“There is an electric fire in human nature tending to purify — so that among these human creatures there is continually some birth of new heroism. The pity is that we must wonder at it, as we should at finding a pearl in rubbish.” ~John Keats
The ABCs
What I love about the ABCs is their simplicity. What I love about acronyms is their ability to make what otherwise might be complex, simple. Yes, there is indeed an underlying theme of simplicity developing here. How do we take complex ideas with multiple facets and turn them into memorable nuggets of applicable information? In a world where we have more knowledge than we could ever use in a lifetime, it is information that is readily applicable to our lives that creates genuine value. This is where acronyms come in. This is where the ABCs of this article come in.
I considered titling this article The ABCs Of Excellence, but then I realized I might be alienating those individuals who don’t YET feel they are worthy of excellence or worse yet, don’t believe excellence is an attainable outcome for them. Yes, there are some who believe excellence is reserved for the few, for someone else, but not them. If you are one of those who believes excellence is for others but not YOU, I have some great news for you and by the time you finish this article it is my hope that you will agree with me.
Excellence might not be readily available to everyone, but effort is. Heroic effort is available to all of us because we all have the potential to become the heroes of our own stories.
AUDACITY
“You have to believe in yourself. You need to have the audacity to be great.” ~Rosie Perez
Audacity is the belief that you, simple old YOU can do, be, or become whatever you COMMIT to!
Audacity is believing with all your heart that you can make a career of whatever you choose if you’re willing to embrace the unconventional, be bold in your pursuit of opportunities, and courageous enough to ACT in the face of FEAR.
Perhaps the best way to describe audacity is by describing what it’s not. Sometimes having a better understanding of what something is not, is the best way for us to get a clear understanding of what it is. This is particularly helpful when a word, a word like audacity for example, has been given a bad rap by someone who has demonstrated characteristics that are incongruent with what it really means to express audacity.
Audacity is believing that you can go from obscurity to influential in a matter of months rather than years. Audacity is believing you were born with a gift and having the courage to do everything in your power to discover and share that gift with the world.
Audacity is writing when no one reads your work. Audacity is painting when no one buys your paintings. Audacity is speaking when no one listens to what you have to say. Audacity is believing that you can somehow make a difference in the problems of the world that seem overwhelming to others and then having the conviction to follow through on whatever small thing it is you believe you can do to make your difference.
Audacity is believing you can and will find a group of likeminded individuals to collaborate with so that you can make the difference you know that only you can make. Audacity is admitting that you can’t do it alone. Audacity is having the courage to start a movement where none exists.
Audacity is growing up in obscurity as an Idaho farm boy and having the courage, belief, and conviction to make your way to Beverly Hills.
Jim Rohn did that!
Audacity is being given the opportunity to rewrite a paper and having the courage to tell your teacher they can keep their “F” and you will keep your dream.
Monty Roberts did that!
Audacity is two bicycle mechanic brothers believing so absolutely in their dream that they would risk everything for its fulfillment.
The Wright Brothers did that!
Audacity was one woman who refused to give up her seat on a bus where she never should have been faced with such a courageous decision.
Rosa Parks did that!
Audacity was one President with the vision to go to the moon in a rocket that would be built with materials that had not yet been invented, not sometime in the future, but in the decade, we found ourselves.
John F. Kennedy did that!
Audacity was one man who had learned the tenets of peaceful protest from another man who brought a monarchy to its knees with his methods and the courage of that man to follow his convictions in the face of those who not only encouraged, but fomented violence against him.
Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did that!
Audacious was the way Vince Lombardi led his team to victory and inspired them to go on and win two more Superbowl’s when no one believed it was possible except him.
I could go on and on about “AUDACITY”, but I think by now you get the idea…
“Audacity is the willingness to believe in yourself and your ability to overcome obstacles and the overwhelming feeling of the impossible.” ~Bobby Kountz
BOLDNESS
“Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.” ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Boldness is a characteristic I believe most people possess. Unfortunately, it’s a characteristic that often remains hidden until the right set of circumstances emerge requiring us to take an action that is considered to be bold. In other words, boldness is a characteristic that often lays dormant until it’s called for. Many of us are not naturally bold even if we could be bold, we reserve boldness for situations requiring bold actions instead of employing boldness as a regular strategy.
Why?
According to author Mike Robbins, “even when some of us have moments of boldness, these moments can be scary and are often few/far between.”
He goes on to ask why is this?
“Because we sometimes don’t have the courage to be bold or we don’t find ourselves going for it in our work and our life — or not nearly as much as we’d like (especially during these difficult times).”
If you would like to read more about Mike’s position on boldness you can check out his article here.
Boldness is often looked down upon by others. It can easily be perceived as something other than boldness. It is often misunderstood as arrogance. People who tend to be bold typically have high levels of confidence which they have developed over long periods of time. There’s a definite difference between boldness and carelessness.
A person who constantly jumps into action without a plan isn’t necessarily bold and might even be a fool. People who display the qualities of boldness typically know their objectives and regularly prioritize their outcomes clearly. The reason they can afford to be bold it’s because they possess the ability to recognize an opportunity when it comes along. They also have the wherewithal or chutzpah to be able to say no when they realize the opportunity is not for them. They can say both yes and no with the same level of boldness.
People who are bold are not necessarily overly loud or boisterous and the reason many shy away from boldness is because they don’t want to be labeled loud and boisterous. Being bold is not about being a loudmouth or a bully. Actually, it’s just the opposite. It’s having the quiet confidence to make a bold decision because you have the information necessary to make the decision with confidence. Bold leaders are typically tactful and empathetic. Both leaders also understand the power of silence. A bold leader will often say less than more because they know that more words don’t necessarily equate to a better outcome. They will typically boldly state what they have to say and then they’re done.
People who are bold have the tendency to take advantage of small wins. Boldness requires taking advantage of small opportunities and getting the most we possibly can from all we can give and all we can do. It involves taking action before the right opportunity comes along. Bold people are aware that the right circumstances and the right opportunity may never align, so instead, they create opportunities and make the most of circumstances as they reveal themselves. They don’t wait for all the information to come in before making decisions and they have a high level of trust in their own intuition.
