RE: action steps to discover your calling.
I'm just being the messenger on this one...this is a direct cut and paste from a communication today between two members at FreeAgentAcademy. Now, a bunch of folks responded, but one reply was so chock full of wisdom that I wanted to share it publicly.
It will benefit you greatly, guaranteed.
FROM
Name: Jerry Meissner
FAA Member: 6 days (as of writing)
Location: St. Paul, MN
Personal: Married, 2 sons
Occupation: Sign Maker
Status: sick of current work and seeking his best idea
Jerry writes:
"Can anyone let me in on an action you have taken that has helped you find your passion? I know there are books and people that can help me (and those recommendations are welcome) but what I am really looking for are concrete actions that you personally have taken to help you find your passion."
To mirror what others have said "it's not just one thing". Here is a list of some things I think have been instrumental in helping me:
1) Networking in FreeAgentAcademy - this has led me to develop friendships and build trust with people who are strong in areas I am weak, as well as, provide and receive general encouragement.
2) Have a room that is dedicated for my office with a door.
3) Read. Read. Read. One of the best books I read early on was recommended by Dan Miller, 'The Magic of Thinking Big'. I have 3-4 books going on all the time in most areas of my life I want to improve on.
4) Exercise and good nutrition. Like many realize, people who do not take care of themselves physically are rarely successful. We drink water, soymilk and rice milk and do a lot of juicing of fresh vegetables and fruits - we rarely ever drink anything else - colas or other beverages typically only make it into our home if someone else brings them. Oh, yeah - we do have a cup of coffee on most mornings. We rarely add sugar to anything. Can't remember the last time we deep fried anything. We buy organic as much as possible. Cookies and chips are not staples in our home - but we do have them occasionally. Aerobic exercise is critical - I am currently reading the book "Spark" which explains why. Running is currently my exercise of choice. Spark recommends adding an activity that requires complex thinking - such as tennis, martial arts or yoga - planning to work that in soon.
5) NO TV. Watching TV robs me of the time it takes to work on my business and live my life, numbs my mind and generally wastes my time. Ditto for our children. Our TV is currently in the garage, unplugged - we gave it up last summer. We do rent DVDs some and watch them on the computer - but, the content and time allotted is planned and calculated. Not saying we won't get a nice, flat-screened TV at some point - just doubt there will ever be cable hooked up to it.
6) Planning regular time with my kids and husband. The time I spend working on my business is time away from my family, which, ironically, is a main reason WHY I want my own business - so I can spend more time with them. To get there I have to spend time away from them in the beginning, while I am working my regular job and building my business. This hurts - me and them. I make it a point to take planned time away - every Tuesday I take one of my daughters to lunch, every Friday night is family game night, once a month I go out with my husband, Sunday evenings we often rent a carefully selected movie and watch it together, once a month we invite friends over. This allows me to regularly plug in one on one with everyone and with the family as a whole, as well as, stay connected socially.
7) ASKING for help. This is a big one for me. Opening up and admitting I don't understand something and asking for help has made me much more productive. I need a lot of help in the beginning, but once I get started I'm fairly self-sufficient. Sometimes my learning curve is bigger than I'd like. Coaches are awesome for this, as are the members, in general, in FreeAgentAcademy.
8) Organization - I've spent a lot of time organizing my files and space. I work best when anything I need is an arm's length away and my desk is clear of everything except what I'm working on. The book - Getting Things Done - is a great one for file organization.
9) Positive thinking. When I think negative, I start shutting down. Not good when building a business. I'm getting much better at turning the negatives into positives and when I can't do it on my own - connecting with someone who can help me see things in a better light, typically a much more realistic view. Also, work to surround yourself with people who are positive and supportive, in general.
10) Planning and visualizing. Taking time to plan your business is critical. I'm working on my branding and imaging right now and the upfront work is really helping me visualize my business and aligning it with my values and goals. I'm working with Jimi Gibson [Branding & Positioning Professor for FreeAgentAcademy] on this.
