THE AMAZING RACE

Do you find that your life seems to be a frantic race that you never win? Are you always trying to catch up with your own expectations?

There are many who have come to believe that they are not living a full life if they are not exhausted. Some seem to wear their weariness as a badge of honor, making sure to tell others how many hours they have worked, how little sleep they have been awarded and how there does not seem to be an end in sight.

To what do you equate value? Have you come to believe that the "nose to the grindstone" life is the only one that will result in the life that you desire? Often we become imprisoned by our own beliefs, without bothering to check the assumptions behind them.

Today, I invite you to consider this possible truth: life happens through me (notice I did not say by me). Keep your eye on your goals/objectives and allow the rest to unfold without feeling that you must force the unfolding. Take some time today (in the midst of your responsibilities) to simply enjoy the day. Notice the little things that so easily escape your attention (the blooming flowers, the color of the sky, the color of socks that your co-worker is wearing, etc). Allow your self to remain connected to the power within that is your source (however you choose to refer to it).

success or sabotage? you choose the path to your success. it can either be smooth or bumpy. if you find that you are defending your limitations, you are limiting your success.

is this going to be an incredible day? will you allow it to be?

" ... grownups see more in and behind a clock than any clock can justify."--Gunther Grass

Mark Ward
nu*design LLC

BE IT

So often we wait for conditions to change before we transform ourselves to the level that we desire. This is a common form of self-sabotage. Be that which you desire to be and to receive RIGHT NOW and the conditions will follow. It seems counter intuitive to the way that we have been taught to think, but it is the only way to guarantee the results that we desire.

If you wish to be rich, be rich in your actions--living as if you have already achieved your goal. If you wish to be loved, be loving and extend your self to others. If you wish to be confident, be bold in your execution. Allow the very nature that you desire to be born within you by opening the door with effective action.

Who do you want to be? Choose one value or characteristic and make it your purpose to be the personification of that quality in all that you think, say and do today. You will be astounded by the results.

success or sabotage? you have all of that you need to succeed at this moment.

is this going to be an incredible day? make this day incredible for another and watch it transform before your eyes.

"Kindness can become its own motive. We are made kind by being kind."--Eric Hoffer

Mark Ward
nu*design LLC

THE ACT OF PEACE

Peace is not a thought, it is an action. If you are waiting until the time is "right" before acting, you are part of the problem rather than the solution. Commit to taking some steps today, even if they seem small, to engaging others.

Surrender your judgment in an attempt to know true intimacy. Attempt to find a source of connection that will remind you that we are more alike than we are different. Free your self from the voice of judgment that argues that you are ok and that others are "misguided, ignorant or unaware." As you walk in the world today, notice something positive about each person (even those that pass on the street). In your heart, bless each soul that passes, knowing that their challenges and victories are the same. Attempt to connect with others by listening rather than talking. Allow your voice to be an instrument of support, rather than one that needs to advise, assist or chastise. In essence, just "be."

success or sabotage? if you feed the success of others, you will create greater success for your self and for the entire planet.

is this going to be an incredible day? find the joy in others and be willing to expand your possibilities.

"If you were all alone in the universe with no one to talk to, no one with which to share the beauty of the stars, to laugh with, to touch, what would be your purpose in life? It is other life, it is love, which gives your life meaning. This is harmony. We must discover the joy of each other, the joy of challenge, the joy of growth."--Mitsugi Saotome

Mark Ward
nu*design LLC

POO-on-the-SHOE

You are walking down the street on a beautiful spring day. Without warning, you find that you have stepped into some dog-doo. Now you have poop on your new Kenneth Cole's! In this situation, one might declare the injustice of dog owners who do not clean up after their pets. One might also share the pain of the experience, encouraging everyone to look at and smell the shoes. Attempts at vindication, however, are not proactive. It may serve your sense of righteous indignation, but it will do nothing to assist you in getting where you would like to be (unless your goal is to remain a victim). Instead, why not clean up or change your shoes? Take a moment to look at what you might have done to have been more effective (such as watching where you step!).

