Today is Your Day

And following on from the song theme, here is a great one from Shania Twain that we have been listening to for days now.  Love the words and find them very inspiring.  Hope you do too.  Sunshine is out, been for a walk and now we are off to a Tupperware Party, so its all go here today!
Regards
Jo

Today Is Your Day – Shania Twain
You got what it takes you can win...

You got what it takes you can win
Today is your day to begin
Don’t give up here, don't you quit
The moment is now, this is it
I know that you can, then you will
Get to the top of the hill
Part of the fun is the climb
You just gotta make up your mind

That today is your day
And nothing can stand in your way
Today is your day
Everything’s goin’ your way

Today, today, today, today

When somebody throws sticks and stones
All they can break are your bones
And life's gonna kick around
Then kick you again when your down

But today is your day
And nothing can stand in your way
Today is your day
Everything’s goin’ your way

Today, today, today, today

Life's goin' to kick you
It's goin' to kick you around
It's goin' to kick you down

Dust yourself off, no regrets
This is as good as it gets
Don't expect more, or less
Just go out and give it your best

Today is your day
And nothing can stand in your way
Today is your day
Everything’s goin’ your way

Today, today, today, today

Today is your day....

Write Your Own Song

I had a lovely conversation with one of my geogeous nieces recently.  We had spent time together at a health retreat and she came home feeling energised and the most "alive" she had been for ages.  It's amazing what healing massages can do.  It is so great to be a part of these sorts of experiences.

But what happened next is even better.  Music is a big part of my niece's life and for now she takes great meaning and understanding from others experiences and there is something very magical about how these sound in well written  lyrics.  I know how healing words can be especially when things aren't going so well or you are experiencing a tradgedy in life.     

One afternoon, I arrived to say hello and she said, "quick quick listen to this."  We sat together and listened to the song (a love of music and words runs in our family) up loud.  And at the end I said "Wow, you could write your own song of life you know".  The conversation went on for some time with her telling me she couldn't and it would be too diffiuclt she would never be able to do it.......

So, we talked about taking the song we had just listened to and keeping the melody and even some of the lines and or parts of lines that made sense and then popping in some new words that make sense.   My niece suddenly said "Yep great, this is so cool, I love it."  I knew this was my cue to leave.

A week or so later I popped in to see how things were going and before I could get in the door, I was met with "I wrote my own song, it was so easy, the words just came out and fitted and it is so cool."

And I said "And now it's time to sing it."

We are back to the heatlh retreat next week, so I cant wait to see what will unfold as a result!
I know I will be inspired.

So the next time you hear a great song that really resonates for you, please remember that we can all write our own songs and sing them.  

Regards
Jo     

A Little Self Discipline Goes a Long Long Way

Have you ever been challenged by a concept that you know should be easy to grasp, but no matter how you look at it it just doesn't make sense?  Well try this one;

Discipline is Freedom

It took my a while to get my head around this and to actually see and then test out how this plays out in my own day, world and life.  Many of you know Stephen R. Covey is one of my great teachers and he wrote;

"the undisciplined are slaves to moods, appetites and passions".

And for me, it makes sense.  Self discipline is about doing according to what you think instead of doing according to how you feel.  Its kind of like when the alarm goes off and you need to get up and exercise as this is the only time in your day where it can happen.  Sure bed is cosy, warm and the place where you want to stay for a little longer, but with discipline you can be exercising in minutes and giving yourself that great sense of wellbeing and day by day satisfaction that you are taking responsibility and contributing to a long and healthy life.  There's alot at stake here.  Self discipline is sometimes about sacrificing the short term, the here and now feeling for what matters most in life.

OK, I know that self discipline is not a strength for everyone and my secret is that right now in my life I need more of it so hence I am researching and writing this post.  And I have discovered that self discipline can be developed.  And here are some ways that you might like to explore to increase your self discipline.  Good Luck.

1. Awareness 

You need to be aware of what you are doing and what you aren't doing ie your behaviour.  You need to know this as without awareness there is no way that you can consciously change your behaviour.  You need to be aware that you are constantly checking your emails to bring in a more disciplined action like checking them each hour.  Its critical to develop your awareness so you can catch yourself before you start an undisciplined behaviour.

2. Courage 

You need courage to pursue, it takes time and energy to discipline yourself.  And it can be extremely difficult to exercise self discipline. You will effectively go against your moods, passions and appetites to exercise true self discipline and this will take alot of courage.  There might even be some pain involved.  Persevere and stick at it and remember to celebrate your wins.

3. Knowledge

Ahhh, this should really be Number 1, this means acting, behaving, doing according to what you have decided despite your feelings or how you feel when you are in the moment.  I was at an afternoon tea recently and had made a commitment to self to eat 2 things from the shared table.  Ohhh this was diffcult, so many beautiful home made treats staring up at me where ever I looked and if this wasn't bad enough people were taking the food around and offering and saying eat up there is lots here! Ahh this is a great test as you have to decide what behaviour best reflects your vision or goals and then stick to this as closely as you can.  The self in self discipline is self explanatory!!

4. Commitment 

Write up your goals and make a commitment to them.  This is powerful and I love writing things down to cement them in my thinging.  However, it is essential that you make an internal commitment as well.  This means making a pact with yourself that you are going to follow through, ie you are going to do what you say you are going to do.  You are going to be true to yourself.  And this feels great when it happens. 

5. Positive Self Talk

And the best is last.  Self talk is a great tool if it is within your control.  Positive self talk is a wonderful supporter and acts almost like your own very peronal cheer squad.  They have to be loud enough for you to hear them and positive enough for you to take notice. I often talk to myself - give myself positive feedback, reassure myself and when struggling with self discipline encourage myself to keep going. 

And here is a great quote to finish on

"The price of discipline is always less than the pain of regret."                                         

Regards
Jo     
  

7 Daily Habits

I have been working with a number of clients recently who are wishing to apply more self discipline in their lives.  They want to achieve more, feel better about each day every day, do more with the time they have and importantly they want to create an ease and flow around their day and themselves. So here is the idea, develop 7 daily habits.  These are things that you want to do wvery single day that you know if you do them will make a difference.  Once you have decided on your 7 daily habits, decide what time of the day and for how long you wish to to each one.  And then the only thing left to do is to get started. 

