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Embrace Your Obstacles

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Written by Karen D. Swim

“Obstacles are necessary for success because in selling, as in all careers of importance, victory comes only after many struggles and countless defeats.  Yet each struggle, each defeat, sharpens your skills and strengths, your courage and your endurance, your ability and your confidence and thus each obstacle is a comrade-in-arms forcing you to become better…or quit.”—From The Greatest Salesman in the World, Og Mandino

Can you imagine your life without obstacles? Go ahead close your eyes and envision your life completely free of challenges? You may have smiled as you imagined a trouble free zone without stress of any kind. The thought of a challenge free life is appealing until you start to examine the consequences.

If everything was easy, we would never push ourselves to reach higher. Strengths and talents would go undiscovered and we would simply live in complacency. Where’s the fun in that?

As I look back over my own life, those darn obstacles have been my greatest teachers. Obstacles have forced me to overcome fears and try new things. They have moved me from a comfort zone to greater discoveries of my abilities and myself. Obstacles have not blocked my progress instead, they have opened new paths for me to travel and given me just the right tools to navigate the road.

As you consider your own life, I am sure that you have countless examples of the good that came from challenge.  I am acutely aware that there is no testimony without a test.  We have all benefited from being students of adversity. Yet, with every new obstacle is the potential to forget that it is a “comrade-in-arms.” There are challenges that we believe we simply cannot face down and we get scared and want to quit.

Quitting is always an option, of course but it really is not a solution. You may forego the immediate discomfort, but the lingering impact is far more damaging.  You will never build up your endurance to challenge if you simply quit. In the same way that regular workouts make you stronger and faster, obstacles are the weights that build your faith muscles. Each workout makes you stronger, better and more confident.

Embrace your obstacle, it is your partner in success. Use it to make you tougher, smarter and better. You will never regret facing a challenge but it is almost certain you will regret quitting.

How do you deal with your obstacles? Please share your thoughts and insight in the comments box.  Remember you don’t have to be a blogger or even have a website to join in the discussion, everyone can comment.

Ride the Magic Bus to Success

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Written by Karen D. Swim

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“Contemplation often makes life miserable. We should act more, think less, and stop watching ourselves live.”-Chamfort, French Playwright

This week, I spent a great deal of time learning. I read, participated in webcasts, teleseminars and soaked up wisdom from anyone willing to share it. I had the opportunity to interact with business leaders I respect and learn some of the techniques that have worked for them.  Throughout the week I found validation for a long held belief of mine – The Secret is that there is no secret.

We are surrounded by people who have accomplished the things we want to do and are happy to share how they did it. Never before has information been so readily accessible. Yet so many continue to seek that one magic thing that will finally propel them to their dreams.  The  only difference between you and the people who have accomplished what you want to do is action.

As Brett so eloquently pointed out this week, you have to be a participant. Sitting on the sidelines and learning the rules is useless if you don’t take action.  The masters, gurus and leaders can’t make it happen for you, no more than watching someone else work out will give you six pack abs. They can impart information, and share from their experience but then you have to take action.

“I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.”–Leonardo da Vinci

Our life is very much like a garden.  You must plant something in that patch of dirt before anything can bloom.  Thinking about how you want the garden to look will not cause it to magically sprout plants.  The seeds and the soil are the materials you need for a garden but you still must take the action of planting thm. You then of course have to tend to the garden by watering, fertilizing, and weeding to keep it in good shape.

The funny thing about taking action is that even that is not magical. You can get very excited about planting a garden and run out and buy seeds, fertilizer and garden tools. You can come home, load it all up in the yard and decide it’s too late to start planting that day. The next day, it’s too hot.  The next day you have errands, a business trip, the kids have soccer practice. Before you know it, months have passed and you have the materials for a garden and no results.

You have to act and then keep taking action until your act becomes a habit. This is when the real magic happens.

Have you ever allowed excuses to stop the momentum of your action? How did you overcome it? Let’s talk about it and learn from one another! Add your two cents or nickel in the comments. 🙂

Are you a commitment phobe?

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by Karen D. Swim, Photo: Jeff Belmonte, Flickr.com

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”Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes… but no plans.” —Peter F. Drucker

Do you have a fear of commitment? According to Queendom.com, “Commitment phobia is the fear and avoidance of having to commit, particularly to relationships.” The site offers a commitment readiness test to help you assess if you are commitment phobic or “ready to take the proverbial plunge?”

Commitment phobia is not exclusive to relationships. You may fear making a commitment to yourself. You will not invest the time and resources in your goals and dreams because you are not quite ready to take the plunge.

Commitment to yourself requires a willingness to accept change, and that can be scary. However, change is necessary as standing in the same place, doing the same thing will yield the same results.

“The relationship between commitment and doubt is by no means an antagonistic one. Commitment is healthiest when it is not without doubt but in spite of doubt.” —Rollo May

Commitment moves your “I Want” to “I Will.” When you are fully engaged, losing is no longer an option. Tiger Woods did not delay surgery because he wanted to win the US Open. He made a firm commitment, stating his intention to win the US Open.

Melanie Roach captured the #1 one spot on the four woman 2008 Olympic Team. Melanie has a full life as the mother of three small children under the age of six, one of whom is autistic, owner/operator of a gymnastics training facility with over 500 students, wife of fourth term incumbent Washington State House of Representatives legislator, and Sunday school teacher! Yet, she committed to her dream of making the Olympic team and made it happen.

As in relationships, commitment does not come without bumps in the road. You are certain to hit some speed bumps along the way. Work through them and keep moving forward. As you move through challenges you will find that your commitment will deepen. Do not fear the challenge, fear quitting!

Are you willing to take the plunge for YOU today?

