The Third Book The 7th Chapter - The Value of Making a Difference

Value of Making a Difference

May 29/2019

Have you struggled with getting to your change and mastering the skill of transition? Do you push harder on your dreams and goals or do you abandoned them, when it seems like your goals are eluding you?

I have experienced this thought that quickly translates into a feeling of defeat. That feeling is one of uncomfortableness and questioning the overall thought, or are you on your right track? The answer is yes if you started moving on an idea and positive change then you'll have to keep moving. The how is sometimes the one item needed the most yet is the most difficult to learn and master. I would like to share how to capitalize on how to understand the how and capture value on the how — all with the goal for you to achieve what you truly need.

When I am in moments of uncertainty is when I start to focus on the how. I ask myself, how am I going to achieve this goal? How can I learn something new that will help me understand the how? Then I start to observe the things in life that come as life experiences with a focus on how I can increase value from that experience or event.

Recently I realized I made a professional mistake, which had a result of me having to start over with a new marketing strategy. Roughly a year ago, I was offered when I thought it would be the right choice for myself and my family. So, I made that choice to shift my professional strategy and realized soon after that was a mistake. As I started the process to start over, there was a moment that I didn't see the how and was becoming frustrated.

I then received a phone call from a friend, and we discussed the general job market and reconnected over the time that had passed. Some of you know I write a blog and out of the conversation, my friend brought up my recent posting on my trip to Belize. The topic was brought up on the life-changing experience that I had with my son. At first, I was surprised I didn't realize my friend read my blog as they came out and shared with me they have.

It was at that moment I realized I was given the gift of a how moment. It was through this conversation I realized the value of making a difference. There is a lot of work ahead of me; however, moments like these are the ones that showed me how and provided the understanding to achieve the goals that I need to achieve in my life.

When you have moments like these, capitalize on them and don't let these moments fade away and go to waste. Moments like these are ones that will allow you to create you're why and how to create your next steps. It will provide you with the comfort that you know you are on the right track. 

The Third Book The 6th Chapter - The Gift of Children

The Gifts of Children

Dec 7/2018

If you have adult children, you will relate to this chapter. If you plan on having children someday, you will fully connect with this story. Have you gone through life always providing strength, direction, and guidance to your kids? Have you always been the one person your kids can rely on for your support at any moment? 

For me, as a single father, this was my norm. From minor scrapes to mini medical sessions, to being an unofficial counsellor as they journey through their preteen years. The one common pattern is to always provide to them the best that I was able to at the time.

Yesterday was a life-changing event, and for the first time, I was truly dependent on my son for my life. We were at a beautiful beach in Belize on a sleepy island. We decided we could walk out into the water as the bottom did a slow drop off into the deep water. We were out from the shore about half a mile when the water came up to our necks we decided to turn around in the calm water and head back. It was at that moment I suggested we lay on our backs and leisurely start swimming back to the shore. We did that for about 10 minutes when I decided to check our progress by touching the bottom. Then the fear hit me as I realized the current had pushed us deeper out, and I couldn't touch the bottom.

I heard stories about how an ocean current can silently sneak up on you and here was the first time I had experienced it. In a brief moment, the relaxing picture perfect moment had turned to one of fear and panic on my part.  As panic started to set in, and I shouted to the shore for help, my son calmly stated: “let's swim hard Dad.” In that moment after over 20 years with my son, the balance of support changed to Nick providing support to save my life.

I looked at him, and I clearly remember listening to his words of support and feeling the strength of his energy. Then with regained focus, I went back on my back and started to swim as hard as I could back to the shore. All the while, I was watching my son, and we slowly made it back to shallow water. This was the first time I wasn't able to help him, and if he asked, I remembered how helpless this feeling I had at the moment because I couldn't help him.

Now it is almost 24 hours later since this has happened, and the feelings of that moment are still strong. The significance of this change of energy between us is life changing, and it is a moment for me, I will remember. I am also sure that he is aware of this too and is also a natural progression of life. Where the cycle of the teacher now becomes the student is replicating now. Words cannot express the magnitude of my realization of how grateful I am for my son and what he has taught me today. 

Thank you Nick for the person you have become and for the leadership you have given to me. As you continue your journey in life my hope for you is to continue to keep growing stronger and add value to each day. You are truly someone that I look up to and appreciate the time that we have together. I love you and keep being you.               

