The human spirit needs nourishing in order to stay strong. Feeling inspired is one way you can breathe more life into your life. Inspiration is the spark that ignites passion, purpose and possibilities.

When you’re inspired, you naturally feel happier, energized and motivated. You’re more willing to move outside your comfort zone and experience more of life. You become more present, engaged and mindful. Now, doesn’t that sound good?

Make it a practice to nourish your spirit every day and learn to bring the best of who you are to everything you do.

• Make a list of what inspires you and then do that
• Weave inspiration into your daily practice and pay attention to how it changes the way you experience life
• Then pass it on and inspire others to do the same

“We have more possibilities
in each moment than we realize.”
—Thich Nhat Hahn

There are days when life can feel like a series of never ending responsibilities. You move through each experience anticipating the next, hoping to find a moment to catch your breath.

Breathing is exactly what you need more of when you’re pushing through. Breathing releases the stress that depletes your energy, productivity and happiness. Plus, it just plain feels good!

It’s amazing how quickly three deep breaths will bring you back to center. While there are loads of studies that prove that conscious breathing works, experiencing the benefits allows you to know.

Make it a daily practice to start and end each day with three deep breaths.

1. Take a breath to become Present – feel your breath moving in and out
2. Take a breath to Center – feel a calm, peaceful balance return
3. Take a breath to Ground – feel a deeper connection anchor in and stabilize your emotions

“Breath is the bridge
which connects life to consciousness,
which unites your body to your thoughts.”
–Thich Nhat Hanh

Get good at living™!
Maryanne

Looking to increase your happiness, health and sense of well-being? Try showing a little more compassion to yourself and others.

It turns out that compassion is essential for inner peace, mental clarity and emotional stability. It opens our hearts, lifts our spirit and removes the obstacles that separate us.

Compassion also deepens our awareness of the connections between all living beings – and this is clearly a good thing!

• Set a daily intention to live with more compassion
• Widen your scope of care and understanding for others
• When you’re tempted to judge, try a little tenderness

“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”
– Dalai Lama

Get good at living!™
Maryanne

As kids, we are told what we were good at and what we re not. Typically, we adopt the opinions and judgments of others and begin to form our self-image. From here, our sense of self goes on to direct the story of our lives.

It shapes our beliefs, perceptions and thoughts. It directs our inner-dialog, tells us what we’re capable of and what to expect. It literally influences every experience we have.

Sadly, our stories fall far short of our potential. And so, it’s up to us to develop a healthy self-image that accurately reflects our talents and connects us to new possibilities.

• Make it a practice to see your greatness
• Write down three accomplishments every day
• See and celebrate your talents and strengths–daily

“We see things not as they are,
but as we are.”
– Immanuel Kant

Get good at living!
Maryanne

Nurture your sense of adventure.

Our daily routines help us to manage life’s manic pace. They keep us on track and strengthen our productivity. In order to keep the power of our daily routines alive and well, it’s important to intentionally infuse them with new experiences.

By shaking up our routines we become more present. We feel more energized. We also create more positive emotions, open our minds to new possibilities and ease the fear that accompanies uncertainty.

Whether planned or spontaneous, experiencing life with a sense of adventure reconnects us to the creative energy that supports inspired action.

• Shake up your routine and try something new
• Refresh your day with a small, simple change
• Feel more connected, inspired and energized

“The less routine the more life.”
–Amos Bronson Alcott

Get good at living™!
Maryanne

When you realize that happiness is not found in stuff, status or success, it’s much easier to experience more happiness. You know that happiness is an internal state of being. And you understand that happiness is often a reflection of where you choose to place your attention.

Yep, happiness lies within the domain of personal power. When you intentionally choose to experience more happiness each day – you do.

You’ll find you bring out the best in yourself and others. Give it a try and repeat daily.

• Actively look for what’s good in each experience
• Write down and share your daily highlights
• Make it a habit to appreciate life’s simple wonders

“If you want to be happy, be.”
–Leo Tolstoy

Get good at living!
Maryanne

When we were kids we didn’t need to be told to go out and play. It was all we wanted to do – play with our friends, laugh and explore.

It turns out that a sense of playfulness is actually quite good for us–even more so as adults. Playfulness is key to strengthening our mental, physical and emotional well-being.

When we play we naturally relax, let go and unwind. We lower our stress, connect to our creativity and open our hearts.

Make time to go out and play. Spark your creativity. It’s a great way to strengthen zest for life.

• Find what amuses you
• Spend time with people you enjoy
• Laugh and nurture your sense of playfulness

“There is little success
where there is little laughter.”
–Andrew Carnegie

Get good at living!™
Maryanne

There’s a connectedness to life that exponentially supports you when you are willing to invest in yourself. Each step forward actually helps you to advance in every dimension of your life.

This means that every time you take consistent action to strengthen you positively affect the whole of your being. It doesn’t even matter how small the change is – there is always positive ripple effect.

What does matter is that you intentionally reprogram your subconscious mind, which directs >95% of your actions. The Live Dynamite process for writing your goals is designed to do just this through the development of new neural pathways that build habits. Give it a try.

• Identify a positive change you want to make
• Write it down this way to reprogram your brain
• Take action every day
• Feel the difference on all levels
  

“Great men are those who see
that thoughts rule the world. ”
–Ralph Waldo Emerson

Join me for our live fall Live Dynamite Circles in the Twin Cities.

Feel inspired to see what more is possible. Access the tools and understanding that make what’s possible real.

It’s exciting to create the life you want!

Get good at living™!
Maryanne

It’s easy to be judgmental. Simply pay attention to your thoughts and you’ll see how often you’re critical (and downright unkind) to yourself and others. It’s not pretty to witness, but awareness is always the first step.

What’s delightful is when you readily see the best in yourself and others. You do this by cultivating an attitude of generosity, gratitude and appreciation. This is how you learn to keep your heart open and bring out the best in us all.

• Become aware of your critical thoughts
• Positively redirect them immediately
• Pay attention to how good it feels

“I have found the paradox,
that if you love until it hurts,
there can be no more hurt,
only more love.”
–Mother Teresa

Get good at living!
Maryanne

We are constantly creating our lives whether we know it or not. And our future is wide open whether we choose to accept ownership for it or not.

It’s quite simple actually. We’ve gotten to where we are by what we’ve done in the past. This means that our future is a result of what we do now.

Life is filled with infinite opportunities and it’s up to us to make the most of it. Decide what you’d like your future to look like. Then, take action to make it happen.

• Make a list of what you want to experience
• Identify what it will take
• Move into action

“Our lives are the sum total of the choices we have made.”
–Wayne Dyer

Get good at living!
Maryanne

It’s amazing how quickly our living spaces fill up. It seems that hanging on to things makes us feel safe, secure and full. Interestingly, all our things also leave us feeling stressed, overwhelmed and drained.

Our environments have a significant impact on our energy, creativity and motivation. It’s important that we intentionally create our space so it can support us in creating the life we want.

Simply removing the clutter and excess creates an open, clear and expansive energy. Give it a try. Intentionally create a positive environment that connects you to more of your full potential.

• Shed what you no longer need
• Clear out the clutter
• Create spaces that feel peaceful

“Your sacred space is where you can
find yourself again and again.”
-Joseph Campbell

Get good at living™!
Maryanne

Looking for an easy way to restore your sense of well being and feel happier? Pay a visit to Mother Nature and soak in her natural energy.

A  series of studies in the Journal of Environmental Psychology have shown the positive effects of being in nature. Yes, the mere presence of nature holds the key that connects us to our life force. And it doesn’t get any easier than this.

Simply being in the presence of nature for 20 minutes can strengthen feelings of vitality and health. Nature also leaves us feeling more compassionate and generous. We flourish when we stay connected to the great outdoors.

• Go for a 20 minute walk outside
• Listen to the sounds of nature
• See and feel all of the beauty that surrounds you

“Nature is not human hearted.”
–Lao Tzu

Get good at living!
Maryanne

Most of us have moments of feeling overwhelmed by life. When the daily demands far exceed our capacity. Somehow, we find the energy to push through and pray for a period of respite.

However, if we’re not careful, feeling overwhelmed can become a pattern we cycle through all too often. When our energy is depleted, even small challenges push us into crisis mode.

This is why it’s so important to replenish your energy on a daily basis. When you consistently renew your energy–physical, emotional, mental and spiritual–you feel happier, healthier and more productive.

Give back to yourself this week. Put one restorative idea into action daily. Every investment pays off!

•    Make a list of simple steps you can take
•    Or download our starter list here
•    Create daily breaks and recharge your energy
•    Notice how good it feels to Spiral Up!
•    Repeat daily

“Every human being is the author
of his own health or disease.”
–Buddha

Technology has revolutionized the way we live. It’s given us great fun, freedom and flexibility. It’s also opened our eyes, minds and hearts to a larger world perspective.

We’re more connected than we’ve ever been and this fact seems to cut both ways. While technology provides what we need when we need it, it also takes what we need what we most need it–that being time to rest and restore our energy.

When we’re constantly plugged in, part of our energy and focus remains fixed on the future. We live in anticipation of what’s to come and we miss the moment we’re in. This constant pull subtly deplete us, even when we’re trying to recharge.

I highly encourage you to take this simple challenge and experience what more is possible when you are fully present for your life.

