Integrity with Yourself
I constantly meet people in their 30s, maybe even early 40s, who have done everything right—they’ve gone to good schools, earned advanced degrees, worked for top companies, and established a strong financial start—but who feel unfulfilled, and in some cases downright miserable. Perhaps you are reading this or visiting The Forward Group’s Website because you are one of them!
If all your life you’ve done everything you were supposed to do, then why are you so unhappy now? Why do you feel stuck? Why have none of the approaches you’ve taken to get unstuck and find true happiness worked?
And most important: How do you move forward again and find real happiness?
Let’s look at one potential reason that you might feel stuck.
Could it be that you have no integrity with yourself? In other words have you forfeited your hopes and dreams to meet another’s expectations? The life you live is perhaps the life your parents, grandparents, siblings, or a significant other want you to live. Have you either consciously or unconsciously, allowed them to impose their own needs and wants on your life?
They probably meant no harm. In fact, most likely they believed they were looking out for your best interests. But the safe, structured path down which they steered you has led you to frustration and discontent, not the freedom and happiness you want for yourself.
Does this sound familiar to you? Maybe you excelled in music or art in school, but your parents discouraged you from nurturing your creative talents and redirected your effort to subjects they believed were more realistic and practical. Perhaps you considered majoring in music performance, but your parents pressured you to pursue a business degree and lock in a reliable salary.
Now, it’s true that you enjoy a comfortable lifestyle and a healthy income—but at what cost? What would happen if you got back to your roots and began to pursue your core passions? Can you imagine finding the motivation to move forward in the broad space of your unrealized dreams?
I hope you’ll join me for my next post, as we begin to explore the cost of straying from integrity with yourself, and the myriad rewards of getting back on track and moving forward.
Topics: Integrity, Being Stuck, Passion, Freedom, Happiness
Perfect Play Call
I caught the tail end of the NBA Finals second game between Orlando and the Lakers on Sunday, June 6th. I was just in time to see Coach Stan Van Gundy draw up the perfect play call to enable Orlando to win the game. Orlando called a time-out with the score tied at 88–88, with .06 seconds left in the game.
In a perfect play, Rashard Lewis set a back pick on Kobe Bryant, allowing point guard Courtney Lee to make his move to the basket. Lee cut to the basket and went up to catch the ball that Hedo Turkoglu lofted to him from out of bounds. Lee caught the ball and tried to lay it in, but the ball hit the backboard and rimmed out, causing Orlando to lose the game in overtime.
In life, you can have the right play called at the right time and still not make the play. The lesson is: Don’t dwell on the missed opportunity, but quickly understand what went wrong and how you can correct it for next time. The longer you beat yourself up over it, the longer it will linger and potentially have a negative effect on your performance.
Lee was quoted as saying: “When I was at home, I was just beating myself up a little bit.” The best way he could think of to try to forget the potential game-winner was to watch it a few times, then move on.
Make the plays you need to make and keep moving forward, no matter the outcome.
The Forward FactorTM is a powerful process that Team Forward created to help individuals, companies and communities move forward. Many of you may have heard of the “X-Factor”. According to wisegeek.com, “in the world of mathematics, an ‘X factor’ is an unknown quantity which only becomes known after following a prescribed process. This concept of an unknown but vital quality also extends into other worlds, such as business and entertainment. In this sense, an ‘X-factor’ is a certain undefinable quality, which may promote one candidate over another in the eyes of his or her critics or examiners.”
Team Forward understands intimately the importance of forward movement and that’s why we developed The Forward Factor. By using our tested process we are certain we can get you unstuck and moving forward. No matter what situation you’re in or how stuck you are The Forward Factor can work if you work it.
There is no need to put your hopes, dreams and desires on hold any longer. Life could be passing you by, just because you don’t have the right resources to move forward. No more excuses it is time to start living the life you know you deserve. If your interested please contact a Team Forward member today @ info@teamforward.com
I had an appointment in downtown Chicago recently. Rather than take public transportation, I decided to drive. I drove into the jungle with one goal. Find street parking close to my meeting. This is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Unsuccessful, and running late, I decided to pull into a parking garage. As I pulled forward the garage door was closed. I expected it to automatically open, so I pulled closer. Normally the automatic door trigger will open the door. Fearful of actually hitting the garage door, or that it might be out of order I stopped and waited. I sat there watching the time slowly tick by, unable to backup because the cars behind me blowing their car horns. I realized I was stuck.
