I Am

This week, at the suggestion of Happiness expert Barbara Yager, I watched the documentary film I Am directed by Tom Shadyac.  I strongly recommend it to anyone who wants to make our world a better place.

If Tom Shadyac’s name seems familiar it’s because he’s directed numerous slapstick comedies including the Jim Carrey smash hits Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Bruce Almighty, and Liar Liar. Shadyac directed Eddie Murphy in The Nutty Professor as well as Robin Williams in Patch Adams. He also directed Accepted, and I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry.

But a few years ago, Shadyac shifted his talents and focus 180 degrees -- away from those multi-million dollar blockbuster movies to the abstract and esoteric questions “What’s wrong with the world and “What’s right with the world?”    

A serious biking accident triggered the radical change in Shadyac’s thinking, values and approach to life. He transitioned from one of Hollywood’s most successful writer/director/producers to a more serious student of life who could use his fame, fortune and film-making skills to ponder such enigmatic questions. The result of his world search for answers is captured beautifully in his documentary, I Am.

Shadyac’s research for meaningful answers to these complex questions took him around the world and back home to Malibu, California. Shadyac discovered that he is what’s wrong – or right – with the world. Thus, the title of his documentary, I Am. 

Shadyac pays attribution to Lord Chesterfield, the popular British statesman who lived in the 18^th century. It was Lord Chesterfield who was once asked the question, “What’s wrong with the world?” Chesterfield famously replied, “I am.”  Tom Shadyac’s research for a meaningful answer to this important question took him back some 260 years to Lord Chesterfield and the very same question Chesterfield was asked around 1740. 

While our world is more complex today than in the 1700s, the relationship between mankind and our connectivity to all living things is no different now than it was centuries ago. Nor, as Shadyac discovers, is humanity’s need to cooperate with and love our fellow man. While Shadyac has dispensed with the trappings of his fame and fortune, and now lives simply and teaches at a California university, he freely admits that it’s a very difficult transformation for anyone living in a consumer-oriented, capitalistic society to forego our ego needs and, instead, focus on our spiritual needs and live simply.

Of course, this is the same decision all the great prophets and teachers have made. Perhaps, Tom Shadyac’s new philosophy is best captured by one of our greatest teachers, Mahatma Gandhi, who counseled us to "Live simply so that others may simply live."

Here’s a link to Tom Shadyac’s I Am documentary website: http://iamthedoc.com/

Marathons Are for Crazy People... Or So I Thought!

I've never run a marathon before; and, for good reason... I'd die! I figure with my football knees I'd last about one mile and collapse. But, this morning I stood on the roadside and cheered-on thousands of runners -- including my daughter -- who undertook this amazing challenge and finished. 

I must admit, prior to attending today's event, I thought anyone who runs 26.2 miles -- or even 12+ miles as part of the half-marathon -- is either crazy or a masochist. After all, the event was instituted in commemoration of the fabled run of the Greek soldier Pheidippides, a messenger from the Battle of Marathon to Athens (a distance of 26.2 miles), who, shortly after delivering his victory message to the Generals, collapsed and died.  Need I say more?

Well, in fairness to Pheidippides and those 8,000+ courageous runners this morning, the answer is "yes." You see, after witnessing this spectacular event, I now understand a marathon runner's motivation a little better. The goal isn't necessarily to win, place or show, but rather to finish or beat their previous time. It's about setting a stretch goal then pushing yourself to your physical and mental limit to achieve that goal.

I find it fascinating that among the thousands of runners this morning were men and women of all ages, parents pushing strollers with their kids cuddled up inside, and even a blind women who used her red/white cane to guide herself along the route. It was a humbling moment for me to see so many valiant people struggle against their own physical, mental and emotional limitations and somehow summon up the strength and courage to cross that finish line.

So, hats off to all you wild n' crazy marathon runners. While I'll probably never wear a bib number, I will be out there standing along the route to cheer you on as you summon that last ounce of energy to cross the finish line. Because, now I understand what it demands of you. You have my respect. Way to go!

About the Author.  Tom Hinton is a professional speaker and the author of 10,000 Days: The Rest of Your Life, the Best of Your Life! which is available on Amazon.com  He can be reached at: tom@tomhinton.com

Living Your Passion

Last week, I was invited to speak at a university class on the topic Follow Your Dreams. I confessed to these eager juniors and seniors that it had only taken me 37 years to find the path to living my passion and follow my dreams.  But, today, there are fewer boundaries and more opportunities for twenty-year olds to express their dreams and live their passion. My point was simply it’s never too late to live your dream, and the sooner you begin to live your passion, the sooner you can begin charting your roadmap to fulfillment, abundance and success.

