Find Your Paths in Life That Lead to Happiness and Success!

With the upcoming show tonight titled, "Advice Night! A Compass to Guide You in Life!", I thought I would briefly talk about this so called "Compass".   This "Compass" is already in our life toolbox, yet we rarely seek that tool.  It is so simple and yet so hard to use.



Just like any tool that you use to build something or fix something, it has a specific use as well other uses you might need.  A wrench is used to tighten or loosen bolts, but sometimes you use it as a hammer!  Well, this "Compass" is designed to guide you down the right career, life, leadership or relationship path.  Like anything else in life, there is always a cost.  The "Compass" will point you in the right direction if used properly, or can take you down the wrong path.

Like any tool, the tool is only as good as the user.  We often hear that "a computer is only as smart as it user".  This is true in anything we undertake.  We are only human and therefore make mistakes.  To truly use this "Compass", you may have to make some tough choices and some difficult decisions.  This "Compass" like any other tool can be manipulated into using for another function.  Be careful as there is nothing for free in life or easy!  This tool creates simplicity and with your common sense it is amazing!

Are you at a crossroads in life?  Check out www.careermadesimple.com to use this "Compass" in order to find your true career or create happiness in your current career.  So....what path do you need to venture on now?  Here is your simple tool.....the "Compass"!

The "Compass" is a question.   "DOES THIS MAKE SENSE?"   In any interaction, relationship, career, job or life in general, we need to ask this question when faced with a decision!  Try it out on any issue you have created in your life as you are where you are today because of the decisions and paths you have chosen thus far.   Just asking the question won't take you on the correct path....you need to know how to use it!

Join us on our new "Career Made Simple! Career Advice Connection!" BlogTalkRadio show via blogtalkradio.com/jeffreylund  on Sunday nights starting April 28th!  (8 pm Mountain Time)  You can get your career advice here and how to use the "Compass" in order to find that ultimate career you are seeking!  Contact me via the website at www.thetajlgroup.com and get your free advice on how to use this "Compass."  Your Path?  The Journey Begins!

Advice Night! A "Compass" to Guide You in Life!

Please join me this Thursday, April 17th at 9 pm Mountain Time as we discuss the one simple tool you already have in your "life tool box" that can help you discover the right path in life!

Please check out this week's show by clicking on the following link:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/jeffreylund/2014/04/18/advice-night-a-compass-to-guide-you-in-life#.U0sDgIJUaO0.gmail

Life constantly throws "crossroads" at us.  Which path should I take?  What decision should I make? Is this relationship the right one?  What should I do?   There is a simple "Compass" in life that will help you move in the right direction!

 Should I take this journey?

There will always be unknowns, but at least with a compass we can get a direction!

"Facing" the thousands of on lookers and discovering the new hope - The continued journey!

Adversity never goes away and we continue to face new challenges as we stroll through our lives.  In my story about "losing my face", I left off at the time I exited surgery with thousands of stitches in my face and my jaws wired!  Well.....here we go as we finish up this trial in life.  Actually, it continues to this day! Adversity and pain never truly go away.

I was in my hospital room and wanting feverishly to go home.  The trauma of the event made me long for being in a place of comfort.  My friend was visiting me and I explained how I wanted to go home.  I explained to him that if I could get up and go to the bathroom by myself, I could lobby to go home.  Like a 3 year old finally getting the "potty" adventure down.  He helped me to the bathroom door and I entered with such determination to accomplish this task that was once so simple.  After I finished my adventure, I needed to wash my hands.  What is above the sink?  You guessed it, a mirror.  I had not seen myself since the surgery and was about to come "face to face" with reality.  I remember leaning my hands over the sink without placing myself directly in front of the mirror. lol.  I did a quick head move into the mirror so as to not really see myself.  I did this several times and knew that my friend was probably waiting outside the door hoping I had not fallen in or something.  I decided to "suck it up" and look in the mirror.  I remember that moment to this day and the image that was before me.  A bruised and swollen disfigured face with thousands of stitches and bars peeking behind the ever so torn lips.  I quickly let out a loud "oh no!"  I cried inside for a few moments and then smiled.  I remember opening the door and my good friend in a very concerned tone asking if I was all right as he had heard my "gasping" Oh No!  I was able to saying to him that I was okay, but disappointed that it wasn't Halloween as I had a built in mask.  We laughed and the pain shot through my face as the stitches tore at the incisions.  Laughing was once so easy and now was a painful joy.  I did get to go home and then had to face the many on lookers who began to visit.  At first I felt like a "freak show" act at a carnival wishing I didn't have to face the on lookers.  I then realized that there was nothing I could do, but face them all with dignity and confidence!

