internal chatter. People naturally want to help people. Your ask can also lead to more asks, new friendships, joint ventures, and introductions to people you show know.
Your ASK matters. As some of you know, my husband and I spearhead a shoebox campaign each year which stemmed from an item on my bucket list. My Bucket List Item is ... an all expense paid trip to Ukraine with my family and parents to deliver shoeboxes to an orphanage in Ukraine so we could see the children faces light up as they opened the boxes. We have sent shoeboxes overseas but I am determined to see the excitement and joy of Christmas in their faces. One day I had a light bulb moment, I made an "ask" to a local school to be a part of my dream. They said, "YES!" We started helping 120 children, 3 years ago and have now we have reached 617. The ripple affect it has had on our colleagues, family, and friends has been tremendous. If I had not asked, the warmth I feel in my heart and the smiles and the tears I saw on the children faces and volunteers would not have come to pass.
How many people are waiting for you to ask? How many people want to be a part of your success story? How much better would the world be if you only made the ASK? Your ASK matters.
Tap Into Your Intuition by listening to your gut instinct. Get more clear on the message you are meant to hear. Start by being still and alone with your thoughts in a quiet place. Journalling is a great place to get started in developing your intuition. Write down your thoughts without editing. Not sure what to write? Start writing about why you are writing or about what kind of day you wish to create. Journalling is also a good clearing exercise in which you can ink a question that has been nagging you. With a clear mind after a good night's sleep, you will find it easier to focus on an answer or solution. Finally, being aware of how your body reacts in certain situations will often tell you if you are on the right or wrong path. Have you ever had an uneasy feeling when something may have been dangerous? Your body was warning you. The more you start paying attention to your body, the more you will be able to tap into your intuition.
Have your ever not listened to your intuition? What happened?
Our minds are so powerful. Many of us think we have grand ideas until we surround ourselves with those who think bigger than we do. I do not see myself shrinking in awe but rather standing taller and leaning forward to listen and learn and play in the big leagues. I am planning to play way bigger than I currently am. Have you ever noticed that people see your greater potential often before you do? Why is that? Put your hand in front of your face....can't see much right. You are so close to it, it makes it difficult to see your full hand or beyond it.
You probably come up with awesome ideas all the time. Some ideas you may write down and some float off into thin air. There may even be some you execute. And yes, there are some ideas that get your juices flowing that you talk yourself out of. Why? The chatter in your head is telling that you can't and you mentally wrestle with a quiet voice, almost a whisper saying yes you can.
The "can't" voice might be saying:
• "It needs to be perfect."
• "Who would buy that?"
• Do you really think people will pay that much?
• "Who do you think you are?"
• "I can't make more money than.."
• "What will people say if..."
Challenge the stronger voice - the voice that says “No, you can't.” The voice that believes in you.
Play in the big leagues:
• Hit a homerun! Imagine yourself sliding into home plate and the crowd is cheering as you have achieved your ultimate goal.
• Quit looking for perfection - be innovative. You are unique in your style and who you are is what people want. If you wait too long, you might miss the opportunity.
• Look inside yourself for the wisdom that others are searching for and share it.
• Believe you deserve it and you are worth it. You are no accident.
• There is enough for everyone.
• Be open to learning from those who have been where you want to go. They want you to grow, and so do I!
• Share your dream with others so others may serve you and be open to receiving all the possibilities.
You can play in the big leagues too. When you shift your mindset from playing in the little leagues to the big leagues, you begin to challenge yourself to new levels. Every time you move up a level, you will meet more teachers to guide and challenge you to step up to your greatness at the plate. Batter UP!
What is your voice telling you? Are you playing as you could be? If not, why?
I am visiting my sister and her family in Thunder Bay, Ontario. They love to hike. It has been a while since I have really hiked. The last place I hiked was the Grand Canyon to Havasu Falls. I saw it on a postcard and thought I need to see this. I did not know where it was or how I was going to get there but I knew I had to see it and I did. It was breathtaking and the blue-green water was so pure!
I love adventures because you never know what you will learn about yourself in the process. We began to hike Mount McKay and part way up I started to hear, "Mom, I can't do this." from my 7 year old son. I stated, "You can't or you choose not to. Here's some water." Distractions are great. When you put your focus on how you CAN do something versus how you CAN'T, you can get a little farther each time. Again, just meters from the top, he said, "Mom, I really can't." "Here is some more water." - I responded. There was sweat on my brow, I call it – glistening. Quenching his thirst, we took our final strides to the top overlooking Lake Superior and the "Sleeping Giant". We made it to the top. What a great accomplishment (I was so proud of the kids for trying something new)!
Going down was a bit more challenging than going up. The path going up seemed so steep and narrow and we forgot about the short areas where it was flat (although very few). I think many of us feel that when we attempt things we are not use to doing, new or uncomfortable; we see the path as steep and narrow. There are many challenges that test our minds to see how persistent we really are. Just think if my son would have quit before we reached the top, we would have missed the opportunity to see the fantastic view. Many people quit just before they reach their breakthroughs. They feel they have given all they got when they are just minutes or days away from reaching their destination. Those who hold out - reap the rewards.
What mountain are you trying to climb? How can you distract yourself to focus on your peak (destination)?
