Podcast 280: The Art of Making Things Happen In Your Life with Dean Drawbaugh

Dean DrawbaughI recently had the privileged of interviewing author Dean Drawbaugh.  Dean has a great new easy to read book entitled “The Art of Making Things Happen In Your Life“.   The essence of this book is to provide the reader with self-assessment and reflections on ways to manifest their desired outcomes and goals.   At the end of each chapter Dean provides thought provoking questions and short assessment as a tool to assist the reader in determining where they are now,  and what they can do to change the current situation for a more positive outcome .

I love the story that Dean tells in the book and in our interview about the two wolves that live inside of us.   One evening a warrior in a remote village began to prepare his son to face life as an adult with the inevitable afflictions and adversities he would face.  The warrior told his son that all challenges ultimately are fought first between the two wolves inside him.  One is the wolf of fear which takes control of emotions and masquerades as lies, regret, feelings of inferiority, self-pity, envy and anger.  The other wolf is faith, consisting of trust, hope, joy, peace, humility, power and love.  The son thought about the scenario for a few minutes–of the two wolves battling against each other in his mind.  He asked, “Which one wins, Dad?” The wise father simply said, “The one you feed.”
How true this story is, and what a great way to illustrate a point.  We are what we think about, and if we can change our thinking we can change what we become.  Dean’s book “The Art of Making Things Happen In Your Life” is truly about observing what is happening now, and with some shifts in our thinking and our actions creating a better life.

I highly recommend this great little book, packed with practical advice on how to make things happen in your life.  If you would like to learn more about Dean Drawbaugh you can click here to be directed to his website.

I hope you enjoy this interview with author Dean Drawbaugh.

Podcast 268: The Last Year of Your Life with Clint Arthur

 

Clint ArthurI was listening to an interview on Fox 5 San Diego with author Clint Arthur and was intrigued by his message about his new book “The Last Year of Your Life“.   Unlike many personal growth authors Clint’s approach to living your life is to look at life as if it is the “Last Year of Your Life”.  I can really appreciate this way of looking at life, for I believe we would all find new ways to live our lives if we knew this was our last year of life.

Clint’s book is designed as a workbook with lots of thought provoking questions at the end of each chapter.  They are designed to engage the reader in creating concrete results and question the things in life that are really important.  There is a chapter for each week of the year with very simple and easy to do exercises.  If the reader completes the whole 52 weeks the objective is that they will have completed some very deep personal reflection and discovery, thus transforming their life.  This can be some of the most difficult work, but the most rewarding.

I speak from experience, if one does the work and really applies themselves to any personal growth and transformational work they will see results.  The key here is to stick to the work and do the lessons.  I know that it is frequently tough, and life seems to get in the way but I encourage you to do the work first!!!.

In my interview with author Clint Arthur we discuss not only some of his personal life experiences, but we discuss some of the master teachers he has admired throughout his life and the important roles they played in shaping the person he has become today.
Clint has a quote in his book from the by the Buddha “All that we are is the result of what we have thought”  Just remember, put good thoughts in and get positive results out.

If you are looking for a book will become your 52 week guide then I would recommend that you pick up a copy of Clint Arthur’s book “The Last Year of Your Life“.  Please click here to be directed to Clint’s website for more information.

Podcast 256: 52 Ways to a Happier Life with Jim Donovan

Jim DonovanI always enjoy my interviews with the Tremendous Life Book authors, and Jim Donovan was no exception.  His new book entitled “52 Ways to a Happier Life” is filled with great advice and wisdom.

I found author Jim Donovan to be with one of the most authentic people I have spoken with in quite sometime.  His authenticity and “realness’ just exude during our to dialogue together.  Jim is the real deal. He had a very challenging young adulthood which helped to shape him into the person he is today.   His new book “52 Ways to a Happier Life” is a short read, but filled with practical and applicable suggestions to really live the life you were born to live.

How many of us remember to congratulate ourselves?  Sounds simple doesn’t it, but how many of us really take the time to acknowledge our accomplishment daily.  I bet not many of us.  The question we should be asking is why not?  Why don’t we take the time to acknowledge our accomplishments?  It is usually because our EGO is to busy telling us that we could do more, be more and have more so we just don’t have the time because of our busyness and focus on the material world.  Jim’s advice would be to quiet the inner critic and take the time to go inside and reconnect at a soul level. I know we  will be happier if we completed this act of self-kindness.

Jim dedicates several chapters to the importance of goal setting and planning.  He cites a statistic which thought was just astounding,  that over 97% of the worlds population does not take the time to write and set goals for themselves.  I had not idea that the numbers were so high.

So just what does goal setting do for you?  It provides one with a direction, a purpose and an opportunity to explore their personal passion.  Once you ignite this spark within the skys the limit.  It is really not so important if you don’t reach the goal, but it is important to put them in your subconscious and written goals are good reinforcing the subconscious.

I know you are going to love this book, and the wise advice from a man who walks his talk.  Please listen to this great podcast, for it is a wonderful way to start your New Year.  I also recommend that you visit Jim’s website and listen and watch his videos, you will be glad that you did.  Practical advice from a practical author and wise person.
Please click here to be directed to his website, and to purchase a copy of the book click here.

