This month’s Passioneering theme is “Creating Powerful Support Networks”.  That is, to thrive at what you love AND make big, positive contributions on the planet, through other people.  As a recovering do-it-myself-aholic, I know firsthand that you simply cannot succeed alone. Answered prayers come through others, and the more “others” you have, the more abundance you can receive.   Rugged individualism  may have been the American dream in the past, but now it represents a sad, lonely saga.

We recently asked several Passioneers® how they created powerful support networks on their journeys.  Below are some of our favorite responses:

Beth Remmes, Founder of Zola Goods: “I like the visual of widening circles, like ripples in a pond. The main reason I have been able to stay the course is because I have had the sense that this is a divinely-inspired mission, so first and foremost, I have a practice that starts at my center – whether it is yoga, meditation, a hike in the woods, something that keeps my connection to a power greater than myself.”

Shelly Rachanow, best-selling author of If Women Ran the World, Sh** Would Get Done :  “Richard Bach once said, ‘Argue for your limitations and sure enough they’re yours.’  I’ve made a point to surround myself with friends and family who remind me that I can do anything I choose, and who never let me tell myself otherwise.”

Bill Roth, a green entrepreneur and creator of Earth 2017:  “One great advantage of putting your neck on the line is you find out who will chop it off for a buck and who will really help you. Going through those experiences are disheartening but really valuable in the long run because you end with wonderful, trusting relationships.”

Ryan Ray, radio and TV host of WakeUP! TV:  “Aside from my own mother’s consistent and unconditional support in everything I’ve ever attempted to do in my life, I’m blessed to have a tight-knit group of friends who share my passion for inspiring change in other people’s lives. When you move bravely forward into the unknown, your courage and sincerity will attract people to you like an electromagnet. Quite honestly, you’ll be surprised where your supporters come from, more times than not being the people you’d least expect!”

Tammy Gentry, the owner of CMD Gifts and the creator of Penny Stones®.

• “To make my dream a reality, one of my best first steps was to make an appointment with S.C.O.R.E advisors.  They helped me create my business plan, gave me invaluable critical feedback, and helped me think of my product as a business, not a hobby.

• I have partnered with other women entrepreneurs who manufacture products sold to the gift wholesale and retail market.  Developing relationships with people who can relate to your problems, concerns, frustrations, and accomplishments adds another dimension to the rewards of owning your own business.

• Next month, I will be joining a group of women entrepreneurs who meet once a month for three hours and discuss the challenges they face.  These women will become my Board of Advisors.  I have been looking for a support group like this and am very excited to have found one locally ( Akron , Ohio ).”

Jenny Pavlovic, Founder, Author, and Imagineer, 8 State Kate Press:

• “Believe in yourself and your purpose. Share your positive message and supportive people will appear in your life. Notice when they do, and reach out to them. Pay attention because sometimes when the right people appear it seems like a coincidence, but is isn’t. Be prepared to act.
• Limit the time and energy you give to negative people (even if you are related to them!). That will give you more time and energy to spend with supportive people who bring your energy up and share your passion. The law of attraction, you know…”

Patty DeDominic, Chief Coach, DeDominic & Associates:

• “Seek out people who are already doing what YOU aspire to do.
• Surround yourself with people with good attitudes and who are positive and resourceful
• If you can’t Be the Change YOU wish to see.. then find people who are working to make that happen and HELP!”

Scott Gabriel Hummel, Certified Bad Ass, Professional Adventurer, www.gabrielhummel.com:

• “Don’t quit your day job. Test the waters with your new passion before you jump ship completely.
• Focus Hard. If you are serious about making your passion your career, spend your time accordingly.
• Go for it. You won’t know unless you try.”