Are you wondering whether or not you should look into a crystal ball or shake some dice in Vegas? Are you comparing yourself to others and thinking why can't I have what they have? Are you sitting on your porch swing waiting for someone to come to your door step to tell you it is your time to be a star? If you said yes to any of these, you might want to splash some cold water on your face to refresh yourself.
Your lucky break does not have to come from shaking a pair of dice or learning about your future. The reason you do not have what someone else has is because what was achieved was meant for them in their way and not yours. However, if you admire what another has, you should be inspired to know that you can aspire to have great things in your life too. Little do you know, this overnight success you have been comparing yourself to has been a work in progress for some time now. Their consistent efforts and persistent attitude helped them get to where they are today. Learn from them. Study them. Get to know them as a person. Ask them about how they got started. You might be surprised. Your new connection could also lead you to others you must meet. As the saying goes, you shouldn't wait for success to come to you, "you need to swim out to meet it."
Create your big break! Increase Your Odds of Success...
1. Tell everyone you know about your dreams, ambitions, and goals.
2. Ask them if they know someone you should meet in their network and request a virtual introduction. There are on average about 250 people in each person's network.
3. Connect with the person you were introduced to with a 15 minute phone call. Remember people do business with people they know, like, and trust. Be real.
4. Be specific. People naturally want to help people but they cannot help you if you do not ask or if you do not know what to ask for.
5. Think about how you can help others by connecting them with your network or circle of influence.
Make big plans for yourself by setting goals and breaking them down into manageable pieces. They are the "breaks" that make the difference. Take action with each piece. Each action helps you take another action step. Before you know if, your goal will be attained.
What "big break" have you been waiting for? What is it that you can do today to help someone with their "big break"?
“Cherish the journey; the destination is where it all comes together.”
"You cannot trust another person until you fully trust yourself." Veronica Conway - in Click - Ten Truths in Building Extraordinary Relationship by George C. Fraser.
You need to trust in yourself that you have skills and abilities to navigate through life and handle whatever comes your way.
I love surprising people. I wanted to surprise someone with a gift of a birthday card and guess what? I am the one who ends up with a gift. My colleague and dear friend Debbie Mrazek, author of The Field Guide to Sales was celebrating her birthday. She mentioned that sometimes the family gets a bit disappointed when she cannot celebrate every minute of her birthday with them. (She is a loved woman!) So her girlfriend told about the BIG BIRTHDAY plan! I loved it so much I wanted to share it with you. Do you want to know?
For every year you are celebrating, extend your birthday celebration by that many days. So if you are turning 43, add 43 days where family and friends can book some time with you to celebrate. Come on, why have only one day when you can have 43! Everybody's happy - including you!No extra candles for goodness sake!
Celebrate your birthday in style! Live your life rich from the inside out with relationships that fill your core! Thank you for the special gift Debbie! Keep celebrating and nibble on some chocolate!
I just came back from attending the eWomen Network Conference in Dallas, Texas at the beautiful Hyatt Regency Hotel. I had the sincere opportunity to to hear Les Brown and Dr. Julie vanPutten speak on stage. The strongest message I share with you in the following video:
LIVE FULL DIE EMPTY BEFORE YOU DIE
"The ideal situation to die is to have family and friends praying around you versus the ghosts of the dreams and passion you did not pursue that must die with you. What story will die with you?" - Les Brown
If there is something you are passionate about, please go after it. You rob the world of your talents, skills, charisma. The world will not be as it should without your gifts.
Share with us how you live life to the fullest and let your cup runneth over!
To be truly happy in life is to be truly happy with the person you are right now. You made choices bringing you to where you are today. You might have heard people say, "I will be happy when..."
• I am out of debt.
• I lose 10 pounds.
• I graduate from school.
• I get married.
• I have saved $1500.
• I get rid of these stretch marks.
What's on your list?
If you waited to be happy, you may not get there. You may lose your motivation. Remember the stretch marks may be from birthing a child - you gave life. Now that's pretty amazing! Happiness in a bundle. You need to realize you do not know what tomorrow may bring. You can choose to be happy or you can choose to be miserable. It is up to you. Happiness is a matter of attitude.
Can you be a happier by paying double the minimum payment of your debts, cutting up extra credit cards (really, how many do you need?), or putting an extra $35 to your savings account today? Can you enjoy a healthier lifestyle by making healthier eating choices and exercising with a friend? Can you enjoy your extracurricular activities and meet your soul mate in the process? Of course you can - these are action steps instead of waiting...what if tomorrow doesn't come - you may come up with a new excuse tomorrow not make the choice to be happy in this moment. Love who you are and where you are right now. Make the choice to change the course of your destiny – be happy today. You are continually evolving into the person you were meant to be.
Happiness is a matter of choice. A choice to be happy no matter what!
Whatever your goal may be, it is important to take consistent steps of action to create momentum. One time efforts will not move you forward. Determination and discipline will lead you in the right direction - closer to your goal. Your habit of action will reward you but you must not give up. Time prevails. The longest distance to your goal is the one getting you from where you are right now to the first step.
