Why Inspired Action? - Our Pleistocene Brain - Wired for Discontent

I am amazed. Did you know that our brains are wired for discontent and catastrophe as a survival mechanism leftover from our Pleistocene brain (1.8 million to 11,000 years ago)? I recently heard this stunner in a master class with Dr. Martin Seligman, the world's leading Positive Psychology expert. No wonder we struggle so much to stay inspired and why it's so important to make inspired choices and inspired action priorities.

The purpose of this newsletter is to share the powerful resources and insights I discover in my research and personal experiences to help you take inspired action, that is, action that arises from your strengths, dreams, and inner guidance rather than from fear, discontent, and unconscious choices.

In my 25 years of traveling and speaking around the world, I've discovered that most people want a better life and more daily inspiration and joy in their lives but their actions often don't give them the results they hoped for or expected. The latest research from the Gallup Organization shows that 22 million workers are "actively disengaged" and cost the U.S. economy between $250 and $300 billion every year in lost productivity alone.

Maybe you know one of these "actively disengaged" workers: on the outside they appear cynical, or skeptical, fearful, apathetic, lethargic, too agreeable, too pushy, too rushed, or just plain too burned out. Inside they're yearning for more inspiration, recognition, passion, enthusiasm or creative expression, but their actions give them mediocre results and their most significant dreams never see the light of day. Inspired Action can help.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, there are people moving at such a fast pace in their passion and zest for their goals and dreams that they bypass creating an inspired life with their loved ones and close friends. You often hear them say, "I had a crazy day. I'm too tired to talk (walk, eat healthier foods, make love, take a real vacation, ...) Let's catch up another time." Eventually a family crisis comes along and offers a wake-up call that lasts for a few days or weeks and then they're back in the rush again until another crisis - usually their own health challenge - gets their attention and they're forced to reorganize their priorities.

For more information on helping family members talk about what's important
before a crisis happens, visit www.mymothermyfriend.com

Do you know anyone in your circle who fits these descriptions? Might it include you? I've been there at various points in my life and have recently discovered a new level of awareness that I'm so excited to share it with you because I know it will increase inspired action, pleasure, flow, and purpose in your daily life.

4 TIPS FOR TAKING INSPIRED ACTION

Think of a situation you're currently dealing with that requires action that you're either avoiding, dreading, doubting, afraid of doing or stressing over. Consider it within the following context: Most people create results from fear- and struggle-based action. Our western culture encourages "ready, fire, aim" behavior much to the detriment of our health, wealth, and happiness. There is a better way.

To create more inspired results and a more authentically happy life, try the following experiment with a current "situation" (use the word "situation" instead of problem and your mind will temporarily suspend emotion and shift into observation). This is not about denial, it's about paying attention and focusing on your strengths and the natural flow of right action.

Before you take any further action on your situation (or any other) ask yourself, "Does this action I'm about to take feel like a struggle or does it feel like the 'Next Right Step'?" (as my friend and amazing songwriter Jana Stanfield sings on her newest CD).

Actions that feel like a struggle may feel normal to you but they're not natural. When you're on purpose life flows. When you're off purpose, life is a struggle. I know this thinking goes against everything we've learned about "Life is difficult; get over it" and "No pain, no gain," but just for a moment, let yourself consider that struggle might also be the Universe's way of saying, "Time out. Regroup. Tweak. There's a better way."

Here are four options to help you find a better way and take inspired action when you're under pressure or struggling:

1) Clarify or reclarify your intention to yourself. Write it down, say it out loud to yourself in the mirror, do something that shows your mind and the Creative Source that you are clear about what you want. If you don't know what you want, make discovering a new goal or dream a priority.

2) Ask more specific and deeper questions and search out more information. Yes, we live in an information-overload world, but often the information we have is too generalized and we need to go deeper and ask more specific questions related to our commitment and accountability. The quality of your answer is in direct proportion to the quality of your question and your commitment.

*Why is it important for me to get this done?
*If I do this thing I'm avoiding, what's the best that could happen?
*How will I feel after I've done this thing I'm dreading?
*Who do I enjoy and could call to make accountability fun?
*How could I turn this into an inspiring and memorable experience?

3) Visualize your desired result and hold it while feeling a positive emotion for 17 seconds. Psychologist Dr. Robert Anthony in his excellent e-course "Know How to Get Rich" suggests that if you spend a minimum of 17 seconds focusing on your desired result along with strong positive feelings as if the result has already occurred, it is equivalent to 10 hours of activity and action. AMAZING!

When I was researching my book Living with Enthusiasm: How the 21-Day Smile Diet Can Change Your Life, I came across the 16-second manifestation idea from several sources. I applied it to smiling and created the 16-Second Smile and the Smile Diet Quiz, which has dramatically increased my awareness of daily joy and energy. If it works for smiles, health and gratitude, imagine what one more second can do for dreams and goals!

4) Take action only when you feel energized, excited, or inspired. This is my new personal favorite because it's such a departure from my normal pattern. Let your intuition guide you. If you're stuck, take a break and go do something fun or inspiring, even just for a few minutes to loosen up your energy. Notice where your energy wants to go and watch for a "joy burst" (an unexpected moment of happiness) and then ask for the next step in responding to your "situation." Your insights will be of a higher vibration and your action will be more purposeful as well as easier.

