Here…but not!!

Hi All!

Yes, it’s here. The 50 finalists are about to be announced! We’ve come a long way together, haven’t we? We’ve had our ups and downs, like all good teams go through, but in the end there’s a lot of love and great support in this group.

I am honoured to be among you! I look forward to our continued growth together as we journey to our individual destinations.

And that’s the point. I wish every single person the best of luck, whether you make the top 50 or the top 6 or not. As I’ve started to live my dream, I understand more and more that Fiji makes no difference. For me, I WILL publish my first novel in the next year. I believe we can all live our dreams.

So, yes, we’re “here” where Mark posts the list of 50. Then we’ll be at the “here” where Mark posts the list of 6. I’m looking forward to getting to the “here” where we are ALL living our dreams. With talent, determination, support and, even a little luck, we can all get there.

Good luck!!

With love,

Life Changer Tracy

Looking for Your BEST Self?

Hi All!

What does your best self require of you? Seems like a trick question, doesn’t it? Or at least redundant!Your best self requires you to be your best self!! Done!!

I’ve learned that it’s not that simple because you first have to understand what your best self is—and that can be confusing and complicated!

It’s easy to fool ourselves into thinking what our best self is. You might have had influence into what your best self should be. For example, I’ve heard the famous Kennedy family were told, generation after generation, that there job was/is to “serve the world”.

By this, I’ve read, Joe Kennedy meant serve in politics or go help out at a soup kitchen or community garden. These are, of course, all nobel causes, but what if you were meant to serve the world by being an artist, sharing your gift with humanity?

By Joe’s standards, this was not “serving the world”. We’ve all met (less famous) parents with the same misguided good intentions. Maybe you’re one. You worry for your children’s future so you dissuade them from Art School in favour of the more practical Business College.

But no matter how hard to try to live up to what others think your best self should be, your best self will keep calling you, because they know better!

I learned the lesson of being my best self from years of experimenting with lots of things I really enjoyed. I had a reasonably successful experiential training business for 15 years. I really wanted to help others, through experiential learning, find themselves and their best lives.  was very good at it, but whenever I had a quiet moment, I kept thinking about the books I wanted to write.

The problem was my best self JUST KEPT NAGGING ME!! The nagging got louder and LOUDER and LOUDER over the years—until recently when I finally listened!

If you read my last blog post, you’ll know that I’m finally paying attention. My latest news is that instead of taking on another government writing contract, I’m taking the next two months off to finish a novel I’ve been working on for some time. One more week until I make the switch to my new moniker “Novelist”!!

So how does that help you be your best self? LISTEN! No matter what you’re doing currently to serve the world—whether it’s being a missionary in Africa or the Super Hero of Soup Kitchens—if that’s not what your BEST self is, you need to stop doing it. I know that sounds harsh, because these are, again, nobel causes, but when you are being your BEST self, you will be serving the world in the way you were meant to. Anything else is a distraction.

I think I’ll quote myself from the same last line of my previous blog,  “When I am able to share my BEST self, I will naturally inspire others to do the same”. When every person is being their BEST self, we will change the world.

Life Changer Tracy

Square peg…round hole

Hi All!

The universe whispers to us when change is needed. If we don’t listen, the whisper turns to a normal speaking voice. If we still don’t listen, the universe uses its outside voice. And if we still don’t listen, it’s likely to scream at us and even deliver a harsh slap across the face as a side dish!

I’ve been delivered the side dish and it wasn’t very tasty!!

On Friday, I lost my second job in a row. The third in five years. I never thought I’d say that. I’m smart, I’m educated, I have a strong work ethic and I get along with my colleagues.

I finally get it—thanks universe! I am just not suited to working a 9-to-5 job. I was meant to work for myself. I was meant to write books in my own time and in my own way. I just can’t be what I’m not anymore.

