Expert in the Rough, Brian Monahan

The Personal Passion Project is off and running. 6 fantastic people have chosen a different path, an authentic path of passion.

I am so grateful for this group of people. One of the greatest gifts I find from teaching is the “Quantum Feedback” you get from others lessons and insights.

During the most recent class the group was sharing their experiences outside the class engaging their passion. Being a firm believer in “the perfect storm” a number of the class members have overlapping passions and interests but are at different points on the journey.

One of the group members is an experienced photographer but has lost touch with his passion and another group member was just getting started. The experienced photographer and new photographer were able to connect outside the class.

The experienced photographer shared how he noticed his excitement and energy grow as he shared his ideas on what type of camera to purchase and how to get the best shot. This became a fantastic insight for me and the class.

Life is an ebb and flow and the energy of our passions is ever changing. As we become masters of our passion we have to find new sources of kindling to keep the fire burning. One technique is deepening our knowledge of our passion and another is sharing it.

The latter is really the best path to the prior by the way.

One of the best ways to rekindle a passion is to “Spark” or inspire others to take up your (their) passion. I think one of the traps of passion is seeking elusive euphoria of “The First Time” but teaching just might be the answer to this dilemma.

Do you have a passion you want to rekindle? Teach, Share and Inspire and the passion will find you!

Is your Passion on Pause, Press Play?

Play is a funny word if you think in terms of VCR’s and DVD players versus the act of playing.  It is even funnier when you pair it up with a concept like Passion.

I think a lot of people suffer from a misdiagnosed passion problem.

Most people as they get older lose touch with their passion and believe their passion has become a lost cause.

I am suggesting possibly their passion is merely on pause.

Being my day job is in the audio visual production industry this metaphor should be a slam dunk for me.

Were talking about Passion being like the media in your CD player or DVD Player.  It is the music or the movie you play for enjoyment.

What happens when you press pause.  It holds the music or enjoyment at a certain spot.  That is right where you left off.  To get it started again you just press play.  Nothing fancy, nothing overly technical.  Just press the stinking play button.

I am suggesting you merely need to Press Play to get your passion and enjoyment started again.

So back to the word “play,” and one more metaphor, isn’t play something you do for enjoyment.  You play with your toys.  You play with your friends.  You play with Passion.

That is right.  Play is the answer to your Passion problems.  Press Play.

If you need some help finding your Passion Play button checkout The Personal Passion Project.

http://budurl.com/PassionProject

Last week I had the honor to interview my dear old Dad about his path and his views on passion.  Being the smart “arse” that he is he won’t mind the “old” jab, but kidding aside, my Dad had some great insights when it comes to passion.

I have referenced my Dad – Mike Monahan in numerous posts but for my new readers, my father has been teaching Personal Growth Seminars for over 15 years.  His path is an unlikely one with a poor upbringing, limited education and a career on the opposite end of the personal growth spectrum.  He transitioned from Pipefitter (construction trade), to Executive Director for Life Success Seminars and later their Basic seminar facilitator.

I have done a little career research and I have found no documentation on bridging the gap between Pipefitting and Personal Growth Guru.

I can say that is probably the case for most great success stories.  There is not documentation out there to bridge the gap between your reality and your dreams.

I have learned that Passion often can serve as that bridge.

I must be honest last week when I was interviewing my Dad, I was not expecting to learn anything new during the teleconference.  I was pretty focused on sharing a little information for my upcoming Personal Passion Project teleclass series and hoping to inspire those who joined the call with my Dad’s story.

I hadn’t even considered theremight be something for me to learn during the interview.

My final question for my Dad (excuse my Dad instead of Father reference Dad feels more loving and personal); “What have your learned about Passion, teaching at Life Success Seminars over the last 15 years?”

His answer heavily paraphrased, “most people want to start out with the “Big Show”, and skip the “Little Show” available today.”  Meaning often times people skip over the daily opportunities to engage in their passion and dreams and the “Big Show” never arrives.  Passion is not somewhere to arrive but something to engage and integrate.

Over the next few months I am going to be digging deeper into the topic of Passion.  I hope you can join my class starting on August 4th.  Event Details Click Here

If you are not interested in the class just put your blinders on and ignore my promotion and enjoy the content and insights I am gathering about Passion.

If you are interested in listening to the full Introduction to the Personal Passion Project and Interview with Mike Monahan you can visit http://tinyurl.com/pppintro

Image Credit – Link to Kay82

It’s almost Momentum Monday and I have been doing the BeachBody.com Insanity DVD workout and diet for 1 week.

I think a “WAHOO!” is in order.

My wife and I were chatting on the way to dinner with my parents tonight about what I was going to eat. We were going to one of Cincinnati’s classic pizza joints, “Larosa’s.” Larosa’s has great food but lets get real pizza is the only reason to go to Larosa’s.

I had a dilemma, “pizza or a grilled chicken hoagie,” I asked my wife.  She said; “Today is your cheat day, right.” I had an out, even though I chose for Saturday to be my cheat day, I had decided to eat healthy on Saturday any way and my wife was giving me an out to cheat on Sunday. Let’s get honest, “I HAVE BEEN FAT FOR TOO LONG!!”,

I DON”T need a cheat day, and oh, by the way, I am not sure there is even such a thing listed for this workout and diet plan.