After my presentation, several students came forward seeking my personal advice and counsel on their goals and dreams. One enthusiastic young man told me, “I plan to be where you are in ten years.”  I wished him luck and encouraged him onward.  But, on my way back to the airport, it occurred to me that in ten years, he would only be 30 years old and, therefore, it would be impossible for him to “be where I was at” given his limited life experiences to that point.

Interestingly, this same point was made a few days later during a speech by Terry Hawkins, an outstanding speaker, trainer and author of the popular Stickman book series for kids. During her presentation, Terry shared a story about meeting a young lady who also aspired to be a speaker/author. Terry told us, “In our 50s, we have accumulated many memories. But, in our 20s, we have few memories and life experiences. That’s why life gets harder as we get older, and that’s why no one in their 20s or 30s can quite be like me.  It’s my life experiences and stories that make me different and unique from anyone else.” 

How true that is. Each of us is destined to travel our own path. At various intersections of your life, there are choices you must make and consequences for every choice. Some consequences are very positive – meeting the love of your life at the party you decide to attend at the last minute, or finding out about a great job opportunity from a friend of a friend who happens to be there.

Living your passion is one of the cornerstones of The Course of 10,000 Days™. To live your passion, you need to answer two simple, but demanding questions. First, “What is it that you love to do so much, you would do it for free; but, you’re so good at it someone will pay you to do it?  Secondly, what’s your plan for success?  The sooner you can answer those questions, the sooner you can begin to live your passion.

About the Author: Tom Hinton is a professional speaker and the author of the popular new book, 10,000 Days: The Rest of Your Life, the Best of Your Life! He teaches The Course of 10,000 Days™, a dynamic personal development and self-growth weekend retreat for individuals who want to live their passion, love their life and create a lasting legacy. For information please visit: www.10000Days.org

Finding True Happiness: Is It Possible?

by Tom Hinton

At a recent workshop, I was asked by a 51 year-old participant if he could ever find true happiness? My answer startled him as well as the other participants in the room. I said, “Probably not.” 

There was a nervous laughter and everyone waited for my next line. But I said nothing and started to move on to my next point. An anxious, almost desperate look filled the participants’ eyes as they looked at me hoping for a more elaborate, encouraging statement. I waited a long moment to let the uneasiness settle inside the pit of everyone’s stomach, and then I asked the all-important question. “Why are you asking me if true happiness is possible? Is that not your responsibility? Who is in control of your life right now? Is it me, or is it you?”  It was an ah-ha moment not only for many of the participants, but also myself. I realized that most people are dependent on someone else or something else for their happiness.

When you choose to be truly happy, that is when happiness begins. The primary reason someone is unhappy is because their approach to life is all wrong. We depend on someone else or something else for our happiness. In that case, you will never be truly happy. For the source of true happiness will not be found in riches, your ideal job or in the arms of another person. True happiness lies within each and every one of us. It requires us to move beyond life’s drudgery, impatience, bitterness and the negativity we experience every day; and, replace those moments with gratitude for life and the gifts you possess. When you choose to be happy, it is at that moment that true happiness begins.

So, is it possible to find true happiness? Yes, but it requires a different approach than the one most people use. It requires you to focus on those things that make you happy. It requires you to begin now if you want to be happy at this moment. You cannot be happy and irritated at the same time. You cannot be happy and hold grudges or withhold love from someone. You cannot be bitter and also claim to be happy. You cannot expect everything to go smoothly in life and when it doesn’t curse the world, but also claim to be happy 

Yes, you can have happy moments, but that is different from experiencing true happiness. True happiness occurs when you have peace of mind and your heart is filled with gratitude and love. True happiness is knowing that you are not dependent on anything or anyone else for your state of being. When we arrive at this point, we can begin to know true happiness. 

About the Author:  Tom Hinton is one of America’s most respected authors and speakers on Personal Growth, Work-Life Balance and Achieving Your Human Potential. He is the author of four books including: 10,000 Days: The Rest of Your Life, the Best of Your Life which is available on www.Amazon.com  For information, contact: tom@tomhinton.com

Moonrise Kingdom Has Many Insights to Real Life Issues

I recently saw the new movie, Moonrise Kingdom, featuring Bill Murray and Bruce Willis. It's a funny plot involving two twelve-year olds who fall in love, make a secret pact to escape their boring lives, and run away into the wilderness of their beautiful summer island which is reminiscent of New England or the Puget Sound. As confused authorities and a troop of misguided boy scouts try to find them, the peaceful island community is turned upside down in more ways than anyone can imagine. It's a witty story about the underlying meaning of love, adult insanity, and the complexities of life even on a sparsely populated island. I think one moral of the story is this. No matter how far we try to run from reality and life's dramas, they always seems to be waiting for just around the bend. Let me know what you think.

