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The View I create

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We're at the Jersey shore with for the week with our daughter and son in law.  They rented a beautiful house on the beach - amazing views, fresh air, and a great boardwalk.  The entire boardwalk is about 2.5 miles -perfect for a walk to get in my daily, much needed exercise.

My goal is to walk a 4 mph pace.  And walk for 1 hour.  Yesterday I set out and was determined to reach my goal.   No problem.  One hour later, I'd covered four miles.  This morning, I set out to do it again.  It was early, the beach is beautiful and empty this time of year.  It was just me, my IPOD, and a desire to complete four miles in 60 minutes. 

I'm focused.  I'm going to get this done.  I'm listening to Les Brown on the IPOD - ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!  And when I get back to our beach house I go to the kitchen and as I'm drinking some water I stare out the window at this incredible view.  And I realize during the entire four miles, my eyes were on the boardwalk, on the steps in front of me, and I missed the entire view of the ocean.

More than surprised, I saw that I often am staring at the place just a couple of feet in front of me - missing the bigger picture.  How could I be staring at an old boardwalk when the ocean is crashing on the shore and showing me its magnificence and beauty??    (Pretty easily it seems!)  And certainly the greater message for me was that the boardwalk v. the ocean is just the metaphor of my life's focus. 

Both views were continuously available.  And the one that kept my attention was at my own feet.  What am I learning? 

• This boardwalk is old!
• Many boards have worn out and need to be replaced
• One area of the boardwalk looks exactly like another
• If I just look down at my feet, I have no orientation of where I am from the view
• It's flat and after a couple of miles, boring
• Looking at the boardwalk boards, I could be anywhere in the world

When I look UP, what do I see?

• Interesting shops, all closed until the memorial day weekend
• Buildings and homes that are for rent, but currently empty
• A few people running or walking who for the most part are looking at THEIR feet!
• A magnificent ocean with more wonder and mystery than I will ever comprehend.
• A beautiful sky with screeching birds who happily circle for no reason that is apparent to me
• How very small I am in the world, but I am here
• I can see my goal of where I'm headed (to the end of the boardwalk) and exactly where my goal lies in relation to where I am in my walk

Looking down does not serve me!  It gives me no perspective!  And it's fairly boring.  After this revelation, I looked up today.  What a difference.  And my walk of an hour went faster than the last time I walked yesterday.

Look up - face your goals.  Whether it's two miles ahead of you, a goal of making the client call today, or something greater - a larger goal that will take many steps - many days - many moving parts.  Imagine what happens when you clearly look at your goal - not just stare at your feet plodding along knowing you'll reach it soon.

Enjoy the journey - but notice where you're gazing.   See you on the boardwalk!

CEO Space: How can I help you today?

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Finding hope and inspiration on a daily basis can be difficult even for the most optimistic of entrepreneurs.  We will be told no more often than yes in an environment when it appears easier to focus on the negative rather than the positive in our economy and society.  I recently had an experience that renewed my faith in my journey – my vision.  And it took place in a positive and productive environment in Henderson NV.

I had the great fortune of attending CEO Space a week ago.  You’re not alone if you’ve never heard of it.  CEO Space  is an organization focused on bringing together individuals who choose to cooperate rather than compete.  Who choose to learn rather than denounce.  Who choose to make a difference in the world through collaboration rather than go it alone.

I went to CEO Space for a number of reasons:  ◊ recharge my battery, i.e., get inspired; ◊ learn new business ideas and techniques in a supercharged learning environment; ◊ raise awareness and get financial and intellectual support for the Itafari Foundation; ◊ expand my network both nationally and internationally; ◊ acquire more speaking engagements; ◊ help others become their best; ◊ recharge my battery, i.e., get inspired (yes, I mention it twice because I really needed it!)

I now know my goals were limited.  I did not see the bigger picture of what was possible.  Now I’m seeing that CEO Space provided me with practical tools and contacts that increased my horizon of what I can accomplish.  (While accomplishing all of the initial goals I identified above).

CEO Space is a supercharged learning environment – a CEO level educational retreat; a CEO-to-CEO trade show; a university affiliated program, a place to connect with investors who will invest in your business or dream.  Endorsed by Jack Canfield, Bob Proctor, Lisa Nichols, Mark Victor Hanson, Les Brown, and over 350 corporate trainers and major law firms on faculty.  And now endorsed by me.  

I’m not a big conference fan.  Too many people, too many hidden agendas, too much competition.  But CEO Space did not have this theme.  There will always be people with hidden agendas, but CEO Space does not attract or endorse such behavior. 

The week is comprised of training described as “super teaching”  which delivers teaching from the best and brightest of teachers and trainers.  It is networking that accomplishes more in an hour than you’ve accomplished before in a day.  It is friendships, business relationships and partnerships that develop quickly and easily as you learn to ask for what you really need and are offered tangible ways to get those needs met.  

Once you’re a member of CEO Space you are a member for life.  I can attend any and all of the five meetings held every year for the rest of my life.  And I’ll return for the inspiration, training, collaboration, partnerships, business and investment opportunities and renewal for my spirit.  

I’ve learned to always begin a conversation with, “how can I help you today?”  And by giving my best, I receive the same from others.  Contact me for more information about how I can help you.  I'd also love to talk with you about CEO Space and your ability to be more effective, productive and successful.