The Power of Pressure

Have you ever thought about pressure being a good thing? Really - think about it. It's pressure that creates diamonds. Couldn't it do the same thing for us? Could we harness the pressure in our lives and use it to create an extraordinary life?

If you want to find out more you can read an article on this at my website http://www.ChooseMyLifeNow.com/articles.html

What does my extraordinary life look like?

Here's an interesting question posed to me: "What if I don't know what my extraordinary life looks like? I don't know what I want; I just don't like the life I have. What do I do?"

Interesting question. People assume that you know what you want your life to be. My experience is, more often than not, that isn't true. Most people either don't know, or they create an idea in their head that is more about relieving stresses they feel than really creating a fulfilling, joyful and satisfying life.

So what can you do, how can you know what you want? The answer has 2 parts.

First, it doesn't matter if you know what you want your extraordinary life to look like. All that matters is that you know you want something more and you are willing to do something different to get there.

Second, you can get ideas about what you want by starting with an inspiration board. Just grab something to which you can attach pictures or bits and pieces of bric-a-brac. A bulletin board is great and a poster board, particle board or even a slab of pressed paper will do nicely. Then start attaching things that appeal to you. Cut out pictures from magazines, bits of fabric, a story, a photo, a piece of beach glass, a bag of sand, anything that calls to you, makes you feel good. If you love to run, attach a photo of yourself running or an old shoe lace, anything that lets you think of running when you look at it.

Keep adding to your board whenever you find a treasure. Then spend some time just looking at your board. Relax and let yourself feel good as you see yourself doing or enjoying the things on your inspiration board. Allow you mind to relax and wander, and let yourself see the possibilities for happiness. Let yourself see the things you like to do and the things that really make you feel good. Those are the things that will be part of your extraordinary life. Those are the activities to make time for. Those are the people to spend time with. Those are the things to have around you or the places to spend time in.

As you look at your inspiration board, you will see many things that give you joy. By focusing your time and energy on these things you will bring more joy in to your life. You will begin to create an extraordinary life, one that is fun, fulfilling and uniquely yours.

Do Something Different

To really win BIG you've got to do something different. That's what the guru in one of my newsletters was saying, and it got me thinking. That's exactly what has to happen in our life to really make it extraordinary. Think about it. If you aren't living an extraordinary life, how could it possibly become extraordinary if you don't do something different?

So today I challenge us all to do something different. Take a step out of your comfort zone and make a change that will lead you one step closer to your extraordinary life.

Rough Seas

Do you feel like you're riding out a hurricane in a small boat in the ocean? Sometimes our life feels that way. Maybe you were living your life like you always have but things around you began to change. Perhaps you created change yourself. Then, one thing leads to another, which creates more change and that leads to something else and suddenly you feel like there are 10 foot waves crashing all around you. However it begins, whether the change is intentioned or not, you can feel caught up in a very scary storm.

When I find myself in the midst of something scary like that I work on 2 things:
1) being peaceful and calm
2) taking action!!

Keeping some semblance of peace helps me slow down enough to take a good look around when I reach the top of a wave. Even though the waves are big and scary, they also give me a great vantage point. When I reach the top I can see a long way. From here I can see new options and new possibilities.

Taking action moves me out of the storm. The only way to get out of this thing is to move forward. So the key here is to not let fear stop me, just keep moving.

Your life can be amazing, it can be an exciting adventure. Just remember that these moments can be part of the adventure. So take a deep breath, look around for possibilities and take action!

Celebration Time!

It's been a while since I talked about this and it is definitely time. Let's start by answering a couple questions. Have you done something lately that was good? Did you follow-up on a difficult task? Have you made improvements in a behavior? Were you nice and positive in the face of adversity (otherwise known as irritating or depressing people)? Is you self talk sounding better?

If you're answering yes to any of these questions, or have made any forward progress in any area of your life, then it's time to celebrate! Yes, you can. You do deserve it and it is good for you so go for it. Do a happy dance, eat a piece of chocolate, play a game of golf, get a massage, go to a movie. Whatever it is, large or small, enjoy a moment of success. Let yourself feel good about your progress. Tell yourself you did a great job and give yourself a pat on the back. Have fun, enjoy the moment and send me your celebration stories - I love to hear about people having fun.

Your Launching Point

Where you are right now is just a launching point for your life. Whatever reality you are living in this minute, the things you have done and learned up until now, are all just a small piece of your life. And they don't determine the rest of it, unless you choose to make it that way.

If you look around and see possibilities then those possibilities can define your life. If you look around and see limitations, then the limitations will define your life.

We all love to hear stories of the underdog - people who won out in spite of things being stacked against them. Well I believe that they didn't spend their time looking at what was against them. The took inventory of their strenghts, they saw a positive outcome and, while keeping those things in front of them, they went for it.

