Sparked!

Looking to the outside world to make things better? Wake up and try being a self-authoring human being instead.

Do you feel overwhelmed, overworked and over scheduled? Do you feel as though there's not enough time, space or peace in your life? If so, then wake up and tune into this episode. You'll hear my passionate plea about waking up and becoming a self-authoring and anti-fragile human being. 

To start, I ask (if you are) to stop blaming the world for your lack of time, lack of quiet, lack of space, and lack of peace. In other words, stop blaming others. Instead, look at yourself and your life, put your own hands on your own steering wheel and start driving your own life. 

Self-Authoring and Anti-Fragile

I also beg you (yes, I beg you) to stop looking to the outside world to make things better and instead, be a self-authoring human being. In short, self-authoring means an empowered someone who generates motivation from within. Also, it's a person who trusts his or her own intelligence above and beyond what the world has to say. 

In addition to being self authoring, I encourage you to be anti-fragile. Be that person who is not easily put off or thrown out of whack by external forces, i.e. the angry boss, the upset partner or the cranky kids. 

Finally, I remind you that you are "not dead yet" and that you can wake up right now and admit to yourself what is not working in your life. You can look at yourself, lift up the hood of the car, and get underneath and check yourself out (with love and compassion of course!). 

Nobody's going to do this for you. Nobody. There's no self help book out there that is going to change your life the way that you paying attention to you can. 

Give yourself the time and space you need to pause and reflect. Remember that you are not dead yet. There is plenty of life waiting to be lived. So, remember to wake up and pay attention. 

Because this is your life. And you are worth it. 

 Mentions and More

Episode #96: What is Your Hell Yeah?Medium Article - Your Hell Yeah Wake Up Call

Alive at Work by Daniel CableOn The Verge: Wake up, Show up, and Shine by Cara Bradley

Love this podcast? Leave a review on iTunes and help more folk wake up, show up and live in flow. 

Looking to the outside world to make things better? Wake up and try being a self-authoring human being instead.

Do you feel overwhelmed, overworked and over scheduled? Do you feel as though there's not enough time, space or peace in your life? If so, then wake up and tune into this episode. You'll hear my passionate plea about waking up and becoming a self-authoring and anti-fragile human being. 

To start, I ask (if you are) to stop blaming the world for your lack of time, lack of quiet, lack of space, and lack of peace. In other words, stop blaming others. Instead, look at yourself and your life, put your own hands on your own steering wheel and start driving your own life. 

Self-Authoring and Anti-Fragile

I also beg you (yes, I beg you) to stop looking to the outside world to make things better and instead, be a self-authoring human being. In short, self-authoring means an empowered someone who generates motivation from within. Also, it's a person who trusts his or her own intelligence above and beyond what the world has to say. 

In addition to being self authoring, I encourage you to be anti-fragile. Be that person who is not easily put off or thrown out of whack by external forces, i.e. the angry boss, the upset partner or the cranky kids. 

Finally, I remind you that you are "not dead yet" and that you can wake up right now and admit to yourself what is not working in your life. You can look at yourself, lift up the hood of the car, and get underneath and check yourself out (with love and compassion of course!). 

Nobody's going to do this for you. Nobody. There's no self help book out there that is going to change your life the way that you paying attention to you can. 

Give yourself the time and space you need to pause and reflect. Remember that you are not dead yet. There is plenty of life waiting to be lived. So, remember to wake up and pay attention. 

Because this is your life. And you are worth it. 

 Mentions and More

Episode #96: What is Your Hell Yeah?Medium Article - Your Hell Yeah Wake Up Call

Alive at Work by Daniel CableOn The Verge: Wake up, Show up, and Shine by Cara Bradley

Love this podcast? Leave a review on iTunes and help more folk wake up, show up and live in flow. 

Fully Alive, Engaged and Awake: Live at four or five and there's no stopping you.

Have you ever stopped to ask yourself, “How awake and engaged am I in my life right now?” If you’re like most people, the answer is likely to be not often or never. In this episode, Cara brings you her Aliveness Scale. A way to measure states throughout the day—the Alive Scale is new. You're getting it hot off the presses and still somewhat unformed (which is sometimes the best, isn’t it?) Here’s her summary:

The Aliveness Scale runs 1 through 5 as follows:

4 and 5: “F” Words Abound!