Here are 18 more ways to build your powerful Passioneer pom pom squad:

1. Remember that when you ask for support, you’re creating an “opportunity” for someone to give.   Let go of niggling worries that you’re bothering someone by asking.
2. Take time to clarify exactly what support you need. A business plan, even on the back of an envelope, helps.
3. Learn to make clear, specific requests for support, including what you want and by when.
4. NEVER EVER pre-judge another person’s ability or willingness to support you. Allow yourself to be pleasantly surprised!
5. Create at least 3 mentoring relationships with experienced, thriving Passioneers who are several steps ahead of you.
6. Read, read, read. Explore everything that’s ever been written and who’s been successful in your passion.
7. For those who believe in a higher power, remember to connect with it on a regular basis through prayer, meditation, and reflection…when things are going bad AND when things are going well.
8. Remember that your support network can be global with a reach far beyond your neighborhood.
9. Let those you can trust know about your dreams for making a big difference and thriving.
10. Remember that support comes in many forms, not only with shared time and finances.
11. EVEN a naysayer can be part of your support team. What becomes possible if you actively solicit constructive criticism, without being overwhelmed?
12. Be grateful for and regularly thank those who are already supporting you. You simply cannot appreciate them too much.
13. Your biggest competitors can be your biggest allies, if you change your perception. What if you collaborate instead of compete?
14. Building a support network is just as much giving as it is receiving. When you ask “How can I help you?”, the other person automatically considers how he might help you too.  So be the support that you seek!
15. Create an advisory team of at least 12 people. Then double it. Advisory team members are those who have subject matter expertise and want to share it with your great cause.  They might also be individuals who exemplify key strengths and values that complement yours.
16. There’s never a perfect time to ask for support. One thing’s for sure: if you wait until the “right time,” it’s too late.
17. Being vulnerable is NOT a weakness, it’s actually a strength.  Ditto for surrendering.
18. Remember that the bigger your dream, the bigger the challenges and the greater the naysaying. Consider that significant opposition can be the highest form of flattery and much better than apathy.

Best wishes and Happy Passioneering!

Beth Remmes is Founder of Zola Goods LLC. She speaks to entrepreneurs and businesses about key principles behind the green movement, and how they can be applied to any industry. Beth also speaks to groups of individuals and takes them through a day in the life of an average American consumer for a step-by-step guide to some of the easy and affordable changes we can make to help the environment. Zola has been featured in Atlanta InTown, Entrepreneur.com, Oprah’s Angel Network and various other publications. http://www.zolagoods.com.

Our Radio Show Interview with Beth

5/19/10, 5pm PST on  The Passions and Possibilities Project on Blog Talk Radio.  Listen live at 347-205-9038 or via archive on the website.

Thanks Beth, and Happy Passioneering!

Our Passion Q&A with Beth

SO: Your definition of “passion” – your “WHY” for being on the planet?

I think that passion is our life force energy. It is drive that keeps us working on our mission, even in the face of setbacks and obstacles. It is a gift and a clue to the divine spark in each of us, propelling us on to make a positive impact in this world.

SO: Your biggest passions for serving others, and how you’re expressing them (include hobbies, volunteering, if you wish)?

I would say that my passions all center around healing and connection. I think that people are disconnected from each other and the earth, which is why we are able to be so harmful, without so much as a second thought in many cases. I teach people that their actions to the earth and to each other do make a big difference in this world. My service is anything and everything from picking up litter, talking to classrooms about conserving resources, conducting workshops on how to shift consumer habits, or creating sacred space in a medicine wheel or oak grove and give people a safe place to meditate and become more in touch with themselves and their purpose and passions

SO: Your biggest challenge(s) in expressing your passions for serving others and how you’ve addressed them?

My biggest challenge is wondering about all the “What ifs” or “How tos” that go along with running a business. However, when I stay in the present and focus on the task at hand, I am able to block out those distractions. When you know deep down that your work is inspired action and that it is about serving others, you don’t ask yourself “if,” you ask yourself “how”.

SO: Your experience of “prosperity,” as you define it, in making the leap?

My favorite mantra around money is, “The more I have, the more good that I can do.” It is the freedom to do the good that you want to in this world. My family is very supportive and without that, I could not have taken that leap. However, when they put their support behind me, our prosperity as a family has increased, so even though it is not always through the channels that I want or expect, we are supported and I am grateful.

SO:  What’s the biggest lesson that you’ve learned in making the leap?

