Repossible

Make sure you download her “Seven easy ways to add more play into your life.“ I call it “enlightenment” and Louise calls is play. We’re both right. But I think her way is easier to understand, achieve, and…spell. Louise is onto something with her drive to get back to our inner child. From the description of “The Recess Life:” The Recess Life is the podcast that gets you back in touch with your inner child. Host Louise Wo will remind you that being an adult doesn’t mean that you stop playing. On The Recess Life she interviews entrepreneurs, entertainers, thought leaders and artists to help you connect with your creative spirit again (we promise it’s still in there somewhere!). “The Recess Life,” connecting with your inner creative, and playing with Louise Wo

It matters. Sure, there are factors like talent, time (and timing), patience, perseverance, and they’re all good and all important. But how much do you want it?

“Hey, why doesn’t somebody do this?” Oh, OK. I will. Just back from 20Booksto50K® writer’s conference and I think there’s a need for a nonfiction course/podcast/platform. Even if there isn’t such a need, I have a need. Since I believe in “Teach What You Want to Learn,” I should build it.

7 years later and we’re both patient, perseverant, and authors John Muldoon and Bradley Charbonneau inspired an author to keep going 7 years ago. He’s still going. Check out author MP MacDougall on Amazon.

Do you know where you’re going?

Paradise is not a place. But I know how to get there. The audiobooks is available right now from, among others, Chirp.

Lightning is overrated. The good stuff comes after the flash.

First, she wrote a book. Now she’s narrated it. Here’s an excerpt from her latest and greatest work: Drama: Solving teenage problems with meditation.

I had a coach. A mentor. An accountability partner. Crazy part is? He didn’t even know it. This week’s episode is sponsored by Spark Campfire where you can write a book in a month together with a young person and change your relationship forever. The secret? It’s a lot easier with someone leading the way. That someone, in case you’re looking, is me. Our guest next week is the Intermittent Fasting rockstar who might help you lose weight, achieve mental clarity, and benefit from a whole host of awesome sauce we hadn’t even imagined.

Having just set free two dreams in the books of my nieces 3 days ago, it’s time to ask the question. What dreams are still hiding in you? Here’s chapter three from Spark titled, “Message in a Bottle.” Enjoy.

My niece (the one writing the book called “Drama: Solving teenage problems with meditation”) has a book coming out next week. I’m sorry, did we all catch that? She’s 17. She has a book coming out next week. I’ve been helping her. It’s been fun, it’s been real, and it’s been really, really fun. But it’s been more than that. I’m going to read the foreword to her book (that I wrote) here. Enjoy. You can buy Madeline’s book on Amazon: Drama.

Here’s a little secret: not feeling proud of what you do? How about you help someone else do something and you can be proud of them. Oddly, you become even more proud yourself. In this week’s episode, I offer you the foreword to Taylor Dines’ upcoming book, “Escaping the Light.” I am so proud of her. I’m proud of us we’re almost there. We’re almost done. But as a writer, long-distance runner, or “successful” person knows, that first step is the hardest. We’ve taken the first step and part of it is in this episode. Taylor Dines is writing about how a 10-minute nap (with the aid of an eye mask) can boost your productivity, rejuvenate your energy, and is better than a 3-hour snooze. If you take her advice and start today, you could improve your health, deepen your sleep, and, who knows, live longer. — excerpt from “Escaping the Light” Escaping the Light

