The gift of a great idea…

May 16, 2014 By

When you begin to dwell in possibility and become open to seeing ideas in some unlikely places, life begins to take on the character of a treasure hunt.  Where will the next idea be found?  Is it here just under this skill?  Is it over there just beside that knowledge?  Once your thought patterns shift, each interaction becomes an opportunity to stumble upon that next great idea for you to bring value to your market.

This has without question been the greatest surprise for me on the pathway of possibility.  Sitting in a theatre watching a film and dialogue  prompts an idea for a blog post or an article.  Out comes the notepad and pencil and in the dark I capture those few precious words that will bring that moment of inspiration back to mind when I sit down to write.

I read a news story and think “my mastermind group really needs to hear this” and before you know it, that story is winging its way through cyber-space to touch another person’s life.

It is this ability to recognize an idea when it crosses our mental horizons that sparks a life based on possibility.  But it is the action taken that converts that idea into real value.  What has been amazing to me is how powerful the action of simply writing down the idea can be to setting off a series of actions that will bring them to life.  That simple step of just writing it down can make all of the difference.

Get your journal!  Opportunity beckons.  The gift of a great idea is on its way.  Are you ready?

Filed Under: Inspiration & Creativity, Possibilities & Perspective, Winds of Change Tagged With: , , , , ,

A new approach: Thinking “inside” the box..

March 5, 2014 By

Inside Your BoxAs a life strategist, one of the places I see people struggle is recognizing who they are and the gifts that are already theirs to claim.  There is great pressure to look outward and to “think outside the box” in pursuit of a “better you”.  So much so that we forget to examine “inside the box” first and see what we may already have within our grasp that can be used to propel us into our true purpose.

One of my favorite exercises we go through is an inventory of knowledge and skills.  The challenge is to take your age and come up with at least that many items of knowledge or skill that you have demonstrated in the course of your life.

The first half is typically very easy for us to record.  The next group might take some thought but we can typically come up with it.  It’s that last group of 15 – 25% that seems to stump us.  But in almost every case, the real gems come from that group.

Since this pattern proved out time and time again, it intrigued me.  I began to look deeper at why this might be true.  It seems that what we have most enjoyed in life about ourselves we tend to think of as “less important” because it may not be associated with our professional life and endeavors.  We operate from the misconception that what we most enjoy is a “sideline” or “hobby” or even something we do “just for fun”.  In truth, quite often it could become more central in our life, even be the secret ingredient for creating our most purpose-driven work.

When we start from where we are with the idea that we already have abundance within ourselves, exploring “inside the box” takes on new meaning.

What about you? If you are dissatisfied with your life, perhaps it’s because you’re focusing on what you don’t have – what is “outside your box”.

Try a new approach.  Take inventory “inside your box”.  Re-focus on what you have and what it can mean to you for building a richer, more satisfying life.

Of one thing I am certain.  You are going to find a gift.

Filed Under: Inspiration & Creativity, Possibilities & Perspective, Winds of Change Tagged With: , , ,

How leaders are remembered…

December 5, 2013 By

lifeAny time that one of the truly great leaders of our time leaves us it is fitting to pause and celebrate their contribution to the world.  It is also important within that reflection to think about and be grateful for the lessons that have generated meaningful change impacting us personally.

Today we mourn the passing of Nelson Mandela and celebrate his life and what it meant to so many.  As one of his many life students, I continue to be grateful that I lived in the time of Nelson Mandela and was here to witness his remarkable impact. His ability to forgive and love; the inspiration he delivered to all; his passionate commitment to freedom; and his true understanding of the power of education all forged together to create an indelible legacy.

Here are six of my favorite quotes from him that have given me inspiration and speak beyond what is true to express truth:

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

Money won’t create success, the freedom to make it will.

For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.

It always seems impossible until it’s done.

There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.

I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.

A remarkable person that in living his legacy has changed us all.

 

Filed Under: Inspiration & Creativity, Personal thoughts & insights, Success & Significance, Winds of Change Tagged With: , , , , , ,

How do you spell change?

July 10, 2013 By

Change

Filed Under: Inspiration & Creativity, Learning & Growth, Winds of Change Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A Lesson on the Beauty of Change: A Living Sky

May 13, 2013 By

Technology gives us the ability to capture things previously lost with the moment share those sounds, images, and words with the world.  Visual lessons are often the most effective.  The video featured here is one of those times.

On this blog, we focus a great deal on the power, the value of change.  But we also spend time delving into and resolving the fear of change.  It is difficult to find beauty and purpose in something we fear.  But the reverse of that is also true.  It is difficult to fear something that brings us beauty and purpose.  So how do we shift our perspective and see beauty and purpose in change?

I’m fairly certain we would all agree that the sky is a vista that we all turn to for finding beauty, for seeking inspiration, for spiritual communion.  It is also a wonderful example of the beauty of change and how to see that the winds and storms of life bring their own beauty even as they are clearing the canvas for more beauty.  It is my hope that this time lapse photography of a Texas sky helps illustrate the point and will also bring some simple beauty to your day.  It did for me.

Filed Under: Inspiration & Creativity, Learning & Growth, Possibilities & Perspective, Winds of Change Tagged With: , , , , ,

Lessons from history: A Grand Terminal

May 9, 2013 By

We love stories.  It’s true. And we love stories with a happy ending.  We also love stories that have some angst in them.  That demonstrate life.  We want them to entertain us, inspire us and yes- change us.  Over this past month I have been reading Mark Batterson’s book The Circle Maker.  It’s an excellent book that I’ll review once I wrap it up but in this morning’s reading, there was a story that just resonated with me because it is such an example of what transformation can really do.  And it’s not a story about a person.  It’s a story about a place.

When Daniel Burnham first came up with the idea for building what would become Washington’s Grand Terminal he had a tremendous vision for it.  And he was already well known and highly regarded.  But there was a problem.  Where they wanted to build the Grand Terminal was basically a swamp. It took 4 million cubic yards of fill dirt just to get a foundation in place.  Can you imagine what kind of vision and commitment it took to make that happen?  Why not build it somewhere else?  Because that wasn’t the vision.  It then took 5 years and cost $25M to finish building it.  But they did build it.

Grand Terminal2If you’ve never visited Washington’s Grand Terminal, it may be hard to imagine the scope of this.  It is breathtaking.

One of the quotes attributed to that visionary that started it all is “Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood.”  From a swamp to a center of travel and commerce that would one day serve over 32 million people every year.

Can you imagine all of the life stories that have had their genesis at that place?  How many memory moments are tied to it’s purpose?

This year marks it’s 100th anniversary.  Over the years, it has been more than a landmark.  It has become part of the fabric that is uniquely American and specifically, Washington.  It has continued to be championed over the years as a testament to what happens when your vision is big enough to stir our blood.

You might ask what this has to do with our lives.  I believe it has everything to do with how we see things.  Using it as a metaphor for our lives: Do we see a swamp?  Or a structure that will serve millions?  How big is our vision?  Because that’s how big our life will be.  If we’re determined to serve, we will serve.   We will do what it takes to create the right foundation and build a life that serves at the highest levels not only now, but 100 years from now.

Filed Under: Inspiration & Creativity, Possibilities & Perspective, Success & Significance, Winds of Change Tagged With: , , , , ,
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