You can do the same thing. Start today by envisioning what you want your life to be like. Then take an inventory of your strenghts. Then take some action. Think about this new vision for your life each day and continue taking action, using your strenghts, to move in the direction of those dreams.

Memorable Moments

What do you remember about yesterday? Is there a moment or an event that comes to mind? Did you do something you like to remember? I'm guessing that most people would answer that question with, "I don't know." or "Same old things." If you are one of them then you have some work to do on creating your extraordinary life.

The things we remember don't have to be monumental, nor does our entire day need to be noteworthy. But if days keep rolling by with nothing happening worth remembering then we probably aren't creating our extraordinary life.

My memories from yesterday are going on a couple errands and creating an advertising coupon for ReclaimU.com. Yes, I said errands. The whole family piled in the car and rode out to Tractor Supply. I grew up in the suburbs and didn't even know about Tractor Supply so my girls were thrilled to show it to me (they fell in love with the store when they realized they could buy the horse models they love and they could buy tack and treats for real horses too). It was one of those simple moments in life that are worth remembering because we were just enjoying being together as a family.

And yes, I said creating a coupon. Why do I remember this? Because I was having fun and I was so excited about ReclaimU and what is happening there. This time was great because I was enjoying my work so much.

Your memorable days and memorable moments don't have to be major. They don't have to be newsworthy, but they do have to be memorable to you. Whether it's some time spent talking to an old friend, a view you saw on the way home from work or having your business featured on the news, big or small, create your extraordinary life one memorable moment at a time.

Taking Action When Things are Tough

We all run into times where we end up in a slump. Something in our life is difficult, sad, or frustrating. When this happens most people tend to slow down and focus on the hard thing in their life. Their life revolves more and more around the difficult aspect and their world shrinks. The next thing you know you feel miserable most of the time.

When you see this happening the solution is usually action. Taking some action to get you moving forward. The action may or may not be directly related to the hard thing in your life. The action may be to take time to sort things out and reflect. It may be taking the time to grieve a loss. And it may be excercise or working on your dreams. But if you are having a difficult time in your marriage, and you set aside time to work on your hobby or your dream, you will start to feel better. You feel better about yourself and you feel better about your life. Soon you can start to see that there is still sunshine in your life, even if there are clouds.

The really great thing about this is that as you start to feel better about yourself it will spill over to other areas of your life too. Then maybe you can take some action where the hard thing is concerned.

Sometimes it Hurts

Yes, even when things are going well and moving in the direction we want, it can still hurt. A really good friend of mine is moving today. In fact, as I write this, her family is piling into the minivan with their 2 cats and all their luggage to make a 4 day drive to their new home. We've been friends for over 20 years and she knows everything there is to know about me. She knows the good and the bad. She's laughed with me and cried with me. She's believed in me when I couldn't believe in myself, and she brings out the best in me. And while our friendship is not a stranger to a telephone since the better part of 17 years of it has been via telephone, I know I'll miss seeing her, making smoothie runs, and chatting face-to-face. I know this move is important and is right for her family. I know it is a good area for her to live in. I know it is a key factor in her husband following his dreams. I know it will be good for our business (she is also my business partner). I know all these things, and I'm still sad. So I am writing this for you as a reminder that sometimes it is sad. Sometimes moving in the right direction can be scary or sad. I also wanted to remind you that just because something feels sad, that doesn't make it a bad thing. Just be in the moment, allow yourself some space to feel your sadness and then move forward.

So today I'm going to do whatever I feel like. I'll pamper myself a little and just see what happens. Tomorrow I'll focus on my family and visitors who are coming. And Monday it's time to move forward. I'll do things that move me forward in my life - and if I'm still sad that's okay too.

Finding Your Path Through the Muck

I met an amazing woman this week. She is choosing to walk through the muck in her life right now and it is incredible to watch what is happening.

Joan is a woman who loves horses and appreciates people. As her family has moved through their life, she and her daughter discovered the amazing healing ability in both people and horses. After a particularly difficult time in her daughter's life a horse helped her heal. Now Joan has started a horse rescue ranch and is inviting people in to both help with the horses and to help themselves heal. Through her own pain she found her path in life - this ranch.

So again I remind you that pain isn't always something to run from. Often times it is the pain in our lives that brings us the greatest joy. It is the pain that teaches us lessons, it is the pain that shows us the way. So choose carefully and know that if it is your time to walk through some muck that the pain is part of the journey to your extraordinary life.

