THE LEGACY THAT STAYS

Ever since I can remember I have been on a mission to make a difference.  Always being the proverbial go-getter, seeking and doing great work and immersing myself into any and all opportunities was how I approached my life.

Early on it started in school, then with work and moved to local, regional, national and eventually global communities.  As I grow older, I now know it is more about being intentional with the journey I am living and having bold courage to try new things, challenge old thinking and discover new possibilities.   

I created a new discipline for how I think, often challenging my thoughts with making decisions that focus not on what I want to accomplish today but rather how my decisions and actions of today going to impact the legacy that I am building for tomorrow?

Building something of substance takes time, energy and actions that are consistent and aligned to where you want that impact to be. It requires actions that are repeatable and the investment of time, energy and effort going into the right things for the right people at the right time.

If legacy building is something that you care about, then don't be afraid to challenge your assumptions, stretch your thinking of new opportunities and keep your priorities and actions in check and aligned with your big vision.  

FUELING SUCCESS - Hosting another successful event.

It's that time again. Another event my team has planned to lend our stage to some of our amazing colleagues and share some meaningful and useable information for fostering leadership excellence.   

There is nothing I love more, than hosting events that build community and make a difference.  The art of bringing together like-minded people who desire to improve, change and impact their world around them.

How fortunate am I to be able to share the stage with some shining examples of leadership excellence.  On May 12th, we will introduce you to Moe Vela from Washington, DC, a former Sr. Advisor to the White House, attorney, seasoned consultant and passionate entrepreneur as he now leads The Vela Group.  

Rick Spence, well known journalist for the National Post and Profit Magazine who was also was involved in helping to launch the very successful StartUp Canada Initiative shares his commitment to raising entrepreneurship as a solid strategy for Canadian growth and his view of how Canada will be impact in the future.   

Maureen Hagan, is one of Canada's fitness darlings, having served in a leadership position with GoodLife Fitness for 35 years and who now acts as a Global Fitness Ambassador as well as Vice President of Programs.   She still actively teaches classes and shares her passion of the importance of aging and fitness.  

As a Leadership Strategist and long time entrepreneur, keeping the passion for vision alive is so important. Learning to persevere as you lead your vision is equally challenging and exhilarating while understanding that consistency weighed against the tide of constant change is key to driving continued success.  Learning to balance the ebb and flow of daily pressures while continuing to fuel your talent, your resources and your bottom line are always areas that we can grow in.

Let FUEL be the starting point to investing into YOU.  Challenge yourself and connect with others to make an investment into growing your potential right where you are starting NOW!

wwwfuelleadership.ca

IT"S ALL ABOUT PERSPECTIVE - Moe Vela, Former Sr. Advisor to White House to speak at FUEL Leadership Conference.

Moe Vela is the President and Founder of The Vela Group and a former Sr. Advisor to the White House.  He joins the solid speaker lineup for the FUEL Leadership Conference on May 12th in London, ON.

It's All About Perspective 

"Learning to Triumph through Adversity and Uncover Opportunity"

Working in the White House for two terms has given Moe Vela a unique perspective in learning how to face intense pressure, never ending deadlines, conflicting personalities and opinions, all the while working to get the job done with success! 

Learning to lead effectively can only be fine tuned by allowing yourself to experience those trials and triumphs first hand. Moe will take you through his journey of gaining perspective as he made American history and changed the trajectory of his career.

www.fuelleadership.ca

SHINE YOUR BRILLIANCE

What would it take you to have the confidence to be bold and assertive with a new idea?  It may be something that noone is keen on but you know without a doubt it will bring about positive change?  Could you do it?  

Maybe it is sitting in a classroom or a training session and not being shy about answering or asking questions.    In general the average person doesn't ask enough questions. What would it look like if you challenged yourself to be more inquisitive about life, asking questions to learn and grow with new knowledge. To force yourself to spend time with people to learn about them and to let them learn about you.

What if you could take your positive outlook on life, share your exuberance and dreams for the future and, without worrying about anyone else, start courageously going for it!  Racing for the dream and working hard to get there.  I know a lot of entrepreneurs who have that passion and a great number of leaders who wished they had the courage to take a leap of faith.

You will never know until you try and the willingness to try is 90% of the battle. 

Give it a go!  
Standing out from the crowd, isn't so bad.

WALKING ON THE EDGE

There are times in life when the road feels like it is too long and too difficult to bear.  Be encouaged as this is where resiliency is born. This is where persistence matters and even in those moments of uncertainly and trepidation, you just instinctively know keep going.(kicking and screaming sometimes, but you keep going)

Perspective changes everything. It really does.  One person may feel like she is walking the edge of the most serious situation and another might view it as a thrilling adventure that gets the heart pumping, passion ignited and focus pointed to the outcome.

