8-Minute Passioneer® Podblast, Karen Whittier, Founder, Embrace Activism

As a yoga instructor, Karen Whittier knows how valuable yoga can be in improving the practitioner’s health and wellness. She believes having good health translates to a high quality of life. She is passionate about extending yoga’s health & wellness for all and is commited to not only empowering people to take control over their own health, but make a difference in the health of others. She can be reached at www.EmbraceActivism.com.

Each week we offer a brief Passioneer® podblast on an aspect of thriving and giving back.  If you would like to share one or other wisdom, ideas, or comments, please let us know below.  Thanks and Happy Passioneering!

Karen’s PodBlast (downloadable version at bottom) and below is the transcript:

SZO:  What are the biggest barriers for budding Passioneers as they move into activism or philanthropy?

Fear of failure or not doing enough. When you’re fueled by passion for a cause you want to make an impact, not just participate. I participated in many events to raise funds/awareness for a variety of diseases—mostly to help in the fight against breast cancer.  Those were amazing experiences where I met people that’d gone through so much.  The admiration I have for  them knows no bounds.   I learned of others that also had gone through a lot, but whether their disease wasn’t found in time or they were under-insured—whatever the reason, the disease ended their life.  I saw the pain of that loss in their loved ones…and empathized, then got angry, and finally determined.  I wanted to empower people to take more control/responsibility over their own health AND contribute to making health better for others.

It can be a daunting, even overwhelming, task once you decide to take the risk to DO something.  Keeping realistic expectations and understanding this is the beginning of a journey can help keep things in perspective.  A quote of Helen Keller’s speaks to doing and doing what you can:  “I am only one, but still I am one.  I cannot do everything, but still I can do something;  and because I cannot do everything I will not refuse something that I can do.” And think of the ripples made from tossing a stone into a lake–that single act has discussions that expand and grow.  You may never know the extent of your actions, but they might be just the spark that sets aflame another’s passion.

SZO: What are your top three tips for these Passioneers to succeed and thrive as activists?

1.  Crystallize your vision–What are you trying to accomplish?  Who are/what are you wanting to benefit?  Setting your goals in clear and specific language will insure you don’t get sidetracked and avoid expending resources–often limited resources– needlessly/unnecessarily.

Typically Passioneers are caring individuals–caring about a lot of things.  But you need to be careful.  For example, if you’ve got products that are specifically suited to children, it wouldn’t make any sense to donate your products to an auction benefitting the environment.  Sure, there could be parents there, but more than likely your products just wouldn’t be on the radar screen of the environmentalists.  If you do want to get some product exposure AND help raise funds for an organization the more effective route would be to align yourself with a charity geared to helping children.

2. Form your support group, a group consisting of people who can advise on business matters  offering honest feedback/advice with individuals that are knowledgeable in their areas of expertise.

I saved myself a ton of headaches and probably a lot of money by using a company leader in importing.  They were more expensive than some, but the personal, customer service I received and the peace of mind knowing all the i’s were dotted and t’s crossed were invaluable.

3.  Recognize the path to success rarely goes straight forward

In addition to the business support group, have a personal support group; one that gives encouragement during those inevitable hiccups.  Posting inspirational quotes like the one above from Helen Keller can help keep your eyes on the goal and periodically reviewing the why(s) and for whom you started this passioneering will help you ride out the bumpy road to success.

I have 3 quotes that resonate for me and together with the Helen Keller quote that essentially sum up the how and why of me and what I’m doing:

  • “You create your own destiny.” Anonymous
  • “The greatest use of a life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.” William James
  • “Yoga teaches us to cure what cannot be endured and endure what cannot be cured.” BKS Iyengar

SZO:  What three resources do you recommend for these Passioneers to check out in this area?

