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2009 Finalist Small Business Rookie of the Year Award
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Joy Beyond Freedom has been nominated for the following awards:
LLSA Chamber of Commerce
Nominee Small Business Rookie of the Year 2008 & 2009
Venice Chamber of Commerce
Nominee Small Business of the Year 2009
In January 2009 Awarded Appreciation for Outstanding Service
Eager Beaver Award January 2009
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We currently live in a world that does not necessarily inspire hope in the hearts of men. The television, radio and various other media sources do not spend a proportionate amount of time on positive “hope” inspiring stories. In fact even if you have few challenges in your own life, simply tuning in might be enough to make some people simply want to tune out. And, if you are dealing with challenges in your marriage/family, business or finances it is easy to be discouraged, depressed, and disenfranchised.
Maybe you don’t have much hope. Maybe the challenges in your life are so big you can’t imagine a future that could be different for yourself.
To have hope means that there are still possibilities or potential regardless of how small that could yet be actualized. Hope means it isn’t over until it is over, and it ain’t over yet. Hope has a vision for the future. And that vision gives courage to go forward.
Just that statement set many of those positive thinking individuals on edge. I know…I am one of those people who doesn’t always like to recognize limitations.
“What are you talking about I have no limits. What my mind can conceive I can achieve!”
Take a breath…this is not a doom and gloom message…I‘ll leave those to the various media outlets, and it is not a self defeatist/limiting statement. What it does recognize is sometimes I get tired. Sometimes I need to rest. Many things I can do, but just because I can doesn’t mean I should.
Personally I tend to work on big projects and move towards big goals. I push myself harder and demand more from myself than probably anyone else in my life expects from me. I believe that if I ask better questions I will get better answers. I fully expect success and don’t cringe at hard stuff. Yet, I have to recognize that as much as I would like to ignore it, sometimes I have to stop and that the choice to do so actually indicates wisdom.
Pushing past the fuel light on your dashboard is possible. Yet what takes more time refueling or sitting on the side of the road for assistance and gas.
I often tell people…If I don’t set myself up to win…who will?
So here are a few simple steps for steadiness I give to my clients.
1. STOP AND BREATHE…Sounds simple doesn’t it? However, often people will just run faster and try harder. Others will shut down altogether. Neither response produces results over the course of time.
A couple of years I was dealing with a lot of stuff in my own life at one time…people would ask, “How are you doing?”
Take a couple deep breathes and exhale
“Good start.”
And…Actually it is…taking 3 deep breathes and exhaling slowly each time causes a different part of your nervous system to kick in. You start to relax, and when you relax you can make better choices.
Exercise…I know…
“I barely have time to work that into my schedule when life is wonderful…and you want me to exercise NOW?”
“Yes I do!”
Exercise releases endorphins…endorphins make you feel better without a prescription. Ride a bike, walk, dance…do something you love…but do something (Alcohol and other substances to “feel good” don’t count.)
Don’t forget to hold hands with someone you love…look them in the face and TELL THEM THAT. Tell them that you love them…Build Joy…Yes, Joy is a real thing and provides strength to deal with the hard stuff!
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