What Do I Say? What Do I Do?

Questions? Oh, Yes, I Have Questions!

by Sandye Linnetz

I love questions. Questions can be so powerful; especially those that lead to more questions. We potentially move beyond what we know, past presumption, past black and white, past our point of view and into the realm of possibility, the unknown and even into that stuff we didn’t know that we didn’t know! Questions move us to look inside, explore, weigh, ponder and search past assumptions. Clarity and understanding are potential fallout . The value of questioning as a step just before action enhances our ability to choose, justify and move. The questions you ask are powerful tools for growth… yours and everyone else who hears them!

There is an ancient parable about a young student who, to prove his worthiness as a spiritual master, was instructed by his teacher to move a large boulder from one location to another – by sunrise. He was instructed to use all of his power to accomplish this feat. He pushed as hard as he could but the boulder didn’t budge. He was exhausted and felt doomed to failure. The teacher came by just before sunrise and, seeing that the boulder had barely been moved, suggested that the student might make better use of his power with the aid of a tool. The student took the teacher’s suggestion; ran for a strong board and began to slowly move the rock. But he was running out of time and could see that this wasn’t going to work either. He threw himself to the ground in despair.

The master came by again and quietly asked, “Have you used ALL of your power”?

“Yes”, replied the young man, “and I am physically and spiritually exhausted! I have no power left.”

“Not so,” said the Master, “you have more power. You have not asked for my help. You have the power to do that. I told you to use ALL of your power.”

The student was humbled as he asked for the wise teacher’s help.

“Yes, I will gladly help you,” said the master as he called to his other students to join them. Together, they quickly moved the rock to the new location.

Sometimes our power comes from those around us. Sometimes we simply need to ASK.

Just ASK

By Sandye Linnetz

The Beatles said it so well, “If you want it, here it is. Come and get it”! That seems easy enough, doesn’t it? So, if it’s that easy why don’t we always have everything that we say we want?

According to “The Secret” you can have anything if you focus on it and picture having it. That sounds easy. It just doesn’t sound very logical. Sorry, I’m just not feeling, it…

I can’t help thinking that there must be a missing step. Think it and it happens seems waaaay to simplified. Along with focusing on something, I believe in taking ACTION. Isn’t there something that, if done would ‘grease the wheels’ and set us up to get what we say we want? BINGO! Focus AND Action. Here’s the real ‘secret’ as I see it…

It is so obvious that most of us don’t take advantage of the simplest tool we have available to us. That simple tool? Our ability to ASK! Get clear about what you want – be sure it’s what you want and then ASK for it.  So many times we forget to do that. It really is so simple and yet we silly humans overthink and underact. Often, our fear of getting turned down (or some other story we made up about putting ourselves ‘out there’) stops us. We forget to do it, don’t feel like we ‘should’ do it – or we are admittedly afraid to do it. It’s just moving lips and pushing air…

Sometimes we don’t ask because we think ‘they’ should know what we want. Or, we don’t ask because, to us, it’s so obvious. (How many men have ‘gone down’ for not knowing what was on ‘her’ mind?) So, we silently think it and wait to see if they do it, give it or say it. Really? Mindreading? Seems ridiculous to expect that others can read our minds when they can barely make out what it is that we want when we actually tell them. I mean, really, do you read minds? It is ridiculous – illogical and very unlikely… and, oops, we’ve all done it.

Yes, there is a way to get what you want in life, and it’s the same personally or professionally. Do you want a favor? An answer? More ice cream? A kiss? That job? The sale? Some help? More money? Time off?   … ASK for it!

Determine what you want. Define it. Design it. Then ask for it. Ask a friend, a relative, a stranger, a lover, an associate, a client, a mentor or the universe, but ASK.

Be willing to make some bold and outrageous requests. (oh, and be SPECIFIC)

WHAT AM I SAYING WHEN I SAY ‘YES’?

yes-noby Sandye Linnetz

YES is a mighty powerful word… are you mindful when you use it? According to the dictionary it is an affirmative response that “gives agreement”. YES is a decision and a choice. Are you choosing carefully and with consideration when you make that commitment? And let’s be clear, YES is a commitment.

You’ve probably heard that when you say YES to something you are, simultaneously, saying NO to something else. It’s that front of the hand/back of the hand kind of thing – you can’t have one without the other. A YES to yourself may include a NO to putting others first. A YES to others may include putting yourself on the back burner. YES is a choice and the choice is yours!

Saying YES to what you want – your desired outcome in any area of your life – is likely a NO to the way it is and the way it was. Your commitment – your YES – to success or joy or excellence is a resounding NO to the people, situations, activities and thoughts that currently leave you feeling stressed, upset, confused, disillusioned or distraught.

A YES to over-committing yourself may be a NO to doing your best; it’s certainly a YES to stress. A YES to organization is a NO to clutter and chaos. In business, a YES to profitability is a NO to working by the seat of your pants.

Years ago I starred in a community theater production of 70 Girls 70 (by John Kander and Fred Ebb). One of my favorite songs was “Yes”- Liza Minnelli sang it on “Liza with a Z” before I did it. It was a joy to sing. Here’s an excerpt:

Say “Yes.”
Life keeps happening every day,
Say “Yes.”
When possibilities come your way,
You can’t start wondering what to say

Don’t say “Why,”
Say “Why not?”
What lies beyond what is,
Is not.
So what?
Say “Yes.”

So I suggest that you say YES to what excites you… to those things or people in life you hold precious – and start with saying YES to yourself.

