Passion Driven Wealth

Marketing Tip Two: Attracting Unlimited Referrals to Your Business

2010-11-17T17:19:00.000-08:00

Tranforming Fear into Positve Action So You Can Realize Your Purpose

2010-02-17T14:50:00.000-08:00

One of the most frustrating experiences is stretching towards a goal, but not realizing it. Whether you're trying to lose weight, get a promotion or be a better parent, there are times that fear of failure can block you on your journey to personal growth. How you deal with the fear will determine if you taste sweet victory or wallow in frustration. When fear it's ugly head, try this exercise to neutralize it.

Oftentimes fear is related to the prickly feeling of the unknown as we struggle to reinvent ourselves. What will our new selves look like? How will money change our lives? Can I maintain my success once I've achieve it?
What will it cost to realize my dream?

As a career coach, I have witnessed clients self-sabotage their efforts through procrastination, depression and insecurity. But here is the critical question as years pass and you're still dreaming about getting your masters, being a stand-up comedian or owning your own business.

What has it cost you to acquiesce to the fear of failure?

Close your eyes and envision what you've lost due to paralyzing fear. Perhaps, you've settled for the first man that said he loved you, but in your heart you know he's not the one. Or you're burned out in your position, yet you sit on the sidelines refusing to take the action necessary for advancement. What would life look like if you achieved your desired goals? More money? Perhaps you could have created a college fund for your child by now, paid off credit card debt or owned your dream home by now. Reaching goals could mean greater freedom to be who you were meant to be. Let the feeling of regret wash over you. Let the sorrow motivate you to positive action.

Surely, you can add more personalized details to this exercise, and do so, but the point is that there are consequences---loss that we need to validate when we choose immobilizing fear rather than steadily moving toward our desires.

Keeping these images in the forefront of your mind, and being aware that our short term comfort achieved by acquiescing to fear, in the long run, destroys our greatest dreams. Recognize that fear can be transformed into positive action, and you will embrace your goals.

Successful Thinkers

2009-12-05T10:33:00.000-08:00

Successful Thinkers

Overcome Self-Consciousness That Interfere With Peak Performance

2009-12-04T22:05:00.000-08:00

Isn't it true that we can be our own worst enemy?

Years ago, as a teacher, I needed to take and pass the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET) in order to exit out of my teaching credential program. No matter how hard I tried, one time, two times, three times, I came close but did not pass it. My school district was beginning to implement their policy---teachers needed to pass the test within a certain time frame or they would lose their job. I received several notices in my mailbox, stating that my job was in jeopardy. Many nights I tossed and turned with visions of myself homeless at the end of the freeway with a sign that read, "Will work for food."

However, embarassed that I failed the exam three times, I refused to take the test again. Constant streams of self-criticism paralyzed me, and for a year and half, I simply hung my head in shame, waiting for my pink slip.

I was my own worst enemy!

Desperate, I began to interview other teachers about how they passed the exam. By doing so, I was able to step back just enough to bring more objectivity into my dilema. Questioning co-workers had another benefit: I moved from passivity to positive action.

I found a group of teachers who needed to pass the test and I formed a study group. We met increasingly as the test neared, and I found that some teachers had knowledge in certain areas that I lacked, and that I had skills that I could share with the group. Moreover, the study group was a source of encouragement for me and kindled my motivation.

After studying with them for a few months, I took the test and passed.

Here is the take-away for you:

Self-Consciousness Diminishes Peak Performance

Top athletes know this---that focusing on the goal is critical to peak performance. Shutting out external chaos and mental chatter heightens one's performance level.

But how can you do this?

By bringing the mind back into the present--the task at hand, by pulling it from past mistakes, failures and potential disaster, you are creating a state of deep concentration and flow that will improve your athletic or work performance.

Let's say, for instance, you're giving a presentation in a week at work. This is my suggestion. Practice, get feeback and practice some more, trusting that you're downloading the script for the presenation into your subconscious mind---then relax. The night before your performance forget rehearsing. Instead, look at television, read a book, get a massage. Before sleeping, envision yourself with detail acing the presentation, and then let go.

