Are You Waffling?

Grits, served with a waffle. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you live in the South long enough, you begin to notice that people give directions based on where a particular location is from the nearest Waffle House, however that certainly doesn't make the directions easier or more clear. Perhaps it's because in the South, there seems to be a Waffle House on every corner, so when someone says,"It's right across from the light after the Waffle House" it might  be hard to get one's bearings when there seems to be a Waffle House at every intersection.

Do you sometimes find your life goals misdirected by your own waffling? Do you make a commitment to try something or begin taking steps towards your goal and then discover you don't know which way to go and you can't seem to find the clarity you need to determine in which direction to proceed? Or maybe you have difficulty just developing a specific step to work on. You have a destination in mind but can't decide whether you need to draw up a plan, gather resources, consult experts, jump in with both feet, test the water more delicately or just start over. Is it difficult for you to determine how to get from point A to point B because you can't decide which way to go first?

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The hardest part of any trip is often in the preparation. If you have ever gone on a journey for more than a few days, you probably did some research, figured out how you would best get from your current destination to where you wanted to be, identified what you needed to take with you or what you could purchase when you arrived, prepared appropriately for the climate and activities you would be involved in and maybe even had to determine the best way to purchase items to bring back. You probably had an itinerary, some information about what you wanted to do or see when you got to where you were going and most likely a map or some suggestions on how to navigate the area.Few people simply get on a plane or even into a car with just the clothes on their back and little idea where they are headed or what they will do when they get there. While this may sound like a perfect way to travel when you are knee deep in choosing clothing for a family of five and activities everyone is excited about from the baby to Grandpa when traveling, leaving everything to chance hardly predicts a perfect experience.

Some people think one of the best ways to avoid waffling when you must make decisions is to answer 2 questions.

What is the worst thing that may happen if I make this decision?
What is the worst thing that may happen if I don't make this decision?

But truthfully the worst(as well as the best) is not always what initially happens when we are pursuing our dreams or goals and trying to prepare to avoid the situations life throws at us is impossible so I think there are 3 far better questions to ask yourself when waffling about your future opportunities and how to realize your dreams and goals but before I share those questions, 
I wondered what YOU might think are better questions to help you determine how to get started on your passions or dreams? 

What are some good questions every entrepreneur should ask to stop waffling or at least to move ahead towards a desirable destination?

PS..."BABY UPDATE"....The "baby" is being induced(printed) this week and delivery is imminent!

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WHAT YOUR DOG CAN TEACH YOU ABOUT SUCCESS

Humans often assume the role models they must look to when looking for success are all two legged creatures, but I think we often overlook how amazingly resilient, resourceful and aware our 4 legged friends can be. They must depend on taking advantage of whatever circumstance exists to survive and that's not a bad skill for an entrepreneur. So if you are thinking about how to get through the barriers to reach the goals you have set, take some lessons from man's best friend.

LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES (even in strange places)

Bucket-headed dog (Photo credit: Paul Kidd)

Have you ever watched a dog who is hungry look in every conceivable place for any morsel to satisfy that craving? They can sniff out something that might be good and will continue to work at attaining it. It may not be a gourmet food but they are resourceful when they crave something.

INVESTIGATE AND DISCERN 
Dogs approach something new with some caution and care. They may spend time sniffing out whether or not it is a wise choice to pursue. Sometimes they simply watch for awhile before they engage. They often circle around it and take in the view from many angles.

CHASE WHAT MATTERS 

Русский: Собака (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Few dogs will decide that chasing what they instinctively know they enjoy is not worth the chase. Try keeping a bird dog from going after a feathered friend, a bloodhound from the scent or even the 57 varieties dog from the squirrel. They chase what matters because they can...Great lesson for anyone who has an instinct about what they want to do.



BE PART OF THE PACK 

White dogs on hind legs (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Have you ever watched what happens when one dog begins to bark? Within moments several join in. Every dog is unique but there are times when they must show loyalty to the pack. No entrepreneur can stand alone. Develop relationships with like-minded peers. Support your pack and they will support you in return when it's your turn to bark!



