I decided to look  up the origin of #Halloween and according to History.com  it came from the Celtic Holiday of Samhain, and was used to mark the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter, and that this transition was also a bridge to the world of the dead.

For me, I prefer to look at it this way. Instead of seeing Halloween as a bridge to the world of the dead, look at it as the start of #new beginnings.  Approach the change of seasons as a time when you can #reinvent yourself, heal old wounds and move on to new and greater beginnings.  

I also think of it as a very #generous and friendly day as the best part of Halloween is when your friends, neighbors and even homes you don't know, open their doors to say Hello and offer you a piece of candy. Embrace today in a #kind, #friendly manner with excitement for new things to come into your life.  

Happy Halloween!

I started practicing mindfulness and it changed my life.  I used to meditate quietly and only shared it with someone if they mentioned it. But today, when Google and others are using it in their organizations, you know it must be worth a try.  

So what is #mindfulness? It is the quiet moment of the brain, the state of being versus doing or simply bringing awareness to the present moment. When you practice mindfulness you stop, take a #breath and think about how you react.  No longer do you worry about the past or future, but you hold what the present has in store for you.

How has it changed me?  It totally creates a sense of calm #control. It brings #clarity and #focus to what I have to accomplish. It does not make you lethargic, it actually #motivates you as you have a clearer path as to what you want to #accomplish. The benefits for both your physical and mental health far out way the time it takes to practice, 

How do you do it?  Well to be honest, you need to practice.  Similar to an exercise routine, once you start, and see the benefits you want to continue.  And yes, practice makes it easier.  I started with 3 minutes each day but then I increased it to 5, 10, 15 minutes.  The more you do, the more you want to do it. 

I can now sit, 30 minutes and meditate quietly. But there are still times that my mind wanders and that is fine.  When your mind wanders, just bring it back to the breath. It is the control of being aware that matters. 

Try it! I know you will grow to love it and appreciate the benefits.  You will learn to #communicate more effectively, listen deeply, become more #creative, #productive, #resilient, and improve your overall well being.

Let me know how you enjoy it. Or if you are struggling, tell me about it and I will offer you tips to a better and easier practice. 

We have all worked for and met great #leaders in our life.  When you think back, what made that leader stand out in your mind?  There are many qualities that great leaders possess but how it touches us individually is what we remember.  One thing for sure, great leaders lead from their #heart and #mind. It is not just text book knowledge but qualities that they draw from inside. 

Vision, great leaders have a #vision. They have a dream and are determined to follow it through. They pursue thoughts that are based on their #values and ideas that they are passionate about.  They are excited to share their vision and ideas with their team.
“The more boundless your vision, the more real you are.” ~Deepak Chopra~

Communicate, great leaders know how to share, #listen deeply and #engage with others.  They are open-minded, share their thoughts and encourage others to do equally. They have open door policies so everyone can learn from one another. There is trust within the #organization.

“When the trust account is high, communication is easy, instant, and effective.” ~Stephen R. Covey~

Connectors, true leaders #connect with people and information for their own growth as well as to help others succeed.  They are connectors of people and know that when information is shared, teams learn and grow to make the right decisions.

“Leaders lead when they take positions, when they connect with their tribes, and when they help the tribe connect to itself.” ~Seth Godin~

Creativity, great leaders love to learn and are #creative in their thought process.  They think outside the box and are not afraid to try something new. They trust that creative change allows for new fresh ideas.

“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions.” ~Albert Einstein~

 Clarity, true leaders are clear in their #direction. They know how to make a decision but are not afraid to rely on their teams to help them through the process.  They are #focused to stay the course but know when to change direction for the best outcome.

 “Decisions are not confusing; Doubt is” ~Ferreria~

Do you consider yourself a true leader? Rate yourself and don't be afraid to share. Thanks for reading.

Perhaps you are a #CEO or someone whose job has you flying more hours in a week than exists. You have definitely #qualified for thousands of miles but no time to use them. The stress, your health and a family that you forgot you have, is feeling the affects.  But you have to continue because not only do you enjoy the #challenge but it is what keeps you going. 

What if you could have all that plus find that little bit of calm, peace and space in each day to approach life in a #happier, #healthier and more #relaxed manner. Through a simple practice in mindfulness you can accomplish that. All you need is 10 minutes a day, at the start and end to feel that sense of calm. At first you may say you don't have the time, but like exercise, all it takes is a little practice. Within a month, it will become part of your routine. The beauty of #mindfulness is you can do it anywhere, anytime.  Walking to #meetings, at the office, eating, driving to the airport or any spot in your daily routine. The longer you practice, the easier it becomes and the greater the benefits.  You will face each day's challenges and #decisions with grace and calm. Let me show you how easy and #rewarding a practice can be. 
Do you have a practice and when do you find the time to do it? Leave a comment.

There are many qualities of a good Boss but the ability to share one's knowledge is a gift and quality always remembered. When the boss's ego is in check and not worried about their position others learn. Be open to collaboration, work willingly and closely and the trust and pleasure you build with your team will be remembered and respected. 

Pay Attention, On Purpose, In the Now, Without Judging. Try just for 1 minute today!

So what role does #exercise play in being more #productive at work and in life? There are numerous benefits and the reason we should include exercise into our daily routine.  

