Personal Development

Mar 10 2011

Stream of Consciousness…

Stream of Consciousness Exercise

This is a fun exercise. Take a piece of paper—or a word processor—and just start writing. It’s called a stream of consciousness exercise. It can feel awkward at first, but if you just go with it you’ll soon find that some remarkable things emerge.

I’ll do it now.

Ok. This feels scary because I’m committed top posting whatever I write. But that’s ok. I think you’ll forgive me if it’s a bit odd. After all, I’ve been known to be a bit eccentric. J

The other day I was driving through town trying to find a client’s location when I gut stumped. I was stumped because my GPS showed I was at the address when I obviously wasn’t. I was confused at first but then figured out that my GPS had taking me to the farthest south address on the N-S road I was on and called that good.

That got me thinking about how sometimes we humans trust technology—or other people more than we trust ourselves. And that’s sad. After all, we have this remarkable gut radar that givse us clues about what we’re doing and if it’s helpful or harmful to us.

Haven’t you ever just “known” that something good was going to happen? Or had a feeling of dread that steered you away from an activity that seemed harmless otherwise?

I know I have. In fact I remember one time that is poignant.

I was at a park and my daughter—then about five—disappeared. I looked around and she was nowhere. But I knew I had to find her, “Right Away!”

Without thinking about it I ran around the edge of the pavilion just in time to see her feet vanish over the edge of a dunking tank! I sprinted over and grabbed her out of the water within seconds. And if I hadn’t been there she would have probably drowned because there was no ladder inside of the tank!

I’m so grateful I listened to the feeling that helped me and saved my daughter’s life!

And I encourage you to listen to your gut too. Call it the Holy Ghost. Call it your gut. Call it being in tune with the universe. Whatever you decide to call it, it’s real and it will help guide you in your life if you let it.

And that, my friends, is a stream of consciousness exercise. Try it sometime. You might be surprised at what it does for you.

You Are The Master of Your Destiny!

Roland Byrd

Mar 09 2011

Do You Really Want Success?

Have you ever noticed that many people are great at talking about how much they want to change but not so great at doing anything about it? They have opportunities to make a difference in their lives…but they just watch them sail on by.

Imagine you see a person sitting on the side of the road, soaking up the sun. They have a sign out that reads, “Florida or Bust!” and you happen to be driving to Florida. So you pull over and offer them a ride.

“No thank you.” They reply. And close their eyes.

“But your sign says, ‘Florida or Bust’ and I’m offering you a ride.” You say.

They slowly open their eyes, look at their sign, and say, “Why…so it does.” They scratch their head. “Yep. ‘Florida or Bust!’ Right there plain as day.” Then they shrug.

“So…do you want a ride?” You ask in exasperation.

“Nope. Not today.” Then they look at you and wink. “Come back tomorrow. I’ll be ready for that ride then. Just not today.” Then they turn away from you as if you were never there.

That’s what many people are like when it comes to doing anything that will change their lives. They want it. They prepare for it. But when push comes to shove, they sit down and shrug, “Not Today.”

I hope you’re not that type of person. I hope you’ll take action on your dreams and do what it takes to bring them to reality. I hope you believe in yourself and that you want change enough to actually do something about it!

It might happen slower than you want or faster than you want. There’s no way of knowing the timeframe up front. But I can promise this, unless you do something, you’ll just sit by the side of the road and watch your dreams pass by.

Realize your dreams or not. It’s your choice.

You Are The Master of Your Destiny!

Roland Byrd

Mar 06 2011

A Single Voice

Do You Know The Power in a Single Voice?

I was driving the other day when it hit me. Every person on this planet has nearly limitless potential. But almost all of them are trapped in their own small version of reality. I felt overpowering hope and joy at the thought of the changes that could come to pass if even a fraction of these people would realize the beauty of their creation and their potential.

A lot of people don’t try because they think a single voice can’t make a difference. But a single voice can start an avalanche. A single voice can start or stop a riot. A single voice can open the front of the bus to a race of people. There is power in a single voice—the power to create and the power to destroy. But the voice has to be used or the power withers and dies.

And we never know who that voice might be until we open our mouths and discover it within us.

“Most people spend their life waiting for a miracle to happen. Other people just decide to be the Miracle.”—Martin Latulippe

I challenge you to Be The Miracle!

You Are The Master of Your Destiny!

Roland Byrd

Mar 03 2011

Empathy

Empathy is something that comes easy to some and is harder for others. Regretfully, there was a time in my life when I didn’t comprehend empathy. I had a vague idea what the word meant but I just didn’t “get it”.

Over the past few years I’ve come to understand what empathy is and how it helps in our lives though. And I’m glad I have.

After all, can you have a true connection with others when you fail to understand—or try to—what they’re going through, what they’ve been through, or the impact your actions could have on them?

I couldn’t. I wasn’t sure how to “empathize” past the end of my nose. And my relationships showed it.

Thankfully we humans can change! It took awhile but I did start to “get it”. As I learn how to empathize more, I have a better understanding of those around me and my relationships grow deeper and more meaningful.

So I wanted to share the best definition of Empathy I’ve read. Maybe it will help you “get it” too. Or maybe you already have empathy down pat. Either way, this is a great quote.

By Steven R. Covey—From Principle Centered Leadership.

“Empathy is the ability to comprehend with accuracy the precise thoughts and motivations of other people in such a way that they would say; ‘Yes, that is exactly where I am coming from.’
“Empathy is not the capacity to feel the same way someone else feels.
“Empathy is not acting in a tender, understanding manner.
“Empathy is the ultimate anger antidote.
“Empathy is the ability to visualize the consequences, good and bad, of your behavior.
“Empathy is the ability to conceptualize the impact of what you do on yourself and on the other person, and to feel appropriate and genuine sorrow and regret without labeling yourself as inherently bad.”

You Are The Master of Your Destiny!

Roland Byrd

Personal Development

Stream of Consciousness Exercise

Do You Really Want Success?

Do You Know The Power in a Single Voice?

Empathy

By Steven R. Covey—From Principle Centered Leadership.

Double Your Motivation to Exercise!