Forty years ago this month, for the first time in recorded history, man went to the moon. He left planet earth and went into space. Think about that.
Oh, I know the conspiracy theorists think it never happened. Non believers have always been with us. Witness the flat earth society. Back in the 1400’s, a group of people believed the world was not round; that if you sailed out to sea far enough, you would fall over the edge. But an explorer named Columbus didn’t believe that.
Do you remember where you were the night of July 20, 1969? On that night all around the globe, billions were huddled in front of their television screens, watching in awe and listening as Neil Armstrong, an American astronaut, uttered the famous words, “That’s one small step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind” as he moon-walked on to history’s stage.
Just as JKF appeared in the sixties, when the country was bogged down, to lead his nation and the world forward, again, so, too, Barack Obama is leading today, when, once again America seems to be losing its can do spirit.
To get the country moving forward again, Kennedy hit upon the tactic of mobilizing America around an incredible goal - going to the moon and getting there first, before the competition.
If you’re bogged down today, caught up in the idea that the future isn’t going to be a good as the past, perhaps you need an equally incredible goal to get you going. It doesn’t have to be as big as going to the moon, of course… but establishing a worthy goal will start you down the road to tomorrow, rather than dwelling in the past and hanging onto today.
The magical thing about setting a goal is this:
It’s not simply the goal. It’s whom you become on the way to attaining it.
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Drew is a Personal Business/Leadership Coach, Mentor, Inspirational Speaker and Author. One-on-one, he coaches small business owners and individuals, inspiring them to reach their goals and dreams by helping them unleash their spirit, manage change and think strategically. Learn more about his approach to business coaching at www.drewsimmie.com and his personal philosopy at www.tugofthekite.com About The Author.
You can follow him on Twitter http://twitter.com/thekite He is also on Face Book and LinkedIn. If you would like him to set up a meeting with Drew or have him speak to your group you can contact him at info@drewsimmie.com.
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( 3.8 / 17 ) Click a star 1-5, left to right, to rate.Those of you who are of a certain age will remember George Burns, the irrepressible, cigar-smoking American comic, who after a long successful career, died in 1996, at the age of 100.
In his late sixties, he came upon a song, I Wish I was Eighteen Again and picked it up. Singing that song re-ignited his career and he built a successful ‘second act’ by working it into his routines, tied into the idea that you’re never too old. He worked almost to the end. Always urbanely attired in a black tuxedo, cigar in hand, owl-like behind his iconic, round, horned-rimmed glasses, he delivered his brand of humour and take on life with aplomb and an exquisite sense of timing. Young and old, his audiences loved him and kept coming back for more.
One of his most memorable lines referred to the fact that he wasn’t really sure what he was going to be doing on his 100th birthday, but he knew he was booked!
He died before the internet era really kicked in. But I, for one, wouldn’t be at all surprised to learn that he’s on his mobile right now arranging his next gig in Vegas. He would have loved Twitter. 140 characters would have been just perfect for his one-liners and he would be over the moon to know that he is still booked – on You Tube!
If your spirits have been flagging lately and you’ve been wondering if you’re up for that next big thing in your life, whatever it is, take a tip from George. Catch his act on You Tube I Wish I Was Eighteen Again. Watch the faces in the audience, the wistful smiles…
Life doesn’t begin at forty. Or fifty, or sixty or even seventy. It begins every morning when you wake up and know you have another day, another opprtunity to make a difference, to make good things happen. It's never too late. You have a choice. You can be old or older. It’s up to you. Whatever your age.
If you enjoyed reading this and know someone else who would, please pass it along.
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Drew is a Personal Business/Leadership Coach, Mentor, Inspirational Speaker and Author. One-on-one, he coaches small business owners and individuals, inspiring them to reach their goals and dreams by helping them unleash their spirit, manage change and think strategically. Learn more about his approach to business coaching at www.drewsimmie.com and his personal philosopy at www.tugofthekite.com About The Author.
You can follow him on Twitter http://twitter.com/thekite He is also on Face Book and LinkedIn. If you would like him to set up a meeting with Drew or have him speak to your group you can contact him at info@drewsimmie.com.
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( 3.6 / 45 ) Click a star 1-5, left to right, to rate.In his book, Way of the Peaceful Warrior, Dan Millman described a scene in which his mentor, whom he called Socrates, challenged him to come up with an insight, something of value that would be worth sharing with others. “When you have that, come back to me,” Socrates said to Dan. At length, after much deliberation, Dan finally returned with a response that was acceptable to his mentor.
It was this: “There are no ordinary moments."
Living at the speed we do today, it’s all too easy to forget that. We’re so busy just trying to keep up, ‘staying alive.’ The days turn into weeks, weeks into months and before you know it, in the blink of an eye, years have slipped away. How many times have you heard someone exclaim, “I don’t know where the time went!”
Metaphorically speaking we are on an express train hurtling down the track. As we navigate life's twists and turns, we make choices as to which car we ride in on the train. Sometimes we move from one car to another, but it’s always the same train going faster and faster… hurtling down the track to its final destination.
