Every now and again I write about something that makes absolutely no sense. This happens when I have an urge to write but I don’t have a topic to write about. I guess that’s what is referred to as creative writing - writing that goes outside the bounds of normal professional, journalistic, academic, and technical forms of literature. But some how by the time I finish writing my thought, what I believe didn’t make sense starts to make sense.
I think what I am trying to say is that I miss writing just for writing. Free to write anything, anyway it comes out. There was a time when nobody knew about this blog. It was a hidden place on the Internet, a blog somewhere in cyberspace. It didn’t even have an incoming link from my life coaching website. Without eyes reading, I wrote anything and sometimes it really didn’t make any sense, it just felt good to spit out my thoughts.
I’m an advocate for creative expression. I believe everybody should have a source of expression. It could be anything from playing a musical instrument, creating art, writing, singing, it really could be anything that works for you. I have a few of my own. Writing is my primary source. I also play the saxophone although I want to learn how to play the flute. I love playing rock band, and jamming on the guitar. Baking and cooking is definitely up there, as is creating a piece of art. It just feels so good after every experience. I feel relaxed and centered.
I started this post without a thought - a blank canvas for me to express whatever I was feeling. Now I see why I wrote what I did. It’s a reminder to me: How important it is to express my authentic self. To continue to write from the heart and to let things happen the way it’s meant to be.
Merry Christmas
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
The Art of Expression
Monday, December 21, 2009
New York, Where Dreams Are Made From
New York is an incredible city. It has a lot to offer just about anyone from any walk of life. That’s why people from around the world flock to it. They say it’s the city where dreams come true and where you could reinvent yourself again and again, and make it each time. It’s the city that never sleeps.
A brilliant display of pyrotechnics rang in 2009. I stood watching - 39 stories above the streets of Manhattan on a balcony in sub-freezing temperatures. I was awed by the sheer magnitude and beauty of the city. My inspiration grew with each burst and boom from the pyrotechnics that illuminated the skies. I was dazzled, I was amazed - I just knew 2009 was to be an incredible year, and it was.
I rang in the New Year inspired and motivated to shoot for the Stars. I got a taste of television in 2008 and I wanted more of it, and that’s exactly what happened. In 2009 I made many appearances on the hit reality show, Style By Jury. Month after month we taped candidates making huge internal and external transformations. I fulfilled my 2009 wish, and now I have another one.
New Years Eve I will make another wish for 2010 here in New York. I know there are no limits to what I can achieve. The only limit is my imagination. Anything is possible as long as I do something about it, and I am hungry for it. Experience tells me that if I continue to follow my heart – the passion I have for what I do, I will see another dream, another wish come true.
New York is an incredible city and where dreams are made from, but the truth is it doesn’t really matter where you’re from. You don’t have to move to New York to see dreams come true. Dreams become true because of passion - the passion you have in your heart for what you do. I visit New York only. Maybe it’s enough to give me the inspiration and motivation I need to fulfill my dreams, but so far in Toronto is where my dream have become true.
New York, Where Dreams Are Made From
Monday, December 14, 2009
Aim - Ready - Fire! The Secret To New Years Resolutions
Do you want to be successful in 2010? In just a few minutes you will learn the formula to arrive at the true meaning of success. Many will discover success in the New Year and I want you to enjoy and to celebrate it too.
Forget everything you ever heard about New Years Resolutions. They don’t work. In fact they make you feel like a failure rather than feeling successful. It’s because resolutions typically include everything and anything that isn’t exciting and everything that requires tons of energy. True success is derived from excitement. Excitement fosters success, not mundane tedious tasks that must be done daily anyhow.
Do you a favor - give yourself permission to dream. Take a moment and be a kid again. Make the dream as big as you can as if there are no limits. Don’t hold back. Dream the impossible no matter how unrealistic it may seem. When you have an image in mind that excites you take a snap shot of it. It is an image of what the dream looks like in the final state.
AIM
Now you’re one step closer to realizing the dream. The image in mind is your “Aim” a target to fire at. A quote made popular by New York’s Best Seller, The Secret “If you can dream it you can achieve it.” Believe its possible and it will be. It is true if you have the capacity to dream it you have the capacity to see it to fruition. All you need is a vision, something to “Aim” at. If the image is to win the lottery you might as well stop reading now.
READY
Get excited! The image you have in mind is about to become your reality. Get “Ready” is the next step to seeing your dream come true. “Ready” is taking small steps. I compare it to what babies do before they try to walk – they crawl. Babies spend countless time trying to get up onto their little, wobbly, feet. They get ready by strengthening their ability by crawling on the floor, mimicking what they see. They continue to try again and again until they finally get it and learn what it takes to walk on there own two feet.
You must do the same. Think of 3 tiny steps you could take. It could be mimicking those who already achieved a similar dream. It could be learning something new or even conducting research. Do anything to learn enough for you to feel confident enough to take a shot at getting onto your feet.
FIRE
AIM – READY – FIRE! Take action. By now you should have enough knowledge to attempt getting up onto your feet. The greater the excitement is for the image the more determined and ambitious you will be to create it. Write on a piece of paper 3 tasks you will execute in the next 24 hours.
At the end of each day, reflect upon the day’s experiences and learn from it. After you learned from each experience write another 3 tasks for you to execute tomorrow. If you continue this process everyday, sooner or later you will create the image in your mind and you will live it too.
As the expression says, “nothing good ever comes easy” If you think success happens over night and without a few bumps and bruises, you’d better think again. Babies fall again and again before they get up onto their feet, so you better count on taking a few spills before getting up onto yours.
A Positive Mind Set
A glass half full is better than a glass half empty. It’s your perspective that changes an experience from a negative to positive one. Every experience will have a positive and certainly a negative, its what you want to see.
A young woman falls down a flight of stairs and on her way down she observes people laughing at her misfortune. She can choose to be humiliated, or she could believe she lightened up their day by sharing an amusing moment.
I Don’t Know How To
“When the student is ready the teacher will appear.” Don’t expect to have all the answers right off the bat, but don’t let that stop you. No one has all the answers – everyone starts with the basics and learns the rest as they go, and so will you. When you get to a crossroad and aren’t sure which direction to travel, it means you have to learn something that is unfamiliar. You cannot foresee this far ahead so its only when you get here will you know that you are ready for the lesson, after which the direction will become clear.
Accountability
Say what you mean: mean what you say. Walk the walk, not just talk the talk. If you truly want to create the life you dream, hold yourself accountable. Be honest with yourself, take responsibility for what you say and do. You have the ability to look beyond the immediate moment to know what the outcome of your behavior will be. Do nothing and get nothing, do something and you will get something in return. It’s all up to you to make it happen.
Support
Me among others will support anyone who is longing to make their dream come true. If you are that person who starts strong only to fall off the wagon when the going gets tough because you lack support, fear no more you will have full support.
Here is how it will work...
1. Create a Twitter account if you don’t already have one.
2. Update your status with your goal include your 3 tiny steps.
3. At the end of your status update include the following #SupportMyGoal
4. Every night log into Twitter, update your status with the next 3 tiny steps.
5. Update Twitter each time you succeed at a task. Always remember to add #SupportMyGoal at the end of each update.
Via Twitter you can monitor everyone’s progress when you search #SupportMyGoal. If you follow this easy process you will receive the support you and help you need until your dream becomes reality. Like attracts like, not only will you have all the support you need but you will have everyone cheering and encouraging you all the way to the end.
I invite you to join me and others in creating a prosperous and successful 2010.
Aim - Ready - Fire! The Secret To New Years Resolutions
Thursday, December 10, 2009
It Started With 'Me'
The more I learn about life and how to succeed, the more I realize that it really is about ‘me’, the authentic relationship I have with self. I won’t lie to you and make you believe that I’ve always had this relationship, because I haven’t. It has been a gradual development that’s taken 34 years, and I suspect I will continue to build upon the relationship until my final moment.
There was a time in my life when I was disconnected from me. I separated my thoughts from my emotions. It was easier for me to view myself in the 3rd party. It was my natural defense mechanism so not to feel hurt. I wasn’t completely disconnected I still heard my thoughts although I chose to ignore it most times. I was ashamed of myself, I didn’t like who I was and I didn’t know if anyone would accept me if they learned the truth about me.
I spent my teenage years searching for where I belonged. Which group will accept ‘me’. I never did feel like I fit into any group. I always felt like the outcast, even though I was the one who had a secret. In my pursuit to find where I belonged, I turned into a manic by 20. Everyone said I was hyper, here one second gone the next – always on the go. Sure I was, I was desperate to find where I belonged. Quite the contrast of who I am today.
I started to believe that perhaps I would never find where I really belong – and that’s when I whispered to myself, "Perhaps you already belong." I began listening to myself. I slowly established a relationship with ‘me’ and started to feel comfortable being alone. I paid careful attention to my thoughts, ideas, opinions, feelings, needs, and dreams. I even discovered through my internal dialogue that if I couldn’t love myself unconditionally I couldn’t have a true relationship with anyone else. The foundation would be based on a lie.