When I heard people say that they are following their passion, I almost always equated it with a unique talent, such as artistic or musical ability. So whereas, I always felt like I was meant to do something more in my life– I never knew what that “more” was, because while I am good at lots of things, but not amazingly gifted in any one particular area. But then I found my passion not by looking for hidden talents – but by focusing on what I was deeply concerned about, and I learned that passion was really about how we could each feel that we can best contribute to the world.

SO: What’s your support system look like; how did you create it?

I like the visual of widening circles, like ripples in a pond. The main reason I have been able to stay the course is because I have had the sense that this is a divinely-inspired mission, so first and foremost, I have a practice that starts at my center – whether it is yoga, meditation, a hike in the woods, something that keeps my connection to a power greater than myself. From there, I try to be compassionate with myself and not take life too seriously and remember to enjoy what I am doing. Moving outwards to my family, I involved them in all phases of the process from reading the business plan, to discussing what it would mean for the family in terms of my time and finances. If I did not have their support, it would have been very difficult – if not impossible – for me to pursue my business. As I move out to the next circle of friendships, I found that as my vibration level rose, some new people come into my life and some other people fell away. I found myself saying no to things that in the past I would have said yes to out of a sense of obligation, and saying yes to things which are more in alignment with my passions. As a result I found myself in more energizing, rather than draining, relationships and activities, so that I had more energy and support to focus on this new chapter in my life.

SO: What wisdom do you have for someone who’s scared/discouraged about their own leap?

I would say to start with a step rather than a leap. Don’t change your life all at once, start by doing something every day that relates to your passion or new business as this will help you to build momentum. This can be anything – from doing market research, to sending out e-mails, reading about industry trends, or simply talking about it with others. On the days where you feel like you need a break – read or watch something inspiring or say some affirmations – that counts too. The point is that you need to stay on course – and as Michael Beckwith says, “You need to become a participant – not an anticipant- in your life.” Just the thought – never mind the process – of starting a business can be completely overwhelming, but by staying in the present and taking it one item on your to-do list at a time, you are able to move through the fear and doubts. When you start to feel the anxiety, take a step-back, get still, and ask yourself can I handle this task, the one that is front of me, right now? This will help stop all of the what ifs – because it is our projections that cause the most stress. Trust that you can handle what you are given and enjoy each step of your journey.

SO: What’s your next big milestone?

Right now there are over 40 Zola Coordinators who are teaching people in their communities how to be more conscious consumers and helping them to make affordable, eco-friendly changes. I hope that the number of Coordinators continues to grow and I would love to meet like-minded people who want to share this business journey with me and help me grow the company so that it has a national presence and proves that you can be successful with a triple bottom-line approach of people, planet, and profit.

Each of us has a glorious, divine purpose for making a unique and positive difference on this planet; that is, for leaving a powerful legacy.   And guess what?  Your passion and your talents together point directly to your purpose.  Pretty obvious, eh?

Most of us have a good inkling as to what our true passions are – what we would do for free or what we would even pay someone else to let us do.  In fact, most of us share our passions for free, either as a hobby or through volunteering.  Heck, some of us pay a lot of money to access our passions.

The Passion Conundrum: What’s between you and doing what you love fully and vibrantly?

Excuses, Excuses

If you’re like me, you’re probably telling yourself one of these stories:  “I’m too busy.”  “I don’t have enough money.”  “I’m not talented enough.”  You’ve probably got lots of “yeah buts” for why you cannot thrive at what you love, based upon your past experiences and ultimately upon F.E.A.R.   It’s funny how we take our past, project it into our future and then believe that it’s the truth of who we are.    As Byron Katie shares on her website (www.ByronKatie.com), “Fear is always the result of an unquestioned past imagined as a future.”  She also describes, in a 2009 Twitter tweet: “Fear has only two causes: the thought of losing what you have or the thought of not getting what you want.”

So what’s the fear about?  Fears of failure, looking bad, not looking good, not being accepted, and the fear of being homeless are just a few that I hear and have personally experienced.   The bottom line?  Your fears do not define who you are and they are a lousy story with an unhappy ending that you continually tell yourself, over and over again.  What a recurring nightmare!