Here are some ideas;

1. Wake Early.
There is alot you can do before you head off to work, start your day etc.  Gain an extra half hour by setting your alarm and starting your day 30 minutes earlier.

2. Write a "To Do" List.
Write it in your diary, on a message board or on a piece of paper.  There is something magical about writing down what you want to do.  Somehow it brings it all the more closer and makes the task easier and before you know it you are ticking off activities and tasks.  And wow does this make you feel good.

3. Feel the Sunshine or Connect With Nature
Spend 5 - 10 minutes outside.  Take a break and move on out.  Hopefully it is sunny and if not do it anyway.  Look at the farden, flowers, trees etc.  There is something very refreshing about being close to nature.  You will return inside refreshed and ready to embark on the next part of your day.

4. Be Social 
Even in this busy world of ours it is so easy to feel isolated and alone.  Take time each day to connect with a friend.  Send an email, text or pickup the phone and say hello.

5. Review Your Day 
The day just keeps on going if you let it.  So take time to review each day.  Identify the highlights and celebrate your achievements no matter how big or small.  Its great to record these in a journal.

6. Share the Love 
Say "I love you" to those that matter to you. Sure they know you love them but why not tell them too.  Everytime someone hears these words it makes them feel warm and special and this is a lovely gift to share.

7. Think Positive
Turn on your "think positive" button and leave it on.  Positive thinking leads to a positive day.  Think, be and say positive things.  Always choose the sunny side!

So, over to you, think through and write up your 7 daily habits.  And then build them in to each and every day!  With thought and commitment these actions will quickly become habits and you will gain a greater ease and flow in your days.     

                         

Change Your Space - Lift Your Spirit

Sometimes I hit a low or get into a rut.  I know I'm there because I lose my zest, eat too much and find myself out of sync with the way I want to be.

For me there is a direct link between my surroundings - work or home and my spirit and how I feel.  And so, when at a low point or in a rut, it's my environment (and changing it) that can really have an impact.  So I change it!

A big clean up,  a de-clutter, a throw out followed by a bon fire or a trip to the rubbish tip does wonders.  And if this resonates with you, here are some tips;

Release
Look around and look for anything that you really don't need.  Things you haven't used for ages and things that you have multiples of.  You don't have to throw them out, just release them.  So give them away, donate them to charity..... just let them go.  And instantly, having less seems to release some sort of emotional baggage.

Move
Now you have some estra space and you and your surroundings feel and look lighter, its time to change things around.  Have a look at how you can change / move the furniture.  And get cracking.  Don't rush.  A change is as good as a holiday.  It's amazing how you can re-fresh a room by changing the position of key pieces of furniture.  I love doing this in my office and work space at home.

Create
Now things are on the move, take time to consider the look and practicaility of what you are creating.  I recently put a writing desk in the corner of our kitchen and love it.  I write there everyday and it lifts my spirits every time.  Create a new space that looks good, has a purpose and lifts your spirit.  Painting and pictures on the walls help too.  It's important to create the mood!!

I really encourage you, next time you are feeling a little low or are in a rut, to change your suroundings - a special space at home or at work - and reap the rewards.

Regards
Jo   
       
       

A Beautiful Moment

What a day - one filled with so many beautiful moments. 

We spent the day in Melbourne picking up a painting we commissioned to celebrate " our lives".  It has great meaning for our family and it feels wonderful to have created a piece of heirloom history for our family for generations to come - its all starts here.  Today was a day filled with so much energy and ease - an absolute joy.
  
On days like today it is easy to recognise the special moments and relish them for all they are worth.  The magic though is in recognising special moments in every day and special qualities in every person you meet.

So here's a challenge - as you 'live' through tomorrow, how about identifying at least 5 beautiful moments and relishing in them for just a few seconds at least. It is a great way of warming your heart and those of others and we feel wonderful after a day filled with warmth and joy today. 

And here's a peek at our beautiful new painting.

Regards
Jo    

You Can Do It! A Merit Badge Handbook Just for Grown - Up Girls

I was standing in our town's Little Bookshop this morning browsing for a gift when my eyes quickly set upon this book.

YOU CAN DO IT!  A Merit Badge Handbook Just for Grown - Up Girls.
Dare to Dream  Learn Something New  Do something Just for You.
Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas

I added it to my puchases, farewelled Bob the Bookshop proprieter, brought the rubbish bin from the bottom of the drive AND then when  I sat down and flipped through the pages of this book realised what a fabulous purchase I had made.

It is about 500 pages (don't let this put you off) jam packed with hands- on practical advice which is set out in a really easy to read way. So you don't read it as you would a book if this makes sense.  And then as I continued to read and make sense of it all, I  realised I have purchased an entire experience with access to mentors to support me along the way.  (I paid $34.95).  They are all US based but they are there and accessible as I now look to take on some of the "to do's" in this book.

I take a look at one of the 60 badges in the book (will explain the badge bit a little later) Number 52, Get an Inner Life, and realise that it is a complete how to and checklist ie all I need to get started.  The quote, "who looks outside dreams, who looks inside wakes" Carl Jung jumps out at me and I think this is no coincidence that I opened the book here!!  Taking a deep breath and thinking 'way to go' this is amazing, I find book and website recommendations and instantly find myself surfing across the recommended sites.    

Back to the here and now and I decide to read about th author and here is what I found....

You Can Do it! was Lauren's idea, begun a year before she died on September 11, 2001, aboard UNited Flight 93.   A former Girl Scout, she saw the book as a way for women to re-create the feelings of accomplishment and community found in Scouts.  Lauren embodied the books goals.  Personally, professionally, athletically and creatively dynamic, she is remembered by her friends and family as their personal coach and champion.  She has 15 years of marketing and sales experience, started her own consulting company, and most recently served as an account executive for Good Housekeeping.  An avid biker, hiker, runner and on her thirtieth birthday a skydiver, she lived in the San Fancisco area for many years with her husband Jack Grandcolas.  With the special help of her sisters, Lauren's dream of empowering women to "go out and do it!" will now be realised.