RIDE THE HORSE IN THE DIRECTION IT’S GOING

 By Sandye Linnetz

In life, we have ‘beliefs’…  lots of beliefs. It’s all that stuff we absolutely ‘know’ is true – about life, love, business, spirituality, exercise, learning and even oatmeal!

“Making money is good” “the toilet paper should come OVER the roll” “nice guys finish last” “money doesn’t grow on trees” “Hard work pays off” “It’s better to be busy than bored”  “the road to success is filled with potholes”  “If it feels like work you’re in the wrong business” “I am boring” “Those people are boring” “WORK ISN’T FUN”  “THIS IS GOING TO TAKE A LONG TIME” “there aren’t enough hours in the day” “some things just can’t be done” “I’m not smart enough” “Money is the Possibility of Freedom” “Time is the most valuable commodity I have” “I’ll never be able to do that” “I can do anything I put my mind to” (You have millions of your own, don’t you?)

What do you BELIEVE about life – and yours in particular?  Pretend that you have to give a speech to 12th graders about what it’s like to be in you. What would you tell them? This is a great way to get clear about where you are and what you believe about what you do. How do your “beliefs” match your current reality?

Think about this: The way it is now is the lowest common denominator between what you want and what you are willing to accept.  Okay, reread that line until you really ‘get’ it.

Perhaps it’s time for you to raise the bar. First, see your reality as it is – no judgments, no interpretations – just let it be; accept your reality as it is. Don’t resist it, that doesn’t work. Notice it. Notice everything about it!

Now, design a new outcome. What do you want your reality to look like? What’s the dream; the perfect world scenario? Not really sure? Make it up. Your call…

Are you ready for that new reality? What would you have to do and who would you have to be in order for that reality to be yours? Step into it… take the steps (baby steps at first, maybe) to have it… and own it.

What will it take to get to the next step toward your measure of success?  Be creative in your thinking.  Brainstorm with people who are already there – or have been there. Drop the “what ifs” and step up to the ‘HOW’ plate. Take a swing at “how to get to where you want to be”.  (According to the California Lottery, “You can’t win if you don’t play”!)

The truth (or, ‘a’ truth): What you resist will persist.  When you allow things to ‘be’ just the way they are, you can create miracles for yourself.  Ride the horse in the direction it’s going and you’ll end up in the control of the reins. (And enjoy the ride)!

What Do I Say? What Do I Do? – WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

I’M IN!

Why this blog? What do I mean by writing it? Well, this is my way to get in communication with you… to engage with you in a way that makes a real practical and spiritual difference in our lives. This is where we open a conversation of possibility, one that inspires you! And, when you ‘invite’ me to do so, I will joyfully (and gratefully) light a fire under you and MOVE YOU TO ACTION! I’ll light the fire… YOU take the action!

Yes, you read that correctly… I will GRATEFULLY be your catalyst for mastery, excellence and joy! That’s my passion; having the opportunity to empower you to be, do and have everything for your greatest good! You get your choice of miracles (which makes me smile inside and out). And, for giving me the gift of passion and possibility, I thank you in advance. Truly. You are about to make a huge difference in MY life – as I will in yours.

How do I do that? (Seriously, do you really care as long as I deliver?) Ok, I’ll tell you…

I have one proverbial foot in the practical ‘real’ world and one in the spiritual ‘woo woo’ world. I am bilingual! So, as I take you on a “MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR” (thank you Beatles!!!) of questions, processes, ideas and more, I will be reminding you of who your really are and what you already knew…

That’s my job. Your job is to participate – fully, here and with those around you. Sometimes you’ll have a question. Sometimes you’ll be engaged in someone else’s inquiry. Play full out – that’s how the game is won!

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

a message from Sandye Linnetz

I have always hated waiting. I’m the quick and impatient type, always moving, doing – in action. I was never very good at waiting. What a waste of my precious, limited time! How unproductive! How boring!

You know what I’m talking about.  Waiting for the train to pass or the light to change… You have place a to go and people to see! Waiting in line at the store… You have far more important things to do! Waiting for your appointment when you got there on time! Being left on hold when you have an important question… or answer… or problem.  Waiting for that repair person to show up or the mail or that phone call can be hell on earth! Some of you might even have issues with waiting for a slow speaker to finish a sentence or for the other person to ‘get the concept’.

And then there are the BIG waits: Did I get the job? Where’s the acceptance letter? What are the test results? Is it a boy or a girl? When will THIS be over?

Whoa. Hold on there.  WAIT a minute! (oops, sorry ‘bout that)  Perhaps we would all benefit from a little ‘waiting coaching’. If we could train ourselves to wait – and wait patiently – maybe we would even (dare I say it?) learn to enjoy waiting.

Ready for a shift? Think of yourself as a student who’s been working hard on long division all period long. And envision waiting as recess time. Remember the thrill of the recess bell? We all loved recess, didn’t we? It’s time to go back to those glorious days and relish the break – take charge of it and make waiting your play time.

Decide how you will use your time; will you use it to BE or as a time to DO? Using your time management skills you could do some strategic planning. Make lists.  Make that phone call or write that email. On a more cerebral level: meditate, pray, really look around  – wherever you are – and appreciate what is.

It’s all about ‘reframing’ what is… reframe the annoying wait so that it becomes an opportunity to…

Make the shift from annoyance to relaxation and get good at waiting.

Thought for the day:  If you are waiting for a change… stop waiting!  Go all Nike on it. Just do it.