It Started With 'Me'
Now I look into my eyes each time I see a mirror and say, “I love you” rather than judging how I appear. I accept ‘me’ for who I am. I had to learn how unique I am, and that I am as much of a gift as anyone else, and that, I am worth it. I am honest with ‘me’ - I use hard facts to face the truth and to accept what is. I accept and trust ‘me’ enough to never turn my back on ‘me’ never again. It took time but I developed the foundation needed with self to take responsibility for my actions and to hold myself accountable.
What I learned about life so far is that nobody else can give me what I want or need or can make me feel like I belong, except me. And, that when you’re authentically you success will come knocking at the door.
It Started With 'Me'
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Did You Tell Yourself Today That You're Worth It?
Self-esteem is what makes you feel good or bad about yourself. It will fluctuate from day to day and sometimes from moment to moment. It really will depend on the various elements within your life that are constantly changing and how you perceive yourself within each, which will determine your self-esteem.
Self-confidence is an internal belief of whether or not you are competent to fulfill an obligation from start to finish. You might draw upon past experiences to determine your confidence, or you might use wisdom and experience to develop new confidence. Whatever your confidence level is, it could impact your self-esteem if you are left feeling incompetent.
Self-worth is the feeling of being “good enough” your self-value. It’s an overall measure of your worth, which encompasses self-confidence, self-acceptance, self-respect, etc. But, by the mere fact that you were born into this Universe, you already are worthwhile and are invaluable. Your self-value should be equal to and never less than anyone else.
Self-love is what you owe to yourself for being unique. You should be proud of yourself and accept who you are with your strengths and all your weaknesses, likes and dislikes. If you do, you will develop a deeper level of confidence and will feel happier about being you.
Your belief system is what controls everything. Self-confidence, self-love, self-worth, etc., it even controls your behavior – how you act and react to situations. It’s been developing from childhood – your education, life lessons, and wisdom together create your beliefs. What you believe about yourself is how you develop your personality and character traits. And those determine how assertive or aggressive, confidant or shy you will be in any given situation.
Self-esteem is what you believe you can or cannot achieve. Its how you feel about yourself and the value you place on your self-worth. Its how much you know or how little you accept who you are. Self-esteem really is how you perceive yourself, your own knowledge about you.
Boost your self-esteem and feel good about yourself. Make an effort today to tell yourself how worth it you really are, because you’re worth it.
Did You Tell Yourself Today That You're Worth It?
Friday, November 27, 2009
A Daydreamer's Exciting Plan For The New Year
This is an exciting time of year. Not only is it the holiday season it’s also the time of year I get excited about my new ideas and spend lots of time daydreaming about it. This morning I caught myself daydreaming at the gym in a big way. I couldn’t remember if I finished an exercise or not. I was deep in thought about a new speech that I’m preparing for corporate events in 2010. The topic is Fear and Judgment. In my mind while working out, I broke down all the components I need to perform a powerful and empowering speech. I get a lot accomplished when I work out.
Back in 1999 while everyone was running around in the office getting ready for the Y2K bug, I was busy daydreaming about my future. I sat inside my little cubicle and daydreamed about my ideal job. I daydreamed about having an office, traveling to the United States, like businessmen with a corporate credit card and company cell phone. I dreamed about my ideal salary. I even daydreamed about a day when I wouldn’t have to rush my workout in the morning to get to a “nine-to-five” job. A decade In Review: 2000 to 2009 reveals how many of my daydreams were achieved.
Now that it is the end of 2009, I spend a lot of time daydreaming about the future. I daydream about speaking to large crowds and the tools that I will use that will benefit the audience. I daydream about my own television show, coaching people into living happier lives. I daydream about hosting a radio show with a co-host, diving deeper into behavioral issues, and I daydream about my book being a Best Seller. Come to think of it I daydream a lot.
So now you know why I am so excited about the New Year. I want to accomplish a lot, but I also want to have fun doing it or I won’t want to do it - that’s just the way I am. That's why everything I plan on accomplishing in 2010 is fun and exciting and is leading to a bigger vision. Here is what I have planned so far:
- Vision / Mission Statement
- Representation (Can/US)
- Fear/Judgment Presentation
- TV Show
- Book
- Radio Show
- Art Workshop
- Awareness Seminars
- Awareness Research Paper
- Fiji or pacific vacation
From time to time I’ll check back to this post to measure my success. I will check mark projects that are accomplished and I will write a blog about it. I don't see any reason why I wouldn't be able to finish everything by the end of the year. However, anything could happen that will take me down a different path, and that too is okay.
Happy Holidays!
A Daydreamer's Exciting Plan For The New Year
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
A Decade In Review: 2000 to 2009
Another year has come and gone and next month will mark the end of an era. So much has happened in the past 10 years. Where do I even start? Sure there’s been a lot of negative stuff like: 9/11, war, global warming and the list goes on and on. I’d rather reflect on the good things that happened instead. But I do want to take a moment to give thanks to the Universe and Mother Earth for the opportunity to live “life” and to enjoy it here with Mother Earth – Thank you!
At the end of 1999 while everyone was preparing for Y2K – the millennium computer software bug, I was busy daydreaming about my future. A new millennium was near and I believed in dreams so I dreamt big. I dreamt many wonders and wished for many things, some of which I am still working towards and others which I accomplished.
2000 to 2009 Accomplishments
- Secured employment at a major pharmaceutical company
- Numerous achievements throughout professional career including:
- Consolidated vendor and procurement teams
- 10 + Millions in savings through various negotiations
- Held local, national, North American and global positions
- Traveled to India
- Life Coached
- Opened Consulting Company
- Numbers Achievements during this period
- Opened Pet Company
- Professional Life Coach
- Mentor to summer students
- Wrote Countless Articles
- Wrote Mini E-Book
- Wrote E-book
- Created Workshops
- My Theory about life
- TV Personality
- Appeared on Save Us From Our House
- Reoccurring role on Style by Jury
- CFRB 1010 Radio
- Motivational Speaker
I wonder what I can accomplish in the next decade?
What about you, think about everything you accomplished this past decade. Write everything on a piece of paper and put it somewhere. If you don’t feel you have any accomplishments think harder because everyone has some - big or small. You’ll thank me one day. If you still come up short then it might be a good idea to create some.
A Decade In Review: 2000 to 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
I Got Fired Today For Being Insecure
I’ve had my share of insecurity throughout life, I deal with the ones I do find as I go. I also suspect that I will continue to uncover new ones as I mature and experience new things. Insecurity is what will allow me to grow. For me, insecurities equal to fear - I like to face fear square in the face because I learn from my experiences and grow from them.
EVERYONE has insecurities about something or another, if anyone tells you otherwise they’re lying. What I find fascinating is how everyone deals with his or her insecurity. Some will openly communicate it, while a large majority will keep it quiet.
Often people believe that I am very confident and secure with myself. For the most part I am but I still have insecurities about certain aspects of my life. For example: I know my writing skills are less than average. Sometimes I don’t finish my thoughts and I ought to consider hiring a grammar tutor. And yet, I still blog and write articles and share it across the Internet for everyone to read. Do you think I doubt myself and feel insecure when I’m just about to publish something? I totally do, I get doubtful and think, "What if I didn't articulate my thoughts properly?" I even fear that someone will judge my writing skills or poo-poo my thoughts and will let me know, and they have. But I always go back to why I started this blog, and one of the reasons I write is to improve my writing skills, and to develop ideas and tools - a vehicle to dump my thoughts. So why would I allow another’s judgment to interfere with my growth?
A lot of people are afraid of being judged - what another person will say about you, but fear is natural. Fear is a survival instinct coded in your physiological makeup – it’s part of you. Fear is also the barrier between you and success. Unfortunately, you must be judged in order for you to learn what you need so you can overcome the barrier and become successful.
Confidence is what allows you to be open to judgment. I’m not arrogant to believe I know it all because I never will. I also know there is a left, a center, and a right, all with different viewpoints, and with a set of morals and values. Comments, feedback and criticism - all help me learn more about different personalities, behaviors and the impact of culture. What I am confident about is that I don't know everything and that I will learn as much as I can as I go. My confidence is developed by facts. The fact that I do not know everything and could only learn it day by day outweigh my insecurities.
I Got Fired Today For Being Insecure
Saturday, November 21, 2009
I've Fallen and I Can't Get Up - I'M STUCK!
I'm often asked why do people get stuck in life? I tell them it’s because you stopped learning about the fundamentals of life: Life is about continual growth preceding your final moment. If you aren't learning, you're definitely not growing, and if you aren't growing, you are stuck! Break the routine and try something new. Learn a new skill, challenge your mind, and step outside the box.
Young men and woman in their early 20’s, after graduating from college often feel stuck and don’t know which direction to move towards. They face pressure from family and peers to quickly fall into a role or to find a job based on education. They lack inspiration and confidence and feel overwhelmed to take a decision and to stick to it. They fear they won’t be successful in their chosen field.
Adults in there 40’s and into there 50’s will fall stuck too. If they settled into “a lifestyle”, stopped learning and the mind isn’t stimulated, they will risk falling “stuck” and some could even experience a mid life crisis. They will feel like they aren’t contributing, disconnected, and unworthy, and some will feel like time is running out. The job they settled for 20 years ago isn’t what they thought they would be doing at their age.
