I just gave myself a week-long Time Out in Mexico. The break was needed to calm the chatter in my mind and the busy-ness in which I had found myself. Even though life is quite fantastic, it has been bustling along at a ferverish pace for quite some time now and I was really starting to feel the need for a great big PAUSE.
In my work as a professional motivator, I teach my clients the 5 step process to embracing their potential: P.A.U.S.E. The first step, and the root of it all is to pause, or take a Time Out. I advise my clients clearly that ‘all you have to remember is to PAUSE, because that’s where all the answers lie’. No matter what your issue is, no matter what pain you are trying to ease, personal or professional, you will find your answers when you step off the Treadmill of Life and pause.
If you are a parent, you may have a very different idea of what a Time Out means; if you are a sports fan, likewise. Ultimately, both scenarios are teaching the same lesson and it is an elemental one. When you take a moment to remove yourself from the current circumstance (a temper tantrum, a series of bad plays, etc.) and breathe (always remember to breathe), you are much better equipped to continue and with success. Cooler heads prevail: confidence rises; fear is quashed; creativity soars; solutions are found where once there existed only chaos and uncertainty. And then there is peace.
This week I went without cell phone or internet. I emptied my mind for prolonged periods of time. At one point I said to my friend, “Guess what I’m thinking about?... Nothing.” And I laughed!!! I caught myself thinking about nothing every now and then as I stared out at the ocean from my hammock. It always made me smile. My time out brought me to places I have never been before. I will not wait another 40 years before I go back. In fact, if I just lay back and rest, I can be there again in my mind…
I can PAUSE at a moment’s notice and so can you. There is no need to go to Mexico but there IS a need to embrace your potential and take a Time Out! Lesson Learned.
If you need assistance in giving yourself a Time Out, contact me at lisa@embracingpotential.com.
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Professional Motivator, Lisa Payne, finds inspiration in everyday events to help others embrace their potential.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Do You Believe in Magic?
Have you ever felt like the sense of wonder that you held fast as a child has been lost to you forever? Are you too busy on the treadmill of life to stop and smell the roses? Does your job, finances, or family responsibilities take up all the space in your brain, leaving no room to experience the magic that is beyond what you can (currently) see?
I invite you to remember, not so long ago…
• The wind blowing through your hair as you pedaled as fast as your little legs could go and the thrill of zooming downhill faster than lightning.
• Feeling light as air as you swung higher and higher after multiple under-ducks on the swings.
• Trying to blow a bubble bigger than your head before your Double Bubble popped all over your face, hair and glasses.
• Staying up too late and getting up too early during a sleepover where there was too much sugar, not enough cake, and just the right amount of silliness.
• Blowing bubbles to see how far they could be carried in the wind before your friends stomped on them.
When you are desperate to reconnect with the magic that can be found as easily as it is lost, I highly recommend consulting with the experts. I have two of my own, aged 9 and 11. Spending quality time playing with children can magically take your mind of bills, reports, laundry and back pain. They say that laughter is the best medicine and I believe that the magic shared in a moment of childish fun can create lasting peace and happiness in your world and in the world at large.
If you don’t have your own children, please take mine!!! Just kidding, but I’m willing to bet your friends or relatives wouldn’t mind you sharing in their magic for a while. There are many volunteer programs where you can get a bit of this magic on an ongoing basis and make a difference in the life of someone else. Big Brothers Big Sisters is a program with which I have been associated for many years. Friday past, my 12-year-old mentee and I hosted a variety show in his grade six class. I feel so grateful to have shared the past three years with them, one lunch time a week, and I told them so. I got goosebumps and was practically moved to tears as I watched these kids strut their stuff. They were free to be themselves in a safe and supportive environment. What magic, indeed!
So, how will you recapture the magic of childhood today? I feel the Tilt-o-Whirl beckoning me from the fair that’s in town; then, there’s the new Shrek 3D movie… ah, so many choices. YES, I believe in magic and I trust you do, too. Lesson Learned.
