Unleash Your Passion for a Perfect Performance

January 25, 2010

The day was crisp and cool, a perfect run day. I pushed off and soon fell into a gentle rhythm. The wind bit my cheeks and I reveled in the sensation of my body awakening to the adrenalin coursing through my body. Today, there were no training notes running through my head – watch your knees, breathe from the belly, check watch, adjust speed. Today, there was no thought of fartleks, tempo runs, pace per mile or negative splits. This one was just for me. I breathed deeply and enjoyed the rhythm of my sneakers and the soft sound of wind. As I warmed, I picked up the pace, celebrating the power in my legs.  Nothing else mattered on that run but to simply feel and enjoy. When I finally turned back, I was breathing harder and drenched in sweat. I was giddy and could have danced the last few yards but instead turned it up and sprinted in feeling like a gazelle, although I am certain I resembled  a middle aged woman with a crazed expression on her face.

Later that evening watching the US Figure Skating Championships I thought about my earlier run. The most enjoyable performances were those where technical acuity was matched by pure unadulterated passion. I watched Jeremy Abbott’s face as he skated flawlessly, his body gliding through the air effortlessly. Yes, he was skating for a medal but he was also skating for the sheer love of sport. His face was not a mask of studied indifference but laid bare revealing an unabashed joy. The raw passion so evident that you felt you had stumbled into a private moment and should quietly back away.

There is something profound about giving yourself over completely to passion. Becoming one with the moment and completely going for it, uncensored, and having a blast.

It makes me wonder why we pull the curtain down on our best selves in our day to day life. Why are we so afraid to just go for it in our work and in our lives? How much better would work life be if we let others see us exercise our gifts and talents with pure joy?

Jeremy Abbott prepared, planned and practiced but in that moment he stepped into the moment and went for it, fearless and passionate. The result was a spot on perfect performance that moved the audience to tears.

Prepare, plan and practice but when it’s your moment lean in, feel the passion and go for it!

How about you, ever go for it without worrying about the results?

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Why?

January 21, 2010

Why?

Why can’t you see past who you are to who you could be?

Why is your vision enslaved to a past that you cannot change?

Why can’t you

Take the vacation of your dreams

Design your own lifestyle

Start your own business

Go after the job you want

Break the rules and do it your way

Try without worrying about the results

Do that thing that scares you silly

Take a big leap of faith even if you fall

Why?

Your answers may differ but I guarantee your why’s can be solved with a s single word – Believe.

So again I ask, why can’t you

BELIEVE in YOU?

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The Gift of Written Language

January 19, 2010

I attended a missions conference last week and the guest speaker was an Engineer serving as a Bible translator. As a lover of words and people, I was rapt with attention as he shared stories of both. To translate a language, you must have an alphabet, the building block of the written word. Many languages do not have an alphabet so translators must work with native speakers to define letters and words.

Language is our identity, our heritage. Having a language that can be written enables us to share and pass down our history and stories. We can educate and learn because we have language.

Those who do not possess this wonderful gift proudly embrace the opportunity to own their language by writing it. My eyes teared up at photos of happy faces now able to pass on their stories through the written word.

We take so much for granted in literate nations. We complain about reading and writing. We are lazy and sloppy in our communications. We opt out of mastery of our own languages because we don’t like it or don’t believe we have a natural talent for it.

Perhaps its time to rethink the written word and make more of an effort to honor this gift.

What do you think? Are basic writing skills important?

Resources:

199 Ways to Write with Confidence – In this book, Joanna Young has compiled the best of her writing wisdom from her blog, Confident Writing. I bought the book as soon as it was published and it sits on my shelf for quick reference. This is not an affiliate link, just a good old fashioned recommendation for a great resource.

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The Marketing of Human Suffering

January 18, 2010

Across the globe, people have generously opened their hearts to help the people of Haiti in their hour of need. The images, stories, and personal accounts of tragedy have moved us to act and to give to the relief efforts.

Haiti, slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Maryland is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. The low literacy rate, health problems and poverty are unimaginable to those in wealthier countries. Mission groups, aid workers and those who serve the needy have long known of the needs and put forth efforts to raise awareness and resources to make  a difference.

Yet, even the best marketing efforts could not ignite the outpouring of compassion that has resulted from this horrible earthquake that has claimed an estimated 100,000 lives.

The Haitian tragedy illuminates the difficulty faced by charities and non profits on a daily basis. How do you “market” the cause of daily human suffering so that people feel connected, and moved to act and to act not once but over a period of time? How do you hold the interest when so many other things fight for our attention?

In the wake of tragedy, there is a collective consciousness of need helped greatly by media attention. Yet, we know from past tragedies that the cameras will soon turn their attention to other stories, the telethons will end and we will resume business as usual. Much like consoling a friend after the death of a loved one, soon we move on even as the person experiencing the loss continues to grieve.

When Haiti is no longer a top trending topic, its people will still need our help. I challenge us all to to keep Haiti on our radar even as it fades from national attention. Let us not tune out the marketing of human suffering but open our eyes, ears and hearts with ongoing love, prayers and support.

How to Help

12for12k  Hope for Haiti

Electronic Village: Haiti Earthquake: How Can You Help?

