Find Your Passion With These 5 Thought-Provoking Questions

For many years I felt like I was searching for something that I had lost.  That's the best way I can think to describe it.  I had been working in a field for 17 years and was invested in it.  I had gone to school for it.  I had credentials for it.  I was good at it.  So why wasn't I HAPPY?  It wasn't my passion.

I think many of us have this issue.  Everyone wants to find their PASSION; we are told to "lean in"... the problem is, what if don't know how to find it.  What if we don't know which way to lean?

Now that I have found MY passion by starting this website and helping others....I read an article recently that I really thought could help people find their passion.  Warren Berger, author of A MORE BEAUTIFUL QUESTION, collected the provocative questions top designers, tech innovators, and entrepreneurs ask themselves to spark creativity.  I found some of the questions really inspiring...

Whether you’re starting out or considering a possible change in direction, asking yourself the right questions is critical.  I picked out the following five from Warren Berger's article...maybe they can help you figure out where your heart lies and what you really ought to be doing.

What Is Your Tennis Ball?  This question, derived from a terrific commencement speech given at MIT by Dropbox founder Drew Houston, is a good place to start because it cuts to the chase. As Houston explained, “The most successful people are obsessed with solving an important problem, something that matters to them. They remind me of a dog chasing a tennis ball.” To increase your chances of happiness and success, Houston said, you must “find your tennis ball--the thing that pulls you.”

“You almost have to ask yourself, What do I find myself doing?,” explains the author and happiness guru Gretchen Rubin. “What you spend time doing can also tell you what you should do. Because sometimes the things we do without thinking really are things we naturally enjoy or are good at.”

So pay attention to what pulls you. For instance, “when you’re in a bookstore,” says author Carol Adrienne, “what section of the store are you drawn to?” That will not only tell you what books you love--it may point to where your tennis ball can be found.

What Are Your Superpowers?  The idea behind this question is to “unpack the combination of personality traits and aptitudes you bring effortlessly to any situation.”  What are you good at?  If we can identify our inherent character strengths and build on them, we can lead happier, more successful lives.  Once you’ve identified your own strengths, you’ll be in a better position to make the most of what you already have going for you.

What Did You Enjoy Doing At Age 10?  Sometimes by looking back into the past you can get a glimpse of who you really are and what you loved doing before others started telling you what you should do.  A psychotherapist and author, agrees, adding: “The things we loved as a child are probably still the things we love.” He suggests drawing up a list of favorite activities and interests from childhood--“and see what still resonates with you today. And then it’s a process of updating those loves. You may have loved something that doesn’t even exist now, or doesn’t make sense in your life now--but you may be able to find a new version of that.”

Looking Back, 20 or 30 Years From Now, What Do You Want To Say You Accomplished?  Think of this exercise as a less-gloomy version of write-your-own-obituary. What would you include on your list of hoped-for achievements?  "Never give up on something you really want.  It's difficult to try, but worse to regret."

What Is Your Sentence?  In the end, simplicity is best.  This is a question designed to help you distill purpose and passion to its essence by formulating a single sentence that sums up who you are and what, above all, you aim to achieve.  This simple question can be traced back to the journalist and pioneering Congresswoman Clare Booth Luce. While visiting John F. Kennedy early in his presidency, Luce expressed concern that Kennedy might be in danger of trying to do too much, thereby losing focus. She told him “a great man is a sentence”--meaning that a leader with a clear and strong purpose could be summed up in a single line.

This concept can be useful to anyone, not just presidents. Your sentence might be, “She raised four kids who became happy, healthy adults,” or “She invented a device that made people’s lives easier.” If your sentence is a goal not yet achieved, then you also must ask: How might I begin to live up to my own sentence?

I hope these questions spark some creative thinking!  Are you REALLY HAPPY or do you feel like you're still searching for something.  Are you doing what you truly WANT to be doing...or what you SHOULD be doing?  Did you stumble into your career or did you CHOOSE it?  Maybe it's time for a change.  At least start giving it some of your attention, some practice, it may turn into more...

