A Roadmap to reaching your potential...

Good Morning,

I have a few questions for you this morning:

• What do you want to achieve in life?  big question I know
• How do you plan to achieve your goals or get to that desired destination?

The reason I ask is because I want to review Maslow's Hierarchy of needs, and how using some personal motivation that resides in each of us can help us achieve our goals and destiny.

The Pyramid of Needs

1. Physiological Needs - air, food, drink, shelter, warmth, sleep, and intimacy
2. Safety Needs - protection from the elements, security, order, law, limits, stability, freedom from fear
3. Social Needs - belonging, affection and love - from co-workers, family, friends, and lovers
4. Self Esteem Needs - achievement, mastery, independence, status, dominance, prestige, self-respect, respect
5. Self-Actualization - realizing personal potential, self-fulfillment, seeking personal growth and peak experience.

What is the importance of the Pyramid in understanding how to reach our potential? 

Maslow believed that when needs are unmet people are motivated to achieve those needs first, and then seek to fulfill the higher needs - (ex. - starving people will do anything to satisfy that basic need because if they don't they won't survive)  I would hope that each of you reading this are meeting your basic needs, but this example creates a good focus for us and further justifies the thinking of Maslow.  The pyramid is just that -  A pathway of moving to a higher level of personal growth where we meet needs that either are central to our survival or will greatly enhance our human experience.

So where are you currently on this pyramid?  Do you want to find out?  Here's a quick quiz that will help:

http://helloquizzy.okcupid.com/tests/the-revised-maslow's-hierarchy-of-needs-test

Did you complete the quiz? 

Does it seem like an accurate assessment of where you're currently in your life?  If it is, but it's not where you want to be how are you going to change that starting today?  I want to provide some help in the form of an article you can read that outlines a process for you to start moving up that pyramid toward the goal of self-actualization.  Below is the link to the article.  I will discuss the article and provide some practical strategies related to the article in my next blog post.

http://hubpages.com/hub/Self-Affirmations

I hope this has been beneficial.  Please let me know because my goal is to provide help to people in achieving their goals for personal development and health.  Thank you for visiting, and have a wonderful day.

Take care,

Dave

​

Going Against the Grain - 5 steps to achieving your dreams...

Have you ever had a dream, a desire, or a destiny you felt pulled to chase in your life?  Most people will answer that question with an emphatic yes.  Have you ever had a dream, a desire, or destiny in life that you pursued even when it meant encountering problems and going against the grain?  The emphatic yes answers to this question often decrease dramatically because people lose sight of their dream for one reason or another.  It can be a challenge to accomplish your dreams in life when you're faced with difficulties along the way, but learning how to press forward past the obstacles in your path allows you to make the dream a reality.

Here are 5 steps to achieving your dreams:

1.  Clarify - The first step to achieving your dream is to understand it, have a plan to achieve it, and be able to clearly communicate it to others.  If you aren't clear on where you're going or what you're doing then it will be impossible to have other people see your vision.  Next you've got to be able to share it with people in a way that they can see and understand the vision.  You can't expect people to get onboard with something when they're confused by the message.

In my own life I've struggled with this because my mind functions in a weird way at times.  I generally have numerous thoughts or ideas running through my head, and when I'm in a conversation I'm often processing my next response before I've even completed what I'm saying.  My wife has been my help throughout the years because she has alerted me in the moment, so I can focus and complete my sentence or train of thought.  Therefore, you've got to be able to explain your dream, hope, or vision in a way that others can see and support.  Taking this first step will get you moving toward achieving your dream.

2.  Identify - Once you are able to state clearly to others your intentions for changing the world you'll have to be ready for their opposition.  What you do next is crucial to failure or success.  In those moments it's easy to lose heart when the people you love and respect in your life don't seem to support your dream, but before you become disheartened you have to be willing to identify the cause for their reaction.

Is this someone who may have a legitimate argument or a rational reason they're questioning your hopes and dreams?  There's two sides to every coin, and in life there are many ways to look at a situation.  Therefore, you need to consider what they're saying, and does it have any validity.  If so, does that mean you need to alter your dream or just decide to agree to disagree?  That is a question you'll have to answer for yourself.  Chasing your dream will be difficult, but when you can prepare for problems and be proactive, it's much easier to quickly avert disaster along the way.  Therefore, take the time when you encounter negativity on your path to vet it for validity, so you can continue moving forward on the path to achieving your dream.

