Action Mail Newsletter

 

Anticipation

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

How well do you anticipate what is likely to happen?

For most of us, this is a “hit and miss” proposition – sometimes we see what’s coming and other times we are completely caught off guard. Life’s unexpected curve balls can, at times have devastating impact, short-circuiting your productivity, and causing grief or frustration. When we fail to anticipate what may be expected of us in the future, we might find that our previous efforts were off target or unnecessary, and that we have effectively “wasted” our time and hard work. While none of us can tell the future with certainty, I believe we can improve our powers of anticipation, starting right now, by following a ...

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Going Full Tilt

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010
We are all off balance. The question is, are you simply off balance in response to your world, struggling to keep up with the demands placed upon you? Or, are you off balance, on purpose, moving through life in a way that is intentional, deliberate, and fueled by a sense of meaning? This is the central point in the Off Balance On Purpose philosophy, and my book of the same title. I believe that it is incumbent upon each of us to adopt an orientation, or “life posture” that is BOTH in alignment with a sense of purpose AND leaning forward toward our greatest desires.

Towards, Not Away From

Notice I said, “leaning forward towards our ...

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Integrity

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

I believe we deeply desire integrity – For ourselves and for the people we encounter.

It’s one of those qualities, like “balance,” that seems wired into our circuitry in such a way that we quite naturally understand it, aspire to it, and notice its unquestionable lacking in our world. But, as this article is really about action, the question becomes “what can we do about it?” Where is the integrity in our society? Is it evident and demonstrated by our leaders or celebrities? If so, then why is there a relentless onslaught of seemingly good or talented people doing the wrong things? In fact, the integrity gap seems to be ever expanding.

It Isn’t What You Think

...

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The Downside of GPS

Monday, March 22nd, 2010

Do you have a GPS (Global Positioning System)?

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="322" caption="You are here!"][/caption] With annual sales of these navigation devices at 39 million units, and with the popularity of GPS enabled cell phones, more and more people are using this helpful technology tool to get from where they are to where they want to go. These are incredible devices. They enable us to easily, comfortably find previously unknown places. Simply type in your desired destination and, in many cases, a friendly guide (computerized voice) will tell you exactly where you are, when to turn, and the  precise moment you have arrived at your destination. I have selected an Australian woman as my GPS voice because I love ...

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Satisfaction

Monday, January 25th, 2010
In 1965 The Rolling Stones wrote the hit song (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction, expressing angst and lack of fulfillment. Ironically, “satisfaction” at the time of the song’s recording was likely much higher than it is today. Earlier this month The Conference Board published findings from its annual report on job satisfaction in the United States, and the results were startling. On top of double-digit unemployment, it seems that even those who are working are (in record numbers) unhappy, unfilled and downright disinterested in the jobs they have! Here are some highlights: Only 45% of those surveyed are satisfied with their jobs (down from 61.1% in 1987, the first year the survey was ...

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New Year – New Pattern

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010
At the start of each year, we dive again into the unknown, recommitted to make positive improvements to some, or several aspects of our lives. Perhaps this idea of a "fresh start" provides new hope and energy. That's fantastic! But it's not enough. It will take a sustained commitment and a coordinated plan to be successful. I have created a seven minute video that will help you as you plan your year. It will give you a different way to approach the the personal and professional changes you want to make. It will also help you to develop a wider view of the various aspects of your life, and see how they are all connected. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XMV0-oM--o[/youtube] After you watch this video, you will ...

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Got Tension?

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009
Do you have tension in your life? Let's see. Between economic uncertainty, job pressures, and the multitude of circumstances competing for your attention, I'd say it's a safe bet that we all experience the daily tugs of tension. And that is a good thing. Tension is natural, normal, and a vital component of a healthy, enjoyable, prosperous life. The key is to distinguish between the helpful, positive tensions that pull us forward toward improvement and the negative, destructive tensions that sabotage success and happiness. As Glinda, the Witch of the North, asked Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, "Are you a good witch or a bad witch?", we should ask the same of the tension in our lives. Is it ...

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Off Balance Mission

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009

I’m a man on a mission.

For too long, we have all been sold a bill of goods –and we have bought into the idea that:

We will be happy when we ___________________.

We will be fulfilled when we ___________________.

We will be successful once we ___________________.

We will content, peaceful, and satisfied just as soon as we ___________________.

Fill in the blanks.

The specifics of this message changes based on the marketing campaign, the product being touted, or the agenda of the individuals seeking to manipulate our motives and actions, but the general theme is the same:

“Our lives, as they exist, are insufficient and incomplete. You are incapable of experiencing happiness on your own.”

At the center of this argument is the notion that we all should ...

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Models and Mentors

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

I would not be where I am in life without the examples and assistance of others. And I’m willing to bet that the same is true for you. We all benefit every day from our predecessors, teachers, advocates, and encouragers. In turn, we can uplift others through our words and deeds.

Role models and mentors are essential to your growth and success. We all have them. Some we choose directly and with forethought. Others, we are drawn to and begin to emulate without a conscious decision. They simply become part of the seasoning of our characters. Regardless, over time you will become like the people you associate and identify with on a regular basis.

That’s why I believe that selecting ...

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Flow

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009
Don’t you just love it when things go smoothly? At such times, events, tasks, and conversations seem to happen naturally, and in a way that flows with perfect timing and seamless execution? We have all enjoyed these wonderful occasions. But we are also familiar (perhaps, more so) with the opposite experience, when obtaining progress seems to require supreme effort. The concept of “flow”—this elusive and wonderful mode of operation—fascinates me, and I have always been drawn to questions surrounding the subject, such as: • What is the state of flow, and how does it relate to human performance? • Does flow happen accidentally or intentionally? • How can we recapture or reproduce this state when it matters most?...

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More from Dan Thurmon

Off Balance - On Purpose

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