Day 15 Fashion Fashion and Fashion Oh My!!

Just to set the record straight, my intention is to win the bally bag!! What a fantastic and wonderful day today was - work was spent over looking the opera house and harbour bridge, followed by an amazing night of celebrating the beauty, creativity and wonder of fashion. Tonight I was invited to Bally's store event which allowed me the privilege of meeting Ruby Rose and Kate Ritchie, not to mention a bunch of really cool and amazing people who were out simply to enjoy a night of music, laughs and excitement.

As I allowed tonight to wash over me, all I could do was appreciate how important it is to spend time in environments that are beautiful and where people are passionate about celebrating life in what ever way they do. The level of creativity and gratitude that welled up in me was fantastic all because I was in the right environment. In a few short hours I got to experience emotions such as love, inspiration, abundance, joy and connection with others, simply because the energy of everyone else was so positive and happy.

Today's lesson has been to place value and importance on beauty, luxury and the non necessary. At the risk of being totally misunderstood, I would say that it's a vital key to living a passionate life to find places that allow your soul to sing - whether that be a beach, a rain forest or in the heart of a busy and thriving shopping mall enjoying a delicious chocolate Gold mini cake.  Its the old saying - make sure you take time to 'smell the roses', and allow a little bit of magic to find it's way into your everyday.  There is so much value to be had with such a simple act!

So with that I would like to end tonight's post with a massive thank you to Vogue's Fashion Night Out - thank you for awakening in me a love of life and of people. Thank you to the fashion industry for making such beautiful and amazing things and Thank you to Ruby Rose for being such a cool chic!!

XOXO
Passion Project
PS There are two photos for tonight - one of the amazing and gorgeous mini cupcakes that Bally had as well as the beautiful DJ that was playing some amazing beats!! Until next year!!
PPS The other exciting experience I had tonight was that I got asked by a promoter if I was a fashion blogger - I should have told her about the Passion Project!!

Day 14 - Change it or Accept it - no matter what celebrate it

Today's blog is going to be a little backwards and I ask that you go with it - I'm going to practice first what I am about to preach. I am so excited and want to share with you the successes that I have achieved in these last ten days. Firstly I got a promotion, how cool is that? with a pretty good pay rise, which I have to say I am very grateful for. Secondly I completed my advance prac in styling and got to enjoy the beauty of Melbourne and its amazing culture. The biggest compliment though was being asked if I would be interested in running a webinar for the school as well as being complimented about the positive energy I am exuding at the moment (yay for me I love being happy and positive) and finally I have been honoring and loving myself deeply.

As some of you know I am testing out the law of attraction and the ability to love and live in this space of surrendering and trusting and although I have the green lights and car spaces down pat, I am now starting to create some really cool things, such as I wanted to see my ex's family and who should I bump into at Coles 2 nights ago - his family. It was wonderful seeing them. So what does this have to do with anything? why am I telling you all this stuff?  There is one very good reason - success is all about celebrating the wins along the way as well as achieving, enjoying and celebrating the end goal.

Tonight I was in the good fortune of having a mentoring session with a successful business owner who is doing some amazing things, both in the industry in which his business operates as well as the way in which he leads his team. This man has an amazing ability to take action and achieve whatever he puts his mind to. As I listened to him there were a number of things that became very apparent in his approach to life, firstly although he is a high achiever he isn't afraid to make mistakes, secondly he definitely knows how to celebrate the wins along the path to achieving his success and finally he has a great way of accepting the things he cannot change and changing the things he can, one bite at a time.

As he spoke he really got me thinking about my own strategy for success, not only at work, but in life in general. All this time I have been thinking that I was lacking passion, when it actual fact I have lost the ability to believe that I can actually achieve the life that I desire, that I can pull off running a successful business, having a healthy, fit lean vibrant body or being really happy and loving in my marriage - All these years of constant criticism, which I had eloquently masked as 'seeking feedback' have taken it's toll and my now depleted soul is over working hard with little or no encouragement.

So although I am not able to change the past, I can definitely learn from it and the main lesson today is to be kind to yourself, go and celebrate the wins in life no matter what size they are and keep having fun in what you are doing. There is a saying after all, that success breeds success and if that is the case I am going to sing it from roof top

So in saying that I have shared my successes with you and I am now off to indulge in a funny show and rub moo goo all over my body (mmmmmmmm love moo goo) as a reward for what I have already achieved.

