No matter where you live, or what your political views, you’re likely feeling it.

From the whites steps up Capitol Hill to the white cliffs of Dover, this world-wide effect holds so much power and potential right now that we’re holding a very special call!

It’s that big!

If you want to:

• know what The Obama Effect actually is
• how it can work (and what that could mean for you)
• and how to put the power behind it to work in your life…

Come join us at 1pm Eastern, Friday November 7th!

Here’s the call-in details (you might want to put them in your calendar or print them so they’re handy when you make tomorrow’s call):

• A few minutes before 1pm Eastern tomorrow, dial (269) 320-8200 on your touch-tone phone
• When prompted, dial in this access code: 1034165#
• Introduce yourself (or not, as you prefer) as you enter, and enjoy the call!

P.S. Feel free to pass word on!

Life is one big road with lots of signs. So when you riding through the ruts, don’t complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy. Don’t bury your thoughts, put your vision to reality. Wake Up and Live!

Bob Marley

What’s In A Sign?

Ever doubted that how you ‘see’ things makes a pretty big difference in the way you experience life – and how those around you experience you?

Well, if you could use a little boost today, or you’d just like a reason to smile, take a minute and give this spectacular short a look-see, and then let us know what you think about the power of perspective.

And what you think about the pull of clear signs… *wink*

P.S. Thanks to good friend Catherine Behan of www.howtomakeyourmanperfect.com for pointing us in the direction of this sweet little life-lesson film.

If you liked this post, feel free to join us by subscribing by e-mail or RSS (aka Really Simple Syndication).

And feel free to pass the word or use this content with attribution. We’re having a Purpose Party over here: the more the merrier!

The key to wisdom is knowing all the right questions.

John A. Simone

Ever asked yourself a single question and never been quite the same again?

Well, good friend and Associate True Callings Faculty member Nettie Hartsock recently published a brief, simple and mind-altering post on her blog we thought bore repeating cause it had one of those in it.

“Would you rather have a job you love that doesn’t pay well,

or a well paying job you don’t like?

Good question. Talk amongst yourselves…”

Yowza.

What’s your answer – do you think it’s an either/or kind of thing?

(But That Doesn’t Make Them Right!)

Setbacks pave the way for Comebacks

Anonymous

Forgive us, Friends, for we have blog-sinned. It has been some time since we last posted.

Sorry ‘bout that.

No disrespect intended, but if it’s all the same to you we’re going to take a pass on the whole Acts of Contrition and Hail Mary’s thing, and just get back to it!

But before we do, here’s the lowdown on WHY ‘The Big Gap’.

A few months back we sought out an ‘expert’s’ feedback (‘Danger Will Robinson!’) on our brand spanking new web site, podcast/blog and expansion plans, with the intention of going from ‘Hey, not bad.’ to ‘Wow!’

Growth and improved service are, after all, good things in our books.

But 90 minutes in and, as far as said expert was concerned, we were beyond help. In fact, he went so far as to advise we consider ‘getting outta Dodge’ all together cause he was predicting we’d soon be going down in a flaming ball of shame.

Yup: that was a banner day…

But you know, the crazy-making curve ball he threw our way did a couple of really exceptional things for us, as difficult things will do if you do what the most successfully Callings-directed among us do.

HARVEST them.

What Exactly Is Harvesting?

Harvesting, we learned (after hours of interviews with dozens of the successful) is a two part process.

First, these folks decide to harvest good things from ‘bad’ situations - to repeatedly find the seed of potential in any and all ‘negative’ situations. In short, they choose to always turn problems or adversity into opportunity.

And then they live that decision - no matter what.

Over time (and with practice) the process of Harvesting becomes habitual for them, so much so that they actually start to play and have fun with it.

Which makes rising to the challenge a sort of ‘Professor Plum in the Library with the Candlestick’ mystery to be solved (depending on the magnitude of the situation, but more on that in a minute).

And the process of resolving mystery’s draws them in, firing up their desire, curiosity and passion, focusing their energy and attention, and putting their strengths and unique brand of creativity to work on developing their one-of-a-kind response or solution.

Along the way they report enjoying a special kind of satisfaction and enjoyment, long BEFORE an answer is found or a final result created.

Which means that the idea of delayed personal gratification kind of goes out the window for them cause these people find the process itself gratifying.