And you have probably made the connection now about the 60 Badges that makes up the book.  These are like Scout badges for grown up girls. So I am now off to decide which badge I will go for first!!! 

Regards
Jo

                  

Dos and Don'ts of Goal Setting

I recently came across Jayne Johnson and her wonderful work in the area of goal setting - amongst others - and thought you may like it too.

I have written alot about the importance of planning and as part of this the importance of goals. And in particular about how powerful having your own to guide your year, an issue that you are working with and in fact your life can support you to achieve just about anything you set your mind too.

What drew my attention to Jayne's work was her attention to how some can sabotage goals and what steps you can take to remedy this.  So here goes, this is what Jayne says;

Do you sabotage your ability to acheive your goals?  What stops you, what can help you achieve them faster?  Here goal expert, Jayne Johnson provides you with 10 practical strategies to get you winning today.

DON'T
1. Don't let someone force a goal on your that you don't really want - follow your heart.
2. Don't let the past stop you - past goals you failed to reach have nothing to do with NOW.
3. Don't think some of your goals are not important enough, not big enough - all your goals matter.
4. Don't be rigid.  Yes, set a path, a goal, and go for it, but tiunnel vision can make you miss vital information and feedback.
5. Don't try to do everything yourself.  Be willing to delegate.

DO
1. Have a clean conscience.  When you feel guilty, you don't feel that you deserve to get the goals your'e going for.
2. Come from a place of service and helping others get what they want.  Serve first and the Universe serves you.
3. Celebrate your wins.  Reaching a goal is cause for celebration - and it leads to MORE wins!
4. Support those people who support you - flow pwer and support to them.  It creates a win / win loop of power, and everyone wins.
5. Every day make a list of what you are grateful for - express your gratitude for everything and everyone you can think of!

You can check out Jayne and more about her and her work at her website  http://www.clearingsight.com/

Regards
Jo                      

Inspiration

Inspiration is everywhere if you just take a moment to look! 

Over the last week I've been inspired by some people, events and news that have touched my world.  I share mine and encourage you to think of what's inspired you over the last week.

Firstly, it's my friends Chris and Trudy who have opened an IGA supermarket in the town of Meeniyan in South Gippsland, Victoria.  Servicing a town of approx. 500, this is an investment in rural Australia that I for one will support.  Good luck and Good business Chris and Trudy.

Our tennis team (Foster Yellow) made the grand final in mid week tennis - against odds as we started the finals in 4th position.  With everyone playing the best tennis of the season - here we are in the grand final.  A lesson for life here as it just shows that when the stakes increase so does your potential!

I watched a very proud Grade 4 accept the Student of the Week Award at our local primary school.  And then receive her mid year report where her behaviour and effort rated the highest possible.  How inspiring is this? It was a moment for her Mum to be proud.

Every year people gather for the Prom Country Challenge hear near Foster.  Distance runners, run 30 kms straight up and then back down the mountain, while many of us do the 6 kms on the flat (walking for me that is!).  It's a great event and inspires us all to get out and see our wonderful sights and stay fit at the same time.  I will endeavour to field a larger walking team this year than last.

I'm inspired by our cat Meeks who always finds the warmest and most comfortable spot in the house.  And she even finds and then steals the hot water bottle.

I'm inspired by my sister who supportsus all - family and friends to continue our journeys of life without my wonderful nephew Geoffrey.  I enjoyed our family and friends gathering on Sunday night at the Golf Club and an opportunity to recommit to the vitality of life.

And finally, I'm inspired by my Dad who now walks the block and beyond after a tricky month of heart complications and operations ending up with a pace maker and a truck load of medication.  He is a vital 83 year old once again with a renewed keeness for life.              

Find Comfort in Your Own Skin

On many occasions I have watched people in meetings, forums and at parties, dinners and conferences etc and been amazed at how comfortable some people appear and how easy these people are to be around ... and then how uncomfortable some people appear and how these people jsut aren't so easy to be around.  I have come to talk about this as how comfortable people are (or aren't as the case may be!) in their own.

It came back in to focus for me this week when I received an email from a colleague who I think sums this up beautifully.  She writes....
"Who are You?"
Truly confident people have already worked out who they are and what they stand for, and more importantly - what they will not stand for. Their personal constitution has already been written adn ratified so there is no need for pretense in any given situation.  There is very little "gap" between the public and private self.  They trust in themselves.  Confident people don't always need to be right, because deep down, they already live by their own moral code.  Similarly, confident people have no need to draw attention to themselves because they aren't particularly interested in what others think. They are too busy getting on with their own stuff.

And so the question everyone is likely to ask is so how do we set our own moral code and develop the confidence of those who have theirs already set?  These are great questions and here are a few tips that just might help...

Accept Yourself 
This is where confidence starts.  We were all born with gifts and all our gifts are different. Sure there are bits about us we don't necessarily love and even some things in our past and some decisions that we are not too proud of.  But these are the things that make us who we are.  We need to accept ourselves for who we are.  We are not perfect and nor will we ever be, so let's be confident with what we have.

Own it      
Own who you are.  No matter where you are in life, you have assets and positive strengths that you can and must own.  These are what make you great. You are valuable for who you are and the talents you have.

Stretch
We all seem more comfortable living inside our comfort zones, confidence comes when our comfort zones are stretched.  In fact once our comfort zones are stretched they never ever come back to their original size and the best part is our confidence grows and expands with it. So take a chance, learn something new and you will feel and see your acceptance of you and your world and hence your confidence grow.

Move
Healthy self esteem starts with caring for yourself and there is no better way to acheive this than with some sort of exercise or movement regime.  Daily exercise builds momemtum for a great day.  Try it!

So, it all starts from the inside out - it's an inside job!  Deep down inside and in some - very deep - tehre is a well of self esteem that knows exactly who we are and what we are all about.  It's not about the material things in our lives, its about confidence and honouring your own value and sense of self and developing an unshakeable trust in yourself.   
             

The Blank Canvas

Oh, my picture this.  Last weekend my sisters and some of our children had a session in the art studio with a great artist and creative mentor called Renae Carmody.  She is a beautiful artist and person as well.  One of those great people with loads of positive energy.

