Will Bowen Audio

JumpStart- The Highest Bidder

Ok, I’m still on my Mr. Rogers kick and I’m glad so many of you are commenting on these JumpStarts about this amazing man who came into so many of our lives and taught us we were ok, just the way we are. So, here’s a trivia question for you: What do Mr. Rogers and George Washington have in common? Today’s JumpStart explains something these two men considered absolutely essential to life and it is the reason they are both still loved, admired, and celebrated today. If you aspire to be like Mr. Rogers and/or George Washington you have to have the courage to withstand the highest bidder. What’s the highest bidder? The job that pays you well but is not good for others or the planet. The relationship that offers you company and security but at the cost of your moral integrity. If you want to play big in the world, be like Mr. Rogers and George Washington — have the courage to withstand the highest bidder. And do me a favor, will you? If you like today’s Jumpstart would you please share it with just one other person? Thanks.

JumpStart- Stop Crying, Wash Your Face, and Put on Some Makeup

Many of you know that I’m going through a divorce right now. Yup. It’s very painful and truly a grieving process (I bounce back and forth through Elizabeth Kubler-Ross’s steps in the grieving process on a daily basis). However, the other day one of my neighbors gave me some great advice. As always, life is consciousness. And if we focus on what is upsetting, we stay upset. In her own indelicate way, my neighbor told me to man up by, of all things, “Stop Crying, Wash Your Face, and Put on Some Makeup.” This is good advice for any of us going through a struggle — and aren’t we ALL going through a struggle of one kind or another? Whatever your struggle, I think you’ll find both solace (and possibly a needed kick in the pants) in today’s JumpStart. And do me a favor, will you? If you like today’s Jumpstart would you please share it with just one other person? Thanks.

JumpStart- Dog Music

Sometimes, developing habits that support the life we want to live can be difficult. Especially if you’re a highly functioning person. You want to exercise, meditate, work, be with family and friends and then…well, there’s the dog. Our dogs deserve so much more than just a place to live and food to eat. They need stimulation and lots of play time. So, how do you fit that little additional obligation of playing more with your dog into your schedule? Well, I’ve got a solution and it’s simple and quick and great for you and your dog. Today, let’s talk about Dog Music. And do me a favor, will you? If you like today’s Jumpstart would you please share it with just one other person? Thanks.

JumpStart- Starting over

What do you do when it seems like you’ve lost everything? When thousands of hours of blood, sweat and tears vanish before your eyes? What do you do in those moments? The answer is in today’s JumpStart. And here’s a hint: what did the Commodores and Mr. Rogers have in common? They started over. And no matter where you are or whatever point you are in your life, you can, too. Starting today. And do me a favor, will you? If you like today’s Jumpstart would you please share it with just one other person? Thanks.

JumpStart- Shutting down

It’s been almost 2 weeks since I moved to Key Largo and yes, it’s paradise. The thing is: I’ve been so busy with unpacking and work that I’ve yet to just go down and lie by the pool. Not surprisingly, because I’ve been busy and stressed I have had muscle stress in my neck and shoulders that doesn’t seem to go away. I’ve seen chiropractors, massage therapists, done electronic muscle stimulation, and everything I could think of but nothing made the pain diminish. That is, until I shut my phone off and just lay by the pool for an entire day. I did what I called “Going Amish” no electronics for 12 hours. My goal was to relax my mind but what I discovered was that this relaxed my body. Shutting down our minds isn’t just good for us, it’s good for our bodies, it’s good for our life, and it’s good for our success. Today, let’s talk about unplugging so that your brain can relax and rewire. Be sure to post your questions and comments, I always reply to them personally.

JumpStart- %^#$!

I’ve done a couple of previous JumpStarts on cursing because I find it interesting how people use swear words in various cultures. Something I’ve realized recently is that when a person is extremely angry they are likely to curse. We get angry and so we curse. Anger triggers cursing. So, cursing is tied with a feeling of anger. But, I wonder if cursing could also trigger the feeling of anger because the two are so intertwined. For me personally, I am working to eradicate cursing to see if it also elevates my mood. Today, let’s unpack the common practice of cursing and see if there might be some benefit to diminishing the practice. Be sure to post your questions and comments, I always reply to them personally.

JumpStart- Owning it

The other day I was listening to a person lamenting all the problems in their life when this thought flashed in my mind, “You know, you can’t sell it until you own it.” The hardest part about self-improvement is accepting our flaws--owning those dark and difficult sides of our personality For most of us, our personality is constructed so as to obscure and protect our shortcomings. Unfortunately, until we are aware of our flaws and own them we can’t adopt new strategies to overcome them. It’s like trying to sell something you don’t own. Today, let’s talk about self honesty and understanding our shortcomings so that we can grow beyond them. Be sure to post your questions and comments, I always reply to them personally.

JumpStart- Make Your Bed

I recently did a speech and before I went on stage I asked the event planner about the keynote speaker they’d hired the previous year. “He’s a retired US Army colonel,” She said, “And the one thing I remember him saying was, ‘always make your bed.’“ I’ve thought about that a lot since then and it’s actually pretty solid advice. It’s amazing how that one simple ritual can put us on a positive path for the rest of the day. How about you? Do you make your bed every morning? Let’s talk about why this works and how you can apply it to other areas of your life as well. Be sure to post your questions and comments, I always reply to them personally.

JumpStart- Your Duty

“To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best day and night to make you like everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight and never stop fighting.” -e.e.Cummings You will always find those who think they know what your duty is better than you. Back when I was a church minister, it amazed me how often people would tell me how I should dress, believe, think, handle situations, and do every aspect of my job. The problem is not that people have opinions as to how we should do things--that’s inevitable. The problem is that many of us accept other people's opinions when we know they are not right for us. Today, let’s address being yourself – – the hardest and most important thing you’ll ever do. Be sure to post your questions and comments, I always reply to them personally.

JumpStart- Relationship power of attorney

Have you ever picked the wrong person to date (or even marry?) Of course, we all have. The problem is not that we attract bad partners – – the problem is that we invite them into our lives and give them the key to our heart. If you or someone you know is stuck in a negative relationship pattern, get ready to learn about what I call the Relationship Power of Attorney. This is going to change your heart and your mind about dating and give you peace. Be sure to post your questions and comments, I always reply to them personally.