YOU ARE A PERFECT INNOVATOR PART 1

You Are A Perfect Innovator - Part 1

YOU ARE A PERFECT INNOVATOR PART 2

 

You Are A Perfect Innovator - Part 2

Getting Beyond The Comfort Zone

 

 My Comfort Zone

I’d like to start off by saying that we wouldn’t even be having this conversation today if my father had stayed in his Comfort Zone. We were from a small farming community in Central Iowa, my parents were 4th generation descendants the pioneering families that settled in that part of the state. I mean we were Iowans in the truest sense of the word. But when my dad turned 50, he got the itch to travel. He would subscribe to these Real Estate magazines and in the winter time he’d sit in his recliner on Sundays and dream of what it would be like to live someplace else. Each summer we'd take vacations and visit some of those places he dreamed of.

And in 1964 he did it. He sold the house he’d built with his own hands,  hooked a trailer to the back of a 1956 Chevy, loaded that up and a station wagon that my mom drove. And my dog Sandy and I jumped in and we took off for Florida. And we really left our Comfort Zone!

As exciting as it was to move from the Tall Corn State to the Action Center of Florida, transferring to a middle school that had twice as many students as our town had people back in Iowa was a little unnerving! I had never seen so many human beings in one place at one time in my whole life! Talk about butterflies in my stomach. And the school was huge! I remember getting lost the very first day trying to find my homeroom and for several days trying to find all my classes. And trying to find the right bus on the way home - Whoa! And then there was the bully on the bus. And that was just the beginning of the school year!

I knew I would have to learn to soar like an eagle

Wilbur Wright said -“A bird doesn’t soar in a calm”. And I found in this situation I would have to learn to soar like an eagle or, stay defeated on the ground like a sparrow.

Haven’t you found in your experience that it’s when you’re battling against and overcoming obstacles that you have your greatest growth?   And, growth is good right?  So struggle, confusion, pain, discomfort, fear - these are all signs that we are growing aren’t they? And so they’re good signs. And in order to grow what do you think should we avoid struggles or embrace them?

In fact, if we want to grow quickly, we should actively seek them out. Get uncomfortable on a regular basis!  Sounds strange doesn’t it, but it’s exactly what we need to do.

So how did I do the first year in my new school in Florida? Well I did learn to stand up to the bully on the bus. I also learned to make new friends who helped me find all my classes. And thankfully I had teaches who kept me fully engaged in my studies.

But you see when my dad packed up and took us to Florida, he did more than change our address, he changed the way we thought about everything from that day forward. So my first year in this humongous school turned out to be my best school year ever! I believe it’s because Dad modeled to me what it looked like to step outside my Comfort Zone, face my fears, stretch and grow beyond my limitations. 

Some questions to ask yourself to help you move outside your Comfort Zone

• What is my next step to grow myself personally and/or professionally?
• What is keeping me from taking this step right now? Put a name on your terror barrier.
• Specifically how will taking this next step move me closer to reaching my goals?
• What does taking that step and succeeding look like? Imagine moving forward to victory.
• What does failure look like if I take this step? How will I recover from that?
• What is the cost to my personal/professional aspirations of you not taking this step ?
• Can I afford to stay in my Comfort Zone?

To stay connected to you Creative Power remember...

The Comfort Zone Is The Biggest Dream Killer Of Modern Day Life

• To stay connected to us visit us on Facebook at : Dave Daggett LLC 
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HOW COMFORTABLE IS THE COMFORT ZONE?

 One Step Beyond My Comfort Zone

Did you take swimming lessons when you were a kid? Me too. Your town might have had a municipal or community pool. I practically lived at the pool every summer, taking lessons every morning, back at the pool every afternoon swimming with my friends for a few hours then head to the snack shop to order a frozen Snickers candy bar and gnaw on that all the way home. And, that was my routine every day, of every summer.

Then when I was around 10 years old I had a new awareness of something for the first time. It stood above the deep end of the pool, it was ominous…it was 10 feet tall, it was, The High Dive! As I watched bigger kids jump off, I was fascinated with the idea of trying it myself. But, there was no trying it. If you climb the ladder - you jump! You see the ladder was packed with kids waiting their turn. If you got to the top and got scared, they’re not letting you back down.

About then I started spending more time in the deep end of the pool watching kids, jump, dive, flip and cannonball from 10 feet in the air. So I would get out of the pool and hang around the end of the line of kids waiting to go up. And I'd ask, “What’s it like anyway?” Everyone said the same thing, “It’s awesome…you gotta do it! Then invariably someone would come behind me thinking I’m at the end of the line. So, I’d say, yeah…we’re just talking. And, I would slip back into the pool, nice and warm, nice and safe, back into my comfort zone.

