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.

YOU NEVER KNOW HOW FAR YOU CAN GO UNLESS YOU TRY

Courage is born out of the deep desire and willingness to experience some sort of pain or discomfort to get there.  Are you wanting to move yourself to somewhere bigger?  Some perceived or literal huge step from where you are right now.

The reality is, it is often a combination of:
a) a leap of faith and;
b) a plan to take that leap.  

"There once was a young woman who was faced with losing her job.  In the midst of uncertainty and confusion she decided to start asking questions to see if she could solve the problem.   One option was to look for new work or the other option was to create new work.  Entrepreneurship was a term she never heard of but the biggest hurdle was believing she could try.  With one step at a time, she looked back over those six months of transition with amazement. For it is not in the day to day living of your big dream but in the willingness to try to move a little bit closer to your end goal. Within one year she not only was the overcomer of being unemployed but affected a whole community with a new way of helping people move beyond barriers and it started with her."

What are you willing to try today?  

Thoughts to ponder...

Check out Paula's other blogs at speakerpaulamorand.blogspot.ca or on Twitter @paulamorand

THE BEST THING YOU CAN DO

One of the biggest complaints in this era is the lack of focus that people give one another.  With so many distractions that pull us from actually focusing on the person in front of us who is wanting to spend time with you.

I am guilty of it as well.   Many times I have been asked a question by my team and even my family, only to be in the middle of writing and email or in the middle of texting.   Yes, guilty as charged.  I recognized it and started making changes, working on mono tasking so that I was giving any one thing my full attention. That certainly works in the right situation.

Really, I think it comes down to respect, intuition and making people a priority. As leaders there are many times where we aren't approached to solve the world's problems but rather we are respected enough that someone just wants to have a conversation, be mentored or share something of importance.

Ask yourself if you are missing moments that you shouldn't be?  Listening can bring about more change, impact and results that you may think. Give it a try and see how the relationships around you start to transform with the attention that you give it.

Thoughts to ponder.

Check out paulamorand.com for more insights or on Twitter @paulamorand.com

MOMENTS

It is so apparent to me that as I get older and think of the many people who I have had to say goodbye to either from moving or from loss.  Most recently after having to say goodbye to my Father who lost his battle with cancer, I realized just how precious our time is. More importantly how precious the gift we can give to others with our time, attention an caring.  

I don't want to be one of those people to take a selfie with someone and that is the extent of my experience.  I want to be one of those people who knows other's hearts, their dreams and their fears.  I want to have relationships with others that are rich and fulfilling and mean something. So that, when I am faced with the idea of saying goodbye, I have a heart that is filled to the brim with moments that I can recall with smiles, tears and joy.  Those are the moments that I seek. What about you?

Thoughts to ponder...

Check out my other blog posts at speakerpaulamorand.blogspot.ca or on twitter @paulamorand.

FAN THE WIND

Serving others is a gift that is waiting for you to discover.

Growing your leadership abilities is most effective when you understand that being of service to others in a positive way is both a necessity and a privilege.  So often we forget that managing and leading others is actually about them and not about our title or our position.

Want to change the tide of the relationships in your life?

Try helping others for a change and watch the exciting wave of positivity that will start to happen. It might be small at first but with consistency and focus it will grow.  No doubt about it!

Photo credit:  Victoria Craig

THE VIEW AT THE TOP

I have been spending some time hiking and connecting with nature over the last few days.
Some of the terrain has been easy and at other times it has been uneven and challenging to climb.

Life is the same way isn't it?

I love when the path is easy and enjoyable but have come to understand that in order to arrive at the the best view, you have no other choice but to do the work and make the climb to get there.

Most times it is well worth the effort as the view can take your breath away.

Awe and wonder always win out over mundane and easy. 

WILLING TO TRY

In the world of work there are often frustrations with schedule, pay, co-workers or even finding the right employment. If you are an entrepreneur it is always about generating more revenue, finding great team and making the right decisions and the right connections.

If you want to thrive at what you do, then it comes down to your willingness to try.   If external issues are getting in the way, then find another way.

My whole career has been about helping people move beyond barriers and find a straighter path. I have seen thousands of success stories. Those that have been really at their perceived rock bottom and then some time later their confidence is high, they are happy and they are thriving!

