21 Favorite Quotes to Inspire You on Your Passioneering Journey

October 13, 2011 By Sue Oliver 2 Comments

“Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more.” ~Anthony Robbins
“The beauty of intentions…you can’t often choose your circumstances, but you can always choose your reaction, your attitude, your behavior, and your intention. Nobody can ever take that away from you. It’s one of the gifts we have as human beings.” ~Greg Foster
“There are some bonds that S&P and Moody’s can never de-value. Bonds of the heart are always AAA-rated.” ~SZO
“Don’t believe everything you think.” ~bumper sticker
“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn’t happen at once.” ~Einstein
“Enjoy yourself. It’s later than you think.” ~Chinese Proverb
“I wish I could have known earlier that you have all the time you’ll need right up to the day you die.” ~William Wiley
“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible.’” ~Audrey Hepburn
“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” ~ William James
10. “Go for it now. The future is promised to no one.” ~Wayne Dyer
“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” ~Emerson
“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” ~Howard Thurman
“Expect to become prosperous; start thinking and speaking in those terms and no other. Remind yourself often that scattered, idle thoughts words and expectations bring scattered, idle, poverty-stricken results. Hitch your mental image of prosperity to the rich start of success and keep it there.” ~Catherine Ponder
“Joy is the best makeup.” ~Anne Lamott
“Every child born into the world is a new thought of God, an ever fresh and radiant possibility.” ~Kate Douglas Wiggin
”We come nearest to the great when we are great in humility.” ~Rabindranath Tagore
“The five essential entrepreneurial skills for success are concentration, discrimination, organization, innovation and communication.” ~Michael Farady
“I think all great innovations are built on rejections.” ~Louis Ferdinand Celine
Without the playing with fantasy no creative work has ever yet come to birth. The debt we owe to the play of imagination is incalculable.” ~Carl Jung
“Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought.” ~Albert von Szent-Gyorgy
“The essential part of creativity is not being afraid to fail.” ~Edwin H. Land.

Filed Under: Blog, Featured posts, Sue's Posts Tagged With: coach, Entrepreneur, inspiration, Passioneer, Quotes, Sue Oliver

Just Be It: Tips for Leaping Vibrantly into What You Really Love

January 12, 2011 By Sue Oliver Leave a Comment

Two years ago, I wrote the blog post below, which summarizes the biggest tips for leaping vibrantly and prosperously into what you love. Things haven’t changed one bit since then! In fact, with the continuing challenges of the U.S. economy, these tips are even more important. If I could distill the biggest key from the 300+ Passioneer interviews, it would be this: JUST BE IT. WHY WAIT?

Top Tips to Express What You Love

Often I ask individuals who have successfully leaped into their dreams if they have any regrets. Without exception, they have responded with a resounding “No”! Their most common tip for individuals who are considering the leap is to stop procrastinating and to just do it. Below are some easy, powerful steps to move forward today.

Clarify Your Dream. By tomorrow, spend at least 30 minutes exploring the life of your dreams. Write it. Paint it. Sing it. Create a vision board. Let it out!
Hang Out with Passionate People. When two or more individuals discuss together their passions, magic unfolds. So over the next week, find at least one social or professional group that shares your passion. Attend one of their events.
Explore a Career Change. Your dream life may require a career change. Write down at least five alternative ventures that would allow you to more fully express your passions. Consider hiring a career specialist.
Face Your Fears. Write down your ten biggest fears about fully leaping into your dreams. Then examine which of the fears are facts and which are really your interpretations.
Stake Your Claim. This week, when others ask you what you do, create a new sound track. Instead of describing an old role or job, declare your passion as your new occupation. “I now am a ___________________” (fill in the blank).
Create a 30-Second Elevator Speech. Know what target market you want to serve with your passions. Then use a simple, conversational approach to describe who you are. Here’s my blurb: “As a passions and possibilities coach, I support talented, driven, and successful individuals in taking the next big leap into their dreams”.
Order New Business Cards. You could have polished calling cards for your new venture by the end of the week. Several online vendors offer very low-cost choices, so order them today. There’s no excuse not to!
Spread the News. Tell at least ten people that you are pursuing the life of your dreams now. Ask them to tell at least ten people. Leverage new and existing venues, especially social networks on the internet.
Build a Cheerleading Team. Make a list of ten individuals who could be strong supporters of your dream. Meet with all of them over the next month, and make a specific request for their support.
Find a Mentor. Learn from the mistakes of others, to avoid unnecessary pitfalls along your journey. Use your connections to find five successful individuals who are already expressing a similar passion.
Hire a Professional Life Coach. A great coach will help you organize countless baby steps into a powerful game plan for your dream. Seek out someone who has solid experience, a successful track record, and with whom you have a strong connection.
Assess Your Finances. As you leap into your passions, take your financial pulse. Have you already saved at least one year’s worth of your expected expenses? If not, you will need additional income until your new venture is profitable. So don’t quit your day job right away!
Hire a Financial Expert. If you are facing major debt challenges or complicated finances, spend the time and money to hire an expert. You will avoid many headaches and be much more likely to prosper.
Take It Slow and Steady. Your progress towards your dreams, after taking many baby steps like these, will simply astound you. Consider Dick Miller, the man who ate a 2,800 pound car. How did he do it? One mouthful at a time.
Start Today. Take at least one step into your passions today, even if it’s a small one. Words without action are meaningless, so what do YOU commit to?

