Archive for the Transformation
Last Saturday afternoon I was in Sag Harbor and I was about ready to hit the beach - my reward for a morning full of down and dirty gardening 
While I was pulling weeds, I realized something interesting:
I LOVE to remove what’s not necessary.
Let me explain…
Note: What I’m about to share next may be TMI (too much information) but that’s never stopped me before so why stop now?
Here’s the thing. I’m a passionate tweezer.
When I find a stray eyebrow or random hair coming out of some place that’s just plain WRONG (ladies…you know what I mean!) I take immense pleasure in plucking those little suckers right out.
And no, I just don’t pluck myself. Nearby friends and loved ones get the benefit of my passion to pull too. Most people will just look at that weird hair growing out of your chin and not say a word. Me? I’ll lovingly pull you aside, whip out my tweezer and have you hairless and presentable in seconds.
Weeds in my garden? Just as fun.
I love removing all unnecessary growth from around my beautiful hydrangeas. This consistent weeding allows the flowers to have all the energy, nourishment and space they need to fully blossom.
Then it hit me like a lightening bolt!
One of the reasons I’m so passionate about teaching people to live in the moment is that it’s just like tweezing and weeding…
It’s all about removing unnecessary crap!
Except rather than nose hairs or dandelions, we get to extract old thoughts, negative ideas, drama, stories, limiting beliefs, false assumptions, old patterns and other crap that gets in the way of our brilliance.
Think about it.
We all have some overgrown “weeds” in our mind that if left untended, will strangle out our dreams and kill the flowers of our aliveness. We all have some unattractive “hairs” that grow automatically, like bad habits, that embarrass us again and again.
But with a little plucking and pruning, the garden of our being can grow healthy, strong and beautiful. Take a look for yourself. What are you ready to tweeze or remove? Any projects? Relationships? Habits? Old thoughts that simply don’t work?
Now if you want a “professional plucker” like me on your team, I’d be glad to help. In fact, you’ve still got time to sign-up for my brand new “Live In the Moment Booty Camp” course. (It started last week, but it’s not too late to listen to the audio replay of the first call and get caught up before the next call, this Wednesday.)
You can find all the details here.
I’m humbled and excited by the number of people registered already. More than 150! It’s an amazing and very diverse group and I would really love YOU to join us too.
And if you know you’re going to sign-up, do it now so we can send out your invite to our “Private Social Network” that’s exclusively for Booty Camp participants. This interactive forum is a place I’ve created for all the participants to meet each other, share “Aha Moments”, ask questions and access my hand picked videos and resources. The most amazing and inspiring posts are already flying back and forth in the forums.
So if you want strengthen your “in the moment muscles” with a fabulous group of like-minded peeps and launch into an entirely new way of living, don’t delay.
Get your buns in the Live In The Moment Booty Camp today!
Just a few hours ago, I was talking with my friend who’s a very talented an accomplished costume designer. (She has over 3,000 of her designs in the Beijing Olympics and recently designed the wardrobe on a Meryl Streep film.) Needless to say, she’s quite successful. She’s also an amazing and beautiful person inside and out. But when she called me, she wasn’t feeling so amazing and successful. Why?
Long story short, an “authority figure” in her industry told her, in not so many words, that she was “not enough” yet and needs another 5 years of assistant type work before she can expect to compete in the “big leagues.” From the “authority figure” point of view, there is a set path to success in that industry and my friend had done her career all wrong. (Always fun to hear that kind of feedback from people you hold in high esteem, right?)
I had to laugh because defying “conventional wisdom” has made me successful time and time again and allows me to enjoy a magical life that most people think is impossible. You see, there IS magic in this world and success can often happen easier, faster and more directly than the rest of the world thinks. And just because someone is an “authority figure” does not mean they live in a space of magic and transformation.
So I asked my friend, “Has following conventional wisdom created success for you before?”
FRIEND: “No.”
ME: “Ok…how about your relationship with your husband? Did that happen in a traditional way…following all the rules?”
FRIEND: “No…of course not. And it’s the most amazing relationship ever!”
ME: “Right. So everything you love about your life has been produced by defying conventional wisdom and living in the space of magic, transformation and unreasonable-ness???”
FRIEND: “Yes!”
Now here’s the cool thing….
Just a few weeks ago, I was told by a mega big PR firm that I did my book launch ALL WRONG and that basically, I should pack it in and give up. I had a few tears and felt devastated for a few minutes, and then….A hot spark of Italian fire lit up inside me and I said “Oh yeah??? I should pack it in? Watch this….”
