Courage

From Coach Dana

If you haven’t seen the short inspirational movie I just posted on my website: http://www.actionvisioncoaching.com/Community.html please go and watch it. After watching the film it reminded me of something Theresa sent me. I just had to post this article to go along with it. Enjoy, Coach Dana

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By Theresa Koltes

When we ponder the word courage, perhaps we remember great men and women who ruled nations, built empires, went to exotic lands and achieved great things against all odds, or otherwise wrote their names in history.

But what about today? Is courage just a romantic ideal or is it something more? Something perhaps, you've always dreamed of being known for...

There's a saying that goes, “It's not where you're coming from, but what you do with it that matters.”

With that in mind, when I think of the word courage, one man who springs to mind is Carl Brashear, depicted in the 2000 motion picture 'Men of Honor'.

Carl, the son of Black Kentucky sharecroppers, is utterly motivated by his dream of becoming a master diver in the US navy.

Carl dropped out of grade school to help his father with the farm. During World War II he enrolls in the navy and is assigned to menial duties on a ship. One day, as Carl stood on deck watching the white sailors swim in the ocean, he leaped into the water to rescue a swimmer in distress, against standing orders that blacks and whites shouldn’t mix in recreational activities. Although reprimanded he nevertheless astonished the ships officers with his guts and swimming speed.

He is rewarded by being allowed to enroll in the Navy Diving and Salvage School and graduates despite the racial prejudice of the staff and officers of the school and his lack of education. So far he has done exceptionally well but tragedy strikes soon after during the recovery at sea of a ditched nuclear warhead. His leg became entangled in the tackle and he has to have it amputated. But Carl is made of stern stuff and he fights back in his recovery to becoming the only amputee American to claim the title of Master Diver.

What I remember most from the movie is what he said to a librarian while trying to persuade her to help him study so that he could pass the final exam.

“Why ever do you want it so bad?” she had asked.

“Because,” he replied, “they told me I couldn’t have it.”

Do you have a dream you are afraid of following? Maybe it’s too hard, too far, or seems just plain impossible.

I love what Tommy Lasorda said:

“The difference between the impossible and the possible lies solely in a person's determination." 

If you are sure it’s meant for you, go after it. Shoot for the stars. Fight for it, no matter what anyone says to the contrary.

That’s what I call modern-day courage.

Great Motivational site I found

From Coach Dana

Here's a link to a great motivational program I found. http://www.motivation123.com/cmd.php?af=1361802


Enjoy,

Coach Dana

A Jar of Stars

By Theresa Koltes

We all have an idea. Maybe your idea is just a baby dream. Maybe a couple of stars kept in a jar, afraid to break free. But consider those people who let the baby walk, or who open the jar and let the stars out so they can fly. What happened to them?

When I think of people who turned their stars into something extraordinary, I think of people like J.K. Rowling, the authoress of the novel series, Harry Potter. She didn’t start out easy. After a difficult and painful divorce, she struggled as a single mom, living off of welfare benefits in an apartment rampant with mice.

But what is extraordinary is that someone surviving off of the government can go on to be an award winning novelist and one of the richest people in the world. J.K. Rowling is acclaimed as one of the five self-made female billionaires. Harry Potter is now a global, worth $15 billion, and has sold 350 million copies in 55 languages.

Once upon a time, when Rowling was a child, she wanted to be a writer.  But she received little support from those around her--her parents thought that studying French was more useful than English and writing. Her childhood friend was the only one who told her she was destined to be a successful writer, and she chose to believe it.

One day as she was on the train from London to Manchester, the story began unfolding in her mind. The train was delayed for a few hours, and bit by bit the details, characters and plot of the unborn Harry Potter danced into her imagination. It took Rowling a year to complete the book and find a publisher. It was five more years before the first book was finally published.

But within only a few weeks of publishing, the book went wild. She received a grant from the Scottish Arts Council, which enabled her to quit her job and write fulltime. Two years later, Warner Bros secured the film rights for the books with a seven figure estimate, delivering the books into film succession.

Today Harry Potter is one of the most known media products worldwide.

And it all started with one thought, one idea, one ambition…

Take your stars out of the jar and lay them out. Who knows where they will fly to?