When we feel "F"-ed." To be more explicit, at a five we feel Fired up, Fiercely focused, Fully engaged, Fully awake, and IN FLOW. At a five we experience in FULL, or as I write about in On The Verge, with high definition clarity and high voltage energy.Four, it's a lighter version of five. Fours are wonderful micro-flow moments, when we feel content and present. For example, at a four we may not feel as "F"-ed up." Instead, we carry this delightful sense that all is well with the world—for the moment anyway. 

1 and 2: Bring on the “D” words

At a one or two on the scale of aliveness, we feel Dull, Disengaged, Disconnected, Disenchanted, Depleted, maybe even a little Depressed. We're not very engaged, we don't feel alive and we’re going through the motions.

3 - Meh

Three is where most of us spend most of our time. Right down the center of aliveness. At three, we are  “meh” about life. We're not great and we're not bad. We may on autopilot or on speed. We live in our heads more than in the present moment. Stuck in our busy minds and numb to to beauty around us, we become proficient little worker bees. In other words, we get shit done. 

Live at a three too much of your precious life and you may find yourself telling others how "crazy busy” you are (like the rest of us aren’t busy!). It's likely you do not take one second to stop and smell the roses, you're doing too much and feel stressed out all the time. In other words, if you are always overwhelmed , you're likely hanging out in three way too much.

How to Live a Four or Five Life

To live at a four or five more often, you need to notice more and notice everything! Notice when you're disengaged. Notice when you feel dull. Notice when you feel depleted or overwhelmed And then, do something about it! Make a change, switch your state, go for a walk, tell the truth, get creative, take a nap.

The possibilities are infinite. If you want more ideas, listen to almost every On The Verge podcast.

Let's take this home. The most important thing you can do to live at a four or five more often, is to STOP WAITING for people to be perfect or for situations to improve. It will never happen, EVER! No one can do this for you. And, it's not going to magically happen either.

So what do you need to do? Start making your state your priority. Rate your state of aliveness throughout the day. Then, choose where you want to live. Do you really want to hang out in a one or two (in the D words)? Or just barely survive and be  “meh” at three? How about you slam it and wake up one day committed to living at a four or five FULLY ENGAGED AND ALIVE? 

Here's the bottom line (if there is a bottom line.) When you start living in four or five more often than not, there is no stopping you. THERE IS NO STOPPING YOU!

Fully Alive, Engaged and Awake: Live at four or five and there's no stopping you.

Have you ever stopped to ask yourself, “How awake and engaged am I in my life right now?” If you’re like most people, the answer is likely to be not often or never. In this episode, Cara brings you her Aliveness Scale. A way to measure states throughout the day—the Alive Scale is new. You're getting it hot off the presses and still somewhat unformed (which is sometimes the best, isn’t it?) Here’s her summary:

The Aliveness Scale runs 1 through 5 as follows:

4 and 5: “F” Words Abound!

When we feel "F"-ed." To be more explicit, at a five we feel Fired up, Fiercely focused, Fully engaged, Fully awake, and IN FLOW. At a five we experience in FULL, or as I write about in On The Verge, with high definition clarity and high voltage energy.Four, it's a lighter version of five. Fours are wonderful micro-flow moments, when we feel content and present. For example, at a four we may not feel as "F"-ed up." Instead, we carry this delightful sense that all is well with the world—for the moment anyway. 

1 and 2: Bring on the “D” words

At a one or two on the scale of aliveness, we feel Dull, Disengaged, Disconnected, Disenchanted, Depleted, maybe even a little Depressed. We're not very engaged, we don't feel alive and we’re going through the motions.

3 - Meh

Three is where most of us spend most of our time. Right down the center of aliveness. At three, we are  “meh” about life. We're not great and we're not bad. We may on autopilot or on speed. We live in our heads more than in the present moment. Stuck in our busy minds and numb to to beauty around us, we become proficient little worker bees. In other words, we get shit done. 

Live at a three too much of your precious life and you may find yourself telling others how "crazy busy” you are (like the rest of us aren’t busy!). It's likely you do not take one second to stop and smell the roses, you're doing too much and feel stressed out all the time. In other words, if you are always overwhelmed , you're likely hanging out in three way too much.