My Walk Through the Muck

We were talking about walking through the muck. I came up with that phrase a couple years ago when I was doing exactly that. I was going through a difficult, exciting, painful period of growth in my life. It was a time for me to learn a lot about myself and to make some real choices about what I wanted. What I remember most vividly is sitting in a Panera Bread with a good friend (who also happens to be a business partner) and talking through some feelings. I was feeling tired, scared and beaten up. But I remember sitting there and telling her, "I hate this. I'm tired of this, I don't want to do it anymore . . . and I can't go back. I'm going forward, whatever happens."

In that moment I realized that I had changed, and my view of what my life can be had changed so much that I couldn't go back to living the life I had been living. Wow! That sounds really dramatic. What's funny about it is that anyone looking in from the outside wouldn't see any real changes in my life. I wasn't talking about where I lived, who I lived with, selling my business, changing my work or any of the outward, obvious things about my life. I was talking about who I am, how I see the world and how I act and respond in my everyday life. I'm sure my husband can tell you I've changed, and a few close friends, but probably no one else. And yet my world is completely different. And I am incredibly grateful.

I'm telling you this story so you can know a few things. 1.) It really is worth walking through the muck. 2.) It helps to have a friend who will support you, so let someone in on your struggles (but choose someone who will support you and nudge you forward). 3.) Don't assume that a better life has to mean tremendous outward change. A shift inside yourself can bring you the greatest joy.

Today I wish for you the strength and perseverence to walk through the muck and a heart filled with gratitude for every step of the journey.

Walking Through the Muck

I've seen quite a few quotes regarding our struggles and how they make us stronger. That is so true and yet there's more. When we choose to go forward in the face of our adversity, when we know that we can't live the life we were living and we just have to follow a new path, when we do that in spite of the fact that it is difficult, we are not only getting stronger, we are learning what we need to know in order to live a meaningful life.

I listen to people who have "made it". They are successful in the sense that they are living a life they love, doing something they love. Often times they are standing in front of an audience telling their story, telling about the path they walked to get where they are now. If you watch the audience, and listen to their comments afterwards, it is fascinating. Everyone is in awe of this person. They are buzzing about how great their life is and how LUCKY they are. Lucky? Did they just listen to the same talk I did? I didn't hear anything about luck. Usually I just heard about a very difficult life, or a very painful situation that the speaker chose to move out of. I heard about faith, persistence, perseverence, listening to and trusting oneself as you move forward. I heard about a journey that felt like walking through a swamp with pockets of quicksand. And I heard about coming out the other side - about the sweetness and joy of reaching the extraordinary life on the other side. I heard how the journey through the muck was worth it, not only because of what they found on the other side, but because of what they learned while they were in the muck. The rumblings in the room after the talk are proof of how worthwhile the journey is. Everyone is buzzing about reaching the other side. Today I want to remind you that the journey through the muck is a beautiful, difficult part of the journey, and it is worth every step. Choose to keep moving forward!

The Power of Money: One family sees the power of 1/2

I read an article about a family who decided to make a major change in their own lives in order to make a major difference in the lives of others. The action was prompted by one of their children and the questions they asked about money and the less fortunate when they saw an obviously wealthy individual giving money to a homeless man. In the course of these discussions about money the family decided to sell their house, move into one 1/2 the size, and donate 1/2 the proceeds to a charity that helps families in 3rd world countries create sustainable food supplies. They said they started to see the power of 1/2 and what a difference it could make.

I love this story for 2 reasons:
1) This family understands the power of money. They are not allowing money to control their lives, but rather are using it to shape the world. They are clear about the role of money and are choosing to leverage the power of it in an amazing way.

2) They saw an opportunity to live their beliefs and make a lasting impact on the world. Not only did they choose to make that impact, they did it in a very personal way. A home is very personal and they chose to trade theirs in as a way of impacting the world. It is a choice that the entire family is part of. The exitement, the work, the joy and the sacrifice that come from this are shared by the entire family. It is an incredible choice, and an incredible life lesson, not only for their family, but for those of us who read their story.

What choices are you making? What power are you giving money in your life? Is it running your life or are you harnessing that power and putting it in its proper place?

To read the entire story visit the CNN story.

Be an otter

I remember a conversation I had with a friend many years ago. I asked her, "If you could be any animal in the world what would you be?" Her answer ... a sea otter. She wanted to be an otter because they play. Not just the babies, not just once in a while. All otters like to play, and they look like they're having a great time.

I've been thinking about this lately as I am redirecting some of my time. I had gotten into a "work" jag where I am either working on my businesses, working on my personal stuff, or working on my education. In fact, even my relaxation time started to feel like work. So I am making the choice to play.

What are you choosing to do? Are you having fun? Are you choosing to rest, relax and rejuvenate? Remember the otter and remember that we all need to play.