My friend, Chere Bork, just completed her first triathlon at age 55.
My friend, Mark LeBlanc, walked 500 miles across Northern Spain in 33 days.

Are they living intentionally?  You bet.

Chere and Mark are each doing what is necessary to make sure life doesn’t pass them by.  They are getting off the sidelines and getting into the game.

Here are brief introductions to these living with purpose people…

Chere Bork has a heart as big as the ocean. She absolutely loves people.  And she is always looking for or creating ways to make you feel special.  Chere is a nutritionist, wellness coach, and media spokesperson.  Her clients love her, and she knows (and has fun with!) nutrition and healthy eating habits better than anyone I know.  When she’s not coaching, writing a cookbook, or doing something active outside, she’s spending time with her family and volunteering.  (Chere and I co-facilitate the Apprentice program in the National Speakers Association-MN Chapter’s Institute for Professional Speaker Development.)

Chere decided to run a triathlon when she turned 55.  So she did.  She set her goal, followed her goal, and achieved her goal.  But it was more than that for Chere.  Read her story in her own words.  You will be inspired.

  There are two things I appreciate most about Mark LeBlanc.  First, he has learned through ups and downs and successes and failures what it takes to live an authentic, purpose-focused life while building an extremely successful business.  Second, we both come from small towns in northwestern Minnesota.  Mark grew up in Fertile, and I grew up in Climax.  Ya’ just gotta’ love the small town guys.

Mark has been changing the lives of thousands through his speaking, teaching, and coaching.  Do you want to build a business or grow your business?  Then you need to talk to Mark.  He’s the best.  His million+ steps across Northern Spain significantly transformed how he things about work and life.  Read his story in his own words.   

Mark’s book, Never be the Same, is on my List of Top 10 Favorite Books.  You’ll learn about life, business, and how to just keep moving forward when times are tough.  You will never be the same after reading it.  It really is a great book. 

Give yourself a gift today.  Read Chere and Mark’s stories.  Be ready to be challenged.  It’s never too late to start living.

Live with purpose.   Get off the bench.  Get in the game. 

“No matter what your current situation is, good or not-so-good, hang in there.  Miracles do happen, memories can be healed, and dreams do come true.  Make a commitment to yourself first, not to the finish line…You can always take another step.  You can take another one, too.  Deliberately, in the direction of your dream.  It may be a baby step, but you can take one.  Today.  Tomorrow, and the next day.”  >From Never be the Same by Mark LeBlanc.

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Waking up and realizing it’s Saturday.
Finding money in your old coat pocket.
That one square in the waffle that’s the most loaded with butter and syrup.

What do they have in common?

They make us feel good.  Each creates this instantaneous breath of sheer joy and surprise. An Awesome Moment.

You’ll find these smile-inducing moments and hundreds more in Neil Pasricha’s book, The Book of Awesome.

As Pasricha writes on the book jacket, “Sometimes it’s easy to forget the things that make us smile.”

Isn’t that the truth!

Pasricha has pulled together observations that, when we read them, we immediately know exactly how that moment or activity makes us feel.  And it usually brings a smile.

Check out this book.  It’s well written, AND it will bring joy to some of the gloomiest days.  Really.  Find some time to read this book.  One Awesome Moment a day is bound to make you feel better.

The website is an event in itself.  Everyday people posting their own everyday moments that make them smile.  http://www.1000awesomethings.com.

Two more of my favorite moments:
Picking the perfect nacho off someone else’s plate.
Laughing so hard you make no sound at all.

Just Awesome.

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Have you had a day like I’ve had?

It was a day with limited appointments, so ideal for focusing on completing projects.
But I couldn’t stay focused if a zillion dollars was riding on getting a project done by 5:00.
Wandering through the house, gazing over my bookshelves, and staring into the fridge took up an awful lot of time.

I tried to tape Dr. Oz this afternoon.
I got a 60 minute show with about 10 minutes of health content, and 50 minutes of weather warnings.  (Does it really take that long to warn us about the weather?)

Ideas for my postings have been bubbling for days…and today was the day to write them.
And now?  I’ve got nothing.  Nothing is even simmering.
And the harder I try to write…well, writing a complete sentence deserves Author of the Year status.

So it’s 5:30 and not a whole lot has been accomplished.

I’ve got two choices:

1) Kick myself for being lazy, unfocused, incompetent, etc.  You know what I mean.  When we’re in “one of those days,” we quickly find all kinds of descriptors that question our right to be on this planet.

2) Recognize that I didn’t always make good choices today…AND I’ll make better ones tomorrow. I know that I’m competent, energetic, and productive.  I’m making a difference and I re-start tomorrow.

You’ve had days like this, right?  (Please say yes.)

Chalk it up to lessons learned and move on.  The worst thing I can do tomorrow?  Repeat today.  That will start to build a habit.  And it won’t be a good one.

It’s one of those days.  And tomorrow will be even better.