If you’re a young adult or mature adult, consider writing your goals before coming into the responsibilities that life will throw at you. Imagine doing as many things as you can without any limitations. Write them all down in a book. If you can do a brain dump of all your aspiration, dreams and hopes, everything you can think of doing before you come into responsibilities: Marriage, children, debt, employer, etc., your mind won’t be distracted by the level of noise you will encounter in the coming years. Return to the book every so often and add new ideas. Take your education and add it to your dream and create your ideal job. Don't settle!
Hopefully, if you create this book and continue to write your ideas and goals, you won’t be one of those people that feel stuck when you turn 40 or 50 years old.
But if you are stuck, answer the following questions. HINT: the answer to each question must come from within, no external roles/titles:
- Who am I?
- What makes me happy?
- What excites me?
- What are my core values?
- If there were no limitations what could I do?
I've Fallen and I Can't Get Up - I'M STUCK!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
"Where do I start?" "What if I suck and fail?" "Can I really make a go at it"
People spend more time asking questions than actually doing anything at all. They enjoy sitting around in the same spot, day after day, asking the same questions, producing the same results each time. "Where do I start?" "What if I suck and fail?" "Can I really make a go at it" Day after day they imagine the same conclusion for each question, never taking a stab at anything.
I feel bad for those people. If I only had a magic wand I would use it to take the lazy and the procrastination bug out of them. Just in case you don’t know, perfectionists typically are procrastinators. They only do what they do well, and will put off everything they believe they don’t do well. They experience major anxiety, stressing about the outcome. However, more often than not they do finish the task. Lazy people like to complain and bitch about everything including how nothing ever goes there way and how much bad luck they have. They bitch about doing NOTHING.
Bad luck! For what - poor choices? It cracks me up.
A few years ago I started a pet company. It opened and then closed on the same day. I had no clue how to even start a pet company when I first embarked on that project. The only thing I knew was that I wanted to develop a 2-in-1 dog harness/jacket. So that’s where I started.
I required a prototype of my idea and the only person I knew who could develop it was a designer. So I contacted the International Academy Of Design and asked HR how to go about posting a job at the school for a new graduate. HR was a wealth of information, they told me everything from the hiring process, to wages, everything I needed to know about hiring a designer. That piece of the puzzle was easy to solve.
Next, I had to find a manufacture to produce the final product. I Googled "manufactures" and found thousands all over the world. I also came across government resale regulations. Labeling, hang tags, etc.
Next it was time to find wholesale buyers - They were easy to find too. I found a good chunk of the pet industry at a local trade show. Manufactures, buyers, sellers, distributors, everyone I would eventually need to meet were there. I learned so much about the pet industry that day. All the information I needed to know about starting a pet company, appeared as I needed it.
A storefront wasn't feasible, but a website was. Web designers are a dime a dozen so finding one wasn’t difficult. After a few discussions with the designer to brainstorm ideas, an image – a brand was agreed upon and development on the website was underway. I guess this is what Malcom Gladwell author of The Tipping Point meant. I’d hit the point of no return with the pet company – I was in the Pet Industry and could learn all the ins and outs of the 42 Billion Dollar industry and claim my piece of the pie.
On launch day I was very excited. My very first pet company. I was very proud of my accomplishment. Considering, I had no prior knowledge of the pet industry when I first decided to develop the 2-in-1 Harness/Jacket - there was also a gorgeous, leather collar with a silver locket with the company logo: hero+destiny. It was a beautiful piece – a jewelry store wanted to resell it.
hero+destiny was a big flop. Tens of thousand of dollars and a professional career – ALL GONE! Just like that. In less time than it took to develop it. No school other than the school of hard knock could teach me what I learned during this phase of my life. Although the company was a big flop, for me it was a huge success. I did what I set out to do - to start a pet company. You’re right, no the pet company wasn't successful, but I was. I started and finished what I set out to do and success is exactly that.
I learned about a new industry. I learned how to write a business plan and to start a company. I traveled to India and learned about a new culture, and a long the way I started to mentor summer students on how to start a summer company, and another door swung wide open.
That’s where you start. Get inquisitive, learn something new, get out of your head and stop asking yourself questions that you can't answer. Nobody really knows if you will be successful or not until you do it. Be smart, use your brain. Keep moving forward and don’t get stuck on something that didn't happen your way - Who cares? Look for the benefit of the experience instead, because if you do another door will open.
Bruno LoGreco Life Coach, Mentor, Motivational Speaker and TV Personality.
"Where do I start?" "What if I suck and fail?" "Can I really make a go at it"
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The Art of Expression
Bottling your emotions is self-destructive. I never understood why “men don’t cry”, and “woman must be strong and not show signs of weakness”. The physiological makeup of your body isn’t designed to suppress emotions, its designed to feel and to express it. When you express how you feel it releases pent-up emotions brewing deep within you.
The Art of Expression allows you to dispel bottled emotions. You dissolve limiting beliefs, anger, and frustration developed by past experiences. The ability to freely express your emotions constructively frees your soul from the burden and the pain smothering you with each passing step. It clears the path to allow for new experiences – positive and memorable ones.
The path of experiences is long and sometimes heavy, especially if you walk backwards and could only see past experiences. With every step taken a new experience is created and many new experiences resemble a lot like your past. How you discern each step - the experience from it, will be what falls onto the path for you to face.
Art is a source of expression. It appeals to the senses and emotions. Through The Art of Expression your sensori-emotinal values, the values which makeup your judgment of sentiment, can recreate and express hurt, pain, suffering, love, joy or bliss, or any combination. With colour and depth, an abstract of your emotions, a visual representation of how you feel is created - Your real emotions released…
Bottling your emotions will do nothing for you. It will imprison you, and you won’t be able to turn around and walk forward in your own life. Your confidence and self-esteem will tumble to the ground and those too will be another past experience.
“The Art of Expression heals people. Its very calming and satisfying,” explains Ray Mantella. Ray is an artist and close friend. Ray’s work is featured at New York’s Amsterdam Whitney Gallery and in galleries worldwide. Ray and I share similar philosophies, “Do what you love and success will come from it.” Together we are planning a weekend workshop – The Art of Expression. Details Coming Soon.
Bruno LoGreco Life Coach & Mentor, Motivational Speaker and TV Personality.
The Art of Expression
Friday, November 13, 2009
Oppositional Defiant Disorder - What's That?
The topic ‘medication’ often strikes a nerve in me. I’ve been fortunate to not ever be prescribed medication for any ailment nor mental disorder. I did take Zyban, aka Wellbutrin, in my mid twenties to quit smoking and again in my 30’s. My first experience with Zyban was not fun. I almost lost my job because it screwed me up so bad that I could not function nor comprehend a whole lot while I was on it. But that’s not what this blog post is about. Oppositional Defiant Disorder - What's That?
I want to start by saying that I do agree a small percentage of the population do require medication for their mental disorders. The medication helps those people live a healthier and fuller life. However, I also believe there are people taking medication, including children, which do not need it. Just like anything else, medication is a business and corporations need to make money and they do so by selling to the public, through various distribution channels including medical professionals.
Last night I engaged in a discussion about mental disorders. Did you ever hear the expression, "You are what you believe you are"? If you hear something for long enough you begin to believe and act according to it. When someone as young at 14 or 15 is told they have a mental disorder, they tend to identify to it and will probably believe they do and will use it to describe who they are, as a person.
This mental disorder cracks me up: Oppositional Defiant Disorder, ODD. Whatever happened to getting to the root cause? Learn and understand why the child is defiant and angry. If you listen carefully, children will tell you what is going through their mind and why they are angry, but you have to be willing to listen. Children go through an enormous amount of pressure during their developmental years. ANYTHING can alter their behavior to the point where the child could believe he or she is alone and isolated, and that NOBODY could possibly understand what they are experiencing – so they fight for their life, and yes become defiant. To some degree, every child and teenager will go through a phase of defiance, its fact of life.
The name itself, Oppositional Defiance Disorder, ought to provoke questions before parents permit their children to take medication that alter the mind. A separation, divorce, multiple relocations and even sexual identity, all have the makings to create ODD. Ask Children the proper question and get to the root of the problem before agreeing to medication.
Compassion and nurture will go a long way in defiant children. They already feel distant and isolated from the world, a little love and understanding will make them feel better about themselves. So before making them believe they have a mental disorder and that something is wrong with them, lets get back to the basics of human understanding.
Bruno LoGreco Life Coach & Mentor, Motivational Speaker & TV Personality
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
How Much Are You Willing To Sacrifice For Your Dream?
I know you work hard to buy all your possessions. To maintain a roof over your head and to put food in your mouth, not to mention all the other responsibilities you have in order to maintain your lifestyle - Clothing, transportation, insurance, wireless device, and lets not forget your social life. You might even have a spouse and children to support.
Salary Based Lifestyle
Your lifestyle is based upon your salary. You might even be one of those people that live beyond their means and work a second job to pay for some expenses. Luxuries are nice to have and sometimes you extend your limit and indulge into something sweet. You do go over your monthly budget from time-to-time and spend more money than you made in that month, but sometimes you spend less than you budgeted and save the money for a rainy day.
