THE TREE OF LIFE: DRAWING YOUR STORY…

The Tree of Life.

Think about positive attributes, relationships, life experiences, and beliefs that have fostered contentment in your life (i.e. satisfaction, fulfillment, gratification) and create a metaphor of your life. This exercise was courtesy of Paula Hammond. Consider:

SYMBOLIZING YOUR LIFE AS A TREE

Roots

Write down where you come from. This can be your hometown, state, country, etc. You can also write down the culture you grew up in, traditions, a club or organization that shaped your youth, or a parent/guardian (i.e. neighborhood experiences, church involvement, baking with grandmother, summer vacations)

Ground

Write down the things you choose to do on a weekly basis. These should not be things you are forced to do, but rather things you have chosen to do for yourself (i.e. quiet time, exercise, reading, pampering, date night)

Trunk

Write your skills and values. Consider writing your values starting at the base of the trunk going up (i.e. dignity, respect, faith in God, wellness, family). Transition into skills and talents. Consider your spiritual gifts as well (i.e. administrator, teacher, hospitality, mercy, compassion, exhorter, evangelism, discerner). Indicate a natural progression from roots to values to skills.

Branches

Write down your hopes, dreams, and wishes. These can be personal, communal, or general to all of mankind. Think both long and short-term. Spread them around the various branches.

Leaves

Write down the names of those who are significant to you in a positive way. Your friends, family, pets, heroes, etc.

Fruit

Legacies that have been passed down to you. You can begin by looking at the names you just wrote on leaves and thinking about the impact they’ve given you over the years. This can be material, such as inheritance but most often this will be attributes such as courage, generosity, kindness, belief in God, etc.

Flowers and Seeds

Write down the legacies you wish to leave to others. What impact do you want to make?

So there you have it. Hate drawing myself since I am terrible at it. But as you can see, I did one and found it a solid exercise to reflect on moving ahead. Hope you will try it. No doubt I am sure you will value it.

Cheers!

Interested In Starting Your Writing Journey? 18 Tips For Beginners…

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Read a lot. Write a lot.

And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt. ~Sylvia Plath

Tips gleaned from experienced authors to those interested in venturing out on their own writing journey.

  1. Write. Keep writing.
  2. Read a lot so you understand how others do what they do
  3. Learn the craft …that is part of writing
  4. Proofread. Rewrite so it makes sense
  5. Learn the craft. Books, classes, YouTube
  6. Be yourself. Tell the story
  7. Brainstorm writing ideas
  8. It takes a lot of sacrifice
  9. Find online sites that accept free submissions. Publish 800-1200 word articles on a subject that interests you. Write and submit articles to many sites. Once accepted try longer pieces
  10. Don’t let “no thanks” deter you.
  11. Read, read, master the language you want to write in. Read, read and read a bit more
  12. Start writing. Just keep writing. Stand at a bus stop, look at a fence and …write. Sit in a pub, get yourself a drink and write about the next person who walks through the door – not his descript but his life story, his family, his job. Just write
  13. Read the classics and discover why they are rated so highly
  14. If you don’t know what to write or have writers block, use writing prompts to get those creative juices flowing.
  15. Don’t shy away from criticism. Being critiqued doesn’t always feel amazing, but it always makes you a better writer. Every time someone tells you what they think of your manuscript, you get closer to an objective understand of your work, which is invaluable
  16. Don’t worry about perfection when you are writing your first draft. Good writing is re-writing
  17. Believe in yourself.
  18. Never give up.

Solid thoughts of inspiration for those new to the writing craft. Anything missing that you would like to add? Do share. We would love to hear!

Cheers!

13 Ways To Find Your Purpose…

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The meaning of life is to find your purpose. The purpose of life is to give it away.  ~Pablo Picasso

Jillee went through some stuff. It’s called life. Through her journey she developed a passion and a will to find her purpose–what she really wanted to do. She did. From her list, I share my top favorite ways how you too can find your purpose and passion in life.

  1. Find out what you hate doing
  2. Love everything you do
  3. Slow down
  4. Make a creativity Board
  5. Make a list of People you admire
  6. Examine the themes in your life
  7. Remember what you loved as a child
  8. Focus on the fun
  9. Write
  10. Try visualization
  11. Own your uniqueness
  12. Ask your friends for feedback on when they see you the happiest
  13. Cultivate Confidence

 

Great list right? Try one, two or a few and find your purpose and passion today. Personally I would also encourage you to look deep into your inner being–your spirituality. But that’s me. Already found yours? Do share, we would love to hear.

