What Do You Want?

1. Know what you want. For some of you this may sound basic.
You might say “I want love” or “I want success.”
However, the key here is to be very specific about what you want.
For example, “I want a life partner vs. “I want meet someone nice”

2. Have a clear purpose.
Know the reason for which something is being done.

3. Understand and use intent.
Intent is one of the most underrated aspects of success.
Your actions have to be packed with intent —
is your mind concentrated, firmly resolved on a purpose?
Out of intent is born will.
It’s a process of exercising the mind with conscious intention towards initiating a chosen action,
i.e., set your goal, see it complete, and go!

4. Establish commitment.
This is the action of binding yourself to a course of action.
Dedication is part of this.
You may not know what to do but if you are committed to being successful, you’ll find out how!

5. Clearly articulate how your service, product, or experience will benefit you, others, the world.
I call this “knowing your story.”
Until you really know your story, it is difficult to enroll others.
It doesn’t matter what you are presenting:
financial services, healthcare, cars, or software.
You need to convincingly express the value of what you do.

Back In Balance

I speak often and possibly too long about Balance. You may have actually read other thoughts about this topic I have on the blog.We hear a great deal about living with balance. Many of us are attempting to Balance personal growth with, family, friends, community involvement and intimacy. Most of us try to Balance income with output. We try to Balance our dreams with our daily responsibilities and often it’s difficult. We look for Balance in our lives, but life tends to get in the way. I hear people say I don’t have time. I don’t have time to exercise, to grow spiritually, to read,to become more of who I want to be, to spend quality time with my loved ones.We know that we are the richest; most educated and with the most freedom of any people in history,and yet there is a sense of stress, confusion that having material things isn’t enough. Are we on a search to feel complete by surrounding ourselves with possessions? Or, to be more direct,that we have far too much of some things (possessions) , and not enough Balance. We as a people tend to spend too much time looking for situations that will be good for us materially. Realize that if we take the time to do for someone else, to give to the community, to be interested in what our partners, family and friends are truly saying, to be an active listener, we will all be better off. Step off the merry go round for a brief moment and look at our society and see if where we are headed is in our best interest. For many with the current economic culture change it is less about materialism, but for how long? Maybe we all need to stop thinking about ourselves and start being concerned about “us” We are all in this world together. Life is what we make it. Live life, don’t simple go through the motions!

Releasing Guilt Over Tough Decisions

Caregiving Daughter: “Mom’s condition is beginning to worsen.”

Caregiving Son: “I know. She is requiring more and more care.”

Daughter: “I don’t think we can care for her at home any longer. She needs more care then we can offer. But I feel so guilty even considering a nursing home.”

Son: “Me too. Is it what she would want? I feel bad…”

Daughter: “We have to come to a decision soon…”

The above conversation represents a common and often inevitable crossroad that arrives along the path of caregiving. When the increasing level of caregiving responsibility becomes too difficult to handle, family members are faced with some tough life-altering decisions. [Read more...]

What is a Caregiver?

You wake up each morning and your first thoughts are of your loved one. As you rise out of bed you run down a list in your mind of all the things necessary for your loved one’s care today. Before you tend to your own needs, you are bathing, dressing or preparing their meal. The rest of your day is organized around assuring that the needs of your family member are met. Who are you? You are a caregiver.

Who are Caregivers?

Caregivers are unique but not rare. There are millions of caregivers, like you, all around the globe. And the numbers are continuing to grow. Most commonly, caregivers are spouses and children of an elderly and sick loved one. But caregiving is gradually moving into the extended family. Nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins, as well as friends become caregivers too.

Although every caregiving situation is unique, caregivers as a community are not alone. They are in good company. Caregiving crosses all cultures, races, ages, and socioeconomic status. Caregivers can be found from coast to coast. They are located in the country and in the city. Grocery clerks to CEOs are caring for loved ones. And as time marches forward, more and more homes become havens for caregiving as the over 65 population increases and medical needs become more complex.

As caregivers increase in number, support services for caregivers are also developing and expanding. But who are these caregivers and what does it take to live and hopefully thrive as a caregiver? Let’s examine some of the qualities that caregivers come to possess. [Read more...]

Do You Live An “Un-Lived” Life?

What do you hold true for yourself?
Where are you on your journey we call life?
When do you plan on taking action to achieve your dreams?

For me…

I pass on only after a life filled with joy, love and success, all at my choosing.
I will not miss out on savoring the moments in life.
I will leap off the cliff without fear and catch fire, turning to ash and cinder as I am reborn to experience new and excitement moments and connections.
I choose to inhabit my days and not be an observer of life as it swirls and spins around me
I allow my living to open me, to make me see beyond that which stands before me.
To loosen, and shake my heart free of all that has come before until it becomes free to give,
I choose to risk all that I am in this moment to find significance.

May your life have meaning and be measured by how you live not by what you have.

May you wake to find yourself reinvented, refreshed and ready to reach out and taste the moments that have meaning for you.

All the best and success…

Marcus

Life Coaching: What Can It Do For You?

What is Life Coaching and How did it Begin?

Mentors, teachers, advisors, and other professional helpers have been coaching people for decades, but they did not call themselves coaches. It was not until the early 1980s that the field began to formally organize itself. Today, coaching is a highly recognized and respected occupation. The primary aim of life coaching is to help clients determine and achieve personal goals.

What is the Benefit in Life Coaching?

At different times in life, everyone needs a sounding board. Life coaching, in the form of an outsider’s objective perspective, can be the best source for advice, support, and feedback. Life coaches use various methods and strategies to help clients with the process of setting and reaching goals. They may apply values assessment, behavior modification, behavior modeling, and mentoring—whatever it takes to help a client move from being stuck to being empowered

Why do People Become Stuck in the First Place?

One of the factors that contributes to becoming stuck and overwhelmed is fear of the unknown. You may ask yourself:

  • What will come next if I move forward in life?
  • What will happen if I take a risk?
  • If I set goals, how will I manage achieving those goals?
  • What if I fail?

While success is never guaranteed, looking at life as a seamless stream of opportunities instead of problems is the standpoint from which coaching begins.

Many people fear the unknown to a point of paralysis. They hold fearful thought patterns that cause immobilization and they fear moving forward. Life coaching can assist them in seeing their life situation from a different perspective. It may not be an easy task for them to break free from their fixed mindset or to make a 180-degree turn to see life from a very different angle. However, even one degree in a new direction is enough to open a new path to discovery. [Read more...]

A Day on the Calendar

Today is another day to mark off on the calendar . What will you think, feel, and do differently today to reach your goals?