If you’re no longer at “an earlier age,” can you help someone who is? I posted in a (closed and private), 30,000+ member-strong Facebook group for writers about my experience with my nieces and writing their books. I was overwhelmed with the heartfelt responses. Here are a few snippets: This is wonderful. I helped my granddaughter who is 10 write her first story and posted it on my blog. She was so proud, and so was I. Congratulations! — Linda P. That is all kinds of awesome. — Tracey B. Wow. Congratulations. And might I say, both the ideas seem to be very proactive in general. I love that they have recognised problems of their age group or in general and want to help by putting forward a reasonable solution. Kids are much better human beings than adults. Thank you for this story. It tells us we still have hope for a better world. — Rubina K. I love this SO MUCH!! A brilliant gift & wonderful way to bridge the geographical & generational gap. Please do update us on their success! What an accomplishment & inspiration. — Loreen M. OK, this is a total win in my book! I’ve always said, the best gifts are experiences. They allow for memories to be created, and the bonds of love for family to grow stronger. — Rose C. That’s awesome. My friend’s 12yo wants to write a book and publish and I’m waiting for him to send me his work so I can help. This seems like an awesome way to hear the voices of our next generation. — Sheryl R. Waaa, I’m crying! — Corinna G. Awesome! My five-year-old daughter wants to publish this summer when she’s off school. She wants to write about her love for ? cats/kittens then my husband chimes in to make it like wonky donkey! Kitty Witty is so pretty… love what you did with your nieces! — Susan R. But one that hit me hard made me think back to when I was younger, a hungry young writer who knew he wanted to write but didn’t quite know what to do about it–and thus didn’t do “enough.” The full quote was: Kids always amaze me. People can have an idealized image of how children are, their intelligence, what they care about, but spend time with them and you’ll see they are aware and so bright.I wish I’d had someone to guide me through publishing at an earlier age, I’d probably be a lot further along than I am. — Sheila G. That one hit home. Kinda hard. At least I can help bring forth youth who might be where I was when I was searching way back when.

I got my nieces to record a few lines from their upcoming books. Drama. Teenagers. Meditation. Books coming out June 17. Is this fun or what? Escaping the Light Drama Escaping the Light Drama

Speaking to a group of older folks about how to live a long, joyful, and meaningful life. It’s not medicate but …

Stressed out in high school? Maddie Dines knows all about it–and how to tame the beast I thought high school was just football games on Friday nights, lettermen’s jackets, and milkshakes. Stress, drama, and teen challenges seem to be the new normal. What tools do we have to deal with them? Maddie Dines’s new book tells all.

I’m finally recording the audiobook for Spark. Here’s Chapter 1. At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.? — Albert Schweitzer

Travel, write. That’s about it. That’s my “worldly advice.” Oh, and make the decisions that are right for you. Need help with those decisions? Travel. Write. That will help. I swear. Now I need to head off into the sand dunes of the Sahara in the eastern part of Morocco. #willsharephotos

While driving, I figured out what the “real, no, real real” secret sauce of Spark Campfire was. It’s you. It’s me. It’s us. Spark Campfire is a month-long, hands-on, let’s-get-this-done-together workshop to write a book together with a younger person. [ https://repossible.teachable.com/p/spark ]

It’s not so much Now or Never as Now or Later. Now is nice. Here’s the video version: https://youtu.be/RRxq8HXIxIU

“Repossible” for me means to make something possible again. I probably hold him up in some kind of distant light start, up on a pedestal where he can do (and has done) no wrong, but Tony is one of my heroes. For my “Spark Campfire” course, I did a video the day before my friend Tony passed away. I recorded it to inspire anyone who might have thought they were too old to begin a project. Maybe for those who didn’t think they had any “daily creativity” in them. Or for those who think the best is behind them. He created daily. Whether art or drawing or sculpture or architecture. He was happy, funny, joyous, and full of admiration, curiosity, and grace. Here’s the audio from the video and here’s access to the (free preview) from the video from the course. I hope he brings a little bit of Repossible-style inspiration your way.

I have 2 secrets. I’ll tell you one of them.

I wasn’t planning on reversing the rotation of the planet. I really just wanted a croissant. I have a speech on Saturday. I’ve been working on it all week. The more I work on it, the better it gets. Funny how that happens. Here’s two stories of Unexpected Magic–and how you can turn a bad situation into a potentially good one.

I’m letting it all go in this episode. We cover quite a few topics and although I seem to skim through some, there’s some deep goodness in here. Is there always a silver lining? How meditation can increase your productivity, add jet fuel to your creativity, and save you hours per day. The plan for 2019: books, audio, video, talks, speeches, all media, one topic, Better Together, and it starts now. How much do dogs stress? What can we learn from it?