The problem is, although I’m meant to work for myself, I don’t have good administrative skills, which you need to have in a business. Been there, done that. I don’t care about “the books” or updating databases. What I LOVE is to write and public speak/greet. That’s what I’m great at and that’s what I should be doing.

But the reality is, I have to be able to sustain myself. Money comes in handy for keeping roofs over heads and food in bellies!! And I have my husband to consider. He wants me to be my best, but he’d also like to see us stay afloat. Thus, I take on communications contracts (often I like them, but it’s not my heart’s desire) that will allow me to save enough so I can take time off to finish my first book.

At this point, I can sustain myself for a couple of months and I believe my book can be done if I work full time for two months on it. I’m self-disciplined and can make this happen. But it means that I can’t work a full time “regular” job at the same time.

I also know the route I need to take is with an agent. Self-publishing isn’t for me—I know the detailed work that goes into it and I haven’t got it in me. I simply haven’t got the skills. I’m done with feeling like a failure because I’m trying to do stuff I’m just not good at!

So, I need an agent. I’ve done my homework and have a list of agents who might be interested in my work, however I also know (from research) that I can’t submit until I am completely finished the manuscript.

What I don’t know is how long it can take for the review of my manuscript and, more importantly, when I might get paid for my work. I haven’t been able to glean that from my research. I don’t know how long I can sustain myself after the two month mark.

This is where the fear kicks in. I came from a family with very little money and I don’t want to go there again. And what if I can’t sell my book. I don’t want to lose my house and the few small things I own. AND I fear failing at the one thing I’ve always thought I was meant to do. What if my dream is not my reality???

And what if I do sell my book? Will I become “too big for my britches”, like my father always said. The People-With-Money-Are-Evil Syndrome. I’m torn. Most of me doesn’t care what my family thinks, but this small part is still the child who wants her family’s approval.

And yet most of me knows that I’m a fine writer—as good as many of the best-selling authors out there—who can see a positive future for herself. It sooo frustrating!! My brain/heart aches!

Here’s what I know for sure: I don’t want to sabotage myself anymore. I’ve been doing it way too long. The truth is, I’m exhausted from making the effort to sabotage myself!! Isn’t that crazy?!! Sabotage takes a lot of work! I DON’T WANT TO DO IT ANY MORE!

This is where I could use some mentoring. I have good support around me, but I could really use someone who can help me through these fears as I take this huge leap of faith. AND I could use a business mentor who can help me work through the business of selling a book.

I feel like once I’ve worked through the fear of failure/success once, the books that follow will come easily. I know myself very well and when I’m able to overcome a difficult, I then work to conquer it entirely. Within a year, I can see my series of children’s charity books come to life. I’ve written 2: I think I could have 6 written.

Mark, I so need your help. I know I can do a lot on my own. But I also know when to ask for help. I know what I’m meant to do. I know this square peg doesn’t want to try fitting into the round hole anymore. I know the time is NOW for change.

Thanks to a little push from the universe and some mentoring from you and your team, I can see it happening. When I am able to share my best self, I will naturally inspire others to do the same.

Life Changer, Tracy

And ACTION…

Hi All!

Mark Bowness talked about ACTION today. Linda Wilson put a a quote on Facebook that said, “Think BIG, dream BIG, believe BIG and the results will be BIG.” Both of these struck a chord because, to me, they are inextricably linked.

Yes, we all need to have dreams—big and small. But no matter the size, some action needs to be taken to achieve them. Each one of us has to do something(s) to turn our dreams into reality. If we don’t achieve for dreams, it’s on us. It’s not our parents’ fault. It’s not our mates’ fault. It’s not our kids’ fault. It’s. On. Us.

Creating our dreams isn’t easy. There will always be obstacles—mostly mental, such as fear of failure. And then there are the physical barriers, such as money, time or energy. We only have so much of ourselves to go around!

It doesn’t make the dream impossible, however.