Boldness doesn’t require the complete understanding of a situation before acting. Bold people work to create a series of actions or small steps that allow them to break free from inertia and create momentum in the direction of their desired outcome. They understand that small win’s help build confidence. They understand that small losses help build confidence too! They look to make the most of all opportunities and circumstances without needing a big victory. They would rather experience a few small losses and a series of small wins rather than one big win.
Boldness is a combination of knowledge, reflection, and action.
COURAGE
“With courage you will dare to take risks, have the strength to be compassionate, and the wisdom to be humble. Courage is the foundation of integrity.” ~Mark Twain
When someone acts courageously, they demonstrate their willingness to confront uncertainty, to face danger, and even pain. The willingness to face your fear is courage.
Being courageous isn’t always easy. There are times in our lives when we have more courage than others. Typically, when faced with extreme circumstances, this is one of the times we can readily find our courage. Another time that we often find our courage is when our own values are challenged, and someone is wronged, and we feel the need to stand up and say no more.
Courage is often associated with extreme danger and difficulty, the reality for most of us though is that we must be courageous in the face of our everyday lives. The challenges of everyday life force us to adapt, to change, to grow, and to face our fears.
What would you be willing to do or try if you knew you could not fail?
Remember, being courageous isn’t about fighting a single battle. It’s about the willingness to make a small step or a small change in the direction of a dream, it’s about getting up each day and trying again. It’s about being brave in the face of adversity. Courage is hanging on just one moment longer when you would rather give up instead.
Courage is the thing that either shows up or doesn’t when we face challenges. Have you ever felt like giving up because you weren’t making any progress? Have you had a difficult decision to make but you didn’t feel you were up to it? Maybe you’ve lost patience because you weren’t making the progress you thought you should be making. The willingness to continue is a courageous act.
Courage is about baby steps taken in the face of adversity. Sometimes life can be incredibly challenging, and we can feel as though we’re not getting anywhere. We must remember that every courageous step counts, and if we take small steps every day, one day at a time, we will get to our destination if we don’t give up.
Here are some examples of what courage looks like in action:
Courage is apologizing to someone you’ve hurt. Courage is asking for help. Courage is starting something new with no guarantee of success. Courage is believing in yourself for the first time. Courage is learning to say both yes and no. Courage is speaking up for yourself or a cause you believe in. Courage is the willingness to walk away from the ordinary. Courage is also the conviction to follow your heart. Courage is walking away from all the negativity and gossip that you will likely face when you attempt something you’ve never done before. Courage is believing in yourself and your ability to do amazing things. Courage is believing that YOU are amazing.
There is a superhero in all of us, we just need the courage to put on the cape. Courage is a mindset. Courage is not something you either have or you don’t, it’s something you develop over time. According to the author Brené Brown, “Leadership is not about titles or the corner office. It’s about the willingness to step up, put yourself out there, and lean into courage. The world is desperate for braver leaders. It’s time for all of us to step up.”
Here’s another quote that speaks to what courage is…
“Courage is not the absence of fear or despair; It is the capacity to continue on despite them, no matter how great or overwhelming they become.” ~Robert Fanney
As a reminder, courage doesn’t always roar. As a matter of fact, as Mary Anne Radamacher expressed in her book, “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, I will try again tomorrow.”
Her book is dedicated to those who “understand the difference between explicitly expecting success and working in a construct where to “try again” requires the deepest courage of all.”
“When is courage a little voice instead of a roar?” For more on this topic, you can read this article by Kat Sandershere.
What if the only thing between you and everything you want from life is the willingness to find your voice, to take up space, to speak your truth? What if TODAY was the day, you found your voice because the words on this page gave you the permission you needed to BE who you are?
What if?
What if the ABCs, your ABCs, were all you needed to apply the heroic effort required to turn your situation around so you could begin to live the life you know you deserve? What if?
Start your QUEST today. Start with your ABCs!
I will continue to Advance Confidently, but the advance will be in the direction of my highest calling NOW which is to fulfill my desire of completing my Create Your QUEST™ course for anyone who has struggled with making a commitment to their ideal highest expression of themselves.
With so many demands, and so many distractions, it’s easy to get off course and find ourselves deeply involved in great work that’s unfortunately not moving us in the direction of where we most choose to go right NOW!
Create Your QUEST™ has been formulated to help YOU focus on what’s most important to you not only now, but also in the future. It’s a framework that was designed to take you from where you are to exactly where you choose to be, not overnight, but one step at a time, one moment at a time, one day at a time, one breath at a time!
It’s called Create Your QUEST™ because I believe each of us has the potential to be the hero of our own story and I knew I could create a compelling framework to guide individuals through the arduous process of making a commitment to their dream and the future they desire to create for themselves and their families.
Therefore, I decided to put my next book on the back burner and will instead focus all my efforts on the completion of the project I am most excited about which is Create Your QUEST™!
It’s my intention to have the course ready for release by the end of October with a soft launch and a beta group to make sure it’s ready for prime time in the coming new year when most people are struggling with what to do next and how to make sure next year is different than last year.
If you are interested in potentially being part of my beta group, send an email to bkountz15@gmail.com with BETA in the subject line.
I know the course I am currently creating and the book I will still eventually release, will be worth the wait because that’s my commitment to you, my readers. Thanks in advance for your trust and patience!
In the meantime, enjoy this special audio short story I originally released on Twitter to commemorate my Independence Day and my 31st year of sobriety. You can watch/listen here ( https://youtu.be/9zP4kk5OTlo ). You can find me on Twitter @bobby_kountz
Keep Pedaling, Keep Going, Keep Growing!
Advance Confidently!
If you enjoyed and found value in this article, please share it.
In Gratitude,
Bobby Kountz, Author, Speaker, Sobriety Scholar, Inspirationalist!
PS. You can find out more about me here. You can find my book on Amazon.
“Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.” ~Oprah Winfrey
Inspiration is all around us. To experience it though, we must be willing to give ourselves permission to slow down, to focus, to breathe. With so many shiny objects vying for our attention, it’s quite easy to become distracted.
One of the best ways to come back to our center is to breathe. We have this underlying belief that somehow, probably because we are human and capable of amazing things, that we can multitask our way to success.
After all, if doing one thing is good, then doing several things must be better, right?
WRONG!
An old memory of a book title came knocking and it got me thinking about multitasking or focusing on multiple projects at the same time and in breaking down the title of the book, I realized it would be impossible to do the two tasks of the title at the same time.