The Third Book The 5th Chapter - GPS Feelings

May 19/2018

Have you ever had that funny feeling that you just couldn't put your finger on what it was about? As time would pass, you would get some clarity and act or make changes that a feeling was pointing you in that direction? Once you make those choices, you feel a sense of satisfaction, clarity, and an overall sense of growth. Then as you have achieved something more you ask yourself what was so unsure of or why was I afraid?

Once you choose to move with your GPS purpose, there are not any detours required. As you gain momentum on your new experiences, you ask yourself why did it take so long to make this choice of purpose. The mental barriers we put impose on ourselves are so high they limit our ability to live life and most importantly to grow.

These are two brief encounters that added to my life and how following my GPS made life that much better. On one of my trips, to Whitefish Mt, I bumped into my new friends from southern Alberta. Before the meeting, I had a feeling I needed to go to this one spot in Whitefish for some reason. As I walked into a full place, I notice one seat left by a couple. The moment I sat down I knew I reconnected with energy friends that I have not met before, but strangely felt I had known all my life. We quickly hit it off, and we shared some information about each other. They were in the area to celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary. Normally they didn't leave home as they have a grandbaby that's birthday is on the same day but decided to go on a trip this time.

From that choice and the choices, we made all lead to that moment that all three of us will remember and cherish. Almost every possible topic was discussed at that time with an avalanche of laughter during the entire moment. Moreover, I met another like-minded soul, and he and I shared that recognition. We shared contact information, parted ways, and remain in contact with a plan to connect soon.

Isn't that what makes life worth living? Moments like these if they were fear based and they are ignored and weren’t moved forward with purpose, and the return is not timeless.

The second short story is about one of my leadership sessions I recently led. In that session, there were 22 that all are wanting to learn a new skill set on developing themselves and others. One of the things I have always done when I have a class is to start the session with the role of 50/50 tickets.

With the introductions complete, I ask people if they would like to win a life-changing the prize at the end of the training session. Of course, they all want to win a prize, so I say that anyone that asks a great question or share some insight, are even says something funny will get a ticket to a life-changing prize. At the end of the training session, three tickets are drawn, and a life-changing prize awarded. During this session one individual stated loudly; after these instructions, I want to win a prize like that. In a moment I was struck with the thought of the book the secret.  In that split second, I decided to share about the book the secret and the power of intention. I then proceeded to write down on a piece of paper that is on the wall that this person will win one of the prizes at the end of the session. I left that piece of paper up on the wall over the two-day training session and didn't refer back to it until the end of the session and at draw time.

The three life-changing prizes were three different leadership books, and one of them was my first book. The room started to fill with excitement before I drew, I pointed to the statement written on the wall two days prior. The first ticket drawn, and he didn't win, the second ticket drawn, and before I read out the number I said out loud and pointed to the piece of paper on the wall - this is your winning ticket. The room laughed, and you could feel the excitement grow as I read out the ticket number. Guess what? And no, I am not taking dramatic artistic license while I write, but yes this ticket was his. The room erupted in a combination of surprise and laughter and even harder when he expressed he wanted my book instead of the two remaining ones.

That moment in time captured because of the start of day one of following the idea that was download to me. The key takeaway is ignoring unfounded fear and moves forward to action.  Your best idea will always fail if no action taken.  Your action is key and to act is to movement and movement is to live. It is a simple as a three-step process that you need to keep simple and repeat countless times in your life. One is to allow you the opportunity to come to you. Step 2 is to ignore your self imposed barrier or fear. Step 3 is to create a plan and act. Your GPS, gift given to you is waiting for you to move in the direction with your purpose and your vision.

Yours to grow and feel the energy of life to fuel you to achieve more than you thought was possible. As you read this what is your GPS telling you right now at this moment?  Have you passed a number 3 are you still on number one?

The Third Book The 4th Chapter - Walk Along The Pier

May 14/2018

When is the last time you have moved to an area in your life that required less energy? Or when have you acted on something when your intuition is telling you to do something? I have been so lucky to have been given the gift of travel. Over the last few years, I have been to several destination cities and have met so many amazing people. A few months ago, my dad had mentioned that he would like to go to Victoria BC. I was recently there in July of 17 and was amazed by the beauty of the area. I as time went on over the last few months Victoria visit with my dad came up a few times.

I could feel my intuition telling me that the time was now to make this trip. Fast forward to the early morning of May 12th, and away we left Calgary to fly into Victoria. During our three-day adventure, we filled the time with meaningful visits, travel, and food. It all officially started with a pickup all the rental car. It was the first time I had driven a hybrid and was immediately confused as to when I pushed the start button; there was not any engine noise. I looked over to my father and stated this new car doesn't start after a few brief moments I realized it was running on the battery and soon after that some chuckles filled the car.

