Winning Strategies

Bethany Hamilton, Amazing Story- Amazing Girl

I watched Soul Surfer the other day and was amazed and delighted at the story. Often we 'celebrate' the lives of celebrities and lose track of life's true heroes. Bethany Hamilton is one of life's true heroes. She encourages all of us as we watch her tackle her struggles and lean on an unwavering faith. What a simply amazing role model she is for our youth.

I run a motivational web site and blog (you're reading the blog now) (grin) for executives working hard to balance work and life and live their best lives.

Recently I had a peculiar question come through from my 'ask Bethany' portion of the site.

It read, "hi I was wondering if you could tell me a few tips of how to surf. me and my friend just love surfing but were not very good so please tell us some tips
love hannah YOUR BIGGEST FAN XOXO"

I didn't make the connection until Hannah emailed me back to say that the message was for Bethany Hamilton. I redirected her to the right Bethany.   Smile!

If you are looking for some motivational, log on and check out the 'other' Bethany's blog:http://bethanyhamilton.com/about/bethanys-blog/

Dream a Better Dream

Earlier today I was lounging on the couch watching Shark Boy and Lava Girl with Caleb. At one point in the movie, the main character asks what to do when your dreams are in shambles and all didn't turn out the way you had hoped. Lava Girl answers 'Dream a Better Dream'.

I encounter hundreds of people on a regular basis that have stopped dreaming. It is unfortunate. You don't have to wait until your kids are grown or you are retired to start dreaming. It is a healthy and smart tool that should be part of your everyday life.

Dream a dream for yourself that gets you into a position, place, or occupation that you want to be in. Dream about places you'd like to visit and things you'd like to have time for. When we are young, we are criticized for being dreamers. Let your mind exercise this thought process.

Last night I had the chance to see Ross Perot Sr. at the Art Ball. What an amazing man he is! He definitely had a dream that he pursued with a passion. I wish my camera hadn't malfunctioned, I would have loved to have a picture of me and this great man that made his dreams a reality. He is an inspiration.

Walt Disney was a dreamer. Even Michael Dell and Bill Gates were dreamers in their own respect.
Allow yourself to dream. Dream a better dream. Create a future that you will be proud to live in.

Don't Stop Believing

I just watched Journey's new lead singer, Arnel, perform. What an amazing story he has. He went from homeless to the lead singer for Journey's rock band. Can you imagine that transition? Most of his life he sang for food in the Philippines and lived on the streets. He lost his mother when he was 13 and struggled to survive. Listening to him sing 'Don't Stop Believing' brings chills to me- recognizing that many of the people that I mentor- and speak to on a regular basis have stopped BELIEVING in THEMSELVES.

Why do we give up so easily? Why do we stop setting high goals and targets- using them to motivate ourselves forward?

Don't stop believing! You have the strength, the power, and the capabilities to make your dreams a reality. I believe in you. Make a bold step this week towards your destination. Claim your destiny. I am living the life I've always dreamed of-----and you can do the same.

Writing my Life Away

Writing is a joy of mine.  When I'm stressed, I write.  When i'm sad, I write.  When I'm happy, I write.  It is something that I love to do- always.  It is a passion.  That and I love to speak to groups.  I love to motivate.  I love to spark a fuse, to ignite a passion that has lay dormant in someone's life. 

The clock ticks away.  It is almost midnight.  To unravel my stress and the strain of my week, I'm settled in front of my computer, writing for the pure joy of it.  It is satisfying.  What do you do that ignite's your inner passions?  What lights your fuse? 

It is important that you figure out what it is.  It is imperative that you journey to the place of discovery.  Time is of the essence.  You cannot run through life, never stopping to figure out what you love to do.  Well, I guess that you certainly can do that- - but it is not a way to live a full and rich life.

I'm amazed by how many people that I meet- - my age and even older that are still struggling to find their life's purpose.  It never was a priority.  They never really had time to search for it. 

I'm suggesting that you must take the time to discover yourself.  Read yourselves like a good book, thoroughly investigating each of your pages.  Spend the time to learn yourself.  Figure out how to live a rich full life by reading the book that is 'you'. 

A Plan to See the World

Lots of people ask me how we've been able to visit locations all around the globe. Having a traveling job with IDX/GE definitely helped (nothing like those miles and points for free airfare and hotels). But it also takes a decision, a lifestyle and a conscious effort to do it.
I realize this more now since in the last few years I have have not had the luxury of miles or points.

DREAMING
Where would you like to go? It is time to sit down and dream.  What regions interest you? What world monuments or wonders of the world are you dying to see? Make a long list. In effect, you could use this list for the rest of your life, slowly checking off locales as you accomplish them on your life journey.