Your goals add passion to living. If you want to write a book, save a domain name, write an outline, write a sentence or a paragraph before bed, or even apply for an ISBN number. Whatever you do, do something, especially if you really want it! Maybe you would like to run a marathon, join a running group like The Running Room or a Team in Training for Diabetes (fundraising and training), go for a walk and advance to a run at your pace, and feel the breeze on your face as you breathe in the fresh air. Sweetness of the journey my friends! Consistency will take you to the finish line!
Have you ever been to a football game or another sporting activity where the fans toss a beach ball around to see how far it can make it around the stadium? Did you ever wonder what would happen if no one participated? No - maybe 'cause with all the excitement, people cannot help but be a part of it; perhaps you were one of them. They feel the energy and want to feel the excitement of being part of something bigger than themselves.
Each time you take a step toward or a hit at your beach ball or goal. You are creating motion and with motion comes momentum. Share your goals with others so they can be a part of creating and moving your goal from motion to achievement. Take daily actions to keep the ball in motion. What happens when you stop moving the beach ball around? You need to start all over again and need to regain the momentum every time you stop and start. Your daily actions have greater impact than just doing something once in a while. Maybe you need to hug your kids one more time each day or pay attention to your finances and spending patterns each day so you can create an awareness and an intention to keep your goal or beach ball in motion.
When you focus on your goals every day, before you know it, you will have achieved them due to the daily actions and choices. Where your energy goes, momentum will follow. It takes time to get the beach ball around the stadium but with consistent effort it makes its way around. Hear the crowd roar - you did it! You reached your goal! You will have a reason to celebrate because it is going to be a GOOD NIGHT!
Every year I nurture a rose garden near my deck. I laugh because I use to think roses smelled like the air fresheners that you put in the bathroom near your toilet bowl, so your bathroom smelled like a porcelain bowl of roses. Now times have changed....I do not buy rose air fresheners. Instead, I have the real thing..aahhh much better. White roses are my favorite!
My parents' song as a couple has always been I Beg Your Pardon I Never Promised You a Rose Garden by Lynn Anderson. My father plants and nurtures a rose garden for my mother as a reminder of this song so I guess that's why I now do the same. What's so special about a rose? Not only is it a symbol of love (good times) but if you note there are also thorns (bad times or failures) on roses. No matter what thorns (mistakes/failures) you encounter along the way, you are sure to receive abundance and beauty as you nurture the rose garden of your life with consistency and care. Rose love moisture and sunlight. The energy brings forth beautiful blooms of flowering results. It is how you get through those times, that makes your stronger, more resilient, and more courageous than you have ever thought.
If you are feeling like something in your life is not going as it should for you right now, nurture it with love and energy. You have the resources available to you to move through it and you do not need to do it alone. Ask for the help you need to get a project done. Soon enough you will be smelling real roses from the garden in which you sow. Stop and smell your roses of success!
Every day I learn new things that can also make another person's life better. I know for some people social media can be a bit awkward and maybe even downright confusing. Hence, books like "Twitter for Dummies" and "Twitter Marketing: An Hour a Day" were born. Where there is a need or "pain", there is invention and innovation. I have been playing around a bit with Twitter the past couple weeks and experimenting with some things that I have learned about - maybe you would like to increase your Twitter following. Here's some tips on how:
Profile Photo - Ensure you post a clear photo of yourself, preferably a close up. People tend to follow faces more than they do logos. Faces are more personable unless you are media or big brand names like Pepsi or Coca-Cola.
Biography - Provide a short description of yourself, what are your unique qualities? Why would people want to follow you? What can they relate to? Read some profile bios for ideas.
Follow People with Similar Interests - You can connect with people who are like-minded and also see who is following them. You may also want to connect with some of their followers too.
Retweet - When watching the tweets on different pages you may notice RT, RT means that someone has retweeted someone else's message.
Keep It Short & Sweet - Tweets have a content maximum of 140 characters. Leave at least 20-30 characters free so that people can reply or retweet your message.
Be a Value Tweeter - Tweet about topics relevant to your subject area or expertise. Provide shortened links (bit.ly or tiny.url) to valuable information such as articles, tips, tools, or techniques.
Use # hashtags - Hashtags are like a filing system or a categorization of topics. For example, #quote can be used at the end of a quote. After you post the quote, you can go to your tweet and click on #quote to see who else is posting quotes. You may want to retweet or follow tweeters that resonate with you.
#FollowFriday or #FF - On Fridays, fellow tweeters suggest people that others should follow. Great content - great followers.
Unfollow Inactive Users - Tweeter Karma is a tool in which you can unfollow inactive users so you can follow people who are active on Twitter. There is an acceptable ratio of followers and following so you are better to have active users on your list.
Track Your Progress - Twitter Counter is another useful tools for predicting your Twitter growth but it also allows you to discover what tweeters value from you and others. What are the hot topics of conversation?
Two Extras!
Remember once it is out there, it is out there! ONLY tweet what you would say face to face.
Learn the rules.
