
Vault It

I believe that the results we get in life depend on who we are. Not where we were born, not how much money we have, not our IQ. The results will vary depending on our skills and our attitude. Some things can’t be changed. We’re given a certain hand of cards at the beginning of our lives, how we play that hand will determine the outcome.
For example, one day, we learnt to read. If we were to keep reading at the same level than our first year in school, we would only have access to that grade’s library. We wouldn’t be able to process other materials because we didn’t learn the skills. That’s very limiting!
If we want to have access to more, we must become more, we must learn more. There is no right or wrong way to do this. I just wish for everyone to be aware that we set the barre, and the limit, on our success. Doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results is not productive. So how can we do things differently, what do we need to learn, to get the results we’re looking for?
It’s an investment. It takes a long time, it’s hard, tedious and we want to give up, often. However, if we know that this is the way to get everything our heart wishes, if we stay focused on our intentions, we will succeed!
We sometimes think that success is conditional upon intelligence, money and birth privileges. Those things can help, for sure, they are not the decisive factors though, our skills are. Our attitude and our focus determine the outcome. I’m specifically referring to soft skills: communication, empathy, emotional intelligence.
We could come up with the best product to sell, if we’re not able to connect with our clients, they will not trust us, and they will buy something else, from someone else. People don’t buy products, they buy an experience, and the experience is conditional upon the players.
It’s an investment because the process is slow, it’s a gamble at times, but it usually pays off. I’m personally more likely to invest in myself with confidence than the stock market. I know my ROI. I am so solid in my investment that I can now share valuable information and give support to others. The best thing I ever invested in is myself. I invite you to look into investing in yourself 🙂
Reach for the greatest version of yourself.
One thing that has helped me a lot, and I hope it helps you too, is to be curious. It works at several levels too.
Being curious about other individuals, especially the ones we disagree with, let’s us put the focus on the human being rather than the label we associate a person with. By focusing on the humanity, we can find understanding and connection on neutral ground. We see some of ourselves too and that brings us closer. We can do this with just about anyone. We all want the same thing after all, how we get there is what sets us apart. Focusing on the goal rather than how we get there nurtures our similarities, not our differences.
Being curious about others puts us in a giving position: we give our time and our attention. Givers are winners that create more connections than the takers. Period. Being curious has been reported to be one of the most efficient way to build a successful business. By being curious about our clients, customers, friends, we can find out what they truly want and meet that need if we can, or introduce them to someone who will.
Curiosity is also a fun game. There is always something to discover. Are you bored about a situation? Ask questions, look for what you don’t already know. You may be delightfully surprised by what you unveil. The world is after all an amazing treasure, why limit ourselves to what we already see when there is so much out there waiting to be revealed to us. That’s an abundance mindset that has never failed me, I invite you to give it a shot 🙂
Reach for the greatest version of yourself!
One of the greatest act of courage in my opinion is not to find the strength to do it all, being independent or self sufficient. One of the greatest act of courage is to ask for help.Being courageous to me is knowing oneself, our strength and limitations, while finding the collaborators to bridge the gap to get to where we want to be.
Nothing in our world is self sufficient, everything is connecting and interacting with many other organisms and modalities. The cycle of life of plants are a perfect undeniable example: they need water and sunshine, and then birds and bees to populate. It’s team work.
How wonderful would it be to let ourselves go to the undeniable fact that we need others to survive, to grow, to complete our destiny, to fully live our story. We need many mirrors in our lives to reflect who we are, who we deny ourselves to be. On many occasions, we deny our heart to beat at its own rhythm, we deny the very fiber of our being to unravel into our authentic self. We tame our wildest dreams for fear to be ridiculed or end up alone.
I could blame our culture for it, I really think it’s just part of the human condition. We are gifted with free will and with so many opportunities, by our very nature, that the torture of becoming is the source of the most joy.
Some of us torture ourselves more than others. Some of us just go dormant and miss the show all together.
I always say: the heart never lies. Your head will tell you stories, your ego will distract you, but your heart will never lie to you. We don’t always want to listen, that’s all.
The word courage comes from the french word “coeur” which means “heart”. I invite you to listen to your heart as much as you can. That is the way, that is the only way to live your authentic story. Many people will come along the way to help you listen to your heart, to help your heart beat stronger and faster. We don’t go at it alone, and the story is not over until the last heartbeat.
Be courageous Darlings, for this is in you, it is your nature, it is yours to be and have.
Reach for the greatest version of yourself.
Paola.
I had the most profound experience this morning at my favorite networking group: the Metropolitan Breakfast Club. We had the privilege to enjoy a very emotional and inspiring presentation by Leslie Hyland Rodgers, founder and executive director for her non-profit, Symphony of Soul.
Leslie is an experienced, very talented singer and actress, who started her non-profit after her mother became sick, realizing that her gift could serve others in a very powerful and meaningful way. She offers music to industries and facilities to comfort and entertain. From hospitals to care centers, people respond to music in a positive, profound way, and their attitude is transformed. What a gift!
She shared that, for years, she struggled as an artist. She did the “service” day jobs to sustain her passion in the arts. She was broke and never really enjoyed her day jobs. Only as she went through her mother’s cancer with her did she realized that her passion could be of service at a greater level. Music became the tool to her purpose, her gift was the way to a whole new vision.
Last week I had a Rainbow Ribbon cutting ceremony with my tango partner as Austin Gay and Lesbian Chamber of commerce members. That was such a fun experience and part of our vision to connect with the Queer community and collaborate with like minded individuals. To me, dance is the tool that helps me connect with others. Tango is fun, sexy and carries a lot of history. I love the elegance of the dance, its versatility and adaptability to various music genres. My purpose is to have fun with it, of course. I do want to use something I’m good at, that brings me joy, to connect with others. I believe that connection is the first and utmost purpose in life as human beings. Our talents and skills, used wisely, are our tools to connect. What are you good at that brings you joy? Use that!
I loved that Leslie mentioned that shift in her career and the creation of her non-profit. Her broke years and day jobs were her education and training that led her to create her non-profit and have a fantastic tool, music, to carry her vision through.
Whatever you’re going through right now, I invite you to consider if it serves your passion or your vision. Are you learning, are you educating yourself, are you surrounding yourself with inspiring individuals? Would you sit with yourself and make a list of your activities and social time, and make sure it serves your true self? If you feel any tension or anxiety in your body reading those questions, you may want to make that list even sooner than later. If what you read makes complete sense to you then I request you to share it with someone that may need it. If you’re unsure, call me 🙂
Connect with someone new today! Use your gift!
Paola