Is change good or bad? Well, yes and no. As in a challenging tennis game, the ball continues to be batted back and forth. Unwelcome change may be painful and certainly not all change is good. But all progress does require change, so unless we want to maintain the status quo forever, we must be prepared for change.
If you need a break from the speed of change perhaps a few days in a monastery would be just the ticket for you. Check out my comments below.
**************************** “The whole of my life has been a war with my natural taste, feelings, and wishes,” Jefferson told a friend the summer after he left the presidency. “Domestic life and literary pursuits were my first and latest inclinations; circumstances and not my desires led me to the path I have trod. And like a bow, though long bent, which when unstrung flies back to its natural state, I resume with delight the character and pursuits for which nature designed me.” From The Real Thomas Jefferson, contributed by 48 Days reader Joe Bigler from Santaquin, Utah.
Are you exhausted with the bombardments of deadlines, required planning meetings, urgent emails, tweets and 55 more people who want to “friend” you on FaceBook? Maybe you need to disconnect from those demands that consume your days.
Have you considered a few days in a monastery? I'm serious. No, you don't have to take a vow of chastity or poverty - just spend a few days in this alternate lifestyle. There are hundreds of them across the country that will welcome you into their quiet world. You may want to sign up for a retreat with a focus. A retreat is a time to "take off your shoes," to leave schedules and projects behind, and to be open and vulnerable - ready to be changed and deepened, and to view one's own life as "holy ground."
You may just need a few days of simple living, quiet and solitude with no stated focus. “We open our doors to anyone,” says Sister Josie Sanchez, of the Benet Hill Monastery in Colorado Springs. “And if a person can't afford the $50 per night fee for accommodations and food, they can work around the property,” she says. Another center says they will help you “Retreat, Rest, Reflect, and Renew.”
I personally have spent time at the The Abbey of Gethsemani in Trappist, Kentucky. You may be familiar with this monastery as the home of author Thomas Merton. One of their stated goals is to “tone down excessive self-concern.” Thus there is no talking. Yes, it's a little odd at first but I quickly got used to and welcomed it. A wonderful time for contemplation, prayer and cleansing. All they ask for is an anonymous donation as you leave.
No phones, TV or email will cause any of us to think and reflect in ways we normally miss. Believe me, you will hear, see and think things you've been missing all along. You may get a clearer sense of your purpose in the absence of daily clutter and chatter. And most of these monasteries have an architectural beauty that is rare in the United States.
****************************
I had already scheduled this newsletter for delivery when I got a message about an upcoming John Michael Talbot retreat at his monastery farm in Berryville, Arkansas. John Michael was a very successful member of the old country folk/rock band Mason Proffit, but decided to withdraw from that life. On August 7-9, 2009 he'll be teaching Lessons of St. Francis. The registration fee is only $200. Or you can wait until the following week and catch Michael Card at the same retreat center.
****************************
As in most areas of our lives, we get to choose. Do you want one more draining trip to Disneyland or a few days of quiet, peaceful silence.
In a controversial new book -- FREE, Chris Anderson (editor Wired Magazine) says that natural forces are pushing us toward making all intellectual content free to the consumer. Wow - what does that mean for newspapers, magazines, websites, authors and musicians? He says that musicians better get used to having people download their songs for free - yes, they will continue to make money, but it will be from live events and merchandise - not the songs themselves. For authors it will be the same thing - give away the content and make money with events and merchandise.
Now what would you expect the price to be on his book - Free? Well, yes it is free - kinda.
I've created a link where you can find the entire book - absolutely free. Just open and read. And if you are currently marketing intellectual content in any way, you need to read this book. Here's your link: Free book
If you prefer the audio, here's a link for the free audio: Free audio At least listen to the sample clip under the book graphic. It will give you a great overview of the book's contents.
But here's the irony. While the book is titled Free and is readily available in either print or audio format, it is also available from Amazon as a traditional hardcover book. Free on Amazon It sells for a pricey $26.99 and is currently at #191, which means thousands of them are selling.
Does it surprise you that a book can be “free” and still be selling briskly at $26.99? Welcome to the new world of marketing, where everything is changing and some things seem counterintuitive. If you are a musician, author, journalist, pastor or teacher, you need to recognize the changing world of “selling.” There is a new term that captures where business is going - “conversational marketing.”
Welcome to 48 Days radio where each week I look through the submitted questions and then blast through as many as possible right here to give you the unique tools for your own success.