• Completely unplug for 24 hours.
• Pay attention to what you experience.
• Repeat weekly.

“The price of anything is
the amount of life you exchange for it.”
– Henry David Thoreau

Get good at living!
Maryanne

You’ve likely experienced how other people can influence the way you feel. When you’re around positive people who believe in you and encourage you life feels expansive and filled with possibilities. And when you’re around people who are negative and fill you with self-doubt life feels constrictive and hard.

This is evidence that who you spend your time with matters. Need more convincing? Here you go: Studies have shown that the five people you spend the most time with impact your health, mindset and motivation. One happy friend increases your odds of being happy by 15%. Energy is infectious.

Invest in developing a positive circle of friends and in being one. Check in to make that you’re inspiring and supporting those in your circle.

• Write down the names of the people you spend the most time with.
• Rate each relationship on a scale of 1-5 (1 being negative and 5 being positive).
• Use this information to decide which relationships you will invest in.

“Surround yourself with only those people
who are going to lift you higher.”
-Oprah

Get good at living!
Maryanne

Happiness has certainly risen in the collective consciousness in the past few years. It’s rekindled our desire to live happily. It’s also produced a stream of books that tell how to access happiness by creating more positive emotions and experiences.

While happiness is a virtue on to itself, it also provides all kinds of added benefits. The positive emotions that accompany happiness strengthen our health, brain, memory, mood, resilience and more.

What’s even better than reading about happiness is experiencing it. In fact, you can start feeling happier right now. All you need to do is take one of these simple ideas and put it into action.

• Take a walk outdoors.
• Make a list of all you have to appreciate.
• Give back and help someone.
• Reduce the clutter in your life.
• Complete a task that’s been on your to-do list.

It’s a helluva start, being able to
recognize what makes you happy.
–Lucille Ball



Sustainability has risen in the collective consciousness in many ways. We now consider the impact of our purchases and we choose more wisely to ensure our actions support the health of our planet. However, it seems that sustainability has a long way to go when it comes to our well-being.

Too often we push ourselves to the point of chronic exhaustion in the name of productivity and success. We run at full speed, with no reserves or breathing room for dealing with life’s unexpected challenges. And we fail to see that more effort is not always a winning strategy.

To achieve sustainable success, we have to learn how to manage our personal energy–physical, mental and spiritual. We need to create simple daily practices that keep us feeling inspired, connected and supported.

• Check in on your energy level every day.
• Create breathing room in your schedule.
• Make it a priority to strengthen your well-being–daily.

“Sometimes the most urgent thing
you can possibly do is take a complete rest.”
–Ashleigh Brilliant

Get good at living!
Maryanne

There’s nothing like a healthy, new habit to boost your energy and help you see what more is possible. When you take action to create inspired change you positively impact all of the patterns that permeate your life. One small change gives way to the next–and so on, and so on and so on.

Too often we dismiss the power in small changes, believing that monumental effort is what’s needed to have any discernible impact. The truth is that change always happens through a series of small steps. This is also how we create habits. We simply repeat the same steps again and again, until it becomes easier to take the action than to stop.

Granted, the initial effort can feel a little hard. This is why it’s best to start down the path of least resistance. Identify what feels easy and makes you feel better–sleeping more, eating well, exercising consistently, arriving on time, getting organized. Start small and keep expanding as your momentum builds.

• Commit to making one, simple change in your life.
• Take action every day for 30 days to build the habit.
• Celebrate your progress every day!

“Continuous effort,
not strength or intelligence,
is the key to unlocking our potential.
”
–Winston Churchill

Get good at living!
Maryanne

Most of us live lives filled with people, experiences and things to be thankful for. Still, we predominantly place our attention on what we feel is lacking and worry about might go wrong. Studies show that 80% of our daily thoughts are negative and redundant. Something is seriously out of balance here.

More concerning is the impact of negative thoughts. Science has proven that thoughts are an actual form of physical energy. Our thoughts send information to our bodies and surrounding energy fields, which create our health and daily experiences. Positively directed thoughts create health and well-being. Negatively directed thoughts create just the opposite.

If we want to create happier and healthier lives, we need to learn how to consciously direct our thoughts toward all that’s good. Here’s a simple daily practice that creates more positive thoughts and emotions by shifting your attention to the bright side of the road.

• Upon waking, think about all you have to be grateful for.
• Use visual cues to remind you to direct your thoughts towards joy, happiness and health throughout the day.
• Find three new things to appreciate each day.
• Count your blessings before you fall asleep.
• Repeat daily to feel happier and healthier.

“Count your blessings–not your troubles.”
–Dale Carnegie

Get good at living!
Maryanne

It’s easy to fall into the delusion that busyness drives productivity. From the outside, busyness often looks like progress, purpose, drive and focus. The truth is that busyness has no implicit value.

If you’re not busy taking action toward the life you want, it’s likely that you’re distracting yourself. That’s what we do. We busy ourselves so we don’t even have time to see that we’re in avoidance.

When you’re serious about moving forward in your life you make time to reflect and learn. You take an honest look at whether your actions, time and energy are aligned with the vision you have for your life. And then you dig beneath the surface to see what’s really driving you.

• Make it a habit to check in for 5 minutes each day.
• See if your actions were the best use of your time.
• Keep doing more of what works and less of what doesn’t.

“Stand up to your obstacles and do something about them.
You’ll find they don’t have half the strength you think they do.”
–Norman Vincent Peale

Get good at living!
Maryanne

We all have patterns that keep us from operating at our full potential. Our awareness typically shines light on them after the fact and we’re left wondering, “How did I get here again?”

Well, let’s see. The subconscious mind drives our behavior roughly 95% of the time. We have >50,000 thoughts a day and yet only 1-10% are conscious. The pace of life allows little to no breathing room. Hmmm, I guess it’s no wonder that our unconscious patterns run the show.

This is precisely why we need daily practices that help us to see how our actions are creating our lives. It’s through self-awareness that we’re empowered with the ability to deliberately choose our actions, so we can dissolve unwanted patterns and create the life we want.

This is how we get good at living!

• Make time to pause and reflect each day.
• Celebrate all you do so well. Then identify where you’d like to shift and look for your patterns.
• Strengthen your awareness daily.

“No one remains quite what he was
when he recognizes himself.
–Thomas Mann

Here’s a simple tip to help you pull out of those downward spirals we all experience. Move your body every day!

Studies have shown that exercise is one of the fastest ways to snap out of a bad mood. It triggers all kinds of physiological changes that positively influence your attitude, motivation, memory, attention, perceptions and ability to learn.

The time you invest to strengthen your body pays off big time. Just 20 minutes of exercise can lift your mood for up to 12 hours. Simply walking outside for 15 minutes can do wonders for your mindset.

When you focus on all of the benefits of exercise you’ll find your excuses fade pretty quickly. And when you follow through, you’ll find you feel more energized, confident and inspired.

• Carve out at least 15 minutes for yourself every day to exercise and move your body.
• Keep it fresh and get outdoors as often as you can.
• Make it a habit to create a healthy mind, body and spirit.

“”Movement is a medicine for
creating change in a person’s
physical, emotional and mental states.”
-Carol Welch

Get good at living!
Maryanne

Much of our suffering in life stems from thoughts of not having enough and not being enough. These thoughts stir up all kinds of fears that grip us with such force we can’t see the distortion they cause. And so, we end up taking for granted what we have and we fail to see our greatness.

The good news is that the antidote to fear is appreciation. The simple act of appreciation shifts your mindset from not enough to good and plenty. Appreciation stops the brain from streaming those self-destructive messages that drain your energy.

It’s a neurological fact. The brain cannot be in a state of appreciation and a state of fear at the same time. This means that when you choose to live with appreciation you naturally reduce your fears and increase your resilience.

• Make it a daily practice to appreciate all that’s good in your life.
• Write it down and review your list.
• Feel how your perspective shifts and your energy expands.

“Fear is only as deep as the mind allows.”
–Japanese proverb

Get good at living!
Maryanne

Now is the perfect time to pause and reflect upon what it is you want to create this year. The beauty of choosing to intentionally direct your course, through a clear vision, is that you’re much more likely to experience happiness, satisfaction and meaning in your life.

The truth is that you’re always creating your life, whether you recognize it or not. Through your intentions, thoughts, language, visions and actions you are directing creative energy. And when you consciously decide where to channel your energy you will see more of the results you want.

Make the time this week to begin identifying what it is you want. Create an inspired vision that pulls you forward each day. Remain present and connected to your life and see how it flourishes.

• Identify what you want to bring into your life.
• Reflect upon why you want it.
• Then make a list of what you’ll need to do to make it happen and move into action.

“Imagination is the beginning of creation.
You imagine what you desire,
you will what you imagine and at last
you create what you will.”
–George Bernard Shaw

Get good at living!
Maryanne

There are few quick fixes when it comes to creating positive life changes. However, there are a few daily practices that energize you and make it easier to take consistent action toward what you want. Gratitude is one.

Gratitude has the power to shift your perspective from lack to fullness. It directs your thoughts toward all that’s good in life and rewires your brain to call even more positive experiences into your attention.

Studies show that people who express gratitude on a regular basis are healthier, happier and have a greater sense of well-being. They also make more progress toward their goals and contribute more to the world.