Why?  It all comes down to the fact that they didn't give up, they continued to try and they finally realized their efforts mattered and paid off.

THE WINNING COMBINATION

You know those times in life when nothing seems to be coming together?

Then, all of a sudden, one day you find yourself in the midst of breakthrough and it all seems to come into alignment.

Hold fast to that thought and know that every step you make either allows you to move into right place or it gives you the opportunity to try another move. 

FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS... THEY KNOW THE WAY

Dreaming is important. It really is.  It lights the passion in your belly and hope in your soul.  It fosters creativity and problem solving and it always looks to find solutions.

Dreaming helps to keep steering you in the right direction as to how you want to live your life.

Never underestimate the power of your dreams and, even if you don't have it all figured out, take a moment and enjoy the ride... and the view!

OPEN THE DOOR

There are many lessons I have learned in life so far.  One of them is to stop whining about what you don't have but rather start opening doors to what you do want to have.   This was really illustrated to me a number of years ago in watching a very outgoing 21 year old, open the most amazing doors of opportunity, just by being resilient, tenacious and optimistic about what he wanted.

The fact is, it is simple. If you want better health, open that door and get going.  If you want more business, find those doors of opportunity. If you want a career change, the same goes for you.

Will it take time, energy, focus, determination, grit and persistence? You bet!

For anything worth having is worth working for.

THE BEST WAY

It always makes me feel more confident when I have a terrific pair of shoes to stand tall in.
What is even better though is to have the confidence and courage to walk in them without fear of falling or slipping.  It's a great analogy to relate to our life's dreams.

What is stopping you from being confident about pursuing the path you know you really want to take?  What would it feel like to envision yourself walking in the perfect pair of shoes toward your perfect outcome.  That dream job, that perfect holiday or that wishful thinking that always reminds you of what it would be like to be an entrepreneur.

Who said the road has to be paved with challenges and suffering?

Maybe the road is paved with all things glitter and gold and all you have to do to see it is to adjust your attitude, your perceptions or your actions.

Something to ponder...

TESTIMONIAL - "WHEN THE CANDLE BURNS BRIGHT"

A few years ago, I had the extreme pleasure of working with a corporate professional from Canada's west coast.  During our coaching sessions, a transformation of confidence and clarity of vision directly impacted and exponentially changed the outlook of this focused and assertive woman.

Here is her letter:

Paula,
Life is great, well now anyway.   Upon completion of our year working together, I became much more conscious in how I am in control of my life.   I bravely grabbed ahold of the reigns and finally made some much needed decisions that start a ripple effect of so many WONDERFUL things that I was dreaming would happen.  We have spoken so many times of how our perception of our current situation can have such a firm grip, literally holding us back from the potential that we could be living. I am forever grateful for the nudges and the swift kick once in a while too!   

I can see how you completely and totally moved me through and out of a period of not trusting my own instinct and leadership capabilities to where I am today. I am so thrilled to say that although challenging many times, I feel as though I have finally found my groove once again ... but even better.  I feel as though I am leading much more effectively while honouring my vision, passion and goals for where I want to go and how I am going to get there.  My career feels brand new with a breath of fresh air again.  

Thanks for helping me to light the candle again. It's burning bright!

THE BIGGEST DRIVER OF CHANGE

Do you realize that you have the power to influence, to lead and to encourage change?

Managing change whether as an individual or as an organization can often be disruptive, chaotic and spur disengagement and yes, negativity.

To create an environment of what I call "dynamic transformation", there are a few core things that will help you navigate in an easier fashion.

1. Create Ownership - You want change?  Well the best and fastest way to drive it is to own the decision and the plan that change must happen... and that YOU will be playing at part in that process.

2. Communication is Key - Clearly understand the journey as you see it and communicate with other parties so that all are on the same page as you move through the transition.  If it is just you, then give yourself some grace and know that fear and uncertainty go with the territory but that excitement elicits the same emotions so try and move through it in a positive manner.

3. Celebrate Milestones - Learning to celebrate the small wins and milestones along the way will absolutely change the trajectory of how you manage and embrace change in the future.  Instead of focusing on what hasn't happened yet, how about focusing on what has.

NEVER PASS UP AN OPPORTUNITY

Sometimes a little time out does a body and mind good.  Take the opportunity to find moments that are peaceful, awe inspiring and quiet.  The best "time out's" in life may be the ones you find in the most unexpected of places.

