Will Bowen Audio

I recently did a speech and before I went on stage I asked the event planner about the keynote speaker they’d hired the previous year. “He’s a retired US Army colonel,” She said, “And the one thing I remember him saying was, ‘always make your bed.’“ I’ve thought about that a lot since then and it’s actually pretty solid advice. It’s amazing how that one simple ritual can put us on a positive path for the rest of the day. How about you? Do you make your bed every morning? Let’s talk about why this works and how you can apply it to other areas of your life as well. Be sure to post your questions and comments, I always reply to them personally.

“To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best day and night to make you like everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight and never stop fighting.” -e.e.Cummings You will always find those who think they know what your duty is better than you. Back when I was a church minister, it amazed me how often people would tell me how I should dress, believe, think, handle situations, and do every aspect of my job. The problem is not that people have opinions as to how we should do things--that’s inevitable. The problem is that many of us accept other people's opinions when we know they are not right for us. Today, let’s address being yourself – – the hardest and most important thing you’ll ever do. Be sure to post your questions and comments, I always reply to them personally.

Have you ever picked the wrong person to date (or even marry?) Of course, we all have. The problem is not that we attract bad partners – – the problem is that we invite them into our lives and give them the key to our heart. If you or someone you know is stuck in a negative relationship pattern, get ready to learn about what I call the Relationship Power of Attorney. This is going to change your heart and your mind about dating and give you peace. Be sure to post your questions and comments, I always reply to them personally.

You may not expect me to JumpStart the value of Giving Up but sometimes it’s the right strategy. Doing something now “just because we said we would” a long time ago makes no sense. BUT, does this mean we give up on things just because they get hard? Not at all. We need to know when we’re giving up because it’s the wrong thing as opposed to giving up because something’s too difficult. Today, let’s talk about when to quit, when to persevere, and how to know the difference. Be sure to post your questions and comments, I always reply to them personally.

“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson This Emerson quote is so good, it’s a two-parter! “Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can.” OMG! This is OPPOSITE of what most people do, right? Most people toss-and-turn in bed replaying the day’s slights, difficulties, and mistakes assuring that they sleep fitfully and wake up dreading tomorrow. “Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.” For you is it, “GOOD MORNING GOD!!” or more like, “Good God, morning.” Are you able to begin your days with a “high spirit?” If not, I’m going to give you a simple tool to start getting out of bed EXCITED! Be sure to post your questions and comments, I always reply to them personally.

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson You think you’re special. You think you’re a unique individual. You think you’re one-of-a-kind, cut from your own cloth, unlike anyone else, right? Well....maybe. So often we walk in paths created by others for so long that they become trenches trapping us inside. Today, let’s explore what I like to call Opposite Day -- one day to explore the opposite side of...well, EVERYTHING. The interesting thing you’ll discover is that as you serendipitously develop new, healthier, and happier paths, others will follow along behind you. Today, let’s break out of our ruts and march boldly toward new horizons. Be sure to post your questions and comments, I always reply to them personally.

As we wind-down this 12-Part Series on Ralph Waldo Emerson, I want to break away from Self Reliance and discuss three other Emerson quotes not found in that book. Today is one of my favorites: “For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson Have you ever noticed that you can’t be angry and happy at the same time? Brian Tracy calls this the Law of Mental Exclusivity. Our minds may jump around a lot, but they only focus on one thing at a time (however briefly). So, you can either be angry or you can be happy -- and it’s too bad you don’t get to choose, right? Well, you do. Anger is inevitable but more-often-than-not you probably perpetuate our anger. Today, let's talk about how to enjoy more happiness and less anger. Be sure to post your questions and comments, I always reply to them personally.

I am psyched that you guys are loving this series on “Self Reliance” by Ralph Waldo Emerson. And thank you for continuing to leave your comments so we can all engage. Today’s quote is, “A man is to carry himself in the presence of all opposition as if everything were titular and ephemeral but he.” Titular means nominal – – unimportant. Ephemeral means fleeting. Everything is unimportant and fleeting except YOU! Today, get ready to play big! Be sure to post your questions and comments, I always reply to them personally.

“Whoso would be a man must be a non-conformist. He would gather immortal palms must not be hindered by the name of goodness, but must explore if it be goodness. Nothing is at less sacred but the integrity of our own mind. “ Think of someone who radically changed humanity – – that person is a non-conformist. Almost by definition, a person who changes the world must be a nonconformist — a person who swims against the current and, in the process teaches others to follow their course. Emerson explains that to change YOUR world you need to stop conforming and begin to act on those radical and often unexpected hunches you receive. Today, get ready for your life to kick into high gear as we practice radical acts of nonconformity. Be sure to post your questions and comments, I always reply to them personally.

“The nonchalance of boys who are sure of a dinner, and would distain as much as the Lord to do or say ought to conciliate one, is the healthy attitude of human nature.” -Emerson As I sit here writing this, two brothers are playing the game Marco Polo in the swimming pool in front of me. It is endearing to hear them play and it reminds me of my brothers when we were young. The three of us never doubted whether supper would be on the table when we finished playing because we KNEW our mom was at home making it. Emerson says that this is the level of certainty with which we need to approach all things in life —like boys at play knowing dinner will be on the table when they get home. Get ready to have “faith on steroids” after today’s JumpStart. Be sure to post your questions and comments, I always reply to them personally.