The pace is frenetic. The stress and strain is relentless. Life can catch up to you if you are not careful. We’re so focused on the big stuff that we often overlook the small things and ordinary moments that can make such a difference to our lives and those around us. The people and things that really matter.
So what can you do to reduce the stress in your life and make time for those unordinary moments?
There are many ways. Here are just five:
1. Practice gratitude. Notice what you have. Be equally grateful for opportunities and challenges.
2. Share joy, not negativity.
3. Consume mindfully. Pause before buying. Ask yourself; do I need this or simply want it? And pay attention to the effects of the media that you consume.
4. Decide how your day is going to go before you leave the house. Don’t let one person or one thing ruin your whole day.
5. Choose your friends with care. If you strive to be spiritually strong, supportive and positive, seek those characteristics in others and help them develop these traits by living them yourself.
If these thoughts are striking a chord then I hope you'll attend my new seminar, Unleashing Your Creativity. It is being held on June 17, 2009 at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre. Click on to Attend a Seminar on the menu over to the right for more information and sign up today.
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Drew is a Change Agent, Leadership Coach, Speaker and Author... inspiring others to get to the next level by helping them to think strategically, manage change, and unleash their creativity. Learn more about his approach to coaching by visiting www.drewsimmie.com
You can follow him on Twitter http://twitter.com/thekite He is also on Face Book and LinkedIn. If you would like him to speak to your group or attend his next seminar, you can contact him at info@drewsimmie.com.
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( 3.4 / 56 ) Click a star 1-5, left to right, to rate.Enough! Has it only been nine months since our world was turned upside down when Wall Street and Bernie made off with all the money?
Not to make light of what occurred. We know, now, how it happened and why. But if we’re being honest it wasn’t just those bad guys in New York. We were all riding the gravy train. As Charlie Brown famously said, “I’ve seen the enemy and he is us.” In the ensuing crash millions of lives were irrevocably altered, hard lessons were learned and old truths vindicated.
Gingerly crawling out of the smoldering wreck, tentatively we’ve already begun picking up the pieces, searching for new beginnings and signs of life.
Surprisingly, there are many places to look. One place to start is www.ted.com There you’ll find a diverse, forward looking community of world citizens; thinkers, business people, doers, artists, academics and a variety of achievers in many fields, all of whom are focused on making a difference and advancing our society. One such example is Sarah Jones. Click on to her video, Sarah Jones. one woman, eight hilarious characters. One of her major interests is in the invention of 'self,' something, of course, in which I am also interested.
Her portrayal of a number of women from different cultures is amazing. Their messages are universal in nature and global in context. They are indicative of what is becoming a trend in North America and the countries of Western Europe: the shift in the transnational make up of their societies. The future beckons those willing to embrace it.
In that same vein, if you are looking for what’s next and best, and planning to be on the next train as it pulls out of the station, I hope you will attend my new seminar, Unleashing Your Creativity. It is being held on June 17, 2009 at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre. Click on to Attend a Seminar on the menu over to the right for more information and sign up today.
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Drew is a Change Agent, Leadership Coach, Speaker and Author. He shares stories of his journey, his life/business experiences and valuable lessons - advocating hope, positive change and inspiring others to look for the best within themselves. Learn more about his approach to coaching by visiting www.drewsimmie.com
You can follow him on Twitter http://twitter.com/thekite He is also on Face Book and LinkedIn. If you would like him to speak to your group or attend his next seminar, you can contact him at info@drewsimmie.com.
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( 3 / 66 ) Click a star 1-5, left to right, to rate.Two weeks ago Susan Boyle strode out onto the stage of a popular talent search show in England, called Britain's Got Talent, and into the hearts of millions around the world.
The audience and the three panelists could scarcely hide their derision. Cynical smiles curled at the corners of their mouths. Who is this decidedly unattractive, unsophisicated woman, everyone wondered? And what is she doing here, intruding on our beautiful world?Holding the microphone tightly in her right hand, left hand defiantly on her hip, centre stage, all alone, confidently she looked out into the audience... and waited.
Simon Cowell, in his inimitable manner stared back. He could hardly believe his eyes. Sardonically he asked, "OK, Darlin', what's the dream?"
"I'm going to sing a song," Susan shot back, "I Dreamed a Dream, from Les Miserables." With that she opened her mouth and in a stunningly beautiful voice belted out a song that rocked everyone back on their heels.
In just five minutes this unassuming, single Scottish woman from a "collection of little villages" somewhere in West Lothian, Scotland changed her life and taught us all a lesson. If you've forgotten how to dream or have packed your dreams away, you'll want to get them out again after you watch Susan.
Click to hear Susan Boyle sing.
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Drew is a Personal Leadership Coach, Strategist, Speaker and Author. He shares stories of his journey, his life/business experiences and valuable lessons - advocating hope, positive change and inspiring others to look for the best within themselves. Learn more about his approach to coaching by visiting www.drewsimmie.com
You can follow him on Twitter http://twitter.com/thekite He is also on Face Book and LinkedIn. If you would like him to speak to your group or attend his next seminar, you can contact him at info@drewsimmie.com.
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