Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Mindfulness with Jon Kabat-Zinn 7:22 AM
Jon Kabat-Zinn (born June 5, 1944) is Professor of Medicine Emeritus and founding director of the Stress Reduction Clinic and the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. He teaches mindfulness meditation as a technique to help people cope with stress, anxiety, pain and illness. His life work has been largely dedicated to bringing mindfulness into the mainstream of medicine and society. Kabat-Zinn is the author or co-author of scientific papers on mindfulness and its clinical applications. He has written two bestselling books: Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness (Delta, 1991), and Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life (Hyperion, 1994). He co-authored with Myla Kabat-Zinn Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting, (Hyperion, 1997). Other books include Coming to Our Senses (Hyperion, 2005) and his most recent book The Mindful Way Through Depression: Freeing Yourself from Chronic Unhappiness, co-authored with J. Mark G. Williams, John D. Teasdale and Zindel V. Segal (Guilford, 2007).
Monday, December 21, 2009
The Essence of Life 5:29 AM
"Living is a form of not being sure, not knowing what next or how. The moment you know how, you begin to die a little. The artist never entirely knows. We guess. We may be wrong, but we take leap after leap in the dark." -Agnes De Mille
Watch this video... it'll help you understand this statement a little better - but eventually you're going to have to learn it for yourself.... http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/podcasts/artpks-1-field-vid
Watch this video... it'll help you understand this statement a little better - but eventually you're going to have to learn it for yourself.... http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/podcasts/artpks-1-field-vid
Friday, October 2, 2009
Witnessing True Greatness!! 5:44 AM
I couldn't sleep last night because God was speaking to me alllllll night... and here's what he said...
When it comes to achieving truly GREAT things...
The REAL potential of progress is only seen when and if every-single-person involved in doing something has a clear, unwavering, identical focus and is willing and is able to put forth an honest and EXHAUSTING physical effort, mental effort and whatever other effort there is to try, and to be, without-question, the ABSOLUTE BEST person, that does THAT particular thing, for THAT particular team, at THAT particular time. But it HAS to be HONEST! You have to REAALLY want it! That means (despite the circumstances) you HAVE to be willing to try hard!! You HAVE to be willing to get TIRED!! At EVERY GAME for the WHOLE GAME until the buzzer rings again! Because every time the whistle blows there is a brand-new possibility for you to win or lose to the opponent (yourself). And I'm not talking about just physically tired, but even more importantly applying every-single-ounce of the mental effort that is needed (before and during the game) to think about, research, and realize what YOU (not the team) need to do in order to be, without-question, the ABSOLUTE BEST person, that does THAT particular thing, for THAT particular team, at THAT particular time. If, at the end of the day, you leave room for you to say to yourself "I'm NOT sure that I searched enough, researched enough, thought long enough, or did everything that I POSSIBLY could then you LOST! If you could HONESTLY, and CONFIDENTLY, say "I researched, I thought, and I did everything that I possibly could and NOT MANY could do better" then you WON! NOTHING ELSE IS MORE IMPORTANT! When that happens... that's when we will all see true progress as individuals and as a team. But if not... we sacrifice something HUGE... we sacrifice witnessing true greatness in our lives. And only a few, in history, have ever witnessed that.
When it comes to achieving truly GREAT things...
The REAL potential of progress is only seen when and if every-single-person involved in doing something has a clear, unwavering, identical focus and is willing and is able to put forth an honest and EXHAUSTING physical effort, mental effort and whatever other effort there is to try, and to be, without-question, the ABSOLUTE BEST person, that does THAT particular thing, for THAT particular team, at THAT particular time. But it HAS to be HONEST! You have to REAALLY want it! That means (despite the circumstances) you HAVE to be willing to try hard!! You HAVE to be willing to get TIRED!! At EVERY GAME for the WHOLE GAME until the buzzer rings again! Because every time the whistle blows there is a brand-new possibility for you to win or lose to the opponent (yourself). And I'm not talking about just physically tired, but even more importantly applying every-single-ounce of the mental effort that is needed (before and during the game) to think about, research, and realize what YOU (not the team) need to do in order to be, without-question, the ABSOLUTE BEST person, that does THAT particular thing, for THAT particular team, at THAT particular time. If, at the end of the day, you leave room for you to say to yourself "I'm NOT sure that I searched enough, researched enough, thought long enough, or did everything that I POSSIBLY could then you LOST! If you could HONESTLY, and CONFIDENTLY, say "I researched, I thought, and I did everything that I possibly could and NOT MANY could do better" then you WON! NOTHING ELSE IS MORE IMPORTANT! When that happens... that's when we will all see true progress as individuals and as a team. But if not... we sacrifice something HUGE... we sacrifice witnessing true greatness in our lives. And only a few, in history, have ever witnessed that.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
MJ Had The Audacity to Take Shots 8:17 AM
Michael Jordan's 10 Success Secrets
#1 Take Responsibility
"Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen."