Experience how much easier it is to make positive changes when you learn to direct your thoughts toward all you have to appreciate.

• Download our free gratitude Playbook exercise.
• Make gratitude a daily practice.
• Write down five things you appreciate each day to anchor the practice in your mind.

“The greatest discovery of my generation
is that a human being can alter his life
by altering his attitudes of mind.
–William James

Get good at living!

Take simple steps to shine brighter!

Whether you know it or not, you hold the power to create your health and well being through simple daily practices. Here’s how it works. Your emotional states are directly tied to your brain chemistry, which is highly influenced by your thoughts, nutrition, exercise and rest.

By simply treating yourself a bit better you can create greater ease, peace and happiness in your life. All it takes is a commitment to make positive choices. Give it a try and notice the connection between your choices and how you feel.

• Create a list of simple actions you’re willing to take.
  > Gratitude, fresh fruit, walking, sleep
• Make at least one positive choice each day.
• Use lists and visual reminders to stay on track.

“The strongest principle of growth lies in human choice.”
—George Eliot

Get good at living!
Maryanne

There’s nothing like a crisis to capture our attention and help us to focus on what matters most. Uncertainty naturally prompts greater reflection, insights and change.

The upside of the recession is that it’s caused us to look at what it means to live well. Again, it’s become clear that well being is not derived through stuff or status. And thankfully, today’s status symbols are shifting from external displays of wealth to internal states of health.

The good life now means living with authenticity, purpose, integrity and creativity. What really matters is who you are and how you impact the world. A timeless truth that resurfaces once again.

A simple daily reflection practice makes it far easier to keep our actions and values aligned. Give it a try this week.

• Make a list of what matters most to you.
• Identify the actions you will take to live on purpose.
• Check in daily to see how you’re doing.

“Life is what we make it,
always has been, always will be.”
—Grandma Moses

Get good at living!
Maryanne

We all have a sense of inner knowing that provides inspired guidance when we learn to tune in and listen. Some people call it intuition while others call it gut. You’ve likely experienced the wisdom of that little voice inside your head that nudges you in one direction or another. Typically, its value is most clearly seen when it’s been ignored. You look back with regret wondering why you didn’t listen to yourself.

Our culture has even started to recognize the value of this natural instinct. We’re seeing intuition practices gaining credibility within businesses and being taught to guide decision-making. When you practice tapping into this form of creative intelligence you too will experience its power.

Here is a simple practice to help you use your intuition and discernment when faced with a decision and are unsure of the best direction to take.

• The first step is to get your mind and thoughts out the way. Meditation will help you strengthen your ability to quiet your mind.
• Then feel into the response as you explore each of the potential directions you could take in relationship to the decision you need to make.
• Pay attention to the feelings that surface and write them down. Intuition often comes in the form of instincts or emotions.
• Trust in yourself and your inner guidance. Keep track of your experiences and see how often you’re right.

“The only real valuable thing is intuition.”
-Albert Einstein
Nobel Prize for Physics

Get good at living!
Maryanne

It’s easy to get caught up in our personal fears, self-doubt and worries. It seems that as soon as we’re filled with a sense of hope that fuels our dreams and passions the mind immediately starts down the “What if?” track. Left unchecked, we’re quickly drained of our energy, enthusiasm and confidence.

Developing a strong sense of self-awareness is a valuable life skill. It teaches you to pay attention to your thoughts, emotions and reactions. So, when you find yourself creating resistance through negative “what if?” thoughts you can quickly turn it around and get back into a positive space filled with expanding possibilities.

Here’s a fantastic practice to create more positive emotions which make it easier to see new possibilities.

Select a dream, goal or idea that excites you.
Run through a series of “what if” possibilities and choose a positive outcome for each. Notice how your body and mindset positively respond.
Intentionally choose to direct your “what if” thoughts in a positive direction and expect the best.

“The person who sends out positive thoughts
activates the world around him positively
and draws back to himself positive results.”
–Norman Vincent Peale
Inspirational Author

Get good at living!
Maryanne

All emotions are valuable and play a role in helping you to learn and grow. Even a certain amount of negativity is useful in keeping you grounded and in touch with the world. It’s important that you feel and experience emotions of loss, acknowledge the injustices in the world and pay attention to when you feel fear.

When you needlessly over-indulge in negativity it drains your energy and weakens you–physically and psychologically.

Since negative emotions are literally stronger than positive emotions, one of the fastest ways to Spiral Up is to limit unnecessary exposure to negativity. Look for where you hit unhealthy levels of negativity and choose to stop. You’ll be amazed at how much better you feel.

• Identify the daily events where negativity pours in (fear, anger, worry, self-judgment).
• Choose to limit your exposure to those experiences.
• Turning off the news is a great place to start. Be informed – not saturated.

“The greatest day in your life and mine
is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes.
That’s the day we truly grow up.”
–John Maxwell
American Author

Get good at living!
Maryanne

It’s easy to get wrapped up in the  challenges of life and spiral down. When our thoughts are left unchecked, bad moments turn into bad days and we fail to see how much beauty and happiness is present in our lives.

Sharing the day’s Highlights is about appreciating and celebrating the positive experiences we have each day. Studies show that when we share what brings us joy, with the people who support us, our energy and motivation exponentially expands. It strengthens our health by reducing our stress. It makes it easier to access creativity and problem solve. And it leaves us feeling happier and more satisfied.

Make it a habit to become mindful of all of the positive experiences you have each day. See and feel all that’s good in your life. Then share it. It’s a fabulous feeling!

• Practice capturing the Highlights in your life each day.
• Pay attention to how good you feel when you actively look for the best in each day.
• Share your Highlights with the people who support you. It’s a great dinner ritual.

“People are just about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”
– Abraham Lincoln
16th President of the United States

Get good at living,
Maryanne

Music is a fantastic quick fix for those times you catch yourself heading into a downward spiral. The key is to make sure it’s uplifting and makes you feel good (read: no negative rap or melancholy country tunes).

The vibration of music literally shifts your energy. It can change the way you think and feel–and that changes everything. Music is even more powerful when you belt it out and dance along. When was the last time you cranked tunes and really let loose?

Crank your favorite tunes today. Feel how quickly you shift into a positive mood. The rhythm is gonna get ya!

• Create new play lists for your iPod.
• Burn a new CD for your car.
• Sing out loud and dance!

“Music can change the world
because it can change people.”
–Bono, U2

Get good at living!

Maryanne

When you feel inspired it’s easy to see what more is possible. Positive emotions lift your spirit, fuel your energy and expand your vision. The more you actively build your enthusiasm the easier life flows. This is why it’s important to make inspiration part of your daily practice.

Inspiration provides a burst of energy that attunes you to your inner knowing. It breathes life into your vision. It connects you to what is possible. And the more you nurture it the easier it is to find.

It’s fa easier to Spiral Up and stay inspired when you have a list you can tap each day. Keep expanding your list to include ideas so you have a wide range of quick fixes and deep dives that keep you filled with enthusiasm.

Here are a few ideas to get you started. Put inspiration on your calendar each day. Make time for what matters most and feel how much easier it is to get good at living.

• Visit TED.com and search for inspiring ideas under your favorite topics.
• Read a book that stimulates your curiosity.
• Meditate and learn to quiet your mind.
• Create a mix of music you connect with.
• Create a vision board.

“Enthusiasm releases the drive to carry you over obstacles
and adds significance to all you do.”
—Norman Vincent Peale

Get good at living!
Maryanne

When you shine light on a subject things can suddenly become clear. Light helps us to see what’s really going on. And in order to make positive changes in your life you need to be willing to take a clear look at what’s really going on.

It takes courage to look at what’s not working. The trick is to learn how to objectively look at your life without judgment–to become a detached observer. It really helps to first create a positive mindset before your reflection. When you’re feeling good, you’ll find your inner critic isn’t as harsh and insights come faster.

Self-knowledge is powerful. The more you understand yourself the more equipped you are to tap into your full potential.

• What aspects of your life have you left unexplored? Pick an area where you would like things to be different.
• Take a close look without judging yourself. What do you see? And what are you willing to do about it?

“He who knows others is wise.
He who knows himself is enlightened.”
–Lao Tzu

Get good at living!

Maryanne

When was the last time you created a vision for your life? Science has proven that your thoughts, language, visions and actions all hold creative power. And when you have a clear and compelling vision that captures your full attention it works to program your mind and direct your actions toward creating the life you want.

Invest some time this week expanding and creating a vision for your life that’s filled with happiness, health, satisfaction and meaning. And really, what better investment can you make?

• Write a story about the life you’re going to create.
  
• See and feel every aspect of in rich detail.
• Keep refining it until it inspires you and pulls you in.
• Identify at least one goal within your vision that you can begin working on now to create the life you want.

“Your pain pushes you
until your vision pulls you.”
–Reverend Michael Beckwith

Get good at living!

Maryanne

Neuroscience has proven beyond a doubt that the mindset you hold–your thoughts, perceptions and beliefs–plays a crucial role in determining how you experience life. We now know that the mind calls into your attention the experiences and situations that match your predominant patterns of thought.

When you’re feeling happy, open or optimistic, your mind naturally shows you what more is possible. You’re better able to problem solve and become more resilient.