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Just an Update…

There’s an obvious gap in time since the last time I posted here!  I’m sorry about the break in the schedule.  I’ve been spending more time with my mom as she recuperates from two serious heart procedures.  Loved our time together while decreasing the hours I spent on other things.  Now she’s back on track and feeling great!

I am just lovin’ Caribou’s new look.  You may have seen the changes in this very popular coffee shop’s redesign.  They’ve changed the graphics, deepened their colors, and have created a much more contemporary and trendy feel to the place.  Walking in to get my iced chai tea latte becomes an experience – I feel energized, inspired, and hopeful.  Yeah, I know.  It’s only a coffee shop.  But it creates a moment for me.

Their slogan is the same: “Life is short. Stay awake for it.”  And now they’ve added ‘bouisms to their cups and napkins.  Short words or phrases that remind us that today matters—let’s get the most out of it.  “Stay awake for maxing out your passport.”  “Life’s too short for grudges.”

Don’t you just love being around people who bring their own positive “bouisms” with them?  People who show up and bring energy and passion to the conversation.  It’s more than an exchange of information.  It’s an experience.  A moment.  

Lately I’ve been inspired by the ‘bouisms I receive from my network of job seekers.

I’m thinking of my new friend, George.  He speaks so fondly and with such gratitude about the people he’s crossed paths with over the years.   “I’ve worked with some amazing people!” (What a treat to be part of his network!)  And my friend, Maureen.  She’s got a message to share that will change the way we think about people with mental illness.  Her eyes light up as she talks about hope.  “I’m going to help change the face of mental health.”  And my conversations with Mary are just so enjoyable.  She passionately looks for ways to share her expertise and never, ever complains about the tight job market.  “I’m so fortunate.”

How are you showing up today?  What words or phrases are showing up in your conversations?  They’ll change the world around you, you know. 

Don’t miss a day of living.  Life is short.

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Does this describe your current situation?…

Your cubicle/office job gives a paycheck, but no fulfillment.
Your “work at home” business gives you flexibility, but no joy.
Your unemployment gives you more time off, but no income.

You want “a life.”  A life that includes meaningful work. Time to focus on the things that matter most to you.  You want to make a difference.

It’s possible.  It takes work.

A statement that encourages me, guilts me, ticks me off, and inspires me…
My life is where it is right now because of the daily choices I’ve made.
Ooftah.

So how do we move from where we are to where we want to be?

It starts with taking one step, making one choice, that gets us closer to “A Life.”

An earlier posting by Paul DeBettignies was just the shot in the arm that I needed this weekend.  What Price would you pay for your Dream Job offers a great suggestion for moving in the right direction…

Write your own job description. Figure out what you really, really want. And then identify what the price tag is. Evaluate.

Here are 4 steps to get you re-focused and re-energized:

1. Read Paul’s posting – noodle on it.

2. Write your job description. Create your vision board.  Get clear on what you really, really want.

3. Make a list of what it will take to get you there. Then you aren’t surprised when the hard work comes along.

4. Do one thing that gets you closer to “A Life.”

Here are some general ideas for getting started:
~~ Create healthier boundaries
~~ Ask for help
~~ Identify (and execute!) your daily 3 high-value activities ala Mark LeBlanc
~~ Plan your work and work your plan
~~ Eliminate the stuff that just takes up time and space
~~ Get a coach
~~ Etc.

You and I are creating our lives by the choices we make.  It’s up to us to create “a life.”   Let’s make it a dream life.

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I have been listening to Jim Rohn this week as I drive between appointments.  His program called “The Power of Ambition” includes a CD on self-discipline.  I’ve listened to it twice in just as many days.  What wisdom.  (If you aren’t familiar with Jim Rohn, please take a few minutes to learn more about him.  Although his time on earth recently ended, he leaves us with a rich legacy of business philosophy that can change your life.)

“Disciplined” is not the first word I use to describe myself.  But it is becoming clearer and clearer to me that the habits I create from being disciplined determine my progress in reaching my goals.

If I consistently make the decision to eat healthier food and exercise more regularly—and then act on that decision—I will be healthier and more fit.

If I consistently make the decision to think before I speak—and then act on that decision—my words will be more gracious.

If I consistently make the decision to set daily goals—and then act on that decision—I will get closer to achieving those goals.

Mr. Rohn describes consistent self discipline as “applying what you know.”  “Procrastination says, ‘Get it done.’ Discipline says, ‘Do it now.’”

Apply these thoughts to your goals or your job search.

What disciplines have you incorporated into your daily routine?  Are you just moving through busy activities, spending too much time in front of the online job postings or worrying about your unemployment?  Or are you creating your job search plan and then executing your plan by applying what you know you should do?

What’s one thing you can do today that will move you closer to your goal?  Do it now.

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Chris Heeter is one of my favorite poets.  Her writings have deepened my appreciation for nature, animals, and the human spirit.