I invite you to remember, not so long ago…
• The wind blowing through your hair as you pedaled as fast as your little legs could go and the thrill of zooming downhill faster than lightning.
• Feeling light as air as you swung higher and higher after multiple under-ducks on the swings.
• Trying to blow a bubble bigger than your head before your Double Bubble popped all over your face, hair and glasses.
• Staying up too late and getting up too early during a sleepover where there was too much sugar, not enough cake, and just the right amount of silliness.
• Blowing bubbles to see how far they could be carried in the wind before your friends stomped on them.
When you are desperate to reconnect with the magic that can be found as easily as it is lost, I highly recommend consulting with the experts. I have two of my own, aged 9 and 11. Spending quality time playing with children can magically take your mind of bills, reports, laundry and back pain. They say that laughter is the best medicine and I believe that the magic shared in a moment of childish fun can create lasting peace and happiness in your world and in the world at large.
If you don’t have your own children, please take mine!!! Just kidding, but I’m willing to bet your friends or relatives wouldn’t mind you sharing in their magic for a while. There are many volunteer programs where you can get a bit of this magic on an ongoing basis and make a difference in the life of someone else. Big Brothers Big Sisters is a program with which I have been associated for many years. Friday past, my 12-year-old mentee and I hosted a variety show in his grade six class. I feel so grateful to have shared the past three years with them, one lunch time a week, and I told them so. I got goosebumps and was practically moved to tears as I watched these kids strut their stuff. They were free to be themselves in a safe and supportive environment. What magic, indeed!
So, how will you recapture the magic of childhood today? I feel the Tilt-o-Whirl beckoning me from the fair that’s in town; then, there’s the new Shrek 3D movie… ah, so many choices. YES, I believe in magic and I trust you do, too. Lesson Learned.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Little Girl's Growing Up
It has been such a busy few weeks that I haven’t been finding much time to write. Today, I honor my biggest distraction and my biggest inspiration: my daughter, Sydney, who turns 9 year old today.
Sydney is my precious second born child, my Gemini through and through. She has boundless energy that starts as soon as she pops out of bed in the morning. She is full of life and loves life. Her nature is such that she doesn’t settle on one thing for long; and while she flits from one activity to another, she never complains of being bored nor does she require constant attention to maintain her good mood. While there is no doubt of her extroversion, Sydney finds pleasure in quiet times, too. (Okay, it does usually involve her talking with her dolls or stuffed animals, but she does manage is what I am saying!)
From her blond curls to her toes, Sydney is my sunshine. She is dramatic, to be sure, and there is never a dull moment around her. She loves people and is very caring and compassionate. In many ways, she is like her mom… but she is unique with her special gifts. Every day, Sydney brings a smile to my face and faces of everyone that sees her.
Sydney, my sunshine. I truly love her… I also like her a lot. It is for these reasons that she gives me the inspiration to be who I am in the world. I recognize the immense influence I have on my daughter. I want the best for her so I choose to live by example, demonstrating what is possible when you embrace your potential. Lesson Learned.
Sydney is my precious second born child, my Gemini through and through. She has boundless energy that starts as soon as she pops out of bed in the morning. She is full of life and loves life. Her nature is such that she doesn’t settle on one thing for long; and while she flits from one activity to another, she never complains of being bored nor does she require constant attention to maintain her good mood. While there is no doubt of her extroversion, Sydney finds pleasure in quiet times, too. (Okay, it does usually involve her talking with her dolls or stuffed animals, but she does manage is what I am saying!)
From her blond curls to her toes, Sydney is my sunshine. She is dramatic, to be sure, and there is never a dull moment around her. She loves people and is very caring and compassionate. In many ways, she is like her mom… but she is unique with her special gifts. Every day, Sydney brings a smile to my face and faces of everyone that sees her.
