This past Saturday, October 23rd I had the opportunity to speak at the Harvest of Hope Conference here in Omaha. Last year I was the keynote speaker and was blessed to be asked to return this year as a workshop presenter. I presented "Dads Matter" a workshop designed for fathers dealing with the issues of divorce and their relationships with their children. Despite perceptions that have persisted for years, many dads understand their role and are more than willing to fulfill it.
It was a great time and the workshop went well. It was interesting to hear men reveal issues that are important to them when their marriage has ended but their relationship with their children goes on. My many thanks to the folks at the Harvest of Hope conference.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Seeds of Greatness...Take Your Time
When we were five years old, one year represented twenty percent of our total lives. At fifty, a year represents two percent, or one fiftieth, of our life experience. No wonder it took so long for holidays to arrive when we were elementary school - and little wonder also that after age fifty, when a year represents such a small portion of time we've already spent, it goes by in a seeming blink of an eye. It's alittle like a videotape speeding up as it rewinds and accelerating almost near the end of the reel. So goes your remaining time as it dwindles down.
Take time to hear a robin's song each morning
Take time to smell the roses as you go,
Before you leave, please say 'I love you'
To the ones you know
Take time out for a sunset
And its afterglow.
Take time to climb a tree with the kids this summer
Explore each country back-road you can find
And take a moment now and then
To build a castle in the sand
Take time to hike that mountain
When you can.
Take time to play, your work can live without you
Give up the urgent for the afternoon
And take a loved one by the hand
And slowly gaze at that full moon
Don't let this minute pass you
For the years go by too soon.
And make each day "safari" day
Before this moment slips away.
Take time to live.
Take time to hear a robin's song each morning
Take time to smell the roses as you go,
Before you leave, please say 'I love you'
To the ones you know
Take time out for a sunset
And its afterglow.
Take time to climb a tree with the kids this summer
Explore each country back-road you can find
And take a moment now and then
To build a castle in the sand
Take time to hike that mountain
When you can.
Take time to play, your work can live without you
Give up the urgent for the afternoon
And take a loved one by the hand
And slowly gaze at that full moon
Don't let this minute pass you
For the years go by too soon.
And make each day "safari" day
Before this moment slips away.
Take time to live.
3 Secrets to Reinventing Your Life
Michelle Gamble-Risley is not only the owner of a business she successfully reinvented, she's also the author of "Second Bloom: 10 Steps to Reinvent, Rejuvenate and Realize a New Life."
This book provides a 10-step strategic process for reinventing yourself and your life.
Here are Gamble-Risley's top three tips for reinventing yourself:
1. Define Your Values. "Get real about your values." You can say, "My family is really important to me" but if your traveling two weeks a month and working 60-70 hours a week...well, actions speak louder than words. Get real. What truly are your priorities, and what would you like for your life?
2. Know what works. "Figure out what works and what doesn't. If something's not working, don't hold on to it. Find a way to do what you want to do by figuring out what strategy you need to employ to make it work."
3. Get out of your own way. "I watch lots of people chase their own tails. they're fearful, they make excuses, there's a lot of 'I can't because...' You have to go for it and believe in yourself. If you can't do that, then stay where you're at."
This book provides a 10-step strategic process for reinventing yourself and your life.
Here are Gamble-Risley's top three tips for reinventing yourself:
1. Define Your Values. "Get real about your values." You can say, "My family is really important to me" but if your traveling two weeks a month and working 60-70 hours a week...well, actions speak louder than words. Get real. What truly are your priorities, and what would you like for your life?
2. Know what works. "Figure out what works and what doesn't. If something's not working, don't hold on to it. Find a way to do what you want to do by figuring out what strategy you need to employ to make it work."
3. Get out of your own way. "I watch lots of people chase their own tails. they're fearful, they make excuses, there's a lot of 'I can't because...' You have to go for it and believe in yourself. If you can't do that, then stay where you're at."
Monday, October 4, 2010
ENCORE! Life's Next Act
I'm really excited about a new workshop that I have developed for LifeWorks. Many people, namely baby boomers, have expressed to me that unlike their parents who were of the Greatest Generation, made famous in part by former news anchor Tom Brokaw, that retirement ISN'T the finish line for their lives. Matter of fact for many boomers its a new beginning.