If you're a procrastinator, here's a positive spin: you may be procrastinating because your intuition is telling you that there's a better way and you simply need to notice where your joy bursts are coming from and incorporate that feeling into your necessary action. (You may also need to simply act and look for a way to inspire yourself while you do what you were trying to avoid). Either way, you'll experience more inspiration and better results.

For more information on how to create an "Ohhh Effect,"
click on www.inspiredlifepublishing.com/ohhh.htm

I know this last choice of waiting to act until you feel inspired feels counterintuitive, especially if you are up against someone else's "deadline" (is it called a deadline precisely because it kills one's spirit? - Let's create a new word! Any ideas?)

Your lack of inspired action often is simply that you're out of touch with your true desires. So the first step becomes identifying what's most important to you and creating a big enough and worthy enough dream or goal that inspires you to action. 

Acting when you feel inspired, energized or joyful rather than fearful, anxious, worried or driven (especially if you're Type A) can create more inspiring results for you with less effort and more joy.

MY FAVORITES:  INSPIRING BOOKS, MUSIC, MOVIES, WEBSITES, COOL GIFTS

	Let the Change Begin CD by Jana Stanfield  One of the most beautiful and inspiring CDs I've heard. Jana's spirit is healing and fun and full of love.
	My measure of a good program and whether I'll keep it is if I'm inspired to listen to it more than once. I've relistened to #5 CD in this "Know How to Get Rich" series six times in the past two months. I've found it to be one of the most enlightening and clarifying programs on the creative process and transforming ideas into results that I've ever listened to. "Know How to Get Rich," Audio program by Dr. Anthony with 5 bonus e-books including "How to Make the Impossible Possible." (More Info)
	If you have an aging parent or someone with a critical illness or simply want to strengthen, heal and celebrate your relationship with your mom, this is a great book for you. It also makes a great gift and I'm happy to sign it for you if you order it from my website. My Mother, My Friend: The Ten Most Important Things to Talk About With Your Mother (Info, Book, Audiotape)
	A light-hearted way to start off the New Year by clarifying your values and goals, and jumpstart your motivation with the 21-Day Smile Diet. It also makes a great gift and I'm happy to sign it for you if you order it from my website. Living with Enthusiasm: How the 21-Day Smile Diet Can Change Your Life (Info, Book, E-book, Audio, Free Excerpt)

MM UPDATE

For the past two years I've been immersed in shedding old skin, stretching beyond my comfort zone, and studying with leading thinkers in the new fields of positive psychology and quantum physics.

These emerging fields include solid research that now proves that ideas such as strengths-based leadership, positive emotions, intuition and the laws of attraction and appreciation are the most efficient ways to create a more inspired and fulfilling life and workplace.

I am thrilled to tell you that I'm in the midst of a six-month program with one of the great research psychologists of our time and the the "Father of Positive Psychology" Martin Seligman, Ph.D., author of the best-selling "Learned Optimism" and "Authentic Happiness."

Over the next several months I'll be sharing with you through new programs, teleseminars, interviews, this newsletter, and new products, what I've learned and how you can practically apply the latest positive psychology and quantum physics research to live a more inspired and fulfilling life every day.

My newest website www.inspiredlifepublishing.com will keep you up-to-date with inspirational news (a daily news service - check it out, it's really cool!), reviews of new books, websites, movies, music, links, inspiring clients and people, gifts, and online photo cards to help you stay inspired and fulfilled on a daily basis. 

UPCOMING EVENTS
Are you or your organization planning a meeting, retreat, staff or nurse appreciation event, admin professional or women's health day in 2005.

Receive a 20% fee reduction on all programs booked before January 28, 2005.

My interactive and energizing keynotes or workshops include:

* I'm So Glad You Asked: How to Build Stronger Relationships Through Appreciative Communication

*Let Your Laughing Heart Lead the Way (join me for a 30-second laugh break right now :-)

* Turn Stress into Success with the 21-Day Smile Diet."

Email me at Mary@marymarcdante.com for details.

Here's where I'll be speaking in the next few months. If you would like to attend a program or are planning an event in a city nearby and my programs interest you, this is a great opportunity to save on travel expenses. Email or call me at (858) 792-6786 and we'll get you specific information. If you email or call me with the name and contact information for a new client or meeting planner who books me for a speaking engagement in 2005, you'll receive $100 in gratitude upon completion. 

Saturday, January 29, 2005
New York, NY

Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Financial Women International
San Diego, CA

Saturday, February 19, 2005
Private Healthcare Client
Lexington, KY

Monday, March 14, 2005
Associated General Contractors National Convention
Las Vegas, NV

Friday/Saturday, April 1-2, 2005
Milwaukee, WI

Thursday, April 28, 2005
Chamber of Commerce Women's Program
Raleigh, NC

May 4, 2005
Private Healthcare Client
Sioux City, IA

Saturday, July 9-12, 2005
National Speaker's Association Convention
Atlanta, GA