All of which builds the foundation for Harvesting Part Two: Part One builds the muscle and resilience necessary for the more advanced form many of us are in awe of.

‘Do you know why we fall down, Bruce? So we can learn how to get up.’

from Batman Begins

The second part of Harvesting involves the desire and capacity to convert loss or trauma into a source of life-giving energy, meaning and inspiration.

Doing Something Different With What They Feel

Just like the rest of us, these folks feel unhappy emotions deeply. Just like us they aren’t particularly fond of those feelings. But what’s different is they don’t turn away from, mute or soften them (much). Instead - and as healing allows – they move through what they feel while choosing to use their experience for good, to transform it into something that uplifts, inspires and shifts them into the next evolution of their life.

This intention, applied even when the chips are really down, makes them into both-sides-of-the-coin meaning-makers with a softly experience-tempered wisdom that very often paves the way to a new calling or sense of mission.

Christopher Reeve’s a great example of a Harvester.

So’s Terry Fox.

Or Helen Keller.

It’s said that fortune favours the bold. Far as we can tell there’s no bolder thing than taking what hurts most and choosing to use it as a force for good in the world.

Our research has shown time and again that harvesting is among the most essential habits that makes the successfully callings-led successful – and able to remain consistently true to themselves and their life’s purpose and vocation no matter what happens or changes in their life.

As for us, we have to admit we had a little help lifting our sagging spirits after our ‘expert’ encounter, besides our own choice to be loyal to our vision and make good out of bad.

Just weeks after that crazy phone call, this woman named Oprah and a leprechaun-like guy called Eckhart Tolle drew 100’s of thousands of people from around the world to a life-purpose webinar…

And Mr. Expert said it couldn’t be done

****

Want to join the ranks of those who successfully HARVEST?

Put some of these True Callings questions to work for you (and please - if you’re grieving a loss of some kind, be kind and take your time):

1. How is this situation a YES to a larger sense of purpose?

2. How might this be working for me, not against me?

3. How might this situation be preparing me - drawing out the capacities, traits or characteristics I’m going to need to answer my next calling?

 

 3 Things You Need to Know: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Life is what happens
when you’re busy making other plans.
- John Lennon

Hello and welcome to the March edition of True Callings!

This month’s edition is all about:

• the biggest life-purpose misperception of all time,
• the biggest head-scratcher of all time, and…
• the relief and ease of passage that comes when you finally understand both!

Oh, and be sure to listen (or read the transcript available) all the way to the end for exciting news about a couple of cool things coming up here at True Calling.

Download a transcript of today’s episode here.

As always, we’d love to hear from you: feedback, praise, comments, praise, other points of view, praise… You get the gist. After all, this is a conversation - and what you have to say is half the fun!

Don’t feel like writing (which, by the way, takes just a click of the COMMENTS link below)?

Call our comments line instead, and really talk to us.
(214) 615-6505 ext 4678

 

 True Callings - Episode 5: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

It’s in every comic book. It’s even in every love story (bodice rippers included). In fact, it’s in almost every story ever written.

Some version of the mythological (and, some say, spiritual) hero’s journey.

Where ordinary people are asked (by circumstances beyond their own control) to do something that challenges them - something that shakes up their sense of who they are; what they’re capable of, what their life’s really about.

And every True Calling has some of that age-old story in it.

Problem is it often confuses the daylights out of people, ‘cause what they’re afraid it means to be ‘heroic’ and what it actually means are often two different things.

Which is where (oddly enough) the whole ‘shaken up’ sense of things begins to come into play.

It’s like JJ Abrams said in last episode’s feature video: when it comes to mystery boxes, what you’re actually getting and what you think you’re getting often ain’t the same. And that’s what makes life interesting - when you manage to shift your perception of it!

Speaking of JJ’s video, a big shout out to the winner of our Where’s Waldo – True Callings Clues Contest, Kelli Corcoran. Kelli has won one month’s complementary True Callings Coaching from yours truly! Congratulations Kelli!

Kelli’s list of Callings Clues came the closest to the correct number, which was (drum roll please!)… a whopping 49, which was why the piece blew us away when we first watched it!

Download your own copy of the complete JJ Abrams video Callings Clues list here.

Download a transcript of today’s episode here.

