You Attract What You Seek

I woke up this morning to a lovely twitter post from the Dalai Lama. He wrote about the importance of compassion and opening our hearts in order to understand others. Then I ran across a blog post about Happy People who create their own internal Happiness. Both messages were a nice surprise from an encouraging Universe. I’ve been actively seeking positive change for my life.

I attracted what I am seeking.

There is a flip side to this, however. Like attracts like. If you are a miserable person seeking kindred spirits who will hold you down in the muck, then that is exactly what you’ll get. We’ve all been through tough times. Not everyone is super positive all the time (if they are, then they’re faking it or on happy pills). Consider how long you want to stay in the Pit of Misery. The more time spent in that dark hole, the harder it is to climb out. I know. I’ve been trapped there a time or two.

Seek out those small moments of Joy. Spend time with the folks who encourage you. Our time on the planet is short. We have important and positive things to accomplish. Don’t waste time in the pit. Get out there and make a positive difference in your world.

Sending positive thoughts and encouragement your way!

Taking Your Life in A New Direction? You’ll Need a Map

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Back when I was a fresh-faced graduate with a shiny new diploma in Computer Programming, I created a Vision Board. It was covered with pictures of successful women, houses, nice clothes and fine foods. I’m happy to report every single one of those pictures came to fruition in my life. Some of the results were not quite what I expected, but they did help me build a very successful career.

Today, I’m in a place where I’m preparing to make major life changes as I head toward retirement. Hmmm. I guess what I really mean is I’m bursting out of my employer’s clutches and dancing toward new adventures. Can you see me giggling and clapping my hands?I have a few ideas to build up my current personal business and may even start a completely new one. Time to make a new Vision Board.

What’s the Point of a Vision Board?

Helps you figure out what you really want in life
Puts your ideas and dreams in a format you can see
Meditate on the images every day. You’ll start to see these goals appear in your life.

Vision Boards are Great, but…

As with any map, you first have to know your destination before you start
Do research on steps to achieve your goals
Be smart! While Leaps of Faith are super inspiring, the landings can be brutal. Aim for the deep pools of success. Avoid the jagged rocks of failure

Creative Visualization may sound like some hippie dippie notion, but I’m living proof it works! Knowing what you want in life is the first step in achieving your goals.

Boundaries are Good. Limitations are Bad.

I’ve been a corporate mentor/ coach for over a decade. While every person and situation can be different, they have common themes. One of the highest reoccurring issues is the feeling of being overwhelmed.

A new project manager is afraid to delegate and tries to do everything herself.

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The job asks an employee to travel for the third week in a row. Despite being exhausted and getting grief from his family, he says “yes.”

Sometimes this horrible feeling of being overwhelmed lands my mentees in what I call a “five-week rest in breakdown town.”

The folks I coach are smart and talented individuals. They understand you can’t keep pushing your body and mind to the point of breaking. Such behavior has consequences. They come to me for advice and I remind them about Healthy Boundaries.

What Are Healthy Boundaries?

Imagine a force field around your body – You control what gets in (negative remarks, job demands, needy people)
Keep your force field strong – Find that “One Thing” that matters most to you. Use your passion to feed the boundary
Remember: IT’S OKAY TO SAY NO! Don’t want to go to a contentious family holiday? Don’t go! Work wants you to travel, but you’ll miss your kid’s birthday? Say you aren’t available that day!

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What’s the Deal with Limitations?

We talked about Boundary walls being useful. Limitations are also walls, but rather than keeping unhealthy things out…they keep you and your potential in a little box.

Face those barbed impenetrable walls. Take a hard look at how and why you are limiting yourself
Be absolutely honest. Is your wall made up of fear or bad memories? Failure can hurt, but it shouldn’t keep you from trying again
Make a list of positive and encouraging goals you could achieve if you get past your self-imposed limitation
Take the Hammer of Courage and smash that wall down!

Final Thoughts: You must take care of YOU! Corporations and selfish people will try to drain every ounce of energy from you if given the chance. Build up your boundaries to stay healthy. Knock down your limitations to stay passionate.

