Challenge Yourself

Each year I set a physical challenge. For some, these challenges would be rather banal; for others heady!

For years, while driving along, I would see people running or walking with little white tags pinned to their chest's and wondered, "what are those people doing"? Finally I realized, "oh, it is some sort of race". Being one that gets involved in community affairs and non-profits, I soon realized many of these runs are organized for a cause. Well, cause related, people doing something fun, joining together, while out doors - sign me up! So my first challenge was training for a simple 5K race.

The next year, after seeing a documentary about white water river rafting, I set out alone on a three day trip to raft the Kern river ... class 4 to 5 rapids. Even sat in the front of the boat even though I was a novice paddling away with people trusting my leadership from the back of the boat. What a head rush that was. (And yes, I was thrown from the boat when we hit a rough patch. It was a blast and tested my strength and courage.)

The next year, I set out for a 10K race. (I since have completed several of these races but none under an hour ... for those of you that don't run, that is a doable goal but I have not reached it. Maybe this year!) For others, the goal is a breeze.

Following the race ... becoming a certified scuba diver was on my New Year's Eve resolution and ... as God, within the scope and confines of the universe provided well, yes a man who not only was a diver but had a dear friend in Belize, (second largest barrier reef located off the coast) and had a nice little home on the island. Not bad huh. Well, yes, you guessed it. Becoming a certified PADI Open Water Scuba Diver was achieved. Is it scary? Yes. While playing with nurse sharks, one of the persons in our dive group got a little to friendly and the shark nipped him. He was so stunned, he kicked his fins at a fast rate, which hit me in the head and knocked my face mask off, at 65 feet deep. Not fun but since one of the skill drills you have to practice to get your certification happens to be mask clearing and replacing under water. So, in calm, you do what you have to do, when you have to do it. Period. Next!

The next year, the goal got a little bit more gritty; climb the tallest peak in the 48 states, Mt. Whitney! Well, what does a woman who lives at sea level do to train for high altitude? Get up early Sunday morning at 5:00 AM, drive 3.5 hours, have breakfast at my favorite Hide-Away Cafe (literally the name), and proceed to the Whitney Portal for a training hike of 5 hours. After resting at the lake, I would hike back to the car and make the drive home in plenty of time to clean up a bit and go to bed to face work the next day, refreshed, revived and grateful for my time in the fresh air. Gym work outs, climbing the sand dunes in my town ... when I started I couldn't do one ascend without stopping three times. By the end of training I could do it ten times without stopping. Whew.

Next on the hit list, Africa. Climbing the infamous Mt. Kilimanjaro. You know, Hemingway's, short story, "The Snows of Kilimanjaro". Home of the Masai warriors, the tribe I was so fascinated with when learning of their existence in Cultural Anthropology while in college. The training began but ... injury ... partial ACL tear on the ski slopes in January doing a mogul hill and a job layoff in July postponed the trip. My council, best advisers,(friends), walked with me through the difficult decision, and so it was, I had to cancel. Ahhh!(A decision I regret now because the economy has only gotten worse and this year it won't be a go either. Drat.) So my birthday goal came and went without me. The mountain still stands so I do believe I have a date with the mountain at some point in my life. I hear it is grueling, unsanitary and memorable but ... A wise friend of mine once said, "Save something for later", so I do believe Mt. Kili and I will meet face to face sometime later.

In lieu of Mt. Kili, I took on rock climbing and am truly a novice but a 5.7 to 5.9 climb is not for the faint of heart no matter how you cut it. A dear friend lead me through that one and the skills saved a bad injury. While hiking alone training for Mt. Kili, I did a practice hike in heavy snow and lost the trail. I ended up having to rock climb down a ridge without rope or being belayed. I don't recommend this but without the knowledge gleaned by my friend, I think I would have broke my leg, been buried in the snow and good bear feed.

This year? I wanted to ski the Cornice in Mammoth Lakes but I think that might be on hold too. So, this year the goal is that 10K in under an hour.

Why do I share all of this? Because each of these challenges have tested my courage, challenged my body and trained my mind. I have learned, grown and changed as a result. I have found refuge in the places the training has taken me to and insight into how to push through everyday challenges and strategically figure out a way through it. Sometimes on the spot, sometimes by planning a head. When you are on the side of a mountain, looking for your next hand or foot hold, you can't calculate just that move. You have to say to yourself, under your breath, "If I move my left hand there, where will my next foot hold be"? Each step a puzzle to reach the top.

Every fear, every challenge has to be erased or faced. Often, when I am fearful, like I was last night and could not sleep considering how I was going to pay my bills, I heard myself say, "You didn't know how you were going to summit a mountain either, but you did it, one step at a time."

So guess what, together, with one foot in front of the other, through these economic times, we can take those small steps to reach our goals. No, this is not a time to stop dreaming. On the contrary, more than ever, we need to keep our dreams alive for it is in envisioning our dreams that hope will arise. This is the hope that gets us out of bed each morning and says, "Thank God, I am alive and well."

What challenge will you take on for yourself this year? What steps can you take and what friend can you take along for the ride or encourage as they move through their fear?

Welcome

Business owners, friends and family that have stepped out in faith, who have encouraged me and jump started their own careers and life by launching themselves, overcoming obstacles and following their path were the inspiration for this blog.

It was created for the purpose of uniting those of us who depend on the strong network of people we love: to edify, encourage and uplift in whatever we do, in this uncertain world. It is those of us who can adapt that will thrive. Let's do it together.

I can't listen to the news anymore, the latest buzz of the economic downturn is fear inducing. With positive energy and mind set, let's breathe life and light into these times of trial.

Some of my favorite quotes through the objections I have overcome are:

"When you are going through hell, keep going" - Jack
"When life gives you scraps, make a quilt" - Patti
"Do what you have to do, when you have to do it" - Me
"Don't worry Franny, they can't eat you" - Dad
"If you lost one deal, don't worry, just go get another one" - Dad

So welcome to the "Francey and Full Spectrum Marketing Integrated" blog. I hope you are encouraged to connect.

Please feel free to invite your friends and let's start sharing messages of hope regarding our best practices, building synergies, networking, asking questions and seeking answers and unfolding the simple truths of life: the truth that a sense of belonging is what helps keep us in balance.

Francey

The Most Important Brand You Build is Yourself

"Your premium brand had better be delivering something special, or it's not going to get the business." - Warren Buffett

When it comes to personal branding, are you delivering something special? Are you doing what you were meant to do with your life and living your purpose? Francey