Do you think the woman is this picture has a dream? I bet she has many, like all of us. Does this woman have obstacles? Of course! Do they keep her from action? Proof is in the picture. Maybe she’s just a model posing, but those quads and delts tell me otherwise!

She has overcome the mental barriers (“It’s too hot to run today!” “I’ve gained 5 pounds. I don’t want anyone to see me!”). She left the excuses at home and took time out to look after her dreams.

And she overcame the physical barriers (“Oh, but I have to pick the kids up from school!” “Oh, my back’s a little achy today, I think I’ll skip it!”).

We all have real stuff in our lives!! And, we all have a self-saboteur who’s goal it is to keep us from what we know in our hearts we want and need to do!

Fight with everything you have until you achieve the dream you know is possible for you, and only you, to achieve.

Life Changer Tracy

Blueprint? WTF?!!

Hi All!

I just listened to Mark’s webinar. What the heck do we need a Blueprint for in order to change our lives??!! Don’t we just have to do it? Aren’t we supposed to take action? Not sit around creating a “Blueprint”!!

That’s a great question! Here’s the answer, as I see it:

No, you don’t HAVE to have a blueprint to change your life. You can take action and you might just get where you want to go AND you might just help others change too along the way.

I mean, you could build a house without a blueprint, couldn’t you? Sure the walls might be crooked, the foundation a crumbling mess, and the wiring a firefighter’s fantasy, but, hey, you did it without a blueprint!

I can picture the hysterical house I’d end up with—how about you? But even a great contractor is not likely to start a job without a blueprint, because he knows their inherent worth. Just as Mark, the intrepid contractor in our scenario, knows the worth of a blueprint. Why would he create a whole movement without one?! It’s the smart thing to do.

And, just like a contractor would organize all the right people for the various building tasks, Mark is organizing us in order to get a proper job done.

“But,” you say, “I can’t even lead myself, let alone be a ‘right person’ to lead other people!” The good news is, you are exactly the right people that Mark needs. You don’t have to be an expert. If that’s what Mark wanted, he’d have hired a bunch of psychologists!!

You are, however, the right people. Some of the stories I’ve read from this group are amazing. Many of you have lived a lot of life, which means you can relate to people. That’s a gift.

With the life experience AND the enthusiasm to change that this group has, we will be able to build groups all over world where dreams can be shared and taken action upon. Your dream as much as anyone else’s! You just have to see your own worth and your ability to be a leader in your community.

Imagine what we can build together: a Taj Mahal of change. Now THAT’s a Blueprint!

Life Changer Tracy

Did You Pass The Test?

Hi All!

Well, we’ve had a little hiccup in our awesome-let’s-change-the-whole-freakin-world-plan! What were your first thoughts? Thrilled that you still have a change to apply? Disappointed that you have to wait? Mad that plans have changed? Excited that there are even more awesome people out there to connect with? Or all of the above and more?!!

I have to admit that at first I was a little disappointed—I’m so excited I could pee myself!! I feel like a small child in a candy store, who’s been told “Now don’t touch anything!!!” I just didn’t want to wait another second!!

Thinking about my childish impatience reminded me of a childhood memory that is applicable to the recent This Is Your Life Change decision.

When I was a child, we often visited my great grandmother on Sundays. Gram would always find an excuse to send us to the store—a loaf of bread, some milk, any little thing—so she could give us money for a treat.

All four (or five, once my youngest sister was born!) happily did our errand and then stood at the candy counter. Even as a child, I was always curious about the differences in how we chose. My brother always bought a bag of chips, a pop, a chocolate bar. Something that was consumed before we left the store.

He was my polar opposite (my sisters, were somewhere in between). I would evaluate every sweet in the store. What did I like the most? What was the best deal? How much of my favourite would I give up for a really good deal?

I always took the longest to make my selections—but I always had the biggest bag of candy! To this day, I’m an amazing deal shopper!!