Throughout his life, Michael Jordan had the honorable quality of taking responsibility for his own destiny. That means that he took action while others paused to ask questions, gather more data, or consult experts. Not that he didn't have mentors, but essentially it was his wrists that snapped the ball into the hoop.
#2 Give It A Try
"I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying."
One of the biggest causes of procrastination is the problem of hesitation. Sometimes people over think, and over analyze, which prevents them from taking that first step that will carry them one thousand miles. If you want to increase sales by trying a new technique, you will never know unless you try. This can apply to baking cakes, meeting singles, or anything that you can wrap your mind around.
#3 Fail Freely
"I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."
Can you believe that Michael Jordan missed so many shots and lost so many games? I thought he was the best! Well, he is indeed the best, and it's because he was willing to fail, and keep going. That allowed him to get past his plateaus and persevere. That's another big reason for procrastination. When we think we'll fail, we do not attempt. A good solution is to consider what the worst case scenario of failing would be, because once you do that, it's never as bad as when the scenario was an unknown. Worst-case scenario is not that you'll die, it's that you lived a miserable (or comfortable) life as a coward.
#4 Commit Yourself
"The game is my wife. It demands loyalty and responsibility, and it gives me back fulfillment and peace."
Till death do we part, just me and my goal. I know in my heart that this is my role. When you give yourself fully and remove all other distractions you gain an invaluable level of attention to detail that will pool in resources you did not know you were capable of harnessing.
#5 Enjoy Your Game
"Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game."
So many people get stuck in dead end, zero-sum, no fun jobs because they didn't find their love, or just simply don't have the knack for taking pleasure in what they have. Consider the fact that you spend more time in your place of work than you do in your place of worship and with your family combined. By not being excited about, or getting full enjoyment out of work, you are cheating yourself from having a life of design and a life of fulfillment. I don't have a solution for your life, but I think you know which sacrifices you need to make, and are willing to make, in order to have the life of your dreams become your reality.
#6 Play To Win
"I play to win, whether during practice or a real game. And I will not let anything get in the way of me and my competitive enthusiasm to win."
Why bother playing the game of basketball, work, or life if you aren't planning to win? Do you even know what a statistically relevant way of measuring your personally defined "win" would look like? If you're in the game to make money does winning mean being the richest man in the world? If you're in the game for your family does that mean that you see them often and share the joys of life over a vibrant laugh? Whatever your game is, make sure you define what a win looks like, and play to win.
#7 Be Selfish and Humble
"To be successful you have to be selfish, or else you never achieve. And once you get to your highest level, then you have to be unselfish. Stay reachable. Stay in touch. Don't isolate."
Take notes from Michael Jordan, first be selfish until you get on top, and once you are on top be humble and grounded. Being selfish in how you jump over people and slam dunk in their face, whether you are an athlete or business person. In a family setting this would mean taking care of your personal health before worrying about the well-being of your family. If you let your health fail you are of no use, or even worse a burden, to your family. This is why in case of an air plane emergency they tell you to put the air mask on yourself first and then on your children.
#8 Find Your Way Around
"Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it."
Anything in life that is dear to us is worth so much because of the time and effort we put into acquiring it. This goes for championships, businesses, and most importantly our relationships. One thing that determines how hard we've had to work is the amount of obstacles that were thrown in our way. Next time there's an obstacle, don't let it hinder you, think about the fact that whatever you're trying to reach will be that much worth it on the other side.
#9 Make Your Own Expectations
"If you accept the expectations of others, especially negative ones, then you never will change the outcome."
