Are You Ready For Adventure?

By Traci Vincent | Published April 8, 2012

iStock_000013005172XSmallAdventure is an exciting experience or a risky undertaking. Some people thrive on adventure, where the rest of us typically play it safe and operate from the perspective of what we think we can control.

However, some of us have probably had moments in life where we actually succeeded in something that we originally thought was risky or impossible. Maybe you passed a test in a class that initially seemed overwhelming and difficult.  Maybe your team did the impossible and beat an undefeated team. Maybe you survived a medical diagnosis that many people do not. Maybe you find yourself teaching and speaking to large groups of people when as a child you stuttered or were labeled as introverted and shy. Each seemingly impossible situations at the beginning, but each ending with a powerful result.

Many of you may have heard the phrase, “With God, nothing is impossible.” That comes from the first chapter of Luke in the Bible. Do we really believe this though, or is it just a phrase we recite to sound religious or spiritual in the eyes of other people? A true life of adventure is really all about turning impossible into possible.

What would we begin to look like  and act like if we took a few moments each day to contemplate and meditate on this phrase? “With God, nothing is impossible.” What would shift for us mentally and spiritually to truly take this on as a deep seated belief?  Do you think you would find yourself connecting more frequently with God ? Do you think you would begin to realize new depths of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control? Do you think you would find yourself being more bold and having more strength in every situation you face? Do you think you would find yourself stepping outside your safe “possible” zone in business, in relationships, and in life and seeking something greater and seemingly impossible? Do you think you are ready for such an adventure?

If you are… then here are a few steps to take to unlock possibility in impossible situations.

1. Breathe Deeply. Slow deep, belly breathes calm the body and the mind. When the body is relaxed you can stretch your possibilities mentally, physically and spiritually.

2. Repeat the phrase, “With God, nothing is impossible.” Allow this penetrate and melt away your fears and create new space for action whether that is in business, relationships or with yourself and/or your health.

3.Step out in faith. Begin to take consistent action steps focused on love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, and self-control. Nothing will change unless you do.

4.Observe what happens. You will start to experience seemingly impossible breakthroughs in the small and big areas of life.

5.Celebrate these moments with thanksgiving and gratitude. Be thankful for these “victories” and share your story with others. Give others the opportunity to experience this type of adventure and possibility in their lives.

Life truly is an adventure. Let’s commit each day to making it a great one! —Traci Vincent

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Intuition You Can Count On

By Traci Vincent | Published March 25, 2012

IdeaIntuition or that “gut feeling” is not something magical or available to only a few.  It is something we all have the capacity to access and develop at the intersection of our thoughts and feelings although it may be difficult to explain our reasoning. Many times it is based on subconscious cues outside of ourselves that trigger traces of our previous experiences inside us. An article in Psychology Today states that is the rapid connection the brain makes to very subtle cues in a particular situation. Obviously, the more experience you have in a certain area, the more your brain and feelings will have “files”, so to speak, to go to for a decision in  a split second.

Many times, the situation could be unknown, but the brain still makes a snap judgement based on similar experiences, facts or feelings. Should we always trust our intuition? Yes, we should definitely take notice, but it’s a good idea to follow through with deeper analysis and fact gathering when possible. Of course, if there is the gut feeling of danger, you should always put yourself in a safe place first before doing further analysis.  You may only have a matter of seconds to avoid harm.

Why is developing intuition important? Besides the ability to sense things at a deep, sometimes subconscious level, developing intuition is important because it means you are developing deeper trust in yourself and for yourself. You trust that your mind and emotions are purposefully connected and guiding you with your best interest in mind.  As you know, no one else is going to be more concerned or care more about you than you.  So, if you can’t trust yourself, who can you trust? How can you possibly have the capacity to truly trust others, if you don’t first have that for yourself ?

This week, I challenge you mindfully to tune into your intuition, that voice in your gut. What is it telling you? Do you have the courage to trust it? Let’s see how focusing on listening to and developing our intuition will make this week different.–Traci Vincent

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First Order of Business: Have Fun

By Traci Vincent | Published March 18, 2012

Portrait of business colleagues holding each other and laughingFriday when I was at work, a patient commented that what made the office so special was that every time she comes in, she hears laughter….laughter of the staff interacting with the clients and laughter between the clients interacting with each other. She was an older woman and she also mentioned that she found that to be a rarity in her experience with medical facilities.  I was humbled by her comment and realized that my intentions of making work fun and enjoyable and creating a positive environment actually benefited others in much more of a profound way than actually I realized and that there must be real truth behind that old saying, “Laughter is the best medicine.”

In my line of business as a physical therapist, the people who come in are typically in a great deal of pain and have had a shift in their finances due to their injury limiting their ability to do their job at the previous level. These two facts alone can cause a lot of  negativity, stress and anxiety. If you have ever had an injury or financial issues, you probably can understand what I am describing. Creating a fun atmosphere where people feel cared for and happy is so important since a big part of healing is the mental aspect of a physical problem.

