Invincible Monday – Heart of a Champ

Posted on October 6, 2014 by MarleneMB

My fellow Toastmaster, Lyle, is someone with whom I enjoy speaking. At 86 years old, Lyle has experienced so much in life. He was his high school quarterback on the football team, he was a race car driver and travel all over the world. He is a true Champ. His stories are always fun and fascinating.

One day last week, Lyle told me he had some advice for me. He said: “Kiddo, I’m worried about you. I see you doing so much, maybe too much. You have the Heart of a Champ and people know this about you. When you do anything you go all the way with it. You hardly say no. This will draw others to you. But Champs are often taken advantage of. I don’t want that for you. Don’t become a floor mat. Stay a Champ. Slow down and rest.”

This wasn’t the first advice Lyle has shared with me. But it is one to which I’m paying attention. I’m working to implement this. Lyle advice is not only for me, it is for all of you also. As you push to live your Diamond Life, Your Life of Purpose, folks may want to add other tasks to your list. Don’t take them on if they don’t fulfill your purpose. They are just distractions. Remember that even Champs need rest. Take time to refuel and refresh as you work towards living your purposeful life.

Keep your Heart of a Champ strong on Invincible Monday!

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Invincible Monday – Defeat the Enemy Within

Posted on September 29, 2014 by MarleneMB

“There are no contests in the Art of Peace. A true warrior is invincible because he or she contests with nothing. Defeat means to defeat the mind of contention that we harbor within.” ~ Morihei Ueshiba

The enemy within is far stronger than the one without. We are the ones that sometimes get in our own way. Our self-doubts, fears, self-hatred or beliefs that we are not worthy, hold us back. This may be exhibited by self-destructive behaviors such as persistently being late to work, instigating conflict to destroy our relationships, or procrastinating on implementing the plans for our dreams.

Recognizing and acknowledging these behaviors are the first steps in defeating the enemy within. Practice the discipling of loving ourselves, setting goals and seeing them through one at a time. These are more steps we can take to quite the internal war inside of us. I like to set 21-day challenges for myself in eradicating a bad habits by replacing them with good ones. At the end of the 21 days, I feel more invincible.

Find the self-discipline habit that will help you defeat your enemy within. This is a great day to start. Live Your Diamond Life on Invincible Monday and find your Purpose!

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Invincible Monday – Overwhelmed? Delegate.

Posted on September 22, 2014 by MarleneMB

Are you feeling overwhelmed as though there is not enough time to get it all done? Stop to see what you may be doing or not doing to leave you feeling this way. The times that I have felt overwhelmed were ones when I may be trying to do everything myself.

The “If you want it done right, do it yourself” mantra may leave you trying to do too many things at once. Or it may put you in an area that you are not your strongest . Throughout my years as a manger or project leader, I learned that one must learn to delegate some of the workload to others, especially in the areas where you are the weakest. You cannot be the expert in everything.

Find someone who is strong in that field that you have little knowledge or passion for it. Share detailed information of what is required to accomplish the task with him or her. Give timelines of when you need it. Agree upon when you will share key milestones until the project is completed. This will free you up to do what you do best. John Maxwell, the international author and speaker, often states that we do our best when we stay in the area where we are the strongest.

Let go of feeling overwhelmed. Release some of the control to others. The team approach can relieve some of the burden you carry. This is a great way to become more invincible. Learn to delegate.

Now go out an have an Invincible Monday! Live a Diamond Life. Live a Life of Purpose!

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Invincible Monday – Keep Pedaling

Posted on September 8, 2014 by MarleneMB

One of my favorite pastimes and form of exercises is riding my bicycle. Since learning to ride a bike as a child, I’ve enjoyed the sport immensely. I bought an aluminum, 21-speed, men’s mountain bike for my birthday, some years ago. I like men’s bike because that is what I first learn to ride. I chose the aluminum bike due to the lightweight…I can pick it up with one hand. It also has front shocks to absorb going over rough roads (not much of that in the city area…but you never know).

There were many mornings that I would jump on the bike and ride. It gave me a feeling of freedom and exhilaration. When I moved to South Florida, I rode it less and less due to my fear of the traffic. Let’s face it, if you live in South Florida, you know people drive crazy around here. One would often hear of a biker being hit by an automobile. The bike sat for a few years not begin touched…parked on the balcony.

Recently, I made up my mind that I’m going to get on the bike and face my fear. I bought a helmet to give me a sense of security. Putting the bike on the elevator, excitement bundled with nerves ran around my gut. I pushed the door open to the parking lot, got on the bike and road off into the street. Keeping to the more residential part of the city, I road along feeling the freedom I love returning. The breeze felt great on my face as my legs kept on pedaling around the neighborhood. The more I kept on pedaling, the more the fears subsided. The chains of my fear broke, replaced by a feeling of accomplishment and self-confidence.

Then I thought about all the other fears that I allowed to keep me from accomplishing more goals. Goals that align with my achieving my life’s purpose. Now, I’m committing to facing these fears and riding them out of my mind. I’m going to keep on pedaling towards those goal lines. Won’t you come riding with me…Keep Pedaling those fears away, my friends!!!

Get your autographed copy of Live a Diamond Life, Live a Life of Purpose: Diamond Cutters at “A Day with the Authors Event” Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014 (10:00 a.m. – 5 p.m.) at the African American Research Library and Cultural Center.

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Invincible Monday – Let ‘Em Hear You Roar

Posted on August 11, 2014 by MarleneMB

This past Saturday, Jillian one of my fellow Toastmaster at Gelfand, delivered a speech about Artemisia Gentileschi, the painter. Artemisia was a 17th century painter that one may say broke the glass ceiling of her day in the art arena. Women were not allowed in the circle of male Italian Baroque painters. Artemisia was fortunate that her father, Orazio, also a painter, encouraged her to paint. Her paintings are admired today all around the world.

Like women of Artemisia’s time, many people are still blocked from certain circles or jobs because of gender, race, sexual orientation, etc today. I recall that in the 1990’s I went for a job interview for a technical consultant position. The interviewer point blank told me that he had never interviewed a woman for position before. He made no attempt to disguise his belief that a woman did not have the knowledge or experience to perform the job. Needless to say, I didn’t get the job. A few months later his entire department was released due to downsizing.

I didn’t let this person’s opinion stop me from pursuing the position of technical consultant. I not only got the position in a different department, but I also go promoted later as the sales engineer manager. Don’t let others tell you what you cannot do or that your dreams cannot be achieved. Push forward and let ‘em hear you “Roar” as Katy Perry sings in her song!

Live a Diamond Life! Live a Life of Purpose!

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