To become more productive at #work it helps to be more #focused. According to research, taking the time to concentrate on a form of exercise and sweating can actually change your thought patterns and improve brain function. With just 30 minutes of exercise, 3-4 days a week you can become more #productive and #focused on what you need to accomplish.  Plus according to the Journal of Labor Research people who exercise regularly earn 9% more. 

Besides helping you at work and keeping you focused, exercise also pays off in terms of your health. According to a Study at UCLA Health.org an exercise program can also save you #money on your health costs. The benefits of exercise are numerous:

 ·        Reduce stress 
·         Provide a remedy for depression and anxiety
·         Improve self esteem
·         Keep your bones strong
·         Reduce Cholesterol and heart problems
·         Increase your energy
·         Keep your weight in check
·         Improve sleeping patterns
·         Improve Daytime alertness

If you are struggling to get started on a routine try to envision how you want to feel and look.  Since we already know that exercise will make you look and feel happier, more #productive, provide more energy and lift your mood, why not take 30 minutes to get started. Start with an achievable goal. Try it for one day a week and gradually work up to 2 days, then add more. You will begin to notice the change and want to continue.
   
Don't forget if you can't get to the gym there are plenty of exercises you can do right in your own home, even in front of the TV.  It is simple to do. Set up a routine of push ups, sit ups, squats, lunges and planks to strengthen your core and build muscle.  Even easier than that, start with a walking routine in your neighborhood. There are many creative ways to get started. Just Start! 

Tell yourself you can do it!  It is just 30 minutes out of a full week, and the results will mean a better you.  Leave a comment and tell me when you are going to start. Thank you for reading. 

We are all leaders, we just need to tap into our innate qualities. I call those qualities the 6 C's.  We don't have to use them all the time but if we tap into them we become the true leaders we were all meant to be.  They are Compassion, Courage, Clarity, Connection, Collaboration, Creativity.  Challenge yourself today to try at least one on.  
Perhaps it is Compassion. The ability to see beyond yourself and have care, concern and humanity for others. It may only be a smile to the person in your office that you don't even know.  It is often that small gesture that seems trivial but goes a long way. When you make a difference in someone else's life you make a difference in yours.

You have thoughts of leaving your day job to follow your passion or perhaps you know someone who is?  It is a big and exciting decision as you may be in search of personal satisfaction, independence, self fulfillment, and a chance to earn what you want. But taking the leap also requires hard work and determination to continue through the good and bad times.  
Following are tips that you should consider when making the change. 

1.) Are you super passionate about an idea but also realistic in your thinking? Having the passion is important as it will be the driver when times get tough. But be sure to do your research ahead of time.  Know your competition, what does the marketplace offer and what is missing.
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world” ~Mahatma Gandhi~

 2.) Fear can set in, but do not let fear derail you from going forward. Perhaps you are feeling like you are too old to embrace the challenge. According to the SBA.gov, entrepreneurs 45+ are the fastest growing groups of new business owners. Also consider the wealth of knowledge you have to offer due to your experience.
“In order to succeed your desire for success should be greater than your failure of fear” ~Bill Crosby~

3.) Doing prep work is super important.  The more time you put in prior to starting your business, the more time you will have to concentrate on bigger issues as your business takes off.  Research, training, pre-sales, are processes that you should consider prior to quitting your full time job while you are still collecting a paycheck.
“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” ~Confucius~ 

4.) What is the problem that your business is going to solve?  Businesses are born out of providing a solution to a problem or creating an improvement to a present business.  If a similar idea already exists, that does not mean you can't charge ahead, many businesses have been born out of improving on others, ie Apple.
“If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.”~ Toni Morrison~

5.) Having the connection to a spiritual practice or meditation will be helpful to you as you need to make important decisions.  Meditation will provide clarity, greater focus and creativity in stressful times. 
“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” ~Socrates~

6.) Having a part time job as you ramp up can ease your burden and stress during the initial stages.  Meeting new people can provide research and insight as you share your concept with others. 
“The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed.”  ~CG Jung~

7.) Don't be afraid to take a break. Taking a day to rest or hours out of your day will recharge your batteries.  Networking, exercising and meeting people could be the inspiration you need to create new ideas.
“Count your age by friends, not years. Count your life by smiles not tears.” ~John Lennon”

8.) Having a coach/mentor and listening to the advice of others can help in your journey.  Hiring a coach will  keep you on track with your goals and offer you a way to look at your situation differently.
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn” ~Benjamin Franklin~

9.) Starting your own business requires hard work, determination, courage and passion.  When challenges and difficulties arise, stay strong.  Failure is often the precursor to success. 
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts ~Winston Churchill~

These tips are the inspiration and guidance that you need as you follow your passion and go on your journey.  Leave a comment and thank you for reading.

Visit Upstream Solutions, Mindful Leadership, Business and life strategies-http://www.colleencassel.com

 

“I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.” ~ Maya Angelou~

How great is this quote.  Always strive to learn as with learning comes growth. Our best leaders are constantly challenging themselves to learn.  But the really remarkable leaders, are constantly learning and TEACHING others what they learned.  Whether it is in business or in your personal life always strive to teach someone something new.