Yes, I knew it was coming up and it was to be fun, we had champers and sandwiches and a beautiful lemon / yoghurt Birthday Cake topped with frosted icing made by yours truly.  It was a celebration for my nieces 19th birthday.  Now, I want to share with you how incredibly confronting it is to look at a blank canvass and know that you alone are responsible for what is going to go on it. I can still hear Renae saying "just let your creative juices flow".  And the self talk parrot in me sqaurking back with "what if you haven't got any?"

Once started all went well and I had an idea and went for it.

And now, upon reflection for me it was just like creating / planning your life direction.  How amazing to think that we all have the same blank life canvass and we alone are responsible for creating our own life journeys.  Regardless of our backgrounds and what gifts we are granted (and we are granted with many) creating a painting is so like creating a life direction.  If you haven't tried it, I highly recommend it.  I feel much more empowered to be the artist of my life now....

The blank canvass and me!


At Work in the Studio

My Masterpiece entitled The Journey of Life

  

Writing Your Very Own Vision - Some Examples

My last few posts must have hit a cord as I have received feedback letting me know how great the reads have been.  And how important it is to have a personal vision.  And just how difficult it is to have one and how extemely difficult it is to write it down!!

So I want to say "calm down" this is not as tricky or as difficult as it can be made out to be. And yes lots of people ask: 

Should my vision be for life?

Can I have a vision for the next year?

What is a vision anyway?

So, regardless of whether this is theoretically correct or not, iI want to let you know that I have two visions.  One is for my life (took me til 40ish to come up with it) and then I also do a vision for each year and it reflects more what I want to focus on for the year.  This works for me. 

What's a Vision? 

Vision is “the ability to see’.  Vision gives you a clear sense of where you are heading. It is the big picture view of what you are trying to create.  The vision is the desirable destination - not the way there, not how we have to act to get there – but it is a description of that future.  It should be in sufficient detail or simplicity so that it works for you and helps you use it successfully. 

Examples of Visions          

I am always asked for examples of ‘good’ vision statements.  As much as I want to stress that your vision, one that has meaning for you will be a good vision, here are a couple of diverse examples for you.  You will see some of these examples are for life and some are for a year. 

Example 1
I live to serve my talents as a communicator, artist and independent business woman.  I create balance in work, play and my community.  I inspire those I interact with.

Example 2

To live a year of happiness, sincerity and peace.  To laugh often and to feel that I have contributed to greater good.

Example 3

No painful memories

Example 4

Fun, laughter, stability and positive change

Example 5 
A year of learning.  This will help me grow and revitalise the life I have with my wife and family.  I will always endeavour to understand others – this will be my first act with my wife, my family and my business.  I want to influence the development of organisations and people I work with and to teach and help others grow beyond their current self limits.  I will build relationships that support this direction.

Example 6

This year’s vision for our family is to create a nurturing place of order, love and happiness as well as relaxation and to provide opportunities for all to be independent and interdependent.

Without your vision, you can get caught up in someone else's and go along for the ride ending up in a place where you don't really want to be feeling pretty dissatisfied.  It's about then that a BIG voice can be heard bellowing "live your own life" - be all that you are capable of being and ensure ebverything you do leads you in the direction you want to go - the direction of your vision."  So, if you have haerd this voice its tiem to start afresh and set your very own vision.  It's good to have one for life, but you can also set one for the year ahead. 

Self - Esteem - 5 Things You Should Know.

Took advantage of a lovely winter's day today and headed off to the annual second hand book sale in our local hall.  The Friends of the Library Group run the sale to raise money to buy new books for our library.  In one day, 5000 books walked out the door so they are well on their way to breaking a fund raising target.

After losing myself in the gardening, craft, business and fictions section,  I stumbled across a magazine.  The words, Life's Little Secrets - Five Things You Should Know about the Stuff That Really Matters.   Fifty cents later with magazine in hand (and a few other books as well) I left the hall.

The article, written by Carolyn Parfitt in the NOTEBOOK magazine was a great read and here are the 5 things you should know about Self - Esteem.  It's always good to remind ourselves of helpful hints and lessons for life!

1. The goal of high self-esteem can sometimes seem like a mysterious thing other people attain but not you.  It's not.  It is simply a matter of self talk - how you talk to yourself about yourself.

2. This quote from aothor Marianne Wilkinson is gold.  "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.  We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?'  Actually, who are you not to be?... Your playing small does not serve the world."

3. Shakespeare was right when he had Polonius (in Hamlet) give this advice to his son Laertes, about to leave for France: "This, above all, to thine own self be true.."  Certainly, being true to yourself, acting in the way you believe is right, is one of the keys to a healthy self-esteem and inner peace.

4. Give yourself a break by accepting that making mistakes is a universal human trait.  Treat it as a learning curve.

5. Habits that help build a healthy self-esteem are;

• Recognising your good points:
• Spending time with people who make you laugh:
• Doing things you enjoy:
• Taking care of yourself:
• Doing something to help someone else:
• Wearing clothes that make you feel good;
• Not comparing yourself to others.                

Write it Down It Really Does Make You Feel Better

I've been jounalling ........And it's all been about GRATITUDE.  Although I have always wanted to journal as I think I have lots of stuff going on that would make more and better sense if I wrote it down, it wasn't until I bought a Gratitude Journal that I really got serious and am starting to feel and see benefits.

I'm a believer in what you focus on expands and giving thanks and being grateful really helps to find focus.  Somwhow, although its a Gratitude journal, I still write about;
My life,
My musings,
My loves,
My favorite things,
My favorite people,
My favorite moment and at times
My not so likes of favorites!!
I find it an amazing release and a great way of renewing my positive energy.

There are lots of beautiful journal available now. One of my all time favorites is my very first journal which is an oriental red.  I bought it at Monograms Papers in Milton in Brisbane years ago now.  And they still have them and more.

I find having a beautiful journal, a really special thing.  My journal has turned out to be like an emotional partner who just listens, nods their head and just somehow always seems to understand!     