If you are not happy with where you are at this moment, do not stay entrenched in the misery of your circumstances. You did not arrive here by accident. Your thoughts, words, and actions (your choices) brought you here. On some level, you received what you intended (even if that intention was unconscious, you are living one!). You can either utilize this opportunity for judgment and self-criticism or you can allow it to better inform you for today and the days to come. What are three things that you can do TODAY to create a more effective life for your self? Even a small step of clarity is a step in an effective direction.

success or sabotage? success requires one to find the opportunity in all circumstances.

is this going to be an incredible day? what opportunities does this day hold for greater joy and satisfaction?

"Do not look where you fell, but where you slipped." - African proverb

Mark Ward
nu*design LLC

NUTURING SUCCESS

Getting out of bed was a challenge. I have not slept particularly well for the past few nights and have been unable to catch up on some much needed rest. I went through the necessary motions of preparing myself for the day, dreading the necessity of leaving the comforts of my apartment. As I was waiting for the bus, I ran into a guy that I have run into several times before. He has been experiencing some very difficult challenges over the past couple of years and always seems to question whether he will make it successfully into the next day. As we boarded the bus, I listened as he shared the latest chapters of his story.

There was a "dark timber" in his voice as he shared recent heartaches, the ending of a love relationship and returning to some old addictions. The misery in his heart was palpable. One could easily sense the desire for a little love and encouragement. In our conversation, I was able to gently remind him (through the reflection of his words) of where he was when we first spoke, how much he has achieved in a short period of time and how it seemed that the path (though challenging) seemed to be clearing the way for even greater things. We were able to shift the view of his recent challenges from pain and punishment to incredible opportunities (without diminishing the difficult nature of the choices necessary to sustain a positive outlook).

By the time, we reached our destination, he was smiling and laughing. He expressed some hope for where things were going. The presence of this man made my day worthwhile. Even if the smile that was elicited was only momentary, it was a step in the right direction and I was able to witness it! In a matter of minutes, my day was transformed to one of meaning and possibility, simply because I extended myself to another.

success or sabotage? today, i invite you to create success by making others more successful. meet people where they are and allow them to be true--absent of judgment or necessity.

is this going to be an incredible day? for me, the world is truly my oyster. how about you?

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."--Winston Churchill

Mark Ward
nu*design LLC

ANALYSIS PARALYSIS

The analytical mind often serves as our evidence and reasoning for not moving effectively forward. It can be a cleverly veiled form of self-sabotage for those who consider themselves to be "thinkers."

Research and preparation can be helpful tools--make no mistake! When you ultimately bet on assumptions, however, why is the immediate inclination to invest in the negative outcome? The world's greatest achievers have been (and always will be) risk-takers. They walk in faith with a knowing that supersedes any tribal logic or statistical analysis. They do not rely on the "good opinion" of other people.

As you begin a new day, think in terms of how you may be holding your self back. What is it that you are NOT doing because of fear, uncertainty or the need to do more research? What is the worst thing that could happen if you began to move aggressively forward?

success or sabotage? every choice is aligned with one or the other. be clear of your choices and decide what best serves you at this moment.

is this going to be an incredible day? do not wait for the day to decide--get out there and make it so!

"Beware of creating paralysis by analysis." - Edwin and Sally Kiester

Mark Ward
nu*design LLC

LOSE IT TO WIN IT

A brilliant mind does not necessarily equate to great success. If you wish to grow and succeed, you must be willing to miserably lose the dignity of your ego. The only real test of your theory is action and results. Do not continue to fool your self into believing that you must continue to ponder, analyze and research. If you want to live large, you have to invest large. Be willing to put all that you are on the line. It may be frightening, but (no matter what the outcome) the rewards are infinite.

What is the action that you are NOT taking? Something flashed into your mind just then. Take that objective and translate it into effective action. What are three steps you will take to bring this goal to fruition? Take the first step today (yes, today!). If you are not willing to risk it today, what makes you think tomorrow will be any different?

success or sabotage? we all have what it takes to succeed if we will simply act.

is this going to be an incredible day? think of how fulfilled you will feel at the end of this day if you have stretched beyond your usual comforts.


"An ounce of action is worth a ton of theory."--Fredrich Engels

Mark Ward
nu*design LLC