After about 10 seconds, which felt like an hour, I saw the following sign on the wall “Pull Forward As Far as Possible”. Once I saw the sign I inched closer to the garage door and it automatically opened. Relieved and running late, I valet and headed to my meeting.
When I returned to the garage, I saw the sign and thought about the times in life we attempt to move forward and because of roadblocks, naysayers, and closed doors we get stopped. Unable to move backward or forward we sit quietly hoping and waiting for something to happen but it never does, precious time slowly ticking by leaving us frustrated and discouraged.
Perhaps the next time you find yourself stopped or stuck, you should “Pull Forward as Far as Possible”. This movement could trigger the automatic door to open, ultimately leading you to your desired destination. Many dreams have never been realized because we give up too soon or don’t go far enough stopping just short. Had we only inched closer the door would have automatically opened.
Grow FORWARD!
First Quarter – Momentum:
We are in the first quarter of the 2011. Getting off to a fast start is an important part of reaching goals. Every team no matter the sport wants to get off to a fast start. Building momentum early and maintaining it throughout the game can be the difference between winning and losing.
Momentum is described in physics as the energy of a moving object. It is a powerful force that can propel you forward faster with very little effort. Once momentum is created it can be difficult to contain. The propensity to take on a life of its own is high.
A great example of momentum is a local story that gains energy and becomes national news. There are times in life and career where you are the beneficiary of momentum. Many have made a career out of jumping from one right opportunity to the next. It requires being in the right place at the right time. Perhaps it could be something as simple as moving into the right neighborhood at the right time. The neighborhood is experiencing tremendous growth and has gained momentum from local politicians, businesses that want to offer goods and services, and great schools. This momentum could pay off handsomely if you decide to sell at the right time.
Are you in the game?
You may be feeling like you are not in the game because you do not feel movement. That is ok. In fact, just being conscious of this is a huge breakthrough because many people don’t realize they are stuck. In order to begin to create momentum in your favor, you have to be inspired to do something. What good is momentum if there’s no use for it? Find a reason to be inspired. Whether it’s a goal you personally want to achieve or you want to help someone else with a project, when you create an inspiring reason for momentum, you will spark motivation.
The second way to create momentum is to be in ACTION. It is impossible to have momentum without movement. Imagine a sports team that just stood on the sideline and never played the game. Inaction will cause doubt and fear to creep in. As long as you stand on the sideline and think about doing it, nothing happens. The moment you take action, energy is created and movement begins.
Be intentional; intention creates energy. In order to create momentum, intentions must be clear and directed. When intentions are undirected it is much more difficult to create momentum because the energy is dispersed. Having everything moving and working and in the same direction builds and focuses energy that in turn creates momentum.
You must be strategic and have a plan for momentum. Sports teams go into a game with a plan to win. The team that is able to execute that plan builds momentum faster which increases their chances for success. Companies create business plans, marketing plans, and financial plans for success. Those that do well are able to create momentum around a particular product or service that they are offering. The result could be overwhelming. When Apple came out with the iPhone the momentum that was created was amazing. What is your GAMEPLAN TO WINTM?
March Madness is upon us. There has been some amazing basketball games on this weekend. While watching several games, I noticed that in the close games, coaches and players really looked for opportunities to change the momentum of a game. It could be calling a time-out at the most opportune time to stop the momentum of the opposing team or calling a designed play in order to get a score. It was clear that each team was on the lookout for momentum changing opportunities.
Everyday we are presented with opportunities - some we see, others we are simply oblivious to. In order to keep momentum or change momentum you have to be opportunistic. In other words, when you have momentum you must defend it, and when you want it you have to be offensive minded. Remember momentum is energy and energy attracts like energy.
Hopefully, these five plays shared over the last several blog posts can help you defend your momentum if you have it or can help you change it in your direction if it isn’t now. There is still time for you to reach your goals, remember with a little momentum in your favor anything is possible.
