#Trust30 - Writing Prompt #9: Afraid to Do..........Youth Sports Issues, My Business Idea, and Running a Marathon

I signed up to be part of this writing project by one of my favorite people on the internet, Seth Godin. It is called the Trust 30 Project.

#Trust30 is an online initiative and 30-day writing challenge that encourages you to look within and trust yourself. Use this as an opportunity to reflect on your now, and to create direction for your future. 30 prompts from inspiring thought-leaders will guide you on your writing journey. 

 I am several few days behind so I will be catching up on the writing prompts by posting a few a day until I am caught up.

Here is the website if you want to learn more and join. Please let me know if you join so I can read your posts.

http://ralphwaldoemerson.me/

Afraid to Do by Mary Jaksch

The other terror that scares us from self-trust is our consistency; a reverence for our past act or word, because the eyes of others have no other data for computing our orbit than our past acts, and we are loath to disappoint them. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Emerson says: “Always do what you are afraid to do.” What is ‘too scary’ to write about? Try doing it now.

(Author: Mary Jaksch)

As you know I am way behind on these writing prompts, but this writing prompt is actually the topic of a future Getting It Done post in my new series. This ties in so well with a recent episode of Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition where the latest episode trainer Chris Powell tells the person he is working with that he needs to get over his fear. He states that you will always be scared of your fears until you deal with them. Staying scared will never solve the problem.

This topic is very much what I am currently trying to overcome. I will be honest in that I am scared of actually running a marathon. I cannot imagine myself running 26.2 miles. That is why I post so much on my training to keep me going. It would be so easy to fold on myself if I was not sharing my journey with you readers. However, those days where I have self doubt I think of the blog and remember that I cannot let the people down and need to see through what I am writing about.

This is what I am doing. Documenting my journey. This post has already begun and will continue to the next 4 months.

I love this topic. This is one that I hope to use in my classroom. We must learn to face our fears.

I am trying to think of other fears that are too scary to write about and I am not sure I have anything else on my plate.

Actually..........I take that back.

I have considered for years starting up my own business where I work with local athletes on sports nutrition, fitness, conditioning, and skill work. I know nothing too new here. Where I would be different is that I would not train sport specific at younger ages. Instead I would focus on team dynamics, agility, core strength, quickness, etc. so that no matter what sport the athlete ventured into in their future, their time and money would not be wasted. I cannot tell you how many examples we have of athletes committing to one or two sports at a very young age, playing year round, and by the time they are ready for high school or college they are burned out and no longer want to play. My approach would keep things fresh and fun for a long time and hopefully eliminate this issue. I think youth sports in America is a mess and and I have many issues with how things are dealt and ran.

One of these days I will test this idea out(maybe with my own kids). First things first, I need to run that marathon.

There you have it. Two ideas

What about you?

#Trust30 - Writing Prompt #7: Dare to be bold

I signed up to be part of this writing project by one of my favorite people on the internet, Seth Godin. It is called the Trust 30 Project.

#Trust30 is an online initiative and 30-day writing challenge that encourages you to look within and trust yourself. Use this as an opportunity to reflect on your now, and to create direction for your future. 30 prompts from inspiring thought-leaders will guide you on your writing journey. 

 I am a few days behind so I will be catching up on the writing prompts by posting a few a day until I am caught up.

Here is the website if you want to learn more and join. Please let me know if you join so I can read your posts.

http://ralphwaldoemerson.me/

 

Dare to be bold by Matt Cheuvront

Our arts, our occupations, our marriages, our religion, we have not chosen, but society has chosen for us. We are parlour soldiers. We shun the rugged battle of fate, where strength is born. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Next to Resistance, rational thought is the artist or entrepreneurs worst enemy. Bad things happen when we employ rational thought, because rational thought comes from the ego. Instead, we want to work from the Self, that is, from instinct and intuition, from the unconscious.

A child has no trouble believing the unbelievable, nor does the genius or the madman. Its only you and I, with our big brains and our tiny hearts, who doubt and overthink and hesitate.” - Steven Pressfield, Do the Work

The idea of “being realistic” holds all of us back. From starting a business or quitting a job to dating someone who may not be our type or moving to a new place – getting “real” often means putting your dreams on hold.

Today, let’s take a step away from rational thought and dare to be bold. What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to accomplish but have been afraid to pursue? Write it down. Also write down the obstacles in your way of reaching your goal. Finally, write down a tangible plan to overcome each obstacle.

The only thing left is to, you know, actually go make it happen. What are you waiting for?
(Author: Matt Cheuvront)

There are two things that I have always wanted to accomplish, but due to the mental walls that I have built up in my mind I have never been able to accomplish them.
1. Run a marathon
2. Write a book


the obstacles in my way are quite simple - myself. This is usually the case with 99% of the people in the world. We are the ones who hold ourselves back. The outside forces are all ones that we can easily overcome once we empower our minds and build up the self confidence to actually believing that we are capable of our dreams and goals.