A few extra hours at work each week will buy you vacation time. The extra money you earn for working overtime is saved to take a vacation somewhere warm to breakup the cold winter months. Then, when you least expect it, something unforeseen goes terribly wrong and the money you saved for the trip next year is gone.
How much of it are you willing to sacrifice?
I gave it all up. I sacrificed my entire lifestyle to pursue a career with no promises. I didn’t even keep my professional career while starting my coaching career. Nope, I jumped in with both feet, directly into the abyss - A bottomless drop into the unknown.
When I first became self-employed I barely could make ends meet. I was the new kid on the block. I had to pay my dues and build a reputation. I did it by accepting free clients. Month after month I worked for free, learning and developing tools for my practice. After several months of developing my tools, I was finally ready for a paying client.
A Dream Career
Next month I will have been self-employed as a professional Life Coach for 3 years. In 3 years I accomplished more for myself than I did in the previous 32 years when I believed my lifestyle was determined by my salary. I had to give it all up. I had to sacrifice my income, lifestyle, all of it, it was the only way for me to achieve the success I get to enjoy today.
In 3 years – the average time it takes to develop a successful business, I’ve climbed out of the Abyss and into my dream career. 3 years ago I didn’t have a clue where I would be today, but looking into my future I know where I will be in 5 years from now.
How much of it are YOU willing to sacrifice for your dream?
Bruno LoGreco Life Coach & Mentor, Motivational Speaker & TV Personality
How Much Are You Willing To Sacrifice For Your Dream?
Monday, November 9, 2009
Get Lost and Stop Trying To Control Me!
The power to influence or direct people’s behavior is real mighty. It’s a tremendous power with extraordinary capabilities. Some people believe they possess this extraordinary capability and live their life doing exactly that - imposing their views onto others. They believe there is only one way to the top of the mountain – and they have no problem showing you the way.
Satisfaction is the motive and validation is the reward. They will take you to the top of the mountain to prove their worth. You are happy because you reached the top and are thankful for their support. They bask in glee and do it again and again until come someone that knows another way. They will shout and scream hoping to shoo them away.
They believe control is all they have, and if they lose it they fear there will be nothing left for them - everything will go away and they will be left alone. But, if they can control it, it might last forever. So they try to control the course of events to play out in their favor so not to lose anything or anyone.
What he or she doesn’t realize is that slowly but surely everyone is being driven away, anyhow. After they drive everyone away, they feel unworthy and undeserving, but just for a few days. Within no time they will be back on their feet thinking of another way to prove their worth with new unsuspecting players.
Control - A Beautiful Thing
Control is a beautiful thing but only when it is self directed. When you try to control other people or course of events outside of your control you go against the natural flow of energy. When this happens you are often greeted by disappointment and anger, and you will feel defeated.
The truth is nobody has the power to influence nor direct people’s behavior, and if you do it short lived – it never lasts although you may believe it does. The only influence you have over anyone is the power to control yourself.
Get Lost and Stop Trying To Control Me!
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Go Ahead, Think About It...
A quiet mind is a beautiful mind - Free from thought, the mind is in its purest form - Imaginative, creative, and expressive, a blank canvass guided by morals and values. Mindfulness and intuitive it seeks exploration to build upon it strengths and wonders, creating brilliance and extraordinary masterpieces.
A noisy mind is a confused mind – Fragmented into a web of thoughts, tangled between reality and illusion. Uncertain to what is real and what is not, emotions ignite and new experiences are created. Confusion will prevail as behaviors develop, and much time will be spent dreading past experiences searching for the perfect outcome in a web of tangled thoughts.
So the choice is yours: A noisy and confused mind tangled in a web of thoughts, mostly illusions which cause nothing but heartache, or a quiet beautiful mind free to explore and to create brilliance, something that is desired. All it takes is a conscious thought – a conscious decision on what you choose to think.
Go Ahead, Think About It...
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Past Experiences - The Hiccup To Your Future
Are you one of those people who hang onto past experiences and let it define who you are? Did you know that when you hang on to the past you let it determine your future? You may believe you will never experience it again because you have learnt from it, but what you are really doing when you relive the past is put all the pieces in place to repeat history.
An experience gone badly that you rewind and play again and again in your mind is reliving the experience, emotions and all. Every time you replay what happened and wish you could have done it differently, your imagination runs wild and will try to create different outcomes. Each outcome you imagine, although not real, will send a jolt of emotions throughout your body. You will believe it is real, because the emotions are real.
The process of rethinking negative experiences and creating a number of different outcomes will only condition your brain into believing what is not true. Unfortunately, your brain does not know the difference between true and untrue it only knows what you tell it to believe. When you experience a jolt of emotions because your imagination ran wild, you essentially condition your brain into believing the experience is true.
Thinking in this way will have the following consequences to your future:
1. When the environment becomes familiar and you recognize similar feelings, you will approach it with caution if you approach it at all. If you do approach it you will try to minimize the impact by controlling the situation, and if you don’t approach it for fear of repeating history, you miss out on a potential opportunity.
2. You fool yourself into believing what is not really happening. You draw upon your past experiences, including the untrue ones, as you try to avoid repeating history. You will be adamant that something is happening that in reality is not really happening and you risk losing what you do have. You self sabotage for fear of history repeating itself.
In both cases you miss out on the real opportunity and history is repeating itself and will continue until you break the cycle.
You learn from past experiences you don’t take it with you into the future. You learn why you got burnt: I allowed someone to take advantage of me because I craved his or her attention. You learn why you are afraid: I was unprepared for the event so the feedback was negative.
The problem is never them, you’re the problem. History will repeat itself until you learn from your past rather than taking it with you. Flip the experience upside down and look at yourself. Ask yourself, “Why did I allow that to happen?” If you start by saying he or she and are looking for someone to blame other than yourself, start over again.
Past Experiences - The Hiccup To Your Future
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Good Luck, You'll Need It To Become Successful
It makes me laugh when I overhear people say, you need to be lucky to succeed at life. That’s the biggest cop out if I ever heard one. Don’t get me wrong I do believe in luck or I should say, I believe you get back what you put out into the Universe. If this translates into luck then I too believe in luck. Good Luck, You'll Need It To Become Successful
Everybody knows someone who believes you need to be lucky to succeed. These people work really hard. They get things done. They hardly push anything off for another day, and will spend many hours doing extra work seeking recognition and expecting a reward. They become passionate about their work and share the level of difficulty with others. But the moment something doesn’t go in their favor, like a job placement, a promotion - anything, they lose their steam and feel unlucky.
And then there are those who are lucky. These people put out into the Universe what they want and they go after it. Lucky people know a job placement or promotion will come down to statistics, just like a lottery game. What lucky people do is increase the odds in their favor. They let others know about their ambitions. They speak to their strength and feel confident in an interview. They speak to their boss throughout the year and express an interest in growth and are not afraid of criticism and to try something new.
Everyone agrees that everyone is an individual. Everyone has his or her own brain and thoughts and will act according to their principles and objectives. Then there is no reason for anyone to believe that another person can read your mind and know what you want. Successful people don’t become successful because they dream it and hope one day someone will give them an opportunity. They are successful because they work towards it and share their ambitions and dreams with others. Before Madonna became famous she made it known what her ambitions were, so did Donald Trump and many more.
Lucky people increase their chances at success because they are not afraid to let people know what their ambitions are. They are not afraid of rejection or judgment, nor are they afraid to fail. Failure to them is an opportunity to learn something new, and with some luck you might land on something unexpected. So if you are someone who feels unlucky, make a wish and go after it. Good Luck!
Bruno LoGreco Life Coach & Mentor
Friday, October 23, 2009
Is False Information Instilling Fear In Your Mind?
Negativity is a limiting behavior. It prevents you from achieving your goals and living life to the fullest. It instills doubt in your mind and can destroy your confidence. It will create fear and false beliefs - roadblocks and obstacles that really don’t exist. It will limit your chance at succeeding at the very things you want to do.
Creating a negative mindset is easy. All it takes is one negative force within your environment; friend, family, teacher, anybody you spend time with, and you will easily adopt their negative views. Unfortunately, if you already are a negative person you will easily identify to the negativity and adopt it into your own internal belief system.
Negativity is often spoken with authority, it fools you into believing it is true. A naysayer could impart his or her wisdom, and if you have no prior experience with the subject matter, you may take it on as your own. With no supporting facts, you adopt their perspective - right or wrong, and begin to operate according to the naysayer when discussing that subject matter.
After your first, non-attempt, and perceived failure, you will have your own negative experience to contribute to the negativity within your environment. And without a doubt, you will believe something did not happen that you wanted, although you never tried, and you will impart your wisdom on to others. This is how negative behavior perpetuates throughout your environment.
- Take inventory of everything you want to accomplish in your life.
- Next to each one write what is holding you back from accomplishing it.
- For each fear, write the worst-case scenario, the one holing you back from tacking it.
- Ask yourself if the fear is based on fact or something you learned from someone.
- Take inventory of all the negative people in your life (Friends/Family/Teachers).
- Next to each person write his or her worst complaint/fear.
- Review your list of fears and verify if the fear is your own or a fear that belongs to someone on your list of negative people.
Is False Information Instilling Fear In Your Mind?
