Posts Tagged "inspired action"

What Matters Most – God and Focus

Posted by LisaYoung in Big Ideas, Faith |

I heart Seth Godin.

The guy’s not only a genius at dissecting the social creature – as demonstrated by his numerous books – he’s also not afraid to share that knowledge with the world in ways that don’t necessarily bring a monetary return.

That’s fancy speak for saying he gives away free stuff that’s high quality.

One of his latest projects is sort of a crowdsourced e-book called “What Matters Most”. In it, dozens of authors speakers and friends of influence have contributed short, one-page ideas that just might shake up your snowglobe. It’s free. You can (and should) take hold of this book and read it as if your life depended on it (because it might).

Focused Intensity over Time, multiplied by God equals Unstoppable Momentum

First, in a “big business” book, it’s always refreshing to see a reference, acknowledgement or other acceptance of God as a catalyst in the world. I admit that I’ve not been familiar with Ramsey’s work, and as a former financial advisor, tended to shy away from his work because of all kinds of wrong thinking on my part. This formula changes everything.

Second, this formula works regardless of your religious/spiritual beliefs. If we subsitute numbers for God, they can be any number you choose to believe. It doesn’t matter if you beleive in God or not. God only multiples your efforts. For you, God can be a zero, and you get nothing. Or he can be ’1′ and there’s no multiplication. It’s just you, doing what you can, over time.

Or you can choose to make God truly infinite – which gives you what Ramsey calls “Unstoppable Momentum”. Ultimately it’s your choice that determines the outcome. I LOVE that.

Third, Ramsey acknowledges the need for intense focus. That means one thing. You can’t wear 80 gajillion hats all the time. You need to focus on one thing in any given moment. It’s been a process for me, and I’m leading a group of business women right now through a process of self-study to help themselves gain more clarity and hone their focus on the important things in their lives. Each of them is shaking off old ideas, prioritizing the REALLY important things (instead of what they think they “should” do), and taking action in the moment to improve their lives and their results. I plan to share the full-blown project with the world next year, but the discoveries we’ve been making have litterally shifted my whole way of thinking about the need for focus.

In your life, and in your business, what are you choosing? I’m not so much talking about your faith, although that could be a big factor in your success. I’m talking about what choices are you making about what matters most to you. If you want momentum, Ramsey suggests you need focused intensity over a period of time. How much time are you focusing on what really matters? How much time are you devoting to that area of focus? If your results aren’t what you expected why? What could you do differently? Is it a matter of time or a matter of focus, or something else entirely?

Understanding those ideas will help move you forward in a way that you may never have dreamed before.

Meekess: I’m NOT a Doormat

Posted by LisaYoung in Big Ideas, Faith |

Most women think meekness = weakness. In my recent study of Emmet Fox’s book, Sermon on the Mount, there’s a new definition of meekness, or rather, an old one. Depending on which library you go to, Emmet Fox’s “Sermon on the Mount” can be found in the “bible study” section or the “new age” section. His explorations of scripture are pivotal works and can be found in use in groups like AA.

Sometimes we don't know it all. There's nothing wrong with learning new things.

But that’s a topic for another day.

Today, I’m soaking in the concept of ‘meekness’. I am not, by definition, a doormat. Most of my life I’ve been a big girl, and now I’ve got bold blonde hair to boot. Blending in is decidedly NOT my thing. I’m pretty brazen, blunt and a bit “out there” for the world to see. I kind of live my life as if I’m an open book. Not everybody’s cup of tea, but it works for me.

Enter Emmet’s commentary on meekness. He says that the ‘modern’ definition of meekness is not at all what was originally intended in the well-known ‘beatitudes’. So many people see itas something they could never aspire to, and write it off as ‘one more sin’ of which they’ll need to be forgiven.

Fox maintains that in reality, meekness is nothing more or less than the idea Socrates shared: “All that I know is that I know nothing.” It’s the ability to recognize that we are not the be all, the end all, or even a fraction of what we think we are.

It doesn’t mean to be quiet and lowly, as most of us imagine it today. In fact, it sort of means being open to trying new experiences, in a quest to learn more because you recognize the value of learning from everything around you.

It never made sense to me how someone “meek” could inherit the earth. Meekness is seen as weakness in our culture – at least by the popular definition of meekness.

