Inspiraelevation

Knock Knock: Who’s there? Is it your Opportunity!

February 13th, 2022

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Asking how one becomes successful is a question many people struggle to answer.

Frankly, it is unanswerable. It is a loaded question without a straightforward answer.

Becoming successful in any goal is a process.

In abbreviated form, after setting your goal, developing a strategy follows. Then you must have an opportunity to put your plan into action.

How does one find opportunities?

Les Brown says,

“Opportunity stands by silently waiting for us to recognize it!”

If we are vigilant enough attuned to our environment, we will see many opportunities around us.

But I am vigilant. I’ve looked and there are no opportunities.

Then I proffer,

“The people that make it in this life look around for circumstances they want, and if they can’t find them, they create them” – George Bernard Shaw.

There are no excuses for those desiring to make their dreams a reality.

What Happens After Landing/Creating an Opportunity?

So now that you have landed an opportunity or created one, what now?

Dive in!

Take massive action.

Remember, your dreams will not work unless you do!

A Relational Tidbit on Opportunity

I mention Les Brown a lot. I often refer to him because I am engaged and engrossed in his work and message. In his book “The Greatness Within You, “ Les recounts a life-changing experience.

Les was attending a conference. At the conference, many got up to deliver their message. He relays the robust nature of the forum. However, one speaker, towards the end, bored him beyond rationality. He was tempted to leave as many of his cohorts. But, right before he made the decision, the speaker said something life-changing.

That statement changed his life. Perhaps it will change yours too.

The speaker looked out at those gathered and spoke these words,

“The reason I’m standing up here and you are seated out there is that I represent the thoughts you have rejected for yourself!’

Now that is a powerful gut punch!

Final Word on Opportunity

So, by all means, stop rejecting opportunities. Stop rationalizing; no opportunities exist. No longer mull over what is not out there. And reframe your self-talk. Tell yourself there is something out there for me; I will take massive action to find it. If I don’t see it, I am going to create it.

Why? “Because there is someone out there incredible waiting for you!” (Shawn)

You got this! I know you do.

As Les Brown says,

“You, yes you have greatness within you!”
So go out there and be great.
Tell Your Story

February 11th, 2022

Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels

Recently I asked a critical question, how H.O.T are you.?

Some may have found the recent article speculative, but there was a lot to be gleaned by the end. As people who want to succeed on our own merits and obtain long-lasting success, authenticity is essential and being Humble, Open, and Transparent is a massive part of that.

The Story Within You.

Remember, all, contain a story inside of us. Some may contain short stories. Other’s contain poems, moving odes, and sonnets. A few of us have epics or copious novels. And those stories may be dark and tragic, while others may be profound and moving.

One thing is sure we all have a story. And that story is only yours to tell. Only you’ve been through those experiences. No one’s walked in your shoes, whether they be stilettos, sandals, or steel-toed boots. They are your shoes.

Being Vulnerable is Hard (Your Story is Key)

I understand it’s hard.

Sometimes your story may seem irrelevant. Vulnerability isn’t easy. But you can do this.

A Recent Experience

This week, I sat in on a virtual seminar hosted by an exceptional professional named Shawn Quintero. On day two, he said something that was gold. He said,

“Somewhere there is someone incredible out there waiting for you to show up.”

They are waiting for you to tell your story. Your story may change their lives. It could be the one to save countless lives.

“Someone out their incredible is waiting for you to share your story!” (Quintero)

Another Perspective on Telling Your Story

Les Brown is a fantastic orator, writer, and businessman. But, more than anything, he is a tremendous person. Brown shares so many powerful things in his book that he breathes life. That is the very meaning of inspiration.

Currently, I am reading his book The Greatness Within You!

Brown is right. Every one of us has greatness within. But we must dig deep. First, we must find our story. Then we tell it.

“Becoming successful in business is about marketing, and marketing is not about making stuff. Marketing is about telling your story (Brown 22)

This is super important.

It is too important to gloss over. I am sure you want to be successful or you wouldn’t be reading this.