Sydney, my sunshine. I truly love her… I also like her a lot. It is for these reasons that she gives me the inspiration to be who I am in the world. I recognize the immense influence I have on my daughter. I want the best for her so I choose to live by example, demonstrating what is possible when you embrace your potential. Lesson Learned.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Receiving Inspiration
As a Professional Motivator, I encourage my clients to find a Quiet Space for themselves where they can be fully open to receiving the inspiration needed to embrace their potential. I know of what I speak. I have two places which have become that for me. Those spots are so nurturing for my soul that I often visit them both in one day, time permitting.
There is a pond around which I have been walking for exercise for years but it has only been in the last couple that I have recognized it as a sacred space where I can tap into my creative power and reconnect with my higher self. On each trip, I walk around twice. Usually, I need the first to clear my head of whatever chatter is going on. This is especially useful if I have been working a bit too hard or if I have become overwhelmed with a problem or situation. I allow myself the first 25 minutes to get it all out. I know that I need to create space within in me in order to receive what I need.
There is a particular spot near the end of the loop where I will raise my face up to the sky and ask for clarity. I always smile at this point because I know that the answers will come.
The inner turmoil and anxiety, the pain and the bewilderment, are all part of my process. I have to feel those feelings in order to get through them. Once I do, I am then ready to release them to a power that is much greater than my own. Letting go of the need to be right or to have all the answers puts me in a position where I am open to receive. As I round the bend where I will start my second loop of the pond, the sense of peace puts such a spring in my step that I can shave five minutes of my pace.
Yesterday the clarity came quicker. This is always dependent on what I am ‘carrying’ when I start the walk. I wasn’t really struggling with much yesterday and I had just met with a potential client so my energy, which has been lagging for a couple of days, was on the rebound. My mind was already in creative mode when I started. I practically ran around the two laps yesterday and came away with a marketing plan for my next workshop, a speech for an upcoming event, and a decision on what to eat for dinner! I know that these results came from how I was BEING when I started. I am mindful of the importance of taking the time to nurture my soul and tap into the power I have to unleash my brilliance.
As my mother said, “That pond has been good to you.” It has indeed and I am grateful. Lesson Learned.
There is a pond around which I have been walking for exercise for years but it has only been in the last couple that I have recognized it as a sacred space where I can tap into my creative power and reconnect with my higher self. On each trip, I walk around twice. Usually, I need the first to clear my head of whatever chatter is going on. This is especially useful if I have been working a bit too hard or if I have become overwhelmed with a problem or situation. I allow myself the first 25 minutes to get it all out. I know that I need to create space within in me in order to receive what I need.
There is a particular spot near the end of the loop where I will raise my face up to the sky and ask for clarity. I always smile at this point because I know that the answers will come.
The inner turmoil and anxiety, the pain and the bewilderment, are all part of my process. I have to feel those feelings in order to get through them. Once I do, I am then ready to release them to a power that is much greater than my own. Letting go of the need to be right or to have all the answers puts me in a position where I am open to receive. As I round the bend where I will start my second loop of the pond, the sense of peace puts such a spring in my step that I can shave five minutes of my pace.
Yesterday the clarity came quicker. This is always dependent on what I am ‘carrying’ when I start the walk. I wasn’t really struggling with much yesterday and I had just met with a potential client so my energy, which has been lagging for a couple of days, was on the rebound. My mind was already in creative mode when I started. I practically ran around the two laps yesterday and came away with a marketing plan for my next workshop, a speech for an upcoming event, and a decision on what to eat for dinner! I know that these results came from how I was BEING when I started. I am mindful of the importance of taking the time to nurture my soul and tap into the power I have to unleash my brilliance.