By and large, boomers believe that they can shape their future and that what happens in the future mostly depends on them. Consistent with this view, boomers continue to believe that if that really want to do something, they will find a way to achieve it!
So with that in mind, my new workshop is entitled "ENCORE!" Life's Second Act. The workshop aims to equip and motivate individuals 50+ years of age, first by imagining their possibilities, secondly researching what their personal "second act" (dream/passion) could be, and thirdly creating a plan of action for achieving that goal.
The workshop itself offers:
How to Develop a Reinvention Strategy
A Life Assessment Inventory Survey
A Five Point Personal Action Plan
Educational Blog Articles / Online Support
One Personalized Coaching Session
This is a great workshop for any club, organization, civic group, or church. Matter of fact, Metropolitan Community College in Omaha is looking to add ENCORE to its spring non-credit curriculum.
By and large, boomers believe that they can shape their future and that what happens in the future mostly depends on them. Consistent with this view, boomers continue to believe that if that really want to do something, they will find a way to achieve it!
So with that in mind, my new workshop is entitled "ENCORE!" Life's Second Act. The workshop aims to equip and motivate individuals 50+ years of age, first by imagining their possibilities, secondly researching what their personal "second act" (dream/passion) could be, and thirdly creating a plan of action for achieving that goal.
The workshop itself offers:
How to Develop a Reinvention Strategy
A Life Assessment Inventory Survey
A Five Point Personal Action Plan
Educational Blog Articles / Online Support
One Personalized Coaching Session
This is a great workshop for any club, organization, civic group, or church. Matter of fact, Metropolitan Community College in Omaha is looking to add ENCORE to its spring non-credit curriculum.
So if your group is looking for a fun, educational and potentially life changing workshop be sure to contact LifeWorks today. Go to www.thelifeworkscoach.com and contact me today to arrange your event.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Reinventing...Not Retiring
In my last article I wrote about how the Baby Boomer generation as well as countless others are determining that there is alot more to accomplish in their lives. Places to go, people to meet, goals to achieve, passions to embrace.
Growing up in the Creek household included reminders from my parents that there were no acceptable reasons for not working. My dad was quick to point out to me that he could turn to the want ads any day of the week and find available jobs. I may not 'like' the job but it would do until I found something more to my liking.
So there wasn't much discussion, if any, about pursuing my passion, dreams or goals. Even my high school counselor when I became a senior had one session with me about "my future". After all I was getting ready to graduate and I needed my life mapped out before I left the hallowed halls of Webster City high school.
"So" he said, "what do you think you'll want to do with your future?" How should I know? I was 17 at the time! Now many years later I've seen a myriad occupations and pursuits I would have enjoyed learning and incorporating in my life. Who had ever heard about being a Crime Scene Investigator? Not me but to be honest it I wished I had known there was such a profession back in those formative years.. I would have liked being a forest ranger. I mean really...drive around in a jeep in beautiful mountains, the wildlife, and out in the open country! Sign me up! And being a college basketball coach would have been right up my alley.
For you it may be an occupation, a trade, or a skill you'd like to pursue. It could be a country to visit, book to write, business to start that has always been a passion you'd like to achieve. But for one reason or another, or even upon the "advice" of a loved ones, you never took that next step. I mean those you respected would have said how silly you were being.
So why not start your journey today? Why wait any longer? Making the effort to embracing your life's passion is closer than you may believe.
Here are some initial steps you can take in 'jumping off the end of the dock' and start to swim:
1. TAKE ACTION Avoid being paralyzed and overwhelmed by the challenge. Author Joe Vitale writes, "Do anything to keep the momentum going forward."
2. JUST TAKE THE NEXT STEP You don't have to "see" your destination to reach it. Vitale says, "It's like driving your car at night when there's no street lights. Your headlights may allow you to see only the next 100 feet in front of you. And then finally, you make it to your destination."
3. IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE RESULTS, CHANGE WHAT YOU'RE DOING Jim Rohn, personal development expert suggest asking yourself, "What can I do today so the next five years are not the same as the last five?"
4. EVALUATE HOW YOU ARE SPENDING YOUR TIME Rohn asks, "Do you focus on the majors? Spend major time on major things and minor time on minor things."
5. MAKE SURE YOUR HEART IS IN IT You have to find something you love enough to be able to take risks, jump over the hurdles, and break through brick walls that are always going to be placed in front of you.
