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Issue 170 |
September 21, 2007 |
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ChangingCourse.com ~Live Life on Purpose ~Work at What You Love ~Follow Your Own Road | |
Inside Today's Issue Want to Re-Create Your Life? What Not to Do
Featured Resource
Guest Article Upcoming Workshops and Teleclasses
This ad-free bimonthly newsletter is brought to you compliments of ChangingCourse.com. |
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All life is an experiment. The more
experiments you make, the better. |
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Opportunity Knocks
Want to Re-Create Your Life? What Not to Do
By Valerie Young You’ve probably read plenty of advice on what you need to do to find and follow the path to right livelihood. Well, I thought it might be time to offer a little counter-intuitive advice on what not to do. For example… Do Not Automatically Trust the Experts Even so-called experts sometimes get it wrong. I’m a big fan of the Public Television show Antiques Road Show. If you haven’t seen it it’s basically a roving antique appraisal fair featuring experts in anything from antique or vintage watches, furniture, pottery, paintings, books, and historical artifacts to just about anything else old. People show up hoping to get an expert opinion on the origins and value of anything from family heirlooms to an old movie poster they picked up for a few bucks at a garage sale. In one recent segment a woman brought in a small green porcelain fish that had been in her family for many generations. According to a local antique dealer its only value was sentimental, adding that she could either keep it or put in a garage sale. Boy was he wrong. It turns out it was the earliest example of American porcelain that the Antiques Road Show appraiser – or any of his fellow experts – had ever seen. That small green fish was worth $30,000. I once had a big time internet marketing guru tell me in no uncertain terms to change my home page. I did, and in the long run the change ended up costing me probably about $25,000 in sales. I still have the greatest respect for this individual whose results speak for themselves. But again, all experts get it wrong now and then – even me! So when in doubt, get a second and even a third opinion. Don't Take On Too Much I know firsthand what it feels like to desperately want to flee a job that is sucking the life force out of you. I also know, too, that in our frantic attempt to get out of job jail we sometimes make the mistake of taking on too much all at once. "If I can read three books, attend four Teleclasses, sign up for six self-study courses, and listen to ten CDs this week," we reason, "I’ll be able to reach my goal that much faster." But all too often just the opposite happens. In the process of trying to absorb too much information we become overwhelmed, with the result being the mental "memory full" message. And when that happens, just like when our computer is full, our brain actually starts to run slower. Even if you are a master at taking in massive amounts of information when you try to go in too many different directions at once you can end up going nowhere… fast. Realizing a dream does require you to take action – lots and lots of action. Just not all at once. "For fast acting relief," says Lily Tomlin, "try slowing down." Don’t Make It Harder Than It Really Is A client named Billy wanted to start his own syndicated radio show. The problem? Like virtually everyone else on the planet (including me) he had no idea how to go about it. "Did you Google ‘how to start your own syndicated radio show’?" I asked. This simple query led to a site called Syndication.net which offers consulting, a self-study kit, and other resources on how to launch a radio show. From here I hopped over to Amazon and found a well-rated book called The Radio Producer's Handbook by Rick Kaempfer and John Swanson. I haven’t researched either of these resources, but still it is a great example of how something that feels so hard can be so easy. Happily, that’s what fellow subscriber Andi Arndt just found out for herself. Andi wrote to say she’d started her own home recording studio this summer and had already found a regular client. "My realtor wants me to be the voice of all their listings, including virtual tours, HomeVoice call-in property info, their voicemail system, and narrating the weekly real estate show!" But it gets even better. Andi says, "I also Googled ‘travel’ and ‘voiceover’ and found a great company in Brussels, Belgium that does audio city tours for iPods. I'm writing their New York City audio guide, and then narrating it when we record, and I'll get a 50-50 split of what is sold on his impressive delivery platform. I’m pretty psyched." She adds, "I had such a great result from Googling the ingredients of my ideal job, now whenever I have a free moment I put my daydreams into browser language and follow my mouse through cyber-wonderland, picking up leads along the way!" Now how hard it that? Don’t Do What You Usually Do Sometimes the best way to jumpstart a dream is to not do the usual. If you usually listen to music while you drive or jog, next time you’re in the car or out for a run don’t turn on the radio or take along your iPod. Instead use the time to visualize your ideal life and the small steps you can take to get there. Then, instead of rushing home to create yet another To Do list create a "NOT to do" list. Getting rid of things you feel pressured or obligated to do will free you up to spend time on the things you want to do… you know, like change the course of your life. You’ve heard it a million times before, but small steps really do add up. The hardest part is getting started. "Whenever I get your newsletter," says Andi, "it always makes me ask myself what I've done today to get one step closer to making my and my family's dream a reality." Now that’s a bit of advice you do NOT want to ignore! About the Author "Turning Interests Into Income" expert, Valerie Young, abandoned her corporate cubicle to become the Dreamer in Residence at ChangingCourse.com offering resources to help you discover your life mission and live it. Her career change tips have been cited in Kiplinger's, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today Weekend, Woman's Day, and elsewhere and on-line at MSN, CareerBuilder, and iVillage.com. An expert on the Impostor Syndrome, Valerie has spoken on the topic of How to Feel as Bright and Capable as Everyone Seems to Think You Are to such diverse organizations as Daimler Chrysler, Bristol-Meyers Squibb, Harvard, and American Women in Radio and Television. To read more articles about how to work at what you love without a job go to ChangingCourse.com/articles.htm |
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Someone may have stolen your dream when it was young and fresh and you were innocent. ~ Jane Rubietta |
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This Time Next Year, You Could be
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Our truest life is when we are in our dreams awake. ~ Henry David Thoreau |
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The Changing Course Newsletter
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All About Your Subscription You're welcome to forward this newsletter in its entirety to other dreamers. If someone sent this to you, don't depend on your friend for this great information. Get your complimentary subscription at ChangingCourse.com/ezine.htm Please do not reply to this message. Subscribe or Change Your Address: ChangingCourse.com/ezine.htm Previous Issues: ChangingCourse.com/archives |
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You Are Your Future By Tim Connor Each of us creates our future one decision, moment, action and thought at a time. Some people are creating futures filled with pain, loneliness, heartache, insecurity, resentment, guilt and fear, while others are today carving out futures filled with joy, happiness, peace, love and security. Why will some people spend their final years in negative circumstances, while others spend them in comfort - growing, sharing, learning, loving and being loved? Here are a few thoughts to consider today as you move through the decisions and actions in your present that will determine the quality of your life tomorrow.