A Divine Slap on the Head

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by Karen D. Swim
Photo: Ian Britton, free.foto.com

For the past week my truck has been doing community service. As such, my only transportation has been my two feet (you don’t even want to know what happened to my bike!). My typical errands are roughly 5 miles. Normally I enjoy the additional exercise and the good feeling of being environmentally friendly. Yesterday, however, I was not feeling quite so gracious. I strapped on my backpack and headed out in the hot, humid weather. One mile into my errands the internal conversation began:

I really wish I had my truck. What was I thinking? Stupid pinecones, don’t they know people walk here. Geez, trim your hedges it’s like a forest out here. I wonder if I look fat in this shirt. This heat is really going to destroy my hair. Hey, wild bunny..oh man is that dog poo?

I got to my first stop,sweaty, cranky and in no mood to go on, but I had no choice. I started my internal grousing again.

It’s hot. Man, how much further. Oh man it’s hot. I’m tired, no you’re not tired,this is nothing. Is that a…

My litany was interrupted by the sight of of someone heading my way. I spotted the pink sponge rollers first, and then took in the elderly woman in a sleek wheelchair. I perked up as our paths drew closer. We smiled and exchanged greetings and then with a hearty smile she said: “I wish I could walk.” Oomph! Talk about a divine slap on the head. I continued on and uttered to myself, “I can walk, and for that I should be thankful.”

I quickened my step as I asked forgiveness for being such a petulant brat. I had two legs able to carry me on 5 miles of errands with a sack on my back. The woman in the wheelchair reminded me that I was indeed blessed to be able to walk.

I continued my errands with renewed gratitude for the many gifts in my life. My eyes were open to the people and places I passed along the way, and the journey was much faster with a better attitude. I even took the long way home.

While I am in no way proud of my bad attitude, I am thankful for the gentle reminder to count my blessings.

Today’s post is a bit of a departure from the typical Fierce Friday fare. However, I believe true fierceness is tempered with humility and thanksgiving. If you have had a tough week, I invite you to let go of what went wrong and focus on all the ways that you are blessed. Your list of blessings will far outweigh your list of annoyances.

Thank you for reading, commenting and continuing to inspire me to be a better person.

What was your most memorable or recent gratitude lesson? How did it impact you? Let’s learn together. Share your thoughts in the comments.

Perseverance Completes the Meal

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by Karen D. Swim

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The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking places. ~Author Unknown

This week we have been exploring the 5 Essential P’s of Business, which is my recipe for business success. We have discussed passion, purpose, promotion and personality. Our fifth and final ingredient is Perseverance, and appropriately falls on Fierce Friday.

As we stir the pot and prepare to feast on a thriving business I invite you to pull up a chair and smell the aroma. Perseverance enhances the other spices and brings out the full flavor of this recipe.

The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won’t. –Henry Ward Beecher

According to Webster’s, Perseverance is steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., esp. in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.

Challenges, disappointments and obstacles are a given in business and life. You can choose to find a way through, around or over them or you can simply quit. To stand and fight through difficulty requires you to channel your inner Rocky and persevere.

Katherine Reschke made an astute comparison this week between the Wall that marathon runners hit during a race to the challenge of being in business. Having run a few marathons myself I can say that the comparison is right on target.

The wall in business may be market conditions, internal issues, barriers to growth or even naysaying family and friends. When you hit the wall remember your passion and purpose, and persevere.

When I have encountered The Wall in marathons I remember my purpose (usually raising money for a cause I care deeply about), and the long hard weeks of training that got me there and I simply refuse to quit. So far the strategy has worked for me and It will for you too.

The beauty of perseverance is that the longer you endure the stronger you become. When you fight your way through one challenge it gives you confidence and experience for the next one. You learn that you are capable of far more than you believed.

If your article has not been published, your blog has not yet hit a traffic milestone, or you have not landed that first big client, readjust your strategy if necessary but do not give up.

If you need a shot of inspiration, check out the fierce women over at The Boss of You or get a boost of living audaciously from Amy Palko. Whatever you do, don’t quit!

For the five P’s that will power up your writing, visit Confident Writing. Joanna did an excellent audiocast this week on the subject.

Wishing you fierceness and power!

Photo Credit: © Chrisharvey| Dreamstime.com

Fierce Friday – I Did It My Way

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by Karen D. Swim

“Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all, when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out
I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my way”

Lyrics, My Way, Frank Sinatra

This song was recorded in 1968 but singing it today makes me feel like I can go out and take the world by storm, on my own terms.

The blogosphere is glutted with “me too” content. Landing pages, ebooks and blogs all screaming the same message in the same way. Yet, there are still those that may operate in a niche but are doing it in their own way.

Penelope Trunk is a career columnist for the Boston Globe, and author of Brazen Careerist: The New Rules For Success. Her Brazen Careerist blog breaks from the pack by shamelessly sharing career and life advice. Trunk has boldly shared the details of her life in forums traditionally reserved for business only.

Angela Stevens blogs about life and she does it on her own terms. She is not afraid to tackle tough topics and does not shy away from sharing her thoughts and beliefs. She is gracious, funny and fierce. A recent post about Blog Snobs and Slobs had me checking my layout and attitude.

Amy Derby is the voice of Write From Home. Amy is not trying to set the blogosphere on fire. She has a successful writing career and blogs for passion rather than traffic. Her writing is sometimes in your face and often liberally sprinkled with raw language but always honest, and powerful.

The beauty of each of these women is that they don’t care what you think. They don’t need anyone to agree with their opinions or choices. They are confident enough to follow their own voice. In a world of posers afraid to take risks, Penelope, Angela and Amy are fiercely doing it their way.

Have a fierce Friday!

Photo Credit: Buzia, Flickr