Junior Seau Will Be Missed

The outpouring of sympathy and affection for the late Junior Seau, the talented former NFL player, who took his life at age 43, has been heartwarming for his family and the San Diego community where he was born and raised. Not only was Seau a great football player, but he was an outstanding role model for thousands of kids and a wonderful humanitarian. This is why so many fans were saddened and shocked to learn of his untimely death.

What makes Seau's death all the more tragic is that he had everything to live for. But, for reasons we'll never know, he ended his life after struggling with bouts of depression. Living simply became too hard for Junior.

The Course of 10,000 Days reminds us that life is very precious which is why it's essential that we understand our higher purpose and strive to live it everyday. When we lose hope and can no longer dream, life becomes a terrible burden; and, for some people, dying is an easier alternative rather than struggling to find meaning and purpose in one's life. Perhaps, this was the same difficult struggle Junior Seau faced after battling depression for so many years. He will be missed.

Work-Life Balance: How to Create Balance and Maintain Your Sanity in This Crazy, Competitive World

In 2007, I made a major transition. I stopped going to work. While I still had a job, employees to supervise and a business to manage, I made the strategic decision that I was going to regain control of my life and make time for the things I enjoy and me!

It was a difficult decision because it required me to start working smarter, but not harder. It also forced me to alter my mindset in terms of working from home and not commuting to an office every day. Perhaps, this was the most difficult part of my work-life balance transition. Also, I needed to learn how to use technology so I could work smarter and be more productive. I no longer could rely on walking down the hall to ask my staff of 20-somethings to answer my techie questions.

Studies tell us that nearly 76% of Americans are unhappy in their jobs. Perhaps this explains why so many people are unfulfilled and, therefore, unhappy with their work-life balance. But, not everyone can simply decide – as I did – to stop going to an office and work from home. And, frankly, not everyone would be happy working from home. There are many people who enjoy the workplace environment, the social interaction and the office politics. They feel connected and in the know.

So, how can you create a work-life balance that works for you? Here are 5 simple steps to help you. Some of these steps might appear trivial. But, take if from one who has done it… they work!

      1.  Identify the Top Ten Priorities in your personal life and on the job.  This step will help you identify what’s really important to you, personally and professionally.

         2.  Create a Work-Life Balance Schedule based on your top ten priorities.  The goal is not to accomplish all ten of your personal and professional priorities, but rather, adhere to a schedule that allows you to start tackling your top three or four – whatever you have the time and energy to do.

         3.  Stick to Your Schedule. If, for example, your top three personal life priorities are: (1) exercise 45 minutes daily, (2) spend quality time with your family each day, and (3) completing the New York Times Sunday edition crossword puzzle each week then these are must do priorities for you. The same holds true for your top three professional priorities, whatever you deem them to be. While you may not be able to accomplish all ten of your top priorities, schedule yourself according to what you can accomplish.  

         4.  Monitor Your Results. The best way to determine if you’re moving towards your goal of creating the proper work-life balance is to monitor your results.  Have a checklist on your computer and keep score everyday of your priorities. Check them off as you accomplish them each day.

        5.  Reward Your Success. Every week, reward yourself when you’ve achieved the work-life balance you’re seeking and your checklist is complete. Remember, it’s not about 100%; rather, you’re trying to move a little closer to your goal every week. Eventually, you’ll begin to see major changes in your attitude and behavior as you edge closer to the work-life balance you seek.

Ultimately, the greatest rewards you’ll realize will come in the form of personal satisfaction, wellness and a positive outlook on life and your job. These have been the results I’ve experienced and it only took me 6 months to reach that point. Now, I’m loving life because finally I’m in control of my life. Well, almost. Excuse me for a moment while I change the cat box and take out the garbage! 

About the Author.  Tom Hinton is the author of 10,000 Days: The Rest of Your Life, the Best of Your Life! now available at: www.Amazon.com  Tom is a popular speaker on Work-Life Balance and Personal Growth topics. He also facilitates The Course of 10,000 Days retreat workshops. Contact: tom@tomhinton.com