Filed Under: Blog, Featured posts, Sue's Posts Tagged With: balance, business, Career, coach, contribution, dreams, Entrepreneur, Expert, How To, inspiration, inspire, life, lifestyle, nonprofit, passion, Passioneer, possibilities, PowerLeaps, Self-Development, self-growth, social, spiritual, Success, Sue Oliver, transition, Wellness

Catching and Holding Bigget Vision for Your Life

January 11, 2011 By Sue Oliver Leave a Comment

Vision = Clarity and Focus!

When you make the time to tune into the bigger vision for your life – to steep yourself in it with all of your senses, you can literally call it forth into your life. Napoleon Hill said “What You can conceive and believe, you can achieve.” Most folks don’t spend enough time in the conceiving part, so there’s no way they ever get to believing. That’s where visioning comes in. The visioning exercise posted below was recorded during our first 2011 VisionCasting call, a monthly, free opportunity for you to tune into the vision for your life from the perspective of your Higher Power.

For more information on visioning, click here for the Visioning FAQ. To share your experience or wisdom with our Network or to sign-up for bi-monthly inspiration and tips, please contact us.

30-Minute Visioning Podcast (Facilitator, Sue Zeal Oliver)

(down-loadable version at the bottom of the page).

Transcript from the 1.6.2011 Visioning Exercise:

We’ll create a reflective, contemplative place for about 15 minutes and then will ask our Higher Power to share this vision with us. We’ll open up the phone lines at the end, for anyone who wants to share.
Please get at least 2 pieces of paper and pen, pencil, markers, or even crayons. Write the words “Vision” on one page, in small letters in the top part; then, “Be” on the back of that page (or use a new sheet); write “Release” on another side or sheet, and then “Anything Else” on the fourth side or sheet.
You can use these sheets to write down any images, sensations, words, etc., that come to you during the process, either as they come forth or at the end. I highly recommend doing so throughout.

Background of Visioning

Visioning is a tool for connecting with the realm infinite possibilities – your true nature. That which you do not know with your five senses.
It goes beyond visualization which is limited to what you have actually seen with your eyes (for example, imagining yourself successfully dunking a basketball through a hoop).
In visioning, you ask your Higher Power to share the biggest possible vision for your life. Or for a project, situation, venture – it can be used for any area of your life.
You can create time for visioning monthly, weekly, even daily…from a few minutes to several hours. I include it for about 10 minutes in my daily spiritual practice and for a few hours each month.
The technique here includes Rev. Dr. Michael Beckwith’s line of simple questioning. You can find out more about his programs by Googling Life Visioning or going to his website.
I’ll be sharing four simple questions that you can record on your IPOD, phone or other device and use during your own meditation and journaling practices.

Ground rules:

Ask your censor, left brain, and inner critics to take a break. There’s no right or wrong way to do visioning. It’s highly likely that some of what comes forth will not make sense. That’s OK!

Sometimes the answer will come later down the line, and other times, it may not.

