Your best just got better

A successful learning environment

I attended an amazing conference last week in Orlando, FL as a member of the National Speaker's Association.

Prior to leaving CA for this event, I followed my own advice, and I know I was better off as a result. I understand that attending a large-group seminar differs from other kinds of learning, such as: group discussion, computer-based-trainings, or reading. So, here's how I prepared...and how I stayed engaged throughout the four days:

A gathering Friday afternoon (August 4th)

Cleveland, OH
Friday, August 4th
4pm - ???

If you're around in the Cleveland area on Friday, August 4th, come on by Legacy Village for a small gathering at Joseph-Beth Booksellers.

One of my friends, Richard G. (Master Bookseller...so it says on his business card!) has invited me to come by the bookstore and talk about one of my favorite topics of all time:

"From Knowing What To Do, To Doing What I Know"

It's one of the most important topics I've put time, energy and focus into understanding. I listened to some of the TED Talks recently (and, if you have not done so, here is where I began), and am more inspired than ever to share more of this information with the planet.

See you at the Bookstore!

(continue reading for info/directions to Joseph-Beth Booksellers)

How do you stay focused?

I've started working with another client in the midwest. He has just started a three month cycle to improve overall fitness and prepare for a couple of fall events.

While preparing some materials for a coaching session, I began re-answering a question I hear often:

"Jason, how can I stay focused on my goals and achieve or surpass them?"

I know what I should be doing

I know what I should be doing to be more fit and effective. It’s that what I know is not getting done!

Whether it’s a balanced, healthy lifestyle, or a more productive workday…being fit and effective requires two areas of focus:

SUBJECTIVE:

Here is where the thoughts, goals, dreams, fears, and worries manifest. When someone talks about a big idea it demands that they look at change, changing habits, changing priorities, changing lanes. Thinking, recognizing different perspectives, inventing something new; until it’s real, it’s subjective.

OBJECTIVE:

Another piece of the puzzle is to uncover and write down the motion or the change you are making. Use the vision you have thinking about things that have your attention to collect as much as you can physically that relates to that goal. Then, if you want to make progress on that area of your life (work, relationship, etc) identify one step you can take to get going again.

The tip of the iceburg

I thought I'd share a press release that's going out this summer. The articles I'm writing are the foundation of the book that we're working on. Just in the beginning stages, and it's exciting to start the process...

Jason W. Womack, M.Ed., M.A. is authoring a series of articles for Today's Parish Minister. The topics all address a balanced and motivated approach to living life and working work. Look for the first monthly article to appear in September's issue. Also, you can read more about the magazine at: Ideas for the Whole Community.

Cleveland, OH

I'm in Cleveland again this week...I'm becoming familiar with this town! They actually remember at the Wild Oats store and the front desk of the hotel I stay at while I'm here.

Where they don't recognize me, yet, is at the Bally's Gym next door. You see, I generally run outside while I visit this area. Usually, I'm here for 3-6 days, and only get one or two morning and one or two evening workouts in at the gym...I do, however, run every other day through a major metropolitan park while I visit.

I'll be in Minneapolis and San Francisco next week...anyone up for a run along the SF Marina on Thursday afternoon... 20 July? (jason at jasonwomack dot com)

Luck...with preparation

An interesting thing about fitness (physical, mental, emotional or spiritual) is that when I'm there, I often think about how "lucky" I am. I sometimes forget how much time and effort went into preparing for that particular moment in time.

• Here's an idea (and if you're one of those who has a great day every day you're out of this loop):
  
  The next time things are going great - you know, you're having one of those days where everything just clicks - actually stop and acknowledge what's happening. It may seem weird (ok, it might be totally inconvenient or forced...), but stop and take some notes. Write down what you're doing, where you are, how you're feeling, who's around you, etc.

The idea here is to recognize that although we may have a "lucky" experience every now and then, if we build enough of these up in our recent memory-banks we can continue calling on them into the future. I believe a "good day" is just a beautiful composition of small, positive, experiences.

Eating habits

I'm consistently amazed at the human ability to choose and process nutrition. I can say it would be easy for me to spend a month or two just studying food, nutrition, and preparation to deliver a report to busy people.

Something like, "I know you have too much to do, and you're always busy, but here are some real solid reasons to continue watching that process."

Camaraderie

I could have titled this post:
"Why I still wear that yellow wristband."

It was not just the dollar. Traveling as I do, I can look around and almost always see someone out there wearing a yellow bracelet. When I see it, I smile. I may not ever meet them...we're already beyond that. Now we're teammates, colleagues, alumni - we share a story that words can't explain, the words are not necessary to describe.

Necessary? Keep it!

What do you need? And, what can you get by without?

While describing my 520+ mile bike tour through southern Colorado to a friend today, he said, "How did you do without all your 'stuff' for 7 days?"

As a result of this comment, I started thinking about what is necessary, and what is not. It might be worth it to consider for a few moments this question:

"What can I get rid of, and still be ok?"