Be Tenacious! Ride the Trail of Life's Winds

Tough Times Never last, But Tough People Do!

Title of a book by Revered Robert H. Schuller

On a bike ride on top of a volcano in Maui, 2001

"Hold on!"

            As wild bicycle riders, my play gang during my youth and I would yell these words to each other as we circled the house—jumping ditches or mudholes, cruising over  rocks, knocking over playmates—or anything else in our way—peddling our ‘no speeds’ as hard as we could.  We were usually doubled up on the bike— one doing the leg work while standing— the other one perched on the seat, holding the other's waist, head, arms, or whatever provided the firmest grip. Occasionally, a third person would hop on, riding the handlebar or a rear wheel seat. Fierce and focused for big fun, we rode that limited but challenging route around the house on the bicycle, since we were not allowed to venture out into the road. Occasionally one of us would try to show off and take both hands off of the handlebars…and then everyone fell down. 

            I continued to enjoy biking and at one time lived close to an extensive and intermittently demanding trail in Alexandria VA. The trail’s proximity to the Potomac River brought beauty and peace to the ride for me. However, on windy days this location was particularly challenging. Headwinds coming off the river prevailed, slowing my ride and causing me to hold on tighter when I reached dangerous curves and downhills. I was concerned about falling because in spots the trail was further surrounded by miry marsh and rocky deep ditches. My helmet offered some protection and I shifted gears as necessary to negotiate the path. Those were not times or places for any tricks like riding with my hands off the handle bars. Paying attention to these moments, the call for me was to still ‘hold on’.

            The trails of life can yield weighty winds and stumbling stones, but being steadfast can help us to ride them out. ‘That which doesn’t kill us can make us stronger.’ Let’s maximize our motions. With our protections of faith, creativity and a firm foundation of focus— we can do it. 

            Another one of my favorite gospel songs tells me, ‘Just like a tree that's planted by the water, I shall not be moved.’

            Our talents provide a framework of protection for us to peddle hard on the journey.

Excerpted from my motivational autobiography, Navigating Life’s Roadways: Stories of Insight from My Odyssey and Inspiration for Your Journey in print and Kindle eBook http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008FQDPYE

Charge! Four Routes to Your Leadership and Life Purpose

There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why…I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?
Robert F. Kennedy

What centers and lights the way for you at your place of being in charge? How do you map your way through life?

Organizational mission statements and strategic plans are designed to provide this scope. In life, we may be faced with many battles. Going up our own rough side of the mountain, it’s important to know why we’re climbing. Is there a vision?

Many events in life are ordained, part of our purpose, and they may involve suffering before victory. Leaders need to be on point. Parents need to be focused. An outcome must be sought, dreams turned into reality. Both are sources for guidance and direction, all for achieving the objective.

For the military, no war is fought without a purpose and a plan. During battle, the purpose is to support and defend while staying alive, willing to sacrifice if necessary, proud to serve!

Cause and direction are essential. This scope is to be drilled down to the lowest level, orienting soldiers to the mission and how to take action. Trickling even further, soldiers are issued a compass as a tool to help them orient themselves to where they are and traverse the battlefield. GPS technology also supports this effort in current times. You can’t win without direction and battle orders.

            Driving was also another area that surfaced quite often in our family gatherings. With two uncles that were long haul truck drivers and another one who traversed the country for his military assignments, I too took on the messages from the open road.  Metaphorical and purposeful, driving offers insights geared to continuing the charge in leadership and life.

            There were four strategies I gleaned from him for the long haul:

 

1.      Define where you are going. So set the coordinates.

 

It starts with a vision.

. “Keep your eyes to the sky,” one of my uncles advised as I took on my first long distance road trip. “Read the directional signs and know the name of the next big location or city you’re headed to. Continue to check your map before you get on the road, and each time you stop for a break, familiarize yourself with your route. This will keep you from getting lost out there. You’ll be all right.”

I was—trip successful.

Lesson link. Put a plan in motion with relevant and actionable steps. Where do you want to go and how do you get there? Be very clear on your coordinates.