Much Love
The Passion Project

PS Today's photo is of the Yum Cha Cafe in Melbourne which I would have to say has the happiest staff I have ever met. They even have little smiley faces on their uniforms. The lady who served us was lots of fun!!

Success Principles No 3: want want want - what is it that you want

Success Principal Number 3: know exactly what you want

So we've decided why we are here, what we are living for - now is the time to decide exactly what you want. This at first may seem like an easy question to answer, but if you get beyond the Mercedes Benz, house on the water and 1 Billion dollars (which are all worthy things to want) it may start to get a little challenging to list what else you may want in life that will enable you to feel even more fulfilled, alive and happy. The other area is believing that  you can have all of what you want. Unfortunately over time our ability to ask for what we want has become nothing more than a pipe dream, a list of wishful thinking, or even worse something we are no longer in touch with - well my friend its time to get your dream and wishing hat back on.

Have you ever had the opportunity to watch a baby, they are beautiful examples as to how life was intended to be. When they want food, they want it and wont stop until it is theirs, they scream until they are safely nurtured in their mothers loving arms. We too, were once like that, we knew what we wanted and  were happy to ask for it but as we began to grow our ability to ask for what we wanted slowly got diminished by well meaning and protective No's from our parents, peer pressure from our friends who wanted us to do what they wanted and  the constant barrage of media messages instilling how life is 'meant' to be regardless if that suited you or not - until one day you find yourself fat, bored and sitting in front of a computer screen, doing work that pays the bills thinking there has to be more to life than this - AND THERE IS!!

Now is the time to figure out exactly what it is that you want! Ask yourself what do you want to be do or have? what is it that you want to experience from this wonderful adventure called life?

" Hell on earth would be meeting the person you could have been if you had the courage to take the necessary action to live the life of your dreams - to follow your destiny"

In each of us lies a seed, the you 'you' were meant to be. Failing to be that you is nothing short of a tragedy. Often in the name of being sensible we end up becoming numb to our own desires. Under a blanket of "shoulds", "musts" and "ought tos" we lose sight of what it is we really want. If this is you and you have had enough, then I challenge you to reclaim yourself and start living a life that you want rather than a life of mediocrity based on the instructions of others.

Step 1: Stop selling out on yourself
Start small by honouring your preferences at all times, delete phrases such as 'i dont mind', ' I dont care', 'I don't know' and 'what ever you like" from your vocab. Always have an opinion about your preference and if you dont, then ask yourself what it would be if you minded, cared, knew, or wanted. This little step will allow you to develop a sense of what you really want in life as well as build your 'asking for what you want' muscle.

Step 2: Time to visit the North Pole
Make an 'I want list' - this should be fun, bold and beyond your wildest dreams. Make a list of
* 30 things that you want
* 30 things that you want to do
* 30 things that you want to be

If you want to take this a step further, then grab a trusted friend and for 20 minutes on each area (e.g. want, do, be) get them in rapid fire to ask you what you want and list your answers as they are revealed. Keep going as fast as you can for the 20 minutes. You may find at first your list isn't very profound but as you continue your unconscious mind will provide you with what your soul really desires. This is not to suggest that the first words you list are not important, they are - I challenge you to keep asking yourself what is it that you want. As you perform the exercise do not limit yourself in anyway and make sure that the only words from your friends lips are what do you want? what do you really want?

Step 3: love love love, love is all you need
Write down all the things that you love to do - what is it that you could do for the rest of life. This is important as what you love gives you clues as to what your purpose and passions are. Make a list of 100 things you love to do and then by each of the items you've listed write down ways you could make money doing these things. have fun and come up with as many ways as possible. Now I know there will be a few of you saying I cant make money doing what I love to do - I love talking to people - well Oprah Winfrey did a pretty good job at making money talking to people.  Now is not the time to be judgmental, now is the time to be creative and list as many ways as your possibly can. Allow yourself to expand, dream and believe

"Decide what you would like to do and the how will reveal itself"

Step 4: clarify your vision - after all people without a vision will perish
We have done some work on creating your ideal day, well what about your ideal week, month and year. If you were to imagine its New years Eve 2012 what are the things you would like to have achieved, the places you have seen, the business you have built, the relationships you have enjoyed, the fun things you have bought (hello Chanel handbag). Allow your vision to include finances, relationships, work and career, Free time, health and wellbeing, personal goals, what you have contributed to society and your connection with God (or what-ever spiritual connection you believe in)

What would have made 2012 the most delicious and wonderful year? Paint a vivid picture with all the sounds, details and feelings you would want to experience.