3.  Isolate - Have you ever done Spring cleaning or just went through your closet to make a Goodwill trip?  Sadly, this also can apply to relationships in our lives.  When we chase our dreams in life there may be those who don't want us to succeed by either withholding their support or verbalizing their disagreement.  Even though we may have tried to understand and respect the other viewpoint, there are times when we have to stand up for ourselves by not being anyone's doormat.  At these times you may have to isolate the negativity in your life by cutting off communication, minimizing visits, or ending a bad relationship.  The negativity can kill your dream, and can be like sitting in a dark room that becomes lighter as your eyes adjust.  If you don't isolate the opposition to your dream, you may become convinced they're right and your dream will die.  Theodore Roosevelt put it nicely, "I care not what others think of what I do, but I care very much about what I think of what I do!  That is character!" 

4.  Surround -  In order to stay on track in achieving your dream you have to avoid the negativity, but you also have to surround yourself with like-minded people who can understand your need to pursue your passion.  You have to find others who look at the world and it's problems as opportunities to make it a better place.  That requires finding avenues to fuel that smoldering ember within you, so that it can ignite into a raging fire that has the ability to burn fiercely in your soul until you achieve your dream.  Some of the ways that I find to stoke the fire are to join networking groups, to write a blog with the hope of inspiring others, to listen or read books that speak to my personal growth, and to seek out the chance to encourage others in chasing their dreams. 

5.  Push Forward - A dream will remain just that unless we take action to make it come true.  How will you do that today?  I just about let a dream die myself today because I wasn't going to take the action necessary to make it a reality, but then I decided to push through.  I know you have the same challenges.  Maybe it's trying to balancing your family life, responsibilities at work, and remaining healthy all while trying to find the time and the energy to pursue your dream.  To make our dreams a reality we have to dig down and push forward. 

In the Marine Corps we often called this intestinal fortitude.  Sounds insane, but I saw it first-hand as an infantry medic (Navy Corpsman) on a number of occasions.  Guys would be writhing in pain from the challenge they were facing, but looked deep inside to find the will to push forward.  All of us have that ability, but it's just finding how to dig down and release that energy.

One way to find that hidden reserve is to remember why the dream is important.  Why is the dream important to you?  Whose life is it going to impact in a powerful way?  If the dream dies who will miss the benefit of your vision?  Maybe it takes putting a picture on your mirror in the morning, or choosing a quote to put on your phone wallpaper, or choosing a phrase you can say during the day to keep you moving forward.  Somehow you have to use that special something that makes you see your dream everyday, and imagine how life will be for you and others when you finally PUSH Forward to make it a reality.

I hope and know we both have the ability to not only chase our dreams, but make them a reality that will change lives for the better.  Choose to go against the grain today, and achieve your dreams!

PS.

Here are some quotes from some other's that followed their dreams:

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.Henry David Thoreau

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars

to change the world.Harriet Tubman

No one has ever achieved anything from the smallest to the greatest unless the dream was dreamed first.
Laura Ingalls Wilder

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
Eleanor Roosevelt

So often times it happens that we live our lives in chains
And we never even know we have the key.Lyrics from Already Gone, performed by the Eagles

for their 1974 On the Border album

Best Wishes,

Dave

We all have dreams in our life.  What we want to be, where we want to go, and who we want to have in our lives.  Following dreams can be difficult because sometimes it's like waking up, and things are still the same.  That is when we have to buckle down, remember why it's important for us to pursue, and push on.  There are going to be those moments that try to make us give up on our hopes and dreams, but those are the times we need to hold tight to our vision.  Here are some thoughts for the day that support this action.  Take care, and continue pressing forward toward your dream.

"You have to dream before your dreams can come true."

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

Don't give up on your dreams, or your dreams will give up on you."

John Wooden

"Press on. Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."

Ray Kroc

"I can't imagine a person becoming a success 

who doesn't give this game of life everything he's got."

Walter Cronkite

"It is better to risk starving to death than surrender. 

If you give up on your dreams, what's left?"

Jim Carrey

"The only thing worse than starting something and failing... 

is not starting something." 

Seth Godin

Live Happy - The 4 W's to make it happen in your life...

