In Defense of Impatience...

“Didn’t you learn anything in Italy about patience?” my office colleague asked me after my recent return from a two-week vacation in rural Italy. I was, as usual, demanding deadlines and commitments from my staff at a manager’s meeting.

I thought about that question that night. It’s true that my Italian ancestors have a different pace of living that one could describe as slower. Certainly meals are a leisurely pastime in Italy. But drive on an Italian street or better yet, the autostrada (their freeways)! You’d never describe an Italian driver as patient.

What’s the difference?

When Italians want to get somewhere, they don’t dawdle. Whether by autostrada, or vaporetto boat in Venice, or the subway in Rome, Italians waste no time and have little patience for those who do. But once they reach their destination, they slow their pace and begin a deeper experience.

When I try to create change in my life, that is, when I’m trying to get somewhere, I myself tend to be very impatient. Sometimes I feel like I’m pushing a big object against a heavy wind. But it seems to me that impatience with the pace of progress is the engine that creates the progress. Complacency is the enemy of forward motion. Impatience keeps complacency at bay. This is a good thing.

On the other hand, my impatience sometimes enters into my personal relationships, and that’s where my travel lessons will come in handy. When I had the attention of my Italian relatives during our recent visit, I had their entire attention. We talked over dinner for hours, and they made my mother and I the center of attention the whole meal. We felt welcomed and included despite the language challenges.

My lesson?

Be impatient with progress, but not people. Don’t let your focus on moving forward blind you to the people you travel with. They are, after all, the point of your journey.

So, I guess the answer to my friend’s question is “yes,” after all. I have learned something from my recent vacation. I’ve learned that there is a place for impatience and pushing, but there’s also a place for stopping and listening. As with so many things, it’s all a matter of balance.

http://www.manifestationcoaching.com/

Starting school...

Summer is over already and school is upon us.  If you're new to the school routine, here's a useful website, Mom's Homeroom, dedicated to helping you prepare your child to succeed in school. 

Useful as the site is, there's an even better way to help your child succeed in school, and that is to get involved and stay involved in his or her school life.  This article shows the many ways that parental involvement is key to student success.

It doesn't take a degree in rocket science to help your kids succeed in school.  All it takes it encouragement, support, and involvement to make a difference that will last a lifetime.

http://www.manifestationcoaching.com/

Renew your dreams...

"Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born." — Dale E. Turner

Never think it's too late to pursue your dream or achieve major accomplishments.  This article will inspire you.  You'll be surprised at who became world famous in their later years.  Grantly Morris humourously lists amazing things accomplished by senior citizens.

But you don't have to be in your golden years to learn this lesson.  Perhaps you never graduated from high school, and feel at 35 it's too late to fix it.  Not true. 

Last night I saw an amazing documentary called Changing Keys about Billy McLaughlin, a famous guitarist whose brain sort of forgot how to play.  He could have given up.  He almost did.  What he finally did in the end is head-shakingly amazing.  And a true lesson in not giving up.

http://www.manifestationcoaching.com/

Brain Sqeeze...

Something to relax you this Sunday as you prepare for the coming week.  Print and enjoy!

Learn from Mistakes...

“Some of the best lessons we ever learn are learned from past mistakes. The error of the past is the wisdom and success of the future.” – Dale E. Turner

"Own the mistakes..."

"We had to admit to ourselves and to the people of this company that we owned the mistakes that were made. Once we did, it was a powerful turning point. It’s like when you have a secret and get it out: The burden is off your shoulders."

Those are the words of one of America's most successful CEO's, Howard Schultz of Starbucks in his interview with the Harvard Business Review.  He's talking about the amazing power that comes from admitting and owning your mistakes.

Too often we spend our time rationalizing why we're not getting to our dreams.  If something we try is unsuccessful or backfires on us, we immediately seek to understand what happened.  But all too often, we forget to look at ourselves.

We're not perfect.  And as mere imperfect beings with imperfect knowledge, we make mistakes.  If you're like me, you make a lot of them.  One way to respond is to refuse to admit them and seek to place the blame on other people or circumstances.  It couldn't be that perhaps I wasn't as well prepared as I could have been, or maybe got too nervous during the interview, or couldn't read my notes in trial.

Another, better, way is to openly and proudly own your mistakes. 

Each one represents you trying to achieve your dream.  I wouldn't be in court if I hadn't put myself in law school and dared to start practicing at 47. 

Each one is a learning experience, though probably an uncomfortable one.  I learned quickly how to make usable readable trial notes.  Before getting to an interview, I make sure I have at least 15 minutes to relax in preparation. 

Viewed correctly, mistakes are something to be proud of. 

After all, as Mario Andretti said, “If everything seems under control, you’re just not going fast enough.”

So lay down that burden and celebrate your mistakes.  Just try not to keep repeating them!

http://www.manifestationcoaching.com/

"Our Deepest Fear..."

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people around you won’t feel insecure.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.

As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

– Marianne Williamson