Do You Have A Couple Of Minutes

When we Show Up Open, We are showing up with an intent to be beneficially changed by our experience.  Showing up open to experience means we are willing to interact and engage.   Whether we are open or not, experience changes us.  It becomes a matter of learning from and using that experience.

By taking the time to listen to this message you have already well within the cycle of change.

Change first begins by exploring the possibility of a need for change

Next come the acknowledgement that change is needed for you to progress to some desired state of being.

Then there is a period of readying one's self for change.

Will power and action to enact the change then come into play

Once change has begun there is an need to maintain and sometimes further develop the change

This may be followed by period s of relapse to the old familiar, however having acknowledge the need for change, one can again ready themselves to take the action of change.

Showing Up Open means showing up to do the work of change.  Showing up Open also means getting the riches and treasures out of our life experiences.

We can learn, grow, and come away enriched from most experiences. Show Up Open - it will positively change your life.

#Change #ShowUpOpen #Experience #Engage #ReadySetChange #TakeAction

#Inspiring Topics to help you #Think, #Learn, #Grow, and Live #Fulfilled

Show up Open - the Water Bottle Illustration

Will you unscrew the cap an allow yourself to be filled up or will you try to fill the container through small hole meant to release the contents?

Both containers have the same capacity, but it is their condition of being open or closed that allows them to perform and function differently. 

Containers allow us to transport the contents.

Contents in the container can vary - what will you put inside?  What do you need?  Do you go back to the same source?

Challenge: What do you need in your water bottle of life? Ae you seeking the right source?  Are you showing up open?

This past week, while traveling, as I engaged with various people, I was reminded that we all have all we need to take our next step, and that action begets actions.  I talked to many people that were envisioning their future of work and life.  While the end goal may be distant, the key to progress is intention and a plan with direction to serve as a guide.  In some cases, the plan for progress was being refined, in other cases that plan was in place and used as a measurement for taking and measuring action.  The intentional small steps we consistently take can add up to monumental progress over time.

As this week comes to a close, take some time to reflect on the lessons we've looked at this week.  Take some time to look at your dreams and goals.  Do you have a plan to move forward?  If not, start there.  Do you have a plan that you are not following?  Figure out why - it is ok to modify the plan details.

We all have the ability to start right where we are at. Change and progress are made one step at a time.  We have the ability to be intentional about our direction - why not take time to evaluate and re-evaluate our circumstances, and our direction, so we move in the direction we want to go.  It all starts or continues with your next step.

During my recent travels, I had the ability to gather with various groups and individuals.  It was great to connect, as we talked about things we have in common, varied interests, life changes - good, bad, indifferent, family, and of course work related items.  In the work connected circles, we talked about hybrid work and reasons for people to return to the office.  We also talked about people feeling a need to catch up when they saw each other in person.  We talked about people being able to do work remotely and how in-person work would be beneficial for exposure to nuances of work, interaction, and developing of a more fulfilling network.  We talked about the value proposition for being together...all the while enjoying both our pointed and meandering conversations, engaged in conversations that crossed geographic and project boundaries, and including topics that will help organizations on a broad level and improve individual experiences.

We were enjoying the process of gathering, sharing conversations, meals, varied perspectives, experiences that help build relationship.  Those relationships are a big part of the basis of why we are able to work effectively together.   While I agree it is great to come together for very specific reasons, such as to move forward projects and ideals, I think it is maybe even more valuable to come together with a goal of building and strengthening relationships. We are better together!

Yesterday I shared that usually when I have a layover at an airport, my focus in on getting to my next gate - period.  But how this trip I decided to remain present while getting to the next gate.  This minor shift in perspective and attitude, allowed me to see a few things I likely otherwise would have missed. The first lesson I learned was "Choose to be present in all areas of your life so you can make a difference, and so you can learn from your experiences."    The second lesson I learned is that we should seek to experience compassion, and respect. The following experience illustrated the lesson that as people we long for connection, and we do better when kindness and compassion abound.

During my recent airport travel, there was  an elderly woman, I will call "Joyce" sitting in a wheel chair on the jet bridge, right near the aircraft door.  Joyce facing all the people walking toward her and then past her to get on the plane. To get on the plane, you actually had to go around Joyce. I've never seen a wheelchair bound passenger located in the middle of the walkway as Joyce was. An airline attendant was with Joyce as she awaited everyone to pass her before she could be assisted in boarding the plane.  As I approached Joyce, I noticed people passing her without acknowledging her, and then I noticed her facial expression turn from an uncomfortable tolerant expression to a scared and upset expression. I then heard Joyce say "Joseph, where are you?  Where is Joseph?"  The airline attendant then asked if she was OK.  Joyce responded that "No, I'm not ok.  I am a cripple and I am here all alone."  That is when the gentleman behind me in line and I locked eyes, as if to sympathize with the sadness, but in a helpless kind of way, as we continued to board the plane.   As the airline attendant check-in with Joyce, I was reminded of the unpredictability of life, and that it is important to exercise compassion and respect toward others. I thought how it would sadden me to have my mom in a similar position.  I wondered if Joyce suffered from any mental decline, and if she might be worried about the length of the flight and the inability to use the on board restrooms without assistance.  I don't think I will forget Joyce's scared and upset facial expression, while she waited for assistance to board the plane.  I choose to be changed by this experience, to take advantage of the opportunities to make a difference in the moment, to exercise empathy, compassion, kindness, and respect. 