Amid the excitement of buying candy, my grandmother was never far from my thoughts. It was my habit not to touch my bag of candy until we returned to gram’s small cottage on Verney St. in Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

You see, I knew gram loved to see the candy we bought. It made her so happy that, although she couldn’t afford a lot, she could give us this small token of love. I would take out each candy and display it on her lap, proud of my good buys.

And I always shared my candy with her. Her favourite was jellied mint leaves and so I always made sure at least one found it’s way into my candy bag and then into her hand.

Did I want to scarf down a bag of chips immediately? Of course, I did! But I knew the rewards were greater if I was patient—both the tangible reward of a more impressive candy bag and the intangible reward of knowing I’d make my gram happy.

How does it relate to Vorovoro?

Of course I want to know the results of This Is Your Life Change RIGHT NOW!!! Of course I want to go to Fiji!! Of course I want to work with mind-blowing coaches that can help me over the stumbling block I’m currently facing!

But when all is said and done, my choices will still be the same whether it takes Mark and his team 1 week, 1 month or 1 year to make the decision. I will continue to dream. I will continue to strive for the best of myself. I will continue to find ways to make a difference in the lives of others—no matter how big or how small.

This “incident” is a gift. It allows us to examine how we react to “bad” news. It shows us how we deal with the unexpected. It shows us how we deal with disappointment and, most especially, change.

It’s OK if our first reaction to the news that This Is Your Life Change had to make a slight adjustment wasn’t instantly positive (maybe it was and that’s great too!). But it’s what you and I did about our reaction that shows our character. Can we embrace the unexpected and turn it into something even better (i.e. more great followers)? Can we defer gratification with an eye to longer term rewards that create real change?

Life Changer Tracy

Survivor or Thrivor?

Hi All!

This is going to be another short post. I hope you enjoy it!

There are gazillions of great quotes on the internet and I, like many of you, have a collection of my favourites. Like this one:

This Is Your Life Change is about turning bitter tears into a better life; problems that could break us into challenges that make us our best selves, and; choosing to be victorious instead of wallowing in victimhood.

My own addition to this is: when you are tested in life, do you look upon yourself as a SURVIVOR of whatever has happened to you or do you see yourself as a THRIVOR in spite of, and maybe even BECAUSE of, what life has thrown at you? Can you change how you view yourself?

I choose to be a THRIVOR. How about you?

Life Changer Tracy

 

 

Food For The Soul

Hi All!

The most beautiful thing I can think of to share with the world is my soul.  Here’s why it’s so challenging:

When I write, I am sharing the deepest part of me. It’s no wonder I’m terrified to publish my books!!! You know what’s even more terrifying? Sharing my soul “with the world”. But I know this is what I’m meant to do. Go big or go home! If I’m going to step out of the shadows and share my soul, I want it all out there. Not just with my friends, neighbours and community. The whole world.

That means understanding more about the book industry. It means finding an agent and a publisher to help me negotiate my path. it means sucking up my fear and going for it.

The time has come.

Life Changer Tracy

 

Are You On Fire?

Hi All!

Are you ready? I mean really ready? I mean so ready for Vorovoro you sway with the palm trees in your sleep?! So ready that if you don’t get there, you are going to bust?

Have you readied yourself for being on Vorovoro? Though I’ve never had children, I bet a full-on change opportunity like This Is Your Life Change is like having a baby!! You can’t be truly ready for what it’s going to be like—but you know it’s gonna hurt like hell!! But WHAT a reward!!!

I picture Vorovoro like this: Brutal. Honest. Raw. Real. Beautiful. Painful. Beautiful. Whirlwind crazy. Beautiful.

No matter how tough it is, it’s going to be, in the end, beautiful.

But what if, like about 2,017 of your new friends (and counting!), you don’t get this amazing opportunity? Will it be over? Will you cry your eyes out and give up? Will you pout and say “It’s not fair!” and proceed into a downward spiral of depression?

