What Are You Putting Off Until Later?
Welcome to October’s newsletter. The theme this month was prompted by a newspaper article I read about two enterprising young women who definitely have not put anything off until later. I wanted to let you know about Dr. Gabriella Kortsch ‘s new book. There is also some news about my friend, John Donald’s offering and an interesting seminar for anyone interested in becoming a social entrepreneur. And as always – some fun and inspirational things – enjoy!
There was a great headline in the Evening Standard a couple of weeks ago “101 things to do before we die, just one to go and we’re not even 30”. It caught my eye – in the newspaper of the person sitting next to me on the tube and I was very happy that as she left, she left behind the newspaper so I could get a good read!
These two friends had made a list of challenges they promised each other to achieve over a lifetime. And in the doing of them they got so inspired that they have done them all except one. This list included joining football team, skydiving, going in a wind tunnel, training as a life guard, working on an organic bee farm, working on a conservation project, the list goes on and on. One of the most intriguing ones was saying yes to everything for a month – I wonder how that worked out!
As of one of the girls said “there is nothing worse than regret, Sam and I swore we would make the most out of every minute of our lives. Once we have completed this list, (only working at a lion park in South Africa left to do and they are out there now) we will start on our second 101 things to do”.
Couple of things stood out for me in this story. These girls were obviously passionate about living life to the full and nothing has stopped them. They are not rich, they work like you and me, and yet they have been creative enough to find the time and the finances to live their dreams. A lot of the time they managed to swap, barter or volunteer there way forward. They stayed focused on what they wanted to do and made it happen. And they didn’t let anyone tell them that it was not possible.
The other thing that stood out for me was that this list was for a lifetime and yet at 30 they have done it all. Once you get going on a project often the momentum helps move things along. As you achieve the milestones along the way you begin to believe that it is very possible to do what you want. That belief is a key ingredient in any goal. One of the things that we do in the Passion Test is to ask people to create markers – evidence that they are living their passions – so that as they actually live them they can tick off the passion in their minds. This reminds them that things that they had no idea how they were going to achieve are actually achievable. And more often than not earlier than they thought.
I’m sure that the two girls in the article did not know how they were going to achieve all the things on their list. They simply committed to doing it. And as they began to achieve more and more they came to see that this wasn’t going to take a lifetime, how inspiring must that have been?
Reading this made me ask myself, where am I putting of things till later? Things that I could be doing now? I found myself telling someone yesterday how my dream holiday was to go to Montana and do the cattle drive down to the winter pastures. Gotta look into that now:-)
How about you? What have you been putting off? What are you telling yourself is not possible? Now this may be work related - like going for that big opportunity even if it has come a little earlier than you wished for. Or it could be the holiday you have been promising yourself for the past ten years but never quite found the time. Make your list – but just like these two inspiring women, don’t wait. If they can do 101 things by the time they are 30, you’ve got no excuse!
What I also thought was significant was that they make a pact with each other. In other words they held each other accountable. That is very important when you want to create something in your life. It is also one of the roles of a coach. So if you'd like some support to work out what you’d like your list to hold, to let go of the belief that is stopping you and make sure you keep your own promises to yourself then
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or give me a call on +44 (0) 203 239 6155 and let’s have a chat about how we can get you ticking off the things on your list.
News and Offers
Thank you to everyone who joined us on the 17th for The Passion Test. We had a great morning with lots of insights and passion erupting all over the room! It was a lovely intimate group and as Joy said;
“Having reached saturation point with large attendance, high energy courses/workshops, I found The Passion Test with Jessica and Beatrice refreshing. The chosen venue was appropriate, central, light and airy and comfortable. The information was given with clarity, from the heart with delightful informality. I found it easy to participate fully and take on board the concept of The Passion Test. The workbook also gives me encouraging information to follow through.”
If you couldn’t join us for some reason but are interested in finding out more about the workshop or the one on one Passion Test
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or give me a call on +44 (0) 203 239 6155 now.
Dr Gabriella Kortsch has written a highly anticipated new book Rewiring The Soul: Finding The Possible Self that is now available globally in over 100 countries. This book can help you make the positive changes you want in your life — and Gabriella is so well respected by her peers —that myself and numerous other authors and experts are joining in to spread the word. It's that important!
If it's your wish to walk through this world with a heart filled with love – not only for others, but specifically for yourself, in the knowledge that love for yourself is the first step in attaining your own higher possibilities — this is your chance to learn EXACTLY how.