Please honor the reflective space and the variety of spiritual traditions.

Allow each person to share AND be laser like, focused in your sharing.

Visioning Questions:

What is the Greatest Good for my life in 2011? What does it look like? Sound like? Feel like? Smell like? Taste Like?

What am I to be in order for this Greatest Good to unfold?

What am I to release in order for this Greatest Good to unfold?

Anything else for me to know about this Greatest Good for my life?

Giving great thanks for what has unfolded and for the truth that as we believe it, it is so. That we are indeed here for a Higher Purpose – spiritual beings having a human experience.

************************************

Happy Passioneering!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Filed Under: Blog, Sue's Posts, Vision Tagged With: balance, business, Career, coach, contribution, dreams, Entrepreneur, Expert, How To, inspiration, inspire, life, lifestyle, nonprofit, passion, Passioneer, possibilities, PowerLeaps, Self-Development, self-growth, social, spiritual, Success, Sue Oliver, transition, Wellness

Passioneer® Andrew Harrison, Author, Inspirational Speaker, Researcher

December 14, 2010 By Sue Oliver Leave a Comment

Andrew Harrison is the author of Love Your 84,000 Hours at Work: Stories on the Road from People with Purpose and Passion, which chronicles people from around the United States who love their careers and how they came to find them.

His travels (www.iamontheroad.com) have taken him over three years, 75,000 miles and 145 one-on-one interviews. “The journey has been the most incredible thing I’ve ever been a part of,” he says. “It has changed my life.” His first book, “Love Your 84,000 Hours at Work: Stories On the Road From People With Purpose and Passion,” explains what he’s learned from his travel experiences interviewing passionate people about their life, job and career path.

Andrew Harriso

Harrison is called “The Seeker” because he left a six figure job to travel the country interviewing people passionate about their work and life. After 95,000 miles and 145 interviews, his journey and the stories of those he met on the road inspire people to live their life to the fullest. He can be reached at www.84000hours.com

We’re interviewing Andrew on the radio show, The Passions and Possibilities Network, broadcasting this Wednesday, December 15th, 2010 at 9am PST. Tune in live via (347) 205-9038 or streaming audio: The Passions and Possibilities Radio Show

Andrew’s Passiongraphy Q&A:

SO: What’s your definition of “passion”?

Loving your life.

SO: What have been the key factors in your success and what one word best describes it?

Once I truly believed that there were passionate people in the world, I dedicated my life to becoming one of them. The road has not been an easy one, but because I had a vision for where I wanted to go, I was able to sacrifice and overcome obstacles. By meeting and interviewing passionate people, I have been able to integrate their experiences and views into my own life – and then share them with others. I think the word that best describes my journey is Perseverance.

SO: What has been your biggest challenge(s) in leaping into your passions, and how you have addressed them?

In the book, one of my interviewees talks about listening to your gut, rather than your ego. That is easier said than done. In the United States, material things (ego) can cause us to work at jobs we don’t love. The societal pull of “doing what you are supposed to do” has been a big challenge. I was supposed to be happy with the money and the lifestyle I had. Instead, I addressed the challenge by not listening to society and going with my gut. Now society is opening its ears to me, my passionate interviewees, and the message of loving your 84,000 hours at work.

SO: Who or what inspired you to leap into your passion?

I was living the supposed “good life” of a lot of money and time, but it was also an unfulfilled life. After struggling with feeling like something was missing, I decided to look for my answers. Some say I took a big risk; I say it was a risk that had to be taken. What inspired me to go for it? Other passionate people. Once I knew they were out there, I knew I had to become one of them. It turns out meeting passionate people and sharing their stories is my purpose and passion.

SO: Do you have a quote that you would like to share that speaks of you and your passion?

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you’ve imagined.” – Thoreau

SO: What do you hope people would say about you when you’re gone?

He lived his life to the fullest and he helped other people live their lives to the fullest.

SO: What three brief tips can you give to somebody making the leap into their passion?

Step 1: Know that without a doubt, there are people who love their work.

Step 2: Know that without a doubt, you can become one of them.

Step 3: To get to where you want to go; figure out who you are, what motivates you, what doesn’t, what you value and what your vision for your life is. Once you have a vision, you can create a plan and start working the plan.