The summer progressed and I had one re-constructive surgery and had to wait until December or January to have a surgery that would truly remold my face.  The dental work couldn't start until the fall and yet I had college starting in late August.  Because I could not have sun on my face, I had to wear hats everywhere and as much sun screen as possible.  I was missing teeth and others were chipped and dying.  School was about to start and I was about to enter a campus of 20 to 30 thousand students with classes that sat hundreds.  I had to go as my goal was to complete college.  I couldn't let this obstacle no matter how difficult stop me from completing my goal of a college education.  To me the costs were too high!  I went back to school looking like a "freak" with tons of ointment on my face and a huge cowboy hat.  My face still disfigured and my teeth in a shambles, on I trotted.  I remember my physics class.  I had no feeling in my lower lips and the right side was almost missing anyway.  I remember taking endless notes and listening so intently that when I looked down at my paper there was a pool of drool.  How embarrassing, had anyone seen?  Were they observing this drool dripping onto my paper as I knew nothing of its occurrence?  I don't want to bore you with endless rambling about "oh poor me", but wanted to give you a taste of what was occurring.  I had to make a choice and the choice meant sacrificing pride and moving toward that goal.  How many times have you lost sight of a goal because of a small obstacle?  How many times have you let others talk you out of continuing your journey toward your goal?  There were some who thought I should take a semester off, but I couldn't.  I couldn't let the adversity before me win!

The journey from this one quick accident continues to follow me. Over 20 years ago I underwent this adventure and this past fall I had to endure one of the worst surgeries yet (In my current opinion).  I had no choice and understood that this adversity that life dealt me will be with me until the end of time.  Will I let it get me down or will I persevere and enjoy this one life I have?  I choose to live life to the fullest and control my attitude.  You see, things are only as bad as we allow them to be.  My friends....simplify life and use your attitude as that one power you have to overcome all that lies before you.  I truly want to help you if you need some support.  Contact me via my website (www.thetajlgroup.com), via email at thetajlgroup@gmail.com or call in to my blogTalkradio show at (646)200-4737 Thursday nights at 9 pm Mountain Time!  I want to help you find your wonderful life adventure and share ways for you to simplify life and truly enjoy the journey!

Live Life Like a Documentary 03/27 by Mastering Lifes Simplicity | Relationships Podcasts

Live Life Like a Documentary 03/27 by Mastering Lifes Simplicity | Relationships Podcasts

From Two Face to New Face? Stage 1 - The Journey Begins

Adversity is always amongst us each and every day.  The level of adversity however is never constant.  We determine the level based on our reactions to situations that occur around us.  When we are in a state of feeling low or even physically ill, the smallest situation can cause us the greatest harm.  This helps establish the fact that we create our obstacles or issues in life.  What is your level of adversity?  How do you handle the challenges that you face?  How do you react when wronged?  Almost dropped?

In the last blog I asked the question, “Could it get worse?”   There I was getting carted into the emergency room and being cared for.  The emergency personnel and all who were helping me were amazing.  The hustle and bustle as I was being cared for was an incredible process to behold.  The team carted me to the x-ray room in order to check for any spinal, neck, or other damage.  I didn’t want to be paralyzed for sure.  As they were lifting me onto the x-ray table from the cart, the power went off!  With this unexpected power failure, they almost dropped me.  I began to laugh as much as I could.  I think I bewildered them at that moment.  My comment was, “Can it get any worse?”  Being dropped at that time may have been insult to injury or much worse.  Oh well, we can’t worry about what we can’t control.  Do you find yourself “almost being dropped” when in an interaction with another or in relationships?  Can’t worry about what you can’t control.  You need to change your attitude and accept the challenge.  Understand that worry will create an issue in your life that didn’t exist prior to that moment.  How you approach the situation will determine the outcome.  Had I become angered or stressed during that moment, I would have transferred that anger and stress on to those who were caring for me.  By allowing them to understand that I accepted the fact that “crap happens”, they were able to continue with their tasks in an appropriate manner.  I often find that when things don’t work out as expected, my approach can create an even “more wonderful” experience.  I chuckle when individuals get so upset because their order at a restaurant was “messed up”.  They become so upset that the beans were not cooked properly or that the food is slightly cold, that they then create an issue not only for themselves but also for those around them.  I have received more free food, new friendships and joy when I have approached a situation like this with a “that’s okay attitude” or “mistakes happen” or “It’s not that big a deal”.  Let’s continue with the story.

