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It’s How You Look at Things

June 11, 2014 By
Perspective

Photo courtesy of Yohann Legrand.

Life is often times not about what happens to us but how we perceive what has happened to us.  This is why some people can have a traumatic experience and they get depressed while others with a very similar experience go out and change the world.

I came across a talk from Janine Shepherd back in March that put this thought into focus.  She was an Olympian training on her bike when a vehicle hit hurt and put her in the hospital.  She would have multiple injuries that most people would have certainly thought her whole life was over.  While she did have to give up her athletic career, she turned the accident into an opportunity to change lives through her speaking, writing, and determination.

You can view the video below of Janine’s speach.  After watching it ask yourself when something rough is going on in your life “How can I turn this into an experience that helps me instead of hinders me?”  That question can help you get through just about anything.

Filed Under: Life Coaching Tagged With: , , , ,
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Celebrate You

April 23, 2014 By

This is the song I end my workouts with and I wanted to share it with all of you.  No matter what, remember, celebrate you!

What song is your “theme” song?

 

*Article image courtesy of Alison H.

Filed Under: People Tagged With: , , ,
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We Change

March 12, 2014 By
Leave of Change

Photo courtesy of G.

“Things do not change; we change.” Henry David Thoreau

There really isn’t much more than that to write.  Thoreau pretty much summed it up right there.  We all hope things will change but most things do not change unless we do.

You work at a job where you can stand the boss.  You sit there for years and years thinking “One day they’ll get fired and I can enjoy my job” when all it takes is for you to change and take action.  What is stopping you from looking for work elsewhere?  Once  you find that work you can fire your current boss yourself by leaving.

Don’t wait for things or circumstances around you to change your life for you.  Take action right now to move where you want to be.  Fill out the application, do the research, go for a walk – just do something!

What action(s) can you take right this minute to move towards a goal you have?

 

 

Filed Under: Goal Setting Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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Don’t Let It Overwhelm You

July 3, 2013 By
Overwhelmed

Photo Courtesy of Walt Stoneburner

Sometimes life can bury you under trials and tribulations (or Tribbles if you are a Trekker).  You feel like there is no direction you can turn where a problem doesn’t sit in the middle of your path.  What can you do when this happens?  Redraw your map.

When a lot of stuff is going on first thing you need to do is breathe.  Sit back and relax.  This might be a real good time to learn how to meditate if you don’t already do it.  You have to do this first and get a grip on your emotions.  Until this happens you can’t go any further.

Once you have gotten a bit relaxed determine what your elephant is.  What is the biggest out of all the problems?  Once you have decided what this is for you write down what you can do today to take steps to getting that elephant back into the wild.  While you may not be able to fix this problem on day one taking at least a small step will allow you a bit more breathing room.  Each time you get closer to eliminating it the better you will feel.

Once you have done at least one step towards the big problem do the same thing with all of the smaller ones.  Anything you can eliminate today, such as calling and making that apology you know you need to offer, making that doctor’s appointment for the physical you dread, or making a big financial decision, just go ahead and get it over with.  You will feel better, have one less thing that you need to deal with, and can focus your energy on everything else.

Now that you have taken some steps make it a point to make small steps each day until the overwhelming feeling is gone.  If you really put some effort forward it shouldn’t take long for you to have a bit more wiggle room.  And while this is a simplistic process that will not work for everyone, most people can eliminate quite a bit by doing this.  Give it a shot and see how it works for you.

Filed Under: Life Coaching, Motivational, People Tagged With: , , , ,
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Who Shaped Your Life?

June 19, 2013 By
Jason Mraz

Musician Jason Mraz

Have you ever took a real look at how other people have shaped your life? Even the mean people who bullied and made fun of you in school. No matter what happened they helped shape the person that you have become today.

Take a few minutes and write down some of the people who helped you become the person you are.  Not the people who helped you get a job or repair your house but those that influenced your character; your being.  Reflect on those people and whether it was a good or bad experience at the time be thankful for the person that you are today.