How to Live a Four or Five Life

To live at a four or five more often, you need to notice more and notice everything! Notice when you're disengaged. Notice when you feel dull. Notice when you feel depleted or overwhelmed And then, do something about it! Make a change, switch your state, go for a walk, tell the truth, get creative, take a nap.

The possibilities are infinite. If you want more ideas, listen to almost every On The Verge podcast.

Let's take this home. The most important thing you can do to live at a four or five more often, is to STOP WAITING for people to be perfect or for situations to improve. It will never happen, EVER! No one can do this for you. And, it's not going to magically happen either.

So what do you need to do? Start making your state your priority. Rate your state of aliveness throughout the day. Then, choose where you want to live. Do you really want to hang out in a one or two (in the D words)? Or just barely survive and be  “meh” at three? How about you slam it and wake up one day committed to living at a four or five FULLY ENGAGED AND ALIVE? 

Here's the bottom line (if there is a bottom line.) When you start living in four or five more often than not, there is no stopping you. THERE IS NO STOPPING YOU!

Your struggle is not only useful, it’s necessary for growth and creativity.

Are you struggling in a relationship or with a project at work? Don’t wish it away! There’s good news.In Cara's latest short snippet of no-hype advice, she talks about struggle, your struggle, her struggle and how our struggle can lead us into flow—where we feel bigger, brighter, and better all around.This theory is based on the work of the Godfather of Flow, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and further documented by my friends at the Flow Genome Project.The Flow Cycle includes four stages:1. Struggle2. Release3. Flow4. RecoverPlug in those ear buds and listen up to learn how to navigate the highs and lows of your very own Flow Cycle. Words of wisdom from the Godfather of Flow Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi:“The best moments in our lives are not the passive, receptive, relaxing times . . . The best moments usually occur if a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile.” Want more? Here's a video of the Flow Cycle with Steven Kotler of the Flow Research Collective. As Steven says, "We now know that flow works not like an on-off switch but in a four-part cycle. Understanding these cycles can help you to more often access flow."So the next time you feel stretched to you limits remember the Flow Cycle and smile! You may be super close to the inspiration you've been waiting for.

 Mentions and More

Episode #99: Find Your Flow in 15 MinutesEpisode #80: Flow State - Learn to Return

Herbert Bensen: The Relaxation ResponseFlow Genome ProjectFlow Cycle with Steven KotlerOn The Verge: Wake up, Show up, and Shine by Cara Bradley

Love this podcast? Leave a review on iTunes and help more folk wake up, show up and live in flow. 

Your struggle is not only useful, it’s necessary for growth and creativity.

Are you struggling in a relationship or with a project at work? Don’t wish it away! There’s good news.In Cara's latest short snippet of no-hype advice, she talks about struggle, your struggle, her struggle and how our struggle can lead us into flow—where we feel bigger, brighter, and better all around.This theory is based on the work of the Godfather of Flow, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and further documented by my friends at the Flow Genome Project.The Flow Cycle includes four stages:1. Struggle2. Release3. Flow4. RecoverPlug in those ear buds and listen up to learn how to navigate the highs and lows of your very own Flow Cycle. Words of wisdom from the Godfather of Flow Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi:“The best moments in our lives are not the passive, receptive, relaxing times . . . The best moments usually occur if a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile.” Want more? Here's a video of the Flow Cycle with Steven Kotler of the Flow Research Collective. As Steven says, "We now know that flow works not like an on-off switch but in a four-part cycle. Understanding these cycles can help you to more often access flow."So the next time you feel stretched to you limits remember the Flow Cycle and smile! You may be super close to the inspiration you've been waiting for.

 Mentions and More

Episode #99: Find Your Flow in 15 MinutesEpisode #80: Flow State - Learn to Return

Herbert Bensen: The Relaxation ResponseFlow Genome ProjectFlow Cycle with Steven KotlerOn The Verge: Wake up, Show up, and Shine by Cara Bradley

Love this podcast? Leave a review on iTunes and help more folk wake up, show up and live in flow. 

Start now. Get going. Stop waiting around for everything to "line up."

Do you have a great idea for a project, business, lifestyle but can't seem to jump start it? Or, are you waiting for more information, more expertise, more something? In this episode, Cara talks about how to find the courage to start before you "think" you are ready — a concept she learned from motivational speaker Mel Robbins.