  1. Make use of groups that are in the business of supporting business such as the SBA, Chamber of Commerce.  Networking groups offer great opportunities to meet like-minded  people; get advice or recommendations; and make contact with potential customers/clients.  Similar to the donating product scenario above, checking on the networking group’s focus/interests will save you a lot of time and effort.  Sure the people could be fascinating and engaging, but if their businesses revolve around high fashion, how will that help you with your children’s products?  Also be wary of groups with members that thrust their business card in front of your face; give you their elevator speech and scan the room for their next conquest even before you’ve had time to give your name.  Again, in these situations they will NOT remember you or what you do.
  2. Get involved with social media.  Create a Facebook fan, Twitter and LinkedIn pages to name a few options.  This is another situation where you must evaluate the sincerity of the other person/business before liking or following.  You’ve got to weigh whether you clutter up your page with a non-stop pitches from a serial poster or think of it as a potential link to a possible consumer.
  3. Introduce yourself/company goals to the organizations you want to support.  I would recommend writing a letter as opposed to email and following up with phone call.

SZO:  Anything else?

Take time for yourself.  Indulge in something that brings you joy.  Passioneers have incredible amounts of energy, but even they can suffer burnout.  Don’t expect to be superhuman or selfless…take care of yourself so you’re able to take care of others.

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

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?

Catching and Holding Bigget Vision for Your Life

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.

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Happy Passioneering!

Passioneering Moment #2: An E-Ticket to the Life You Love

Each week, you’ll receive a brief, 3-minute Passioneering Video Moment on the month’s theme. January’s theme is Vision, and this week’s moment is on immersing yourself fully in the greatest vision for your life.

When I was growing up, Disneyland issued hard-copy coupon books full of E-tickets that allowed you go go on any of the rides in the theme park. Woohoo!!  They were nirvana for me because I got to choose whatever ride I wanted.  In truth, life works this way.  When you are born, you receive a virtual E-ticket – the infinite possibilities to create the life that you truly want.  Not simply as a particular occupation – doctor, lawyer, entrepreneur.  Or as a particular role -  mother, boss, employee.  You get to catch the biggest possible vision and purpose for your life:  a ride that’s exciting, scary, and invigorating, with its ups, downs, and bumps.

Yet most of you squander our E-ticket on average, mediocre rides.  Why?  Because you sell out!!   You simply don’t make the commitment or take the time to clarify what you truly desire.  It’s as if you show up to the universal ticket window of life, and, when asked where you want to go, you say “I don’t know” or, worse yet, “I’ll get back to you.”  Then you wonder why your life looks murky and chaotic.

What’s the solution?  Consider what you want your life to look like, all barriers aside.  That is, if you knew that you couldn’t fail.   This week, I invite you to catch the biggest possible picture for your life and to spend at least one hour writing, drawing, painting, or somehow creatively expressing your biggest, passionate and possible life – where YOU want to spend your lifetime of E-ticket rides.  You’ve got a full coupon book.

Now use them!!

Happy Passioneering!

Passioneering Moment #1: Catch the Highest Vision

Each week, you’ll receive a brief, 3-minute Passioneering Video Moment on the month’s theme. January’s theme is Vision, and this week’s moment is on Visioning – how to use the powerful technique of visioning to catch and hold the highest good for your life.  For more on visioning, check out our 30-minute visioning meditation/exercise or our visioning FAQ.

Happy Passioneering!

What’s Between You and Expressing Your Passions Fully?

PassionBlast #12: Tips from Successful Passioneers®

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.


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

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!

Passioneer™ Terry Kohl, Author, Visionary and Our Guest Blogger: The Powerful Act of Inviting

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The Powerful Act of Inviting

by Terry Kohl

A year ago I began noticing something. Upon awakening I would feel a lightness of being. For a few brief seconds there was nothing on my mind; the day had not yet mentally “dawned.” I felt the warmth of my down comforter, heard the soft purr of my kitty patiently waiting for breakfast, and lazily watched the movie dreams of the night before, evaporate.

As my mind engaged, and until I went to sleep again that night, a never-ending stream of thoughts would flow. Before I would even get out of bed, I was off and running, trying to keep up with my to-do list, that feeling of lightness far behind me.

Shortly after that revelation, I decided to begin practicing mindfulness; the art of living only in the moment. It was something that had appealed to me for some time. This was when I created my Act of Inviting, which has turned into a delicious practice for me, and one that I wish to share with you today.

Prior to my beginning my mindfulness practice, I allowed those thoughts that began filling up my mind in the morning to have their way with me. They would dictate my day and I, the obedient servant, would try to keep up with all the demands.