As my mother said, “That pond has been good to you.” It has indeed and I am grateful. Lesson Learned.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
In Busy Times, Make Your Choices Count
I’ve had a very event-full May so far, personally and professionally, and the rest of the spring is shaping up nicely, too, I am pleased to say. On the heels of two major speaking engagements with the RCMP and Dept of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, I have three more slated for the next couple of weeks. Also, on May 19th I celebrated my big 4-0 with friends and family. Time sure does fly when you’re Embracing Your Potential!!
At times like these, I am faced with the reality that there ARE only so many hours in the day and, therefore I must make careful choices as to how I spend my time. Deliberate intent is one of the pillars of my professional work and I can assure you all that I was tested to my limit this month which so many obligations pulling me this way and that. Keeping my vision of success in mind was paramount to getting through the past several weeks without pulling out my hair, biting my nails, or forgetting to feed my children.
I know that I was being fueled by pure adrenaline as I worked until midnight for about three weeks straight and then celebrated with the same enthusiasm for another full week. Last night, as I helped a friend usher in her 40th birthday in style, and then I hit the wall! Yes, I am speaking figuratively and there was no alcohol involved (this time)! My energy had been waning since Friday morning. I was feeling healthy and happy but just did not have much pep. Considering I have been barely touching the ground for the past month, it is easy to see how I felt like I was having an out-of-body experience. I tried not to judge it and just do whatever I felt like doing. It turns out that it wasn’t much! At my friend’s party, I sat quietly in the corner and smiled and listened… she knew something was up!! And it clearly wasn’t my energy. I enjoyed myself and the company of her friends but, in the end, I knew it was time to go when the 80s music started blaring and I had no interest in dancing. Clearly, I needed a rest!!!
And that is what I have done. My long weekend has been spent relaxing, reading, writing and planning. These are low energy activities to me, but to some, they still constitute work. Well, what can I say? The self-employed don’t get “holidays” and you’ve got to hit while the iron is hot they. I’ve decided to go with the flow and right now, the flow says to be by myself and CREATE.
On the heels of the incredible success of my four-part workshop, I have decided to offer another public workshop in St. John’s; this time, it will be a full-day event on June 19th. In a sudden burst this afternoon, flyers, emails, and invitations were sent out and the website updated. Now I wait. I embrace this ‘down time’ for what it is. I choose to ask, believe and receive (The Secret). Lesson Learned.
At times like these, I am faced with the reality that there ARE only so many hours in the day and, therefore I must make careful choices as to how I spend my time. Deliberate intent is one of the pillars of my professional work and I can assure you all that I was tested to my limit this month which so many obligations pulling me this way and that. Keeping my vision of success in mind was paramount to getting through the past several weeks without pulling out my hair, biting my nails, or forgetting to feed my children.
I know that I was being fueled by pure adrenaline as I worked until midnight for about three weeks straight and then celebrated with the same enthusiasm for another full week. Last night, as I helped a friend usher in her 40th birthday in style, and then I hit the wall! Yes, I am speaking figuratively and there was no alcohol involved (this time)! My energy had been waning since Friday morning. I was feeling healthy and happy but just did not have much pep. Considering I have been barely touching the ground for the past month, it is easy to see how I felt like I was having an out-of-body experience. I tried not to judge it and just do whatever I felt like doing. It turns out that it wasn’t much! At my friend’s party, I sat quietly in the corner and smiled and listened… she knew something was up!! And it clearly wasn’t my energy. I enjoyed myself and the company of her friends but, in the end, I knew it was time to go when the 80s music started blaring and I had no interest in dancing. Clearly, I needed a rest!!!
And that is what I have done. My long weekend has been spent relaxing, reading, writing and planning. These are low energy activities to me, but to some, they still constitute work. Well, what can I say? The self-employed don’t get “holidays” and you’ve got to hit while the iron is hot they. I’ve decided to go with the flow and right now, the flow says to be by myself and CREATE.