OR are you really ready to “put your money where your mouth is?” Are you really ready for change? Has This Is Your Life Change reignited the fire in your belly and you now HAVE to change? You HAVE to or you are going to bust!!

That’s great because that’s where I am and I want lots of company on my journey!!

I’ve overcome a lot in my life but now it’s time to do more than overcome. For 51 years I’ve allowed myself to be the person who can overcome anything. That’s the label I gave myself—and it’s a pretty good one.

But it’s time. It’s time to go further. It’s time to succeed the way I’ve always known—since I was a small child—I was meant to. It’s time to get out of my comfort zone of “overcoming”. It’s time to be my greatest self—with or without Mark Bowness and his team.

I hope you join me for the ride!!

Life Changer Tracy

Negativity Got You Down?

Hi All!

I left work about 4:45 pm yesterday, open the doors of my office building, and was met with the -40 C frozen hell that is Ottawa right now. If you don’t come from a cold climate, well, just stay where you are, because you don’t want to be here in the winter!!! (Do come in the summer, though, because it’s beautiful!)

I walked a block north to catch my bus, fighting against the wind tunnel made by high rise government buildings. I notice that there seemed to be many more people waiting than usual. “Hmmmn,” I think “I wonder if there’s a hockey game tonight at the Canadian Tire Centre”.

I wait. And wait some more. This is unusual. I wait some more. I’m getting really cold. Finally, I see “97 Bayshore”…and watch as it drives past me, packed to near breaking point. It figures! I just want to get home!!

This is very strange. Another 97 bus…drives by. I can’t feel any of my extremities now. I can feel my core temperature dropping. I look at other people to see if they are as cold as I am. I can’t see most of them because they have hoods pulled as far down as possible or scarfs wrapped around their faces.

FINALLY, a third 97 bus arrives…and passes. WHAT is going on? I know I cannot be out here for much longer.

I see a local bus that will get me to a nearby mall where I can call my husband to come and get me. It’s packed, but at least it stops! I force my way onto it. I don’t care if I’m hanging halfway out of the bus, I’m getting on this one!

I manage to wedge myself in and eventually get to the mall. I call my husband, I make it home to a steaming hot bath, and frozen tragedy is averted.

So why am I telling you this story? I just wondered how many of you picked out my flawed thinking in the third paragraph. Go back and look…I’ll wait.

“It figures.” What a loathsome phrase!

You see, for years, I waited for the other shoe to drop. From the time I was very small, I learned that things will always go wrong, no matter how you try to make them right. My father’s favourite saying was/is, “If there was a lottery and we had the only ticket and won, something would happen and we wouldn’t get our prize. The lottery office would burn down. Something.”

Talk about negative thinking!

I decided a long time ago, that I was going to turn that thinking around. So, every time I caught myself saying something negative, like “It figures!” I turned it into a positive.  It took a really long time! At first, I could only watch my thoughts for 15 minutes or 1/2 an hour. But eventually, I was doing it all the time, until the negative thoughts no longer came automatically. I kept at it until the first thought was a positive one.

So what was different yesterday? Perhaps it was that I got out of work a little later than usual. Perhaps it was the addition of the extreme cold. Perhaps my self-esteem is suffering a little because I’m in a new job.

I don’t actually know the reason and I don’t really care. I am glad, though, it happened for three reasons:

1. It reminds me how far I’ve come. That USED to be my normal thought process. NOW negative thoughts are caught pretty quickly.
2. It reminds me that I need to continue to be vigilant about being positive because I’m human and I can (and will) slip up.
3. I liked my response to my negativity.My first thought was “It figures!” My second thought was “No it doesn’t! MOST days I catch the bus without a hitch. THAT’s the usual. So, NO It doesn’t figure!” I caught the negative before it tumbled into a downward spiral.

What about you? Do you frequently think the worst will happen? How did you learn it? Do you enjoy being that way (do you get something out of it, like being a martyr and therefore getting sympathy)? What are you willing to do to change it?

Life Changer Tracy