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU COULDN'T FAIL?  You deserve to be HAPPY!!  :)

For the full article by Warren Berger:  visit www.fastcodesign.com

The best Champagne stopper - keeps it fresh for a week!

My friends know I love anything that has to do with Champagne.  I was given this gift recently and it's AMAZING. It's a CapaBubbles Champagne Stopper...a reusable cap... that keeps your sparkling wine bubbly for a whole week!  This is not my first champagne stopper I've owned...I have found some that work GREAT...but this one is special!

First of all....I opened it and it said this on it, SO cute...

The bottom section unscrews from the top section... and the bottom part opens and closes around the flange of the bottle.  The top then screws on!!  It literally turns your bottle into a SCREW CAP!!  Genius!  It's totally air tight too...the rubber lid actually balloons up a bit as it's tightened, creating a pressurized cap...it's very secure because it screws on.

I like this one better than my metal one I have because that one can pop off if you're not careful!  I've heard it pop off in the fridge before!  This one comes with handy instructions right on the cute container...

They have such cute sayings on them!  There are 4 different sparkling ones to choose from.  The company is called CapaBunga and they also have very cute regular wine stoppers with different sayings on them, among other products.  When I looked up their company I saw that they are located right near me!  They are right up the road in Windsor, California...near Healdsburg.  I'll have to go find them!  I know what I'm getting all my friends...now that I've turned them all into Champagne lovers too;)

To learn more about the company....click here on capabunga.com  They also have a video on how to use it!  They will customize items for you too...I see some CapaBubbles stoppers with "Happy WifeStyle" written on them in my future!!

Now you can enjoy Champagne anytime!  "Always keep a bottle of champagne in the fridge for special occasions.  Sometimes the special occasion is that you've got a bottle of champagne in the fridge.  -Hester Browne

-Purple cap pictures taken by me, that's my stopper!  The others were taken my CapaBunga.  

Have you heard of Bulletproof Coffee?

Last weekend I heard about "Bulletproof Coffee" for the very first time.  When I heard the ingredients....I almost said "WTF?"

Well, I was convinced to try it.  I must say, it was THE MOST DELICIOUS COFFEE DRINK I'VE EVER HAD.  So, what's all the hype about?  I decided to find out.  After reading quite a few articles about it, including what the inventor of the drink had to say...I chose this one to share with all of you.  I think it sums it up nicely.  What are your thoughts?  Is this something YOU would drink for breakfast??  I'm still a little torn...but it was tasty!!

Enjoy the following article written by The FabFitFun Team...

Bulletproof Coffee:  Would You Add This to Your Cup of Joe?

For most of us, going without our morning coffee would be like a never-ending version of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. (An average of 2.25 billion cups are drank around the world every single day. #yikes!)

And now there’s a new way to drink your java: Bulletproof coffee!

What exactly is this new trend that even Jimmy Fallon is getting in on? Bulletproof Coffee is made by combining three things in your blender: coffee, butter from grass-fed cows, and coconut oil (or Bulletproof Upgraded MCT Oil). Start with a teaspoon each of butter and oil and work your way up to one or two tablespoons.

Why Bulletproof? Dave Asprey, the founder and creator of Bulletproof, said preparing coffee this way yields “maximum energy, total elimination of food cravings, and easy weight loss.” Um, yes please!

But what’s wrong with the coffee we’re drinking now? “The mold toxins found in coffee can cause the negative symptoms people associate with coffee, like jitters, headaches, or a crash, and worst of all, food cravings for sugar,” Asprey said. Bulletproof beans are lab-tested to maintain ultra-low levels of mold toxins.

What sort of changes can we expect to see by making our coffee Bulletproof? How about mental clarity and no sugar cravings for starters! “Your brain uses the healthy fats to fuel clear thinking, and the satiating fat from grass-fed butter and Brain Octane oil to turn off food cravings for hours. Sugar cravings disappear immediately and stay gone for between four and six hours,” Asprey said.

Wondering how weight loss can go hand-in-hand with butter and oil in your coffee? Fear not! “The low-fat dogma that is still very common was largely based on incomplete science done over a half century ago,” Asprey said. “The latest science supports using high quality, undamaged fats, including saturated fat, into your diet. In fact, the government of Sweden just revised its version of the food pyramid to focus on using high-quality saturated fats for a significant portion of calories.”