Podcast 252: Life on Your Terms with Shann Vander Leek

Shann Vander LeekI was introduced to Shann Vander Leek through Linda Joy the publisher of a woman’s magazine entitled “Aspire“.  I really respect Linda, and she spoke very highly about Shann, and I can see why.

I am blessed to have the opportunity to interview lots of personal growth authors, but I must say that Shann Vander Leek is truly the real deal…and so authentic and a beautiful soul.   Her personal message about overcoming your fears, and living your life on your terms by following your passion is well articulated in her book “Life on Your Terms“.

Shann interviewed over 40 entrepreneurs in her quest to find out what drove them to overcome many of their personal insecurities and fears to live  “Life on Their Terms”.

In reading Shann’s book you will see that the stories are all different, but their is one common thread between each of these entrepreneurs, and that is choice.  We all have the opportunity to choose  courage over fear and overcome what just might be holding us back from following our passion.

Shann herself, broke away from corporate America to create a life on her terms as a coach, author and speaker and by her own account it was not an easy journey.  There is an old saying “Anything worth having, is worth fighting for.” If you want to learn from some of the wisest entrepreneurs and get some sage advice I would recommend that you read Shann’s new book “Life on Your Terms“.

Shann has a website for her coaching business and you can access it by clicking here, you can also learn more about the book by clicking here to be directed to the book’s blog and website. I encourage you to post your comments about finding your own liberation and freedom as a result of following your own personal passion at Shann’s website.

Please enjoy this wonderful interview with an amazing author, and someone who truly walked the path of which she speaks.

Podcast 243: Set Yourself on Fire with Phil Taylor

Phil TaylorI was first introduced to Phil Taylor through Dilip Abayskekara an author  we did a wonderful podcast with last year on his book entitled “The Path of the Genie”  Phil is a Tremendous Life Books author, and his new book entitled “Set Yourself on Fire: How to Ignite Your Passions and Live the Life You Love” is a wonderful book designed to engage and ignite the imagination.

During our interview Phil and I discuss the importance of having a wonderful imagination, and that frequently we suppress our dreams and imagination because of social conditioning as the years go by.  How true that is, when we were children our imagination would run wild with ideas, thoughts and we dream about people and places we would like to meet and or become.  Then somehow for many of us we loose our dreams, primarily because we are so involved in our everyday life to even give them a second thought.

Author Phil Taylor  would like for all of his readers to be reignited and enthustiac about about setting goals again, and living their dreams.  He mentioned to me that there are five (4) reasons people fail to set goals. (1) Fear (2) Poor Self Image (3) Not Realizing the Importance of Goals (4) Not Knowing How to Set Goals.  In his new book “Set Yourself On Fire” Phil provides the reader with the four simple steps to setting goals, and believe me it is worth your time to set down and reignite yourself and learn how to properly set goals, then don’t be afraid to achieve them.

Phil reminds us that living our life purpose is so important, and if you fuel that purpose with aligned goals to your values you will be come unstoppable.  Just remind yourself of the statement by Henry Ford “If you think you can or you think you can’t you’re probably right.  So if you are looking for an easy to read book with wonderful stories, inspiration and ideas to ignite your fire then I highly recommend “Set Yourself On Fire” by Phil Taylor.
If you would like to learn more about Phil, he is the founder of Goal Achiever International and if you click here you will be directed to their website.  You can also find Phil on Linkedin.  Enjoy this interview with a very inspiring and wise man.

Podcast 232: The Productivity Epiphany with Vincent Harris

Vincent HarrisI recently interviewed Vincent Harris the author of a new Tremendous Life Book publication entitled “The Productivity Epiphany“.   In my interview with Vincent we discuss the many different topics addressed in this wonderful book, but most importantly we focus in on what keep us from being more productive.

As Vincent states in the forward to his new book ” It’s the greatest challenge we all face: getting ourselves to do things we want to do, but we can’t get past the inertia to build momentum…to actually do those things.  I think that all of us understands the inertia that frequently keep us from reaching our human potential, and in “The Productivity Epiphany” the author provides us with easy thought provoking ideas to have us shift our behavior and thoughts.   Vincent states “we are being invited to consider an alternative”, and I love this approach because he is not telling us to act or do something in a certain way.

In my dialogue with Vincent we discuss how we frequently make comparisons to self and other, and how in so doing we are incisively creating a no win situation.  You see if we constantly use comparisons to others there is always going to be someone who is better, stronger, has more money etc.  But when we make self-to-self comparisons we can look at how we are improving from month to month, year to year and this is a much better comparison to make in developing a positive mental attitude.

Vincent’s book is an easy read and complete with thought provoking stories and ideas to assist the reader in having more epiphanies about their work and life.  Albert Einstein once said that ” a problem cannot be solved on the same level that is exists.”  If you keep this statement in mind, then you are going to love reading Vincent’s book.  You will be taken on a journey of exploration that will shift your thoughts and ultimately behaviors associated with how you are approaching life and work as you know it today.

I hope you enjoy this interview with author Vincent Harris, and if you would like to learn more about his organization please click here to be directed to his website.

