Nothing to Fear

Recently I have had the pleasure of sitting with many people whom I would term as "Everyday" people. They shared their dreams and thoughts about life in business and their most important personal relationships. I was honoured by their stories and circumstances and that I was able to speak with care and encouragement into their life.

I have met many who have a real desire to design a viable business focused upon the "helping of people" but lack the mechanism or the know-how of what that would take. Please allow me to encourage you!

It is possible, but in my experience, the journey will challenge every aspect of your personal insecurities, your level of commitment and the strength of what you believe and hold on to.

Working with people can be very unpredictable. Just when we think we understand, they turn around and show themselves to be the opposite of our assessments. I think that is the basis of my own personal attraction for working with people.

As a coach, I am personally challenged in my own growth to learn constantly from others and their stories. Call it respect. At the end of the day we are all just "Everyday" people with lives to live. When I feel frustrated I remember, that the miles have been walked, the experiences are real, and I have the best teacher anyone could ask for.

Let your care overtake your insecurities. They will experience what you have in you life coach, have nothing to fear!

Success Is Together!
James

What We Are Doing!

Good morning!
I have been asked lately about what we are doing with this Everyday concept. Well, it's simple. We are reconnecting people through communites of interest.

Through the years I have had the pleasure of teaching and reteaching the value of a powerful relationship approach to doing good business. This approach spilled over into other social areas of interest as well much to my amazement.



One such concept that is getting a warm reception is our newest project "Everyday People". This community celebrates new relationships, people who accomplish extraordinary things through ordinary lives through the vibrant pursuit of life, love (in friendship & healthy relationships), personal liberty (freedom from past), and progress.

September 10 2011 we are about to launch our first 3 month pilot here in Edmonton AB, if you are looking to meet new people in a safe and positive environment this would be the place for you!

Hope you will join us September 10th!

Success Is Together!

James

Refuse to Be Sterile!

Good morning,

Lately I have been tasked with the design of a new workshop for a corporate client. In my contemplations one message came to mind focusing on the idea of adaptation and the sharing of your personal talents.

The concept of social sterility is my thinking. I don't know about you but I have found many out there in business or in social community behaving with an over rated sense of "professionalism" or an over sensitive etiquette. It is so predominate within our circles that people can no longer feel ok for making a mistake without someone around them reacting in an extreme fashion of judgement.

Think of it like this: We get so used to getting what we want and demanding it a certain way that we become sterile whereby our expectations are to the level of being unreasonable and dare I say even a little "pritzy" (delicate). It would be like your body being so clean that it can no longer fight off infection of even the slightest kind. We have become "sterile".

The second analogy is to think of your pet, becoming sterile means that you are no longer able to reproduce! What do I mean? I mean that our behavior becomes so delicate that offence comes too easily. We expect people to make heavy apologies for the slightest deviation from our sense of appropriateness or heaven forbid they make a mistake by our estimation. Over time they just will quietly keep their distance and thus our influence and potential good will creation with others is paralyzed. We are "sterile"

Conclusion, community is a little organic and messy at times. This is the way of things. Accept that life is not always perfect. People are not made to provide you with a perfect existence. Mistakes will be made, learn from them and give mercy because someday you may need mercy.

Just sayin.

Success Is Together!
James

Creating Dynamic Community

Good morning friends!

It has been a while since I have been consistently posting and decided this morning that I would give a brief update for our faithful Everyday readers. There is always a story to tell so I hope you can forgive the infrequency of entries this past two months.

First allow me to express my thanks to all those who have been reading and following this blog and our various social media expressions. This summer has been a summer for great closure to old responsibilities and issues. We have seen the liberation as a family in several areas of life.

Finding closure is huge if you desire to be focused and progressive. Building dynamic communities of people takes a lot of time and energy. It seems that when you are too concerned about old lingering things; I have found anyway that productivity and the ability to create new friendships is seriously hindered.

Over the past 2 years my family has been working diligently on clearing out the old and making room for the new. I am proud to declare that we are debt free, removed toxic relationships, initiated a life long dream, and are firmly focused on a bright future with valuable life experience tucked closely into our spirits.

Creating dynamic communities for us is our dream. We could not do this work if we were not able to learn from our circumstances and master their effects on us. Our faith life together has been tried and tested and the resolve has been established. The results? Without regret; have been huge and satisfying in our estimation.

