Wake Up, Already!

Okay, so I never really thought I'd admit this, but I love waking up early. There, now I said it. 

Have you ever explored the benefits of waking up early in the morning? It's amazing! Now I'm not saying that I've never gotten in the habit of rising before the sun; in fact, for quite a long time I would only sleep for 5 hours at a time - heading to bed around midnight and waking up by 5:00am - but that was during a period of my life where I was operating at a super-high frequency and it worked well to sleep less. Now, I must admit, the body's churning at a slightly different speed and I need just a little more shuteye, so more like 6-7 hours of sleep is better.

There are many benefits to waking up early and you can discover what works best for you. But let me highlight a few that I've found make sense to me:

• It's QUIET (need I say more...?) Peace, quiet, solitude, calm... do these words sound appealing to you? Yes, these experiences, and more, can be found in the morning!
  
• Since it is quiet I can get twice as much done in half the time without interruptions (*key)
• It is, indeed, a profound event to watch the sun rise in the morning... as amazing a watching a sunset :o)
• My mind is clear and my thoughts flow much easier since I haven't yet accumulated the "noise and clutter" of the day.
• I can take time to think about what I want to accomplish today, who I want to "be" today, and what I'd like to reflect upon tonight as I'm reading myself to sleep.
• I can get my best writing done (and I can recall my dreams quickly if I choose to process them) - and the best way to prime the pump is to write morning pages.
  
• I can hydrate my body slowly by drinking water and herbal tea therefore bringing me my natural appetite by mid-morning for a great breakfast!

* A quiet environment (outside) allows the quiet voice within you (inside) to be louder and easier to hear. I refer to this quieter voice as spirit. If you can tune into your spirit, you can hear amazing things!!

Now you may not find yourself to be a "morning person" - I never was growing up... but thank goodness people change, and if you are willing to explore a new side of yourself you may be surprised how wonderful it can be to enjoy the benefits of the morning. Try it! I did.

Make it a great week.

The Ambassador

The Next Step

You know how some days you're just ready for change? I realize that spring is still around the corner (especially after 6 inches of snow and subzero temps this week...), but I've been itching for something to shift. So in a moment of inspiration last week I decided to sit down and write a new business plan for my life. "A what?" you say... Yes, you heard me, a business plan for my life.

During a working session this morning with my good friend Bob Manning (mentioned in my last blog entry), we chatted about our current projects and I told him about my business plan. Bob's first reaction was, "Write about it!" So because he was inspired, I have also been inspired to write about it on my blog today. Here's the lowdown...

Until last week I'd always made short term plans--you know, like my top goals for the year on New Year's Day or planning my next monthly trip, etc., even created multiple "vision boards" over the years (see The Secret), but never really sat down and described what I wanted my entire life to look like. Actually, to be more precise, what I wanted my life to feel like (sometimes you have to believe before you see :o) So I got out a notepad & pen and decided to take the next step--write it out.

Now if you know me personally you'll know I've been actively editing my first book in The Balance Factor series for the past month, so writing's been taking up most of my free time; however, writing a book is much more challenging than I had assumed. When you can speak about something, that's great! Conversation flows because it's dynamic and has a lot to do with the context, your mood, and the relationship you have the person you're speaking to... but the written word does not. Words are not concerned with your mood or if you're having a good day--words are static. But this writing was different, so sitting down and writing something other than my book came as a welcomed relief!

What does a business plan for life include? Whatever you want it to. I just went down the list and made categories for my "big buckets" and then added bullet points for each:

• Career
• Home
• Family
• Finances
• Vision/Business/Projects
• Personal (Mind, Body, Spirit)

These were my top sections--many of which have subsections and bullets for each area, but the most important thing was that I took time to focus on what I really want to create in my life. Since I'm a firm believer that we all create what we need, I wanted to truly harness that power and create a life filled with what I want most--happiness and harmony. Hey, why not?!

Ever since I wrote down my personal business plan my energy has been shifting. Over the past week I've noticed in change in my level of focus and concentration, and when I get a little hazy or off kilter during my day I can glance back at my list and see where my thoughts and behaviors are aligning with my goals. I can ask myself, "Is what I'm doing/saying/being in-line with what I am wanting to create?" And that, my friends, is the ultimate question!

What an interesting exercise it's for me. I dare you to try it and see what it does for you...

Be Well,

The Ambassador of Goodwill

Powerchick Strikes Again!

This past Friday was the official book launch party for Honoree Corpron's latest book, The Successful Single Mom. Most of you who know me will already be familiar with the name Honoree Corpron (aka, my "Powerchick")--a fellow entrepreneur, trusted advisor, and one of my favorite and closest friends. Honoree and I met in 2001 when I joined the Honolulu Rotary Club. We instantly connected and our friendship has sparked creative collaborations for projects from the Next Generation Rotarians (aka, the "Under 40 Club"), volunteer work with Jim Nabors and the Honolulu Symphony, to helping each other manifest our own personal visions.

Honoree's new book pays due diligence to the journey of the single Mom (herself being a single mom for many years), and gives single Moms and their families a host of tools and tips they need to quickly and effectively get moving personally and professionally. Visit her book site (and link to my review on Amazon) at: thesuccessfulsinglemombook.com

My buddy Lukas (founder and president of Gimigo) and I decided to surprise Honoree at the launch party by flying to Las Vegas Friday afternoon and just "showing up"... it was great! We had a chance to meet her new husband, Byron, and spend time with her 9-year old daughter, Lexi (without whom this book couldn't have been written!) Since I hadn't seen Honoree since returning from India our visit was both timely and appreciated. I'm constantly reminded how important my friendships are with people who support one another in manifesting their dreams. Both Honoree and Lukas are amazing examples of how you can achieve whatever you put your mind, body and soul into. It's the Law of Attraction!

As I continue to manifest my Balance Factor vision I know that I have the support of my family and friends, like Honoree and Lukas, to help me achieve my goals and dreams. It is not alone by which we truly succeed in life, but by touching the lives of others. And, like peace and goodwill, you need to pass it on. Thank you, Honoree, for passing on your love and support to me all of these years so that I, in turn, can do the same.

Onward and upward!

The Ambassador of Goodwill