When you’re feeling scared, cynical or any other negative emotion your mind moves toward limitations. You see everything that’s going wrong. And you spiral down to the point where even the smallest challenge sets you off.

Learn to create a positive mindset by consciously choosing to direct your thoughts, perceptions and beliefs in a positive direction.

• Decide to look for the best in every experience you have today.
Feel how much more energy you have when you choose to be positive, open and optimistic.
• Write down your experiences so you’re able to see how much easier life is when you choose to live with a positive attitude.

“Attitude is the little thing
that makes a big difference.”
–Winston Churchill

Get good at living!
Maryanne

Here’s a simple idea that has the power to change your life and strengthen every relationship you’re in. Stop blaming and making excuses–period.

When you blame you become a victim. You give up your power and essentially say you are helpless to direct your experiences. This may serve to momentarily lessen your guilt or responsibility. But it also serves to drain your motivation and limit your potential.

If you want to create a life filled with happiness, fulfillment and success, start taking responsibility and ask yourself how you can do better. Identify the actions you can take to create the results you want.

It’s a little uncomfortable at first and then it feels great. Give it a try. Experience more of your potential!

• Identify the situations where you blame others or make excuses.
• Look at what you could have done to create a more positive outcome and make a list of ideas.
• Experiment with your ideas and keep refining until you get the results you want.
• Pay attention to when you slip back into blaming or making excuses. And repeat.

“A man can fail many times, but he isn’t a failure
until he begins to blame someone else.”
–John Burroughs
American Naturalist (1837 – 1921)

Turns out that laughter really is the best medicine. Scientific discoveries have proven that positive emotions are loaded with health benefits, especially laughter. Laughter releases a flood of brain chemicals that reduce stress, lower blood pressure, enhance your immune system and strengthen resilience. No wonder it feels so good to laugh.

Studies have also shown that as you grow older you laugh less. The average child laughs about a 100x day while the average adult laughs about 12x day. Yikes.

The good news is that laughter is free and in limitless supply. It’s also contagious. When you bring more laughter into your life you’ll naturally spread it to others too.

• Fill your day with laughter. Search out the people that make you laugh out loud. Check out YouTube’s funniest videos. Tell a joke.
• Pay attention to how you feel when you laugh. You’ll find your problems shrink and your hope expands.

“I am thankful for laughter,
except when milk comes out my nose.”
–Woody Allen

Get good at living!
Maryanne

Looking for an easy way to restore a sense of well being and feel happier? Pay a visit to Mother Nature and soak in her natural energy.

A new series of studies in the Journal of Environmental Psychology (June 2010) has shown the positive effects of being outside in nature. Yes, the mere presence of nature holds the key to connect us to our life force. It doesn’t get any easier than this.

It turns out that simply being in the presence of nature for 20 minutes can significantly boost feelings of vitality, strengthen our health and leave us feeling more compassionate and generous. We flourish when we connect to nature.

• Make a date with Mother Nature and invest 20 minutes this week strengthening your mindset, health and vitality.
• Use the sounds of nature to help you quiet your mind and go within.
• Listen for the messages that come from your sense of inner knowing and natural wisdom.
  

“Take care of your body.
It’s the only place you have to live.”
–Jim Rohn

Get good at living!
Maryanne

You’ve likely experienced how other people can influence the way you feel. When you’re around positive people who believe in you life feels expansive and filled with possibilities. And when you’re around people who are negative and fill you with self-doubt life feels constrictive and hard.

This is evidence that who you spend your time with matters. Need more convincing? Here you go: Studies have shown that the people you spend time with impact your health, mindset and motivation. One happy friend increases your odds of being happy by 15%. Attitudes are contagious. So invest your time creating a positive circle of friends.

• Write down the names of the 10 people you spend the most time with and rate each relationship on a scale of 1-5 (1 being negative and 5 being positive).
• Use this information to decide which relationships you will invest in.
• Choose to build a circle of friends that support you.

“Surround yourself with only those people
who are going to lift you higher.”
–Oprah

Get good at living!
Maryanne

Creative minds have long been admired for their ability to see common things in an uncommon way. They see the world as filled with endless opportunities just waiting to be discovered. Given that creativity is how you connect to fresh ideas and insightful solutions, it certainly seems like a life skill worth developing.

To strengthen your creative muscle you must stay open, curious and flexible. This is much easier when you make Spiraling Up a habit. By actively creating positive emotions you naturally expand your mind’s ability to make inspired connections and see what more is possible.

When you nurture your imagination life fills with the joy of discovery. It simply takes practice.

• Spiral Up to create a positive, expanded mindset.
• Explore new ideas and concepts to deepen your sense of curiosity and wonder.
• Practice quieting your mind and focusing your attention. Then listen for the inspired ideas that spring to mind and take action.

“Logic will get you from A to B.
Imagination will take you everywhere.”
–Albert Einstein

Get good at living!
Maryanne

Progress is easier to see when you take consistent action toward your goals. It’s the consistency portion of the program that typically trips you up. This is especially true of when you set big goals. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed even before you get started. That’s where the power of three comes into play.

You simply take three actions every day that advance you toward your goals. You’ll find that a little work each day becomes a lot over time. The first step is often the hardest, so just lean into it and get started today.

• Pick a goal you’re excited to complete. Create a list of actions that will help you make significant progress. Include actions that stretch, support and inspire you.
• Identify three actions you’ll take today. Keep expanding your list as new ideas spring to mind. Then repeat, repeat, repeat–until it is a habit.

Get good at living!
Maryanne

Success can become so expected that accomplishments go unnoticed. You’ve been taught to set the bar high and to clear it again and again. What you may not have learned is to anchor and celebrate your achievements.

If you’re like most people, your failures dominate your thoughts and you spend more time thinking about what you didn’t get done each day instead of seeing all you’ve accomplished. This practice will quickly drain your energy and confidence.

If this remotely sounds like you, it’s time to reprogram your mind and acknowledge your strengths and talents. When you take time to recognize your accomplishments you increase your motivation, confidence and momentum. Give it a try and feel the difference.

• Find three things you’ve accomplished today that make you feel good.
• Write them down so you can see your progress. Repeat daily.

“For success, attitude is
equally as important as ability.”
—Harry F. Banks

Get good at living!
Maryanne

Do you remember the last time you went out to play? If you’re feeling a little drained and uninspired more often than you’d like, it’s time to start playing more.

Studies show that when you take time out to play, and do what you love, you are ultimately more productive, creative and resourceful in all aspects of your life. Playing also reduces stress, energizes your body and nourishes your spirit. Now, doesn’t that sound good?

The more responsibility you have the more important it is that you take time away and positively recharge. Consider this your permission slip to play and recharge.

• Put yourself on your calendar. Find at least an hour this week to go out and play.
• Pay attention to how good you feel when you take time to enjoy your life. Repeat weekly.

Get good at living!
Maryanne

To carry a grudge is a heavy load. Just the thought of past pains triggers a whole physiological response that pulls your energy into a downward spiral. Forgiveness is how you free yourself from this cycle and move forward.

Choose to turn over the proverbial new leaf and grow again. Let go of the anger, resentment and disappointment that weighs you down. Feel how liberating it is to release these negative thought patterns. It’s a fantastic way to lighten up!

• Make a list of all of the anger and pain that keeps you stuck. Commit to releasing this energy once and for all. Take three deep breaths and ask for peace to fill this space. (You can bun your list if you’d like to add int a symbolic ritual of release.
• As you move forward, pay attention to your thoughts and emotions. Should you feel the anger or pain resurface remind yourself you are releasing this pattern. Take several deep breaths and let it go again (and again). Feel the peace return and know that you are free to choose the thoughts that direct your emotions and experiences.

Get good at living!
Maryanne

When you feel inspired it’s easy to see what more is possible. Positive emotions lift your spirit, fuel your energy and expand your vision. The more you actively build your enthusiasm the easier life flows. This is why it’s important to make inspiration part of your daily practice.

Inspiration provides a burst of energy that attunes you to your inner knowing. It breathes life into your vision. It connects you to what is possible. And the more you nurture it the easier it is to find.

• Make a list of all of the ways you tap into inspiration. Keep expanding your list to include ideas so you have a wide range of quick fixes and deep dives that keep you filled with enthusiasm.
• Here are a few ideas to get you started.
  • Visit TED.com and search for inspiring ideas.
  • Read a book that stimulates your curiosity.
    
  • Meditate and learn to quiet your mind.
  • Create a mix of music you connect with.
  • Create a vision board.
• Put inspiration on your calendar. Make time for what matters most.

It’s time to stretch yourself and see what more is possible. You simply need to move outside your comfort zone and create new experiences that energize you and help you to keep growing.

As you stretch beyond what you’ve mastered you create more optimal experiences and move into a state of flow. This happens when your experiences fully engage you and leave you feeling energized. So push yourself a bit this week. Commit to taking action so you can see what life has to offer when you lean into it. It’s fun.

• Find one way to move outside your comfort zone today. Start small and simply stretch yourself.
• Notice what it feels like as you stretch a bit. If may feel a little uncomfortable at first. This is normal and a sign that this is just what you need.
• Now, make a list of new ways you will stretch yourself this year. Start small and keep gaining momentum. Build up to creating new experiences that really expand the way you see life. Put your ideas into action again and again.