There is so many other tips and tricks to the skill of navigating social media. Create a conversation, sign up for newsletters, and connect with others. Follow me on Twitter @debrakasowski
Achieving your goals and realizing your ultimate potential are the greatest gifts of personal fulfillment. When challenges arise, many people quit their pursuits because they appear too difficult. Challenges are meant to define us. You may have heard the saying that some people quit, not realizing that they are only minutes away from achieving success. If you knew the exact moment that your success would arrive, would you work as hard to achieve it? Would you put forth the same effort, determination, and commitment or would it become an expectation? Some people may work with anticipation and others may kick back waiting for success to come to them. The ones who work diligently with persistent effort will prevail. There may be times of frustration when you may question yourself, "At what point, do I quit pursuing what I want?" The answer is easy. Quitting is never an option.
What does quitting achieve? Quitting is a self-defeating act unless you are quitting something that is unhealthy like smoking, gambling, or another form of addiction. Making changes achieves more. Quitting is to stop whereas change creates momentum. Do not see changing your journey as quitting but as a decision to do something different that helps you maximize your potential and live your life with passion and zest.
How will you know when it is time to change? When you are clear on what it is you to want to achieve, you will have a burning desire to continue until you achieve what you set out to get. When you have lost your passion and desire to go after your dream or goal, it is time to reflect and decide if what you are doing is serving you or even helping you live to your full potential.
Changing your direction with clarity and conviction will change the course of your life. You will start to see a path lit for you. When obstacles occur, they do so to challenge your desires. Quitting does not serve you or others but changing your direction to one of passion and fulfillment will. People will want to share in your passion and help you achieve your goals. Quitting is not an option nor is it a solution.
"Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don't quit."
Have you ever noticed that when you need a reminder or a kick in the pants, it shows up? Literally, I was reminded to keep focussed on my goal and to not be distracted by shiny objects or distractors. What I mean by distractors is unsolicited advice. Colleen Francis, President and Founder of Engage Selling Solutions spoke at our Canadian Association of Professional Speakers - Edmonton Chapter meeting recently and shared excellent advice for all. I couldn't wait to write about what I learned.
Colleen Francis & Debra Kasowski
No matter what your goal or dream is, you need to continue to take steps toward it; even when you are unsure if everything will work out. How will you ever know if you never try? People will always have their own take on whatever it is your dream or goal may be. Remember it is their interpretation from their own experiences and not yours. Colleen stressed that advice should only be considered from "people you respect and who have been there." People who have been there can share their successes, mistakes, and their take aways with you so you can learn from them. As for the others she said, "Don't listen, if you want to do it, DO IT!"
So you have a great idea...how many people do you have to check in with before you take steps toward it. Several people check in with family and friends only to be dismayed with their lack of understanding, support, or enthusiasm. Who it really should matter to, is you. Here are some of the steps that Colleen suggested when trying out new ideas:
IMPLEMENTATION Create your plan of action and implement it to the best of your ability.
TEST Test your ideas and make adjustments where necessary.
EVALUATE RESULTS Did your ideas work? Maybe you need to make more adjustments by adding something or taking something away or perhaps you have to try something completely different.
I am sure you have tons of ideas waiting to be implemented but you may be hesitating to act on them for the fear of failing or being rejected. How do you know you will fail? Maybe your success comes when you think you know you will fail and you are WRONG! You could just hit the jackpot!
Now that would be something to celebrate, go out and try your ideas. Keep focussed on your end game.
As you grab your things for the day and take one last look in the mirror, do you say to yourself - "I love my life" or do you say "I never signed up for this life; someone give me another one." The person in the mirror is you. You are responsible for your actions and you are accountable for your results. Do you catch yourself complaining, blaming others, or making excuses for your current situation? You may not even realize that you do it. Make yourself aware of how often you do this by keeping track of all the times you do it so you can change it.
You have helped create the situation you are in today. You may not be able to control the weather or the stock market but you can control what actions you take to change your current situation. Have you ever tried to change someone else? Were you successful? Probably not. The reason is because you cannot change the action of others. You can only control and change your own actions. Own your power! When you complain, blame others, and make excuses for the results of your current situation, you are moving farther away from your desired results. You are giving away your power to do anything about the situation.
You release your power when you make statements like:
· "It's not my job."
· "I cannot do anything about it."
· "I don't have time."
· "I didn't know"
You have the power to make a change by being accountable.
Change your statements to "I can" or "I will." Make time for what matters to you. Own your power and create the life you desire. The next time you look in the mirror say, "I can count on you! I love my life!"
I recently attended my colleague's launch party of her new directory of activities you could do with your family in Alberta. What a great success it was! As I was thumbing through the directory, I saw some pictures of Alberta's landmarks even one from my hometown of Mundare, Alberta - The "Sausage Capital".
That's Right! The Stawnichy's Meat Processing Plant is well known for its sausage and other Ukrainian foods. The sausage is the brand. Even though you may think this statue is kind of quirky - it gets people's attention and they know about it. There are many other small towns that have made their mark on the road map - Glendon, Alberta has a perogy on a fork, Andrew, AB a Mallard Duck, and Vegreville has the world's largest Easter Egg - The Psyanka. You can bet -you want to catch that Easter Bunny. Even the Queen came here!
Really when it comes down to it, it is about their brand. When someone mentions Mundare, people think of sausage. Your personal brand is important too. When people talk about you or your business, what do they think of or say. You want them to remember you.
What do you want them to say or think about you or your business?