11) Take time to get quiet. I don't do as often as I'd like, a couple of times a week, but it has a positive impact on my life. For instance, I was meditating one afternoon (in the chapel at work - I work in a hospital - on my supper break) - I kept refocusing my mind on my breathing every time it wondered - and what I heard when I got real quiet was The PharMomAssist - you are The PharMomAssist. I had never had a conscious thought of this and if I had never gotten still it may never have surfaced- and it's turning out to be instrumental in defining who I am in my business.
Wasn't planning to share this much - but you asked Jerry :o)
Following Susanne's counsel will not only help you discover your passions and ultimately your free agent idea...it will just help you have a better life in general.
If you want to comment to either Jerry or Susanne, just do so below and they will see it.
Kevin
I'm just being the messenger on this one...this is a direct cut and paste from a communication today between two members at FreeAgentAcademy. Now, a bunch of folks responded, but one reply was so chock full of wisdom that I wanted to share it publicly.
It will benefit you greatly, guaranteed.
Name: Jerry Meissner
FAA Member: 6 days (as of writing)
Location: St. Paul, MN
Personal: Married, 2 sons
Occupation: Sign Maker
Status: sick of current work and seeking his best idea
Jerry writes:
"Can anyone let me in on an action you have taken that has helped you find your passion? I know there are books and people that can help me (and those recommendations are welcome) but what I am really looking for are concrete actions that you personally have taken to help you find your passion."
REPLY
Name: Susanne Ballard
FAA Member: 2 years
Location: Kinston, NC
Personal: Married, 6 kids
Occupation: Hospital pharmacist
Status: While being in FAA ditched her first idea and discovered her passion. Is on the verge of launching herself as "PharMomAssist" along with an amazing patented product that is still under wraps for public announcement
To mirror what others have said "it's not just one thing". Here is a list of some things I think have been instrumental in helping me:
1) Networking in FreeAgentAcademy - this has led me to develop friendships and build trust with people who are strong in areas I am weak, as well as, provide and receive general encouragement.
2) Have a room that is dedicated for my office with a door.
3) Read. Read. Read. One of the best books I read early on was recommended by Dan Miller, 'The Magic of Thinking Big'. I have 3-4 books going on all the time in most areas of my life I want to improve on.
4) Exercise and good nutrition. Like many realize, people who do not take care of themselves physically are rarely successful. We drink water, soymilk and rice milk and do a lot of juicing of fresh vegetables and fruits - we rarely ever drink anything else - colas or other beverages typically only make it into our home if someone else brings them. Oh, yeah - we do have a cup of coffee on most mornings. We rarely add sugar to anything. Can't remember the last time we deep fried anything. We buy organic as much as possible. Cookies and chips are not staples in our home - but we do have them occasionally. Aerobic exercise is critical - I am currently reading the book "Spark" which explains why. Running is currently my exercise of choice. Spark recommends adding an activity that requires complex thinking - such as tennis, martial arts or yoga - planning to work that in soon.
5) NO TV. Watching TV robs me of the time it takes to work on my business and live my life, numbs my mind and generally wastes my time. Ditto for our children. Our TV is currently in the garage, unplugged - we gave it up last summer. We do rent DVDs some and watch them on the computer - but, the content and time allotted is planned and calculated. Not saying we won't get a nice, flat-screened TV at some point - just doubt there will ever be cable hooked up to it.
6) Planning regular time with my kids and husband. The time I spend working on my business is time away from my family, which, ironically, is a main reason WHY I want my own business - so I can spend more time with them. To get there I have to spend time away from them in the beginning, while I am working my regular job and building my business. This hurts - me and them. I make it a point to take planned time away - every Tuesday I take one of my daughters to lunch, every Friday night is family game night, once a month I go out with my husband, Sunday evenings we often rent a carefully selected movie and watch it together, once a month we invite friends over. This allows me to regularly plug in one on one with everyone and with the family as a whole, as well as, stay connected socially.
7) ASKING for help. This is a big one for me. Opening up and admitting I don't understand something and asking for help has made me much more productive. I need a lot of help in the beginning, but once I get started I'm fairly self-sufficient. Sometimes my learning curve is bigger than I'd like. Coaches are awesome for this, as are the members, in general, in FreeAgentAcademy.