“If we did all the things we are capable of doing,
we would literally astound ourselves.”
—Thomas A. Edison
Get good at living!
Maryanne

Planning is great, but sometimes it’s best to just move into action. This is especially true if what you’ve been thinking about doing holds a little fear for you. Your thoughts can quickly build up a wall of reasons that will keep you stuck if you let them.

This is when it’s a great idea to just move into action. Just take the first step toward whatever it is that you want to do and lean into it. You’ll find that the fear dissipates and your momentum builds.

• Make a list of all of the things you’ve been thinking about or putting off for far too long. Select one item and identify what steps you need to take to get ‘er done. Take at least one step every day until it’s completed.
• Take a victory lap to celebrate your progress and all you’ve learned. Then go back to your list and repeat.

“You can’t build a reputation
on what you were going to do.”
–Henry Ford

Get good at living!

Maryanne

Most people give their inner critic far too much airtime. If you tend to swirl in your mistakes, rehash the past, focus on what you didn’t complete and trash talk yourself, you need to consciously even the score.

What you focus on gets bigger. So, make it a point to celebrate your wins, see all that you’ve accomplished and feel the strength you possess. When you make it a practice to actively reinforce your best qualities and daily achievements, you’ll feel your energy and motivation positively expand. This is also a great way to stay inspired and build the momentum you need to keep creating what matters most.

Make it a daily practice to focus on your best qualities.

• Take a victory lap and acknowledge all you accomplish every day. Celebrate your progress and strengths.
• Then write it down. Notice how easily this practice creates more positive thoughts and emotions. Read through your list when you need a boost. It works!

Get good at living!
Maryanne

Studies have shown that your expectations influence the outcomes you experience. Here’s how it works. The attitudes, perspectives and beliefs you hold toward life create the thoughts and emotions that program your mind. Your brain then calls to your attention the opportunities, people and experiences it’s been programmed to find.

This cycle is the self-fulfilling prophecy in action. The key to creating positive changes in your life is to change the way you think. Positive expectations simply and quickly reprogram your mind to search and deliver the best in every experience. These aspects of life have always been there they’ve just gone unnoticed by your brain when you were in a negative mindset and focusing on what was wrong.

Here’s a simple practice that will help you to learn to see the best that life has to offer every day. It’s a very good thing!

• Intentionally go through your day expecting the best in every situation. Actively look for all that’s good. Then write down what you see as the day’s highlights. This will help you to become even more aware of the positive experiences you’re having.
• Tonight, visualize everything going just the way you want it to go tomorrow. Repeat daily. Pay attention to how your perspective changes.

Get good at living!

Maryanne

Fear has the power to grab your attention and consume your thoughts, especially when you’re facing new challenges. This is why it’s so important to actively stay inspired every day and direct your thoughts toward positive emotions like hope and belief.

Inspiration is the spark that lights the flame inside you and helps you to see what more is possible. When you feel inspired you naturally feel happier, energized and motivated. This state of mind makes it much easier to think positively and take consistent action to create what matters most. Now, doesn’t that sound good?

I encourage you to nourish your spirit every day and keep fanning that internal flame. Stay inspired and see what more is possible.

• Make a list of what inspires you–people, books, music, nature, art, meditation, exercise, etc. Keep it bite-size so it’s easier to add into your daily practice. Then commit to reigniting your passion every day.
• Pay attention to how much easier life feels when you’re continually inspired. Then pass it on and inspire others.

“We have more possibilities
in each moment than we realize.”
–Thich Nhat Hahn

Get good at living!
Maryanne

Do you ever find you cram more into a day than is humanly possible? If so, it’s likely you’ve been conditioned to believe that more action equals more productivity. The truth is that continuous action is much more apt to leave you feeling exhausted, uninspired and a bit numb to your experiences. And really, who is actively in search of that?

Being present is a proven remedy that I encourage you to put into practice. This means you intentionally choose to invest your time and energy in what matters most. You align your actions with your vision and values. You practice being fully present and staying engaged in each experience. Notice how it feels as though time is slowing down as you actively focus your attention in the now.

• Look at your calendar and see if your time is aligned with what matters most. Determine if there are any adjustments needed.
• Make it a practice to take a few deep breaths between activities to recenter and reconnect. Stilling the body and mind for a even a few minutes each day makes it easier to stay present. When you find your thoughts are in the past or future, take a deep breath and pull yourself back.
• As you consciously practice being present in each experience, pay attention to how it feels and see what you learn about yourself.

“Life is now.
There was never a time when your life was not now,
nor will there ever be”
–Eckhart Tolle

Get good at living!

Maryanne

You are surrounded by positive experiences each day that have the power to lift your mood, energy and keep you inspired. All you have to do is to start recognizing and appreciating them more fully. By deliberately focusing on all that’s good every day you train your brain to start calling positive experiences to your attention.

Simply put–energy flows where attention goes. The key is to be intentional about what you focus on for it’s easy to see what’s not working. Your mind will naturally go to what’s troubling you if you let it. So, take control over your thoughts by living with uncommon appreciation every day.

• Choose to see all that’s good in your life every day. Make a game out of it. See how many people, situations and experiences there are to appreciate each day. Write them down and keep track of your Highlights! Review your list and feel your mood lighten. Repeat daily until it becomes a habit. It will change your life.

Get good at living!
Maryanne

If we’re not thoughtful about how we invest our time, it’s easy to let what’s urgent crowd out what’s important. We distract ourselves with tasks that are easy to approach and avoid doing what matters most, typically because we have some sort of fear about moving toward it. The irony is that when we take action the fear begins to dissipate. We then realize how much more we are capable of achieving, which fuels our confidence and helps us build momentum.

When you’re serious about creating a happy, successful life, you have to be willing to look at your actions. When you observe (without judgment) how you invest your time, you’re then able to choose how you’ll use it more wisely. This also helps to create a much clearer vision of what success looks like. Give it a try.

• Take 15 minutes today to Pause & Reflect (or call it strategic review–same thing). Start by making a list of what matters most in your life–personally and professionally. Then look at how well you’ve aligned your time, energy and actions toward those areas.
• Recognize your progress.
• Look for the insights.
• Choose new actions to strengthen.

Get good at living!

Maryanne

posted Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009 | No Comments »

Exercise moves your mood!

Here’s a simple tip to help you pull out of those downward spirals we all experience. Move your body every day!

Exercise is one of the fastest ways to snap out of a bad mood. Here’s why: physical movement spikes all kinds of brain activity and strengthens the important neurotransmitters that traffic in thought and emotion. For lots of neurochemical reasons, exercise has a positive influence on your mood, attention, perceptions, motivation, memory, ability to learn and more.

The time you invest to strengthen your body pays off big time. Studies have shown 30 minutes of exercise can lift your mood for up to 12 hours. Simply walking outside for 10-15 minutes can do wonders for your mindset.

As your physiology begins to shift, you’ll also find you feel more energized, confident and inspired to take action. Focus on all of the benefits of exercising and you’ll find the excuses fade and your motivation strengthens.

• Move your body every day. Build up to 30 minutes daily, if you’re not already there. Mix it up. Keep it fresh. Get outdoors as often as you can. Keep creating a healthy mind, body and spirit.

“Movement is a medicine for
creating change in a person’s
physical, emotional and mental states.”
–Carol Welch

Get good at living!

Maryanne

posted Wednesday, December 16th, 2009 | No Comments »

Strengthen through belief.

Your ability to succeed is directly tied to your belief in yourself. Belief fuels hope and connects you to inspired ideas. And when you consciously strengthen your feelings of belief you’ll find it’s much easier to persevere and create what matters most to you.

Setting stretch goals often stirs up thoughts of past failures. You can really want to create positive changes and, at the same time, be so afraid to fail again that you end up feeling stuck. This push–pull dynamic drains your energy and kills your motivation.

To move out of this stuck state you have to first become aware that it exists. Then you can choose to shift your perspective and see the experiences you’ve called “failures” as opportunities to learn. Your ability to see the value in every experience naturally strengthens your belief and fuels positive feelings of optimism and enthusiasm. This is the mindset you need to move forward consistently.

• Become aware of when you feel fear, doubt and resistance. Dig deep to see what’s at the root of it. Look for the insights and learn from each experience. Then apply what you’ve learned and move into action. Repeat often.

“If I have the belief that I can do it,
I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it
even though I may not have it at the beginning.”
–Mahatma Gandhi

Get good at living!

Maryanne

posted Tuesday, December 15th, 2009 | No Comments »

Think positively to stay motivated.

Your thoughts are a form of energy that can help you to spiral up and create a positive mindset. Intentionally direct your thoughts in a positive direction every day. It will help you to stay inspired and motivated so you can keep creating what matters most in life.

Given that studies have shown that the average person (that’s you) sends roughly 50,000 self-talk messages to themselves each day–and that 80% of them are negative–it’s important to become aware of what you’re thinking and saying to yourself.

• Start each day by focusing on all you have to appreciate. Then strengthen your awareness and check in throughout the day to see where your thoughts are taking you. Continue to intentionally choose positive thoughts. Look for the best in every situation and soon you’ll begin to see it more naturally.

“Human beings, by changing their
inner attitudes of the minds,
can change the outer aspects of their lives.”
–William James

Get good at living!