6. PUSH YOURSELF TO REACH YOUR POTENTIAL! Passions, dreams and goals worth pursuing in your life will demand that you give 100% effort.
Growing up in the Creek household included reminders from my parents that there were no acceptable reasons for not working. My dad was quick to point out to me that he could turn to the want ads any day of the week and find available jobs. I may not 'like' the job but it would do until I found something more to my liking.
So there wasn't much discussion, if any, about pursuing my passion, dreams or goals. Even my high school counselor when I became a senior had one session with me about "my future". After all I was getting ready to graduate and I needed my life mapped out before I left the hallowed halls of Webster City high school.
"So" he said, "what do you think you'll want to do with your future?" How should I know? I was 17 at the time! Now many years later I've seen a myriad occupations and pursuits I would have enjoyed learning and incorporating in my life. Who had ever heard about being a Crime Scene Investigator? Not me but to be honest it I wished I had known there was such a profession back in those formative years.. I would have liked being a forest ranger. I mean really...drive around in a jeep in beautiful mountains, the wildlife, and out in the open country! Sign me up! And being a college basketball coach would have been right up my alley.
For you it may be an occupation, a trade, or a skill you'd like to pursue. It could be a country to visit, book to write, business to start that has always been a passion you'd like to achieve. But for one reason or another, or even upon the "advice" of a loved ones, you never took that next step. I mean those you respected would have said how silly you were being.
So why not start your journey today? Why wait any longer? Making the effort to embracing your life's passion is closer than you may believe.
Here are some initial steps you can take in 'jumping off the end of the dock' and start to swim:
1. TAKE ACTION Avoid being paralyzed and overwhelmed by the challenge. Author Joe Vitale writes, "Do anything to keep the momentum going forward."
2. JUST TAKE THE NEXT STEP You don't have to "see" your destination to reach it. Vitale says, "It's like driving your car at night when there's no street lights. Your headlights may allow you to see only the next 100 feet in front of you. And then finally, you make it to your destination."
3. IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE RESULTS, CHANGE WHAT YOU'RE DOING Jim Rohn, personal development expert suggest asking yourself, "What can I do today so the next five years are not the same as the last five?"
4. EVALUATE HOW YOU ARE SPENDING YOUR TIME Rohn asks, "Do you focus on the majors? Spend major time on major things and minor time on minor things."
5. MAKE SURE YOUR HEART IS IN IT You have to find something you love enough to be able to take risks, jump over the hurdles, and break through brick walls that are always going to be placed in front of you.
6. PUSH YOURSELF TO REACH YOUR POTENTIAL! Passions, dreams and goals worth pursuing in your life will demand that you give 100% effort.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
"Who Said We Were Finished?"
Have you seen the latest AARP commerical? The AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) commerical? Retired...ha! This isn't your parents or grandparents AARP!
The AARP is one of the most dominant organizations in the United States serving the retired population. They are bringing to light that largest, most influential, and wealthiest generation, the baby boomers, really don't plan on retiring. They are just going to shift to other dreams, goals, or to discover their passions in life. I heard a gentleman say the other day that he would know he was retired "about three days before I die."
For many of us we were raised by parents of the Greatest Generation, made more famous by the efforts of former NBC newscaster Tom Brokaw with his book and TV specials. The parents of the Greatest Generation taught their children who would become baby boomers to "get a job so you can pay your bills and buy food." My grandfather always talked about the day when he could retire...and then...well he'd be retired.
Now there is a generation of over 77 million baby boomers who don't see life in the same light. They still have dreams to live, goals to accomplish, passions to discover. Don't even bring up the "R" word. In the AARP commerical, a lady decorating a cake even says, "I want to fall in love again." Check their website...the opening page is a middle-aged couple in a romantic kiss. My grandfather would have a fit! THAT is NOT retirement.
I have the feeling that many of us who claim the title of baby boomer would rather go out with a bang and not just a whimper no matter how old we get. After all, baby boomers who lived through the 1960's shook up the whole world. Who chanted "the whole world is watching" in 1968? The baby boomers! Who burned their bras? Baby boomers! Burned draft cards? Baby boomers. Fought for equal rights? Baby boomers! Protested an ugly war? Baby boomers! Were the first to talk about the environment? You got it.