8) Organization - I've spent a lot of time organizing my files and space. I work best when anything I need is an arm's length away and my desk is clear of everything except what I'm working on. The book - Getting Things Done - is a great one for file organization.
9) Positive thinking. When I think negative, I start shutting down. Not good when building a business. I'm getting much better at turning the negatives into positives and when I can't do it on my own - connecting with someone who can help me see things in a better light, typically a much more realistic view. Also, work to surround yourself with people who are positive and supportive, in general.
10) Planning and visualizing. Taking time to plan your business is critical. I'm working on my branding and imaging right now and the upfront work is really helping me visualize my business and aligning it with my values and goals. I'm working with Jimi Gibson [Branding & Positioning Professor for FreeAgentAcademy] on this.
11) Take time to get quiet. I don't do as often as I'd like, a couple of times a week, but it has a positive impact on my life. For instance, I was meditating one afternoon (in the chapel at work - I work in a hospital - on my supper break) - I kept refocusing my mind on my breathing every time it wondered - and what I heard when I got real quiet was The PharMomAssist - you are The PharMomAssist. I had never had a conscious thought of this and if I had never gotten still it may never have surfaced- and it's turning out to be instrumental in defining who I am in my business.
Wasn't planning to share this much - but you asked Jerry :o)
Following Susanne's counsel will not only help you discover your passions and ultimately your free agent idea...it will just help you have a better life in general.
If you want to comment to either Jerry or Susanne, just do so below and they will see it.
Kevin
Wow, Susan, you nailed it!
Great advice for living a well-balanced life.
Thanks.
Posted by: Barak | March 05, 2010 at 06:02 AM
Susanne is one of my best gal pals, and everything she's saying here I have seen in her life. She's not just typing out some ideal, she's letting you in on her reality. I'm glad to have such a great friend as Susanne.
Posted by: paige whitley | March 05, 2010 at 07:00 AM
Thank you Mr. Miyagi! I will esplain later in a post ut it is a Compliment to all who provided in this post!
Posted by: Dennis Lutz | March 05, 2010 at 08:46 AM
PS: if you see random spelling errors like my earlier post, it is likely my touch pad going haywire...not always but 99%of the time! I've been trying to reslove it for over 6 months now!
Posted by: Dennis Lutz | March 05, 2010 at 08:50 AM
Correction; Thank you Mr. Miyagi! I will explain later in a post. It is a Compliment for all who provided in this post!
Posted by: Dennis Lutz | March 05, 2010 at 08:52 AM
Great ideas ... "Balanced" is a great word to describe it all... when I remember to do all of these things it does create an environment to help me be creative and work hard.
Thanks for sharing with us.
Posted by: Mark Hopkins | March 05, 2010 at 09:46 AM
Susanne, all I can say is WOW! Thank you so much for taking the time to lay this out there and be such an example to all of us. I can see items on your list that I'm not doing diligently, so I have some work to do girl! Thanks again, Libby
Posted by: Libby Webb | March 05, 2010 at 12:08 PM
Paige - I agree, she is doing it...making it happen...living it. Thats
why I felt I needed to pass on her inspiration. Thanks for testifying to
her
Posted by: Kevin Miller | March 05, 2010 at 01:53 PM
Knowing and working with Susanne on her biz, I can tell you she is making amazing progress because she lives it and shares it.
Quite simply...if you know Susanne, you know her passions.
James Woosley
WoosleyCoaching.com
Posted by: twitter.com/jameswoosley | March 06, 2010 at 10:38 PM
Susanne, are you taking any mentorees? JK...unless you really are starting/have a group. Your story sounds just like what I have envisioned for myself...it's always been in me, but procrastination from fear/lack of confidence killed the cat. I definitely agree w/ the "No TV", b/c it has been my own experience that I lose/waste a lot of time when a tv is present (though I call myself multi-tasking). I agree w/ everything you have written here. Thanks for the inspiration!! I'm getting on your train!
Posted by: Bridget | March 29, 2010 at 06:52 PM