 

2.      Open all lanes for learning.

Mistakes, setbacks, and disappointments are inevitable. What will you do with that knowledge? Gridlock and resistance show up. We will have learning curves for him when it comes to earning buy-in from those we lead.

3. Don’t be afraid to change destination.

Steer on in spite of roadblocks and potholes such as the economy, a career shift, or lost resources. Find a new route. Use another skill to still be of service.

4. Crank your motivation motor constantly.

Be driven and self-motivated to remain on course. Keep the fuel ignited. Think about why you’re there as a leader. Do you have a passion for your deliverables? Is there a link to your life purpose? Does it afford the flexibility or income potential you seek?

Excerpted from my book, Hardcore Leadership: 11 Master Lessons from My Airborne Ranger Uncle’s “Final Jump”   http://www.amazon.com/dp/1479324760

 

 

Navigating! For Success in Life, Destress! Can You Find Serenity Square?

Navigating! For Success in Life, Career and Business Pursuits: Destress! Can You Find Serenity Square?:   A rope which is pulled for a long time, breaks. Kaonde proverb, Zambia                I’m a fan of the Shrek movies and ...

Destress! Can You Find Serenity Square?

 

A rope which is pulled for a long time, breaks.

Kaonde proverb, Zambia

 

            I’m a fan of the Shrek movies and have a few of them in my video library. In the first movie, my favorite scene is toward the end: Shrek is in trouble, held by guards in a castle under the direction of the aspiring King of Far-Far-Away with whom he’s embroiled in conflict over their mutual love interest, Fiona. Shrek’s friend Donkey bursts onto the scene through one of the castle’s elegant windows, riding a dragon (his new found love). He says, “All right, nobody move! I got a dragon here, and I'm not afraid to use it! I'm a donkey on the edge!”

             Donkey had been traversing the kingdom dealing with his friendship with an ogre and a mission he’d joined him on. They’d shared many trying moments.

            This rescue effort was the final strand!

             Sometimes we’ve just had it.

            There’s too much going on with work, family, community and the world. Maybe we’re trying to do it all, or experiencing anxiety over money, or wondering if our jobs will be there tomorrow— these issues can start to take a toll. Our tolerance level for all things wrong and crazy has hit a limit. 

            How do we stretch our 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?

            There’s no doubt that burnout is real. We’re tightened up and our ropes are fraying. Questions to ask ourselves might be:

            Are we using structure and flexibility to manage our rigorous schedules?

Have we identified priorities? Do we have hobbies that help relax us?

Are we able to get help from others at work or home?

             Answering these questions and giving ourselves some slack, we realize whatever the cost is— it’s worth it for all that matters. Then we decide to lasso and reel ourselves in from the brink. Taking an inventory and giving ourselves a much-needed break can sometimes give us a whole new perspective.

            De-stressing within the lines of reason will help with our time management techniques. Tame or train the dragon as our partner!

Excerpted from my motivational autobiography, Navigating Life’s Roadways: Stories of Insight from My Odyssey and Inspiration for Your Journey in print and Kindle eBook http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008FQDPYE

3rd Anniversary of Publishing My Autobiography, Navigating Life's Roadways - Interview

Three years ago today, July 19, 2011, Navigating Life's Roadways was published and I added the title AUTHOR to my bio!  In print and Kindle on Amazon  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008FQDPYE 

2014 Mid-Year Review – How Are You Leaning?

‘Be Inspired and Lean Into Your 2014” is the slogan that came to my mind as the New Year approached. Like many I had several items on my resolutions list, goals of the personal and professional kind, determined to keep me in this motivational state. More business, lose weight, be kind to everyone…, some standard “I’ll do betters and a few different ones sprang up.

So here we are at July 1 and half of this year has quickly gone by. And for me it’s time to assess and ask myself a few questions—to do a mid-year review. Yet another list to respond to: Is there anything I can check off as accomplished? How am I doing overall with those  goals?  Do I really want the answer to these becomes another issue to ponder. Well it was a snowy winter so I didn’t exercise a lot and comfort food eating became the convenient option. Then when I’m truthful with myself, I own up to what did go right, even with a struggle. A few new clients with business travel, different speaking engagements, and author talk/blitz at local libraries.