Selling Out, Bigtime

In my own life, I sold out my passions several times to follow the path most traveled and headed into the illusory security of Corporate America.  Let’s flash back to my undergrad years, when I absolutely adored the French language and dreamed of becoming a language professor.  Most of my friends, meanwhile, were heading into law, medicine, or business.  When I solicited their opinion on my French passion as a career, I heard loudly and clearly “Teachers don’t make any money!”  I believed them.  I also believed that, especially as a woman, I should be more practical/realistic/logical/level-headed.   Sadly enough, by choosing to become a businesswoman (which I liked) rather than a professor of French (which I adored), I affirmed the fallacy that teachers can’t prosper in their passions and that I couldn’t either.  At the time, I reasoned that, if I was on the right path in pursuing my passions, I should be fear-less.   WRONG!    Now I know that true courage is feeling the fear and doing it anyway, whatever “it” is.

Passioneers Live Courageously

For The Passions and Possibilities Project®, we have interviewed over 200 individuals who have leaped fully and vibrantly into their passions for making big differences in the world (aka Passioneers®).  Every single one of them stated that they had fears during their leaps, and that they moved forward anyway.  You had better believe that fears were rampant when the following four successful Passioneers made the tough decision to fully unleash their passions:

• Ellen Whitehurst leaves a successful corporate career and 20-year marriage to become a feng shui expert. She later rockets to the status of Dr. Oz advisor and an author whose books, blogs, and articles are read by millions.
• Brooke Ellison enters the gates of Harvard on her first day of classes.  She then becomes the first quadriplegic to graduate from Harvard,  advocates for stem-cell research, and inspires Christopher Reeve to create a motion picture about her life’s story.
• Dr. Joanna Dolgoff gives up a thriving pediatric practice to tackle the epidemic of childhood obesity, an issue that very few doctors address.  She’s now one of the leading experts in the world.
• Missy Lavender decides that women’s pelvic health is more important than a lucrative real estate investment career.  She co-founds the Women’s Health Foundation, and gets interviewed by Whoopie Goldberg on the popular ABC TV program, The View.

Tips for Making Friends with Terror

Thank God that I now realize the creative power of our words and actions.  The Passions and Possibilities Project is my way to prove to myself and others that, when we do what we love, the rest DOES follow.  One of my mentors recently reminded me that, the bigger the game that you play in the world, the bigger your fears will be.  With my most recent leap into founding The Passions and Possibilities Project, I can honestly say that this is true:  there are days when I am absolutely terrified.  Below are three simple steps that I use and recommend to my coaching clients when the hairy scary monsters raise their ugly heads:

1.   Feel the Fear. Don’t run, hide, abdicate, medicate, or give up.   Action Step: Write down at least ten “facts” about your situation and then compare them to the”story” that you have been telling yourself.  Now that you can see the difference between fact and fiction, which would you really prefer?

2.   Move Forward Anyway. Miracles arise when you step out of your comfort zone and into your dreams.  Even by taking a baby step forward, you will find wings starting to sprout where dug-in heels used to be.  Action Step: Take at least three baby steps forward into your passions and see what happens.

3.  Build a Courage Club. It is true that you are whom you hang out with.  So, if you’ve been hanging out with passion wimps, it is high time to choose again.   Action Step: Call, write, visit, or bump into at least three people this week who are passion warriors, even if you don’t know them.  When two or more Passioneers are gathered, magic happens…a lot!

Best wishes on your courageous journey and Happy Passioneering.

We recently interviewed Harriette Knight on our blog talk radio show, The Passions and Possibilities Project.  She  is a Master Healer, Psychic-Medium, and Author of CHAKRA POWER! How to Fire Up Your Energy Centers to Live a Fuller Life. Her positive outlook on life and intuitive abilities have helped many people learn how to live a fuller and more purposeful life. She is a motivating speaker who through radio shows, lectures, workshops, and healing sessions encourages and enlightens others how to reclaim their personal power and achieve their goals and dreams.  For more information, please visit www.HarrietteKnight.com.  Thanks Harriet and Happy Passioneering!