Filed Under: Blog, Passioneers Tagged With: Andrew Harrison, do what you love, Entrepreneur, inspiration, Passioneer, Passions and Possibilities, PowerLeaps, success coach, Sue Oliver

13-Minute Passioneer® PodBlast: Beth Buelow, Introvert Entrepreneur Coach, Speaker, Blogger

December 6, 2010 By Sue Oliver Leave a Comment

We recently interviewed Beth Buelow, CEO and founder of The Introvert Entrepreneur . She is a professional speaker and leadership coach who helps introverts understand, own and leverage their strengths. She challenges the introvert stereotypes and is on a mission to bridge the communication gap between the “strong, silent” types and the “loud and proud.” Her business, The Introvert Entrepreneur, provides products and services that are designed for introverts who want to be wildly successful while still being authentic. Listen to her PodBlast at the bottom of this post.

Summary of Beth’s PodBlast:

Sue. What are the biggest challenges that budding Passioneers who are introverts face?

Beth:

Self-promotion. Introverts are usually more comfortable putting the spotlight on others, rather than themselves. This can be a huge asset; our self-effacing nature means we’re good at lifting up others. This tendency needs to be balanced with showing up confidently and being able to speak clearly about our own value.
Head games. Introverts are internal processors; the wheels are always quietly turning inside our heads, and this can lead to paralysis by analysis, as well as believing we have to think something through 110% before we can speak about it or act on it.
Being authentic. There is a lot of pressure to be out, social, on stage, “selling” yourself. Introverts are capable of doing all of these things, and finding a way to do it that honors our introverted personality and needs can be challenging.
Managing energy. This is related to authenticity; if we feel pressure to show up as extroverts (lots of events, being really “on,” constantly putting ourselves out there), our energy reserves can drain out rather quickly. It requires really owning our energy and needs and being able to set boundaries for ourselves (rather than “I should do this”). Staying in a place of choice is critical.

Sue: What are your top three tips for these Passioneers to outrageously thrive as they give back?

Beth: All three of these are ways to protect your energy as your success becomes more present and pronounced.

Choose your commitments strategically and intentionally. As you become more successful, more people will want a piece of you. It can be tempting to say “yes” too often. Decide what types of opportunities best align with your vision, BEFORE you’re faced with saying yes or no.
Leverage your strengths. Seek challenges and situations that allow you to tap into your innate strengths: thoughtfulness; preference for depth over breadth; being calm, cool, collected; good listener.
Reach out. Whoever coined the phrase, “if you want it done right, do it yourself,” was probably an introvert! We tend to think we can handle everything on our own, because it might feel like it would be more work (and therefore, an energy drain) to bring other people into our processes. However, done strategically and intentionally (again, choosing partners or vendors in accordance to what aligns with your vision, rather than saying “yes!” to anyone who asks you), it can increase your capacity to accomplish your goals and provide you with some relief. Recognize when it’s time to ask for support or partnership.

Sue: What three resources do you recommend for these Passioneers to check out?

Beth:

The Introvert Advantage by Marti Olsen Laney: a great primer for anyone who wants to learn more about what it means to be an introvert.
Good to Great by Jim Collins: His chapter on Level 5 Leadership answers the question of whether or not introverts can make great leaders (the answer is yes!). I also appreciate the lessons that Passioneers can learn from applying the Hedgehog Concept and Flywheel analogy to their businesses.
Works by Carl Jung and in particular, about the shadow: for deeper understanding of being an introvert and why we sometimes disown that part of ourselves. A good starting point is Debbie Ford’s The Dark Side of the Light Chasers.

Sue: Anything else?

Beth: I have a few resources designed specifically to support introverts and introvert entrepreneurs:

Blog, Podcast, Coaching, Workshops, Etc: www.TheIntrovertEntrepreneur.com

Facebook Community: www.Facebook.com/TheIntrovertEntrepreneur

Twitter: @coachbethb

Final Words (Beth):

Practice using a “beginner’s mind” approach to your work. Introverts are generally good at research and have a “need to know.” Practice spending some time in the “not knowing.” Experience things with a beginner’s mind and eye, allowing yourself to notice what’s happening not just with your mind, but with your body. Be open to the opportunities that arise when you remove the pressure to be perfect or to be an expert.