From that starting point off we went to Tofino BC and a ferry ride. Each experience seemed as rich and full as the next and time seemed to fade away effortlessly. From clam chowder on a patio in Tofino to ceviche in the Victoria harbour, each moment was meant to be. Several sites we saw that neither of us had seen before. As each moment went on, I knew that following my intuition had increased the value to a special moment in time with my father. Several times my dad commented of how grateful that we were able to take this trip together.

After our last dinner on the harbour I took a walk by myself. As I was walking, I bumped into an incredible street performer named Jacqueline Dawn and the talent that she has is amazing. Not long after she started to plug in and sing another performer came up and informed her that she had to move, as this was his spot. She quickly apologized and started to pack up, and a few of us in this audience also started to help her. We all moved down about 100 meters and helped her set up again. Not only does Jacqueline have musical talent but she also has a talent for life. Her grace and gentle spirit that she showed during and after her move was a true gift to observe. Free energy she was like a feather floating in the breeze and following with the current. Completely at peace with what is and what a minor adjustment she kept on with her goal of providing a special moment for all of us in the crowd.

We all have challenges in life and have gifts all around us to enjoy. The hard part is to keep our focus even when faced with challenges. The difference between significance and ordinary is determined by how we view the experience. Whether your intuition is talking to you or you have a challenge, the gift of life's positive experiences is waiting for you. Hope and dreams are your starts, but then you need to put in the hard work to make your dreams start to come alive. It is up to you to make your magic and start to act on your intuition. As your intuition is your invisible treasure map for you to live your dreams and it is critical for you to open your gifts.

If you are feeling comfortable with life and you want to achieve more than you need to do more. The uncomfortable feeling is required, and that is your support to move along to your treasure map of dreams.  

The Third Book The 3rd Chapter - Captain WestJet

Captain WestJet

April 29/2018

Change for improvement or is it reactionary change? Have you ever experienced a rare one-off event and due to that one event, new changes are in place that creates a reality that is different?

I truly believe in change in the value of change to work on improvements daily — whether it is personal development or in our work-life. Before you make a change, ask yourself, if there is value on this change? Will the change end up providing more value to you or your organization over the long-term.

Recently I had the privilege of sharing some time with a WestJet Captain. In that time I asked her all kinds of questions on being a captain of a large jetliner. Questions I asked were from what “V1” means and how to determine when to de-ice a plane and many more topics. After the hour conversation, I was able to learn much about the job of aviation, and I was grateful for her sharing of her job.

One thing discussed is how the magic of the captain experience has disappeared, and now cockpit tours are gone to an entire generation of kids. She shared that a big reason she became a pilot was access to the cockpit, while she was traveling as a young child.

As our society level of security has changed over the last 25 years, I understand the intent of why the cockpit experience is now gone. This change is reactionary change and a logical way to ensure folks don’t bring harm to others by gaining access to the cockpit area. This process of change should ensure that people will not harm again.

The underlying issues are our young people not having that opportunity to explore is a question now. With all, we do in our life it is important to do a risk-reward exercise before initiating change. Determine with this change what will be the net value increase to you and your organization. Quick decisions will usually lead to the change you feel you need at the time but what are the long-term impacts of your change? With your immediate change are you closing the doors that will impact you on whether you will achieve what you were meant to achieve? Are you making choices that are reaction based? On the surface, of course, it makes sense to ensure our safety is protected but how do you measure the cost of the loss of magic to kids? Does this loss of magic translate in the loss of something even bigger that does not start due to the loss of the value of imagination?

Sometimes the effect of those choices will be the elimination of your magic. That magic or that special feeling of being alive that will help you grow. Your magic is the passion mixture that allows you to achieve what you were set out here to do in this lifetime. When you are ready to grow, are you changing with your purpose in mind or changing for change sake? Or are you changing because of a one-off event has impacted you?

Perhaps you will need to reopen your cockpit door to allow positive energy to build and have your magic return. With your positive selection of an inner circle of friends, you will experience this energy to grow, and this energy is unlimited in its ability to grow. 

The Third Book The 2nd Chapter - Reflection and Learning

April 21/2018

It has been a while since I have shared with you all. Have you ever crossed into an abyss of life where your focus is no lighting your next steps? While in that abyss you seemed to be filled with confusion and lack of progress on your life goals?