Revisiting our actions can be difficult, but often necessary. So I’m posting a few inquiries for thought in obtaining inspiring and leaning status.

What inspires you?

How do you lean in to your purpose?

Who are you when your best self is evident?

For many of us, a basic sense of feeling in control of our lives, showing up authentic, taking care of our physical, mental and spiritual being with a healthy sense of self-esteem would be filtered into the answers to those questions.

So why aren’t we always there? What gets in the way or things that become hold backs?

Certainly life’s disappointments, our habits, motivations and perspectives can flow out in each of those areas to send us spiraling downward.

I realized that it’s easy to be caught in a few of those hold back attitudes from achieving my best “inspired lean into”. Letdowns and cookie monsters reigned.

What’s my now?

“You can always begin again” is one of those spiritual sayings that resonates most clearly.

I’m taking a few steps to move forward.  The weight issue was one of my biggest personal challenges, I got way off course. But I’ve been out for walks and workouts over the last month. Momentum is always good! Then while out on a walk one morning, more clarity came in the way of this statement.

Sometimes we all need a little PUSH. Purpose, Understanding, Support, Healing.

But nothing beats the ultimate PUSH. Pray Until Something Happens!

And “your latter can be greater.”

Stay inspired! Keep leaning into this energy!

 

Fight Your Fears: The Freeway to Victory

It is easy to be brave from a safe distance.

Aesop

Getting promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, US Army Reserve in 1998

 On this 70th anniversary of D-Day we honor the bravery, valor for those in the quest for ultimate victory -freedom!

I think we should all find those moments everyday - as life presents it's own type of battles.  Where do we find this grit, the hardcore guts of courage to keep going in spite of inevitable challenge and adversity?And master our own fears? I'm reminded of my own times of facing fear and eventually conquering fear, especially when I joined the army.

            "Uncle Sam doesn't really care about your fears!" barked my drill sergeant—a phrase I vividly recall from my first days in the Army.

            Arriving for basic training at Fort Jackson South Carolina on a hot June day in 1978, I was immediately assigned as a squad leader in the 4th platoon. My drill sergeant knew I wanted to go to Officer Candidate School (OCS) so here was my chance to get ready for leadership. All of a sudden the concerns and issues of nine other scared and confused young women were mine. I was going through my own shock and socialization into the Army way of life and now I was to guide and help others through the transition as well. The physical, emotional and mental challenges were many; all of us wondering if we'd made the right decision and if we could survive the demands of a military structure. I wasn’t quite sure what to make of this situation. There was much to absorb—and fast.  

            What do I do? 

            During the six weeks of basic training at Fort Jackson I kept asking myself, What is the worst thing that can happen? My goal of going to OCS was uppermost in my mind and it kept me listening for messages of strength and success. I also built on my watchful experience with my siblings as an oldest child, finding ways to keep us focused and out of trouble. Asserting myself when necessary, assessing what my squad needed and then assisting them as best I could kept my mind brave. I had to close the afraid gap by taking steps to fix the problems. In the end my squad stayed intact, good relationships were formed and we all graduated. A mission was now completed, readying me for the next phase of my military service.

            I had gotten up close and personal to this FEAR.

            What is fear? False Evidence Appearing Real.

            Sometimes our apprehension has to be put in perspective. Yes it's healthy to be a little afraid, as fear can invoke good judgment. And there are some things to be anxious about when it comes to safety, crime or health challenges. Most importantly though, we can't let fear overwhelm or freeze us into inaction.

            Let’s have the right arsenal of confidence and faith ready and at our fingertips—use them free and fast. Then claim a personal victory!

 

Excerpted from my motivational autobiography, Navigating Life’s Roadways: Stories of Insight from My Odyssey and Inspiration for Your Journey http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008FQDPYE