On Sunday June 12 – I broke my knee cap straight in half but didn’t know it until I got the x-ray Monday afternoon.   How often do so many good things happen during the bad times?   For me, life in any stage good or bad is a learning laboratory and an opportunity to learn more about myself and others.   This “bad” situation is giving me the chance to meet some incredibly passionate people along the journey, people I may never met had my knee-cap not broken.  

The first amazing person that I encountered on this journey was Lucas who ran after me as he saw me limping around Scripps Clinic to get to X-ray.  He said to me “Stop, what are you doing?  You should not be walking.  Sit down and I will get you a wheelchair?”   I am thinking who is this kind man that appeared to help me.  He found me the wheelchair and took me to x-ray where I found out my knee cap was broken so he was right - I should not have been walking ; ).  

As I mentioned, I see my life as a learning laboratory where I am also curious what makes people the way they are, so I asked Lucas if he loved his job and he even got a little teary and said that every day that he wakes up with so much gratitude for his job with Siemens Healthcare- he truly loves his job.  That is such a gift not only for him but Siemens Healthcare - can you imagine the difference he makes each day with that kind of passion - the x-ray machine that x-rayed my leg was made by Siemens Healthcare and Lucas as an engineer makes sure that it is working properly and then takes it a step further to make each person's day that he interacts with.  I was touched by Lucas's kindness and it is clear that the people at Scripps are touched by who he is too - the x-ray tech said "oh yeah we love Lucas he is the best."   

Lucas demonstrates such an shining example of why I do what I do - which is to help people to find careers they are passionate about so they are happy and what I find is when people do what they love they do more kind things like help strangers, which is what Lucas did for me a few weeks ago.   

I definitely could do a whole series of newsletters on the kindness that I have received from friends, family and strangers on this challenging journey.  I’d also like to recognize my orthopedic doctor – Dr. Steven Copp – it is clear that Dr. Copp lives his passion – you can feel and see his kindness when you meet with him.   Clearly someone that could be arrogant having been a professional basketball player and one of the best doctors in America http://www.scripps.org/physicians/3846-copp – but there is no arrogance – there is only care and concern for his patients and a strong sense of humbleness.  Thanks to Dr. Copp and your amazing team for making this a great experience and for you living your passion. 

If you have any great stories of any bad turned into good stories or how what seemed like a bad experience led you to living your passion – I’d love to hear – email me marcy@careerswithwings.com

As you know, I am always on the lookout for interesting people/interesting stories of people who are living their passion and often times, I find these stories when I least expect it.   Last week, I went to an event for Rolling Readers in San Diego and while there I noticed this vodka bottle with wings on it and of course, with my business being Careers with Wings I felt drawn to it and found myself wondering what the story was behind it.   As it turns out, one of the representatives from Rolling Readers brought it because it is her brother Robert Reagan's business VLixir.   So I started talking to her and the more she told me the more intrigued I became about Robert's journey and the more I told her what I did – the more she realized Robert's story is so much about what Careers with Wings is about.   She mentioned Robert always has had this incredible serendipity/magic happen for him by being in the right place at the right time and by being very focused on what he wants and is passionate about and going after it.  I decided I needed to talk to Robert myself so I did and I was really inspired by his wisdom and journey.

When talking to Robert, I was reminded by what I have seen in my life and other people who go after their dreams that opportunity does not only arrive from luck/serendipity - it also arises from taking action.  Robert's first career path proved this when he decided he wanted to be a model for Hugo Boss - he bought a Hugo Boss tie and presented himself and said he'd be the perfect person to represent them and off took his career modeling for both Hugo Boss and Armani - you can see photos on this link  press slideshow.   He figured out what he wanted and went after it.   Robert then pursued his passion of directing and producing, which he greatly enjoyed.   Shortly after, he realized the need to create an organic drink and became passionate about creating one which eventually led him to creating the vodka with wings - an organic vodka that caught my eye at the Rolling Reader event.  A lot of serendipity and taking action has also appeared on this journey and you can read more this and upcoming products including Bubbletini’s that will be launched in the Fall on Robert's website.  Robert shared that following your passion is often time not the easiest route but it is the most rewarding - it takes hard work, commitment, a strong belief in yourself/your dream, being clear on what you want, trusting your gut, taking risks, having patience but when you follow your passion - it is worth it!!   Go after your passion!!

If you have a great story to share about following your passion or know of someone else that has a great story, please let me know marcy@careerswithwings.com.