As always, we’d love to hear from you: feedback, praise, comments, praise, other points of view, praise… You get the gist. After all, this is a conversation - and what you have to say is half the fun!

Don’t feel like writing (which, by the way, takes just a click of the COMMENTS link below)?

Call our comments line instead, and really talk to us.
(214) 615-6505 ext 4678

… aka don’t take it from us …

This phenomenal guest post by Michael Katz of Blue Penguin Development is tops for all kinds of reasons. Not the least of which is that it resolves an ethical dilemma for us, and (hopefully) relieves some of the ‘buyer beware’ burden for those who read it.

We’re huge proponents of life coaching. We know first hand the impact really good life coaching has and, when a unique kind of objective is on your radar, what really good specialized coaching can do for you.

We wouldn’t be where we are without both.  But as service providers of life coaching, promoting coaching puts us in a weird spot.  It can’t help but look self-serving, even with those who know us well but have never themselves benefited from coaching.     Frankly, we’re in the same shoes when it comes to shopping for coaching ourselves.  We find ourselves equally cautious, and in some cases outright suspicious:  there are, unfortunately, plenty of reasons to be. The frequency with which companies and service providers play fast and loose with inauthentic, buy-motivating tactics has made it harder for all of us to distinguish between truly honest sentiment and savvy sales-crafting.  And you deserve the straight poop (so to speak). 

So when Michael wrote this solid first-person piece, and gave us permission to post it, it was a relief to know we’d be able to provide folks who’re curious about life coaching with a real sense of it’s value, untainted by any concern about ‘salesiness’ (is that even a word?). 

So, don’t take if from us that coaching works.  Just take it for what its worth. 

Enjoy!

~ ~ ~

I’m not going to lie to you. Super Bowl weekend is upon us and my local team (the New England Patriots) is playing. But I don’t really care.   

Oh sure, I’ll be at a friend’s house, watching and cheering along with everyone else. But I’m a pretend fan. Unlike the people who live and die by the outcome, I expect to spend considerably more time analyzing the snacks than I will the opposing team’s secondary (whatever that is).   

I will, however, be paying close attention to the coaches, and in particular, what they choose to wear to the game.   

In baseball, the coaches – no matter how old or out of shape – wear team uniforms. In basketball and hockey, tradition suggests a suit and a tie. In football, however, the coaches seem to show up wearing whatever they had on at game time.   

Patriot’s coach Bill Belichick, for example, dresses in what I like to think of as “weekend grocery shopping attire.” He always looks as if someone snatched him out of the condiment aisle in mid-shop and drove him straight to the game (perhaps that’s why he always appears so grumpy).   

But that’s not my point. My point is this: All teams, in all games, in all sports, always have a coach. And it’s not just teams either. Sprinters, boxers, golfers, even chess players have coaches.   

In fact, according to research that if conducted would probably be true, every professional athlete of any merit in the world has a coach.   

So why don’t you? (That’s also my point.)   

Why is it a given that top performing athletes have professional guidance from people whose sole responsibility is to help them perform better, and yet when it comes to running our businesses – or, if I may be so bold, our lives – we think we’ve got it covered?   

I have no idea. However, as someone who’s worked with a coach for nearly eight years now, I can tell you without question that it’s been worth every penny.   

Here’s what it’s given me:   

• An objective point of view. Particularly if you’re just starting a new business, having someone who can help you sort through the ins and outs, the opportunities and the fears is tremendously helpful. You can’t watch yourself working any more than an athlete can watch himself playing; a coach sees what you can’t.  
• A trained, constructive listener. Like me, you may be lucky enough to have a spouse who’s supportive, but I’ve come to see that good coaching is a lot more than that. My coach’s understanding of when to push back, when to encourage, and when to remain absolutely silent (one of her most annoying skills) is something I’ve found invaluable again and again.  
• A paid professional. Although your friends and/or spouse may be willing to go deep (gratuitous football reference) on important issues, your relationship with them requires give and take; it can’t be all about you. The nice thing about having a coach, on the other hand, is that it can. Your time with the coach – as with any professional you hire (attorney, doctor, etc.) – is dedicated to your success.  
• A time to refocus. I have to admit, there are weeks when I’d rather just keep working and not take 30 minutes out of the day to call my coach… those tend to be the days where I find the session most valuable. My weekly coaching call forces me to stop running and make sure I’m headed in the right direction to begin with.   

