Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Are you willing to take risks to move forward?

[Note: Before I forget, my next 4-Week Accelerated Coaching Program starts in a few weeks...are you ready for BIG transformation results in your career? Achieve your dream biz goal in just weeks, space is limited so check it out now! Here's to your success! ~Alex]



"Art is an adventure into an unknown world, which can be explored only by those willing to take risks."
~Mark Rothko

I must have taken my own article a couple of weeks ago on passing the Terror Barrier to heart, because last night I had a dream where I had to pass such a challenge. 

From what little I remember in my dream, I was rock climbing on some cliff and suddenly got paralyzed in fear to move forward. I was in a secure position but was afraid that if I advanced I might fall. But what would happen if I didn't move? I'd stay on the same rock forever; or if I moved backward I may end up slipping and falling. In the dream I acknowledged that I had reached my terror barrier and just needed to keep going. So that's what I did.

What we often don't realize is Fear continues to appear in our lives as long as we are growing and taking risks. As we explore new opportunities “into an unknown world,” we will always be faced with new challenges or obstacles. Placing ourselves in positions outside our comfort zone can create fear; but these can also create wonderful opportunities for growth.

Take a look at your own life. If you are going through life without fear, it means you’re not sufficiently driving yourself. Ask yourself, is your life full of adventure? Are you challenging yourself constantly? Are you willing to take risks or is your life too safe?

In my case, I used to fear public speaking to the point that my whole body would sweat and I’d lose concentration during any presentation. I also greatly feared flying in planes, even though I've traveled all over the world.
But I did it anyway! Every once in a while the fear continues to creep up, but I know it's just me hitting my terror barrier. The challenge is to keep going even though I am afraid.

Someone once told me that your biggest fears might just be what you are meant to overcome in life. In many cases, living with this fear blocks you from finding your purpose. Overcoming this fear and taking action may unlock greatness and potential you never thought possible!
 
When I look at my own life, I know this is true! My fears of public speaking and flying had unknowingly been restraining me from carrying out part of my Masterpiece Purpose and succeeding! These experiences have each brought me wonderfully, enriching experiences. I now know never to allow the terror barrier to get in the way of my purpose and goals.

So, take a look at yourself. What action or "risk" do you have to take to move toward your goals? If you're coming up with excuses, procrastinating or even getting sick, then you know you're hitting your terror barrier. Remember it's just an imaginary wall, and with courage you can push passed it!


This article is derived from Ch. 7 on Overcoming Fears and Taking Risks from the success program Sculpt Your Life From Sketch to Masterpiece(TM). This e-book program presents 12 strategies for success and is designed to motivate you to increase your productivity, reach your goals and ultimately fulfill your purpose and lead a Masterpiece life!

For more FREE tips and strategies and to get instant access to the "12 Secrets to Success Strategies"
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Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Are You Doing What you Love?

[Note: Before I forget, my next 4-Week Accelerated Coaching Program starts in a few weeks...are you ready for BIG transformation results in your career? Achieve your dream biz goal in just weeks, space is limited so check it out now! Here's to your success! ~Alex]




Photo by Annette Figueredo
 
“How can I be useful, of what service can I be?
There is something inside me, what can it be?”
~Vincent van Gogh

Why am I here on this planet? What is my gift to the world?

Woah! If you’ve never performed this type of self-reflection, these are pretty loaded questions.

This week I spent a few hours at a hospital with sick kids working with art projects, allowing them to express themselves with art. For a couple of hours, these kids forget about their sickness and enjoy the moment, despite their pain and limitations. Even though I was very “busy” with other work, I knew I had to go. I reassessed why I do what I do, and reaffirmed that my mission statement is to inspire and empower others through passionate and creative work. Certainly arts therapy fits in line with this mission.

You are blessed with a You-nique purpose, or what I call your Masterpiece Purpose. This is your overall life goal or vocation, what you are meant to do on this planet. It may also be called your “mission” or “calling” in life, your “contribution” or “gift” to others, or your “legacy” once you are gone. Viktor Frankl, the author of Man’s Search for Meaning, discusses a specific vocation or mission in your life for you to fulfill and implement; therefore, your life is unique and cannot be replaced or repeated.