Fast forward 3 weeks…
Today I got an awesome email from my editor at McGraw-Hill saying that he is thrilled with book sales so far and we’re #7 on Amazon.com for the dating category. My book that I did “all wrong” keeps showing up on their internal “best seller” lists. My point? Do NOT listen to naysayers or people who have narrow and “reasonable” ideas of success.
There are many ways to create results and often, those results can happen much faster, easier and more effortlessly than you think. Reality is how you define it. The reality I now live in is a magical one. It may not be the most popular reality, but it works for me and many people I know and love.
If you have a dream burning in your heart, don’t give up!
Surround yourself with people who think “Why not?” rather than “that’ll never happen…” You have a dream for a reason. And that reason is to make a difference in the world. Take a look for yourself. Are you living in a “normal” way? Do you need to upgrade your reality?
If you want to come play with me, and other like-minded folks in the space of magic and possibilities, sign-up for my Live In The Moment Booty Camp coming up in July:
http://www.marieforleo.com/bc
I’ve added a new social networking component so you can connect with other folks, share Aha-moments and support each other during the journey. Of course, I’ll be with you every step of the way!
Not sure if Booty Camp is right for you? Join me for a free teleseminar, “7 Myths of Living in the Moment.”
If you still have questions, write to question@marieforleo.com and you will be PERSONALLY contacted.
Confession: I’ve got goosebumps as I write this…
Why? Because I’ve been quietly working on something that I’ve been wanting to do for a LONG time. And it’s finally ready, but before I tell you about it, I want to share a simple, healing idea.
Just this morning I was at Yoga class here in Sag Harbor and I realized something profound:
We human beings need presence and connection. Our bodies, minds and souls long to be connected to one another and connected to the deeper intelligence of life itself.
When we are truly present, something in and around us is healed and energized. It doesn’t require effort or strain. Only guidance,
attention and if you’re lucky, a loving community.
When you have those three things, life becomes sweet. Stress, worry, and “drama” naturally fall away. What’s left is your brilliance. You can interact with any situation with clarity and compassion. You also enjoy an expanded ability to create, enjoy and make a difference in the world. It’s wonderfully ordinary and profoundly extraordinary all at once!
Discovering how to live in this state of presence has truly been the most powerful thing I’ve ever learned in my life.
And now, I’d like to invite YOU to join me on this exciting adventure and bring the power of presence into your own life.
Interested? If so, learn more about what I’ve been working on here. If you’ve been itching for a fun, affordable way to work with me and launch into an entirely new way of living, here’s your chance. I’d love to have you join us!
Millions of people are learning about the benefits of living in the now. From eliminating stress to a total life transformation, it’s the key to a treasure chest of riches. The problem is it often seems impossible to implement. But like any muscle that strenthes with exercise, your ability to be present gets stronger with practice. And the result? A dramatic and rapid increase in not only your personal well-being, but your business growth too. Living in the moment helps you get the right things done faster, tap into your full business potential and connect more authentically to your clients and staff.
Here are 7 tips that will help you start flexing your “in the moment” muscle right now:
1. Do Practice
The first step to being in the moment is to notice where your attention is. If you’re thinking about anything else other than what’s you’re doing right now, stop. Take a breath. Relax your shoulders. Gently redirect your attention and fully engage with what you’re doing. This is especially important when you’re in the presence of other people. There is no greater gift to offer than your full, undivided attention. And don’t beat yourself up if being present consistently is challenging at first. The trick is to simply catch when you’ve drifted off into your thoughts and bring yourself back to be fully where you’re at.
2. Don’t Think About It
One of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to living in the moment is trying to “think” thir way into it. Unfortuantly, you can’t “think” your way into being present. It’s just something that happens when you get fully engaged in what’s hpapening around you. As Nike says, “Just do it!” HINT: The fastest way to pull yourself into the current moment is to bring enthusiasm and energy to whatever you’re doing right now.
3. Do Get Coaching and Support
Why re-invent the wheel? You’ll learn any new skill 100 times faster by getting a good teacher. The world’s top performers, athletes and business moguls wouldn’t dream of not having people to coach them and help them grow. And while working with someone personally will get the best results, learning comes in a variety of forms. Books, audio programs, and seminars are excellent support tools while friends with a shared commitment to living in the moment can aslo be a source of support and learning.
4. Don’t Be the “Enlightened” Snob
This is a biggie! When people first start to get the knack of being present, they can get snookered into a mind-generated ego trip of being an “enlightened” snob. And “enlightened” snob is someone who thinks she is better than other pople because of her new found awareness of the now. The funny part is that believing you are better than other pople is just the egoic mind sneaking in through the back door masquerading in a “spritiually conscious” dress! Don’t fall into this trap and remember that we’re all doing the very best we can.