Life Direction Everyone is where they are supposed to be and doing what they are supposed to be doing. Now, I know some of you might disagree with this premise. I, too, have had my doubts over the years. This doesn’t mean that you won’t be somewhere else tomorrow, doing something different next week and with someone new next year. The principle also is not designed to give people permission to change something, anything, just for the sake of changing it – on a whim. Each of us is on a path through life that has many curves, hills, detours, great views, accidents, time spent lost and alone, peaks, valleys, accomplishments and failures. Life is not about trying to manipulate the Universe into giving you what you believe you want or is in your best interest. It is about learning to flow with what crosses your path whether positive or negative. It is not about giving in, but trusting the process of your life and the decisions you make along the way. It is unfortunate that many people want to have their life in nice neat pre-determined packages with predictable outcomes. This would be lovely if it were true, even possible. Life is not about the future or the past. It is about learning to do the best you can where you are with what you have. This doesn’t mean you won’t know more next week, have more next month, or be better next year. Life is not about where you end up, but the roads or direction you travel. Some of us, and I include myself in this group, have spent a lot of time searching and lost. Some of us have abandoned the search, while others don’t give a rip about creating a better life through increased wisdom and practical experience. I am a romantic at heart. I believe that, if we do our part and trust God and life, we will one day smell the flowers of love, feel the warm caress of success and experience inner joy and peace as we travel into our own personal sunset regardless of what age we might be. So many people live with unfulfilled dreams, broken hearts, loneliness, fear and emptiness. It doesn’t have to be that way. The way to change your future, therefore your memories, is to travel in the right direction today in the areas of your life that are important to you. I leave you with 3 simple questions: 1. Who are you becoming, and are you comfortable with him or her? 2. Do you live each day with gratitude for the gift of life you have been given that day? 3. Are you at peace with your journey, or are you in a relentless chase for something else, something less, or something more tomorrow? About the Author Tim Connor, CSP is an internationally renowned sales, management and leadership speaker, trainer and best selling author. Since 1981 he has given over 3500 presentations in 21 countries on a variety of sales, management, leadership and relationship topics. He is the best selling author of over 60 books including; Soft Sell, That’s Life, Peace Of Mind, 81 Challenges Managers Face and Your First Year In Sales. He is also the CEO of Sales Clubs Of America. He can be reached at Tim@TimConnor.com, 704-895-1230 or visit his websites at TimConnor.com or SalesClubsOfAmerica.com |
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The more you seek security, the less of it you have. But the more you seek opportunity, the more likely it is that you will achieve the security that you desire. ~ Brian Tracy |
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Upcoming Workshops and Teleclasses
Discussion, Brainstorming
and Q & A Session on Join ChangingCourse.com’s Dreamer in Residence and Turning Interests into Income Expert Valerie Young for:
Grab your 10 Steps to Escaping the Job World Personal Planner and start working on the exercises. Then come to the session with all your questions, challenges, and yes, ideas about what it takes to ditch your job-job and work at what you love. This Teleclass is free and open exclusively to current members of the Fast Track Your Dream Community members.
Monday, September 24
America’s Greatest "Retirement" SecretI know many of you are far from retirement, but it never hurts to look ahead. And when you look beyond U.S. shores for a new place to live (even if you’re not ready to retire yet), you’ll quickly see how easy it is to enjoy a genuine, first-class lifestyle in an exotic location while boosting the spending power of your retirement nest egg at the same time. All you need to start enjoying your new dream lifestyle in an offshore paradise is for someone to show you how. If you have a genuine interest in living, working, or retiring in another country I urge you to join me at International Living magazine’s big "Ultimate Event II" happening this October at the Sheraton Panama Hotel & Convention Center in Panama City, Panama. This is the most comprehensive event of its kind with over 90 of the world’s most distinguished offshore experts on hand to show you how living, retiring, and investing overseas can vastly improve your standard of living. Topics include:
…and much, much more.