I’m ASKing for your feedback, insight, experience, desire, or opinion. Got one? Let’s talk. Outdoors for this one, morning in the forest, not the best audio. Hopefully, the clarity of thoughts cover over clearly through the wind in the trees.

I’m researching for my upcoming book “Ask.” I have Adwynna MacKenzie on the line and she’s saying we learn to no longer ask. We “grow up” and we’re supposed to know–or at least we think we’re supposed to know. Yet, the power of asking is the power beyond knowledge. Sure, you’ll probably get an answer, but the act of asking, in my humble opinion, leapfrogs you beyond just knowing. It’s learning, it’s sinking in, it’s admitting you don’t know, asking to know, knowing, and now it’s more than knowing. Adwynna says it better than I’m trying to summarize here. Listen to our conversation and ask me a question you’re (usually) afraid to ask in the comments. Some Snippets All of our upbringing is created to teach us to be independent. You bring in a bunch of independent people … group dynamics … disbands … independent people have a difficult time learning how to be interdependent. No one wants to admit that they don’t understand what they just got taught. They go into hiding, they don’t reach out for help because they think everyone else knows. Oh wow, it just didn’t land for me. I didn’t understand what she meant when she said … The earlier you reach out for help, the faster your completed project will happen. Let me see if I understand what you just said. Intro music by Charlie Lewis, “Never Going Home.”

More hidden benefits of Spark Campfire: accomplishment. When you’re a part of Spark Campfire, we’re going to get a book done. In a month. Together. Listen in to hear what my niece said about one of the things she’s looking forward to.

Erin is a master at building your body, calibrating your mind, and taking things you say and saying them back to you more succinctly and so that even you understand it better. She’s hosting a free interview series, but you have to sign up to get access. You can do so here: repossible.com/go/chicks. Power Chick Erin Attwood

This is what happens when I record in the morning. I’m clear, I’m energized, and I’m pretty much unstoppable.

We could just keep doing the stupid stuff that frustrates us every day. Or we could fix it and stop doing it. And free up that frustrated, annoyed, mad, sad, teary energy with something more along the lines of light, fluffy, hey-is-that-a-sesame-bagel morning stuff that’s going to start your day off so much better.

Running out of time today. Or is it this week? Is it Thursday already? I know I’ve done a lot, but I’m not sure what that is.

OK, fine. But what do you do about it? AvoidRunHesitateDo it anywayDo it because you’re scared I’m faced with a few things I’m scared of at the moment. Some you might be really scared of. Others less so. So what are you going to do with that scares you?

I don’t mean victims of a car jacking.

It’s the beginning of the year. Ready for a bit of a challenge? I was challenged today in just the way I needed to be. What is that saying: when the student is ready, the teacher appears?

We can discuss it forever or we could get started. We could even get a grasp on our Spark Campfire book project for February 2019 while in a busy ski lodge in northern Arizona during a snowstorm. Or we could wait. Until tomorrow. When we’re more ready. More prepared. When we have more time to make a big deal about it. Or we could just wing it.

This is a simpler, easier-to-understand version of “If you build it, they will come.”

It takes two (or more) people, certain elements, and exacting instructions.

You could ask directly. Or you could get clever.

I didn’t hit the 50,000-word goal of NaNoWriMo this month. But I won anyway. Here’s how.

I’m not interested in the product. I’m interested in the process. I don’t care as much about what you accomplished or even where you ended up–although it’s nice. I’m after how you get there and what you experienced along the way.

Is it stuck in a computer? Maybe in a drawer. The old collecting dust dilemma. Is there a way out?

It’s just a step. A little step. Right in front of you. One foot in front of the other. Standing still counts as zero. One step counts as one. Take the first step. This episode of the Repossible podcast is sponsored by “Spark: How to write a book with your kids–and why you should.” Today’s episode was inspired by Seth Godin’s post “A note from 2030.”

It actually is cold outside. Why do you do what you do?

