Shannon Simone Miller - inspiration http://shannonmiller.me/tags/inspiration en Don't put your dreams on hold just because everyone else does http://shannonmiller.me/2015/08/20/dont-put-your-dreams-on-hold-just-because-everyone-else-does <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>I met a person floating in the ocean one day recently;  I guess there is a strange first for everything. It was an unusually hot day so I went down to the beach with my sister. We floated in the water talking about how my nephew that just graduated high school wants to travel for a bit before college. Of course, that is met with the typical family freak out, I however think it is a fantastic idea.</p> <p>There was a woman floating that happened to overhear our conversation and piped in. She was several years older than me and began to share her feelings about travel, how much you learn, how great it is to see how other people live and then some. I agreed with her on every point so we got to talking while we floated in the Pacific Ocean in Los Angeles. She shared with me how at one point in her life she quit her job, sold everything and moved to Japan for two years. While she was there she studied and learned the language and taught English. She met a US diplomat that would later help her secure an amazing job.</p> <p>She shared with me how everyone thought she was crazy for just leaving on her adventure. She had a love and dream to travel and she did it. Now years later she is ready to retire with her husband and rent their house out and take off traveling again. She said following her dream was the best thing she ever did, she said she never understood how so many people wait their entire life to retire to then follow a dream they have. I agree, what we have right now is the present. When something calls to us deeply we should find a way to act on it sooner than later. We don't know what the future holds and waiting until someday can rob us of living a life that matters.</p> <p>Everyone's dream is different, not everyone wants to sell everything and travel, for many of you it is starting a business, or engaging in work that really lights you up, for others it's figuring out a way to stay home with your children the common theme is defining a life that matters to you. Not creating a life everyone will agree with or your family will approve of but designing a life that is as unique and special as you are.</p> <blockquote><p>That is quote really sums it up “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift. That’s why we call it the present” -Alice Morse Earle</p> </blockquote> <p>What we have now is the present and what we allow ourselves to create in the now will ultimately be our future. Breaking free from the status quo isn't always easy so I won't try to tell you it is. There will be many people that will tell you that you are crazy or foolish so you need to be prepared to acquire a thick skin if you don't already have it. We all want the people that love us to support us in anything we do and sadly that doesn't always happen.  It is knowing this that can often cause a feeling of reservation or fear. A great way to combat this is remembering who is telling you what and why.</p> <p>Those that will call you crazy are often those that are too afraid to live a life of passion themselves, this is an absolute fact. It is also a fact that in all my years of speaking with successful people about what moves and inspires them I have never met one highly successful person that will call someone else's dream crazy. They just <a href="http://creativecriminals.com/apple/think-different">think different</a> as the award winning Apple campaign said. The future is the unknown but you can change your life by taking one step toward a new goal today. Don't put your dreams on hold just because everyone else does.</p> <p><strong>5 Quick Tips to Help you begin on your dream today</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>1. Be clear about what it is you want</strong>- without clarity you can't have focus. Without focus, you can't make any strides forward.</p> <p>2. <strong>Focus your attention on your new goal- </strong>Focus requires you to make your dream your priority, giving it  your full attention. When you have clarity of your dream you will find that your focus begins to come naturally.</p> <p>3. <strong>Outline what it is you need to achieve your goal</strong>- You don't need to have everything figured out, you simply need to give yourself a few things that need to be done in the now to move you forward.  For instance if your dream is to become a therapist, you may need to go back to school. You can request program information as a first step. If you want to start a new business find out what information you need to do so. Take some time to research your industry or products. If you already have that in order a first step may be getting a web site built or obtaining a business license.</p> <p>4. <strong>Be selective who you share your dream with</strong>- I can't stress this enough, so many people have their attempts to begin on a new path trashed because someone in their intimate circle thought they were crazy and they took it to heart. If you need some positive like minded people to interact with joining an in person or online networking group can be a great place to meet upbeat "can do" people that will cheer you on.