My abyss happened to me in mid-February, and it was during this time I felt a sense of frustration and a lack of visibility in my world when that would become a reality. These moments are very difficult for me to come back from and it is so easy for me to allow a low energy existence become my normal.

What I realized was my first step in knowing where my energy was at, and no one or thing could bring me out of that abyss except for me and the hard work required of me. At that time, one thought at a time to one moment at a time I started to build my momentum. Now I am at a point where I would like to share three personal, professional milestone goals.

The first goal is a short-term goal, as you might know living in western Canada in the winter time is very cold and dark. As time has passed for me, I found myself in a position where I don’t like winter, to the point that it makes me depressed and affects my mood. As I thought about this reality of every winter, I asked myself what should I do to change this negative experience. One option was to do nothing and dread each day closer to winter. Or think of a strategy that aligns up to my professional goals. As my business is going to my customers, I thought of any areas I already goto that do not have snow, and that have people that would value what I can offer. My thoughts lead me to the specific goal of having my first client in the Phoenix area by November of this year. I have a mindset of even if I don’t achieve the goal, at least I tried to do something instead of waiting for the darkness of winter, that I know will come.

My second goal is a medium range goal, now that I know what makes my business model different than the 1000’s of other organizational development consultants, is the legacy of the completed work within the organization. My experience is that when the consultant’s come into work with an organization that once they have left, so does the impact of long-lasting change. My goal is that the started work remains in place and even expands and becomes greater than when I was there. You do this by identifying someone already in place within the organization that is not using their superpowers. If you think for a moment, I bet you can think of at least one person, or perhaps you are the person in your organization that can add more value. Usually, there is not just one barrier to why this talent is not getting optimized, but a combination of barriers that have a root cause of culture reality. With this determining factor, I will need more people to complete the work that is requested to do this efficiently. I will then bring in my old team and this time frame will be three to five years from now.

Now my identified long-term goal, which is ten to fifteen years out. After years of growing and expanding a servant type leadership platform, with a combination of several more books. Then it will be time for me to teach on a large scale what I have learned and share with others. It will take a form of organic speeches in an environment where the speech becomes specifically for the people that are there. I could speak all day long about my experience but how does that relate to you? What value are you taking away from your time spent there? How are you going to own and integrate the words and my experience?

By one conversation at a time, it is possible to make your difference. With the consistency of the purpose of your every moment, you can move the needle on making your environment a better place for you.

The Third Book The 1st Chapter - Changing Habits

Feb 12/2018

Life is a journey and we are always on a quest to find our home.  To find a place that will wrap us with a comfortable energy.  A place that we feel safe and a place where we belong.  I heard if you aren’t were you belong but don’t know where to go. Then this is a start of your journey because at least you know you need to make changes in your life.

I would like to share a story of changing one of my habits.  Almost three years ago I knew I had to make changes in my life to improve my physical health.  At that time, I also enjoyed eating unhealthy foods and enjoying responsibly a beer on occasion. 

Over the years as I daily pushed my self on my physical journey, I would keep track of my time and distance.  I slowly noticed the correlation from the effects of unhealthy eating and the increase in the time I took to complete my run.  At first, I didn’t spend much time thinking about this observation but recently it took a whole new light.

I went on vacation with friends and when I returned it took me almost a week to get back to my level of performance prior to the vacation.  As I went through the process of repairing tired muscles I had a new thought followed by a new feeling.  That was I don’t want to make choices any more that hinder my performance.  The feeling that followed immediately after was one of comfort.

It was like I realized on my own a large component of making smart choices. Not because anyone was telling me too or that I wanted to impress someone, I made it for me.  This I realized was another step completed on my journey home.

Choices like these are the ones you body and mind are suggesting you take.  Your built in DNA is showing you a path that will allow you to live an incredible life.  When you complete difficult follow throughs is when there are moments of comfort and satisfaction.  

Make a list of 5 self-improvement areas that you would like to improve on in your life.  Once that is completed, spend 5 minutes on each idea.  While you’re doing that with each item, what is your emotional response to each of your 5 points?  How does it feel as you think of these ideas?  Give yourself enough time for these ideas to be planted deep within your thought process.

With these ideas planted deep they will be able to stand the test of your storms and struggles of life’s distractions.  They will remain long enough for you to come to your realization that you don’t want your status quo any longer.  You don’t have to have a tired life and low energy.

Once you have arrived at this spot you know you have taken your first step towards home.  All the distractions you face will be just that, distractions and they will not take you off your destination.