Here are just a few examples that my clients have given as their Purpose:

To create art for others to appreciate
To entertain and make others happy
To inspire and motivate others
To educate and train others
To be philanthropic and give back to the community
You may already know your Purpose and are working toward it, especially if you’ve been established in your craft or industry for some time. But it you haven’t yet discovered your calling, self-reflection may help you realize and determine if there is a larger purpose or legacy that you may not have considered before.

One excellent approach from Steven Covey’s book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, is to begin with the end in mind by envisioning your own funeral and what you would like to accomplish before you pass away. It was due to this introspection a few years ago, combined with “divine inspiration,” that I found my life’s legacy involving philanthropy. This discovery was the impetus for starting Artista Foundation arts charity for which I donate a percentage of all my profits. This inner search also inspired me to reassess all my goals in life.

Remember that we are all connected on this planet and as such have a greater contribution beyond our own selves. Start with what you love and are passionate about, and it’s sure to guide you to a greater, You-nique Purpose or legacy. That’s what makes life worth living!
“Art to me is a humanitarian act and I believe that there is a responsibility that art should somehow be able to effect mankind, to make the world a better place.”
~Jeff Koons

This article is derived from Ch. 1 on Discovering Your Unique Purpose from the success program Sculpt Your Life From Sketch to Masterpiece(TM). This e-book program presents 12 crucial strategies for success, starting with your inner purpose, and designed to motivate you to set and reach your goals, overcome obstacles and ultimately lead your Masterpiece life!

For more FREE tips and strategies and to get instant access to the "12 Secrets to Success Strategies" video with more great insight from Sculpt Your Life From Sketch to Masterpiece(TM), sign up now:
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Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Moving Beyond the Terror Barrier to our Dreams

[Note: Before I forget, my next 4-Week Accelerated Coaching Program starts in a few weeks...are you ready for BIG transformation results in your career? Achieve your dream biz goal in just weeks, space is limited so check it out now! Here's to your success! ~Alex] 


I’ve been absolutely terrified every moment of my life and I’ve never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do.
~Georgia O’Keefe

Reflect on this quote for a moment. What a powerful message from a female artist who succeeded in a man’s world!

Fear is always in our path. Fear is a feeling or emotion one gets from the presence or imminence of any danger, according to TheFreeDictionary.com. The danger may be a real threat or perceived threat; in our lives, many times it stems from a challenge we are facing.

All people, no matter how confident they are, confront fear in one form or another. We mistakenly believe that successful people have no fears. In actuality, they do have fears but are courageous enough to move past them.

Throughout your life, you will continuously experience fear. I recently listened to an audio recording by Bob Proctor (bobproctor.com) where he talked about how we constantly hit the “terror barrier” at certain points when we want to grow or advance in our lives. The “terror barrier” is both when you are excited and terrified at the same time.

Moving past the “terror barrier” can give you amazing success beyond what you ever imagined. But many times when we hit the “terror barrier”, instead of pushing forward, we sulk back into our comfort zone accepting the same results we’ve been getting all along. To become your best, highest self, your challenge is to move beyond the fear and the “terror barrier” and reach for your dreams anyway.  

In my case, one of the biggest risks I have taken was leaving my corporate job to start my own business. There was no certainty that I was going to succeed. I was terrified! I finally decided that fulfilling my Masterpiece Purpose was more important than any risk I was taking. In fact, my fears turned into a “Must Win Big” mentality. 

Instead of worrying about the risks, I concentrated on success and continued to take small steps forward. Since then I’ve done phenomenal things I never imagined possible, including writing a book, Sculpt Your Life From Sketch to Masterpiece(TM).

Look at your life and examine in what areas you have been hitting the “terror barrier.” Are you stepping up to the challenge or playing it safe? Imagine the possibilities if you looked your challenge in the eye and just went for it?



This article is derived from Ch. 7 on Overcoming Fears and Taking Risks from the success program Sculpt Your Life From Sketch to Masterpiece(TM). This e-book program presents 12 strategies for success and is designed to motivate you to increase your productivity, reach your goals and ultimately fulfill your purpose and lead a Masterpiece life!

For more FREE tips and strategies and to get instant access to the "12 Secrets to Success Strategies"
video with more great insight from Sculpt Your Life From Sketch to Masterpiece(TM), sign up now:
Enter Your Name:
Enter your Email: