When it comes to intentionally creating a happy, successful life, it’s so important to learn from smart, positive people who are living (or have lived) that life themselves.

I came across this 1950 recording made by Earl Nightingale, often considered the pioneer of the personal improvement movement.

He speaks in clear, engaging and intelligent detail of both his grounded definition of what success is and how to bring it to our lives.

I hope you find his insights truly valuable.

Let me know what you think at: AskUs@ThePowerOfIntentionalLiving.com

Cheers,

Paul

The post Our Life Becomes What We Think About appeared first on The Power Of Intentional Living.

When you and I are out there capturing our little slices of life, it’s easy for us to forget how much fun we have had.

That’s why we make such an effort to bring home a special object, or take photos that we can put around our home so the memory doesn’t fade away.

But one of our natural tools is our ability to tune out unchanged things around us.

Our mind does this to keep it’s energy directed toward where the “priorities” are, according to our circumstances and our sense of urgency.

Like a camera that can make the focal point sharp and the background blurred, that’s what our mind does when it allocates attention energy within our system.

The positive result is we can usually power through working on what is new or critical with enough energy to get the task done.

The consequence is that with little energy focused on those “blurred” parts of life, we can easily lose appreciation for the untapped value they can provide us in daily life.

Bringing The Blurred To Focus

Since we can consciously refocus where we want our attention to be, we can also quickly re-energize any aspect of our experience that has been sub-consciously dimmed.

And that means we can put fun and excitement back into our lives on demand, immediately.

And here’s just one silly, fun and easy way to do it!

Create Your Own “Appreciation Tour”

Here’s One Quick Example:

Many of us have pictures, art, plants and other decorations around our homes that we enthusiastically acquired at different times in our personal evolution.

But if you’re like me, over time we get focused on the immediate and these objects become part of the “blur zone” we no longer see.

And yet, every one of these items is infused with a story waiting to be re-told, re-experienced and re-appreciated.

That’s why we brought them into our experience of Home.

It’s time to unlock those gifts!

Are You Ready To Have Some No Cost Fun?

Ok! In the next week or so, try this:

If you live with others, (kids, family, etc.) tell them you’re going to do something special on ……night and you’d like them to be there for your “Appreciation Tour.”

Or,

If you have a close friend you like to share things with, invite them over to your “Appreciation Tour” for a drink and snacks.

Or,

If you just need a boost, do this solo. It will still be fun!

The Rigorous Three Step Process (only kidding about the rigorous part.)

1.) Pick a day and time, put it in your calendar, so the time is secured.

You could do this as a fifteen minute kick off to an evening of fun or a theme for the evening.

Whatever works to intentionally make this fun happen.

2.) Set The Stage.

Here’s the great part. It’s likely you already have everything you need, except maybe drinks and snacks.

3.) With those handled, here’s all you do during “The Appreciation Tour”:

• Grab a glass of your favorite beverage, (wine, beer, sparkling cider…) to connect a celebration mood to what you’re about to do.
• If you can, put the beverage in a fancy or fun glass, because this is a special occasion. You could even dress up, or throw on some jewelry, or your best Tuxedo T-shirt, to really raise the fun level. Go on, cut loose and have fun with this! Make it a hoot.
• Now that you’re ready,
• The Appreciation Tour Begins!
• Start in an area of your home that has just a few Memory pieces in it. (avoiding choice overwhelm).
• Now walk up to the first item you see, take a sip, and remember the story of how that item came into your life. If you’re alone, do this silently or out loud, ’cause hey, it’s your memory, right?
• If you’re with a partner, family, kids, girlfriend or boyfriend, tell them what you remember most from your perspective, about the life experience that item is connected to.
• If several of you were there together when you acquired it, each can share the memory they associate with that trip or experience.
• Then move on to the next item that has faded into the blur, sipping and sharing, and unlocking the memories contained in each.

You don’t have to do this for more than fifteen minutes or so.

It could be a fun kick off to doing other things, or a theme for an evening with good friends.

Whatever fits.

But in just that very short time, you’ll instantly re-focus your mind and heart on the fun, cool experiences of your life.

You’ll reconnect with the experience of who you are and the appreciation you have for the other people and places you’ve experienced in your life so far.

Who knows, you might just use your little “Appreciation Tour” to inspire your next great experience and adventure!

Give this simple tour a try and see how quickly you bring a smile to your face and  a genuine feeling of Appreciation to your heart.