"Happineszs a state of well-being, contentment, a satisfying experience, and good fortune"(http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/happiness)

Think about your life right now in this moment.  Are you truly happy?  Are you pursuing the things in life that add to your happiness?  Have you thought about the importance of happiness to our existence as human beings?  Finally, does happiness really matter?  I'd like to share the 4 W's that I believe are important to Living Happy.

Why Happiness?

Being happy is truly a mind, body, and spirit experience that has lasting benefits in our lives.  It has been supported by scientific research for many decades.  More recently scientific research is diving into the topic more with the changes in health care reform and the rise of disease.  What's evident  if you read any health or psychology articles is that being a happy person has a positive effect on our entire being.

Some of the research has shown significance in how happiness can create the following benefits:

• Becoming a genius - Being happy may not get you to be a card carrying member of Mensa, but studies have shown clearly that happiness has some significant benefits to our cognition.  Some of these benefits include:
• Improved problem solving skills
• Greater imagination and thought production
• Increased ability to assimilate new information - I was smiling and that's why I used those big words - wow it really works - Awesome!!! :)

• Becoming an Adonis - Sorry to disappoint, but being happy won't make you look like Arnold Schwarzenegger's identical twin, but it has been proven to have these helpful effects on the body:
• Decreases the workload of the heart by lowering BP and HR
• Decreases Cortisol (a hormone that exists to help manage our body's response to stress, but high levels of it are detrimental and cause decreased immunity, increased belly fat, decreased muscle, and decreased thyroid)
• Decrease the risk of heart disease by limiting bad blood plasma like cholesterol

• Becoming the Life of the Party - This could actually happen by being a happy person.  Studies show that people with the following traits are able to be more successful at creating meaningful relationships.  Those traits are:
• Enthusiasm - nobody wants to be around Debbie Downer (except us SNL fans)
• Gratefulness - understanding and appreciating the many good things in our lives.
• Optimism - that glass is half -full I tell you - the ability to see beyond the negative

Listed below are some links to some good information about the benefits of happiness on our bodies, minds, and spirits.  

Happiness and health

Smile your way to happiness

Happiness and making a buck

Being mindful of happiness

What Happiness looks like in action

In order to enjoy these benefits we must take action in our lives to "Be Happy - don't worry" - good song.  Seriously, it is important to understand some practices we can implement in our lives to promote the happiness that leads to our holistic improvement.

Here are the 3 G's of Happiness:

•  Gratitude - Gratitude means thanks and appreciation.  It's the warm feeling you get when you remember the person who told you to drop your 1980's hairstyle and get with the new millennium already.  It also opens ourselves to new opportunities and possibilities.

• Giving - Another way this could be said is being generous with your time, your emotions, and your finances.  When you give to another person it fills a special place in our hearts.  How did it feel when you gave an unexpected person something from your heart?  They smiled, and you had this warm fuzzy feeling in your heart.  That may not be the scientific wording for that reaction, but you know what I mean.

• Greatness - Not being a pompous jerk, but pursuing excellence in your own life that can positively impact others.  Having that drive to make a difference in this world.  This means taking action to look for these opportunities in your life, and knowing...

When Happiness starts to make a difference

Happiness will only occur when you decide to actually take action.  Then happiness can start to invade lives in a way that creates positive change.  When you walk down the street or through the office, do look for the opportunity to make another person's day?  How much effort does it take to say thank you or give a smile?  When you take the time in that moment it can make all the difference to both the giver and receiver.  So when should you start looking to make a difference?  Yesterday.  If I've learned anything from the privilege of helping hospice patients and their families, don't wait for tomorrow.  Therefore, just like any goal, we have to put a plan into action for success.  Here are some practical things you can do to start making a difference:

Three ways to put happiness into action:

• Give your Mind - This means in all your interactions you need to be present.  Whether it's in your relationship or your friendship you need to give your attention.  This promotes happiness because you've just validated the other person's importance to you, and made them feel valued. Working on being a better communicator and listener in our everyday interactions can promote happiness.

• Give Your Heart - Look for ways to put your caring for others into action without making sign that says, "See what I did".  When you look for opportunities to make others feel better it can create increased happiness and fulfillment in our lives.  Look for opportunities with your family, your friends, the person on the corner, or an official organization where you can give to others.  Do you remember what happened to the Grinch when he gave to the Who's?  Let your heart grow today as you give some of it away to others in need.

