Your best just got better

Off to Costa Rica...back to blogging soon!

I'm heading out of the country...again...to Costa Rica!

I am SO looking forward to learning more about this place (a place that is quickly becoming a second home to me).

Living in Mexico twice, and Argentina once, in the 90's gave me the ability to speak Spanish fluently. Visiting now, with time to learn about the countries of Central and South America while getting to know new friends there, is absolutely incredible.

An AWE-inspiring day in the life of a teacher...

I am a lucky, lucky man... Check out what landed in my e-mail inbox today!

E-mail #1 - from a former student in my high school World History class (this is going back YEARS!)

Jason,
How have you been?  I'm doing well now that I have graduated from college.  I am a Mechanical Engineer working for Oceaneering International.  I work on Blow-Out Prevention (BOP) systems for the oil and gas industry.  It will prove to be a challenging area for engineering as this company is just getting into these systems and there is a lot of progress to be made in the industry.
I am living in Houston, TX now too.  Little far from Ojai and a totally different social environment.  I am enjoying things thus far.
Let me know if you are ever out this way, maybe we can meet up.
Andrew

And, E-mail #2 - from ANOTHER former student in my high school World History class!

As of right now the expected due date is Oct 27th but I will be letting my people (you) know as the date gets closer if anything changes.  Isn't it weird knowing that you used to teach me history and now I'm having a kid!  time files but friendship never dies.
Brian

Next time you're wondering if what you're doing is making a difference, just take my word for it...

YES! Each of us makes an impact. And, we do so ever...single...day!

Brian and Andrew, thank you guys for remembering me, checking in from time to time, and reminding me to "keep it real." You're an inspiration to me...

Inspired to greatness...one person at a time

Are you doing good?

Or, are you doing great?

And, is it EASY to engage in the great???

Work, that is.

I am delighted that I continue to wake up in a world where small groups of people are putting forth as close to their 100 percent effort as possible. (In fact, I would venture to say that there are indeed people on this project who don't just "turn it off" when they end the day.)

When I left the high school classroom - after working with kids and teaching from 1991 to 2000 - I made a promise to myself that I would stay as engaged as ever. And, I promised to support great work wherever/whenever I can.

Learning, leading and growing are the tenets I live by. I hope that in my consulting work and my presentations the people I partner with understand the foundation is sound and solid.

I have not (yet) met anyone on the 10,000 Women project. But, I would still like to pledge my support. So, we will donate one copy of our DVD to the first 37 participants who request it.

If you know someone who could use 15 Tips for Time Management, and they are directly engaged in the 10,000 Women project, just send them this link. They can email us for more info!

Time Management for Teens...a new post!

Do you know how sometimes students (junior high/high school/even college) get overwhelmed and stressed out?

(If you know a student who IS stressed out about school, homework, tests, projects and more, please pass this website their way! www.SchoolGuides.org)

Well, I've just posted a "Time Management for Teens" tip on getting cleaned up and organized for success!

In addition, if you head over to the website, you'll find several other articles, video presentations, and audio downloads all prepared with one goal in mind: To help students manage their time, and get more done! Click on the picture for more info...

*Have a request? If you'd like The Jason Womack Company to provide a tip or strategy specific to your needs, e-mail us today!

Focusing on the MITs...or staying "really, really busy?"

This entry comes from thinking about some writing I was doing earlier this morning...before the day got started. I woke up early to get some "words on paper," and was inspired to write about an presentation I had seen recently on Oprah's website.

It was amazing to see this man in action...for those of you who have not yet heard him speak, here's the deal:

Randy Pausch is a married father of three, a very popular professor at Carnegie Mellon University—and he is dying. He is suffering from pancreatic cancer, which he says has returned after surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Doctors say he has only a few months to live. (from the Oprah Winfrey website)

I started a company over a year ago because more and more people ask questions like this one:

"Is it possible to get more done in less time by multi-tasking?"

I want to share 4 of the things I do, techniques I use to ensure I get the MITs done each day. These might sound basic, they may seem familiar, but before you read through them too fast...pause and reflect on this prompt:

At the end of each day, did you do what you said you would do...in the time you promised?

1) Start with gratitude. I begin each day saying a little thanks. Now, you may be wondering if it's a prayer a meditation, a guided imagery process, a visualization...here's the deal: It doesn't matter what it is, just pause when you wake up and repeat this mantra: "Thank you, Thank you, Thank you."

A short (20-minute) interview in Dallas, TX

In mid-February, I was doing some work in Dallas, TX, and the morning I left, David Randle met me in the hotel lobby for an "impromptu interview."

We cover just a few topics such as: influential books, ideas on work/life balance, life-long learning, and expanding our comfort zones. We hope you enjoy this conversation!

Click To Play

"Star Wars" according to a 3-year old!

Well, as soon as I saw this I knew I wanted to share...if you have 3 minutes, check it out!

Kids who are "money savvy" - great article in the journal today

I still remember my first mountain bike...bought over an entire summer of part time jobs; bought on lay-away.

It was amazing, every Sunday after church, my mom brought me to the local Fuji bike shop, to make another payment. It was wonderful!

I learned a LOT about money back then. Many of those memories came back as I read today's article in the Wall Street Journal by Jonathan Clements.

Good stuff for the parents (and the rest of us!) out there.

Favoring today: What happens if you spend today vs. save until next week?

Slowing spending: The bigger the denomination, the less like to spend it quickly.

Making a wish list: Really, what DO you want?

Keeping the change: Interesting idea of spending or saving what's left over.

My only request for Mr. Clements (and parents everywhere) is show what happens when a bit of the abundance is given away...tithing, a charity, a cause, whatever. I have found that's a powerful and life-changing thing: Check out www.Kiva.org!

Mark Victor Hansen - Book Marketing (learnings from the day)

Well, I definitely saw a LOT today. I arrived at the LAX Westin Hotel to check in for a 3-day seminar on book writing, editing, publishing and marketing - devised and led by Mark Victor Hansen.

It's late here in the west coast, and after a FULL day (7:30am-10:15pm) of presentations, activities and discussions, I'm walking away with a few learnings. In no particular order:

Write "to" someone.
    This was an idea that stood out to me from Bill Phillips' speech earlier in the day. The author of Body For Life, Bill said whenever he is ready to work, he starts by writing, "Dear _______" on the top of the page. I tried it tonight, and lo-and-behold, it works! What did I notice about this activity?

1. I wrote "faster." As a wrote this post, I continued to see that person in my mind's-eye, and I felt I was writing in a more clear and directed way.
2. I changed a few things, and wrote a bit differently than previously.
3. I searched to find an example that I think that person would resonate with/respond to.