What do you want them to know and remember about you?
How do you make people feel?
Are you the solution to a problem
or an expert on a certain topic?
What makes you unique?
You want to be known and remembered for your personal brand. Do your marketing materials reflect your brand?
Every exciting story has a hero or a heroine that conquers some sort of conflict which leads to an important self-discovery. This past weekend, my family and I went out for a family movie night with popcorn, pop, and friends. It is something we have not done in a long time and it was long overdue. We went to see the movie "Rango" featuring Johnny Depp as the lead character. In a traditional Johnny Depp style, he played a smooth swaggering gentleman or I should say lizard who questions his purpose in life. "Who am I?" is a question stated through the movie. He practices taking on several roles and personas until he finds the best one.
You can be so many things! The world truly is your stage. You have so many dreams, goals, and stories to share with the world. Yet deep down, sometimes there's a part of you that may say, "What do I know?" or "Can I truly do that?" Absolutely you can. Whether you realize it or not, you are the heroine or the hero that people look up to in your story. Your purpose is a piece of the puzzle in so many other people lives as well as your own. Children, spouses, friends, and colleagues depend on you to carry out your role of being you. You may not always understand or believe in your significance to others but you need to know you are significant. You are a hero or heroine. If you try to walk out of your story, the story ends. Ultimately, the story becomes a tragedy because so many people are waiting for you to take the stage and live the life you were meant to live and play a part in their story.
One of the greatest lessons and reminders the movie "Rango" gave me was: You cannot walk out on your story and no one else can change the plot of your story. What would you like your story to be like? Write down your storyline. Ask yourself the following questions:
· What type of lifestyle would I like to live?
· Who are the other characters I would like to have in my life?
· What defining characteristics do I have that allow me to play the lead?
· What is my purpose?
· How can I discover it?
· How can I share it?
· What is the message that I wish to remembered for?
As the actor or actress, "act as if you already are" in the role and soon enough you will realize that you are. Walk the walk. Talk the talk. Don't walk away from the door of opportunity for that is where your story begins. Are you ready to take the lead on stage? The people are waiting.
In Canada, we are celebrating our first official long weekend with warm weather. I am sure many of us wondered if winter had become a year round season. This is the weekend when many people venture out to the lakes to go camping while others hit the greenhouses to make their yards bloom. This year I am of the latter group.
We started the weekend off with a family BBQ celebrating my nieces birthdays. When Saturday hit, new beginnings came to the Kasowski household. We gutted out our garage and my husband finally purged some of those University textbooks he had been holding onto. He keeps thinking someday he might need them - they're outdated. I reminded him he has not looked at them in the past 15-20 years. I had some purging of mine own to do as well. Decluttering can be very cleansing. It makes space for great things to come into our lives.
Decluttering is an art. My colleague, Sherry Borsheim of Simply Productive, says it is important to stay in one room until you are completely finished. Don't worry about taking things to where they belong until the end of the day. If you leave, you are likely to get distracted by all the other things you need to do. Focus is the key. Quick decision-making is also essential. Does this item bring mevalue right now? Have I used it in the past year? Everything has its place.
While he worked on painting the garage floor and re-organizing the garage, I ventured out to Home Depot, Wal-mart, and Canadian Tire in search of some bedding plants and perennials. I really wanted to find lupines; the aphids killed mine the past couple years. I have been inspired to plant lupines ever since I read the children's book, "Miss Rumphius" by Barbara Cooney. In this story, the grandfather tells his granddaughter of all of his adventures and his granddaughter exclaims, "I, too, will go to faraway places, and when I grow old, I too will live beside the sea." Her grandfather said, "That is all very well, little Alice, but there is a third thing you must do. Alice wondered and asked what that could be. Her grandfather tells her, "You must do something to make the world more beautiful." Throughout the story, you will learn of Alice's grand adventures and how she makes the world more beautiful. She becomes known as the Lupine Lady. I do not want to spoil a great book. I highly recommend you read it some time. I did end up finding only two lupines. I plant them in my flower garden to remind my family and I that we must make the world more beautiful.
As the weekend continues, my husband and son have now gone to the golf course for a well-deserved break. I am sipping ice tea with the breeze gently blowing through the window as I spend this afternoon writing. There are still some odds and ends to go through in the the garage but the garage looks amazing. My flowers were planted just in time as the rain drops began to fall - making the world around me more beautiful.
How do you make the world more beautiful? Do you have a symbolic reminder?
Every successful person followed a path. Each path may vary in length and smoothness. Some paths may be hilly, some may have a slight bend in the road, and some may even be straight. The beauty of each path is that even if two people are heading to the same destination, their path will vary in lessons learned and length of time to get there. Yet they both can get to the same destination and succeed.
One of our family goals is to be more active than we currently are. I decided to get each of us a pedometer. We are going to keep track of all the steps we take in one day and set our own personal goals. We will strive to reach our personal bests. The kids were quite excited. "How cool! Look at how many steps I have!" as they ran in one spot or dash up and down the stairs. Instant althletes!
