Smove: Inspiring Intentional Action

I can hardly believe its December and the new year (2010?!) is almost upon us. And I also feel like things are shifting, the energy, the attitudes and the ideas of so many people on the planet. My ideas about who I am, the work I do and the work I want to do to make a bigger, better impact on the world - all shifting... 

My clients are like that too. That makes me smile. Big. My intention and hope is to get more people to smile and make intention and service a part of what they do everyday. It's not a muscle that many of us are used to moving (or maybe we don't even know how to get started).

Well, these guys have found a way - a very inspiring way. It's called Smove, or rather Smile & Move. It's a movement. It's something we can all learn to do, in 9 simple ways, to create more ways to inspire intentional actionfor us, for our teams, for our families and friends. Check out this video - and SMOVE your way into the new year!

The 9 simple ways to smile & move:

1. Wake-up - engage with care and attention
2. Be thankful - the opportunity to serve is a gift.
3. Be approachable - we're at each other's service.
4. Complain less - being positive is more fun.
5. Smile. Really- it's where pleasantness begins.
6. Start early and go long - get lost in your service to others.
7. Exceed expectations - expect more from yourself.
8. Have a sense of urgency - everyone's time is valuable.
9. Be resourceful and resilient - results are what we're all after.

You can find more information about this inspirational work on their website.

5 steps to thinking big and making things happen

Visionary companies may appear strait-laced to outsiders, but they're not afraid to make bold commitments to Big Hairy Audacious Goals (BHAGs).

Like climbing Mt. Everest, going to the moon, putting a computer on every desk (sound familiar?), a BHAG can sound daunting, risky and maybe even dangerous...

... but the adventure, excitement, and challenge of it grabs people in the gut, gets their juices flowing and creates immense forward momentum. - Dan Zadra

2010 is the year to think big.After the last two years of status quo and major shifts in some paradigms, its time. And I believe it's high time to go BIG.

I'm inspiring my friends, family and clients (and myself!) to dream big, think big and then start taking baby steps, one small intentional action at a time, to make those things happen. I'm coaching people to get them inspired and wired to make things happen.

You can do it too. Your friends, family, clients, co-workers. Some ways to get you started.

1. Get clear about what you want. Crystal clear. Make a list of all that you want. Be specific.
2. Make sure it pertains to you. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. Make sure what you want is something you can effect.
3. Believe you can have it. Trust that it will arrive and know that it might not look like what you think it should.
4. Be grateful for what you already have. Say thank you. Over and over. Smile.
5. Build your community. Share your goal, your inspiration, your requests, your success. The universe does it all the time. What you put out, comes back to you (at least I think so). We help make that happen by sharing with others and that means giving and receiving.

Where do you want to go? What BIG things do you want? Share them!

'Tis the season and all that. And there's never a better time to start than now.

Because you're already here.

What to dive into 2010 with all your ducks in a row? What to jump start your BHAGs and get started now? Join me in January get to going full speed ahead!

Mindful Monday: Do you start your day ready to be filled up?

"The universe will fill your cup — if you carry a big cup, a little cup, or a thimble!"
— Sonia Choquette: Spiritual teacher and author

 Ready to be filled with inspiration, learning and what else? (photo by Michelle Constantini)

Do you start your day ready to be filled up or already full and unable to learn or notice something new?How often do we fill someone else's cup?

It seems to me that Ms. Chorquette is on to something. There are many teachers who recommend starting the day empty, peaceful and ready to be filled with what the day brings.

Leave room in your daily agenda for synchronicity, surprises and new connections. Those who do, lead a richer and more fullfilling life and more often are also a lot less stressed.

What have you got to loose by trying this experiement? Probably nothing, but your stess level... Give it a go. Let me know what happens...

Mindful Monday: Intentional Leadership Starts with an Invitation

Leaders don’t force people to follow, they invite them on a journey. ~Charles S. Lauer, author, speaker, awarding-winning businessman

Think of the most dynamic leaders of our current time. Today. What do they inspire? Hope? Change? Growth? A better and easier tomorrow? Are they passionate about where they are going? I bet they are. And I bet they sent and invitation too. It might not have been hand-written or personally addressed to you, but it was sent and you received it.

How often do we do that with our clients, our customers and our fans? When was the last time you invited them on a journey (not necessarily a workshop, tele-class or retreat)? Do you know where you are on your jouney?

I guess I'm feeling introspective this Monday. I want, and am, taking the time to ponder the above. I'm inviting you to do the same. Even if we don't actually GO anywhere, it will be a fun trip.

Enjoy and leave a comment on where you're at. I'd love to know.

Cheers!

Mindful Monday - Start with Intention

Start your week with intention. Choose to be, do, think, and feel the way that creates delight in your life. The success you have will come from a foundational place and the set-backs won't have you starting from the beginning, but maybe the middle...

Life is full of setbacks.

Success is determined by how you handle setbacks.

- As found on a lululemon water bottle

I was so inspired by a friends OM water bottle from lululemon, and all the quotes and thoughtful reminders, I ran out and bought one. It's on my desk. Each day (so far) I have chosen a quote, like the one above, and made it my 'Intention for the day'. Something purposeful, grounding, and solid, to remind me when all the distractions start, I have someplace to go back to.

What I really want to know is how do YOU handle a setback?

What intentions have you set?