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Don't Let Fear Turn You Into a Procrastinator - Especially if You're a Perfectionist
The first step to addressing procrastination is to admit that you are a procrastinator. Being a procrastinator doesn’t necessarily mean you are lazy. Some procrastinators are also perfectionists. They will only do the things they do well and with accuracy but won’t do the things that they do not know how to do because they fear they cannot live up to their own expectation – perfection, so they put it off. Don't Let Fear Turn You Into a Procrastinator - Especially if You're a Perfectionist
Past experiences will play a role in procrastinators. If you have experienced a negative outcome with something you put your heart and soul into you will be less likely to tackle something of the same nature in the future for fear of failure, and possibly judgment. You will most likely only lean towards things, which you know you can do well.
There could be many reasons why you procrastinate. The objective is to learn why and understand what you fear. You may be putting things off because you just don’t know how to execute it. Maybe you did have a bad experience and were judged by your peers. Perhaps you’re an over achiever and by not producing something of excellence, frightens you.
Once you identify the cause, you will need to take action. You will need to face your fear head on. Most procrastinators are not aware that it does take a few failures before they will learn a new skill. This is the only way you will learn and grow as an individual.
At the end of the day if you decide to continue putting off tasks for whatever reason or fear, the truth is you already failed, yourself and possibly others. If you continue down this path eventually you will become stagnant and one day wakeup feeling stuck.
Bruno LoGreco Life Coach & Mentor
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Can Harmony Exist In The Mind of The Insecure?
At the core of every human being is love. Everybody wants to be loved unconditionally by friends, family and their soul mate. But there are those who need greater support and validation – the insecure. These people often sabotage their chance at living a peaceful and harmonious life because of what they believe about themselves and their perception of others. Can Harmony Exist In The Mind of The Insecure?
The insecure think about their dislikes and weaknesses more than they think about their redeeming qualities. When anyone thinks about their negative qualities more than their positive, they burst the bubble that houses their confidence, and reduces their self-esteem to rubble. The insecure often look towards their loved ones to boost their self-esteem with encouragement and support. However, even those words seem hard to believe in the mind of an insecure person.
An insecure person will mostly think about the negative aspects of his or her life. They replay past experiences in their head over and over beating themselves up for what they think they should have done instead. With so many negative thoughts floating around, they believe that their loved ones do not accept them for whom they are and push them away. It’s easier to push loved ones away sooner rather than later so that they don’t see through the insecurity and learn about all the flaws. In the mind of an insecure person, they rather distance themselves first before they get hurt again.
Insecure people with low self-esteem feel vulnerable in a relationship. They think the love they are getting from their mate is conditional and could end at anytime. So they sabotage the relationship so they don’t get hurt and move further away from the peaceful and harmonious life they long for.
Bruno LoGreco Life Coach & Mentor
Monday, October 19, 2009
Abandonment And The Need To Be Loved...
Some parents cease to take interest in their childrens life and stop looking after them past a certain age. Unbeknown to some parents, this will create a sense of abandonment within the child - a void in the soul. The behaviors expressed due to the hole will differ from person to person - from men to women during adulthood.
Abandonment And The Need To Be Loved...
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Bruno LoGreco Life Coach & Mentor TV Expert Style by Jury Video
Upcoming Episodes of Style By Jury. Bruno LoGreco Life Coach & Mentor TV Expert Style by Jury Video
Bruno LoGreco Life Coach & Mentor TV Expert Style by Jury Video
Thursday, October 8, 2009
How do you maintain a happy life with a smile on your face everyday?
I have no desire to talk about yesterday. Yesterday is gone and unless I created an experience worth sharing with people – meaning my experience will enhance anyone I share it with, its gone and it will take too much of my conscious thought and energy to dig up. It’s just not worth my energy. And tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet. So unless I’m setting a goal I do not give much thought to the future. How do you maintain a happy life with a smile on your face everyday?
Past experiences serve two purposes only in my world: To develop life skills, and to enhance people by sharing the experience with them. I enhance my skills daily based on each of my experiences. Some experiences I will carry with me forever, and some I will discard and forget it as quickly as it happened. Every client meeting is an opportunity for me to learn something new and to develop an effective tool for myself and for clients. I use past experiences to illustrate potential, motivate and to inspire people.
If I’m authentically concerned about tomorrow, I take corrective action this moment to minimize any negative consequences. Otherwise all I’m doing is creating scenarios in my head. Useless thoughts that create different outcomes each associated with an emotion - An emotional roller coaster ride about something that hasn’t happened. I would rather deal with whatever is on my mind now than to keep thinking about “What if?” If I’m not thinking about “What If” I’m less likely to feel anxious.
As long as I follow these two rules, I am free to be happy and to live my life in the moment - Exactly where life ought to be. :)
Bruno LoGreco Life Coach & Mentor.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
New York City - A Dream Come True
New York is home away from home. For someone that lives in Toronto, it sure does feel like I have an attachment to the Tri-State region. I started traveling to New Jersey in my late teens and into my early twenties. I spent many long weekends and vacations along the Jersey shores. Later in my 20’s I worked for a major pharmaceutical company located in New Jersey, across the river from Manhattan. New York City - A Dream Come True
Now in my mid 30’s, I roam the streets of Manhattan deciding which restaurant to have lunch at and how to get home from there. I’m still learning the subway system and how to get to the Upper East Side. I don’t take the subway often so its fun learning how to get around.
I’m not surprised New York is home away from home. When I was in my 20’s and working in New Jersey, I said to myself that one day I will live in Manhattan. And here I am almost a decade later. It just goes to show you how powerful the mind really is when it has clarity. Meaning the mind is free from chatter.
Don’t get me wrong I love New York but I love Toronto. You can take the boy out of Toronto but you can’t take Toronto out of the boy. I appreciate the beauty and the energy New York has, but my city is Toronto. Besides, being able to commute between the two cities serves up a wealth of information. Each person I come in contact with in a restaurant or airport is so unique, everyone becomes a source of inspiration.
It amazes me how close Toronto is to New York, but the behavior types are so vastly different. Some of the tools I use in Toronto won’t work in New York. The communication and delivery style is different because of the environment. New York is a hustle and bustle city, so you have to foster the environment while dissolving negative behavioral patterns, which prevent success.
New York is a city based on perception. So there are many different roles a person must play in this big city to survive. When a person plays too many roles the chatter is very loud. Guiding someone to happiness in New York does take a lot more work. First I build his or her confidence by calling out their strengths and fostering them. And after they have a healthy confidence level I start showing them their weaknesses and the ego they built around them to survive in the Big Apple.
Maybe there is a bigger purpose for New York. Who knows! For now I know that I made it here. I’m accomplishing my goals I set out to achieve. I don’t believe for one moment my goal was only to get here, I believe it was to get here and do something at a grand scale - To help people live their dreams. Or is this me dreaming again?
Bruno LoGreco Life Coach & Mentor
Monday, October 5, 2009
What is Life Coach & Mentor Bruno LoGreco Working On?
September came and went. I did a lot last month. Early in the month I was tied up with Style By Jury, finishing off two episodes for the new season. All I will say about this upcoming season is that it gets real juicy. You will have to tune in to find out how juicy it really is. Check your local listings – In Canada you can tune into the W Network and in the United States you catch it on the Life for Woman channel. Style By Jury is syndicated in 40 countries – I don’t know which 40, though.
From time to time I mess up my schedule. I either don’t schedule the appointment in iCal (MAC version of Outlook), or I do and some how the event is deleted… I doubt the latter so all that is left is for me to take responsibility for my screw-up. I created a little mess with a production date. September 10th, I was scheduled to be the speaker at a seminar sponsored by the Office of Economic Development but I was also scheduled to film a scene for Style By Jury. Both equally important but one I could not cancel. I realized my screw- over the Labor Day weekend. Fortunately, I did speak at the seminar and was able to film my scene a week later.
Later in the month I spoke at the Purchasing Management Association of Canada, at a business networking meeting, held in Ottawa. I was a member of the PMAC when I worked in the corporate world. In my past life before life coaching, I was in Strategic Sourcing. It was my job to outsource jobs to offshore companies. So speaking at the PMAC felt very comfortable and I was able to use my past experience to engage the audience. I am looking forward to speaking at the Toronto Chapter.
The month of September closed at the Mayor’s Luncheon. Over the summer I mentored summer students into starting a summer company. Students are given a Government Grant to start a business. The Small Business Enterprise Center oversees the program in each region across Ontario. Student’s who execute their business plan and produce the expected results receive an invitation to attend the Mayor’s Luncheon accompanied by the center and the mentors. Its great exposure and experience for the winning student.
After a very busy summer and busy September, I snuck a little vacation in before the next few months take over which lead into the holiday season. I’m working on a goal that has been in play for a few months. In due time I will let everyone know what it is. So I need my down time to relax and to re-center so I can get through this next phase of my goal.
If there were no obstacles in your way and you had no doubt in your mind that you could succeed at living out a dream, what would that dream be?
What is Life Coach & Mentor Bruno LoGreco Working On?