It’s Thursday. It must be Repossible.

It’s a Greek dessert and an ancient Indian book. From an old colleague: “Among your other qualities, you’re indefatigable. Congratulations on this.”

Unless you’re a kid and go to a school where they require you to wear the same exact uniform to school every single day, you have a decision to make on a morning-by-morning basis.

If I don’t get the goose-bump factor when I’m reading it then I can’t do it.– ?Russell Crowe Just as you’re doubting the whole sombrero escapade, the hairs on the back of your neck start to tingle. I could throw loads of science your way backing up the numbers behind the decision-making trajectory and possibly wow you with all kinds of theories and books and research. Or the hairs on the back of your neck could stand up. I’m all for science. I’m a numbers guy, a math lover, a guy who often reads the manual. But then comes along gut feeling. When you just know. Or at least it feels like something is right (or wrong). It’s not provable, you can’t necessarily share the why or what or how, but it’s just there. I say this way too often in my books, but you can skip the rest of the chapters and go with this one if you’d like. That gut feeling? Those hairs on your neck? Goosebumps? To me, those are the indicators that defy logic. The telltale signs of something larger at play. I’m not saying you have to believe me. I’m only asking that you keep an open mind. The next time you have that feeling—and you know what it is, however it comes your way—take note of it. Take a moment and think about whatever it was that you just did caused something in your body to do something. Take that confidence, that feeling of goodness and hold onto it because we’re about to head into the section of the book called doubt.

By a knockout. Hoping, wanting, dreaming, wishing, pleading, begging, whining, hoping. These are just a handful of the actions you undertake, whether consciously or unconsciously before you decide. I often think in mathematical terms, charts, and line graphs. I see all of those actions or beliefs or thoughts as heading downwards. Sure, you might think that hope is ascending in that you are hoping for something better what sounds pretty much like ascending to me, but I see it as a short-term ascension. If you’re only hoping and hoping and hoping there is no plateau there is no resting place summit of the mountain where, guess what, you make the decision to then either stop or descend or ascend. Maybe this is only my personal interpretation of the word but I see hope, again if you allow me to use something like a line graph, as somewhere way down there. It’s more of basic needs or survival or crawling out of desperation than it is ascending from, let’s say, a four to a six or an eight to a nine on a scale of 10. Hope, in terms of numbers, is something that I see as low down possibly even in the negative, let’s say from minus two to a plus one. Don’t get me wrong, a minus two to a plus one is an increase of three and also pulling us out of the negative. But this is where I no longer want to use hope as my ladder but move on to more efficient, effective, uplifting, and positive means of ascending further. Hope is the kindergartner who dreams of playing kickball at recess. The decision, which can either crush or enlighten, comes from the teacher who tells the children what the game of the day is. Although possibly a bit of a stretch, the decision could be made by the kindergartner who chooses to create his own kickball game after school on his own terms. Hope, therefore, can be a good place to start but is a stepping stone and not the goal. Hope might open up the door to the next level of understanding and action which then could very well be the decision to decide. Decide: When you change your mind, you change your mind

As an author, I talk about my books with friends.* But a little-known secret is that I haven’t finished the books yet and I’m doing research for the upcoming book by talking about it. Here I not-so-accidentally drag my entrepreneurial rockstar friend into letting me know how Jeff Bezos sees things. Don’t forget that “the vast majority of decisions are reversible.” I talk with an old pal of mine and it gets me content worth two chapters of my upcoming book. So I got that going for me. Which is nice. * And, of course, complete strangers. If they’ll listen.

I could be completely wrong about this, but I believe we all have an inner voice or we can call it our subconscious self or it’s actually fine to call it or relate to however you want. But I think something is there, something is in there and when we are connected with it, when we are aligned with it, following it, allowing ourselves to be pulled by it, then things are easier, more meaningful, and, dare I say, effortless. If you’d like the transcript from this episode, it’s over on Pass the Sour Cream. This is an excerpt from the book “Decide,” published October 17, 2018. Decide: When you change your mind, you change your mind