On the heels of the incredible success of my four-part workshop, I have decided to offer another public workshop in St. John’s; this time, it will be a full-day event on June 19th. In a sudden burst this afternoon, flyers, emails, and invitations were sent out and the website updated. Now I wait. I embrace this ‘down time’ for what it is. I choose to ask, believe and receive (The Secret). Lesson Learned.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Message to Robin Sharma
Dear Robin,
I am a Professional Motivator based in St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador. I have been following your career for 6 years when I first read The Monk who Sold his Ferrari. The mantra: 'I am more than I appear to be; all the world's strength and power rests inside me' carried me through some difficult times and I want to thank you for that. I have since read your other books and continue to be inspired by your energy and desire to make leaders of us all!
I am delivering a keynote address to the Dept of Tourism, Culture & Recreation for the Province of NL next week and, in alignment with the client's mission for the day, I suggested that they provide copies of your latest book, The Leader Who Had No Title to all in attendance. I am pleased to say they agreed and I will be referencing a few key points to reinforce your message which runs parallel to my own.
Tonight I mentioned you in one of my blogs: lisaqat40.blogspot.com which is also posted on Twitter: lisaqmotivator. You can check out my work at www.embracingpotential.com.
Having just recently moved waaaay outside my comfort zone, leaving a long-time stable career to launch my business, I am finding that my comfort zone is expanding and it includes the excitement of living in possibility every day. Thank you for playing a special role in my growth and development.
Yours in possibility,
Lisa Quinton
President
Connections for Success Inc.
aka Princess of Possibility
I am a Professional Motivator based in St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador. I have been following your career for 6 years when I first read The Monk who Sold his Ferrari. The mantra: 'I am more than I appear to be; all the world's strength and power rests inside me' carried me through some difficult times and I want to thank you for that. I have since read your other books and continue to be inspired by your energy and desire to make leaders of us all!
I am delivering a keynote address to the Dept of Tourism, Culture & Recreation for the Province of NL next week and, in alignment with the client's mission for the day, I suggested that they provide copies of your latest book, The Leader Who Had No Title to all in attendance. I am pleased to say they agreed and I will be referencing a few key points to reinforce your message which runs parallel to my own.
Tonight I mentioned you in one of my blogs: lisaqat40.blogspot.com which is also posted on Twitter: lisaqmotivator. You can check out my work at www.embracingpotential.com.
Having just recently moved waaaay outside my comfort zone, leaving a long-time stable career to launch my business, I am finding that my comfort zone is expanding and it includes the excitement of living in possibility every day. Thank you for playing a special role in my growth and development.
Yours in possibility,
Lisa Quinton
President
Connections for Success Inc.
aka Princess of Possibility
Show some Compassion
When life throws you lemons, what do you do? [Considering my anaphylactic allergy to all things citrus, I RUN LIKE HELL.] The ‘correct’ answer is: you make lemonade! Isn’t that sweet? The fact is, sometime life presents you with stuff that seems like it will crush you and turn you into a pulp. You have a choice in how you respond.
So when someone you care about is facing a serious healthy issue – completely out of your control – KNOW that there is a way to contribute to that person’s well being. You can BE caring and compassionate. Offer up whatever you can to help. Offer a shoulder, an ear. Offer two arms for a hug. Offer your love and support. Offer your strength.
That’s what I did today. I recognize that I have a gift to offer to others in their time of need. It doesn’t have to consume or deplete me. I don’t have to put my life on hold to be there to lend a hand. I just have to be me. Sending healing energy your way!
Lesson Learned.
So when someone you care about is facing a serious healthy issue – completely out of your control – KNOW that there is a way to contribute to that person’s well being. You can BE caring and compassionate. Offer up whatever you can to help. Offer a shoulder, an ear. Offer two arms for a hug. Offer your love and support. Offer your strength.
That’s what I did today. I recognize that I have a gift to offer to others in their time of need. It doesn’t have to consume or deplete me. I don’t have to put my life on hold to be there to lend a hand. I just have to be me. Sending healing energy your way!
Lesson Learned.
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