Life can be like a stagnate pool, full of unresolved and undissolved junk which breeds more junk. Or it is like a fountain, if you can learn the art of thankfulness, perseverance, and of course generosity, then the more you give, the more is given through you. When this happens it creates a ripple effect of good will.

Creating a dynamic community? Create a dynamic life and others will join you.

Success Is Together!
James

Waking Up

Hey,
I wanted to send this note out to all those who are feeling a little lost in their life direction. I can appreciate the frustration of navigating through the fog with a defective compass.
Finding a fulfilling direction in life has more to do with defining what passions you carry than coping and hoping. This may sound trite and even vague but truly, when was the last time you even wrote your thoughts down and decided to process feelings properly and safely?
When will you decide that your health and well being is important enough for you to try?


Just sayin.


Success Is Together!

James

We Live an Everyday Life: Why Small Business Still Needs Community

We Live an Everyday Life: Why Small Business Still Needs Community: "Good morning! Another day to go out and find your fortune in business. Do you enjoy this journey? Do you enjoy the thrill of the chase? May..."

Why Small Business Still Needs Community

Good morning!
Another day to go out and find your fortune in business. Do you enjoy this journey? Do you enjoy the thrill of the chase? Maybe you are doing this because you hated the rat-race. Whatever the reason try to remember that no man(or woman) is an island unto themselves.

I have met many small business entrepreneurs who work hard and strive to gain a stronger financial foot hold for their future but simply end up repeating old patterns and behaviors. Default is not just a computer term. It is what we do when we set out to try something new until the change creates too great a challenge.

This is where others who are in various levels of experience come in to the picture. With shared experience our own Everyday Entrepreneur community surrounds its members and provides a vital coaching and support framework which lends its strength as the needs arise. Not only does this inspire members to give and receive but it saves a heck of a lot of money spent on private coaching fees. Yes you heard me..saves your small business money.

Small business needs community to provide benefits on many levels. Why do you think that large corporate leaders have business circles, joint-venture communities, mentors, advisory boards and teams? It is because they know what it means to capitalize on the resident experience and value sitting right next to them.

You can have this too. My only encouragement that needs to be mentioned with this topic in mind is..get your pride in check! Understand that success truly is together!

Success is Together!

James

My Divided Mind

Everyday I awake to see a fresh day ahead of me. Who knows what will actually transpire. We only know what we have in mind to do or to accomplish for that day.

In many cases we "balance" a busy life style. Success or survival both have their challenges that we need to keep on top of. Our lives are in such delicate balance that we may not even realize how fragile our daily walk actually is. It is like trying to keep the spinning plates spinning on top of a pole only we don't have just one or two to deal with, we have created 6 or 7!

This past year my family and I have endured drastic changes that statistically are rated amongst the highest forms of stress in an everyday life.

Yes, we embarked upon the Everyday vision, we have moved, we are selling a property and with the expenses included make for interesting dinner conversation. We are preparing a teenager for high school and a young tween for Jr.high. We are clearing away old situations and relationships that have created an uncertainty for us. Yes, we are in fact crazy, but I am happy to report that this new year things have settled down somewhat.

A divided mind is a nasty thing to have to carry around with you. It will constantly nag at you to find closure for those outstanding issues and situations that you may have pushed under the rug. I have learned through personal experience that carrying too much unresolved or uncertain issues creates a great lack of focus when planning out successful business or personal accomplishment.

If you are in a situation like we were, your quest is to establish closure before launching into something that requires a tremendous amount of energy. It is like a house that is constantly seeping heat out of old doors and window cracks. There are times in life when a renovation is absolutely needed before proper efficiency can be achieved.

Success is Together!

James

Living in the Light

In the light of recent tragic events, I felt it impressed in my spirit to send out our deepest condolences for those lost, and sympathies to those who are suffering through tragedy.

I would like to recognize the many who rally to the call when tragedy strikes. Those who sacrifice time, energy, and personal resources to provide relief and rescue to those who have fallen.

Living a life in the light is about having no fear of the future. Even though there may be circumstances in your way that seem to prevent your progress, there are moments when we have to appreciate that serendipity or a divine will has stepped in to save us from certain results that would otherwise occur if we continued along unchecked.