So why butter and coconut oil? “Butter provides a feeling of satiety and is a source of a rare fat called butyric acid that improves brain and gut health. Coconut oil provides additional saturated fat to keep you full, and very small amounts (15%) of fats called medium chain triglycerides that fuel the brain. Your body can use these special fats to provide cellular energy in a way that sugar and other fats do not,” Asprey said.

-For the link to the above article click here:  FabFitFun.com

For the official Bulletproof Coffee Recipe and to learn more about the inventor, Dave Asprey, click here:  bulletproofexec.com

5 Ways To Be a Better Listener

I was excited to write this post because I think it's such an important skill:  Being a good listener.  I've always been more of a "listener" than a "talker" but I know there are times when I am better at it than others.  I'm excited to become better at it by practicing the techniques below...

Think about this... Do you listen to comprehend or do you listen to reply?  

Some people may have better listening skills with their friends and colleagues than they do with their spouses.  I've heard that this is a common complaint with spouses... to feel "un-heard".  People can become too comfortable or think they know their spouse so well that they tune them out.

You can probably think of times when you could've been a better listener.  With SO many different personalities out there, it's a great skill to learn to become better at.... because you never know when someone really needs you to listen to them.

1. Open up your body language.  Your body language can tell another person whether you are interested or disinterested in what they have to say.  Lean slightly forward and make eye contact.  A simple smile and occasional nod can show someone that you are interested and engaged in their story.  If you are at an event where you don't know anyone, your body language can signal nervousness.  This can be crossing your arms, shoving your hands in your pockets, avoiding eye contact... these small physical barriers can discourage others from even approaching you.
2. Stay engaged.  When in a busy area, focus on the person you're with rather than what is going on around you.  Similarly, when on the phone with someone, turn off the TV, close that laptop... and give the person you are talking to your full attention.  All the technology out there today can be VERY distracting....that distraction can make others feel unimportant.  If it's impossible to focus at that moment, be upfront and tell them you want to be able to focus fully on what they have to say and suggest a better place or time.
3. Resist the urge to interrupt.  We've all done this.  It can be tempting to finish someone's sentence to show you comprehend their message, but it can come off as rude.  Listening builds trust.  If you interrupt someone, even with good intentions, it denies the person the opportunity to fully express themselves.  You also may be assuming you comprehend their message when you don't.  To ensure that you won't interrupt, always pause for a few seconds before responding.  Often by doing this, they will add something important that they would have left out otherwise.  Resist the urge to talk about yourself right away.  You can always add a similar story about yourself later to show you understand.
4. Ask questions.  The two most powerful words in a conversation are, "Tell me."  People will perk up when you ask them questions and listen closely to what they have to say.  If you take an active interest in the lives of others, they will return the favor.  Open-ended questions provide a good opportunity for people to elaborate on a given topic and will keep the conversation flowing smoothly. If you don't understand the point someone is trying to make, ask for clarification or specific examples.
5. Be empathetic.  Don't just listen with your ears, listen with your eyes and your heart.  Even if you don't agree with them, imagine how they must feel.  Put yourself in their shoes.  Don't focus on what you're going to say next.  It's distracting and hinders the conversation.  Focus on their story.  Ask yourself, "How would I feel if that was me?"  And once you've fully absorbed what the person has said, respond thoughtfully.

I hope these techniques will help you in more than one area of your life...practice them.  Remember, don't judge or criticize... just simply listen.

Some fun quotes, enjoy!...

"Everyone you will ever meet, knows something you don't." -Bill Nye

"Listening is often the only thing needed to help someone." -unknown

"Knowledge speaks but wisdom listens."

"God gave us mouths that close and ears that don't, that must tell us something."

"Learn to be a good listener.  Your ears will never get you into trouble."

"The work LISTEN contains the same letters as SILENT."

"There is a difference between truly listening and waiting for your turn to talk. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Listen to understand not to say something back in return."

-This article is written in my own words.  The guideline for the 5 techniques is from entrepreneur.com

Smile...It's Frenchie Friday!