October 24-27, 2007
Learn How to Plan, Write, Publish, Market, and Profit From Your Book... Painlessly3 Day Book Writing Book Camp for Entrepreneurs Who Are Ready to Be "Experts"As any busy entrepreneur, consultant, coach, speaker or aspiring self-bosser
knows,
As you know I'm a big fan of using time effectively, putting a stake in the ground, and just "doing it!" If you're ready to be recognized as the expert you really are, then be one of only 9 other inspired entrepreneurs to join Joan and her team of experts for three glorious days in California’s wine country to create the blueprint for your book... writing it, publishing it and putting it to work for you. In addition to an array of international foods and wine you'll be served a full program of book-enhancing guidance, inspiration, feedback, workshops and planning, carefully designed to put you in the fast lane toward finishing your biz book in 90 days or less. As Joan says, "If you are a real go-getter and devote yourself fully to these three days you might finish most of the book at the boot camp. It’s up to you!" Redwoods, Vineyards, Cabins, Pool, Courtyard, Your Own Professional Book Coach, Guest Experts ... And a Certified Plan Other guest experts at this hands-on event include Bette Daoust, Chief Knowledge Officer of BizMechanix and Blueprint Books, who will tell you how to market and publish your book. Arvee Robinson, Persuasive Speech Coach, Speaker and Author who also be on hand to teach you the insider secrets to making money from your book at the back of the room. To ensure maximum individual attention only 10 entrepreneurs will be accepted into this exclusive 2007 Biz Book Breakthrough Writers Retreat. Take a look at Joan's program. If you like what you see, and you are ready to jumpstart your publishing dreams (and take advantage of several fast approaching early registration offers) I encourage you to act fast.
October 26-28, 2007
Monthly Dream Maker Teleclass
If you’ve bought into the
old myth about the "struggling artist" than you haven’t
met an extraordinary bead artist named
Valerie Hector.
Valerie’s artistry can be found in top juried shows like the Smithsonian Craft Show and in a few weeks she’ll be in my own backyard at the Paradise City Arts Festival. I learned about Valerie through a client who was fascinated that anyone could actually make a living traveling around the world (most recently Turkey and China) researching beads. Even if you are not a beader, artist, or craftsperson of any sort, there is much learn from how people like Valerie who have very successfully turned their passion into their livelihood. So mark your calendars for October 31st for 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. Eastern. (My apologies to all of you "trick or treaters" but with Valerie’s busy travel schedule this was the only date I could get. But as always we’ll be sure to record every word.) If you can’t make the session email your questions in advance to Ask@ChangingCourse.com and I’ll try my best to get them in. This Teleclass is free to current members of the Fast Track Your Dream Community members. Non-members are welcome to attend for $19 with all proceeds going to the non-profit micro-grant organization TrickleUp.org
Wednesday, October 31st
"How to Become Joyfully Jobless"
Learn what it takes to live the joyfully jobless life from the master − Barbara Winter, author of Making a Living Without a Job. A vivacious and wildly popular speaker, Barbara will address such topics as the power of multiple income streams… how to stop thinking like an employee and start thinking like an entrepreneur… why starting small is the smartest (and most profitable) way to launch your new enterprise… and much more. Like mini-workshops, these monthly Joyfully Jobless Teleclasses are interactive, which means you get to ask questions and benefit from firsthand feedback from the woman I call the "Muse of Self-Bossing." This series is free to current members of the Fast Track Your Dream Community members. Non-members are welcome to attend for $19 with all proceeds going to the non-profit micro-grant organization TrickleUp.org
Wednesday,
October 10th
*To learn more about how you can fast track your dream of working at what you love - and get a two month membership FREE - go to ChangingCourse.com/fasttrackyourdream.htm **A portion of all revenue from this Teleclass will go to support the entrepreneurial aspirations of impoverished people in the US and internationally via the micro-grant organization TrickleUp.org | ||
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There are two great days in a person's life - the day we are born and the day we discover why. ~ William Barclay |
A live discussion,
brainstorming, and Q&A session on
The 10 Steps To Escaping The Job World And Creating
The Life You Really Want with Dreamer in Residence,
Valerie Young!
Overseas
real estate investing…
there
never seems to be enough to time to get all those great ideas onto paper.
Last November I had the pleasure of meeting "America’s Book Coach" Joan
Clout-Kruse at
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"I didn't really
expect to make any money. If I could make enough to cover the rent and buy
some food that would be fine. As it turns out, it turned out
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Doing Business Around the World
Earn Money Making How-To Videos
TeachingTolerance.org
Note: Changing Course does not accept
paid advertisements from any of the resources listed here. This list is
provided to expand your thinking about just how many interesting ways there
are to make a living without a job!
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