Biggest points that I personally gleaned from our conversations:

• Life CAN be easy and graceful.  When it is, you know that  you’re on the right path and headed in the right direction.
• Trust, especially trust in yourself, is the most critical element in leaping into your passions and thriving.
• Fears may come and go along the journey, and to succeed, you must operate from a place that transcends them.

Her Radio Show Interview

Her Written Passion Q&A

SO: Your definition of “passion” – your “WHY” for being on the planet?

When I wrote my book, CHAKRA POWER! How to Fire Up Your Energy Centers to Live a Fuller Life, I realized I was motivated by my passion to educate others so that they could feel happier, healthier, and more alive.  My definition of passion is described by feeling excitement in the pit of my stomach and allowing it to radiate outward so I can share it with the world.

SO: Your biggest passions for serving others, and how you’re expressing them (include hobbies, volunteering, if you wish)?

My belief system is based on being of service to others  so everything I do reflects that.   As a healing practioner, psychic-medium, and author, my purpose is to connect with others, put them at ease, and give them something that is easy to understand that can help make their life more fulfilling.   Whether it is through healing sessions, books, radio shows, workshops, speaking engagements, or the line of Charity Clarity Healing Jewelry I design, my path is defined by passion, good will, and optimism.

SO: Your biggest challenge(s) in expressing your passions for serving others and how you’ve addressed them?

I believe that passion is the driving force that cuts through any challenges that may arise.  Because of that, I feel that any challenge can be overcome so that goals and dreams can be realized.   I have taken many leaps starting new businesses, and trusting that working for myself is the best option for me.   Fear is not a factor when doing what you love to do.

SO: Your experience of “prosperity,” as you define it, in making the leap?

Ah, the key is TRUST.  Trust that every moment is perfect, that you are always taken care of, and that there is more than enough to go around for everybody.  Being in prosperity consciousness means that you know you will always have what you need, and manifesting becomes a fun game to play.

SO:  What’s the biggest lesson that you’ve learned in making the leap?

I have learned to act on my own intuition and trust how I feel about certain situations and opportunities. If it “feels” right, it usually is.  I have learned that if I am taking care of myself, those around me will be taken care of.  I have also learned that doing what you love to do feeds your soul on a daily basis.

SO: What’s your support system look like; how did you create it?

I am fortunate that I have a foundation of support from wonderful parents, friends, and my children, which has paved the way for me to want to be successful.  Currently, I am part of an excellent network of groups such as Association of Women Entrepreneurs, Women Moving Forward Mastermind Group, and Betty Ferguson Foundation to name a few.  I created my support system by being open to the opportunities that have come my way, and attracting like-minded people.  I have also become a fan of social networking and through Facebook and Twitter, I have found excellent sources of support professionally and personally.

SO: What wisdom do you have for someone who’s scared/discouraged about their own leap?

Ask yourself the question, “What would I do if I had no fear?”  That question can lead to many opportunities for change.  Fear can either paralyze or motivate.   My advice is to never put yourself in the position to ask, “What if?”

SO: What’s your next big milestone?

So many things are on the horizon!  Currently I co-host a Blog Talk Radio Show every Wednesday called Harriette Knight’s Psychic and Healing Hour.   My new book, EASY ART FROM THE HEART,  A Rhyming Guidebook for Parents and Teachers with 100+ Art Projects for Kids Ages 2 and Up was just released, and my next book will be a flip calendar of Harriette Knight’s Daily Healing Wisdom.

Each month, we are thrilled and grateful to share a guest blog by a Passioneer on that month’s theme.  May is the month of Courage, and we a featuring a guest blog by best-selling author Alyson Mead (contact details below).  Thanks Alyson and Happy Passioneering!  If you or someone you know would like to share their story and/or guest blog, please let us via our  Contact Form.

Passioneering Courage

By Alyson Mead

Sometimes, you can’t plan it any better. I had started writing this guest blog when my overworked mind gave out. Why had I volunteered to do this in the first place? What did I know about a huge and lofty subject like courage?

For the first day, I stared at the computer screen. Then I was saved by the beginnings of a cold. I’m not an avoider by nature, so my behavior puzzled. What did I fear might happen if I actually wrote this?