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What You Can Learn from the Leno Shuffle

January 11, 2010

Jay Leno hosted daily nighttime talk show, The Tonight Show for 17 years. Like previous hosts before him, he retired and passed the torch on to a successor, Conan O’Brien. There was however, a twist. Leno was not going to retire to a life of leisure and golf but to a nightly hour long variety show that would air 1 1/2 hours before his “old show.”  NBC thought that Leno’s new show was a bold move that would change the 10 pm viewing hour instead a mere 4 months into the new show, it is being pulled.

The latest news is that Leno’s show will be revamped as a half hour show that will air at 11:35 pm, and The Tonight Show will move to 12:05.  I have a feeling that someone at NBC will be in the job market very soon.

The Leno/Tonight Show saga is not unlike what happens in corporations. Fresh talent and new leadership is brought in but the old regime does not step aside to let them build their audience. NBC falsely assumed that the popular Leno could usher in a new format in the final primetime hour. The network would have a much cheaper show to produce and would leverage Leno’s brand to win viewers. Poor Conan O’Brien never had the opportunity to rise or fall on his own merits. He was given the spotlight and then left to meander in the shadow of the former host.

Passing the torch cannot be a half-hearted move. You must make the change and stand by it allowing the new team  to make the “show” their own. They may fail as they find their way but you guarantee their failure when you hamstring them from having their moment to try.

When it’s time to step aside, pass the torch graciously and then get out of the way. The new team will not do things in the same way or make the same decisions, but isn’t that the point? A great leader not only knows when to step up but when to step down.

Have you ever had to pass the torch? Was it difficult to hand over the reins?

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Breaking News

January 8, 2010

We interrupt this broadcast...When you hear those words coming from your television screen or radio, it is a signal that something unplanned has interrupted regular programming. In our own lives, an interruption in the normal broadcast is not announced in a soothing voice, it just appears and demands for you to stop and take notice.

This week, I had my own surreal experience with “breaking news” in a good way. I was presented with an opportunity to be interviewed for a story that will air on World News with Diane Sawyer.

Those that are media savvy are prepared for the breakneck speed with which this happens but I am not a media superstar who can think and talk on cue on camera. Yet, somehow I did it.

I have big plans for this year and none of them involved appearing on television yet when opportunity knocked, I answered.  In fact, I am not particularly fond of anything concerning a camera, but I ignored all of my excuses and fears and simply stopped to deal with the breaking news.

This experience has made me realize how often we may ignore opportunity because it knocks at an inconvenient time. I had less than 12 hours notice before spending an entire day in my home office with a reporter. There was no time to get my hair done, shop for new clothes, squeeze in an extra workout. Opportunity does not care if you are perfect, it only needs you to be ready.

My interview is part of a larger business story that is scheduled to air tonight. I will watch (with one eye open) and I guarantee that for the few seconds I am on, I will be anything but perfect.  Whether I look fat or not will be secondary to the celebration of stepping out of my nicely controlled comfort zone and giving in to the unknown.

How about you, when breaking news arrive, will you answer?

Special thanks to Dwann Holmes Olsen and Borders + Gratehouse, true Media and PR Professionals who have graciously mentored, coached and cheered me on. I could never have said “Yes” without them.

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Canada, Border Crossings and Your Route to Success

January 4, 2010

The Davis family drove from Michigan to Canada for the weekend. Like many Michiganders, Canada was a frequent getaway for the family. They knew the route and they had visited many times in the past. Yet, this trip was different. In the past, Michigan residents were able to cross the border and return with nothing more than state identification. However, the rules have changed, and you must now have special identification. The family had entered Canada with no problem. However, when they reached the crossing to head home, they found their familiar route blocked by a new rule.

In 2009, many people felt like the Davis family at the gate. You were motoring along on familiar roads believing you had the proper paperwork and just as you saw the goal, the home stretch in site,  your progress was halted by a rule change.

Some of you crawled under the gate, others motored through it and some may have tried to reason with the obstruction to grant you passage. Whatever choice you made, I’m happy to inform you that you can now cross over.

It is a brand new decade. Last year, the rules changed and this year there may be addendums but in this new decade you control the path. You can adjust your strategy, and route or you can wait until mercy or an immunity period allows you to pass.

Rule changes are part of the game but if you mentally prepare for them they do not have to interrupt your journey. What stood in your way last year and how could you have solved it better/faster or avoided it completely? What changes can happen this year that would slow your speed or worse bring you to a full stop? Your roadmap to success must have alternate routes. Planning for delays or even failures is essential.

On this first Monday check your supplies and your route and make sure that you are ready to go the distance or you may find yourself struggling to prove you really belong on the road.

Note: The names of the family have been changed to protect them from my creative liberties but the story is based on fact, or more accurately the facts as they were related to me and then filtered through my own storytelling perception.  If you enjoy the liberty taking and the post, please visit again.

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Sunday Inspiration: Number Your Days

January 3, 2010

“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”- Psalm 90:12

It is Day 3 of the new year and decade. The celebrations are done, the goal sheets written and today we show up to begin filing the blank palettes that stretch before us. How we number the days will determine the final portrait when we reach Day 365. What we learn, do, give and gain is determined by the choices we make on Day 3, Day 4, Day 5 and each day thereafter. How will you number them? Will you act with intention as you live out your purpose and plan? Do you have a clear vision of where you are headed this year? Act with purpose each day and on day 365 you will be able to celebrate the goals reached and most importantly the wisdom gained.

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