Overcoming Odds

"Don't be discouraged at seemingly overwhelming odds in your desire to live and to help others live God's commandments. At times it may seem like David trying to fight Goliath. But remember, David did win." -- Elder David B. Haight

Opportunity

"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." -- Thomas Edison

Are you missing any opportunities you could be taking because of fear, anxiety, time, money, or lack of motivation? Take a step back and imagine your ideal life. Then dig in and take advantage of opportunities. No one create the life you want except you. Go for it!

Stephen R. Covey on Leadership

I just attended a presentation by Stephen R. Covey (author of the best-selling book "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People"). Dr. Covey was honored in 1996 as one of Time magazine's 25 most influential Americans. He discussed some of the 7 Habits with regards to leadership.

As a teacher, Dr. Covey would ask his students to take out a blank sheet of paper and write on the left side "How Others See Me", on the right side "How God Sees Me", and then list as much as they could about themselves from those viewpoints. Then underneath, he would have them write "How I See Myself." Without fail about 75 percent of his class would match their personal viewpoints (the concepts they have of themselves) with how others see them -- called the "social mirror". Dr. Covey indicated that the other 1/3 were on their way to becoming leaders.

In order to become a true leader, you must realize that you are a product of the divine mirror -- a unique individual -- not a product of the social mirror -- what others think of you. "You can make a huge difference in your lives," Covey said. "Leadership is a choice. You can make that choice."

"Even small choices can bring about big changes." Dr. Covey continued, "Find your voice and inspire others to find theirs."

As I listened and learned from Dr. Covey, I realized that my personal desires to achieve excellence in life-coaching is because I love to help others achieve their own potentials. It's is exciting to watch as someone finds their passion, finds their voice and inspires others around them. I wonder how many Mozarts are out there who didn't want to play the piano because none of their friends played the piano. I wonder if there are Michaelangelos in the world who have never taken the opportunity to paint or sculpt because they were expected to go into the family business. I wonder if there are moms in the work place who would rather be home with their children but keep working because "it's expected".

Then I look at my own life and wonder if I keep myself "too busy" because it's easier than finishing my book. Well, Dr. Covey certainly reminded me to put "First-Things-First", so I'm back to writing.

Life coaching is all about helping others to find their own voice, to become leaders, to help free themselves from worrying about the "social mirror" and instead to focus on their inner strengths, gifts and talents and BECOMING who they really are.

If you have ever felt dissatisfaction with the direction you are headed, consider finding a life coach who can encourage you and help you take the steps necessary to find fulfillment.

Competing with Yourself

"Life is a competition not with others, but with ourselves. We should seek each day to live stronger, better, truer lives; each day to master some weakness of yesterday; each day to repair a mistake; each day to surpass ourselves."

—Elder David B. Haight

Happiness is a Journey

"Happiness is a journey, not a destination. Happiness is to be found along the way, not at the end. For then the journey is over and it is too late. The time for happiness is today, not tomorrow."

—Joseph Smith Jr.

Life is Hard

Daily Thought. . .

"Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he's been robbed. The fact is that most putts don't drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to be just people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is like an old-time rail journey...delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride."

—Gordon B. Hinckley, quoting Jenkin Lloyd Jones

Setting Specific Goals

The more specific goals you can set, the better chance you will achieve your goals. If you want to lose weight, you should set very specific goals and a plan of action to achieve your goals, such as: "I want to lose 10 pounds by the end of March. In order to reach my goal I will exercise 4 times each week for at least 1 hour each time. I will cut out fast food. I will not eat refined sugars."

I found a great quote about setting specific goals.

"A vague goal is no goal at all. The Ten Commandments wouldn't be very impressive, for instance, if they weren't specific, but simply were couched in a phraseology such as 'thou shalt not be a bad person." — Neal A. Maxwell

Good luck with your goals and even if you mess up -- just get back on track and keep moving forward.

Happy New Year

Just wanted to wish you all a very Happy New Year. I hope this coming year brings joy, fulfillment and peace to you.