'Create your future from you future, not from your past '

Step 5: The art of meditation
Take a note pad and find a really comfortable and beautiful space that you can spend some time and not be disturbed. You may want to light a candle, play some beautiful music and have a glass of water handy. Start the meditation with 5 slow, long and deep breaths and set the intention that you are open to hearing and honouring your wants.

Close your eyes and allow yourself to become fully present - as you do ask you unconscious mind to reveal to you what your ideal life would be in the area of <insert important area here> . Allow the answers to come in whatever format you want it to whether that be images, feelings or words. Write anything down and keep asking. Give yourself time - ask yourself questions in all areas of life e.g. finance, health and well-being, relationships etc....

Once you have completed all areas, go and find a good friend and share your vision who you know will give you support and be positive. As you keep sharing allow your wants to become clearer.

Finally once you have worked out what you want - take some action in having it. I would love to hear what you have come up with

Until next week PP
Today's photo is from an amazing organic place at Bondi Beach. Its the place I love to go when boosting my motivation for healthy living 

Success Principles No 2: Why bother? because Why!!

What makes one person rise up for what is right, when others drop their head and pretend not to notice? What makes a person keep going when everyone else has quit? Why is it that one person seems to always get the breaks, the opportunities and meets all the right people? it all comes down to knowing their WHY! Why they are here, what they have to give and what their purpose is.

Successful people know exactly why they are here, they know precisely what they want and they go for it 100% with passion and enthusiasm. I once dated a pilot who ever since being a small child knew  exactly what his purpose was. He was obsessed with flying, his passion and commitment to it was infectious and no matter what others said he kept logging his hours, mastering his craft and doing whatever it would take for him to one day fly jets like his father and grandfather had. Everything he did was linked to being a pilot. He lived the lifestyle of a pilot, he dressed like a pilot, he even went as far as using the letters on the number plates on every car to make up affirming sentences as to why he was meant to be a pilot. To some it may seem obsessive, but to him he was in his flow, living his purpose. Now today he is flying for a prestigious airline and doing what he loves. He knew exactly what he was put on this planet for and he went for it, no apologies about it. 

Just like with the pilot, everyone is born with a life purpose. The key is to identify your purpose,  acknowledge it and finally honor it by going after it 100% with passion and enthusiasm. If you haven't identified your why, then its important to take the time and understand exactly why God put you on this planet. There is however a warning here - so many people I meet use the excuse of "not knowing their purpose" to prevent them from taking the necessary action and calculated risks to go after what they want. If you know your purpose, then its time to acknowledge and honor it by working out how you can inject passion and determination into every activity you take that leads you to manifesting your purpose in the material.

If you are thinking that finding your purpose is a litte woo woo and doesn't really matter, then have a look at the results your achieving in your life. Have you ever set goals and then thought, oh my god I hate this, why am I doing this? trust me - if your why is not big enough you will abandon all activity as quickly as your 80's tribute fishnet stone washed denim jacket. As old texts say, without a vision, the people perish and in today's society signs and symptoms of perishing are showcased through depression, obesity, broken marriages, dis-ease, constantly drifting, feeling dissatisfied and never really achieving anything of value.

" being on purpose is loving what you do, doing what you are good at 

and accomplishing whats important to you"

  

Anthony Robbins, has outlined his purpose as being " to humbly serve the lord by being a loving, playful, powerful and passionate example of the absolute joy that is available to us the moment we rejoice in Gods gifts and sincerely love and serve all his creations". It is this very purpose that took him from being a broke janitor to one of the worlds finest personal development leaders with wealth that most would only dream about. I remember him once saying that 'living is giving' and look at what he has 'given' to the world. He is truly a blessing.

Brian Tracey, suggests that finding your purpose is as simple as  trusting yourself. He recommends to 'decide upon your major definitive purpose in your life then organise all your activities around it until you achieve it'. Everything you do should be an expression of your purpose. If any activity doesn't fit that formula, drop it immediately and do something that does! fullstop!!

So how can you find your purpose, your why? 