LEARN THE VALUE OF REST

Dog sunny Day Afternoon (Photo credit: allert)

A dog may play until it is exhausted but it also knows how and when to rest and doesn't need anyone else to indicate it is time to take a nap. They can play hard because they rest well. They are better at the chase when they take a break and refresh. They know there will be another chase and they will need to be ready.

So if you have a lot of ideas and can't wait to get started...Look at man's 4 legged best friend for a bit of wisdom you may have never thought about. Dogs have been foragers, adventurers, companions, lovers of play,self care advocates and filled with unconditional love for the people who matter since the world began.THEY MUST BE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT!!

What have you learned from a resourceful animal?

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From S.O.S. to T.N.T

In a rut Footpath track near nursery at Abingworth (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Even though we may hate ruts, it often is easier being in one than making an effort to climb out.
Ruts are predictable, non-demanding, and no matter how unappealing, have a comfort zone we dare to admit feels much like a good old worn shoe. The problem with ruts is that they are areas in our lives validating our S.O.S.(same old stuff). Maybe the rut is a problem we need to deal with but don't want to address, a career we constantly complain about but do little to seek a different work path or a goal we have talked about doing most of our lives but have never really put any wheels in motion to achieve. Maybe your rut grows deeper daily while you talk about what you really want to do, like write a book, learn a new skill, volunteer, pay down debt, make peace with your family, become more organized, grow a garden, start a blog, find different employment or stick to a budget. We know we should be taking the steps to get out of the rut and move on, but we are simply so used to S.O.S. we are immobilized and begin to make excuses why we have never actually made attempts to leave the rut behind.

There's one thing that will get you out of your rut faster than anything...T.N.T.! (Try New Things)
Make a conscientious decision to create a list of things you really want to do and then begin crossing them off as you make more intentional commitments to go after what you really want. What kind of new things could you do? Well, create a bucket list, start a much needed volunteer group at your child's school, rescue an animal, take pictures of things you hope to accomplish and create a panorama of future opportunities, learn how to play an instrument, take up a sport you never learned, write letters to people who inspire you and tell them why, eat one new food weekly, cook one new recipe regularly, change the color scheme of some of the rooms in your house, begin a collection, visit places you always wanted to go, try on a new religion, wear a color you never wear, sell or give away stuff you never use, teach someone else how to do something...Just Try New Things!

Michael and Claudia Good decided that they would live a very intentional life, something far different from the boring, ordinary or complacent life most young people their age live. Michael and Claudia aren't trapeze artists or walk tightropes, go into cages with live lions or even jump out of airplanes, but they still take calculated risks and intentionally live their lives deliberately avoiding ruts. Visit them at http://rise365. You will immediately discover something different about this couple because they don't want ordinary, don't want status quo, don't want typical and definitely don't want to wake up one day and discover an S.O.S. rut from when they were just young parents. 


You will never find your fire if you keep looking for it in the rut...Give it some T.N.T?
What are the NEW THINGS you need to try?

 

Firecrackers Bahasa Indonesia: Petasan (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

IT'S YOUR CALL

Cover of What Should I Do with My Life?

Somewhere, everyday, someone is asking that infamous question, "What will I do with my life?"

It's been 10 years since I read, Po Bronson's book, What Should I Do With My Life?  It was one of less than a handful of books I have ever read twice. Po's book is a compilation of stories of people who answered that question in sometimes extraordinary ways, choosing to go after what was meaningful to them rather than what may have been expected, accepted, lucrative or even wise. Not all the stories ended happily but it was a revealing expose' of the way we view life at different stages and why we all must respond to that question at some point or another.


I have read many books since then; some about life's purpose, some just for pleasure, some more profound, some that made me laugh out loud. No doubt in your search for your fire, you will read and research countless pieces of information. If you are looking to extend your network beyond your comfort zone or at least beyond your immediate self, I recommend looking at the book, THE CALL...PERFECT DREAM, IMPERFECT LIFE, by Lynne Watts.

Lynne writes about her own journey of discovery following some very unplanned detours which made her realize how much of life is basically out of control and yet very able to be molded into a dream. In sharing her own experiences, she guides the reader on a perfect path to take an idea, a plan, a goal or a dream and step by step focus on the aspects of how to develop a plan to make your goal happen, your dream a clearer reality and your idea something more tangible than just a thought. 