Thanks Beth and Happy Passioneering!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Filed Under: Blog, Passioneer Podblast, Passioneers Tagged With: balance, business, Career, coach, Entrepreneur, Expert, follow your dream, give back, growth, How To, inspiration, life, lifestyle, make a difference, motivation, passion, Passioneer, possibilities, PowerLeaps, Self-Development, self-growth, social, spiritual, Success, Sue Oliver, transition, What You Love

PassionBlast #12: Tips from Successful Passioneers®

December 1, 2010 By Sue Oliver Leave a Comment

Twice a month, we share tips, stories, and quotes to inspire social and spiritual leaders and entrepreneurs who want to thrive as they share their talents and gifts. If you would like to contribute your story or wisdom, please contact us here. Our contributors receive a heads-up on our themes, articles, and story requests and full attribution and link-backs for their submissions.

“You can start with nothing. And out of nothing, and out of no way, a way will be made” ~ Rev. Dr. Michael Beckwith

Tips for Thriving as You Give Back in the World

Passioneer® Melissa Plaskoff, Founder and CEO of Lemons to Aid

Figure out what speaks to you.
Decide how much of a commitment you want to give to your passion.
Find a way to make it happen (it may be a fun way, volunteering, starting a business) and it will all work itself out. When you find your passion, it really is simple. I’m doing it now!
Melissa’s full passion0graphy: click here.

Passioneer Paula Caligiuri, Author and Career Coach

You cannot own your job but you can own your career. Stay in control of your own development.
Have a well-formulated plan on achieving your career goal. Sometimes one aspect of your career may need to fund another.
Manage all of your resources well: time, money, energy. Use your discretionary resources to move you closer to your career goal.
Paula’s full passionography: click here.

Passioneer Stephanie A. Jones, Political/Social Scientist, Founder of Geek Nerd Wonk

You must be prepared to work harder than you can conceivably imagine. That means a 9-5 job to keep a roof over your head, and another 6 hours per day devoted to your true passion and/or volunteering, to whatever feels most authentic to you. If you do not work 14-16 hours a day you will never escape your 9-5 job, when the goal is to be so successful at your authentic job you can do IT alone for 14-16 hours a day.
There is no vacancy waiting for you. You have to claim your space. There is no room at the top just waiting for your particular brilliance, ready and willing to step to the side to enable your joining the hallowed ranks. Educate yourself, give of yourself, establish your credibility, and then march in and claim your space. Then work twice as hard to maintain your right to be there.
If you tell the truth. 100% of the time, you never have to remember anything you have ever said.
Stephanie’s full passionography: click here.

Filed Under: Blog, Passioneering Tips, Passioneers Tagged With: balance, business, Career, coach, contribution, dreams, Entrepreneur, Expert, How To, inspiration, inspire, life, lifestyle, nonprofit, passion, Passioneer, possibilities, PowerLeaps, Self-Development, self-growth, social, spiritual, Success, Sue Oliver, transition, Wellness

Passioneer® Melissa Plaskoff, Founder and CEO, Lemons to Aid

November 30, 2010 By Sue Oliver Leave a Comment

Turning Lemons into Lemons to Aid!

Melissa Plaskoff was a stay at home mom who decided to make a change in her life after her four-year old hosted a lemonade stand. They have now reached out to the nation and kids across America are getting involved and learning about the power of giving! Based in Dallas, Texas, Lemons to Aid is on a mission to use the simple, but memorable experience of hosting lemonade stands to instill the mindset of service and charitable giving in children at a young age. Natural disasters, such as earthquakes and hurricanes, often generate a helpless feeling in adults and children wanting to help, but not knowing how. Lemons to Aid provides the tools for families around the world to host lemonade stands and other creative programs, such as read-a-thons, bake sales, etc. to raise money for disaster relief and other basic need causes. She can be reached at www.lemonstoaid.org.