Step 1: Experience Joy: 

In his book, Jack Canefield suggests paying attention to your 'Joy O Metre'. According to Jack, who lives his passion daily, we are all born with an inner guidance system that gives us immediate signs as to when we are on purpose and when we are not. Jack suggests that you spend a few moments listing all the activities that bring you tremendous joy and see what they have in common. I challenge you to go one step further by suggesting that over the next month you list all the items you do in a day and rate them 0 - 10 (0 being no joy and 10 being singing with the angels). After the month is complete, have a look and see what your 'Joy O Metre' has to say. Really get clear about what brings you joy as its a major insight to your purpose

Step 2: the powerful question: (pretty cool considering I have been talking about asking powerful questions)

Get in a space of total relaxation, the way I love to do this is to light a beautiful natural soy wax candle, take a couple of deep, alkalizing breaths and then allow your focus to settle on the flame. As you watch the flame dance, ask yourself "what is my purpose? why am I here? and allow yourself to simply come up with the answer, its important to trust yourself as you do know your answer, its embedded in your DNA and its waiting to be revealed.

Write down any answer that comes up and try not judge your first responses. Sometimes the answer may come up in the flash of an image, feeling or single word.

Once you have completed the candle exercise, then answer the following

1. list 2 unique personal qualities you have e.g. passion and enthusiasm

2. list 2 ways you enjoy expressing these qualities when interacting with others e.g. teaching and inspiring

3. if you had a magic wand and the world was exactly as you would love it to be what would it be like? how would people be interacting with one another? e.g. everyone is living their best life through disciplines of excellence and are vibrantly healthy and energised. 

4. combine the three prior answers to form a purpose statement e.g. 

My purpose is to use my passion and enthusiasm to teach and inspire others to live their best life through disciplines of excellence and vibrant health and energy

Now that you know your purpose - its important to stay on track. An easy way to do this is to emerse yourself so that it becomes a part of your soul, to the point where you unconciously take action towards achieving it. Every morning before getting up, read and visualise your purpose so you know why you are here and what you are living for!

Here's to living with a big enough Y or in Jim Carey's words P.A.R.T -WHY? because I got to!!

Love the Passion Project

PS today's photo was taken at the Star Light Foundation express room, which creates a fun and happy space for sick kids (and their families) to play and have fun. The people who work there are such purposeful people and they know exactly how important their role is in the health and wellbeing of children recovering from major illness. Check them out as they are always looking for support and volunteers.

Day 4 I ask you this.....?

Anthony Robbins states that asking empowering questions can lead your unconcious and ultimately yourself to greater levels of success. If you are getting poor results, have a look at the questions you are asking yourself? do you find yourself ever asking Why is this happening to me all the time? why am I so stupid? so fat? so poor? so <insert the thing you dont want> What if you were to ask yourself questions that would empower you and provide you with even better answers? answers that you could use to get you the results you wanted and that by default would get you taking action to being 100% responsible.

In my shower I have a series of laminated questions that Anthony Robbins suggested in his book awaken the giant within. Every morning and evening I ask them out loud and declare the answers. I have also included some of my own and thought you may life these. Let me know what you think?

Morning Questions

What am I most happy about in my life right now?

What about this makes me happy? How does that make me feel?

What am I excited about in my life right now?

What about this makes me excited? How does this make me feel?

What am I proud about in my life right now?

What about this makes me proud? How does this make me feel?

What am I grateful for in my life right now?

What about this makes me grateful? How does this make me feel?

What am I enjoying most in my life right now?

What about this do I enjoy? How does this make me feel?

What am I committed to in my life right now?

What about this makes me committed? How does this make me feel?

Who do I love and who loves me?

What about this makes me loving? How does this make me feel?

What do I love about myself?

What about this makes me love me? How does that make me feel?

 

Evening Questions

What have I given today? In what ways have I been a giver?

What did I learn today to be even more successful? How will I use this?

How has today added to the quality of my life?

How can I use today as an investment in my future?

What successes do I want to celebrate today? And what State do I want in-joy today?

Until tomorrow
The Passion Project
PS Todays photo was before going for a great walk along Bondi beach. I love this place for the fresh organic coconut water they have. Its so good for you and taste super yummy xoxo (living the dream)

Day 3 - vibrational alignment is 100% responsible

Doreen Virtue once suggested that we should  remember to breath throughout the day and choose peace, no matter what was happening around us. That we have the power, whenever we desire to retreat to that quiet still place simply by closing our eyes and taking a deep and loving alkalising breath. Its interesting isnt it that so much stress, angst and even dis-ease comes as a result of being so attached to an outcome and its response strategy that we fail to see we can actually have the emotions and dreams of our vision right in the very moment. 