Who said "time out" was a bad thing anyway.  Allowing yourself some rest may be just the thing that revitalizes and brings renewed energy.

WHEN ITS TIME TO WALK AROUND

Are you the type of person who always seems to get themselves into the same type of situation, over and over again?   It might be relationships woes, financial burdens, disappointing work environment, poor decision making and the list goes on.

Instead of falling into the same hole time and time again, maybe you need to figure out another way. Learning to pivot and move beyond barriers instead of creating new ones is a great goal to work towards.

What hole are you heading toward that you need to be careful not to fall in?  Stop.
Get your bearings and maybe take a step back or find a new path.

WHEN LIFE GETS COMPLICATED

When I was a kid I loved Lego.  When my kids were kids they also loved lego.  What is it about Lego that you can spend hours upon hours of time playing with it?

Well, it is simple to use, the pieces fit together any way you want, and you can build a myriad of ideas.

I was thinking about how complicated life can get at times versus the contented feeling of playing lego as a child.  What if, in times of overwhelm and stress, we had a plan to return to that feeling of contentment by drawing close to those things that remind us of simpler times.

If you are challenged right now, reflect on what you do well. What comes easy and brings you peace and return to there, even if for a time.  There is something about rebuilding, recuperating, readjusting and rewarding yourself with things that are familiar and bring comfort.

LEARNING TO RECEIVE

Did you know that the average person is not good at receiving?

We are really good givers for the most part but many people have great difficulty in being the receiver of good things. blessings or gifts that are bestowed on them.

Today is Good Friday.  A day I observe as the ultimate sacrifice and gift of love.   It is a reminder to me to take time to reflect, be quiet and gift thanks for those things in my life that I may neglect and not give enough attention to.

It is also a reminder to me that my spiritual walk is so important, and if grounded in my faith and my beliefs, I can hold firm and steadfast through the more challenging moments that life brings.

Finally, it is a reminder that in having a solid foundation and a strong belief and in taking the time to be still and to learn to trust, that I will receive more than I could ever imagine.  No, it is not always about money but receiving more peace, contentment, joy, focus, clarity, purpose...well, in my opinion, those are priceless.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him, shall not perish but have everlasting life.

Thankful for love, caring and a deep knowing of the Father's love today.

FEATURED SPEAKER: DAVE LA THANGUE

Dave La Thangue to be Speaker at MoMondays London         
May 12th, Aroma Mediterranean Restaurant at 717 Richmond St.

A Bit About Our Speaker:
Dave La Thangue is an Award Winning Tom Jones Impersonator.  He is the recipient of the prestigious 2012 CIC Las Vegas Award for Best Male Entertainer.  When not performing, Dave teaches stage performance and communication skills to speakers and corporate clients. Working at the front of the stage is a very cool existence, but his passion is playing bass at the back of the stage.

Dave's story is entitled "The Bass Lines of Life"and highlights his career as a Tom Jones impersonator and his passion for playing the bass.

You meet the nicest people at MoMondays!

For Tickets:  www.momondays.com/london

WHEN THE JOURNEY SEEMS DARK

You know you are on the path of optimism and hope when you can find a glimpse of happiness even in the midst of a seemingly dark time.

Never stop seeking those things that lift your heart and soul. The things that light a smile and bring about a sense of contentment and peace.

In a day and age where life moves so fast, it really is the moments that we can capture (whenever we can capture them) that count.

WHY ARE YOU IN THE SHADOWS?

Are you just waiting for the day that you get your chance to shine?

Do you just keep waiting in the wings?  Waiting for the curtain to open and to be able to walk centre stage and take your moment?  A defining moment for me happened years ago when a friend of mine was bold enough to ask me if I was ready to take centre stage of my life.

WOW!  For some reason the timing of that and the challenge that went with it, had me thinking and reflecting for weeks.   During this period, I realized all of the dreams I had were in fact possible but it was my own shyness and insecurities that were holding me back and nothing else.

So.. I decided to step out of my own self built shadows and find the thing that makes me shine and take centre stage of my life.  Since that time, I have no trouble taking risks and scouting out opportunities to learn, grow and make a difference.  I have had wins and losses along the way but I know that I will never stop trying to find the light and live fully.