MyVisionPortal.com :: Latest Posts on The Authors' Blog

Keeping the Vision in Tough Times

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 11:35:08 -0400

Maslow taught us that in times where our basic needs are threatened, it is difficult to attend to higher level personal needs.

In other words, if it is harder to afford food and fuel, how on earth can we keep our personal visions moving forward? How can we afford the luxury of high level thinking when out minds are cluttered with bills and stress? I would contend that this is the most important time to be aware of what drives us. In my opinion, core values and Vision are foundational drives that help us the most in times of challenge.

So, dust off that Vision and re-connect with your Core Values so that you can find clarity and integrity in these potentially challenging times.

Leo

The Sun Was Out Today

Sat, 12 Apr 2008 00:48:45 -0400

So Seattle can be a dreary place sometimes...but today the sun was out. Amazing what a little warmth on the face can do to a person, in this case me.

I have found myself in a number of conversations lately about the impact of the sun on people's moods. Ergo when it is dreary, moods get dreary, when the sun comes out, people find a new source of positive energy.

Interesting -- in sunnier climates, people get one day of clouds, and it can have a dramatic impact on them...the frame of reference changes. When I lived in north eastern Vermont, we used to measure spring's arrival, sometimes even wishing for rain and celebrating its arrival with joy (Because it is a sign of spring)

So isn't all of this just frame of reference? If I live in Vermont or in another heavy winter climate, a sign of spring creates happy moods and lifted spirits. If I live in Seattle, the sun coming out after a rainy period creates lifted s

14 People's Core Values Cumulative

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:21:20 -0400

I currently participate in Steve Pavlina's Forum site where I posed the core values question to the rather large population in that community. With 13 responses, here is the cumulative list of what I have found so far. Lets see who else we can get to add to the list! I have only included those values that have earned more than one vote. For the complete list, check out the blog here:

Check it out

Leo

Integrity (4)
Love (4)
Balance (3)
Honesty (3)
Respect (3)
Compassion (3)
Authenticity (2)
Family (2)
Innovation (2)
Truth (2)
Understanding (2)

5 fundamental beliefs

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 02:43:40 -0400

5 fundamental beliefs:

1. You choose your emotions at almost every moment, whether you believe you do or not.

2. You are a self-serving person and you choose behaviors and maintain relationships because they benefit you in some way.

3. You purposely choose to be aggressive, assertive, or passive in every interaction and relationship that you are a part of.

4. Your decision to be aggressive, assertive, or passive is based on numerous factors, which you need to understand if improving your interpersonal skills is your goal.

5. If you can learn to understand your personal triggers, you will better manage your interactions and lead a more peaceful existence.

Common Sense

Sat, 29 Mar 2008 00:30:28 -0400

I was engaging in a forum discussion on another site (stevepavlina.com) and the question of defining common sense was posed. Many people posted their personal opinions of common sense and really it started to feel like personal testimony. Here is my take:

Common Sense

Once you define Common sense, you begin to define what it is not. Who is to say one definition is more common (or better) than the other?

Does it require 10 people to make sense, common? How bout 100? Does it matter who the sample is made up of? Does it account for culture? How about generational differences?

If a 22 year old and an 88 year old are asked to define common sense, they may very well have 2 different answers -- who is right? Is wisdom right or are current trends right?

When someone says "Use some common sense" -- are they not really say

Digging Deep

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 23:42:59 -0400

What are your core motivators? What are your core values? Have you written them down lately so that you can look at them and then really assess whether you are living consistently with them?

What is the pervasive question in your life right now? Write that down on a piece of paper. Now answer it with gusto.

Look at your answer. Ask your self why that answer is so important to you. Once you know why it is so important to you, write down that answer.

Now ask yourself why that is so important to you....do this a few times deeper and you will discover the depth of your issue...the core of your concerns.

Once you know these, an answer will become more apparent.

Unfulfilled Lives and Self-Help Books

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 23:53:13 -0400

I have a pretty sharp edged perspective regarding why people choose to live unfulfilled lives...because they want to.

If you take a couple of minutes and think of things that make you really angry, you can easily get yourself to a state of anger. Likewise, if a person has focus upon being unfulfilled and doing nothing to change their circumstance, then it is a choice.

No self-help book, seminar, or any such thing is going to help someone who is not ready. In a way, the whole business of self-development and self-help makes its money on people who buy a book or a set of cd's to listen to HOPING that it will push them to be more fulfilled. Ironically, I do not think it is the material that creates the self-development, it is the person and whether they really want it.

So the question is less about whether or not there is a way to help people be more fulfilled; rather it is whether the person is ready to self-help. I think this is true of The Personal Vision Workbook as well.&

Self Help Books

Sun, 09 Mar 2008 00:03:34 -0500

So, I was posed the question of whether there I think there are some people who are naturally attracted to self-help type books and some who blatently are not. My answer:

I consider myself to have a loving family, supportive friends, nurturing colleagues. All in all, i lead a blessed life full of opportunity.

I was fortunate enough to have the inspiration and stubborn nature to publish a book which in essence is a self-help book. You would think my family, friends and colleagues would line up around the corner to get themselves a copy.

NOPE

Some have bought it...but "haven't had the chance to look at it yet". I have seen in blatant form the fear of self-analysis...people do not want to typically dig so deep into themselves, but at the same time crave an understanding of their inner drive.

It is the self-help paradox!

There seems to be a real aversion for some people -- to dig deep into themselves. How deep are you w