I had an incredible opportunity to speak at the National Charity League Chapter here in La Jolla this past Sunday.    I was so inspired by this group that is for mothers and daughters to do community service together.   I spoke to 30 14-year old teenage girls and their Moms about how to uncover you passion, create balance/leverage time management, and create a vision to live your dreams.   The girls and the Moms shared about their passion and what stood out to me was how many Moms shared that they had forgotten, lost touch or had no idea what their passion was because they were so consumed in their children’s lives.   They were grateful for the opportunity to have a space to begin to think about that again and remember that they need to make time for themselves.   How many of us get caught up in our lives – working too hard at a job we are no longer passionate about, caught up in someone else’s life or something else that distracts us and we forget about ourselves and our passions, dreams, etc?    Don’t put your passion/dreams on hold – find a way to get yourself closer to your dream each day. 

Watch this FOX media clip where I discuss tips on How Not to Lose Your Passion As a Parent - http://www.youtube.com/marcym#p/a/u/0/q-C5uRi7uTI

If you need help in uncovering your passion and figuring out a plan to live your dream, please contact me marcy@careerswithwings.com

I have learned a lot on this journey of building Careers with Wings that passion can look like a lot of different things to a lot of different people.   For example, some people will sacrifice everything to live their passion and I don't see that as necessarily a good thing since for me success comes from having balance in your life.   Of course, again, success and balance are different for different people.   One of things that I admire most in watching people follow their passion is when they aren't afraid to walk away from a long-entrenched career path or walk away from something that used to be their passion but is no longer working for them.   i heard such a great example of this from someone who recently joined us at our Vistage Group and I felt compelled to share his story because when he shared it - I kept thinking wow that took a lot of courage to walk away from what he thought was his dream, but then he realized that he was burned out on his old dream/passion and had a new dream which meant more time with his wife and a better quality of life.   I wanted to share this in case it gives you the courage to walk away from something that is no longer serving you and walk towards a new passion that makes you happy while being grateful for the experience you had living your passion.

Hi Marcy,
 
It was so nice meeting you yesterday, was definitely inspired by your passion for what you do. Wanted to forward along my information, and as promised here is a little background on my “life decision.”
 
My wife and I lived in Los Angeles for six years, and both worked in entertainment. I worked for an entertainment marketing agency negotiating product placement deals for brands in film and television, she worked for a fashion PR firm that represented fashion designers and dressed celebrities for red carpet events. Although we were both working in our dream jobs, we had a live to work mentality that consumed our personal lives and time with each other.
 
One night, sitting on the couch working on our laptops and sending out emails, we both came to the realization that we couldn’t do this forever and made a very difficult decision to completely start over so we could purchase a home and raise a family. Both of these prove to be difficult in LA for many reasons. San Diego was our first choice considering she grew up there and I went to San Diego State University. Just like that, we dropped everything and moved down to San Diego. I now sell insurance and she works in retail which we both enjoy although it isn’t our passion, but have no regrets because we had already lived that life. For the first time, we are working to live and actually have the time to enjoy each other as well as our surroundings.
 
Best,
 
Eric Schack
Account Executive, CLCS
License # 0G97189
 
HUB International Insurance Services Inc.
1331 Morena Blvd., Suite 300│San Diego, CA 92110
Direct Line: 619-275-7609
Cell: 310-854-9584
Fax: 619-275-6530
http://hubinternational.com/business-insurance
 

I am always on the search for excellent resources to share with you to help you live your passion. I wanted to let you know about a new book that was recently released and was written by a good friend of mine Joe Sweeney – called “Networking is a Contact Sport.”  Joe is a master at networking and at building relationships so he shares his secrets in this book so you can find success too whether you are looking for a job or want to take your business to the next level.   I love Joe’s story so much that his story is in my book “Finding Your Passion:  The Easy Guide to Your Dream Career” – I did a video with him that you can see here.  Why do I love Joe’s story and book so much?   Joe is an incredible example of living his passion and one of the most important ways he does that is via networking – also a key chapter in my book and my work with clients and also a key component in the success I find in my business - Joe has helped me a lot in this area.   He has achieved success in all areas of his life via networking including building successful business including a sports marketing agency where he representing sports legends such as Brett Farve, convincing Bob Costas to speak at an event he organized, closing major deals for his investment banking business among other victories.   It is so exciting to see that Joe is reaching and helping so many people in their careers and with their businesses with this book – his book is a New York Times bestseller and was #1 on USA Today’s Money List, #2 on Wall Street Journal Business List – definitely check it out to get the valuable tools you need to live your passion.   Question is how did I meet Joe?  Both of us networking at a Jack Canfield event, so get out there and start networking...

I get asked these questions a lot - "What is Passion and How Do You Find It?" - for the answers see my newsclip with Chrissy Russo on FOX5 San Diego by clicking here.

Join me Wednesday 10/20 8-10am at InlandNet where I will be speaking about 5 Steps To Finding Your Passion.