Cheers!

Leadership Is Foresight…

Being a leader is 24-7 job, and educational opportunities to improve yourself are everywhere. Learn from your friends and family and sometimes complete strangers, and you’ll find opportunities at every turn

 – Byron Scott and Charles Norris

Leader

Where are you now and where do you want to be? In the book Slam Dunk Success, Magic Johnson articulated in the Forward that most people think you win then you become a leader. But it’s the other way around. You’re a leader first, then you win.

Leaders Are Everywhere

Leaders are everywhere and so are leadership opportunities. Punctured or not, Magic urged that you may be an entry-level employee or a middle manager, but not to worry. Every department is looking for a leader. To have the courage to stand up and take the lead, you will become successful.

Leadership is Innate

Leaders are constantly changing the world around them. They may be involved in business or in the community. Opportunities abound.

Leadership Is Foresight

Manage yourself. Think of where you are now and where you want to be. Then take the steps ….one at a time. Try. Learn. Fail. Get back up and do it again. You will succeed with hard work and persistence. As always, don’t give up.

Cheers!

Time Out…

 

Too many people limit their happiness and success by assuming that taking time off from work will send a negative message to their manager and slow their career advancement. ~Shawn Achor

Be Prepared To Stop…

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Taking Time out does not mean stopping your Goals. It means reflecting on why you started. ~Dr. Shelly Cameron

I was driving to work deep in thought about the day’s schedule and some challenges that needed attention when suddenly I saw a sign that read  “Be Prepared To Stop“. In their case they were talking about road work up ahead. In my case it meant to me that sometimes life’s goals will come with challenges. We set goals but we have to be prepared to stop, slow down, and wait until we get the GreenLight to go. At times there will be setbacks which may require us to make U-Turns or even change directions completely.

As you know, unexpected stops and delays can be annoying especially if you’re rushing somewhere that you really want to get to. You set goals and deadlines. Then suddenly something comes up causing delays. But it is all a part of the greater plan.

It’s In Time Away That We Get Clarity

You see, it’s in time away from our routine that we get clarity. Once we stop we are able to think clearly. All are necessary in life in order for us to achieve, to develop, and to grow. Sometimes we are so caught up in our life engagements that we miss the big picture. It is then that we need to de-stress. To take the time to take care of ourselves. To chill; to relax. Only then will we be able to think clearly on which direction to go.

Today, stop for a bit and reconnect with your future. Your goals depend on it. Need help? Let’s connect.

Cheers!

Beware Of The Toxic zones. 8 Ways To Identify Them…

Never tolerate a toxic person

Toxic people are everywhere. They cause stress, heartache, sadness and are simply intolerable. Life can be miserable whether you live with them or work around them. Here are 8 ways to identify them and some strategies to use to survive them.

Learn more in Success Strategies Book.

Cheers!

Goals: Be Careful What You Wish For…

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Goals:Be careful what you Wish for. You might get it.

JK Rowling wished to write a book that would be successful. She did. The Harry Potter series was amazing. Readers could hardly wait for each book to be published. But JK Rowling did not like the spotlight. She liked privacy. But that was not to be after writing her books.

That dream job you want. You go after it. You get it. Then it turns out to be your worst nightmare.

You pursue the man or woman of your dreams. Get Married. Then suddenly things change.

The point is when seeking your goals, make sure you think them through fully. Is what you are seeking what you want?

Food For Thought

Go after those Goals with fervor. But look before you leap.

Cheers!

Traveling The Seas. Peaceful, Calm And Serene..

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I like the peace and quiet of being at sea. It’s different. ~Rafael Nadal

Waves splash in seemless style. Scattered folks chat gleefully in the distance. The boat’s engine beckons its revolving sound. The weekend rides on with high traffic of boats afloat on the water. Totally relaxed. The sun steams above. People clothed in hats, T’s, shorts, and more, welcoming the light breeze. Sounds get louder…yet not disturbing.

Fish, seawater creatures missing…nowhere in sight. Mountainous hills of water sprout like surfers beneath waves. Ship’s captain steers tourist-filled-boats pass beautiful houses planted on the sea’s edge.  Just imagine the visitor’s delight to rent for a few. Pretty penny, but so worth it. Lovers steal selfies, kisses, and quiet love.

I quietly doze off. Calm, cool, relaxed.

Nice way to spend a quick getaway doing something different…fishing.
Edgewater, Water Taxi, Sovereign, Imagine, Gallant Lady, Waku, Days-Like-This…all boat names… but couldn’t agree more.

Time to chill.

Cheers!