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Growing Pains - 4 Part Series - Style By Jury Life Coach Bruno LoGreco
Bruno LoGreco Life Coach & Mentor TV Expert Style by Jury Video Growing Pains - 4 Part Series - Style By Jury Life Coach Bruno LoGreco
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Daily Motivational Quotes
Lately, I’ve been writing daily quotes and posting them on Facebook. Early this morning I collected a few of my favorite quotes to share you with you. Enjoy! Daily Motivational Quotes
Everyone has their own treasure chest filled with gold and diamonds. Its up to you to find it because within it there is a lot more then just gold and diamonds - your innate abilities are within it too. Find the chest and it will unlock every door you once thought was locked and you will be able to overcome any perceived challenge and obstacle with ease. Here is your clue: The chest can only be found within you. ~~Bruno LoGreco
Self-Confidence is a key factor to how much influence you will become identified to in your day-to-day life. The less you allow the opinions of others to interfere in your decision making process, the greater success you will achieve. You must not forget the opinions of others are based on their past/personal experience. Unless opinions can be substantiated with hard facts, they remain only that - An Opinion. ~~Bruno LoGreco
Last night someone at the event I spoke at asked me how I became a motivational speaker. I said, it comes with the territory of being a life coach and becoming one was easy - I woke up one day and said I'm a Life Coach. ~~Bruno LoGreco
The game of Life is similar to playing a board game. In a board game there is an overall objective that must be achieved. The objective is achieved by succeeding at smaller goals. Each time you succeed at a goal you move your game piece towards the overall objective, based on your game strategy. Now apply the same rule to the game of Life, or all you will be is a game piece waiting to be moved.~~Bruno LoGreco
Happiness is a state of mind, it occurs when you are in the moment enjoying the experience before you. It happens when you create your own happiness from what is important to you. Happiness is looking FORWARD, and to experience life as you go. Happiness is NOT reliving the past, as it will cloud your potential to experience life and happiness.~~Bruno LoGreco
Aren't you tired of crying the same song year after year? Don't you understand that only you have the power to change your life - You and you only? Make a conscious effort to start working towards the life you dream, today! ~~Bruno LoGreco
Life gives you the opportunity to create what is important to you. When you expect life to hand over what you believe is important on a silver platter, you run the risk of missing out on life as you begin to create a rooted belief of entitlement. You're not entitled to anything other than what you create for yourself. Stop waiting and start start creating. ~~Bruno LoGreco
Guilt is a useless emotion. It will destroy your self-esteem if you are not aware of it. Guilt comes from the choices you've made. Right or wrong, they are yours to own. Accept responsibility for the choices you have made and your guilt will begin to dissolve. ~~Bruno LoGreco
Love is what everyone wants and needs. Love is what everyone pushes away. Love is not uniform, It comes in different ways. When you push love away you create fear. Fear is anxiety and pain. Accept the love you have or you will feel the pain you fear. Stop pushing love away. Accept it as it is with no conditions. ~~Bruno LoGreco
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
What Kind Of Life Would You Create If You Could Create Your Own Life?
Last night I created an amazing environment filled with beautiful energy. I picked seven unique individuals that posses specific personality traits and I invited them to dinner. Seven complete strangers to one another and everybody spoke to each. Looking from the outside it appeared like everyone was friends for years. What Kind Of Life Would You Create If You Could Create Your Own Life?
I am also known for creating my own life. I decide the kind of life I want and I create it. My best creation so far is when I was twenty-five. I decided I wanted to work in the Unite States in a global capacity. The odds were against me because I did not have a degree. Not having a degree meant I would not fall under the NAFTA Agreement. At age twenty-nine and still without a degree, I worked in New Jersey for one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in a global capacity. I beat the odds.
Fast forward to age thirty-one. I decided to create an environment where I would come and go as I pleased, make enough money to pay the bills and to be my own boss. I wanted to be the “somebody” in “I work for somebody else.” But I also wanted to create something fulfilling and rewarding all at the same time. Even a naysayer said it would be impossible for me to become a life coach, but I still did it.
In May 2008, I began to recreate a childhood dream, a past dream of performing on television. And within a few short months I began doing exactly that and I have continued appearing on television ever since.
So you can see all that is needed to create a different life is a desire. A will to put one foot in front of the other and walk towards the life you would like for yourself. You must decide what you would like in your life regardless of how difficult you believe it would be and start walking towards it. The odds were greatly against me but somehow I succeeded. Maybe it was the lack of excuses?
Life is the opportunity to create whatever you believe is important to you. If you expect life to hand over what you believe is important on a silver platter, your entitlement is what will prevent you from creating and living the life you believe you deserve.
Bruno LoGreco Life Coach & Mentor
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Childhood Dream - Part II
My journey thus far is about learning and becoming self-aware. Building upon whom I am, challenging myself to reach new heights, and to never stop living life. There isn’t a thing that will stop me from doing what I choose. I'm given a gift - A talent so beautiful not using it would be an injustice. Childhood Dream - Part II
I try to lead an easy life. Meaning the least amount of stress and anxiety possible. I do this by not focusing too much on tomorrow nor dwelling on the past. Not dwelling on the past is easy for me. I only remember joyful, happy moments within a day. Anything that does happen which is less than joyful, I try to deal with it in the moment. Once that moment is gone, so is the less than joyful experience. I carry only a small amount of sour experiences into the present moment. These are experiences that I will learn from when the student is ready. I do focus on tomorrow, though. But only to determine where tomorrow will be. Tomorrow for me is a goal post. Something for me to shoot at in hope that I will score or get close to.
Almost two years ago I wrote a post titled Childhood Dream. The goal was to appear on the morning show “Breakfast Television” on CityTV, a local TV station. Breakfast Television often feature experts in various professions, life coaching included. So I wrote to the morning show introducing myself, and why I make a great expert for their show. I had no prior tv experience and I was afraid of cameras.
One of my childhood dreams was to become an actor. I dreamed about starring in motion pictures. I even dreamed about the various roles I would play, and the fame and stardom that comes with it. I think a lot of children dream about becoming famous. And a lot of talented children do become famous.
Sixteen months after writing Childhood Dreams, I was given the opportunity to be in a movie that will be featured at the Toronto Film Festival in 2010. I also made my way into Reality TV and onto the Radio. So far I have not appeared on Breakfast Television.
Living my easy lifestyle is not difficult. All you have to do is decide to start living your life, spending less time in the past and focusing more on the present. Go ahead and dream about the future and use it as a goal post - A target for you to shoot at in hope of scoring or coming close to it. But always remember, it won’t matter what kind of dream you have unless you do something about it this very moment, or all it will ever be is just a dream.
Bruno LoGreco Life Coach & Mentor
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Ten Powerful and Life Transforming Tips That Will Change Your Life
Here are ten powerful and life transforming tips that will change your behavior and build upon your success in less than 10 days. Ten simple tips you can implement into your daily routine starting right now. You will only stand to gain from these life transforming tips. You get guaranteed results, greater success and motivation to achieve goals that you once thought were impossible to achieve. In the next 10 days you will be able to achieve your goals faster and with conviction. You will see and feel the difference and benefit from the results. You will be inspired like never before. No mountain will be too high for you to climb after you read these life transforming tips. 10 Powerful and Life Transforming Tips 1. Foster strengths and acknowledge weaknesses: Create a list of all your strengths. Create another list with all your weaknesses. Give greater focus to tasks that foster your strengths and delegate tasks that play on your weaknesses. 2. Admit to mistakes: You are human and humans make mistakes. Admit to mistakes as soon as you discover it. Deflecting or lying about it will make you feel bad, and you won't learn from the experience. Don't try to cover it up, lies are difficult to keep up with and difficult on the mind and your self-worth. 3. Accept criticism: The automatic reaction to criticism is defense. Stop defending and listen for any truth behind the criticism. You can only change what you are aware of. 4. Embrace change, it's inevitable: Change is everywhere and in every living thing. Life is continual change preceding death. Nothing remains constant in life - change is inevitable. Fear for change will only lead to feeling stuck. 5. Challenge core-beliefs: Core-beliefs are strongly rooted beliefs that often cannot be substantiated with facts they simply are not true. Core-beliefs will prevent you from trying new things for fear of failure and what you believe it will mean to you. Next time you are about to make a decision based on a core-belief make sure you can substantiate it with facts. 6. Fear stunts growth: Fear limits your personal growth and distracts you from achieving success. Fear draws upon past frightening and humiliating experiences. It creates illusions of what the future holds based on those experiences. Illusions create fear that will stunt your growth. Recognize fear is only an illusion - its not real. 7. Patience is a virtue: Patience will make you a better and more successful person. Exercise self-control and forbearance to what you want and success will be achieved. You miss opportunities when you jump to conclusions and make quick decisions in your effort to succeed. Slow down and enjoy the ride because success will take as long as it needs to succeed anyhow. 8. NOW is all that matters: Life unfolds in the present. When you spend too much time vacillating into the future, or reminiscing about the past, the present time slips away and its gone forever. There isn't anything anyone can do about the past and the only difference you will make for the future is based on what you do this very moment. 9. Treat yourself first before another: You are useless to those in need if you don't take care of yourself first. Just like on a plane when the oxygen mask is deployed - You put your mask on first before you assist others, or else you will pass-out from the lack of oxygen and you will be useless to anyone in need of help. 10. Unconditional self-love: Means to love yourself no matter what. Strengths, weaknesses, likes and dislikes. Your confidence and self-esteem will shoot through the roof when you foster strengths and acknowledge your weaknesses, appreciate your likes and find beauty in what you do not like. You can't change who you are so all that is left is for you to love yourself unconditionally. Go ahead and see for yourself. See how fast success will be knocking at your door after you implement these 10 easy life transforming tips. You're just days away to a happier and more fulfilled life. Success is a mindset. No mountain is high enough when inspiration and motivation strikes. Visit Bruno LoGreco Life Coach & Mentor, and start marching towards your dreams today. Find out how life coaching will benefit you when you visit http://www.brunologreco.com Ten Powerful and Life Transforming Tips That Will Change Your Life
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Is Social Media One Reason For Duality In The 21st Century?