Tracking your way to success can be exhilarating! Watching your progress creates momentum and awareness of the efforts required to reach your goals. Set a goal. Have a clear intention of what you want your end result to look like. Break your goal into smaller steps - daily, weekly, and monthly. At the end of each day, review the steps you have taken and track your progress by writing down what you have accomplished. Celebrate your victories! Plan your next day and realign or tweak any changes you need to. How can you improve if you do not reflect on what you do? Each day is a fresh start to great things!
If your goal is to declutter a room, stay in the room until you finish it. Do not beat yourself up if you have completed 90% of the room and you still have 10% left at the end of the day. Marvel at the beauty of what you have accomplished. Just think - it is way better than it was and there is so little left to complete that you will get it done quickly the next day and move on. Aah! Feels great doesn't it. Feel the weight off your shoulders as you can now relax in your decluttered room, closet, or garage. It is welcoming and now you look forward to spending time in that space.
Success comes in all shapes and sizes. What are you trying to accomplish? Track your way and you will see what makes you the success you are! Now I have to go so I can get my steps in!
My friend, John, called me up recently and said, "Deb, I have a book you need to read. Buy it and if you do not like it, I will buy it back from you for double the price you paid for it." Now if that doesn't leave an impression. I can have three to four books on my bedside table at any one time. When I first learned of it, I was leaving on vacation and was hoping to pick the book up in the airport. But I could not find it. When I got home, I requested it from my local library and I eagerly got started. The book is called "Love is a Killer App: How to Win Business and Influence Friends" by Tim Sanders.
Sanders' book is built on three principles: knowledge, network, and compassion. The knowledge and experiences that you have, can have greater benefit to you when shared with others. What good is the knowledge if it can not be shared . What is even better? When you share what you know about a subject, the better you know the material and can integrate the content into your practice. You bring more value to others in helping them succeed. Tim Sanders says, "Everyone in our address book is a potential partner for every person we meet." If you could leverage who you know and connect people with who you think they need to know, you can also increase your network as people will also think of people you should know.
Compassion is the key that brings it all together. It is the experience you give the people who are in your network. This is what attracts people to you. Show people you care and you have a genuine interest in their success. This is how you move from what Sanders calls the service economy to a experience economy. Give people value and show compassion - let them experience YOU! People will be committed to helping you succeed as well. You will want to get your hands on this book.
I love helping people like YOU succeed in reaching their goals!
Did I gain valuable knowledge from this book? Heck, yes! I have 13 pages of notes! It is important to take notes and absorb what you learn and put the greatest tidbits into action. I also have a reference to great content so I can practice being a love cat in a biz world! Without practice, the knowledge learned is just words!
Now let's put it into practice! Let me here you purr or should I say ROAR!
There are many ways to make the Law of Attraction work for you. Script Your Reality and let your story begin. Attract what you want in your life with great focus and clarity.
What do you want to attract into your life? How has the law of attraction worked for you?
I remember watching the TV series "Different Strokes" years ago. Gary Coleman played a character named Arnold. He use to question his brother, Willis, with this famous line, "What You Talkin' About Willis?" Arnold had this furrow in his brow and a pouty mouth.
I saw the same look on my older son's face the other day when his soccer team was suffering a potential loss. He is a competitive young man who strives to win. He is still learning the lessons of loss and sportsmanship. He wanted to switch to a different team, a team which he thinks could have a higher skill level. I told him we could look into the possibilities but I could not guarantee that the move would be possible. He may have to make the most of the situation. As he stood on the sidelines, he crossed his arms and gave me the look, "What you talkin' about MOM?"
What I explained to him, can apply to areas in our lives as well. You may have an event or situation that comes up in your life that you may not care for. It can be working with a committee or a team in which all members come together with different abilities. I explained to my son, "There will always be people better than you and those who do not have the same skill level as you. What matters is how you play the game. How do you enrich the team you are assigned to? Are you giving your best in every play or situation?"
You can help build other players up by teaching them some of your savvy skills. Ask a person you see as more skilled than yourself for their guidance and tips for improvement. You can find out what every one's expectations and goals are. Communication is so important in working together. Get to know each other and discover each other's strengths. Position yourselves so that you are allowing people to give their very best. That way -You win. Everyone wins. Let other people know what you doing and ask for help when you need it. You are sure to SCORE the goal and achieve your end result.
Take your event or situation. See how YOU can make a difference right where YOU are right now. Look at what you have and not what you do not have. The outcome of your situation depends on how you respond to it. What skills do you bring to the table? How can you leverage these skills and make your situation better?
Instead of "What You Talkin' About Willis?", let it be - "NOW that's what I'm talkin' about!" Go for it!
Just in case you wanted to know, my son scored and he tied the game. We had investigated moving to another team. He is unable to move teams but he knows he has much more to offer his team. Next year, he plans to try out for a higher level division. He will have many lessons to share. He is learning to be a leader!
I had the honour of interiviewing Dr. Fabrizio Mancini a few months ago. He is internationally acclaimed speaker with a big heart. Listen to his interview below.
Yesterday, I was passing the football back and forth with my son. For a 7 year old, he has some muscle in that little arm. He threw some great spirals. I, on the other hand, did not throw the perfect spiral. Jordan started to laugh and said, " Come on Mom! I know you have some juice in there." I was flabbergasted. I asked him how he learned to throw so well. He said, "Dad taught me. Look, Step, and Throw." Lessons from my 7 year old, "See Mom, you can do it!"