She shares how she "did it" (becoming an accomplished author) despite having a full time job, raising a family and dealing with significant personal experiences which may have easily had someone else yelling, "uncle" and giving up. Lynne's book is a bit like having someone walk hand and hand with you to help you overcome your excuses and create a method to help you gain perspective and answer the "CALL" you were meant to respond to with a gift you have been given.

Are you wondering what you are really called to do? Maybe you think you know what you should be doing but have no idea how to get from where you are to where you want to be. Are you ignoring your call because you are worried about what might be on the other end? 
Most definitely we all get the call and all need to respond at some point.

Maybe you want nothing more than to find your bliss at the other end of the rainbow yet you can't even determine where your rainbow is. Maybe you already know what you want but have no real idea how to start to achieve your dreams with any consistency or maybe you are wondering how to recover a dream or a purpose from a less than perfect life. Regardless, spend some time reading, 

THE CALL .  You will laugh, cry and most definitely be headed in a more successful direction for where you want to go, answering the questions in each chapter and mapping out your perfect dream regardless of where you are today.

Is your life calling? How will you answer the ultimate question?

WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH MY LIFE?

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       http://caringforthekids.blogspot.com/

IN THE COMPANY OF MILLIONAIRES

Did  you win the MEGA MILLIONS on Friday? I most certainly think you would hardly be reading this post or even be spending time doing much of your typical daily "stuff" if you were the one with a winning ticket. But,you are probably more like me; dreaming of what might have been if you had hit the "big one".

People get so excited imagining all the things that would change in their lives and yet it is so easy to forget how many priceless things we all possess even winning the MEGA MILLIONS could not replace.

Mega Millions logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Several years ago, someone asked me if I considered myself a millionaire. I laughed and told them I would hardly think I was even brushing shoulders within that category whenever he asked me if I would sell my eyes for a million dollars. When I emphatically responded, "Absolutely not!", he went on to ask if I would consider giving up my ability to walk or talk for a million. "That's just crazy," I said, "Why would anyone give up the ability to walk independently or communicate for a million dollars?"

Then he mentioned since I was so adamant I would not part with what I considered a vital part of my existence, I must already be a millionaire. I obviously had many possessions I would never exchange for any amount of money. The questions really made an impact and so I ask you the same.

Would you exchange your spouse, parents or children for a million dollars? Would you sell your soul for a cool million or give up everything you consider precious and priceless for the chance to have big bucks? While money can be a great incentive most people would never choose to surrender the simple freedoms and opportunities we know in life or the ability to walk, talk, see, hear or love for a chunk of cash.

We all possess countless "riches" we take for granted, not realizing how priceless having sight might be to someone who has never seen their loved one's face or speech might be to someone who has never been able to truly communicate the way they feel spontaneously. We hug our loved ones and enjoy our time with our families, forgetting how many people live in dysfunctional situations without the support of those they love or constantly in fear of people who care little for them. Millions of dollars could never replace losing a loved one, giving up our independence, forgoing our senses or simply abandoning the countless joys we take for granted daily because we don't see ourselves as rich as we truly are.

So, maybe today you are still dreaming about what could change if suddenly you had riches beyond your imaginations or maybe you realize you already have everything you really need to go after your dreams.
We seldom realize our blessings until they are gone. We seldom count our riches while we are still in the midst of enjoying them. It is easy to look at life as less than amazing when you wake each day without realizing how incredibly rich you already are.


Countless individuals have gone after a dream, achieved a major goal or committed to living a life with complete purpose and passion who also have never held a winning ticket in their hands. It's not about having what you want, but really about wanting what you have.

Without money (Photo credit: Toban Black)

You hardly need a winning ticket to be rich, you just need a winning attitude and the riches you already have piled in front of you daily. I don't know about you but, I feel far wealthier since I was asked those questions than I ever thought I was. 


There are simply some things I would never ever exchange for any amount of money How about you?
Do you have a fortune in blessings and a wealth of experiences that no money could ever replace?

See your riches in the light you are meant to see them and you will be amazed how many treasures you have to get your dream started even without the winning ticket.

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