Living in the light is about clearing of our conscience to be able to gain clarity and discernment in the world around us. We can see the world for what it is and do something out of a deep well of care and intelligence that will have a meaningful effect to others around us.

We as individuals cause a ripple effect.  As we collaborate as a community we bring a tsunami of good will because we see beyond our own need into the needs of others.

Whether we are an aid worker, a civil servant, an entrepreneur, artist, or professional, we are still all in this together regardless of what our "status" is.

Success is Remaining Together.

James

Finding A Dream Team

Good morning!

It has been said on a number of occasions from a number of sources that "You can't do it alone." when it comes to working through your vision for business or achievement. We believe it takes many hands to make light work.

What would be the compelling reason for others to join into your vision in a meaningful way where they provide added momentum and energy with their contributions? What are the limiting factors that are unsaid or features within your vision that have not yet been properly articulated? What are they not saying when it comes to why a person will or will not become a part of this vision you carry?

I have met many who carry such visions who express the same thing. It seems people are waiting for success to happen before they decide to wade in. What else do you think they are waiting for?

On a positive note, in many cases the vision we carry is not yet fully developed and there is still more work we need to do to get it to a functioning reality. The vision may make perfect sense to us personally but there needs to be a concentrated effort to bring to a place where it is easily translated to something more tangible and digestible by others around you.

Taking the time and effort to work it through is vital to the growth of any life vision for business or for achievement. It may be a frustrating process but in the end it will increase the chances of a long lasting commitment in others.

People may seem to be waiting for a free ride or maybe...just maybe they want to join but just don't fully understand what they are in for with this new dish set before them to taste.

Success is Together!

James

Today

Today I awoke to the sound of routine.
Today I was able to enjoy my family during that time of safety and preparation.
Today is a day I decided to be productive.

Today I made contact with Him who guides me.
Today I look forward to the fantastic results of work well done.
Today is the day I have decided to keep facing forward.

Today you and I begin to walk this everyday life together.
Today is the day where either you or I will pick up the phone and make the effort to meet.
Today is a day of opportunity!

Today it will no longer be just me..today it will become "we".


Success is Together!

James

Is Your Cup Full or Empty?

Is your cup too full?
I have heard it said that it is hard to fill a cup which is already full. I can certainly agree with this coming from a training profession. People will often ask for input into their lives only to reveal that the key aspects which they are seeking perspective on have already been internally decided on and now they are simply wanting affirmation of said decision.

Or, a client will seek a perspective on an issue and even before a response is given, they have already come up with an excuse why your response is not valid or fully useful.

So, what do you want?? If you are seeking perspective or even advice then you must realize there is a gap which needs to be covered. Otherwise please keep doing what it is you are doing and see for yourself if your results are as good as you want them to be. Us care-givers in the meantime will be busy attending to others who will fully receive our support!

On the flip-side, is your cup empty?

I have had the pleasure of talking with many who "love to help people". My first desire is to help grow this within them. The inner need to help others is crucial for any healthy community. Unfortunately life can leave us with less on the inside to actually give if we have not taken the time to heal, fix, forgive, or push through whatever it is we need to look after.

There are some who have achieved this sense of wholeness which by the way is never a full deletion of the effects of a bad experience, it has simply been understood to the point of new usefulness for the sake of others.

Then there are those who have not yet reached this place of satisfaction over their inner need who will try to give from an empty cup so to speak.

With Everyday we believe there is a point when people can be brought to a place of powerful influence if they are willing to receive. To the level for which you are willing to receive, it is the level for which you will receive!!

Success is Together!

James

Doing Business in Your Birthday Suit

Hello everyone!

I believe its time to throw out artificial professionalism and create honest community for building business.
Yes, sometimes rising and setting the standard is important but only useful until the hand-shake is made.

I have met many who like to pose and strut showing how wonderful life is or how "successful" they are, but after 15 minutes with any one of these I soon find out the pain behind the mask. Kind of a "put-on" really.

Personal change is a necessary ingredient to finding professional success on any level. One will always be tied to the other. This short commentary is simply about becoming comfortable in your own skin.

We like you. Settle down and relax about being "the best". You are much more memorable when you are simply being yourself. If you don't know how..let me know.

Please remember..when you are comfortable in your own skin, the only thing you may want to put on is a clean pair of....