I wonder why the patient mentioned that laughter and fun in a medical office were rare?  I wonder if other types of businesses could benefit from more laughter and fun?  In my experience, I would have to say yes. I don’t want to think that people are miserable in general, but it sure seems that way when you go places and no one is even smiling, much less laughing. Have you noticed that it frequently feels like a negative experience when you interact with someone who doesn’t even smile?

So where do we begin to integrate more fun and laughter into our day? Is is spending money on extravagant experiences? No, I think it begins with a smile at yourself in the mirror before you even leave your house. Set the foundation of your day with this smile and think of a few things that you are grateful for. Physiologically, this stimulates a boost in serotonin, that “feel happy” chemical in your brain. That means you just set the tone and intention for how you are going to show up mentally at work, at school, or at home for your family. Not only are you changing the outcome of your day, you are impacting the lives of others you are around that day for the positive. One person can truly change the world for the better if you stop and think about it.

People spend thousands of dollars in search of fun, but I challenge you to incorporate something that doesn’t cost a penny. Purposely add more smiles this week and see what happens. Does it lead to more laughter in your day? Do you start to feel that life is more fun?  Let me know what you discover….Traci Vincent

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Key Characteristics of a Self-Actualized Person

By Traci Vincent | Published March 11, 2012

iStock_000002494211XSmallIn the 1940s, Abraham Maslow published his theory on what he called the hierarchy of needs. At the top of this pyramid is self-actualization. He defined this need for self-actualization as “what a man can be, he must be.” Stated another way, it is the desire for self fulfillment or to become everything that one is capable of becoming.

So how do you know if you are reaching the state of self-actualization and what are some of the characteristics of a self-actualized person? Maslow identified the following key characteristics of self-actualized people:

Problem-centered: Self-actualized individuals focus on solving problems outside of themselves. They are motivated by ethics and a strong sense of personal responsibility to help others and to discover solutions to problems in the external world.

Spontaneous: A self-actualized person has spontaneity in their internal thoughts and outward actions. They have a tendency to be open and somewhat unconventional while still having the ability to conform to rules and society’s expectations.

Accepting and Realistic: Those who are self-actualized have realistic perceptions of the world, other people and of themselves and find acceptance in them.

Autonomous and Private: Self-actualized individuals have a need for independence and solitude. Of course they enjoy the company of others, but they need and value the time to develop their own potential.

Enjoy Peak Experiences: People who are self-actualized frequently have moments of intense joy, wonder, awe and ecstasy or what Maslow defined as peak experiences. Following these experiences, self-actualized people feel inspired, strengthened, renewed or transformed.

Continuously Appreciate: The other characteristic of self-actualized people is their tendency to view the world with a continual sense of gratitude, appreciation, wonder and awe. The simplest experiences inspire them and offer a  sense of pleasure.

If you think about it, most of us have moments when we recognize and embrace these characteristics purposed by our creator. By focusing on our desire to become more of more of what we are, we become everything that we are capable of becoming. It is at this highest level of actualization that we offer the world our greatest self. What’s stopping you? The world is waiting….  Traci Vincent

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4 Steps to Building Powerful Relationships in Business

By Traci Vincent | Published February 26, 2012

iStock_000014377944XSmall-1Recently, I enrolled in a class that I hope will help me grow and push me out of my comfort zone a bit when it comes to networking.  I signed up for a program called Relationship Mastery Academy through Keith Ferrazzi’s company, My Greenlight. As you may recall, he is the author of two best selling books, Never Eat Alone and Who’s Got Your Back.

Based on his life experience from a working class family, his rise in the corporate world, and his success in starting his own company, his books and this the program outline 4 keys factors that build powerful relationships in business. However, they definitely apply to personal relationships as well.

1. Generosity. Generosity is the true currency in networking. This is as simple as sending a sincere email sharing admiration of the person’s accomplishment, passing on an article or offering some other resource that may be useful to them. Generosity is from the heart and based on a foundational attitude that there is abundance, not lack in the world.

2. Intimacy. Intimacy is often overlooked in business as a way to increase referrals and connection with co-workers, mentors, bosses or other business people.  Intimacy here is defined as simply setting aside “shop talk” for real world conversation.  Perhaps taking a 10 minute walk outside the office to get to know the person away from their desk is all that is needed. This builds powerful connection as you build trust and human connection to often stuffy, sterile business relationships.

3. Candor. Candor is asking for and receiving candid feedback. Every living thing maintains balance and order via its capacity to adapt and evolve to the feedback it receives. People are no different. Although it takes lots of courage to ask for feedback, candor is transformative and truly strengthens relationships. Avoiding honest feedback is detrimental to our long-term success.

4. Accountability. Accountability helps us clarify our priorities and meet our goals. Having a committed network that won’t let you fail in invaluable. Being that person for someone else truly benefits you and them.

As I read these books and study these principles, I realize just how much I have let fear and excuses limit my success and get in my way of building powerful relationships inside business and outside business over the years. I hope to apply what I am learning in a new way this year, and I invite you to take a look at how effectively you are connecting with others and using generosity, intimacy, candor and accountability in your business and your life. –Traci Vincent

Posted in Relationship, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 5 Comments