Episodes
Tuesday Jul 16, 2019
JumpStart- Your Name
Tuesday Jul 16, 2019
Tuesday Jul 16, 2019
Have you ever wondered why people shout “Geronimo” when they leap from an airplane?
There’s actually a very good and historic reason for this.
Geronimo, the venerable Apache medicine man and warrior once intentionally rode his horse off of a cliff shouting his name as he fell to what he was certain would be his death.
Why?
To solidify his place in history?
No. To let the soldiers in attendance know that he would rather die nobly at his own hand than at the undeserving hands of invaders.
Today, let’s talk about Geronimo’s great act of pride, heroism, and defiance and how his example can teach us so much about living happy and successful lives.
Post questions and comments — I respond.
Tuesday Jul 16, 2019
JumpStart- Adventure
Tuesday Jul 16, 2019
Tuesday Jul 16, 2019
Helen Keller once said, “Life is either a daring adventure or is nothing.”
Wow, can you imagine what an adventure Helen Keller’s life was?
Deaf. Blind. Mute. The only sensorial inputs she had were taste and touch -- that was it.
Even with our ability to see, hear, and speak most people don’t live life as an adventure.
They play life way too safe and, as a result, miss out on many wonderful and varied experiences that might happen along the way.
Serendipity requires adventure.
If you want the pleasant little surprises of life you have to be willing to step outside your comfort zone and embrace the adventure that lies beyond.
Today, let’s get you started on that “daring adventure” that makes life so rich, magical, and rewarding.
Post questions and comments — I respond.
Sunday Jul 14, 2019
JumpStart- A Positive Spirit
Sunday Jul 14, 2019
Sunday Jul 14, 2019
Every Buddhist temple I’ve visited in China or Taiwan has one thing in common and it might surprise you.
It’s a barrier at the doorway to keep out negative spirits.
Do you experience negative spirits?
I know I do -- and we can learn something from the monks who built these temples.
No matter how spiritual our lives, how noble our intentions, or how pure our ideals we all face negative spirits and it’s a good idea to put up barriers to keep them out.
Today let’s look at how we can prepare ourselves so that when negative spirits arise, we will be both prepared and protected.
Post questions and comments — I respond.
Sunday Jul 14, 2019
JumpStart- Changing Course
Sunday Jul 14, 2019
Sunday Jul 14, 2019
Did you know that airplanes always take off and land facing in whatever direction the wind is blowing?
Resistance x speed = Lift
And yet, sometimes the pilot finds that winds have changed and must change direction for takeoff or landing.
We as individuals often find the winds of life changing and shifting and yet, rather than changing direction, we plod on as before even though we stand even less of a chance of success than a plane taking off with a tailwind.
A wise person knows when to change their approach.
A wise person knows that the winds will always change from time-to-time and simply changes accordingly.
Today, face the wind and plot a course for success!
Post questions and comments — I respond.
Sunday Jul 14, 2019
JumpStart- The Front Row
Sunday Jul 14, 2019
Sunday Jul 14, 2019
In this JumpStart, I take you live and behind the scenes at one of my speaking gigs to share with you an important principle of life.
Whether at church or at a conference, MOST people fill up the back rows first and only sit closer to the platform if there is no room at the back.
However, there are those brave and intrepid souls who break norms and sit in the front and these people tend to be not only more engaged but, overall, more successful as well.
At most of the events where I am the keynote speaker, people pay to attend — sometimes thousands of dollars each, and yet they put forth minimal effort to benefit from the experience by relegating themselves to the back.
In life, are you a back row person hiding out in the shadows or are you down front fully engaged?
Life’s too important and far too short to be casual observer.
Today, learn how to get in the game and make the most of every experience.
Post questions and comments — I respond.
Sunday Jul 07, 2019
JumpStart - Quiet
Sunday Jul 07, 2019
Sunday Jul 07, 2019
Here’s a game: the next time you’re at the airport take a look around and count the number of people NOT on their smartphones.
Thanks to smartphones, we never have to be bored, we can never be lost, we are drowning in both information and entertainment….and we’re miserable.
Get away from tech on a regular basis.
Hand write notes for personal reflection and to other people.
Sit quietly and listen to life happening around you.
Dare to be BORED, which is the treasure chest from which nearly all great ideas have spilled forth.
Let’s talk about building parks of quiet inside the bustling city that is your life.
Sunday Jul 07, 2019
JumpStart - The Ultimate Problem
Sunday Jul 07, 2019
Sunday Jul 07, 2019
There are things in life that, let’s be honest, really frighten us.
And some of these things are super silly.
The other day I faced one of these ultimate, “OMG, what if THIS ever happened?” problems, and I was surprised at how easily it was resolved.
Have you noticed that problems are the INVERSE of mountains?
Mountains look small from a distance but HUGE when you get close; whereas, a problem is exactly the opposite -- it looks huge from a distance but up close it’s not so big.
Today, let’s talk about this silly ultimate problem I faced as well as your own problems and how we can relax knowing that everything will be resolved.
Sunday Jul 07, 2019
JumpStart - Trying
Sunday Jul 07, 2019
Sunday Jul 07, 2019
Here’s one of my pet peeves: hearing someone say, “I’ve tried everything.”
In almost every case, “I’ve tried everything” really means, “I tried one, maybe two things, and they didn’t work so I gave up. BUT, I don’t want to admit to being a quitter so I said I tried ‘everything’ while sighing exhaustedly for emphasis.”
If you tried and the problem still exists, you need to keep trying -- FULL STOP!
Today, let’s talk more about holding ourselves accountable for the outcomes we desire in live.
Sunday Jul 07, 2019
JumpStart - Known Acquaintances
Sunday Jul 07, 2019
Sunday Jul 07, 2019
Consider this: researchers have found that fear in a society is directly proportionate to the number of “unknown strangers” perceived in that society.
In other words, the more people around you that you don’t know, the more anxious you feel.
This is why people in small towns where everyone knows each other are less fearful than people in big cities surrounded by people they don’t know.
Today, walk over and introduce yourself to one of your neighbors, a coworker, or someone you see around town.
Notice how simply introducing yourself and making a connection makes you feel safer and less anxious in all areas of life.