5. Do Share It With Others
One of the best ways to master a skill set is to teach it to others. Even if it’s just one “live in the moment” strategy that’s wored for you, be generous and share what you’ve disovered. Most of us grossly underestimate the differenece we make int the world. We disocount our own expertise and assume everyone has the same knowledge that we do. So not true! What you have to say matters.Express yourself and give the gift of well-being.
6. Don’t Make It Another Belief System
Being presnt is not about adopting a new belief system. It’s about recogninzing reality and using practical tools to access a more rich and satisfying experienece of life. While there are principles that will support you in staying centered, they’re more like facts than rules. Much like being aware of gravity helps you avoid stepping off theedge of a cliff, the priniciples of living in the moment help you extricate yourself from stress, overwhelm and upset.
7. Do Have Fun
One of the easiest ways to strengthen your ability to live in the moment is to have more fun.After all, the middle worked in enlightenment is light. One of the strategies that helps me stay centered is to have a sense of humor about everything! This is especially helpful when my mind feels “justified” about getting frustrated. (i.e. Like when my computer acts wonky when I’m working on deadline.) I’ve recognized that 99% of the stress and worry I’ve put myself through is optional. Everything always works out and whether or not I enjoy the ride is up to me.
Wouldn’t it be nice to have perfect days, every day?
As it turns out, it’s not as impossible as some people might think.
Here’s the secret: each day already is perfect. The trick is to become aware of what you do, or don’t do, that gets in the way of experiencing it! In fact, I’m about to share 5 powerful ways you can start having perfect days…starting right now!
1. Surrender to what is.
Having a perfect day is directly related how well you can surrender to what is. Here’s what I mean. Whatever is, already is. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a thought, sensation, feeling or external circumstance. If your printer breaks, your flight is cancelled or you feel bloated from eating too much Chinese food - if the situation already exists in this moment, what’s the use in arguing against it? There is none. Make no mistake: surrendering to what is doesn’t mean that you won’t take action when appropriate. You’ll just skip the typical “inner fight with life” meltdown that gets in the way of your perfect days.
2. Lighten up. Really.
Do you ever notice how serious you get about life? Whether it’s relationship drama, money woes or finding a parking spot, most of us contract like a sphincter the moment life shows up a bit different than we expect. And incase you haven’t noticed, life doesn’t care how you expect it to go. Really. Life does it’s own thing. And let’s not forget, we all end up the same way: dead. Not to be morbid, but since we already know the ultimate outcome, we might as well have a good time while we’re here, right? And frankly, most people I know who have a sense of lightheartedness about life are making a much bigger difference in the world than those who are seriously trying to get through it.
3. Quit complaining.
Is the weather too warm today? Or did someone not return your email fast enough? Most of us complain so frequently and automatically, we have no awareness we’re even doing it! The problem is complaining about anything is a surefire way to un-perfect your day. One important caveat: there’s a big difference between complaining and commenting. When you complain, you victimize yourself. There’s a whiny, negative energy to your communication. When you comment, however, you state an observation in a neutral way. There is no “pity party” or energetic “dig” against another person when you offer a genuine comment.
4. Be dominated.
No, not in that kind of way, naughty girl! Simply stated: Our lives make requests of us each and every day. The phone rings. The dishwasher needs to be unloaded. Taxes must be paid. You can either resist being dominated by what your life is requesting of you OR you can enthusiastically be dominated by your life! I suggest the latter. By allowing yourself to be enthusiastically dominated by what you have to do, you actually get way more done and life begins to run very smoothly too.
5. Make wherever you are the place to be.
Isn’t it wild how often our minds disagree with where we are? No matter where we find ourselves, we think we should be somewhere else. When we’re at home, we’re thinking we should be at work. When we’re at work, we’re thinking we should be at home. What if the secret to having a perfect day is to make a simple shift so that wherever you are is always the right place to be? Because after all, you can only be where you are in any given moment of now. Why not make where you are the place to be?
By using these tips to have “perfect days,” not only will you have more well-being, but your business and bottom line will grow as well.
Photo originally uploaded by miszbabykiss
Have you ever gotten stuck being “reasonable” about life?
A few weeks ago I almost got snookered. Here’s what happened.
I was speaking to a group of entrepreneurs about productivity and well-being at a conference in Walt Disney World, Orlando Florida. I was thrilled to share the power of transformation as it relates to productivity, wealth and well-being.
Being a gal who likes to balance business and pleasure, I built fun time into the last day of my trip. Since my flight back to NYC wasn’t until 5PM, I had time for rollercoasters and Mickey before heading home.
On Sunday morning I woke up at 8:30AM and headed down to the concierge desk to find out my options.
Have you ever wondered about what it takes to change your habits?