Take a moment to watch the following video of “They Shaped My Life” by Jason Mraz to see what I am talking about.  I think this song sums up how we should all be grateful for who we are and the people who are written in our life story.

Filed Under: Life Coaching Tagged With: , , ,
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Remember the Journey

May 29, 2013 By
Oak Island, NC

Oak Island, NC – One of our journeys to the ocean.

Do you remember to remember your journey?

Many times getting to where you currently are or where you want to be is an extreme struggle.  You tend to want to forget the pitfalls and the things that tried your last nerve.  However, that journey is part of you and you should remember and be proud that you made it; that you were able to reach the destination.

Remember Wilson from the television show Home Improvement?  He told Tim a story about a gift.  This isn’t verbatim but it is the deep story:

There was a child in Africa who wanted to get his teacher a present but he had no money.  The child decided to walk two days to the ocean, picked up a handful of sand, and returned home.  Once there he gave his teacher the sand where she said “But the ocean is so far away!”  The little child responded “The journey was part of the gift.”

So remember, the journey is part of the gift to yourself.  Cherish it. Journal it.  Remember it.

 

Filed Under: Life Coaching Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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I Dare You

May 22, 2013 By
Jason Kincaid

Professional wrestler Jason Kincaid on top of the world doing a handstand overlooking a deep gorge.  Photo by Will Trotter.  Used with permission.

This week I wanted to share a small piece from the book “I Dare You” by William H. Danforth.  I hope it means something to you.

I loved it the first time I heard these lines.  We were digging through a bin of books and came across a small leather-bound red one with “I Dare You” in silver ink on the cover.  I dare you, after reading this, to go do amazing things for other people.

I DARE YOU!

IT IS DIFFICULT to put a challenge on paper. I would rather look you straight in the eye and say, “I dare you!” In my mind that’s exactly what I am doing. I am on one side of a table. You are on the other. I am looking across and saying “I dare you!”

I Dare You, young man, you who come from a home of poverty—I dare you to have the qualities of a Lincoln.

I Dare You, heir of wealth and proud ancestry, with your generations of worthy stock, your traditions of leadership—I dare you to achieve something that will make the future point to you with even more pride than the present is pointing to those who have gone before you.

I Dare You, young mother, to make your life a masterpiece upon which that little family of yours can build. Strong women bring forth strong men.

I Dare You. boys and girls, to make life obey you, not you it. It is only a shallow dare to do the foolish things. I dare you to do the uplifting, courageous things.

I Dare You, young executive, to shoulder more responsibility joyously, to launch out into the deep, to build magnificently.

I Dare You, young author, to win the Nobel prize.

I Dare You, young researcher, to become a Microbe Hunter.

I Dare You, boy on the farm, to become a Master Farmer—A Hunger Fighter.

I Dare You, man of affairs, to have a “Magnificent Obsession.”

I Dare You, Grandfather, with your roots deep in the soil and your head above the crowd, catching the rays of the sun, to plan a daring program to crown the years of your life.

I Dare You, who think life is humdrum, to become involved. I dare you who are weak to be strong; you who are dull to be sparkling; you who are slaves to be kings.

I Dare You, whoever you are, to share with others the fruits of your daring. Catch a passion for helping others and a richer life will come back to you!

William H Danforth

 

Filed Under: Business, Leadership, Life Coaching, Motivational, People Tagged With: , , , , ,
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Give Something Today

May 1, 2013 By

Jeff McBrideJeff McBride is a magician that I have been studying for many years. When I got into magic in my teens I was fascinated with some of the things he did with playing cards. Later on I would listen more to what he had to say rather than what he was doing in his act. One of the consistent things I would hear was to create a magical moment for someone just to be doing it; just to gift them that moment.