Maryanne

posted Tuesday, December 1st, 2009 | No Comments »

How do you react to adversity?

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.

In about 20 minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, ‘ Tell me what you see.’ 

’Carrots, eggs, and coffee,’ she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg. 

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, ’What does it mean, mother?’

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

“Which are you?” she asked her daughter. ‘When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean? 

Think of this: Which am I?

Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate yourself to another level?

How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy. 

The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.

You might want to share this story with those who help you to see the brighter side of things when you are really down; to those whose friendship you appreciate; to those who are so meaningful in your life. 

May we all be COFFEE–strong, stimulating and awake to the joys that are in our live every day.

Get good at living!

posted Saturday, November 14th, 2009 | No Comments »

See the abundance in your life.

I wanted to share a simple and powerful idea to help you appreciate the abundance in your life so you can learn to attract it in other areas where you desire it–friendships, health, clients, finances, etc..

Here’s how it works. Make it a practice to recognize the abundance that already surrounds you each day and celebrate it. As you feel your sense of appreciation grow, ask that the fullness you feel be shared by everyone in the world. Then keep expanding your vision of abundance so you begin see it everywhere you go.

I’ve found it helps to affirm this idea and have made it a part of my daily practice. This works to train my brain to see what’s already present, expands my sense of gratitude and helps me to create a positive mindset. Here’s what I read and feel each AM & PM:

I am filled with joy as I see and appreciate the abundance that surrounds me every day. I ask that this energy and perspective be shared by everyone to create more happiness in the world. Brimming over!

I have tell you…it works. I’ve felt the power of this idea in action. It makes me feel happier and more content. And it’s helped me to see beauty in the moment.

Just last weekend I saw my neighbor’s pumpkin stand with fresh eyes and stopped with my daughter (Kate) and her friend (Skyla). As we picked out our pumpkins, we experienced abundance on two levels–variety and number. More importantly, we met Wes. He told us about his harvest and how he came to grow so many different types of pumpkins, apples and raspberries. This week we’re going back to pick fresh raspberries. (Who knew there were white raspberries?)

I encourage you to practice seeing abundance in your life and give thanks for all you have. It feels great and it’s a simple way to get good at living.

Keep expecting the best!

Maryanne

posted Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009 | No Comments »

The Road to Hana. Learn to appreciate the journey.

I spent yesterday on the Road to Hana with my family experiencing the metaphor for life: “It’s the journey, not the destination.”

As we made our way to Hana, winding through an amazing rain forest, we made several stops to see the eucalyptus trees, waterfalls, black sand beaches and swim in the natural pools. We took our time exploring and taking in all of the incredible beauty as the locals sped past us to their destinations. It was a powerful reminder of how easy it is to take things for granted that we see and experience every day–no matter how spectacular they may have seemed at first.

I quickly recognized how much had become wallpaper in my life. I made a list of all of the people, experiences, places and gifts that I’ve inadvertently started to take for granted and decided to remedy this situation. I’ve expanded my daily practice to include a reminder to look at the world with fresh eyes each day. To make sure I anchor this perspective, I’ve written a goal that I affirm each day as a positive reminder to stay awake and fully appreciate all that’s fabulous in my life.

I encourage you to do the same. Spend five minutes right now and take an inventory, reflecting on all of the aspects of your life. What have you started to take for granted? What do you rush by and overlook as you focus on your next destination? Then, commit to appreciating the beauty and gifts that are present each day. Remind yourself to enjoy the journey that is life.
Get good at living,

Maryanne

posted Thursday, September 3rd, 2009 | No Comments »

Want an energy boost?

Here’s a simple and profound insight–What you tolerate will not change.

So, if you’d like to find yourself complaining less and feeling more energized, take a look at what you’ve been tolerating and address it. It’s those everyday annoyances that sap your energy and creates the low-level stress that makes life harder than it needs to be. And who needs that?

Here are a few tips to help you move into action.
1. Make a list of life’s little annoyances–home & work.
2. Start small. Tackle an easy issue and keep going.
3. Feel & appreciate the positive energy returning.

Here’s to creating positive life skills that make life easier, happier and joy-filled!

Get good at living,
Maryanne

posted Tuesday, August 25th, 2009 | No Comments »

Positive momentum!

Here’s what we know from ground-breaking studies in biology, physics and positive psychology–our thoughts, emotions and actions direct our entire being. When you’re feeling positive your mind releases a cascade of chemicals that positively change your physiology, motivation to act and mental attitude. (The same is true of negative emotions…but that’s not really what we’re going for here.)

We also know that we create new cells every day. How we feel creates the polarity in these cells. And the polarity of our cells creates our predominate way of being. This means that we can expand and create who we are in 3 months (that’s how long it takes to replace every cell in our body). Amazing, huh?

What I love about science is that it proves that the investment you make in yourself pays off. So, Spiral Up today and commit to creating positive changes in your life. Here are a few small steps you can put into action right now to stay positive and build momentum. Go!

• Find 3 things to be grateful for right now. Feel it!
• Breathe. Take 3 deep breaths, exhale and release.
• Meditate. Find the peace and joy in being still.
• Move your body. Do something physical and shift your energy.
• Keep your language positive. Focus on what you want.
• Reframe challenges. Look for and expect the best.

“He is most powerful who has power over himself”
– Seneca

Keep expecting the best,

Maryanne

posted Monday, August 10th, 2009 | No Comments »

Practice Setting Boundaries.

I’ve had a habit of over scheduling for as long as I can remember. I’m a high achiever, pretty social (okay, that’s an understatement) and have always loved to maximize every moment. However, as life seems to gain speed each day and my responsibilities increase, I’m finding I no longer enjoy being booked day and night. So, I’m learning to dissolve this habit by setting boundaries for myself and saying “no” more often. And it’s paying off.

Knowing that summer is a time I can easily try to pack too much in, I wrote goal on June 1st around creating space this summer and easily flowing through each day, feeling energized, happy and satisfied. So far, so good. I’ve been experimenting with different ideas and wanted to share two that are working quite well.

1. ON, OFF, PREP days. I schedule my days and protect my time. ON days are when I’m out leading Live Dynamite sessions or meeting with clients. OFF days are 100% work-free days, no emails, no voicemials…nada. And PREP days are just that–days where I prepare to be either ON or OFF.

2. JUST SAY “NO!” Before I automatically accept every invitation, I move into Pause & Reflect mode. I ask myself three questions and feel my way through it 1) Is this a valuable way to spend my time? 2) Does saying “yes” align with what matters most to me? and 3) How will I feel if I say yes/no? This discernment process has made it much easier to say “no.” The saying “no” part is still a bit challenging, but I do it. And it feels great knowing that I’m making the right decision for me.

I’m not saying it’s always easy put these ideas into action. In fact, most days it requires I draw upon all of my discipline and focus to do so. What keeps me going are the results. I’m accomplishing more and staying focused on my goals. I have more time to relax with my family and friends. And I’m breathing easier.

Setting boundaries is a life skill I’m committed to mastering and so I practice at it every day. I encourage you to look at where you would benefit from setting a few boundaries and give it a try. Experience how good it feels to do what matters most.

Get good at living!

Maryanne

“Either you run the day or the day runs you.”
–Jim Rohn

posted Monday, June 22nd, 2009 | No Comments »

Give the gift of gratitude.

Looking for a meaningful gift to give? Here’s one, gratitude. It costs you nothing and brings you everything.

Yes, genuine appreciation is one of life’s greatest gifts. It has the power to quickly snap you out of a bad mood. It creates loads of positive energy. And it makes you smile. What’s better than that?

Experience gratitude and you’ll see what I mean. Really, try it. Make a list of everything you have to be grateful for. See how good it feels to really appreciate what you already have. It’s powerful.

Want to give the gift of gratitude? It’s easy. Simply go back to your list and expand it to include all of the people you appreciate. Then go out and tell them. Let them know they matter. Be specific and give them reasons why you’re grateful they’re in your life. It feels great!

Make it a habit and you’ll have a new life skill that smoothes the edges each day. Learn to live with gratitude and keep expanding your list. When you find you’re feeling crabby pull it out and read it–out loud. You’ll feel the energy shift.

Here are three ideas to help you easily expand your gratitude practice and keep it fresh.
1. Engage your senses. Pick one of your six senses (I include intuition) and discover what you appreciate through that sense all day.
2. Reframe a challenge and find the silver lining. Look for best…it’s always there.
3. Become mindful of all you take for granted. Appreciate the everyday things that go right, like the fact your car starts, you have a hot shower and electricity…you get the idea.

Know that our Live Dynamite gratitude practice includes all of you who are willing to make positive changes. This is how we will all thrive and shine. Join in. And keep getting good at living.

Expecting the best,
Maryanne

posted Thursday, December 18th, 2008 | No Comments »

Investing wisely.

I know it’s wise to have financial investment goals. That’s drilled in at a pretty early age. I believe it’s equally important to have time investment goals. Somehow that lesson didn’t sink in until recently when I had one of those Oprah “Aha!” moments.

I’d heard the question a thousand times, “How do you invest your time?” It’s always seemed like a valuable question, but one I’d never pondered too deeply.

Then one day this simple question hit me as truly profound. I suddenly saw time as this valuable commodity; a limited natural resource. One that cannot be expanded and so must be wisely invested and preciously guarded.