Show up. Give the presentation in a focused, relaxed way. Take this approach and watch your performances peak. We perform as much as twenty-five percent better when we dive into the activity that leads us to our desired outcome.

Training our minds to refocus on the task at hand is sometimes painstaking work. Our minds tend to be rebellious, testing us at every turn. But in order to consistently perform at our best, we need to diligently train our minds just as diligently as we practice the skills that will lead to an excellent performance.

What Can We Learn From Michael Jackson's Passion?

2009-11-02T19:06:00.000-08:00

I just saw Michael Jackson's "This Is It." There is no doubt that Michael was the King of Pop. Even as he neared fifty, the audience was in awe of his phenomenal agility, his high energy dance numbers, his dedication to perfection, and the great quality of his legendary voice. His life was certainly cut too short.

However, there are some take-aways from Micahael's life that we can apply to our own.

Work as Play
As I looked at the rehearsal footage, it was clear that Michael had great fun designing this elaborate production. He had his hand in every aspect of it-- the design of the lighting and pyrotechnics, the selection of dancers, how the film was shot, and how his music was played--- not because he was a control freak, but because his passion for performance drove his interest. All throughout, we see Michael laughing and enjoying the process.

Even in it's unfinished state, Michael's grand vision was apparent. The show included an integrated texture of sights, themes and sounds---wailing ghosts and goblins, footage from classic movies, a lush video about protecting the rainforests, energetic unimaginable dance moves, complex lighting design and countless imaginative costume changes--just to name a few highlights.

But the point I want to make is this: Work ceases to be work when you are pursuing what you love. When you're engrossed in your purpose, time stands still; people have reported working for hours, and yet it seemed like minutes to them. To them, work is an enjoyable and even playful experience. This is one wonderful byproduct of nurturing and expressing our passion.

Motivated to Give One Hundred and Ten Percent
Yes, I realized that I saw the best rehearsal footage from the movie, but "Oh, my God." I frankly would have paid a nice amount of money just to actually see Michael rehearse. As he was giving a pep talk to his staff he thanked them for their focus, and asked them to continue giving their hundred and ten percent. As one of the producers of the production, he modeled that. Footage after footage captures Michael's intensity and devotion to every aspect of the show.

His motivation, as he said several times in the movie was love--love for the craft which inspired excellence from Michael and his performers.

Can we be honest? Do you love your work so much that you're giving it your one hundred and ten percent each day? When people are aligned to, and are expressing their true purpose in life, oftentimes, we see feats of genius and heightened creativity as displayed in Michael Jackson.

On the other hand, we've all been the recipient of a worker who was cast in the wrong job. Have you ever experienced a cashier who lacked people skills? How irritating!

Frankly, I've seen teachers with credentials without the heart of a teacher. They were employees who punched the time clock, but who really didn't enjoy interacting with students.

To be the most effective, we need to identify and do our God-given assignments and exercise them one hundred and ten percent.

Adding Value to the Audience
In the final analysis, Michael seemed to understand the benefits he offered his audience through entertainment. He stated he wanted to provide "escapism" for people, and take them places they have never been.

Can you name the benefits you provide for your clientele and employees? If you can name the benefits you offer people, do these benefits you provide resonate with your value system, and authentic self? Know who you are and what YOU uniquely offer others, and both the giver of the gift, and the recipient wins.

Conclusion
For all of Michael's eccentricities and hardships, he nonetheless, possessed a treasured gift that he polished through determination and perfectionism. What can Michael teach us? Following your passion feels so enjoyable that it'll feel like play; that joy will motivate you to give one hundred and ten percent to your interests, and adding your unique value to your customers, friends and family is most meaningful.

Passion Driven Wealth

2009-10-22T20:04:00.000-07:00

What to Do If You're Terrified to Leave Your Job

Recently, I pointed out to a friend, Jasmine, how anxious and unhappy she was at her sales job. She wasn't sleeping. Her motivation was low. She seemed depressed.