• Give Your Hand - Scientific research supports the effects of human affection from the time we're babies in the nursery.  Without the touch of another human our growth and development become stagnate.  Therefore, having touch in our lives is important to building happiness.  As a staff nurse I always would get down to eye level with my patients, and gently touch there shoulder to let them know I would be there to meet their needs.  Each of us can do this each day with those we love, know, and meet.

Where Happiness can Grow

Being happy in life takes understanding why it's important, knowing what actions can produce the happiness we seek, how to generate happiness in our interactions with others, and finally we have to have a place where we can let happiness grow.

Here are 3 locations where you can let your happiness grow:

• Place full of purpose - We each need to have a sense that what we do in our life makes a difference.  Being happy won't occur if you don't have a location for your happiness to grow. Is it the smile of my little 3 year old when Daddy comes home at night?  Is is your visit to a sick relative that provides them comfort as you sit with them in that strange place?  Or is on the corner in your car at the traffic light as you hand a dollar out your window to another person in need?  Only you know where that place should be for you, but to be happy you have to find that location for your purpose.

• Place where you can grow - Each and every one of us need to and hopefully want to become better people.  To be happy in our lives we need to have a place that promotes our personal growth.  A small group, a friendship, and non-profit organization.  Or it could be your own routine of reading, meditating, or exercising.  All these actions provide the environment for you to grow and increase your happiness.  Look at your life today, and find that place you can grow.

• Place where you can share - It is amazing to me that with so many people on the face of this earth not one of us is the same.  That's great news because we are all special individuals with unique gifts and talents that can be used to improve our life, and the lives of others.  Do you have a place where you share your gift?  Do you know what your gift is?  Most often your gift is that thing or things you do that come naturally to you that you enjoy, and can impact others positively.  Are you a great artist?  Do you have talent baking?  Are you a compassionate person that knows how to make others feel better?  Or are you talented at inspiring others to be their best?  There are a bunch of great books out there that can help with the process, and then you need to find a place to unleash your greatness on the world.

So are you ready to Live Happy, and make it a part of your everyday life?  Would you like to know of a place that might possibly be your opportunity to change your life and others?  If so, reach out to me about a great opportunity to make a difference... here's a sneak peek

           A Place to Make a Difference

Thoughts for the Day - Sometimes You Just Have to Jump

Hello and good evening,

What a picture.  I spent some time in the military, but never got the opportunity to jump out of a perfectly good airplane.  Life is like the back of the plane door going down because without that action the things outside don't come into view.  It is also that way for each of us because we can't make our lives extraordinary unless were willing to jump like the warriors.

I say warriors because these individuals have to be willing to sacrifice their safety, have a purpose our a goal they're pursuing, and finally use their courage to take that jump into an amazing life-changing experience.  Are you ready to make the jump tonight?  Are you scared about leaving the "airplane cabin" to explore new possibilities?  That's okay to be nervous and a scared, but don't let that stop you.  Even if the jump takes you off course to a new destination you made progress.  Good things won't happen in our lives if we're not willing to move forward and sometimes fall.  Just get back up.

"Success seems to be connected with action.  Successful people keep moving.  

They make mistakes, but they don't quit."

Come on, grab my hand.  Lets jump out the back into a new beginning.  If you're interested in an amazing opportunity the create your new beginning connect with me tonight 

http://nerium.com/join/doc8404

“Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, 

you can't practice any other virtue consistently.” 

― Maya Angelou

“It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it.” 

― Lou Holtz

“What you do makes a difference, 

and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” 

― Jane Goodall

“It's hard to beat a person who never gives up.” 

― Babe Ruth

“Risks must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.” 

― Leo Buscaglia

Being Grateful - One of the Keys to Moving Forward in Life...

Gratitude - feeling or being grateful

How often do you stop throughout your day, and think about the good things in your life?  Completing that process is called being grateful.  One definition is “Having a sincere appreciation for both the people and possessions in your life”.  This feeling or emotion is often praised as the "father of all emotion".  I personally believe that most likely stems from the fact that every known major religion has an aspect of gratefulness in their practices.  Believers are exhorted to give thanks for the good in their lives, and in some faiths even in tough challenges.