The book title is Chop Wood, Carry Water.
As I tried to picture myself chopping wood and carrying water, it was immediately apparent that it would be impossible to do both at the same time. Can you imagine the chaotic scene of a character attempting to both chop wood and carry water at the same time?
It made me laugh!
Well, for a moment anyway… Then I paused long enough to take a breath as I reflected on how as human beings, we are continuously trying to chop wood and carry water at the same time. My mind quickly shifted to an image of an entertainer on stage spinning plates. As we watch the show, we are mesmerized as the entertainer adds more and more plates until the inevitable crash brings that segment of the show to a conclusion.
How many plates are you spinning? How many tasks are you managing? How many jobs are you doing? How many hats are you wearing?
If you are like me in any way, shape, or form, you probably believe you are a better multitasker than you actually are.
It wasn’t until I recently slowed down long enough to enjoy a vacation to Maine that I realized I was trying to do too many things at a time. I have been writing a weekly article for over a year now while I have simultaneously been working on my second book and trying to create a small business and create an online course to help people turn their dreams and aspirations into a tangible outcome by designing a course that would systematically and logically take them on a journey of discovery, opportunity, and action, a QUEST. And, I have been trying to do all of this while also working a full-time job…
When I finally came back to my breath, opened up my shirt and found there indeed was no large “S” emblazoned on my chest, I realized it was time for a change. Perhaps it was the changing of the seasons that prompted this idea of a need for a change. The trip to Maine was all about taking time to “enjoy” the changing of the season from Summer to Fall.
To enjoy the trip, I had written my weekly article ahead of time and had it prepared and ready to send out on time which is normally Wednesday. Today is Friday and I am only just now writing my weekly article as it finally came to me in my sleep. Yes, I awoke with the idea of this article in my mind and arose from bed before the alarm went off because I knew there was something profound that needed to be captured and that something is the words now methodically materializing on the page.
The profundity remains to be seen…
The reality is far more striking than anything remotely close to profound. I have simply been trying too hard to do too much and watering down and fragmenting my results in the process.
My mind has been silently working on a way to present this idea to my ego for some time now and it took me slowing down long enough for a vacation to begin to listen.
In the silence of the woods, surrounded by beauty, I found my mind wandering away from where I was and onto each of the various projects I have ongoing in different states of completion and I remember thinking to myself, this is crazy, look around you, this is where you need to be right now, all of your projects will be waiting for you when you get back, FOCUS and enjoy the moment…
As I processed that thought, I came back to my breath and I came back to the moment and as I became fully present, I was in awe of my surroundings. If I hadn’t given myself permission to be present, to be in the moment, I would have missed it!
What would I have missed? I would have missed the mushrooms growing in places we wouldn’t expect to see them.
Photo from Author’s collection.
I would have missed the fallen leaves laying on the ground in all their majesty, a tapestry that became natures carpet…
Photo from Author’s collection.
I would have missed the trees that held the leaves until they were reluctantly released…
Photo from Author’s collection.
I would have missed the stunning reflection of two hills majestically resolute and unmoving…
Photo from Author’s collection.
I would have missed all the different colors of green, a monochrome rainbow of tone and texture, from the moss, to the lichens, to the ferns, to the trees…
Photo from Author’s collection.
I would have missed the sound of the babbling brook and the raging waterfall, one subtle, one not…
Photo from Author’s collection.Photo from Author’s collection.
I would have missed seeing natures finest example of resilience, determination, and persistence…
Photo from Author’s collection.
I would have missed all these things and so much more and thinking about this got me thinking about how many other things I have been missing… It inspires me now to ask the question about how many things you might be missing too?
What have you been missing?
I know I have been missing golf and it wasn’t until I gave myself permission to watch some of the Ryder Cup matches that I realized just how much I miss playing and isn’t it interesting how the world will make us even more aware of what we are missing once we finally realize we are missing it. Like this article from my friend and fellow writer Billie for example who wrote an article about golf (it’s more than just another article on golf).
It’s not necessarily the game itself that I miss, its what happens to me as I play. When I play golf, I slow down and as mentioned at the beginning of this article, as my friend and mentor Michael constantly reminds me, slow is smooth and smooth is fast. When I combine the intentionality of the awareness of my breath with the understanding that golf is a game that can only be played and never won, I give myself the permission to enjoy being outside and at one with my surroundings.
Breathing is a huge part of golf because there is no way to make a smooth swing if you are not relaxed. We tend to hold on to our breath and the club too tight, and it is actually the relaxed grip that better serves the swing. Loose muscles flow, and golf, although a sport of speed when it comes to striking the ball, is also a sport of opposites. A great example is for the ball to go up, you must hit down on the ball. It is the descending blow in combination with the loft of the club that gets the ball into the air. It’s counterintuitive. You might think that swinging harder might give you a better result and I can assure you the exact opposite is true.
Ok, enough about golf and back to the article at hand.
Before I left to go on vacation, I discovered an article by Darius Foroux that got me thinking about this idea of trying to do too much. There were many other elements equally as influential as the article, but for some reason, the words of the article really resonated with me and I believe before I ever got on the plane, I knew that Fall would have a special significance for me this year, one well beyond the splendid colors and the experience of being away would afford me…
I will continue to Advance Confidently, but the advance will be in the direction of my highest calling NOW which is to fulfill my desire of completing my Create Your QUEST™ course, designed for anyone who has struggled with making a commitment to their ideal highest expression of themselves.
With so many demands, and so many distractions, it’s easy to get off course and find ourselves deeply involved in great work that’s unfortunately not moving us in the direction of where we most choose to go right NOW!
Create Your QUEST™ has been formulated to help YOU focus on what’s most important to you not only now, but also in the future. It’s a framework that was designed to take you from where you are to exactly where you choose to be, not overnight, but one step at a time, one moment at a time, one day at a time, one breath at a time!
It’s called Create Your QUEST™ because I believe each of us has the potential to be the hero of our own story and I knew I could create a compelling framework to guide individuals through the arduous process of making a commitment to their dream and the future they desire to create for themselves and their families.
Therefore, I decided to put my next book on the back burner and will instead focus all my efforts on the completion of the project I am most excited about which is Create Your QUEST™!