Success is Together!

James

Suffering From Writers Block

With all of the development "stuff" going on I have to admit that today I have a slight case of writers block. So instead of forcing something pious and pleasant out I will simply express that its time to just tell it like it is.

It's busy. There is a lot to get done to develop this business community. We love people and are working hard to get things ready. Our time is here and our opportunity to share this Everyday vision is here!

We have burned the sails and dammed the torpedoes! There is no where to go but forward! Like a runner hitting the wall, we continue to press on toward the goals for which we have received the call!

Yes there is "joint pain". There is inconvenience but our friends are worth the time and effort! We push forward in spite of obstacles, pressures, and false beliefs. The passion is what fuels our progress!

I have written only what was in my heart today instead of a flowery liturgy or a trite quote. We are all in this journey together!

Success is Together!

James

Success is Together!

Good morning everyone!
I awoke this morning with a peaceful state of mind. A kind of personal satisfaction of a job well done. Once again we facilitated a chapter for one of our communities last night. It was amazing.

I write this morning out of a sense of appreciation and regard for the members of our organization. They are the inspiration for me to keep up the intensity and energy to build everyday.

The stories and concepts that come form our times together are valuable because of the willingness to share experience and develop ideas together while keeping in mind that we all have to find profit in what we do.

There is a strong level of mutual respect and personal care for the journey our fellow Everyday Entrepreneurs have embarked upon.

I guess I have nothing deeply profound to say this morning but to take time and simply recognize the greatness of the people that are apart of this Everyday vision.

My hat goes off to you!


Success is Together!

James

We Are Meant to be Together!

Good morning everyone!
It seems a little weird blogging about the weakness of social media. How do you comment about the gaps in something so vast and far reaching as the Internet communication all the while using that very same mechanism to get your story out there?

You could probably comment on many levels with this I am sure so let me just get to the point.

It seems the world is increasing its pressure to advance and streamline. It seems that there is far more benefits than consequence to a social media generation. But is there really?

In my own travels, I meet many who express a deeper need to go beyond the "Matrix" connections and desire to move into a warmer climate of something called "community". Usually these are people who have reached the ripe old age of 30+ and are now yearning for meaning to their existence. The younger folks are still enthralled with their sense of newness, innovation and perceived "coolness" to be that concerned. (or so it would seem, not all are..but you understand what I am saying) We are meant to be in close proximity!

Now, I am not saying to do away with anything because I think that relationships are formed almost anywhere. So I take a "both-and" position on the integration of both social philosophies. I am simply encouraging us to not deify the one over the one that has always been.

Social media has been around for less than 25 years (give or take). Community has been around since the beginning.

Success is together!

James

If You Would Like to Make a Difference

A short man suffering from a lost soul climbs a sycamore tree to get a glimpse of someone who has the message for his weary heart. What else could he do to be able to hear this message?

Because he decided to do something different (Outside of the box) he received a special invitation to dine with this special guest. In humility the short man makes a decision to right the wrongs of his life right there in the spot.

It tells me one thing. Replace honor where there was dishonor and it results in a fantastic restoration of spirit with a generous ripple effect!
Gospel of Luke Chapter 29

Success is Together!

James

I Have Every Reason to Do Nothing

Today I awoke thinking about the myriad of things that need to get done. My company is requiring a lot of internal development and personal life is still nagging for closure in certain logistical areas.

(Sigh) Yes. There are days when the body says: "HEY! GIVE ME A BREAK!" Most of us understand this as getting sick. We will run until we drop because we are consumed with trying to gain the leverage we need to make a successful life.

All around us we are bombarded with messages and artificial need that screams out that we need to push harder and look better and then MAYBE we will achieve a satisfactory "coolness" in the eyes of others.

Well, personally I must confess that I have stopped trying to gain popularity and began building an authentic lifestyle that honors others where they are at. I have decided to stop chasing and start cultivating.

Yes, I have broken from the Matrix this past year and loving every minute of it! Care to join me?

Success is together!

James

An Unsure Everyday Entrepreneur

There are days when the challenges get to be a little too much. We are in business to make money. We are in business to hopefully have fun. What we are not in business for is to be a slave to it.

The price can be a little too high once we become slaves to the business when all along, the business was built to serve our greater vision.