</p> <p>5. <strong>Find coach- </strong>A coach is not your friend, a coach is someone that pushes you and guides you forward while also holding you accountable for your progress. A coach can help you come up with a plan and make huge strides.  A coach is a vital tool  that will only serve you if you are serious about changing/expanding your life. A great coach can help push and guide you to your new destiny.</p> <p>You are capable and deserving of living out a life of passion and fulfillment. Don't put your dreams on hold just because everyone else does.</p> <p> <br /> </p><div class="media-element-container media-full"> <div id="file-30" class="file file-image file-image-jpeg"> <h2 class="element-invisible"><a href="/file/30">dreamsonhold.jpg</a></h2> <div class="content"> <span id="styles-1-0" class="styles file-styles large"> <img width="480" height="402" id="1" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.shannonmiller.me/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/dreamsonhold.jpg?itok=n5v7i65w" alt="" title="" /></span> </div> </div> </div> <p> </p> <h4>If you interested in a personal coaching plan to help you take your life to the next level you can <a href="http://www.shannonmiller.me/contact">contact me</a> and set up a free 30 minute consultation to see if we are a good fit for each other.</h4> <p> </p> <h2>Don't forget to sign up now for your Free Weekly Training &amp; Insights Today. <a href="http://www.shannonmiller.me/signup">Click Here Now!</a></h2> <p> </p> <p>Let's be friends on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/shannonsimonemiller">Facebook</a>,<a href="https://instagram.com/shannonsmiller/"> Instagram</a> or <a href="https://twitter.com/gurugeekgirl">Twitter</a></p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/success" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">success</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/motivation" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">motivation</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/dreams" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">dreams</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/inspiration" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">inspiration</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/tips" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">tips</a></div></div></div> Fri, 21 Aug 2015 05:41:43 +0000 Shannon 30 at http://shannonmiller.me http://shannonmiller.me/2015/08/20/dont-put-your-dreams-on-hold-just-because-everyone-else-does#comments Success tips from twelve of the world's most successful people http://shannonmiller.me/2015/08/12/success-tips-from-twelve-of-the-worlds-most-successful-people <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Success isn't always a straight line, In fact, it rarely is. More often than not it is a winding road of stops, starts, and potholes.</p> <p>The journey is the biggest wildest part of the adventure and should be enjoyed as such. If you don't take time to enjoy what you learn along the way you will indeed miss the whole point.</p> <p>Here are quotes from twelve of the world's most successful people who truly get it and have made their mark in areas as wide as media to spirituality.</p> <p>If you have some favorites of your own, don't forget to share them in the comments below.</p> <p> </p> <p>Enjoy these Success tips from twelve of the world's most successful people</p> <p> </p><div class="media-element-container media-full"> <div id="file-28" class="file file-image file-image-jpeg"> <h2 class="element-invisible"><a href="/file/28">FotorCreated.jpg</a></h2> <div class="content"> <span id="styles-1-0" class="styles file-styles large"> <img width="480" height="360" id="1" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://shannonmiller.me/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/FotorCreated.jpg?itok=5Wd6MkBM" alt="" title="" /></span> </div> </div> </div> <p><br />"The reason I've been able to be so financially successful is my focus has never, ever for one minute been money."-<span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Oprah Winfrey</strong></span></p> <p><br /><br />"My definition of success? The more you're actively and practically engaged, the more successful you will be." -<strong>Richard Branson</strong></p> <p><br /><br />"Without an open-minded mind, you can never be a great success." -<strong>Martha Stewart</strong><br /><br /><br />"Judge your success by what you had to give up to get it." -<strong>Dalai Lama</strong><br /><br /><br />“It's failure that gives you the proper perspective on success.” -<strong>Ellen Degeneres</strong><br /><br /><br />"If you create incredible value and information for others that can change their lives - and you always stay focused on that service - the financial success will follow." -<strong>Brendon Burchard</strong><br /><br /><br />“The secret of success is learning how to use pain and pleasure instead of having pain and pleasure use you. If you do that, you’re in control of your life. If you don’t, life controls you.” -<strong>Tony Robbins</strong><br /><br /><br />"I'm convinced that about half of what separates successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance." -<strong>Steve Jobs</strong><br /><br /><br />“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” -<strong>Maya Angelou</strong><br /><br /><br /><br />"I'm not really interested in making money. That's