Posts Tagged ‘own your life’

Stuck in Neutral

Friday, November 6th, 2009

This tough economy has a lot of people stuck. Psychologists’ business is up; anti-depressive medications are on a steady rise. Tough situations challenge us but I have come to realize that a tough situation is just an opportunity to see we are more capable than we realize. A challenge or obstacle forces us to think, then act – no stuck in neutral.

One of my new favorite books is Ariane de BonVoisin’s The First 30 Days. She presents change creates opportunity and we should believe that change will always lead us to something better. With this thought, we don’t fear change; we welcome it. (Check out her book and website).

It is difficult to maintain an optimistic perspective in the face of harsh times. But our resiliency is dependent on our attitude. If we constantly focus on the negative, then that is all we will see (and the medications and time with psychologists will continue). If, instead, we develop the ability to constantly focus on the positive and the opportunities, we will be more upbeat and optimistic and will have the energy and tenacity to survive the down times.

This economy got me down. So to jumpstart myself out my self-imposed death spiral, I listed as many benefits of a recession as I could think of. Click here to see my list. It was easier to write than I thought and it brought me to a better reality. Use the comment section to add your personal “benefits of a recession” – I’ll keep the list going.

Time for Action: How will you stay upbeat and focused on the good? What great things have happened in a down time? How will you use obstacles to become more connected to who you are and the talents you have? You own your life and your attitude. Get out of neutral.

Own It

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009

Own your life. Be in charge of your life.

You were born with great talents and strengths; part of the role of life is to learn about yourself to determine and develop your natural gifts. Most people use so little of what they have been given.

Your life is as little or as big as you choose to make it. Do you want a life that gets you Fired Up! each morning, excited to start another day, grateful, excited and passionate? Do you want a life that makes a difference by using what you are great at to influence the world, other people and other perspectives? Do you want a life that is so great that you never think about dying because you are so busy living? Me too. That is what I want for life. And I know that if that is what I want then it is up to me to make it happen.

Most people are quick to point a finger at or blame others for the things they do not like about their lives. But here’s the fact. The buck stops with you about you. You want a different, exciting, passionate and more fired up life? Then what are you going to do to get it? How will you own your life?

Start now – what do you want your life to be? How will this use your talents and strengths? How will you start and progress on this journey? Own your life. You have the ability to make it EXTRAordinary.

Seven Steps to Finding the “Right” Job – Step 4

Sunday, September 13th, 2009

Work, ” for many people, is a four-letter word. Most people don’t believe that it is possible to love your job – to love what you do and to be passionate about doing it. Most feel that work is how you make the money to have the life you want. But in today’s world the right job is one that plays to your strengths, activates your passions, allows for your best performance and adds great value to your life. Finding the right job is not complicated but it does require you to take the time to know your talents, strengths, passions and interests. There is no reason for you to hate your job; with a little direction, you can learn to define and hired into your dream job. Now is the time to find the right job and a job you love.

Today, I continue with my seven steps to finding a job you love because when you love your job, your performance, effort and engagement improves. Today, I introduce Step 4.

Find the right job Step 4:
Review what you listed from steps 1, 2 and 3 (what you are great at, what you love to do and what fits into your definition of success) and identify where any of the items you listed intersect. Where these three areas intersect is called your “MaxImpact Core.” This represents the environment that allows you to connect to your performance both intellectually and emotionally. This is where you have the greatest “fit,” greatest passion and greatest connection. This is critical information needed to identify your dream job – your “right” job. It is worth the effort to go through this process. Most people do not know what they are great at. Fewer know what their definition of success is. Where these, and your passions, intersect is where you will feel empowered and alive in the workplace. Find this. Trust me, you will be so glad you did and you will never take a boring job again. Life is too short to hate your job. It is your choice to have an ordinary or extraordinary job (and life). Learn how to find a job that activates your passions and makes you feel significant. Own your work and your life…you can have the best of each.

Two final steps and we’re done. I introduce Step 5 tomorrow. Don’t miss it. And share these with your friends and families who are job hunting…learn a better way of looking for the right job – one that will give you a job you love (and will excel in). For more information see “Stand Out and Get Hired” . Know yourself, what you are great at and what you are passionate about. Then find a job that allows you to use these. That is the “right” job for you.

Own your work and life

Sunday, August 23rd, 2009

I was reading The Traveler’s Gift (by Andy Andrews) this week while I was on the road. It is a story of accountability – of being fully responsible for our decisions, the quality of our life and the impact we make. It is a story of owning our lives and our work.

In the book, the traveler is introduced to seven historic figures, including Harry Truman, Ann Frank, Abraham Lincoln and others. Each historical person has some particular piece of wisdom to share to help the traveler realign and own his life. Though all seven lessons presented are important, the first lesson is most critical – “the buck stops here” – in other words, you own your life, your decisions, your success or failure. There is no blaming others, no wishing things were different. You have choices and your choices direct your work and life. It is about being fully accountable. It is about owning your life and everything in it.

In today’s blaming world, it always seems to be someone else’s fault. Today, step up and own you life and work. If job seeking, find out what you are good at and apply for jobs in which you are competitive. Take charge of your process and own it. In life, review your choices and be clear about what you want for your life. Live your life, not the life others require or expect of you. Work in roles that activate your passions and talents. Love what you do. Your past does not dictate your future. The buck stops with you. Your life, your work. Own it.

ps – check out the entire book; it is empowering and engaging. Share its lessons with people you care about.