But every day I found myself inching closer to the ladder. You see I really wanted to be one of that elite group of people who could fly ten feet through the air splashing into the water below, but, I was afraid. It was Jack Canfield who said...

Everything you want is on the other side of fear.

I soon discovered that what I wanted was not at the end of the line waiting to climb the ladder. When I got to the top, it wasn’t there either. See at that moment everything I wanted was just one step beyond the end of the High Dive! The one step I couldn’t take.

Just then the Life Guard saw my predicament. So he hollered, “I’m going to count down from ten, when I say one, you jump!  I nodded. He shouted 10! 9! 8! (Then everyone on the high dive yelled with him) 7! 6! 5! (Then everyone in the POOL stopped what they were doing, looked up at me and joined in) 4! 3! 2! 1 - jump!

I took one step, dropped 10 feet through the air and overcame what was at that time the greatest fear in my life! From that day forward I had a new routine, a new comfort zone. Every day of every summer I went to the pool with a new purpose, to jump off the High Dive!

When was the last time you faced a fearful or uncomfortable situation and found it was easier to not take the step that would very possibly move you in the direction of your dreams and life's goals? Truly everything you want is on the other side of fear. Wouldn't you say?

It's time to get comfortable being uncomfortable!

Your spirit is never content with the status quo. You have an inner energy just waiting to be consumed upon a worthy goal. A goal that' worthy of you. It's your purpose to find that goal and reach for it, exert the energy and make every step count. Especially the one step that will take you outside and away from your comfort zone.

Empowerment Mentoring: HOW DO DREAMS COME TO LIFE, LINGER AWHILE THEN DIE...

Empowerment Mentoring: HOW DO DREAMS COME TO LIFE, LINGER AWHILE THEN DIE...: By Bain News Service, publisher [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons A Powerful Story of Dreams Dreamed and Lost Recently Ivett...

HOW DO DREAMS COME TO LIFE, LINGER AWHILE THEN DIE?

By Bain News Service, publisher [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

A Powerful Story of Dreams Dreamed and Lost

Recently Ivette and I went to see the movie Florence Foster Jenkins. What a powerful story of youthful dreams dreamed and lost. One of the most intriguing artists of the 20th century, according to Wikipedia:  "Florence Foster Jenkins, born Nascina Florence Foster (July 19, 1868 – November 26, 1944), was an American socialite and amateur soprano who was known and mocked for her flamboyant performance costumes and notably poor singing ability."  

"They say Cole Porter had to bang his cane into his foot in order not to laugh out loud when she sang. She was that bad." Nevertheless, Porter rarely missed a recital." [17] What could possibly cause a noted composer and songwriter like Porter to rarely miss one of Jenkins recitals? I believe it's the power of a dream that refuses to die. Though most who listened and laughed at her performances never really knew the details of her background, the fact remains, At the age of 76, Jenkins yielded to public demand, and booked Carnegie Hall. Tickets for the event sold out weeks in advance while an estimated 2,000 people were turned away at the door.^[17]

Like Florence, everyone of us is created with a purpose, As my friend Roddy Galbraith says, "'There is an internal version of yourself, fully equipped with unique gifts talents and passions. This true version of yourself can either be suppressed, starved and ignored  or nurtured and given the freedom to grow. The choice is yours." Roddy goes on to say, "Your gift is that divine spark that you were born with. It is that certain something that you were created to live out and be. Your gift is connected to your purpose, your passion and ultimately your ability to live a fulfilled life. It is all wrapped up in your big 'why'."

"Florence said she first became aware of her lifelong passion for public performance when she was seven years old". A talented pianist, she performed in her youth as “Little Miss Foster”,^[8] and gave a recital at the White House during the administration of President Rutherford B. Hayes.^[5] I won't ruin the story for you in case you decide to see the movie, it's currently playing in theaters. But I believe we can all identify, even if only partially, with Florence's Creative Process. It's a powerful story of how youthful dreams come to life, linger awhile and die. But Florence refused to let her dream die! Only when you understand her unique story can you begin to appreciate her courage. The courage to do the seemingly impossible and in her case, totally incredible! Really. I mean how many performers have booked Carnegie Hall, filled it and turned 2,000 people away at the door?

I think something supernatural happens when we embrace our dreams and refuse to let them die. 

