It’s taken me almost 3 months to realize how much the patterns of negativity were engrained within me.

I’ve recently realized how much I’ve been tainted by the negative mindset of corporate life.

Perhaps it was the focus of my job as a manager to find problems?

Perhaps it was the influences of the relationships within my life?

Whatever the reason … It’s like a filter that was placed over my eyes that only allowed what was wrong within the world (and other people) through.

Now … don’t get me wrong … I view myself as a fairly positive person and it’s not as if I saw everything as negative.

However … this week I feel as if I’ve become unstuck.

Instead of focusing on what is wrong … I’m now finding myself focusing on what is right within the world!

It’s like I’m now seeing the beauty within everyone and everything.

I find that I’m able to appreciate (is grateful the right word?) the little (and big) things within my life.

By starting each day from this perspective … I am now able to begin from a place of strength.

I’ve already seen benefits of this by being able to see the positive strengths within the personal and professional lives of my Clients.

I’m excited and curious to see what other insights are ahead … to continue to expand my awareness as I move forward on the journey to establish my place within the world.

Here’s the promised update regarding the reality show.

As we speak I’m currently being filmed … that’s right … being filmed for a reality TV show!

Shortly after leaving The Bank I found out about a Rogers reality TV show about the challenges faced by entrepreneurs working out of their homes.

I submitted my application and viola … I was selected to appear on the show … way cool!

The show is like Dr. Phil for entrepreneurs … the host … David Hooker … is a professional speaker and author … will be passing on his entrepreneurial expertise.

Today they are filming my family and I as we go about our day.

Later in August we will be given advice by David and his “panel of experts” on what we can do to overcome our unique challenges.

The show … a whole hour just on me … will air on Rogers television in the fall.

I’ll keep you posted and will let you know when it’s on.

I must say it’s pretty exciting … I get to promote my business and get some useful advice … a win / win in my book.

Just got back from our inaugural trip with our new tent trialer.

It was quite the adventure.

I had forgotten how much work there was when you go camping with a 7 month old!

Also … having been a tent camper for over 30 years … I need to work on changing those established routines … so that things run a little more smoother ;).

Here’s a few pics from the event.

Change … why does it cause us so much stress?

Changing our routines … changing our patterns.

Making positive changes … implementing change … changing our habits.

Changes forced upon us … can you be forced to change?

Life event changes … life passing us by?

Change happens … we adapt … we make changes … we grow.

When we adapt and grow … these changes … causes even more change to happen.

This cycle of change … put stress on our bodies and our minds … we either change or break!

Is their another choice … is there another way to view change?

What if we were able take the stress that we place upon ourselves … and place it back on the change?

Can change be stressed out?

Can we put stress on the change so that we are able to shape it the way we want?

A way that is fun, challenging and enjoyable.

A way that we feel in control yet there is enough variety to keep us challenged.

A way that we can look forward to change … and are able to reap the benefits of the world that is ever changing.

That way is within us … you know where it is … yes … it’s right there.

Because if we are not experiencing stress or change … then we are dead.

It seems a much better option to live … and I mean really live … knowing that change happens … and that we are able to … stress it and shape it … so that it serves us.

I started a new CD program today.

It’s the Anthony Robbins “Get the Edge” CD program.

I’m always impressed by the quality of Tony’s programs.

I’ve committed to complete the program in the next two weeks.

I did the “My Power Hour” program this morning … it’s basically a walking meditation program to get you focused for the day.

Even though I used the power hour … my day went south (sour) for some reason today … maybe too focused?

I believe I forgot to bring in the foolish (playfulness) part in.

I’ll make some adjustments and let you know how it goes.

At lot has happened since my last post … let’s see if I can get everyone up to speed on the status of the freefall:

1. Purchased new pop-up camping trailer … man this thing is huge! … had some problems with having the hitch installed but everything is cool now.
2. Attended the 2^nd coaching course from the Adler School of Professional Coaching which moves me that much more closer to my coaching certification.
3. Have been networking like crazy to bring awareness of my change in profession.
4. Interviewing some six-figure coaches to assist me on my journey.
5. Developing my brand as “The Geek Coach” and creating content for new website.
6. Working out on a regular basis.
7. Spending time with the family … man I can’t believe how big the little one is getting.
8. Took some photography courses to figure out this new camera (I got a new zoom lens for fathers day which is really cool).
9. Was interviewed for a new reality show that will air in the fall (more on this one later).

As you can see … things have been busy … things have been great … and it is wonderful to be free.

I’m getting more comfortable with this transition.

Not sure why I didn’t do this sooner.

The final part of my plan is to focus on myself.

That’s right … focus on myself.

Some might think this selfish but I believe it’s important.

In fact … I don’t think it’s selfish at all.

Without the right balance between family, work and self … the world will be out of balance.

Focusing on yourself means … you taking care of you … making sure that your metal, physical and spiritual self is well cared for.

It means having fun by learning new things and doing the things you’ve always wanted to do.

I plan to focus on myself by …

• Meditation – This will be done daily to reduce stress and maintain balance
• Working out and eating right – I’ve joined a health club and hired a trainer to bulk me up … look our Arnold Schwarzenegger
• Photography – I have to figure out how to use this new camera
• Golf – I’ve always pretended to play … now it’s time to really figure this game out
• Have fun! – Relax and enjoy each moment … you will get back from the world based upon what you focus on

Have fun staying focused!

The second part of my plan is to perform work that matters.

To me … work that matters begins with serving my passion.

My passion … my cause … is to help people move from the ordinary to the extraordinary.

This has led me to develop the following mission:

“To serve the personal and professional growth community”

I plan to fulfill this mission by …

a) Expanding the Focused Fool Community – Expand the services offered at www.focusedfool.com to include a marketplace (offer self-help products) and to add many additional success coaches over the next few months.

b) Write my book – Complete my own self-help book by the end of the summer. This will lay the foundation for additional projects.

c) The Geek Coach – I have begun to offer my services at a Professional Coach. Leveraging my corporate career success and technology background I will be helping Information Technology Professionals to not only survive, but thrive, within a Technology Career. This includes mentoring, training workshops and one-on-one coaching.

e) Rapid Success Coach – I have also begun to offer my services as a Hypnotherapist. Leveraging my Master NLP and Master Ericksonian Hypnosis Certification I will be helping individuals interested in achieving rapid change. I’ve already had success in this area by helping someone quite smoking in just one session as well as helping another remove allergies.

Each of these activities will allow me to earn a living AND allow me to follow my passion.

Now that is work that matters!

The first part of my plan is to focus on my family.

Without a solid home foundation … it is very difficult to succeed.

You need a base of operations that will support you through the tough times and to celebrate the successes along the way.

My plan for family is to be the best father and husband that I can be.

If there was a contest for being family man of the century … my goal is to receive this award when I die.

A few of the goals within this part of the plan are …

• Purchase a tent trailer to spend time camping this summer
• Teach my oldest daughter how to ride her bike
• Build monthly daddy and daughter days in my schedule
• Once my youngest transfers to the bottle … build date nights in our schedule

My wife likes it when I focus on house stuff … so in addition I plan to …

• Fix-up the garden / yard (our grass needs some care and feeding this year)
• Fix-up a few things around the house (why do houses leak so much?)
  
• Finish the basement (not much of a handy man so I plan to contract this out)

This area of focus also includes extended family and friends … so I plan to put monthly family and friend nights … as well as a monthly guy’s night … into the schedule.

As Pinky and The Brain would say … “Gee, Brain, what do you want to do tonight?” “The same thing we do every night, Pinky: Try to take over the world!” … stay tuned as I will be sharing my plans for world domination over the next couple of posts.