This week is a perfect time to capture a vision for 2015? Once you have a vision, you will have energy, passion and direction for the year ahead. Share your vision with me on the One Degree Shift Facebook Page. As this year winds down, I usually take some time to quietly reflect on all that has happened, and then go inside to create a vision for the upcoming year. If you don't already have a similar practice, I encourage you to do the same. There is a popular quote by Helen Keller that can inspire both of us, "The [...]

In the world of work and business, we have been taught to lock away our heart, but if we're going to lead and inspire others, we need to keep our hearts open. Research shows that it is the heart that motivates us, engages others, and determines what we do in life. The heart, not the mind, inspires our greatest achievements. The heart of a Difference Maker is compassion and at the center of everything they do. The heart is the source of infinite imagination and creativity, allowing them to lead, to serve, and to connect with others in incredible ways. [...]

Let me start by saying Thank You from the bottom of my heart. Each week as I post my #MindShiftMonday message, I wonder if anyone will be served by it, if anyone is actually reading it, or if anyone even cares. Then I receive a comment or I get a Facebook notification telling me that you "Like" my post. Every now and then, I get a short e-mail letting me know my message meant a lot. Your interaction gives me encouragement to carry out my mission, and I am deeply grateful for your response. I am thankful for you! This [...]

This quote from Jane Goodall struck me as I wrote this #MindShiftMonday message, "What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make." Each one of us has the ability to make a difference every day, whether we brighten someone's day with our smile, or volunteer and contribute to causes like hunger, homelessness, education, or the environment. Difference Makers are motivated to make things better for the people around them – from the smallest of ways to the most extraordinary. We often think of famous Difference Makers like Bono, Oprah Winfrey, [...]

Fear is an emotion that has the ability to stop us in our tracks or cause us to run away from the thing we most desire. I've heard it said many times, but I'm not sure who said it first that fear, F-E-A-R, stands for "false evidence appearing real." I've also heard it said this way, fear means "forget everything and run." However, the fear we're running from is not real. Fear is 100 percent imaginary. I have a friend that when she is feeling anxious about something, she will tell me that she is scaring herself again. When I [...]

"Every day is a new beginning take a deep breath and start again." --Ritu Ghatourey-- Do you want to know how to turn your dream into reality? The secret is taking ACTION. Taking action demonstrates that you are serious and not just talking about your dreams. Without action, you're just wishing. If you are serious about living the life of your dreams or accomplishing any goal, you must do something about it. You will stay more committed to moving forward when you connect to a supportive community. Some of us are great dreamers, but need a little support with strategy. [...]

I'm super excited about what's happening in One Degree Shift Community. We wrote a book! For some, writing a book was a life-long dream and for others it was the second or third time around, but what thrills me most is that we did it together. I am convinced that we accomplish more in community. The title of the book is Strengthen Your Wings: Amazing Stories for the Journey. Each author shares a powerful story of transformation that will touch the heart of every reader. Through the process of writing, I witnessed the authors transforming their personal stories  into powerful [...]

Are you a worrier? Researchers at the University of Cincinnati found that 85% of what we worry about never happens. The study found that 79% of us handle the 15% that does happen in ways that surprise us with our ability to turn the situation around. So, why worry? Worry tricks you into thinking that you're doing something about the situation. While it certainly takes a lot of energy to worry, it rarely changes anything. You imagine what might happen which is usually the worst case scenario possible. Worry excites fears and anxiety that robs your peace of mind and [...]

Each week in One Degree Shift Community, we have Thankful Thursday, where collectively we recognize, acknowledge, and appreciate what we're grateful for. Being thankful for what we already have unlocks the door to greater abundance. My aim is to live my life in gratitude. When I practice being grateful, I experience more joy, less stress, and better results. My coach and mentor, Marcia Wieder of Dream University, shared her gratitude practice with me. She calls it "GOING GAGA." It is a practice of expressing Gratitude, Appreciation, Generosity, and Abundance. Gratitude is an emotion you can cultivate to increase your happiness [...]

Thoughts are powerful. They have the ability to move us forward or stop us in our tracks. Your mind is like a computer. The messages that you put in affect your feelings and mood, and your feelings influence your actions. Henry Ford said it this way, "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't -- you're right." You become what you think. Your thoughts shape your reality. Here's a story I often share to illustrate the power of thoughts. I told myself, "I have to work hard for everything I get and nothing comes easy." The story came [...]