We’re interviewing Melissa on the radio show, The Passions and Possibilities Network, broadcasting this Wednesday, December 1, 2010 at 9am PST. Tune in live via (347) 205-9038 or streaming audio: The Passions and Possibilities Radio Show

Melissa’s Passiongraphy Q&A:

1. What’s your definition of “passion”?

Finding what speaks to you and getting involved! If you figure out what interests you, it’s simple to get involved and make a difference!

2. What have been the key factors in your success and what one word best describes it?

I have made a decision to help others and everything else has fallen into place. It’s amazing how many people want to help you when you are doing the right thing. The one word that describes my success is “DETERMINATION.”

3. What has been your biggest challenge(s) in leaping into your passions, and how you have addressed them?

My biggest challenge with Lemons to Aid is how fast we are growing. So many people want to get their kids involved in making a difference and with our simple, kid-friendly ideas, kids across America and abroad are getting involved.

4. Who or what inspired you to leap into your passion?

After the earthquake in Haiti, my 4 year old son, Hudson asked if we could have a lemonade stand at our house. I told him it sounded like a great idea, but we had to donate the proceeds to the earthquake relief. Well, we made $150 in less than 2 hours. I thought if this was so easy for us, this has to be shared with other families. We set up an informational website and a facebook page and the power of social media took over!!! Check out www.lemonstoaid.org and see our In The News Section – it’s pretty amazing!

5. Do you have a quote that you would like to share that speaks of you and your passion?

Considering random acts of kindness and selfless acts of grace remember that you don’t have to make some grandiose gesture….something as simple as holding the door for another person at the grocery store can have an effect on another person. Random acts of kindness are like pebbles thrown into a calm pond…their effects radiate outwardly long after the deed is done…when you take the opportunity to reach out to someone they are more inclined to then reach out kindly to someone else and so on and so on……that one simple act of kindness creates a snowball effect touching many people….watch how the journey of your day evolves when you begin to continually extend these small gestures of grace….allow your actions and your words to flow from the innocence of your own heart.

6. What do you hope people would say about you when you’re gone?

I hope people say that I was a person that taught young children how to give to others at an early age. They are our future and I want to set the foundation for giving early.

7. What three brief tips can you give to somebody making the leap into their passion?

Figure out what speaks to you
Decide how much of a commitment you want to give to your passion
Find a way to make it happen (it may be a fun way, volunteering, starting a business) and it will all work itself out. When you find your passion, it really is simple. I’m doing it now!

Thanks Melissa and Happy Passioneering!

Filed Under: Blog, Featured Passioneers Tagged With: balance, business, Career, coach, contribution, dreams, Entrepreneur, Expert, How To, inspiration, inspire, life, lifestyle, nonprofit, passion, Passioneer, possibilities, PowerLeaps, Self-Development, self-growth, social, spiritual, Success, Sue Oliver, transition, Wellness

Passioneer® Vida Ghaffari, Actress

November 16, 2010 By Sue Oliver Leave a Comment

On Wednesday, November 17th, we’re interviewing Vida Ghaffari our Blog Talk Radio Show, The Passions and Possibilities Network®.

Dial in live at 347-205-9038 or via streaming radio at 9:00am PST at www.blogtalkradio.com/passionsandpossibilities

Vida Ghaffari

Vida Ghaffari has been active on the Tinsel town scene as an actress. She just shot her third starring role in cult filmmaker Joe Castro’s well regarded horror films as well as starring in many other indie films and an episode of Comedy Central’s “Mind of Mencia”. She will also star in two comedic web series. In “Alternative Brother,” she plays a flashy damsel in distress and in “Green Manor,” she will act along side Tony Moran, the original Mike Myers from “Halloween.”

Passion to me is any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling, enthusiasm and joy I have for something that I want to share with the world and that something is acting. I also like to give back and one of my passions is volunteering and supporting various causes, be it human rights, especially the rights of women, political prisoners, minorities, as well as LGBT. I am very passionate about the NOH8 campaign and recently did a PSA for them at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxR3a5yIWRw

SO: What have been the key factors in your success and what one word best describes it?

I think working at my craft on a consistent basis, persistence, having great mentors, and believing in my talents.

SO: What has been your biggest challenge(s) in leaping into your passions, and how you have addressed them?