This led me to create a new weekly ritual–a time success review. I’ve found it to be simple and profound. And goes like this.

First, I set a goal for how I want to invest my time. I keep the buckets pretty big. And I think about it in terms of percentages, including both my personal and professional time investments.
1. Creating and refining my vision. (20%)
2. Building relationships. (40%)
3. Tasks/getting it done. (40%)

Next, I make it a practice to review my calendar each Sunday and look at how well I hit my goal. I look for where I made great progress, felt energized, inspired and maximized my time. I also see where I wasted time, procrastinated, allowed distractions to pull me off course. I ask myself what I’d do again knowing what my time investment actually produced.

Sometimes I like what I see. Other times I cringe that I invested in areas where there was no return. (That’s when I move into daily review mode). Either way, I learn and move forward with new insights. I then look at the week ahead and apply what I’ve learned. I make adjustments to ensure I’m investing wisely. And I recommit to hitting my goals next week.

This week I’m feeling extremely good about how I invested my time. I hit my goal. And I clearly see that the time I’ve spent visioning and building relationships has yielded focus, insights and happiness that will make me even more effective this week.

It’s true that sometimes you have to slow down to go faster. And so I highly encourage you create your own weekly success review. See what more you can learn about yourself. It’s all good!

Expect the best,
Maryanne

posted Sunday, November 9th, 2008 | No Comments »

Enjoy every moment!

Here’s a story that shows us how much we can learn from both dogs and children. They see life so clearly and lead with their hearts. It’s a good one. Enjoy.

A Dog’s Purpose (from a 6-year old).
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog’s owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn’t do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home. As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker’s family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker’s transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker’s Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, “I know why.”

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I’d never heard a more comforting explanation. He said, ‘People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life–like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?’ The six-year-old continued, “Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long.”

A great reminder to get good at living. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply.Speak kindly.

Remember, if dogs were our teachers you would learn things like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you’re not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.
ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!

posted Wednesday, October 29th, 2008 | No Comments »

The power of positive language.

Want to see more positive results in your life? Become aware of your language and learn to make it a habit to speak positively. How does this work? Well, your words have energy and they direct your mind. So what you say, especially when it’s emotionally charged, begins a creative cycle in motion.

There are several books that go into great depth on the power of language. They describe how and why our minds focus in on the subject of what we’re saying and how negative words do not even register. It’s a perfect design when we speak positively, but it doesn’t serve us when we speak negatively. That means that when we say things like, “I don’t want to be late.” the direction the mind (subconscious) hears is, “I want to be late.”

This ideas is especially powerful when you have children. Most of us tell our kids what we don’t want. So, when when we say things like, “Please don’t leave the lights on.” they hear, “Please leave the lights on.” And that’s just what they do…leave the lights on. Positive direction, “Please turn the lights off.” gives us positive results.

In quantum physics this idea plays into a principle called the Expectancy Theory. Simply put, we get what we expect in life. (It’s the self-fulfilling prophecy.) Our language tells the world (and our subconscious mind) what we expect. Somehow we seem to have become a society conditioned to expect disappointment. And guess what we get most often? Disappointment. Exactly what we don’t want.

In our Live Dynamite Circles we give people orange rubber bands to put around their wrist as a visible reminder to check in on their thoughts and language. When they recognize negative expressions they switch the rubber band to the other wrist. Change begins the moment we become aware of what we’re doing and commit to new actions.

The beauty of this dynamic is that we can control our thoughts and language. If you’d like to create and attract what you do want, here’s how it works.
1. The first step is awareness. Listen to what you say. When you hear it’s negative, restate it in a positive expression.
2. Drop all negative words (don’t, can’t, never, won’t, etc…).
3. Use visual reminders, and enlist the help of others, to help you check in and stay on track.

Give it try. Learn to become mindful of your language. And believe you can do it.

I can is 100 times more powerful than IQ.
–Anonymous

Expect the best!
Maryanne

posted Sunday, September 28th, 2008 | No Comments »

Keep a kid’s perspective.

Ever have an insight into life and then find you can’t escape it? Lately, I’ve been constantly reminded of how instinctual we are as kids. And how as adults we shut down to the strengths that come so naturally when we’re young. Strengths I believe we were meant to build upon.

Last night we watched the Robin Williams movie “Jack” and again…the same insight was shining through. The movie is about a boy who ages at a rate 4x faster than normal, so at age 10 he looks like he’s 40. Yet, he has the spirit and sense of adventure of a 10 year old.

And so I share with you a few strengths we all had as kids and encourage you to find a way to recapture this perspective.

PRESENCE. Kids are all about NOW. They live in moment and instinctively lose themselves in whatever they are doing. They give their undivided attention to what’s happening NOW. As adults, we tend to live in the past or the future. All too often forgetting to enjoy the moment we’re in, which is all we ever really have.

POSSIBILITIES. What does MAYBE mean to you? Yes or no? I heard a Jack Johnson song the other day, “maybe…pretty much always means no.” It got me thinking, “Well not when you’re a kid. To kids maybe means, YES! The door is still open.” Kids see everything as possible. They believe they can create whatever they want in life. They don’t go to, “What if….” As adults, we tend to stay in our comfort zones. We set goals we believe we can achieve and no more. We brace ourselves for disappointment and expect the worst. In doing so, we miss the opportunity to see what more is possible and keep attracting what we don’t want.

PERSISTENCE. Kids campaign for what they want without fatigue. They’re resilient. My daughter Kate (7) is on a mission to get a hamster. She visualizes where its cage will go. Thinks up names. After prayers, the last word she whispers in my ear each night is “hamster.” She sees it happening and is in the game until she wins. Why is it as adults we’re so willing to drop out at the slightest sign of adversity? We can become so afraid of failure and disappointment that we don’t even get in the game sometimes. Where did our spirit of persistence go?

I encourage you to find that child like spirit that’s still inside of you. Live in the present. Imagine what’s still possible. Practice persistence and create what you want in life. Oh, one more child like skill that would serve us all well…laugh until your sides hurt!

Expect the best,
Maryanne

posted Monday, September 22nd, 2008 | No Comments »

Positive Thoughts–Positive Attitude.

I love research studies about human behavior and how the mind works. I’m fascinated by what inspires and motivates people to take action. And how we create habits that drive 80%-90% of our responses.

I was hooked when I read about the studies that show how the average person gives themselves 50,000 messages each day–and that 80% are negative. I remember quickly doing the math when I first saw this stat and thinking, “Wow, I sure I hope I’m not average!”

I couldn’t help but start my own self-study (that continues today). I immediately began to pay attention to my thoughts and language. I must say, I was surprised at how often I slipped to the dark side. I’d start talking about what I didn’t want or what was wrong. I’d swirl in some situation that made me feel “less than” for far too long.

Not being too thrilled with what I was seeing (or feeling), I set out on a course of self-discovery and change. I devoured every book and CD I could find on the power of intention, raising your consciousness, creating positive energy, attitudes and happiness. (My amazon.com profile still prompts me with the latest in self-help books.)

Here’s what I learned. First, I am not my every thought. Whew! Second, my thoughts, words and emotions are a guidance system of sorts that help me stay on track (that is when I’m conscious of them). Third, I’m average. I need to work on creating and protecting a positive attitude like everyone else.

So, I thought I’d share my four-step program. Here’s how I shift from a negative to positive mindset.
1. I observe. I stay conscious of my thoughts, language and feelings. I check in on my attitude to see where I’m at throughout the day.
2. I reflect and look for the wisdom. I learn from each experience–there’s always something to learn. And the faster I learn, the faster I can move on.
3. I take action. I do something to move the negative energy out of my body. I exercise, I take deep breaths, I count all I have to be thankful for, I say an affirmation (and try not to think of Stuart Smalley on SNL)…and I shift.
4. I express gratitude for all I’ve learned and I let it go. I appreciate what I’ve learned from the experience and then I release it. (Sometimes I have to release it a couple of times before it’s really gone.)

Here’s an example. I’ve been known to set some pretty big stretch and life-changing goals. At first I’m really energized and excited about what I’m setting out to accomplish. I dive in with loads of enthusiasm. As time goes on, and I’m still plugging away at my latest challenge, fear surfaces (as it always does). I find myself wondering, “What was I thinking?” And I begin to question if I can really do it. Doubt (fear’s faithful side-kick) creeps in.

Eventually, I recognize the pattern. I snap out of it and ask myself what is there to really be afraid of? I think back on all of the other times I’ve succeeded. And I move right back into action. Pretty soon the fear dissipates (as it always does). Then I thank the fear and doubt for reminding me to keep moving forward. (For me, fear comes when I’m spending more time thinking about doing something than actually doing it. That’s why action is the fastest antidote.)

Like everything, my four-step approach took practice and commitment to make it a habit. I still work at it every day, but it’s so much easier now that it’s an ingrained behavior. I catch my downward spirals pretty quickly now. And I take action every day to spiral up so I stay on track and centered.

If you’d like to learn more on the power of thought, here are two fabulous books I highly recommend.

“Power vs. Force” by David Hawkins. His 20-year study, using kinesthesiology (muscle testing), proved that the mind thinks with the whole body. It quickly deepens understanding of the power of thought and intention.