This new examination gave me courage to recognize the meekness in myself. I’ve always been a bit on the loud side, and frankly, I don’t want to change that part of my persona. I also consider myself to be one of those “absorbent sponges” when it comes to learning. I’m always open to learn something new, try a new experience, or see things from a new perspective. It is my belief that the opennes I have is one of the keys to my ability to brainstorm so effectively. I can make connections where others can see none. Helping people see new perspectives and ideas really fires me up – because I can see THEIR brains working overtime, too, as they make new realizations in their own world.

Let’s give meekness a new definition – or rather, let’s give meekness the OLD definition again. Open yourself to new experiences, new possibilities. As Jeffrey Gitomer would say, resign your position as the ruler of the universe. Recognize that for all that you know, it is only a fraction of the vastness of knowledge that the world contains – and even THAT is potentially a fraction of all knowledge.

And when you look at it that way, meekness doesn’t seem so unreasonable after all.

Be An Inspiration By Being Yourself

Posted by LisaYoung in Big Ideas, Faith |

Even your bad hair day can inspire others

The secret?

It’s what your momma told you all those years ago: be yourself.

And the interesting thing I *finally* realized in reading that post is that being yourself is inspiring to others.

Check it out. EPW doesn’t list multi-million dollar successes. In fact, she counts among her major accomplishments of 2009 several items that many might call “failures”. She made tough decisions, faced unprofitability, ended a marriage and more – all with a pre-schooler under foot.

And countless commenters said “You’re an inspiration” or some other form of “you inspire me”.

And it struck me – in that very moment – that the world needs us to be ourselves:

* To stop the conforming
* To focus on what matters most to us
* To find our own sense of balance
* To flip the bird to all our naysayers
* To feel fear and know it’s normal – even if we don’t always “do it anyway”
* To embrace who we are – warts and all
* To stop freaking out if our houses aren’t perfectly neat and tidy (okay, that’s just for me, but you get the idea)

…or as EPW would say to “Live Your Truth”.

I’ve watched from sort of a corner as EPW has transtioned from a stiff, corporate feeling (and looking) financially savvy businesswoman to a flowing, charming, fun and VULNERABLE businessmom who knows her stuff and knows she’s still got much to learn in her time on this meager rock we call Earth – and she’s diggin’ the ride.

She’s blazing a trail and being the ‘voice in the wilderness’ for many people. And she’s being herself. I told her that post would be the post that rocked the world, started trends, and shook up a lot of snowglobes for 2010 (and beyond).

So I put it to you… what are YOU doing to be yourself? To embrace the things that make you tick and tick you off? This isn’t so much about creating an online persona or sketching the perosn you’d like to become, but more about how being the person you are – in this moment – can benefit the world around you.

For me, this is what being a Renaissance Mom is all about: not apologizing for being successful or wanting to be successful, defining that success on terms that are personal to me, and still being proud of the fact that I’m a mom – warts and all.

You don’t have to be perfect to inspire. In fact, the only truly perfect person that inspired others was Jesus – and look what that got him. I don’t mean to be sacreligious – especially on Christmas Eve – I do mean that it’s easier for people to relate to you and not persecute you when they know you’ve got problems, you’re vulnerable, you’re real.

It’s why we condemn seemingly perfect celebrities for fooling around, when others, who have revealed their vulnerabilities publicly are quickly forgiven.

We recognize that we’re all human. People that put up a front of perfection are bound to have that facade crumble at some point.

So embrace who you are. Love yourself, warts and all, and don’t be afrid to inspire others by being yourself.

… And Merry Christmas.

The Big 1-3!

Posted by LisaYoung in Family | 18 comments

Well, sort of.

My husband is putting our baby to sleep, as he often does to give me a few moments peace.  My oldest is kindly getting ready for bed. It’s that lull at our home that, in my opinion,  doesn’t come often enough.

But this is really jsut the calm before the storm.

You see, yesterday we finalized the plans for a whole new chapter in our life as a family. And tomorrow, my oldest turns 13.

The big 1-3. A teenager.

He would say “FINALLY!”  I am a little more reluctant, and perhaps feeling a bit of melancholy abot the whole thing.

See, he started life as “an accident”. I was single, but not unattached. It was what I still call “my young and stupid days”, and I had no intention of becoming a single mom. And I began the mom journey with a LOT of resentment.

Don’t get me wrong – I have always loved my child. I spent most of his early years second guessing myself and my parenting skills all the time.

So now that I’m older, more experienced and able to appreciate what a greeat kid he’s become, I have to get ready to say goodbye.

Not just to him being a kid, but to him.

