Sometimes it seems that time is passing so quickly.

I was in a store the other day and there were Christmas items on display. Yikes! We haven’t even gotten to Thanksgiving or Halloween yet!

One of the reasons that time feels like its flying by is that we put our attention and focus on things coming in the future rather than being present to this day.

Did you know there are 100 days left in this year?

That’s a lot of time to accomplish things if you focus on each and every day between now and the year end.

In 100 days you could….

lose as much as 28 pounds (at a healthy 2 pounds a week)

read 7 books (at an average of two weeks per book)

declutter 3 rooms (taking on one room per month)

walk 150 miles (at a leisurely 1.5 miles per day)

Before you know it we will all be singing Auld Lang Syne and thinking about 2009. If you make some conscious choices every day between now and then, not only will time have passed, but you will have some success to show for it.

Starting October 1

you can join my free 30 day challenge.  It’s a great way for you to get started making something positive happen during the last 100 days of this year. More about my 30 day challenge in the next few days.

What could YOU do in 100 days?

Once every four years the Olympic games capture our attention. Whether you are a sports fan or not, there’s something about dramatic competition, Cinderella stories and the pursuit of excellence that makes us stop and tune in to events of all kinds.Maybe it’s our appreciation of the dedication and focus required by these athletes to compete on the world stage. Maybe it’s those moments of watching the seemingly impossible unfold. Maybe it’s the knowledge that these individuals are fully engaged in being the best they can be.

citius altius fortius

The Olympic motto citius altius fortius - higher faster stronger - sets the standard for participating in the games and serves as a benchmark for performance.

What if you were in training for a gold medal life?

How would your life change if you played full out?

Imagine what would be possible if chose your best performance every day.

Here’s some ways you can apply these Olympic standards to your life:

Set the bar higher

Mediocrity is a cultural comfort zone. Most people are content in doing just enough to get by. They lose sight of what is really important and make choices based on the path of least resistance. Life gets really busy and “just ok” seems good enough.

It’s easy to not require too much of yourself. In the end you get the life you settle for. If you’re not leading your best life, it’s time to raise the bar for yourself. If you’ve been content with average, reach for above average. If life is good, go for great.

Where do you need to require more of yourself?

In what ways do you let important things slide?

Get to your goals faster

Do you find yourself saying, “I’ll get to that someday”?   Procrastination will never get you to the finish line. We’ve all got our favorite excuses about why we can’t tackle a project, fulfill a dream or take things to the next level.

The clock is going to run out on your life. You just don’t happen to know when that might be.  Making the most of your time is golden. Once today is done you can’t get it back so make choices that leave you feeling satisfied at the end of it.

What have you been putting off for way too long?

How do you let excuses get in the way of your success?

Be stronger in facing your fears

Fear is probably the number one reason why people don’t go after the things they want: fear of failure - or success, fear of what other people will think, fear of stepping out of their comfort zones.

At the end of your life you’ll likely regret the things that you choose not to do out of fear rather than most of the things you did end up doing. Once you decide, fear is not such a formidable opponent.

Where do you let fear become an obstacle to your success?

If fear wasn’t a factor, what would you take on?

The Olympics only happen once every four years. In life, the games are always on. You get to decide how you want to participate. Your gold medal life is waiting for you. Simply summon up your inner athlete and go get it.

What Olympic principles do you play by?

There’s an old saying that you can tell a lot about a person by the company they keep. I’m a big believer in surrounding yourself with what I call “hot people” - individuals who inspire, challenge and support you.

It’s easy to set the bar low for yourself. Mediocrity is a cultural norm.

I figure you have two choices in life:

half assed or kick ass

Which life you live depends a lot on who you hang out with. Hot people create a playground of rich conversation and joyful abundance where tackling fears and stretching yourself is encouraged and living your dreams is required.

I’m blessed to have lots of hot people in my life. Here’s what some of them are up to:

There’s Nancy, a woman of a certain age and not your typical athlete, who just participated in the Victoria Dragon Boat races to raise money for cancer.

There’s Virginia who has been known to spontaneously hop on a plane and land on my doorstep who is heading off to France for a couple of weeks of whatever adventure awaits her.