My plan is already in the process. I am journaling my marathon journey on my blog to keep me aware of my process and to also hold me accountable as I share my struggles and triumphs with my readers. In terms of my book, I am working on some ideas here on the blog also titled, Getting It Done, in which I would like to eventually move the contents into book format. I have started them both and will see where it takes me. I am still working on stripping down the walls in my mind, but the walls are getting smaller every single day.

#Trust30 - Writing Prompt #6 - Come Alive

I signed up to be part of this writing project by one of my favorite people on the internet, Seth Godin. It is called the Trust 30 Project.

#Trust30 is an online initiative and 30-day writing challenge that encourages you to look within and trust yourself. Use this as an opportunity to reflect on your now, and to create direction for your future. 30 prompts from inspiring thought-leaders will guide you on your writing journey. 

 I am a few days behind so I will be catching up on the writing prompts by posting a few a day until I am caught up.

Here is the website if you want to learn more and join. Please let me know if you join so I can read your posts.

http://ralphwaldoemerson.me/

 

Come Alive by Jonathan Mead

Life wastes itself while we are preparing to live. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

If you had one week left to live, would you still be doing what you’re doing now? In what areas of your life are you preparing to live? Take them off your To Do list and add them to a To Stop list. Resolve to only do what makes you come alive.

Bonus: How can your goals improve the present and not keep you in a perpetual “always something better” spiral?

(Author: Jonathan Mead)

I really don't think I would do anything different. I honestly think that I am doing everything that makes me happy. Granted, there are things in life I still hope to do and achieve, but the reality of life is that you cannot accomplish everything RIGHT NOW! I love my job of teaching so I don't view that as a waste. I love spending time being a nerd, reading, listening to music, hanging out with my family.

I really like the question of "In what areas of your life are you preparing to live?" This makes me think about finances as we strive so hard to save up money so we can do things in the "future". It makes me pause to consider if it is really worth all the stress it causes because who knows if we will even be around in the future. Obviously, you must strive to save money so you don't lose your house and car and things that are important to succeed in life. But, at the same time you also must live a little. You only live once.

I am going to refer back to this question at a later date and really spend time on making a To Do list and a To Stop list. Maybe it is because it is summer and I am very laid back and feeling good right now that I feel so great about life, but I know that when school starts up again the daily stresses of life will force me to think about the To Stop list.

Great question. Probably the best one so far.

#Trust30 - Writing Prompt #4 - Post-it Question

I signed up to be part of this writing project by one of my favorite people on the internet, Seth Godin. It is called the Trust 30 Project.

#Trust30 is an online initiative and 30-day writing challenge that encourages you to look within and trust yourself. Use this as an opportunity to reflect on your now, and to create direction for your future. 30 prompts from inspiring thought-leaders will guide you on your writing journey. 

 I am a few days behind so I will be catching up on the writing prompts by posting a few a day until I am caught up.

Here is the website if you want to learn more and join. Please let me know if you join so I can read your posts.

http://ralphwaldoemerson.me/

 

Post-it Question by Jenny Blake

That which each can do best, none but his Maker can teach him. Where is the master who could have taught Shakespeare? Where is the master who could have instructed Franklin, or Washington, or Bacon, or Newton? . . . Shakespeare will never be made by the study of Shakespeare. Do that which is assigned you, and you cannot hope too much or dare too much. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Identify one of your biggest challenges at the moment (ie I don’t feel passionate about my work) and turn it into a question (ie How can I do work I’m passionate about?) Write it on a post-it and put it up on your bathroom mirror or the back of your front door. After 48-hours, journal what answers came up for you and be sure to evaluate them.

Bonus: tweet or blog a photo of your post-it.
(Author: Jenny Blake)

After reflecting on this question and actually getting out for a nice long 10 mile run yesterday I realized that I can do this. All I have to do is continue to stick with my plan and believe in myself.

Self Confidence is the key to everything in life.

 

#Trust30 - Writing Prompt #5 - Travel

I signed up to be part of this writing project by one of my favorite people on the internet, Seth Godin. It is called the Trust 30 Project.

#Trust30 is an online initiative and 30-day writing challenge that encourages you to look within and trust yourself. Use this as an opportunity to reflect on your now, and to create direction for your future. 30 prompts from inspiring thought-leaders will guide you on your writing journey. 

 I am a few days behind so I will be catching up on the writing prompts by posting a few a day until I am caught up.

Here is the website if you want to learn more and join. Please let me know if you join so I can read your posts.

http://ralphwaldoemerson.me/

Travel by Chris Guillebeau

If we live truly, we shall see truly. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Not everyone wants to travel the world, but most people can identify at least one place in the world they’d like to visit before they die. Where is that place for you, and what will you do to make sure you get there?

The one place that I would like to travel to is back to is the Bahamas. I went there back when I was kid with my family and just remember loving everything. I would also take going to Jamaica as we traveled here for our honeymoon and it was just beautiful. There is nothing better than having a few days of being worry free, just relaxing by the ocean, and living stress free for a few days.

I know that I am to only choose one place, but I have to also mention Disney World and Universal Studios. I am a kid at heart and I cannot wait to take my kids here to ride the rides and just have fun. I remember riding the Back to the Future ride like 21 times with my family and those are memories you just don't forget.