PLANNING
When you needed a car, you sat down and planned how you would get it, what the make and model would be and then you searched. It was an effort combined with plan and patience. You probably did the same thing if you are a homeowner. Traveling is the same way. It is an effort combined with plan and patience. Different trips are available based on the budget you wish to spend and the amount of things that you decide to go without in order to travel there.

BUDGETING
You may decide to forego a new car, not buy that bigger house, not spend as much on clothes, and cancel some of your eating out trips. That will create budget for travel.

CATEGORIZING
Next- segment your locations into budget categories. Would it take a little or medium or large amount of budget dollars to get you there. This may take a little research. Go to www.expedia.com or american airlines vacations and price out a few of the locations. Use trip packages to give you a 'packaged price' idea. You will end up with dream destinations in 3 budget categories. You now have your menu.

SETTING ASIDE MONEY
Setting aside money for travel is next. Now that you have a vision and a menu, you can budget for the travel into bi-monthly payments where you can 'pay into' your vacation savings account. This will give you the spending money tosee the world.

SCHEDULING/BOOKING
Now comes the fun part. Early in the year- you will blazingly pick dates and book yor trip. You will not cancel it no matter what! There will always be something at the office or some reason to 'put it off'- but you will not. You will rank life and relationships higher on your priority list than your job.

I look forward to your questions.

Born in the USA- Reading Half the Sky

I jump out of bed this morning and slide into a hot shower. As the water washes over me I'm over come with a feeling of guilt over all that we have been blessed with by just being born in the USA.

I'm reading 'Half the Sky' and am moved by the stories and the way that women around the globe are being treated. It is a travesty. Listening to the stories of others that lack access to maternity care, basic healthcare and are just generally being treated as less than human--- digs at my soul and enrages my spirit.

So- today I enjoy a hot breakfast, warm clean clothes, shelter, hot water, electricity and many other things that I feel guilty for having access to. Today I celebrate access to education and a job. I celebrate the right to vote and the amazing health care centers that have treated me for a variety of health issues over the years.

Today I celebrate being born in the United States of America.

A Well of Energy and Refreshment (Hiding Inside You)

When you're feeling tired and out of energy, you can find refreshment and energy buried within you.  Your 'well' of energy is the energy that you receive from tapping into your gifts and talents.  Those talents that you were born with will energize you when you use them.  When you need energy, do the things that you are gifted at to energize your body and soul. 

These well springs re-charge us.  We can re-energize by learning to tap into our power source.  Things that you don't enjoy and don't like to do, drain you of energy and leave you feeling tired and less than content.  When you do something that energizes you, make a note of it (you will want to remember this).  Likewise, when you do something that drains you, write that down as well.  You will want to avoid these tasks (if you can).

Make it a goal to find your gifts.  Use those gifts as well springs of energy.  Energize yourself daily and learn to tap into your power.

Dreaming

When you are lying down staring at the ceiling- what are you dreaming of that you'd love to do? Do you think of working a certain job, traveling to a particular location, or maybe painting an article of abstract art.

Well- life hasn't passed you by yet! Anything is within the realm of possibilities. You are never too old, too broke, too worn out or too beyond hope to follow your dreams.

Promise me that you will start dreaming again. The life you want to have is within your reach. It takes small steps in the direction you want to go. Take your first step.

An Encouraging Word

The phone rang and it was a mother of a teenage girl, frustrated with life and a current mother/daughter situation. I love these calls. I love encouraging moms. It is a passion that I endlessly enjoy.
You were made with special gifts. When you use your gifts, you will be energized and content. You will be satisfied with life.
I aim to help each and every one of you find the gifts that you were uniquely given. Once found, using these gift will rejuvenate your soul.
The more you use them, the better you will feel.
Trust me, I know (smile).

Finding your Passion

This is, above all, my favorite topic.  We go through life draped into doing things that we feel compelled to do.  We take on additional responsibilities at work and in our home lives.  We overwhelm ourselves.  In doing this, we slowly move away from our passions and our strengths.  We become robots, moving along in life yet not accomplishing the tasks that we were created to do.

You were created to accomplish a specific role.  You are gifted in specific areas that make you different and exceptional.  When you are working in that area- you shine like at no other time.  It is your obligation to yourself to find your passion.  It is your job to figure out what makes you tick and what you love to do.

Begin your journey today.  Remember that if you are stumped, Marcus Buckingham has a free course availed on itunes as well as on the Oprah web site.

Start moving in the right direction.