There’s Catherine who will be rappelling down the side of a 27 story building in Edmonton on September 8th to raise money for Easter Seals. Go girl.

There’s Gail who is facing a challenging illness with grace and optimism.

There’s Neela, a single parent of two daughters and closet writer, who delights me with thought provoking conversations about moments of revelation and deeper learning.

Pretty good company.

If you want to learn more about how hot people and ideas can set your life on fire, check out my new book Spontaneous Combustion.

What company do you keep?

Post a comment about your hot people.

 No it’s not an exotic plant or some new addition to your yogurt.

It’s a term that was first used by psychologist Eric Fromm to describe human beings’ attraction to all that is alive and vital and later expanded upon by American biologist Edward Wilson as a subconscious attraction towards nature and other living things.

So what does that mean for you?

People are naturally attracted to the outdoors and nature.  We’re hard wired to connect with other living things. That’s cool except when you consider that for many people the closest they get to nature is a breathtaking photo on their screen saver. Most people work indoors, often without a window and then they return home after a long day to spend time in front of the TV.

How much time do you spend outdoors?

We’re been having the most wonderful weather in Edmonton and coupled with a four day holiday weekend I’ve been puttering long hours in my garden. It is truly calming and re-energizing.

When I think about my most restorative places and experiences, they always involve nature and the outdoors…the sounds of the birds in the morning, walking the Tuscan countryside, sitting on the deck at the beach house watching the world float by or tending to the plants in the garden.

Being in tune with nature helps to be more in tune with yourself.

So here’s my challenge.

Go outside right now. Stop what you are doing and take five minutes to nurture your biophilia. Connect with other living things. Think about how you can bring more of nature back into your life.

Then when you come back inside post a comment about your outdoor adventure and we can all share in the natural delight.

Retreats are a great way to take a vacation from schedules and commitments and to participate in activities that allow you to re-connect with the best parts of yourself. Taking the time for a personal retreat allows you the opportunity to re-energize, reflect and relax.  A retreat is different from a holiday. It’s a series of semi-structured activities that are designed for you to connect with yourself outside of your typical routines.

Do it yourself

Sometimes one of the biggest obstacles to retreating can be the cost of attending an organized event. No problem! You can design your own “do it yourself” retreat. With the summer weather upon us, now is the perfect time. Your personal retreat can be any length; if this is the first time you are planning a personal retreat, a single day is a great way to start.

Here are five ways to help you plan a low cost retreat:

1.  Commit.

The first step in planning any retreat, regardless of cost, is making a commitment to doing it. There are lots of excuses that can get in the way of you taking some personal time. You first have to give yourself permission to be “all about me” for a day. That might require you to create a perspective that supports your self nurturing, for example:

• When I care for myself I am better able to care for others.
• Personal growth is a cornerstone of my life journey.
• I encourage others’ independence when I take time for myself.

The bottom line is when you nurture yourself, you have a richer contribution to give to the world.  It’s a win-win for everyone. 

2.  Arrange.

Make arrangements to create a free day for yourself.

• Take a day off work and plan your retreat around school hours.

• Trade child care with a friend - she probably could use a retreat too!
• If taking a day off work is not an option, schedule your retreat for a Saturday or Sunday.
• Trade time with your partner. He or she would probably like to have a day to him/herself whether it’s for retreating or something else.
• Don’t think you have to take care of all the details. Nothing bad will happen if the kids eat cereal for dinner.

3.  Choose.

Choose where you would like to have your retreat. It might be in your own home if it’s possible to not have the distractions of other people or commitments. Turn off your cell phone and computer. Don’t answer the door. Leave the laundry and dishes to another day - or tidy up the space the night before.

You might consider locations outside your home such as a park or natural area. Many communities have retreat facilities that are connected to churches. Often you can rent a room for a private retreat for a day or weekend at a nominal cost even if you are not affiliated with the church. Many yoga studios also host one day retreats that are inexpensive.

4.  Plan.

Research some reflection activities using the internet, browsing a bookstore or the library. Choose a couple that appeal to you. Think of other activities that re-energize you - yoga, walking, meditation, art. Then write a schedule of activities that you want to include in your day. You’ll feel that there is a structure and purpose to your retreat. And allow yourself flexibility in adjusting the schedule as the day unfolds.