In today’s modern society with mobile technology and the popularity of social media at an all time high, baby boomers, Generation X & Y are all taking part in this emerging technology. It doesn’t matter where you live you can share any piece of information about virtually anything at lightening speed with friends, family and complete strangers with the click of a button.
With the advent of wireless devices integrated with a camera and social networking applications, uploading media to the internet to share across your social network is as easy as 1,2,3. Within seconds you can share your most recent purchase, like your dream car to the latest and trendiest in fashion, or the reward for getting A+ on your test. There is nothing that cannot be shared including a cute video just captured of your baby taking their first step.
If "Keeping up with the Jone’s" was difficult pre-Social Media, well guess what? It just got worse. Social Media just took ‘influence’ to a whole new level. If you think traditional media was bad, wait until you see the power and the influence Social Media and traditional media together will have.
The influenced will feel the need to keep up and to reamin current. Social Media just opened the door to an entire new domain – we are not talking environments with small families or class rooms anymore, we are talking about hundreds and even thousands of people within an environment whom are all connected to hundreds and even thousands more, setting the standard of what is in and what is out.
The influenced already live in a confusing world filled with needs. They live life exercising poor choices influenced by their environment. They allow the environment to determine what they buy what they believe, how they act and what they say. They have a need to keep up with everything even when they cannot. This leaves them feeling like they are not good enough but not even this factoid will cease their chase.
Living within a world of contrast, they feel a need to be the person they are not to satisfy illusionary expecations. Either are they conscious to this fact. In their pursuit to become the idea/illusion they believe they must be, they create a divided world. On one side, I’m Not Good Enough and on the other, I’m Good Enough. Why do they always chase the I’m Not Good Enough side and never acknowledge or even know a Good Enough side exists.
So before you go running off to try and keep up with your online social circle, take a look at who you are and ask yourself the following questions.
- I feel like I am not good enough because______________.
- I am trying to prove ______to ______ because ________.
- In my pursuit to prove ____ I compare myself to________.
- To overcome the feeling of not being good enough I_______.
- Am I still chasing?
- Based on my behaviors I believe _____ about my self-image.
- Describe your self-image:
- For me to be good enough I must ___________________.
- If I accept that I am not good enough life would be _______.
Is Social Media One Reason For Duality In The 21st Century?
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Chocolate Chocolate Read All About - Worthless Nothing Becomes Something After learning The Affects of Environmental Noise.
Environmental noise is what I refer to as anything that connects with any of our five senses – touch, taste, smell, sound and sight. Pretty much everything that comes into our sight or something we hear, taste, smell or touch can influence our judgment and alter our ability to make sound decisions. All it takes is a lack of confidence in one major aspect of life and we will be off validating whatever thought we hear including the negative self-talk in our head. Chocolate Chocolate Read All About - Worthless Nothing Becomes Something After learning The Affects of Environmental Noise.
Negative self-talk is easily validated in an environment governed by people that thrive off of negative self-talk. Someone whom feels they are worthless and can articulate his or her thoughts and emotions could influence someone within the environment into believing they too are worthless. Misery enjoys company. How sweet is it to share worthless experiences and to commiserate? It really doesn’t take much to influence someone that is feeling down and blue. Just speak to their emotions and you will quickly win them over.
A single taste of decadent chocolate has the potential to influence someone whose dream is to open a lollipop shop into believing that decadent chocolate is a better way to go. When the decadence of the chocolate awakes his taste buds it also awakens and heighten the remaining four senses to be on the lookout for anything to validate the reason why decadent chocolate is the better way to go. The people within the environment can be used to calculate potential revenue to compare against any existing financials to further validate the thought. See for yourself, all you have to do is walk into a shoe store and observe women justifying why they need to buy their 20th pair this month.
Noise is everywhere and everything and anybody can be easily sucked into it. Chance is, you are already in it and might not even be aware of it. Only a small percentage of people have the natural ability to steer through noise and not let it influence their decisions. The good news is those whom are not naturally able to steer through noise can learn how to with awareness.
Even the person who was down and blue that lacked confidence and self-esteem and believed he was nothing, was able to see the amount of influence he was under because of his environment and the level of noise. It took five years for him to see what he could not see - The power and the influence the noise did have on him. Today he lives his true intention, free from environmental noise doing the things he could only dream of one year ago.
Now you can answer your own question: Am I really as fucked up as I think I am
Bruno LoGreco Life Coach & Mentor
Thursday, August 13, 2009
The Beauty Of Nature - The Inspiration of Lake Couchiching
I feel rested and inspired after my mini vacation. I rented a cottage on Lake Couchiching, which is just north of Toronto. I always have a need to be surrounded by nature and there is nothing better than having nature all around me for a few days – it’s relaxing, rejuvenating and inspiring. The Beauty Of Nature - The Inspiration of Lake Couchiching
The entire weekend was relaxing. I left my computer at home but I did take my Blackberry. I only used it for the maps. I did not feel any pressure to work, write, or develop awareness techniques. The only technique I did work on was my own in being present, living in the NOW. The only time I fell out of the NOW was when I had to go to the bathroom – there was no way I could be present, the only thing on my mind was peeing.
One of the best moments from this past weekend was when everything suddenly went still. It happened when I was sitting on the dock staring across the lake. A moment of clarity, one with self and nature in its purest with no judgment to what is. Everything felt like it stopped. There, everything just belonged like a jigsaw puzzle after all the pieces are put together. It truly is an unbelievable feeling - it feels like bliss.
Thankfully you don’t have to run away to a cottage to experience this feeling. Being in nature works best for me, which also include parks. But any source of expression could have the same effect if it’s something enjoyable and it does not require another person to participate. It has to be about you just like it was all about me when I was sitting on the dock that day.
Cooking/baking, gardening, art and music, meditating, etc., these kinds of activities can be a source of expression too. Pretty much any activity can be a source of expression if it requires only you to participate. And if your willing to learn how to let go of self-control and the need to judge and are able to accept what is, you too will arrive to the feeling I describe.
Bruno LoGreco Life Coach & Mentor
I also used my Blackberry to take these pictures
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Nurture Enlightenment Like A Newborn Mother Nurtures Her Baby
Everybody veers off course from time to time, its only natural. I believe even the best of the best get lost, but what makes them the best is they know how to find their way back. Life distractions are too loud to avoid. Even when you try your best to block outside noise from entering your domain it happens. Its part of life and you can’t avoid it. Nurture Enlightenment Like A Newborn Mother Nurtures Her Baby
A close friend who had reached enlightenment after she became a cancer survivor fell back into the pits of society. The hustle and bustle and the demands imposed on her for her very own survival could not be avoided. The world, which she had learnt to protect herself from years earlier, quickly engulfed her as she conformed to the dominant force of society, yet again. Slowly she drifted from what she learned to be enlightenment.
Enlightenment once achieved must be nurtured just like a newborn mother nurtures her baby. You must respect it and you must not take it for granted or you will lose it. The rules, which applied on the journey to enlightenment, apply post enlightenment, however you must continue to enhance it or you will forget how you found it to begin with.
When you believe that you have lost your way and feel disconnected from your internal soul, drop whatever you are doing and get back to the basics. Know who you are and what you represent. Cut yourself some slack and instead of being hard on you give yourself encouragement. You may have already forgotten but the only way back to enlightenment is when you find time for “me” to give yourself the clarity needed away from life distractions.
Bruno LoGreco Life Coach & Mentor
Saturday, August 1, 2009
A Narrative Of My Life
I started blogging in early 2008. At first I blogged about my thoughts and ideas, but it wasn’t long before I started to use it as a source of expression. At that time I had already started life coaching so I too was looking for an outlet to express myself. I tried to find a mentor – someone I could talk to about my thoughts and emotions, but I couldn’t find anyone I felt a connection to. My other problem was money. I had very little income because I was still building my coaching business so instead I resorted to a spiritual healer who is also a friend.
I began reading books on abandonment, neglect, fear, phobias, anxiety - I just started to read everything related to human behavior and it all stuck. I started to write articles and blog posts on whatever I learned. A lot of it just makes sense to me just like it makes sense that what goes up must come back down (The Law Of Gravity) so writing articles and blogging was effortless, grammar and proper sentence structure and finishing thoughts, well…that’s still a challenge.