I personally see a business as a vehicle and a tool to assist the entrepreneur in accomplishing great things that they see for their future. I believe you have to engage this for the "love-of-the-game" If it isn't then you just bought yourself a job.

Success is together!

James

Ahh Mondays

Good morning. In the quiet beginning of my day today I reflect on my last week and weekend. It was a busy week but the kind of week that is a good-busy. Several key people had intersected my timeline last week that created a definate positive impression upon me.

On this Monday morning I reflect on the good that arose from the challenges. I reflect upon how many stories that I had collected from great people last week. It always amazes me that when asked about any good stories, testimonies, or experiences, many people will simply shrug their shoulders and say something like: "I uhno."

Life is to short to live it in the "I uhno" zone. All around us are everyday people living out their stories and desires. To me, these are far greater quality than an HBO series.

Success is together!

James

Living a Generous Life

We live in the best of times, and the worst of times. That seems to be the way people view a life of faith. I agree that like the mountains and the valley that growth happens the most in the lower places of our journey.

When I was a teenager of 15 I moved away from home not knowing where I was going. I only knew that I was angry and left to my own resources to find my way. In the course of my experience I came to a profound realization that God does indeed exist and that He actually cares for me as an individual.

Life has a funny way of shaping us. I found that through all the harsh experiences I was given a choice. My choice is one of the few things that no one can take away. It is the one thing God empowers us with when dealing with life and circumstances.

Over the years I had learned and understood His heart for me and as I came to appreciate His character and nature, it became evident to me what His over all motive was. To share.

Sharon and I have carried a calling to build a community of faith for many years. I must admit, it almost was snuffed out. Thankfully, that passion of our commitment and calling stayed alight within our heart and we decided that if we did not act on it that it would be a major regret for us later on.

Everyday Faith is a developing community formed to serve God though empowering people. Our whole mandate is to teach a life of generosity through the Spirit of God as described within the Bible.

It is our joy to present to you:

Everyday Faith, Living Life Generously!

Success is together!

James

A Compass for Living

Some time ago my wife Sharon and I had signed up for a mentoring program designed to equip new leaders with tools and insights for a great leadership experience. Over the course of the 9 months I was personally confronted with the reality that I did not have a foundational set of values from which to guide my choices and produce a rewarding life overall.

I knew what I believed about the world, my theology and future, but I was lacking the compass for my everyday journey.

My mentor, spoke many great things into my life and needless to say, both Sharon and I were greatly impacted. In fact, it was this experience that formed the foundation of our work today. We are indeed thankful!

One challenge we received; was to establish and hold to a set of values in accordance with our beliefs and convictions from which to cause a positive influence for others. Here is what we came up with:

The healthy pursuit of

Life, Love, Liberty, and Progress

It was such a powerful combination that these values have now formed the pillars of purpose for our newest community development coming soon!

Thank you Ken & Cheryl G.

I am an Everyday Entrepreneur!

Sometimes the most unlikely inspirations happen when you least expect them. This time last year I was in a employer/mentor situation with a young university grad who desired to learn the art of sales and believed in the value that this learning would give him in the future. I was honored to give what experience I had but it became more than just teaching, it had to be displayed.

After several years of trial and error, the idea of providing a safe community for business entrepreneurs once again knocked on my door by way of this young man. It was time to help him understand the value of a strong network of colleagues.

We began this small community by first sharing a clear and focused vision. With almost a full enrolment that night, we knew we were given a mandate to build and provide service. It is amazing what a little mandate and trust can produce.

We will often loose heart when we loose touch of the vision. Thanks Graham, you were the right person at the right time to activate again what was always there waiting for me.

James

www.theeverydaycommunity.com

We Live an Everyday Life!

I heard it said once that you can live life well or you can have a life well lived. For me this speaks to a question I often ask myself before I speak to an audience. The question is whether I want to make an impression in these few moments, or make an impact.

Life in community is really a series of ripple effects whereby we are all affected for the good or bad. If there is one thing that I personally hold dear to is the fact that time is given, and I will always have a choice.

The Everyday Communities, is a concept born out of a deep desire to stimulate people out of their day-to-day sleep, cultivate a vibrant life, and activate action from apathy to produce a positive impact.

This blog is your blog. This time is your time. These words will always carry the intent to encourage.
We have success together!

James