As you are feeding your soul, you also have to feed your body. Think about the food you want to eat. Consider lighter meals. Food preparation can be done ahead or as a part of your retreat activities.

5. Save.

Start a “retreat fund” and put some money away each week. Ten dollars per week into a jar will amount to $520 at the end of a year. This will give you some cash to attend retreat opportunities that might pop up. Sometimes when you see a great retreat advertised you don’t have the funds to attend. Planning ahead for a retreat in the future - even if you don’t know what it is yet - gives you lots of flexibility to respond when something appeals to you.

What “do it yourself” retreat ideas do you have?

Margaret Mead once said that we should never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens could change the world.

That’s how Sorrentino’s Compassion House came to be. Since 2002, if you are a woman who is undergoing breast cancer diagnosis, treatment or follow-up, you have a wonderful alternative to staying at a hotel if you live outside of the greater Edmonton area.

A home away from home

For only $25 a night, guests can stay in a warm, cozy, supportive environment which includes private bedrooms with an ensuite bathroom, television, phone, desk, reclining chair, and two single beds. Each suite accommodates one guest and a companion (which must be 18 years or older). There is also access to a large kitchen, two separate laundry facilities, gym, library, craft room, resource room and several common areas.

Charity of choice

Sorrentino’s Compassion House is one of my charities of choice.  This amazing facility is funded and run entirely through the generosity of donations and volunteers.

Tomorrow, May 8^th, people in the Edmonton area can support Sorrentino’s Compassion House through a fundraiser called Cup of Compassion.

Second Cup coffee shops will be donating 50 cents from the sale of each beverage. What better reason for a cup of coffee?

I’m pleased to support this great fundraiser by donating 1000 copies of my book Create a Ripple:  Making a World of Difference to be handed out at selected Second Cup locations in Edmonton tomorrow.

Create a Ripple shares stories of how people can make a difference in the world in small and large ways. The story of how Sorrentino’s Compassion House came to be is one of those included. One dollar from the sale of each copy of Create a Ripple is donated to Sorrentino’s Compassion House.

Treat yourself to a coffee break 

So if you live near or in Edmonton, stop in for a Cup of Compassion. And if you live outside the area, please consider making a small donation to Sorrentino’s Compassion House on-line.

You’ll be glad you did.

Unplugged used to mean listening to Eric Clapton playing an acoustic guitar without the benefit of an amp. Now it applies to a new movement called secular sabbaths - a day devoted to unplugging yourself from any form of technology.Recently New York Times journalist Mark Bittman chronicled his attempt at connecting to himself rather than his computer.  Although skeptical at first, he actually found some benefits in disconnecting for 24 hours.

I remember thinking that the debit card idea would never catch on.

Okay I’m seriously dating myself but twenty-five years ago, mainstream technology only showed up in sci fi movies. Now it is literally impossible to walk down the street without seeing people with something plugged into their ears or fingers frantically tapping out a message on a miniscule keyboard.

Last month the deputy minister of the Canadian department of Citizenship & Immigration sent a memo to employees requesting them to implement a Blackberry blackout between 7 pm and 7 am and on weekends and holidays.

I wonder how that’s going.

Most people I know get a little twitchy at the thought of not being available and in touch at all hours of the day and night. They are afraid of what they might miss or that some how they will be seriously out of the loop.

Here’s a thought:

What might you be missing if you don’t unplug for a day?

How out of the loop are you with yourself when you don’t take time to have a little silence?

Before you know it we’ll all have little microchips in our heads that let us stay plugged in 24/7. So go ahead and unplug. The idea of taking a secular sabbath - completely disconnecting from cell phones, TV, Ipods, computers and anything else with a cord - is worth a try.

How disconnected are you from yourself?

It’s not a new idea but Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson are creating a new buzz about life goals in their recently released movie The Bucket List.

Time is pretty short 

No matter how long you might live, time is really pretty short so creating a list of life goals is one way to maximize your life experiences.  This strategy has been around for a long time - probably one of first people to draw attention to it was John Goddard who created a list of 127 life accomplishments when he was 15 years old.  Now in his 70’s, Goddard has, at last count, checked off 109 of his challenging goals.