The number one thing that will literally ruin your life is if you live it by someone else's expectations. Every single person is different and has their own views on what's best, which follows what their goals are in this life. By listening to the voices of others, instead of your own voice, you are effectively submitting to live your life for the sake of accomplishing their goals. Set your own expectations, meet your own goals, and live your own extraordinary life (or don't).
#10 Now, Take One Shot
"I never looked at the consequences of missing a big shot . . . when you think about the consequences you always think of a negative result."
The way this applies to life is quite simple. Much of the time we look too far into the future, while performing a task that needs our full attention right now. This act could take away our focus, paralyze us from taking action, and take away the pleasure of doing what is at hand. In life you can take one shot at a time, then another, and from this all your dreams will come true. At least that's what works for Michael Jordan.
Take notes from Michael Jordan, first be selfish until you get on top, and once you are on top be humble and grounded. Being selfish in how you jump over people and slam dunk in their face, whether you are an athlete or business person. In a family setting this would mean taking care of your personal health before worrying about the well-being of your family. If you let your health fail you are of no use, or even worse a burden, to your family. This is why in case of an air plane emergency they tell you to put the air mask on yourself first and then on your children.
#8 Find Your Way Around
"Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it."
Anything in life that is dear to us is worth so much because of the time and effort we put into acquiring it. This goes for championships, businesses, and most importantly our relationships. One thing that determines how hard we've had to work is the amount of obstacles that were thrown in our way. Next time there's an obstacle, don't let it hinder you, think about the fact that whatever you're trying to reach will be that much worth it on the other side.
#9 Make Your Own Expectations
"If you accept the expectations of others, especially negative ones, then you never will change the outcome."
The number one thing that will literally ruin your life is if you live it by someone else's expectations. Every single person is different and has their own views on what's best, which follows what their goals are in this life. By listening to the voices of others, instead of your own voice, you are effectively submitting to live your life for the sake of accomplishing their goals. Set your own expectations, meet your own goals, and live your own extraordinary life (or don't).
#10 Now, Take One Shot
"I never looked at the consequences of missing a big shot . . . when you think about the consequences you always think of a negative result."
The way this applies to life is quite simple. Much of the time we look too far into the future, while performing a task that needs our full attention right now. This act could take away our focus, paralyze us from taking action, and take away the pleasure of doing what is at hand. In life you can take one shot at a time, then another, and from this all your dreams will come true. At least that's what works for Michael Jordan.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Stay Hungry! Stay Foolish! 10:15 PM
This commencement speech by Steve Jobs (CEO of Pixar & Apple) inspired me and I'm almost sure it will have the same effect on you. If you haven't already heard Jobs' story, it's one that influences every single person in this natural world whether they know it or not. Thanks Jobs! Thanks for the Ipod... thanks for the Macintosh... Thanks for itunes... But most of all, thanks for helping us to be AUDACIOUS by being an example!!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Here's To The CRAZY ones... 2:09 PM
Are you crazy...?
Are you Crazy...?
Well go on...
Change the world!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Inspired by The Power of Audacity! 9:20 AM
So yesterday, April 24th 2009, I had the most overwhelming life-changing epiphany! I realized "The Power of Audacity"!!Show me a person with a great legacy and I'll show you AUDACITY. Show me any great accomplishment and I'll show you AUDACITY. Show me any cutting edge invention that changed history as we know it and I'll show you AUDACITY. Show me greatness and I'll show you AUDACITY!
THIS BLOG IS MY DEDICATION TO "THE POWER OF AUDACITY" - A POWER THAT CAN CHANGE LIVES!
It has already changed our lives. From the invention of the microprocessor to the determination of legends like Martin Luther King, and now Barack Obama (The 1st Black President of The United States), all of us have been touched by "The Power of Audacity". I am certainly touched and inspired! The purpose of this blog is two-fold: It's my way to never forget the power of audacity, studying it, and using it in achieving my own life's legacy, but it's also my personal dedication to any and every one who has achieved great things in their lifetimes. From those in the text books to those in our own backyards, great people are doing great things everyday. The purpose of this blog is to capture and spotlight those moments.
I'm honored that you are reading this and I hope that you will come along with me on my journey in studying this life changing phenomenon by subscribing with your email address. I promise you will be inspired!
-Kervins C.