Substance and Fortitude

I’m life coach and success catalyst Peter Winslow. Today I have some compelling questions for you and you’ll want to consider them carefully.

First, are you a person of substance and fortitude?

Think on this for a moment. Set aside the trappings of ego, the part of you that tries to control what you believe. Really and deeply consider what I'm asking you here: how able are you to live a life of meaning while overcoming that which no longer serves you?

Next question: if you found a way to address every challenge in your life, a way that could provide stability and acceptance through every obstacle, would you use it? Of course you would.

What if every challenging situation you face—be it financial, health related, relationship, personal—could be resolved with a single asset? How much energy could you recover and redirect toward acquiring that which you really desire?

Such an asset exists, and the good news is—you will soon own it free and clear. It is called confidence.

Confidence is the key to undo the fear and resistance that have long stood between you and your dream. When this key is fully integrated and applied, your “problems” become little more than steps to ultimate power through personal growth.

The challenges that had seemed so terrifying are then recognized as the experiences you needed to identify and hone your character. Your job is to be confident, accept what your challenges offer, and calmly observe as they work their magic and then like old skin, organically fall away.

 –Peter Winslow

Carpe Diem

I’m life coach and success catalyst Peter Winslow. Today where I live we had an incredibly lovely morning, and I was certain to make the opportunity to get out and enjoy it.

Notice I did not say “take” the opportunity; I said “make” the opportunity. Opportunities are often a matter of our own making, and we who live useful lives seize opportunity as we please. We realize that opportunities abound at all times; the question comes down to when to seize and when to pass.

For example, we're frequently given the opportunity to share our own unique gifts and talents with others, and many times we choose to pass. Too often this is simply because we doubt ourselves or our abilities.

Your personal gifts are an intrinsic part of who you are and when you share them with others, you touch their lives in a meaningful way. This means that every gift you possess has the potential to bestow opportunity on someone else.

To share your gifts with others is to demonstrate an understanding of the self. Are you blessed with the talent to awaken beautiful emotions in others? Do your aptitudes reveal more practical advantages? Your natural ability to listen, to cook, to crack people up, to organize, garden, or think outside the box can greatly empower the people around you.

Our inner gifts are a means through which we can make the world a better place. It’s as simple as this: by doing what we love to do, we provide useful opportunities to others.

 –Peter Winslow

The Real You

Hello, I’m life coach and communications expert Peter Winslow. I have a question for you, and I’d like you to pay attention to your own response. Here goes: When people watch closely and observe how you interact with them, do they ever see the real you?

We may see your facial expressions, the way you address and avail yourself to people, even your body language—but what's going on at a deeper level? What are you communicating to us with your actual presence?

Are we indeed more than our bodies, thoughts, and material experiences would lead us to believe? Do we also have an invisible dimension that broadcasts our intentions to the world?

We may not be consciously aware of it, but in the midst of body and mind is the very essence of that which comprises the wholeness of being, an aspect that spiritual masters often refer to as the “true self.” Every time we interact with others in a tangible way, they say, on deeper levels of being an invisible exchange of tacit communication is taking place.

Are you aware of what you unconsciously communicate to the world? Whether you know it or not, others feel you and there's just no way to fake it. That's a good thing, as we now appear to be moving through an era where the old manipulative practices and concocted illusions just won't fly anymore. The time has come to reassess our intentions, adopt new practices and raise awareness of our authentic selves.

 –Peter Winslow

Say What?

I’m life coach Peter Winslow. Lately we’ve been talking about powerful strategies and deep philosophies that can and do make a huge impact in your life. And now for something completely different. If you’re ready for a little humor, try this on:

In the spirit of levity, here's what I wrote to an emailer who asked me (somewhat sarcastically) about Eckhart Tolle and the power of the “now” moment. If the time is always “now" she asked, then why would we plan to meet for your class this weekend or for that matter—why plan anything at all?

I recognized this as a playful attempt to “stump the chump” and thus responded:

“One may believe we actually plan ahead but in essence we are swept along by great winds of chance, not unlike tidal currents born of the relational circumstances presently sensed and beseeching non-emotively nor resistently to be carried on them and verily, to add our knowledge and strength to the dervish sirocco rather than endeavor in the ineffectual and nugatory vanity of navigating against such forces whilst occasioning to observe the natural processes of ‘what is’ by modeling our outward activities upon the summoning of knowledge not simply of when and how to interpret, but also when not to act, presume, assume, or subsume said actions and their consequences in a grand primeval plan of hindsight and the banality of blissful innocence used to confine the self in an orchestration of reverse inertia intent to tackle whatever positively insists on ‘now’ being dealt with.”

To which she responded: "I see..."

'Nuff said. Should the winds of chance ever sweep you into our community, I look forward to conversing with you as well.

 –Peter Winslow

This is Only a Test

Hello I’m life coach Peter Winslow. The following is a test conceived by Charles Schultz, the creator of the “Peanuts” comic strip. As a life coach I often give this test to my clients as a tool to empower their self-image and self-esteem. Are you ready?

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.

4. Name six people who have won the Nobel Prize.

5. Name the last five Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.

How did you do?

The point here is that none of us really remember the headliners of yesterday. Yet these are no second-rate achievers; they are the best in their fields. But the applause eventually dies, awards tarnish, achievements are forgotten, and accolades and certificates get buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name one friend who helped you through a difficult time.

3. Think of five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Name three people who made you feel appreciated.

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?

That’s because the people who make a major difference in our lives are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones who most care.

The lesson? Don’t look back at the accolades you thought you should have gotten or the awards you should have won. Don’t even look back at the compliments you deserved to receive. Invest instead in a new tool for unlocking your potential and breaking through previous limitations. That tool is your ability to care, and to share it with someone who has never realized what for them is truly possible.

–Peter Winslow