It’s my intention to have the course ready for release by the end of October with a soft launch and a beta group to make sure it’s ready for prime time in the coming new year when most people are struggling with what to do next and how to make sure next year is different than last year.
If you are interested in potentially being part of my beta group, send an email to bkountz15@gmail.com with BETA in the subject line.
I know the course I’m creating and the book I will still eventually release, will be worth the wait because that’s my commitment to you, my readers. Thanks in advance for your trust and patience!
In the meantime, enjoy this special audio short story I originally released on Twitter to commemorate my Independence Day and my 31st year of sobriety. You can watch/listen here ( https://youtu.be/9zP4kk5OTlo ). You can find me on Twitter @bobby_kountz
Keep Pedaling, Keep Going, Keep Growing!
Advance Confidently!
If you enjoyed and found value in this article, please share it.
In Gratitude,
Bobby Kountz, Author, Speaker, Sobriety Scholar, Inspirationalist!
PS. You can find out more about me here. You can find my book on Amazon.
“Your words become your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits become your values, your values become your destiny.” ~Mahatma Gandhi
VALUES DRIVE BEHAVIOR
This article was adapted from a process we developed to help emerging entrepreneurs and new small business owners identify their values. It was written to help take a closer look at the Values selection process. Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs have one thing in common with their larger corporate counterparts and that’s the need for Values.
As I worked with my TEAM to build out the structure of our new process to help entrepreneurs and small business owners capitalize on what makes them unique to their market and to help position themselves as the only logical choice for their potential customers, we realized the need to identify our own set of values that will drive our decision-making process as we begin to take on new clients.
At CreateYourQUEST™ we believe YOU are the Hero of Your own Story!
Our process was developed with YOU in mind. Our goal is to help you turn (Your Everyday Story) into (Your Empowering Story).
In the spirit of The Hero’s Journey, we are committed to helping you not only write your story, but also create an exciting and empowering QUEST to guide you in the direction of everything you hope to accomplish as you continue to move forward towards the achievement of your goals and dreams.
What do YOU offer the World?
At CreateYourQUEST™ we believe YOU will be happiest living a life of integrity in which your actions are aligned with YOUR personal values and beliefs. In other words, YOUR “True North.”
The reason many of us struggle with knowing what we genuinely want is because we don’t really know what direction to go. If we use our true north to guide us, in other words if we use our values to guide us, it makes the decision-making process much easier. Some of us struggle with simple day-to-day decisions but when we take the time to consider our core values, these things often become crystal clear.
Our core values will be the needle point of our compass. They will be like the north star in the sky guiding your journey. Your values will be like a torch in the night to help guide you down your pathway toward living your meaningful life and bringing purpose to your quest so you can live your life filled with passion and purpose.
Your values will help you avoid all the “shiny objects” you are bound to discover while on your quest. Values will shield you from the potential outside influences attempting to distract you from reaching your prize, from reaching that elusive prize we’re all searching for, success. Values will help you identify what success means without sacrificing the things most important to you. Values give you the energy and clarity to say both yes and no. Your success will be guided by your ability to say no to things like social media, social influence, and the social environment that would try to keep us from being true to ourselves.
If you are interested in gaining clarity around the importance of values, then read on. If not, then this article is probably not for you, and I will save you the time and trouble of reading any further.
The activity outlined below is designed to help you discover your own unique list of values and beliefs that will help to orient you on your journey. If you’ve ever wondered what a life would be like if you were living in harmony, this is the life you will experience when you become clear about your values. That’s why we think it’s so important that you take the time to properly do this exercise because it means everything!
Your core values will help you build the foundation of whatever it is you hope to bring into the world while on your quest. Whatever you build, if it sits on a strong foundation, it will stand the test of time.
Success can only ever be identified individually and absolutely must be defined by the individual seeking success. Otherwise, there will be no way for you to measure whether you’ve achieved what you set out to accomplish. If you try to skip over this step what you will find is yourself chasing empty accomplishments. You will find yourself stuck on the hamster wheel of life chasing your tail. We cannot impress upon you strongly enough, the importance of completing this exercise.
When we don’t know and understand our values, we could easily make the mistake of violating something incredibly important to us, simply because we weren’t aware. The result of doing something like this is usually fraught with feelings of shame and guilt and not even knowing why… It’s because somewhere along the way you violated what was important to you and there’s no way to reconcile the actions you took when they are not aligned with your values, when they’re not aligned with your true north.
One of the things that makes CreateYourQUEST™ a unique organization is the partnerships we’re creating with individuals who’ve proven themselves to be value added resources to both individuals and large organizations.
The following list of core values comes partly from my own research and partly from my dear friend and Executive Coach, Michael O’Brien from Peloton Coaching. He has been helping companies and the executives of those companies create better tomorrow’s by teaching them to clearly identify their values TODAY!
CORE VALUES
Note: This is not an exhaustive list but will definitely get you started with the selection process!
Based on the guidance of my Executive Coach, Michael O’Brien, who you can find at michaelobrienshift.com — I suggest you pick 5 values as your core values. This doesn’t mean you can’t or won’t have other values that are extremely important to you. It simply means being bold enough to select 5 for right now. As we change and grow some of our core values will change with us. As we embrace life-altering challenges and opportunities, our core values might shift as we gain new insights and information.
Examples are always good to demonstrate a viewpoint so let’s examine the idea of wellness. Let’s get extreme to drive home the point. If you had a heart attack, or developed a life-threatening disease, wellness might easily become a new core value for you if it wasn’t previously one of your five.
One of the most impactful ways to discover your core values is to focus on what’s important to you. One of the best ways to accomplish this is to ask empowering questions. Here are some empowering questions to help you get started with the process of focusing on what’s most meaningful to you now that you’ve been given a whole bunch of ideas about which values might be most important.
· How would you define this value?
· Which actions, activities, and behaviors reflect this value?
· How are you in alignment with this value?
· Where does this value show up in your daily life?
· Why is this value important to you?
· What is it about this value that inspires you?
· Who would you be without this value?
Feel free to create some of your own empowering questions to stimulate the discovery process! Answers are good. Questions are empowering!
The gap between where we are and where we want to be can often be closed by having a better understanding of our values. With a better understanding of our values, we will be in a better position to say yes to everything that’s important to us and no to everything else that’s a distraction. When what we do is aligned with what we say, we can then be congruent in our behavior about what’s most important to us.
