Will Bowen Audio

JumpStart - Being Less Sorry

By now, I hope you’ve realized the power of an apology.

“I’m sorry” has built more bridges than the US Army core of engineers.

Today, I want to inspire you to say “I’m sorry” less.

Yes, LESS.

How?

By setting an intention to do more noble things.

By constraining your tongues, by mastering your deeds, by putting thoughtfulness at the forefront of your mind and kindness in your words.

Saying the words “I’m sorry” when they are appropriate is a sign of maturity.

Going further to cease to create pain and conflict is aspiring mastery!

JumpStart - Overcoming Fear

I love this true story about the human penchant for worry.

Larry David, the creator of “Seinfeld“ and “curb your enthusiasm“ was working as a cab driver in New York City before his big break.

David once told the story of someone getting out of his cab and him being struck with the fear that “what if no one ever got into my cab again?“

Actually, fear about potential negative outcomes is natural – – it’s designed to prepare us should they happen.

However, constant focus on negative outcomes draws them to us creating an unhappy self-fulfilling prophecy.

In this post, let’s study how to be aware of our fears without being consumed by them.

JumpStart - Possibilities

The other day I was passing through an airport and stopped in at a restaurant in one of the terminals.

The hostess told me that there were several vegan options both on and off the menu that I would enjoy so I sat down to eat.

Unfortunately, my server looked at the very same menu and concluded that there was nothing vegan they could prepare.

What a profound example of the power of perspective.

(Luckily, I called the hostess back over and asked her to order for me — delicious!)

What could you do, create, enjoy, achieve, give, or give life to if you would simply change your own perspective on the possibilities available in your own life?

Just imagine...

To You; Love God Tuesday - Belief

Many times people have said to me, “I wish I had more belief” to which I always think, “It’s not the quantity but the quality of the belief that matters.

You were born with all the “belief” you’re ever going to have — think of it as pie. The question is, how much of the pie is focused on what you WANT to happen and how much is focused on what you’re AFRAID might happen.

Either way, you’re applying belief and belief generates words and actions which combine to create your future.

It’s not easy to harness your mind on what you want rather than what you DON’T want, but it can (and should) be done.

JumpStart- Problems

Did you know that many film critics consider “Jaws“ to be the greatest movie of all time?

And yet, the filming of “Jaws" was plagued with problems.

The biggest issue was a mechanical shark that rarely seemed to work and, when it did, looked fake on camera.

These problems forced Steven Spielberg to discover creative solutions (such as rarely showing the robo-shark), which gave the movie its frightening magic.

Spielberg turned problems into opportunities to create a movie that will endure forever.

What problems in your own life might actually be the source of something new and wonderful?

Embrace the problem and find the blessing!

JumpStart - Positive Thinking

Today, let’s delve deeper into “positive thinking.“

The word “positive“ literally means “that which is present.“

“Negative“ means “that which is absent."

Negative thinking is focused on what’s missing whereas positive thinking is focused on what's present.

When you’re thinking positively, you’re not being Pollyanish--you’re actually being real.

That is, you’re dealing with what is real and present rather than what may be ideal; but is missing.

Positive thinking works because it inspires you to proactivity, which yields BIG results!

JumpStart - Complaining Properly

As you probably know, I’m not anti-complaining.

Rather, I’m pro healthy communication, which means speaking directly and only to the person who can resolve a problem.

If you’re going to send a complaint to someone, the ultimate goal is to get that person to help resolve your issue.

So, here's some tips to making that more likely happen:

• Don’t make assumptions
• Speak about yourself and how things have impacted you personally
• Don’t kill a gnat with a bazooka
• Be brief

In this post, I expand on each of these ideas and the best way to implement each of them.

JumpStart - Your I’s

Take a look at a typical email and notice how many sentences begin with the first-person pronoun, “I.”

This is NOT effective communication.

You, and everyone else, look at the world through the eyes of “what’s important to me?"

Therefore, using the word “you“ catches people's attention and engages them.

People tolerate the word “I” but they zone in on “you."

So, here’s my tip: *** Treat your emails like potatoes -- cut out the “I’s” before you serve them. ***

You’ll find this a simple communication hack that makes you seem more interesting and engaging.

And, people will begin to respond more favorably to you!

To You; Love God Tuesday - Prayer(?)

George Carlin raised a pretty solid question when he asked why people should pray to a divine being that already has an unchangeable divine plan in place.

In other words, isn’t prayer just commenting on the movie unfolding in front of you?

Not really.

Many great theologians have said that prayer may or may not change God. But, one thing’s for certain: prayer changes the one who prays.

However you talk to a higher power, the very act of talking to God changes your way of thinking and acting.

JumpStart - Changing the world

It’s amazing how many people try to change other people‘s behaviors by making them wrong.

We don’t get others to change through harassment, we get them to change by making them WANT the change.

To change others, become a role model and not a rule enforcer.

Remember the old saying, “A person changed against their will is of the same opinion still.”

Attacking other’s choices only makes them cling more tightly to those choices.

Practice acceptance and demonstrate possibilities; then, people those around you cannot help but change right before your eyes.