Making time to pursue all my goals while studying at my craft. I’m also a voice over artist and on-camera reporter, so I’ve spread myself pretty thin, but then again, I’ve widened the amount of skills I have and projects I can be a part of.

SO: Who or what inspired you to leap into your passion?

I have always loved TV and film and have loved performing in shows, be it in school plays, in community theatre, or even just putting on comedy shows with my sister as a kid in my parents’ rec room. My family has been in the arts for hundreds of years in the old country (Iran) and I’ve always admired them for it and am elated to follow in the family tradition.

SO: Do you have a quote that you would like to share that speaks of you and your passion?

“Let the beauty of what you love be what you do.” by Rumi. Rumi was an ancient Persian poet and philosopher and this quote has become my mantra.

SO: What do you hope people would say about you when you’re gone?

That I was a talented and creative woman with a lot of integrity who made a difference with her artistic and charitable endeavors.

SO: What three brief tips can you give to somebody making the leap into their passion?

That they should not let anyone stand in their way and give it 110%, that they should try and get a mentor in the field they’re interested in working in, and to have a nest egg, so they can follow their passions with abandon and not worry where their next paycheck is coming from.

Thanks Vida and Happy Passioneering!

Filed Under: Blog, Passioneers Tagged With: Business Coach, Career, Expert, Follow Your Dreams, How To, inspiration, news, Passioneer, Passions, Passions and Possibilities, PowerLeaps, success coach, Sue Oliver, Vida Ghaffari

Passioneer® 12-Minute Podblast:Froswa Booker-Drew – Helping NonProfits Thrive at What They Love!

November 11, 2010 By Sue Oliver Leave a Comment

We recently interviewed Froswa Booker-Drew, a non-profit consultant and coach who works with entrepreneurs, groups, organizations and their boards to launch and run effective non-profit programs and services. Below is a summary of our discussion and the 12-minute podcast recording.

Froswa is the owner of Soulstice Consultancy, an agency that provides:

Strategic planning,
Special event/tour coordination,
Promotions/community based marketing,
Fundraising (grant research, proposal writing and donor cultivation),
Program development assistance,
Evaluations,
Board training,
Consultations/coaching for businesses and non profit agencies.

Summary of our interview:

1) What are the three most important things for a budding Passioneer who wants to create a thriving nonprofit?
I strongly encourage individuals that are interested in creating a nonprofit organization to research to find out more about organizations that are currently providing similar services as well as learn more about nonprofit management through reading or attending workshops/classes. In addition, volunteer as well as seek out a mentor in your area of interest who can serve as a sounding board or offer support through your journey.
2) What qualities or values are most important for your success as a Passioneer?
Faith is extremely important because there are times when you question yourself and the work. It is imperative to use your faith as a foundation for your success. Determination along with the ability to seek out help are critical qualities that have helped me over the years.
3) What are 2-3 of the biggest mistakes that you see budding Passioneers in growing a nonprofit?
Several mistakes I have witnessed nonprofit visionaries violate include creating a board that is comprised of friends instead of actively pursuing individuals who have necessary skill sets that can build your organization. I have seen start up nonprofits have unrealistic goals. Create a strategic plan and target low hanging fruit/opportunities first instead of trying to save the entire world in your first year of operation.
4) Any other words of advice/guidance?
Utilize existing expertise such as local Management Service Organizations or Statewide Nonprofit Associations that offer incredible guidance and information to help you as well. Be careful of individuals who claim they are grantwriters. If an individual can not tell you their track record, be very cautious. Anyone can write a grant. The real issue is if they have been funded!

Thanks Froswa and Happy Passioneering!

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Filed Under: Blog, Passioneer Podblast, Passioneers Tagged With: Business Coach, do what you love, Expert, Follow Your Dreams, Froswa Booker-Drew, How To, inspiration, non-profit, PowerLeaps, Sue Oliver

Free PassionCast MP3s: Tune into a the Vibration of Prosperous Passioneering

November 10, 2010 By Sue Oliver Leave a Comment

If you’re a social or spiritual entrepreneur who wants to thrive at giving back and you missed our November 2010 PassionCast, it’s not too late! Tune into the high-vibin’ dialogue among 14 panelists and our fabulous guests about REAL, relevant topics on thriving at what you love.