All in the comfort of your own home.

Never stop moving forward.

Cheers,

Paul

Paul A. Good MM, MEd
Founder
AskUs@ThePowerOfIntentionalLiving.com

The post Launch Your Own Appreciation Tour! appeared first on The Power Of Intentional Living.

Here’s two peoples journey to help us find some answers.

Uncovering The Mysterious “Ikigai”

If you listened to the TED Talk I posted on “Ikigai” by Dan Buettner,  you learned about his search for why some people live long, happy, highly active lives well into their 100 th birthdays or longer.

That’s why as a part of the Living Intentionally membership, you uncover the value you bring to each of it’s four elements, and use that knowledge to clarify and inspire a sense of purpose, or reason for being, in your daily life.

Because when we learn to intentionally create a life designed around using and contributing our natural strengths and purpose in the world, life wherever we live, becomes more energized, happier and more fulfilled, right where we are.

We also positively change the experience of everyone around us too.

The authors, Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles, set off on a journey to talk with, experience and record every clue they could find about this mysterious philosophy called “Ikigai.”

As the author’s tell you, “In Japanese  “ikigai” is written by combining the character which means “life” with another which means “to be worthwhile.”

This book will take you on their journey to discover what creates a worthwhile life. It might also help you uncover new ideas to put to work in your daily life now.

I hope you enjoy it.

Remember to post your thoughts on our Facebook page:

(The Power Of Intentional Living) and share with us what had meaning to you.

Here’s the Amazon link to the book. It’s available both in print and in Audible version, narrated by Walter Dixon, a very pleasant speaker.

Never stop moving forward.

Cheers,

Paul

The post Ikigai – The Japanese Secret To A Long And Happy Life appeared first on The Power Of Intentional Living.

What we’re capable of achieving is powerfully connected to what we believe is possible.

This incredible real life video takes you into the lives of two friends, one who has learned anything is possible if you don’t quit and another who wants to know what that’s like.

A truly inspiring piece on the power of belief, commitment and friendship.

Never quit going after the experience of life you want.

Cheers,

Paul

The post The Power Of Will Not Quit appeared first on The Power Of Intentional Living.

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But as Amy Cuddy, Harvard professor, social scientist, body language researcher and exceptional TED Talk presenter explains, how you position your body, can also tell your brain what to make you feel.

Fascinating and incredibly useful in daily life.

Be sure to Download the Power Poses sheet below the video to help remind you.

Never stop moving forward,

Paul

Paul Allen Good
Founder
AskUs@ThePowerOfIntentionalLiving.com

The post How You Stand, Will Change Your Mind appeared first on The Power Of Intentional Living.

“To tell your story with your whole heart.”

The original definition of

Courage.

(Video below)

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The freedom to live Wholehearted.

To be energized by living in the flow of life without clinging to everything familiar as critical points of safety.

Dr. Brené Brown, a researcher and social worker, was grounded in defining and living her life connected by those critical points. “If it can’t be measured, it does not exist.”

Committed to understand what the Wholehearted, those people who live in the flow, all in, know that she and others do not, she embarked on a journey of very unexpected results.

She not only discovered what makes living Wholehearted possible, she transformed her own core perspective on living life.

In the TED talk video below, she explains her life changing journey, and explains how these key elements make all the difference:

Courage: Being ok to be imperfect.

Compassion: Kindness first to yourself and from that being, kind to others.

Connection: Willingness to set aside what you think you should be, and honor your own authenticity.

Vulnerability: Knowing that being vulnerable is part of what makes you beautiful.

A “Researcher/Storyteller,”  Brené Brown has that magic blend of taking deeply researched evidence, and presenting it in a warm and always engaging manor.

I hope you find this gem of a TED presentation helpful as you build your own version of a life that loves you back.

Never stop moving forward.

Cheers,

Paul

Here’s Dr. Brené Brown TED Talk Presentation:  Enjoy!

Biography:

Dr. Brené Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work. She has spent the past thirteen years studying vulnerability, courage, worthiness, and shame.

Brené is the author of three #1 New York Times Bestsellers: Rising Strong, Daring Greatly and The Gifts of Imperfection.

She is also the Founder and CEO of The Daring Way andCOURAGEworks – an online learning community that offers eCourses, workshops, and interviews for individuals and organizations ready for braver living, loving, and leading.

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