Magic for Your Monday: Bold Steps for Living Your Dreams

by Tess

Today is “Magic Monday.” Leave the best comment and receive a free copy of “Zen To Done” by Leo Babauta of Zen Habits 

A few bold lessons I’ve learned from Leo Babauta:

Decide on your most important 3 tasks of the day and commit to getting them finished. Turn off your phone, emails, twitter etc. until all is completed. You’ll be amazed at what you accomplish.

Do something to inspire yourself especially when you’re in a rut. Find others who have gone before you and imitate them. Read inspirational stories. Leo also “Googles his goals!” This alone will  get your juices going. 

Be passionate. Talk to others about your hopes and dreams. Read about the stories of others who have been successful. Visualize your outcome. Never think or speak of doubt. Leo’s wife is his biggest supporter!

Commit publicly. In the past Leo has posted his workout schedule for running marathons and his food plan while losing weight. Not only does this hold him accountable it gives others hope as well.
I’m running a half marathon in Atlanta, Ga with my daughter in March. Watching Leo’s progress made me want to run again after taking 18 months off.

Help Others. Many people become successful and forget where they came from. They reach is for only people on the higher rung on the ladder. Not Leo. If I put up a blog about “people Leo helped along the way” Iwould have enough to write about for at least a year.

Get rid of clutter and simplify your life. This changes the energy in your home, car, office, and mind. After decluttering and simplifying you have room for new ideas, family, and your most important tasks. Too much stuff no longer has the power to weigh you down.

I’m happy to be a part of the Zen Habits community where you can learn about family, relationships, simplicity, productivity, happiness or how to be a successful blogger.  Today Leo has 93,400 subscribers. 

Leo has to two ebooks for sale and also a brand new book “The Power of Less.”

Today the person who leaves the best comment on my blog will receive a free copy of Leo’s ebook “Zen to Done” which is otherwise for sale on his blog.

Please join The Bold Life for free and receive my free ebook, How to Be Bold. Please share this post with a Tweet and a Like.

TAKE YOUR FEAR AND SHOVE IT!

This course will show you how to face and erase fear in any difficult situation you face.

Go beyond doubt, excuses and worries Positively anticpate your future Find meaning, happiness and success

Click here to learn more!

FREE Guide
How to Be Bold
Get Over Your Fear and
On With Your Life!

Related Posts

    { 20 comments… read them below or add one }

    Lance February 22, 2009 at 4:18 pm

    Hi Tess,

    What’s jumping out at me here – the idea of committing publicly. For a couple of years, I was a member (still am) of an online fitness community, where I posted my workout goals, and workouts as I completed them. By committing publicly – two things happened. First, in doing this publicly – I felt more of an obligation to keep at it – especially when I knew there were others out there helping to hold me accountable. And second – in publicly displaying my results – I saw them staring me in the face (or not, if I missed a workout) – of where I was in relation to where I desired to be.

    And through this whole process – I reached the best physical condition of my life – and I attribute a big part of that to making this all public. There were no walls I could hide behind. The numbers spoke for themselves.

    Good luck in the half marathon this spring Tess! I’ll be cheering you and your daughter on. And me? I am planning to do a triathlon again this year, after taking last summer off. That means I’m going to have to find some pool time pretty soon!!

    Lance’s last blog post..Sunday Thought For The Day

    Reply

    Daphne February 22, 2009 at 7:42 pm

    Tess, your blog is taking on a very bold feel lately, and I love it! I love your bold way of offering prizes for participation, your bold way of being very clear what you recommend to your readers and why, and the bold direction this blog is taking. It makes me want to be bold with my blog too!

    Daphne’s last blog post..Just Keep Showing Up

    Reply

    Trey - Swollen Thumb Entertainment February 23, 2009 at 1:19 am

    Tess,

    When I was new to the blogging game, Leo was the first blogger that really caught my eye. Right now, I’m more in touch with the “personal development” crowd that follows blogs such as his than I am with other crowds. It is SO uplifting to be amongst such productive, positive, proactive people. (PPPP).

    These are all great tips. I like the one about simplfying your goals to 3 a day. That’s an easy task to accomplish. And when you think about it, thats 21 goals a week, or 93 goals a month, or 1092 goals a year! Behold the power of less!

    Helping others is great as well. Whether you believe in Karma, divine intervention, or just the goodness of humanity, it’s hard to dispute that when you do good for others, it will eventually come back to you. I believe very firmly in this. Ask yourself, “What can I do to help someone else today?” And try to put yourself in their position. Imagine how happy you would be to receive the goodwill that you have the power to give! People WILL remember it when you do this.