What we think about is what we see. I began thinking about “now” and how to stay in it!

I decided that my first step was to take advantage of those powerful moments just after I woke up each morning and before my conscious mind took over. On a piece of paper I wrote, “I invite miracles and possibilities into my day.” I tacked it up on the ceiling above my bed so that I would see it the moment I opened my eyes. I chose miracles and possibilities because I didn’t want to place any specifics on what might show up for me that day. I liked the feeling of the open-endedness of those two words.

The very first day as I opened my eyes and saw my invitation overhead I felt an immense relief. It was as if someone had miraculously showed up to help me. Throughout the days and weeks to come, those few words would pop into my mind throughout the day and eventually they formed a habit.

Also, that very first day something that I had been working on for over a year with no movement whatsoever, suddenly fell into place although not what I had wanted. It was an even better possibility!

Now, miracles and possibilities show up for me all the time. I still have my piece of paper stuck to the ceiling above my bed and smile as I look at it each morning. It reminds me to invite whatever I desire into my life. You can, too!

We recently interviewed Terry about her Passions and Possibilities journey  – Click here to read her profile and story.    Thanks Terry, and Happy Passioneering!

If you would like to be a guest blogger or share a story or article, please contact us at info(at)passioneers.com or by  submitting your information via our contact form.[/private][/private]

Dreaming Big + Writing It Down = Powerful Combination

[private][private]The first thing that I ask a client who wants to create an extraordinary life is “What’s your purpose? That is, why are you here on this planet?”   Some of them will tell me that they’re here to make a difference, to love, to be a healing force, or to help others.  Most of them simply don’t know.  Here’s the thing – if you aren’t sure why you’re here and where you’re going, you’re never going to create an amazing life….plain and simple.   Without a vision for your life, it’s like driving with your eyes closed:  you’re never sure if and when you’ll arrive at your destination and you’re certainly going to get banged up along the way. 

Nobody’s got the key to why you are here, except you.  Sure, some of your loved ones may think that they know where you should be heading and what’s best for you.   You’ll get plenty of feedback on what you should be, especially from mass media.   You’re probably already getting way too many messages from TV, the movies, radio, internet, magazines, etc.  AHHHH – thanks, but no thanks!

If you really want to tap into your life’s purpose, it’s very very simple, if not easy: think about what you love to do most.  Your passions point to your purpose and are its rocket fuel.   Ask yourself, “What do I love to do so much that I lose track of time…literally lose myself?”  Most people can come up with at least one or two areas.   If you’re stuck, try a technique that Ellen Whitehurst, founder of The Empowered Lifestyle, suggests:  remember what you loved to do as a child.  Me?  I loved reading, writing, and listening to my friends.  These passions underlay my purpose of being an inspirational coach.

Your purpose is the key to a fulfilling life.  So it’s worth your investing at least one hour a week to reflect upon and clarify it.  Try journaling about it, using the visioning tool that I learned from Rev. Michael Beckwith:  Ask yourself these kinds of questions:  “What’s the highest and best for my life?  What does it look like, feel like, sound like, smell like, even taste like?”  Take time to allow the answers to come forth, freely and uncensored.   Consider forming a visioning team that conducts this inquiry as a group.  This is powerful stuff!

One of my clients confidently told me that she certainly did have a vision for her life, thank you very much!   “Can you describe it?” I asked.   She actually could not, except to say that it involves her having more time and money.  I suggested that she purchase a journal and spend at least one hour each week describing her higher purpose.   Vision boards and treasure mapping are other tools to help clarify your purpose. 

These resources, coupled with the many many excellent books, videos, movies, and articles, leave you with absolutely….no valid excuses to not clarify what you want to create in your life.  It’s been said that the people perish without a vision (Proverbs).  You may not die without a vision, but here’s what I do know – your life will be much fuller and satisfying when you get clear on your purpose and when you keep it front and center.

