“Wow” is the first thing that I could say after watching Obama’s speech last night. And the reason that I say that is because it was one of the first times that I actually believed in the true authentic passion of a politician. This was the first time that I felt that a presidential candidate really was the leader of the people. And what I love about his story is that he is an example of going against what everyone expected of him. He didn’t follow what people thought he “should” do. For example after graduating Harvard it would have been easy for him to go work at a fancy high paying law firm job but instead he followed what his gut told him and went to fight for the people of Chicago. There is a lot there to be admired.
It was also the first time that I believed that change was possible in our government. Sure there were a lot of promises and I can only imagine how difficult they are to accomplish. But I couldn’t help but think of one of my favorite movies, Dave. Where Kevin Kline plays a character that acts as the president when the real president has had a stroke. And he is just a regular guy. And Kevin Kline brought in his accountant friend to go through the federal budget “line by line”. And the way that they looked at the budget with fresh, non-”government” eyes was refreshing and made huge changes. That’s what I envision Obama doing in office. Going against the grain. Coming in with a fresh set of eyes. Not having decade old friendships in Washington that influence his decisions. It truly does feel like a time of change is ahead of us.
What did you think? Would love to see your thoughts/comments!
While I was glued to my tv the past few weeks watching the Olympics, I heard one of the announcers talk about Michael Phelps and his routine before he came out to swim a race. They said that before every race he writes down the time that he wants to swim on a piece of paper and folds it up. He doesn’t show it to anyone but puts it down on paper so he knows what he’s working towards.
I don’t know what the times were that he wrote down but I have a feeling that he achieved almost every one of them. I thought this provided great inspiration for being really clear on what you want. How can you acheive what you want if you aren’t clear on what that really is? So, I ask you, what is it that you really want to acheive?
“You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get.”
- Michael Phelps
I am often asked for a list of books that I recommend for new clients so I thought I would share that with you now. While I find that I could read 24 hours a day and still never read all of the ones that I would like to, there are some that I have read and think you will find very helpful/inspiring:
Finding Your Own North Star by Martha Beck – Written by a Oprah’s life coach, gives great exercises in how to find your true self
A New Earth – Awakening To Your Life’s Purpose by Eckhart Tolle – Talks about the power of the ego over our lives and how to control it
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle – Explains how anxiety only comes from thinking about the past or future and how in the present, there is no anxiety
The 4 Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferris – Great “how to” work less / earn more book with specific advice
Do You by Russell Simmons – Highlights the importance of listening to your intuition in business
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho - Beautiful allegory about following your dreams
I Don’t Know What I Want to Do But I Know Its Not This by Julie Jansen -Great exercises to help you hone in on what career path you should take)
Quantum Wellness by Kathy Freston – Overall wellness book – stress, diet, exercise, meditation, etc
Books I haven’t read but are next on my list:
One Person/Multiple Careers; A New Model for Work/Life Success by Marci Alboher – How some of us were not meant to do just one thing
Refuse to Choose by Barbara Sher – Similar to above but how some of us (me!) do a little of everything and how to maximize that in your life)
Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris – Just started this, fiction novel about office life – humor of movie “Office Space”
If you have others that you think that I or others would enjoy, please post a comment!