I went through a 5 plus hour reconstructive surgery and awoke with a great deal of discomfort and pain.  By the way, one’s body does not like swallowing so much blood.  Quite a violent reaction for sure!  More adversity!  I remember it fondly and just told myself that it would pass.  Having your mouth wired shut and thousands of stiches makes it quite difficult to say the least. It passed and things got better.  That is how adversity in life is.  The pain will pass, but know it may always still linger throughout life.  You have to choose your attitude as you approach change, challenges and more!  Adjust your thinking in order to get through the challenges you face.  You can’t always control the outcomes, but know that you can influence them.  We can’t truly change those around us, but we can influence their thinking by the way we approach our relationships and adversity around us.

I need to pause this blog at the moment and will finish in my next posting as we discuss how to face those around us.  With thousands looking at me, I was able to accomplish my goal!  You can too, if you understand how to maintain purpose.  Remember how you feel when you had some “green” in your teeth and didn’t find out until after the fact.  Now compound that a 1,000 times and understand how you can see how blessed you truly are even when in the face of adversity.  Until next time, love life and all it throws at you!

Join me on Thursday evening at 9 pm MST on www.blogtalkradio.com/jeffreylund  Would love to hear from you!

Losing some face created a wonderful life journey? Adversity in the face of change!

I thought I would share a story of adversity and how we can overcome obstacles through one simple process.  Adversity Quotient is a term that was created around the mid to late 1990’s.  The basic thought about Adversity Quotient is that it is your ability to deal with challenges and how you respond to change.  We should grow from the trials in life and not allow them to tear us down.  What struggles have you faced?  Have they deterred you from your purpose in life?  From your goals?

Here is my story.  I had just finished my second year of college at the University of Colorado.  Go BUFFS!  It was the Friday before Memorial Day and I was exercising before going to work that night.  I was also excited because on Memorial Day I was going to have my first official date with a beautiful, wonderful woman I had met during the semester.  I jumped on my touring bike and began my 8 mile ride before getting ready for work.  I was about 8 blocks from home and passing a middle school.  All of a sudden, the front wheel released and the front forks of the bike tore into the asphalt.  I had no time to react and found myself plunging face first into the asphalt.  All of this happened so fast just as change can occur in our lives.  There are times we have no time to prepare for change and find ourselves in a situation we never expected.  When was the last time this happened to you?

My face hits the asphalt and I find myself sliding and flipping down the street.  I somehow ended up on my feet and remember the intense burn on my face and seeing the holes in my wrist area of my arms.  I couldn’t really see out of my right eye.  My immediate thought was that I was going to have an immense scab on my face and would have to deal with that all summer.  I was thinking about how long it would take to heal and how my summer would be ruined with a giant scab on my face.  What about my date?  Have you ever had something hit you so suddenly that you begin to start “crying” about the inconvenience it is going to cause?  Could be worse, so don’t dwell on what it could be and focus on your inner you and strength.  The journey may change.

You know how you were always told not to touch the burner because it was hot and yet you wanted to touch it as a kid?  That was my next move in my journey with this sudden accident, this intense adversity.  I thought about touching the scab and seeing how bad it was going to be.  As I slowly touched my face, my fingers slid on my exposed skull and I found that the right side of my face was somehow missing.  It was mangled and teeth were spewing out of my mouth.  The blood began rushing so incredibly hard and fast that I didn’t know what to do!  I was about to scream and go running in a panic, but I remember what happened next.  I felt as though I was being touched on my right shoulder and heard a voice telling me that I was going to be okay.  I immediately felt calm and walked slowly over to the grass area next to the school as the voice instructed. I heard I was going to be all right and that everything would be okay.  I laid down in the grass face first feeling as state of peace and some teachers rushed to my aid.  Have you ever felt panic during a time of change or adversity?  How did you react?  What were your thoughts?  Did you gain composure?

I was laying there face first bleeding like none other.  The school nurse showed up and somehow I was able to speak a little and I asked how it looked.  She tried to muster up a way to make me feel better.  Her exact words were, “Your nose appears to be broken.”  At this time I knew it was bad and laughed a little.  I told a joke about a teacher who had a broken nose, “Great. Now I’m going to look like Mr…..” I knew some of the people there, but they didn't recognize me.  I told them who I was as best I could with both jaws being broken and blood choking my every word.  My sister showed up as they were able to get a hold of her.  She didn't recognize me and who would.  We never see beneath the skin of those we interact with!  Do you truly know the ones you love?  The ones you interact and work with?  Truly listen to them and care for them and find their inner beauty?  We fail to take time to truly experience the joy in the ones we love.

I had determined that I was going to be okay and accepted the challenge before me.   Panic and fear were not going to overcome me.  We have a choice in any situation that we face in life.  The simple solution is to determine our approach.  We can’t change what has occurred, but we can change the outcomes and the journey.  Your attitude and your ability to face adversity are determined by your approach.  Choose to move forward and know that you can make it.  My story continues and the challenges in the hospital and the following year I am going to continue in my next blog.  I want to share the journey in hopes that it will help you and others truly face your challenges in life and turn them into opportunities. We tend to over-complicate our lives and approaches to adversities in our lives.  Everything in life works out!  Good comes from bad in our lives!  I could have created a crisis or issue in my life, but I chose not to.  We create our issues in our life and therefore are the solution.  Please share this with as many individuals as you can.  I want to continue the journey with thousands of you and share how you and those you love can create a wonderful life in how you face adversity!  What is your approach when faced with difficulty?  What is your level of courage?

Please stay tuned.  Please share your story with me! 

Next blog the story continues…..almost dropped and more!  Could it get worse?

Goals: Can you handle the adversity? 65 Yard Field Goal - $65K in Scholarships!

I had an amazing week last week in the San Luis Valley speaking with high school students about goal setting and careers. I was so inspired by these individuals and their abilities to achieve great things!  I made a public statement that a new goal I have is to kick a 65 yard field goal at a college football game next fall and give a $1000 per yard away in scholarships to some of the students in attendance. Well, accountability would state that if you say it then you have to do it.  So....I am waking up around 5:30 to 5:45 am each day and working out to include weight training and any aerobic exercise I can muster up.  I have cleared the snow in a portion of my front yard in order to practice kicking.  The net goes up and the footballs get kicked!  Thanks to snow blowers I was able to easily clear a portion of my yard!

I noticed my neighbor looking out the window attempting to figure out what I was doing.  To the occasional individual driving by surely is created some sense of curiosity.  You see when we set a goal that seems impossible not only to others but to ourselves as well, we need to know our Adversity Quotient.  The students in the San Luis Valley know what Adversity Quotient is.  Adversity Quotient basically states your ability to handle challenges and change.  Think about how you handle challenges.  Do you find yourself getting "flustered" easily by the smallest of challenges or change?  If so, your quotient is in the low range. Note that you can change your level through your approach.  Begin to change your outlook and visualize the positive in all you do.  Positive in means positive out.  We are the creators of our issues and therefore the creators of doubt.  We can't allow doubt and fear to seep in, we must maintain courage. So, back to the discussion about goals.  Obstacles are always going to make their way into our path.  How we handle them will help determine the outcome.  There is a great amount of snow on the ground and the weather is cold.  I removed the snow and dressed warm.  These obstacles were there, but not going to deter me from my goal. What about those who are questioning my actions? What about those who say I'm too old and that I have no prior experience?  I can't allow those ideals to overcome my mind and way of thinking. I have purpose!  In order to truly accomplish a goal, we must seek the underlying purpose to it.  To just kick a 65 yard field goal is one thing, but to kick it to help others in their quest is another.  The true purpose behind my goal is to show myself and others that I can accomplish something and at the same time help many students financially with their goal to get a college education. When we develop the purpose behind our goals, we develop a strong reason to continue in the face of adversity.  I may or I may not make the 65 yard field goal, but either way I am creating action.  What if I only kick a 35 yard field goal and give away only $35,000? I am getting in shape physically as this is a personal benefit!  I have at least created something that did not exist prior.  Oh, another obstacle is the money.  I still have no idea how I am going to find or create the funds to pull this off.  And, is there any college that will even allow me to kick during their game next fall?  CU? You see, when we create action in our goals we create possibilities.  We can't just sit around wishing or dreaming it, we need to create actions in order to create reactions.  Just the journey alone may inspire others to seek goals they have long been putting off!  Others may be so inspired that they decide to give to the cause and generate action on their behalf to help in the goal we are moving towards.  We need to get up and do something!

Don't be consumed by the "I can't" "You can't" "That's crazy!" and other statements that you and others create.  Write your goal with "will" statements and that will help you create action.  I sat around talking about kicking the field goal, but I needed to create action!  So I did!  Will you create actions in your lives to reach those outcomes you desire?  How do your goals assist others in their lives?   We all  need to take action and find meaning behind our action.  Trust in your abilities and know that all things happen for a reason.  Even if you fail, you create an opportunity to learn and grow.  From all things in life comes good as long as we create action and do not become overwhelmed by the adversities that show up in our paths.  I would love your support in this goal and would love to support you in your endeavors!  Contact me today and lets take on life's journeys together!

Set up the net (the plan), place the ball (the goal) and kick (action)!