Questions to Evoke Your Personal Vision

We all know (at least most of us do) the importance of having our very own personal vision.  We all know it helps us to set our life compass, get involved in things and do things that are meaningful and that overall living to a  personal plan will increase and sustain our happiness and live a great life.  So what is the big deal!! 

The big deal is that it is harder to set a personal vision that you might think. Stephen Covey, Peter Senge and others point out that a powerful vision can help you succeed far beyond where you'd be without one.  Yeah, yeah, yeah, again we know all this.

Questions to Evoke Your Vision
So here are some questions that will help you to begin to craft your very own personal vision.  They should help you to ponder, dream and think about life.  Jot down your anwers and see what you think.  And then be brave, share your answers with someone you trust and see where the conversation takes you.  Following this, find a quiet spot and write your very own personal vision.  A big call, you can do it.

1. What things do you really like doing?
2. What brings you happiness and joy?
3. What are the two best moments of your past week?
4. What 3 things would you do if you won the lottery?
5. What issues / causes do you care greatly about?
6. What are some things that you can do at the good - excellent level?
7. What would you like to stop doing or do as little as possible?

Good luck, see how you go and let me know how valuable these questions are for you.        

Create Your Own Personal Vision

I have just spent some time googling How to Create a Personal Vision.  Ohhhh my goodness, there is a plethora of information online about this topic.  I am not sure how we are meant to know which ones are good, great, effective etc.  I was getting so carried away with my reading that I had to give myself a time limit so that I would actually get back to tasks and timelines!!

And just as I was thinking, this is all too hard, I found this short video snippet and thought you may like to have a look at it too.  The speaker is Benay Wettle and she shares with us how to create an awesome personal vision statement. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0E8Ub8n64w
Hope the link works for you as I have not embedded a link in this Blog before.  Fingers crossed.

Silence is Sensible

"Let silence do the heavy lifting". 
Susan Scott.

"Where in your life did you become uncomfortable with the sweet territory of silence?"

Native American saying.

I want to share a short extract from a book called Fierce Conversation by Susan Scott, and in particular the chapter, Let Silence do the Heavy Lifting.  Hope it resonates at some level with you - for whatever reason!

Extract from Fierce Conversations - Chapter 7, Let Silence Do the Heavy Lifting. 
"Do you know of someone who will mostly die with his or her mouth open?  Many CEOs could go on this list.  This is not good.  A dazzling way with words rarely proves to be enough to guarantee success as a leader.  Joseph Conrad suggested, "To have the gift of  words is no such great matter.  A man furnished with a long-range weapon does not become a hunter or a warrior by the mere possession of a firearm; many other qualitites of character and temperament are necessary to make him either one or the other."

Many people attempt to forge relationships exclusively through words.  Lots of words.  However, the best leaders talk with people, not at the. Emerging entrepreneurs have special challenges.  They can get so wrapped up in telling the story of their businesses, in order to attract employees, vendors, and investors, that they no longer have conversations.  They have "versations", talking at people rather than with them.

Talking at people is a common affliction.  In fact, on a purely practical note, did you know that eight out of ten sales proposals fail?  And 50 percent of those eight fail because we spent too much time talking about ourselves or the features and benefits of our product, and not enough time talking about the customer and listening to the customer before we explained how wonderful doing business with us would be.

We all know people, intent on impressing us, who talk so much that they turn us off completly.  Such people are often unconscious of the effect they are having on others, as they run on endlessly about their accomplishments and clever ideas.  They may be spectacularly brilliant.......The trouble is, it wears us out to be with them.  They talk incessantly, going from one story to the next, without taking a noticeable breath.  Though their stories are at timesentertaining and laced with insight, after a  while we get the feeling that we are merely a spot on the wall in which they direct their comments."

Tips for Using Silence in Your Conversations
And here are some tips from Susan about how to use silence in all our conversations....

1. Talk with people, not at them.
2. The more emotionally loaded the subject, the more silence is required.
3. Use silence to slow down a conversation so that you can discover what the conversation really wants to be about.
4. Allow silence to fill in the greater meaning that needs to be there.
5. Allows silence to teach you how to feel.

A Challenge for You 
And a challenge for you.  Have a go.  Over the next day or so during a conversation at home or at work, have a go at building in silence.  Give yourself space before you speak so that you can fully understand what others have said.  Use a statement such as "that's interesting, I'd like a moment to reflect on what you have said", pause take some time and then respond.                          

Live Love and Thrive

Isn't this what we all want?  So how do we get it? Good question....  Here are my Top Ten Tips.

1. Like and love yourself.
2. Drink loads of water (squeeze of lemon helps).
3. Surround yourself with positive people.
4. Think and say positive things.
5. Acknowledge your strengths and live them as often as you can.
6. Say thank you (for even the smallest things).
7. Live beyond today.
8. Smile, Smile, smile and smile some more - it really does warm hearts, including your own.
9. Speak to yourself daily - keep it positive.
10. Always have a dream.  Allow yourself to dream and drift beyond the small things.

And now it's over to you.  Make up your very own Top 10 Tips.  Display them on your computer, carry them with you.... LIVE BY THEM.

    

Quotes From the Eat Pray Love Journey

And just in case you don't get to read this book, here are some of my favorite quotes, hope you like them as much as I do.

"There is so much about my fate that I cannot control, but other things do fall under the jurisdiction. I can decide how I spend my time, whom I interact with, whom I share my body and life and money and energy with. I can select what I can read and eat and study. I can choose how I'm going to regard unfortunate circumstances in my life-whether I will see them as curses or opportunities. I can choose my words and the tone of voice in which I speak to others. And most of all, I can choose my thoughts."

"To lose balance sometimes for love is part of living a balanced life"
"Tis' better to live your own life imperfectly than to imitate someone else's perfectly."

"Operation Self-Esteem--Day Fucking One."