    Trey – Swollen Thumb Entertainment’s last blog post..The Definition of “Artist”

    Reply

    Donna February 23, 2009 at 2:13 am

    Thanks for a great article Tess!
    Thanks for posting it on Facebook so I could find it. It is awesome that you spreading such powerful and positive messages in the world.

    I have just linked this article to my Growing Wings Program for the participants to read and will also link to it from my website.

    Thanks

    Wishes and Magic
    Donna
    P.S. Serendipity!

    Reply

    Charles February 23, 2009 at 2:59 am

    Hello Tess,

    It is all about our mindset.
    A clear focused mind can and will accomplish great things.
    This is a portion off my article about eliminating cluttering for a life changing experience.

    “STUFF” Overdosed! – Have You?
    We are all about “STUFF”!
    Yes you are, or you would not be here.

    I got STUFF, you got STUFF. We all got “STUFF”.
    Want to see my STUFF? OK, show me your STUFF first.
    Wow, you do have a lot of STUFF!
    I don’t know but I think I have more STUFF than you.
    Maybe, but my STUFF is better than your STUFF.

    For the person who is ready to declutter their home, “GET RID OF YOUR STUFF!”

    NO MORE STUFF! STOP BUYING ANY MORE STUFF.

    REPEAT AFTER ME:

    I AM GOING TO STOP TODAY FROM BUYING ANYMORE “STUFF”!

    I AM GOING TO START SELLING OFF MY STUFF (Especially things I DO NOT NEED )

    I AM GOING TO GIVE AWAY MY STUFF.

    I AM GOING TO THROW AWAY MY USELESS TYPE STUFF.

    I AM GOING TO AGREE THAT “STUFF” IS A VERY BAD FIVE LETTER WORD!

    Now you are on your way to an uncluttered home, room and best, an uncluttered mind.

    It will be unbelievable the reward you will feel when you achieve your goal.

    One last thing, the most important mindset of all!

    DO NOT say you are going to “TRY”.

    DO SAY: You are going TO DO IT!

    Just by saying the word “TRY” really means you can fail and it is OK because you tried, and you are not going to achieve your goal.

    NO TRY! – DO or DO NOT.

    Make the positive choice today and Yes, JUST DO IT!

    Best for the Week,

    Charles

    Reply

    Annie February 23, 2009 at 8:29 am

    I think my biggest struggle is decluttering. I know that once I get rid of anything on the kitchen counters, in my car, or anywhere else I always feel better. Like a big, heaving weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. Home becomes a refuge instead of a prison.

    It’s just hard to keep things from piling up. I’m going to try and simplify this week, one step at a time.

    Reply

    Suzi February 23, 2009 at 12:08 pm

    20+ years ago, before “Less is the New More” was popular, before “Minimalist Mentality” was the buzz, I was crafting a simple, family focused, life. In the sub-urban area & culture I lived in, I was labeled as having no drive, as being lazy (except by those adorable little old ladies that had great grand children and understood the value of fleeting time).

    10 years later, all kinds of stories were cropping up in the newspapers hero-izing all kinds of people that had “had it all and had given it up for the simple life”.

    I thought to myself, “What about those of us that decided to start out with a simple life?”

    It was my desire it earn and learn with my children, and for may years I was able to home school my children, and be self employed. While things were often tight financially, we learned to be appreciative of what we had, and care for what we had so it would last. We learned the value of time together. Together we learned to work and be interdependent, an idea that has still not yet come into its own. We learned to shop at second hand stores, and how to mend clothing and make garments too! My sons as well as my daughter all sew, crochet, knit, cook very well, can change their own flat tire, and change their own oil! My daughter even replaced a fender on an old junker car she bought with money she earned herself! She went to the junkyard, and searched out what she needed, and drug it home and swapped it out all by her self! Both of my sons have won favor and attention with their culinary skills, and the fact that they actually know how to tie a real tie! My children have listened to classic literature as I have read aloud to them, and can even enjoy and appreciate old black and white classic movies. We have never had cable, and internet at home has been on and off again, as the “deals” make it reasonable. We play board games, on Sunday afternoons, and we talk in the car. We cook together, we laugh together.

    These are some of the simple life pleasures that I feel seem to have gone by the wayside these days! Kudos to those that have kept the spirit alive! The value is immeasurably emmense!

    Reply

    Alik Levin | PracticeThis.com February 23, 2009 at 1:07 pm

    “Commit publicly” is definitely my favorite. One of the reasons behind my blog. When I commit publicly it serves a forcing function for me to achieve the result.

    Alik Levin | PracticeThis.com’s last blog post..Consultant Arrives To Base Camp

    Reply

    Tess The Bold Life February 23, 2009 at 3:11 pm

    Lance,
    Posting publicly is the same as writing down your goals. It makes it real and powerful. Partly because it’s impossible to kid yourself.
    Good luck on training for the triathlon. I know you’ll keep us posted.