No matter how ill-equipped we deem ourselves or how inexperienced we are, none of us is good when we first attempt to live our dreams. And of course this adds fuel to the fires of self-judgment and eventually giving up on our dreams. Les Brown says, “The graveyard is the richest place on earth, because it is here that you will find all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled, the books that were never written, the songs that were never sung, the inventions that were never shared, the cures that were never discovered, all because someone was too afraid to take that first step, keep with the problem, or determined to carry our their dream.”
 
They say that when it comes to public performances, "No one pays for average".  For certain Florence wasn't average, she was bad! And the irony of her story is that she never got good. But why were her audiences so willing to pay for bad! How does this happen? Were people actually paying for an evening of comedy entertainment instead of, as she billed herself, coloratura soprano (elaborate ornamentation of a vocal melody, especially in operatic singing by a soprano)? And what if this was an elaborate prank on the part of the audience, is it possible that something else was happening here? Were Florence's dreams, desires and drives actually God given? To appreciate this, you'll have to read Wikipedia's article at: Florence Foster Jenkins  to see what obstacles she had to overcome to see her life-long desire realized. Like audiences everywhere, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised!

I think something supernatural happens when we embrace our dreams and refuse to let them die. Someone has said, "The whole universe is friendly to us and conspires only to give the best to those who dream and work." Actually I believe you can take the words The whole universe and replace them with God, the creator of the whole universe. Proverbs 16:3 says, "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." 

When setting out to live your dream - Expect God to do the Unexpected!

Stay Connected to Your Creative Power!

The whole universe is friendly to us and conspires only to give the best to those who dream and work.
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/apjabdu179896.html

The whole universe is friendly to us and conspires only to give the best to those who dream and work.
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/apjabdu179896.html

The whole universe is friendly to us and conspires only to give the best to those who dream and work.
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/apjabdu179896.html

Purpose Vision & Goals - Part 1

Purpose, Vision and Goal setting is not just about getting results, but more about creating what we really want in our lives. This is a very important distinction to make, because for many years in my life, I looked at myself as a failure, when it came to being a goal achiever…..

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Purpose Vision & Goals- Part 2

Your Creative Power is that internal fire which drives your enthusiasm, desires and interests, in life!


There’s something to be said for small gains. Small gains in which…if you are improving even 2% over time you will reach your goal. Have you ever felt like you're taking 2 steps forward and 3 steps back? You're probably on a path to a 2% improvement. Which means over time you’re on a path to a new destination.

Join us on this podcast - enjoy!

MISSING MY TURN

                                               

Ever Make a Wrong Turn?  

When we lived in the Philippines we often traveled with a van load of young people in tow. Those were fun times for all of us. One thing that added to the entertainment was my driving. I became known as the guy that would be talking away and miss almost every turn. Of course, our young people had a lot of fun with this.

If I happened to be talking as fast as I was driving at the time, the kids would watch and wait to see if I would miss the next turn. “Oops, oops...lampas na!” (you just passed it) they would shout as I drove by my turn. “Did I just miss that turn?” I'd say, “I can't believe you would let me drive right past that! Oh my gosh!" Fun times - lots of laughter!

My driving antics became famous, especially among the Deaf. On one trip Ivette was riding in the back with the Deaf young people. Adrian, one of our riders, could see I was nearing a turn I needed to make. He signed to Ivette and the others, Watch Dave, he's talking...he's going to miss this turn.”All eyes on Dave and...sure enough, I missed my turn. Lots of squeals and laughter while tapping me on the shoulder..."Pass, pass, they'd sign, some pointing back to the road I should have turned on. And the good thing is I could always find some way to get turned around and head back in the right direction.

It's good to have people we can travel through life together with isn't it? 

The camaraderie, the sharing, the feeling of taking the journey together...especially when it's understood no one's left behind. I've found the trip is just more fun with friends, especially when I've given them the freedom to speak truth into my life. There's a different feel, a different relationship with folks whom we've empowered to help us improve our life's experiences. 

And we travel safer. On our trips with the young people we had plenty of fun together, but there were times I really needed several sets of eyes to guide me through some tight spots while driving across a narrow bridge without side rails on a mountain road, as well as other difficult places. From the picture above you can see we had riders of all ages. Everyone knew I highly valued their presence as well as their opinions. And not just on road trips. You see Ivette and I were visitors in their country. They had valuable insights into Filipino culture and customs that helped us many times in knowing how to handle a delicate situation or a problem person. Thank you everybody!

