Will Bowen Audio

JumpStart - “Myself”

When I was in the fifth grade, my teacher asked all of us to bring in something to read aloud to the class.

My father had a framed poem on his dresser.

The poem really inspired me and I can still remember reading it to the class with maximal inflection on each word so as to have a full inspirational impact.

Chances are, you’ve never heard of “Myself“ by Edgar A Guest.

Today, let me share this powerful poem with you and I promise it will become one of your favorites.

JumpStart - Helping Others

Back when I was a minister, I would often conclude funerals by encouraging those attending to do something good for someone else within 24 hours of the funeral as a way of honoring in the deceased person.

Why?

Because it made the grieving people feel better!

It took the focus off of their loss and put it on helping other people.

Do you want to feel better today? Happier? Less stressed?

Then, make a conscious effort and go out of your way to help someone else.

JumpStart - Fast AND Steady

People misunderstand the story of the tortoise and the hare.

“Slow and steady wins the race“ is half right.

The rabbit didn’t lose the race because he moved forward quickly.

He lost because he slow down when he was ahead.

Hardly anyone ever burned out from pursuing their dreams.

Instead, most people time out.

Imagine what you could accomplish if you were quick like a bunny AND steady as a turtle!

To You; Love God Tuesday - Love Part 2

What is love?

How do you encapsulate something so broad sweeping as love?

And if God were to speak on love, what would God say?

In today’s JumpStart, I attempt to answer that question as poetically as I can.

I hope you find it uplifting.

JumpStart - Arriving Alive

Yesterday, a car right behind me got t-boned in an intersection by a big truck.

CRASH!!

JUST 50 FEET BEHIND ME!

My first thought was, “I wonder if the driver of the truck was texting while driving?”

Last year, I flew to Arizona to speak to a large group of executives and, atypical of me, I rented a sports car.

And, you guessed it, I got a speeding ticket.

But, the GREAT thing was that I took an online safe driving course as a result and what I learned about texting while driving blew my mind.

Driving while texting, which didn’t exist a decade ago, already kills as many people as drinking and driving.

That’s why I took the pledge not to text while driving and you should, too!

https://www.itcanwait.com/

When I get in my car, I select what I want to listen to and then I put my phone out of reach -- and you should give it a try.

You are far too important to die young, spend your life disabled, or ruin the life of another person by causing an accident.

Don’t text and drive.

Take the pledge.

JumpStart - Gratitude

 

Gratitude is the expressway to happiness and enlightenment.

 

Gratitude shifts your focus from darkness to light.  

 

Gratitude shortens the pain of loss and increases feelings of joy.

 

Gratitude is infinitely powerful and yet so often overlooked.

 

It’s like we need a reminder just to be grateful from time to time, right?

 

Well, here’s your reminder!

 

Get started now, “I’m grateful for _________________,” and don’t stop until you’ve come up with ten people or things.

 

*** Repeat 3 times daily for best results ***

 

Trust me, there’s more to be grateful for than there is time to be grateful.

JumpStart - Setpoints

 

The other day, I was listening to a radio show on the science of losing weight.

 

A weight loss expert from Harvard University spoke at length about weight “set points” -- those internal thermostats our body just seem to magically gravitate toward.

 

It occurred to me that we have set points in EVERY area of our life.

 

I’ll be this happy -- no more, no less.

I’ll be this wealthy  -- no more, no less.

I’ll be this patient -- no more, no less.

I’ll be this tolerant  -- no more, no less.

I’ll be this flamboyant -- no more, no less.

 

You get the picture.

 

Open your mind to the idea that you, yes even perfect YOU, can grow, expand, and become even more.

 

Together let’s reset that dial!

JumpStart - Passion

 

You know, I keep coming back to the theme of passion for a reason -- passion is VITAL.

 

Having SOMETHING that stokes your fire and gets you going is critical to feeling engaged, happy, and successful.

 

And your passion doesn’t have to be world-changing.

 

I’m building a 20’ water sculpture in my home.

 

Yep, seriously.

 

And it’s ALL I think about lately.

 

It keeps me enthusiastic for new ideas and solutions.

 

Remember, “enthusiasm” comes from the Greek entheos meaning “the God within.”

 

What’s YOUR passion -- your God within?

 

Together, let’s discover it and get passion BURNING in your life!

“To You; Love God" Tuesday - Love Part 1

 

Let me give a metaphor...

 

Love is water.

 

Resistance is oil.

 

Love and resistance simply don’t mix.

 

To love is not idealize, romanticize, or worship.

 

To truly love is to accept, and in your acceptance to cast hope over the situation rather than fear.

 

Be open to what is and you may soon discover you get what you want, as well.

JumpStart - Pertinacity

The other day I was listening to an interview with Herb Kelleher the founder of Southwest Airlines.

Southwest is the only airline to have posted a profit every single year in its history.

In fact, for decades, Southwest was the most profitable company in the United States.

When the journalist asked Kelleher the secret to his success he used a word I had never heard before– – “PERTINACITY.”

Basically, pertinacity means persistence.

BUT, pertinacity implies more than being persistent.

 

It implies having persistence as part of your very nature.

In other words, you don’t strive to be persistent, persistence is simply who you are.

The good news is that pertinacity is a learnable skill -- get ready to unleash your persistence.