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 Dear <<First Name>>,
I hope you are enjoying the beautiful Spring weather. As Summer approaches, it is often a time for walks in the park or on the beach and time to reflect on life. We have dreams but get distracted by day-to-day living.
Perhaps this is the time to look at what you really want. I recently heard Robin Roberts of ABC’s Good Morning America, speak at the Emerson College graduation. “Dream big, but focus small – on the day-to-day things that will get you there.”
That was just some of the advice she offered in her address on positioning oneself for success. The broadcaster related how her career path did not follow the plan she envisioned, but she put herself “in a position for good things to happen,” which led to her career successes. Now well known for GMA, where she regularly interviews world leaders and covers top news stories, and her two battles against cancer, she told the graduates to not let fear or ego hold them back.
She admitted that when she graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University, where Roberts was the leading scorer on the women’s basketball team, she was excited but fearful because she did not have a job waiting for her. But, Roberts emphasized, “Proximity is power,” telling the students they have to put themselves in a position for good things to happen by joining their abilities with their passion.
Robin Roberts wanted to be a sports journalist, but the only radio station that gave her a shot then was a small outlet on the Gulf Coast. They got her a small morning sports job, but also required her to DJ a music show too – a country music show. Rather than say no, Roberts took it on and eventually became a country music fan.
Roberts later took a low-paying radio sports reporting job instead of several more lucrative news reporter jobs. Acknowledging that she did not hesitate to do so, Roberts reiterated to those assembled, “You have to dream big but focus on the day-to-day things that will get you to your goal.”
Rather than stay in sports, she recognized that the news position she was being offered at ABC would be a great opportunity if she overcame her fear of trying something new.
“The fear factor—everyone in here has felt it or will feel it,” Roberts pointed out. She noted that you do not get ahead by playing it safe. If someone does not jump at changes, they are “going to sit on the sidelines for quite some time.”
So let’s contemplate as we take a walk on how we can position ourselves for success.
Have a great month!
Phyllis Sisenwine, MCC |
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This Month's Article
Singing Your Song - the Secret of Life
While visiting with a friend of mine, I noticed a plaque on the wall in her guest bedroom that reads, "The secret of life is to discover your song and the meaning to life is to sing it".
I found that to be a powerful message, but I also realize that many of us don't know what our song is. Those of us who do know often don't create the opportunity to sing it. It reminds me of the movie "City Slickers" with Jack Palance and Billy Crystal. It's about a man in mid-life who goes to a ranch to discover his song. There's a scene where Jack Palance says to Billy Crystal, "none of you get it. The secret of life is just one thing. One thing. You stick to that and everything else don't mean nothing." Billy Crystal says, "That's great, but what's the one thing?" "That's what you've got to figure out", says Palance.
Do you know what the one thing is for you? Do you know your song? This is a good time to reflect on the song you need to sing. It's time to think about your gifts, your passion and to discover your song-- your burning desire.
To find your passion start by engaging in activities that inspire you. Find out what really excites you. Are you involved in projects that take lots of time, but don't allow you to use your unique abilities? Think about eliminating activities that drain your energy. This is a good time to review the past six months and to see where and how you really spent your time. Were you involved in projects that inspired and excited you? Did you spend time doing things that made you smile? Look at your lifestyle. Is it attracting new opportunities?
Take time to listen to your wise self. Unleash your hidden abilities. We all have talents and skills that may not be known to us. Now's a good time to work on uncovering your gifts.
As author and coach Laura Berman Fortgang writes in Living Your Best Life, we need to excavate our life blueprint. Now that you've thought about what you want, you need to act on what you feel. Your thoughts determine the actions you'll be willing to take. To experience wisdom you have to know what you are feeling. Laura suggests the clues to our best lives are in our subtle feelings, such as sensing the difference between passion and adrenaline or between inspiration and ego. To recognize subtle feelings we must be in a state of calm. Too often we are just too busy, or overwhelmed to find that quiet time.
Think about what you "want" to do vs. what you "should" do. Singing your song is about wants. Take a sheet of paper and make a list of "What I really want and enjoy". Make entries as you think of them. What did you do well years ago that you have stopped doing? What are some of the compliments you often get? What's easy for you but difficult for others? How do you apply your talents to your work and your life? Ask yourself, If you got all of your joy from one thing, what would it be?
Surround yourself with people who inspire and encourage you. The choices you make about the people you spend time with are among your most important choices. When you spend time with people with positive energy you are enriched with support and confidence. Who do you choose to spend time with?
As we look for the one thing that is the secret to our life we need to keep an open mind and be curious about everything.
"The secret of life is to discover your song, and the meaning to life is to sing it."
Have a great month!!
Phyllis Sisenwine, MCC
Published by Phyllis Sisenwine, Master Certified Coach, Motivational Speaker and writer. She works with clients to earn more money, improve time management and stay focused. To schedule a powerful coaching conversation send an email. Her website is located at www.powerfulcoaching.com
Copyright 2015, All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
Phyllis Sisenwine, Master Certified Coach
POWERFUL SOLUTIONS, INC. Inspiring Excellence...in You.
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