The Past - Not So Relevant

Well, I was going to make my first video post this weekend, but then I got sick, so that wasn't going to be happening. Stay tuned next week for my first video!

Let me introduce myself:

I'm Andrew. and I am a student at Central Michigan University finishing my major in Neuroscience and applying to Master's of Public Health programs. I am geared towards helping people redefine success in their lives by starting with the physical body and working our way inside to find inner peace. I am currently developing my professional "feel," and my challenge is targeting my ideal clients. If you are ready to feel more alive and get rid of unnecessary clutter that is holding you back, let's talk further!

My cocktail line.
My "brand."
My current career challenge.

Not talking about my past.

Let me repeat that - not talking about my past. How often do we get caught up in things that happened yesterday, last month, last year, or even further back? We need to look towards the future and live in the present. The past is only going to bog us down and hold us back from our true potential. However, in order to let the past go, we need to analyze it, so we can understand its hold on us. Then, how about we say goodbye?

Remember, the past is not as relevant as we make it seem. 

What are my three biggest screwups?

1. When I first got to Central Michigan University, I was set on what I wanted to do and signed my neuroscience major without a question in my mind. I never took time to explore what truly made my passion burn and wish I had held off. Going into health fitness/nutrition, I could be taking classes that got me interested.
2. Silence. By silence, I mean not taking a stand for fairness and equal rights. As a part of several marginalized groups, I wish I had not stayed silent for so long. Now, I am becoming more active to help voices be heard and stop oppression.
3. Lacking expression. For too long, I have always felt like I needed to fit into the "normal" group. Screw that! Now, I am open with myself and learning to become more of an individual and let my personal light shine.

What did I learn?

1. I learned that it is okay to change my mind, and most importantly, my major gives me an edge on other applicants because I bring something unique to the table. I like being different.
2. I learned that is never too late to start making a difference, and I have time to make up for all the years that I was quiet.
3. Who cares what other people think? I am who I am, and I love who I am. If others do not, then they are missing out on what I have to offer. 

Can I see a pattern in the lessons I learned?

I think the underlying issue is lack of confidence. With confidence comes the ability to take control, make an impact, and do it while being fabulously expressive!

How did what I learned change the way I approach things?

I approach things with more confidence and a desire for change! I see when other people are facing similar struggles, and I am apt to help them. Its what I want to do with my life. 

Funny, I thought the past was holding me back because that's the perspective I had. However, it shaped me. I am stronger now because of it, and as of today, I am saying goodbye. I hope you can do the same.

Easy Truth

The Burning Questions

The important thing is to never stop questioning.

     One question can begin a chain of questions that can open our hearts and minds to things we may not have noticed before. Session 4 of The Fire Starter Sessions is all about asking the burning questions, and most importantly, being honest with our answers. 

1) When someone at a party asks me what I do, what do I say? And how do I feel when I say it?

     This question can be unsettling to some because we feel like we need to qualify ourselves - we may feel that we underachieving and not where we thought we would be in life. However, we need to own it, take charge, and be real! Forgot about trying to be impressive and be true to yourself. Be interested in your life and people will see that interest in you. Can't we all try to be more genuine?

     When someone asks me what I do, I say that I am a student at Central Michigan University. Right now I am going through the motions finishing my major in Neuroscience, but my passion is health and wellness coaching and helping people redefine success. I am a yogi and a starting beater on the Quidditch Club of Central Michigan. I feel "on fire" when I say this.

2) What do people thank me for most often? What do they come to me for, or say about me, most frequently ("positive" or "negative")?

     People most often thank me for advice and being a positive influence. People look to me for encouragement and know that I will support them when others will not.

3) When do I feel powerful, passionate, free, incredibly useful, excited, inspired?

     When I am playing Quidditch or on the sidelines giving advice and coaching - I feel all of these when I am having my voice heard and can share my talents. Whenever I am practicing yoga or exercising, when I am giving advice, and taking risks, I feel I am in the zone.

4) What do I think my form of genius is? What am I amazing at (work or life related)?

     Coaching, being a good role model, a brother, a friend, and inspiring others to take action.

5) Who do I think is really cool or elegant or powerful?

     We admire people who share our aspirations. I admire Jillian Michaels (her no excuse attitude), Tara Stiles (started a yoga studio in New York City), Danielle Laporte (life coach), and Mastin Kipp (up and coming life coach).

6) What's chronic, repetitive, or inflame in your inner or outer life?

     Not believing I am allowed to follow my own path and constantly comparing myself.

7) What's always in the back of my mind?

     Quidditch - it is not just my love for the sport but the team dynamics and chance to help teammates improve.

8) What would I like to stop doing?

     I want to stop worrying so much, and I want to stop being self-conscious. I want to stop looking for approval and be confident on my own.

9) How much money would I like to be making?

     I would like to make $100k a year to start out.

10) How would I like to be seen, recognized, acknowledged, awarded, praised?

     I don't need big romantic gestures (although, I wouldn't mind), but I just want to feel more needed. 

11) So...what would I like to do with my life and career? Money is no object. Dream.

     I want to travel the world helping people live more holistically through fitness and eating better. I want to have a yoga studio in New York City or on the east coast. I want to share my life with someone. I want to be recognized.

Integrating Body, Mind, and Soul

     Yoga has changed my life, and I continue to deepen my practice every week. I believe in the science of yoga, and I am thankful I can explore this path. 