Oprah was promoting ‘A New Earth’ at that time. I already had read The Power Of Now and thought Eckhart Tolle was a genius. I loved the way he described living in the moment and becoming one with self. But when I spoke to friends or people in passing about the book many would tell me they found it difficult to follow or they just didn’t get it. I was puzzled - I couldn’t understand how anyone could not get it. To me, what Eckhart Tolle said in the book just makes sense, all of it. But what I did start to realize is why people don’t understand it.
Did you know something like 90% of the population is so influenced by their environment that they cannot see beyond what they already know? This is what conditions behavioral patterns – a cycle of behavioral patterns which will create the same outcome throughout life and also the reason why many cannot understand Eckhart Tolle.
Why people cannot understand Eckhart Tolle is the question I hope to answer in my book titled, A Time In Life. That’s the project I am working on right now and I hope to finish it soon. I’m envisioning “New York’s Best Seller” Of course I still need to find a publisher. I feel pretty confident I will find one when I’m ready even though I never published a book before – e-book excluded. Positive thinking all the way…
So what first started off as a blog about thoughts and ideas, turned into a narrative of my life. I guess that is the true intent of a blog.
A Narrative Of My Life
Ten Powerful Self-Coaching Tips
Are you living the life of creativity and happiness that you've always dreamed of, or are you allowing your fears or other outside factors to influence you?
Following the path that your heart's desires requires courage and might require a shift in attitude. There are several methods you can use to act as your own life coach and start working toward the life you dream of.
Ideas for self-improvement
You don't need to change every aspect of your life at once in order to improve your attitude and outlook on life. Self-improvement can feel daunting if you try to change everything at once.
A good way to embark on your journey of self-coaching is to make one change and see what kind of impact it has upon your life. The following tips are designed to help you improve your life and become your own life coach. Try out one of the following tips at a time to positively impact your attitude and daily life.
1. Find some ‘you' time. Everyone needs time alone to meditate and recharge. You may think you don't have extra time in your day. Start with 10-20 minutes to use for meditation or silent reflection.
2. Ask yourself what you truly want in life. Are you living your life according to your true dreams and desires? You may be unaware of your desires that lie hidden beneath your surface needs and wants, so take the time to find out.
3. Write everything down. Even if your thought seems silly, write it down! You may be surprised by the inspiration and ideas you can come up with.
4. Journal daily, but with a twist. Instead of just writing about today, try writing about yesterday.
5. Keep track of the "happy moments." Each day has potential for many small moments that bring joy and happiness. If you don't make a special note of them, you may not even recognize the small joys in your day.
6. Choose one task each night to complete the next day. This way, you have focus, and you accomplish at least one task. Tasking and taxing yourself with effort is important in reaching goals.
7. Smile when you wake up. Smiling is contagious. By smiling you improve your mood and can potentially improve someone else's day as well.
8. Give thanks each night. Gratitude will improve your outlook on life and help you see all the good and wonderful moments of your day.
9. Try something new. A new experience fuels creativity and your enjoyment of the day.
10. Create at least one memorable moment each day. Make each day unforgettable, even if in a small way!
Taking the next step with a life coach
Self-coaching tips are great ideas for helping you improve your life. However, you can take your life to the next level with a life coach and mentor. A professional life coach can help you set goals and help you move forward with your dreams. If you're looking for the right path toward happiness, a life coach can help you discover the path your heart truly desires.
Want to learn more about self-improvement? Bruno LoGreco is a Life Coach Toronto and mentor. Visit BrunoLoGreco.com and find out how to unleash your potential for success and happiness.
The Success Indicators on Your Life Path
A good way to think of this problem is to envision a large square box. This is not just any box though. Rather, in this case, your box has been divided into three separate, but equally shaped rectangular boxes, all stacked on top of one another. Each of these rectangular boxes is a highly important expression of your life goals -- individual levels of success. Within each of these levels of success is an indicator that tells you how close you are to becoming successful in this area of your life.
Every area of your life that you identify as a potential path for success can be further divided, containing the many different events and obstacles you will encounter as you strive to reach your goals. Think of each sector of your life as being divided even further, with three new sections within one of the three stacked boxes (sectors). Within each stacked box are three separate sections, divided by dotted lines that make up the life path you will follow. These dotted lines are not the same as the solid lines dividing the sectors -- they are a path that you have envisioned since childhood -- a series of goals and pathways to success that you want to follow.
As young people, these life paths may not be fully formed. Or they might be crystal clear in our minds--long, straight life paths from the early days of college and adult living to the ultimate goal of success that you have always strived for. You can see exactly what you need to do to reach each success indicator and achieve what you have set out to accomplish. And you probably did just this. After all, your goals as a youth were to be successful in the same way that you saw thousands of others live their lives. You wanted to reach your success indicators and experience the measure of success by which you would measure you life for decades to come.
However, nothing is ever as simple as we envision it during youth. There are countless factors that interfere with your ability to clearly see those success indicators and life paths to success. These factors, or "Environmental Noise," can be detrimental to even the most focused of individuals. Think of what would happen if you dumped the contents of downtown New York into your box and tried to maintain your focus on those goals. Would you even be able to see your life path anymore?
Everyone must travel their life path with environmental noise inundating them from all sides. It begins to become cloudy. The dotted lines, our life paths, begin to look like the straight lines and the success indicators start to be confused with any number of different distractions.
And then something will happen and you will realize that you are in fact nowhere near the original success indicators you set for yourself. Everything has changed and yet you are stuck in a way. You are deep within the center of the middle rectangular box and you have no idea which way to go or how to get back on track. The noise only grows louder and you grow dizzy trying to regain your focus.
It is in this instant that you must clear the noise and return to the basic, almost instinctive mode of thought you experienced as a child. What did you want from life? Where did you want to go? What do you need to get to that point? What was my life path? All of these questions must be asked without the distractions of the world around you muddying up your thought process. When you can revert to a very simple perspective of the world and only spend time thinking of what you want from life, you can be that much more successful.
You can succeed in life despite the environmental noise, cruising down your life paths and moving through your rectangles with ease, but oftentimes you need a helping hand to clear away the noise and look at life with fresh eyes. There is nothing wrong with asking for help to weed out these distractions and remove the clutter from your life sectors with a professional life coach.
Is your life path inundated with environmental noise? Learn how you can lift the noise and begin reestablishing your success indicators today. Visit www.brunologreco.com a Life Coach Toronto today.
Top 10 Benefits to Journaling
There are countless reasons to maintaining a journal. The top ten benefits of journaling may differ from person to person. However, there seems to be general themes that are attractive in the collective unconscious. Many people are looking to daily entries of their personal experiences to reap some of the following rewards.
Maintaining a journal is a natural way to exercise the brain. People who make regular entries are taking time to develop writing and communication skills that are very valuable in everyday interactions. This mental exercise also helps to allow your thoughts to flow freely.
Creativity is a second benefit to consider. This is an important aspect of journaling. The right hemisphere of the brain is associated with visual, imaginative and intuitive facets of thought. When you take time to write, you free the right hemisphere. The ideal entry will be one that puts the inner editor on hold. Thoughts and ideas should flow freely and naturally.
The uninhibited nature of this form of writing serves a third benefit of developing self awareness. People often create different faces to meet various circumstances. We tend to recreate in distinct situations including the work environment, the community and even when at home.
The process of keeping a journal helps you recognize the various aspects of your unique personality. The growing self awareness is a powerful force that can lead to even greater benefits in the future. Gaining insight into the self is among the most important aspects to maintaining a journal.
The fourth benefit is the ability to set priorities. Once you get a grasp on the thoughts and emotions that are filtered through your personal experience, you begin to gain control of them. The process eventually leads to a greater understanding of what is and what is not important.
The ability to re-see the past is another great benefit of keeping a journal. The pages can be revisited with a fresh perspective. It can be very surprising how much your understanding of an event changes over a relatively short period of time. Some writers find great moments of epiphany when rethinking and rereading entries.
Journaling is a fantastic problem-solving resource. The approach of using entries to come up with various solutions to troubles is a little different than approaches for self awareness and growth. Many people choose temporary brainstorming techniques that serve to give viable solutions to problems.
The seventh benefit of journaling is variety. You can choose what kind of entries you want to make. Common choices include brainstorming sessions, automatic writing and reflective notes. Personal journal entries can be made upon inspiration, when you first wake or right before you fall asleep. Some choose to do a combination of these.
Purging is the eighth benefit to this practice. Many people find it helpful to place negative thoughts and feelings down on paper. Once the negative energy is placed on the page, they are free to let it go. This practice also works well when dealing with anger towards another individual. Purge the negativity and work towards a constructive approach.
The ability to communicate with others is another benefit of keeping a journal. Those who work with life coaches can find a wealth of resources for sessions. Journaling can help you tap into your fears and dreams, helping your coach gain insight through entries that you choose to share.
The tenth benefit is improvement in your overall health. Journaling reduces stress. It provides time for you to meditate. The process helps to make the positive forces in your life surface and it helps to bring the harmful elements into light. The result of personal journaling is a new perspective on how you can take control of many aspects of your life.
Want to learn how online journaling can help you reach goals and problem solve? Learn more about life coach Toronto at brunologreco.com and journaling at iijournal.
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