If I could convince my wife, then I would also love to just go explore the world by going to the various countries around the world to gain a world perspective.

#Trust30 - Writing Prompt #3 - Beliefs

I signed up to be part of this writing project by one of my favorite people on the internet, Seth Godin. It is called the Trust 30 Project.

#Trust30 is an online initiative and 30-day writing challenge that encourages you to look within and trust yourself. Use this as an opportunity to reflect on your now, and to create direction for your future. 30 prompts from inspiring thought-leaders will guide you on your writing journey. 

 I am a few days behind so I will be catching up on the writing prompts by posting a few a day until I am caught up.

Here is the website if you want to learn more and join. Please let me know if you join so I can read your posts.

http://ralphwaldoemerson.me/

 

One Strong Belief by Buster Benson

It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude. - Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance

The world is powered by passionate people, powerful ideas, and fearless action. What’s one strong belief you possess that isn’t shared by your closest friends or family? What inspires this belief, and what have you done to actively live it?
(Author: Buster Benson)

 Wow, this is tough. I am not sure what I believe that is not shared by the people closest to me. You tend to keep people around you who keep you in line with your goals.

If I had to pick one belief it would have to be twofold idea. Karma and creativity. I believe everything happens for a reason. All of our actions results in the events that come to us later in life. If I do wrong, then later I will pay for it. People tend to look at me like I am crazy when I mention karma.  The other aspect is creativity. This is more for education, but it applies to my family as well. Instead of drill and kill we need to teach kids how to think and not follow a rote process. Give them a challenge, give them x amount of days to solve and then present their findings and research. No more reading chapter 12, answer the chapter questions, take a test. Education needs to be more open to prepare these kids for the future where they job market will be dependent on innovation and creation of new ideas. If you don't believe me, then why is anything that can be done by a computer/robot is taking all the jobs of Americans. 

#Trust30 - Writing Prompt #2 - How would you describe today using only one sentence?

I signed up to be part of this writing project by one of my favorite people on the internet, Seth Godin. It is called the Trust 30 Project.

#Trust30 is an online initiative and 30-day writing challenge that encourages you to look within and trust yourself. Use this as an opportunity to reflect on your now, and to create direction for your future. 30 prompts from inspiring thought-leaders will guide you on your writing journey. 

 I am a few days behind so I will be catching up on the writing prompts by posting a few a day until I am caught up.

Here is the website if you want to learn more and join. Please let me know if you join so I can read your posts.

http://ralphwaldoemerson.me/

 

Want to talk about this prompt? Join the discussion on Twitter and Facebook.

Today by Liz Danzico

Your genuine action will explain itself, and will explain your other genuine actions. Your conformity explains nothing. The force of character is cumulative. – Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance

If ‘the voyage of the best ship is a zigzag line of a hundred tacks,’ then it is more genuine to be present today than to recount yesterdays.

How would you describe today using only one sentence?

Tell today’s sentence to one other person. Repeat each day.
(Author: Liz Danzico)

The steam engine starts slowly chugging coffee to prepare for the unknown obstacles, challenges, and adventures that await in the great vastness of the sea because we never know when the journey will end.

#Trust30 - Writing Prompt #1 - 15 Minutes to Live

I signed up to be part of this writing project by one of my favorite people on the internet, Seth Godin. It is called the Trust 30 Project.

#Trust30 is an online initiative and 30-day writing challenge that encourages you to look within and trust yourself. Use this as an opportunity to reflect on your now, and to create direction for your future. 30 prompts from inspiring thought-leaders will guide you on your writing journey. 

 I am a few days behind so I will be catching up on the writing prompts by posting a few a day until I am caught up.

Gwen Bell – 15 Minutes to Live

We are afraid of truth, afraid of fortune, afraid of death, and afraid of each other. Our age yields no great and perfect persons. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

You just discovered you have fifteen minutes to live.

1. Set a timer for fifteen minutes.
2. Write the story that has to be written.
(Author: Gwen Bell)

Here it goes......

If I only had 15 minutes to live I would probably have a moment to just panic. I mean I would freeze, my mind would probably turn off and I would take a minute(I know I am wasting time) to figure out what in the world I am going to do.

I would hope that my wife and kids would be right by me so I would be able to talk to them and share any remaining thoughts that I need to take care of that I had not already addressed. Making sure that they realize how much I love them and how much they are a part of who I am and what I have become.

I would have one last sip of coffee to savor the beverage of my choice. Coffee is a part of who I am.

I would turn on some Dave Matthews Band and listen to the music of my favorite band while drinking my coffee and spending my remaining moments with my family.

I would try to just remain calm and be at peace with the circumstances. Going into complete panic and moving at a high rate would be a waste of time. 15 minutes is not enough to time to try to do more than prepare yourself.

The one question that would run through my mind would be, "How is it going to end?". I sure hope it is quick and painless.

I live a pretty calm stress free life and would hopefully end the same way.

What about you? How would spend your last 15 minutes?