The slowdown in the workplace is allowing a lot of people to take a deep breath for perhaps the first time in many years. For some of them that deep breath has been a lifesaving escape from “doing” the work that enslaved them. They are finding new ideas and inspiration – and are entering the most exciting next season in their lives.
How long has it been since you tried just “sitting” for new ideas?
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Be sure to check out our upcoming events in the 48 Days Highlights section below. We’d love for you to join us as you are thinking well, refining your best self, and making plans for the future you want.
*************************** ”I do this real moron thing, it's called thinking, and I'm not a very good American because I like to form my own opinions.” – George Carlin
Henry Ford once said he didn’t want executives who had to work all the time. He insisted that those who were always in a flurry of activity at their desks were not being the most productive. He wanted people who would clear their desks, prop their feet up and dream some fresh dreams. His philosophy was that only he who has the luxury of time can originate a creative thought.
Wow! When’s the last time your boss told you to quit working and do more dreaming? Unfortunately, our culture glamorizes being under time pressure. Having too much to do with too little time is a badge of “success.” Or is it?
This week I heard from a gentleman who has spent the last three years hiking and living in an isolated old farm house. He said he had experienced the “perfect storm” – divorce, unfulfilling job, nasty boss and a 33 year dream of hiking the Appalachian Trail. After three years of “sitting” his thinking is now clear, his energy is renewed, his anger is gone, his creativity has been revived and he is ready to map out the next season of his life.
The Apostle Paul took long walks between cities, using the time to think and talk. Even when shipwrecked, instead of calling in a helicopter to get him to his next gig, he simply used the unexpected time to create with his mind. Andrew Carnegie would go into an empty room for hours at a time, not allowing any interruptions, as he was “sitting for ideas.”
Thomas Edison would go down to the water’s edge each morning, throw out his line – with no bait – and then watch the bobber for an hour until his thinking was ready for the day. Without long walks, an hour here and there of bush hogging, tinkering with my cars, or playing with a grandchild, my writing to bring inspiration to others would very quickly be reduced to dry theories and lifeless words.
If you are feeling stuck, your solution may not be in doing more, but in taking a break from the “busyness” of life. Want to be more productive -- try doing less. Go “sit” somewhere for a while!”
*************************** “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” -- Henry David Thoreau
If you could purchase something for $750 and sell it for $1500 would you consider that a good deal? What if you could sell the same item for $4500? And you knew you could do that not just once but repeatedly? Would that be a business that interested you?
On September 11, my daughter Ashley and I will be hosting the next 48 Days workshop training here at the Sanctuary in Franklin, TN. As a participant you will be given:
A 48 Days Seminar leaders kit with full DVD set
5 complete 48 Days Seminar Packages
A tasty Blue Coast Burrito lunch buffet
A Gourmet Seafood catered dinner
Training on how to market seminars successfully
A full day with other excited leaders
If you simply conduct one class using the 5 participant packages you'll have, at our suggested $299 each, you'll get a $1500 return on your investment. Justin Lukasavige will be here to share how he limits his workshops to 10 participants – at $897 each. This is exactly how I started my business. I purchased a seminar package, had 23 people in my first group, and walked away with a tidy $8000 profit at a time when I was really struggling financially.
Our three previous training days have completely sold out. We have 7 remaining spots open for the September 11th date. Do you have a more profitable business plan for the remainder of this year?
Will you be one of 7 people to dramatically change the next 48 Days of your life – while providing a lifeline to your friends who are desperate for better solutions?
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.
“Life or death” of my marriage
I’ve identified my number one problem. I don't really know myself. Honestly everything has been on hold for years after a divorce and the subsequent 20 years of managing the 5 kids by myself. I consider myself lucky but have lost my sense of what would be fulfilling career wise.
I lost my job over a month ago in a high profile corporate role. Since leaving the company I have been approached by many of my external business associates asking that I do consulting work on their behalf. The question is.... I am scared to go out on my own and make a living on consulting.
One of the things that comes through in your written and podcast materials is you are very planful in terms of how you spend your time. I suspect that applies to both work and personal time. Can you please talk about the importance of being both purposeful with our time and mindful of the stimuli to which we are exposed?
My wife and I started a music academy 6 years ago teaching private music lessons in student's homes. I'm now looking for other ways to leverage my expertise and experience as a guitar teacher. As I research the market, I confess I get a little intimidated by the large amount of guitar instructional material online. How will my stuff stick out? Is there such a thing as a saturated market or is it really about positioning myself in a unique way?
I have always been in sales and have always done ok but not great. I recently took Myers Briggs and sales was not listed in the "best jobs" for your personality type. I don't really like sales because I find it repetitive and I like variety. I want to make a change but fear keeps me stuck doing something I don't really like.
I have an issue that is personal but related to work that I am dealing with and is becoming the "life or death" of my marriage. My husband is currently not working (and we are living with his parents) b/c he is pursuing his "passion" for a network marketing company. Network marketing is however not what I signed up for. I am tired of chasing rainbows with him and want him to buckle down so I can have a house and hopes of having children. We are directionless and I'm becoming hopeless.
*************************** 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.
Living, Loving & Working Symposium Join Dan & Joanne for this unforgettable 2-day event here at the Sanctuary in Franklin, TN on Sept. 17-18th, 2009. We’ll be covering issues like:
Is it still possible to find – or create – the work you love?
How can you make your house a peaceful place even with the challenges of work and business?
Is it still possible to find – or create – the work you love?
How can you survive the hard times while maintaining family strength and vitality?
What should we be teaching our children about work and careers?
How do you support your spouse when things are uncertain?
Can you really enjoy the different “seasons” of life?
*************************** Lead the 48 Days Seminar
Are you someone who just naturally provides hope and encouragement? Would you like to help more people know the 48 Days principles? My daughter Ashley and I are offering a one-day training program to help anyone who wants to be ready to lead this six-week program. We'll provide you with a complete set of leader instructions, DVDs, and the confidence to begin sharing immediately. Certified 48 Days Trainer
*************************** Dan’s 5 Tips for Entrepreneurs Here’s a brief and entertaining video where my son Kevin interviews me on my advice for anyone starting a venture of their own. He also gives details on the upcoming Free Agent Academy event Sept. 21-23 in beautiful Woodland Park, CO. See if you agree with my 5 tips: Free Agent Academy Colorado Event
*************************** 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 3700 other excited people who have ideas – and plans for their accomplishment. 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 people who are committed to helping each other succeed.
**************************** 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.
Henry David Thoreau knew the power of escaping the busyness to be able to “think” well. He built his house for a total cost of $28.18 so he wouldn’t be burdened with having to “do” just to keep up. Here are some of his thoughts:
”I make myself rich by making by wants few.” -- Henry David Thoreau
"It is not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about?" -- Henry David Thoreau
"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away." -- Henry David Thoreau
"You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment. Fools stand on their island opportunities and look toward another land. There is no other land, there is no other life but this." -- Henry David Thoreau
”If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he had imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours. -- Henry David Thoreau
"However mean your life is, meet it and live it: do not shun it and call it hard names. Cultivate poverty like a garden herb, like sage. Do not trouble yourself much to get new things, whether clothes or friends. Things do not change; we change. Sell your clothes and keep your thoughts." -- Henry David Thoreau
”As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler; solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor weakness weakness.” -- Henry David Thoreau
This world is but a canvas to our imagination. -- Henry David Thoreau
Do you know how to take advantage of change?"?