Why does giving thanks matter?  That may seem like a silly question or not depending on your personal view of this emotion.  Either way, an attitude of gratitude has been proven to be a very beneficial component in the lives of people who remind themselves of the good in their lives.  There are a number of studies that support this concept, and have shown results that include improved health, mood, and better sleep all by saying thank you more often.

Wow!  So, how does someone start to increase the frequency of giving thanks?  I would imagine that each and every person reading this is thankful for many things in their lives, but may not verbalize that gratitude.  Taking the time to focus your mind, and really think about the good in your life is how outcomes improve according to these studies. ( http://www.socialemotions.org/page5/files/Bartlett.DeSteno.2006.pdf )

There are a couple of ways that you can experience the benefits of gratitude:

• Every morning when you wake up say one thing you're grateful for in your life.

• You can split up and say 5 things on one day as well.

• When you return home at the end of the day write down how grateful you are for the events that occurred during you day.

Start small, and see how you feel.  Try doing it every day for one week.  Let me know how it goes.  The nice thing about gratitude or being thankful is it can be a two way street.  You can give and receive, and enjoy the benefits no matter what direction you’re traveling.  Take care.

Dave

Minimize the Clutter in Your Life - 5 ways to achieve success through organization...

Does your life ever feel like its spinning out of control because you have numerous demands from your work, your family, and the other unplanned events that impact your life daily?  It often feels similar to having a cluttered garage, and feeling overwhelmed by the piled up projects staring you in the face.  To be productive in life we all to make time to enjoy the things that bring us happiness, and the only way this can occur is by creating a system that ensure organization in our lives.  

Here are 5 easy ways to achieve success by organizing your life:

• A place for everything:  How many mornings can you remember needing to rush out of the house to get to work when you realized you can't find your keys?  You retrace your steps in a mad panic, so you won't be late to work that morning.  Thankfully in the midst of your anxiety, a helpful hand comes around the corner dangling your car keys.  Part of the reason this occurs is because that there needs to be a place for everything in your life.  When you dedicate a specific location to put things in place in your life, the chaos of the missing keys quickly subsides.

• A time for everything - Why were you chasing those keys in the first place?  Most likely because you have a challenging schedule where you have to make time to work, eat, sleep, spend time with those you love, stay healthy, and maybe have a minute to mentally digest it all.  Sadly there are only 24 hours in the day, and these necessities in life make it difficult to keep a grip on things in your life.  I recently read Steve Harvey's newest book where he gives the details on his daily schedule.  The guy wakes up a 3am and proceeds to work-out, meditate, do conference calls, conduct business meetings, host 1 radio and 2 TV shows, and finally gets home at 8 pm to act as a father and husband to his family.  He said he's only successful because each event on his life has a scheduled time.  If we want to be successful in our lives we also need to organize our time by creating a events that fit into the moments of our day.

• A note for everything - I don't know about you, but sometimes the thing resting on my shoulders (my head) fails me.  Therefore, creating a list of my tasks helps me track my progress.  I write down everything.  Even those amazing inventions that are yet to be unleashed on the world.  Writing down the things that impact our schedules creates the organization we need to see how well were managing our time, and creates opportunities for improved success. 

• A deadline for everything - That was due yesterday?  That can be a typical response for the unorganized person who hasn't written down what they need to do or when it needs to be done.  Without time lines for the tasks in our lives, we become like a rudderless boat adrift in the chaos of a busy schedule.  Start creating more organization by adding time lines to that to do list, and continue to re prioritize the demands as they're met or rescheduled.  Knowing your time lines will reduce your stress, let people know you're dependable, and create success by achieving the goals and tasks in your life.

• A purpose for everything - Creating the opportunity for success in our lives requires that we move forward with a sense of purpose in our lives.  We must develop a mindset that is supported by a drive to make a difference in our own lives and others.  Our actions and motives must be tied to the reason for developing a pattern of organization in our lives.  Therefore, when your life feels like it's spinning out of control we have to take control by intervening with the actions to create organization.   By having a place for everything, scheduling the time we need to accomplish our tasks, writing down the things we need to accomplish, understanding that we need to meet deadlines, and focusing on the purpose for developing organization we can achieve the success we desire in life.