Success principles are very transferable - what makes a real estate professional, or a small business owner, or an IT employee or a stay at home Mom successful can also work for you. Career or work skills are not that confined to only work or career - the same principles, concepts and skills that make you successful in those “careers” will make you successful in the broader scope of your life. The success you plan for in your work will without question spill over into better finances, health and relationships.
This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com. The internet's leading provider of spoken word entertainment. Get a FREE Audiobook download of your choice when you sign up today. Logon to audiblepodcast.com/work today for details.
Here are some of the questions answered in this week's audio podcast. Click at the bottom to hear my responses.
I have come to the realization that my current job is neither within my calling or even tolerable for to much longer. I have a desire and passion for physical fitness and encouraging others when they think a goal/quest is out of reach. Would I need a certification to do what I've described?
Five months ago I got laid off from working in IT. I've been unsuccessful finding work. My wife and I are thinking about creating a mature content site to generate income. We would either make videos of ourselves or just feature videos. We know this is a booming industry. Do you see anything morally wrong with starting this business?
I've read your "48 Days To The Work You Love" book and now I'm reading "No More Mondays". They have inspired me to pursue an invention of mine but I don't know where to start. I have a motorcycle and one day I came up with this idea for a black motorcycle vest with lights on the back, hook up the lights to the brake and turning lights from the bike so whenever you apply them the lights on the back of the vest come on? What would you suggest I should you?
Please tell me more about how to write a business plan. Is there a guide or a workbook you would recommend? I have been self employed for 20+ years and have never done one.
I had my own homebuilding company and 2 years ago my business came to a crashing halt with the economy down turn. I loved building homes and that was my passion. I started an insurance agency the first of the year and have been doing OK but not earning what I need to keep the bills paid. What's a 61 year old person to do?? I was doing what I loved to do when I was building homes. Now, I feel as though I have lost my identity and have a hopeless feeling at times.
I am 34 and only have a high-school diploma. I did not do very well when I was in school; however I am now very eager to learn! How do you decide on further schooling or another job or your own business? I have been in a battle with myself over this for years! You are right -- the indecision has led me to do nothing, and that's not what I want. I want to thank you for all that you do!
**************************** If you have a question, just email me at askdan@48Days.com and you can ask about starting your own business, getting a better job, or finding your purpose in life.
And you can click the link below to listen to this week's broadcast immediately - no downloading - no wait.
Coaching with Dan
Many of you ask if I still coach people individually. Yes, I do. Feel like you've taken too much time to get to the success you want? This is a common issue with the physicians, dentists, attorneys and pastors who let us know they're looking for more. Give us some brief information and I'll recommend one of my coaching packages: Coaching with Dan
**************************** 48Days.net
At 48Days.net you'll see over 3500 other excited people who have ideas - and they're willing to share those with you to help your business grow and profit. If you want your life to be different this year, get involved with people who are on the same path. There is no cost - just lots of helpful people and resources.
**************************** Is Your Child Unique?
Many of you know I have been studying personality styles for many years. And yes, those unique personality traits show up very early in life. This week, Deb Ingino, a former Eagles Club client and now founder of My Wired Style, interviewed me about my own personality style. We had a wonderful time going down memory lane to recall how early my “style” was emerging. You can hear the 30-minute interview here: StrengthsCast with Dan Miller. Be sure to check out the beautiful, brief video on Deb's site explaining different challenges your own child may be having.
**************************** Don't miss your best idea
While on a trip with some friends we stopped at a garage sale in Guntersville, AL. It had just rained briefly and the gentleman said he did not want to pack up the wet clothing. He questioned if we had any good use for about 30 pairs of women's designer jeans. Our traveling companion works with a lot of single mothers and was delighted to help him out. In this case she is not reselling these - but I see deals like this all the time. I once bought 865 brand new Broadman Holman Publishing books for $100 at a Dave Ramsey sponsored yard sale. That's 12 cents a piece - I sold probably $1000 worth and gave lots of them to worthy clients and causes. If you need additional income or just want to start your own business, look around you. The opportunities are banging on your door. Check out our Special Packages of resources to launch your idea.
**************************** Are you ready for change?
Do you know how to take advantage of change?"?
The most popular product in the 48 Days arsenal continues to be the 48 Days Career Profile. What's the best environment for you to live out your "calling?" You can find out here.
"I want to know God's thoughts... the rest are details." ~ Albert Einstein
"100% of the shots you don't take don't go in." ~ Wayne Gretzky
'Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?' Alice asked.
'That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,' said the Cat.
'I don't much care where --' said Alice.
'Then it doesn't matter which way you go,' said the Cat. ~ Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
"An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind." ~ M.K. Gandhi
"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great." ~ Mark Twain
Do you know how to take advantage of change?"?
