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Are you nervous?
Is there a little bit of uncertainty about the future?
And if so, is that really such a bad thing?
We can’t guarantee that the book you wrote will sell.
We can’t be totally sure that everyone will appreciate your speech or sermon.
And that business idea may or may not work.
If you’re doing anything important, failure is a very real option, so to feel nervous every now and then is OK.
Doesn’t that just mean that you’re doing something that matters?
Doesn’t that just mean that you care?
Success doesn’t come to those who thrust their chest out in false bravado.
It comes to those who take action in spite of their feelings of insecurity and uncertainty.
You could go through life entirely sure of what happens next.
Or you could live a life that makes a difference in the world.
Your choice!
Previous post – Is It Time To Shed Your Skin?
Next post – Who’s the Fool?
Hayden’s pet blotched blue-tongue lizard, named Bartlett, recently shed its skin for the first time.
It took a few days of rubbing himself against his rocks and branches and eventually the old skin came off and he emerged with new, brighter and more colourful skin.
Lizards and other reptiles shed their skin to allow for growth.
It’s uncomfortable for them and they can get grumpy during the process, but it’s necessary because as their bodies get bigger, they need to burst through their existing covering into new, larger self.
Is it time for you to shed your skin?
When Europeans were first confronted by the great samurai warriors of Japan, they were amazed at how hard and effective their katanas were.
What they found out is that when making their famous swords, Japanese blacksmiths would take a piece of steel, apply extreme heat and beat it into shape.
Then they would put it back into the furnace and fold it over, beating it back into shape.
Then they would do it again.
And again.
And again.
photo via flickr
Five years ago today, I was pottering away on my computer, investigating options for starting a blog.
I had been thinking about it for a while, but had finally started to take action and after a couple of hours, I had set up my own blog on WordPress.
When I first started, I thought that I had enough ideas for maybe 50-60 posts at the most, but after a while, I started to find a writing rhythm and voice, and soon started a routine (some would say addiction) of publishing a new post every weekday. Over 1300 posts later and I’m still going.
If you’ve got to do it, do it with a smile!
This week, Madison and Logan had their school athletics day. It wasn’t anything too dramatic, just a lap around a small track against three other Grade One children.
Everyone cheered and everyone got a ribbon.
One of the privileges of working for myself is that I get to set my own hours and attend these school events and it was nice to see them both run.
Unsurprisingly, Madison won her race and surprisingly, Logan won his, so it was nice to celebrate their wins.
But in the midst of everything, there was something that I hadn’t noticed.
The newest addition to our household, Dusty the golden retriever
Last Friday night, we got a new addition to our household, an adorable golden retriever puppy named Dusty.
She has already stolen my heart (look at that face, how could I resist!), but I wasn’t always on board with getting another dog.
I’m pretty sure that it was my wife Karen who started the campaign a few years ago. Before we had kids, we had two beautiful goldies, Sasha and Larry. They were terrific pets and were an intrinsic part of our household for many years.
And so the lobbying started.
But I had a long list of valid reasons for not getting a dog. Read the rest of this entry »
Facebook, Twitter and almost every other site on the internet…
Your favourite TV shows…
Nights at the local pub…
Sporting events and hobbies…
That new puppy…
All OK in isolation and moderation.
But when they’re combined, they will waste your time and strangle your dreams.
Tom was tired when he went to see his mentor Dwyer.
They sat quietly in Dwyer’s old cabin, whittling wood with their knives in front of the fireplace when Tom finally spoke up.
“I don’t know how you do it,” he said.
“Do what?” asked Dwyer.
“I don’t know how you stay motivated to help people after so many years. I feel like giving up and I’ve hardly started.”
Dwyer smiled wryly and replied, “Can you blow out that candle for me?”
Over the years, I’ve coached a lot of people.
At the end of every session, I ask them when they’re going to take action on their goals.
The answers vary.
Some say “immediately.”
Some give a time or date at some stage in the next week or month.
Here’s a quick list of things that can’t move or change direction by themselves:
Trains, trams, cars, buses, trucks and motorcycles.
Ferris wheels, roller coasters and carousels.
But not people.
And certainly not you.
Better Life Coaching Blog 