“Organization isn't about perfection; it's about efficiency, reducing stress and clutter, saving time and money and improving your overall quality of life.”
― Christina Scalise, Organize Your Life and More 

Positive Change - 4 Ways to prepare for a road trip to new opportunities...

Change is the one constant in each of our lives, but it is often a challenge for some rather than others. So, how can people be prepared for change in their lives and work, so they'll take advantage of the unexpected opportunities?  Just like going on a trip to a new destination, people have to see change as the vehicle that creates the possibility to reach that great destination they hope will result in enjoyment and relaxation. 

Choosing a Destination

The first step in taking any trip is choosing where you want to go.  This means that you have to make a conscious decision to plan your trip, and understand that you may have to be flexible on the way if you're going to enjoy the journey.  Just like getting in the car for a long road trip, we don't get moving in life without taking the first step forward.  Therefore, it is imperative to understand without action we won't move out of any dissatisfaction that may be happening in our lives.  We have to be willing to hop in that cramped hot little car, and remember that it's going to lead to better opportunities that are waiting.

It's time for a vacation  

Before many of us make decisions or accept change in our lives we want to know the effects it may cause.  To help start the process of change we need to start planning for our trip, and remember that taking steps forward in life will only occur when we remember why we need change.  Therefore, think about the positive benefits that will result from choosing to change.  Start looking at the map and plan the route you're going to take to lead to that amazing destination.  With a plan you'll be successful because it's like having your GPS that creates certainty and trust because you know it will lead you to your chosen destination.    

Packing your suitcase

These three words cause me to cringe when I think about our family trips.  Not so much for me, but for the other wonderful ladies and co-travelers in my life.  Every time we prepare to take a trip I wince thinking about the long night ahead of me because my hopes of packing the car early quickly comes crashing down.  I soon realize that I'm not the one who's controlling our family's schedule. Over the years I've learned that the element of packing is just part of the process that eventually results in a fun vacation with those I love.  The mindset we choose will determine the enjoyment we experience on our way to better things ahead.

Let's play slug-bug 

A childhood memory that creates nostalgia.  It also reminds me of the numerous long trips on the in the back of the car with my brother getting pounded in the arm as that little German insect of a car went by us on the highway. We laughed through the pain we caused each other because it made the long hours go by quickly, and saved my Dad from being questioned constantly about our destination. In the same way, change in our lives needs to create an element of excitement for people.  It has to be about a new adventure that promises fun, new sights and sounds, and the opportunity to improve as people through the process.  When we finally realize that change is the only way we can invite new possibilities for success into our lives, then we'll be ready to get in that car that's going to speed off to great destinations that will result in new amazing opportunities for our success.

"Success seems to be connected with action.  

Successful people keep moving.  

They make mistakes, but they don't quit."

Conrad Hilton

"Success isn't a path you find, it's a trail you blaze."

Robert Brault

Click here to visit Living Sublime Wellness.

 

Decoding da Vinci - 4 Ways to Increase Your Impact on the World By following His footsteps...

Do you believe we live in a perfect world?  Are there things you'd like to see change?  Would you like to increase your impact in the world?  The Renaissance (from the French word meaning "re-birth from the French word meaning "re-birth") was a cultural movement spanning (depending on which cultural historians you believe) from the 14th to the 17th centuries.  Artists, writers, sculptors, musicians and architects began to look back to Greek and Roman times, and seek out ideas and inspiration from ancient texts.  The changes in the Renaissance were social and political as well as intellectual.  The Renaissance "re-birth" pertained to a return to the classical culture, which was the inspiration for numerous inventions and improvements that have benefited our modern day society.  One of the most famous influential people during this time period was Leonardo da Vinci.

 

Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci (Italian: [leoˈnardo da ˈvintʃi] ( listen); 15 April 1452 – 2 May 1519) was an Italian polymath, painter, sculptor, architect, musician, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, geologist, cartographer, botanist, and writer. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest painters of all time and perhaps the most diversely talented person ever to have lived.^[1] Hisgenius, perhaps more than that of any other figure, epitomized the Renaissance humanist ideal. Leonardo has often been described as the archetype of the Renaissance Man, a man of "unquenchable curiosity" and "feverishly inventive imagination".^[2] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Renaissance)

Why is it so important to focus on da Vinci if we want to become people who can drive changes in our own lives and the world?   Leonardo da Vinci was an extremely accomplished person who possessed the unique ability to master broad topics of knowledge and their technical skills.  This uncommon talent has been recognized in our history books by coining the phrase "Renaissance".  Which means a man or woman who command a breadth of understanding and abilities in both the arts and sciences.  It is for this reason that decoding da Vinci is important to develop a template we can each use to become extraordinary in our lives.