P.S. From Coach Dana. Do you need help to get your dreams out of the jar? I can help you. Contact me at info@actionvisioncoaching.com 

Grandma’s cake

Grandma’s cake

Here is a great story someone sent me recently—food for thought:

Grandma's Cake

--Author Unknown

A little boy was telling is Grandma how "everything" is going wrong: school, family problems, and severe health problems in the family. Meanwhile, Grandma is baking a cake. She asks her grandson if he would like a snack, which of course he does.

"Here, have some cooking oil," she says. "Yuck" says the boy.

"Then how about a couple raw eggs?"

"Gross, Grandma!" he replies.

"Would you prefer some flour then? Or maybe some baking soda?" she asks.

"Grandma, those are all yucky!" he replied.

To which Grandma replies: "Yes, all those things seem to taste bad all by themselves. But when they are mixed together in the right amounts and the right manner, they make a delicious cake!"

She continued, "God works the same way. Many times we wonder why he would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!"

The Dash

By Dana Bosley

If you haven’t seen the video that I posted today, then don’t delay--go straight to my site and view it. You’ll find it on the community page (the movie page is full), and it’s titled, “The Dash”.  Feel free to view the other movies as well, as they will only be up until July 3^rd,  so watch them while you can.

Back to The Dash,  it’s a great message and one that I take to heart. I personally want to try to live my life in a meaningful and helpful way, filling it with love, gratitude and generosity. I want to be remembered for how much I gave to others, how much I stayed positive and praised, and how much I loved. What do you want to be remembered for?

The Dash poem is a significant message for each and every one of us. Ask yourself:  

            What sort of legacy will I leave?

            How will people remember me?

            Have I done and been all that I could?

If those questions are haunting you and you need help answering them I can help you. Write me at info@actionvisioncoaching.com for a free life strategy session.

Warmly,

Coach Dana

P.S. Here are the words to the poem in case you can’t see the movie.

The Dash

By Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak

At the funeral of a friend.

He referred to the dates on her tombstone

From the beginning to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth

And spoke of the following date with tears,

But he said what mattered most of all

Was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time

That she spent alive on earth,

And now only those who loved her,

Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own,

The cars, the house, the cash.

What matters is how we live and love

And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard,

Are there things you’d like to change?

For you never know how much time is left.

That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough

To consider what’s true and real,

And always try to understand

The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,

And show appreciation more,

And love the people in our lives

Like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect

And more often wear a smile,

Remembering that this special dash

Might only last a while.

So when your eulogy is being read

With your life’s actions to rehash,

Would you be proud of the things they say

About how you spent your dash?

Habits

By Dana Bosley

I recently read a riddle which I thought would be a good addition to what I posted in my mid-year review, so I wanted to share it with you here:

Who Am I?

-- Author Unknown

Your best friend or greatest enemy. I am your greatest companion. I am your greatest helper or your heaviest burden. I will push you onwards or drag you down to failure. I am completely at your command.

Half the things you do, you might as well turn over to me and I'll do them quickly and correctly. I'm easily managed, but you must be firm with me. Show me exactly how you want something done and, after a few lessons, I'll do it automatically. I'm the servant of all great men and, alas, of all failures as well.

Those who are great, I have made great. Those who are failures, I have made failures. I work with the precision of a scientist and the passion of a patriot. You may run me for profit or run me for ruin; it makes no difference to me. Take me, train me, be firm with me and I will put the world at your feet. But be easy with me and I'll destroy you.

Who am I? I am Habit!

If you need help taming and training your habits to help you to become great, I can help you with that. Write me at info@actionvisioncoaching.com to set up a time for a free life strategy session.

Wishing you all the best,

Coach Dana

IMPORTANT video to watch

Hi Friends,


The link below is a video of Bob Proctor. He explains what the secret to life is. It is a lot different than a lot of the videos I usually send out but when I saw it, I felt compelled to share it with you. 

https://sixminutes.infusionsoft.com/go/life/DD/
Coach Dana

P.S. If you've ever bought a product or book, only to have it gather dust on your shelf, this will really help you as it has me:

https://sixminutes.infusionsoft.com/go/life/DD/

The Eagle’s Nest

By Dana Bosley

I don’t know if you’ve had the opportunity to see the recent video I sent out called “Even Eagles Need a Push”. (If not, you can view it here:  http://www.flickspire.com/m/AVC/EvenEaglesNeedAPush.)  This movie has a great message. It also brings to mind another story about eagles that I like to remind myself of when things are difficult and I need a pick-me-up:

The eagle is an interesting bird. She builds her nest in the tallest trees or on the loftiest mountain ledges. One who has watched her construct her nest relates that she first lays down thorns, jagged stones, and all manner of sharp objects, which seem utterly incredible materials for the purpose. Then, she covers it thickly with wool, feathers, and fur of animals she has killed. The nesting place thus becomes soft and comfortable, a delightful home for the birds which the mother will hatch.