I think this is something that everyone should do on a regular basis.  Think of something you can do for someone that might be out of the ordinary for someone to do but extraordinary for the person you are doing it for.  Think about something as simple as sending a letter to a manager telling them what a good clerk they have working for them.  Do you know how rare a compliment is like that and how you can stand out and make a day brighter?

Think of something you can do at least once a week, preferably once a day, to help make someone’s day a little brighter.

 

Filed Under: People Tagged With: , , , , ,
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Treat People Well

January 30, 2013 By
All Are Significant

Image Credit: Studio JRU

“You can dream, create, design and build the most wonderful place on the world, but it requires people to make the dream a reality.” Walt Disney

You need people.  You can call yourself a loner or say you don’t like people but we all need each other.  You need someone to hire you for a job or you need someone to buy your product if you are running your own business.  We are all connected in one way or another and we should treat each other well.

Next time you are in line at the supermarket during a busy holiday instead of getting frustrated at the lines and people take a minute to thank the clerk.  For that matter, thank the people around you in line for the few minutes you spent together – it might seem odd but you can brighten their day and you will be the person they are telling their family about when they get home!

It all comes down to the fact as humans we need interaction and connection.  Treat people well.

 

Filed Under: Customer Service, Leadership, Life Coaching, People Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
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Day 31 – Diamond Cutter

February 4, 2012 By

Day 31 and I am feeling alive!  It is said it takes 30 days for something to become a habit.  Well, I am at day 31 and have not missed on day of DDPYoga so far!  Some days are harder then others to make myself do it but I am getting out of the cycle slowly but surely.  I don’t want to sit on the couch all of of the time and this helps to keep me from doing that.

Today for the first time I did the “Diamond Cutter” DVD which is just under an hour.  It works all of your muscle groups and has a few moves I have not seen in the other videos.  I had more sweat dripping after this one than I have in the others.

Here is a preview of the DVD:

I am still having some trouble with down dog.  Can’t get my feet flat still yet but I can see it getting closer to the ground.  Safety Zone I can get deep into now and it is most wonderful to get to that point in the workout.  I really like Human Cannonball and am working to grabbing the bottom of my feet, however, I still have some stomach to get out of the way before I can get there 🙂 .

Anyhoo, 31 days in and I am still going strong.  My wife and I are noticing huge differences with strength, weight loss, and energy.  Let’s see what the next 31 days makes me feel like!

Filed Under: DDP Yoga, Fitness Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
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To Big To Tackle?

October 15, 2011 By

Turtle vs. StrawberryDo you have a task in your life that you feel that is to big to tackle?  Feeling overwhelmed or like to much is being put on you?  Well, there is an easy way to fix this.  Now, the way is easy – that does not mean your path to the end of the obstacle will be but it helps you get to the end.

How do you do it?  One step at a time.  Simple, right?  It really is that easy.  Take whatever you are dealing with at write it at the top of piece of paper.  Now write down small steps that you can do to help you get to the end.  Hang this up where you will see it and mark off the steps until you get to where you are going.

How do you eat an elephant?  One bite at a time!  – Author Unknown

Take any large task and break it down to it’s smaller steps.  Before you know it you will have accomplished something you thought was out of your reach.
 
 
 

Photo from Must Love Dogs by way of Jonfun.
Filed Under: Goal Setting, Life Coaching Tagged With: , , ,
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Fall Is Upon Us

October 1, 2011 By

FallFall is upon us.  The changing seasons remind us that nothing stays the same.  We must change in order to grow just like the tree that must lose it’s leaves, which fertilizes the soil, which allows the tree to grow larger and stronger.

The next three months will be busy and hectic for the majority of people.  Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, birthdays, school plays, work and household commitments.  Sometimes it seems like it is never ending but we push ourselves and make it through and start a new year.  My hope for you, though, is that as you go through the season that you lose some of your leaves which helps you grow and be the person you want to be as we embark on this journey together.

Welcome to my favorite season.  One of cool weather, celebration, fun, and planning for the coming year.

 

Filed Under: Life Coaching Tagged With: , , , ,