Podcast 229: Napoleon Hill’s Keys to Success with Don Green

Don GreenDon Green the executive director of the Napoleon Hill Foundation is a man with deep wisdom and knowledge about any aspect of Napoleon Hill.  In my second interview with Don we discuss one of Napoleon Hill’s book entitled ” Keys to Success”.   This book is a wonderfully easy read, and really carries the essence of Hill message by conveying the 17 principles of personal achievement.

I know many of you are going to say that you have heard it all.  That you know more than you want to know about personal growth and mastery.  Well that might be true, but this particular book provides the reader with the foundational principles—and they really do work if you work them.   One of the things that Napoleon Hill emphasized was a “definiteness of purpose“.  We know that this principle is fundmental to our success, and I don’t just mean monitory success.   You have to love what you do, and when you have that passion almost anything is possible.  If you are willing to toss your fears to the wind, and really live your life with purpose and passion your dreams are possible.  As I have said, don’t get to attached to the way your dreams manifest, just go with the flow and enjoy the journey for your “definiteness of purpose” will carry you a long way.

Napoleon Hill writes in the “Keys to Success” that faith is one awareness of belief in and harmonizing with the universal powers.  The key principle is faith and belief in something greater than yourself.  We are all aware that their is a power greater than us that resides in the universe, call is God, Universal Power whatever you like. The key is that you believe and have faith in something greater than yourself.  You might be saying how silly, of course I believe in a Universal Power—that is great but the larger issue is never to doubt that power.  Listen to your intuition, follow your heart and co-create with this wonderful energy.
I can’t say enough about a simple book, with so much wisdom “”Keys to Success” by Napoleon Hill.  Please if you would like more information about the Napoleon Hill Foundation then click here to be directed to their website.  Enjoy this wonderful interview with Don Green the executive director of the Napoleon Hill Foundation.

Podcast 222: From Immigrant Housemaid to Harvard Ph.D. with Jin Robertson Ph.D.

Jin Robertson Ph.D.I believe that the story that Jin Robertson has to tell is amazing.  She has a new book coming out in November, entitled “Major Dream-From Immigrant Housemaid to Harvard Phd“.  She is certainly someone who has overcome the odds.  She was born and raised in Korea in very poor conditions, and worked as a factory girl, waitress, and housemaid. At the age of 22 she immigrated to America to become a housemaid, with practically no English skills and $100 to her name.  At the age of 28, Jin, a battered wife and mother of an eight(8) month old daughter, joined the US. Army as a private to escape from the domestic violence.

As we discuss in our interview through pure determination, imagination, and sheer will, later she retired as a  U.S. Army major and received her MA at the age of 43, and her Phd from Harvard at the age of 57.  Jin has been motivating millions of Koreans and Americans with her amazing story of preserving, persistence, and determination.

I know that our economic times are challenging, but after listening to my interview with Jin you will most likely look at your personal challenges just a little different.  Even in the worst of times, Jin never gave up, and always had a strong will to succeed.  I am not certain if this is something that people are born with or not, but if you only take away from this interview with Jin that “you can do it” then you will have received the most important message from this podcast.

If you would like to learn more about Jin Robertson’s story, then I encourage you to visit her website by clicking here.  You can also purchase her DVD which chronicles her story from the website.  Please do yourself a favor and take the time to listen to a great story of inspiration and triumph over adversity, you will be glad that you did.

Podcast 219: GPS for Success with Sallie Felton

I recently had the privilege of interviewing Sallie Felton, who is not only an author but a life coach, Sallie Feltonhypnotherapist and inspirational speaker.  Sallie has a new book coming out entitled “GPS for Success” and this book features Stephen Covey, Dr. John Grey, Les Brown and other leading experts in the personal growth industry.

In my interview with Sallie we discuss the issues associated with leading and living a balanced life.   I love Sallie’s metaphor about a tree,”If you were to think of a tree it’s being nourished, it’s always growing, it’s always blossoming, and it’s being pruned by nature.  If on one side of that tree, it becomes too laden with branches, what happens? It loses it balance and it leans to one side or another.  Just as in life, if we become too overworked we become laden with stress, so we become out of balance.”

If you look at your life like the branches on the tree, each one of those branches is an aspect of your life.  Sallie and I discuss the 12 categories of : Profession/Job, Physical, Spiritual, Intimacy, Office, Learning, Play, Finance, Health, Social, Family, Home/Environment and Fun.  All of these are important and what Sallie recommends is that we rank our level of satisfaction in each of these areas of our life from 1-10, with 10 being the most pleasurable.  If after ranking your life wheel, of which it is often referred too, and you find yourself out of balance then take small tiny steps to identify what you can do to improve that area of your life.

 

What I like about Sallie’s approach to finding balance is that it is simple, practical, and doable.  In her new book “GPS for Success” you are going to be able to read stories and lessons from the masters in the field of personal growth and mastery.

If you would like more information about the book or Sallie and her radio show entitled “A Fresh Start with Sallie Felton, then just click here to be directed to her website.  I hope you enjoy this interview with a wonderful lady with lots of practical and wise advice.