Now is the time to take the first step into a whole new you! Go here now to find out more.
And for all you Social Entrepreneurs (or wannabe ones) out there:
Join a US hedge fund manager, a top UK lawyer, an Indian entrepreneur, an Australian social enterprise CEO and 10+ other leaders to learn from some India's most inspiring social entrepreneurs in February 2012
Are you:
• Passionate about social entrepreneurship?
• Curious to discover more about India?
• Looking for space and fresh stimuli for personal growth?
The February 2012 social entrepreneurship journey is a once-in-a-lifetime experience designed to enable you and your organisation to create greater profit and positive impact in the world.
Join a select group of international leaders and get first-hand lessons from some of India’s most inspiring social entrepreneurs. The journey will take place from 3-11 February 2012 in Bangalore and Pondicherry.
Click here to find out more.
What you can take away from the experience:
• Practical insights on innovation, leadership and new business models to accelerate your career and your organisation’s growth
• Inspiration and space for personal growth and renewal
• New opportunities for international partnerships, through high-value relationships with senior leaders from a broad range of organisations across the world
• A unique view into India’s culture and a greater understanding of its role as an increasingly powerful global player
"The journey had a profound impact for our organisation. It helped re-focus our social investment strategy, moving from simply writing a check to more of a social venture capitalist approach." - Kelly Lauber, Global Director of Strategic Planning, Nike Corporate Responsibility
"Great value for money. The journey delivered more than promised and more than anticipated." - Biplab Das, Director, Credit Suisse
"There’s something inside us all that yearns to make a positive impact on the world around us. If you’re looking for a catalyst that will re-connect you with that bit of your soul, this is it!" - William Hoyle, Chief Executive, Charity Technology Trust
For the February journey click here
There are also just a few places left on the November 2011 journey
Join a senior pharmaceutical executive, a fund manager, an international award-winning social entrepreneur and 10+ other leaders on our November 2011 India Social Entrepreneurship journey taking place from 11-19 November in Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
Click for for the November details
And John Donald, a fellow Passion Test facilitator is offering a couple of retreats. One this weekend - if you were wondering what to do this weekend – here’s your answer:
The first in a very special series of retreats at Loudwater Farm, Rickmansworth, a multi faceted gem tucked away in a lovely countryside setting and surrounded by open meadows with the river Chess trickling through the grounds.
Upon arrival you will be greeted by friendly faces and picturesque surroundings. Leave your worries and stresses at the door. Take the opportunity to relax and let go of the outside world. Share a wild journey of discovery and transformation.
Skilled, funny and intuitive Psychology of Vision trainers John Donald and Avril Woodward will use the POV model and a wealth of experience from other disciplines to get the party started. They will help you to unlock and transcend emotions that are getting in the way of your success
You will learn how to live the life you really want with the groundbreaking model of Psychology of Vision, often called the ‘path of the heart’ a model of emotional intelligence that has helped people all over the world improve their lives, their relationships and their health by giving them an real understanding of themselves and others.
Click here to book and for information
And if you are reading this after the event contact John anyway to see when the next one is:-)
And John is also in Cologne on the 8th & 9th October with Say Yes to Life you can get more details of that here
Fun & Inspirational Stuff
Just love this story…
"As a bagpiper, I play many gigs. Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a graveside service for a homeless man. He had no family or friends, so the service was to be at a pauper's cemetery in the Kentucky back country.
As I was not familiar with the backwoods, I got lost and, being a typical man, I didn't stop for directions. I finally arrived an hour late and saw the funeral guy had evidently gone and the hearse was nowhere in sight. There were only the diggers and crew left and they were eating lunch.
I felt badly and apologized to the men for being late. I went to the side of the grave and looked down and the vault lid was already in place. I didn't know what else to do, so I started to play.
The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around. I played my heart and soul out for this man with no family and friends. I played like I've never played before for this homeless man.
And as I played ' Amazing Grace ,' the workers began to weep. They wept, I wept, we all wept together. When I finished I packed up my bagpipes and started for my car. Though my head hung low, my heart was full.
As I opened the door to my car, I heard one of the workers say, "I never seen nothin' like that before... and I've been putting in septic tanks for twenty years."
Apparently I'm still lost.... it's a man thing".
This is a get yourself a cuppa and have a sit down and watch – just beautiful
And this is just Hilarious