Celebrating the Season of Renewal

Spring is beginning to um, spring in my little corner of the world. Tiny green leaves are reaching up to the sun. Crocuses and hyacinths are blooming in bold colors. And me? Well, I am entering into my time of renewal.

My Spring Mantra:

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Positive change is beginning to bud inside my heart.

I will throw out the old dead negative notions.

I will help the new bud to grow by feeding my dreams with positive thoughts.

What about you? Are you ready to throw away the outdated thoughts that no longer stimulate your growth? My best wishes and positive thoughts headed your way!

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Risky Business: Breaking Away from The Trends

Conventional wisdom tells us to “write for the market” or “chase the trends of films.” Sure. You can do that if you’d like. Everybody’s gotta eat, right? Market trends can be safer than making your own trail through the creative wilderness. But what about THE creative project? You know the one I mean. It churns and burns deep in your soul. The process of creation is the only way to silence its voice.

Beware! Resist the critical voices in your head. They want you to take that unique creative project and force it into a safe market trend.

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DON’T:

Publish a forgettable book you hated writing.

Ignore your passion and make that shallow film about nothing.

Give Up!

DO:

Chase your passion and risk creating the unique.

Study unique art and learn. Think: the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowlings or The Producers by Mel Brooks. Both were huge risks that paid off.

Your unique art is special, but not everyone will see its potential. It’s at this point you must utilize an entrepreneurial mindset. Put on that creative hat and look for ways to introduce your art to a new audience. Find a good fit and make friends – Maybe you spent a year photographing ducks on the lake by your house. You created a coffee table photography book highlighting your best duck photos. Would you try to sell the book at a coin show? No. Find people with common interests who would love to buy your books. Introduce them to your work by displaying it at a show or join a social media site with people who love ducks.

Final Thought:

Someone is waiting to be inspired or entertained by your unique creative project. Have faith and don’t give up!

Looking Back While Springing Forward

Transitions are exciting. Wrapping up a successful creative project and moving forward with something new. Is there any better feeling? It even beats the “I’m finished” rush.

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I’m at this stage in my “Heart of the Warrior” book series. The Obsidian Gates (Book Two) is out in the world. I’ve spent the last few months doing book signings, podcasts, guest blogs and radio shows to celebrate my latest book baby. Now I’m ready to focus on the next project – Book Three! Look for it in 2019.

In this season of Shamrocks and Blarney Stones, I’m sending you Irish Blessings for your new creative projects. Keep Calm and Create On!

The Trials and Tribulations of a Change Agent

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Change happens. It’s the nature of all things. Sometimes change is quick and unexpected. Other times it is agonizingly long in coming. Drag your feet to resist the change, it will be stressful. You might even experience a bit of pain. Embrace the change with acceptance and perhaps a bit of excitement – things will go easier.

I’m a Change Agent. My job, or calling if you will, is helping others to adapt, plan and take steps toward positive change. It can be difficult for individuals to see a path out of their rut. They feel stuck. They know they need a change, but don’t know how to climb out of their situation. That’s where I come in. I, and other folks like me, can see a path to positive growth and happiness. Then we help you see it too.

What happens when a Change Agent gets stuck in a muddy rut? Yep. My clothes are covered in the stuff! Here are a few things I’m doing to climb out of the mud and advance to my next opportunity:

Read a Classic again – Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson, M.D.

Get Inspired – Read or watch pieces about innovators and other inspiring people who have achieved the goals you dream about

Dream – Listen to yourself. What do you want? What don’t you want?

Take Action – Make a plan and see it through

I’ve been a mentor for ten plus years. 98% of my mentees have gone on to be successful in their business goals. The other 2% refused to either work hard for their dream or couldn’t conquer their fear of change. Moving out of a negative, but comfortable situation can be scary. Find a good mentor or coach to help you on your path. I guarantee happiness is worth the hard work!

Deep Thoughts and Junk

C.R. Richards – Writer. Gardener. Foodie

Creative