It's the same way living here in Orlando. I have people who are taking the journey with me. Mentors and coaches, truth speakers and friends. But it's because I've given them permission to be my eyes and ears in a tight spot. First of all I've looked for and tried to develop close enough friendships and built relational bridges of trust between us, trust that goes both ways. I know that I can ask for their help. And they know I would do the same for them.

Who are your traveling companions? 

Can you name at least 5 people whom you feel you could trust to listen and give you their unbiased opinion when discussing your tight spots? Not that their advice is the final word on the subject. But people who are willing to be resources for ideas and opinions that you would consider viable as you work through difficult situations. Your trusted advisors might be in different areas of your life, different ages, and at different times. 

Life is too short and too precious to go it alone.

• Your life is surrounded by people 
• Why not consider bringing some of them into your circle of trust. 
• First, test their trust in small ways. 
• See if they can keep a confidence in an area that wouldn't decimate your reputation if they didn't work out.
• At the same time see if you pass their trust test.

If you happen to take a wrong turn, make some, not so good decisions, that's when trusted friends will really help you. It's been said, "A friend is someone who knows your past yet still believes in your future."

And sometimes we just need people with fresh eyes, opinions and ideas whose very presence inspires us to be more than we think we can be. People who love and believe in us. Take someone along, you might just find life's journey is more fun!

Stay Connected To Your Creative Power 

HOW TO NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAM

How To Never Give Up On Your Dream

Do you remember your first bicycle? Mine was a hand-me-down with 24” tires and I think I was was all of 6 or 7 years old trying to get on that thing. And of course I was on the ground more than I was on the bike. But every time I tried and failed I would think of ways to get back up and stay. I tried everything. I tried starting with the kickstand down, (that’s good for a couple of skinned knees) I even tried jumping on from a lawn chair, (crash) finally I asked for help and a friend said, “Why don’t you start with the left pedal straight up, stand on it as you push forward with your other foot then swing your leg up over the seat? And it worked. Well kind of. Sometimes instead of going forward the pedal went backward and of course that’s the break, right?

But you know eventually I got the hang of it. I got on and stayed on so many times…that riding a bicycle just became second nature to me. And I guess we all know you can’t unlearn to ride a bicycle can you? Once you learn it - you’ve learned it for life! And it’s the same way with anything new we have to learn.  So if we were to distill this concept down to a simple sentence or two, it might look something like this.

In learning new skills, Stay with it until you get it. Don’t quit. Learn it and you’ve learned it for life!

So there are two thoughts here. 

First, make the shift from looking at goal setting and achieving as something you cannot do, or you’re a failure at doing, and begin to see this as a natural process of Creating - Visualizing and Holding your image until your goal is realized. And know this - you were born for this. You came into the world pre-programmed, as a perfect creator and manifestor.

Second, is, when you make this shift in your perception, it’s important that you begin to detach yourself from the outcome, separating your perceived value…from your result. You are not your result. You’re the creator of your result. And, that, my friend, put’s You in the driver’s seat.

You see once you detach yourself from the outcome, you will connect with your Creative Power (Your desire, drive and enthusiasm) in ways you’ve never even imagined! First of all you’ll feel 1000% more confident, 1000 times happier, 1000 times freer, AND you will create and manifest your results 1000 times faster.

Try this. Think of ways you may have connected yourself to your results in the past.

• I guess I would have seen myself as some kind of superhero if I could have gotten up on that big bicycle the very first time. But at what price? 
• If I could have bypassed the Creative Process I wouldn't have a story to tell, nor understand the value of winning - moving from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm!

Questions that might be helpful to ask yourself. 
What personal goals am I having difficulty achieving in my:

• Finances
• Health
• Relationships
• Career
• Other

Think of a time you failed to reach your goal.

• Next ask yourself, did I bail on my goal and consider myself a failure or did I see that as a time for reflection and self-evaluation? 
• Because that will make a vast difference in the way you see this whole process.

During my down time, how hard was it for me to hold the image of my goal?

• If it seemed very challenging, know this, it’s difficult for everyone at first.
• Holding the image of your goal after a perceived failure is a skill to be learned.  
• If your image persists even in the face great difficulty, that's pretty good evidence that your goal is part of your Life's Purpose. And that could be a game changer for you. (More about your Life's Purpose in future posts.)

 The good news is - we get do overs. In learning any new skill, like riding a bike, no one is good the first time. However to learn these skills:

• We have to intentionally stay connected to our goal.
• We must stay in the Land of Possibility.
• There are certain conversations we need to have with ourselves if we are going to overcome self doubt. 
• And we have to understand this is a Creative Process.

Stay Connected To Your Creative Power!

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