Bottom Line: I speak with my coach once a week, 50 times a year. And while most sessions don’t result in any immediate business breakthrough, every six months or so I gain an insight or develop a new idea that more than pays for an entire year’s worth of sessions.   

If you think coaching is only for people with “problems,” you’re looking at the wrong side of the equation. If you want to be among the best, and maybe even play in The Big Game, find someone who can help you get there.

I’ll be in aisle 4 with Belichick if you need me.

~ ~ ~

PS – If you want to know more here’s a great article from the Toronto Star.

As always, we’d love to hear from you: feedback, praise, comments, praise, other points of view, praise… You get the gist. After all, this is a conversation - and what you have to say is half the fun!

Don’t feel like writing (which, by the way, takes just a click of the COMMENTS link below)? Call our comments line instead, and really talk to us.

(214) 615-6505 ext 4678  

… or How JJ Abrams Found His ‘OMIGOD, Life Is Good!’ Groove.

 

 True Callings - Episode 4: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Ever listen to someone who’s completely jazzed about their life talk about it in a way that makes a whole bunch of seemingly ordinary bits and random pieces of living suddenly seem not so random - or so ordinary?

No matter your answer, this wildly fun video by LOST’s creative wunderkind J.J. Abrams demonstrates what we’ve been talking ‘bout for months:

Looking for your True Callings Clues is a little like playing Where’s Waldo: see past the meaningless visual distractions and extraneous clutter, and good old Waldo (aka your True Callings Clues) just pops off the page, obvious and clear.
And once you’ve found him, it’s hard not to see him again, and again, and again…

Listen above to learn more AND hear all the details about our ‘Find The True Callings Clues’ Contest.

Someone’s gonna win big!

As always, we’d love to hear from you: feedback, praise, comments, praise, other points of view, praise… You get the gist. After all, this is a conversation - and what you have to say is half the fun!

Don’t feel like writing (which, by the way, takes just a click of the COMMENTS link below)?

Call our comments line instead, and really talk to us.
(214) 615-6505 ext 4678

 

 True Callings - Episode 3: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

A couple of weeks ago - thanks to our new friend Nettie Hartsock - we ran across the amazing True Callings story of business writer, Peter Economy.

Peter made a bold leap 7 years ago from corporate work into the writing life, which all by itself is a great example of answering a calling (if you love this story, stay tuned for more about and from Peter in early 2008).

Just recently though, True Calling came knocking at Peter’s door again, marrying up a couple of his loves and passions, and the whole thing has cranked up his sense of purpose more than a notch or two. Bam!

Ever thought about writing a book? Ever stalled out?

Well, this best-selling writer’s looking for somebody he can write (and publish - he’s got the inside scoop there) a new book with in 2008, absolutely free of charge!

And that’s not all…

Hear all about Peter and his One Year One Book For Free project in this episode of True Callings.

SPECIAL NOTE: Tremendous response to the One Laptop Per Child Foundation’s Give One Get One promotion had them extend it from November 27th right through to December 31st!

You can still join us in supporting this historic program, and in leveling the playing field for kids in developing countries all around the world, by following this link.

The Keith Taylor/Modest Needs Story

 

 True Callings Episode 2: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Remember the ORDINARY PEOPLE - EXTRAORDINARY LIVES story we ran back in 2005 about Keith Taylor, whose True Calling turned the Tennessee professor into the ’small change philanthropist’?

Well, in just a little over five years, Taylor’s personal mission is now www.ModestNeeds.org, one of the most innovative and highly respected non-profits in the US.

Modest Needs is going so strong - its mission so compelling - that this month two giants of inspired (and inspiring) industry have jumped on board in support (which is what tends to happen when true callings are at work - they incomprehensively attract what they are ready for next)!

Can you guess which two?

Hear all about it - and about how you can participate in this extraordinary mission this holiday season or all year round - by listening.
LEARN MORE BY EXPLORING THESE LINKS:

• https://www.modestneeds.org/starbucks/index.asp
• Modest Needs Chosen by O Magazine as One of December’s Eight Best ‘Give Brilliantly’ Charities!
• Modest Needs Welcomes O Magazine Readers