"You need to learn how to select your thoughts just the same way you select your clothes every day. This is a power you can cultivate. If you want to control things in your life so bad, work on the mind. That's the only thing you should be trying to control."
"You were given life; it is your duty (and also your entitlement as a human being) to find something beautiful within life, no matter how slight."
We search for happiness everywhere, but we are like Tolstoy's fabled beggar who spent his life sitting on a pot of gold, under him the whole time. Your treasure--your perfection--is within you already. But to claim it, you must leave the buy commotion of the mind and abandon the desires of the ego and enter into the silence of the heart."
"Prayer is a relationship; half the job is mine. If I want transformation, but can't even be bothered to articulate what, exactly, I'm aiming for, how will it ever occur? Half the benefit of prayer is in the asking itself, in the offering of a clearly posed and well-considered intention. If you don't have this, all your pleas and desires are boneless, floppy, inert; they swirl at your feet in a cold fog and never lift." 

Eat Pray Love

 A few years ago I read this book and loved it.  It was written by the highly talented Elizabeth Gilbert who embarked on a life changing journey and experience and then wrote about it.  Shortly after a great friend and I were having a cuppa and she told me she had recently read Eat Pray Love.  I asked her what she thought and she told me it was an OK read but nothing to rave about.  So I said nothing.  For a long time now, I have remembered this book with great fondness. I have rethumbed its pages often.  I have recommended it to others. I have wanted to visit an Ashram in India and an ancient medicine man in Bali.  Not to mention find who I am and live the life of my dreams.    Oh my, it appears the book really has had an impact on me.  While the Ashram is on hold, Bali is at least looking likely sometime within the next 10 years, I want to share my favorite part from the book and now the movie.  (Wasn't so keen on the movie, but still love this book!)   So here it is a scene from the Ashram in India where Elizabeth struggles with the whole idea of meditation.  See what you think.....

"Are you kidding me? You have to learn to select your thoughts the same way as you select your clothes every day.  Now that's a power that you can cultivate.  You wanna come here and you wanna control your life so bad.  Work on your mind cause that's the only thing you should be trying to control.  Cause, if you can't master your thoughts then you are in trouble, you're in trouble forever.  Hell that's the damn problem, stop trying, surrender.  Go out into the garden and just sit there and still your mind and watch what happens.  Why don't you just let it be."

365 Days

I am truly inspired by this story.  I recently received a postcard in the mail from a friend who lives about 400 metres from me.  A lovely postcard which read;
Hi Jo,
Hope you had a smashing game of tennis on Thursday - missed the chat!  I hope too that the misplaced dance shoes have been found  and are ready for this week!!  Sitting in front of our new feature "wallpaper" wall and I must say, it looks brilliant!!  Have a great week.
Love Trudy.
I re-read the postcard over and said "wow" how nice is that more than once to myself.  What was really going on here was how nice it is that I have someone who thinks and cares about me, that they send a postcard even when they are not on holiday.  I was chuffed!!  When next we spoke I told Trudy this and she then revealed that she is on a 365 day postcard challenge.  Tired of receiving bill after bill each time she goes to the mailbox, she thought everyone would benefit from that wonderful feeling that you gain when you receive nice post.  Hence she started the 365 postcard challenge to bring joy into other people's lives.  She is having a ball and is surprised at the number of postcards she is now receiving as a result and the number of conversations and stories that have ensued.  Although this was not her ultimate intention it just goes to show that people love to receive and give joy and that it doesn't take much..... although a commitment of 365 days is pretty amazing.

So being inspired (and a copy cat), close to winter and looking for some revitalisation, I would like to start my own 365 day challenge, so I have my thinking cap on.  If you have any ideas please share them here.  My only rule is that it must benefit me and others and it must focus on an area of personal development.  Would love to hear your thoughts.

Looking for Inspiration - What can I do everyday for the next 365 days?

  

The Gratitude Journal

For ages I have wanted to journal and in my own way I have. Since 2005, I have kept a kind of scrap book with favorite pictures and quotes.  I have found this useful for visioning my future and for identifying things that are important about me and where I am headed.  These scrap books have helped me transition, to kind of enter mid life if you will and all this brings.

Recently, on my travels for work, I came across a beautiful gratitude journal and I am now hooked.  I have always known gratitude to be energising and giving thanks has always been attractive to me.  From a young age, I have written notes and cards of Thank You to others and believe (in the main) I have given credit where it is due and thanks to those in my work and family who have assisted along the way.  Now, I am hooked.

"If you count all your assets, you always show a profit." 

Robert Quillen

I am amazed at how much better I feel as I reflect at the end of most days / weeks.  It helps me to focus on the people in my day and  the large and small things that I have found pleasing about the day.  I also find it keeps my mind away from focussing on the negative things (and dare I say a little self pity from time to time!)   At last I am "observing the day", rather than "thinking (or over thinking) the day."   It is great to pause and notice things and people that would not normally feature and yet are so important.

"Choosing to pay attention to what's uplifting by writing about it, and living it 'twice over', can radically improve your mood, wellbeing, self respect and trust.  It can also radically improve your relationships with other people - regardless of  whether they are friends or strangers."

Stephanie Dowrick 

There are so many ways to feel the power of gratitude, here are just a few.....

1.      3,2,1

The 3,2,1 strategy is a great way for consciously reviewing your day and practising gratitude. It helps us to see the good things in our days and even when things aren’t so great, it helps us to recognise the positive things instead of getting fixated on the negative.  So have a try.  This is the one we use in our family. Each night as you pop your head on the pillow, pause for a minute and think about 3 things that you are grateful for from your day, 2 things that you liked about your day and then 1 thing that you would like to do better next time.  So, use this one or make up one of your own using the 3,2,1 method.

2. Three Things I am Grateful For

 At the end of each day, thinnk back over the day and identify and write about three things that you are grateful for today.

3. People I Meet

 Every single person who comes into your life impacts on you in some way.  This isn't always obvious.  Make a list of people who are important to you and jot down why.  Keep adding to this list.

4. Thank You Note / Gifts

 Take a minute to write a thank you note or give a gift. Or maybe it's a phone call or a card.

5. Relish in the Small Things

Take time to smell the roses, inhale the aroma of great coffee, freshly mowed grass or your favorite perfume etc.  And give thanks for the feeling this gives you. 

So, now, it's over to you.  Find time in your day / week / life to pause and review and reflect and acknowledge things that you may currently take for granted.  Make them a focus and relive the positive feelings around this moment.   There is something very special about bringing your focus to the here and now. I for one am experiencing increased contentment as a result.  Afterall, a life taken for granted would have to be a life not lived.

"Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others."

Cicero

   

  

           

Clean Up Goals



Happy Easter

Here I am Easter Sunday and all ready and waiting for 18 family members to descend for a BBQ.  Well, not quite ready, but as least the floors have been vacuumed! We were hoping for a sunny day and instead have clearing showers, but as we tuck into another Easter egg and look forward to the arrival of freinds and family, we are not worried in the slightest.  I am still to work out how to have a BBQ when it is raining - stage right garage!!!

Over the last week I have been reminded on a number of levels about the important concept of Clean Up Goals.  This concept was introduced to me by Wendy Buckingham, based in Sydney and author of the great book, Ready Set Goal! To me it just makes perfect sense.......

See what you think about what Wendy says...."One of the biggest hurdles to jump in goal planning and achievement can be cleaning up those little piles of you-know-what that are sticking to you around old failed goals.  Those piles of bad memories and negative beliefs that create the mind chatter that undermines your ambition, drains your energy and stands in the way of your future achievement.  Consider this, every time you decide on a goal and, for whatever reason, don't get to achieve that goal,a little residue of underachiever energy is deposited into your belief system.  As this pile of negative energy grows and takes up space in your conscious and subconscious mind, your energy to achieve, faith in yourself and motivation to keep setting and achieving new goals subsides."

So let's clean up some of those all goals - we all have them - and feel the power of how great it will be not to carry the history and negative beliefs about goal setting into our futures.  We all have goals that have hit a brick wall. These are goals that have stalled.  It might be something you did or someone else did or maybe the goal just stalled. It night be becauase of illness or something totally out of your control.  It is likley you feel some pain around this failed goal - that's OK, here is what Wendy suggests to clean up these unacheived goals.

Four Step Process to Clean Up Goals that have hit a Brick Wall 
Step 1: Identify the failed goal and write it down.
Step 2: Explain how you hoped the goal was going to be achieved.  What were your plans?  What was the outcome?  Who else was involved?
Step 3: What actually did happen?  How did things turn out differently from what you had hoped for?  Where was the pain?  Where is the resentment?  What were your thoughts about yourself?  What decisions did  you make at the time?
Step 4: Step back from the pain of the failed goal and list everything you achieved or learned while you were in the process of going for that goal.  Ask yourself these questions:
What did I learn and how am I stronger?
What were my achievements along the way?
What do I know to do differently in the future?
What wouldn't I  do again?
Even though I didn't get my goal, what were the wins I had that I can acknowledge and celebrate?"

This 4 step process will support you in removing the pain associated with not achieving this goal.  Now there will be room for a "growing sense of achievement and completion and a sound foundation from which to move forward to your next goals.  The final step is to decide whether you still want that particular goal or something similar.  If you don't then celebrate your learning, strengthening and achievements and LET IT GO!  Or you may discover that, now you have got rid of all the negative 'stuff', your energy around the failed goal has been renewed.  If that's the case, set a new goal, and GO FOR IT! 

Just this week I had a colleague tell me that after working on a clean up goal, she had more energy and was surprised at how her mind had started to think about what next and this made her happy.  So how about it, identify an old goal that just isnt working for you, sit down with a journal or talk through the 4 step process and enjoy the rewards.

The Happiness Trap ACT Now

Yes still picking apples!!!   

I am back into reading after a break.  I'm thinking it must be because the weather has turned chilly and I just love curling up on my comfy couch with a good read. Lucky for me I live in a quiet spot, so the book really does get my full attention!  There are many good books around these days, it really isnt difficult to find a good read.  But yes there is a difference between a good read and a great read.  A good read is enjoyed and then as the days tick by forgotten.   A great read stays around, almost with you somehow and its messages urge you to think or do something differently.  A great book can change how you see things, can change what you do and in fact can change habits, patterns and outlooks.  Ahh the power of the written word.  Who would have thought that the writer could hold such power - no its not the writer - for they are but words - ah yes it is the reader who holds all the power if they will allow it.  So check in when you next read and make a mental note about what the book's messages mean to you and what are you going to do as a result.

For me, I have just re-read THE HAPPINESS TRAP and its messages are just as relevant today as they were in 2007 when it was first published.  The author Dr Russ Harris, an, Australian based psychologist and specialist in acceptance commitment therapy has much to say that hits a cord with me.    I love all the stuff about transforming your inner world .  And my all time favorite bit is a strategy to support you when you find yourself caught up in a negative cycle or feeling guily ot beating yourself up over something. As Harris states;
"..there's no point in beating yourself up when you screw up or fail to follow through.  Guilt trips and self criticism don't motivate you to make meaningful changes; they just keep you stuck, dwelling on the past, which is something you have no power over.  So after each relapse keep coming back to the basic ACT formula.

Accept your internal experience and be present
Choose a valued direction
Take action

So what does this mean in practice? 

Well the first step, once you've gone off track, is to recognise it consciously: to be fully present with what's happening. Ar the same time, you need to accept that once this has happened, you can't change it; there is no way you can possibly alter the past.  And while it may be valuable to reflect on the past and think about what you might do differently nect time around, there's no point dwelling on it and cricifying yourself for being imperfect.  So accept that you went off track, accept that it's in the past and is now unchangeable, and accept that you're human and therefore imperfect. 

The second step is to ask yourself: 'What do I want to do now?  Rather than dwelling on the past, what can I do in the present that's important and meaningful?'

Then the third step is, of course, to take committed action in line with that value."

If you like the sound of this acceptance commitment stuff, here are some websites you might want to have a look at. 
http://www.mindfulnessresources.com/
http://www.actmindfully.com.au/
http://www.mindfulnessatwork.com/

And please do take a minute, the very next time you have a troublesome throught or a little negativity running through your mind to ACT and see how it works for you.  I love it!  Let us know how you go!

And still picking apples..... would love to receive some great apple recipes. 