    Daphne,
    Yes that’s me bold. I think today we can’t afford not to be. I think it’s a great idea to be bold on your blog as well!

    Trey,

    I never thought about figuring it out that 3 goals a day would be 21 goals a week etc. No wonder Leo and his followers are so successful! The power of less is right!

    Donna,
    Thanks so much for your compliments and help. I appreciate it all!

    Charles,
    Thanks for sharing your article. It’s humorous and true. In fact it makes not getting rid of stuff look ridiculous.

    Suzi,
    How proud you must be of the job you did raising your wonderful children and proud of your children themselves. What you have given them are priceless gifts like no others!

    Alik,
    Thanks for stopping by. Without your commitment we wouldn’t have your very informative blog making an impact on all those who read it.

    Tess The Bold Life’s last blog post..Magic for Your Monday: Bold Steps for Living Your Dreams

    Reply

    Jannie Funster February 24, 2009 at 10:05 am

    Is it still Monday?

    You know, as to the admitting publicly thing, I do believe my blog is largely responsible for keeping me on track with what it is I say I want to do with my music. A few months ago Patricia’s Wisdom got me thinking when she asked “How do you share your music?” And from there I started taking real steps to get me going.

    “Never think or speak of doubt. ” If I still had a square inch of un-tattooed flesh on me, this would be my next one.

    (Okay , so I don’t even have one tattoo.) Did I have you visualizing there for a minute?

    But this will be my heart’s tattoo… Never think or speak of doubt.

    Maybe my mantra? Repeat it 100 times daily?

    Never think or speak of doubt.
    Never think or speak of doubt.
    Never think or speak of doubt.

    etc…

    THANK YOU!!

    And as to your comment on my blog, I too have procrastinated on Twitter. Maybe you and I could be buddies to get ourselves into that??

    Jannie Funster’s last blog post..Trout-fishing hip waders!

    Reply

    Tess The Bold Life February 24, 2009 at 10:30 am

    Lance,
    It’s amazing what committing publicly does for one. I’m excited about your up coming tri and look forward to many posts on the training and event. You know you’ll inspire everyone!

    Daphne,
    You go and be big and bold on your blog and let me know how I can help out!

    Trey,

    I’ve never thought about how 3 things a day adds up. That’s a entire new article!

    Donna,
    Thanks for stopping by! I love your blog and can only imagine the fun you bring to others lives.

    Charles,
    Thanks for adding to my blog. Oh my, you make stuff humorous. It really touches on how silly it all is.

    Annie,
    I hear you. When I began living in a clean car I found that if I didn’t eat or drink in my car it was magically neat. Now I know that’s not always possible. The other thing is everything I brought in my car I began taking out on the same day.

    Suzi,
    What an amazing life with your family. How proud you must be of yourself and all of them. Congratulations on such an accomplishment.

    Alik,
    I agree and you have a great blog and meet a big need these days.

    Jannie,
    Ha Ha you did have me imagining the tatoos even though I have seen your photo many times. Ha!

    Yes I love that mantra. It has stopped me in mid thought and words many times. You go girl. I enjoy watching you succeed.

    Tess The Bold Life’s last blog post..Magic for Your Monday: Bold Steps for Living Your Dreams

    Reply

    Sara B. Healy February 24, 2009 at 12:10 pm

    Tess — I should have read this yesterday as I had one of those Mondays when I couldn’t seem to get anything done. Of the items on your list, the one that jumped out at me was about getting rid of clutter. I just looked around my house and I have way too much clutter and it’s really BUGGING me! I’ve been telling myself to work on this, but never seem to get to it.

    So, today in this comment, I am MAKING THE COMMITMENT to spend at least an hour a day to rid my house of clutter.

    Thanks for the post!

    Sara B. Healy’s last blog post..Addicted to being a Somebody

    Reply

    Tess The Bold Life February 24, 2009 at 12:31 pm

    Lance,
    I look forward to hearing about and watching your progress with this summer’s triathlon.

    Daphne,
    I encourage you to be bold with your blog. Is there anything I can do to help?

    Trey,
    I never thought about how 3 goals a day would add up. No wonder Leo has been so successful!

    Donna,
    I like your blog! You must reach a lot of people with your playfulness and magic. It’s what we all need today!

    Charles,
    You make too much stuff sound and look ridiculous and yes it is!

    Suzi,
    How proud you must be of your accomplishments and your wonderful family. Yeah!

    Alik,
    Thanks for stopping by. I know your blog will be a success. You’ve got great content.

    Jannie,
    Yes I did visualize the tatoos! Even though I saw your photo before!
    I look forward to watching you succeed as a musician.