It's evident that there is a new "R" word for this generation and its not 'retire'. The new 'R' stands for "reinvent". People in their 50's, 60's, 70's and beyond want another journey to experience. They want to discover and return to their roots of the 1960's. The Baby Boomer generation always enjoyed hearing "you can't do that...you can't say that...you can't go there."
Well we're still here and we have some unleft business to attend to. For card carrying members of this generation of dreamers, its still our time. Time to discover our passions and live them to the fullest.
In coming blogs I'll be addressing the "how" of making those discoveries. I'll be offering advice, tips, and plans that everyone can use to guide them on their path to fulfillment.
The AARP is one of the most dominant organizations in the United States serving the retired population. They are bringing to light that largest, most influential, and wealthiest generation, the baby boomers, really don't plan on retiring. They are just going to shift to other dreams, goals, or to discover their passions in life. I heard a gentleman say the other day that he would know he was retired "about three days before I die."
For many of us we were raised by parents of the Greatest Generation, made more famous by the efforts of former NBC newscaster Tom Brokaw with his book and TV specials. The parents of the Greatest Generation taught their children who would become baby boomers to "get a job so you can pay your bills and buy food." My grandfather always talked about the day when he could retire...and then...well he'd be retired.
Now there is a generation of over 77 million baby boomers who don't see life in the same light. They still have dreams to live, goals to accomplish, passions to discover. Don't even bring up the "R" word. In the AARP commerical, a lady decorating a cake even says, "I want to fall in love again." Check their website...the opening page is a middle-aged couple in a romantic kiss. My grandfather would have a fit! THAT is NOT retirement.
I have the feeling that many of us who claim the title of baby boomer would rather go out with a bang and not just a whimper no matter how old we get. After all, baby boomers who lived through the 1960's shook up the whole world. Who chanted "the whole world is watching" in 1968? The baby boomers! Who burned their bras? Baby boomers! Burned draft cards? Baby boomers. Fought for equal rights? Baby boomers! Protested an ugly war? Baby boomers! Were the first to talk about the environment? You got it.
It's evident that there is a new "R" word for this generation and its not 'retire'. The new 'R' stands for "reinvent". People in their 50's, 60's, 70's and beyond want another journey to experience. They want to discover and return to their roots of the 1960's. The Baby Boomer generation always enjoyed hearing "you can't do that...you can't say that...you can't go there."
Well we're still here and we have some unleft business to attend to. For card carrying members of this generation of dreamers, its still our time. Time to discover our passions and live them to the fullest.
In coming blogs I'll be addressing the "how" of making those discoveries. I'll be offering advice, tips, and plans that everyone can use to guide them on their path to fulfillment.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Discover Your Passion
Welcome to Discovering Your Passion!
At one's core, in one's heart, resides the power, that unique passion, that 'thing', we want to accomplish in life. That "it" we've at least wanted to take a shot at. That hidden desire in our lives that we've kept hidden in a box deep in our souls. It could be a new profession, a trip you've always wanted to take, learn a new skill, go back to school, 'that dream', reunite with a friend, the thing we wanted to do in life but maybe those we trusted gave us a direction that was more comfortable for them!
Stop and ask yourself..."do you spend time doing things you don't want to do in places you don't want to be, for no other reason than you feel you have to?"
Do you ask, "What am I chasing after? * Why am I chasing it? * What is my purpose?
My LifeWorks blog is here for you. Articles, tips, motivational stories, real people successes and plans will be posted regularly to help those who are ready to start their adventure. I am convinced that the greater percentage of baby boomers are ready to reinvent themselves. That's who baby boomers are in today's world.
A survey revealed that people 80 years of age and older had very few regrets for the things they had attempted in life. Conversely, the same group of people reported that they DID HAVE regrets for the things they hadn't tried in life. As one older gentleman put it, "his use on or before expiration" date had come and gone for trying those things he would have pursued if he were younger. Baby boomers and others want to discover what their passion, dream, "it" is today and then go out and achieve it.
For some it means leaving a legacy, others its about fulfillment, and for some people it's not getting cheated in being all they can become in life.
So let's get started...yesterday is gone, tomorrow is not promised, and today is all we have. I look forward to helping you and hearing what "passion" you've disocvered and brought to light.
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