If you remember from earlier, we learned that values drive behavior. Let’s move now from concept to construct with some core examples. We will share with you the five core values significant to us and why we chose them to demonstrate the importance of this exercise.
CORE VALUE EXAMPLES
One of the core values of our TEAM at CreateYourQUEST™ is Freedom. A second value important to each of us is Authenticity. Another core value is Courage. The 4th core value critical to the success of our organization is Encouragement. And finally, we turn one FACE into many FACES by adding the “S” of Self-Respect.
When you put these five values together what you get is FACES. We refer to this as our ability to show our FACES to our clients and customers. There are a whole host of other values especially important to all of us at CreateYourQUEST™ but we decided on “FACES” because we wanted something first that was easy to remember, and that more importantly, reflected the true essence of what we see as our collective core values.
As an emerging leader in this field, we felt it important to do the hard work of identifying our core values “Up Front” so that whenever we face a decision as it relates to the company and our future direction, we can come back to our values to help us make a clear choice about what we want to do, where we want to go, and how we want to get there.
We made a pact early on that we would never sacrifice our values in relation to our opportunities. What we collectively decided was that if an opportunity didn’t align with our values, then we would just politely say thank you for the opportunity, but it doesn’t fit with what we’re currently trying to do with the organization right now.
We took it one step further and decided that if we were honoring our values, we would help whoever was asking us to work with them by providing them a referral for an organization we felt could better help them with what they were trying to accomplish.
Let’s take the time to dive a little bit deeper into the five core values of our company as an example, so you have a clear idea of what might be important to you and a frame of reference as you choose your core values for yourself and your organization, or your family, moving forward.
FREEDOM
“When Writing the story of your life don’t let anyone else hold the pen.” ~Harley-Davidson
For us, the importance of this value is best expressed by this quote we use as a guiding principle for decision making. We believe everyone has the ability to write their own story and create their own ending.
The reason we believe freedom is so important is because it leads to an abundance of expression, creativity, and original thought. From this abundance, we experience increased productivity, a sense of fulfillment, an enhanced purpose, a state of well-being, and an overall higher quality of life. We understand freedom as a value that should never be taken for granted. We understand the fragility of freedom.
We hope to communicate the importance of this value. All too often, those who live in freedom tend to ignore just how fragile it is and take it for granted. We hope to reinforce the importance of freedom. We must be free to think, to create, to crowdsource, to collaborate, to build, to come together, to accomplish what none of us could ever hope to achieve alone.
AUTHENTICITY
“Authenticity allows us to engage with each other in powerful dreams that make the impossible possible. We are called on to persevere despite failure and pursue a purpose beyond the paycheck. This is at the core of innovation.” ~Henna Inam
Authenticity is all about being true to ourselves. Being true to ourselves is all about having the courage to define our own version of what it is to be successful. Success absolutely, positively, must be identified individually because what’s success to one person, might be failure to another. Success is discovering the delicate balance between drive, achievement, and self-reflection. The prize, if we’re diligent enough to pursue it, is equanimity which is just another way of saying, mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation.
Authenticity helps us build deeper connection with others. The way we build authenticity is by being willing to let our guard down. Once we are willing to show and share our shortcomings, warts, and all, we give ourselves and others permission to be true to what we really believe. Authenticity is almost a “bearing of our soul” and when we do it without concern for what others might think of us or about us, we in turn create the best opportunity to be true to ourselves, our values, and what’s uniquely important to us, not those around us, but to US!
Innovation is the lifeblood of almost any organization. The only way we will ever be able to completely tap into everyone’s ability to be innovative is when everyone is given permission to be their authentic self. Richard Branson was quoted as saying that “innovation happens when people are given the freedom to ask questions and the resources and power to find the answers.”
COURAGE
“Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.” ~Maya Angelou
The word consistently is often overlooked in the quote above, and we want to make sure that doesn’t happen here. Courage gives us the ability to put aside our fear of failure and to take the first steps. Courage helps us to overcome our fear of rejection. Courage allows us to attempt things that we have not tried before despite our fear of judgment or looking foolish.
It has been said that confidence is important and indeed it is, but without courage, confidence does not exist. We believe courage is more important than confidence because we know that confidence comes from being courageous. Before we will ever be confident, we must first be courageous.
We need confidence to do something that we’ve never done before. And to do something that we’ve never done before will require courage. We need courage to begin something. When we’re attempting something, we’ve never done before, we will experience a feeling of uncertainty.
Courage gives us the ability to move along the continuum from unsure to unstoppable. We believe courage is the secret sauce that allows us to act despite our fears. Confidence is an outcome. It’s a natural result, or the benefit. It’s becoming familiar with our fear and working through the process. Confidence is a one day at a time game, it builds day by day every time we courageously embrace our fear.
Courage allows us to consistently practice all the virtues and values that are important to us because without courage we won’t be able to consistently honor the rest of our values. At some point in time the challenge will be too intense, or the effort required, too much, and without courage, we will give in.
“You can’t be consistently kind, or fair, or humane, or generous, not without courage, because if you don’t have it, sooner or later you’ll stop and say the threat is too much, the difficulty is to too high, the challenge is too great!” ~Maya Angelou
ENCOURAGEMENT
“Hidden within each of us is everything we need to achieve anything we can imagine.” ~Bobby Kountz
One of the greatest lessons on the power of encouragement comes from the story of the letters written by Ralph Waldo Emerson to a young and aspiring writer by the name of Walt Whitman. Had it not been for the encouragement of Emerson, there is an exceptionally good chance that Whitman may have never followed his passion to become the great poet he is known to be.
At CreateYourQUEST™ we are in the encouragement business!
We should never underestimate the value of an encouraging word. One small act of encouragement could be enough to change the entire trajectory of another person’s life. When we offer encouragement, we’re literally speaking courage into another human being. We are empowering them with our words. Encouragement can make all the difference.
Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny… ~C.S. Lewis
SELF-RESPECT
“Respect yourself enough to walk away from anything that no longer serves you, grows you, or makes you happy.” ~Robert Tew
The importance of self-respect cannot be overstated! Having a healthy level of self-respect is what enables us to create the confidence to set clear boundaries for ourselves and others. Malcolm X once said, “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.” Self-respect means knowing what you stand for and what your values are. It means being aware of both your strengths and weaknesses.