When you want to try something new or improve in an area, do you LOOK for resources and people to help you? You want to talk to people who have already done what you want to do. Their wisdom is priceless. Read books in the area you want to grow in. If it is not one of your strength, consider hiring an expert.
Once you are armed with some knowledge and lessons from others life experiences, it is your turn. Do not wait for the perfect moment as you will just procrastinate and nothing will come to be. Instead, STEP into it! As you attempt to go after what you want, you create momentum. You can adjust along the way!
THROW is where the action comes in. Release you ideas and talents out into the world. You are the only one who can deliver it your way. Think about your favorite places to shop or eat out. Why do you go there? Is it because the way they make you feel or their way of doing things that makes it so great? People come to you because of the way you do things. Throw yourself into what you love and get your perfect spiral!
It is interesting to me that a woman can be so confident one moment and then have her confidence plummet to the ground when someone puts her down or squashers her dreams. Why? Women are the heart of the world. We feel and give so much to others. What I realized more than anything is that these confident women have taken a step back allowed those individuals to define who they are. They hear "It cannot be done or it is not possible to do this if you only do it part-time." This is tragic and we need to embrace each other and remind each other that we can reach for our dreams. Another person cannot define your reality. One person in the whole world does not equal your truth. It may not occur as fast as you want depending on your circumstance but if your dream is meant to be; it shall be at the right time and place for you. You are more powerful than you know. Your kind word, smile, or action can change the world.
Stand tall. The gift and talents you possess cannot be shared by anyone else but you. Do not rob the world of your gifts and talents for the world is waiting. You are the missing piece of the puzzle. Sometimes you need to tunnel vision you dreams to block out the doubters and naysayers. These dream squashers have not pursued their dreams with the passion and tenacity you have. They are scared not that you will achieve your dream but they may lose you in the process. Be not afraid. They will lose you by not allowing you to chase your dream. Remind them that they can share in your dream with their love and support.
Be confident and brave. Summon the courage you have and take action toward your dream. The momentum you create leads to success. You only fail when you fail to take action. Your dream is for your eyes only but it must be shared with the people you know, like, and trust so you can get the support you need.
Define who you are not by a dictionary or by another person's perspective but through your own eyes. The definition of you is for your eyes only!
I will admit I am still a bit emotional after watching "Soul Surfer" tonight with my daughter and friends. It was an incredibly intense and moving true story about a young woman who lost her arm due to shark attack while surfing with friends. It is hard to understand why "bad things happen" and sometimes even harder at the time to see what good will come out of our journeys. When we are right in the thick of it, it is hard to see past where we currently are. How easy it is to become discouraged.
This incredible woman, Bethany Hamilton, fell off her surfboard time and time again, only to get up again. She competed and was defeated. She even quit for a short time but surfing was in her blood. It was her passion. Even though, it was an actress, you could see the intensity in her eyes and her face filled with passion. There was nothing that was greater than what she felt when she was on that board. Waiting for the next wave to ride to the finish.
I feel like that when I speak in front of groups and write about being rich from the inside out and living life with passion and purpose. I know in my heart if I have impacted one person, I have made a difference. There is no greater feeling.
The "Soul Surfer" went on to become a professional surfer. Her message is so profound. Always give thanks and trust the reason you are following your purpose. It is the burning desire to feel fulfilled by doing what you love. When the right wave comes along, you will know in your heart this will be the one.
What are the moments you live for? The moments when you feel like you are surfin' your soul!
Believe in your greatness, for you have great strength to ride your next wave.
How many of you have been offered your ideal job or contract just to realize the one you currently have is actually the one you love the best? Another movie lesson from "Morning Glory". Rachel McAdams turns down the a super opportunity in the TV world because she realized she is happiest where she currently is. There are times when we may already stepped into our greatness or feel true fulfillment without even realizing it until we have been faced with the decision to step away.
Think about where you feel you have the greatest impact in your life. Where are you the most happy and fulfilled? Are you searching for something you already have? True fulfillment is realizing you are happiest where you are right now. Sometimes turning down a job or contract that is good actually leads to or makes room for something great. You need to do what you feel passionate about. If something does not completely resonate with your personal values or priorities; don't do it! Better opportunities mean you will be more engaged, present, and produce better results. How well do you perform at something you are not keen on? You do not perform your best when you settle for second best.
What moments do you remember feeling completely fulfilled? Imagine feeling that way every time you make a choice to follow a great thing instead of good thing? The pay off is much greater and the opportunities are much bigger!
On vacation a couple weeks ago, I watched a movie called "Morning Glory" with Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton, and Rachel McAdams. The morning show was at risk of being cut from prime time viewing and to be replaced with game shows and soap operas. The new executive producer was at risk of losing her job when she realized it was time to do something different. All of the people were doing the same thing that they had been doing for years. Not only did she have to step out of her comfort zone, she had to get others to do the same in order to save the show. Roller coaster rides, jumping out of planes, and even getting sprayed by a skunk were just a few of the adventures that started to make the rating rise. Stepping out into Glory!