always come as the result of success, but it's not been my goal, and I've had a tough time proving that to people." -<strong>Steven Spielberg</strong><br /><br /><br /><br />“Let’s think beyond the normal stuff and have an environment where that sort of thinking is encouraged and rewarded and where it’s okay to fail as well. Because when you try new things, you try this idea, that idea… well a large number of them are not gonna work, and that has to be okay. If every time somebody comes up with an idea it has to be successful, you’re not gonna get people coming up with ideas.” - <strong>Elon Musk</strong><br /> </p> <p>"We need to accept that we won't always make the right decisions, that we'll screw up royally sometimes - understanding that failure is not the opposite of success, it's part of success." -<strong>Arianna Huffington</strong></p> <h2>Did you enjoy these tips? If so please comment &amp; share the good stuff.</h2> <h2>Get Free Training &amp; Insights Delivered Weekly. <a href="http://www.shannonmiller.me/signup">CLICK HERE</a></h2> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/success" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">success</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/motivation" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">motivation</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/life" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">life</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/inspiration" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">inspiration</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-related-article field-type-entityreference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">You may also like:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/2015/07/23/5-tips-to-finding-your-passion-and-purpose-in-life">5 tips to finding your passion and purpose in life.</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/2015/07/24/free-yourself-from-mental-blocks-and-unleash-your-creativity">Free yourself from mental blocks and unleash your creativity</a></div></div></div> Thu, 13 Aug 2015 06:39:12 +0000 Shannon 29 at http://shannonmiller.me http://shannonmiller.me/2015/08/12/success-tips-from-twelve-of-the-worlds-most-successful-people#comments 4 Ways that saying yes can add awesome things to your life http://shannonmiller.me/2014/08/30/4-ways-that-saying-yes-can-add-awesome-things-to-your-life <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>We are all overwhelmed with so much that we often forget to say yes to some things that come our way that could really add value and joy to our life. We are faced with... will you take out the trash? Yes, will you go to the store? Yes. You get the picture. I am not talking about the daily tasks in life;  I think we are often nervous to say yes to new things because we feel it is one more obligation on top of the mountains of obligations we already face. This is not the yes to more tasks we feel we must do out of obligation. This is where we need to make some adjustments in our mind, the yes I am speaking of is the yes to you, the yes to new experiences and adventures. There are plenty of reasons for No in that category but that is for a later article. I am also not sending you down the slippery slope that Jim Carrey took in <em><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1068680/">Yes Man</a></em>, when he said yes to everything and just about lost his mind. So, in no particular order here are 4 Ways that saying yes can add awesome things to your life.</p> <p>1. <strong>New Experiences</strong></p> <p>Saying yes to an invitation to try something new can give us a vital new experience in life. If you have a friend or family member that does something you have never tried like salsa dancing or golf and they invite you say YES. It doesn't mean that this will become your new passion but you will have the opportunity to have a new experience. The new experience can add rich dimension and color to your life.</p> <p>2. <strong>New Opportunities</strong></p> <p>Saying yes can put you smack in the middle of a new opportunity that you may have never connected with elsewhere. When you find yourself in a new environment, around new ideas and people you often come in to contact with an new opportunity. The opportunity could come in the form of a new job a new friend or a new skill learned. Maybe you went to play golf after saying YES and when you got there you began talking to someone that was looking for the expertise you had to offer. This type of thing happens all the time. Saying yes can help you be in the right place at the right time.</p> <p>3.<strong> New People</strong></p> <p>Saying yes to a last minute request added some awesome to my life. I volunteer with a great Tech Organization in Los Angeles called <a href="http://www.girlsintechla.org/">GirlsInTech</a>. They provide mentorship and outreach to girls to get them excited about careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering &amp; Mathematics.) One evening I got a last minute email asking if I was available to help at an event they were doing the following evening. Since I happened to have a free evening I said YES. When I was there, I met a great group of people, the event was at the Getty House which is the Los Angeles Mayors mansion. I also had the opportunity to meet the Los Angeles City Mayor Eric Garcetti. Do you see the power of YES now?