Do you “know” what you need to do but find it difficult or near impossible to actually put those changes into practice?
Then read on because I’ve got a few simple, yet, powerful ideas to help you out…
Here’s what Jennifer from Texas writes:
“What sort of actions can a person take to change their habits? I mean, I understand that awareness is the biggest part of the solution. However, I currently do the same stuff over and over.
Even though I want to come home to fix gourmet dinners for my husband with relaxing jazz music playing over the Bose system, I am so tired when I get home. Or at least that is what I tell myself everyday.
I have all of the tools to fix these dinners, but I don’t want to put forth the effort because, in all honesty, I probably don’t want to spend the time and then have to clean up the mess.
In my perfect world, I see myself as a woman who has a good paying job (just got this a few months ago - a 50% increase that I never thought I would get) who keeps a clean house (I never make the time to clean), takes pride in her appearance (I have not been doing this for a few years) and cooks wonderful romantic dinners for 2 (I have all of the cookware and nice china, I just don’t use them).
So, you see - I have all of the tools to make this happen, but I cannot get out of my rut!
I have read your book and I love it. I even took notes and put it in my “lifestyle book.” I just need help figuring out how to implement these changes in a way that it will stick!”
Ooooh. This is SUCH a juicy question Jennifer. It’s bursting with opportunities for transformation.
And while I could write about this for days, I’ll keep it brief and give you what you need to get started!
Today is a VERY special day. Want to know why? Because it’s my BIRTHDAY. (Yay for me!!!)
But before I head out to celebrate, I wanted to share an idea with you that’s been dear to my heart lately. It’s brought me countless miracles and once you “get it”, the impact on your life will be truly priceless.
If you’ve ever wanted to live a bigger, fuller, more expansive life - but feel stuck by time or money, read on…
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Have you ever wanted something for yourself but said no because of time or money? Do you ever look at an opportunity, get really excited, but then get caught in your thoughts and listen to all the “reasonable” reasons why you can’t go for it?
I remember a time in my life when I let the apparent lack of money and time dictate how I lived. I remember hearing the instant “I can’t
afford that…” or “I won’t be able to pull that off…” thought, believe it to be true and then live my life in a state of lack and contraction.
Thankfully, I discovered a whole other possibility. I found that the lack of time, money and even expertise is only a temporary illusion. An easily resolvable situation that only requires one “secret ingredient.” And this “secret ingredient” has nothing to do with your education, wealth or experience.
In fact, you already have this “secret ingredient” , you just may not be aware of how to access it. Now before I reveal what it is and how YOU can start using it today, I want to tell you a short story about how I stumbled upon the “secret ingredient” for myself.
Continue reading ‘The “Secret Ingredient” To Getting What You Want’
Do you ever wonder if you’re doing your life right?
(Or running your business right?)
(Or running your relationship right?)
Have you ever scratched your head in self-doubt wondering if you should take a different path? Or second-guess your choices? Regret actions taken or words spoken? If you answered yes, you’re not alone.
In fact, to doubt oneself is to be human.
But what if self-doubt was completely unnecessary “thought habit” like worry or stress? What if you are doing exactly what you’re supposed to be doing in any given moment of now?
What if your universe is taking care of you, but you just can’t see the whole picture yet?
Let me explain…
Don’t you just love seeing other people win? (If not, this may not be the best blog for you!) I heard so much amazing feedback from how much you guys LOVED reading other women’s stories last week. And funny enough, a few more came in that I feel compelled to share.
Here’s why I love seeing other people win. None of us are special (and paradoxically, we all are). Each of us is fully capable of living a magnificient life. We are sooo much more capabable then we give ourselves credit for.
And seeing other women quit settling for mediocrity and start kicking ass in life makes me smile.
It also inspires me beyond belief. I’m comitted to excellence and sharing everything I can to support others to have the same.
So without further adue, learn about Michelle who used one of my DVDs to lose over 30 lbs, Linda who is seeing magic in every area of her life, and Mara who has used MEMWY to help her find the relationship of her dreams.
Enjoy the inspiration and THANK YOU once again to all of you who send in your succes stories. Keepm’ coming!
Michelle’s Amazing Weight Loss Transformation
“THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
I would just like to take a moment to thank you for one of your workout dvds. About 6 months ago I started using The Wedding Workout DVD by Women’s Health. I am already married but this sounded like fun. I thought if it works for brides it will work for me. And how is the video going to know I am not getting married?
Anyways, I am 27 years old, 5′ 4″ and originally weighed 175 and was a size 14. I realized it was time when my size 12 pants were splitting at the seams. I was like OH NO WHAT HAVE I DONE TO MYSELF I AM ONLY 27 I LET MYSELF GET FAT!