In short, you're never really going to believe you are ready. There will always be that course you should take before starting your business, the milestone before calling yourself an artist, the money you should save before making that lifestyle change. Furthermore, there will always be something you think needs to happen before you call yourself a writer, artist, entrepreneur, etc.

Cara also explains how most of us doubt our abilities to the point of immobilization. In other words, we can't and don't move forward on ideas and dreams until we think we are ready.

Finally, Cara offers solutions to get you started before your think you are ready including how to take daily actions and find flow by challenging yourself 4-6% more every day.

 Mentions and More

Coffee Talk with Mel RobbinsEpisode 115# : What are you most curious about?On The Verge: Wake up, Show up, and Shine by Cara Bradley

Love this podcast? Leave a review on iTunes and help more folk wake up, show up and live in flow. 

Start now. Get going. Stop waiting around for everything to "line up."

Do you have a great idea for a project, business, lifestyle but can't seem to jump start it? Or, are you waiting for more information, more expertise, more something? In this episode, Cara talks about how to find the courage to start before you "think" you are ready — a concept she learned from motivational speaker Mel Robbins.

In short, you're never really going to believe you are ready. There will always be that course you should take before starting your business, the milestone before calling yourself an artist, the money you should save before making that lifestyle change. Furthermore, there will always be something you think needs to happen before you call yourself a writer, artist, entrepreneur, etc.

Cara also explains how most of us doubt our abilities to the point of immobilization. In other words, we can't and don't move forward on ideas and dreams until we think we are ready.

Finally, Cara offers solutions to get you started before your think you are ready including how to take daily actions and find flow by challenging yourself 4-6% more every day.

 Mentions and More

Coffee Talk with Mel RobbinsEpisode 115# : What are you most curious about?On The Verge: Wake up, Show up, and Shine by Cara Bradley

Love this podcast? Leave a review on iTunes and help more folk wake up, show up and live in flow. 

Find out how to use feedback to get clear on what's holding you back.  

We are brilliant beings with intelligence flooding, our systems. 24/7. We each have unique gifts to share with the world—our own unique version of lightness and brightness. However, oftentimes feedback gets in the way.

It happens all the time. We receive constructive criticism and we shut down. We block ourselves from really listening. We hold ourselves back from showing up in our brilliance.

We all do it to some degree. What is blocking you from shining? Is it doubt, fear, old patterns and conditioning? Do place more importance on what others think than what you believe? (Ouch). Is it something you are unwilling to face? 

In this episode, Cara does her best to answer these challenging questions. She also gets personal about how she was recently "brought to her knees” after hearing tough feedback and how she let down her guard to see the "truth in the sting.” 

Finally she explores how to use honest, and oftentimes painful feedback to learn, grow and to ultimately get out of your own way and how doing so will not only bring clarity to where you’ve been hiding, it will also makes you feel more open, tender and alive. 

 Mentions and Moreo

On The Verge: Wake up, Show up, and Shine by Cara Bradley

Episode 88: Can you Handle the Truth? Love this podcast? Leave a review on iTunes or GooglePlay and help more folk wake up, show up and live in flow. 

Photo by Olhar Angolano on Unsplash

Find out how to use feedback to get clear on what's holding you back.  

We are brilliant beings with intelligence flooding, our systems. 24/7. We each have unique gifts to share with the world—our own unique version of lightness and brightness. However, oftentimes feedback gets in the way.

It happens all the time. We receive constructive criticism and we shut down. We block ourselves from really listening. We hold ourselves back from showing up in our brilliance.

We all do it to some degree. What is blocking you from shining? Is it doubt, fear, old patterns and conditioning? Do place more importance on what others think than what you believe? (Ouch). Is it something you are unwilling to face? 

In this episode, Cara does her best to answer these challenging questions. She also gets personal about how she was recently "brought to her knees” after hearing tough feedback and how she let down her guard to see the "truth in the sting.” 

Finally she explores how to use honest, and oftentimes painful feedback to learn, grow and to ultimately get out of your own way and how doing so will not only bring clarity to where you’ve been hiding, it will also makes you feel more open, tender and alive. 

 Mentions and Moreo

On The Verge: Wake up, Show up, and Shine by Cara Bradley

Episode 88: Can you Handle the Truth? Love this podcast? Leave a review on iTunes or GooglePlay and help more folk wake up, show up and live in flow. 

Photo by Olhar Angolano on Unsplash