Direct Life Coaching

I am back! Actually...this is my second day back...but I am still getting through all of the e-mails, and I had to hit the ground running with work and projects. I had a video shoot yesterday, and we are preparing for an improv show tomorrow night. There is truly no rest...but who needs it when you are...

ON FIRE!!!!

Yes...on fire...on purpose! It was an amazing course that I attended in St. Louis. It was called "Leading with Mastery" and it was taught by Sandy Wilder of Communico. To be honest, I went to the class because it was recommended....knew I would have a good time...but had no idea how transforming it was going to be.

In essence, the course was this -- If you cannot lead yourself - than you cannot lead others.

Makes sense. Sure. But, what does it really mean to lead yourself? So, this course was about really breaking yourself down and finding the core of who you are...and clearly defining your individual purpose. We are talking deep thought...and really looking honestly and humbly at yourself. It uncovered so many things about myself that I had tucked away and just decided to accept and live with...BUT NO MORE...not when you are on purpose!

Being "On Purpose" is like being "in the zone!" You are able to detach a lot of personality and ego from yourself and others...and really subjectively look at any situation and decide how to respond. When you stay on purpose, you are able to respond in a way that doesn't get you sidetracked or distracted from what you are about...or what you are trying to accomplish. The best part is...that it's not about forcing your purpose...but being so clear of what it is and letting it unfold. I like that.

When you're on purpose...you're alive! You're on fire! There is no time or fatigue...just life...just NOW!!! It's spiritual...deeply spiritual. It's about changing how you view yourself and the world...and forcing you to view everything from a spiritual foundation! Needless to say, this all really connected with me ;)

I will have plenty more to say about the course...but I think that's good for now!

It's good to be back and able to put these ideas to use!

Travis

I think that pretty much says it all...doesn't it? Whose with me? I don't wear too many wool sweaters in Florida anymore...but I have many memories of itching myself through a winter day because I forgot to wear a t-shirt under my wool sweater.

Is there anything more uncomfortable?

You itch...and itch...and think about itching...and you become irritable...and your whole day is bent out of shape. Why? Because you thought you would be comfortable in that wool sweater.

So, what wool sweaters are you wearing?

Recently, my wool sweater has been financial security. You know, the financial security that comes with a job that provides a paycheck each week. That kind of job security. My wife and I are on the other side of that spectrum...each trying to find wings for our freelance projects...and often remembering how nice it was when the checks came in the mail (whether we really earned them or not).

Financial security can be an itchy sweater. Looking at the bank account can make you squirm sometimes...and if you scratch too much...you might get a rash. I have no idea where that analogy is going???

Anyway, my point is...when my wife and I had "paying jobs" that gave us a sense of financial security...there were still other wool sweaters in our closet. Sitting on the porch today, it is easy to think that "things will be great as soon as we...(fill in the blank)." It's always been that way...it always will. It's an easy trap to fall into.

So, how do you stay out of the trap? I was reading the Godbert blog today...specifically "Approximately perfect," and Mario had some powerful thoughts on our individual and collective perfection...and what is needed more than anything is a chance of our perception of our situation.

Spiritually, it is about recognizing the perfection that is always around us, whether we can see it or not. For me, it is about accepting that in Spirit, there is only one reality, and that reality is perfection. If I am seeing something else...I need to replace the imperfect picture with what I know to be it's perfect opposite...and only reality. From my last blog, it is about still changing your angle of perception. Getting a new perspective...and really...forcing myself to view the scene the way that Spirit sees it...perfect...and nothing less.

So, as I was wearing my itchy financial security wool sweater today...I shifted my angle...and saw a perfect picture that included my whole family...and and abundant stream of income and opportunities...and a wholesome plate of gratitude. In a moment...the wool changed to cotton (okay, more of a polyfiber cotton...but I am getting there). No more fear, no more false picture of my situation = NO MORE WOOL!

So...what's your wool sweater? (Comments encouraged ;)

--Travis

PS - I'll be out of town for a week and a half...lest you think I am lazy and not posting!

I sweat over these blogs...I do. I want to write them...but I am not always sure what I am going to write. This week I have been feeling this way...and then I got an e-mail with a link to this guy.

The rest of the blog won't make sense unless you look at the link ;) Anyway, Julian Beever makes some fascinating art...but I was struck with a real spiritual symbolism behind this art. Mainly this, how often do we view life from the wrong angle? Right...right...right...this is a Spirit and business blog...so let me amend that question..."How often do we view our career, our goals, or co-workers, our boss, our purpose, mission, to-do list, our salary, etc. from the wrong angle?" I know I often do.

Life is beautiful...your life is beautiful...the whole world is beautiful when viewed from the proper angle. For me, that angle is Spirit. This past week...reporter Jill Carroll was released after being held hostage for nearly two months. During that whole ordeal...I had to change my angle or perception constantly. I had to get away from the limited angle of seeing her as a victim, unprotected, and helpless. Instead, I chose to see her as loved, free, and protected within Spirit. I also tried to do the same for her captives. Then, to see the end result...it sure is great seeing results.

In my business life right now...one angle is to see myself as limited, struggling, not paying the bills, and working too MANY jobs with little income to show for it. The other angle (the one I try to reinforce everyday) is that Spirit is my provider, there is complete supply and abundance in Spirit, and that I am right now doing Spirit's work...the best way I know how. I like that angle better. As a result...I am grateful everyday...and keep seeing abundance appear in so many unique ways.

So, what angle are you viewing your job with right now? If you don't like it...change the angle. If you just move on to the next job (or art)...eventually you need to change your perspective...because if not...you are going to feel like everyone else is screwed up...but not you. Ever feel that way?

I hope the symbolism of Julian's art effected you like it did me. Have a great day!

Travis