Experimentation – The key to self-discovery

I am delighted to have my friend Joel Boggess provide a guest blog post today... enjoy.

He is a life coach and the author of “Finding Your Voice (http://www.fyvbook.com)”. You can follow his shows and updates on Facebook. www.fyvradio.com/facebookfanpage

 

Experimentation – The key to self-discovery

Have you ever watched a creative cook in the kitchen? A dash of this, a dollop of that, a pinch of something else...and the next thing you know, you’re biting into a delicious concoction for which no recipe exists. Occasionally this kind of cook misses the mark: a cake flops or the sweet and sour sauce turns out a little too sour. In general though, experimental cooking works out just fine - and sometimes the combination of flavors blows your mind.

The same approach that can work wonders in the kitchen can also work wonders in your writing. Unfortunately, rather than experimenting and “taste testing” along the way many people approach every decision as if life and death hang in the balance. One wrong choice, and BAM! It’s over. The pressure to make the right decision becomes so intense, the tendency can be to do nothing rather than make a wrong decision.

Experimentation = Liberation

But what if you approached life differently and assumed that by and large, most things work out OK and the things that don’t generally aren’t major catastrophes? What if you chose to see each situation for what it really is? A chance to learn, grow, and develop your own writer’s voice.

By giving yourself permission to experiment and try-on new writing styles - from a different angle, viewpoint, or frame of reference, you free yourself from the fear of failure and the expectation of measuring-up. It’s OK if your experiment doesn’t work out the way you originally thought or follow a nice, neat, sequential order. Original ideas never do. Testing an idea’s merit alongside your own values and principles, and outside of any box, is far more valuable.

Circumstances can bring new ideas and opportunities

For my friend Deby, she had no choice but to try new things.

Two years ago, Deby’s voice began to tremble. As doctors searched for the cause and a cure, her voice weakened until it one day it was completely gone. Deby had been a singer and songwriter all her life and was just beginning a speaking and coaching career. She needed her voice to survive financially.

Through her pain and frustration, Deby heard a voice within that told her to paint.

‘This is play. This is a discovery.’” Her art teacher Dorsey’s instruction to the class was to remain unattached from the work – to be ready to rip it up and use it in another way. Dorsey removed all the stress from the learning process -something Deby desperately needed. During a time when she couldn’t speak, her art served as both a way to express herself and a source of healing. Over the next few months her voice slowly returned, but she knows that what she’s learned about her artistic expression will add value to the lives of those who read, listen to, and experience her work.

Ditch the grading system

Are you willing to give yourself permission to “rip up your work”? In other words, can you experiment without demanding perfection from yourself?

If no one were around to tell you not to, what other topics, events, and ideas would you write about?

What is your voice trying to tell you that you haven’t tuned into and started writing about?

Your best ideas will most likely come only after you learn to push your own creative envelope.

Experiment - the world is still a playground.

Practical takeaways

Experimentation without expectation opens doors of creativity.

God’s blessings are often dressed-up as challenges.

There is no report card attached to artistic expression.

Joel Boggess is a personal friend, life coach, and a syndicated radio host. He is also the author of “Finding Your Voice (http://www.amazon.com/Finding-Your-Voice-Confidence-Direction/dp/1937879305) – sort through the clutter and discover clarity, confidence and direction”. The eBook edition is available for only $1.99 from Feb 5 – Feb 9.

 Did this post resonate with you? Check out Joel’s new book, Finding your Voice (http://www.amazon.com/Finding-Your-Voice-Confidence-Direction/dp/1937879305) – sort through the clutter and discover clarity, confidence and direction. The eBook is on sale for only $1.99 through Feb 9.

Author bio: Joel Boggess and his wife Pei live in DFW area in Texas. With Master’s degrees in counseling and business, plus seven years of experience as a life and career coach, Boggess has the education, life experience and wisdom to help you tune into and fully express your unique voice.

Links

Amazon book page:

http://www.amazon.com/Finding-Your-Voice-Confidence-Direction/dp/1937879305

Amazon Kindle page: http://amzn.com/B00HP5D6PO

Webpage: http://www.fyvbook.com

Facebook: www.fyvradio.com/facebookfanpage

What Excuses Are You Using to Block Your Success?

What Excuses Are You Using to Block Your Success?

Do you ever find yourself offering excuses for not meeting a deadline, not following through on a promise, and failing to give your best effort? You are not the only one. Many people use excuses to avoid responsibility and ownership of their actions thinking that an excuse can remove them from a situation. This is where blaming often comes into comes into play. “It is not my fault.” Or “She made me late for meeting the deadline.” If you cannot meet a deadline, it must be someone else’s responsibility to meet it. But it’s not – you have the control of your own actions. Yes, life may throw you a curve ball but own your words and actions. 