Self-respect is being courageous enough to say no when you need to, and bold enough to say yes when you’re afraid to. It’s saying yes without having all the answers ahead of time. Self-respect allows us to stay to true to our values while still pushing the envelope to take informed risks. Self-respect is developed after experiencing setbacks and failures. It’s a byproduct of resilience. It comes as a result of embracing self-discovery.
Self-respect is knowing who you are, what you believe, and what you are willing to work for and sacrifice for. It’s also knowing what you are not willing to compromise on and then having the courage to stand your ground.
We hope you found some merit in this article that was adapted from the Values Identification Process we take our clients through when they commit to working with us. It’s how we turn our clients into VIP’s!
If you believe we might be able to help you better tell your story to your potential audience and customers, then reach out to us.
You know our values now so it should be an easy decision to at least reach out if you know you need some help telling your empowering story!
We are creating an interest list for our inaugural CreateYourQUEST™ interactive, immersive, appreciative inquiry experience. To learn more, send an email with UNSTOPPABLE in the subject line to unsure2UNSTOPPABLE@gmail.com today!
Advance Confidently is the title of my next book, you will have to wait to celebrate its release as I celebrate my 60th birthday. I have concluded the world doesn’t need another self-help book from me right now, so I am listening to my muse and will write a sci fi personal growth story of self-discovery instead. Hmmm? Almost sounds like a QUEST, right? I believe you will be INSPIRED with the story that chose me to write it! I never saw it coming but now that it’s here, I can’t wait to share it with all of YOU! I know it will be worth the wait because that’s my commitment to you, my readers. Thanks in advance for your trust and patience!
In the meantime, I released a special audio short story on Twitter to commemorate my Independence Day and my 31st year of sobriety. You can watch/listen to the story here ( https://youtu.be/9zP4kk5OTlo ). You can find me on Twitter @bobby_kountz
Keep Pedaling, Keep Going, Keep Growing!
Advance Confidently!
If you enjoyed and found value in this article, please share it.
In Gratitude,
Bobby Kountz, Author, Speaker, Sobriety Scholar, Inspirationalist!
PS. You can find out more about me here. You can find my book on Amazon.
“Success always leaves footprints.” ~Booker T. Washington
As I entered the woods and headed down the path of self-discovery and personal growth, the path less traveled, I fixed my eyes upon the ground. I knew that if I looked for clues, I would find the pieces to the puzzle cast aside on the path by those who’d passed before me.
I remember someone once telling me that success leaves tracks. At the time, I didn’t exactly understand what that meant. However, over time, I began to understand that as individuals progress on their path of self-discovery and personal growth, they cast aside the elements no longer serving them.
These remnants sometimes contain the clues to the same challenges we face. The individual that passed the test before us probably cast them aside at the completion of their QUEST. These discarded lessons often hold the answers we are searching for on our own individual quests.
It’s easy to believe that if something was cast aside, then it must have no value. There is nothing further than the truth. As a matter of fact, it is well known that what is one man’s trash, is another man’s treasure. And where are all these things cast aside, where might one search or hunt for all these pieces that might hold the answers to whatever QUEST you currently find yourself on?
Since ideas are difficult to see unless they are placed where we might find them, it can be easy to walk right past one without ever seeing it. For those of you reading this who enjoy hiking, or if you’ve ever walked anywhere in one direction and then turned around, you might very well understand how the trail looked completely different when we were walking in the opposite direction. On any given out and back, we will find ourselves seeing things we never saw on the way out to whatever our destination was, and on the way back, finding ourselves in wonder and awe of all that we missed on the way.
This is not unlike life itself. In our early years, when we’re on the path of striving, deep in the hustle and grind of survival and all that’s required just to make ends meet so we can take care of our families, we often miss some of the most important elements. If we had just slowed down a little bit, maybe, just maybe, we might have seen them strewn along the path.
What if we were so busy on the hamster wheel of life that we let a book or article recommendation slide right past us? What if that one book or article held not all the answers, but the one we needed to help get us back on track? And what if once back on track we discovered a new way of living? Don’t be a statistic. Slow down. As my friend and coach Michael O’Brien always reminds us, slow is smooth and smooth is fast.
Remember to Pause, Breathe, and Reflect…
We must also understand our why because littered along the path of personal progress are a multitude of shiny objects all vying for our attention and if we don’t know our why, if we aren’t crystal clear on our destination, then we will surely be distracted by one of the many other objects competing for our time.
There’s a phrase that helps to keep us on our path and that phrase is FOCUS. When we are clear about our destination, when we are clear about our QUEST, we will embrace all obstacles, all challenges, all difficulties. Anything the unknown throws at us will simply be part of the process because we are focused on the prize, we are focused on our goal, we are focused on the completion of our QUEST.
What does it mean to focus? Here is one definition!
Follow
One
Course
Until
Successful
Attributed to Robert Kiyosaki.
Another one I am very fond of is: Follow One Commitment Until Successful!
In three words it’s; Decide. Commit. Succeed!
When we are focused on our path, when we know what we’re searching for, when we understand that the only thing between us and our desired outcome is the gap between where we are and where we want to be, then all we must do is diligently work backwards to slowly close that gap, one day at a time.
Pulling from the great Steven Covey, “Begin with the end in mind.”
When we are focused, we can pick one specific thing to work on at a time, and when we accomplish whatever that is, then we can move on to the next thing. I know there are many that would argue it’s not that hard to multitask. Science would tell us otherwise, and if you’re interested in digging into this for yourself, then I recommend you investigate the results of multi-tasking and I’m sure you will find, exactly as I did, we’re not nearly as efficient as we believe we are when we divide our efforts instead of focusing on what’s most important to us.
Is it possible there might be a manual on how to achieve what one wants in life? Is it possible there might be a multitude of manuals available to us depending upon whatever it is we want for our life, or at least whatever it is we believe we want for our life, because often we don’t even know what we really want until we give ourselves permission to begin the QUEST? Many times, the answer we are seeking will only reveal itself to us once we begin the journey. We must be taking steps in the direction of whatever it is we desire to discover whatever it is we genuinely want, because sometimes what we desire is different than what we think we want.