    Sara,

    Yes do get rid of clutter. It affects each area of your life in a positive way.

    Tess The Bold Life’s last blog post..Magic for Your Monday: Bold Steps for Living Your Dreams

    Reply

    Eric Hamm February 24, 2009 at 6:23 pm

    Tess/Leo: Thanks for the great new series as well as excellent insight on simplicity.

    My biggest struggle with simplicity is not listening to my ‘excited moments’. What I mean is that I tend to simplify my life by making the necessary changes and then undo much of my progress when I get excited about something and either make that purchase that I shouldn’t have or hoard items/activities that I have no need for and/or don’t add anything positive to my life.

    Leo seems to have this down pat. Thanks for the reminder, Leo, and Tess, for opening your blogs doors to excellent ideas that encourage and inspire. Eric

    Eric Hamm’s last blog post..Learn To Love Your Career

    Reply

    LifeMadeGreat | Juliet February 24, 2009 at 9:59 pm

    Hi Tess

    Great way to invite some good comments! Congratulations on that!

    I’m in too minds about the “commit publically”. Perhaps it is mainly because I am scared to admit failure (should the outcome be less than desired ). I am not going to argue the term “failure” here. So, let’s move onto my two minds:

    The first is obviously the “incentive to succeed” that the public interest creates.
    The second, is that sometimes sharing one’s dreams or desires with others can take away some of their impetus. If the people are not supportive and provide negative feedback, it can be counter-productive.
    I know we shouldn’t be affected by others’ opinions, but, possibly equally, we should have the inner strength to achieve by ourselves and our own conviction.

    Juliet

    LifeMadeGreat | Juliet’s last blog post..Getting What You Ask For

    Reply

    Robin February 25, 2009 at 3:32 am

    Hi there Tess

    I certainly find being uncluttered and living simply works for me – I have never had a huge number of possessions – or “stuff”.

    I personally prefer not to tell others of my goals – I like to demonstrate them by doing them!

    Cheers – Robin

    Robin’s last blog post..The Fountain Of Youth Gets An Update!

    Reply

    Tess February 27, 2009 at 7:40 am

    Donna,
    I appreciate your help. I checked out your blog and love it. Magic and wishes back!

    Charles,
    Thanks for sharing. You make stuff humorous! If people would figure out how to be creative in their free time maybe they wouldn’t be out buying so much stuff!

    Annie,
    About 10 years ago I finally had enough of car clutter. I stopped eating in my car and cleared half of it and then I made a point to take what ever I brought in my car out at the end of the day!
    Sounds like you’re on the right track!

    Suzi,
    What a great accomplishment parenting has been for you. You must be so proud of your children! What a blessing you have given the world.

    Alik,
    I agree. I think your success with your blog is fantastic. I wish you well and thanks for stopping by.

    Jannie,
    Yes I pictured your tatoos and I even have seen your photo on your blog and knew better. Ha! I’m so happy about the music you bring to the world.

    Sarah,
    With that commintment you should have no clutter in no time!
    Good luck and never give up!

    Eric,
    I understand. It’s human nature. Keep on keepin on!

    Juliet,
    Interesting thoughts. It helps to make sure who you share your dreams with is on your side! I love support.

    Robin,
    Good for you for keeping life simple. Well demonstration is certainly the key!

    Reply

    Liara Covert February 27, 2009 at 1:54 pm

    Leo’s blog inspires human beings to rediscover the power of simplicity in whatever they do. As a writer, he encourages individuals to move beyond their comfort zones to experience what its like to stretch capacities, shatter myths and reasons for fear. Happiness has nothing to do with where you live or what you have, but how you think and feel at this moment.

    Liara Covert’s last blog post..5 Tips to move beyond intimidation

    Reply

    Patricia February 27, 2009 at 7:18 pm

    I have made a list for the next 40 days of what I am going to accomplish – that is coming out on my blog posts and is also on a big sheet of paper above my desk. At least in my public space is a very good thing for me.

    I do pick 5 things to get done each day and by golly I am getting them all done, except for back to swimming yesterday…my body just said a loud NO and so I went for a walk in the snow instead.

    I did visualize Jannie with tattoos….then I remembered seeing her picture….that gal just keeps me laughing which is also good for helping me get things accomplished.

    Any good suggestions for pain relief? This one is really over the top and hanging around far too long?

    Patricia’s last blog post..It’s NOT all in your Head

    Reply

    cayseruhrichcyg May 24, 2009 at 3:40 pm

    IndyCar Series Driver Danica Patrick talks about modeling for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition.
    Danica Patrick 20Q Playboy Interview or just follow the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZYb4m1nY4g
    You MUST SEE it, this girl really HOT!!!

    Reply

    Leave a Comment

    CommentLuv badge