Consider asking yourself if there is another way you could view your situation right now.  Instead of feeling your situation with negativity, change the way you speak about it to positive and affirming word to a more positive approach; reminding yourself that his temporary joinery is worth it as you are a successful person already who will be wiser and stronger at the end of it.

BIGGER THAN YOU IMAGINED

Oh the joys of taking risks.  Often times it just lends itself to high stress and a lack of confidence, second guessing whether or not to jump in and go for it.  

Remember the last time you took a risk in your life.  How did you feel once you did it?  I am sure you felt like you conquered or at least learned a valuable lesson in the process. 

The only way we grow is to experience life.   It is through those experiences of life that we grow through the people we meet, the challenges that face us and the successes and failures we go through.

Risk is about stretching your potential and no matter what the outcome you can always count on the fact that you will be changed from it.

Thoughts to ponder....

Check out my blog @speakerpaulamorand.blogspot.ca
or www.paulamorand.com 

THE CRAZIEST OF IDEAS

Have you ever had those ideas that just seem outrageous?  

I am sure there are a few on everyone's bucket list.  One thing I have learned is to have the courage to go after those crazy ideas.   It is in those experiences that some of the most memorable memories are formed and of course, the best stories will be told.

Learning to live life with more exuberance builds your vitality and keeps youthfulness alive.   Amidst the trials of life and the day to day routines, challenge yourself to do something out of the ordinary.

It just might give you the breath of fresh air and renewal that you are looking for.

Check out my other blog posts @speakerpaulamorand.blogspot.ca or www.paulamorand.com

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

It is amazing how quickly a little bit of self loathing can disrupt even the most confident of people.  Learning the importance of self worth and believing you are capable is by far the most important gift you can ever give yourself.  

Take time to think, speak and listen to positive self talk. Remind yourself constantly that you are worthy of great things and are beautifully and wonderfully made.   One of the best qualities a good leader shows is the ability to stand tall and show confidence.  If you don't always feel it, keep pushing through until you see the amazing person that others see in you.

DECLARE YOURSELF A WINNER

I have been writing a lot about perspective and attitude the last while.   Developing personal leadership capabilities that are enduring even in the midst of struggle can become the best coping mechanism you can have.   Learning to embrace yourself amidst failures and defeats and still stand tall and know that you are pursuing life with excellence.  There are definite times in life when you win some and many times when you lose some as well.

By adjusting your attitude and envisioning that you are a winner at life (even though you may not feel it right now) will help catapult you to a more positive place.

Surround yourself with positive supporting people and do the same for others when they need you as well. There is nothing more comforting to have the confidence that you are doing the best that you can. 

ALL THE ANSWERS YOU NEED ARE WITHIN YOU.

There have been many times that I had wished I had trusted my gut instinct on something.  I knew it wasn't a good decision to do something yet I went ahead anyway and immediately regretted it. Ever have one of those times?

Intuition is about listening to yourself.  Intuition is the ability to understand something immediately without the need for conscious reasoning.  I also believe that if I focus on my intuition about situations and decisions I make and also trust that God is with me to help me make those decisions than it usually ends up being the best direction.

Many times we doubt our ability to know what is best for our life.  Maybe it's time to start being quiet. Listen to your innermost thoughts and feelings and when you feel peace you may just have the decision you are looking for.

TODAY IS A NEW DAY

The beauty of a new day is that you get a do-over.   You get an opportunity to see the day more positively, to treat people more kindly, to pick yourself up and give it another try.  I agree that life can sure be challenging sometimes however it is exactly the living of our life that builds our character. They refine our character, they build a grateful heart, they push us to limits that we never knew we could handle or overcome.  Life is exactly what it is supposed to be...a journey.

Live this part of your journey today with focus and appreciation of how far you have come and to celebrate the uncertainty of where you are going.  The more you are focused on truly living today, the more today will show you it's awe, wonder and possibilities.

THE HOT SEAT

There are many times in life where you feel almost exposed. Like being on centre stage with the spotlights on you.   It could be a job interview, pitching a great business idea or for investment, selling yourself for school, being interviewed for the media or just plain having to speak in public.  Those moments that make you uncomfortable but at the same time when it is done you were a little energized because of the experience.

The next time you feel you are in the proverbial "hot seat", embrace the moment to show what you can do!  Opportunities come from the most interesting of places at times and maybe, just maybe this is your time!

A NEW CHAPTER

Life gives us many wonderful gifts.  One of which is called change.

The one thing I have learned from living my life thus far is that learning is constantly happening and the ability to change is up to me and how I choose to live.  It doesn't matter what age you are or what you have or haven't accomplished in your life so far.

What does matter is that you understand that you have the opportunity to include a new chapter in your journey.  You just have to make the decision and lead from there.