Here are some of my favorite books on the subject:

Marsha Sinetar’s Do What You Love, The Money Will Follow:  Discovering Your Right Livelihood

Bob Griffith’s Do What You Love for the Rest of Your Life

Barbara Sher’s Wishcraft: How to Get What You Really Love

Henriette Anne Klauser’s Write It Down, Make It Happen: Knowing What You Want And Getting It

Your 3-part challenge for this month: 

  • Create a 1-2 sentence summary of your life’s vision. 
  • Spend 1 hour each week creatively expressing this vision (e.g., journaling, painting, singing, etc.).
  • Share your vision with at least 3 people whom you trust.

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Do What You Love, and the Rest Will Follow: 16 Passioneering Tips

[private][private]Reaching for the SkyDuring this year, we have interviewed over 200 bold, talented individuals who have leaped fully into what they love, as they serve others in the world – we call them Passioneers ™.  Our intention is to inspire those who are feeling scared or discouraged about their own leap into service.  Based upon our inteviews so far, we have synthesized the following passioneering tips, and will be blogging on them, and many others, each week in 2010.   If you  have any tips or know of any Passioneers who would like to share their story in our blog, please send us their contact information.

Be A Visionary.

  • Dream big.  To create a bigger life, you must have bigger dreams.  Without a vision, the people perish.  (Proverbs 29:18)
  • Cordon off at least one focused, quiet hour, each month, for the visioning process.  If you Google “life visioning tools,” you’ll see lots of great visioning tools.   We highly recommend using Rev. Dr. Michael Beckwith’s approach
  • Share your life’s vision with those you trust, and watch how much faster that it grows!
  • Keep your vision front and center, where it can inspire you everyday.  A vision journal or vision board is a great tool for this purpose. Check out vision journaling workshops by Robbi Firestone

If You Fail to Plan, You Plan to Fail.

  • Create a business plan, even if it’s on the back of a napkin.  Richard Gabel’s tips on this: http://bit.ly/2102E
  • What gets written down gets done.  Plain, simple, if not easy.  Journaling is a great tool for this.  Or try writing down the top three things you must get done each day  on an index card; let that be your day’s focus.
  • As with your vision, share your business plan with others for input, ideas, and support.
  • Try our complimentary PowerLeaps LLC Express Business Plan.

If You Believe, You’re Halfway There.

  • Napoleon Hill said “What the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” (more quotes from Napoleon Hill).
  • If you don’t believe in your vision, very few others will.
  • Even on those days when you really don’t believe in your vision,  try faking it until you make it.  It’s amazing how contagious “acting as if” can be!
  • Faith grows over time, one demonstration at a time – kind of like a stairway that you climb, with each step being a small success.  Rome was certainly not built in one day.

Just Do It!

  • My good friend Pete DiSantis says, “Do is half of done.“  Talk is cheap, and analysis can cause paralysis!  The boldest, most successful Passioneers move forward regardless of their circumstances.
  • Take baby steps, no matter how small they are.  In the midst of feeling overwhelmed and stuck, your taking even ONE small step forward will jump start your inspiration and momentum.  A great article on this approach.
  • There is no right or wrong way to express your passions, so avoid comparing yourself to others, especially Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, celebrities, your next door neighbor, etc., etc.  You get the point…
  • Explore and experiment.  Take some risks and try on different approaches.  Most importantly, have FUN!!

 Happy Passioneering![/private][/private]

Passioneer® Morgan Rich, Author, Coach, Visionary

Morgan loves spending time with young people. He is currently laughing, playing, reading books, and enjoying every day while raising his two young children. For 12 years prior to spending time with his own kids, he learned with teenagers about communication and increasing self-esteem. He spent time as a high school teacher, an adventure trip leader, a personal growth program facilitator, a mentor, an interim Dean of Students, an advisor, and a friend. These experiences, a Master’s degree from Northwestern University, and a trip around the world on a ship, helped him understand that at the heart of our success as people is confidence in our selves and support and love from other people. He calls these things “Know Yourself” and “Trust Yourself.” It is with the passion to make a difference in people’s lives that he coaches his clients to sustainable and long-term success. He authored the book Launch Your Life: 5 Secrets to Knowing What You Want in Your Teens, College Years, and Early Career. Reach him at www.playhuge.com.Morgan0330_large

Below is our recent radio interview with him, September 23, 2009:

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