As I did yesterday, I encourage you to choose to be present in all areas of your life so you can make a difference, and so you can learn from your experiences.  Exercise compassion and respect.

Usually when I have a layover at an airport, my focus in on getting to my next gate - period.  This trip I decided to remain present while getting to the next gate.  This minor shift in perspective and attitude, allowed me to see a few things I likely otherwise would have missed.  I have also had a chance to reflect and ask how my presence at that moment in time might have mattered in a unique way.  The summary of what I have to say is "Choose to be present in all areas of your life so you can make a difference, and so you can learn from your experiences."  The following is my recent experience with being present during airport travel.

There was a couple rushing to the gate, thinking they were late. I let them know they had time until boarding.  That simple information seemed to alleviate some stress.  I shared my anti-bacterial spray with a woman in the restroom, as we both washed our hands with water only since the soap dispenser was empty. She expressed gratitude, we laughed and chatted briefly before we parted ways.  I gave a young boy a thumbs up, told him he was smart and was going to be ok, as what seemed to be his out of control mother shouted obscenities at him, called him stupid, and told him he was no good at telling time or at math and questioned why she even sent him to school.  All the while his smaller sibling was in tow.  He seemed appreciative that someone else in this crowded airport environment acknowledged the absurdity of the situation. I appreciated the art in the airports as I traveled between gates and terminals. I met a woman who started her travels that day from France, turns out not only  were we headed to the same destination, but we also had a mutual friend in Colorado. Maybe it's being present in the ordinary moments, that can lead to living an extraordinary and fulfilled life.

Choose to be present in all areas of your life so you can make a difference, and so you can learn from your experiences.

Last week, I had a heavy travel week, and was fortunate to have lots of learning along the way.  This week, I will share some of that learning with you and hope you will find it as useful as I have.  The first lesson is to invest in yourself.  I started my travels by attending a gathering of like minded persons, most of whom I was meeting for the first time.  We all sought to surround ourselves with inspiring and supportive destiny chasers.  We all committed to putting in the energy and the work so that we could reap the benefits of our focus and drive.  We walked away better for the experience, some with new skills, some with honed skills, and all with the benefit of new supportive relationships.

We were all committed to investing in ourselves.  For many of us, it was not easy or convenient to make the time to gather, to focus, and to learn.  But we wanted the progress that is on the other side of hard work and investment.

So just what were we taking the time to learn?  We were learning how to share our stories of encouragement, we learned how to to recognize and appreciate the talents of others, we learned to step more deeply into our authentic fullness in order to serve others with greater impact.  Invest in yourself and encourage others to do the same.  when we give from a place of fullness, our positive impact will exceed our wildest dreams.

Episode 2-184 - Character Matters, Part 5 - Transparency

Don't hide you or reality that may beneficial to share with others. Give others the reality of what they need to do good work and make good informed choices and decisions.  Help others to be able to effectively use their critical thinking skills by sharing useful information.  Do consider how information might impact others and be intentional about the context and manner in which you share.  

Character Matters, Part 4 - Vulnerability

Are you real and relatable - do you practice vulnerability as an important characteristic of connection?  Having the strength to be vulnerable allows us to connect with others.  Popular belief would have us believe that we should hide our insecurities, doubts, and disappointments.  However, when we allow ourselves to get to a vulnerable level of sharing it can actually be a path to meaningful connection.

Think about the last time you experienced vulnerability - where you or others showed up open.  What happened?  My experience has been been that in safe and supportive circumstances, showing up open and demonstrating vulnerability, gives others permission to do the same.   In fact, I find that many people really appreciate the opportunity to speak with others who truly demonstrate understanding - not for the sake of pity, but for the sake of connection.  True shared experience and understanding.  In some case where an experience is not mutual, the ability to share in a vulnerable confidence, provides support and actually helps to build relationship.

Practicing vulnerability and being trustworthy with vulnerability are important characteristics.  Dealing in reality with one another allows us to provide true support and allow us to have focus, and understanding.  Show up open and be willing to practice vulnerability in safe spaces.

Character Matters, Part 3 - Consistency

Can you be counted on? Are you accountable and trustworthy?  Consistency is most important for you to live up to the standards you have for yourself and to achieve your goals.  When you have consistency in your life, you are able to reveal patterns nd have a benchmark for measuring things.  Sometimes consistent behaviors, which we refer to as habits, may serve us for a while or may not serve us and need to be changed.  Other times, consistent behavior and practices represent our compass and values for life.  Consistency can create a reference for us in making decisions and taking action, and it can create a basis for others to understand our intentions and actions.  When there is inconsistency, it can serve as a warning that something is not right.

Consistency in relationship is important, as it provides a basis for understanding and support.  When we are consistent we can be accountable and trustworthy.