What's Your Story?

We all have a story. We all experience times of struggle, triumph, love, laughter, sorrow, growth, and things we feel compelled to share with others. Some call this, "The Human Experience". Today it seems that every "successful" person, no matter what their professional also becomes an author or avid blogger. We see that there is not only personal satisfaction in sharing our journey with others in hopes to inspire them, but also unlimited business potential. 

Technology allows us to share stories via photos, status updates, blogs, and even e-books. Anyone willing and able has access to our work, and will likely share our story if they can relate. This is all done for free! You don't pay anything, and neither do they. Not only is there beauty in sharing our story for free, but there is also a built value and reputation. This is the business opportunity. If you listen to many of the great personal development coaches, they will often give knowledge away for free. Some of them publish entire books for free because they feel such a passion and see the need to share! Yet, still some do not take advantage of the materials. It's easy to read a "How To", but it's harder to live it. With information being the #1 largest commodity in the world, where is the value really found? 

The answer is within ourselves. The value we place on our growth and personal expansion will determine if we use, and then how we use the information available to us. Information can be offered up by anyone, but who's information do we trust when it comes to the important things in life? Most likely someone with a great education, or a successful entrepreneur worth millions right? Maybe, but what about the simpler things in life, like being a good wife and mother? Would you trust information provided by a stay at home wife and mother, or someone with an advanced degree in childhood and family development? That seems simple enough - the wife and mother! Why? There's a first hand, emotional experience given, and that just seems to be more credible. I heard Dr. Oz say in an interview with SUCCESS Magazine something to the effect of "...Once you connect with people's emotions you're able to really address the issues, and gain trust." This is power!

The beautiful thing about the art of writing is that no one can confine us to a box. Our thoughts may be labeled or judged, but a story consists of many parts. It puts our lives into context. No single story is truly singular. Connections to people, places and things in the story lead to many other stories. Isn't it amazing how no matter what decisions we've made in the past, we still have a future that we can link back to previous events in our personal history?

Whatever your story is, someone wants to hear it. What are you going to do with it?

"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside of you."

Maya Angelou

Entrepreneurship: Do You Have What it Takes?

As I continue my research and fill my mind with inspiring advice from other successful people, I cannot help but to look at the world differently. It's as if my eyes are continuously being opened to more and more opportunity every single day. When I`m driving, at the grocery story, or even dreaming I think of new ideas for every loophole I see in society! Entrepreneurship has grown within me. I always had the drive, but self-education has fueled me to pursue great adventures.

While this may sound motivating, or exciting - it takes more then just that to become a successful entrepreneur. It's a process; it takes time. Here are the biggest concepts that I've found to growing my success in entrepreneurship and business:

Clearly Defined Goals:

Without goals that are measurable and mapped out, you will have no idea where you're heading. As a Personal Trainer I often work with people who tell me "I've tried everything. Nothing works!" My first two responses: 1) What are your goals for yourself? What is it that you want to accomplish? 2) Do you know what you're working toward? First and foremost (included in assessment of one's physical needs), I help my clients goal set. For most people, this process is more difficult then it is easy.

You need to know where you're headed in order to get there. Don't let your life become a dull ride that continues circling 'round and 'round until you're bored and saying "Same 'ol same 'ol". Set goals! It's okay to start small if you have to. Every goal accomplished leads to another goal to work toward.

"If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal; not people or things"

Albert Einstein 

Good Attitude / Perspective:

Developed only through training oneself to rid their lives of negativity, a good attitude/perspective will define how you handle setbacks within every aspect of life. Too often, people get discouraged by setbacks and failures. What happens? They quit...never knowing how close they were to achievement. It's absolutely essential to train your mind to find the positive in every situation. It sounds fluffy and fun, but the reality is that we live in a harsh world with a lot of negativity. We have (as a collective society) become tainted, jaded, negative, too spoiled, and bombarded with the latest gossip. From Facebook to The National Enquirer, society tends to buy up / buy in to the latest gossip.

I have to recommend to stop this! The first time I realized how much I personally bought in to all the garbage was while reading Tyrese Gibson's book "How to Get Out of Your Own Way". His challenge was to forego willingly putting negativity into your mind. I highly suggest everyone does it to not only to gain awareness, but also because life is hard enough; we shouldn't contribute to filling our minds with garbage.

"I have failed over and over in my life, and that is why I succeed."  

Michael Jordan

Passion:

You have to whole-heartedly believe in and love what you are promoting. Your brand must represent who you are inside! A burning passion to share, educate and encourage those around you to believe in your message. We all know people who talk a good talk, but never truly walk the walk. Everything you say must match everything you do. Your passion will drive you to learn as much as you possibly can about your message. When you're exhausted (you will have many exhausting days), your passion will push you further then you thought possible.

"Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you."

Oprah Winfrey

Discipline:

Many great Personal Development Coaches call discipline "The Backbone" of progress / success. It is perhaps the most essential element of success.  How can you truly achieve and attain the things you wish to attain without it? This equates to NEEDS versus WANTS. WANTING versus WISHING. ENCOURAGEMENT versus DISCOURAGEMENT.

Discipline is what keeps you on track with achieving your goals because you have set intentions for how you`ll eat, workout, study, read, spend time with your family, and what you`ll do for your other hours in the day. It ensures that you stay consistent with doing the things you know it will take to get from point A to B to Z. Staying disciplined will help you stay consistent.

"Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment." 

Jim Rohn

Relentless Commitment:

Going hand in hand with consistency, relentless commitment means just that - relentless! No matter how bad things may seem or how bad you feel, you keep going. There will be days where you feel like you cannot possibly do anymore, and days that you wake up exhausted after having only 10 hours of sleep for the entire week. You must keep going.

Relentless commitment means that you're all the way in everyday, hour and second. This is where you establish your confidence and sense of pride for never giving up. It is a lifestyle. Not for the faint of heart.

"Either you're IN or you're OUT!"

 Ava Cowan

Pursue Those More Successful Then You:

It is absolutely crucial to be surrounded by the people that you aspire to become like, and grow with. Every heard the saying "You're only worth as much as the 5 people you hang around the most"? It's very true. Unfortunately, success can be a lonely road, but it all pays off in the end. Don't count the cost, focus on the reward. Yes, this means you will have to give up everyone who does not mirror what/who you want to be. Don't let bad company be the factor that keeps you from living out your purpose.

"The only true wisdom is knowing you know nothing."

Socrates