How are you increasing your ratings in life and business? Are you stepping out of you comfort zone and trying new things? I am not saying you need to jump out of a plane or ride a rollercoaster. Just try something you really want to do. Try something new - be innovative. The "something" may be something you get nervous or excited about, like you did when you were a child. Fresh ideas awaken the world! Weigh the risks and take action! The thrill after you do will be amazing and just think of all the opportunities that may follow.
Action takers are unique and they are the ones who stand out from the crowd. Why? Because they are go-getters! Go-Getters are those people who not only set goals; they make plans to get things done. Are you the person people come to because of your ratings? Do you get things done? What are doing today to step out of your comfort and into glory?
At the end of the rainbow, there is said to be a pot of gold. When Irish eyes are smiling, are they seeing green? Here in Canada, our paper currency is a rainbow collection. Our five dollar bill is blue, the $10 bill is purple, and our $20 bill in green. Whereas, our friends in the United States carry money which is green. No matter what colour it is, money is a powerful tool to help you get what you want. Are you using it wisely?
The other day I was meeting with some colleagues and we were discussing the power of a $20 bill. I realized that I had been taking the power of our $20 bill for granted. For some people, $20 is big money but it's even bigger when you can do something with it. In this so-called recession, is it difficult to let go of a $20 bill? People are still buying. What power does a $20 bill give you? For some people, it may give a tank of gas, a pack of diapers, and entrée at a restaurant, or perhaps a good book from the bookstore. The part that makes me wonder is when some people have difficulty making ends meet, they still choose to smoke or even go out to the bars on a Friday night. There is no right or wrong way to use your $20 because ultimately it is your choice.
The power of the $20 bill depends on where you are in your life and what your priorities are. You will make different choices depending on where you are in your career (novice or expert), whether you have children to care for or not, and whether you're married, divorced, or single.
Whereever your priorities lie, so does the power of the $20 bill.
Is it hard to put away $20-$40 for your child's college fund or a well-deserved vacation? What are your top 3 tips for seeing more GREEN?
Do you think of ways to grow and nurture your money tree? Do you track your expenses so you can see green instead of red? What is the power of your $20 bill?
I would love to hear about the power of your $20 and what $20 does for you.
There are definitely times you may question your purpose in life. You may even wonder if you are on the right path. How do you know you may ask? When you have a burning desire or drive to go after something, you feel unstoppable. Even when you're unstoppable, you may feel stuck and unsure of your next move. The one thing you should always keep in mind is that you never have to do it alone. People want you to succeed and you need to believe you can succeed. Believing in yourself is essential in getting unstuck.
Think about the people are who inspire you to stretch and grow. Ask them what fuels their purpose and passion. Adopt some of their tips and techniques and make them your own.
Take a few minutes to watch this video of my friend Justin Hines. He is an amazing singer and songwriter and I need your help to share his message and his inspiration. I also invite you to listen to his music at www.justinhines.com If you are in need of inspiration, go to YouTube - listen to or watch the video say what you will and courage they are my favorite and I hope they will be yours to.
I believe that each one of us is here to do incredible things. When you hide your gifts, you serve no one. The world is waiting for you to share your talents and gifts. Do not rob them of the one thing I can have the biggest difference in their lives, that is you! Enjoy everyone!
Several months ago, I had hit a funk and I was trying to figure out a better system of getting to the gym amongst my kids' hockey schedules and other extracurricular activities. I knew I could always squeeze in a workout during their swimming lessons. I had a personal trainer set up a circuit training program that I could incorporate into my life and adjust as necessary. Prior to this, I would look at the time and say "that's not enough time." I started to catch myself saying this phrase in other areas in my life too, "Not enough time to make a difference."
One day I decided to change my mantra and switch from there is not enough time to one that was "every little bit counts". Think about the bread crumbs that Hansel and Gretel dropped along the way to the Candy House. The bread crumbs were to find their way home. Now bread crumbs are very small, but together they add up. The same goes for any efforts you put in to whatever it is you are trying to accomplish. "Every little bit counts"! It is amazing how much 20 minutes adds up over time and the impact consistent 20 minutes here and 20 minutes there can do. For me, it meant losing 4 lbs during Christmas!
Now every chance I get, I focus on a time frame to get the most out of my efforts. Here are some things you might consider doing to make your life richer and more productive:
clean out unwanted emails from your inbox
write out 5 thank you notes
read a magazine related to your business
meditate/pray
research tips to share with your friends and newsletter subscribers
exercise
Yes, I know several hungry birds ate the breadcrumbs up. Consider those your time wasters. Time is only wasted if you are unhappy with what you have done with it. Phone calls, emails, video games, and social media can consume your time if you are not paying attention. Tracking your time can be a very effective tool in realizing where your time goes. What is your time worth to you? Could it mean more time for:
dancing in the kitchen with your kids
blowing bubbles in a bubble bath
sipping wine by a fireplace
snuggling on the couch with your partner
proofreading your manuscript or business proposal
a leisurely walk in a park
I challenge you. Just try it! Pick a project. Set a timer for 20 minutes and go to it! Do this for the next couple weeks and you will be amazed at the productivity you will have with intense focus. I would love to hear about your 20 PowerBlaster sessions! Make every minute count!