You want to live a life of fulfillment, or you would’ve scrolled on after the first paragraph. But you didn’t.

“See you weren’t born to work for a living, but to live your making. And living your making will make your living!” – Les Brown.

Photo by Matthew Kerslake on Unsplash

Mufasa said to Simba, “You are more than that which you have become!”

Face it; you were born to do this!

So, let’s do this. I got your back.
How H.O.T are You?

February 9th, 2022

Photo by Mohamed Nohassi on Unsplash

For some, this question may make some blush. It may cause others to wonder why; I would ask such a question.

Face it, sometimes we jump to conclusions before getting a complete understanding.

However that’s okay because we are human. We know better we should do better.

So back to the question, How H.O.T are you?

Point of Reference

I recently read a fantastic read by a charismatic man named Michael Todd. The insights in his book are so moving they jump off the page.

In his book, “Crazy Faith,” Todd talks about the importance of being H.O.T.

After explaining this concept, I am sure you will agree.

What does H.O.T Mean

H.O.T stands for Humble, Open, and Transparent.

We all have a story. That story is what gives us authenticity. This story is our truth.

Some people hide their stories out of a sense of fear.

You have to be transparent, so you no longer cast a shadow but instead let the light pass through you.” ― Kamand Kojouri.

One will find the hotter they are, the more liberated they become.

Liberation is what permits us to expand our dreams. The freedom of being authentically who we are permits us the freedom to focus on what matters.

Choosing to be H.O.T also Benefits Others

Our stories not only free us but potentially liberate others. When others can see how authentic we are, it ignites something in them.

“I show my scars so that others know they can heal.” ― Rhachelle Nicol’, Sunday Mourning

The tiniest spark, if kindled, can become a flame. The flame has the possibility of becoming an all-consuming fire setting the world ablaze with transformative power. This is the explicit significance behind the phrase be the change you hope to see the world.

How does one become H.O.T?

Becoming H.O.T requires more than telling a story. Some, when telling their stories, like to embellish. A fine thing to remember is a wound never fully heals without being exposed to the air. One becomes H.O.T by simply doing it. Don’t close yourself off. Be bold enough to tell your story. Remain humble. It can be scary at first so take it one step by step. However, those three factors are the building blocks of authenticity.

Personal Note:

When people told their story from a real place, I found that it had transformative power on me. Their message affected me to the point of change reexamination, Their willingness to be H.O.T pushed me to see things differently, and It gave me the push I needed.

Word to You!

Remember to strive to be H.O.T. Even when the world around you chooses something different, i.e., a false narrative, decide to stand on your hotness. Refuse to close yourself off, to hide; choose differently. Hotness sets the stage for unlimitable success.
Where is your heart (passion)?

February 7th, 2022
Some time ago I wrote an article on the need for self-examination. And I touched on the need to ask an important question, am I really into what I’m doing? Self-examination is a critical component of building success; no questions asked. In addition, finding your passion results from self-examination.

Direction is important.

Knowing what you want is everything. And one of the primary ways to determine what you want is to sit down and find where your heart is.

I know our hearts are encased within our bodies sustaining life.

When I speak of heart, I speak of passion. Where in lies your passion.

Deciphering what passion is

Passion is not synonymous with talent or desire.

Talent is one thing, desire is another. However passion is everything.

Talent puts you on a path gives you a direction.

Desire gives you a purpose, something to shoot for.

Desire is something you want, plain and simple. (Without desire, there is no need to commit to anything because the output will always be mediocre).

However, you will need so much more to live a fulfilled life.

If you have a desire, that’s great

Even when desirous of something, you will need a certain amount of gumption to fulfill the desire. However, that doesn’t necessarily require passion.

Fulfilling a desire does require willpower. Face it, You need to show up.

Desire sounds an awful lot like passion.

Yes, it does, but there is a distinguishable difference.

Passion, keeps you moving, long after you’ve felt you’ve exerted every drop of energy . Passion pushes beyond the drain. It’s zeal .