As we move through these last days of December, I share one of her poems, with her permission.

A Solstice blessing…

Less than a week

the light will slowly lengthen.

The temptation, to count the days.

To hold our breath

until daylight stretches

into evening and early morning

forcing back the darkness.

What a relief it will be

these light-starved bodies

to see again

no longer fumbling in darkness.

Still,

somewhere deep inside

past resistance and reason

you know this darkness, too, is your home.

A place you were taught to hurry through

lest you be swallowed by the whale of darkness

never to be seen again.

Your soul knows better.

Your soul knows night is the place of dreams.

Far beyond what seeing eyes call horizon

night eyes know no such boundary.

So on these long nights of winter solstice

may you find your wildest dreams

walking companionably alongside you.

Having waited for you all this time

to turn toward darkness

and find not fear, but peace and courage

and wild abandon toward a life you hadn’t dared live.

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(Part 3 of 3)

Considering the power of writing and changing my own story has encouraged my spirit and nurtured my soul this week.  The characters and story lines that weave in and out of the chapters in my life book remind me of the significance of each other’s stories.  The need to live intentionally, with purpose, becomes even greater as I take more and more responsibility for my choices and decisions—my stories.

We write our own stories. We do not have complete control over all the story lines, but we can control the actions of our character.  We can become the person we want to be.

I’m concluding this series with more words from Steve Chandler. 

From the Preface of Reinventing Yourself: How to Become the Person You’ve Always Wanted to Be:

“Most of us today live in cocoons.

“It is dark and dusty inside, and we think we can’t get out.  We tell ourselves stories about the cocoon, but these stories are lies.  They only feel like the truth because they’ve been repeated so often.

“We could tear open the cocoon if we wanted to.  We could push out and see the light of the world.  We could learn to fly.

“The cocoon is known by the name of personality.

“Most people live trapped inside their personalities for their entire lives, never knowing that they can leave.  They are victims of their own invented “selves.”  They wake up each morning to a world that is gray and dusty.  There is almost no light.  Pushing against the inner wall of the cocoon seems too hard. 

“Why bother?  And how can we know for sure if there is anything on the other side?

“But there are people who learn to push through.  They learn to think all over again.  People who take up thinking again learn to fly.  They learn to enjoy taking full possession of their own freedom.  In effect, they reinvent who they are.  And, in the process, they become owners of the human spirit.”

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(Part 2 of 3)

I recently attended a National Speakers Association (NSA) workshop on storytelling.  Jackie Pflug was our guest speaker.  Her story is life changing.

Jackie was on Egypt Air Flight 648 when it was hijacked in 1985.  She was shot in the head, thrown out of the plane, and left for dead on the tarmac.  Her story is not mine to tell, but it is one that you should hear.  I note it here because it so vividly reminded me at a very deep level about the power of our stories.

Bad things happen to all of us.  Some experience tragedy that is beyond comprehension.  An airline hijacking, the death of a child, disease, abuse.  Our book of stories that we thought would end with “And they lived happily ever after” appears to end at the tragedy.  No more words are written. 

Listening to Jackie gave me hope and encouragement that when tragedy strikes, our story does not need to end.  A new chapter begins.  A new story is created, and we have power over how the story is written.  Our book may still not end with “happily ever after,” but it can end with a chapter that uses words like strength,  hope, and forgiveness.

Steve Chandler brings depth and clarity to this topic—believing and telling our stories.  I encourage you to pick up a copy of The Story of You (And How to Create a New One).

My attention is focused this evening on my ability to change my story.  My story is mine to write.  I am its author and editor.  How do I want it to end?

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(Part 1 of 3)

On my A-List bookshelf is The Story of You (And How to Create a New One) by Steve Chandler.  One of my favorite lines is, “…we hold ourselves back by the stories we believe and then tell.”

So true.

What stories do you believe about yourself?  There are hopefully a lot of good ones in your life’s book.  Stories that say you’re a good person, you know how to make smart decisions, you make wise choices, etc.

But unfortunately, many of us have tucked stories into a few chapters that hold us back.  “I’m just not good with names.”  “I’m just so scatter-brained.”  “That’s just the way I am.”  (Really?  That’s just the way you are??)

Once you’ve told a story a few times you start to believe it…live it.  And that’s where you get stuck.

You really believe that that you can’t get organized because (your story) you’re scatter-brained. You’re never on time for meetings because (your story) you’re always late.  You need three people to affirm a decision you’ve made because (your story) you can’t make decisions.  See what I mean?  These stories become your truth.  And you believe there’s nothing you can do to change them.

The stories you believe and tell about yourself hold enormous power over how you live your life.  The good news?  You create your own stories.  If you don’t like the story, create a new one.  Make different choices. Act differently.  Change the beliefs you hold about yourself.  More on this next time.

What stories are holding you back?  What new stories do you want to create?

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