As we grow, as we expand, as our consciousness expands, we suddenly find ourselves wondering why we ever thought so small to start with. A simple analogy to explain this concept is that if you only had a teaspoon and you went to the ocean you could only ever bring back a teaspoon at a time. As we become more aware we understand if we choose to, we can go to the ocean with a bucket. And eventually we come to understand that we needn’t take anything from the ocean at all, we can simply be with it and in being with it, be shown everything.
Life is full of lessons; the question is, are we ignoring the lessons or are we learning from the lessons as we experience them? Every lesson we ignore will repeat itself until learned. Therefore, it might just be a good idea to become a better student. And how does one go about becoming a better student? And what of these manuals that were spoken of earlier? Where would one find such a manual?
There is a secret place, often used, that holds almost every answer. It is a place not unlike a secret garden that if you do not enter you could never understand how much beauty resides inside, you could never visualize all the colors, all the patterns, all the details, all the variety that exists.
And what is this place of which I speak?
It is called, the library. In almost every town across the country, and across the globe for that matter, you will find a library. And hidden within the walls of this miraculous facility you will find answers to every question you could ever possibly ask based on any topic you could ever want to investigate.
The library can help you avoid the distractions of the internet!
How many times have you begun a Google search on a specific topic only to find yourself two hours later wondering how on earth you’re looking at cat videos? Or whatever other distraction caught your attention while you were in the process of searching for what was most important to you. And now, completely distracted, you can’t even remember what you were searching for to start with…
On the path of both success and failure there are multitudes of information. What I referred to as what’s been discarded hasn’t really been discarded at all but instead, captured on a page, ready for application. One of the greatest challenges of learning new information is application. It does us almost no good to read something and then not apply what we have learned.
Wisdom is not the accumulation of knowledge. Wisdom is the application of knowledge.
When we apply what we learn, we engage in the process of growth. When we grow, we get better, we learn new ways of doing things that may have once been ignored or accomplished through habit. When we engage in intentional learning and intentional application of what we have learned, this begins the process of change. This begins the process of growth. This is what personal growth and development is all about. It’s not about how many books you’ve read, it’s about how many lessons you’ve applied to your own life that make sense for you, based on what you want, that determines how much you have grown and how much you will grow.
Just like those who came before you, as you grow, you will discard what’s no longer serving you. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t have value. It just simply means it didn’t have value any longer for you and as you discard what you no longer need, you’ll be leaving a clue for the next person that comes behind you as to how they might move in the direction they want their life to go. It’s possible the piece you discard will be exactly what someone else needed or what they were looking for to make sure that they could grow in the direction they choose.
What if you decided right now, today, to turn your desire to learn more, to know more, to become more, into your own personal QUEST? What if you made a commitment to learn as much as you possibly can about whatever it is that excites you the most and what if everything you need is available for free and hidden in a place where you never thought to look?
Here’s a question? How much does a library card cost? Yep, you guessed it, they are free! I believe the reason there is no real value attached to a library card is because it’s free. The truth however is that a library card is invaluable. A library card represents the golden key that unlocks the door of opportunity. What would you do if you had the golden key to everything? Would you let that card sit idle in your purse or wallet, or would you begin to use it to accumulate the knowledge you need to achieve whatever it is you desire for your one wild and precious life?
Yes, the library is full of poetry as well. If you want to read about your one wild and precious life from a book instead of a Google search, then you could go to your Public Library and read all about The Summer Day. Or you could get some books that might help you create the one wild and precious life of your dreams, some books that might help you design and create your QUEST…
Whatever it is you choose to do, be, or become, there is a good chance that everything you need is waiting for you in your Public Library. The only thing missing from the equation, is you, and the application of what you learn. Learning without application is folly. Make a commitment today to go to your Public Library and begin your QUEST…
Here’s a philosophy:
Read, Learn, Apply, Rinse, Repeat!
Advance Confidently is the title of my next book, you will have to wait to celebrate its release as I celebrate my 60th birthday. I have concluded the world doesn’t need another self-help book from me right now, so I am listening to my muse and will write a sci fi personal growth story of self-discovery instead. Hmmm? Almost sounds like a QUEST, right? I believe you will be INSPIRED with the story that chose me to write it! I never saw it coming but now that it’s here, I can’t wait to share it with all of YOU! I know it will be worth the wait because that’s my commitment to you, my readers. Thanks in advance for your trust and patience!
In the meantime, I released a special audio short story on Twitter to commemorate my Independence Day and my 31st year of sobriety. You can watch/listen to the story here ( https://youtu.be/9zP4kk5OTlo ). You can find me on Twitter @bobby_kountz
Keep Pedaling, Keep Going, Keep Growing!
Advance Confidently!
If you enjoyed and found value in this article, please share it.
In Gratitude,
Bobby Kountz, Author, Speaker, Sobriety Scholar, Inspirationalist!
PS. You can find out more about me here. You can find my book on Amazon.
“There is always a best way of doing everything.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
If there is indeed always a best way of doing everything, how do we go about discovering the “best” way? We may not initially know the best way, but with so many resources available at our disposal today, we can evaluate several different options and then try our best to choose the best one available to us at that moment in time.
The Scientific Method is a procedure known to the natural sciences since at least the 17th century. It consists of a series of systematic observations, experiments, measurements, calculations, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses. It is viewed as an empirical method of acquiring information and knowledge through careful observation and rigorous skepticism. It takes into account the understanding for potential bias and therefore relies on objective observation balanced by a healthy dose of skepticism.
Trial and error is a less formal and much less rigorous process characterized by multiple repeated varied attempts to reach a desired outcome. Failure is a natural part of the process of both trial and error and the scientific method and failure is embraced as part of the natural process of moving in the direction of the desired result.
How was Thomas Edison able to discover the best way to create an incandescent light bulb? The simple answer is he found thousands of ways that were not the best way. If we are willing to try different approaches and keep our minds open to all available options, eventually we will discover the best way for the task at hand in those circumstances. The best way is ever evolving, constantly improving, making room for the next best way. We are still figuring out the best way, all these years later, to create the best lighting solution possible. Sometimes the best way is only slightly different than what the best way was the day before.
Writing is a lot like this. When I first started writing, many of my messages were rudimentary. As I practiced my craft, I learned different ways of expressing my ideas and gained a better command of language, expression, and description. I also developed my style. The more I practiced, the better I got. And the more I practice, the better I will get. Excellence eventually becomes a habit.
