Keeping it Real

Posts Tagged ‘Passion’

Were you ever encouraged to, “Practice, because practice makes perfect”?

I remember thinking, if I didn’t quite grasp the concept of something, that I could practice and practice and, eventually, achieve that perfect outcome.  Whether it was playing hockey, writing stories, making snow forts, or doing school homework, I would practice to achieve perfection.

The problem with this seemingly innocent little lesson is that it set the bar for everything I wanted to accomplish very high…I wanted everything I set out to do to result in a perfect outcome.  In fact, I often delayed, indefinitely, tasks I was expected to complete if it wasn’t clear how to achieve the perfect outcome.  It was very limiting and contributed, for me, to procrastination.

So, I shifted my mindset from one of the perfectionist to one of the achiever… or one of striving for personal excellence… and, I am changing this lesson to read, “Practice, because practice leads you to your own personal excellence.”

I think people understand the concept behind improving oneself by practicing improvement habits such as meditation, positive thinking, gratitude, healthy eating, etc… you must remember, however, you can often win the gold medal without breaking the world record.

I would love to read your thoughts on this.  Leave a comment below.

Regards,
Darren Sproat

I am happy to welcome, once again, Kelly Karius, from Karius and Associates, as a guest contributor on Keeping it Real.  Your comments are welcome and I encourage you to connect with Kelly.

From the Heart

It’s hard to speak from the heart sometimes. But that is often exactly what needs to be done in order to have healthy growth in our relationships. To really put your innermost thoughts into words takes a bravery that can be developed…with practice.

The practice path…

• Understand that your thoughts are not dysfunctional. Our thoughts develop in conjunction with our experiences. Experience…thoughts…more experience…reinforcement of thoughts and belief…that’s how it works. Your thoughts are exactly in line with the experiences you have had in your life.
• Attach feelings to thoughts. Our thoughts are not far separated from our feelings, but often times we are unsure of what it is we even feel. If you need some ideas and inspiration about feelings, keep a list of feelings handy. A very quick google search will bring you to something like this > Feelings.
• Speak from the heart to YOURSELF about yourself.
• Understand your hopes and dreams about the situation. Understanding what you want to happen in a relationship, job or project will help you be able to express it more clearly.
• Use a neutral sounding board before approaching someone about a heart to heart talk in order to be sure your thoughts, intentions and understandings are clear.
• Examine the worst case scenario. Remember that no one will ever eat you for expressing your innermost self.

Leave your thoughts on this!

Contributed to Keeping it Real by:
Kelly Karius

Kelly Karius, an expert in conflict dynamics, intervention, management and resolution, has a wealth of knowledge and experience ready to tap. Kelly helps people build positive relationships, both at home and at work. An accomplished keynote speaker and trainer, Kelly delivers seminars that are informative, comfortable, engaging and motivating. Her “Taking Control” Conflict Management Seminar has even been called “life-changing.”  You may choose to view Karius and Associates or follow her on Twitter

One of the true certainties in life is that little is certain… to truly experience life, energize your passion and clear your limitations to explore all possibilities.

photo credit: chema.foces

“Relinquish your attachment to the known, step into the unknown, and you will step into the field of all possibilities.”
~ Deepak Chopra

It took me a long time to understand that stepping outside of my comfort zone was the only real means to experience new things in life.  In doing so, I have overcome fears and perceived limitations in nearly every facet of my life.  Every once and a while, however, I need a little reminder and the quote above from Deepak Chopra reminded me of that tonight.

Let me know your thoughts?

Regards,
Darren Sproat

A friend of mine recently spent 8 months volunteering/working in a humanitarian role in her homeland of Thailand.  I find this to be incredibly inspirational as she placed her life on hold to, essentially, devote herself to helping others.  And when she started out that was her intention…to help others.

Some Background

She was born in Canada but her parents and 4 of her 6 siblings were born in and around Thailand.  While she always knew of her ancestry, she didn’t really have a deep connection back to her homeland until she spent 6 months living with her Grandmother right in Thailand.  As it turns out, that 6 months was the last 6 months of her grandmother’s life.  In the brief time she spent there, listening to the stories of her Grandmother growing up in Thailand and raising her own family there, she realized that she had unintentionally embarked upon a journey of personal self discovery. 

She returned to Canada after her Grandmother’s passing only to feel compelled to return to Thailand to continue her grandmother’s work.

An Intention to Help becomes a Personal Journey of Self Discovery

Once she confirmed her intention to move and continue her Grandmother’s work, I encouraged her to maintain a journal of her experiences while she was there.  In the back of my mind I was thinking it would be fantastic material for a blog about her activities and experiences.  While it never did turn into a blog, she did maintain a journal while she was there.  In writing the journal she had only one guideline… at the end of every day she would write a short paragraph about a person she met, an event she attended, an experience she had, or a realization or discovery she made that inspired her in some way.

She provided me access to her journal and, in reading it, I become incredibly humbled and inspired by her story.  Frankly, I think her writing is worthy of publishing.  She is adamant, however, that keeping her journal private is important to her at this time so I will, of course, honour her request to keep this information to myself except to share that it tells the story of a 30-something young woman taking herself out of her comfort zone to give all of herself to assist those in need.  It tells the story of a young woman discovering, first hand, the privileges she lived with, the institutions and freedoms that she took for granted, and the general well-being of living in Canada.  It tells the story of a young woman, through her selfless actions, discovering herself.

In a recent conversation, she admits that this journey was one of self discovery - one of facing fears and overcoming barriers.  She admits that it was her who, ultimately, was benefiting from her intentions to help others.  In her words,

“I realized that anyone is able to change the world one thought at a time.  I woke every morning and set a few very attainable goals and at the end of every day I wrote about the one person or thing that day that inspired me.  I didn’t write about the ‘good deeds’ I was doing for the people or families I was with because I soon discovered that what I was doing was helping me as much or more than it was helping others.  The more I did for the community the more I learned about myself – what inspired and motivated me.  I felt enlightened to what I am and can become.  I discovered what made me, me.  I understand now what my Grandmother knew for a lifetime.”

I would be honoured if you chose to share your thoughts.

Regards,
Darren Sproat

Will you remember in five years what you did today?

It would be incredible if everyone lived every moment as if to create a memory they could cherish for a lifetime.  What kind of life do you want to create?
~ Darren Sproat, 2008

Take a moment to absorb all that is wonderful going on around you and you stand a good chance of creating those memories you can cherish for a lifetime.  What kind of life do you want to create?

Warmest Regards,
Darren