 

               

Some Healing Thoughts

I have been challenged this week to think about the affect that our positive thinking, thoughts etc can have on our wellbeing, ie all that mind over matter stuff.  And to think about how our emotions and our emotional state affects our day to day lives and relationships. it came into focus this week when I caught up with a long time work colleague who said to me "I am the happiest I have ever been and I am more relaxed and creative than ever."  His words were positive and spoken with great conviction, there is no doubt, he is experiencing a great high in his life right now.  And being part of his optimism got me thinking there must be a connection  between our emotions and wellbeing. 
 
Proof is emerging that our emotions affect our state of health.  Good feelings have healing effects on the body.  And feelings also influence your immunity and the rate you heal from illness and injuries.  We know about things like it's best not to smoke or to drink and exercise and a healthy diet is best.  Now we can add to this, "our level of optimism".  And  according to Mark Seligman, PhD, optimism is as least as beneficial as all the others mentioned. 

While research is not yet quite conclusive, it is clear that negative feelings like stress, sadness and worry cause a spike in the hormone cortisol and this in turn suppresses the immune system.  So there's a real imperative now to be optimistic and keep your emotions in check.  Here are some quick and simple tips that can help;

1. Express yourself.  Don't hold back.  Clear your head of thoughts and good things will happen to the rest of you.
2. Take up meditation or some sort of relaxation activity.  How about Tai Chi, yoga or some meditation CD's.
3. Ask for help if you need it.  You are not expected to know or be able to do everything!  Seek out a partner to help along the way.
4. Lean on your friends.  Social networking is huge for a reason - because people genuinely like connecting.  It makes us feel good and this in turn keeps us happy and it seems healthy too.  And effective social relationships and networks can help lower stress levels too.   
5. Look on the bright side.  Make it a point to keep your emotional state positive.  This includes being happy, calm and lively. 

   

   Smiles all round. We found the tree that dad planted as a boy.

   

We all have the ability to choose our own mind set so might as well make it an optimistic one I say.  So right now please take a minute to let us know what you do now or can do to keep an optimistic mindset.  And then make sure you put it into action straight away.

Feel the Power of Affirmations

Affirmations are one on my favorite tools for when life becomes a little rocky and you need to over-ride negative thoughts and restore your positive spirit and sense of wellness.  And let's face it, this happens to all of us.  I was first seriously introduced to (and moved to use) affirmations by Susan Jeffers as part of her Feel the Fear and do it Anyway workshop.

As Jeffers states, "As I explain in Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway, an affirmation is a strong, positive statement telling us that "all is well", despite what the negativity of the mind may be saying to us.  With constant repetition of this uplifting and soothing statement, the voice of doom and gloom that roams through our mind is replaced with thoughts of peace, power and love. Yes all is well.  I believe that one of the reasons that affirmations are so powerful is that, by replacing negative thoughts with positive thoughts, we are actually moving ourselves from the weakest part of who we are (the lower self) to the strongest and most loving part of who we are (the higher self).  I can't think of a better place to be!"

Affirmations are simple, easy to use and assist you to live above the line.  Affirmations are the most positive form of self talk and can extinguish your negative chatterbox.  To achieve this, you must use them regularly.  Repeat them daily and as often as you can.  Write out your affirmations and carry them wherever you go.

Here are some tips to keep in mind as you create your very own affirmations.
1. Write your affirmations in the present tense.  Eg I am .... rather than I will....
2. You do not have to believe the statement
3. You must repeat your affirmation everyday as often as you can.

In a short time, you will believe whatever it is that you are saying to yourself, you just need to repeat it often enough.

At the moment my three affirmations are;
1. No matter what happens, I can handle it.
2. I am gorgeous just the way I am.
3. I let go and I trust.

For more about affirmations go to http://www.susanjeffers.com/ and sign up for the newsletter.  When  you do you can download Susna Jeffer's "Why Affirmations are So Powerful Booklet."  It's a beauty.  Once you have created / established your affirmations, click on the comments link and tell me what they are.  This is just another way to commit to living above the line and through your higher self.  And this is a powerful place to be!                         

Questions Worth Answering.....



Australian Future Grain Leaders 2011 and Facilitator Dana in Perth.  

 Two great projects I lead as part of my work are the Australian Future Grain Leaders and the Australian Future Cotton Leader Programs.  These programs support emerging leaders to develop their leadership skills in a reasonably short period of time and apply these within their industries with support from program stakeholders.  As one of the facilitators I am always inspired, motivated and proud to be a part of these programs.  In addition, a number of leader profiles are identified and invited to speak to the groups about their own leadership journey.  These can be a great highlight of the program as they challenge the participants to think about their future pathway.  This week in Perth, this is indeed what happened with guest speaker Doug Fitch, Director of AgWorld.  He suggested the following Questions as Worth Answering......

• What is your passion?
• What are your gifts?
• Who are your mentors?
• Will it make a difference and to whom?
• Who will you follow and who will you lead?
• What is your plan?

WOW these are pretty powerful questions - wouldn't it be great to know all the answers?  Spend some time with these questions and see how you go.  Another key message from Doug was Who I am is not just what I do!  This certainly resonated with me, now I'm off to jot down my answers to Questions Worth Answering.... Good Luck as you too take on this challenge.  Please share how you get on. 
           

Family Apple Picking Loads of Fun



Sisters on an Apple Hunt

   Apple picking - at least the way we do it in our family - is kind of like life!  It's where perseverance pays off and the laughs and chats around (and under) the apple tree are priceless.

Today I went apple picking with my two beautiful sisters and niece and we talked about life and love and dreams and gee did we laugh.  We fell over and given the rain we have had lately - lots of it - today was slippery.  We slipped down entire embankments as well as slipping up them. We grabbed on to grass to stop us from falling and clung to tree branches to cushion a fall.  Apple picking is dangerous stuff in our family.  

Once home we had a shared lunch, laughed and talked some more and then divided up the apples.  Then it was back home to stew some up and freeze.  And yes now I am older I realise the  days are not about the apples, they are indeed about life, love and family.

These days are about sharing an experience, enjoying each other's company and truly being in and enjoying the moment.  They are about the journey not the destination.


On the descent and then...slip!!



More apples to be picked!



View from the apple tree



Another bucket full coming up. 




 

A Great Day - This Tree was Loaded