MOVE FORWARD!
Today was the second time I’ve taken a Yoga class. It has been more than 8 yrs between classes. As a former defensive lineman, I have very little flexibility and I realize that the more you work at stretching the more flexible you become. However, is my inability to be flexible when stretching, consistent with an inability to be flexible when it comes to circumstances and situations in my life? Where else in my life does it hurt to stretch?
Last night I watched the Duke & Arizona college basketball game. It’s not how you start, it is how you finish, as Duke can attest.
Duke dominated the first half of the game. But after trailing by six at the half, Arizona made some adjustments in the second half and embarrassed Duke with a 16-point win.
Just like last night’s game, the first quarter of the year is upon us. Based on your goals how would you rate your performance versus your goals? As April approaches it is important to understand where you are so you know what needs to be done to stay on track. What score would you give yourself? Are you trailing, leading or is the score tied? If you are leading, be mindful and don’t get behind. If you are trailing, you are in the perfect position to at least tie the score with the intention of taking the lead.
I would encourage you to go back and re-read my posts on how to change momentum in your favor. Here’s a recap:
- Turn the Tide
- Get in the Game
- Control the Energy
- Plan Your Momentum
- When Opportunity Knocks…Answer!
These can be found at our FORWARD Blog: http://blog.thefwdgroup.com.
Most coaches will tell you that the first quarter of a game is all about figuring out your opponent. What are they doing to you, what adjustments need to be made, what is working, what isn’t? These are some questions I would encourage you to ask yourself as the first quarter of the year comes to an end. This is time you will never get back, so prepare yourself to turn momentum in your favor or keep the momentum if you are ahead. We want you to be victorious this year, so however we can help you manage the game, we will.
You can do it!
Coach Ward
The word default has several different definitions depending on the context in which the word is used. For this post, I want to use the word default as described in the dictionary: “a computer program or other mechanism that reverts automatically to a preselected option.”
A computer will default back to previous programming settings as a way of familiarity when it doesn’t understand something or as a safety precaution.
The human mind is considered one of the greatest computers in existence. Social norms, beliefs and contextual conditioning have played a vital role in our programming. This includes parents, relatives, ministers, teachers, coaches and friends. Like a computer, we have a default mode that we often use.
Have you ever automatically reverted to a default position? This is a place that is familiar, known, and understood. This natural position can happen without effort. It is so easy to live a default life that it often goes undetected, leaving many of us unaware. This is not a judgment on default living; it’s more of a question. If the default position is where you desire to live and it’s working for you then continue. However, if you have been uneasy, frustrated and de-motivated then perhaps you should investigate the possibility that you are on default.
By default we play a passive role and allow situations, people and circumstances to dictate. When we don’t speak up and allow the situations or person to determine the outcome without our participation, we default. The problem with this is we end up in situations and circumstances where we feel powerless and controlled.
Changing this requires full participation in life. You have to be active and present to what is going on around you. By not just allowing things to happen but playing more offense and making things happen you spend less time in a default mode.
If the default position is no longer working for you, awaken and take your power back by speaking up and out. When you know your natural reaction is to default and you consciously choose to do the opposite, you are well on your way.
LIVE FORWARD…
Coach Kevin Ward
Many of us use the season change to reflect, so we thought it fitting to talk about using this time to rewind and watch your personal game film.
For those of you who may not spend much time watching sports or have not played organized sports, the process of watching film is critical to a team getting ready for their next game. Sitting and reviewing an opponent allows them to study how they play, analyze their strengths and weaknesses and create their strategy for winning.
Well, in our personal lives, we all have a vast archive of game film. These are the stories of our lives. From memories of the first time we learned something from our parents to the things we used to love to do when we were young or when nobody was watching.
Today, we encourage you to rewind and review the game film of your life. It can offer clues as to what you might love to do but have somehow forgotten amidst life’s demands. Perhaps it will uncover some deep-rooted beliefs that you have that may be stopping you from getting to the next level in your career, relationship, or life. Or maybe, it just might open up a whole new world of possibility for pursuing something you never even imagined could be a life calling when you left your childhood behind.
PLAYMAKERS watch hours of film and know the plays that will make them successful…do you?