The bulk of this story will be chronicled on a special blog I’m keeping over at Working Mother’s MomBlog, but I wanted to make sure I at least introduced it and made periodic mention of it here.

You see, during his “growing up” process, my oldest has been diagnosed with several serious mental health issues. ODD and ADHD are just the tip of the iceberg. His emotional instability has led him into violent and destructve behavior that has given us what I think is more than our fair share of visits from Child Protective Services, the local police and countless therapists, social workers, dotors and hospitals.

Tired of the medical and governmental run-around, which essentially only made matters worse, we’ve taken matters into God’s hands and found a residential program designd specifically for boys just like my son. The average length of stay is approximately 18 months.

It’s called into question nearly everything I’ve ever believed about being a mother, a business owner, a wife and even some of my ideas bout faith. I’ve wondered if I’m doing the right thing, if I’m being a bad mother, and if I’ve really tried everything I know how to do.

And in the midst of all this second-guessing, he’s turning the big 1-3 tomorrow.

AndI couldn’t be more anxious and happy and nervous and excited and overwhelmed and grief-stricken and faith-filled and concerned and joyous and relieved at the same time.

It means many changes for my business, my brand, my family, and most importantly, my son.

Which is a big reason why The Renaissance Mom was born. Because I’m finally ready to embrace my mommy-ness, I guess. And because it isn’t easy. And because I wanted a place where it was *safe* (at least as safe as you can expect it to be online and in business) to share our story.

Forest (that’s his name) and I will both be documenting our experiences with his residency, which we hope will culminate in a book for release upon his graduation from the program. As I said, the bulk of the story will be told at the Working Mother site, but you’ll be able to find the highlights here as well.

This is a big, very public step in what is also a very private matter. Normally, I wouldn’t reveal such private details, but my son and I have agreed that this journey holds an important message for other families dealing with situations similar in nature. If we can offer even a bit of help/hope for others, it is part of our duty to extend that help.

So in the morning, when I rise, wipe the sleep out of my eyes, I’ll be heading to the local DQ to pick up the icecream cake – the last birthday cake I’ll share with my son for at least two years, possibly more.

I’m sure this can and will alienate a few people, moms, etc. I welcome your thoughts, feedback, and of course, your prayers.

But please leave the “old lady” jokes at home.

Choice Vs. Action: Which Frog Are You?

Posted by LisaYoung in Faith |

I was looking at posts from my other blog, and decided that this one needed to be here, too.

*Begin post*

I’m sure you’ve heard the story of the two frogs that are sitting on a lily pad.

No? Let me recount it for you:

There are two frogs (let’s call ‘em Joe and Spike) sitting on a lily pad. Spike jumps into the pond and starts to swim away to another, greener, fresher, more satisfying lily pad on the other side of the pond.

A few minutes later, Joe decides to jump in and go for a swim, too.

Question: How many frogs are sitting on the first lily pad?
Answer: Only Joe. He only DECIDED to jump. He didn’t actually do it.

So here’s my question to you: Which frog are you? Spike, the frog of decisive action, or Joe, the frog who is quite comfortable where he’s at.

Oh, I hear you thinking – but he DID make a decision, didn’t he? I mean Joe’s a good frog, works all day, comes home to his wife and tadpoles and puts in an appearance at “the local” every now and then. He’s sure to be moving up in this world. He’s destined for greener lily pads, right?

Um.. not so much.

Tony Robbins, that “personal power” guru says in his book “Awaken the Giant Within” that “it’s in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.” It’s right there on page 40 if you don’t believe me.

But he’s only partially right.

Listen to me! Contradicting one of the world’s foremost authorities on increasing your personal power, and becoming all you’ve ever wanted to be in life.

But he’s only PARTIALLY right.

It’s not just your decisions. It’s the actions you take based on those decisions that shape your “destiny”.

You know, actions speak louder than words, right? And a picture is worth 1000 words, so if you visualize your destiny and then ACT on it, you’ll be louder, bolder and more audacious than any 1000 word decision you’ll ever make.

Yeah, I’m stretching a bit there, but you get the idea.

So my final question to you is this: What decisions are you making? Are you trying to build your business? Create a happier homelife? Pay down debt? Lose 100 pounds (that’s one of mine)? Something entirely different?

All those decisions are well and good, but what are you DOING to activate those decisions?

Just something to think about.

Oh, by the way, thinking IS an action. So is deciding, for that matter. But it’s the physical actions that happen AFTER those actions that truly shape your life.

Now tell me again, which frog are you?