I hope to inspire you to amp it up in the pursuit of some goal you are chasing.

Jim Quinn a mentor from my past always said, “99% commitment is a bitch, 100% commitment is a cinch!”

The “Insanity” workout plan I have committed to is over a 9 week period but I am realizing it is really just one day, one hour and one choice at a time.

I choose thin and healthy!

I choose thin and healthy again!

I choose thin and healthy again and again!

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Register for the Free Introduction to the Personal Passion Project Today - Click Here for Details!

or visit http://www.personalpassionproject.com

Most of you have probably heard of the “Take Your Daughter or Son to Work Days,” it is a noble program aimed at introducing our next generation to the workplace.   There are numerous benefits to both the parents and their children around participating in this program but I wanted to share another concept.

I am calling it “Take Yourself to Work Day.”  You are probably thinking that sounds a little stupid.  “How can you not take yourself to work?”, you say and that is exactly the question I have for you.

How can you not take yourself to work?

I can only say I see it every day.  Wonderful people leaving their spirit at the door, scared and frightened to show up with all their glory in the workplace.

This is a cunning concept.  You might raise issues of keeping your personal and professional life separate or that you are different than your coworkers.  Maybe they just wouldn’t understand.  I think this is one of the biggest tragedies of our time but their has been a shift.  Facebook and Twitter have opened up a can of worms and “Our Worlds are Colliding.”

Our personal and professional lives have become blurred and that is a great thing.

I have a question for you.  Is there really any place you can go that is not personal?  If you are a person then everywhere you go it is personal.  I am not saying that work does not have its customs and rules but checking your spirit at the door is doing no one any good.

A few years ago I came to the conclusion that there was no guarantee in life that I would be able to create a personal utopia with the perfect job with the perfect people.  A place where I would be able to be myself and live out my unique calling in life.  What is interesting is when I came to this realization it actually opened up the floodgates of this becoming a reality.

Because I realized their was never going to be a magical day to start being myself and sharing my unique gifts I decided I better start right away.  When I came to this conclusion I decided to completely integrate my spirit, dreams and talents at work and in all circles of my life.

You might be thinking you could never share your true passions with co-workers but I am telling you there is “Gold in Them There Fields.”  There is a treasure for those who decide to share themselves fully.  You will be surprised should you decide to “Take Yourself to Work” that others have the same dreams, goals and passions as you do.  Everyone is looking for that one hero who might inspire them to live their dreams.  You can be that person.

A big mantra in todays society is being transparent.  I think transparency is a great concept but being transparent is only part of the equation of “Taking Yourself to Work,”  connecting and engaging is where you start to gain energy.  Notice, I said “Gain Energy,” most people would think the opposite might happen or a loss of energy.  Sharing yourself is like kindling for your dreams.  It is a spark.  When others become aware of your true desires they become a resource or “source” for new energy.  They provide encouragement and ideas and referrals.

I started this journey for myself by joining a Toastmasters group to develop my public speaking skills.  A number of co-workers were aware of my new hobby since I was not able to join them for lunch periodically when I had Toastmasters meetings.  I shared with them I was developing my speaking skills in pursuit of my dream of being a keynote speaker.  Within a month of sharing this dream with my coworker he approached me with an opportunity to present to an industry group in another city.

I must say I was a bit frightened my dream was showing up so fast.  I spoke to 50 people in another city and I was on my way.

Other opportunities started to show up as well.  Our company was growing fast and the frequency of company meetings grew.  The owner of my company was aware of my public speaking goals and often came to me to develop the agenda and run our company meetings.  Another opportunity to live out my dream.  I have numerous other examples of public speaking opportunities that have arisen as well as other areas of interest but they all have a common thread of taking the risk of being myself.

Some ideas for how you can “Take Yourself to Work.”

• Host a book club related to one of your passions.
• Ask a coworker to lunch and get to know them.
• Display examples of your passion in your office or cubicle.
• Express your opinion on a controversial subject.
• Host a happy hour or potluck lunch.
• Create a company social media community on Facebook (if your employer permits).
• Create an employee newsletter highlighting personal interests.
• Be yourself.
• Remember everything you do is Personal (no separation o state when it comes to you)

I look forward to meeting “You” at work someday!

I am proud to share a keynote speech my father delivered at The Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, 2010 Small Business Excellence Awards.

I am lucky to have such a great resource, role model and father.

Great Job Dad!

Learn More About Mike Monahan & Life Success Seminars - Click Here

30 pounds over my ideal weight most of my life focus has been on what is inside the refrigerator, over the weekend I took a step back and realized my refrigerator has more to offer than food.

Here is a collection of quotes or inspirations right from the doors of my fridge.

All of the inspirational nutrition I need right in front of my face and now available to be printed off for your refrigerator.