Excellence is the evolution of ideas and the understanding that our world is in perpetual motion, movement, and advancement, which allows us to individually do our best in any given situation or circumstance. Our willingness and openness to evaluate new information and ideas is what gives us the opportunity to do our best work. Collectively, we rely on one another and on the sharing of ideas and information to discover the next best way of doing things.
When we move from believing that we as individuals have the best opportunity of creating the best solutions to instead, crowdsourcing the collective wisdom of our communities and companies, we then gain access to the collective consciousness and collective wisdom of the group.
The best practices of today only provide a bridge to the best practices of tomorrow. The cycle repeats itself with each new day and once again gives us the opportunity to do our best because our individual best is the “best” way of doing everything. That is, unless we can come together in a group and work collectively to solve whatever challenges we are facing and then the “best” way will have been decided by each of the “best” minds working together to create an even better “collective best” mind or more simply, the crowdsourced “best of the best!”
My name is Bobby. I am The Inspirationalist!
I inspire people to pursue their gifts!
If my words somehow inspired you to pursue your gift, then I succeeded…
By the way, if you enjoyed this article, I believe you will thoroughly enjoy my next book, Advance Confidently. I look forward to sharing it with you on the 4th of July.
Keep Pedaling, Keep Going, Keep Growing!
Advance Confidently!
If you enjoyed and found value in this article, please share it.
In Gratitude,
Bobby Kountz, Author, Speaker, Sobriety Scholar, Inspirationalist!
PS. You can find out more about me here. You can find my book on Amazon.
“The vision must be followed by the venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps — we must step up the stairs.” ~Vance Havner
As described in the quote that inspired this article, the word venture refers to the action one must take to bring their vision to life. The best way to bring a vision to life is to ask empowering questions. Let’s get started.
What’s your vision? What are your values? What’s your vibe?
Pause now and take a minute to at least consider the questions. Then, when you finish the article, take the time to really answer them!
We can use these three questions, all beginning with the letter V to create the foundation for everything we ever hope to achieve or accomplish. If we build a strong foundation, then it will support whatever it is we choose to bring into existence.
What do you want to create? Who do you want to create it with? Why do you want to create it? What do you want to ripple out into the world? Who do you wish to be? What kind of human being are you striving to become? What inspires you? Why does it inspire you?
Some deeper questions…
To achieve what you choose, who do you need to be or become and what skills will be required?
Stop asking how and start asking who and what instead. You can’t control the how, but you can control yourself and the way you choose to show up for both yourself and those you serve!
If you could learn to sort, sift, and separate the trash from the treasure, so that you have more time for what’s important to you, how much would that be worth?
If you could quickly determine, decide, and delegate all your non-essential tasks to a trusted aid or virtual assistant, marketing partner, or your IT team, how much more time would you have for your family, friends, and hobbies?
In the military, they have SOP’s (Standard Operating Procedures) for everything. Why do you suppose that is? In the special forces, they have contingency plans for all their tactical operations. Why do you suppose that is?
Tactics, techniques, and timelines exist so they can operate with the surgical precision of a Swiss watch. TEAM members can disassemble and reassemble their weapons in the dark and blindfolded. What do you think they do that?
When you prepare and plan, with precision, you can predict your outcomes with clarity, confidence, and conviction!
To produce an outcome, action is required. It is the application and implementation of ideas, plans, and procedures that creates results.
Many years ago, I learned that profits are better than wages. However, I never really internalized the lesson, I never applied what I learned. I’d like to prevent you from making that same mistake.
Here’s why profits are better than wages:
Corporations have a fiduciary responsibility to their shareholders. The reason people invest in companies and in the stock market is because they expect a return on their investment.
What expectations do you have of yourself or your business? What kind of returns do you expect from YOU, Inc?
Write this down!
We get what we expect! If we have clear expectations, we get clear results! If we have unclear expectations, we get unclear results!
In other words, if you expect to be successful, you will often, be successful. If you expect to win, you will often win.
The metaphor, lose the battle but win the war, exists for a reason. The phrase, live to fight another day, exists for a reason. The reason survival is so important is it is impossible for you to be who you need to be if you are not in business. And it doesn’t have to be a physical business either. If you don’t have your health, then you’re not in business.
Commitment and discipline teach us to mitigate unintended outcomes so we can instead, execute flawlessly on our intended or desired results.
Ready, fire, aim, might work in some scenarios, but not most…
Have you ever wondered why the military has so many different forms and procedures? And instead of jumping right to the answer of well it’s the government what would you expect, maybe we could ask another question. What do those forms procedures and processes solve?
SOP’s, AAR’s, PMCS, Forms, Nomenclatures, a 24-hour system of time, and on and on it goes. Before a fighter jet ever leaves the runway, a detailed pre-flight checklist is completed. Why? What can we learn from the military that we can apply in our own lives? Heck, the military even has a system for physical fitness.
What problems do you suppose they might be solving before they ever have a chance to materialize? Yes, it’s called prevention!
What problem are you solving?
What does your customer want and why?
If your customers want more time, help them turn decades into years, months, weeks, and yes, depending on the circumstances, maybe only days. What if the client you’re working with has three of the four numbers of their combination lock of success all figured out? What if the wisdom you have regarding what they need is that missing fourth number? What if because of your skill and experience you helped them identify what they needed? What kind of difference would that make?
There are countless success stories and testimonials of people experiencing complete transformations in a single weekend.
When someone goes from thinking they can’t to believing they can, that’s a radical transformation. Then, all that’s required is consistent action to create the desired intention.
Clarity and confidence create enthusiasm. Enthusiasm creates energy! Energy is everything!
My name is Bobby. I am The Inspirationalist!
I inspire people to pursue their gifts!
If my words somehow inspired you to pursue your gift, then I succeeded…
By the way, if you enjoyed this article, I believe you will thoroughly enjoy my next book, Advance Confidently. I look forward to sharing it with you on the 4th of July.
Keep Pedaling, Keep Going, Keep Growing!
Advance Confidently!
If you enjoyed and found value in this article, please share it.
In Gratitude,
Bobby Kountz, Author, Speaker, Sobriety Scholar, Inspirationalist!
PS. You can find out more about me here. You can find my book on Amazon.
