February 9, 2010 by Jeff Brunson
Turning 55 has been a bit of a challenge. Mostly because I have generally struggled more with the mid-decade mile posts … don’t know why.
But something sparked on that birthday – and it is hard to explain. But it is something I’ve learned in this year of writing a book.
Editing
I am no longer interested in the voices of uninvited editors. Here I speak of my life and not the book. Although I seek no unasked for advice there either.
This is not about control. It is more about peace. It is about impact. It is about voice.
In the year of writing my book on The Stream, I have learned so much about my own voice. While being fully aware of my voice going into this project, I have learned to do my own upfront editing by activating my voice – the voice that speaks from purpose.
And again, I speak less about writing and more about living; living without the need to control; living in a manner that promotes and sends peace; and living with intention that is in itself the impact.
Edit with your voice activated.
Posted in Book Learning | Tagged Impact, Purpose, Voice | Leave a Comment »
February 7, 2010 by Jeff Brunson
I completed chapters two through seven as planned. On the very last day of the deadline I had set for myself, I wrote the last section of chapter seven. Now it was time for the last chapter – chapter one.
I took a couple of days to outline chapter one. Once completing this outline, I sat back to study it. As my book asks the reader to take a journey to awareness – to open mind and heart – I worked hard to make chapter one as tangible as possible.
So, sitting there studying that chapter one outline, I found it puzzling why I could find no satisfaction with it. There was nothing there moving me to begin content. Had grief of being so close to the end frozen me?
You see, I had fallen in love with the writing process. I consciously knew I was nearing the end. And as I reminded myself I was nearing the end of this project, I began to comfort myself by asking, “What about the next one?”
Chapter one was also completed within the time goal set for it. What I have learned here near the end is 1) there is no end – not if that is what I desire, and 2) always trust the process.
Trashing the frustrating outline, I created another one that followed my trusted process producing chapters two through seven.
Posted in Book Learning | Tagged Love, Trust | Leave a Comment »
February 1, 2010 by Jeff Brunson
Your purpose is your impact.
To be you – this can be a challenge in this 21st Century. It can be difficult to make choices in light of who we are when the rush of activity and the noise of information keeps our attention focused on so many things of little significance.
Purpose lives and breathes when you embrace and leverage who you are.
Impact is the sustainable influence of who you are – your authentic self. Internal focus – driven by purpose – directs external focus. Purpose flows from the inside out.
Impact – your impact – is not a series of results and outcomes. Rather, your impact is the unfolding story of your reach; the balance of the internal and external.
So where are you reaching, and for what? The answer is your purpose. It is probably not that complicated. The answer is pretty simple. It is in a simple statement of purpose that you are able to reach far and wide. Your simple statement of purpose doesn’t define you. It frees you!
Your purpose is your impact.
Posted in For Your Confidence | Tagged Authenticity, Impact, Purpose, Story | Leave a Comment »
January 28, 2010 by Jeff Brunson
To just Write is teaching me more about trusting self.
It was mid-day Sunday and I had just returned from the writing den where I made progress in completing the last chapter. I told my wife that I was going to take it easy the rest of the day as I had worked a good deal of Saturday as well. I would do that work I planned on my bike after my 9:00 a.m. phone conference on Monday. I then made some reference to my effort to justify these decisions.
That’s when she said, “You know you don’t have to justify your choices and actions to anyone. You’re free to do with your time as you see fit.”
She was basically reminding me to fully embrace the very heart of the message in my writing.
It was so empowering to feel her support as she lovingly reminded me of my freedom and the accountability of that freedom.
To just write means I must ignore all sounds of judgment (the shoulds) and listen to my own voice – trusting the process as I free my voice to have its say.
Posted in Book Learning | Tagged Judgment, Trust, Voice | Leave a Comment »
January 25, 2010 by Jeff Brunson
She trusts me like I am her dedicated brother. And in spirit, I guess I am.
So I ask, Why does she trust me so?
Am I that good at what I do?
Have I influenced her life that much?
It is certainly not because of my name – I am not famous. It is not due to charisma – I am not Anthony Robbins; or the like.
My heart knows the answer. I can’t help it. I love each of my Clients for who they are.
Posted in Credibility | Tagged Love, Presence, Purpose | Leave a Comment »
January 21, 2010 by Jeff Brunson
In thinking about a Client who is younger than my daughter, I wondered if I owe him an apology or two for when I may have been a bit fatherly in my coaching.
My inner voice quickly responded, “Then you would most likely need to apologize to every person you have coached.”
Okay … so I occasionally become fatherly – what is wrong with that?
One might ask why I act like a father? And I would simply say, It is because of my voice. It is because I love each individual with whom I have the privilege to work.
I know who they are. And I love them.
Posted in Credibility | Tagged Love, New Confidence, Purpose | Leave a Comment »
January 18, 2010 by Jeff Brunson
Love makes you a leader.
A person may love the industry they are in. This person may love the role and position they currently hold. But what makes the person a leader is the love they have for those they lead, influence and serve.
To love is to know the story of another.
To know the story of another, one must listen.
To listen is to love. Please be a listener.
Posted in 21st Century Skills, For Your Confidence | Tagged Leadership, Love | Leave a Comment »
January 13, 2010 by Jeff Brunson
At the end of my retreat in September 2008, I called home to talk to Becky. She asked if my time on the mountain in North Carolina had been successful. I told her the what and why of what I would write about. Her response? “I could have told you that before you left.”
But she did acknowledge that I had to come to that conclusion on my own. So what I decided to write about was what I desire for others. And writing about what I desire and do for others is making me more confident in doing it.
Posted in Book Learning | Tagged Desire | Leave a Comment »
January 10, 2010 by Jeff Brunson
Please do not be afraid to love as a leader. Hopefully you entered the realm of leadership because of love. If not; well it is not too late.
Your Desire & Intent as a leader is your love expressed. Now live it.
Set your goals in a very specific manner aligned with your values. Then allow your Desire & Intent to guide your strategic action.
In other words, express your Desire & Intent (this is your commitment) and then courageously and confidently act on this commitment.
This is your love as a leader.
Posted in For Your Confidence | Leave a Comment »
January 7, 2010 by Jeff Brunson
Writing is teaching me more about me.
I am writing my book to assist leaders in finding self. As I do this, I am finding more of me.
In the act of writing I find courage to express right now the many things I’ve longed to say. While I now say these things without apology, I say them in love – my voice.
Posted in Book Learning | Leave a Comment »
