Thursday 20 May 2010

The Fire Starter Sessions #2

A few more highlights from my quest through the Fire Starter Sessions by Danielle LaPorte. Part two is all about taking stock of your present power and making space to expand your potential.

Cocktail Line
I love this advice to have a genuine cocktail line at the ready that sums you up in half a minute, "a distilling of your reality, your talent, your dreams and your power". V beneficial should the opportunity for serendipitous promotion come your way! Danielle provides examples of how people often describe themselves and what they could actually say if they thought about it - and.. wow!.. there is such a difference! Maybe your day job isn't all that but your hobbies/ future plans are shining! This is not about faking it, this is about being "modest and powerful, factual and engaging".

"Facts + Feelings = Genuinely Compelling"

Ready for an eye-opener.....
Danielle quotes the excitingly sage advice of Marcus Buckingham :

"A strength is what you do that makes you feels strengthened! It's not necessarily what you're good at, or what you‘re capable of — it's what feels amazing when you do it!"

Now, this really resonates with me! Isn't this so liberating! Some of the things that feel amazing to me aren't things people expect me to do. "So what things make you feel amazing? What activities cause you to feel useful, vital, better-than-before? What feels so good and so easy to give that you give it generously? What do you do best—that gives you a rush while you're doing it?" Embrace these things. "Becoming You is your purpose."

"Your most valuable currency is what comes naturally to you. Cash in."

"What's chronic, repetitive, or inflamed in your life?"
What things in your life or your job would you like to stop doing? Sick of to-do lists? Why not make a Stop Doing List! A more powerful way to free up your time and inspiration. Danielle gives a practical while challenging stop doing list including the little things like constantly checking email/twitter/Facebook and the big things like taking it all on yourself. "Just because you can do it, doesn't mean you should" - see the FSS for Danielle's theory on "Competent - the silent killer". Free up time for the things that really inspire you.

"Passion will always move you in the direction of your authentic self."

Face Forward
I, personally, have a deep regard for our past, our heritage and all that goes with it but we can all let past experiences, habits and anxieties impinge on the present and hold us back. Danielle's mantra, "Stand in your present power", fills me with encouragement and empowers me. She tells us that in the workplace "We want to look ahead with you. Look backwards and you loose us". Again here, she gives examples of how people describe their work situation/company and contrasts them with what they could have said! A lesson in self-awareness and positivity!




See also:
The Fire Starter Sessions #1
The Fire Starter Sessions - Danielle LaPorte
Invest in Your Future "You"

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