When we look at the life and work of Leonardo da Vinci we can start putting down the stones that will help to build a pathway achieve similar success in impacting the world.  Da Vinci impacted the world by showing us 4 fundamental ways that we can use to also impact our surroundings:

Be an Observer - We know that Leonardo da Vinci was one of the greatest observers in history which was proven by the masterpieces that he created.  Why is being an observer so important to creating a significant impact in the world? If we look at the definition to observe it states, "to see, watch, perceive, or notice; to regard with attention, especially so as to see or learn something".http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/observe?s=t?  What made him so unique was his ability to see what was invisible to others.  The slope of angle, the reaction of a person, the impact of an action.  Being observant offers many benefits:

It will offer you an amazing insight into how people think, react, and behave in general. This could have startling revelations in your work, no matter what you do for a living. - See more at: http://www.beyondphototips.com/2008/11/28/7-ways-to-a-more-observant-life/#sthash.0sI92AGr.dpuf

• Provides insights into how people think, react, and behave
• Helps you gain an understanding into how mechanical things function
• It will help you appreciate the people around, and improve your social skills which will help you impact others positively.   
• How can you improve your abilities to observe:
• Take an art class, be more aware of your own actions, listen more intently, watch people, and take time to focus by meditating.

Be a Learner - Life is a continual process of being exposed to new information and experiences.  Much like da Vinci we need to have a burning desire to increase our knowledge and understanding about the world.  By choosing to be a learner you'll be exposed to new ideas that will give you the ability to connect with more people, and increase your imagination to come up with new concepts to improve the world.  Learning new things also expands your mind and can prove beneficial as we move through life.

• Being a learner helps you develop your abilities
• Opens your mind
• Increases your wisdom
• Improves your adaptability
• Provides access to more fulfillment in life
• Offers opportunities to develop relationships with others.   
• How can you improve your abilities to learn:
• Take an online class, try reading a book, learn another language, do brain games, and participate in thought-provoking conversations with others.

Be a Catalyst - The purpose of looking around and learning is to utilize experiences to impact others in a positive way, but you'll never do that without action.  Therefore, being a catalyst means taking risks by challenging yourself to get out of your comfort zone.  We only find success or create an impact when we're in motion.  Are you in motion in your life?  Are there things you've wanted to do that you've been putting off?  Now is the time to act, and use your talents to make a difference.  Start thinking about what makes you special and unique.  Every person has talents or "gifts" that they can put into action without much effort.  What is your gift that could be used to benefit others?  

• Being a catalyst will help you show others how choosing to make positive changes can result in personal growth, improve the ability to handle challenging situations, and opens the doors for new opportunities to enter your life.  
• How can you improve your abilities to be a catalyst:
• Put an idea out there and see what happens, share your talent with others publicly, join a volunteer organization that matches your gifts and interests, make yourself available to others that could use a helping hand.

Be a Giver - The reaction that comes from being a catalyst is that you have the ability to benefit others through your actions.  When we look at Leonardo da Vinci we see someone that used his perceptions, talents, and imagination to create things that have significantly changed the world forever.  If you desire to make an impact in this world you have to look for ways to increase your generosity to others.  Giving to others provides as much of a benefit to the giver as the receiver.  It can be taking the time to sit with a sick friend, listening to someone important in your life, getting involved in your community, or just providing a smile to those who cross your path each day.

Leonardo da Vinci is thought to be one of the most intelligent people to ever lived.  Making an impact is truly about having a plan on how you want to create a legacy.  If you're a person who is driven by a desire to improve the world and the lives of others, then start following da Vinci's footsteps.  Having the code to his success includes starting to teach yourself to take the time to look at the world with an artist's eye, challenging yourself to learn something new every month, taking action by looking for ways to show others how to take risks, and using your talents to benefit the lives of others.  If you implement these 4 ways that da Vinci used to impact the world, you will also leave a trail for others to follow.

"The road to success is not a path you find, 

but a trail you blaze."

Robert Brault

 

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