But the little creatures are not destined to remain in this inviting cradle so laboriously prepared for them. The time will come when the mother will stir up the nest. With her sharp talons she will begin to point the sharp protrusions in their flesh. Up to this time the tiny creatures have had their food delivered and dropped into their mouths. After the nest has been stirred up, the eagles become so miserable and unhappy they are willing to get out, and go somewhere else.

This is the mother's objective in picking out from the nest all the downy material with which it was originally lined and casting it to the wind. It is not cruelty on her part, but rather an effort to produce discontent with the old life of ease, and to whet their desire to move on to maturity.

And so it is with us. Whenever I find myself in an uncomfortable place I am reminded that it is just the mother eagle stirring the nest to get me to move on, mature, grow and to fly to new heights.

When you find yourself in an uncomfortable place, don’t be concerned with the discomfort, but use it to your advantage.

What Winners Do

By Theresa Koltes

I hear the fireworks explode and the screams of Happy New Year resound from the streets. Bursts of florescent lights and sparkles of champagne ignite in one glorious dance before my eyes. Glitter flits down on my eyelids and decorates my hair.

That was over six months ago.

I have been trying to forget that day that launched the beginning of the New Year. Not because it reminds me of hangovers, or dances with random people I was really glad I never saw again, but because of how far I’ve fallen back in my resolutions. I woke up on the first of January and couldn’t contain the excitement of the new habits I was going to start, how much progress I could make, the results I could deliver…I don’t really know what happened after that fuse of energy fizzled out. But then I think that there are probably thousands of people reading this and secretly understanding what I’m saying. Or there may be some just shaking their heads at my serious self-discipline deficiency.

If you are reading this and feeling that sinking feeling about the goals you set for New Years, you’re not alone. Maybe you set a goal to start waking up earlier. You set your alarm and hopped into bed earlier the night before with the best of hopes. But when the alarm sounded the next morning, it was still dark outside and dreadfully cold. Getting out of bed so early suddenly didn’t seem to make any sense at all.

Maybe your goal was to lose a few pounds. You were wholeheartedly pounding the treadmill and shaking to your favorite beats, when your eyes saw an advertisement for your favorite chocolate cookies. Too late.  Even the call of the treadmill couldn’t stop you.

Maybe you wanted to become a more positive person. You set a time to stand in front of the mirror every day and say nice things. But then you got a knock on the door from “that” neighbor. Enough said. You’re discouraged. You hate the neighbor. Hate the alarm. Hate the cookies.

Believe it or not, there’s a saying for the saddened. It’s never too late to start again. After all, everyone knows the first tries are the hardest. What if we tried to prove to ourselves that we’re tougher this time?

In international surveys, habit makers share the same methods that have obviously worked for them.

1. Write it down. Keep track of everything. It may seem exhausting after the first week, but having a record system helps things seem more real and official. Also, noting down your daily progress will inspire you. At the end of the month you can look back and smile.

2. Start simple. Don’t dive into a crash diet the first day or even set your alarm to an ungodly hour. Like babies learn to walk, they begin with crawling. “But I’m not even moving yet”, you’re thinking. That’s okay. Be realistic about your goals and break it up accordingly. No one is judging you except for you.

3. Motivate yourself. Keep books nearby on fitness and health. Post pictures on your wall of fit people. Listen to exciting music. Hang around positive, active people. Attend clubs and gatherings where there are people striving for similar goals. There are a million ways to motivate yourself, so don’t let it all brew from your mind and ‘inner self’. Get flamboyant with it.

4. Uplift. Don’t discourage yourself. Building good habits is largely psychological.  Being positive is what will give you insurmountable strength. Try the “but” tactic, one my personal favorites. For example; “That neighbor is driving me…BUT at least she doesn’t complain about my cat.”