You may be sabotaging your own success based on a fear of what that success may provide you with.  You may be saying to yourself, “Really?” Self-sabotage is directly related to the fear of change and what the unknown may bring. If your intentions are good, why not bask in success?

Perfection and procrastination are the sisters of blocking one’s success. When you are waiting for the perfect timing or working on a project so it is absolutely perfect, you are procrastinating. Procrastination is an avoidance of being judged for not being perfect or “not good enough” or the fear of the unknown – the outcome. Whatever the case may be, there are times when imperfect inspired action is the best. You can adjust you route along the way. After all you are the driver of your life aren’t you?

 

Charmaine Hammond and Debra Kasowski are the authors of GPS Your Best Life- Charting Your Destination and Getting There in Style.  Jack Canfield, co-author of The Success Principles and Chicken Soup for the Soul says that “Charmaine and Debra show you how to navigate through life’s inevitable roadblocks and obstacles with ease and grace, so you can reach your desired destination”. To find out how to GPS Your Best Life, visit www.gpsyourbestlife.com

How to Stay Focused in a World of Bright Shiny Objects (BSOs)

How to Stay Focused in a World of Bright Shiny Objects (BSOs)

New opportunities are constantly being presented to us.I know you must have seen them. A flicker here.A flicker there. Some days I may think you have had whiplash due to turning your head and checking out all the new things you can try or learn. The world has some pretty exciting things going on and some people seem to be cruising to the top yet you might be wondering why you are not moving at the speed others people are. Perhaps you are focused on the wrong things.

You want to focus on what you want to happen versus what you do not want to happen. When you create a plan you plan with your best intentions but if you come from a place of scarcity and lack you lose focus on what your end goal may be. You may want to grab onto every opportunity that comes your way instead of looking at what is aligned with your values and plans.

 Create a daily plan that is focused on the tasks you need to complete to get closer to your end result. Imagine if you did 5 action steps Monday to Friday, 5 days a week, you would have completed 25 steps to getting closer to your goal. Without focus maybe you would complete 1-2 things in a week, your dedication and commitment may also waver as you wait for the “next big” thing to come along. The next big thing may be the one project you need to complete. Take some time to complete your incomplete projects or messes so you can focus on your brilliance! That’s where you shine!

Charmaine Hammond and Debra Kasowski are the authors of GPS Your Best Life- Charting Your Destination and Getting There in Style.  Jack Canfield, co-author of The Success Principles and Chicken Soup for the Soul says that “Charmaine and Debra show you how to navigate through life’s inevitable roadblocks and obstacles with ease and grace, so you can reach your desired destination”. To find out how to GPS Your Best Life, visit www.gpsyourbestlife.com

Have You Checked Your Rearview Mirror Lately?

Have You Checked Your Rearview Mirror Lately?

You have probably heard the saying that “Hindsight is 20/20”. You always learn from where you have been if you take the time to consciously look at how your day went and where you may have improved. Foresight is worth its weight in gold. If you plan with intention to learn from your mistakes you can improve your relationships, career, family dynamics and even your health. 

 

Where you are right now is all a matter of the daily choices you have made to bring you to where you are right now. In order to change, you need to examine your daily habits and track what you wish to improve. Tracking helps you to identify areas that are working well and even those that are not working so well. You may even notice there are some choices you need to stop making because of the results you are getting. You will continue to get the results you’re getting if your actions do not change. 

Lasting change often occurs with small shifts in behaviors, actions, and even habits. Every choice you make should be followed with, “Is this choice supporting my goal?” If the answer is no, replace the behaviour with something that will support your goal – purposeful actions. When you continue to do this, you will always have actions that support your goals.

Take time to reflect on each day to see identify if there was an area that you may have improved or taken action. Do not spend too much time focusing on the past as you cannot move forward while looking back. Why not learn and more forward so you can celebrate your journey?

Charmaine Hammond and Debra Kasowski are the authors of GPS Your Best Life- Charting Your Destination and Getting There in Style.  Jack Canfield, co-author of The Success Principles and Chicken Soup for the Soul says that “Charmaine and Debra show you how to navigate through life’s inevitable roadblocks and obstacles with ease and grace, so you can reach your desired destination”. To find out how to GPS Your Best Life, visit www.gpsyourbestlife.com