Archive for Inspiration

MLK

What is Your Dream?

by Edie Galley
January 16th, 2012

Martin Luther King, Jr. had a dream, do you? Today we celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. Another holiday of no school, no work, parades and less traffic. All of that is great but it is much more than that, it is the celebration of the life of a man who had a dream, who believed in his dream so much he was willing to risk his life to pursue it. As a result, he changed the world for every one of us.

He had a dream and he took massive action on it. He did not sit back and worry about the “what ifs” (and there were many), he did not wait for others to tell him how he should or should not do it (because plenty would have), he did not wait to see what others were doing first before he got started (because he probably never would have started). Martin Luther King, Jr. had a dream and he did everything he possibly could to pursue it.

Today, as we celebrate the life of an amazing man who had the courage to pursue his dream and change the world, what about you, what about your dream? Are you taking action on your dream or are you letting “what ifs” stop you? Are you listening to others tell you what is right or do you believe in your dream so much you are willing to put your life on the line like Martin Luther King, Jr. did?

Your dream does not have to be one that changes the world. If it is the dream in your heart, it is a very important dream. Martin Luther King, Jr. is a true example that you can make your dreams come true, even if you have no idea how it is possible.

So what is YOUR dream and what are you going to do about it?

Categories Beliefs, Courage, Entrepreneur, Goals, Inspiration, Success
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challengesiStock

Have You Challenged Yourself Today?

by Edie Galley
October 28th, 2011

Challenges are not just about things happening that we don’t like. When is the last time you challenged yourself to do something you haven’t done, step out a little further, think a little bigger.

Recently I challenged myself to give up caffeine and it was a major challenge for me. I struggled through days of headaches not to mention the desire just to drink a cup of tea. I normally drank six to twelve cups of tea a day so it was not a small habit, many times I was tempted to give up and not see it through. I could even think of several “reasons” it was better if I just went ahead and drank the tea. I didn’t though and I am thankful for that. It has been weeks now, my headaches are gone, my blood pressure has gotten even lower, and my energy even higher just for starters. The challenge was a big one that was definitely worth it.

Challenges do not always have to be big though, any challenge to do something more than you did the day before can lead to a bigger impact or a healthier life.

So how about you, how can you challenge yourself today?

Categories Coaching, Courage, Goals, Inspiration, Personal Development
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SAMSUNG

How Do the Little Things Make Such A Big Difference?

by Edie Galley
October 19th, 2011

Just returning from attending an event hosted by Dixie “Dynamite” Gillaspie in St. Louis this weekend I sat down to catch up on some of my favorite blogs and read the following phrase: “quite often it’s the obscure things that we do…that we don’t even notice…that are meaningful and memorable to others…” this saying, from one of my new favorite blogs by Jane Carroll, a dear and inspiring friend, really got me to thinking about the weekend and an incredible thing that happened. It seemed like such a small thing unfolding, kind of like the phrase above, it really wasn’t a part of the big picture, yet it made a huge impact.

One of the other attendees had spoken with one of the presenters, Tom Ruwitch, who happened to remember meeting him just over two years ago. Tom being the amazing person he is started the conversation by asking about the project he had been working on at that time. Yes, Tom remembered the details of a project of someone he had not seen or spoken with in over two years. In fact, the attendee himself had actually forgotten the project. Today, he was at a point where he was struggling with how to put together what he was doing with what he loved, that was one of his motivations for even attending this event. Once Tom reminded him of the project it was a total lightbulb moment; he now knew exactly how it all fit together and what he wanted to do. His vision had returned, he was excited and completely focused. Amazing isn’t it? Something so small as remembering a detail about the other person totally impacted their life.

This had nothing to do with what Tom was presenting on, his specialty is marketing, yet Tom wasn’t thinking about himself or what was in it for him. Two years ago when he met the attendee he took the time to really listen for a few seemingly insignificant moments and those few moments would eventually make a tremendous impact.

Sometimes it’s the little things we do that make the biggest difference, has this ever happened to you?

Categories Business Building, Coaching, Courage, Entrepreneur, Goals, Inspiration, Networking, Personal Development, Relationships, Success
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standout4istock

Are You Afraid to Standout?

by Edie Galley
September 1st, 2011

Are you trying to fit in, do it the way everyone else is doing it, the way it “should’ be done, the way that works?

Have you been watching all the expert videos, reading all the blogs, trying to follow all the rules? I am sure you have gotten a lot of great information which can be helpful. There comes a time when you need to trust and follow your own ideas and directions even if they are different than what everyone says “should” be done.

What if Microsoft listened to IBM or Apple listened to Microsoft. What if Facebook listened to MySpace or Google+ to Facebook?

How about the thirty-three year employee at Ford who said of Tesla ”you just cannot do that?” What if Rachel Ray listened to Martha Stewart, do you think she would have told her she would do what she did?

Do you ever feel like you just don’t fit in, there is something about you that is different?  Do you have the courage to trust yourself? How could you be using your difference to stand out and make an impact?

Categories Beliefs, Courage, Entrepreneur, Goals, Inspiration, Personal Development, Success
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challengesiStock

How have you challenged yourself today?

by Edie Galley
August 29th, 2011

You can do more than you think you can.

Have you tried this simple exercise before?

Raise your hand as high as you can.   (Go ahead, try it.)

Now raise your hand even higher.

Were you able to raise your hand higher?

Most people find a way to do so, especially if they’re in a group of other people who are all raising their hands even higher.

The fact is, we usually can do more than we initially think we can. We underestimate our abilities, or we overestimate just exactly how much effort we’re really putting into things already.

How can you go a little further today? Do something different, step outside your comfort zone in an area you want more today?

Lately, I have been challenging myself when I workout and I always find I can do a little more even when I think I can’t almost every time.

This same concept applies to any area of life we want to change or improve our results in. I am making a commitment to apply it in at least one other area that I want better results in and I will post on this in future blogs.

How can you challenge yourself today?

 

Categories Beliefs, Courage, Goals, Inspiration, Personal Development, Success
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failureNO

What Happens When You Fail?

by Edie Galley
August 13th, 2011

So many things we don’t try for fear of failing. Often getting caught up in the what ifs.

This week Diana Nyad “failed” to accomplish her goal of being the first to swim from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage.

This was no small goal, Diana is 61 years old, it took two years of planning and training and many people involved to make it happen. Her journey is totally inspiring.

 

When we imagine failing to reach our goal we often imagine the absolute worst situation. Her attitude after ending this quest is as inspiring as the journey itself. I was brought to tears at the end of this video, when Diana is not at all caught up in what was her journey or goal, she is busy supporting others around her, she is one amazingly courageous woman!

Did she fail? Her goal was to swim from Cuba to Florida and she didn’t accomplish that, she did however accomplish so many things that would not have happened otherwise; it shows just how much success can come from failing. While she may feel disappointment at not reaching the goal, the biggest disappointment would be in never having tried.  Accomplishing a goal is not always about just reaching the goal even when you do. It is about the person you become in order to reach it and all the impact you make in working toward it.  What will you step out and do?

Categories Beliefs, Coaching, Courage, Goals, Inspiration, Personal Development, Success
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