Tag Archives: Visioning

Light at the End of the Tunnel

Have you ever been through a deep dark time?  It’s like going through a long , cold, damp tunnel.  Maybe you can see the light at the end of the tunnel . . . or maybe not.  It makes a difference.  Think about it.  When you can see where you are going you visualize a future, hope.  And your pace, your step picks up because you know where you are going.

On the Bike Trail

Just last weekend Wally “the retired Marine Corp hubby” convinced me to take our mountain bikes out on an old rail road trail up in Susanville, CA.  It was beautiful and not difficult but it did mean going through two 800′  & 400′ deserted earth tunnels.  Cold, dark, gravel under the tires was challenging since we had to walk the bikes and stay together to continue moving forward.  Our focus was on the “light at the end of the tunnel”. It wasn’t much but it gave us a focus and that gave us the momentum and direction to continue. 

Powerful Leaders See the Light

Leaders that have the gift of inspiring others always “see the light at the end of the tunnel”.  They see where the team needs to go and they are able to describe that goal to their team members in language that is meaningful.  Is it easy?  No.  But even if the leader is struggling personally with their own doubts they are able to have faith in the ultimate outcome – that in the chaos of change that possibilities and opportunities will emerge. 

So if you are that leader or that follower in the dark tunnel look up and see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Tell others you see it and then pick up your pace until you’re out in the sunlight.  Then jump back on your bike and pedal like crazy on down the trail to your next adventure!

Posted in Inspirational Leadership, Navigating Change, Personal Development | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

The Power of Optimism!

Optimism is a powerful business tool.  It is a magnet.  People gravitate toward others that project that  positive energy, spirit and belief in the future.  It is good business whether you own your own company, work in collaboration with others or are employed by someone else.  Adopting an optimistic outlook (yes, you can learn it) makes all the difference in your personal power, influence and future business success. 

What is Optimism?

“Optimism is the ability to look at the brighter side of life and to maintain a positive attitude even in the face of adversity”.  Bar-On 2002  Optimistic people have hope.  They are energetic and self-motivated because they perceive difficult situations as:

  • temporary with an end in sight
  • as not being their fault (bigger than just them)
  • that they have control in how they respond (a choice)

Teaching Yourself to Be Optimistic

So how do you learn to be optimistic?  Yes, we first learn optimism from those adult figures in our early childhood but as the years go by we can also teach ourselves to be more optimistic.  We do this by shifting how we think, speak and act.  It takes self-awareness and daily practice.

Here are five ways to bring more optimism into your life.

  • Think Differently (practice realistic abundance thinking not scarcity thinking)
  • Speak Differently (use words and ideas that expand not restrict your perceptions)
  • Act Differently (step into possibilities, act “As If”)
  • Develop an “Optimistic Network” (actively seek out others that boost your energy)
  • Sleep & Laugh More (physical & emotional self-care)

The ROI of Optimism

Is it worth the effort?  My answer is yes!  Try it and see.  On the business side, optimistic people are like magnets.  Others gravitate to them – they want to do business with them.  Optimistic people expect to be successful and their positive attitude and energy attract opportunities. 

On the personal side, optimistic people are physically and emotionally healthier, have significantly more positive relationships with family and friends, are well-connected to their communities and generally enjoy and appreciate their daily lives.  They live in abundance not scarcity. 

So be that person that others seek out – there is no down side only multiple benefits for you!

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Just Keep Pedaling: Rain, Hail & Cold

Just keep pedaling . . . wise words I repeated to myself as the rain, hail and cold beat down on my husband, Wally, and me as we rode our racing tandem bicycle in a 60 mile race in Northern California this past weekend.  With 250 other bicycles (including many other racing tandems) we were riding in the beautiful ranching community of Indian Valley close to Lake Almanor. 

“Who’s idea was this anyway?!”  Well, I guess in all honesty it was mine.  It sounded good on paper and we had planned for months to do this . . . but who would have known that we’d have rain, sleet & snow on Memorial Day weekend.  But there we were with nothing to do but keep on pedaling.  

What Makes for Success

So as the miles swept by under my pedals (we average about 16 miles an hour) I got to thinking about what makes for success on a challenge such as this.  I came up with five ideas:

  • Set the vision of finishing (with glass of wine & hot bath)
  • Concentrate on the rhythm (I close my eyes but Wally keeps his eyes open)
  • Be in the moment (listen to the sounds around me & relax in the movement of the tandem)
  • Stay in sync with the cues Wally is giving me for the steep uphills & fast downhills
  • Trust in the bike, the front rider (has to be a strong rider) and my own ability

And we were done . . . 5 hours later with frozen feet and “screaming” quads we pedaled into Greenville High School to check in and say thank you to the volunteers who fed and encouraged us all along the way.  And it was more fun to send the IPhone pictures to those college kids who think Mom & Dad are too old to barely move.  A great adventure and some wonderful reminders that it really is well worth it to just “keep pedaling”.

Posted in And a Bit More, Personal Development, Your Time & Energy | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments