Igniting Your Passion

On numerous occasions I have had lively conversations with clients about their passions, dreams, and goals. When people talk about taking that cruise across the Mediterranean, or wanting to achieve success by getting that managerial job in an established corporate company, their eyes light up, and their inner child takes over. We all have passions. For some it could be cooking, fashion designing or traveling. When we know our passions there is no reason to hold back, or to think that it's impossible to make it a reality. All things are possible.

We are truly are our own worst enemy, and our perspective on how we view life, and set goals is so important to achieving success. By tapping into our passions, and taking stock of our talents, resources, and skills, our dreams can become real. There are so many people who we can look to for inspiration who have used their life passion and talents to achieve success, and reap many rewards. Tiger Woods is one great example in the sports world. No one can come close to what he has achieved in the sport of golf with the combination of his passion and natural talents. Chris Gardner, a man who was homeless and had the responsibility of taking care of a young son, is a fabulous inspiration to all of us. He used his passion for the excitement of Wall Street, and his raw talents and intelligence to overcome many challenges and obstacles. By doing so, he achieved phenomenal success. Today he is a millionaire and a role model to us all, not to mention an author of the top seller, The Pursuit of Happyness.

I encourage and challenge you all to find that passion in your life--regardless of your age, perceived physical limitations, or ethnicity--and use it to ignite a spark in your life journey that will keep you chasing it until your dream is realized. And remember to never give up. Winners never quit.

Where are the leaders in our communities??

Well things have really started heating up in Toronto, not only the weather. It looks like it will be a hot summer with all the violence and shooting that is plaguing some of our urban communities.

The fact that we have so much violence is really disturbing. Where are all the leaders in our communities, and why are so many people passive in getting involved to make our communities a safe place to live and work? We need to truly speak up as a group and get serious by holding elected politicians accountable for the promises they make and the positions they hold. Otherwise there is no urgency on their part to do what needs to be done—let’s be honest.

Over the last few weeks I have been to some local community meetings, and I have to say the turnouts have been horrible. It seems that it always takes one or two people to speak up before other people will follow. I guess there are more followers than leaders in our society. The leadership in our communities is lacking severely and we all need to play our part in improving society. It’s our social responsibility. There are so many ways of getting involved in our communities that excuses cannot be made. Participation is required in numerous organizations and grass-roots groups, and there's even the opportunity of starting your own group by taking a positive initiative.

I personally know of friends who are very active in the community. These pace setters have kids, jobs—in some cases two jobs—but are passionate about the community they live in and want the best for everyone. As teachers, parents, coaches and citizens we owe it to the younger generations to show them what it means to be a positive member of your community, through example, such as volunteering in the community we live in. We can’t expect the future generations to know what leadership is if we don’t show them now.

I have decided to hold myself accountable to become more active in my community. A few years back I was very active and involved in many events happening around the city. Once again I feel compelled to play my part in being a leader in my community, and I challenge all of my readers to think of ways they can make their community safer, provide badly needed programs, and create a great place to be proud of.

Remember passivity leads to nothing, but inaction. Let’s not have our too polite, not-wanting-to-offend-anyone Canadian attitude stop us from taking action for the betterment of our community.

Goal Enforcer

Hi Carol, I looked at GoalEnforcer.com. Thanks for telling me about this interesting site. I'll check it out. Tim

Seize the day ahead with a postive attitude

I'm sure all of us at some point has had those thoughts or dreams of pursuing a career change, taking that once in a lifetime vacation, or just doing something fun to break up the boring everyday routine of life. What stands in our way is other people, ourselves or just plain old fear. Fear is a nasty thing that can hinder people from moving forward. As a personal coach, working with people's fears is a real thing--it can be a temporary obstacle to achieving goals.


The thought of knowing that life is too short and that missed opportunities can't be brought back is enough for me to wake up each morning and seize the day ahead with a positive mind set, and believe nothing is really standing in my way to getting what I want for myself but negativity. Setting realistic goals, persistence and being accountable to someone are some of the best steps towards achieving those goals that would be life changing.


One of my favourite quotes that motivates me when I need that extra kick to get things moving in my life is the following:
Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement, nothing can be done
without hope and confidence.


Helen Keller