Recreating the Definition of Success

How do you want to feel?

Let that sink in for a minute or two.

     I am completing session 3 of The Fire Starter Sessions, and that is the key point of this passage. Society has everything backwards; we always have our minds set on goals - getting good grades, achieving my degree, a beautiful home, and someone by my side for life - and have tunnel vision until we reach those goals. However, here is a revolutionary idea: let's decide how we want to feel inside and then produce a goals list to help us achieve those desired feelings. What good is reaching our goals if we get there only to be disappointed because we don't feel happiness. Some of our targets may not give us the satisfaction we first thought they would. 

     Something important to note - desired feelings don't have to be "out there." They can be simple. What is important is that they are true to ourselves. So, we need to get clear on how we want to feel, and then, do whatever is necessary to feel that way. When that happens, we create magnetism with our feelings. When we feel how we desire, it will come easier and attract more of that feeling. Isn't that a great thought? Its okay to want to feel a certain way. We need to take hold of ourselves and stop feeling guilty for desiring to feel a specific way. Then, our focus will be on how circumstances make us feel instead of how they initially appear. 

Feelings first! :)

Stay focused!

Feel good!

Better results!

Simple, right?

How do I want to feel in my life?

• Comfort
• Confident
• Risk-taker
• Passion
• Confrontational
• Expressive
• Present
• True
• Loved
• Approachable
• Important
• Noticed
• Energized
• "On fire"
• Peace

Of these core desired feelings, which five really turn me on?

1. "On fire"
2. Present
3. Expressive
4. Confident
5. Risk-taker

What does "on fire" feel like? Burning passion!

What does present feel like? In the moment!

What does expressive feel like? Confidence expressing my thoughts and feelings!

What does confident feel like? Standing tall!

What does risk-taker feel like? Taking chances - adventurous!

Five things I will do to generate these feelings:

1. Continue to work with Lynn on building my personal philosophy.
2. Deepen my practice of yoga.
3. Finally, talk to my parents about who I am dating.
4. Participate in class discussions.
5. Something adventurous - I'll know when the moment arrives.

Three people to help me feel this way:

1. Lynn - my life coach, "business partner," and friend
2. Amanda - one of my best friends
3. Brian - he allows me to learn more about myself that I've hidden for so long

So, I ask again, how do you want to feel??

Quality of Easy

Easy. We all wish life could just be easier sometimes, and the truth is, it can be! I'm not talking about taking shortcuts or being lazy, but I'm talking about walking away from things that aren't doing anything for you. We need to be okay with saying, "No." I recently had my own development and I said no to graduate school. The life of a researcher is not for me, and this was a daunting task for me. I was all set and had everything lined up to get my doctoral degree. What good though would a Ph.D. be if I felt stifled everyday working away in a lab. Instead, I chose easy in the sense of doing what I am passionate about. It is the first step.

When you choose easy, you choose something that is going to produce the greatest results because with pleasure comes the desire to expand horizons - there is no limit to what you can do when you have a burning passion! I want to become a health and wellness/life coach, and when I finally put my finger on it, I knew it was right. I felt enthusiasm unlike anything before! It was a wonderful feeling that I knew was the beginning of something incredible. I feel so giddy over everything along with a sense of empowerment. Amazing!

I am currently finishing session 2 of the Fire Starter Sessions, and here are my thoughts on a few probing questions.

What actually needs to get done in my life and livelihood?

1) I need to do well in my classes and keep working towards finishing my bachelor's degree. 

2) I need to finish my summer research project. 

3) I want to start developing my own personal style of coaching and start to network with people who can help me develop my strengths.

4) I need to workout, get good sleep, and continue to eat right. 

5) I need to spend time with people close to me. 

6) I need to be active with Quidditch. 

What's my competency level for each activity?

1) Great - I have always been good at school and without hard science classes this semester, subject matter is easier.

2) Great - I am good at the research process and understanding the project I am working on.

3) Novice - I don't know much yet.

4) Brilliant - eat, sleep, and move! It is a mantra I now live by :)

5) Brilliant - I love having deep conversations with those close to me and hanging out.

6) Brilliant - Quidditch is more important than academics to me at times and when I am playing, I am a awesome asset to the team!

Which of these activities actually makes me feel strengthened?

Developing my personal coaching style, networking, working out, getting good sleep, eating right, spending time with people close to me, and Quidditch!

Which of these activities doesn't really light my fire?

Finishing my neuroscience major and finishing my summer research project!

What can I do to develop my strengths and interests?

First, I want to start developing an online presence through developing a professional blog. Second, I want to start seeking out inspiring individuals and see the path they have trod. Third, I want to continue with my yoga practice and potentially look at taking a teacher training course to begin a foundation.

What three actions will I take this week to condition and nourish my true strengths?

Number one: I have my first meeting with Lynn to start developing my professional blog.

Number two: I am going to talk with yoga instructors and learn more about teacher training.

Number three: I am going to research educational programs I can go into following undergrad.

What three actions will I take this week to decrease my time spent on activities that drag me down and don't feed my true strengths?

Number one: I am going to work hard and finish a majority of my research paper, so I can put the whole thing behind me.

Number two: I have to continue with my classes, but I will try to be more efficient.

Number three: Try out some new time management strategies.