Leadership is not just for business. Leadership is about YOU and the confidence to make decisions and look for to possbilities to thrive!

This could be your best chapter yet!

ALWAYS BE A FOUNTAIN OF GOODNESS

When people think of you, what would they say?

Would you rather be known as someone who was kind, compassionate and did for others as you would want others to do for you?  Or, will they say that you are self serving and treat others poorly and with disrespect?

The most effective way to lead is with clarity of purpose. One of the things that is essential to understand, is that when you shower people with your goodness, meaning heart, skills, talents, attitude etc.., you make a difference! The choice is up to you but the last effect can be long felt after you are gone.

Does that mean you have to be a push over and perceived as weak?  Not at all.
It does mean however, that you think first before reacting and choose to do what is right and just for all.

Photo Credit: Victoria Craig

THE PROBLEMS BEHIND YOU

Are you the type of person who instead of tackling problems as they occur, tend to run away and ignore the situation at hand?  What usually happens is that it starts to amount to something bigger than what it actually was and overtime becomes more challenging to deal with.

Becoming more disciplined and confident in your capacity to deal with conflict, decision making and leadership will slowly enable you to deal with issues in a more seamless and capable way. It takes practice, doesn't often feel good at the time but the relief in having tackled something that is bothering you, far outweighs the pain of having to deal with it when it catches up to you.

Breathe, look at the situation (aside from your emotions) and weigh the impact and outcomes of how you could potentially deal with the problems at hand.  Seek the support of a mentor, colleague, trusted friend or professional if you need a helping hand. Not asking for help is often the problem!

IN THE MIDST OF ADVERSITY

Sometimes feel like the little guy in a great big ocean?

Feeling lost or 'at risk' of being hurt is a scary place to be in.  In the midst of adversity try to remember that there is another way to view it.   You see, in the midst of challenges there are also adventures to be had.

In the movie Finding Nemo, Marlin, Nemo's Father was panicked and grief stricken trying to find his son. Through his journey, he made loyal friends, faced his fears and became braver than he would have ever imagined. He also inspired hundreds along the way with his unwavering faith that he would find his son.

What does unwavering faith look like?

Maybe it just means that you keep trying or as Marlin's friend Dorey says, "Just keep swimming".

ASK FOR HELP

I don't know where we were taught to go it alone, believing that we should know everything and it would be embarrassing to admit otherwise. Guess what?  A lot of people live with that same message.

If you don't know the answer to something, then ask for help!
If you need something, ask for help?
If you are in trouble, ask for help!
Don't be stubborn. Just do it.

And guess what?  The majority of people out there. loved being valued enough to be asked and will most likely give you a helping hand.

Many times our assumptions can get the better of us. We assume that noone will want to help us share ideas for business, to help write that cover letter or fix up a resume or be a listening ear to talk about life's problems. Whatever it might be, you are wrong.

It takes confidence and courage to ask because being the receiver is often much much harder than being the giver.

You're worth it!

DON'T JUST BE ORDINARY

It is so hard to stand out from the crowd.   It's a weird feeling of being proud of succeeded or leading something but at the same time feeling vulnerable to scrutiny and judgement.  There are so many incredible people I have met thus far in my journey of life.  From skills, to experiences to just plain life wisdom or those with resiliency and the ability to overcome situations that seem so daunting an unimaginable to others. I am constantly in awe of the really interesting people that I meet.  So much more than myself I must say.  

I love being able to see the extraordinary in people.

Do you have people around you that see how extraordinary you are?  You should.  It may not even be viewed as extraordinary in your mind but to others they see it differently.  We just need to believe it...and well that is often the hardest part of journey.

WHAT TO DO NEXT

It's so easy to slide into the realm of regret isn't it?  

Thinking of what went wrong and internalizing it so much that it holds you hostage in the place of regret, bitterness, failure and despair. The only way through a situation like this is to simply make the decision to move forward.  To let go of whatever punishment you feel you need to give yourself and make the decision to do life better going forward.

What to do next?  Well, it starts with seeing what is possible, ask a lot of questions and start making decisions.  Even if you aren't totally sure, start in a place of doing things that builds your confidence, joy and hope.  Hope always wins in the end.

GO AFTER IT

When I was a teenager one of the most profound messages I had heard was a visiting speaker named Mark Sharenbroich who came to my high school.  His whole message was about "These are the best days of your life so far.. so make them count."

Now, over 30 years later, that message still resonates with me, and not that high school was the best days of my life....(although I did love my high school years).  It resonates because, right now, the present are the best years. Right here, right now, where I am. No matter the situation, this day has the potential to be a part of the best years of my life.

 I often ask myself "What can I do not to waste this precious time given to me?"

The answer is to always check in to your heart.  Dream big, feel more and follow your heart as it always knows the way.