</p> <p>4. <strong>New Way of Seeing The World</strong></p> <p>Saying yes to a volunteer opportunity helped me see the homeless population in a very new and real way. There is an awesome organization called the <a href="http://www.thegivingspirit.com/">Giving Spirit</a>, a small group of people that wanted to make a difference by providing essential survival items to the population of the Los Angeles homeless. During the holiday season, my little sister, cousin and I decided to make a day of helping distribute these bags throughout pockets of Los Angeles. We saw tent communities, young people without family on the street, &amp; smart educated hopeful people that were down on their luck. Yes, I have seen homeless people before but I had never seen them through the lense I did on that day. I saw our humanity in a deeper richer way. Saying yes gave me such an experience that I would have never gotten without it.</p> <p>So, go out in the world, soak it in, eat it up. There is so much wonder out there, Say YES my friends because I can guarantee you, your life will never be the same if you do.</p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/yes" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">yes</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/inspiration" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">inspiration</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/creativity" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">creativity</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/alphabets-of-life" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">alphabets of life</a></div></div></div> Sat, 30 Aug 2014 21:25:57 +0000 Shannon 12 at http://shannonmiller.me http://shannonmiller.me/2014/08/30/4-ways-that-saying-yes-can-add-awesome-things-to-your-life#comments Five ways to bring more creative inspiration into your life http://shannonmiller.me/2014/06/20/five-ways-to-bring-more-creative-inspiration-into-your-life <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>I don't need to tell you how hectic life can get, and how tired and uninspired we can become at times. We are often burning the candle at both ends and when we do, it can really sap our creativity and  negatively impact how we experience and see our world. The following short list are five ways to help you bring more creative inspiration into your life. These are five very simple things that I do that really help get me dialed back in to what matters most. The best part is they cost almost nothing and can be implemented whenever you need a little spark to help ad some creative inspiration back into your life. Each one of these five ways requires of you to disconnect from social media and find presence in the world around you.  In no particular order here are your Five ways to bring more creative inspiration into your life.</p> <p> <br /> </p><div class="media-element-container media-full"> <div id="file-67" class="file file-image file-image-png"> <h2 class="element-invisible"><a href="/file/67">feeling stuck.png</a></h2> <div class="content"> <span id="styles-9-0" class="styles file-styles large"> <img width="480" height="240" id="9" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.shannonmiller.me/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/feeling%20stuck.png?itok=SDOSyzBd" alt="" title="" /></span> </div> </div> </div> <p>1. <strong>Stop and explore something new just for the heck of it. </strong></p> <p>You know those signs you pass by on the way to work or in and around your town that indicate a point of interest? They often appear on the side a highway or in front of a place you may have driven by a million times before but have never taken the time to stop. My challenge to you is to STOP, take that exit, follow that sign and pull in to that park or monument. Most of the time these place don't even cost a penny to visit and I am not saying you need to stop for the day, you might just want to scope it out, read an information sign, learn something new and maybe even come back to explore in greater detail later.  I recently was on a long bike ride with a friend and we passed one of these signs on the side of the road. I suggested that we pull in and check it out and what we found was a beautiful surprise.  We found a ranch that had been there since the 1920's complete with old barns, Orange Orchards, lush tress, full rose bushes and spectacular grounds. The place was Orcutt Ranch in the San Fernando Valley near Los Angeles and my friend and I learned that it was home to a Mr. Orcutt that happened to be one of the Oil Pioneers in California and the discoverer of dinosaur fossils in the La Brea Tar Pits. That was something neither of us knew anything about prior and it only cost us a short detour from our ride and added and extra bit of fun to the entire day.</p> <p> </p><div class="media-element-container media-full"> <div id="file-8" class="file file-image file-image-jpeg"> <h2 class="element-invisible"><a href="/file/8">2014-06-10 12.15.21.jpg</a></h2> <div class="content"> <span id="styles-11-0" class="styles file-styles large"> <img width="360" height="480" id="11" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.shannonmiller.me/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2014-06-10%2012.15.21.jpg?itok=UwWEsdl-" alt="" title="" /></span> </div> </div> </div> <p>2.  <strong>Go Fly A kite... Literally</strong></p> <p>Be honest, when was the last time you remember flying a kite?  When is the last time you experienced the thrill of watching YOUR kite as it catches air and begins to sail up into the heavens. There is something so freeing and fun about the entire kite flying experience that even if it comes crashing back down to Earth you are eager and determined to grab that kite and get it flying again. I believe everyone should own a kite. It connects us to a simple and pure joy of wonder and imagination. It reminds us that if this piece of paper (or plastic) and sticks can soar then most certainly so can we. GO FLY A KITE.</p> <p>3.  <strong>Play With Kids Like A Kid</strong></p> <p>Chances are if you don't have your own children you have family members or friends that do.  As adults we often sit on the sidelines and watch the kids run around and play with glee. What kids often want is for us to join in the play and be engaged with them. Most kids love it if we get up off of our chairs and chase them around and goof off. Children have an imagination and creative nature that many of us tuck away as we get older and are consumed with the responsibilities of life. Children can teach us a great deal about reconnecting with that free and happy nature that we so desperately need in our daily life. To laugh for the sake of laughing and engage in the make believe can be a great boon of inspiration for us and it delights the kids in the process. Be silly, be open, be fun and go play.</p> <p> </p> <p>4. <strong>Make something</strong></p> <p>I know what you may be thinking, I am not good with my hands, I am not creative and I don't even know where I would begin with this request. The truth is, we all have a bit of Picasso in us all and it doesn't take great skill to reap the benefits of the simple pleasure and feeling of satisfaction you can get from making something. The internet is  a great inspiration for simple but fun projects so is your local arts and crafts store where you can wander the isles for inspiration. Arts &amp; craft stores  are piled high with kits to make everything from birdhouses to picture frames to you name it. Michael's Arts &amp; Crafts even has a section on their website called "Get Inspired" <a href="http://www.michaels.com/find-a-project/general-crafts-and-hobbies/815811949">http://www.michaels.com/find-a-project/general-crafts-and-hobbies/815811949</a> with fun projects you can do at home and most of them are very reasonable. Working with your hands is a great way to relax your mind, slow things down and enjoy the process of learning something new. If you have time to surf the web and post and like content on Facebook you have the time to unplug and go make something.  Now that all of your roadblocks have been removed go make something, your creative mind will thank you.</p> <p>5. <strong>Plant Something</strong></p> <p>You don't need to be a green thumb to go to your local home improvement center and find something to plant.  You can add some flowers to a garden or find a small container and plant some herbs. Most stores carry plants that are already growing and just need to be repotted to a more suitable container. This exercise is more about getting your hands dirty and cultivating something beautiful green and living in your life. Just like making something, it gives you time to step away from all the noise around us. We can reconnect with nature and focus on the magic and beauty that feed our bodies and our senses. During the Summer one of my favorite things to plant is a tomato plant, with a little TLC and watering you can get a plant full of these beautiful red globes and being able to pick your own tomatoes is truly delightful. The leaves of the plant and the fruit it bears smell like a tomato should and the taste blows away anything you will find in a traditional grocery store. It is a wonderful opportunity to learn something new and have something magical to bring to the table. I promise you, your hamburgers and salads will not taste the same. The plant will more than pay for itself and your friends and family will be excited to enjoy your homegrown tomatoes or be inspired by the color you just added to your life with new flowers. So go plant something!</p> <p>So there you have it, Five ways to bring more creative inspiration into your life and in doing one or more of these activities you just may bring some creative inspiration into someone else's life too, now imagine that.</p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/creativity" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">creativity</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/inspiration" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">inspiration</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/kites" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">kites</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/exploring" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">exploring</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/gardening" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">gardening</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/building" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">building</a></div></div></div> Fri, 20 Jun 2014 18:45:47 +0000 Shannon 8 at http://shannonmiller.me http://shannonmiller.me/2014/06/20/five-ways-to-bring-more-creative-inspiration-into-your-life#comments