"Stella" loved her walk this morning to go get coffee with mom and dad.  My legs were SO SORE today from my intense leg workout yesterday!!  The walk helped...but I felt a little pathetic and gimpy!

I caught this big cheesy smile in front of one of our favorite coffee spots...it was nice and cool this morning which is best for my flat-faced friend!!

It's so fun to pass people on our walk who love to stop and talk to "Stella".  Today someone thought she was a white Boston Terrier!  HaHaHa!    She wasn't offended...she knows those Boston's and Pugs are just Frenchie impostors!

She did meet a beautiful Fox Terrier today....crossed paths with two cats...and saw two ducks!

Have a beautiful Frenchie Friday!  Don't forget to SMILE!  I'm going to go stretch...ouch!

A Different Kind of Gym...

If you ask women if they've ever joined a gym, most will say yes.  I've joined four....with good intentions....but the relationship never lasted.

They were all big box gyms where I felt like it was more of a fashion show than a gym.  Some women wore as much makeup to "workout" as they did to go out on the town...if they ever got around to the working out part.  Many gyms are the "See and Be Seen" environment.  That's not for me.  The rows and rows of cardio equipment with people waiting to get on them just "going through the motions".  Eventually, I would quit going because I never really knew what to do.  I never got out of it what I wanted to...which was RESULTS!

So, for the past 10 years, I have taken my gym home and have done DVD's which I have gotten great results with.  The problem with this for many people is the self-discipline it takes.  You aren't accountable to anyone but yourself.

There's personal training, which holds you very accountable, but can be very pricey.  There are "boot camps", but what happens when it's over?  It seems like there's a Cross Fit Gym popping up on every corner these days...but those intimidated me.  I know some close friends who are very involved in Cross Fit, even compete.  In talking to them, I knew that wasn't quite the right fit for me either.  I don't respond well to the drill sergeant approach... so I swore off gyms.  Until now...

I took a class early this morning at Luma Fitness in Petaluma.  I spoke to Jessica, one of the owners, to schedule my first class the other day and she explained everything very clearly.  I was happy to hear that I totally fit into the average age group at their gym!  I decided to give it a try!

Here's what Luma Fitness has to say about their facility...

At Luma Fitness, we specialize in group training for all levels, ages and abilities. Luma Fitness is open 7 days a week and offers over 65 classes throughout the week to meet all schedules.

The Coaches at Luma Fitness integrate a wide variety of cutting edge training methods in each session that utilize proven scientific principles and techniques. Each training session at Luma Fitness is unique and is carefully structured to maximize the physical potential of any individual, regardless of your fitness goals!

The owners are very family oriented and aim to help create "fit families", I love that!   They actually care that you show up and workout...unlike the places I've joined in the past.  Their workouts are designed to incorporate movements that will enhance daily tasks and boost your overall quality of life.  They offer different types of classes for every age and fitness level....beginner all the way to Speed & Agility classes for serious athletes.  The coaches push you but are very friendly.  They help you with your form to decrease chance of injury.  The classes are kept to a size where the coaches can keep an eye on and encourage everyone.   Each class lasts for about 50 minutes and has a wide variety of exercises from circuits inside... to going out the front door for a short sprint!  You can feel comfortable to get a drink of water if you feel the need and jump right back in.

I started with the JUMPSTART class which is their most basic class.  I'm glad I did!  I can feel it already, lots of legs today!  Heather was our coach and she was wonderful.  She knew everyone's name and interacted with everyone.  I felt comfortable there, people introduced themselves to me... I felt like I got a killer workout...which is the point, right?!

I think I'm going to stick with this class a few times before I feel brave enough to move up to the FIT class, which is where most people land who attend Luma.  I wish there were more gyms like this so everyone could have this experience....a family vibe, better health, and most importantly...RESULTS!  You can even schedule classes through an APP!  I'll keep you posted on my experiences!

Click on the link to learn more about Luma Fitness!  (Maybe there's someplace similar in your town...if so, give it a try!)  Luma offers a COMPLETELY FREE 2 week trial membership!

-Photo taken by Luma Fitness.