 These past few days of taking 100% responsibility have stirred up some really interesting thoughts and beliefs around the way I approach the idea of success. It was only this morning when I was analysing my dreams that it struck me how much importance I put on perfection, getting everything right and the amount of energy that is wasted on fear, criticism and striving. The belief was unless I can get it right 100% then it means that I am not destined for this. Crazy hey? and definitely explains why I get capped at a certain level of success. What I have realised is that being 100% responsible, doesnt mean getting it right 100% of the time - what it does mean is actively learning and evolving, improving and growing from the day and taking ownership of the approach no matter what, even if that is taking responsibility for not originally taking responsibility, if that makes sense.

It dawned on me that what if the end goal wasnt really what was important, what if the process of success was so enjoyable, fun and playful that the actual manifestation of the end goal was like the iceing on the cake. What if the process of falling down 5 times and getting up 6 was actually the training ground for becoming vibrationally aligned to that which I was seeking? The concept of vibrational alignment has become an area of interest lately and achieving alignment occurs on so many different levels e.g. identity, values, beliefs & actions, Behaviours, skills & rituals, emotions & feelings and environment. What if we were to take 100% responsibility of all these key areas in becoming vibrationally aligned, do you think then transformation would occur? 

When I first took on the challenge of being 100% responsible I guess I only focussed on my beliefs and my behaviours - now I am seeing that being 100% responsible is so much more than that,  it looks at the identity in which I hold of myself, the values that are important to me, the beliefs and actions that I take, the beaviours, rituals and skills I follow regularly, the feelings, emotions  and meanings I experience and the environment in which I place myself. What if we were to pick an area based on our ideal day and take responsibility for all those areas? 

 Anthony Robbins says one of the many key's to success is to start by asking yourself the right questions. I have decided that in the process of planning my day I am going to consider all aspects of vibrational alignment as outlined above and to do so answer the following questions. Please keep in mind these questions are ones that resonated with me and its important that you create ones that will work for and with you.

1. what is the area of focus (make sure its linked to your ideal day)

2. what Identity would I have to hold of myself to achieve this and be this today?...... and even more than that? (answer starting with I am <insert statement here> and ensure it is in the positive tense)

3 what would I have to value to live this even more easily and effortlessly? - if you dont know what you values are, ask yourself what is most important in your life? and see where you can link your area of focus to your value

4.  what beliefs and attitudes do I have that will empower me even further in creating my goal today? (you can turn these into incantations to embed them at the unconscious level)

5. what behaviours and rituals if I performed on a consistent basis would propel me towards my goal?

6. what is the first top 3 actions I can take right now to commit to this (keep asking yourself this question as you complete them) and how can i celebrate their successful completion?

7. what skills and resources do I need to achieve my goal (and how could I make it even more enjoyable and fun?)

8. what emotional state could I use to empower me so that the experience is one of joy, happiness and love (you can insert what ever feelings inspire you - really feel them as you get into the state)

9. what environment could  I put myself in that would inspire even greater creativity, motivation and commitment in achieving my goal today (be broad in your approach to environment and allow it to include who you hang out with, what you listen to, the places you go to, the tv shows you watch, the clothes you wear etc.... for me beauty and luxuary is very important so walking around gorgeous shops inspires my creative side)

10. How am I going to celebrate my success (be creative with this and it doesnt have to be a material reward or cost a fortune, even though they can be excellent rewards, it could be as simple as giving yourself some time to relax in a bath with a beautiful candle, or going for a walk or simply by doing a happy dance singing 'i am so great, I am so great', its what ever will make you feel like you have been rewarded - remember success breeds succcess)

I would love to know what some of the questions you have that propel you towards being even more responsible for your life and the results that you are achieving already!

Remember results show you if you are on track or not

Cheers The Passion Project

PS today's photo is of a tiffany box waiting for me as a reward when I complete a week of early morning beach walking xoxo (ill show you the open box when I achieve it - results baby results xoxo)

Day 2 - Girlfriends and Fashion and a funny film

Hello fellow Passion Projectors, Its day 2 and I have to be super quick as the movie is about to start and I am ready for some laughs. Today has been absolutely outstanding, not only did I get to experience the most amazing fashion show, spend time with a great friend, play dress ups in Sass and Bides latest collection and finish with a tantalizing vanilla salmon  at the Hilton.... I am so happy and grateful to have this day to feed my passion and invigorate my creativity and now its time to have a laugh and enjoy Arthur.