I view life as a learning laboratory where I am constantly inspired, amazed and can learn from everyone and everything around me.   One of the things that inspires me the most are passionate people and I am constantly on the look out for them and when I find them - I lock in on them and have to find out more.   Last week, Phil Blair, CEO of Manpower San Diego and I had the pleasure of having lunch with the General Manager of KPBS, Tom Karlo.    Instantly you are drawn into Tom's radiant passion for not only his work but life.   Tom has spent has spent his entire professional career at KPBS beginning as a student intern in 1973.  He shared his journey of working through every department at KPBS and you can see how passionate he is about his work with his high level of energy and enthusiasm and not to mention his beaming smile.   I handed Tom a copy of my book "Finding Your Passion:  The Easy Guide to Your Dream Career" in completely awe and said to him "you are this book."   What a wonderful gift for not only himself, but for KPBS and everyone he encounters that he found his passion so early in life and continues to wake up every day loving what he does.   For more on Tom, click here.   I told him that the joy he finds in living his passion is what I wish for everyone.

I read a fascinating column this morning by Logan Jenkins, columnist for the San Diego Union Tribune called "Stuck Workers Can't Shove Miserable Job".    That is so true and this is what I see with my work with my colleague Alexis Dixon where we work work with companies and organizations to rebuild with passion, purpose and improved communication after layoffs, mergers and acquisitions and other changes due the rapidly shifting economic climate.  Employers need to make this commitment to improving morale, because unhappy workers will eventually leave and in the meantime, they are not bringing their best selves to their work - thereby hurting the company's bottom line.  As way of background, I am the Founder and President of Careers with Wings and author of "Finding Your Passion:  The Easy Guide To Your Dream Career".  I have been on the front lines of the economic downturn - assisting layoffs in both English and Spanish and helping people with their career transition.   Alexis is a Harvard trained mediation specialist with a focus on conflict resolution and improving communication structures.   Alexis and I realized that by joining forces, we would be able to make a bigger impact of rebuilding our economy from a place of passion, purpose and improved communication - now won't that be a great environment to work in?

I am really excited to see the Education Nation movement towards educational change and reform– why?   I feel that is time for a change.   As many of you know, earlier this year I auditioned to be a host for the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) and my concept for my show was “Passion + Purpose = World Change” – if you missed it – the video and concept is still up here.   My vision is to help give children wings  to rise above poverty via career training and what a perfect way to do this is to interject the work I do with Careers with Wings and my book “Finding Your Passion:  The Easy Guide to Your Dream Career” into our educational system.   Can you imagine what this world would be like if kids were taught and encouraged to follow their passion and utilize their strengths to make this world a better place?   I see so many people that come to meet with me later in life who never followed their passion and fortunately, they come to me so they can follow it now – but can you imagine if we were taught in school to embrace our passion and strengths to find a career that we love and that helps others?   So my gift to this Education Nation movement is to find a way to reinvent our education with passion and purpose….stay tuned…. 

Upcoming Event: 

Join me October 20, 2010 8am-10am at InlandNet where I will be discussing the Top 5 Tips to Finding Your Passion. 

It is fun to share the launch of a friend of mine's book Gini Gentry's Dreaming Down Heaven - I feel like it is an excellent guide to give your life wings and one filled with happiness - enjoy!!

Not your usual self-help guide, Dreaming Down Heaven begins with the fictional quest of Gigi Lenox, a once “together” New Yorker whose world has just come spectacularly undone. But instead of using retail therapy to ease the pain, Gigi embarks on a journey through a mystical world of magical encounters, tests and miracles. Inspired by a mysterious guidebook “authored” by Maya, universal Goddess of Illusion, and based on the fundamental wisdom gleaned in author Gentry’s own real-life awakening, Gigi discovers self-mastery and a joyful awareness of life. You will, too!
 
Gini Gentry is the former teaching partner of Don Miguel Ruiz (author of The Four Agreements) and a master teacher in her own right, she shares her wisdom (specifically the 12 Keystones to happiness) in this fresh and delightful new book: http://www.ginigentry.com/dreaming-down-heaven.html.
 
Some of the brightest minds and most magical hearts are partnering with Gini to make the Dreaming Down Heaven launch extra spectacular.  Luminaries such as Lynne V. Andrews, Dannion and Kathryn Brinkley, Heather Ash Amara, Dr. Meg Blackburn, Felix Wolf, Gayle Goodwin, Dr. Sage Breslin and many others are donating F*R*E*E gifts to everyone who purchases Dreaming Down Heaven on its launch date, Sept 29th, only.
 
What sorts of gifts?
 
Take a look here at the rest of the bonus gifts you will receive when you purchase your copy of Dreaming Down Heaven today: http://www.ginigentry.com/dreaming-down-heaven.html
 
 
So please, join us all as we celebrate this opportunity for a rich, full life!