So, it surpasses desire.

Why?

Fundamentally, passion is a calling. Meaning it’s deeper than what you want to do; it’s a must-do.

Where does passion come from?

“Passion is something in you, not something you engage in.”-Les Brown.

So, it cannot be falsified.

There is no knock-off passion like knock-off designer purses. Either you have the real thing, or you don’t

So, if you can’t engage in passion, you can’t fake it.

Thus it is already within you! And, you must mine it.

You must get outside of yourself!

Of course, it’s essential to get outside your head!

But, first, you must understand who you are?

“You can’t read the label if you’re locked in the box! – Les Brown

So get out of the box (outside yourself). Mine to determine who you are (read the label). Then do the work to find what will make you get up in the morning!

Some questions to help you mine
- What would you do even if you didn’t get paid for it?
- Is there one thing you could go to bed late and still wake up early ready to do again.
- What will you be willing to push through the pain to do?
My Passion

I have found my thing!

Writing brings me immense enjoyment. I feel alive and driven.

Over the past two months, I have had COVID, and I have had an infection necessitating an emergency extraction. Through both, I wrote. I got up, and I wrote.

Fevered, I wrote.

Writhing in pain, I wrote.

I didn’t write because I had to.

A writer is who I am ! Unequivocally I love what I do.

David Cuschieri said, “Love what you do and do what you love. Passion is the key that opens the door to joy and abundance.”

A word for you

When you discover it lean into it wholly; that’s the ticket; it will put you on the path to fulfillment.

No one will have to push to put in the work. Instead, you will willingly leap to do what is necessary to level up daily.
The Other Voice

February 5th, 2022

Photo by Marek Piwnicki on Unsplash

Can you hear it?

A voice; a still quiet voice. Can you hear it? Or does the voice rage? Are you listening?

The voice may come on the wind. Perhaps it moves through others. No matter what, listen.

All our plans come to naught when we do not listen. Although we may plan, our steps are ordered. Failing to listen can send you wandering for years aimlessly, or it can obliterate everything.

Personal Anecdote: Denying The Voice.

I had to undergo major dental work last year. I will admit the work was extensive. The procedures only scratched the surface. I had an issue that needed attention after all the work. However, I placed the thought on the back burner.

The small voice told me not to put things off.

Through my pain it nudged. Then the voice spoke through my husband. Although I heard, I pushed the thought aside.

“Later,” I would say.

“When I was ready,” I would tell myself.

Time is duplicitous.

Photo by Camila Quintero Franco on Unsplash

Time not only heals wounds but can deepen them if not addressed.

A few days ago, the voice raged through an unbearably searing pain. Rivulets of salt-stained my face. Then and there I realized putting things off any longer would be foolish.

Importance of Acting on the Voice

Unbelievably, I was still hesitant. Can you believe that?

I was unwise enough to believe I could ward off the pain with various remedies until I was ready.

Stubbornness does not pay.!

Despite my misgivings, my fear, my hesitant spirit, I acted.

And action is the difference between me sitting here typing this story now versus sitting in a hospital bed, possibly fighting for my life.

Photo by Zachary Kadolph on Unsplash

Word of Encouragement (The Importance of Heeding the Voice).

Time for a checkup I said all that to say. Listen to the voice. It’s there. The echo, whisper, roar, the tap will never lead you wrong.

“When we quiet ourselves, You whisper “This is the way.”-Nicole Williams (Rise Up)

It is your saving grace and will lead you to fulfillment in life.

Final Words

As you can see, every day, I’m learning. I have learned a lot from the past.

“Not putting into action what you know is worse than not knowing.”

This is why my challenge is to continue to transform my mind and act on the knowledge I’m gaining.

In the words of Andrew Y oung,

“My hope for my children must be that they respond to the still, small voice of God in their own hearts.”

This is too my hope for you!

Will you join me in making better decisions?

You will not be disappointed. We can do this! Together, we are mighty. Let’s take this thing higher.