There are hundreds more words of wisdom, but these should get you heading in the right direction. And by the time the next New Year rolls along, you’ll get that funny foreign feeling…the feeling of a winner!

Remember--you’re tougher than you think!

P.S. From Coach Dana. If you need help with goal setting, accomplishing those goals or having someone hold you accountable, I can help you. Write me at info@actionvisioncoaching.com to set up a time for a free life strategy session.  You still have six months left to make it.

Mid year review.

By Dana Bosley

Now that we are nearly half way through 2011, it is an ideal time to evaluate how you are doing on achieving your goals for the year. A few good reasons for doing this review now are:

1.      It can encourage you as to how far you have come in only half the time you have allotted.

2.      If you haven't achieved as much as you would have hoped, you can take heart that you still have six months in which to do it.

3.      If you find that your goals were either too ambitious or not ambitious enough, you can adjust them to be more realistic but still challenging.

So how did you fare the first half of 2011? Are you happy with your progress? Do you feel that you lived up to your potential?

As for myself, I am never really satisfied with what I have done. Not that there isn't satisfaction in seeing what has been accomplished, but I know that there are areas in which I could have done better. Nevertheless, I have learned to be realistic about this self assessment and not to beat myself up over it. I like to achieve and although this can be a very good thing, it can also cause me to be hard on myself when I don't do as well as I think I should. Through the years, and with some excellent coaching, I have come to understand that I can't always do everything I’d like to do, when I’d like to do it, but I have found that with a good plan in place, and through reviewing and tweaking my plan at regular intervals, I can do a lot more than I used to be able to do–and I make more steady progress!

Now, back to you achieving your goals for 2011. If you find that there is still considerable work to be done, I would advise you to reassess both your goals and your strategy plan. By the time you get to the end of June you should be able to tell what you are doing right, as well as what you are doing wrong. The key is to determine what you need to change. For instance, if your goal was to complete a study course in a certain subject and you have found that you are not covering the course material as quickly as you had hoped, try looking over your weekly schedule to see what you can cut out or adjust, so that you can devote more time to your studies. It is quite possible extra study time will come through forfeiting some of your down time or leisure time.

However, that said, all work and no play will make Jack and Jill dull boys and girls. Though sometimes entertainment and recreational activities can seem to be frivolous, it is important that you don't eliminate them entirely. Though admittedly these times are not as essential as many others, they are an important part of your life and can even prove significant in helping you relax and eliminate stress. One simple suggestion is that you make the down times rewards. Whenever you reach one of your smaller goals that is working towards accomplishing your main overall goal, treat yourself to a little reward of relax time. This will be incentive to reach your goals and you’ll enjoy the “reward” so much more.  

Be careful not to cut your time with friends and family much, if at all. Maintaining those links are vital and at the end of the day you will never regret letting personal ambitions and desires play second place to those you love. The world is full of examples of those who have done this and is a sadder place because of it.

Here are some questions you can ask yourself when doing your mid-year review.

• What have I accomplished so far this year?

                  (If you take time to think about this and write down your accomplishments you will most likely be amazed. Celebrate a job well done.)

• What are my priorities for the rest of the year?

                  (Don’t worry if your priorities have changed, that often happens to me. You never know what curve balls life will throw at you.)

• What is my plan to accomplish my priorities?

                  (If you need help in this area getting the help of a coach is an excellent idea.)

• What goals or projects need to be adjusted or dropped?

                  (Again, don’t worry if this needs to be adjusted, it’s just part of the process.)

• What projects/tasks have fallen off the radar? Do they need to be put back into the plan?

                  (Don’t worry if you haven’t made any progress on your goals, the good news is you still have six months left to accomplish them. If the problem is you just aren’t doing it but still want to, if you are really serious about them, as I said before, you can always hire a coach to hold you accountable.)

• When was the last time I rewarded myself, and when will be the next?

                  (This is a very important step to accomplishing success. Don’t skip rewarding or celebrating your wins.)

These are a few thoughts on a mid-year review. I hope they are a help to you.

(Dana Bosley is a certified life coach and can help you with goal setting, achieving those goals and holding you accountable. Write info@actionvisioncoaching.com to set up a time for a free consultation. Also there is a mid-year special deal on the Strategy Goal Setting Program. Check it out at www.actionvisioncoaching.com/Services.html.)