“The Biology of Belief” by Dr. Bruce Lipton. He’s scientifically proven that our thoughts have the power to change our physiology and cellular structure (positively and negatively). This is a great book if you really want to understand how your thoughts literally affect your health and why.

“The greatest discovery of my generation is that
a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of mind.”
–William James (1842-1910)

Expect great things!

Maryanne

posted Sunday, January 6th, 2008 | No Comments »

Living with intention.

My highlight this week is that I was invited to be on the “Get Real Girls” show all about The Power of Intention. (Here’s my shameless plug–it airs on Saturday, 10/6, from 8AM-10AM on FM 107.) Tune in and you’ll hear the master of intention, Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, who is highly inspiring. And you’ll hear me chatting with the Girls about how Live Dynamite incorporates intention into the work we do. If you miss the show, you can always download it.

Being on the show got me thinking about when I was first introduced to the idea of living with intention. It was about seven years ago. I was asking my friend Beverly for advice on some situation and she asked me, “Well, what’s your intention?” Her words ran through my head for the next week. I kept asking myself, “Why am I doing this?”

What I found was that many of my intentions were genuine, but there were also times that I saw fear, or the need to control things, driving my actions. That’s when I became very thoughtful about what I was doing and where I was investing my energy. I started making changes in my life. And as I became more intentional, I began to really see how my intention charged the energy around my actions. Ultimately, what I put out is what I got back.

So now I practice living on purpose every day. I still read books that inspire me to stay on track and keep expanding my understanding. We’ve also made intention a core element in the work we do with Live Dynamite. As they say, we teach what we most need to learn. And I am definitely still learning. I’ve seen the power of intention positively shift the direction and focus in so many lives that I’m continually inspired to keep up my own reflection.

If the idea of intention feels new, listen to tomorrow’s show. And I highly recommend two books that have helped me live more intentionally–“Quantum Success” by Sandra Ann Taylor and “The Power of Intention” by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer.

“Our intention creates our reality.”
–Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

Maryanne

posted Friday, October 5th, 2007 | No Comments »

A Little Indian Wisdom.

There’s nothing like a good tale to shed a little light on the power of our emotions. I just received this story from a friend and thought I’d pass it on.

It’s a great reminder that our thoughts and emotions are constantly creating our experiences. Here’s to feeding more positive thoughts, feelings and experiences.

Expect great things!
Maryanne

Two Wolves.
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, “My son, the battle is between two “wolves” inside us all.

One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: “Which wolf wins?” The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

posted Thursday, August 30th, 2007 | 1 Comment »

Time to reflect and refresh.

I love summer. It’s when I feel most spontaneous, relaxed and carefree. At the same time, I find that come August I’m ready for some structure to return. I long for systems to keep me on track and productive.

I use to call these times “my season of discontent,” when I felt out of sorts, but wasn’t sure why. I always knew my life was pretty darn good and that I have little reason to complain. And yet, I still felt restless.

Well, it’s August and that feeling is here again. Why? Well, a little self-reflection quickly surfaced a few personal insights. I realized I’ve been inconsistent in my daily practice–spiraling up, expressing and FEELING gratitude, taking action toward my goals and meditating. I know that consistency is the key, but I wasn’t living it.

So, I took a dose the Live Dynamite.

I refreshed my goals and started practicing intentional creation again–30 uninterrupted days of saying my goals out loud, taking action and believing in positive outcomes. New habits and new nueropathways here I come!

Happy to report that after just 13 days I feel like I’m back on track. I’ve already accomplished two of my immediate goals. (How I love accomplishment.) And I’m really FEELING thankful, energized and happy again.

Here’s to crossing the bridge between knowing and doing!

A moment of personal insight.

Maryanne

posted Friday, August 24th, 2007 | No Comments »

Lunching with Jack Canfield–that was GREAT!

This photo goes into my lifetime highlights album. Here’s why.

Two years ago I read “The Success Principles” by Jack Canfield. I then read it again, and again. And it changed my life. It connected all of the dots of knowledge I’d plotted over the years.

Success is about taking responsibility for your life. It was that simple and that hard. I got it. And I was determined to do it. I was now fully charged (or manic). I became a walking infomercial for this book and decided I wanted to meet Jack Canfield and really get to know him. And so I wrote a goal and intention around it. I wasn’t sure how it would happen, but I believed it would. I could feel it and see it.

I then had a chance to meet him in May ’06 when he was in Minneapolis taping a DVD of “The Success Principles” with Better Life Media. (Highly recommended). At the taping I met him, but I wouldn’t say I got to know him. And so I kept the dream alive–one day I’d get to know him.

Fast-forward nine months and I’m having dinner with Harvey Mackay (Mr. Make-It-Happen) who hears my story. He can see that I’m a huge Jack fan and offers to make in introduction. Less than a week later I’m connected with Jack. (Easy to see why Harvey’s networking book was such a success!)

A few weeks ago, I had a fabulous lunch with Jack in Santa Barbara and my goal was achieved. I really feel like I got to know him. Must say, he exceeded all of my expectations. He’s genuine, whip smart, altruistic and super funny.

I share this story to show that sometimes your goals (or dreams) don’t happen immediately, but if you persist and believe–they will. And because I was super psyched to meet Jack! Plus, it gives me another chance to recommend “The Success Principles” to all of you. Our podcast (#8–Taking Responsibility) will give you a good idea of the impact this book has had in my life. And you can buy the book at www.jackcanfield.com. Expect great things!

posted Thursday, April 12th, 2007 | No Comments »

Expect great things!

There’s nothing like first hand experience reinforce belief. Take the idea of expectancy. You know, the idea that what you expect to happen is what happens. It’s often called the self-fulfilling prophecy.

Expectancy is one of the keys to expanding and creating. And so I’ve adopted the mantra, “Expect great things.” Here’s a recent example of how it works.

It’s Tuesday and I’m off to Target to buy a Wii for my son’s 10th birthday. I need it by Friday so I figured I’d stop in and pick one up. I quickly learn that the game is in high demand and nearly impossible to get.

Later that day I see a Wii at our high tech web developers, who have a passion for video games. I ask how I can get my hands one by Friday. Turns out that they’re giving one away at their Vernal Equinox party the next day. They say, “Maybe you’ll win it.” I say, “No maybe, I’m going to win it.”

I went home and wrote out my intention on one of our expand & create cards. It read, “I’m so grateful and thrilled that I won the Wii at ideapark’s party and surprised Will at his birthday party on Friday at 6 pm.”

I read it out loud several times and visualized that I had won it. I could see it all happening. When I was a kid my mom won a car. She said she knew as soon as she entered that she was going to win. And that was exactly how I felt.

I’m sure by now you know–I WON! Must say everyone was a bit surprised–except for me. I had expected to win.

There was just one minor glitch. Even ideapark couldn’t get their hands on the Wii. The next day (Thursday) I’m driving home. I get a strong feeling that there’s a Wii in Target if I’ll just go in. (Guys call it gut. Gals call it intuition.)

Again, I’ve had enough positive experiences that I’ve learned to listen to my intuition. So, I go in expecting it to be there. I’m already happy walking in the store. I know I’ll soon have a Wii ready to wrap for the party the next night. And there it was sitting in the locked case. I walked away with both the Wii and another experience that reinforced my belief in expecting the best.

I can’t encourage you enough to expect the best! Send out the positive energy and have faith. Even a small shift in your attitudes and energy can have a big impact in your life. Come on and give it a try!

posted Monday, April 2nd, 2007 | No Comments »

The Law of Attraction Takes Practice

I remember when I first understood the Law of Attraction–like attracts like. I became a little manic. I couldn’t wait to put all of these ideas into practice. I soon realized that practice is what it takes to create the life you want–daily practice.

I was completely charged after reading “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill www.napoleonhill.com and “The Success Principles” by Jack Canfield. I immediately started practicing the principles and converting everyone I could.

Then last April I saw a DVD called “The Secret” that brought the Law of Attraction to life. I bought a bunch of copies and gave them to my friends. I realized the key was to surround myself with people who would commit to doing this with me–practice gratitude, stay positive and take responsibility for their actions. No more blaming, complaining or being a victim.

These experiences became the seed ideas for Live Dynamite™ and the upside™. We wanted to create a structure so people could practice these principles and make it a habit. Real power comes from consistently applying what you know. So, find you’re people and get started. Join a Live Dynamite Circle or work through the upside practice with a buddy. Expand and create momentum. You can do it!

posted Friday, February 16th, 2007 | No Comments »

Spiral up with positive self-talk!

Creating and maintaining a positive attitude is the key to success. When you’re filled with positive energy you attract even more. It’s The Law of Attraction in action. You know–the idea that like attracts like. What you send out into the world is what you attract back. That’s why your attitude is so critical to your success (or failure).

So create a great attitude through positive self-talk. You know those internal conversations you have each day? That’s self-talk.

When you begin to listen to your thoughts, you may be amazed at how often they’re negative. The point is to start paying attention and take control.

What you think is completely within your power. So intentionally support yourself through positive thoughts. Redirect the conversation when it turns negative.

Give it a try. Commit to actively listening to your thoughts for one week. Check in. See if they are supportive or destructive. Change the tape if you need to–focus on your strengths. Experience the lift you get from positive self-talk.

Come on–spiral up!

posted Sunday, February 4th, 2007 | No Comments »

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