• A marriage relationship is a dynamic living organism undergoing various stages, cycles, rhythms and moods.  - Father Lou Guntzelman
• A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be. -Douglas Pagels
• Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.  Live the life you have imagined.  -Thoreau
• Live life as if it were created just for you. - Maya Angelou
• Always do what you are afraid to do.  -Emerson
• Trust your crazy ideas.  -Dan Zadra
• When your heart is in your dream, then no wish is too extreme.  - Jiminy Cricket
• I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
• Take flight.
• Good Morning, I am God, Today I will be handling all of your problems.
• You can begin to make your dreams come true by taking at least one or two concrete steps each day that lead you precisely in the direction of your heartfelt inner visions.  – Caroline Joy Adams
• Happiness is never stopping to think if you are.
• We love because it’s the only true adventure. – Nikki Giovanni
• Reach for The Sky.

I hope you enjoy.

You can add your fridge quotes in the comments area.

Over the weekend I attended a seminar (Life Success Seminars).  One of the insights I took from the seminar is it is real easy to brag about our faults and forget about our successes.

The word “brag” generally carries a negative connotation which leads many us to avoid sharing our successes.  I believe this social norm has contributed to us focusing on our negative qualities and forgetting our strengths and successes.   Almost all success strategies revolve around the idea our reality is directly related to our thoughts and feelings.  Since society does not accept bragging we need to find new ways to acknowledge our successes.

Many of you have probably heard the term “Bragging Rights” which is interesting in its own right.  “Bragging Rights” connotes deserving or righteousness which is probably what rubs people wrong about bragging in the first place.

With all this negative spin regarding bragging I still think people need to share their light, share their successes.

I suggest “Bragging Right” versus “Bragging Rights.”

So how can you brag right?

• Actions speak louder than words you can start by getting engaged in your work and your relationships.  Engagement lends itself to “showing off” your gifts and accomplishments.

• Another technique is showing interest in others.  By asking others about their successes it naturally leads to reciprocal interest.  The most interesting person is the interested person.

• Sharing your knowledge is another way to show off your skills.  You don’t even need to point out your expertise it becomes evident while you are sharing your wisdom.
• Being bold and tooting your own horn occasionally is always an option as well as long as it is balanced with  a sincere interest in others.

So tell me about 5 Things that you are proud of in your life in the comments area of this post?  Don’t pass up this opportunity to Brag Right.  It’s not bragging since I asked.  It is just sharing.

Image Credit: Sebnem Imece

I attend one of those “Megachurches,” …..The Cincinnati Vineyard Community Church. Besides their mission “To Love the people of Cincinnati into a relationship with God,” the Vineyard strives to be a relevant source for people to develop their faith.

I had an inkling todays message would tie into Super Bowl Sunday.  I was right today’s message “Get in the Game” was woven with numerous sports themes.  Although their message was about volunteering at the church, the message I received was to “Get In the Game” of sharing what touches me with you, the readers of Expert in the Rough.

I consider myself a bit of an Internet enthusiast and I have set some high standards of protocol.  I never want to be perceived as a spa^mmer or novice who passes around chain letters or be the hundredth person to forward you the latest YouTube sensation….hence I might be seen as a sensationalist.

I figure you have probably already seen it.

During today’s message the pastor shared a video of Jason McElwain, you might not recognize the name but the story might ring a bell.  Jason McElwain better known as “J-Mac” to his classmates and teachers is famous for scoring six 3 point baskets in final minutes of his final and only high school basketball game.  Even if you are unfamiliar with basketball this might not sound like much of an accomplishment but for Jason, who was diagnosed with autism as a child this was almost a miracle.

As I watch the video in church today I thought I should share this on my blog, the message I was hearing was “Brian you really don’t share any inspiring stories about others on your blog, this would be a good one to start with.”  God gives me different messages from time to time and this one is not necessarily earth shattering but what the heck.

I hope you enjoy this video about Jason McElwain.

What touched me about the video were two things:

• Jason broke free of his limitations and it led him to places no one could foresee.
• Small acts by a person in a leadership position can change the world.

Join the conversation.  If you are reading this blog post on Facebook, Twitter, Email or other RSS location click over to http://www.expertintherough.com and leave your thoughts in the comments area of each post.

Expert in the Rough is 4 posts away from 100 blog posts.  If it were a TV show it would be time for syndication or “Jumping the Shark.”

A self proclaimed “Self Help Junkie,” I have read just about every “self help” book under the sun.  You know, the classics….Think and Grow Rich, PsychoCybernetics, The Road Less Traveled, The Power of Positive Thinking and don’t get me started with “self help crack” Chicken Soup for the Soul series of books.  Yes, I think I have read them all and I am looking for a new drug, I mean type of book.

I thought you might be burnt out as well on the “self help” craze and looking for a new direction.  I have a new  book category for you “Thought Provoking.”  I have tired of the idea that someone might have an answer for me.  Do I really want to limit myself with the constraints of someone else’s concept of “self help.”

Thought provoking takes self help in a different direction.  Instead of telling me what to do it provokes me to reflect on an idea or a concept and create something new.  You can even take this a step further and not only seek to be provoked but become the provoker.

In todays information age there are plenty of answers available but are there enough people with the courage to provoke new thinking?

Thought provoking material on my nightstand:

• Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior

• This Will Change Everything: Ideas That Will Shape the Future

• Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?