On the fourth day, it hit me. I was afraid of nothing; I was afraid of everything. Crap.

I looked up the word courage in the dictionary: ” The state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear, or vicissitudes with self-possession, confidence, and resolution; bravery.”

I wrote a few sentences, erased them, began again. After two hours, I wondered if my brain had evaporated. The last time I checked, I made my living as a writer.

A quick walk around the block produced little more than an accelerated heart rate.  Some sitting meditation revealed the usual suspects: Martin Luther King, Jr., Gandhi, the Dalai Lama. Surely these folks knew what it was to face danger with self-possession. But what was the common denominator?

I read up on their early lives — struggle, leadership skills and great finesse with words. Certainly, they could communicate their ideas to large groups. In fact, more than a few of them were ready to die for these ideas.

My temples felt like they were going to burst when my cell rang. It was my grandmother. We have an old-fashioned correspondence by letter, and rarely speak by phone.

“Hi, dear. It’s Gram.”

“Hey, Gram.”

“What are you up to? It’s raining here.”

“I’m trying to write a piece on courage.”

“A dirge? That’s too bad. Did someone die?”

“No, it’s on courage.”

“There’s a joke about that — Dutch courage.”

I laughed. “Gram, I can’t write about alcoholism.”

“No, it’s from history. When the bubonic plague hit England, the Dutch were the only ones who would deliver supplies to the people there.”

“Wow.”

“They did want extra rum for their services, but …”

“All right, Gram. I should go. But thanks.”

“I’m sure you’ll get it done, dear.” That made one of us.

When I hung up, it hit me. Of course there’s courage in delivering supplies to sick people (rum notwithstanding), or standing up for your beliefs. But that’s not the whole picture. Courage isn’t confined to a grand gesture or historic moment. It lives in all the smaller ones that make them possible.

Gandhi wouldn’t have been able to do his work without the farmers that sustained him, or the weavers making his clothing. The Dalai Lama wouldn’t be half as effective if there were no airplane pilots, book publishers or translators.

Similarly, it’s the way we get through each day with some sort of crooked grace that starts to get at the idea of courage. It’s the process of doing what we adore that encourages the rest to fall into place. It’s in the moments we allow the strange and humbling events around us to blossom into being – even if that is a 92-year old woman pointing out the seemingly obvious.

Alyson Mead is the bestselling author of Wake Up to Your Stories and Wake Up to Your Weight Loss.  Her fiction, essays and articles have appeared in over thirty publications, and she has received the Columbine Award for Screenwriting, the Roy W. Dean Filmmaking Grant and awards from Writer’s Digest and USA Book News.  Her next book, Signs Point to Yes, chronicles her time working as a phone psychic while

Passioneering Tip #11

“I would say take the plunge! You have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain. Ask yourself what is the worst thing that could happen?”

Passioneer™ Dr. LaVerne Adams

Quote

“If we’re growing, we are always going to be out of our comfort zone.”

John Maxwell

Weekly Passion Challenge

Take at least three baby steps out of your comfort zone this week.  Bonus points for requesting support from someone else.

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Enjoy and Happy Passioneering!

They say that when you do what you love, the rest follows.  Our hundreds of interviews with those who have leaped fully and prosperously into their passions (aka “Passioneers”) attest to this quote.  Each week, we summarize the insights and wisdom of these Passioneers into tips, quotes, and affirmations, that you can receive weekly…all spam-free, simple and self-empowering. 

If you or someone you know would like these weekly tips, please sign up via this Constant Contact link or by emailing us at passioneers AT yahoo.com.  Below is our fifth Passioneering Tip for 2010, and we’ll be sharing these every week to subscribers on Tuesday mornings.  Happy Passioneering!

Passioneering Tip #5

 …It is not as scary as it appears. You’ll plan, but at some point you need to make a leap and have faith in yourself and your abilities to make your dreams come true. I always felt that if someone else did it, I can do it too.

 ~Passioneer Brian Peters

Founder, NoDebtTravel.com

Quote

A good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow.

~ G. Patton

Affirmation

This week, I make time to plan my upcoming steps…AND I keep taking the necessary leaps, boldly and courageously.