Find the joy 

In The Bucket List, faced with terminal cancer, Freeman and Nicholson’s characters embark on their own joint list of things to do before they die.  It’s a great call to action to find the joy in your life while you still have time.

What are the things that you long to do? 

Skills you hope to learn? 

Places you wish to visit? 

Things you want to try?

Books you’d love to read?

Relationships you need to build or mend?

Some people hang on to the idea that they’ll have a long life - that there’s lots of time to do want you want to do.  Sometimes life has other plans.

Some people think they can’t do what it is they really want - too many barriers, the biggest one of which is their own limiting beliefs.

Go watch the movie - and then begin jotting down those things you don’t want to miss in this life time.

What’s on your bucket list?

Yes it’s that time of the year. 

I asked some of my favourite people what their resolutions were for 2008 and here’s what they had to say:

Michele McDougall, CityTV BT host & all round fab chick

As a rule, I do not make resolutions.  I think it’s because I can foresee the guilt that I will be feeling when I don’t follow them.  But I want to have something to be proud of at the end of 2008.  I don’t have a goal to lose pounds,..but I do want to eat better than I did in 2007.  For some reason, I would put off a nutritional lunch because I don’t want to take 10 minutes to dollop cottage cheese on a plate and re-heat noodles.  Oh NO! -The hardship of it all!!!  It was s-o-o much easier to slide a toonie in our chip machine.  But no more!!! 

David Darst, coach extraordinaire

Less resolution with more evolution.

Sue Kenney, modern day pilgrim and author of My Camino

My resolution for 2008 is to be accountable to being creative in my life. I will manifest my intentions as a contribution to the happiness of the universe and I will continue to live the virtues of being a simple pilgrim everyday.

Marc & Craig Kielburger, visionaries and authors of From Me to We

Our resolution is to continue to have shameless idealism. We are a society which does not celebrate idealism and we even tend to downplay the idealistic thoughts to of children, telling them what is “reasonable” or “realistic”. It has always been idealism which has changed the world. We hope 2008 will be the year of the shameless idealist.

What is your focus for 2008?

The odds of successfully maintaining your new year’s resolutions are pretty abysmal - about 75% of people abandon their attempts at change.  So how do you raise your odds for success?

Plan for success.

Most people either have no plan at all or they spend all of their time planning and never get around to taking action.  You know, buying the self-help book but never reading it, shopping for great workout gear but never getting to the gym or stocking up on great organizer bins but never throwing anything out.

Having a plan that considers the strategies you’ll use, how you’ll manage evitable setbacks, and who will support and encourage you, is a critical step in successfully creating change.

Design a realistic goal.

If you are a decade long coach potato it’s not realistic that you will run a marathon in the next few months.  Many people create goals that are way out of their reach.  Then they become discouraged by their slow progress and old habits become comforting.

Setting a goal that is challenging but doable lets you experience success - and success breeds more success.  The marathon will always be there next year.

Create a success circle.

You can’t do it alone.  Most people think that they can tough it out on their own and somehow asking for help makes you seem weak.  Hogwash.

People who are successful at creating change know that surrounding themselves with others who can educate, support, encourage, brainstorm and hold them accountable is a key in achieving their goals.  Asking for help is a sign of commitment.

Have clarity.

Vague goals are tough to achieve because you never really know what you need to do to be successful.  Things like organize my life, improve my relationships, get healthy sound great but could mean a hundred different things.

Set goals that are clear to you and others.  If you’re stuck writing it down with clarity, ask yourself, “What will I be doing differently when I achieve this goal?”

Decide.

People who waffle around are not ready to be successful.  If you are still having the debate with yourself about whether you should or shouldn’t, will or won’t, you are likely still in the contemplation stage of change.  Action does not occur if you are still thinking about it. 

It is the moment when you actually decide that change begins.  When you finally put your feet on the floor and get out of bed to go to the gym, then your goal becomes possible.  Anything becomes possible once you decide.

Think about it this way:

You can be one of the 25% of people who are successful.