Jasmine's manager made the job even more difficult with his outrageous expectations, and poor people skills. She'd been verbally attacked numerous times by him. Although, Jasmine tried many strategies to settle the problem, it remained.

Well, maybe you should consider preparing yourself for another profession, I suggested.
"Rosalind, are you kidding?" Jasmine's face contorted in horror. "I'll take the abuse. I'm too afraid to leave my job---especially in this economy!"

We tend to hold tight to the familiar. However, the average worker changes careers at least five-six times in their life time. While it is uncomfortable to stretch and grow into new realms, it's vital in this economy.

Moreover, scores of American workers are fed up with the pressures, unreasonable expectations, and the lack of congruence they feel about the skill sets needed for their jobs, versus their need for self-expression.
This scenario can cause internal stress and unfulfillment.

But what can you do when you feel scared to death to leave your job and pursue your passion?

Hold onto your job, but also...

1. Remember It's a Process

To think that moving into a new career or business has to happen overnight can be a huge source of stress.
The starting point of change might be the simple acknowledgement that you NEED to find greater
fulfillment in your professional life. Start by dabbling in your interests. Begin honing your passion. Take a
class or seminar-- study with a coach, apply for that Master's program. The first steps might be the
hardest, but it will instantly transform an attitude of self-pity into a sense of control over your
professional life.

2. Volunteer

If a particular position appeals to you, one surefire way to see if it's a fit is to volunteer. I knew a young
man who talked about being a doctor, but wasn't sure what it entailed. You could find him at the bus stop
every Saturday morning heading to the local hospital to volunteer. Over time, he created a
tremendous rapport with the staff, and they introduced him to different areas of medicine. He focused on
emergency medicine. After three years of doing this, he applied to medical school, and a number of
nurses and doctors wrote recommendations on his behalf.

You can activate unused talents by:

deciding to head a committee at your job
joining organizations
trying a new activity

The point is head in the direction of your talents and interests, and test them out through voluntarism.

3. Hang with People Who Are Living the Life You Want

I adovate the entrepreneurial lifestyle. Wouldn't it be great to set your hours, decide the clientele you'd
like to engage with, and share your values with your community? In order to grow into an entrepreneur,
you need to affliate with successful ones.

I am interested in certain areas of business, such as sales, so I'm studying with Eric Lofholm. What
tremendous concepts he's sharing! I've also pledged to be hang around wealthy people so I can
absorbed their thinking processes that generate wealth. The principle is: What you focus on you
eventually become.

Associate with those who can help you become a master in your area of interests.

Until next time,
Rosalind Henderson

Find your Passion and Put Money in Your Pocket

2009-10-14T17:44:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends.

I'm excited as I ponder this thought: Do you know that you have wealth inside of you ready to move from potential to active? How much money do you want add to your monthly income? An extra 250.00? An extra 500.00? An extra 1,000.00?
The most interesting thing is that most people are quick to look at other people's talents and covet them. What a waste of time. You have your own unique gifts, sometimes forgotten, if polished could be your contribution to the lives of others. What a great feeling ---to discover our purpose.
Why not dig within yourself to escavate this treasure, develop it and create a new career or side income?

Here's a tip:

Ask yourself if money wasn't an issue, what would I pursue? What hobbies are you passionate about? What magazines, websites, TV shows are you drawn to?

After spending years looking for the perfect profession without success, in frustration one day, I veered towards my computer. I am a teacher, and there were heartfelt topics that I wanted to write about, although I never thought I was a writer. However, a burning desire to prepare inner-city high school students for college got me up each morning to type. As I poured, edited, and etched my thoughts like an sculptor chisels away at marble, a book was born. That was two years ago, and that book entitled, The College Success Book has helped hundreds of inner city high school students, and has netted me thousands of dollars.

Begin to rediscover who you were meant to be, and in future blogs we'll discuss how to monetize your passions.

Blessings,
Roz Henderson