What we see, experience, and feel with our five senses always comes after the decision to see, experience, and feel it." --Pam Grout The above quote comes from a book I am currently reading, "E-Squared: Nine Do-It-Yourself Energy Experiments That Prove Your Thoughts Create Your Reality." Incantations, affirmations, positive thinking, intentions--whatever you want to call it, this book offers more evidence that what you think about, you bring about. And it gives you some specific experiments to try so you can prove it to yourself. If you have coached with me for any length of time, we have no doubt talked about this very subject. Despite the fact that our lives reflect that language and we are unconsciously doing incantations already (I'm so stupid; what's wrong with me; I just look at food and gain weight; no matter how hard I try, I'm always broke, etc.), many people are resistant to trying on new language patterns (it feels awkward; it can't be that simple, etc.)
I challenge you to get the book, pick one of the experiments and try it for a couple of weeks. What have you got to lose?
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Michael Nitti is one of our top coaches at RRI. He is also a dear friend, mentor, and one of my coaches. He posted this today, and I think it's worth sharing.
"It's not what you are looking at, it's what you see. For the most part, what you and I tend to "see" is what we expect to see, which is shaped by what we've seen before. Hence, how most of us react to situations in the present tends to replicate how we've always reacted, which is why people tend to live lives that are little more than regurgitated versions of the past. To break free, one must simply observe this occurring and STOP it. Give it up. Train yourSelf to see what is real and present in the NOW. Acknowledge the past and let it go. Live and love on purpose, which requires that you move toward something intentionally versus reacting from fear. YOU are the author of your own experience. Create!!" Six thousand people attended the Unleash the Power Within event in San Jose this past weekend. Six thousand people. I believe that's a record for the United States. Six thousand people looking to change their lives in a positive way. Six thousand people stepping up, taking action, saying "I want my life to be different." Six thousand people looking for hope, inspiration, leadership. Six thousand people wanting to make their lives, their communities, their world, better.
Six thousand people did a firewalk. Twenty-one of those people sought medical attention afterward. Of that twenty-one, most had only minor blisters. Three had real burns. Three. Out of six thousand. That's .0005%. And what does our media choose to focus on? Do they focus on six thousand people wanting to do something positive with their lives? Certainly not. Do they focus on the five thousand nine hundred and seventy-nine people who walked the coals without getting hurt? Obviously not. Do they focus on the many thousands of people who have walked the coals with Tony over the years without incident? That would definitely be out of the question. Instead, let's talk to a person who wasn't even at the event and really had no idea what was happening. Let's show video of people celebrating at the end of the firewalk and portray it as "screams of agony." Where is the outrage over the increase of type 2 diabetes in children, something rarely seen before the 1990's? Where is the outcry about obesity in children being nearly TRIPLE what it was in the 1970's? Or the fact that deaths from prescription drugs now outnumber traffic fatalities? What really matters is, does this in any way, shape or form have anything to do with you and your goals? My guess would be no. So let's get on with living a life of fulfillment and purpose and let the sensationalists who pass for journalists in our society get back to the Kardashians and Lindsay Lohan. I don't know where this story originally came from, but it's a good one.
A NYC Taxi driver wrote: I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes I honked again. Since this was going to be my last ride of my shift I thought about just driving away, but instead I put the car in park and walked up to the door and knocked.. 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor. After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940's movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware. "Would you carry my bag out to the car?" she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness. "It's nothing," I told her. "I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated." "Oh, you're such a good boy," she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, "Could you drive through downtown?" "It's not the shortest way," I answered quickly.. "Oh, I don't mind," she said. "I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice." I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. "I don't have any family left," she continued in a soft voice. "The doctor says I don't have very long." I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. "What route would you like me to take?" I asked. For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing. As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, "I'm tired. Let's go now." We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair. "How much do I owe you?" she asked, reaching into her purse. "Nothing," I said. "You have to make a living," she answered. "There are other passengers," I responded. Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly. "You gave an old woman a little moment of joy," she said. "Thank you." I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life. I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly, lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away? On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life. We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware--beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one. I love Zappo's. And clearly, I am not alone in that. Their company culture is legendary. Says CEO Tony Hsieh, "It's about giving employees permission and encouraging them to just be themselves." They are so serious about making sure that all employees are a good fit that they offer $3000 to anyone who who wants to quit after their first week of training, no strings attached. Over 97% turn down the offer. According to their website, the ten core values they live by are:
Those aren't bad values, for business or for life. What are your core values? What are you passionate about? If you haven't seen this video, it's definitely worth watching. This is one of my favorite videos, especially for those days when everything seems to be going wrong. Enjoy!
I can hardly believe it! It seems like it was just last year that everyone was talking about entering a new century, and now we are already into our second decade of it. I love this time of year. For me, it's a time to reflect on the wonderful moments of the past twelve months. It's also a time of excitement and anticipation as I look forward to the magic moments of 2012 and think about what I will create in my life in this new year. Because I love to think about my new goals from a place of gratitude, I am sharing this video with you. Enjoy! |
Suzie ConineBoard certified executive coach, mentor and life strategist. Topics
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January 2019
"Change your thoughts and you change your world."
--Norman Vincent Peale |