Will Bowen Audio

JumpStart- Winning

It’s not that most people fail to win — it’s that most people WANT TO WIN but fail to play the game.

My daughter’s best friend — a HUGE football fan heard about contest to win a big-name NFL football player at your wedding.

Most people would have considered the odds of winning too outlandish and not even have entered.

But, she entered and she won and Kansas City Chief Travis Kelce was at her wedding looming LARGE in all the photos!

PLUS, the NFL sent multiple camera teams to record the event so Lia’s friend got the world’s greatest wedding videos!

What good things are letting pass you by because you’re simply not going for them?

Today, let’s talk about winning and its most basic component — competing in the first place.

Post questions and comments — I respond.

JumpStart- “N-O”

In yesterday’s JumpStart I shared with you the importance of continuing on even when with others telling you, “no.”

Today, I’m going to flip this and talk about the importance of sticking to your own, “No.”

(To quote Heath Ledger as the Joker in the movie “The Dark Knight,” “This is what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object.”)

Sometimes, we need to be the unstoppable force.

Other times, we need to be the immovable object.

Today, let’s talk about solidifying your “No” so that you become a victor, rather than a victim, in business and in life.

Post questions and comments — I respond.

JumpStart- Other People’s Baggage

Everyone has a past and, for most of us, that past includes life-changing pain and sorrow.

Like dents in a new car, these experiences can change us forever making it harder to connect with others in love and harmony.

We know about our own past challenges and their impact on who we are but we often forget to take into account the weight of the baggage others carry.

Today, let’s be compassionate to the scratches and dents past struggles have left on those around us and, in the process, practice compassion and open pathways to deeper connection and understanding.

Post questions and comments — I respond.

JumpStart- Exercise

Exercise improves the body but when it comes to exercising most people are caught up in their heads.

In today’s JumpStart, we walk along the Xungpu River in Shanghai and discover some of the unique exercise habits of some early-risers.

And, we take a look at how we can get all the exercise we need without all the machines, treadmills, stair masters and even classes.

Hint: put on some music and start moving your hips.

JumpStart- Your Name

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.

JumpStart- Adventure

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.

JumpStart- A Positive Spirit

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.

JumpStart- Changing Course

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.

JumpStart- The Front Row

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.

JumpStart - Quiet

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.